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COMBATTING TEEN SUICIDE
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
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. 18 JOINT CONCERT
rees and flowers along Warner-Elliot Loop. Repainted utility boxes. Perhaps even welcome signs along the eastern parts of Elliot and Warner. In coming months, these enhancements are coming to Ahwatukee proper as the Ahwatukee Board of Management works with the city and utilities to spruce up the ‘hood. “These projects all fit together as a com-
. 26 ON THE MOVE
BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor
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munity aesthetic boost,” said Karen Young, ABM assistant general manager and the point person for improvements at the ABM board. Prompted by General Manager Robert Blakesley and board President Chris Gentis, Young has been working with various city departments to implement a broad range of improvements to the landscape that is part of the 2,720 acres that make ABM one of the largest HOAs in Arizona. As a result, this week city crews are expect-
ed to enhance the first two medians on Elliot and Warner roads. Some of that work is beginning this week. “Because those medians are maintained by the city using county funds, there were funds available for trees and plants to be restored,” Young said. “The median on Elliot Road is very large, so numerous trees and a few dozen plants will go there, and on Warner, three trees and about dozen plants. ABM selected See
ABM on page 12
3 women help make Having a (snow) ball this ‘Nutcracker’ an Ahwatukee classic
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@AhwatukeeFN
ABM getting results in efforts to beautify Ahwatukee BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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@AhwatukeeFN |
he pageantry, glitz and glamor of the annual “Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet” – performed at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 – is a perennially awe-inspiring spectacle to audience members of all ages. Among those responsible for the magic are the production’s two choreographers who oversee all the dance routines, and the seamstress responsible for fashioning some of the myriad and richly-detailed costumes – or tailoring them to fit the new dancers. “Nutcracker” choreographers Jill Hammond and Meghan
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Arena and seamstress Brandi Petersen are particularly crucial to the ballet’s success among the other adults in backstage supporting roles. Producer and Dance Studio 111 owner Kimberly Lewis, who is presenting the “Nutcracker” for the 19th consecutive year in her community, explained: “Jill was with me at the beginning of the Nutcracker which took two years to plan before bringing it to the stage. Meghan Arena joined our ‘dream team of magic’ in 2008. Working together for so many years, the three of us share so many magical stories and memories. We’ve seen (Kimberly Carrillo/AFN Staff Photographer) Open dancers grow up dancingHouses: in our The weekend brought lots of snow to Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori, as Nutcracker whoFebruary now have their Mira and London Kay can attest. They were among scores of kids Saturday, 20th atMemioglu 9:00am who frolicked during the school’s annual Winter Festival. To see how others
the white stuff, see page 23. Wednesday, February at 6:00pm See NUTCRACKER on page 24th 8 enjoyed Call to RSVP Now Enrolling for Toddlers !
Toddler • Primary • Elementary • Adolescent www.keystonemontessori.com • (480) 460-7312 1025 E. Liberty Ln. , Phoenix, AZ 85048 (Across the street from the YMCA)
• (480) 460-7312