SanTan Sun August 3, 2019

August 3–16, 2019 | www.SanTanSun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler and our neighboring communities

Children in crisis, not enough help

“Partly, (population) growth is a driver and also I think better recognition of disorders in kids and adolescents and as a result more people come forward for care,” he added.

The need can be seen in the number of pediatric patients who attempted suicide — and the rising number who complete it.

In the East Valley alone, 35 teens — some as young as 13 — have taken their lives in the last two years.

In 2008, two pediatric patients were brought to Phoenix Children’s emergency department for attempted suicide. In 2016, that number reached 497, according to hospital data.

And in 2008, Phoenix Children’s registered 64 pediatric patients in its emergency department with suicidal thoughts. By

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

When Phoenix Children’s Hospital opens its multi-specialty outpatient clinic in January in Gilbert, it will bring much-needed behavioral health care to children and teens.

The East Valley — like the rest of the country — is seeing skyrocketing mental health diagnoses among children and adolescents in emergency departments.

The problem is exacerbated by a shortage of professionals to deal with them — adding to the anxiety of parents who try to help their children.

ER visits “for kids who come in for complaints of suicide and behavioral problems in the past 10 years continue to increase,” said Dr. Randall Ricardi, chief of psychiatry at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Neighbors rap $25M Chandler school deal

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The Chandler Unified School District has approved spending $25 million for land to build a new high school, despite a public outcry from neighbors near the site about noise and traffic congestion.

The district is planning to build two new schools — one elementary and one secondary — in the southeastern part of Chandler in order to accommodate 3,000 extra students projected to enter the district over the next decade. The district’s current population is more than 45,000.

During a special meeting July 16, the district’s governing board unanimously authorized CUSD to purchase 73.5 acres near Gilbert and Brooks Farm roads from LaPaglia Farms.

The district agreed to pay about $350,000 per acre—a negotiated price administrators said was justified considering its location and lack of other available parcels within district boundaries.

“In terms of approximate spacing to our existing campuses and the lack of truly viable land alternatives, we believe See

LAND on page 6

Dr. Randall Ricardi, chief of psychiatry at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, sees a continuing sharp increase in the number of children needing psychiatric care. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Marcos Castillo thinks walking is overrated.

The Chandler man hasn’t been on his feet since September 2001, when he sustained spinal injuries in a car accident and lost mobility in his arms and legs.

But while Castillo may be confined to a wheelchair, he’s determined to not let his disability keep him from getting behind the wheel again.

After five years of planning and fundraising, Castillo has purchased a van that’s equipped with special features that allow him to drive around town on his own.

It will be a liberating milestone for the 36-year-old: not only will he gain some newfound independence, but he wants to use this vehicle to enhance his advocacy work.

“I have to prove that I’m gonna do something with this. Its not just gonna be a vanity thing,” Castillo said.

The journey started with Castillo just wanting to be a better father—someone who could drive the kids around without his disability getting in the way.

His girlfriend, Mina Lopez, had been the family’s driver for so many years and Castillo wanted to contribute more to the household responsibilities.

But as time went on, he began to realize how a car could enrich not only his life, but the lives of others in the community.

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For 18 years, Marcos Castillo of Chandler has been unable to drive because an auto accident left him a quadraplegic. But through grit and determination, he's ready to take the wheel again.

(Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

Castillo said it can be difficult to explain his advocacy work, but he describes himself as a “bridge builder"—someone who can connect people together.

His work involves having small conversations, changing a person’s perspective and helping other people with disabilities locate resources that can oftentimes be difficult to find.

“There (were) a lot of things in the community that weren’t being addressed because there was nobody to speak up for those people,” he said.

A car could make this work much easier to accomplish.

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Ex-Chandler cop didn’t fingerprint 56 suspects

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

A former Chandler police officer recently had his state certification revoked after he lied about not fingerprinting and photographing 56 suspects over several months, public records show.

Patrick Beckley will no longer be a sworn officer in Arizona after the state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training Board revoked his certification earlier this summer.

He quickly resigned from the Chandler Police Department last year after his supervisors started checking his work.

AZPOST records show Beckley made 58 arrests between May 2018 and November 2018 that ended in suspects being cited and released from custody.

The officer reported taking photos and fingerprints for all the suspects, but an audit of Beckley’s records revealed 56 of them were not properly documented.

A supervisor asked Beckley why this evidence was missing from his reports and the officer claimed his password to the agency’s fingerprint scanner wasn’t working.

An internal investigation later discovered Beckley had not logged into the scanner’s system since August 2017.

Beckley did not participate in the internal investigation and resigned in November, less than two years after he joined the police force.

Suspects accused of committing misdemeanor offenses like shoplifting can be cited and released from police custody if they provide valid identification and don’t have any outstanding warrants.

Chandler’s police manual states cite-and-release arrestees should be photographed and fingerprinted unless a supervisor tells an officer otherwise.

If a suspect needs medical treatment or is being physically violent, then the officer may be allowed to forgo the fingerprints, according to Chandler Police Sgt.

Daniel Mejia.

He added that Beckley’s situation was an isolated incident and no other officers have been found to be lying about fingerprinting.

In determining whether to cite and release someone, the manual instructs officers to consider a suspect’s criminal history, ties to the community and likelihood to appear in court.

Offenders must be brought to one of Chandler’s police stations to be fingerprinted and photographed. Mejia said officers can take a fingerprint out in the

field, which is imprinted onto the citation form.

Arizona law allows officers to issue forms to arrestees, instructing them to report back to the police station for fingerprinting at a later time. At least 25 of the people arrested by Beckley had been issued these instructions, public records show.

AZPOST determined it had authority to revoke Beckley’s certification because he had engaged in a “pattern of conduct that tends to disrupt, diminish or otherwise jeopardize public trust in the law enforcement profession.”

Mejia emphasized that Beckley didn’t lose his certification because of the fingerprinting—he lost it because he lied about it in police records.

Beckley is the first officer from Chandler to have his certification revoked in more than a year.

Jared Standage, a former officer who resigned in 2017, had his certification revoked last year for false statements he made in a report involving an intoxicated juvenile.

Paul Kultala, another former officer, had his certification suspended for three years last July after he was arrested by the Phoenix Police Department on suspicion of soliciting prostitutes.

Kultala, who resigned from CPD shortly after his arrest, allegedly agreed to pay $80 to have two undercover officers perform sexual acts in a massage parlor.

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MENTAL HEALTH

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from cover

2016, that number jumped to 553 patients.

Overall, an estimated 17.1 million U.S. children are affected by a psychiatric disorder, making mental health ailments among the most common pediatric illnesses, according to a 2018 study by Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C. Roughly 2 to 5 percent of all emergency department visits in the nation by children are related to mental health concerns.

That underscores the importance of improving access to outpatient mental health resources and expanding capacity in emergency departments, according to the study.

Phoenix Children’s has already taken steps to address the crisis. At its main campus in Phoenix, a Bridge Clinic opened almost 1.5 years ago.

“The idea behind the Bridge Clinic is to take the kids seen in ED and don’t require in-patient care but can’t wait the weeks or months to get a psychiatry appointment and we bring them to Bridge for 60 days,” Ricardi said.

“While they are waiting for a psychiatry appointment for longer care, we stabilize them by seeing them more frequently and starting either medication or therapy,” he added, noting the program would “transition them long-term to a psychiatrist or a therapist.”

Approximately 420 patients came for help at the Bridge Clinic last year, according to Ricardi.

The program is being expanded to the East Valley at the multi-specialty building on the Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center’s campus.

Until that building opens and to meet an ongoing shortage of mental health providers, Ricardi is spearheading a program that he hopes to launch in early fall to train pediatricians on how to handle routine behavioral issues with their patients.

“We’re going to invite interested pediatrician practices to participate in a year-long faculty learning community,

where we teach about identifying, treating and managing attention deficit disorder, depression and anxiety,” Ricardi said.

“The pediatrician can be a valuable resource, and collaborating with a psychiatrist, in managing the increase number of kids with behavioral health needs,” he explained, noting: “Some of them are managing patients in their practice. This is a more formalized way to help train them further.”

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry last year released a report showing a severe national shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists.

Shortage still dire While nearly 1 in 5 U.S. children have a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder in a given year, only about 20 percent of children with disorders see a specialized mental health care provider, it said.

The country has approximately 8,000 practicing child and adolescent psychiatrists with a median of 11 per 100,000 children, the academy reported.

East Valley pediatrician Darcey Winterland knows first-hand the value of such a training program.

“I’m seeing more and more mental health issues every year,” said Winterland, who’s been in private practice for 12 years.

“And I’m seeing kids at an earlier and earlier age. I think this is something we scratch our heads about,” she added.

Winterland was at loss for why the nationwide increase in youths experiencing mental health issues.

“There’s lot of discussion among pediatricians and the mental health community on the role of social media on kids and what impact that has — specifically like Instagram and Snapchat and what role they play related to anxiety and depression,” she said, noting: “It’s a prevalent issue for adolescent girls in particular - the constant need to know if someone liked what they did.”

According to research published this year by the American Psychological Association, certain types of mental disorders have risen significantly among kids.

“Cultural trends in the last 10 years may

have had a larger effect on mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes among younger generations compared with older generations,” the association said.

The lead researcher suspected the trend could be partially due to increased use of electronic communication and digital media.

The researcher noted that older adults’ social lives are more stable and might have changed less than teens’ social lives have in the last 10 years.

Until there are enough mental health professionals to address the growing caseload, continual strain will be seen in emergency departments and pediatrician offices, experts fear.

The average wait time for families to see a psychiatrist is three to four months.

The waiting lists for a mental health therapist and psychologist are no better and can stretch up to three months, forcing parents to bring their kids to pediatricians, according to Winterland.

Also, for some families, she said, it’s a cheaper option to bring their children to a pediatrician than a specialist.

A majority of the nearly 20 physicians, including Winterland, at Mesa Pediatrics’ four offices handle mental health concerns to some degree with their young patients, according to the doctor.

“I take care of a variety of ADHD, anxiety and depression (cases),” Winterland said. “I feel comfortable handling straightforward cases of anxiety and depression.”

But in more severe cases, including bipolar or multiple mental disorders, a psychiatrist is needed to determine appropriate medication, she said.

Winterland said that during her residency she was not trained to deal with behavioral and mental health issues in patients.

As recently as 2013, 65 percent of pediatricians surveyed by the American Academy of Pediatrics indicated they lacked training in recognizing and treating mental health problems.

Winterland said doctors are responding to the crisis by taking continuing medical education.

Training pediatricians to do the work of mental health professionals, however, may

not be an effective long-term solution.

It takes longer for pediatricians to deal with a case involving mental health than treating a kid with an ear infection or strep throat, Winterland said.

“The amount of time spent, 45 minutes to an hour to discuss all the issues, I can’t do that in the middle of the morning or middle of the afternoon or I’ll get behind,” she said.

“There’s a certain amount of spots allowed for these in our practice.”

Cost of treatment a factor And, because the practice is booked weeks in advance, families needing immediate help for their children turn to the emergency room instead.

“Most kids don’t get presented to us until the parents view it as an emergency situation and they can’t get them in because of the wait time,” Winterland said.

“A lot of these kids end up in the ER.” She said her husband, Dr. Blake Bulloch, division chief of the Pediatric Emergency Department at Phoenix Children’s, sees six kids a day on average waiting to be admitted to a mental health facility because they’ve been deemed unsafe to go home.

Winterland also sees the cost of mental health care as a stumbling block for families.

Cost, insurance coverage and the time and effort involved make it hard for parents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“A lot of families can’t afford to pay the $150 to $300 for the initial visit and the $100 to $150 for subsequent visits for therapy,” Winterland said, adding: “It’s a pretty pricey endeavor for these families, especially those without insurance and even if they have insurance, it provides only for three visits.

“We just don’t have enough providers to provide care and lots of providers don’t accept insurance. In my experience (families) try to sacrifice in other places to pay for it or go without therapy if it’s hard to see a psychiatrist or psychologist,” she said, adding: “Unfortunately, there’s not enough emphasis placed on mental health.”

Chandler councilman running for Congress

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler City Councilman Sam Huang has announced he will seek the Republican nomination in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District (CD9) next year.

Huang, whose first term on the council ends in January 2021, wishes to challenge U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Phoenix, to represent a district that stretches from Chandler to northern Scottsdale.

Health care, education and immigration are the top three issues Huang said he would focus on if elected.

The Taiwanese native highlighted how his home country has more affordable health care than the United States.

Medical expenses are getting to be outrageous, Huang said, and he thinks there should be more action in Washington on the issue.

“I think I may be able to inspire some smart people to find out some sort of solution,” the candidate said.

The councilman immigrated to the United States in 1993 and later became a naturalized citizen in 2006.

in the 1990s, the country underwent radical changes after decades of military rule under China. Huang got involved with local politics before deciding to start a new life in America.

He worked in education for several years before he was elected to the Chandler City Council in 2016.

Huang described himself as a conservative, but he’s open to hearing ideas from both sides of the ideological Chandler Councilman Sam Huang is eyeing a run in the Republican spectrum. primary next year for Arizona's 9th Congressional District.

Society has become so (Special to SanTan Sun News) polarized, the candidate said, and he doesn’t like the tenHuang said he supports accepting sions that currently exist in the country. law-abiding, productive immigrants into Huang realizes he would probably have the country, but believes America’s immian advantage as an incumbent if he were gration policies need fixing.

“We should discourage any people who to run for a second term on the council, but he’d rather set his sights on higher want to come in here illegally,” he said. office.

Huang said he’s had a lifelong interest “I think the city (Chandler) is already in politics and has always been an avid in good hands,” the councilman said, “but student of history. right now I think it’s time to go to ConBefore leaving his homeland of Taiwan

gress and to represent more people.”

Huang said he won’t have to resign from the council during his congressional campaign.

He called Stanton a “formidable” opponent who will surely raise a great deal of money during the 2020 election. Stanton’s campaign collected about $2.4 million in contributions during the 2018 midterm election.

Huang refrained from criticizing the Democratic congressman, except to say that Stanton is a seasoned politician and lacks the fresh perspective Huang could bring to Congress.

Before he gets a chance to run against Stanton, the councilman will have to defeat David Giles, a business consultant from Gilbert, in the GOP primary election.

CD9 has only been represented by Democrats since the district was formed in 2013, despite having a substantial amount of registered Republican voters.

Stanton beat the GOP candidate last year by about 58,000 votes.

If elected, Huang would be the first person of Asian decent to represent Arizona in Congress.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

LAND

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

from cover

our negotiated price of $350,000 per acre is justifiable,” Chief Finance Officer Lana Berry said.

She added that the “highly sought-after parcel” has attracted multiple offers from developers.

Superintendent Camille Casteel said, “I never thought we’d be building another high school, but the growth continues to amaze us.”

She stressed that the district already is facing challenges keeping classes relatively small though “a lot of our high school classrooms” have a teacher-student ratio of one to 28 or even one to 30.

“We tried to hold off,” the superintendent said. “We think this is the only real viable alternative.”

School officials also conceded that while typically they need about 55 to 60 acres to build a high school, the owner didn’t want to subdivide the property and insisted the district buy 72 acres—meaning the district is possibly paying more than $4 million for land it really doesn’t need.

On a more positive note, they also noted there will be ample parking and students would not be parking on residential streets in the area.

Nevertheless, some community members felt the district was putting “the cart before the horse” by investing a large amount of funds in a project that’s still in the preliminary stages.

“You’re paying top dollar for something that you have not planned for,” Brian Lee, a Chandler resident, told the school board.

There were several questions asked

The areas on this map outlined in red and turquoise will be bought by the Chandler Unified School District unless unforeseen problems with the land arise during the due diligence period. (CUSD)

about open enrollment, the district’s boundaries and whether a new high school is really necessary.

The main point emphasized by administrators is that CUSD needs another high school or class sizes will increase.

“That has not been our goal,” said Berry. “Our goal has been to keep our teacher ratios low.”

Berry told the board that CUSD is pro-

jecting to add about 300 new secondary students annually for the next six years.

But lower birth rates are expected to shrink the district’s elementary enrollment in the near future, she added.

This past year, the Arizona School Facilities Board appropriated funds for a new high school in Chandler that would serve up to 800 students.

The district could be eligible for additional funds from the state board, Berry added, which would offset what the district might have to spend with bond money.

The project’s funding won’t be contingent upon a $290-million bond issue that will go before voters in November, according to Terry Locke, the district’s spokesperson.

A breakdown of how the bond money would be spent shows some funds have been reserved for building the new high school.

No documents detailing the recent land deal were available to review as of Wednesday.

Locke said CUSD had few options for finding enough land around Chandler that could fit a new high school—two sites were selected and only one owner was interested in selling, he said.

But several residents were not pleased with the site’s location, calling it downright “awful” due to the traffic and noise a new high school would generate along Gilbert Road.

Some residents also were skeptical about the board’s decision to buy the land even though district officials have not been able to conduct any geological or other environmental studies yet.

Associate Superintendent Frank Fletcher stressed that the district won’t be closing the deal without a detailed examination for any problems.

“We make sure that there’s nothing on

the site that will prohibit us from purchasing,” he said. “If any of that shows up within the 60-to-90-day due diligence period, we walk away from the contract and our earnest money is returned.”

Others demanded to know how the district would curb loitering after and before school as well as traffic issues.

Board member David Evans also told residents that Fletcher and other administrators involved in planning the new high school have “28 years experience building two schools a year.”

“There’s a lot of planning and there are a lot of changes that happen as a result of that,” Evans said, telling one businessowner who

spoke: “The benefit that you have is you make the decisions for what you’re going to do and you get expert advice and everything else. We are told what to do by the School Facilities Board and we’re told not only what we can do, what we can buy for, we’re told when we can buy it or we’re told we have to be over capacity.”

Shortly before Tuesday’s meeting, someone attempted to drum up opposition to the project by mailing out a letter expressing their disapproval of constructing a noisy high school.

“Not only will this bring more traffic into the area,” the unsigned letter reads, “we will also experience bright lights at night (football and baseball games) and loud noises in the morning (marching band practice).”

Even though enrollment at some elementary schools is starting to level off, the district is planning to build another K-8 campus in the next couple years on 13 acres near Ocotillo Road and 148th Street.

The new school would service students attending Weinberg Elementary and the old facility could be re-purposed into a campus for gifted students.

Earlier this year, the school board approved spending $817,000 in engineering services for building the new elementary school, which would not be completed until at least July 2020. The new high school will likely not open until July 2021.

No formal construction contracts have been brought before the board for consideration and a chunk of bond funds have been reserved for building the new elementary school.

District officials will be meeting with the city of Chandler in the coming weeks to begin assessing the 73-acre high school site for traffic and environmental studies.

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MARCOS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

his goal.

By the end of July, his GoFundMe.com page had accumulated about $15,000 and it was time to start signing paperwork for the van.

If they don’t raise enough in donations, Castillo said his father is trying to improve his credit enough to qualify for a loan.

There are several people invested in this vehicle, he said, so he has to make it worth the time and effort.

from cover

Accident changed his life

The world looked like very different place before Castillo’s accident.

Mark Zuckerberg hadn’t invented Facebook yet, cellphones didn’t have touch screens and music had to be listened to on CDs. It was Sept. 9, 2001—two days before the world would be turned upside down by terrorist attacks in New York City.

But Castillo’s world would be turned upside down too. And it would take him several months of recovery before he could turn it back around.

Castillo was just an 18-year-old high school student getting ready to start the next chapter in his life.

He was living with his family in Yuma and dreamed of pursuing a career in the culinary arts. His goals were very similar to others his own age; make a good living and take care of his family.

Castillo was busy trying to finish school, work full time and maintain the social schedule of any regular teenager.

But all the demands eventually caught up with him.

“I thought I could do everything,” Castillo said.

As he was driving home early one morning from a party, Castillo said he started to feel drowsy and then suddenly crashed his car into a wall.

Paramedics flew the teenager to Phoenix, where he’d undergo extensive treatment for his spinal injuries.

Holes were drilled into his skull to install a halo that could stabilize his spine.

But much of the damage was already done.

Castillo was paralyzed and there wasn’t much hope for a full recovery.

His injuries are classified as ranging between C4 and C7, which in the medical world means he has some mobility in his arms and can breathe one his own without a ventilator.

Castillo eventually went back to Yuma and tried adjusting to life in a wheelchair.

He doesn’t remember growing up around people with disabilities, so the idea he now belonged to this community was completely foreign to him.

The people with disabilities at his school were basically shunned, Castillo recalled, and no one interacted with them.

Now Castillo had to accept that he was one of these people.

“I also felt alienated because we alienated them,” Castillo said.

On the road again

Marcos Castillo and his longtime girlfriend Mina Lopez are more than ready for him to start driving again.

(Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

His parents supported Castillo the best they could, but they encouraged him to regain his independence. It can be easy to coddle someone with a disability, he said, so he was determined to not have his identity be dominated by his wheelchair.

“I minimize my disability to an extent without diminishing what it actually means,” he said.

He knew he would have to get out of Yuma. He feared the small town might dig its claws into Castillo and never let him leave.

He set his sights up north in the Valley, where it seemed like more opportunities were available for the disabled community.

Becoming ‘Mr. Mom’

Despite his physical setbacks, Castillo adopted the “Mr. Mom” role in his household.

His longtime girlfriend, Mina Lopez, would serve as the breadwinner and Castillo would help raise her three kids.

He’d make sure the kids got on the school bus, attend parent-teacher conferences, and do all the other daily tasks that encompass modern parenting.

Castillo said the family has its fair share of challenges, like any other family, but they’ve discovered some semblance of normalcy that feels comfortable to them.

Yet, Castillo’s disability can’t be completely ignored, especially when it comes to transportation. If he wants to leave the house, he has to spend hours preparing

844-872-2820

for anything that might go wrong. And if his girlfriend can’t drive him, he has to navigate the complexities of public transportation.

He compared this lifestyle to a game of chess—Castillo must always have a contingency plan in place for when a crisis strikes.

“Everything that I do in my life, I have to think at least three steps ahead,” he said.

He didn’t think driving would be in his future, but he realized how much more he could get done if he had his own set of wheels.

Castillo began researching the government programs that could assist him in buying a car. An evaluator assessed Castillo’s abilities and wrote a prescription on what modifications he would need to drive a vehicle.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security approved spending a large chunk of money on the modifications, but Castillo would still be on the hook for about $40,000.

So, he took to social media to get his story out and started collecting donations.

As the years went by, money would trickle in and Castillo had some more hurdles to overcome.

He was recently diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that affects his nerves. The new illness was a setback, but he refused to let it stop him from reaching

Chip Stoecker has helped several people with disabilities get back behind the wheel.

He works for United Access, a company based in Chandler that installs technology on vehicles for drivers with different needs.

Depending on the type of disability a client has, United Access finds the right features that can adapt to the driver’s capabilities.

The vehicles typically come equipped with joystick-shaped control devices that manipulate steering and breaking.

Stoecker said Castillo’s been maneuvering a similar device to operate his wheelchair for several years, so it should be an easy transition to the vehicle’s controls.

“It will be second nature to him,” Stoecker said.

Stoecker’s known Castillo since he started the process to buy the van four years ago. Castillo is one of his most inspirational clients, Stoecker said, and he’s confident Castillo will perform well out on the road.

