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Dec 21-Jan 3, 2019 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly elentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler and our neighboring communities

Freeway to open, bringing a new world to thousands BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

After decades of planning and preparation, years of litigation and 36 months of digging, blasting and back-breaking work, the Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway is about to open. Flanked by Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, former Chandler Councilmans/ current County Supervisor and State

Transportation Board Chairman Jack Sellers and scores of other state and local leaders, Gov. Doug Ducey held a press conference Dec. 18 to announce completion of the 22-mile, eight-lane link between connecting the Chandler and West 59th Avenue interchange on Interstate 10 – and a thoroughfare for an estimated 117,000 to 140,000 vehicles a day, half of them trucks. But the exact date of the freeway's

opening remains a mystery. "Soon," replied Arizona Department of Transportation Director John Halikowski when the San Tan Sun News asked for a specific opening date. "We hope to have it opened before the end of the year." Ducey and others hailed the achievement, which at $1.7 billion is the most expensive single highway project in state history, saying it “connects the

East Valley and West Valley in ways that will impact the region's economy for decades and "enable our state’s growth for generations to come.” Although Halikowsky said some loose ends need tidying up and the freeway given a final inspection, state police already have been using it – moving at the See

FREEWAY on page 10

Waymo is emerging as a new crime-fighting tool BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

A 32-year-old man was peddling his bicycle along Galveston Street on the night of April 12, 2019, and as he approached Chippewa Drive, he was struck by the side of a moving car. Witnesses saw the driver stop for a few moments before fleeing. The cyclist was left to lie out in the street – blood dripping from his face, his leg severely fractured. He was rushed to the hospital and treated for his injuries. The Chandler Police Department canvassed the area for any residents with security cameras hoping one camera

may have captured the collision on tape. But nothing turned up showing the suspect’s license plate number. A month passed before a detective submitted a search warrant for video footage of a self-driving car, he suspected, recorded the hit-and-run suspect. The car belonged to Waymo, the Google-affiliated company often circulating autonomous cars around Chandler over the last few years. The high-tech vehicles come equipped with several cameras and sensors continuously logging what it perceives on the streets. See

WAYMO on page 12

East Valley police, civilians ‘Ring’ in crime together BY JIM WALSH Staff Writer

A doorbell never made as many friends and enemies, but then again, The Ring is far from the ordinary lighted button with chimes. Ring videotapes people walking up to your front door – some of whom might be up to no good. And at a time when Christmas online shoppers are expecting packages, Ring has become a new crime-fighting tool for Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert police. In police Commander Ed Upshaw’s south Chandler district, Ring has helped police nab a stalker, porch pirates swiping Amazon packages – even a couple of Amazon delivery workers caught stealing packages they supposedly delivered or a previously delivered. Chandler police also used the Ring to bust another sort of ring – a carload of

teens from Phoenix who jumped out of a car early in the morning and opened the doors of unlocked, park cars to steal whatever valuables they could find. “We have used it in multiple cases. It is a valuable tool our agency uses,’’ Upshaw said. “It’s 2019. It’s not the same world you lived in in 1970. The world has changed. You are under constant surveillance.’’ But some civil libertarians consider Ring a technological manifestation of Big Brother and a dangerous intrusion on privacy rights, with innocent people suddenly accused of suspicious behavior without reason and cops obtaining evidence quickly, with no oversight, through a network of nosey doorbells. Upshaw and other East Valley police officials say their concerns are overblown. They consider Ring the equivalent of a digital block watch, an update on an asSee

RING on page 25

Merry dancer

Basha High freshman Kate Robinson was one of a number of Chandler Unified special-education students who were treated to the annual holiday dance put on by the 41 members of Basha High School's student government. Student Government President Kate Robinson, who is no relation to the Kate pictured above, the dance is as important and special for her colleagues as it is for the guests. Photos: pages 46-47. (Chris Mortenson/Staff Photographer)

F E AT U R E STO R I E S Former Chandler mayor dies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . Page 8 New Chandler school focus on STEM . . . . . . . . . . .BUSIINESS . . . . . . . . Page 26 Wolves revel in championship victory . . . . . . . . . . .SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . Page 35 Chandler detective pursues cold cases . . . . . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . .Page 40 2 big-time eateries open here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EAT . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 61

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CARE Center makes kids' Christmas merrier SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Hundreds of families lined up along Galveston Street last week to receive a special gift from the Chandler CARE Center. Children of all ages were escorted around the nonprofits headquarters to accept bags full of toys, decorate holiday cookies, and snap a photo with Santa Claus. The Dec. 14 event ended with thousands of donated toys, bikes, and scooters being handed out to 992 local kids – the average turnout seen at the annual event, according to CARE Center Director Katie Kahle. Her staff and hordes of volunteers don’t ask families to prove their socioeconomic status in order to receive a gift. Kahle said the kids only have to be Chandler residents or students of the Chandler Unified School District. “We don’t want to put too many barriers in place,” the director said. Nearly a decade after the CARE Center tripled in size, the facility continues serving a large swath of the community through a variety of services. It opened in 1995 out of San Marcos Elementary as a medical and dental clinic for uninsured school-age kids. The center, run by Chandler Unified, moved to a bigger building next to Galveston Elementary in 2010 and remains a refuge for families. It operates

Jack Jensen, 11, helped to pick toys for needy children at the Chandler Care Center last weekend, joining dozens of teens and pre-teens who learned the art of giving back early in life. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

a food bank, teaches literacy programs, and help residents apply for public benefits. Kahle said her facility’s central location makes it the prime spot in Chandler to host a large holiday event. “We’re in a position to help a high number of families and to do it efficiently,” Kahle said. The CARE Center works with For Our City Chandler, a collection of local

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charitable organizations, to make sure they are not all serving the same families. It also better ensures they are able to serve families who need help, Kahle added, and those they can’t help are referred to another organization. Each child is typically guaranteed at least three age-appropriate gifts. The CARE Center doesn’t do wish lists or special requests. Volunteers will pull games and toys from a stock of donated

goods and place them in a bag so the gifts can stay secretly concealed until Christmas Day. With a staff of only eight employees, the CARE Center is not able to organize the event alone. Volunteers from the Chandler Fire Department, local churches, companies, and Chandler Unified schools came out last Saturday to guide families through the holiday activities. Susan Bertlesman, a mother from Ahwatukee, brought her teenage son with her to volunteer at the CARE Center event. They helped carry heavy bags of gifts and accompanied families through the activities. It’s vital to have events supporting everyone in the community, Bertlesman said, regardless of how much money someone makes. She appreciated seeing so many young people spending their Saturday volunteering for the CARE Center. “I think it’s important for these young kids to be involved and show some gratitude,” Bertlesman said. Along with the CARE Center’s Thanksgiving event, the holiday giveaway is the facility’s biggest outreach event of the year. Kahle said its success each year is a reflection of the community’s positive relationship with the CARE Center. “They know us, they trust us. It’s an event they feel safe going to,” Kahle said.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Chandler hikes monthly trash pick-up fee SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

City officials have raised Chandler’s monthly trash fee by $1 to offset rising operational and recycling costs. The City Council approved raising the solid-waste removal fee from $16.93 to $17.95, which will generate $937,100 more in annual revenue for the Public Works Department. Dawn Lang, Chandler’s management services director, told the council all the extra revenue will go back into operating trash and recycling services. “This is important just to sustain the program,” Lang said. The city contracts with Waste Management of Arizona to pickup and deliver curbside trash. Rises in fuel prices and the Consumer Price Index are requiring the contractor to seek a raise in the city’s revenues. Chandler’s contract with Waste Management expires at the end of September 2020. The 6-percent boost to the trash fee still makes Chandler’s utility costs cheaper than surrounding cities. Mesa’s trash rate is $29, Phoenix’s is $27, and Tempe’s is $20. Gilbert’s monthly rate of $14.80 is one of the lowest trash rates in the Valley. The extra $1 will additionally mitigate projected changes in the recycling industry. Because China is not buying as much recycled materials as in

previous years, American cities have had to reevaluate the sustainability of its recycling services. While the cost to process recyclables has been increasing, Chandler’s not expecting any major changes in the near future to its recycling program. Chandler previously amended its contract with United Fibers to starting paying processing fees for every ton of recyclables the company collects. Some cities across the Valley have revised the types of recyclables it will collect and others have suspended

its recycling program altogether. The city of Mesa has implemented tougher recycling policies on residents who put hazardous materials in their bins. Phoenix officials want to raise monthly trash fees by $4 to $6. Meanwhile, smaller cities like Casa Grande and Sierra Vista have had to discontinue curbside recycling due to escalating costs. “It’s a rapidly changing market,” said Traci Conway, Chandler’s recycling manager. Though she doesn’t foresee

any change to how Chandler recycles, Conway said the city has removed some public drop-off sites due to a high prevalence of contaminated materials. Residents were repeatedly dumping the wrong types of items at the neighborhood drop-off sites to the point where it was no longer viable to continue the service. “We weren’t getting the material we want to get for revenue,” Conway explained. Chandler residents can still bring recyclable materials to the city’s main collection site at 955 East Queen Creek Road. Conway advised not placing hazardous materials like soiled pizza boxes or dirty diapers in recycling bins or else it can contaminate recyclable goods. “It can ruin entire loads,” she said. The Public Works Department is continuing to educate residents on what they should and should not recycle, Conway said, in order to avoid further contamination. The city’s also in the process of surveying residents on trash services to find out whether any improvements should be made. “We will keep an eye on different things and evaluate if changes need to be made to the program,” Conway added.

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Chandler’s first African-American mayor dies at 90 BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Coy Payne, Chandler’s first and only African-American mayor is being remembered as a trailblazer who overcame unlikely odds to reach the highest office of his community. Mr. Payne, a former educator and city leader, passed away on Dec. 8. He was 90. Mr. Payne made history in 1983 by becoming the first African-American to be elected to the Chandler City Council. He made history again in 1990 after voters elected him mayor for two consecutive terms. His life reflected the societal shifts taking place throughout the 20th century. He was born into a world offering him few opportunities, yet he left it with the respect and admiration of his community. The high school once barred Mr. Payne from attending but now has his name memorialized on one of its buildings. He saw Chandler transform from a pasture of farm fields into the burgeoning suburb it’s become today. But despite his achievements, friends and associates recalled how Mr. Payne always remained graciously humble. “It always struck me how accessible he was as a mayor,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. He remembered meeting Mr. Payne back when Hartke was finishing his master’s degree and needed help with a

Coy Payne and his wife Willie nee Woods raised six children. (Chandler Unified School District)

COY PAYNE research project. Mr. Payne spent hours explaining the history of Chandler’s neighborhoods and demographics, Hartke said. Mr. Payne will be missed, the mayor said about his predecessor because he was a leader who never held grudges or played politics. “I think Mayor Payne was very good at just looking for solutions and asking lots of questions,” Hartke added. Mr. Payne was one of nine children born to Scott and Virgie Payne. His father uprooted the family from their Texas home in the early 1940s and moved to Arizona in search of better economic prospects. They first settled in Eloy, where Mr. Payne helped his father pick cotton for months before the family could save enough money to purchase an automobile. They drove north and found a rancher near Chandler looking for farmhands. Education was important to Mr. Payne’s parents so they were discouraged to learn Chandler didn’t have any classrooms for African-Americans students. “We couldn’t go to school with the white kids and there was no school for black kids in Chandler,” Mr. Payne said during a 2007 interview with History Makers. Mr. Payne and his siblings were forced to attend a segregated school in Mesa before Chandler opened an all-black elementary school near Chandler Heights Road.

But after graduating from school, the Payne children had nowhere to go since Chandler High School refused to accept them. Mr. Payne once told the East Valley Tribune how his father petitioned the local school board to desegregate Chandler High. The petition failed and Mr. Payne always remembered the words of one school board member. “He said never in his lifetime will he see a black kid in the same class as his kids,” Mr. Payne told the Tribune in 2009. Mr. Payne was forced to take the bus to the all-black Carver High School in central Phoenix. After he graduated, Payne briefly attended Arizona State University before dropping out and enlisting in the U.S. Army. He saw some combat during the Korean War and used his military benefits to finish his bachelor’s degree in education at ASU. Mr. Payne then started his professional career teaching third graders in Chandler. He married Willie Woods, an accountant and civil rights activist, and the couple raised six children together. Mr. Payne spent the next three decades working as a teacher and administrator in the Chandler Unified School District. He retired in 1989, one year before his run for Chandler’s mayor. His 2-to-1 victory over Jane DuComb, a fellow city council member, made Mr. Payne the first African-American elected mayor of any city in Arizona. He later credited his political success to the support he received from a large cross-section of the community. “Chandler’s black population was just 3 percent,” Mr. Payne told the Tribune in 2009. “I couldn’t get elected by just the black population.” Justice of the Peace Jay Tibshraeny knew Mr. Payne for more than 30 years – first as a father to several of Tibshraeny’s high school friends and later as a political mentor, role model and friend. “I knew him before we ran for council because a couple of his sons went to school with me,” recalled the former Chandler Council member, mayor and legislator. Tibshraeny said before he entered his city council race in 1986, he sought Mr. Payne’s advice. “I got interested in politics and

As mayor, Coy Payne mentored Justice of the Peace Jay Tibshraeny, who was his vice mayor. (Special to the

SanTan Sun News)

I reached out to him. He was very supportive of me entering and he was very supportive of my campaign,” said Tibshraeny, whom Mr. Payne appointed vice mayor for two consecutive twoyear terms when he was mayor. “He was mayor during a very explosive time of growth for Chandler,” Tibshraeny added. Chandler’s population ballooned by 96 percent between 1990 and 2000. During his first term on Council, Tibshraeny recalled how much he admired the way Mr. Payne conducted himself and the Council’s business. “He had a good way about him. I admired the way he dealt with people at council meetings and the decorum he maintained as Council did its business. I tried to follow his example,” Tibshraeny said. Mr. Payne’s warm personality kept him popular in Chandler long after he left the mayor’s office. Chandler Unified named a middle school after Mr. Payne and his wife in 2004. Chandler High School, the campus once prohibited Mr. Payne from at-

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from page 1

legal speed limit from one end to the other in 13 minutes, one source said. On Dec. 19, State Transportation Board members were to get a private tour along the entire stretch – and Sellers couldn't wait, saying he's been involved one way or another with discussions of the freeway "for longer than I can remember." "I did tell them one thing, I wanted it open while I am still chairman" of the board, said Sellers, whose term expires Dec. 31. Chief State Engineer Dallas Hammit told the board last month, “There’s still a lot of work to be done. All those lawsuits trying to stop the project are done, but there are some concerns on right-ofway, on noise walls we’re working with through our normal process.” Even after it opens – most likely next week – there are three major pieces that will take about six months to complete. They include two last-minute additions to the project totaling an extra $20 million – interchanges at 32nd Street in Ahwatukee and around Ivanhoe Street near the Vee Quiva Casino on the Gila River Indian Community. Also slated for completion next year is the 15-to-20-foot-wide multi-use path along six miles of southern side of the Ahwatukee segment of freeway that ADOT agreed to build after cyclists and joggers complained about the loss of flat Pecos Road and its mountain and open-desert vistas. The $1.7-billion freeway is the work of Arizona’s first major public-private partnership between ADOT and a consortium of companies called Connect202Partners. That partnership used a design-build approach to the freeway with a 30-year maintenance agreement. Connect202Partners is led by Fluor Enterprises Inc., and includes Granite Construction Co., Ames Construction Inc. and Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. as the lead designer. Additionally, 10 subcontractors had participated in the construction. Fluor and DBi Services, LLC, will maintain the lanes for 30 years with oversight from ADOT. “The project has turned heads around the industry because its sophisticated alternative delivery package is expected to result in cost savings be-

The Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway is expected to trigger an economic explosion for the West Valley but also pour at least 117,000 vehicles, half of them semis, just south of Ahwatukee. (Arizona Department of Transportation)

tween $122 and $200 million and bring motorists onto the new freeway about three years ahead of schedule,” said HDR, a general engineering consultant ADOT used for the freeway. The project includes two half-mile bridges over the Salt River, 15 interchanges, high-occupancy vehicle lanes as well as HOV ramps, five underpasses for wildlife and hikers and the state’s first half-divergent diamond interchanges. The two half-divergent interchanges are both in Ahwatukee, at Desert Foothills Parkway and 17th Avenue, and are patterned after full-divergent diamond interchanges in a handful of other states to improve safety and mobility for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Along the entire stretch of the freeway, crews installed more than 20 miles of drainage pipe, laid over 107,000 tons of asphalt pavement, installed more than 1,000 girders, built 40 bridges, moved 9.9 million cubic yards of dirt and used 10,800 tons of rebar manufactured from recycled steel. Government and private-sector leaders hailed the project as a vital step toward completion of the freeway loop system

promising to stimulate massive economic development in parts of Phoenix and the West Valley. “Throughout the design-build-maintain lifecycle, South Mountain Freeway is estimated to create about 30,000 jobs,” HDR said, indicating it would generate $2 billion in economic development along the entire stretch of the freeway and beyond. Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels said last year, “As an East Valley mayor, I am especially excited to see this extension take place from a business perspective. The freeway will provide an economic development corridor and will better connect businesses in the East and West Valleys.” “I saw firsthand how the Loop 202/ Santan Freeway helped business development,” Daniels added. Hartke said Chandler has been preparing for months for the freeway to open – eager to tap into the potential job market in the West Valley to fill hundreds of opening in Chandler. ""There's a very qualified workforce out there, whether it's plumbers, electricians, carpenters or engineers," Hartke told the San Tan Sun News, saying

newer companies that have settled in Chandler "are super-excited about this freeway opening." That flow of jobs could be a two-way street. Orion Real Estate Investment said while the freeway would be “a release valve for traffic congestion on existing freeways and local streets,” it envisions explosive growth in the West Valley “It’s not often when 22 miles of freeway is added to a major city in the U.S.,” Orion said. “It also isn’t often when a large area becomes ripe for a slew of economic development opportunities for a variety of markets. Phoenix is set to see all of this become a reality when the South Mountain Freeway is finished.” It predicted the industrial sector “will feel the most immediate impact.” “The West Valley has become the epicenter of Phoenix’s industrial market, primarily for logistics operations,” it said, noting the traffic congestion on the I-10 “has been caused by semi-trucks moving goods eastward.” “Last-mile deliverers will likely view West Valley as a more viable location moving forward and will feel less pressure to establish operations somewhere in the East Valley," Orion said." Conversely, logistics companies in the East Valley will have easier access to the West Valley and major metropolitan areas in California.” Orion also forecasts an explosion in multifamily construction, primarily in areas of south and west Phoenix - like Laveen and South Mountain. It also noted Gilbert and Chandler were basically “farm towns with an abundance of developable land” until they “were transformed into dynamic economic engines in a relatively short period of time.” Orion also forecast significant office building and retail growth will follow the resident development. Less clear is the impact on the huge swath of reservation land the freeway runs near. One warehouse project already is on the books on Gila River Indian Community land at 40th Street and the ramps near Ivanhoe Street are being installed partly to provide “improved access to and from the Gila River Indian Community west of the freeway.” See

