Celebrating 38 years of service
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Vol. 40, No. 22
Ahwatukee Foothills News
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016
Today: High 70, Low 52, Sunny Tomorrow: High 75, Low 50, Sunny
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KIDS CAMP
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COVER STORY
Summer Sounds
BAND
Pitch, Hit & Run event returning to Ahwatukee this weekend
Music Maker Workshops help kids learn; p25
COMMUNITY:
By Eric Smith
‘The Wizard of Oz’
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
ry School, said ADOT was compliant when the safety barriers and signs were blown down a week ago and were placed to an upright position. However, he feels an alternative measure should be taken by ADOT so the area can look pleasant for residents and students. “If there could be a more pleasant looking street closure I would be all for it because I want our school area to be represented well and our community members to
Kids in the Ahwatukee area will soon have their shot to test their skills at a big-league level. The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce’s Ahwatukee Chamber Community Foundation (ACCF) will host a local Scotts MLB Pitch, Hit & Run competition this Saturday, April 2, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Altadena Middle School, 14620 S. Desert Foothills Parkway. The event, which is in its second year, is mostly the brainchild of ACCF Chairman Joseph Ortiz. “I’m a big baseball fan and I stumbled on this program and always thought it would be great to bring to Ahwatukee,” he said. “(We) finally started working with Kyrene (School District)…we kind of partnered up and we thought it would be a great event.” The Pitch, Hit & Run event is open to children from 7 to 14 years old in the East Valley and registration is from 8 to 10:30 a.m. After a successful first year last year, the ACCF decided to host the event again. “(The event was) an opportunity to bring about awareness of the foundation to the community,” said
>> See ADOT on page 22
>> See Pitch Hit on page 22
Play comes to life on school stage; p6
GETOUT:
Barriers block 26th Street at Liberty Lane across from Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School on March 24. The neighborhood on 26th Street was torn down by ADOT for the Loop 202. [David Jolkovski/AFN]
Roger Clyne
‘An eye sore’
Twenty -year buzz with Peacemakers; p37
Community voices frustration concerning ADOT’s safety barriers By Daniel Ochoa AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
SPORTS:
3-lane runway Special state meet; p43 Neighborhood p3 Calendar p5 Community p6 Opinion p17
Money p36 GetOut p37 Sports/Rec p43 Classified p45
Ahwatukee community members are voicing their outrage and frustration about how the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) left the Goldman Ranch site after houses were torn down due to the South Mountain Freeway Project. The final home that resided in Goldman Ranch was torn down a month ago, leaving the existing site as an open lot.
ADOT officials placed temporary safety barriers along the entrance to hinder the public from entering the site. The safety barriers are along the west end of Liberty Lane in front of Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School. Community members who live in the area view the barriers as an “eye sore” and should be rectified as soon as possible. Michael Lamp, principal at Kyrene de la Estrella Elementa-
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