“Disabled drivers concentrate on their driving more than we do,” Stoecker said.

“They’re cognitive of what they’re doing all the time.”

United Access will begin equipping Castillo’s car over the next few weeks and Stoecker’s scheduled for it to be ready

by Sept. 9, exactly 18 years after Castillo’s accident. A party has been arranged to celebrate the momentous occasion.

Even though a vehicle caused Castillo’s condition, he said he’s not nervous about operating a car again. If anything, he’s excited to get out and do more good in the world.

“I want to leave this world with my footprint and I want my footprint to be a good one,” Castillo said.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

Study: Chandler among 10 healthiest housing markets SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert are among the 10 healthiest housing markets among American cities with a population of more than 200,000, according to a new study.

Smart Asset, a technology company that provides personal finance advice online, ranked Chandler as having the fifth healthiest, ahead of seventh-placed Mesa and Gilbert, which was number 10 in the survey.

“Homeowners in a healthy market should be able to easily sell their homes, with a relatively low risk of losing money,” Smart Asset said.

To determine market health, the site analyzed stability, affordability, fluidity and risk of loss.

It said it based its stability rate on the average number of years people own their homes and the percentage of homeowners with negative equity.

“To measure risk, we used the percentage of homes that decreased in value.

To determine housing market fluidity, we looked at data on the average time a for-sale home in each area spent on the market—the longer homes take to sell, the less fluid the market,” the study said.

It based its affordability calculations on the monthly cost of owning a home as a percentage of household income.

Affordability accounted for 40 percent of the healthiest markets index, while each of the other three factors accounted for 20 percent, Smart Asset said.

The site said Buffalo, New York, had

the healthiest housing market.

It was followed by Lincoln, Nebraska; Fremont, California; and Durham, California. The other cities in its top 10 were Colorado Springs, Colorado (6); Raliegh, North Carolina (8); and Glendale, Arizona (9).

For Chandler, the site said owners live an average 11 years and one month in their homes versus a national average of 12 years and two months and an average 10 ½ years in Mesa and nine years/two months in Gilbert.

Chandler had a higher percentage of homes that have decreased in value. At

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Chandler homes stay on the market for 65 days as opposed to 49 days in Mesa and 64 in Gilbert, according to the study.

But all three East Valley cities had better averages than the national average 82 days on the market.

Chandler picked up a few points over Mesa in terms of the average percentage

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© 2019 DURACELL, Bethel, CT 06801. Duracell is a registered trademark of Duracell U.S. Operations, Inc., used under license. All rights reserved. All registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. *Install with purchase of a car or light truck battery, on most vehicles, at participating locations. **This is an average; pricing may vary.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

Litigation piling up for Chandler opioid maker

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Former executives of Chandler-based Insys Therapeutics are the subject of more civil litigation for allegedly deceiving insurance companies into covering the costs of opioid prescriptions.

A lawsuit by the state Attorney General is the latest legal woe to befall the company as it continues to navigate financial troubles and bankruptcy proceedings.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced last month that his office had filed a consumer lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court against John Kapoor, the founder of Insys who was found guilty in May in a Boston federal courtroom of conspiring with others in a nationwide bribery scheme.

After a 10-week trial, a jury ruled Kapoor and several others conspired to bribe doctors into prescribing his company’s powerful painkiller and then tricking insurance companies into covering the drug’s expense.

The government claims Insys made millions in profits for years, while society was crippled by a growing opioid epidemic.

Brnovich’s office alleges Kapoor’s scheme violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and makes him subject to civil penalties. Michael Babich, the company’s former CEO, and Michael Gurry, Insys’s former vice president of managed markets, were listed as co-defendants.

The attorney general is asking a court to compel the three defendants to pay $875 million in restitution—the amount of revenue Insys allegedly made through committing “unlawful” acts.

The state’s lawsuit details how Insys tricked insurance companies through a system of lies and deception.

When doctors would prescribe Subsys, the company’s expensive and potent painkiller, an insurance company would have to grant authorization before agreeing to cover its cost.

This process involved doctors submitting information to insurers on a patient’s medical history and treatment plan.

If a patient’s condition was severe enough, the insurer would typically autho-

Some employees at Insys' Chandler headquarters have been implicated by the state Attorney General in a lawsuit over the way the firm marketed opioids. (File photo)

rize the prescription.

Insurers covered only about one-third of requests for Subsys prescriptions.

So, Kapoor and other Insys executives conjured up a scam in 2012 to boost authorizations, according to the government’s lawsuit.

This scam included Insys workers in Chandler allegedly calling insurance companies and pretending to be employees from a doctor’s office.

The callers were allegedly given scripts and instructions on what to tell insurers that would guarantee authorization.

Kapoor and his co-conspirators took steps to cover their tracks by blocking the phone numbers Insys workers used to call insurance companies.

On some occasions, Insys employees allegedly implied patients were being treated for cancer, when they actually weren’t.

In other cases, the lawsuit claims Insys workers lied about patients not being able to swallow pills, thus requiring them to use a nasal spray like Subsys.

Patty Nixon, a former Insys employee, told reporters in 2017 most of the prescriptions she tried to obtain authorization for were to treat knee pain or menstrual cramps.

She claims she was instructed to mention a patient’s nonexistent oncology records as means of persuading insurance companies.

“It was a complete bold-faced lie,” Nixon told NBC News.

During the time this scheme allegedly took place, Subsys sales were generating

up to $52 million in revenue from prescriptions written in Arizona.

Three doctors who wrote many of these prescriptions would later come under the scrutiny of state regulators.

Steve Fanto, Nikesh Seth and Sheldon Gingerich were all named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by Brnovich’s office in 2017.

The three physicians were accused of accepting thousands of dollars in “speaker fees” in exchange for writing an unusually high number of Subsys prescriptions.

For example, the government claims Seth’s prescriptions for Subsys skyrocketed from two in 2013 to 341 the following year after Insys executives started paying him large speaking fees.

“Kapoor and Babich intended the speaker fees Insys paid to Seth to be a reward for Seth’s previous Subsys prescriptions and an incentive for Seth to write additional Subsys prescriptions,” the lawsuit states.

Insys’s executives allegedly pressured its sales people to aggressively go after doctors they think they can win over with speaker fees, comparing their practice to riding a racehorse.

“If you want to win, it is time to start cracking the whip,” one executive allegedly told employees in a text message.

Brnovich’s latest lawsuit is one of several pieces of litigation filed in the last couple years that involve Insys and its employees. Eight former employees have been convicted of various crimes and multiple states have filed lawsuits.

Insys founder John Kapoor was convicted on multiple counts in federal court in Boston last month.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

The crackdown on Insys has been seen as a forceful response from authorities to the large number of opioid-related overdoses reported across the country in recent years.

The epidemic escalated so much in Arizona that Gov. Doug Ducey declared a health emergency in 2017.

Last month, Insys agreed to pay $225 million in restitution to the federal government to resolve various criminal and civil matters.

This large settlement has led to financial trouble for the company, prompting Insys to voluntarily file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 10.

Insys reported a drop in revenue of about $16 million during the first quarter of 2019.

“The company has experienced recurring and increasing losses from operations over the previous 18 months due to significant declines in the (fentanyl) market and significant legal expenses resulting from the investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and other significant litigation matters to which we are subject,” Insys executives wrote in a press release.

In response to questions about the company’s future in Chandler, an Insys spokesperson referred San Tan Sun News to a statement outlining the company’s plans to utilize cash it had on-hand to maintain operations.

Kapoor founded Insys in 1990 and moved the company’s headquarters to Chandler in 2012.

Two men plead guilty to Chandler murder SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Two men have pleaded guilty to killing a Chandler man last year after a dispute involving payment for female escorts.

Matthew Vacaneri, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder on July 18 in Superior Court for the death of 29-year-old German Medina.

The victim sustained a fatal gunshot wound on Oct. 21, 2018 at his residence on Dakota Street. Authorities say Vacaneri and 19-year-old Joseph Cabarello arrived at Medina’s residence to sell the services of two women.

During the transaction, the men began to argue over the price Medina would have to pay for the women’s services.

A physical fight ensued that ended with Cabarello pulling out a handgun and pointing it at Medina.

Vacaneri then grabbed the gun from Cabarello and fired it at Medina’s chest,

according to the Chandler Police Department. Vacaneri and Cabarello then fled the scene with the two women.

Authorities apprehended Vacaneri and Cabarello later that evening and were booked into the Maricopa County jail. Cabarello initially told investigators they had acted in self-defense, public records show.

Vacaneri’s offense carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, but his plea deal limits his sentence to no more than 18 years.

Vacaneri additionally pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct involving weapons since he’s not authorized to handle a firearm. Court records show Vacaneri has several prior felony convictions.

Cabarello pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and has agreed to serve anywhere between five and seven years in the state Department of Corrections.

Both defendants will be sentenced Aug. 19.

Matthew Vacaneri

Joseph Cabarello

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

Chandler hopes to broaden airport’s economic impact

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

As development around Chandler continues to take shape, city officials are examining how its airport might be able to better attract a different type of clientele.

A 2015 study showed the Chandler Municipal Airport generated an economic footprint worth about $32 million—a value that fell far short of the economic impact of regional airports in Mesa, Goodyear and Deer Valley.

But the city may try to change that.

Airport administrators hope they can broaden the airport's uses by tapping into the market of business aviation—becoming the go-to stop for corporate executives needing places to land in the Valley.

“That really is the ultimate goal,” said Chris Andres, the city’s airport administrator.

In the past, Andres said, the airport has mainly served as a training facility for rookie pilots or a site for recreational flyers.

But now the city wants to diversify its portfolio, he said, by pursuing corporate flyers needing a runway to land their private jets.

Many airports are pursuing a similar business model as Chandler, Andres added, and strengthening the city’s airport could “turbo-charge” the local economy.

The Chandler City Council recently authorized staff to begin the 18-month process of updating the airport’s master strategic plan.

It’s a routine study that has to be done every few years to determine the airport’s infrastructure needs.

Andres said this study will additionally help the city examine where the aviation market industry is going and how the airport can prepare for the future.

Annual operations at the Chandler airport have been increasing in recent years.

According to the Chandler Airport

began disappearing and subdivisions started going up.

By 2010, the local population had grown exponentially and Chandler ranked high among general aviation airports for high air traffic.

Today, the airport is classified as one of six reliever airports in the Maricopa County that helps to alleviate traffic at Sky Harbor International Airport.

Lee McPheters, an Arizona State University economics professor, said Chandler’s airport has growth potential due to the recent development that’s occurred throughout the city.

But it will have to comCity and Chandler Airport officials want to broaden its economic impact as an ASU professor ranked it last among Maricopa pete with well-established County's regional airports in terms of the economic benefits it generates. airports in the East Valley.

(File photo) McPheters compiled a study recently, estimating Commission, operations recently inway continues to come up in planning disMesa’s Falcon Field Airport generated up creased from about 197,000 to 229,000 cussions—most recently during a contenover a 12-month period. tious City Council meeting last November to $434 million in direct economic output and several other nearby airports outperThe airport’s last master plan, done in that involved business development that formed Chandler’s.

2010, highlighted how extending the facilmight have encroached on future runway One way to assess an airport’s level ity’s runway could attract more corporate extensions. of business aviation, McPheters noted, is clients and boost the airport’s economic The story of Chandler’s airport is altallying up the number of private jets it footprint. most a reflection of the city’s story. has stationed at its facility.

According to the plan, if the runway It was founded in the late 1920s when Scottsdale’s airport lists 137 jets, Deer was extended to 5,700 feet and more cor- Chandler’s economy was dominated by Valley has 23, Falcon Field has eight, and porate flyers were to relocate to Chandler, cattle ranches and cotton fields.

Chandler listed two jets, according to then the airport’s economic output would The Great Depression thwarted the records listed on AirNav.com. increase 17 percent by 2025. airport’s development through the 1930s Andres said the airport has the opporChandler’s city code requires any and World War II restricted civilian aviatunity to seek out economic development runway extensions be funded through tion through the 1940s. that will benefit the facility. voter-approved bonds, as a means to The city officially opened its airport in It will continue servicing the recallow residents to decide whether they 1948 after purchasing land near Germann reational flyers and trainee pilots that want more air traffic in the community. and McQueen roads. the airport has always serviced, he said, The city tried extending the airport’s Farmers utilized its runway to fly crop because that’s always been the airport’s south runway through a bond proposal in dusters over fields of cotton and alfalfa mission.

2000 and again in 2007, but voters rejectfor the next few decades.

“We support the community and the ed the proposals both times.

The city continued acquiring more land community supports us,” Andres said.

Several years later, extending the runfor the airport in the 1980s as farm fields

Basha High offering jump-start cybersecurity courses

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Basha High School students now have the opportunity to prepare for a career in the burgeoning field of cybersecurity.

Students will be enrolling in new elective courses this school year that teach them how to navigate computer networks, stop security breaches and think like a hacker.

Principal David Loutzenheiser said the program is intended to serve as a pipeline for students wishing to pursue careers in the tech industry.

“We believe there is a huge need,” he said, referencing the local tech companies looking for employees certified in cybersecurity.

Employment in the cybersecurity field is projected to grow by 28 percent in the next seven years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as corporations and government agencies scramble to prevent hackers from stealing their information.

According to CyberSeek, there were more than 7,800 job openings in Arizona for cybersecurity careers as of August 2018.

It’s considered a complicated field of study, requiring years of technical educa-

tion and training. So, Chandler Unified officials want to give its students a head-start.

High schools throughout the country have been trying to fill this labor gap for the last few years by introducing hands-on cybersecurity courses in the classroom.

Loutzenheiser said Basha’s Cybersecurity Academy will make his school stand out in central Arizona by introducing a program that’s targeted to a specific industry.

The district invested resources to build a separate facility on campus that would house multiple classrooms and a computer network that’s disconnected from the rest of the school.

Fifty students will initially be accepted into the program during its first year before opening it up to more students in the following years.

Loutzenheiser said the school’s placing few requirements on students for enrolling.

“This can be for anyone,” he added. “You don’t have to be the typical straight-A student.”

The Chandler Unified School District partnered with The University of Arizona and Chandler-Gilbert Community College to offer the new cybersecurity curriculum.

Instructors will require special expertise and training to teach the college-level courses in a high school setting.

Basha students could potentially earn an associate’s degree by the time they graduate high school and land internships at local tech firms.

“The demand is absolutely there,” said Tom Pearson, chair of CGCC’s Business and Computing Studies Division.

The sooner students can start learning about cybersecurity, Pearson said, the sooner they can secure jobs in an industry that’s suffering from a severe labor shortage.

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can take a majority of their credits at Chandler’s community college before transitioning to UA. This arrangement helps students and parents save money on tuition, Pearson added, since community college courses are much cheaper than a four-year university.

The University of Arizona is one of 21 colleges in the country to be accredited by the National Security Agency for meeting a high level of academic rigor in cyber technology.

When the university decided to

bring its cyber operations program to its Chandler campus last year, it was meant to serve an educational need in the local community, according to Sarai Alvarado, site coordinator for the UA Chandler campus.

“We strategically are placing ourselves in communities that make sense for what we offer,” Alvarado said. “And we know Chandler is really a city of innovation and technology, so it just made sense to have a partnership here.”

Many current students in the university’s cyber program didn’t come from a technological background, Alvarado added, so getting high school students in Chandler to get these cyber skills early on will benefit them in the long-end.

And city officials are supportive of maintaining educational partnerships that will continue to make Chandler attractive to new companies.

“Chandler’s skilled workforce has been the major driver behind the tech sector growth we have experienced over the years,” said Mayor Kevin Hartke in a statement. “We are thrilled that The University of Arizona is helping to develop the next generation of tech workers in Chandler.”

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

Affordable housing ranked Chandler’s top problem

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Affordable housing was ranked as Chan dler’s most pressing societal need in a recent assessment administered by city officials.

As property values have risen in Chandler over the last couple of decades, more residents are falling below the poverty line and having a harder time find affordable housing.

“If you are not in the high-earning segment of our community, things are getting much tougher for you,” said Riann Balch, the city’s community resources director.

Balch was involved in conducting a citywide assessment this year that asked residents what resources are lacking in Chandler. Hundreds of community members and stakeholders offered their input and results show housing topped the list of urgent needs.

It’s not exactly surprising, Balch said, considering how much Chandler has changed since 2000. The city’s population has grown by 42 percent and Chandler’s median home value has increased by 100 percent.

But wages don’t appear to be keeping pace with the growth.

According to the 2019 assessment, a survey of about 600 Chandler residents revealed 29 percent of them earned less than $25,000 annually.

And about 20,000 Chandler residents are living below the federal poverty line— an amount that’s grown 78 percent in the last 18 years.

By comparison, Arizona’s rate of residents living in poverty grew by about 56

a guide.

When it comes to housing, some potential actions the assessment recommends include helping residents with utility bills, assisting with residential down-payments and supporting rent subsidies.

The city already owns several public housing units for low-income residents and manages about 480 rental vouchers — commonly referred to as Section 8 vouchers — that are funded through the federal government.

Leah Powell, the city’s neighborhood resources director, said her department has been trying to find more landlords willing to accept Section 8 vouchers.

“That in itself is a challenge especially with rent increasing at the rates that they are,” Powell said.

A number of real estate websites have singled Chandler out for how fast its rents have increased over the last year.

Leah Powell, the city's neighbrohood services director, said finding Based on the current deaffordable housing is getting tougher in Chandler. (City of Chandler) mographics, analysts estimate Chandler has a shortfall of about 9,400 housing units for percent during that same timeframe. residents earning less than $35,000 a year.

“Our demographic changes are stunAnalysts assess affordability based on ning,” Balch added. how much residents spend their income The recent assessment is meant to inon housing. Any amount that exceeds 30 form officials on where it should allocate funding in the community by using data as percent of an individual’s salary is consid-

ered burdensome.

The rate of Chandler residents spending more than 30 percent of income on rental housing has increased by 5 percent since 2005.

The city is in the process of compiling a long-term plan that addresses affordable housing in Chandler, Powell added, and the city communicates with a group of East Valley leaders that’s addressing the homeless situation. Homelessness ranked third on the list of needs included in the city’s 2019 assessment.

The number of unsheltered individuals counted in Chandler doubled between 2018 and 2017, though these numbers are not always considered accurate because counting homeless people can be difficult.

Behavioral health, transportation and social isolation were other needs that ranked high in the assessment.

The city is trying to stay vigilant in assuring senior citizens and teenagers feel connected in the community before some of them fall through the cracks.

A recent string of teen suicides in the East Valley has brought more awareness to issues involving mental health and social isolation, Balch said. Chandler tries to stay connected with experts in the field who can assist residents experiencing a crisis.

“We don’t necessarily provide the service,” she said, “but we want to make sure that we are linking to people who do.”

A public hearing will be held at the City Council meeting on Aug. 9 where residents can offer feedback on the 2019 needs assessment before its finalized.

SanTan Sun News publisher expands to California SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Times Media Group, the fast-growing publisher of more than 15 Arizona publications and websites, has acquired Southland Publishing, the Southern California-based publisher of several newsweeklies, magazines and digital media properties with a combined monthly circulation of more than one million readers and web visitors.

Steve Strickbine, president of Times Media Group, which owns the Pulitzer-Prize-winning East Valley Tribune, the award-winning Scottsdale Progress, the SanTan Sun News and 12 other Valley media platforms, called the Southland purchase a strategic expansion step into Southern California.

Noting that the acquisition further increases the reach of TMG’s successful community news operation, Strickbine said, “Our primary goal at Times Media Group is to grow the number of readers we serve with community news, because we believe telling great stories and bringing tangible value to our advertising partners is a recipe for continued success not just in Arizona, but anywhere.

“The Southland publications have always been special in their connection with the communities they serve,” he added.

“We can’t wait to further solidify that connection and do even more to demonstrate our commitment to our readers, our advertisers and our neighbors.”

Southland Publishing, founded in 1997, has five offices located in Downtown Los Angeles, Ventura County, Santa Monica,

Pasadena and San Diego.

The TMG purchase includes all five newsweeklies: the LA Downtown News, the Pasadena Weekly, The Argonaut, the VC Reporter and the San Diego City Beat.

Additionally, TMG has purchased Southland’s three monthly magazines: Arroyo Monthly, Playa Vista Direct and Ventana Monthly.

Southland’s associated digital properties are also included in the transaction.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Southland Publishing and I have been very proud of these publications, and our

Tribune (EastValley.com), the Ahwatukee Foothills News (Ahwatukee.com), the West Valley View, Nearby News publications, the San Tan Sun News, the Gilbert Sun News, the College Times, Lovin’ Life After 50, The Entertainer! Magazine, North Valley Magazine, 85086 Magazine, 85085 Magazine and the travel and information website Phoenix.org.

The company also owns AZ Integrated Media, a media distribution and custom publishing company.

“For years, I’ve heard the conventional wisdom about local news being

The more local we can be, the more in-depth, the better we connect “people to one another and to the community. We love being a part of that and we look forward to working with these publications starting as soon as possible.

– Steve Strickbine

”

employees who have made them such important parts of the communities they serve, and we are confident that Steve Strickbine and his company will be wonderful stewards of these publications and that the readers and advertisers that continue to support them are in good hands,” said Southland Publishing’s President, Bruce Bolkin.

Strickbine, 48, quit his job as a CPA in 1997 to start a small community newspaper in North Scottsdale.

Today, TMG publishes the East Valley

dead—and I couldn’t disagree more,” said Strickbine.

“We have always bet against that idea as a company we’ve been very successful doing it,” he continued.

“Is it easy to do? Of course not. We need to work harder and be smarter than the big metro newspapers, to show aspects of the communities we cover that matter to readers and too often get ignored.

“We also need to offer better, more engaging advertising opportunities to our advertisers. If we do that, we have every

opportunity to succeed. And the communities we serve will be the better for it.”

David Comden, Southland Publishing vice president, echoed Strickbine’s sentiments.

“Local newsweeklies and magazines continue to be a vital part of each community they serve. While many news outlets reach for a broader audience, readers want and need local news they can count on. I am confident that Strickbine Publishing will do great work for each community they serve into the future,” said Comden.

Strickbine called each of the Southland publications “exactly the kind of special journalism operations we want to be a part of TMG.” He cited the LA Downtown News — an award-winning publication that has covered the central core of the city since 1972 — as an example of Southland’s quality and independent spirit.

“What these publications do is the most important thing in journalism, at least as we see it,” said Strickbine. “Every community has stories that need to be told. What’s happening at City Hall? What business just opened? Which ones have closed? Who are our leaders and what sort of transparency and accountability do they practice?

“The more local we can be, the more in-depth, the better we connect people to one another and to the community. We love being a part of that and we look forward to working with these publications starting as soon as possible.”

Information: timespublications.com.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

Around Chandler Quilters sought in Chandler to benefit kids, teens

Join fellow quilters and donate your time to sew for charity every Friday and Saturday in August and September at Cutting Edge Quilts, 64 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler. Cutting Edge is providing most the fabrics and patterns with donations from their customers.

August is Phoenix Children’s Hospital month and volunteers will be using a self-binding baby blanket pattern and sewing with soft baby flannel for the little patients. There will be kits cut and waiting.