FREEWAY on page 12

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FREEWAY

from page 10

Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said that despite the bitter and prolonged court effort that the community waged to stop the freeway, "We're now connected and w're looking to the future." He also noted that the community's ongoing negotiations for the widening of a 22-mile stretch of I-10 between the Chandler interchange and Casa Grande – the only four-lane stretch on the sixlane interstate – now "has top priority." Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell, as chair of the Maricopa County of Governments, spoke about the freeway's economic impact, noting that more than half of the future population and job growth in Maricopa County will be in its southeastern and southwestern quarters. Echoing that, Federal Highway Administration Division Administrator Karla Petty said, "This segment of the Loop 202 will provide faster and easier access between the East and West Valley cities while making it more convenient for residents to access other parts of the Valley for work, shopping, education

WAYMO

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

and entertainment." The South Mountain Freeway – renamed in honor of the late Congressman Pastor's work on behalf of many freeway projects in Arizona – was first conceived in 1983 as the Southwest Loop Highway. It became more than a wish list item when voters approved the freeway system in 1985. But it wasn’t until ADOT began buying up homes in Ahwatukee neighborhoods in the early part of this century as part of its right-of-way acquisitions when opposition ballooned. The Gila River Indian Community and a group of Ahwatukee homeowners united as Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children had distinct reasons for fighting the freeway in the form of two federal lawsuits, eventually were treated by the courts as one big case. Native Americans primarily opposed the freeway because it cut through three peaks of South Mountain, which they consider sacred. PARC zeroed in on the environmental impact of all the trucks and cars on children who attended more than a dozen schools along the thoroughfare’s path. Those environmental concerns also were shared by the Gila River Indian

Community, which accused ADOT of running roughshod over sacred burial sites despite ADOT’s assertion it devoted countless hours to carefully examining land in the freeway’s path so no sacred sites were desecrated. Ahwatukee homeowners near the freeway’s footprint said the tens of thousands of vehicles a day estimated to use the freeway will generate toxic fumes they said could pose health hazards not only to school children but virtually anyone living there. “No freeway is worth the destruction of the South Maintain Park and Preserve,” PARC President Patricia Lawlis said last week. “This freeway represents a huge investment for little benefit except for trucking companies is especially reprehensible.” Both ADOT and FHA vehemently denied the allegations, contending they had devoted years of analysis to the freeway’s impact on wells, air, noise and nearby parkland and the had adhered to all federal environmental guidelines, even going beyond the mandated guidelines. The tribal and neighborhood parties in the suit filed thousands of briefs and exhibits to stop the freeway. In August 2016, U.S. District Judge

Diane Humetewa’s issued a 35-page decision rejecting all the opponents’ claims and ADOT announced it would immediately begin removing federally protected plants, such as Saguaros, from the freeway path and relocating them in safe areas for replanting once construction was complete. Thousands of more pages of briefs followed as opponents tried to upend the decision in the Ninth District of the U.S. Court of Appeals. The fight died there as a panel of judges upheld Humetawa. But the discontent didn’t die. The construction triggered numerous complaints by residents, who said crews working almost round-the-clock were disrupting people’s sleep and extensive blasting cracked foundations and walls on homes and garages, Residents already have been bitterly complaining about unshielded lights, forcing a number of residents to buy black-out curtains as their backyards look like stadiums during a night game. But while resentment among some people is drowned out by praise for the project, one thing is clear: The freeway will likely be open any day and bring with it a new world to thousands.

The mobility of this new technology may additionally become a valuable asset for law enforcement when it comes to conducting criminal investigations. In Chandler’s hit-and-run case, a Maricopa County judge signed off on a search warrant to review Waymo’s footage. One of the company’s cars was driv-

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Chandler Police said it doesn’t regularly attempt to look into Waymo’s cameras to solve crimes and the hit-and-run case was a rare incident. If the department becomes aware a

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WAYMO on page 14

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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Waymo car has evidence related to an investigation, the agency said it may try to obtain it the same as when investigators review surveillance cameras stationed outside homes or businesses. Criminology experts foresee the increasing presence of self-driving cars in Arizona as a unique opportunity for criminal investigations. Adam Scott Wandt, an assistant professor of public policy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, had not heard of police subpoenaing car companies for access to autonomous cars. But he thinks it falls in line with cops inspecting other types of technology like doorbell cameras, Apple watches or social media profiles. “That’s just the latest trend in what is a very common practice for law enforcement to try to get evidence from all different types of electronic places,” Wandt said. Wandt describes himself as both a privacy advocate and supporter of self-driving cars. He thinks as long as police have probable cause, then a company’s cameras should be subject to disclosure. But it’s up to Waymo and Uber to maintain control over access to its information, Wandt added, and not allow the government to turn the company’s cars into an unregulated, widespread surveillance system. “I could see a dystopian future where every car on the road – police could just use as a mobile video camera without any legal process going on,” Wandt said.

“That would be horrible.” Waymo’s privacy policy warns users the information it gathers from its ride-hailing service is subject to legal requests from outside entities. Waymo brought its fleet of self-driving cars to Chandler a couple years ago and plans to build another facility soon in Mesa. Waymo recently announced it’s provided more than 100,000 rides since launching in 2017. Other police departments in the Valley have not asked Waymo for evidence related to an investigation but would do so if the opportunity arose. “We utilize any evidence we can obtain and can aid in the resolution of an incident or a situation to help reduce harm in the City of Tempe,” said Det. Greg Bacon of the Tempe Police Department. Though his agency has not obtained search warrants to inspect Waymo’s cameras, Bacon said they would follow the same process for obtaining any other type of digital evidence. Bacon said Tempe detectives can contact Waymo to find out whether one of its cars may have recorded footage related to a crime or collision. Mesa Police said the cameras on a Waymo car helped solve an aggravated assault committed last year against one of the company’s drivers. According to police reports, a Waymo car was traveling behind a motorcycle on Baseline Road when the Waymo employee honked the autonomous car’s horn. The motorcycle slowed down, forcing the Waymo car to stop. The rider got off his bike and yelled at the Waymo car

before brandishing a gun. The Waymo car drove around the motorcycle and left the scene. Mesa Police obtained surveillance footage from the Waymo car and detected the motorcyclist’s license plate number. The bike was registered to 30-year-old Bradley Campbell. Investigators informed Campbell they had camera footage of him confronting the Waymo vehicle. He admitted he may have acted recklessly, police reports show, and was charged with disorderly conduct. Campbell pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Aside from this incident, Mesa Police said it has not had to subpoena Waymo camera footage. But if the agency ever needed to do so, it would require a certain level of reasonable suspicion for a judge to sign off on such a request. Since these autonomous cars could be driving anywhere at any time, investigators would need to find out whether one of them actually may have been at the scene of an incident before filing a search warrant. A judge isn’t likely to authorize a vague, open-ended or unspecific warrant. Joseph Schafer, a criminology professor at Saint Louis University, thinks its fair game for law enforcement to go on fishing expeditions to find out whether an autonomous car recorded relevant evidence. It would essentially be the same as cops calling any other business and asking if their security cameras caught a fleeing suspect, he said. Responding to a search warrant is a sound process and can appease the

company’s customers, he added, because it signals the company exercises some restraint with access to its information. “The search warrant provides some coverage to the corporation – having a warrant gives them cover with the public and with their shareholders,” Schafer said. Not all tech companies have been compliant with the government’s demand for access. Apple famously defied a court order obtained by the FBI to unlock a phone belonging to one of the shooters of the 2015 San Bernardino massacre. Privacy advocates like the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center believe lawmakers should protect consumers by regulating the autonomous-car industry. “Autonomous vehicles create many new surveillance risks not only for the driver and the passengers but also the local community,” said Marc Rotenberg, president of EPIC. “The exterior facing cameras gather vast troves of information,” he added. “Clear laws should be established to limit the collection and use of personal data.” Congress has yet to pass any bills outlining a federal framework for how these cars should be deployed or regulated. Researchers like Joseph Schafer still have many unanswered questions when it comes to self-driving vehicles. It’s not clear to him how DUI laws will apply to autonomous cars or whether children can ride in them unsupervised. “There’s very little clarity on where things are going with autonomous vehicles,” he added.

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tending, honored the former mayor by placing his name on its new gymnasium. “Coy Payne was a leader in our community and champion for the students of CUSD,” said Chandler High School

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Principal Larry Rother. Chandler Men of Action, a nonprofit led by local African-American leaders, annually hands out an award named in honor of Mr. Payne. Pastor Victor Hardy of Chandler’s Congregational Church of the Valley is scheduled to receive the Coy Payne Man of the Year Award at a banquet in February.

He said Mr. Payne paved the way for so many in the community and influenced them to be their best selves. “We’re working under that tutelage of what he had to offer to us,” Hardy said. “If it were not for him, there would be no Chandler Men of Action.” His love of the community will be Mr. Payne’s enduring legacy, Hardy added, as

well as his ability to make everyone he came into contact with feel welcomed. “His warmth was the thing I remember about him the most,” Hardy said. “You could talk about with him anything going on.” Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at the Chandler Center for the Arts 250 N. Arizona Ave. Chandler.

CUSD teachers speak out against equity training BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Some Chandler Unified teachers have spoken out in opposition to how its district is attempting to make education and discipline in schools more equitable. The district’s equity and inclusion program is a reoccurring topic of discussion at governing board meetings in Chandler since it was implemented in early 2018. Fox News criticized it as being a form of political indoctrination and members of the Purple for Parents organization call for the program to be disbanded. At a recent school board meeting, CUSD teachers offered their perspective about how the program impacts their jobs. “It claims to be a vehicle for unity and inclusion,” said Jason Myers, a history teacher at Perry High School, “but in reality, this program sows nothing but seeds of discord and strife.”

He argued equity’s training materials have a divisive message of “white privilege” interfering with his ability to connect with students. “How can a student have a relationship with me if they see me as an oppressor?” Myers added. CUSD contracts with Corwin Publishing to use the company’s “Deep Equity” training curriculum. The company advertises the program as a “courageous self-reflection” of beliefs and behaviors for teachers and administrators. “The Deep Equity model offers a comprehensive and systematic professional development process aimed at producing real school improvement for equity and social justice,” Corwin’s brochure states. CUSD began introducing equity initiatives in an attempt to address wide disparities in academic performance among various student demographics. One example of this is Chandler Unified’s recent adoption of a new type

of testing assessment which administrators claim is more accommodating for English-language learners. But some feel Corwin’s materials go against the district’s goals and intentions. Kelsey Rowe, Perry High School teacher, told the school board she believes achievement gaps exist in CUSD but finds Corwin’s materials to be “extremely damaging." “I am proud to be a CUSD teacher and I am proud to work under the administration,” Rowe said. “But I am not proud of the district at this moment and their use of the Corwin program.” Lynette Braddock, a CUSD parent, defended the district’s equity program, claiming she hasn’t had any objections with what she’s seen or heard about it. “I haven’t seen anything against my conservative, Christian beliefs,” Braddock said. “I’m disappointed with certain news channel reports that have been misinformed.” Some state politicians joined the

equity debate and are voicing their opinions to the school district. State Rep. Walt Blackman, the first African-American Republican elected to the House of Representatives, told the Governing Board he thinks the Corwin curriculum sets students up for failure. “Children in our schools don’t need to be taught they are lacking in some way because of their ethnic demographics,” Blackman wrote in a statement to the board. CUSD did not acknowledged whether it intends to make changes or not. The district has repeatedly said it does not try to use the equity program to create any type of political or social platform. Adama Sallu, the district’s director of equity initiatives, said CUSD is committed to creating a safe environment for all students. This type of work is not always easy, she added, but its results can have a profound impact. “Equity done well on behalf of all kids in CUSD is a lifetime gift,” Sallu said.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Chandler woman gets 10 years for strangling mom SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A 61-year-old Chandler woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for strangling her elderly mother to death. Elizabeth Ramirez pleaded guilty earlier this year in Superior Court to one count of manslaughter for the death of 80-year-old Bertha Gutierrez last January. Ramirez told Chandler Police she “snapped” and strangled her mother during an argument over borrowing Gutierrez’s car, court records show. She called 911 after choking her mother and admitted to the crime. During the emergency call, a police dispatcher asked Ramirez whether her mother was still alive. “Well I’m hoping she is,” Ramirez replied.

ELIZABETH RAMIREZ

The dispatcher instructed Ramirez to start performing CPR on Gutierrez. “I ain’t starting CPR on her,” Ramirez responded. The dispatcher asked the daughter why she wouldn’t help her mother. “Because she has tormented her entire family,” Ramirez told the dispatcher. “I do not want to do anything for my mom.” The suspect further alleged her mother would repeatedly scold Ramirez for being mentally ill, according to a police report. Ramirez was quickly taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder. Chandler Police noted how Ramirez alleged her actions were not premeditated. “I didn’t plan this, it just happened,” Ramirez told investigators. One day before Gutierrez’s death,

Ramirez was arrested for driving while impaired. Ramirez walked over to her mother’s house the next day on Jupiter Way and asked to borrow Guiterrez’s vehicle. When her mother refused, an altercation ensued. Gutierrez had three children and five grandchildren, according to the victim’s obituary. “She was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing and preparing meals for friends and family,” the obituary states. Court records indicate Ramirez has no prior criminal offenses. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office offered Ramirez a deal to plea down to the lesser offense of manslaughter. She was credited 675 days for time already spent in jail awaiting trial.

Chandler contractor busted on multiple charges SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A Chandler contractor was arrested on 13 warrants accusing him of ripping off unsuspecting homeowners. Gilbert Police on Dec. 13 arrested Brett Roberts, 54, who was booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail. Two of those warrants were issued by Maricopa County Superior Court after he failed to appear at sentencing hearings last Feb. 7 on charges related to Arizona Registrar of Contractors investigations. Roberts pleaded guilty to two

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counts of taking the identity of another, a felony in two separate court cases. The Registrar of Contractors said it found Roberts was using the names and license numbers of licensed contracting companies to represent himself as a licensed contractor and get work. Roberts has never been a licensed contractor in the State of Arizona and “is known to take money for projects and abandon the job,” the Registrar said. Roberts did business as DBA Crosstown Brothers Heating & Air, Crosstown Heating and Cooling and Property Investments Inc. since 2007 and all 11 cases

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Grants enable Chandler Unified to get 2 social workers

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Two Chandler elementary schools have been given state grants to hire social workers who address the needs of students outside of academics. The Chandler Unified School District recently applied for 10 of its schools to receive funds for social workers, but the state only awarded grants to Frye and Galveston elementary schools. The grants come out of the Arizona Department of Education’s School Safety Program, which was injected with an extra $20 million this year to hire more counselors and social workers. School districts across the state submitted requests for 396 social workers, but the state only had enough money to hire 118. Districts also had the option of asking for social workers or school resource officers. Applicants with high rates of homeless students and absenteeism were given priority when the state decided how to divvy up funds. Both Frye and Galveston are listed as Title 1 schools, meaning they have a significant amount of students from low-income families. Frye Principal Lisa Shore hopes the addition of a social worker to her staff will bring more stability to the lives of students. “We have a lot of students who have

trauma and it affects their everyday functioning here at school,” Shore said. The grants will pay for one full-time social worker at each campus over the next three school years. At the end of the funding cycle, schools will have to reapply for grants. Social workers can take on a wide variety of duties that include making home visits, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and behavioral observation. Shore thinks every school would benefit from having a social worker. The mental health and emotional needs of students have changed in recent years, she said, which requires a certain level of training and expertise. In addition, some students at Frye have transitional lifestyles, Shore added, and move around between hotels or foster homes. “A social worker actually knows the system and can get out there and help them get the resources they need,” the principal said. While the School Social Work Association of America recommends having one social worker for every 250 students, most states fall drastically short. Federal data indicates Arizona has a ratio of one social worker for every 3,382 students, according to a report published by the American Civil Liberties Union. More than 67,000 schools in the United States reported having zero social workers in 2016. Only a handful of East Valley schools

received grants this year to hire social workers. Aside from Chandler Unified, one school in the Kyrene School District and two Tempe elementary schools were awarded grants. Nineteen elementary campuses in Mesa Public Schools were given grants to hire guidance counselors or officers. The grant recipients have until August to fill their new positions and the Department of Education is encouraging individuals to undergo certification to become counselors and social workers. But some state lawmakers worry Arizona currently doesn’t have enough qualified candidates to fill all these new positions. “We don’t have enough counselors right now, we don’t have enough social workers,” said state Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, D-Chandler, during a recent meeting with other legislators. Lawmakers have pondered the idea of creating incentives for college students to become counselor or social workers – similar to when the state offered to waive tuition for students who committed to becoming teachers. The state’s School Safety Program has traditionally only focused on providing funds to bring police officers onto school campuses. Legislators expanded the grant program this past year to include money for social workers and counselors. The state got applications for 302 school resource officers and dispersed

enough money to only hire 116. It would have cost the state $97 million to fulfill all the grant requests made by school districts this year. Chandler Unified had three grants renewed for school resource officers at Bogle Junior High, Willis Junior High and Hamilton High. The district’s request for funds to hire officers at eight other campuses was denied. Outside of grant funding, CUSD has previously partnered with the city to have officers assigned to four more campuses at an annual cost of about $544,000. The district and city share the financial responsibilities. Kathy Hoffman, state superintendent of public schools called the new funding “an incredible step in the right direction,” but added, “providing more funding to address these critical needs must be our top priority during the next legislative session.” “From my conversations at schools and given the vast number of applications we were unable to fund, I know that as a state we still have more work to do. Every school in our state has safety needs, and every student deserves access to mental health supports.” She said she hoped the Legislature and Gov. Doug Ducey will work with her to get more funding. “Together we can make certain that every school has the resources they need to keep students safe and meet their social-emotional needs,” she said.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Dog fight ends in favor of Chandler business SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