Information: phoenixchildrens.org.

In September, volunteers will be sewing for Streetlights USA, an organization providing programs and services to young girls who are victims or at risk of child sexual exploitation. Strip quilts will be made for their comfort. Information: streetlightusa.org.

“We could also use donations of juvenile and teenage fabrics,” said Cutting Edge Quilts owner Dee Peck.

Volunteers are asked to bring a sewing machine, thread, scissors and other basic sewing kit items. Irons, rulers and rotary cutters provided. For those sewing on both days, Cutting Edge will let sewers bring machines on Friday and leave them until Saturday.

For those who prefer to sew at home, stop by the store, pick up a kit and return the top completed. Seating is limited, and volunteers are asked to call the store to sign up.

Information: cequilts.com or 480-857-3443.

Devorah Hadassah seeks women in Chandler

Devorah Hadassah is inviting interested Chandler women to join the organization for fun and friendship.

Devorah Hadassah serves the Southeast Valley. Activities include lunch, dinner fundraisers, Flick Chicks, literary ladies, game days and mahjongg. Information: Ann Baum at ann.hadassahmembership@gmail.com.

Ocotillo Village Health Club hosting fitness race

The Ocotillo Village Health Club & Spa is holding the Amazing Fitness Race, an eight-week fitness race where participants can attend an unlimited variety of small group training sessions. The sessions will involve interval training, strength training, core and cardio.

The workout sessions will be led by the club’s personal trainers and will be suitable for all fitness levels. The program will run through Sept. 28.

The race will cover the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail that spans from Georgia to Maine. Participants will earn miles through program sessions and personal workouts.

The main goal is to finish the race while improving your body composition. Prizes will be awarded.

The cost is $189 for members and $289 for guests. Information: fdelmundo@ dmbclubs.com.

The Ocotillo Village Health Club & Spa is located at 4200 S. Alma School Road in

Chandler. Information: villageclubs.com.

Madeline Marie Smith of Chandler recently graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, earning a degree and a commission in the U. S. armed forces.

She also earned a Merchant Marine officer license, qualifying her to serve as an officer on any ship in the U.S. flag merchant marine.

As part of her four-year education, Smith spent one year training as a cadet aboard ocean going vessels.

how neighborhoods come together to celebrate G.A.I.N.” Nomination forms are available at chandleraz.gov/connect. Completed nominations may be submitted in person to the City’s Neighborhood Resources Department, 235 S. Arizona Ave., or by email to neighborhood.programs@chandleraz. gov. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16.

Online voting for the People’s Choice Award will begin Aug. 23, and continue through Sept. 13. The winners will be announced at the start of the 2019 G.A.I.N. kickoff event, which will be held at 9 a.m.

Sept. 21, at the Chandler Police Department, community room, 250 E. Chicago St. Information: 480-782-4354.

Chandler seeking excellence award nominees by Aug. 16

Keap names Rajesh Bhatia new chief tech officer

Chandler native completes Merchant Marine school

Chandler Neighborhood Resources Department and the Chandler Police Crime Prevention Unit encourage neighborhood watch groups that participated in last year’s G.A.I.N. (Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods) events, to submit a nomination for the Mayor’s Neighborhood Excellence Awards.

The awards recognize neighborhoods for their dedication to creating community through events, increasing neighborhood involvement and developing the next generation of leadership.

“Strong neighborhoods with active and engaged leaders are a huge part of why our City remains safe, clean and beautiful,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. “I look forward to reading the nominations to see

Keap, formerly known as Infusionsoft, has named Rajesh Bhatia chief technical officer. He spent 10 years as vice president of product development at Oracle and has 20 years of experience leading product and engineering teams.

Keap provides industry-leading CRM and marketing automation software exclusively for small businesses.

“It’s a really exciting time at Keap as the company is expanding to serve a much larger market of small businesses,” said Bhatia.

“Keap has been a leader in the industry since pioneering CRM and marketing automation software for small businesses See

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AROUND

Around Chandler from page 18

more than 17 years ago when it Infusionsoft launched. I have the opportunity now to partner with the executive and product teams to bring the power of automation to millions of more small businesses in really exciting, innovative ways,” he said.

West Alley BBQ offering parking help downtown

West Alley BBQ & Smokehouse, the Tennessee-style barbeque restaurant, is partnering with Uber for Business to offer guests a remedy for the extreme summer heat and parking issues in downtown Chandler.

West Alley BBQ guests can redeem an Uber voucher to take them to the restaurant and back home. West Alley BBQ will pay $5 for two rides to and from the restaurant. Uber users will have to pay for any remaining costs.

Uber Vouchers can be downloaded from West Alley’s Facebook or Instagram.

West Alley BBQ is located at 111 West Boston St. Information: 480-248-8819 or westalleybbq.com.

Fulton Homes, KSLX support ‘Cause for Paws’

Fulton Homes and 100.7 KSLX are trying to educate pet owners on ways they can keep their furry friends safe in the Arizona heat.

They will be giving free dog booties to pet owners 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 24 at PetSmart, 2840 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.

Pollack Chabad Center to host 2 big events this month

Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life and the Chandler Jewish Preschool, 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler, has a movie showing and a separate anniversary celebration this month.

On Aug. 10, it will host a discussion of Lamentations at a candlelight gathering at 8 p.m. followed by the screening of “The Light of Fire,” a film about rebuilding in the face of loss.

The service is free, but attendees must RSVP for security reasons at 480-855-4333 or chabadcenter.com.

At 5 p.m. Aug. 18, the center will hold an open house to celebrate its sixth anniversary. It will feature inflatables, crafts, face painting and balloon making as well as other activities. Admission is free.

Parents can learn about the center’s many programs, including children and early childhood education, the Chandler Jewish Preschool, Chabad Hebrew School, Youth Zone, adult education, Jewish Women’s Circle, Young Jewish Professionals, and holiday awareness programs.

RSVP required: 480-855-4333 or

Desert Cove Nursing Center has new director

Desert Cove Nursing Center, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Chandler, has named Tim Bouseman its new executive director.

“Tim is an experienced leader who has a caring heart and strong drive for success,” said Kristin Shambro, vice president of parent company Life Care Centers of America’s Mesquite Region. “He is dedicated to making Desert Cove the premier provider in the community he serves.”

Bouseman most recently served as administrator for the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

Starting in the field as a certified nursing assistant, Bouseman spent 11 years in the Air Force and earned his nursing home administrator’s license in 2007.

“As a kid, I found my niche in working with the elderly population,” said Bouseman. “I enjoy making a positive difference while they’re in this stage of life.”

Originally from Scottsdale, Arizona, Bouseman has two master’s degrees in business administration and in health care administration.

Desert Cove Nursing Center, located at 1750 W. Frye Road, is one of 10 skilled nursing and rehab facilities in Arizona managed by Life Care Centers of America.

Company leaves Scottsdale for Chandler office digs

Equiant, an Arizona-based accounts receivable servicing provider, has relocated from Scottsdale to Chandler.

“We needed more space to accommodate both our existing staff and new workers,” said Peter Moody, chief business development officer. “With more than a million highly educated workers within a 30-minute commute, our new location will help us meet the needs of our fast-growing client base.”

The new corporate headquarters at 500 N. Juniper Drive has 9,000 additional square feet of space, including a 50-seat call center, upgraded workspaces for team members, and a larger and enhanced vault for document custody.

“We wanted a new headquarters that met all our stated requirements, including a high-growth area, Class A building, surrounding amenities, access to freeways and the ability to attract new talent. Our new Chandler office exceeds all our expectations,” Moody added.

Equiant is a leading timeshare servicer with an active serviced portfolio that exceeds $1.5 billion and includes more than 175,000 individual consumer loans and 500,000 maintenance dues related accounts.

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City of Chandler Insider

COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | August 3-16, 2019

City team gives new businesses a big start

BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

The thought of starting and growing a business is exciting for many, but there are also many unknowns that might make the process daunting.

This can especially be true when a business is leasing or purchasing a new commercial building and needs to apply for a building permit before making tenant improvements.

The City’s Economic Development staff offers a unique program designed to make this process easier on the front end. It’s called the Business Location Team (BLT).

Ryan Kaup, an economic development specialist in Chandler, is in charge of the BLT. “This free program is for small companies all the way up to large companies, but we have found that it has been particularly valuable for the smaller or mid-sized companies that do not have a large real estate team and do not open new locations on a regular basis,” he says.

The program consists of an economic development specialist, building plan review manager, fire marshal and city planner.

The first step to start the process is contacting Economic Development to find out whether the program will be helpful based on the company’s unique circumstances.

Usually, a business will already have identified a building and know the changes that are needed to meet their business needs.

A BLT review meeting will be scheduled on-site with the BLT members, the business owner and their representatives, such as their broker, architect and/or contractor.

While on location, the small group of city employees will walk the site to determine which city code and zoning-related requirements need to be addressed to comply with the city’s standards.

It’s designed to give companies immediate feedback and a better idea of the cost and time needed to complete the project so they can make a more informed decision.

From the city’s perspective, it also

Chandler's Business Location Team helps new businesses here navigate the many regulations governing new companies that set up shop here.

(City of Chandle)

improves the process.

LeeRay Hanly, the plan review manager for the City’s Development Services Department, explained: “Meeting with the customer early on really helps speed up the review process for the customer. Knowing what the scope of the project will entail, and having seen

the site in advance of any plan submittals, we are able to significantly reduce review times while dealing with far fewer, if any, surprises.”

Chandler Fire Marshal Cina Kauble echoes this sentiment when she talks about the advantages of the BLT meeting.

“It’s easier, safer and more economical

to identify and address any issues on the front side, rather than to try to fix issues after a business has moved in,” Kauble said.

When asked about examples of some of the success stories that he’s seen, Kaup says that there are many.

An example of a start-up restaurant that stands out to him is Bella Gusto Urban Pizzeria.

The owners moved to Arizona from Texas and were searching for a good location to launch their first restaurant. They found a retail suite that had been vacant for awhile and needed many improvements.

The BLT was able to help answer all of the owners’ questions so they knew what it would take to improve the space.

Another business that utilized the service is the State Seal Company, which is in the manufacturing industry. They were looking to consolidate their Arizona operations from four buildings into one larger existing building.

Owner Jason Darmel said, “City staff walked through the building and actively addressed tenant improvement questions related to building code, fire code and zoning items. This allowed us to save time and money throughout the build-out process.”

In fact, the BLT reputation is growing.

A recent project that came to Chandler was a repeat customer of the BLT and one of the main reasons they chose to move to Chandler was because the program made their first project easier.

According to Kaup, there are still many people who are unaware of the program, and the economic development staff is hoping to change that. They want more people to take advantage of the free service if it makes sense for them.

“For many companies finding a new space or moving into a new space is an infrequent experience,” Kaup says. “We want to help companies get through the process quicker and make it as transparent as possible.”

Information: 480-782-3032 or ryan. kaup@chandleraz.gov.

Baseball taught him skills to grow businesses

BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

Ryan Kaup has worked at the City of Chandler for more than five years.

He started as an intern while deciding whether to pursue a masters of public administration degree at Arizona State University.

He had a bachelor’s degree in economics and wanted to see if he found the economic development field interesting.

He discovered that he really enjoys working every day with a wide range of private sector industries and helping to grow the local economy.

In his role as an economic development specialist, Kaup works closely with companies on their real estate needs, whether they are looking for land sites or existing commercial buildings.

In addition to this business attraction role, he regularly meets with local companies on “business retention” visits to build relationships, facilitate introductions and

Ryan Kaup played baseball for a while before homing in on a career in economic development.

(City of Chandler)

address City-related items that can help companies grow their operations.

According to Kaup, economic development is a relatively small field that takes time to learn and understand the many partners that economic developers work with on a regular basis, such as brokers, site selectors, developers, attorneys and architects.

A large part of his job is to study economic trends and to ensure that the City keeps up with how the market is constantly changing.

Kaup has a unique experience working in Chandler, in particular because it’s also his home town. He was raised in Chandler, attending Bogle Junior High and graduating from Hamilton High School.

After high school, he ventured out and had many stops throughout the country.

He first moved to California to play college baseball for Claremont McKenna College before eventually transferring colleges to play baseball in Ohio for Miami University.

Afterwards he traveled throughout

the United States for three years playing baseball for multiple minor league independent teams.

Ryan’s baseball experiences taught him many life skills that he still applies every day.

Learning to set goals and develop a plan to achieve them, as well as working together within a team to achieve results are just a couple. Ryan believes that baseball definitely teaches a person a lot about failure and learning how to improve the next time.

“It’s definitely a sport that can humble you quickly. You simply have to embrace this and develop a growth mindset to get better the next time,” he said.

These skill sets apply to the field of economic development, where everyone can learn from the experiences of other cities and regions, both good and bad – and grow from them.

“Once you start working in it, you have to pay closer attention to your competition,” he added. “Your mind just starts working this way.”

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Racy outfits super-charge Chandler coffee shop

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

A new coffee shop is perking up the Chandler area—and it’s not entirely because of the caffeine.

Bottoms Up Espresso, on the northwest corner of Warner Road and Arizona Avenue, is serving joe as hot as the employees—who dress in lingerie and bikinis while creating playfully themed drinks.

The company first flirted with the California market in 2011, but has turned up the heat to give locals a view of something other than prime Arizona sunsets at the state’s first location in Chandler.

Manager Joni Johnson said that although Chandler may not seem like a prime spot to blend coffee and bare skin, the location is bursting at the seams with new and recurrent customers since opening in April.

“We have a lot of construction workers in the area that come in when we open at four in the morning because this is the only place open to get coffee other than gas stations. No where else in this area opens that early,” Johnson said.

“I think they just appreciate having good coffee, like a good cold brew before going out in the sun all day,” she added.

Johnson said the cafe also sees a lot of

Dressed for Bikini Day at Bottoms Up Espresso in Chandler are, from left, Kristy Montagnino, manager Joni Johnson and Delanna Sesma. The ladies don different suggestive wardrobes every day.

(Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

traffic as people make their way off the freeway after work.

Customers frequent the cafe on the weekends with their significant others and friends as well.

Yet, no matter what time of the day customers stop at the shop to take in the view—a smile, good conversation and a

show come with every cup.

The Chandler location is the company’s only outlet with an indoor seating area where customers can play games or chat with the baristas.

“You can literally come in here and talk to us for hours, we don’t mind. We have Wi-Fi, so people come and do homework

and work or business too. We just want customers to relax and enjoy themselves and their drinks, and us too if they want,” said Johnson.

But those headed through the drivethru won’t be shorted on the views.

A mirror in the back of the kitchen lets customers see the baristas’ outfit of the day while they make drinks to drool over.

Espresso drinks like the popular Little Irish Girl with Irish cream and white chocolate and the Blonde Bombshell with toasted marshmallow, caramel and white chocolate are among the most popular on the menu.

But the joint also serves energy drinks like The Big O, with strawberry and green apple, and the Screamer, which comes with blue raspberry, green apple and watermelon and basic smoothies that are popular among customers.

For those looking for a snack, other than the girls, they can order a French toast bagel breakfast sandwich or the favored croissant breakfast sandwich.

To jumpstart the week, on Mondays the girls wear “schoolgirl” outfits, typically complete with plaid miniskirts, stockings and pigtails. Tuesdays and Saturdays are both dedicated to red and black bikinis to represent the brand’s colors.

See

COFFEE on page 24

Chandler bakery’s sweet treats target horror fans

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

A new bakery with spine-chilling pastries and hair-raising movie props is giving people in the Chandler area something to scream about.

Spooky’s Swirls, at Alma School and Elliot roads, serves up eerily good sweets and treats with a horror and science-fiction theme.

But the real shock may be that everything is gluten-free.

“We don’t want to make things that are good for gluten free; we want to make things that are good. We’re not trying to catch the horror people; we’re not trying to catch the gluten-free people. Everyone is going to be happy with something in here,” said co-owner Lola Forbes.

From “booberry” frosted cupcakes to “death by chocolate” coffin cakes, everything in the store has been craftily created to give customers goose bumps with every bite.

The bakery also offers specials, featuring what’s new in the thriller and horror scene while paying tribute to the genre’s classics.

By using hibiscus flowers, the bakery created Demogorgon cupcakes to celebrate the premier of the new season of “Stranger Things” on Netflix. It also had perfectly blue “Sharknado” cupcakes and bloodied up “Carrie”-themed cupcakes.

Just behind the coffin of sweets, a Death Wish coffee bar gives customers a

Spooky’s Swirls owners Chris Szydlowski and Lola Forbes display some of their Chandler bakery treats, including Death by Chocolate and a Stranger Things cupcake. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

chance to really amp up their heart rate.

Death Wish Coffee is some of the strongest java on the market, and Forbes said the company fully supported the idea of their shop and was more than happy to have Spooky Swirls as a distributor.

But for those without a death wish, the bakery also serves hot cups of Unicorn Blood and Dark Matter coffee — which Forbes said are also to die for.

“We also infuse some of our brownies with Death Wish, so if you’re looking for that extra kick you can pair the coffee with a brownie,” Forbes said.

The bakery is the product of four prop-collecting movie lovers with the dream of serving gluten-free sweets, “that are so good it’s scary.”

Each of the owners brings a unique history to the table, and their own connection with the thrillers and horror films they watched growing up.

“The props and the stuff we make, it really is us. It’s who we are. So seeing people enjoy it and get our jokes and puns and loving it, that means the world,” said co-owner Chris Szydlowski.

Pastry chefs Forbes and Szydlowski

started the business in a bus in 2016, but recently partnered with Chicago-based movie prop curators James Azrael and Ernesto Avina to give customers a spooky show while fulfilling their cravings for sweets.

“We have two things that probably would never make it on their own, but when we combined them, you know, now we know people are really digging it,” said Forbes.

The props, Azrael and Avina, are part of the HSPPA, a prop preservation association. The association allows the shop to rotate its props among the 4,000 others within the organization, ensuring new, horrifying objects will make appearances about every season.

But not everything is as frightening as it may seem.

Forbes said the shop gets asked frequently if younger kids will find the spot scream-worthy.

“This is not a horror house; nothing is going to jump out at you. This is actually a place of love and warmth. It’s perfect for families,” Forbes said. “We were sure to design it so that it can be just as sweet as it is scary.”

The two pastry chefs noted they have had families come in over the weekend to share cinnamon buns and watch movies like “Monster’s, Inc.” together, and take pictures with some of the bakery’s lighthearted props like the Golden Snitch See

SPOOKY on page 26

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COFFEE

from page 22

Santan Sun News | August 3-16, 2019

Wednesdays lasso customers with a cowgirl theme which usually features ripped daisy duke shorts and tied plaid shirts to boot.

Thursdays, Johnson said, are one of the shop’s busiest days during the week.

A “fantasy” theme at the store means lingerie, and little of it. Johnson said some of the girls like to be the women of customers’ dreams by elevating the look with complete hair and makeup.

Though most people look forward to a slow Sunday, baristas hype up the slower pace with a sport’s inspired look with tiedup jerseys.

“What’s nice about the outfit changes is that we’re the only place around here to do it. So, if you like the concept but don’t want to see a bunch of beautiful women in lingerie, you can come on Sunday and still have fun but we’ve toned it down a notch with sports themed outfits,” said Johnson.

Though toned down, the dress code keeps even the shop’s most casual days piping hot.

Employees must have their midriff showing at all times, are strongly encouraged to wear makeup and keep their hair its natural color.

The girls are not allowed to wear thongs or boy-shorts to work as all of the outfits must include cheeky-style underwear or swimwear.

Johnson said with the girls’ natural features on display, a lot of people think the customer-base is mainly men.

“We actually get more women here

Bottoms Up Espresso Manager Joni Johnson, right, is all smiles over how her wardrobe and that of the other baristas like Delanna Sesma, left, bring out the customers to her shop at Warner Road and Arizona Avenue in Chandler. Male customers seem to appreciate the warm welcome and their look, judging by social media posts about the place.

(Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

than men. We do get guys but sometimes they’re afraid to look at us or they’ll be nervous, but the women come in here just taking us in and telling us straight up they think we look good,” said Johnson, adding: “We know we have a lot on show, we know you come here to look at us and that’s okay. We put in all this effort so you will look at us.”

Though, most of their male customers have no problem drinking the women up.

One left a review that raved: “I came to

get a cold brew but I wanted something slightly sweeter and they made my drink perfectly. The girls are beautiful, energetic, and have wonderful customer service. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes coffee period! Awesome place!”

Another customer, said, “Great coffee, beautiful baristas, friendly atmosphere.”

He couldn’t help noting as well that one barista in particular was “absolutely delicious.”

While most that come to the store have only compliments to give, Johnson said not everyone in the community is as enthusiastic about the concept as others.

“I check our reviews on Google and

stuff and there was this lady who was just not loving this concept she was like, ‘I think it’s messed up that we have two bikini shops in this area, it’s just degrading to women,’” said Johnson.

But Johnson is hardly flustered.

“If we love it, we love it. I have no problem walking around like this and I’m sure none of them do,” she said.

“None of us feel degraded at all. If they did they wouldn’t work here. We’re all comfortable in our skin and if anything its empowering. If you’ve got it, rock it. Rock what God gave you,” she added.

Johnson said before making assumptions about the concept of the store to come in and experience the environment for one’s self.

“We get people in all the time who had no idea what it was even though our logo has a girl with a bikini on it. They come in and they absolutely love it. You just never know,” she said.

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BUSINESS

Santan Sun News | August 3-16, 2019

Spooky’s Swirls pays homage to horror movies, comics and other books with menu offerings like Death Wish Coffee and memorabilia from classic films. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

SPOOKY

from page 22

from “Harry Potter” and a “Spiderman” costume.

However, if customers are into some of cinema’s most gut-wrenching, sinister scenes, they’ve got you covered.

Just be sure to finish your food first.

From an actual syringe from “Saw 2”

and a “Chucky” doll to guns, knives and cinema’s most notorious masks, customers can see props that mark turning points in horror movie history.

Turn the corner, and there are vintage magazines and comics for people to peruse — including Marvel, Fangoria, Cinefantastique, HorrorHound and more.

“We’ve had adults come in here and act more excited than their kids about the

props, and then they turn the corner and see the magazines and they just lose it,” said Forbes.

Chris said she enjoys seeing parents “passing the torch” to their children and explaining the films behind the props in the shop.

“There’s so much history here,” Chris said.

Conveniently located next to Zia Re-

cords, Forbes said the bakery is planning some spooky surprises that align with the events, screenings and meet and greets the neighboring store hosts.

“I’m not above doing a tribute cupcake to whomever of whatever is happening next door. The people over there are really great, and we are happy people can go to their events and stop in here after and get something that carries over whatever the theme is,” said Forbes.

The bakery will have a grand opening on Aug. 10, but is currently open to those interested in getting a taste of some of the spookiest treats in town early.

Chandler’s HDE Agency packed ‘em in last year

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The company responsible for organizing big outdoor eating and drinking fests in Chandler and elsewhere says it experienced a record-breaking season last year, attracting more than 143,000 attendees.

The HDE Agency, based in Chandler, has built a reputation in the East Valley for generating events that are unique to their respective communities.

The Great Cajun Southwest Festival, San Tan Oktoberfest and the Rockin’ Taco Street Festival are some of the popular HDE events that attract thousands of attendees.