An ongoing dispute between a new dog daycare facility and its surrounding neighbors ended Dec. 12 in favor of the business. What began as a request to build an outdoor play area for dogs triggered a 90-minute debate before the Chandler City Council involving allegations of unfairness and biases. Dogtopia, a national chain of doggy daycares, had requested permits to build an enclosed 1,000 square-foot play area behind its facility near Arizona Avenue and Chandler Heights Road for its dogs to roam around and exercise. But some residents in the nearby Southshore Village subdivision said they didn’t want any of the noises or smells a dog playground might bring to their neighborhood. Eighty-five households signed a petition in opposition to Dogtopia’s permit. Several meetings were held, emails exchanged, and Dogtopia offered to make some concessions like not allowing dogs outside on Sundays. Adam Baugh, an attorney representing Dogtopia, highlighted how the company’s been responsive to the neighborhood’s concerns by cutting back the hours dogs will be allowed to play outside. “I am not aware of other pet care facilities with as great restrictions on hours of use as this one here,” Baugh said. He further emphasized how many animal daycares throughout the East Valley

This map shows Dogtopia's location in a strip mall near two neighborhoods where residents opposed the business' plan for an outdoor play area for dogs. City Council approved the plan. (City of Chandler)

are positioned near residential areas. “It’s not unusual to have a facility like this in proximity to residential neighborhood,” the attorney added. The city’s Development Services Department approved of Dogtopia’s request with the condition the company install sound absorption panels on its building. The Chandler City Council voted 6-0 to grant Dogtopia the conditional-use permit

for a one-year period. Councilman Matt Orlando abstained from voting due to a possible conflict. Some Chandler residents objected to how the city handled the neighborhood’s concerns and felt the council made its decision long before it was up for a vote. “I am frustrated, I am ashamed, and I am embarrassed about this entire process and those involved,” said Heather Skipworth,

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who lives behind Dogtopia. Marc Sepulveda, another Chandler resident, suggested council members are more loyal to their campaign donors than the city’s residents. He pointed out how Dogtopia’s attorney has made contributions to Mayor Kevin Hartke, Mark Stewart, Terry Roe, and Rene Lopez in prior elections. “I’m not averse to growth but it does appear it has corrupted the city,” Sepulveda said. Campaign finance reports show Baugh donated a couple hundred dollars to each candidate more than a year before Dogtopia opened. Stewart received his contribution during the 2016 election. Council members expressed frustration at the notion their votes were being bought, claiming they’ve done their best to find a compromise to the issue. “We all are looking for the best interests of the city – sometimes those interests, when you have two parties, are counter,” said Councilman Rene Lopez. Several individuals came to the defense of Dogtopia, telling the council the business should be allowed to have its outdoor play area. Natalie Glennen, a Chandler resident, said she’s used Dogtopia’s services and supports the company’s efforts to better serve canines. “I love they’re trying to do the right thing as with the neighbors around them,” Glennen said. “I feel like their very cognizant to the noise and I think they will continue to do that.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

It was a very good year in many ways BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

Let’s take a look back at the highlights defining the past year. The city had multiple new companies choosing Chandler for their regional/ national headquarters, the city was honored with numerous accolades validating what we already know” Chandler is a world-class city providing an exceptional quality of life.

January

The city kicked off its Transportation Master Plan update to guide the future development and implementation of transportation infrastructure and operations. Chandler said farewell to Mayor Jay Tibshraeny after serving eight years as mayor. Kevin Hartke was sworn in as mayor, along with Councilmen René Lopez, Matt Orlando and Terry Roe. The city’s Diversity Office hosted the 24th annual Chandler Multicultural Festival, bringing the community together to celebrate different cultures. The city also partnered with the Chandler International Film Festival to host their weekend series of events, which attracted thousands of attendees downtown. The Offices at Chandler Viridian opened with two new tenants: Stantec, a global engineering, architecture and consulting firm, and Workuity, a coworking firm.

The Offices at Chandler Viridian has been attracting major companies to the city. (City of Chandler)

Police Chief Sean Duggan was named “Chief of the Year” by the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police.

February

Five individual athletes and coaches were inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame, including Cody Bellinger with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who was the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year. The city’s Economic Development

Division hosted the ninth annual Chandler Science Spectacular. Sponsored by Northrop Grumman and Intel, the event brought together thousands of attendees to experience science in an interactive and engaging way. Voya Financial announced it secured a 151,359-square-foot facility along the Price Corridor for its new permanent metro Phoenix hub. The new location will employ more than 1,000 people once it is fully operational.

Z Modular, a manufacturer of prefabricated steel structures for commercial buildings, signed a 222,000 square foot lease in south Chandler for a manufacturing operation to bring 150 new jobs to the region. During his first State of the City Address, Mayor Kevin Hartke’s remarks highlighted Chandler’s multiple achievements from the past year. The event kicked off with a unique “Chandler 360 Experience” virtual reality video. The Chandler City Council approved Industrial Development Revenue Bonds for Intel during a February council meeting. The bonds are through the Industrial Development Authority, a nonprofit corporation separate from the city. The $500 million bond approval is for Intel’s future high-volume semiconductor factory. The Chandler Center for the Arts was awarded a $5,000 grant from Thunderbird Charities and the Ruth McCormick Tankersley Charitable Trust to support its Connecting Kids program, which serves more than 5,400 young people, ages 6 to 17, every year with performing and visual arts experiences.

March

Tumbleweed Park was the home of the 31st annual Ostrich Festival hosted by See

YEAR on page 22

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COMMUNITY NEWS

YEAR

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Multiple departments and community members are working together to ensure a complete count in Chandler.

from page 21

the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. During spring break, several high school teens participated in the Teen Leadership Academy to show city departments function and the key programs and services they provide. During the same week, Chandler Police also held the Chandler Youth Academy, an opportunity for the youth to learn about various jobs and functions within the Police Department. The Chandler Center for the Arts (CCA) unveiled its new, visual brand identity and website coincided with its 30th anniversary. The new brand identity is the result of an extensive strategic marketing project for the CCA, made possible with funding from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. An updated look was among the recommendations made in order to have an image reflecting the dynamic space the Center had become in the community.

April

Zovio, an education technology company, announced it was moving its company headquarters from San Diego to Chandler in the Chandler Airpark area. Revint Solutions, a medical solutions company for healthcare providers, announced it was moving its regional office to Downtown Chandler. Revint’s new regional office will encompass 18,000 square feet and the entire second floor of office space at Overstreet as well as hire up to 135 healthcare finance profes-

May

The Chandler Center for the Arts celebrated its 30th anniversary with a rebranding. (City of Chandler)

sionals. Create-Play-Learn High Five Early Literacy spaces were unveiled at all four Chandler libraries. These new early literacy and learning spaces are part of the Library’s ongoing High Five reading program helping parents develop teaching skills they can take home to foster an ongoing learning environment. The mayor hosted his first 'Family Bike Ride' held every year in April to coincide with 'Valley Bike Month'. The city’s Environmental Education Center hosted an Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration for residents to learn about easy and simple ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle. This year’s event featured hands-on activities, live animal presentations and educational

demonstrations highlighting the importance of Earth Day. The city’s Development Services Department launched an online system for zoning applications. This enhancement allows applicants such as zoning attorneys, architects, property owners and others to submit all applications processed by the Planning Division, pay fees, receive review comments and resubmit adjusted documents entirely online. Laser Components, a German-based laser innovator, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for their new Arizona office and manufacturing space. The facility is expected to open in early 2020. The city’s marketing, communication and outreach efforts launched to promote participation in the 2020 Census.

The city’s Economic Development Division was recognized as the Large Organization of the Year during the Arizona Association for Economic Development’s annual Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence awards dinner. Construction began at the intersection of Arizona Avenue and Chicago Street. Improvements included the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection to prepare for the completion and opening of the New Square development. Chandler welcomed Offerpad during the real estate company’s grand opening festivities. The new layout is nearly 40,000 square feet — more than tripling the size of the company’s previous space. Chandler got more colorful with the addition of Crayola Experience at Chandler Fashion Center. The 20,000-squarefoot family attraction features 19 handson creative activities and is Crayola’s fifth location in the nation. The city’s Ocotillo Water Reclamation Facility was chosen as the 2019 AZ Water Project of the Year for Wastewater Treatment Plants by the Arizona Water Association. Mayor Hartke held his first 'Mayor on the Move' event, which allowed residents to interact with See

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

YEAR

from page 22

Chandler Recreation, in partnership with the Chandler Fire Department, debuted a #WaterYouDoing water safety campaign. The campaign sought to change the way water safety was messaged and encouraged parents and caregivers to be the first line of defense. The campaign included PSAs, an online water safety quiz, community outreach and presentations to elementary schools. The city of Chandler was recognized as a Healthy Arizona Worksites Program Platinum award winner for excellence in worksite wellness program strategies.

June

The mayor and council appointed David Fuller as the presiding city magistrate to lead the Chandler Municipal Court. Fuller replaced Michael Traynor, who retired after serving as Chandler’s Presiding City Magistrate for the past 34 years. The Chandler Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge was the most successful in recent years with more than 10,000 participants. The Library also partnered with Soundbite, KJZZ’s mobile recording studio, to give residents the opportunity to record what they enjoy about the library and living in Chandler. Fresenius Medical Care North America, the country’s leading provider of kidney care products and services, announced its plan to relocate a business support center to Park Place in the Price Corridor. The opening of the

new 40,000 square-foot office will host approximately 200 positions and allow for future expansion and the creation of new jobs. The Chandler City Council approved the city’s annual budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 in the amount of $927,046,172 and the 10-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget in the amount of $937,055,062. The $927 million budget represents a 5.9 percent increase from last fiscal year and included a slight reduction in the property tax rate. The mayor and council unveiled Chandler’s 2019-2024 Strategic Framework, which sets the stage for the city over the next five years. Five areas of focus will drive the strategic planning process and objectives as the city prepares for the future. Those efforts will center around mobility, infill and redevelopment, neighborhoods, technology and quality of life. Through an annual allocations process, the city’s Neighborhood Resources Department administered $1.2 million in human services grants were awarded to 43 programs serving Chandler’s families in crisis, special populations and youth. The city recognized the 10th anniversary of For Our City-Chandler. The organization brings together the city, nonprofits and the faith-based community to Chandler became the first city nationwide to partner with Waymo for an autonomous vehicle ride-hailing program for several dozen city employees. The year-long program will evaluate employee productivity while commuting

to and from off-site work meetings and potential fleet services cost savings.

July

Mayor and council broke ground for two park projects: new lighting will be installed at two existing multi-purpose fields at Chuparosa Park and Tumbleweed Park will have four new fields with lighting, and a new restroom at Tumbleweed Park. Chandler Museum began offering docent-led tours to visitors three days a week. Diana White was named the new CEO of Chandler Innovations, the entrepreneurial development program promoting the creation and sustainable growth of tech-based startups. Chandler Innovations offers free business development events and mentorship to those who live or have a business in Chandler. The University of Arizona added to its list of programs available through its Chandler location, including a bachelor of applied science with an emphasis in cyber operations. The program is designed to prepare students for a number of in-demand, cyber-related occupations in defense, law enforcement and private industry.

August

The city’s Communications and Public Affairs Department launched an updated logo and tagline: Community of Innovation. It reflects who we are – a safe community connecting people, choosing innovation and inspiring excellence. The awards kept coming for the Com-

monwealth Canal Restoration Project. The Arizona Chapter of the American Public Works Association selected it as their “Project of the Year” award in the Historical Restoration/Preservation, Less Than $5 Million category. Improvements to Commonwealth Avenue and adjacent SRP canal have brought more walkability to Downtown and introduced a historical look at Chandler’s canal system and its importance to the community’s early development. Additional awards this year included a high-profile 2019 Excellence Award by the International Downtown Association (October) as well as awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona.

September

The Serrano family celebrated 100 years as a family-owned business in Chandler. The mayor hosted the city’s first HOA Roundtable at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. The event brought together residents who live in an HOA community and shared resources to increase communication among neighbors. The Isola Group completed a 118,000-square-foot lease to remain in Chandler and relocate its headquarters, R&D and manufacturing operations. The company will move into a newly constructed industrial building at the Lotus Project, which is located near Kyrene Road and Loop 202. Also, California-based H.E.R.O.S. Inc., an industry leader in repairing and overhauling helicopter engines, announced it was

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

relocating its headquarters from Santa Clarita, Calif. to Chandler. The company will occupy nearly 19,000-square-feet of industrial space in West Chandler with plans to create 25 new jobs. The Buffalo Pocket Park opened at the corner of Buffalo and Oregon streets in Downtown Chandler, which includes a selfie monument celebrating Chandler.

October

The Oregon Street Parking Garage opened to the public one month ahead of schedule – the new $20 million, five-level, 293,000-square-foot parking garage is now the largest garage in Downtown Chandler, providing 932 free parking spaces. The garage also incorporated colorful art installations. Phoenix-based developer George Oliver completed a $38.8 million, two-building acquisition and will invest almost $14 million in additional capital to bring a new creative office portfolio to Downtown Chandler. Rebranded to The Alexander and The Johnathan, the buildings will be named after Chandler namesake Alexander Johnathan (A.J.) Chandler.

November

The city’s Diversity Office partnered with Cultural Communications to host the second annual Día de los Muertos event to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed on. Approximately 6,000 residents were in attendance, doubling the figures from last year’s inaugural event. Northrop Grumman, one of the world’s leading aerospace and defense

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technology firms, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their Launch Vehicles Division’s new facility along the Price Corridor at the Allred Park Place development. The 633,000-square-foot Chandler campus is home to more than 1,250 employees with future growth opportunities. Insight announced it will relocate their global headquarters to the Chandler Airpark area at a site formerly known as The HUB. The facility is 295,000 square feet and will house 1,400 full-time employees. Mayor and council celebrated Zovio’s ribbon-cutting ceremony as they relocated their headquarters from California to a 130,000-square-foot office building located in the Chandler Airpark. The education technology company has

approximately 400 full-time employees and plans to add another 400 in the future. As part of the Chandler’s partnership with Waymo’s self-driving ride-hailing service, the city has designed the first dedicated AV pick-up, drop-off zone in the nation. The collaboration shirt between the city of Chandler and State Forty Eight debuted. For every shirt purchased, $5 benefits the city’s Acts of Kinds (A-OK) program, which helps provide basic needs assistance to some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.

tal Government. Toyota Financial Services, the finance brand for Toyota in the United States, announced it will expand its presence in Chandler’s Price Corridor. The company signed a lease for 63,000 square feet in a new building within the Park Place business park.

City accolades abound in 2019

By the City of Chandler Chandler was among the top cities on many lists this year. Here is some of the special recognitions: WalletHub - #10 Best Places to Find a Job, #12 Best Places for First Time Home Buyers (#7 Best Places among mid-size cities), #6 Best City for Renters, #19 Best City for Halloween, #11 Best City for Thanksgiving

December

SmartAsset - #13 Best Cities for Women in Technology, #1 Best Places to Become Wealthy, #4 Best Cities to Get Out Of Debt, #3 Best Cities to Buy a Family Home, #10 Best Cities for Women’s Pay, #14 Most Livable City in the U.S.

Chandler’s Recreation Division launched a partnership with televëda, a Phoenix-based company offering live online wellness, educational and recreational programs, in an effort to combat social isolation among seniors. In doing so, Chandler became the first municipality to offer online wellness classes aimed at combating social isolation in older adults. The city of Chandler was recognized as one of the top 10 Digital Cities Survey award recipients, by the Center for Digi-

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

RING

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pect of community policing departments have promoted for decades. Instead of holding a Block Watch meeting or calling each other, neighbors are sharing videos and issuing potential crime alerts of their own. “They are giving it to us for free and it works with every camera system,’’ Upshaw said, referring to Ring’s Neighbors App. “We’ve been trying to create something like this for years. No one has ever done it.’’ Gilbert police spokesman Sgt. Mark Marino, another Ring fan, said town residents have shown no hesitation about sharing Ring videos. “The Valley as a whole works well with law enforcement,’’ Marino said. “As long as people are willing to share their videos, it will help us.’’ In a world where customers always are under surveillance at supermarkets, big box stores and other public places, it shouldn’t be shocking the same concept would be extended by technology into neighborhoods, he said. “We don’t have the ability to pull video from anyplace. This is a voluntary submission. We don’t have access unless you provide it to us,’’ Marino said. Police have been asking major companies for access to surveillance videos for decades while investigating a wide range of crimes, from armed robberies to even hit-and-run accidents, he said. “No one ever had privacy rights in public. Privacy and public are contradictory terms,’’ Marino said. “I think there is a misconception about what privacy is.’’ A Ring doorbell also recorded two thieves going through the owner’s car in a Mesa driveway while the unsuspecting owner was asleep inside his home. Mesa police eventually arrested the suspects. None of these incidents qualify as crimes of the century. Instead, they are what police often describe as crimes of opportunity – incidents upset victims to no end but often do not lead to an arrest. But to Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert police – which all have relationships with Ring along with about 600 agencies nationally – the popular device represents another crime-solving tool. Residents can go to police web sites and enter a code to sign up for Ring’s Neighbors App, where videos are shared. “We’re not seeing it wipe out the burglary problem, but it gives residents a little bit of power,’’ said Mesa police Com-

CHandler Police Commander Ed Upshaw shows the Ring kit, calling it a valuable tool in the fight against property and other crimes. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

mander Ed Wessing. Residents download videos taken by the Ring, with a smartphone and other devices to Ring’s Neighbors App, alerting each other about suspicious activity. Police can view such videos through Ring’s law enforcement portal, using geofencing to monitor up to a five-mile area. Cops can also put out an alert requesting videos in response to a particular crime or crime trends, such as the vehicle burglaries. Police also say civil liberties are not violated because they have no direct access to anyone’s Ring system and do not monitor specific doorbells on a daily basis. “They are empowering each other through the Neighbors App, sharing the activity involved,’’ Wessing said. “Just like your neighborhood can view it, we can view it.’’ “It’s community-driven. These are videos they are giving us,’’ Wessing added. After a string of vehicle burglaries in the Dobson Ranch neighborhood, for instance, when thieves can commit 15-20 burglaries in short period of time, “it was overwhelming sought after and supported by the community,’’ he said. These agencies report no major crimes, such as homicides or sexual assaults, being solved by Ring. But they say the doorbell might just capture a fleeing suspect’s car driving by or license plate number could be used a

track down a suspect. “It’s a much faster way for us to canvass a neighborhood than 15 years ago,’’ Wessing said. The traditional police procedure is for officers to comb through a neighborhood, knocking on doors, looking for witnesses or others with information. A civil libertarian, however, argues it’s part of the problem with Ring. Depending upon how the settings are set by the owner, Ring can also record innocent people doing nothing wrong in a neighborhood – such as a delivery person simply leaving a package near a front door, someone soliciting contributions for charity or someone walking their dog along a familiar route. Evan Greer, deputy director of Fight for the Future, a digital civil rights advocacy organization, fears Ring could create a nationwide neighborhood surveillance network, with police involved in cozy relationships with Ring and evidence obtained by police without obtaining a warrant. She said there are no oversight or safeguards, creating a permissive atmosphere where residents with no law enforcement training have engaged in racial profiling, automatically assuming someone innocently walking through a neighborhood is acting suspicious because they are not white. “Speed matters. It changes the impact on society,’’ Greer said. “I think it’s what is

so concerning. They don’t need a warrant. It allows them to do it astonishingly fast. It makes it so much easier.’’ With Ring becoming so popular, it’s hard to escape from surveillance, she said. “It’s not just stores, it’s literally everywhere,’’ Greer said. Greer’s fears were amplified when BuzzFeed.com reported a former Chandler police assistant chief had spoken about the capability of matching Ring videos with facial recognition technology at a seminar in April before the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Police have acknowledged they have access to facial recognition technology through the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center, but Upshaw said the level of effort would be reserved for solving major crimes, not property crimes. “It’s there, but it’s for kidnappers, bank robbers, active killers,’’ Upshaw said. “We’re not going to use for simple burglars and shoplifters.’’ Greer accuses Amazon, the owner of Ring, of turning police into glorified Ring salesmen. Police reject such a characterization. Upshaw said Ring gave Chandler police 25 doorbells when police entered into the agreement, and one new doorbell for every 20 people who sign up for the Neighbors App through the Chandler police web site. The relationship paid dividends in crime prevention when Chandler police gave a free doorbell to a woman in south Chandler who was being stalked by her ex-boyfriend after she ended the relationship and threw him out of her house. Upshaw said the ex-boyfriend is accused of terrorizing the woman for two months, slashing her tires, entering her house through a window and sending her text messages he was watching her. The woman placed the Ring in an unconventional spot, not as a doorbell, and the video captured the ex-boyfriend trespassing on her property shutting off her power. Police arrested the ex-boyfriend at a hotel. Despite the privacy concerns, Wessing said, “At the end of the day, we are trying to prevent future victims.” Mesa residents who want to join can go to download.ring.com/mesa while Chandler residents should go to download.ring.com/chandler. To get the phone app, in Chandler, text ChandlerAZ to 555888. Mesa residents can text MESAPD to that number. Infrmation:shop.ring.com/pages/neighbors.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

After-school program brings ‘science to life’ BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

A 10-year-old boy assembles a pile of Lego pieces together to construct his own little race car. He then pulls out a tablet and dials some code into a computer program. The race car responds to the software’s commands and moves slowly along the carpet before coming to an abrupt stop – it waits for further instructions. Moments like this are an everyday experience at Stemtree, an education center recently opened at 4940 West Ray Road, Chandler. “What we’re doing here is bringing basic science to life,” said Karen Palmieri, owner of Chandler’s Stemtree. It’s the first Stemtree center to open in Arizona, having originated in Virginia a few years ago. The franchise operates as an afterschool program for students interested in developing their science skills outside of the classroom. Robotics, engineering, and electronics are the main focus areas of the Stemtree curriculum, which emphasizes hands-on activities and one-on-one instruction. Students get to simulate earthquakes, build robots, and create computer

Katie Palmieri, 10, left, and Sarah Yi examine a robot at Stemtree during the school’s grand opening in Chandler.. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

animations. The goal is to get them to subtly absorb the science knowledge through fun activities. “I don’t think they realize they’re learning,” said Palmieri, a former teacher from Mesa. Palmieri has always enjoyed being

around children and knew education was her passion the moment she first stepped into a classroom. “I felt like I was home, this was where I should be,” she recalled. She had been teaching at a charter school before deciding to branch off and

become a business owner. Palmieri said she never had much time during the school day to allow her students to do science experiments. She hopes Stemtree can help fill some of the gaps public education doesn’t have the resources to fill. Science, in particular, needs to be made more available for students, Palmieri said, as the world becomes more dependent on technology. “In the future, they’re going to need it,” she said. “This generation, if they don’t have it they’re going to really struggle.” Abdelghani Bellaachia, an associate professor at George Washington University, developed Stemtree in 2010 as an alternative way to stimulate the minds of young people after a long day of school. “I created Stemtree to give students the edge they need to succeed in school, career, and beyond,” Bellaachia said in 2018. Stemtree accommodates students of all grade levels. The center’s workshops and activities are designed only for K-8 students, but high school students can get tutoring help in biology, chemistry, and physics. The facility can host birthday parties and day camps. The after-school program has See

STEMTREE on page 29

Former Chandler teacher runs doggy boutique BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Barbara Barzee had a predicament when she’d take her greyhound dogs out for a walk in her Chandler neighborhood. She often didn’t have enough pockets to hold her keys, phone and whatever she may need to pick up after her pets. Barzee wished she had an accessory functioning like a purse but was stylish and discreet enough to hide her doggie’s droppings. She went home and sewed together a little backpack able to hold all the necessities for walking her dogs. “It just made walking my dogs so much easier cause I didn’t have to figure out where I was gonna put all of my stuff and have pockets full of stuff,” Barzee said. She knew other dog owners might like their own backpack and set out to satisfy this demand. A couple years later, Barzee’s business, Hound Street Boutique, has expanded to offer a variety of bandanas, collars, and dog-themed decorations. “It’s kind of taken off,” she said. Her products are not exclusive to dog lovers. She’s got some items cat owners may fancy as well, like a tea towel featuring a prickly pear cactus in the shape of a feline – Barzee playfully refers to it as a “Catcus.” The business is still a one-woman operation. Barzee makes all the products out of her home studio and sells them at street fairs or through her website.

Barbara Barzee has turned an annoyance into a business after coming up with a way to store in aa convenient carrybag what she needs when she takes her dogs out. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Her top-selling items are her knitted bandanas and embroidered towels that come with a variety of canine puns or slogans. She’s just started selling one that’s got “Feliz Naughty Dog” stitched across

the front. She’s got a variety of key fobs, in the shape of nearly every dog breed; corgis, beagles, and bulldogs are all part of the selection.

Sewing the items together is the easy part, Barzee said, it’s the preparation beforehand that eats up most of her time. After buying her materials, she spends hours washing, cutting, and ironing all the fabric. “It is all very labor-intensive,” Barzee added. The work was once just a hobby for the Chandler resident. Before starting her boutique, Barzee had been a Latin teacher for several years at Arete Preparatory Academy in Gilbert. She loved being amongst her pupils, See

BOUTIQUE on page 30

BUSINESS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Chandler passes new scooter regulations relocate any scooters parked in prohibited areas. If the scooters aren’t moved, the city will fine the company $50 each day the device is not relocated. City employees have the right to move any scooters in violation of the ordinance. A common complaint made by residents living in communities with e-scooters is the clutter created by having so many left on sidewalks or in parking lots. Scottsdale businesses have repeatedly complained about scooters being messily left outside shops and restaurants. Chandler’s ordinance attempts to curb the clutter by not allowing more than five scooters clustered together in the same area. One cluster must be at least 150 feet away from another cluster and no clusters are allowed in residential neighborhoods. Companies operating in Chandler will be obligated to share data on where its scooters are being driven. The identities of riders will not be shared unless they’re involved in any claim or lawsuit against the city. “Data will ensure the city can successfully manage the pilot program and execute related planning efforts in support of the city’s strategic goals,” planning documents state. The companies will additionally have to hold the city harmless for any damages caused by the scooters. By the end of 2020, Chandler will have to decide whether to extend or terminate its licensing program.

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler has become the latest East Valley community to pass new rules regulating electric scooters. The growing presence of shared-use scooters on Valley sidewalks in recent years has prompted municipalities to prevent them from becoming a public nuisance. Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Gilbert have all set regulations requiring scooter companies to pay licensing fees and obey specific guidelines. The Chandler City Council adopted a similar approach by passing an ordinance on Dec. 12 obligating scooter companies to pay fees and penalties to the city. Each company must pay $3,000 to obtain a one-year license for bringing its scooters to Chandler. In addition, the company will be charged 10 cents for each ride taken within the city. Planners estimate Chandler will collect up to $30,000 annually from the licenses depending on how many companies participate. Jason Crampton, Chandler’s senior transportation planner, said the revenue generated from the scooter licenses will be invested back into the program. “The fees we recover from this program could be utilized for infrastructure improvements, managing the program, enforcing those rules,” Crampton said. Scooters may not travel faster than 15 mph on Chandler’s sidewalks and bike lanes. The devices will not be authorized

on sidewalks in the downtown region around City Hall. Crampton said sidewalks are considered the safer option for scooter users, as opposed to restricting them solely to bike lanes. “Sidewalks are seen – on many of our high-speed arterial streets – as the safest place to ride these,” Crampton added. No scooter companies like Bird and Lime have committed to coming to Chandler, according to the city, but may change in the next few weeks. The city surveyed 500 residents earlier this year while several respondents

opposed having any scooters in Chandler, a slim majority approved restricting the number of scooters allowed to operate in the city. The city’s ordinance requires companies to have no more than 150 scooters during the first three months of their license agreement. The company can then expand its fleet up to 300 scooters. Scooters will be prohibited from parking on private property, vegetated areas, sidewalks less than six feet in width, or any area blocking access to roadways and bike lanes. Companies will have two hours to

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BUSINESS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Top 3 hottest housing markets in EV, survey finds BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

Three East Valley municipalities have the top three the hottest housing markets in the country and Gilbert tops them all, according to the home-and-condo-sale website RealtyHop.com. The data that the website used to declare Gilbert number 1 with Chandler and Mesa occupying second and third place, respectively, is good news for sellers but heaps more bad news on other data that make a gloomy outlook for people looking to buy a home in the East Valley. RealtyHop analyzed 300,000 home listings to determine the one-month change in sale price from asking price between October and November, noting “in theory, stronger markets should exhibit fewer price drops and smaller percentage discounts, while weaker markets would show the opposite.” And in Gilbert, that change was a low average 1.57 percent discount off the original price, followed by Chandler with a 1.69 percent drop and Mesa’s 1.89 percent price decrease. Calling Gilbert “the hottest housing market in the country,” RealtyHop said, “Gilbert’s amenities and family-friendly atmosphere have made it a particularly strong city for net positive migration.” It said Chandler’s price discount “while still very healthy” was deeper than the previous month of 1.44 percent while Mesa jumped up four spots in one month on the site’s 10 hottest housing markets in

This 5,100-square-foot home on East Teakwood Place in Chandler recently sold for $1,175,000. The four-year-old house was on the market for less than two months in a neighborhood where the median home price is $375,000. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

the country. Rounding out the top five were Stockton, California, which saw a list price drop of 1.9 percent “as it continues to be desirable for those seeking refuge from high real estate prices in the Bay Area,” and fifth-place Glendale in the West

Valley, which climbed into fifth place from number 8 with an average 1.92 percent price drop. The ratings come as Cromford Report, which closely analyzes the housing market in Maricopa and Pinal counties, came out last week with a startling declaration: “We

have a situation that favors sellers to an almost alarming degree.” “Supply is down 25 percent compared to this time last year when it was already well below normal,” it continued. “DeSee

MARKET on page 30

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Above, students check out some of the equipment offered at Stemtree in Chandler while in the upper right photo, Abarami Muralindaran, 7, left, and 12-year-old Ellisabeth Palmieri figure out the uses of a robot. The school’s bright, airy classrooms provide a perfect environment for STEM-oriented classes. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

STEMTREE

from page 26

students complete a lesson for 90 minutes and the curriculum is broken down by three levels: beginner, junior, and experienced. “They grow at their own pace,” Palmieri said about how students move through the program. Palmieri said Stemtree can also

bring its activities to schools. It already has a partnership with Valley Christian Elementary School. She wishes to see more facilities like Stemtree open up in the East Valley so local students can be better prepared for the future. “We’re kind of low on the totem pole as far as education goes so something like this can really help them,” Palmieri added. Information: stemtree.com.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

wide reports by both Marketwatch.com and Realtor.com. “The housing inventory situation will remain a major hurdle for the housing market and home-buyers alike moving forward,” Marketwatch said.

Added Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors: “We still need to address and, more importantly, correct inadequate levels of inventory across the country. There is no shortage of buyers seeking homes, but a

lack of available units continues to drag down the nation’s housing market and overall economy.” Marketwatch said recent data suggests “builders are ramping up construction of new homes, which should alleviate the supply crunch.: But Yun doubted the pace of that new construction could make up for the growth in population the nation will see in coming decades. The trend is hitting younger families the hardest, Realtor.com said, citing data indicating that the median age of U.S. homebuyers is now 47 – far above the median age of 31 in 1981. “Notably, the median age has increased by eight years since the financial crisis,” Realtor. com said. “Much of this rise can be attributed to the disappearance of young, first-time homebuyers from the housing market.” Meanwhile, RealtyHop doesn’t offer much consolation for buyers looking to bargain their way into a cheap homestead. The least healthy housing market in the nation, it said, is Detroit, Michigan, where the average price discount between October and November was nearly 9 percent. That was followed by Buffalo, Cleveland, San Francisco and Newark, New Jersey. San Francisco place fourth because it “continues to be the most expensive housing market of any city in the United States,” RealtyHop said.

Over one summer break, she started selling dog-themed items online and at craft fairs. The response she got from buyers gave Barzee the confidence to not return to the classroom and devote herself full-time to sewing. She now has her products on display at Mesa’s Moon Dust Farms and tries to cultivate new customers through her website. With the help of her husband, Mike,

Barzee continues to market new ideas and gifts – they recently rolled out a catshaped ornament to hang off doorframes. But getting the word out is not as easy as posting some pictures on Facebook, she said, because all entrepreneurs have to compete for attention on the World Wide Web. It’s why craft fairs are still Barzee’s biggest source for sales.

And she loves being out and among the people; hearing their dog stories and seeing them pick out new accessories for their pets. It’s important for owners to spoil their pets, Barzee said, because these animals give so much unconditional love and can brighten anyone’s day. “When they give us love, we want to give something back to them,” she said. Information: houndstreetboutique.com

from page 28

mand has retained strength much later into the season than normal.” At the same time, the monthly median price of homes in November was $281,000 – up 7.9 percent from the median price of $260,500 in November 2018. But despite that increased price, homes were flying off the market, Cromford said. It said under-contract listings last month totaled 9,572 – a staggering 23.7 percent increase over November 2018 sales. Cromford also warned that price increases are only just beginning. “Pricing has moved higher over the last two months, but we are only at the beginning of the latest leg upwards,” it said, adding: “Things will not get easier for buyers in the weeks ahead. Supply always falls during December as many sellers take their homes off the market for the holiday season. Even without this effect, we have wholly inadequate supplies for the current level of demand. “The real test will come in January when we see which ramps up faster from the low point of Jan. 1, 2020: will it be active listings or the under-contract counts? … At the moment it looks as though sellers will be firmly in control.” Cromford’s analysis reinforces nation-

BOUTIQUE

from page 26

watching their eyes light up as they learned something new. But like several others in the teaching profession, Barzee got burned out by the long hours and low pay. She had already been honing her crafting skills for years and thought maybe she could turn her hobby into a business.