Landon Evans, the agency’s owner, said his company’s goal is to create sustainable, long-term events that bring an economic benefit to the local community.

“We’re extremely proud of what we do,” Evans said. “We’ve been very consistent over the last decade in driving foot traffic into these districts.”

The key ingredients to creating a successful event are engagement and longevity, Evans said. They want guests to make memories they can someday share with their children.

A decade ago, the agency was only producing one or two events annually.

Now it’s grown to produce a roster of 20 events per year—becoming one of the busiest event-planning agencies in the state.

The vibe of these events appears similar on the surface — corral a bunch of food vendors in one place for hoards of hungry patrons — but HDE tries to have their events fit the flavors and tastes of each community.

Evans moved to Arizona several years ago and noticed local eateries and businesses needed help getting their message out to the public.

“I realized that a lot of these restaurants don’t have the brand awareness that they need,” he said. “They need more butts in seats so-to-speak.”

His first client was San Tan Brewing

The Great American Barbecue in downtown Chandler is one of a number of annual events that the HDE Agency produces. (File photo)

Company and his first assignment was organizing an event in downtown Chandler.

At that time, this area of the city was not as vibrant as it is today, Evans said.

But as the development came, so did the need for more events and a partnership was formed with HDE. “The growth over the years in Chandler has been viable to the success of our events as well,” Evans said.

Then other cities sought similar activities and HDE found itself producing several large-scale events throughout the year.

The company’s approach is methodical: develop themes and gimmicks that will attract the right demographics.

Evans said his agency creates events that are meant to have continuity and will find a permanent place in a community.

“I don’t create events just to be a onetime thing for a one-time cause,” Evans said. “I build these events to build culture within these districts.”

HDE tracks its economic impact through marketing analytics and guest surveys that estimate how much money attendees might spend at nearby businesses.

Algorithms can project each guest spending $120, on average, for services surrounding the event, which can generate a large economic footprint for an event attracting hundreds of people.

So where does the agency want to go from here?

Evans said he aims to keep growing HDE’s reputation and hopes Arizona will eventually become known as a destination that produces memorable events.

“I don’t want these events to ever go away,” he said, “I want them to continue becoming what they’re evolving to right now.”

HDE will hold its eighth annual Rockin’ Taco Street Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park with more than a dozen local restaurants and food trucks.

People also will be able to enjoy wrestling, car shows, live music, fresh fruit frescas, mariachis, beer Micheladas, margaritas and eating competitions.

Tickets that are half off the day-of-theevent price are available at all Food City and Bashas’ locations through Sept. 14.

Kids 12 and under are free.

“The Rockin’ Taco Street Fest is one of our most popular signature events that we produce,” said Evans. “We look to reach 15,000 at this year’s celebration.”

Guests will experience mariachi performers walking and playing throughout the day. There will also be a dedicated Kid Zone, a piñata party, car show and Lucha Libre VOS wrestling.

This year’s festival supports Junior Achievement of Arizona with a portion of the proceeds going to the organization, which teaches young people about running a business.

Information: rockintacoaz.com.

BUSINESS

Santan Sun News | August 3-16, 2019

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City officials have approved preliminary plans for a 199-lot subdivision near Alma School and Queen Creek roads.

The new housing track, known as Mariposa, would occupy a part of Chandler that’s already filled with several single-family home subdivisions.

The L-shaped neighborhood would fill an open parcel — one of the few left in the area — on the northwest corner of Alma School and Queen Creek roads, adjacent to the Goodwill shopping center.

“Mariposa will offer future Chandler residents a diverse selection of housing options while creating a sense of community on a challenging, unusually-shaped site,” developers wrote in planning documents.

The subdivision is expected to have gated entryways, a community pool and a park with playground equipment.

The 199 lots would consist of three different housing types: single-family, detached clusters and paired units. The two-story homes would range in size between 1,280 and 2,550-square-feet.

The land was originally platted in the 1990s to hold 354 multi-family housing units. Developers decided to scale down its units in order to curb the amount of

traffic the subdivision will generate.

Some residents of the neighboring subdivisions expressed opposition to Mariposa to city planners, citing concerns about traffic and land density.

“The ultimate design of this site has taken into consideration neighbor input on landscaping, architectural materials and the desire for a meaningful buffer on the north and west side of the property,” Mariposa developers wrote in response to community feedback.

A condition was added to the project’s plans that obligate Mariposa developers to pay half the cost for replacing a wall that borders the Clemente Ranch neighborhood.

The Chandler City Council approved a preliminary plat for Mariposa on July 11 and rezoned the land to accommodate residential uses.

“Modern construction methods will be employed to bring about a sustainable community, and the architectural detail will rival that found in other residential communities being built in the City of Chandler,” developers added in planning records.

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28

Santan Sun News | August 3-16, 2019

Cryotherapy facility aims to put aches, pain on ice

BY LEE SHAPPELL Contributor

Kevin Freeland opened the door of the chamber and a rush of vapor poured out.

It looked like something from the lab in a sci-fi movie.

“People are skeptical when they first hear about it,” said Freeland, 55, of Chandler. “Some people are just downright terrified of it.”

It’s cryotherapy, a three-minute treatment from the collarbone down in a liquid-nitrogen-infused chamber at 220 to 230 degrees below zero.

In May, Freeland opened Cryo Tempe, the first cryotherapy facility in the area.

As the vapor began to dissipate, into the chamber stepped Judi Achore, 56, of Chandler.

This was her third cryotherapy treatment. A recreational tennis player, she has trained with Freeland for years at his Body Focus Fitness & Performance gym.

When Achore began discussing cryotherapy with Freeland, she first thought he said minus 20.

“I said, ‘No, it’s minus 220,’ ” Freeland said. “She’s like, ‘What?’”

“I wasn’t terrified, but concerned,” Achore said. “But I was so curious, enough that for three minutes I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ And I saw somebody do it. I thought that was nothing.

It helped a lot to see somebody else and to know that it’s only three minutes.”

Freeland, who holds a microbiology degree from The University of Arizona, agrees that it is helpful for potential cryotherapy clients to watch a treatment before trying one.

“When you see somebody in there and they’re not screaming in terror or pain, then it’s not that bad,” he said. “When you sit down and go over the benefits of it, most are willing to at least give it a shot.

“And a lot of people come in actually looking for it. It’s growing. They’ve heard about it and we’re the only one in this part of town.”

Single treatments are $50. Freeland also offers an array of packages and memberships that include multiple treatments.

“The frequency that you do this depends on what you are trying to achieve,” he said.

A 2017 review of studies on athletes in the International Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that cryotherapy can be effective in reducing muscle pain, inflammation and cell damage. Research has also suggested that athletes may recover more quickly when they use cryotherapy.

Judi Achore, 56, of Chandler, prepares for her third cryotherapy session at minus-220 degrees at Cryo Tempe.

(Photo by Lee Shappell/Special to the San Tan Sun News)

The skin’s exposure to subzero temperatures triggers the release of anti-inflammatory molecules, endorphins and increases oxygen circulation in the bloodstream.

Freeland said many of his cryo clients are athletes using the treatment to recover from heavy training.

Anecdotal evidence also suggests that cryotherapy is an effective tool for combating anxiety and depression, according to an October 2017 report in Medical News Today.

Cold exposure increases levels of norepinephrine in the body, which are similar to the effects of pharmaceuticals like Wellbutrin and other serotonin reuptake inhibitors often prescribed for depression and anxiety.

There is growing evidence that cryotherapy is effective in weight loss because extreme cold temperature forces the body to work harder to burn calories to

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Exposure to extreme cold also can increase circulation and collagen production — rejuvenating skin and reducing wrinkles in the exposed areas.

The treatment just penetrates the skin, so the organs stay safe.

Cryotherapy is not for everybody. It should be avoided by those with: respiratory illness, history of heart attacks, high blood pressure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiovascular disease or arrhythmias, circulatory disorders like peripheral arterial or venous disease (DVT), anemia tumors, history of stroke or cerebral hemorrhage, history of seizures, Raynaud’s syndrome, bleeding disorders, acute or chronic kidney disease, metal implants or pacemakers and those younger than 18.

Cryotherapy is not yet regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and most medical insurance coverage is not yet onboard with it, either.

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Freeland researched the cryotherapy equipment on the market, most of which is made in Europe. He selected one of the two manufactured in the U.S., the Cryo Innovations XR made in Newport Beach, Calif., because, he said, it has the best safety features.

Among them are a heart-oxygen monitor that clips to the ear lobe, and a suite of biometric monitoring equipment.

Freeland stands outside the chamber constantly monitoring the numbers during a treatment.

The head must be kept up because breathing in nitrogen vapors can displace oxygen, and that can be dangerous. There is a head sensor, and an automatic shut off and door opener if levels become dangerous.

The chamber door also can be opened from the inside if the client is uncomfortable.

“These are safety features that other machines just don’t have,” Freeland said.

Clients are in their underwear in the chamber (a robe is worn during entry and exit). They are required to wear stockings and slippers as well as gloves supplied by the manufacturer during the session.

“It’s surprising how cold it really doesn’t feel,” said Freeland, who does a cryo treatment himself weekly. “This machine will not let you go past 3 minutes. That’s the way it’s programmed. Once in there, it swirls around. And you move your hands and feet. It’s pretty comfortable.

“The after-effects are really amazing.

You’re more alert. You sleep really well that night. For me, I don’t have the aches and pains from beating myself up training over the years.”

Still, it’s twice as cold as dry ice and 10 times colder than a 22-below winter day in the Upper Midwest.

“The length of time you’re in there is shorter,” Freeland said. “And you’re not being blasted by any Arctic wind. It’s more benign in there.

And your head is not in it. Your ears are not exposed like a Midwest winter. That makes a big difference.”

When Achore’s 3 minutes are up, she emerges with a smile on her face. She is not shivering.

“Besides the benefits of inflammation reduction, it just helps how you feel,” she said. “There’s such a feeling of well-being, and then I found out there’s a collagen benefit for better skin.

“I just think the concept is very simple: 3 minutes in the cold and you have the benefits.”

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

What’s inside Page 2, 3 Santan Family Fun Calendar

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Camping is a good alternative this time of year for Chandler residents who want cool climes for a respite from the sweltering summer heat (Fle photo)

Grab the repellant and go find a camp site OCTAVIO SERRANO Staff Writer

As the summer sun pounds down on us, a cool camping getaway is a must for Arizonans.

Lucky for us, that means not having to drive too far for the calm and cool woods. There are two words for this trip: Be prepared.

Of course, the essentials are water and food, but there’s more to it. Here are our

tips for being in the wilderness.

Finding the perfect grounds Sometimes the biggest challenge is picking the right campground. What’s the weather like? What kind of animals are nearby? Is it popular or secluded? How can one even get there?

These are all nagging questions campers can come across and, luckily, there are resources out there to help. The Dyrt is a review platform where users can also learn about campsites.

“We are the Yelp for camping,” says Sarah Smith, The Dyrt cofounder.

The Dyrt has the dirt on roughly 35,000 U.S. campgrounds, Smith says. They’re linked with pictures, videos and reviews, a service that was in high demand, Smith says.

About “60 million Americans go camping every year and a lot of them have been really frustrated with the experience of looking for campgrounds online,” she adds.

See

CAMPING on page 30

Museum offers free genealogical programs SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

People interested in learning about their family roots may want to plan on visiting the Chandler Museum every Thursday this month for free genealogical workshops.

The family history workshop series will be 7-8 p.m. every Thursday in August starting Aug. 8 and will feature Arizona State University faculty member Denise Ann Bodman from the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics.

The schedule of workshops is: Aug. 8: What is family history and why do it? This session will cover the basics of the craft and the importance of finding your roots as shown through some inspirational stories.

Aug. 15: Creating your family tree. This session will give you the tools to track and record your family history.

Aug. 22: This session will provide an overview of the many research techniques available to genealogists.

Aug. 29: Learn some research techniques that will help you find new resources.

“We’re excited to partner with ASU Professor Denise Ann Bodman to offer this series. Her expertise and insights on

the subject will assist attendees in their family history efforts,” said Tiffani Egnor, Chandler Museum’s curator of education.

“We’re also looking forward to sharing some of the ways the archives at the Chandler Museum can help researchers with local genealogy ties,” she added.

The workshops will take place in the Saguaro Room at the Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive. For additional information on this program call 480-782-2717, or visit chandleraz.gov/ museum.

Other programs slated

A variety of other free programs will be offered this month at the museum.

Here’s a list: History Bites Lunchtime Talks: Get a Taste of Chandler history during 30-minute talks led by museum curators.

Bring your lunch as you listen. Noon-2:30 pm. Aug. 6. The subject will be “From the Collection: Stories told through Artifacts.”

C-Town Suitcase Club: This program for ages 3-5 and their caregivers, explores everyday objects from the past and how they compare to today with musical, hands-on and theme-based activities. 10-

11 a.m. Aug. 20. Theme is “Rains,” Part 3 of Trains, Veins and Rains) STEM Saturday: This program for ages 5-12 partners with the Museum of Science and Sustainability for investigations into science topics. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 17.

Topic: Weather.

Demonstration Day: Experience a historical craft, demonstration or performance. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 17, “Pickling summer’s bounty with Mary Humecke.”

Step In Their Shoes: Walking in the lives of those who make up and impact our community using interactive and engaging activities. Aug. 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., “On the Farm.”

Our Stories: “From Dirt to Dollars: Big Agriculture in Chandler.” At 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 31, this ongoing series of Chandler and Arizona history presentations by guest speakers share stories and firstperson accounts that are enhanced with multimedia presentations, demonstrations and music. The series is free, open to the public and presented by the Chandler Museum, Chandler Public Library and Chandler Historical Society. For additional information, call 480-782-2751, or visit chandleraz.gov/museum.

August 2019

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

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• ImprovMANIA • Bilingual Storytime • Matilda

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Toddlertime Lapsit Babytime Family Storytime STEAM Club

• Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Lapsit Babytime

• Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Lapsit Babytime

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Toddlertime Ready, Set, Preschool!

Lego Club Matilda

Toddlertime Ready, Set, Preschool!

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• Matilda • Phoenix Mercury

• Flashlight Tours • ImprovMANIA • D-backs vs. Dodgers

Always call to verify information as some events change or cancel after the calendar is printed.

Send family events and activities to STFF@SanTanSun.com

CAMPING

from page 29

But more so than just another review platform, Smith says The Dyrt has formed a community. The Dyrt offers prizes for guests who post reviews. Those who are higher on the leaderboard win a prize.

“People are so passionate about camping and it’s so fun to see these people come together and share their tips and just building an amazing community of outdoor enthusiasts,” Smith says.

Info: thedyrt.com

Meal time for backpackers

Campers may enjoy the isolated adventure, but they still need to eat.

Jetboil is a lightweight gas-fueled portable stove that’s shaped like a large cup. Using a small fuel canister to light a fire, Jetboil warms food with hot water.

Accessories include a lightweight Finding campgrounds no longer involve endless driving around since apps will help campers find the right spot. coffee press, replacement lids, mesh (Special to SanTan Sun News) strainers, support and stabilizer kit, pots and pans, utensils and plastic Rescue Pest Control’s GoClips to the Keeping bugs away plates and a tool for puncturing holes in rescue.

It is a small and compact bug Anytime the woods are involved, used fuel canisters prior to recycling. repellent that protects the user from there’s the risk of being attacked by bugs.

Info: jetboil.com

SEE

CALENDAR PAGE 31

See

CAMPING on page 31

ticks, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets, depending on which product is purchased.

Stephanie Cates, director of marking and communications, says the goal here is to use something that is safe.

“We want to be responsible to the environment, but then effective against the bugs. We believe we can have all three in a product,” she says.

Cates says Rescue GoClips uses all-natural plant oil to create a pleasant scene for humans, but one that repels bugs.

Unlike other bug repellents, Rescue GoClips doesn’t need to touch the skin. Cates says it is easily attached to a person or a child’s collar or backpack and it can be put back into a resealable package, which can help it last up to two weeks.

Rescue GoClips also helps dogs as it can be easily attached to their collar.

“Some of these insects like

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

CALENDAR

from page 30

3, 4 D-backs vs. Nationals, Times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Washington Nationals at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $16 to $175, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Flashlight Tours, 7 p.m. Escape the heat and explore the desert at night. Follow nocturnal garden explorers down the venue’s many winding paths and try to find the animals that come to life in the dark. Keep an eye out, too, for plants that only bloom at night. Guests must bring their own flashlight.

Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, free with general admission, 480-941-1225, dbg.org.

3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 ImprovMANIA, 7 p.m. Join ImprovMANIA on Fridays and Saturdays for family-friendly comedy shows. ImprovMANIA’s improv performances are fast paced, like the show “Whose Line is it Anyway?”

ImprovMANIA, 250 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, $10, 480-699-4598, improvmania.net.

4 Phoenix Mercury, 3 p.m. Watch the Phoenix Mercury take on the Washington Mystics during this WNBA matchup.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $9 to $211, 602-379-7878, talkingstickresortarena.com.

5, 12, 19, 26 Read & Play Group, 11:30 to 11:55 a.m. Network with other parents while children read and play games. Different child development experts may visit on certain days.

Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

5, 6, 7 D-backs vs. Phillies, 6:40 p.m. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $13 to $155, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

5, 12, 19, 26 Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m. Read books, sing songs and play with puppets at Family Storytime.

Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

6, 13, 20, 27 Toddlertime, 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The

CAMPING

from page 30

mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks will go after dogs as well as humans and you can apply the GoClip to a dog’s collar or harness,” Cates says.

Another choice is Rescue Pest Control’s Repellent DecoShield Lantern, a repellent lantern that uses natural essential oils to confuse a bug’s antennae and deter it.

The lantern can keep bugs away within a 300-square-foot campground, with up to four days of protection.

Info: rescue.com

Water is important

For most avid campers, taking a leisure hike is always part of the deal. Enjoying the outdoors and exploring the beauty nature has to offer is one of the best parts of camping but like every adventure, it can be dangerous if one is not careful.

t? o G ws Ne

30-minute program features singing and puppets to engage children.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Road, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

6, 13, 20, 27 Lapsit Babytime, 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Read books, listen to music and interact with fun puppets at playtime. All activities are designed for newborns to 18-month-old children. One parent for each child is highly recommended.

Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

6, 13, 20, 27 Lego Club, 4 p.m. Meet new friends and have fun building with Lego, which are supplied. Lego Club is a Vertex program, where Chandler Public Library intersects with STEAM and makerspace.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Road, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

6, 13, 20, 27 Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m. Read books, sing songs and play with puppets at Family Storytime.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Road, Chandler, free. 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

6, 13, 20, 27 STEAM Club, 4 to 5 p.m. Come to the Chandler Library STEAM Club and have fun every Tuesday with science, technology, engineering, art and math. Win prizes just for showing up.

Ages 6-11. STEAM Club is a Vertex program, where Chandler Public Library intersects with STEAM and makerspace.

Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

7, 14, 21, 28 Ready, Set, Preschool!, 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. Preschool-age children prepare for kindergarten through singing and activities.

This program requires active participation by children and their caregivers so they can use these skills at home.

Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

7, 14, 21, 28 Lapsit Babytime, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Read books, listen to music and interact with fun puppets at play time. All activities are designed for newborns to 18-month-old children. One parent for each child is highly recommended.

Downtown Library Copper Room North, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

Make sure to bring a small water pack for day hikes is important. A 2- or 3-liter bladder should always be inside the pack and should always be filled before taking off for a hike.

For those who will camp remotely and away from safe drinkable water, make sure you bring enough water for the whole trip. The amount of water that people need varies. If campers are close to a creek or stream, make sure to bring a filtration system.

It may take some elbow grease but having a filtration system means campers won’t run out of drinkable water. In addition to the filtration system, a LifeStraw, a small water filtration system that you can use to suck and drink out of any stream, is the perfect accessory. Keep it around your neck or attached to your pack in case you unexpectedly run out of water.

Info: lifestraw.com

31

8, 15, 22, 29 Toddlertime, 9:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.

Toddlertime features singing and puppets to engage the children. The storytime is approximately 30 minutes.

Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

8, 15, 22, 29 Ready, Set, Preschool!, 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Children ages 3 to 5 prepare for kindergarten through songs and activities. This is a 45-minute program.

Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Dr., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

8, 15, 22, 29 Toddlertime, 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Songs and puppets engage toddlers during this 30-minute event.

Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware Street, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

8, 15, 22, 29 Lego Club, 3:30 p.m. Meet new friends and have fun building with Lego, which are supplied. Lego Club is a Vertex program, where Chandler Public Library intersects with STEAM and makerspace.

Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware Street, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

9 Bilingual Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Read books and sing songs in both English and Spanish.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Road, Chandler, free. 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 “Matilda,” times vary. Watch the extraordinary Matilda take charge of her life and follow her own destiny this August. This play is based on the novel by Roald Dahl and is full of upbeat songs and dance numbers.

Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, $20.50 to $39.50, 602-252-8497, herbergertheater.org.

10 Phoenix Mercury, 7 p.m. Watch the Phoenix Mercury take on the Dallas Wings in this WNBA matchup.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $9 to $211, 602-379-7878, talkingstickresortarena.com.

12, 17 Read to a Dog, times vary. Children are welcome to practice their reading skills with a certified therapy dog.

High-altitude help

This seems obvious, but hikers need to keep altitude and air into consideration.

Depending on how far you travel, air may become thinner and breathing can be more difficult than normal. You don’t have to travel far to notice the difference.

The difference in elevation between Phoenix and Flagstaff (which is a threehour car ride) is roughly 5,800 feet. If campers are not used to changes in elevations and don’t have enough time to acclimate, it is recommended they bring supplemental oxygen.

Boost Oxygen provides supplemental air to people who have respiration problems or are about to participate in a demanding physical activity.

Robert Neuner, CEO of Boost Oxygen, recommends campers and hikers who are ascending in elevation use supplemental oxygen when possible.

“If you are going up on elevation

Downtown Library Copper Room, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

15, 16, 17, 18 D-backs vs. Giants, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $19 to $190, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

16 Phoenix Mercury, 7 p.m. Watch the Phoenix Mercury take on the Atlanta Dream during this WNBA matchup.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $9 to $211, 602-379-7878, talkingstickresortarena.com.

16 Rhythm and Rhyme, 10:30 a.m. Young children are welcome to join in a musical celebration at the library. During the event, they can sing, dance and play instruments.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Road, Chandler, free. 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

18 Phoenix Mercury, 3 p.m. Watch the Phoenix Mercury take on the New York Liberty during this WNBA matchup.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $9 to $211, 602-379-7878, talkingstickresortarena.com.

20 C-Town Suitcase Club, 10 a.m. Learn about the past through hands-on time with everyday objects from that time period. This program is designed for 3 to 5-year-olds. This month’s theme is “Rains.”

Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler, free, 480-782-2717, chandlermuseum.org.

25 Phoenix Mercury, 3 p.m. Watch the Phoenix Mercury take on the Chicago Sky during this WNBA matchup.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $9 to $211, 602-379-7878, talkingstickresortarena.com.

29, 30, 31 D-backs vs. Dodgers, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $19 to $190, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

and uphill, people get winded and their muscles get sore, and that’s where it (Boost Oxygen) helps,” Neuner says.

Each can provides roughly 200 1-second inhalations. Users put their mouth on it, like a water bottle, press the button and inhale oxygen.

“If you are respirating really hard, you go into anaerobic respiration and you get lactic acid buildup and that’s when you get muscle soreness,” Neuner explains.

“Supplemental oxygen helps you stay in an aerobic respiration, so you don’t have the muscle fatigue.”

Info: boostoxygen.com.

Camping takes us out of our element and breaks the monotonous urban life of the city. It resets our batteries with fresh air and nature’s beauty. Experienced campers know it can always be an adventure but preparing a head of time will help keep that magic alive.

Knowing the few basics of camping should be every Arizonan’s rite of passage.

Contact Contact Paul Paul Maryniak Maryniak at at 480-898-5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications.com

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

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From Diamondbacks executive to GCU player, baseball a Bell family affair

BY BRADY VERNON Cronkite News

Every morning Luke Bell is reminded of the meaning his last name carries. Beside his bed in his Chandler home hangs a framed Cincinnati Reds jersey. The sleeveless pinstriped number 28 belonged to his dad, Mike.

Although Mike Bell only played 19 games in Major League Baseball, he still has a significant role for one organization in the 30-team league. As the vice president of player development for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mike has met a lot of potential players that could become the newest group of draft selections. But one pick in Arizona’s 2019 draft held more significance for Mike than any other.

In the 34th round in early June, the Diamondbacks selected Luke out of Chandler’s Seton Catholic High School.

“Four years ago I wouldn’t even thought it,” Mike said. “He was just learning how to pitch, he went to a pretty small high school, Seton Catholic High School in Chandler, great school. As the years went on, there’s people a little more interested in him, there were some scouts at his games.

“When he was approached, he was hopeful. As we were sitting there, Derek Ladiner our (amateur) scouting director told me they wanted to take Luke in the 34th round. It was pretty emotional.”

For the father-and-son duo, the selection of Luke holds more than just a bond

With Luke Bell’s selection in the 2019 MLB Draft, the 18-year-old came one step closer to carrying on the family business. (Brady Vernon/Cronkite News)

between them. The bloodline of ballplayers started with Mike’s grandfather, Gus, who played 15 years at the major league level in the ’50s and ’60s. Buddy Bell, Mike’s dad, has had over two decades of experience in baseball’s biggest stage as a player and manager.

The next stage of Bells that took on Major League Baseball were Mike and his brother, David. Similar to his brother’s path, David had a longer playing career than Mike but has found a new role in

another organization. Although, he still hasn’t traded his uniform for a polo as Mike has, in October of 2018, David was named the newest manager of Reds.

For Mike, the idea of his son being an MLB draftee sunk in when he heard his family members names linked with his son’s.

“It really hit me when they announced the draft and talked about my grandpa, my dad, of course my brothers that all played, then hear Luke’s name associated

with them was cool,” Mike said. “When I talked to him, I explained to him because of the work that he put in, his name is attached to that.”

Luke’s childhood wasn’t your typical one. His environment growing up involved MLB clubhouses and parks and learning the game.

“My grandpa and my dad would help teach me how to play the game, the right ways to do things, the wrong ways to do things,” Luke said. “How to throw, how to hit, all that. It’s kind of weird how I grew up, my dad played in the big leagues, my grandpa played in the big leagues, my uncle played in the big leagues, and that’s normal. It’s not that I thought, ‘Oh, this is kind of cool, my family has this profession,’ it was just a normal thing.”

The 34th-round selection of the Diamondbacks received the call from his dad.

While Luke was working out, Mike called Luke’s trainer and asked him to hand the phone over to Luke to deliver the news of the organization’s intentions to his son.

Arizona was a bit of a surprise based on the teams Luke talked to, he said, but he knows he wasn’t selected because of who is dad is.

“I know my dad told them before the year, if they were going to draft me they had to want me, not draft me because I’m my dad’s son,” he said.

He hung up the phone and got back to work. Luke knows being a draft pick See

BELL on page 38

Esports making a splash in East Valley schools

BY SELINA CHEVALIER Contributor

Esports, or competitive gaming, continues to grow in popularity and scale, with the industry generating $900 million in revenue and an audience of 395 million in 2018, according to gaming analytics firm Newzoo.

The Overwatch League’s Grand Finals even received coverage on ESPN last summer.

In Arizona, the Arizona Interscholastic Association, the governing body of high school sports in the state, will offer esports as an activity starting this month, with state titles in two games.

The first will be in Overwatch, a first-person shooter (FPS) game from Blizzard, in which two teams of six players each take control of characters with diverse abilities and strategize to control or complete objectives.

The second will be in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the most recent iteration of Nintendo’s fighting game series.

East Valley high schools could field teams starting in the fall. Horizon Honors High School in Ahwatukee currently has a Gamers Club that includes video games alongside card and tabletop games as its focus of interest.

At the collegiate level in the East Valley, the future of competitive gaming is still taking shape.

Fitness Complex.

The Arizona State University Esports Association, a student-run esports club, continues to meet on the Tempe campus.

Student-led collegiate esports organizations are still the norm in the Valley. Chandler-Gilbert Community College has one, and Mesa and Scottsdale community colleges have in the past.

Park University launched a program under its athletics department on its Parkville, Miss., campus this year. While the GilThe Arizona Interscholastic Association will begin hosting esports as a sanc- bert campus does not tioned sport during the fall semester. (Selena Chevalier/AFN Contributor) currently offer esports, it is something Park ASU lacks a formal esports program, Gilbert is keeping an but it is not a wasteland in regard to the eye on for the future. activity. In 2016, a team of six ASU stuBenedictine University in Mesa has takdents dubbed the “Real Dream Team” won en that leap, launching an esports program “Heroes of the Dorm,” a national colleadministered by its athletic department giate esports tournament in Seattle, and last fall. walked away with some hefty scholarships.

The decision to “treat (esports) like Last year, the university hosted the an athletic sport” at BenU is an acknowlsold-out Fiesta Bowl Overwatch Collegiate edgement of its potential, according to National Championship in its Sun Devil Frank Woodford, director of the esports

program at the university.

“We know this is going to be a very, very strong intercollegiate sport in the next five or six years, meaning every school is going to have it and it’s going to be organized by the school (with) official, appointed coaches and training sessions and locations on campus,” he said.

The term “esports” encompasses a multitude of video games, each with its own distinct mechanics and goals.

Comparing Overwatch to Super Smash Bros. can be like comparing football to wrestling.

Given this, Woodford said, it would not make sense “to have one person managing the Overwatch team and the League of Legends team and Rocket League” once the program is fielding “10-15 different teams” in various games – the kind of growth they are anticipating.

“We really envision there being a director of the program and then those teams each having their own leadership, whether that be a coach (or) if we have quality student leaders,” he added.

For its inaugural season, BenU’s focus has “almost entirely been Overwatch and League of Legends,” Woodford said.

He stressed that esports “is very much like any other traditional sport.”

“We’ll have the kids meet up twice a week,” Woodford said. “It’s almost entirely See

GAMING on page 38

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SPORTS & RECREATION

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Loss of loved one fueling ASU’s Chase Lucas

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Chandler High School alum and Arizona State cornerback Chase Lucas has always been passionate about his family.

They have been a tight-knit bunch for as long as he can remember, constantly supporting one another in each of their endeavors. His grandparents, Rosalind and Charles, were heavily involved in Chandler football program when he played for the Wolves. Lucas and his grandfather still go fishing together on a regular basis, an activity they started when he was young.

“My family is everything to me,” Lucas said. My mom, grandparents, my aunt, they all did everything for me.”

Lucas has both of his grandparents name’s tattooed on his left arm. His mother’s name, Valerie, is on his left bicep.

To him, it’s a way to show how deeply he cares for them and to keep them close by whether he’s at home or on a road trip with the Sun Devil football program.

He has plans to add his aunt’s name, Tara, on his ribs. But that tattoo will differ from the rest. It will be in honor of her legacy after her life was cut short.

“My aunt, she came to every game. So when people heard it through the grapevine, it was really sad,” Lucas said. “I feel like now I really have a purpose to get right and do something amazing for my family.”

Tara Rose Lucas passed away February 2 after she was involved in a car accident in Scottsdale. She was 44 years old.

Lucas said the crash happened close to six miles away from his home. That made the loss even more difficult to fathom.

“I felt like I could’ve done something,” Lucas said. “But I knew God wanted her at that point, so I couldn’t be too mad. I just want to celebrate her life and live through her.”

Growing up in a single-parent household, Tara became a second parent to Lucas. He said she was the “glue” of the family, always making sure everybody was in a good place.

BELL

from page 37

doesn’t mean his journey is anywhere close to being done. Unlike the rest of his family, Luke pitches instead of bats and says he has plenty to learn on the rubber.

“Luke is extremely honored to have been drafted, but in a way he’s put that

GAMING

from page 37

together.”

Calling team work “very, very important,” Woodford said, “It’s good to have everybody in the same room where they can talk and it’s not over the mic or over a computer screen…. They can be right there to talk about things when they happen.”

Another similarity Woodford sees between esports and conventional sports lies in the various roles that players assume in a game like Overwatch.

Whereas football has positions like quarterback and running back that are essential to a team, Overwatch has different classes that are just as vital.

They can include “damage,” charac-

Left: Chase Lucas is dedicating this upcoming season and everything in his career going forward to his aunt, Tara, who was killed in a car accident in Scottsdale on Feb. 2. She was 44 years old. (Photo courtesy Sun Devil Athletics) Right: Chandler High alum and Arizona State cornerback Chase Lucas has emerged as one of best at his position the past two seasons. He has 121 total tackles and 5 interceptions so far in his career as a Sun Devil. (Photo courtesy Sun Devil Athletics)

As he enters his redshirt junior season in 2019, he is being regarded as a potential first-round pick should he continue his on-field success.

“When I was in fifth grade my email was ‘I want to be in the NFL,’” Lucas said.

“I’ve always been determined to make a name for myself. I want everybody to know who I am.”

Lucas doesn’t know whether he will declare for the draft at the end of the 2019 season. That’s a decision he is hoping his aunt will help him with when the time comes.

For now, he plans to continue leading by example for the Sun Devils on the field.

Arizona State returns most of its defense next season, as only three starters graduated. Sophomore linebackers Merlin Robertson and Darien Butler will look to build on impressive freshman outings, while Highland High School alum and redshirt sophomore Tyler Johnson had a breakout year at defensive end.

Lucas, fellow cornerback Kobe Williams and safeties Aashari Crosswell and Chaparral High School alum Tyler Whiley will likely make up most of Arizona State’s secondary.

“We are a family out there,” Lucas said.

“I’m just trying to be the best player I can be to help my team.”

Lucas begins each day by looking at a picture of him and his aunt hanging on a wall in his home. It’s a constant reminder to keep building his legacy at ASU in his family’s honor.

He plans to set an example for the underclassmen in the program both on and off the field. He admits the accolades he has received during his time with the Sun Devils has been nice, but he ultimately aims to be seen as a role model rather than just another football player.

“I want to be the type of person that when people talk to me they thing, ‘man, I really like that kid,’” Lucas said. “I want to be someone people look up to. That’s my goal.”

Without any kids of her own, Lucas said she revolved her entire life on working to provide for him and the rest of the kids in the family.

When she passed, she left behind a legacy of love and care for everyone around her.

She made an impact on everyone she came in contact with. Nearly 300 family, friends and coworkers attended her service.

“It showed me how loved she really was,” Lucas said. “I’m very proud of my aunt for the legacy she built here on this earth. I want to dedicate everything I have done, everything I accomplish from here on out, to her.”

Lucas burst onto the national recruiting scene as a sophomore at Chandler, rushing for 883 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 436 receiving yards and 4 more scores at running back. Arizona State quickly offered.

As a junior in 2014, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and helped lead the Wolves to a state-title win over rival Hamilton. To this day, he and New England Patriot wide receiver N’Keal Harry still bring up the championship-win.

“I was just stunned that I made what

I wanted to happen, happen,” Lucas said.

“Coming up I looked up to Deion and Cameron Jordan, Brett Hundley, all of those guys who came so close to getting a championship.

“We changed that.”

Lucas began making his transition to defense as a senior, and ultimately signed with Arizona State as a four-star prospect.

He had planned to play safety for the Sun Devils, but was persuaded into becoming a cornerback during his redshirt freshman season.

He started for ASU as a redshirt freshman in 2017, and didn’t disappoint.

The 6-foot, 175-pounder recorded 59 total tackles, the fifth-most on the team.

He was the most-targeted cornerback in the Pac-12, but had the fifth-lowest completion percentage in the conference with 8 pass break ups and 2 interceptions.

He was named a freshman first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and second-team honors in the Pac-12.

Lucas continued to improve in 2018, recording 62 total tackles, including 6 for a loss and 2 sacks. He also added 3 more interceptions.

behind him now. He’s been working out, training, he’s kind of ready to move on,” Mike said. “I don’t think he’s ever going to look at that and use it for anything.”

Luke intends to play at Grand Canyon University to continue his career. There he’ll play for another former MLB player and baseball family man Andy Stankiewicz, a Gilbert resident. The diamond is in the bloodlines of the Stankiewicz family

as it is the Bells. All four of Andy’s kids graduated from Gilbert High School. His oldest son, Drew, is in the minor leagues, his youngest son, Dane, is on GCU’s roster.

Stankiewicz’s oldest daughter, Marisa, played softball at Arizona State, while his youngest daughter, Mia, signed to play for Phoenix College.

With his decision to head to GCU, Luke will be eligible for the MLB Draft again

after attending college for three years.

The Diamondbacks along with the other 29 teams in the league will have a chance to draft him once again when the time comes around.

The biggest thing from all of this for Luke is the balance he wants to create.

He proudly wears Bell on the back of his jersey, but he also wants to make sure he makes his story “Luke’s story.”

ters built toward dealing damage to the opposing team; “tanks,” characters that can take a beating and protect more vulnerable teammates; and “support,” which can heal and enhance teammates’ performance.

“We need certain people playing that role in that game,” Woodford said, “So we’ll talk about the strategy for that specific game in terms of game strategy and individual player strategy.”

The team can then coordinate which players are best suited in which role.

“The dynamics are really important,” Woodford added.

One advantage Woodford and the coaches and players in BenU’s esports program have over traditional sports is the

instant gratification of data.

“A lot of these games nowadays are very analytics- and statistics-based, so we’ll have those immediate results, you know, percentages, rates, averages,” Woodford said.

For its collegiate competitions, BenU’s esports program has made use of Pure Esports, a Gilbert-based gaming facility that Woodford said “has been phenomenal.”

On campus, Benedictine has hosted events to engage the student body with the program, including “little random tournaments… just for the novice student,” Woodford said.

The reception has been positive, and Woodford said he has “to find a place for people to sit and watch” the gamers as friends and family want to engage

more with the sport, with some parents expressing disbelief that they’re visiting a college for esports.

Ultimately, this bewilderment may lessen as esports merges more into the mainstream, a movement Benedictine intends to be on the frontier of. And the university isn’t afraid to put money toward that goal.

“We are the only institution in Arizona that does offer competitive scholarships for our esports students,” Woodford said.

“They’ve invested a lot of time and effort and energy into what they do, so we feel like we should invest into them, and that’s no different than a baseball, or a soccer or a women’s basketball player on our campus…. We feel that they have earned that.”

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What did we do to deserve this bunch?

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Columnist

In the ongoing uncivil war between President Donald Trump and Democrat Congresswomen like Reps. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib, I choose to side with … … neither side.

This choice may seem unfashionable in 2019 because we’re all supposed to have picked a squad by now and adorned ourselves in either red #MAGA hats or #ImpeachTrump T-shirts.

But I’ve never been much of a joiner.

I quit Boy Scouts at age 10 and didn’t pledge a fraternity in college, and I’ve been a registered political independent for the better part of the last 25 years.

Plus, I subscribe to the notion that it is indeed possible to judge people by the company they keep.

Let me be perfectly clear: In no way, shape or form do any of these combatants speak for me on the subject of how we might repair what currently ails America. They don’t have my back and I don’t have theirs.

Let’s take Trump first, since he’s the president—of the United States, though you’d never know it by his demeanor, word choice or treatment of those who disagree with him.

Was Trump’s Twitter attack suggesting that “The Squad” members “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came,” a racist statement?

Of course. It was also abysmally stupid — three of the four targets are American-born — and un-American.

I mean, we’ve come a long way from the inscription on the Statue of Liberty — “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free ...” — to chants of “Send her back” filling the air at Trump’s July 17 rally in North Carolina.

So no, Trump doesn’t speak for me.

On the other hand, neither do progressive

Democrats intent on pushing the country as far to the socialist left as possible.

Contrary to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, I don’t believe we have a “manufactured crisis” at the Mexico-U.S border. And, yes, Rep. Omar has herself wandered into Trump territory, tweeting, “Israel has hypnotized the world. May Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.”

A month ago, I tried watching the Democrat debate, a project that lasted about 30 minutes.

Part of my lack of interest had to do with watching 20 people trying to have a conversation, but most of it had to do with moments like Joe Biden discussing wind farms and Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and multiple others nattering on about “free college” and free everything else.

While I find Trump’s personality noxious, watching these 20 felt like attending a faculty brunch at the nation’s most politically correct community college.

Couple them with the anti-American sentiment of the Squad and no, I won’t be

joining that movement either.

Nor am I alone in wanting to be alone.

The most recent Gallup poll saw 27 percent of Americans call themselves Democrats and 26 percent identify as Republicans.

Meanwhile, 46 percent chose independence of either party.

Back in the day, political pundits would have used that number to suggest the path to the White House demanded a moderate tack.

Not anymore.

Now the goal in advance of the 2020 election is clearly to inflame the base while depressing everyone else.

Heading into next year, expect more hate from Trump and more anti-Trump hate and leftward policy shifts from the Democrats.

Meanwhile, the rest of us get to stand around wondering if anyone actually cares about solving the problems we face as a nation.

I’ve heard it said that countries get the leaders they deserve. If that’s true, I have to wonder what hellish crime America committed to merit this feckless bunch.

We need to keep trucking industry thriving

BY STEVE SMALLEY Guest Writer

This summer, while you’re on the way to a barbeque, the pool or heading away on a beach getaway, you’ll be sharing the road with millions of Americans who are traveling during the summer season.

As one of 3.5 million professional truck drivers on America’s roads, I’ll be joining you on the road too, as I help deliver the goods that you’ll rely on all summer long.

Making special summer days happen is due in large part to the trucking industry: the food on the grill, floats in the pool, and umbrellas on the beach were all delivered to you by a truck.

The trucking industry, which is supported by 7.7 million professionals, including drivers, technicians, vendors and partners, delivers to 80 percent of America’s communities.

According to the American Transportation Research Institute, more than 84 of Arizona communities rely exclusively on trucks for the delivery of everyday goods.

Arizona’s professional truck drivers travel over 6.7 billion miles year-round to deliver everything we rely on, including

our food, medication, clothing and the gas in our cars.

The trucking industry is a strong contributor to our economy, supplying goods and jobs to our local businesses and communities.

Here in Arizona, the trucking industry provides one out of every 21 jobs, thanks to 8,530 trucking companies. In total, the industry contributes over $700 billion in revenue a year in the U.S. But a driver and technician shortage in the U.S. threatens to slow the industry down as our economy strengthens and demand within the trucking industry grows.

The American Trucking Association reports a shortage of 50,000 qualified drivers. Fewer trucks on the roads leads to slower deliveries, which will disrupt our lives, businesses and economy.

If not addressed, the job shortage could literally shut down trucking operations and our deliveries in Arizona and throughout the country.

Professional truck drivers have suffered from unfair and outdated stigmas over the past few decades, which has led to a decrease in the number of drivers in the industry, especially among younger generations.

Trucking Moves America Forward,

an industry-wide movement, has been working to change the misguided view of truck drivers by educating the public on the positive contributions that hardworking truck drivers make to our communities and economy.

TMAF’s research earlier this year found that of those who know someone in the trucking industry, 74 percent have a much more positive view of the industry and nearly half of those who know someone in the trucking industry believe that the industry’s safety record has gotten better over the last 20 years.

So, while the industry’s image continues to improve, there’s work to do to fill the job shortage and keep our industry thriving.

Without trucks drivers, there would be no deliveries to our businesses, hospitals or schools. Imagine no medicine or food being delivered.

Our lives — and our nation’s economy — would essentially come to a standstill.

That’s why truck drivers take great pride in our work: we are helping to move America forward through safe and on-time deliveries.

The trucking industry offers many diverse jobs for drivers. There are also other positions in the trucking industry that require specific technical skills.

These are all jobs that offer great start-

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ing salaries and benefits, and provide the training needed to jumpstart a career.

From mechanics and technicians, to corporate and management positions, there are career opportunities for everyone in the industry if they are up for the challenge of helping to deliver to our communities.

By helping correct the misguided image of truck drivers and educating the public about the many jobs offered across the industry, we hope to recruit well qualified drivers, including the next generations and veterans to fill the current job shortage.

Though our specific jobs and routes may differ, truck drivers all share a strong sense of industry pride. We love our jobs and are fully committed to the safety of those with whom we share the road.

So, when you are driving on the road this summer and you pass a truck, I hope you’ll remember that it’s more than just a large vehicle beside you and that the driver behind the wheel is a person just like you.

The truck driver next to you could be your neighbor or friend who is working to deliver everything you and I will rely on this summer season and year-round.

Steve Smalley of Mesa is a professional truck driver with ABF Freight and a member of Trucking Moves America Forward.

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County took steps to safeguard elections

BY JACK SELLERS Guest Writer

Our ability to vote needs to be non-partisan, and I believe the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has taken an important step to ensure people of all backgrounds and political beliefs can look at our elections system with confidence rather than skepticism.

State law splits responsibilities for elections between elected bodies at the county level. County recorders in Arizona are given responsibility for several activities leading up to Election Day including voter registration and early voting.

County boards of supervisors have responsibility for much of what happens on Election Day, including the location and number of polling places, the equipment to count votes and the training and assigning of poll workers.

However, elections in Maricopa County

are governed by a charter that originated in 1955. Under the agreement, the board turned overs its responsibilities for Election Day activities to the Recorder.

In practical terms, this has meant one elected official responsible for overseeing election activities rather than six.

When I joined the board early this year, the wheels were already in motion to bring Maricopa County election operations into closer alignment with state statute, with duties once again divided.

This was part of a larger goal to make Maricopa County elections “best in class.” How we organized the Elections Department was one piece, but not the entirety, of the challenge.

In January, a non-partisan work group was established to explore improvements to the following aspects of county elections: staffing, technology and organizational structure.

Last month, I joined my colleagues in voting for the work group’s amended final recommendations. With that vote, and

the support of the recorder, here’s what will change: New machines. Maricopa County will acquire new vote tabulation machines that protect the integrity and security of each vote while also allowing us to count ballots more quickly.

Staffing additions. The county will fund new elections department staff after an independent staffing analysis is complete. The right staffing is essential to support a successful election season.

New executive structure. Right now, the Elections Director reports only to the Recorder. This has made effective oversight difficult for the board. That’s why we split the elections director position into two, so both the recorder and the board will have a “point person” inside the elections department.