The Teakwood Place home was designed for luxury living inside and out, with a large patio that includes a pebble tec lap pool, pizza oven outdoor bar and automated gas firepit. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Business Briefs Clarendale hires new manager for memory care

Clarendale of Chandler has hired Dana Olimb to manage and lead the new senior living community’s memory care neighborhoods for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The new community, which also offers independent living and assisted living, is located at the corner of Riggs Road and Gilbert Road in Chandler. “We’re so delighted to have Dana join our Clarendale team,” said Executive Director Rena Phillips. “With more than 10 years of experience in memory care, she brings the expertise and skills needed to effectively train, mentor and inspire our staff, as well as the passion to support our residents and their families with strength and compassion.” Olimb called Clarendale’s program “truly unique.” “The residential setting is designed to make those who live here feel at home, but perhaps more important, our heartfelt approach to care truly offers individuals with memory loss a sense of safety, security and quality of life that rewards their everyday successes,” she said. “The memory care program recognizes that abilities lost from a memory disorder are less important than the abilities that remain,” she said, adding: “We celebrate everything our residents do—creating success stories one small victory at a time. It’s reassuring for both

residents and their families. Rather than being caregivers, loved ones can return to being a daughter, son or spouse again.” Clarendale of Chandler’s two memory care neighborhoods include private and companion suites as well as three meals a day, accommodating special diets, a dining room or their room. The community offers trained care 24 hours a day, including daily activity programming and local transportation, assistance with daily living, medication administration, weekly housekeeping services and more. Seniors and families interested in Clarendale of Chandler’s memory care program may schedule a visit to see the community. Information: 480-630-1515 or ClarendaleofChandler.com.

California lender expands at Chandler Viridian

Oaktree Funding Corp., a rapidly growing wholesale mortgage lender based in California, says it is “significantly expanding its space and operational capacity” by mid-year in 2020. Kristopher Martin, Oaktree executive vice president, said, “The convenience of the location near Loop 101 and Loop 202 and the available amenities such as retail and a hotel made the Offices at Chandler Viridian the ideal decision for us. We have experienced unprecedented growth over the last couple of years and our long-term commitment to this space will allow us the room to facilitate our exponential

growth for many years to come.” Stantec, a global engineering, architecture and consulting firm, also is expanding its footprint at Viridian, going from 22 percent of the Offices at Chandler Viridian to 25 percent of the building. Other tenants include Workuity, a coworking firm, and ClearChoice, a dental implant company. The Offices at Chandler Viridian, which opened in January, is the tallest multi-tenant office building in Chandler. The six-story, Class A office building with 252,418 square feet of leasable space is at the intersection of Loop 101 and Loop 202 near the Chandler Fashion Center. The building features a large, open floorplan with 10-foot tall ceilings, a lounge and a large courtyard. Hines developed the project in a joint venture agreement with New York Life Real Estate Investors, on behalf of its institutional client. The Offices at Chandler Viridian is integrated into the Chandler Viridian master plan development, a 25-acre mixed-use project which also includes the 140-room Cambria hotel & suites, 330unit Broadstone Fashion Center luxury apartments, retail at Chandler Viridian PRIMEGATE and a pedestrian promenade to the Chandler Fashion Center mall. Also featured in the master plan is a dog park, ¾-mile jogging trail connecting all of the properties, and a large public

plaza with high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi.

Chandler man cited in as a ‘top young professional’

A Chandler man has been recognized as a top young professional in the construction/electrical industry. Brandon Stephens of Chandler, a division manager for Rosendin , was selected for Engineering News Record Southwest’s 2020 class of Top Young Professionals. This designation is given to the top 20 industry workers under the age of 40 working in Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico. Rosendin is the largest employee-owned firm with a regional office in Tempe. Stephens started working for his father’s electrical contracting business when he was 8. By the time he got to Rosendin after graduating college in 2004, he was named assistant project manager. “He sought out mentoring opportunities and quickly moved up the ladder into leadership positions where he grew the company’s revenue and workforce,” a company spokeswoman said. Stephens is responsible for southwest region operations and remote projects in heavy industrial, high tech and instrumentation. “I am honored to be recognized on this impressive list of industry game-changers, and I have a lot of people to thank for giving me confidence, guiding my career, and inspiring me to find new solutions to help our workforce,” said Stephens.

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Chandler triumphs in inaugural Open championship BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

It was billed as arguably the biggest game in the history of high school football in Arizona. Top-ranked Chandler, the winner of the last three 6A Conference titles matched up against No. 3 Saguaro, the six-time defending 4A Conference champion. Fans packed Sun Devil Stadium Saturday evening to see history be made, and both teams delivered. A three-touchdown Chandler lead quickly dwindled away in the second half, but it was the Wolves who hung on to beat Saguaro, 42-35, to become the first-ever Arizona Open Division state champions. “This is what we worked for,” Chandler coach Rick Garretson said. “I can’t ask for anything more. I love my staff, I love my kids, I love my community. Chandler was out in force tonight.” Chandler running back Dae Dae Hunter missed the Wolves’ semifinal game against Salpointe Catholic with an ankle injury. But he quickly proved he was at full strength on Chandler’s first offensive possession. The senior broke free up the middle for a 71-yard run taking the life out of the Saguaro defense. Two plays later, junior quarterback Mikey Keene capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. “Right then and there, at that moment, we knew we had it in the bag,” Hunter said. “We knew we could compete with anybody. We knew we were the best. From going into the game and

a Chandler fumble. From there, senior Kelee Ringo took it in from 19 yards out to put the Sabercats on the board. But it wasn’t enough. Just before the end of the first half, Keene and Grayes connected once again, this time for a 22yard touchdown giving Chandler a 28-7 lead at the half. As rain started to fall during halftime at Sun Devil Stadium, most fans headed for the upper concourse to stay dry while watching the remainder of the game. Some, however, headed for the exits. “For a while there I thought, ‘man, people are going to be asking Chandler claimed the inaugural Open Division state title after defeating Saguaro in one of the biggest games in Arizona high school for a refund,’” Mohns football history. (Chris Mortenson/Staff) said. “I wish we wouldn’t have started as slow Brandon Buckner, who then walked into throughout it we believed that and we as we did but I’m proud of the way we the end zone 3 yards away. came out as state champions.” battled back in the second half.” In less than 6 minutes into the first The fast start by Chandler seemed Saguaro cut into Chandler’s lead with quarter, Chandler had already built a to have a lasting effect on Saguaro’s dean 8-yard run by senior Will Shaffer in 21-point lead. fense, which gave up an 18-yard touchthe third quarter. But even as the de“We got after it,” Garretson said. down pass from Keene to sophomore fense began forcing the Wolves to punt, “When it comes down to it, I block you wideout Kyion Grayes on the Wolves’ they still had trouble containing Huntand I throw, I run and I tackle. Player ‘A’ next offensive possession. has to beat player ‘B.’ That’s what we did er. The senior transfer from Colorado From there, Chandler’s defense took broke free for a 74-yard touchdown with tonight.” over. On Saguaro’s ensuing drive, senior just over 8 minutes to go in the fourth Saguaro did, however, manage to quarterback Tyler Beverett’s pass was quarter. get on the board after a big hit from tipped by Chandler defensive end Zion Magalei into the hands of his teammate, defensive back Jacobe Covington forced See on page 37

OPEN

Hunter excels in Chandler’s AIA open title win BY ERIC NEWMAN Staff Writer

Chandler senior running back Dae Dae Hunter could not stop smiling after his Wolves defeated Saguaro 42-35 in the state’s first AIA Open Division Football Championship on Saturday evening.

He’s so electric, there’s so much “I could say about him because he’s just so good, he and every running back on this team are great to block for, and they motivate us on every carry. – Senior Tackle Alexis Castro

”

Hunter, who had sat out the semifinal win over Salpointe Catholic two weeks prior due to injury, dominated from the beginning of the game on a team that led throughout the whole 48 minutes. On the first play from scrimmage, he took a handoff from quarterback Mikey Keene, found a hole in the middle and

Chandler back Dae Dae Hunter runs in Saturday’s championship game against Saguaro. (Chris Mortenson/Tribune Staff)

sprinted for 70 yards. The play not only put the Wolves in scoring position but

swung the momentum in their favor within the first minute.

“We got hyped, and everybody knew what was up from there,” Hunter said. He finished the game with 247 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and made a few key blocks on big passing plays. That kind of statistical night was nothing new for Hunter this season. Through 12 games prior – including one he was injured for – he carried for 1,469 yards and 31 scores. But there was no guarantee immediately this summer he would fit in with the group. Hunter joined a Wolves roster already stacked with running back talent, including new transfer junior Eli Sanders, after moving from Colorado after his senior year. He knew just about nobody and was away from friends and family in a new environment. See

HUNTER on page 37

SPORTS & RECREATION

Champions!

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

The Chandler Wolves won bragging rights as the best varsity football team in the state after winning the first championship in the new Open Division, which pits the best of all varsityfootball teams against each other for a season showdown. 1) Chandler sophomore Kyion Grayes leads the team onto the field; 2) Senior running back Dae Dae Hunter rambles for a big gain; 3) Dae Dae eats up more yardage; 5) The fans were elated as the Wolves marched to victory; 5) Senior Jay McEuen proudly displays his championship shirt.

All photographs by Chris Mortenson/Staff Photographer

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

OPEN

from page 35

Hunter would score once more time, a 4-yard run - ultimately helping Chandler clinch the victory after two scores by Saguaro to trim the lead. The Sabercats cut Chandler’s lead to just 7 points late in the game after a 1-yard run by Shaffer – his third touchdown of the night. But an onside kick recovery by Chandler ended the game. “This has always been a dream of mine,” Hunter said. “At the beginning of high school, I never thought I would win a state championship but here I am. What else can you ask for?” Hunter rushed 24 times for 247 yards and two touchdowns against Saguaro. Keene completed 18 of his 28 passes for 186 yards and three total touchdowns of his own. It was a dominating performance by Chandler as a whole, as it put up 521 yards of total offense. “I think we made a statement that we

HUNTER

from page 35

His teammates, and offensive linemen specifically, noticed his skill and work ethic immediately, though. A bond was created from the first day of practice, and the Wolves knew they had something special. “He’s so electric, there’s so much I could say about him because he’s just so

are the best team in the state,” Keene said. “It feels amazing. All of our hard work paid off.” But even with the staggering numbers against them, the Sabercats still proved they belonged atop the state rankings. Saguaro put up 391 total yards of offense against Chandler, and ultimately had a chance to send the game to overtime had the onside kick gone their way. Beverett threw for 230 yards and ran for 103 more, while defensive end Quinton Summerville and the rest of the Saguaro front-seven wreaked havoc at times on Chandler’s stout offensive line. Both teams proved they deserved to be there. Both teams put an exclamation point on what was a historic season for Arizona high school football. “There’s nothing wrong with losing to a team like Chandler,” Mohns said. “Obviously, it’s hard watching teams you played and beat run off the field with a trophy. But I think our state needs to embrace that the Open Division is the standard.” good,” said senior tackle Alexis Castro, “He and every running back on this team are great to block for, and they motivate us on every carry.” While the Wolves have become used to winning titles, it was a new experience for Hunter. He held up four fingers like his teammates in the photos following the game, signifying four consecutive titles, but celebrated in a fashion befitting his first. As Hunter walked off the field,

Chandler Wolves celebrate their victory in the state’s first Open Division Chaampionship Dec. 6. (Chris Mortenson/ Tribune Staff Photographer)

wiping the wet grass from the rainy field off his face, his smile was still intact. With a state championship to his name, and likely a bright college future ahead of him, the grin sufficed where words could not. “I’m speechless,” he said. “This is just so crazy.” Hunter is set to graduate in 2020 and will likely have several options to choose from as to where he plays college ball.

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Rise in hate crimes a troubling sign for 2020 BY CARLOS GALINDO-ELVIRA Guest Writer

The new year is fast approaching and with it comes and for some concerns for what may be an increase in hate incidents and/or crimes and increase in hate speech both online and on the streets. Since the start of 2019, ADL Arizona has called out anti-Semitic and hateful incidents, from Flagstaff to Tucson, 33 times, by standing up for Jewish, African American, LGBTQ, Latino and Muslim communities. We’ve expressed our reaction as disturbed, offended, appalled, concerned, shocked, horrified, troubled and disappointed. Never have we been discouraged as we’ve also seen the goodwill of many who stand up against hate and the rapid response by law enforcement. The FBI last month released 2018 data on hate crimes. There were 7,120 hate crimes reported in 2018…that’s 20 hate crimes per day. The most numerous hate crimes were race-

based. Nearly 50 percent were directed against African-Americans. There was a 42 percent increase in hate crimes against transgender people. Nearly 60 percent of religious hate crimes were motivated by anti-Semitism. Since 1991, Jews have been the most common victims of religiously motivated hate crimes in the United States. The FBI also reported that antiHispanic crimes went up 14percent--an increase for the third consecutive year. What should be the response in the face of these statistics? • Policymakers and industry leaders need to step up and take concrete action to stop this extremism from spreading. • The White House must call out this threat by name. • We need social media platforms to enforce their terms of service and take down hate speech. • We need all faith, educational and nonprofit organizations to step forward and stand together. This is a time for mobilization. This is a time for courage. In 2018, we witnessed a 23 percent increase of anti-Semitic vandalism and harassment

incidents in Arizona. The spread of anti-Semitism is not something seen in faraway places. It’s happening here in Arizona. It’s happening in the East Valley. Last May, ADL received reports on an act of anti-Semitic graffiti drawn at a neighborhood splash pad in Mesa’s Eastmark community. We cannot accept normalization of this hate symbol here or anywhere. Tablet Magazine author Carly Pildis wrote what needs to be said every day: “I believe we must stand up and fight antiSemitism. It is our patriotic duty, for antiSemitism is a threat to all Americans.” This is a time to preserve and strengthen our democracy--ensuring the protection of the First Amendment and interests of vulnerable communities. This too is our patriotic duty. One way that ADL seeks to make an impact on Arizona communities is through ADL’s No Place for Hate® initiative. It provides schools and communities with an organizing framework for combating bias, bullying. and hatred, leading to long-term solutions for creating and maintaining a positive

school climate. Currently, ADL Arizona partners with 51 schools across the state touching the lives of over 50,000 students. Students participating with NPFH sign a Resolution of Respect at the beginning of the school year. Within that resolution, students pledge to seek understanding; speak out against prejudice and discrimination; support those who are the targets of hate; promote respect; not be an innocent bystander when it comes to opposing hate; and recognize individual dignity and promote intergroup harmony. From kindergarten to high school, students declare their school is No Place for Hate. In anticipation of 2020, wouldn’t it be better for all of us to make resolutions mirroring the ones made by these young people? We can, for the 365 days of the New Year, respect one another’s opinion, act kindly to everyone, and demonstrate courage in the face of adversity. Let 2020 be the year of respect, kindness and courage. Carlos Galindo-Elvira is the regional director for ADL Arizona.

Is your child complaining of aches and pains? BY DR. GINGER CARLSON Guest Writer

It’s cold and flu season all across the Valley, but fevers, chills and upset stomach aren’t the only aches and pains affecting kids and teens this month. While pediatricians are busy advising parents on how to ease nausea or treat a cough, my practice has an entirely different focus. As a psychologist, much of my work year-round focuses on common mental health concerns – like social pressures, anxiety, moodiness and an increase in risky behaviors – but there’s always a new crop of patients at this time of year. They arrive at my office with reports of unexplained stomachaches, headaches, sleep problems, and other issues that seem to be physical, not mental, in nature. When a child complains of aches

and pains, most parents’ first line of defense is to treat the symptoms. They may give them acetaminophen, improve their diet, ensure the child is getting plenty of water, or implement an earlier bedtime. If the problems persist, they’re likely to visit their pediatrician. However, the issues won’t resolve for some kids. That’s because they’re suffering from a mental health issue that’s leading to physical symptoms – and Tylenol simply doesn’t help. This doesn’t mean the physical issues are fake or exaggerated – they are very real. Adults who are stressed and anxious are prone to health problems, too, such as painful and damaging stomach ulcers, chronic headaches or high blood pressure. It’s the mind-body connection – a physical response to a mental health issue – and it’s exactly the same for children. For example, a child who starts

having stomach problems might be stressed about a peer relationship. A teen who frequently complains of headaches or nausea may be facing rejection or bullying by peers in person, on social media, or struggling with underlying depression or anxiety. Likewise, kids struggling with academic pressures are susceptible to physical ailments – especially in December with final exams, end-ofsemester projects and activities, and the demands of the holiday season. Indeed, diagnoses of stressexacerbated physical symptoms increase during the school year, but symptoms often improve or resolve during school breaks. With the uptick in mental illness among children, parents are more vigilant than ever, paying close attention to kids’ social media habits, friend relationships and school demands. Even so, issues often go unnoticed because parents don’t recognize the link

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between mental health problems and physical symptoms. Here are the most frequent complaints that pop up in my practice at this time of year: persistent stomach pain, frequent and enduring headaches, sleep problems, reduced energy and drastic changes in appetite. If you suspect your child or teenager’s aches and pains are rooted in mental health concerns, talk to your pediatrician about strategies to help children cope with stressors, recommendations for modifying food or sleep habits, and whether you should adjust your family’s routine or scale back on your child’s activities. Depending on your level of concern, you and your doctor may decide that cognitive-behavioral therapy with a psychologist or counselor is the best next step. By Dr. Ginger Carlson is section chief of psychology at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

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Cold cases ‘ultimate puzzle’ for city detective cold cases full-time, said Ynclan, who feels lucky she’s been given the support to pursue these cases despite having to manage them with her regular caseload. “It’s kind of a balancing act,” Ynclan explained. “Unfortunately, we’re kind of at the mercy of our regular jobs.”