The board’s point person will be one of only four positions countywide that report directly to us. We expect the two directors to work together to improve accountability, transparency and service

delivery across all levels of voting. So far, they are doing just that.

I’ve been impressed with the efforts of all the parties involved to find consensus in moving us forward with technology and a structure that is focused on the voter and ensures that our elections are efficient, transparent, and fair.

However, the work isn’t done. The next step is crafting a new elections operations agreement that amends the current charter. This agreement, coupled with technology and staffing improvements, gives our team the tools to deliver a highquality voting experience to all residents, no matter how they choose to cast their ballot.

Through collaboration with the recorder and a non-partisan approach to elections, I’m confident the 2020 election cycle will be a successful one in the nation’s fastest-growing county.

- Jack Sellers is a Chandler resident and a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Early nurturing for kids helps them later

BY SHERI COLLINS Guest Writer

Parents who foster positive, nurturing relationships with their baby, toddler or preschooler will help the healthy development of their child’s social-

emotional skills that will serve the child later in life.

Important social and behavioral skills, such as motivation, self-discipline, focus and self-esteem begin to take root from birth to age 5. Successful people share these traits and families play a large role in helping

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children to learn these essential life skills.

“Families lay the foundation for babies, toddlers and preschoolers to be able to learn how to process the world around them,” said Kelly Lubeck, program manager for the family support and literacy team at First Things First.

“Helping children learn skills that allow them to express how they feel, have empathy for others and work through conflict will serve them for their entire lifetime.”

First Things First encourages families to establish a nurturing environment during every stage of their young child’s life.

For babies, creating a nurturing environment starts by making them feel safe and loved. This helps them develop the capacity to form a strong socialemotional foundation.

Parents can talk, read and sing with their baby; maintain a consistent routine, so the baby knows what to expect throughout the day; and provide responsive care by smiling, laughing or cuddling with them.

Supporting toddlers in developing emotional skills begins with allowing children to express their feelings.

Experts from the U.S. Department of Education say some ways include saying, “You look sad. Let’s see if we can make you feel better.” This lets your child know that you are paying attention to their needs and want to be there for them.

Lubeck cautions against using time out, which can be counterproductive.

“Time outs for big feelings are not helpful to children and can be isolating,”

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she said.

Parents can instead set a good example by talking about their own feelings or emotions, which will help a young child describe their own feelings.

For toddlers, use pictures of different emotions and label them for the child. Let the child know it’s ok to have strong feelings like anger or frustration and that you are there to help manage those feelings.

Show different ways to manage those emotions such as taking deep breaths or spending time with a comfort item, such as a stuffed animal.

For preschoolers, parents can encourage the child to draw a picture of what happened to make them upset and describe what they were thinking and feeling at each stage.

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, research shows that children with higher emotional intelligence are better able to pay attention, are more engaged in school, have more positive relationships and are more empathic.

As adults, higher emotional intelligence is linked to better relationships, more positive feelings about work. Helping young children develop emotional intelligence will have a positive impact on them today and as they grow.

Sheri Collins is a spokeswoman for First Things First, a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Information: FirstThingsFirst.org.

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Home Depot gives helping hand to local man

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Joycelyn Craft had reached a point in her life where she felt like she was drowning.

The Chandler math teacher was overwhelmed trying to adapt to the needs of her husband Robert, who has been struggling with Alzheimer’s disease for the last few years.

Craft and her daughter do their best to keep Robert comfortable, but his disease keeps changing and it’s a struggle for them to keep up. He’s gotten to the stage where he puts objects in his mouth and needs to be monitored constantly.

The only break Craft got was when she went to work at Arizona College Prep.

“It’s all-consuming,” she said. “When I go to work, it’s actually a relief for my brain. I can interact in a positive way with my students and I can plan things for them. It’s a way for me to decompress.”

Craft knows Robert’s condition probably won’t improve. All she can do now is keep him comfortable and entertained.

But Robert has the compulsion to fix things. He was a mechanic for several years, so he’s inclined to take things apart and put them back together.

Robert’s fidgetiness was starting to worry Craft. She couldn’t give him objects to deconstruct without the fear he might ingest some of the pieces.

Someone recommended Craft buy a special board equipped with stimulating, hands-on activities that would be safe

Flanked by two Home Depot workers and his wife Joycelyn, Robert Craft examines the activity board the store’s employees made for him. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

for someone in Robert’s condition. These activity boards can cost up to $90 so Craft thought she could use her math skills to make one herself.

She walked into the Home Depot near Alma School Road looking for supplies

and the store’s manager came to her with surprising offer.

“She goes, ‘We’re gonna build the board for you,’” Craft recalled.

The unexpected generosity weighed heavily on Craft’s heart and she couldn’t

hold back her emotions.

“And at that point I was so overwhelmed with the care giving and my husband’s disease getting worse that I just burst into tears,” she said.

A short time later, the store delivered on its promise by presenting an activity board to Craft and her husband.

It included latches, flaps and even some old pictures of Robert that might trigger memories from his past.

Craft said the board was bigger and better than anything she was planning to make and Robert has already taken to using it.

The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation says simple, daily activities can help increase a patient’s sense of stability and reduce disruptive behavior.

Christina Cornell, a spokeswoman for Home Depot, said employees of its Chandler store are an example of the company’s culture.

“We’re extremely proud of our associates for living our values and going above and beyond to take care of the Craft family,” Cornell wrote in a statement.

Craft moved to Chandler a couple years ago and wasn’t expecting to find a community that felt like a small town.

She said the Home Depot experience reminded her not to be afraid to ask for help when she needs it.

“I just have to remember, if I’m drowning, I need to ask and there’s so many kind people that will pull alongside you and say ‘Hey, we’re here to help,’” Craft said.

Hamilton High student excels in class, art and dance

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

As she begins her senior year at Hamilton High School and starts the arduous task of sorting through colleges and scholarship applications, Chandler resident Karina Yang is eyeing a career in science while racking up awards for her art and dancing style.

The 17-year-old daughter of Raoying Zhang and Amoy Yang recently won third place and a $3,500 scholarship in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary national poster contest—the highest placement achieved by any Arizonan since the competition began 40 years ago.

Last year, Karina won first place in the Western Governors Association’s annual celebrate the West contest, besting entries from artists in 19 states and winning a display of her painting, titled “The Old and the Young,” for six months in the Capitol Museum.

And in 2017, she took the prize for “Dest of Medium – Drawing” in the congressional art competition for District 5.

And that’s just for starters.

With a string of awards for her paintings and drawings over several years, Karina also won two major awards last year in the Taoli World Dance Competition.

That contest aims to “discover and

Hamilton High School senior and Chandler resident Karina Yang is a multitalented young scholar whose painting above hung at the State Capitol for six momnths after it won the Western Governor’s Association prize for best entry in its annual art competition for young artists in 19 states. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

cultivate the talents of overseas Chinese descendants who use dance as an outlet to connect them back to their roots.”

Karina took the Spirit Award, given to the best portrayal of expressional

or technical skills, as well as that competition’s highest individual honor, the Elite Platinum Award.

Both awards were for a Mongolian ethnic dance solo titled “Clouds” while

a third award saluted a Chinese classical dance routine she titled “A Country Girl.”

While art and dance occupy a lot of See

YANG on page 44

NEIGHBORS

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New leader heads city community services

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler’s newest community services director is bringing several years of experience in the recreation industry to the city.

Andy Bass officially took over the city’s Community Services Department on July 29 after spending several years overseeing the parks department in Reno, Nevada.

He said he’s excited to come to a city that has an appreciation for recreation and bring a fresh perspective to a department that manages several public services.

Bass said he’s been eyeing a position like this for a while since Chandler has a good reputation for focusing on qualityof-life amenities.

“You can have a wonderful community but if you don’t have things that people can go to and enjoy,” he said, “people won’t go to your community.”

Bass will be responsible for maintaining more than 60 parks, several recreation

Anndy Bass has taken the helm of the Chandler Community Services Department. (City of Chandler)

centers, the city’s four library branches and all the programming housed at these facilities.

Bass started his last job in the throes of the Great Recession, when several cities began cutting funds to parks and recreation.

Despite the monetary constraints, Bass said Reno found a way to finance a new aquatic center by collecting private donations from the community.

Getting big projects off the ground can be a challenge, Bass said, but he thinks it’s vital for cities to build public spaces where everyone feels welcomed.

Parks are one of the few places that don’t turn people away based on their class or income, he added.

“It’s the ultimate melting pot and there’s no place else in a community where that actually happens,” Bass said.

He’s observed what happens when a community doesn’t invest in recreation.

Bass worked in Midland, Texas at a time when the city couldn’t afford community programs. The city started to splinter, he said, and didn’t start to unify until the parks department came back.

“I’ve seen how a very divided community can come together through programming, through public spaces,” Bass added.

Bass intended to attend medical school before discovering his love for community service. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology.

Bass is replacing Brenda Brown, who retired from the community services department earlier this year after 14 years of service with the city. Chandler City Manager Marsha Reed announced Bass’s appointment on July 10.

“Andy is passionate about providing programs and facilities that promote healthy lifestyles and strengthen relationships in the community,” Reed said in a press release.

“His unique experiences and leadership in parks and recreation administration will help the department deliver results that benefit Chandler residents.”

Chandler bartender drinking in contest success

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Contributor

The community is raising a glass to Henry Whittaker, whose skills behind the bar lead him to win various state and regional cocktail competitions.

The international World Class Competition brings bartenders from around the world together to compete, admire cocktail concocting skills from every corner of the globe and pour knowledge about the craft into each other’s cups.

Hosted by the United States Bartenders Guild, members of the association are the only bartenders permitted to participate in the national levels of the contest.

After entering the competition through an online application, Whittaker’s first skills tournament was held in San Diego, California, where 100 competitors was reduced to the top 50.

After making the cut, Whittaker emerged as the sole winner for Arizona and was one of three southwest regional finalists.

“It gave me a chance to test my metal against everyone in the country. It was so eye-opening to see what different styles we have across the map. You don’t have to go far to experience an entirely different culture in this industry,” said Whittaker.

Not long after securing a spot as a regional winner, Whittaker competed against the best in the nation at the country’s competition in Lexington, Kentucky.

Though he did not win the competition that would have advanced him to the world competition, he said the experience was one he will never forget.

“I was humbled and excited just to be there. It was so great to be around others that see this craft as something more than just drinking to get drunk. This really is art, and you get to play with styles and colors and flavors and smells, and I think sometimes people overlook that as part

for a bustling joint in downtown Phoenix.

“I didn’t really want to go back to school, but I knew I wanted to decompress from all of that service and do something with my hands and for myself and with other people,” said Whittaker.

Eight months into the job, the barback was drinking up the positivity the profession offered, and was curious to see what more the field could provide.

That is when a high school friend, Bobby Kramer, who is the beverage director at The Brickyard, offered Whittaker an interview for a job at the bar, “and the rest is history.”

Whittaker’s been called everything from mixologist to bar manager at The Brickyard, but when he’s behind the counter Henry Whittaker, a bartender at The Brickyard in Chandler demonstrates his mixology skills that helped him go deep into an he knows himself as a international tournament. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer) professional socializer.

Picking up on of what a bartender does,” said Whittaker. the drinks, the national competitor said everything to what a The national competition was filled most of his inspiration throughout the customer is wearing to the things they like to the brim with tasks competitors competition dripped from his beloved bar to talk about indicates what sort of flavor could plan for, and some rounds where back home — The Brickyard. profile they might take interest in, “and bartenders had to showcase on-the-fly “The Brickyard really helped me learn sometimes it’s not what they’d expect to creativity. a lot about how to mesh my style with like, but they love it,” Whittaker said.

From a Great Kentucky Bake Off things varying pallets might like. I also got Over the years Kramer and Whittaker theme, a cocktail inspired by food from a lot of confidence in my ability to create have worked together to make craft around the world, a lightning round to drinks, but that took a lot of trial and cocktails more approachable and original. make six drinks in eight minutes, and an error and a lot of taste testing,” Whittaker With a rotating specialty cocktail intergalactic space theme, at times the laughed. menu every six months, Whittaker said he competition laid more in the overarching After exiting active duty military has been exposed to working with fresh concepts and time for each round rather service for the Marine Corps in 2015, ingredients in limitless ways, expanding than in fellow contestants.

Whittaker said he was looking for a upon his creativity and knowledge of Though the themes of each round “quieter and slower paced lifestyle,” determined the general direction of so naturally he became a barback See on page 44

WHITTAKER

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from page 42

her time, neither activity gets in the way of Karina’s academics—or giving back to the community.

A straight-A student who has taken a number of AP courses, she had a perfect score in all four ACT test subjects—a feat accomplished by only about 2 percent of all students who take this standardized college-entrance exam.

Last year, when she took the ACT test, only 3,741 high school students out of about 1.9 million who took the test achieved a perfect score.

Karina also is a teacher’s assistant for math at the Contemporary Chinese School of Arizona and for dance at the Eastern Art Academy.

She’s a peer tutor at Hamilton, where

WHITTAKER

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

she also is involved in the dance, art, Science Bowl and Olympiad clubs for science, physics and chemistry.

She’s taken top honors in a couple categories in the Arizona Science Olympiad and is a National AP Scholar.

Art and dance are major passions.

“Ever since taking art classes as a young child, I’ve always wanted to create an impact with a meaningful purpose through my paintings,” Karina said.

Her oil painting for the VFW Auxiliary contest, titled “What They Left Behind” and sponsored by VFW Auxiliary 720, gave her what she called “the perfect opportunity to spread respect and gratitude towards veterans through one of my favorite hobbies.”

“My canvas became a stage in which I could voice my appreciation for the

sacrifice of these honorable men and women,” she added.

Karina has been involved in art since she was in early grade school.

“I was basically doodling in class since I was like really young,” she said, adding her mother saw her interest and sent her to some art classes in seventh grade.

She enters many competitions, but seizes on topics that “I am super passionate about.”

Karina, who took first place this year in the Arizona Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program, has to juggle her time for art and her school work with her other passion—interpretive dancing.

“I started when I was 6, but for the first few years, I wasn’t focused on dancing, never took it seriously,” she said, although by age 13 “I started focusing on

from page 43

alcohol and craft beverage culture.

“We all study this stuff outside of work. This is our passion; this is who we are and what we do. We want our customers, our guests, to know they’re getting the absolute best we can give them,” Whittaker said.

Whittaker said it has been as refreshing as a cold drink on a hot day to see the resurgence of popularity for craft cocktails over the years, adding his own taste has developed from “cheap beer to bitter cocktails and stronger whiskeys.”

And while he claims to throw bubbling cocktail parties at home from time to time, Whittaker said the real party is at the bar, and it looks much different from the, “sad, dark, lonely corner people go to after a long day at work.”

“Alcohol in general has been so bastardized for the past 80 years. It’s been

Brickyard bartender Henry Whittaker is a master mixologist who is grateful for everything he’s learned at his place of employment. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

dance and taking it really seriously with a consistent teacher.”

Now she teaches adult Chinese classical and ethnic dance because she wants “to spread the richness, depth and diversity of Chinese culture through its classical and folk dance.”

“As of now, this art form is popular in China, but still rare and undeveloped overseas. Sharing my love and inspiring others to find their passion for Chinese dance is the reason why I like to teach,” she added.

Karina has her eyes set on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and “perhaps majoring in the fields of bioengineering and/or artificial intelligence.”

But, she added, “Of course, participating in a few art programs would be one of my priorities too.”

how fast can I get drunk and how drunk can I get, but inebriation is a not a focus here,” he added, noting: “It’s the conversation, how you feel applying all of these senses to elevate your experience, and it’s a pivotal movement that’s changing the way everyone sees the personality of these cocktails,” said Whittaker.

Whittaker said the community’s evergrowing interest in playing with flavors and styles at the bar continues to push the limits of his creativity with the menu.

He added that very drive to find the next best combination at the Brickyard is what helped him advance so far in The World Class Competition.

“World Class gives us a chance to celebrate how far alcohol has come and where it’s going. I don’t think placing in the National competition or even getting that far to begin with would have been possible without the knowledge I’ve attained through Brickyard,” Whittaker added.

Ironwood Cancer Center slates classes, talks SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Ironwood Cancer & Research Center at 685 S. Dobson Road in Chandler, has scheduled a series of workshops aimed at helping cancer patients.

Information: 480-314-6660; ironwoodcrc.com Activities include: Chair Yoga. Wednesdays, 10 a.m.noon. Yoga is an ancient discipline in which physical postures, breath practice, meditation and philosophical study are used as tools for achieving liberation.

When yoga is done on chairs, it allows for a more inclusive experience for all. Yoga gurus to beginners are welcome to join this free class.

Heartfulness Meditation. Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Meditation heals and transforms us. This free class is sponsored by Heartfulness.

Tai Chi. Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15 p.m. Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art practiced for its health benefits. Free class.

Healthy living made simple. Aug. 8,

t? o G ws Ne

7-8 p.m.

Cancer survivor Chrissy teaches simple tricks to avoid chemicals harmful to one’s health and learn recipes for all-natural cleaning supplies. RSVP required: 480-3146660.

Lunchtime Conversations. (All noon-1 p.m.) Aug. 20, “Hereditary Cancer;” Sept. 17, “Lymphatic Massage Therapy.” Bring your own lunch. Information: 480-314-6660.

CLIMB. (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) Tuesdays, Sept.

10-Oct. 15, 5:30-7 p.m. A six-week closed group support program for children ages 6 to 12 that meets once a week for two hours. Dinner will be provided at the beginning of each session. There is no cost but pre-screening and registration is required. 480-314-6660.

Metastatic Cancer Support Group.

Fourth Wednesday of the Month. 3-4:30 p.m. This support group is for patients and their families to get the help they need to fight metastatic cancer.

Spirituality Support Group. 5:30-7 p.m., third Wednesday of the month. Join us for

a discussion about your spiritual journey, and learn to recognize the strength you have within to deal with your cancer diagnosis.

Head & Neck Support Group. 3-4:30 p.m., Third Monday of the month. In this supportive environment you can get the latest treatment information on treatments and support people with a similar diagnosis.

Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Second Monday of the month, 7-9 p.m.

Men and their families can get help to fight prostate cancer. This is a safe place for men to vent with people with a similar diagnosis. Together we share information and give members the strength they need.

Drums, Rhythm & Relaxation. First Tuesday of the month. 6-7 p.m. Group drumming empowers people to more effectively express themselves, while enabling them to move beyond their perceived limitations and put back into their lives what is missing. Bring your own drum or use ours.

Painting Class. 10 a.m.-noon first

Wedesday of the month. Free painting class presented by professional painter Dave Wilhelmsen. You must RSVP by calling 480-314-6660.

Caregiver Support Dinner. 6-8 p.m.

Aug. 28, Sept. 25. This group is designed to provide a safe place for all who are affected by cancer, a place where they can speak honestly about the challenges, find encouragement in the waiting, and be reassured that ultimately there is hope in the journey. This is a free group done in conjunction with Cornerstone Church.

Breast Cancer Support Group. First Wednesday of the month. 10 a.m.-noon.

Patients and caregivers are welcome to attend this support group that focuses on breast cancer.

Caregiver Support Group. Third Saturday of the Month, 10 a.m.-noon. This group is a place to share your experiences and vent your stresses with other caregivers who are experiencing similar situations.

Beautiful Beginnings. 5-7 p.m., Aug. 26. Share and learn how to manage your changing skin, hair, nails.

Contact Contact Paul Paul Maryniak Maryniak at at 480-898-5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications.com

NEIGHBORS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

45

Chandler man going international with orchestra

BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor

Colin O’Donohoe seeks to unite people through the language of music. Recently, this mission took him from Tempe to Turkey.

The Chandler man founded the Pangean Orchestra, or the “Immigrant Orchestra,” in the East Valley in 2010 and is re-establishing it in Istanbul.

The Pangean Orchestra comprises musicians drawn from various countries who play their traditional instruments.

They harmonize seemingly incompatible instruments, such as the stringed instrument, qanun, from Iraq; the percussion instrument, tabla, from India and the goblet drum, Djembe, from West Africa; and play music in new ways.

Think of a Chinese version of Irish music, or a Senegalese song played with American instruments.

“I’m trying to create a new style of orchestra that speaks to the people of today,” O’Donohoe said. “A couple hundred years ago, orchestra was a cool thing to do. Now it seems to have connotations of upper class or something elegant. I want to take some of that elegance and make it more personable.”

O’Donohoe, who divides his time between Chandler and Istanbul, is crowdfunding to enable members of his orchestra, both local and Turkish, to travel back and forth to perform concerts.

He also organized a concert during the July 4th weekend at Tempe Historical

Colin O’Donohoe, the creator of The Pangean Orchestra composed of musicians from various cultures, is founding a group in Istanbul, Turkey. (Srianthi Perera)

Museum.

It all began in 2001, when O’Donohoe played in a Turkish band in Tempe, and was invited to visit Turkey.

A band member who had municipal government contacts in Kusadasi, a western town in the country, recommended him when it sought to commission a piece of music for a

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chamber orchestra. He organized the concert last November.

“It has opened doors for me,” O’Donohoe said. “Because I was given that first commission, it gave me some credibility with the Turkish musicians.

They knew I was invited by the government and they could trust me.

“When you’re an immigrant, you are starting from zero and you need to establish yourself and it doesn’t matter what you’re able to establish before because now you have to accomplish it in the new home,” he added.

“That’s why I’m really grateful to get a commission from them because it was really my first big step towards being able to become a leader and conductor of my own projects in Istanbul.”

O’Donohoe’s orchestra includes several musicians in Istanbul, Syrian refugees, Iranians and other immigrants. He wants to build a relationship between the two countries, but it hinges on his ability to raise the funding.

If he can raise about $12,000, he can organize a concert series, he said, which could be repeated each season and be held in both countries, as well as Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Mali in West Africa, two places he has traveled to in connection with his experiments in mixing music.

Among O’Donohoe’s local members of the Pangean Orchestra is Chinese flute/ pipa player Lai Ma; American musician of Irish music Brian Harris; Burundi drummer Pierre Gasimbo; turntablist DJ Akshen; and

Iraqi Qanun player Ali Kamil.

Harris, from Chandler, has been a member from the orchestra’s inception, after O’Donohoe persuaded him to do an Irish jig set at a concert in Phoenix.

He plays the Irish tin whistle, also known as a penny whistle, a 6-holed, end-blown wind instrument, similar to a recorder. The instrument is heavily associated with Irish and Scottish folk traditions, though it makes occasional appearances in other forms of music.

“It was a blast! I was happy to be a part of it,” said Harris, who was hooked from that point.

“I liked meeting the different musicians from around the world and the exposure to music I normally don’t get to hear.

Though we all have different musical traditions, the love of music is the common thread for us all. That was a cool thing to experience,” he said.

Gathering musicians from immigrant groups and inviting them to join an orchestra that would blend their music is not a smooth process. Trust is one of the basic challenges for O’Donohoe.

“Musicians work so hard to dedicate their life to a specific style of music and they want to be taken seriously and they deserve to be taken seriously,” O’Donohoe said. “When you start to blend music, they don’t want to lose their identity, because it’s hard enough when they are in America.

“They feel like they’ve already lost a bit See

PANGEAN on page 46

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of their identity or they’ve changed a little bit just to be in the new place,” he said.

In this instance, he tells them, “You’re going to have to give a little bit. There’ll be times when you don’t, there’ll be times where you can show exactly what you want to say. What you’ve been working on, you can do it unadulterated exactly the way you would wish it to be performed.

Harris said that the music he plays in the orchestra is different from the traditional Irish music he plays.

“And that’s what I like about the Pangean concept – that we are able to

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

weave so many vastly different music traditions from around the world and create something new and exciting out of it,” he said.

O’Donohoe also tells them to look at new ways of playing music.

“Music is always evolving. Even if you stay in your own country, your music evolves every decade, that’s why we have the music of the ’80s, ’90s and so on,” he said.

For O’Donohoe, the logistics of getting people together is another issue, and so is language. However, language is a challenge only at the beginning.

“Once you have a piece of music and they listen to it, the language is not so important anymore because we’re performing. Now we don’t have to speak

the same language because we’re playing music and this is what all of us were born to do and love to do,” he said. “Now we’re talking with our heart and soul and not so much with our brain and our mouth.”

O’Donohoe, who has lived in Turkey since 2017, has also found love there.

He’s engaged to an engineer from Antalya named Ceren Oztemir. Later this year, they plan to settle in Istanbul, but he will divide time with Chandler, where he has two young children from a previous marriage.

As these plans are falling into place, O’Donohoe is researching music to play during the concerts.

Among his favorites is “A Ballad for Chanakkale,” a Turkish folk song about the

Battle of Gallipoli, which occurred during World War 1 on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

He usually follows it with “And the Band Played Walzing Matilda,” which is written by an Australian singer and describes war as futile and horrible, and criticizes those who glorify it.

Most of his songs have been chosen for their powerful messages.

“I really feel that when people know each other from all parts of the world, it’s a lot harder to hate each other,” he said.

- Colin O’Donohoe is fundraising for concerts by Pangean Orchestra in Tempe and Turkey. Read more at thepangeanorchestra.com. Donate at igg. me/at/pangeanorchestra.

About Care seeks volunteers to help the homebound SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

About Care, a nonprofit serving Chandler and Gilbert, is seeking volunteers to help their neighbors in our community.

“As the economy still struggles and so many people are affected, About Care would encourage the residents of Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek to join us and give of their time and energy to assist many of our neighbors who might not have friends and family close by,” said Beth Summers, manager of volunteer services.

“Maybe you are looking for something wonderful to do with your children or would like to adopt a grandparent,” she added. “There is nothing better for the soul than giving of yourself to people in need.”

The group noted that volunteering can also improve a person’s health.

A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University stated that adults age 50 and over who volunteer regularly are 40 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure.

Researchers found that adolescents who volunteered one hour a week improved their cardiovascular and mental health, dialing down cholesterol and body mass index, and increasing levels of empathy and compassion.

Besides health benefits, “volunteering also helps connect people around a shared purpose and combats social isolation, which is linked to poor physical and mental health,” the group noted.

About Care’s Mission is to deliver caring, compassionate support services using trained volunteers with special

People helping the elderly in Gilbert, Chandler and Queen Creek is what About Care is all about. The 10-yearold nonprofit needs volunteers and financial support to continue its good work.

(Special to SanTan Sun News )

concern for the elderly and disabled homebound residents.

It was created because elderly and disabled residents need help to remain in their homes, meet basic needs, reduce isolation and live with self-respect and dignity while encouraging independence.

About Care that was founded by Barbara and Buzz Bradley in June 2006

after Barbara realized that there were no services for the homebound in Chandler.

After creating About Care, the couple expanded service to Gilbert residents as well and expanded into Queen Creek in 2016 with the support of the town and RockPoint Church.

In a recent needs assessment completed by an independent consulting

firm for the City of Chandler, About Care was recognized as one of only two organizations in the assessment summary that are making a difference in the lives of the elder communities they serve.

About Care’s program also postpones the expense of long-term care.

The majority of requests to About Care for services are for transportation to medical appointments or procedures.

About Care also offers transportation for shopping and errands, respite, reassurance phone calls, and minor home repairs.

All services are provided without charge by trained and insured volunteers—“compassionate, caring individuals who want to make a difference in someone’s life by offering their time,” the group noted.

We encourage a variety of compassionate and caring individuals to provide support services to our clients.

We accept applications from volunteers as young as high school students.

A brief interview and orientation are required to become a volunteer which can be scheduled at a participant’s convenience. People as young as teenagers can volunteer.

Regular hours of service are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday.

In order to ensure the safety of clients, a background check is conducted on volunteers.

People who don’t have the time to volunteer are encourage to make a taxdeductible donation to About Care.

Information: aboutcare.org.

Retired Mesa rector turns a young 107

BY JORDAN HOUSTON Staff Writer

Tattered copies of paperback books — such as “Nobel Prize Conversations” and “Theosophy: A Modern Expression of the Wisdom of the Ages” — decorate the bedside table of what may be Mesa’s oldest resident, Father Harold Knight.

“That’s a very good book. I’ve read it a number of times,” he said about “Nobel Prize,” by Sir John Eccles, Roger Sperry, Ilya Prigogine and Brian Josephson.

The retired longtime rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mesa, lover of philosophy and psychology and Mesa Citizen of the Year, turned 107 on July 26.

The church, at 322 N. Horne St., hosted a card shower after the service July 28 for

friends and family members to express how much he means to them.

Knight was a rector at the church for 20 years—the longest-serving rector in its 103-year history.

The centenarian currently lives at home with his wife of 46 years, Edithanne, and attributes his longevity partly to her cooking.

The other part, he joked, is from DNA. “No one else in my family has ever done this,” he said. “Something like this age, I think, is in the DNA molecules somewhere. I credit that. How it got there, I don’t know.”

Knight was born in 1912 into a Baptist family in Rochester, New York.

“I had a father who was very attentive and very kind. He gave me a lot of time,

Former St. Mark’s Episcopal Church rector Father Harold Knight may be the oldest person in Mesa.

(Kimberly Carrillo/ Staff Photographer)

and I appreciate that,” Knight said. In 1957, Knight moved across the country to follow an ad in the paper for a rector, beginning his 20-year tenure at St. Mark’s in Mesa.

While the city had only a population of only 26,000 at the time, Knight witnessed growth in both Mesa and the church’s congregation throughout the ’50s.

When the present church was built in 1981, a designated event space was renamed Knight Hall in the rector’s honor.

“I did a lot of things in town. We had a group in Mesa called the Mesa Community Council, which was a group to look into things we might need to be done,” he said.

He was named Mesa Citizen of the Year in 1977.

NEIGHBORS

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Hospice volunteer helps chef with ALS keep cooking

BY LIN SUE COONEY Guest Writer

Whether it’s Hungarian paprika chicken, sausage lentil soup or Brussels sprouts with pickled onion, Mark Adinolfi loves to try new recipes.

He is happiest feeding his passion: Whipping up gourmet dishes for his wife Jeane and daughter Sophia.

But in January 2016, Mark was diagnosed with ALS, a type of muscular dystrophy sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

At first, Mark noticed a loss of strength in both hands. As his condition progressed, he was no longer able to prepare meals—even though his heart longed to be in the kitchen, chopping, dicing, sauteing.

“Because of ALS, I can’t provide other things as much,” Mark said, “but I still wanted to spoil my wife, who appreciates good food.”

Thanks to a marvelous assistant, Mark is still a chef. Hospice of the Valley volunteer Jeff Riddle has become Mark’s hands.

Though he calls himself “a reluctant cook,” Jeff dutifully executes the detailed instructions Mark gives from his motorized wheelchair—from sprinkling Aleppo Turkish pepper on potato slices to slicing apples just the right thickness.

“This disease isolates me. But a wonderful guy comes into my life and sometimes when he shows up, I say, ‘Dude, we’re cooking whatever falls out of the fridge,’” Mark laughed.

in the oven. A beaming Jeane sets the table, savoring the happy noises and the tantalizing smell of caramelized onions.

About an hour later, dinner is served: beautifully roasted pork tenderloin with green apples and rosemary potatoes. The meal is perfect.

But it’s not really about the food.

“Jeff met me in a wheelchair,” Mark says. “He’s not like an old friend who maybe has a little sadness in their eyes. Jeff knows me exactly as I am now… He’s a genuine new friend.”

Such friendships are waiting for anyone who might feel moved to volunteer with a family.

“There is nothing more powerful you can do as a human being than walk alongside people who are facing incredible challenges,” Jeff said. “It feels incredible, and what you receive far exceeds anything that you can give.”

If you’re interested in Though ALS has cripplied him, chef Mark Adinolfi is grateful for the helping hand he’s gfetting front Hospice of the Valley providing companionship to volunteer and fellow chef Jeff Riddle.

Hospice of the Valley patients (Hospice of the Valley) and offering support and respite to their families—whether it’s “Cooking and sharing a meal with Mark something both men, now fast friends, cooking reading, singing or just being anticipate with excitement.

They tease and and his family is the best thing I can do,” joke as if they’ve always known one another. present and caring we’d love to have you Jeff said. “We improvise a lot due to his join our volunteer family.

Sophia even decorated an apron for prowess and it always tastes amazing!”

For more information, go to hov.org/ Jeff. The 11-year-old inspects the meat to Every Friday, the Adinolfi kitchen is volunteer or call 602-530-6900. make sure it’s brown enough before going filled with laughter. The weekly ritual is

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Rabbi who survived shooting to speak in Mesa SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Rabbi Laibel Blotner still remembers the chill that ran up his spine when he heard the news April 27 about the shooting at the Chabad of Poway outside San Diego.

Because it was the Sabbath, Blotner, spiritual leader of the Chabad Jewish Center of Mesa, could not use electronic devices or anything else that runs on electricity, but people were coming up to him to tell him the news.

He had a personal reason to be concerned about this particular synagogue shooting: It is headed by the father of the man who married Blotner’s daughter.

Today, Rabbi Visroel Goldstein — who literally stared down the barrel of a rifle pointed at him by the assailant — has been going around the world speaking about goodness.

And on Aug. 5, he’ll speak at Mesa Arts Center as a guest of Blotner and the Chabad of Mesa. Tickets are $15 and available at 480-644-6500. Information can be obtained at 480-659-7001.

“He’s taken a tragedy that a lesser man would have been devastated by and he’s really devoted his life and made it his mission to spread goodness and kindness throughout the entire world,” Blotner said.

Before the assailant was subdued, he killed a woman who belonged to the congregation—and who had attended the wedding of Blotner’s daughter to

race.’ No. We are a people divinely commanded to bring God’s light into the world,” Goldstein also wrote.

“So it is with this country.

America is unique in world history. Never before was a country founded on the ideals that all people are created in God’s image and that all people deserve freedom and liberty. We fought a war to make that promise real.

“And I believe we can make it real again. That is what I pledge to do with my borrowed time.”

Blotner said Goldstein’s response to the shooting is as inspirational as the message he has been taking to the capitals of the world, as well as the White House.

Shortly after the shooting, he said, “I went with a couple of our community members to visit him and he was still shell shocked, but he said that amidst the pain and the Rabbi Visroel Goldstein was confronted by a gunman who had already killed a member of his congregation in a shooting at his terrible events that took place, synagogue outside San Diego. He’s speaking around the world and will be in Mesa Aug. 5. (Special to the SanTan Sun News) he saw miracles.

“He was face to face with the killer who already killed It began: “Today should have been my Goldstein’s son. one member of his community …Now funeral.”

Goldstein, who lost a finger in the “In his vile manifesto, the terrorist who he’s really stood out as an advocate for shooting, wrote a lengthy essay the goodness, kindness. Wherever he speaks, shot up my synagogue called my people, following day that was published in the he’s drawing very big crowds.” the Jewish people, a ‘squalid and parasitic New York Times.

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Volunteens

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Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center saluted some 170 teens who participated in its Volunteen program this summer. The program gives them a chance to explore 40 different departments, volunteering as well as learning more about a possible healthcare career. During the special salute, teens like 1) Manvi Harde wore “alcohol goggles” to experience what DUI drivers do when pulled over; 2) teens, from left, Claire Gentry, Megan Giacobbi, Shree Modukuri and Manvi learned about CPR from Byron Thatcher while 3) the group gather for a joint lesson and 4) Thatcher taught Megan proper CPR technique.

All photographs by Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

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For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Cigarette machines now dispense mini-art objects

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Contributor

Longtime cigarette vending machines are coming out of retirement across the globe to give people a healthier alternative to buying expensive art.

In lieu of a pack of cigarettes, the machines — which locally can be found in Chandler — carry identicallysized wood blocks or boxes of art that have been commissioned from around the world.

For $5, aspiring art collectors can have a one-of-a-kind commissioned piece to call their own.

Though not all of the art is locally sourced, Peter Bugg, Chandler’s visual arts coordinator, called the concept a great match for the city’s art scene.

“I think it’s a good fit for our area, and we want to support artists wherever we can and this is how we can do that,” said Bugg, Debuted in Chandler in 2009, the machines at Vision Gallery and Chandler Center for the Arts have remained a huge hit over the years for art lovers of all ages, he said.

“A lot of adults recognize them from their childhood. I’m old enough that I saw them in bowling allies and other places, but people older than me recognize them quicker and say, ‘wow,’ and explain to their kids or grandkids what they’re about,” said Bugg.

Bugg said he has also noticed younger generations can relate to the “retro, hipster vibe,” and while many don’t smoke, they still recognize the machines.

While the mechanisms reel people in, it’s the art that makes them come back for more.

Under each knob that delivers the art

is a brief description of the artist, written by the artist themselves.

“Sometimes we don’t even know what we’re getting to fill the machine with, so people definitely never know what they’re going to get,” said Bugg.

From prints, origami pieces and jewelry Bugg said he’s seen it all, but customers are never disappointed with what they get.

“I think that little bit of mystery keeps it fun, and people tend to actually really love that aspect of it,” said Bugg.

Another nostalgic characteristic of the Art-O-Mat at Vision Galley is that it takes retrostyled tokens.

The machines at Chandler Center for the arts accept only cash.

Though in the Chandler area for quite some time, the history of the Art-O-Mat reaches as far back as 1997.

The inspiration to utilize the machines as art dispensers hit artist Clark Whittington while his friend had a Pavlovian reaction to the sound of crinkling cellophane, and wanted to spread that same desire about art.

In the late ’90s, Whittington had a solo art show in a cafe in Winston-Salem North Carolina. Cigarette vending machines had recently been banned, so the artist repurposed the perfectly good machinery to dispense miniature black and white photographs that had been mounted on wood blocks for $1.

The show was set to be dismantled the next month, but the owner of the cafe, Cynthia Giles, took kindly to the idea and requested the machine stayed permanently.

Knowing other artists would need to be taken on board if the vending machine was to continue distributing art, local artists created the group Artists in

Art-O-Matc machines like this one are located at Vision Gallery and Chandler Center for the Arts and have become popular with both the artists who supply works for them and the consumers who pay $5 for a one of the items. (Kimberly Carillo/Staff Photographer)

Cellophane.

Today, AIC is the sponsoring organization behind Art-O-Mat with the mission of making art accessible to everyone. With the organization’s help, hundreds of Art-O-Mats have been established around the world.

“This is small, affordable, and you don’t have to make the commitment of hanging it on your wall that a big piece would need. Based on what I’ve seen, [Art-O-Mats] make being an art collector attainable on a budget with limited space, and really that’s the point,” said Bugg.

New Chandler exhibit puts the ‘art’ in ‘artifacts’

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Ann Morton had a nostalgic flashback when she looked through the Chandler Museum’s collections.

The Phoenix artist came across a vintage Camp Fire Girls dress and it made her think of her years as a Girl Scout, when she racked up merit badges for completing domestic skills like sewing.

The museum’s dress got her thinking.

It was a ceremonial dress made to resemble something worn by Native American women and Morton felt it was a fascinating example of cultural appropriation—when a dominant culture adopts the symbols and traditions of a minority culture.

The dress was worn by three generations of women between the 1920s and 1960s before it was given to the Chandler Museum. The Camp Fire Girls

required members to dress as indigenous women because of their simple, inexpensive fashion, according to the organization’s 1915 manual.

It may have been an innocent adoption of Native American culture by well-intentioned, young girls, Morton said, but she thinks it illustrates how society takes cultural icons and repurposes them.

“We are all trying to search right now about where does white privilege come from and I think this is a prime example of that,” Morton said.

Morton enjoys creating art that’s embedded with a bit of social commentary.

So, she was inspired to use the Camp Fire Girls

dress as motivation for work she created as part of the museum’s “Inspired by History” exhibit.

We are all trying to search right “now about where does white privilege come from and I think this is a prime example of that.

– Ann Morton

”

The museum partnered with the city’s Vision Gallery to recruit local artists like Morton to create art inspired by artifacts in the museum’s collections. From spittoons used by A.J. Chandler to vanity mirrors dating back to the 1910s, artists This is one of many pieces of Americana that are part of the exhibit. (Chandler Museum)

were allowed to pick whatever artifact that sparked their creativity.

Morton decided to put a twist on her Camp Fire Girls dress by embroidering scout-inspired merit badges that subvert the concept of cultural appropriation.

She weaved together three badges: one depicting the famous Land O’Lakes icon of an Indigenous American woman, one displaying the word “assimilation,” and another depicting white bread and butter.

Morton said the badges can be interpreted however one sees them, but she thinks the white bread symbolizes 1950s American culture—a time when consumers bought and used Land O’Lakes butter without much thought about the iconography that was being commercialized.

“We’ve taken this cultural figure and kind of branded it for our own purpose,” See

ARTIFACTS on page 52

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ARTS

ARTIFACTS

from page 51

Morton said.

Not all artwork included in the museum’s exhibit have the same political tone as Morton’s.

The piece created by Amanda Mollindo, another Phoenix artist, is rather personal—in fact, so personal she attached a physical piece of herself to it.

Mollindo constructed five embroidered hoops and pinned curls of her own hair to each of them.

Titled “Spiraled Fractions,” the artist said the piece was an intuitive response to looking at an oldfashioned curling iron in the museum’s collections.

Mollindo’s curious about how people respond to her hair and how they seem to attach it to her identity.

She had previously cut her hair as part of another art project so she already had some of her curls

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

in storage by time she started thinking about what to create for the museum’s exhibit.

Mollindo mainly works with visuals to capture portraits of people and places, but she wanted to work with her hands to make something threedimensional.

“This was a really fun experiment and a really fun opportunity to work a little outside of what I’m used to,” Mollindo said.

Other artifacts used by artists include an old suitcase, movie theatre seat, window frames, a malt shop mixer, and an adding machine.

“It’s just so interesting to see their interpretation of it,” said Tiffani Egnor, the museum’s curator of education.

Culture, history and art are the three mainstays of the Chandler Museum, she This ceremonial dress made to represent something worn by Native American women is an example of cultural appropriation.

Exhibits like these reminded artist Ann Morton how innocent adoptions of Native American culture actually disrespect Indians. (Chandler Museum)

said, and this exhibit blends all those disciplines together.

The exhibit displays some historical background on each of the selected artifacts and the artists provide a written explanation on how it inspired their artwork.

“A lot of these objects haven’t been on display in the museum for a number of years,” Egnor added, “so it’s

great to get some of these objects out and see them in a different light.”

Another version of this exhibit was on display last year at City Hall before the museum decided to host it. The museum’s version of the exhibit will include a station that allows visitors to create their own artwork inspired by artifacts.

The exhibit will remain open through Oct. 13.

Information: 480-782-2717.

Hours: Tuesday — Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m.

Depeche Mode tribute band on tap in Chandler sent original keyboard samples.

“It sounds exactly like you would hear on the album,” Meyer said. “It’s wonderful.

Martin has spoken positively about us in print and in video interviews.”

Meyer hasn’t heard from singer Dave Gahan.

“Dave’s the elusive one,” he said. “For me, meeting Martin was definitely the end all, be all. He’s the engine behind everything.”

Strangelove’s Saturday, August 24, show at the Chandler Center for the Arts further explores the new wave era with opener This Charming Band: A Tribute to Morrissey and The Smiths.

“I actually orchestrated getting them on the bill,” Meyer said.

Fans, he adds, should enjoy an evening of alternative hits.

“Our fifth Beatle, so to speak, is our original video projection content,” he said.

“It’s amazing.”

CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

Brent Meyer said Strangelove is more than a Depeche Mode tribute act.

“It’s a valentine to an artist whose body of work I, and we in the group collectively, adore,” said Meyer, the “Martin Gore of the band.”

“We wanted to honor their music by trying to recreate it with the same reverence and authenticity as a classical musician would approach a classical repertoire.”

Performing at the Chandler Center for the Arts on Saturday, August 24, Strangelove focuses on, what Meyer calls, “the peak years, which is about 1988 to 1993.” That includes “Violator” and some “Music for the Masses” tracks precisely covered to replicate an actual Depeche Mode concert. However, Strangelove still plays tracks through 2017’s “Spirit.”

“It keeps it fresh for us,” he said.

Meyer’s background is in tribute acts.

He built and ran America’s largest tribute band agency, Music Zirconia, with a roster of 1,500 acts. He also worked as a producer/engineer for artists like Henry Rollins, Bowie collaborator Reeves Gabrels and Chic/Bowie/Power Station’s Tony Thompson.

“I’m very familiar with the process,” he said. “One thing about paying homage to Depeche Mode is not a lot of artists have the kind of breadth of catalog that Depeche Mode has, having done it for

t? o G ws Ne

The Tribute band Strangelove will be bringing the sounds of the 80s band Depeche Mode to Chandler Center for the Arts later this month.

(Special to DSanTan Sun News)

almost 40 years now.

“Most tribute groups, they’re stuck playing the same six songs that were hits.

We can play two straight hours and not leave out big hits. That’s a wonderful problem.”

Meyer said he enjoys singing Depeche Mode’s song “Never Let Me Down,” its anthemic and bombastic closing number.

Fans have supported Strangelove as has Gore, who has given Meyer sound and equipment advice. Alan Wilder, he said,

If you go

What: Strangelove w/This Charming Band: A Tribute to Morrissey and The Smiths Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24, Tickets: 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org

Contact Contact Paul Paul Maryniak Maryniak at at 480-898-5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications.com

ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

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‘Book of Mormon’ returning a third time LAURA LATZKO Contributor

“The Book of Mormon” is known for its satirical look at the Mormon faith and society. It’s the characters’ journeys, though, that continue to attract audiences.

“The Book of Mormon” national tour will visit ASU Gammage Aug. 6-11, for the third time.

In “The Book of Mormon,” Elders Price and Arnold Cunningham are sent to Africa on their mission. The experience isn’t what they expected, as they’re faced with a population dealing with AIDS and a local warlord.

Along their journey, the overachieving Price and the nerdy Cunningham form an unlikely friendship, and Cunningham takes on an unexpected leadership role.

The show was written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of “South Park” fame and Robert Lopez, the co-creator of “Avenue Q.” It opened on Broadway in 2011 and has won nine Tony Awards and a Grammy.

On the national tour, Liam Tobin stars as Price; Andy Huntington Jones as Elder McKinley; Kayla Pecchioni as Nabulungi; Jacques C. Smith as Mafala Hatimbi; Corey Jones as the General and Jordan Matthew Brown as Cunningham.