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler Police Det. Cassandra Ynclan believes it takes a certain amount of tenacity to investigate cold cases. A homicide case that’s gone dormant for 10, 20 or 30 years introduces a unique set of challenges for the investigator attempting to close it: witnesses go missing, old reports are hard to locate and there’s no camera footage to review. But Ynclan, a 19-year veteran of the Chandler Police Department, almost enjoys having to overcome these obstacles. “It’s kind of the ultimate challenge,” she said. “It’s the ultimate puzzle.” She’s been part of the agency’s Homicide and Robbery Bureau for the last decade and specializes in revisiting Chandler’s unsolved murders. Ynclan spends about half her time investigating new cases and the other half to tracking old cases that might still have some workable leads. Hundreds of murder cases from across Valley are still waiting for a resolution and not all police departments have a large amount of resources to invest in reopening them. Only a handful of police departments have a detective reviewing

Taking initiative

Chandler Police Det. Cassandra Ynclan investgates active homicides but devotes time as well to trying to bring closure to the families of victims of killers who think they’ve escaped justice. (Chris Mortenson/Staff Photographer)

Ynclan grew up in the northern suburbs of Tucson in a family that included several police officers. She knew early on she wanted to follow this same path and set her sights on working in Chandler. The city was just big enough to offer a variety of opportunities, Ynclan said, yet not too big to make an officer feel like no more than a number.

She started working graveyard shifts as a patrol officer before joining a new bureau that focused on domestic violence and child abuse. Ynclan eventually made it into the homicide unit – the place where she feels like she belongs. “I landed where I wanted to be,” Ynclan said. “I do know how lucky I am to work here.” A couple years after joining homicide, Ynclan said she asked her bosses if she could start tracking Chandler’s cold cases. They authorized her to do so, but then came the challenge of knowing where to begin. She was already aware of a couple old cases that had not been solved, but Ynclan knew there must have been several more out there. She scanned old newspapers, talked to retired cops and dug through the agency’s archives. If she found a file that was notably thick, she flagged it as a possible murder case. “The hardest thing is finding all of them,” Ynclan said. She hopes to compile within the next year a comprehensive list of all the city’s murder cases that are open, closed or pending. Once she’s done that, Ynclan See

DETECTIVE on page 43

Chandler woman pens TV Christmas movie BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

A Christmas movie written by an East Valley native aired on national television earlier this month. “A Christmas Winter Song” is the first script written by Melissa Bustamante, who spends part of her time living in Chandler, to be produced and shot into a full-length film. The television film, which stars Grammy Award winner Ashanti, was broadcast on Lifetime on Dec. 14 and can currently be streamed on the network’s website. “It’s been a really good year,” said Bustamante, noting how she sold the movie in February, shot it in May and finished it by December. She described her film as a feel-good story about friendship, family, and grief. The plot follows Clio, a gift shop owner portrayed by Ashanti, and her musical bond with a homeless man and former jazz singer played by Stan Shaw. Clio helps the man reconnect with his estranged family while dealing with the grief of losing her father. Bustamante said she drew on aspects of her own life to write the film, but considers the story to be mostly fictional. It’s a film ultimately about hope and

Actress-singer Ashanti, left, shares a glam moment with Chandler resident and writer Melissa Bustamante. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

forgiveness, she said. “We need stories like that,” the screenwriter added. Bustamante knew from a young age she wanted to pursue a creative career in Hollywood. She thought career would be on a stage since she spent most of youth acting in plays. Bustamante appeared in productions of “West Side Story” while attending Dobson High School and her love for performance pushed her to study theater in college. Married to movie directorcinematographer Bud Kremp, Bustamante also had a small role in a 2009 movie titled “Middle Men.” She hadn’t ever thought of becoming a writer until after she moved out to California and started working in a department store. The quirky characters she encountered through her job gave her an idea for a television show. She eventually crafted her ideas into a pilot for a half-hour comedy. “I just never really stopped writing since,” Bustamante said. But getting a script produced and made can be difficult, she added. The industry operates by getting a meeting with the right person who is willing See

MOVIE on page 43

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Stephen Ministries help the hurting BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

Divorce. Separation. Loss of a loved one through death or estrangement. Job loss or inability to find employment. Illness. Loneliness. Discouragement. Too often, people decide to soldier alone through these quagmires – but it doesn’t have to be the only recourse. Chandler and other East Valley residents suffering through hard times have available to them local ministry leaders, willing and trained, to listen. They are part of the Stephen Ministry currently active in five churches in Chandler and Mesa. Stephen Ministers are referred to as caregivers and those who come to them as care receivers. Care receivers need not be a member of the church, or any church, to receive help from a Stephen Minister. According to the Stephen Ministries website, more than 750,000 pastors, church staff and lay leaders have been trained as Stephen Leaders since its founding as a nonprofit in 1975. “We listen, but we don’t counsel,” said Marie Pettegrew, a Stephen Leader at Velda Rose United Methodist Church in Mesa. “We’re Christian lay people here to listen, talk with them, and lend a shoulder to cry on if needed.” After several years’ hiatus, Velda Rose reactivated their Stephen Ministry last

The Stephen Ministries leaders and ministers include, from left: Back row: Steve Endicott, Mike Andrews, Gail Osten, Pastor Mark Hoffmann and Marlin Coffee; front: Joan Laubenstein and Linda Antonio. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

year and began training ministers. “It does take a commitment,” admitted Pettegrew, a 50-year Mesa resident. “The Leaders go to leadership training courses that are a week-long, and then they come back to help train the Stephen Ministers who receive 50 hours of training before they’re matched with a care receiver.” One-to-one Christian care is the basis for Stephen Ministry, which is active in more than 13,000 congregations in more than 180 denominations in all 50 states,

10 Canadian provinces, and 30 other countries. Stephen Ministry derives its name from the apostle Stephen who, according to the book of Acts, was among those chosen as deacons in the nascent church to provide a caring ministry to the needy. Confidentiality is paramount to all involved in the Stephen Ministry. “One of the most important aspects of the program is maintaining confidentiality,” emphasized Steve

Endicott, one of five trained Stephen Ministry Leaders at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Chandler. Of their trained leaders, three are male and two women. Risen Savior is one of the newer Stephen Ministry programs in the East Valley, and Endicott was a key to its establishment last February. “I first got involved with the program in 1994 outside of Seattle in a congregation where I was director of Christian education,” said Endicott. “When I retired in 2005, we helped start a program in Montana, and moving to Chandler four years ago, the pastors encouraged me to get one started here.” In addition to the leaders, four Stephen Ministers were commissioned in a church service last May. “The program is designed so people are matched male to male and female to female,” Endicott explained. “I think there’s no question men are going through crises as well as women, and can utilize a Stephen Minister to help them through.” The Stephen Ministry at Mesa’s St. Luke Lutheran Church, under the direction of Paul and Kathleen Hoffmann, is a vibrant group and one in which continuing education is emphasized. Their six Stephen leaders and 11 See

MINISTRIES on page 42

NEIGHBORS

MINISTRIES

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

from page 41

ministers meet twice monthly, the first and third Tuesday, to advance their knowledge of the Stephen Ministry system, and in a following supervisorial session, without exposing confidentiality, work to help each other with current caregiving issues. “We go around and say what we might be going through, and without mentioning names or details, we give different ideas and questions to help their care receivers find their own answers,” explained Kathleen Hoffman, St. Luke’s director of care ministries. She and her husband were trained as leaders in July 2016 and the following November started the group with 12 Stephen Ministers. There are currently 17, eight men and nine women, six of whom are also trained leaders. Accompanying the hurting along their journey, Stephen Leaders and Ministers often find a teaching lesson for themselves as well, said Kathleen who gave an example she said the deceased care receiver had approved to disclose. “We were able to walk alongside a woman dying of cancer. Our Stephen Minister was there every week with her for a year. It was such a blessing to the Stephen Minister as well as the care receiver, and I think it changed all of our Stephen Minister’s outlook a bit as the woman said she wanted to live and find joy in every day,” she said.

St. Luke Lutheran Church Pastor Luke Hennings confeers with Stephen leaders Kathleen Hoffman, left, and Sherry Olson. (Special to SanTan Sum News)

“As Stephen Ministers, it’s our joy to walk beside them and just listen to them and be present with them. I think we’ve all experienced there are enough people giving their advice on how to get through your crisis, yet as Stephen Ministers, we’re trained to just listen. We aren’t there to tell you what to do or how to fix it.” Added Bonnie Wellman of Mesa’s Red Mountain United Methodist Church: “We’re not cure-givers, we’re care-givers. God is the cure-giver. And we always expect miracles.” A recent commissioning service added new Stephen Ministers. “We had a wonderful commissioning

of six new Stephen Ministers at our 9 a.m. service November 24th. Three other people from our most recent training group were also commissioned at Church of the Master the same day,” said Wellman. “The 50-hour training went great with Georgiann Crouse and Mary Kay Lininger as training leaders.” Sharing the Stephen Ministry training with other churches is beneficial areawide said Wellman, a former medical editor. Offering further cooperation between the various East County churches Stephen Ministries, Paul and Kathleen Hoffmann of St. Luke are working to inaugurate an East County

Stephen Ministry Coalition so area churches who currently provide the ministry, and others who are considering starting one, can assist each other. Mesa’s Love of Christ Lutheran Church has a similar program based on the tenets of Stephen Ministry. According to Pastor Steve Talmage, their Stephen Ministry was too successful - there weren’t enough people in need to keep their 100 trained ministers busy. So, the church began a program entitled “Umbrella of Care,” which provides a plethora of services including one-on-one caregiving through their trained Stephen Ministers, and other ministries including homeboundmonthly communion, emergency crisis response, and compassionate cooks who weekly prepare ready-to-heat meals. All the Stephen Ministry churches say if they find their care receiver’s require more than a concerned, listening ear, they will provide appropriate referrals to community services or counselors. Stephen Ministry at any of the churches listed can be contacted through their respective church offices. Information: StephenMinistries.org. Local Stephen Ministry groups can be found at: Risen Saviour Lutheran Church, 23914 S. Alma Road, Chandler; Velda Rose United Methodist Church, 5540 E. Main, Mesa; Red Mountain UMC, 2936 N. Power Road, Mesa; St. Luke Lutheran Church, 807 N. Stapley Drive, Mesa; and Church of the Master, 6659 E. University Drive, Mesa.

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DETECTIVE

from page 40

said they will have a better idea of what they’re dealing with. The city’s open cases vary from seemingly random acts of violence to possible robberies gone awry. From the 1998 murder of a Chandler mother fatally shot in her own front yard to the 1995 slaying of a delivery driver behind a supermarket, each cold case comes with a certain level of mystery. Some have few identifiable suspects, while others have suspects on the run and waiting to get caught. But as these cases get older over time, they can present new challenges. A case where all its original investigators are deceased can be difficult to prosecute in court since the state can’t call them to testify. Ynclan said there’s ways to work around these deficiencies, but it definitely makes the investigator’s job a bit more complex. “When you look at cold cases, you’re adding a whole another layer onto the onion,” she said. Every cold case has to be assessed for which ones have leads that can be pursued further. It’s impossible to juggle 50 cases at a time, so Ynclan has to be selective with which leads she wants to investigate. But she’s quick to clarify that every case has the possibility of being solved. “Just because a case is cold and doesn’t have any leads doesn’t mean it’s never gonna be reopened either,” she said.

Closing a case

One of the first cases Ynclan helped to solve involved the 2008 death of Zachary Rowe. The 25-year-old Arizona State University student was shot to death inside his home near Ray and Alma School roads. The assailants then attempted to burn his house down. Ynclan said she was working in narcotics at the time of Rowe’s murder. She picked up the case a few years later and started making some progress on it. Then there was sudden breakthrough after a Chandler man was arrested by another detective. The man made a comment suggesting he knew something about Rowe’s death. The tip was passed along and Ynclan used it to arrest two suspects in 2014. She still recalls the moment she contacted Rowe’s family and notified them of the news. It came as a bit of a surprise to them, the detective said, because the family didn’t really think the case would ever be solved. A cold-case detective has to have lots of empathy when interacting with the victim’s family, Ynclan added. Families try to move on with their lives and a call from a detective can open up old wounds. “You are ripping so much more than a scab off,” she said. “You are resurrecting all sorts of things in their lives.” The two suspects charged with Rowe’s death both accepted plea deals and were sentenced to prison. Rowe’s case is only one drop in the bucket of cases still waiting to be closed. The FBI estimates more than 200,000

murders have gone unsolved in the United States since the 1980s. The country’s clearance rate has dropped by a third over the decades, which experts attribute to higher charging standards in law enforcement. The Murder Accountability Project lists Chandler’s clearance rate at about 70 percent – a better rate than Phoenix and Maricopa County. There are so many families out there waiting for a resolution, Ynclan said. If she can provide them some sense of closure, it’s worth all the work. “The fact that you’re able to do that for someone I think is probably one of the most rewarding things,” she said.

New technology

As advancements in forensic science and DNA continue to be made, detectives across the country are applying them to old cases that have hit a lull. Scottsdale investigators made an arrest last year in the 2015 murder of a 31-year-old woman through a DNA match to the suspect’s brother. Authorities in California nabbed a suspected serial killer from the 1970s by using his relatives’ DNA to track him down. Arizona is only one of a handful of states that allows investigators to use familial DNA in criminal investigations. Ynclan said this type of genealogical testing is a potential game-changer and has already submitted a couple cold cases to undergo familial DNA testing. “There’s so much out there that wasn’t available a lot of times when these crimes occurred,” Ynclan said. But sending items to the lab for testing won’t always immediately result in identifying a suspect. Even if scientists can develop a profile through fingerprints or DNA, it may not match to any existing profiles law enforcement has on record. In the Scottsdale case, investigators were only able to make an arrest because the suspect’s brother already had his DNA logged in a state database. Ynclan said after a profile is entered into a database, it can then turn into a long waiting game – hoping the suspect might get arrested for another crime. “You may enter stuff and may not get anything and then a year later, two years later, three years later – all of a sudden you’re getting a report from the lab and a frantic phone call,” she said. All the new science and technology can be helpful, but Ynclan thinks some of the best police work involves getting out of the office and knocking on doors. Some witnesses may never want to cooperate with the police and it’s up to the investigator to get them to budge. Ynclan said there’s one gentleman she visits at least once a year, trying to get him to talk. “I think you have to be extremely stubborn,” she said. “It’s almost like you don’t ever take no for an answer.” As for the future, Ynclan would eventually like to transition her cold case work into a full-time assignment. She would still assist in new investigations, but would like to commit more of her time to cold cases. “That is ultimately what I would absolutely love to do,” she said.

Starring Ashanti and Stan Shaw, the movie features some beautiful and emotional moments, but ends on a happy note. (mylifetime.com)

MOVIE

perspective and getting to incorporate them,” she said. As someone who spends most of her time sitting in front of her computer, Bustamante said she enjoyed the opportunity to work among other storytellers. “The best part is honestly feeling like I’m part of something,” she added, “collaborating with other people in an artistic way is so fulfilling.” Bustamante is already planning to pitch some projects in the coming year, including an idea for a children’s adventure film. She said getting “Christmas Winter Song” made has been a major milestone in her career and hopes it will open some doors to more opportunities. “I do feel really, really lucky,” Bustamante said. “I hope it’s not the last one.”

from page 40

to take a chance on a newcomer, Bustamante explained. “Christmas Winter Song” only happened after Bustamante’s friend, Camille Brown, pitched the idea during a meeting with a production company. The producers liked the idea and greenlighted the project. Brown ended up directing the television film and Bustamante was able to observe how her pages were transferred to the screen. Bustamante said the production process has been fascinating as she watched the actors bring her words to life. The producers gave her only a handful of notes on the script and allowed Bustamante time to do some rewrites. “That was a really fun experience getting notes from an outside

**The submitted photo depicts Bustamante on the right**

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Intel makes homebound residents’ Christmas merrier SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Intel’s employees stepped up to help homebound Chandler and Gilbert residents who are assisted by the nonprofit About Care. About Care Executive Director Ann Marie McArthur said they provided over 200 wrapped Christmas presents. “For many of them, this will be the only present they would receive over the holidays,” McArthur said, adding, “Local Girl Scout Troop 1661, About Care board of directors and our volunteers have been playing elves and delivering the gifts to our neighbors.” McArthur praised the Intel employees’ generosity and said the recipients “are so grateful to be remembered.” About Care’s mission is “to deliver caring, compassionate support services using trained volunteers with special concern for the elderly and disabled homebound residents of Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek.” The nonprofit’s free services help people, clients, to remain in their homes, “live with self-respect and dignity while encouraging independence,” she said. “Our free support services help our neighbors meet their basic needs, reduce isolation and remain independent in their homes,” McArthur added, noting its services help postpone

in our community to try and dedicate a few hours a month volunteering. Not only will you reap the benefits of this volunteer service, but you will impact the lives of others by your generosity,” she said. McArthur also is hoping state taxpayers consider a taxdeductible donation to About Care, which qualifies as an Arizona State Charitable Tax Credit Organization. Individuals may deduct $400 and married couples may deduct $800 from their state income tax. “Any and all donations are welcome and appreciated,” she said. “If you are unable Volunteers from About Care and Intel brightened the holidays for some homebound residents in the Chandler area. (Special to SanTan Sun News) to make a monetary donation, About Care is always looking for volunteers with big for medical appointments. the expense of long-term care. hearts who really want to help others,” McArthur added she could use more Most of its clients are veterans, she said. help. widows of former military, elderly, Information: 480-802-2331 or “During this holiday season and in disabled and economically amcarthur@aboutcare.org the new year, we would urge everyone disadvantaged needing transportation

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Male teachers a rarity in Chandler grade schools BY LACEY LYONS Contributor

Emmanuel Reyes said his road to becoming an elementary school teacher was difficult because he is a man. He said a common perception elementary school teachers should be women made it difficult for him to achieve a dream he had since coaching wrestling at his local gym. “With males teaching elementary, there are a lot of stereotypes saying younger children need a motherly figure in the classroom to stimulate learning,” said Reyes Reyes beat the odds and is a sixthgrade teacher at Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School in Chandler. But statistics suggest Reyes is not alone when it comes to males in the ranks of elementary school teachers. In the Chandler Unified School District, 92 percent of elementary school teachers are female, district spokesman Terry Locke, said. “There is a stigma the elementaryage should be taught by females, but it should not be about the gender of the teacher. Instead, it should be about how well the children respond and learn from an individual,” said Jenifer Jackman, principal at Bright Beginnings School, a charter school in Chandler. The stigma also manifests itself among the parents of elementary school students.

specialty, such as coaching a sport. If a teacher achieves a master’s degree in education a teacher’s salary can easily be bumped up to $56,000 per year from $44,000 per year, Jett said. Despite the poor benefits and the societal idea elementary school teaching is for women, Bradley Guggisberg said he knew he wanted to teach children from a young age. “My favorite part of teacher would have to be the relationships I get to build with the students,” said Guggisberg, a fifth-grade teacher at Haley Elementary in Chandler. “I think back to when I was in elementary school and I still remember my teachers and the positive impact they had on my life which is the same impact I want to make on my students,” he continued, adding: “The benefits were not a consideration when making my career choice. My decision was based on the desire to teach kids.” As a youngster, Reyes attended Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary. He said after he earned his bachelor’s degree in education, he knew he had to come back to the place he grew up to make a positive impact on the future generation. “I think it would have a positive impact on the young children if they were to see more male teachers in their schools to show everyone can grow up to be whatever they want to be,” he said.

all teachers also make it difficult to attract males, who usually are relied upon to be the main support for their families, said Kathleen Jett, the assistant director of recruitment and onboarding for Chandler Unified. Jackman said her school district is in desperate need of male teachers for the purpose of staff diversity. She agreed the benefits are a reason men do not want to become teachers. Emmanuel Reyes beat the gender odds as a male elementary school teacher. “Elementary-age (Lacey Lyons/Contributor) teaching is not an attractive profession “Honestly, I had mixed feelings. My to males is because daughter is only 11 years old and has of the poor benefits teachers receive. such a shy personality and doesn’t Most wives in this area take advantage like to ask for help, but so far, she is of their husbands’ work benefits, and as doing very well and likes him a lot. I a teacher, the benefits just cannot fully am excited my daughter is embracing support a family.” having a male teacher without any Jett said the current benefits offered worries,” said Cheyenne Hubbell. to teachers in Chandler Unified are Hubbel’s daughter is a sixth-grade barely enough to support a family, student at Haley Elementary and has a There are multiple ways to increase male teacher for the first time. a teaching salary. One way is adding a Low pay and poor benefits for

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Dancing at Basha

Basha High School’s student government threw a dance for special education classemates Dec. 4 - an event that Student Government President Kate Robinson said “our class looks forward to hosting every year.” Students also attended from Willis Junior High and Higley, Williams Field, Chandler and Higley high schools.“Every year I witness all the kids having so much fun,” Kate said: 1) Haden Andia and Regan King; 2) Zachary Houle; 3) Brooks Smith, Taylor Kassan, Ainsley Good, Devin Quinn and Amiya Josey; 4) Nickolas Norda, Tyler Jamison, Loretto Rober Lopez, Deidrienne Norman, Matthew Jones; 5) Santa and an unidentified teen; 6) Elijah Brown and Kianna M.; 7) James Pike; 8) Brett Logan; 9) Santa, Tanner Corey and Rich “The Marble King;” 10) Ethan Fletcher; 11) Jefferson Main; 12) Caleb Cook; 13) and the Basha Conga Line. All photographs by Chris Mortenson/Staff Photographer

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Infant son’s rare genetic disease inspires EV couple BY HALEY LORENZEN Contributor

Twenty-four hours after the birth of their son, a Mesa couple’s lives were turned upside down after learning he was born with a rare medical condition. For weeks, in between hospital stays and new challenges, Brandon and Chancee Culp never gave up hope and now they’re raising awareness and helping families in similar situations. The Lucas John Foundation was established in the spring of this year by the Culps, whose son, Lucas John, is the namesake of the foundation. Lucas was born on March 6, 2018, in Gilbert, after a typical, healthy pregnancy. His first few hours of life seemed to be going normally, although he was “sleepier” than most newborns and hadn’t cried much. However, the Culps noticed a slight jerking movement in his right arm, which raised concern among doctors, who said this could be a sign of seizure activity. Eventually, Lucas was transferred to St. Joseph’s NICU, where he was diagnosed with nonketotic hyperglycinemia, an incredibly rare genetic disorder. “They pretty much diagnosed him after his first initial exam, which is pretty rare for kids with this condition,” Chancee recalled, adding: “The majority of them get sent home

because they turn blue or something happens. He was very fortunate he was diagnosed on like his third day of life.” Initially, Chancee said the doctors were optimistic. But after the infant was transferred to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, this outlook changed drastically. “Pretty much as soon as we got to PCH it all changed and it became apparent it was a lot more serious than we had originally expected,” she Less than 2 years old, Lucas John Culp suffers from a rare medical condition that inspired his Mesa parents to start a foundation in his name to help parents of similarly ill children. said. “I think it was (Special to the Santan Sun News) on day four when we had from the hospital, and then their parents have to take them back into the ER the consultation with the geneticist

who actually told us with full certainty we would not be taking him home, and the next day he opened his eyes. A week later, he was completely off of all life support and taking all feeds by mouth, and the week after we were sent home,” Chancee added. Only 500 cases of NKH have been confirmed worldwide, and only two children in Arizona have been diagnosed, Chancee said. Caused by a defect in the enzyme system, NKH is a genetic, metabolic disorder in which the amino acid glycine is unable to be broken down and accumulates in tissue and fluids throughout the body. This leads to seizures, which typically worsen over time, as well as developmental delays, which range from mild to profound. Lucas currently requires medication every two hours and goes to different therapies, such as physical therapy and music therapy, throughout the week. Chancee said NKH is “referred to as an ‘orphan disease’ because there’s no federal funding. There’s no major foundation already established like the American Cancer Society or anything like that because it’s just not well known.” “That is probably one of the more challenging parts of what we deal with, honestly, is the fact we are pretty much See

LUCAS on page 49

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LUCAS

from page 48

on our own. I mean most of the doctors and most of the people we spoke to haven’t ever dealt with the situation before. They don’t know very much about it,” Lucas’s father Brandon said. “It’s completely up to the families and the parents to raise all of the money necessary for any kind of research,” Chancee added. The couple decided to establish the Lucas John Foundation raise money for research and increase awareness for NKH, as well as help other parents in similar situations. “It actually originated while we were in the NICU. We already knew of other foundations very NKH focused, who were only working on raising money for NKH research, Chancee explained, adding: “So, we kind of saw all of these needs in the NICU life, like what it’s like to be in the NICU and what it’s like to experience that, and we wanted to help those people.” “I’m very fortunate. I have a whole team of family members and my husband and obviously, all these people who took really good care of me while I while he was in NICU, but it was very apparent that was not the case for every mom there or every family,” she said. Chancee explained her biggest goal for the foundation is to provide postpartum care kits for mothers whose children are in the NICU as well as slipon robes for mothers for skin-to-skin with their babies and grab-and-go food for families.

“We just wanted to help families that did feel neglected. Any type of support we could provide them during traumatic times is really what our goal is,” Brandon said. The couple also explained they plan to create a fund for parents in similar situations as well. “Whenever families get a diagnosis similar to what we got, whether it be in NKH or severe life-changing news like that, we want to basically be able to provide support and resources and even monetary help if necessary. Many families just don’t know where to start. We want to give them a starting place. We want to give them resources,” Chancee said. One way the Lucas John Foundation raises awareness, both for Lucas and other families, is through fundraisers. The foundation’s next fundraiser will be held on Dec. 21, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., where attendees can enter a raffle, participate in an ugly Christmas sweater contest, and decorate cookies. Although there is no known cure for NKH, the Culps remain optimistic and are currently raising money for gene therapy research for their son. The mascot of the Lucas John Foundation is the gazelle, a reference to a Bible story, and as Chancee explained, “Like the gazelle, we will free ourselves and move past this. It’s just a season in our life and Lucas’s story and you know, whatever reason we were chosen to do this, it will be brought to light.” For more information about the fundraiser: lucasjohnfoundation.com/ events.

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3D-printed ankle gives man new lease on life BY JORDAN HOUSTON Staff Writer

The implementation of 3D printing is changing the future of orthopedic surgery, and an East Valley man has been at the forefront of beneficiaries in Arizona. Elliott Munro, 35, earlier this year became the first person in the state to undergo 3D-printed ankle replacement surgery. Munro, a two-time leukemia and bone marrow transplant survivor, underwent the surgery at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City following months of severe ankle pain. Munro was previously diagnosed with avascular necrosis, which caused bones to die as a result of his cancer treatments. Because traditional solutions, like ankle fusion or replacement, weren’t options due to the condition of his bones, the 3D printed implant was considered as a list-ditch effort to save his foot from amputation. “I couldn’t do normal fusion or replacement because a lot of my bones were so dead and deteriorated — you

can’t attach dead bone to dead bone,” said Munro. “Basically, my next option was amputation.” The artificial ankle was carved from titanium using a 3D printer and was coated with a special titanium nitride coating. Fewer than 50 of these surgeries have been done in the United States. Banner CORE Center for Orthopedics Surgeon Jeffrey Holmes, who performed Munro’s surgery, told the East Valley Tribune although the surgery is still very new, it’s not much more technical than a standard ankle replacement. “The process of doing this is almost identical to doing an ankle replacement,” said Holmes. “There was really no extra expertise needed to be on this.” “It wasn’t harder than the standard ankle replacement,” he continued. “It was just a little bit scarier and nerve-wracking since it was the first one in Arizona.” The surgeon replaced Munro’s damaged talus bone with the 3D-printed implant, much like with a bone replaceSee

ANKLE on page 50

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from page 49

ment. As far as complications go, Holmes explained the risk factors were similar to other types of surgeries, such as infection. “It could get infected, and there are other wound complications from the incision itself,” said the surgeon. “With Elliot going through all of the chemotherapy and radiation, his skin wasn’t the best skin for healing purposes so that was a factor.” While there aren’t many studies to determine how this kind of replacement will hold up long-term, Munro said he is doing just fine. The father of four just finished his last round of physical therapy and is currently walking without a boot. “I’m doing stuff - three-to-four months ago I never imagined being able to do,” said Munro. “I’m still in the recovery process, but I feel like I’m almost back to normal.” Munro was first diagnosed with leukemia at age 11 and then again at 16. After having two bone marrow transplants, he was given steroids to help “sustain” him through the treatments. At 24, his joints began to give him severe, intolerable pain — which was a side effect from the steroids. Munro was then diagnosed with osteonecrosis, a serious condition caused by his bone tissue being starved of blood.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Because the lack of blood causes bones to break down at a faster rate than the body can replace them, the condition went on to affect his hips, knees and ankles. Munro was hospitalized in October 2018 for severe pain in his right ankle due to a deteriorating talus bone. The bone connects the heel to the lower leg and is crucial for ankle mobility. Munro’s former doctor told him traditional remedies, such as ankle fusion or replacement, were not options and he should consider amputation. But the young father was determined to seek a second opinion. “The doctor I had been seeing for over 10 years was out of options,” said Munro. “That’s when I finally found Dr. Holmes and I’m so grateful I did.” Having known about 3D surgeries for a while, Holmes carefully analyzed his new patient’s situation. The surgeon eventually came to the conclusion Munro was a perfect candidate. “There have been a few conferences [about 3D printing] I’ve gone to and everything else, I just hadn’t had a patient who would do well with it present themselves yet,” said Holmes, adding: “For me, it was a no brainer with Elliot. He was the ideal patient. If it didn’t work, he ends up with amputation, but if he didn’t do it it, he still ends up with amputation.” Once the pair decided to go through with the surgery, they faced another ob-

stacle — trying to convince the hospital to allow it. “It was a lot of meetings and a lot of denials,” said Holmes. “I had to back it up with research and evidence, and it was the problem — there is no evidence.” “For them [the hospital], they’re looking at this as being a costly and high-risk procedure,” he added. “So it was me trying to do a lot of persuading.” The hospital finally approved the surgery and Holmes went to work on collaborating with a New Jersey company about the design of the implant.

“It’s a process,” said the surgeon. “You have to do a CT scan to meet certain parameters and then send it to the company. Then they are able to construct on a screen what the implant would look like.” Holmes worked with engineers for several weeks to fine-tune the implant structure to meet Munro’s needs. Now, he is walking in normal shoes again and is pain free most of the day. Munro is also focusing his efforts on raising awareness about this type of technology in the hopes more insurance companies will start to cover it.

Chandler lights display could use food donations SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A South Chandler man said he is disappointed so far that few people are bringing food items when they view his enormous holiday lights display. “We have more lights and less food,” said Jim Chalifoux, who starts right after Halloween to set up more than 30,000

lights and 80 illuminated Christmas figures at his house, 1075 W. Mulberry Drive near the intersection of Willis and Alma School roads. Chalifoux takes the food to AZCEND Chandler, a nonprofit that helps needy families. Spectators who want to savor his 80 hours of single-handed work are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler ballet company presents ‘Nutcracker’ SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

An 80-member cast comprising mostly children, some as young as 5, is taking the stage at Desert Ridge High School this weekend to present four performances of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.” The production has been months in the preparation by the Chandler-based Youth American Ballet Company, a pre-professional ballet program providing “classical ballet training, positive reinforcement and valuable performance opportunities,” according to its website. The ballet company’s eighth annual presentation of “Nutcracker” will be at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 and noon and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at Desert Ridge High, 10045 E. Madero Ave., Mesa. Tickets can be purchased at showclix.com/event/yabcthenutcracker. The company is directed by Georgi and Tara Rusafov, who both have a long history in ballet. Georgi, who directs “Nutcracker,” graduated from the National Dance High School in Sofia, and joined the National Opera and Ballet Sofia Bulgaria. He earned an advanced Vaganova master education degree for teaching ballet and choreography at the Bulgari-

Georgi Rusafov, director of the Chandler-based Youth American Ballet Company, and McKenna Joy Johnson, 16, of Gilbert, a rising ballet star, are ready for the company’s presentation of “The Nutcracker.” (Chris Mortenson/AFN Staff Photographer)

an National Music Conservatory and has won several awards in international competitions and has been a soloist and principal dancer with the Bulgarian National Opera and Ballet, and Estonia National Ballet. He was a principal dancer with Milwaukee Ballet, Northern Plains Ballet and Omaha Ballet Theater and company member with Ballet Arizona, touring numerous states and European countries as a star principal dancer. Georgi has taught mas-

ter ballet workshops at New Mexico, Washington D.C., Florida, New York and other American and European cities. Tara Rusafov has trained with Mary Moe Adams and the Adams Ballet Academy in Tempe, then continued at Yen-li Chen Ballet School in Chandler. She also trained with Marek Chowela, director of dance at Ball State University, and was a dancer with Ballet Arizona for eight years. Nutcracker is one of two major annual performances Youth American Ballet Company stages to expose more than 5,000 Arizona residents to ballet and further develop the talents of its students, who often place in top positions in national and international competitions and eventually pursue professional careers in dance around the world. Georgi Rusafov designs the staging and costumes as well as directs the dancers for “Nutcracker.” “We have professional ballet dancers from around the world who have come and performed since we started performing the ‘Nutcracker,’ said stage manager Christina Ross, adding the ballet company has invested over $50,000 in the elaborate “Nutcracker” set and many of the costumes are handmade. See

NUTCRACKER on page 54

Females join ring at new Zoppe Circus show LAURA LATZKO GetOut Contributor

For families like the Zoppes, the circus isn’t just a way to make a living. It is part of their identities. The Zoppe family’s circus, in its 177th year, will make its annual visit to Chandler from Thursday, Dec. 26, to Sunday, Jan. 5. Seven generations of the family have been part of Zoppe: An Italian Family Circus. The family circus was started in Italy in 1842 by French clown Napoline and Hungarian equestrian ballerina Ermenegilda and was moved to the United States by equestrian Alberto Zoppe in the 1940s. Throughout the circus’ history, matriarchs have played a strong role in keeping the family tradition alive. Emma Zoppe was especially instrumental in making sure the circus survived through tough times of famine and war. In honor of Emma Zoppe, the family circus will be presenting a new show entitled “La Nonna,” a term used for a grandmother in Italian. Giovanni Zoppe, a sixth-generation circus performer and family circus’ director, said the new show is centered around and showcases the talent of female performers. Around 80% of the cast is made up of female performers from around the globe.

The Zoppe family has maintained all the thrills, laughs and excitement of circuses of old. The production has become an annual holiday attraction in Chandler. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

In each generation, one family member has really taken the reigns of leading the family circus. Emma was this person

during the 1920s to the 1940s, and her son Alberto took over after her. “This truly is a celebration of her life.

This show is about the strength, power and beauty of all women, the Zoppe See

CIRCUS on page 54

ARTS

NUTCRACKER

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

from page 51

Ross, who started with the company as a parent of a student and stuck around to work with the Rusafovs, said 90 children turned out for auditions and “everyone gets role in our ‘Nutcracker.’ There is something for every child who wants to perform.” She said not all the “Nutcracker” dancers are from Youth American Ballet Company, either; some come from other studios, anxious to perform under Georgi Rusafov’s direction. “The music is enchanting and the performers bring their all to the production,” Ross said. “I am backstage making it look perfect and it’s the most gratifying volunteer work I enjoy and love to do, but more importantly, I want to share it with our community.” Ross echoed the company’s website description of the academy, which provides “a positive environment and attention to the details of classical ballet training” enabling dancers to flourish. Students receive performance experience through professional productions, as well as national and international competitions. One such student is Mckenna Joy Johnson, 16, of Gilbert, who is dancing her last “Nutcracker” for the company as the Sugar Plum Fairy before auditioning in March for the prestigious Moscow Ballet Company to become a professional ballerina. She has trained under Georgi and Tara Rusafov for more than 8 years.

McKenna Joy Johnson is flying high not only on the stage but also in the world of ballet as she prepares for her final appearance as the Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker.” (Chris Mortenson/Tribune Staff Photographer)

She returned this Sunday after performing Sugar Plum with a professional ballet dancer from Bulgaria in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Perry High School student last

month was awarded gold medals in contemporary and classical ballet at the World Ballet Art Competition in Canada. Ross said this year’s “Nutcracker” will feature a new choreography and new

Walk on our

HOLLYWOOD Style Red Carpet (FREE)

costumes. Information on Youth American Ballet Company: 480-843-1973, youthamericanballetcompany.com.

JANUARY 17-20, 2020

Join us outside Harkins theater for a Hollywood style red carpet walk where you can get your photograph taken on the Red Carpet! Formal dress required.

25% Use OFF TICKETS Discount Code: 'CIFF2020’

www.ChandlerFilmFestival.com

Michelle Rodriguez

Brian Sacca

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Lee Chambers

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Special

Guests

ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Festively attired carolers, seen here flanking owner Michael Pollack, greet patrons at Pollack Tempe Cinemas. (Special to the Tribune)

Pollack has turned the lobby of his Tempe movie house into a Christmas wonderland with decorations, many of which he personally selected over the years. (Special to the Tribune)

Michael Pollack spreads holiday cheer, lights SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Every year the holidays roll around like storm clouds, the former leaving a brilliant rainbow across a vivid skyline and the other transmitting a bright light illuminating within many people’s hearts. Chandler real estate entrepreneur Michael Pollack has learned to keep the light shining throughout the year by opening his heart not just around holidays and spreading the holidays’ warmth long after decorations have been packed away. Pollack works throughout the year organizing and preparing for the holidays like it is part of his job. “We do things in a big way,” he said. “I’m always striving to make things bigger and better. I look forward to the holidays with such anticipation each year.” Every year Pollack tries to outdo the previous year with more of everything that makes the holiday season special. He added thousands of lights to his spectacular holiday light show at Pollack Tempe Cinemas and overhauled his professional parade train float he travels on with his band, “Pollack Corporate Affair,” in holiday parades. Pollack personally selects every new decoration added to his one-of-a-kind movie theater each year. He starts shopping when new seasonal items hit the stores to keep his decorations up to date with the latest technology. This year he added several new toy soldiers and other whimsical characters, such as animated snowmen that light up. The beautiful decorated tree with lighted presents received several new seasonal pieces, including a lighted Santa. New neon pieces accompany the holiday décor, helping to keep his promise of a theater merry and bright. The culmination of all this year’s work came together last month when Pollack flipped the switch and offered free holiday movies at his theater – a tradition Pollack started over 10 years ago for his customers and the surrounding neighborhood. Even as rain loomed over them, more than 1,200 customers attended the free

We do things in a big way, I’m “always striving to make things bigger and better. I look forward to the holidays with such anticipation each year. – Michael Pollack

”

Chandler real estate entrepreneur Michael Pollack has become the East Valley’s Mr. Christmas with his festive lights and decorations in the lobby of his Tempe movie house. (Special to the Tribune)

movie event and were welcomed individually by a cheerful Pollack. “I wasn’t sure we would get anyone to come out in the rain that day. At my office just hours prior to the event it hailed. As cars pulled into the parking lot the rain stopped as if I turned it off with the same switch that turns on the incredible light display. That’s just lucky if you ask me” Pollack said. Throughout the evening, Pollack smiled for the cameras and stood with families taking pictures. Everyone wanted to stop by and thank him personally for hosting the evening and making it possible for them to spend time with family and friends at

the movies. Pollack then began working on his next event – which included lots of twinkling lights. On Nov. 29 at the Tempe Light Pa-

rade, his Corporate Affair Parade Train debuted with new LED lights, climaxing a months-long project that involved months of replacing each strand of outdated lights. The parade – which Pollack has been a part of for over 15 years – also had its share of rain. But Pollack played with his band, Corporate Affair, as he has for many parades and charity fundraisers. “When people see our full size, lighted train coming down the street with Motown music played by some of the best musicians in the valley they get up and dance” said Pollack. On Dec. 7 the Pollack train was featured at the 33rd annual APS Electric Light Parade in Phoenix. Pollack’s spectacular shopping center light display at Elliot Road and McClintock Drive, where Pollack Tempe Cinemas is located, has become a family tradition for visitors across the valley. He said that throughout the year, while his “elves” are getting ready to spread some holiday joy next December, he’ll will continue to give to charities that are close to his heart. He’s not tipping his hand on how he’ll be spreading the joy of the holiday season next year, but promises it will be something big and bright.

ARTS

CIRCUS

from page 51

women in particular,” Giovanni said. Giovanni hopes the show will empower women and promote tolerance of others and equal treatment of people from different backgrounds. “The circus has always been an equal-opportunity employer because we’ve always accepted everybody,” he said. “No matter what country you are from, what color you are, what race you are, what religion you are, everybody’s always accepted.” Giovanni said Emma endured a lot in her life, but remained dedicated to the circus. When the circus was bombed, she watched helplessly as the animals died. “My grandmother was in tears, on her knees crawling back to the show,” Giovanni said. “Our animals are our lives for circus people. It’s what we live for— our animals.” Giovanni said she is a testament to the strength of the Zoppe family’s strong women. “The show collapsed multiple times, and she would always bring it back,” Giovanni said. Like men in the show, female performers have always taken on different roles, including helping to set up and take down the tent. “The women don’t just walk in a ring and take a bow. They also drive the stakes, put the tent up, help to drive. The women do everything on our show,” Giovanni said.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

Now, Giovanni, his sisters Tosca and Carla and their spouses have been upholding the family tradition with clown, equestrian and dog acts, respectively. During the shows, Giovanni plays an Auguste-style clown named Nino. Within this role, he showcases his circus skills it includes trying to take the attention away from other performers. “You’re not supposed to play with other people’s props in the circus. That’s rule No. 1, but I always did,” Giovanni said. This year, he will be play opposite a Russian-inspired babushka character named Natasha Vodkavitch, portrayed by ringmistress Aimee Klein. Giovanni brings a Venetian comedic style of clowning known as Commedia dell’arte, and Klein plays the more serious clown to his fool. This is the first time the family circus has had a ringmistress. The show will also be breaking new ground with female-centered acts developed or reworked specifically for the show. Audiences will have a chance to see the Zingara Riders, an all-female group of Cossack trick riders. This Russian style of riding is fast-paced and dangerous. “These women are jumping on and off and doing incredible feats and going underneath the belly of a horse,” Giovanni said. The circus will also showcase an all-female group of flyers from the Santos family, another multigenerational circus family. For the first time, 6-year-

old twin sisters Alice and Elise Santos will perform the Perch Pole Act. The show will have performances of Mongolian contortionism and an aerial act with two sisters performing on a lyra apparatus. It took some time to find the right performers and develop new acts for this show. Giovanni’s daughter Chiara,16, played a key role in writing and directing the show. Giovanni hopes she and her brother Julien, a 10-year-old clown, will continue the family’s circus tradition, but he isn’t pressuring them. “If the next generation wants it. I don’t want to force any generation to do it, but if they really like to do it,” Giovanni said. “My daughter is really showing a lot of promise…I have a strong feeling she’s going to be a huge part of what we are doing here in the future.” The show will have a similar intimate feel as others presented by the family circus. The audiences are no more than 20 feet from the action, and their senses are all engaged, especially when the horses are running around the ring. Giovanni, his sisters, their spouses and his children are part of an extended circus family including the other performers. Each year in Chandler, they set up and fill stockings and hold a Christmas dinner inside of the ring. Giovanni grew up learning bareback riding, clowning, juggling and trapeze arts his father and other performers from the time he was young. He can’t

imagine another life than the one he lives. “I don’t know what a stationary life is. Normal life to me is what I am doing,” Giovanni said. During the Chandler engagement, members of the circus will be doing a three-day circus camp from Monday, December 30, to Thursday, January 2, where children ages 7 to 13 can learn low wire performing, balancing, clowning, jugging. Giovanni said the circus school not only teaches children circus skills but helps to instill confidence in them. “When they are in that ring that last day, they just really shine like crazy,” Giovanni said.

If you go

What: Zoppe: An Italian Family Circus Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler When: various times Thursday, Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. Tickets: $15-$40.. Info: 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org

If you go

What: Zoppe Circus Camp Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 30, to Jan. 2 Tickets: $105. Info: 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

‘Thank you for your service’ is also a reminder BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D.

Guest Writer

Time after time, as I travel from place to place wearing my U.S. Air Force baseball cap, people will stop me and repeat the words we hear frequently today, “Thank you for your service.” My response is to thank them for the tribute and recognition. A feeling of pride settles in and I am grateful I had the opportunity to serve. We commemorate many events that have committed us to exercise our influence for freedom, including military intervention. One such momentous episode in our history was the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. I cannot help but feel time will eventually deliver the “day of infamy” to the memory heap, only to be reminded by monuments and statues. Each year we witness more and more of our comrades, members of “The Greatest Generation” fade from view. Thinking about those no longer with us, those who offered the ultimate sacrifices on the battlefields of Asia and Europe is, to say the least, daunting. Episodes of happiness and sadness

SUNDAYS

Celebration Service 10:30 a.m. Sundays All with peaceful beliefs are welcome to this inclusive, loving, thriving UNITY Community. Join the group at 10 a.m., preceding the service, for fellowship. Youth and toddlers meet during service. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa, 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org Kids’ Sunday School 10 to 11 a.m. Sundays, Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe, 480-792-1800 Lift Your Spirit 10 a.m. Sundays Hear inspirational messages and music. Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe

overwhelm us. Yet, if we do not remember, who will? It is an awesome responsibility as it was for survivors of previous wars. Today we occasionally are reminded about World War I, or the Civil War, as there are none left who remember other than through history books. Will it be the fate of remembering World War II or Iraq or Afghanistan? We are faced with the understanding we do not dwell on death and destruction, but we certainly need to remember. We are also faced with the understanding life continues and we are obligated to do just that –live! How do we reconcile the two? Perhaps the answer can be found in knowing the people we remember had no tomorrows. Their lives were cut short by the heinous acts of madmen dedicated to the destruction of goodness and decency. Perhaps another answer can be found in the knowledge their acts of courage has been rewarded by a God who cries each and every time we remind ourselves of their sacrifice. Perhaps the answer can be found in the realization we are here today because of their undying attachment and commitment to preserving the freedoms we struggle to achieve every

day of our lives. There was a song written containing the phrase, “Where have all the young men gone, long time passing?” The ground they cherished and fought for, this America, has now received their remains. The blood-soaked beaches of Europe and Asia also contain remains of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The Valley of the Shadow of Death has consumed our beloveds and cries out for us to remember. We ask ourselves, “Where are their tomorrows?” Know we are their tomorrows because memory keeps them alive and memory will ensure their immortality. This is the gift given to us. Time and again we are told about the Journey of Life. It is poetic, if not prosaic, to think of life this way, but does it really help us to think about families having to adjust to the pain of losing a mother, or spouse, or child, or brother and sister? Life is filled with uncertainties, and for sure, life is a mystery. But tragedy reminds us life is real and is filled with anguish and upheaval and sorrow. We walk through the valley realizing tomorrow brings with it the ability to remember to never forget, for it is the path leading to the completion of our obligation to live.

Perhaps, at the sacred times, set aside to commemorate, we should consider those who no longer walk with us are participating in the greatest mystery of all – the mystery of Eternal Life. Perhaps we will be consoled. Perhaps their memories will help us realize they are the ones who brought us to this moment in time. In the height of our joy we stop and remember a familiar touch, a warming smile will bring them back to us. It is fitting we pause to teach us there is comfort in our grief, to take us back to the days no longer here, but reside in our collective memories and thoughts. The monuments to their feats are an attempt to do justice to their sacrifices. This is how we remind ourselves how precious time is, and we need to make the best of them through living and caring and sharing. “Thank you for your service” is a reminder gratitude and appreciation are the most significant acts designed to honor the past so it will not become just a moment in time, but an everlasting tribute to a time of duty, honor and country – always relying on the mercy of God Almighty. Dr. Irwin Wiener is the spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Spiritual Connections

875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler 480-855-4333, rabbi@chabadcenter.com

Narcotics Anonymous (Nar-Anon), Chandler Chapter 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Twelve-step program for families and friends of addicts. Faith Community Church 1125 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, nar-anon.org

480-792-1800 Traditional and Contemporary Services 7:30 a.m. daybreak contemplative worship, 9 a.m. traditional worship and choral music, 11 a.m. contemporary worship with live Christian rock band. There is also a service at 12 p.m. Wednesdays St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W. Erie Street, Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

MONDAYS

The Art of Parenting 7:30 p.m. Mondays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99. Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life

TUESDAYS

Silva Class and Meditation 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Learn the Silva method with Lois Britland. Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe, 480792-1800 Career Connectors 8:30 a.m. to noon, fourth Tuesday of month Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to highquality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits. Central Christian Church, Gilbert Campus/ Student Center, 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert 480-442-5806, careerconnectors.org Christian Business Networking Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Crackers and Co. Café, 535 W. Iron Avenue, Mesa Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com Monthly Women’s Fellowship 6:15 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month The monthly fellowship Bible study with the East Valley Chapter of Christian Women’s Devotional Alliance “ministers to women’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs.” Best Western-Mezona, 250 W. Main Street, Mesa. 480-232-3773

WEDNESDAYS

Panic Healing 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday Receive a 15-minute energetic tuneup. Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Gong Meditation and Yoga Nidra 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday Presented by Will Zecco, gong master. Bring yoga mat, blanket and pillow as desired. Love offerings will be accepted. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org “A Course in Miracles” with the Rev. Julianne Lewis 1 to 2:15 p.m. Wednesdays The weekly group is an interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for course beginners, as well as longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org The Art of Parenting 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting

See

FAITH on page 57

FAITH

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | DEC 21 - JAN 3, 2019

FAITH

SATURDAYS

from page 56

philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99. Chandler Jewish Community Center 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler 480-855-4333 or rabbi@chabadcenter.com Grief Care 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone. Epiphany Lutheran Church, South Campus, old church building, 800 W. Ray Road, Room 325, Chandler, griefcareaz@gmail.com Healing Prayer and Meditation Circle 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays Guided prayer, affirmations and visualization for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in their lives. Love offering requested. Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Meditation Moments 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday of the month An interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for beginners or longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church 12 p.m. Healing and Eucharist service St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church 901 W. Erie Street, Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

VALLEY OF THE SUN MORTUARY & CEMETERY CHANDLER

At Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, we want you to feel confident and comfortable planning a funeral for yourself or your loved one. We offer our funeral planning checklist and other resources as a starting point. We’re here for you when you need us. Proudly serving our community since 1963. Valley of the Sun Cemetery 10940 E Chandler Heights Rd Chandler, AZ 85248

480.895.9232

valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com

THURSDAYS Women’s Empowerment & Awakening 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Thursday Release negative beliefs. Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 A Course in Miracles 7 p.m. first, second and fourth Thursday Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Empower Model for Men 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays The three-class series is taught by author Scott E. Clark and designed to offer practical wisdom and tools to help men shift into their higher consciousness, based on the sevenstep empower model detailed in Clark’s book, “Empower Model for Men.” Cost is $85. Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Real Love Support Group 6:30 p.m. Thursdays For those who have a desire to acquire more “real love” and in the process find great personal happiness and more fulfilling relationships. Love offering requested. Unity of Tempe, 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Spirit Night – Psychic Fair 4 to 8 p.m. third Saturday of each month The “Lightworkers” offer a wide range of services, including Reiki, facials, mediums, drumming, tarot, angel messages and more. Services range from $20 to $30. Cash only. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa interfaith-community.org heatherposey70@gmail.com Unity Drumming and Healing Circle 6:30 to 8 p.m. fourth Saturday of each month Beginner, expert drummers and observers welcome. Bring snack, appetizer or dessert to share. Love donation accepted. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org

OTHER

GriefShare Support Group GriefShare is a caring group of people who will walk alongside others through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Participants can gain access to help them recover from their loss and rebuild their lives through this 13-week program starting Jan. 27. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 739 W. Erie Street, Chandler 480-963-4127 htlutheran.com Jewish Women International, Avodah Chapter 1581 Monthly luncheon. Social Box Eateries, 1371 N. Alma School Road, Chandler RSVP: 480-802-9304, 480-655-8812 Moms in Prayer International A group of mothers who meet one hour each week to intercede for their children and schools through prayer. Liane Wright, 480-699-7887, momsinprayer.org Bible Study Meets twice a month Members of the Women’s Life Group study the Bible and discuss how the lessons can relate to their lives. Sun Lakes United Church of Christ, Chandler. Jan Olson: 480-802-7457, Joy King 480-588-1882 East Valley Jewish Couples Club Offers once-a-month social activities such as dining, movies and plays for Jewish couples in the 45- to 65-year-old age range. Melissa, 480-785-0744, beadlover@cox.net Let us help you publicize your church or temple’s events in the Spirituality section by emailing details to news@santansun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.

Chandler United Methodist Church Making and Deploying Disciples for over 100 Years.

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICES AT 2, 4 & 6 PM SUNDAY WORSHIP At 8:30 am & 10:00 am

Childcare Provided • All Welcome!

480-963-3360 | www.chandlermethodist.org | 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.