Before taking on the role of Cunningham, Brown was the role’s standby on Broadway. A graduate of Boston University’s BFA acting program, he has won the Bette Davis Prize for Acting and was nominated for the ArtsImpulse Award for Best Student Actor for his work as Leo Frank in “Parade.”

As a standby, Brown had to be prepared to go on at a moment’s notice. Playing

The talented cast in “Book of Mormon” will bring its satirical look at Mormon culture to ASU Gammage for a third time. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

the role daily has come with physical and vocal challenges. Brown said it is worth it.

“It is a role I always dreamed of getting to do. It was a big task. It scared and excited me. It is so well done because it is a role that allows us to grow,” Brown said.

Brown identified with his character since the first time he saw the show. Cunningham isn’t presented as the typical friend of the leading man. He has the chance to shine, just as Price does.

“The show flips the trope of the sidekick and has a full journey for him,” Brown

said. “The show is so brilliant because it takes so many classics we know and flips them on their head.”

Central to the show is the friendship that develops between the two missionaries, who seem like complete opposites.

“It’s this journey you don’t expect either of them to go on, and I think the friendship between them is what ties it together,” Brown said.

Prior to becoming leading men, Brown and Tobin had developed a rapport as standbys on Broadway. Brown said

although the show is filled with tongue-incheek humor, audiences can identify with the characters.

“One of the reasons it’s lasted is it’s so funny, raunchy and full of heart,” Brown said.

For those who have seen the show before, there are nuances to be discovered within it.

“People come back again and again because they discover new jokes and new moments,” Brown said.

Information: 480-965-3434, asugammage.com.

Christian band releases inspiring album “I put my heart and soul into it because I was really working hard to make the best record I could,” he said. “Every record is different, but this one was a lot of fun because my wife and guitar player, Korey, produced it with me.

“It’s nice to produce an album on our own. We can try things and if they suck, they suck. We’re not wasting someone else’s time or money.”

So far, so good. Cooper has been overwhelmed with fan stories about how Skillet’s songs have helped them. It’s a moving experience for him and the storyteller.

“They say our shows are positive, and unifying and all of that,” he said. “I just love connecting with fans. They get really excited about songs. They say a song saved their life, or helped them get through their parents’ divorce, or check into drug rehab. That’s what the live show’s all about – connecting with the audience and seeing them sing our songs.”

CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

Naming an album “Victorious” could be seen as a gutsy move, but Skillet lead singer John Cooper isn’t quite sure how he feels.

“I suppose maybe it is,” he said with a laugh about his band’s latest album.

“I like big titles. They grab me. I don’t like really long album titles. They’re hard to remember. The ones that are memorable are short like ‘Slippery When Wet’ or ‘Appetite for Destruction.’”

Skillet is set to release “Victorious,” its 10th album, on Atlantic on August 2. The follow-up to the gold-certified “Unleashed,” “Victorious” is set to cement Skillet’s position as a top-selling rock band. It racked up more than 1 billion streams in 2018.

“Victorious perfectly describes how the record makes me feel,” Cooper said. “You wake up, face your own demons every day, and never give in. There’s an introspective side to it. We might’ve commented on the world explicitly on previous albums. This one is about looking inward.

“Perhaps, it’s because I’ve gotten a little older, and I’ve accepted struggle as part of the journey. When I listen to these songs, I want to fight for my life, I want to fight for who I am, and I want to fight for what I believe in.”

Cooper said he likes to consider himself an optimistic person of faith. He hopes it comes across in his music.

“There are a lot of songs on this record

With a new album, the Christian band Skillet is feeling optimistic about its future.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

about not giving up and continuing to fight,” he adds.

Persistence is a thread that runs throughout Skillet’s music. The Wisconsin quartet scored a double-platinum hit, “Monster,” which was the eighth moststreamed rock song of 2015. It has 182 million plays on Spotify, making it

Christian music’s best-selling digital single.

Nine of Skillet’s songs have been used by organizations like the WWE, Marvel, ESPN and the NFL to name a few.

Despite the success, sometimes albums and songwriting are difficult. Cooper said “Victorious” was a trying project because he put so much passion in it.

If you go

What: Skillet and Sevendust w/Pop Evil and Devour the Day Where: Marquee Theater, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe When: 7 p.m. Aug. 2 Tickets: $42.50 (lower level general admission) and $62.50 (balcony). VIP packages available.

Info: luckymanonline.com

54

ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

Area author Katrina Shawver named Road Scholar SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A hwatukee journalist and author Katrina Shawver has racked up another honor in the wake of her book about an Ahwatukee man who escaped two Nazi death camps and made his way to America.

Shawver has been dubbed a Road Scholar by Arizona Humanities for its AZ Speaks program for 2019-2021.

“It’s a really big deal and huge honor as they are highly selective and reduced the number of speakers in this new program cycle,” she said, adding it may well be that she is the first presenter on the topic of Poland.

Shawver is the author of “Henry: A Polish Swimmer’s True Story of Friendship from Auschwitz to America.”

It tells the story Henry Zguda, whom she met and befriended until his death in 2003. Zguda survived both Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps as a Polish Catholic political prisoner from 1942-1945.

Shawver spent 15 years researching Poland under the Nazis’ thumb during World War II. The Polish American Congress of Arizona awarded her its 2018 Polish Heritage Award and the Arizona Authors Association named “Henry” the best nonfiction book of 2018.

Earlier this year she served as Writer in Residence at the Glendale Public Library, where she presented multiple writing workshops.

AZ Speaks is the longest-running and

The program offers nonprofits, libraries, educational institutions, governmental and tribal entities engaging humanities-based programs.

Shawver will join a group of presenters with a diverse range of expertise from a variety of professional backgrounds, including history, cultural and gender studies.

“Speakers are selected based on their expertise and ability to offer content and insight that inspires discussion with audiences of all ages and backgrounds,” Arizona Humanities states on its websites.

AZ Speaks is a program that funds hundreds of presentations each year in towns from Bisbee to Yuma, Springerville to Kingman, and Shawver can be enlisted to speak Ahwatukee journalist Katrina Shawver can now add a new job to her on one of two topics. resume: An Arizona Road Scholar. (Special toSanTan Sun News) One is titled “Poland Under Hitler and Stalin most popular program of Arizona HumanDuring World War II” and ities, which charges organizations across offers an overview of Polish history prethe state a nominal fee to hear its Road sented through Polish eyes.

Scholars’ presentations.

The country was divided in two by

Hitler and Stalin, the Polish government was exiled to England, and all Poles were targeted for slave labor, imprisonment or execution.

More than 6 million Poles were killed, and more than 2 million deported for slave labor in Russia and Germany.

are selected based on “theirSpeakers expertise and ability to offer content and insight that inspires discussion with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

–Katrina Shawver

”

“This presentation goes beyond the history of the German occupation and Holocaust to include the devastating impact of the Russian occupation and ultimate betrayal by the U.S. and Britain that paved the way for three generations of Russian communist rule in Poland,” Arizona Humanities said.

Shawver’s other topic, titled “Polish Christians, Political Prisoners and Martyrs in Auschwitz and Buchenwald” focuses on two specific camps on Auschwitz in Oświęcim, Poland, and Buchenwald in Weimar, Germany, with a focus on the non-Jews who were targeted for extermination by the Nazis.

The Road Scholars program brings the best in humanities scholarship to virtually every corner of Arizona.

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55

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Religious expression is not a license to incite

BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER Guest Columnist

At every public gathering, a prayer is offered by clergy invoking God’s blessings on the purpose and participants.

Debates have ensued and have included pronouncements from the Supreme Court of the United States. Even today, the dialogue focuses on which denominations and which prayers are acceptable.

I would suggest that even God is amused by the commotion.

The issue rests with the guiding document explaining the code of conduct necessary for civilized societies to exist— the Constitution of the United States of America.

It leaves nothing to the imagination in its declaration that Government shall make no laws regarding the establishment of religious actions or behaviors. It was written because our forebearers understood the toll religious fervor exacted, resulting in religious persecution.

However, at most public gatherings, regardless of its purpose, we as clergy are asked to beseech God’s favor on the attendees and the deliberations. It is a simple exercise, and for the most part, forgotten immediately following.

There is rancor and name calling; there is diatribe and mockery — all, I might add, contrary to the intent of the Divine admonition of love and mercy. All the

blessings seem to rest on deaf ears.

Today, we read and listen to the conversations about who should render prayers and who should not. Our society has become so polarized that we hesitate to express ourselves.

Some take cover in a religious covering, while some ignore the very essence of our upbringing to accommodate feelings that may be sensitive to our utterances.

It is a sad commentary that this nation founded on the principle of free speech, finds it difficult to find the right words that can fit all sensitivities.

It is a sad commentary that this nation, which has devoted its energies, with rare

exception, fighting wars for the privilege of living our lives as we wish, finds it an ordeal to live that life.

It is a sad commentary that this nation in its darkest hour heard the immortal words that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and now seems to be involved in actions that seem to contradict these sentiments.

From the very beginning, all of us, at one time have questioned the existence of God. There is war and killing; there is famine and desolation. There is crime and tragedy. There is sickness and despair.

Innocent people die and evil people do not.

And yet, at the same time, it is really

not hard to believe. There is the beauty of nature. There is orderliness and seasons.

There is complexity and simplicity. There is the ability to create and enjoy what has been created. There is the capacity to love and be loved.

Faith is not easy. Our inclination is to doubt. Still, we seek God in times of turmoil. Perhaps that is too simple because we never really have seen God. This is why prayer was designed; to help us reach out and grasp purpose and meaning. If this is so, then why is it so difficult to understand that beginning our deliberations can and should request God’s guidance?

Prayer is both personal and collective.

Our prayers are divided into personal supplications as well as requests for the salvation of all God’s children.

When I am asked to pray at gatherings, my concentration is directed to those who are with us as well as those no longer able to receive the benefit of our purpose.

It is not entirely the content of the prayer, but rather the intent. For sure, God does not need clichés or slogans, but rather to remember that we were all created in the divine image.

Religious expression is not a license to incite, nor is it a license to wrap ourselves sanctimoniously in a badge of intolerance.

Religious beliefs are the free expressions of people receptive to the idea that love is divine, and disagreements are not contrary to this concept, but civility is needed for respect and progress.

-Rabbi Irwin Weiner, D.D., is the spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Do not dwell on the past, do the new thing

BY LYNNE HARTKE Guest Writer

I had forgotten the hard work that is needed at the start of a large project, even one similar to what I had done in the past.

I spent the morning doing more deleting than adding as I worked on a writing project, trying various paragraphs before chucking the entire thing and starting again. When my daily word count reached a negative number, I knew it was time to take a break. My brain needed a rest from nouns, verbs and prepositional phrases.

“Walk?” I asked my trail-loving dog, Mollie, who headed for the door to join me on a diversion through the wildflowers. We hiked among flowers I would expect to find in northern Arizona this time of year—the one-inch, whiteflowering bindweed from the morning glory family and the tall trumpet-shaped scarlet gilia that are loved by hummingbirds.

We also passed several four-inch white spheres of umbrella-connected seeds that looked like giant dandelions.

A quick search on my phone revealed the plants were yellow salsify, also known

the former things; “doForget not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing! ”

- Isaiah 43:18-19a (NIV)

bright yellow Goat’s-beard (Salsify)

as western salsify, goat’s-beard, or by the scientific name, Tragopogon dubius. The roots and greens are edible and were brought by early European settlers as a food source. The plant is also called vegetable oyster as the parsnip-style root has a faint oyster flavor.

The salsify is now considered an

invasive species, not unlike the regular dandelions my dad had waged war against every summer when I was a child growing up in Minnesota.

He had dug them up, sprayed them with vinegar and with weed killer, and still they had grown like gold jewels on an emerald lawn.

None of this history on salsify or musings on dandelions interested Mollie, who was more interested in sniffing out ground squirrels and chipmunks, than a flowering bloom known for following the sun. She brushed against one feathery globe and the tiny parachutes dispersed seeds into the wind, landing on the grass, the dirt and as tiny hitchhikers on Mollie’s long fur, guaranteeing the future of more golden flowers next year.

I tugged at the dried roots of one salsify plant, carefully carrying the attached white globe back to the cabin where I placed it in a vase next to my computer. As I began typing on the unfinished assignment, I noticed one lone parachuted seed stuck to my sweater.

Sometimes an ending is just a beginning preparing to launch.

-Lynne Hartke is the author of Under a Desert Sky and the wife of pastor and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. She blogs at lynnehartke.com.

FAITH

56

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | AUGUST 3-16, 2019

Spiritual Connections

Chandler Christian Church, Building B, Room 202 1825 S. Alma School Road, Chandler Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com

HOPE—Help Overcoming Painful Experiences

7 p.m. Tuesdays Free, weekly small-group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free child care for children ages 10 and younger. Desert Springs Church 19620 S. McQueen Road, Room 106, Chandler hope4all@comcast.net, helpovercomingpainfulexperiences.org

WEDNESDAYS SUNDAYS

Panic Healing

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, 480593-8798, interfaith-community.org

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

Kids’ Sunday School

TUESDAYS

Celebration Service

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 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 St., Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

MONDAYS

The Art of Parenting

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 480-792-1800

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 Ave., Mesa Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com

Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:45 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays each month Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

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

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Thursday Evenings: Aug 1st - Sept 26th, 2019 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

SUNDAY WORSHIP

At 8:30 am & 10 am

Purchase Materials at https://fpu.com/1091269

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

FRIDAYS

Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation

7 p.m. second Friday of each month Sun Lakes Chapel 9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes sunlakesjewishcongregation.org

SATURDAYS

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

OTHER

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

Jewish Women International Avodah Chapter 1581 Monthly luncheon. Social Box Eateries, 1371 N. Alma School Road, Chandler RSVP: 480-802-9304, 480-655-8812

Gong Meditation and Yoga Nidra

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 480588-1882

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

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

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

Bible Study

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.

Come, Worship the Lord

Praise Him

Glorify His Name

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BEAUTY SERVICES Offering Lash extensions and Permanent Make up at Cindy' s Hair salon located in Chandler 1076 W Chandler Blvd Suite 110 Lash Extensions Classic Set $ 65 Refills $ 40 Permanent Make-up $ 175 Call or text RoAn Y Welch 480-781-8277

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Chandler bakery’s offerings are ‘keto-compliant’ where to start with this stuff,” said Skinner.

“They said ‘maybe,’ but one night I was up feeding my baby at like 4 a.m. and I just went for it. I found a brand, I got a website domain, and a label and I figured then they couldn’t say no,” Skinner added.

With just a cottage kitchen license, the trio began selling Keto-inspired savory and sweet meal-prepped food in April.

Within the first week, they decided to upgrade their license for commercial use as the cottage license restricted what they could use.

The three also rented a commercial kitchen on Alma School Road and Elliot Road as well.

“We literally blew up overnight. We can’t keep up with all these orders.

And most of them are for the baked goods because it’s hard to find IInaki Huarte is flanked by Keto Kitchen Confections owner and wife Leah Keto-friendly cakes and Huarte, left, and Rebecca Skinner. Below, the chef works his magic with things,” said Skinner. some of the bakery’s tasty treats. He has been able to manipulate the two “We’ve absolutely women’s favorite recipes to be both Keto-friendly and appetite-curbing as loved what we’ve heard well. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer) from customers. We give you all the nutritionthat’s sort of where we step in and take al information and macros so if you’re the reigns for you,” she added. counting that you can stay on track,” said Inaki has been able to manipulate Leah.

Leah and Skinner’s favorite recipes to not Lead said for the time being the only be Keto-friendly, but to curb their bakery is doing pick-up orders only, which cravings as well. need to be placed 48 hours in advance Going through the effects of Keto flu until they can grow the business and themselves, Skinner said she knew the open a full-service bakery. trio needed to share their knowledge “I think we’re just going to keep exwith others as keto became more poppanding. I mean, I’m not sure what the fuular, and more people were going about ture holds, but I also said that 100 pounds the diet improperly. ago and look where I am now,” said Leah.

“I was like oh my gosh you guys can Information: Keto Kitchen Confecmake money at this. This is a wasted options is on Facebook, or go to chandlerportunity if you don’t pursue something ketobakery.com or call 480-630-4651. because so many people have no idea

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Contributor

Low-carb doesn’t always mean low-maintenance where one Chandler bakery is concerned.

Keto Kitchen Confections is out to make the ketogenic diet as easy to follow as possible, because according to Owner Leah Huarte, “the only good diet is the one you can stick to.”

From bagels, zucchini ravioli, giant cheese danishes and lemon pound cakes; to cupcakes, caramel-chocolate pecan turtles, tiramisu, crème brule and raspberry linzer bars, the menu at Keto Kitchen Confections is constantly adding more items to keep up with customer requests.

“The thing about baking and cooking like this is that it’s really expensive to mess up; there’s not a lot of room for error if you’re new at it,” said Huarte’s husband, Inaki Huarte.

Five years ago, Leah, a retail buyer at a casino, and her business partner and best friend Rebecca Skinner, a teacher, gave the diet a whirl to lose weight just before her brother’s wedding.

When five pounds in the first week turned into 25 pounds in the first couple of months, Huarte and Skinner knew they had cracked the code to something special.

Though now Huarte and Skinner have lost over 300 pounds together, their lives used to look much different.

Inaki is a professional chef. So, taking full advantage of the skill set that was under her roof, Leah previously hosted “fatty fest”—a time when she, Rebecca and some of their friends would indulge in the most gluttonous, savory and sweet recipes they have Inaki conjure up.

“We always joked that we were the ‘fat friends.’ We had each other in all of our diets and the fall back of those when they wouldn’t work out was usually fatty fest,” said Leah. “But then, I don’t know, we said we’ll give this one last diet a try.”

The ketogenic diet, commonly shortened to “keto,” is a low-carb, high-fat diet—putting one’s body in a state of ketosis, when the body can efficiently burn fat for energy instead of stored carbs.

While there are several styles of the diet — including standard, cyclical, targeted and high protein — they all share the same goal: to provide immediate weight loss, offer extended solution to burn fat efficiently and lower risk factors for diseases such as diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Though highly effective, the diet can be difficult to stick to if done improperly.

A majority of beginners fall victim to “Keto flu” while their body is adapting to the new source of energy. Symptoms include a weakened immune system, headaches, fatigue, nausea and severe sugar cravings and many other withdrawal-like symptoms associated with curbing off an addiction.

“Most people give up on the diet at that point. But the thing is they just don’t know how to get their body the energy it needs to sustain itself properly,” said Leah. “And

WHERE TO EAT

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With JAN D’ATRI

CLIPPER MAGAZINE

Proof Release

MARTHA NEESE FOR VON HANSON S MEATS SPIRITS

Area: 02763-07-19 Chandler-West/Gilbert; 02504-07-19 Chandler-Greater

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ontact your Account Service Coordinator:

Tomato pesto pasta with zoodles offers oodles of delight

Martha Needs

Bobbi Tedder

phone: 480-917-2525 email: Marthaneese@aol.com fax: 480-917-2995

Team: 4F phone: 717-663-3527 email: 4F@cmag.com

fax: 717-358-2631

COUPON PLACEMENT MAY CHANGE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION.

I know I’m a little late to the picnic. By now many of you own a Spiralizer, but pasta has always been APPROVE YOUR AD OR SUBMIT CHANGES BY CLICKING THE APPROPRIATE BUTTON ABOVE OR SIGN YOUR PROOF & FAX TO THE NUMBER ABOVE. mywithgo-to thought about making changes dish. I never❑much Ad is not approved make changes indicated ❑ Ad is approved ❑ Ad is approved noodles from zucchini. But a couple of cranks of a Spiralizer handle made me a believer.

ales Rep: Gary Millslagle

DATE

N

PRINT NAME

OPEN LABOR DAY

HANSO N

Sept. 3rd 8am-6pm

’S

VO

SIGNATURE

10%

Fresh From the Deli…

SHREDDED BBQ PORK Buy 1 Lb., Get 1 Lb. Free

or

on purcha re $ 30 or mo

All Natural, Fresh Hormone-Free Meats

s.

item Excludes sale

We process BOTH Fresh & Frozen Wild Game!

72

Aug. 9, 10 & 11, 2019

MARINATED CHICKEN BREASTS Buy 1, Get 1 FREE Equal or Lesser Value

COUPON

DOG TREAT SPECIALS Smoked Knuckle Bones Buy 2, Get 3rd Of Equal Or Lesser Value Free

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Von Hanson’s Own...

Von Hanson’s Own...

DINNER’S DONE

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$9.99

Beef, Turkey, Garlic & Cajun

$4 OFF a lb.

1 Lb. Sloppy Joe, 1 Lb. Coleslaw 4 Pkg. Hamburger Buns

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HUNTER’S CLEAN OUT YOUR FREEZER DISCOUNT!

TRY OUR NEW SPECIALTY BRATS!

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BREAKFAST PATTIES

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VARIETY PACK MINI

5- 1 lb. Pkgs Lean Ground Beef 1 - 2 lb. Family Steak 2 - 3 lb. Hand-Cut Fryers 1 - 2 1/2 lb. Boneless SAVE Beef Pot Roast $5 2 lbs. Center Cut Pork Chops 2 lbs. Country Style reg. $129.95 Pork Ribs ONLY 1 - 1 lb. Pkg. Lean $ 95 Stew Meat

3 - 1 lb. Pkgs. Lean NEW Ground Beef 1 - 2 lb. Family Steak 2 - 3 lb. Hand Cut Fryers 1 - 2 1/2 lb. Boneless Beef Pot Roast 2 lbs. Center Cut reg. $100.95 Pork Chops

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124

SAVE $5

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ONLY

95

95

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TRAIL MIX Sausage & Cheese

Buy 2, Get 3rd FREE! All Varieties!

In a small skillet, toast almonds over medium heat, stirring frequently, until pale golden and fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes. Cool almonds to room temperature.

In a food processor or blender, pulse cooled almonds until finely chopped. Add basil, parsley, tomatoes, cheese, garlic, capers, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and lemon juice.

With machine running, add oil in steady stream until emulsified. For the noodles: If using pasta, cook according to package directions. Just before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water.

Drain pasta (do not rinse unless you want a cold pasta salad). Transfer to a large bowl. Pour pesto over pasta, using tongs to toss the mixture together.

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Von Hanson’s Own...

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$4.99 per lb.

ANY DAY

Directions:

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$1.00 off per lb.

F RE E ZE R- RE A D Y

VARIETY PACK

Von Hanson’s Own...

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Von Hanson’s Own Fresh...

½ cup toasted almonds ½ cup packed fresh parsley 2 cups packed fresh basil 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving 1 large garlic clove 1 tablespoon drained and rinsed capers ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Seasoned Or Unseasoned

When you buy 4 bottles of wine

Elk, deer, javelina or any game meat

Ingredients:

HOUR SALE!

GRILL STEAKS

COUPON

On sausage processing

BBQ Pulled Pork • Bacon Cheeseburger Cherry Bomb • Kilt Lifter • Cajun • Reuben Sophie’s Brat (No Salt) • Bacon Ranch Chicken Mango Habanero • Sweet Pepper Philly Cheesesteak • Mushroom Swiss

(Recipe adapted from Lisa Brisch, Chef atSweet Basil Gourmetware & Cooking School)

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FRESH SPECIALTY BRATS

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Freshly Made Dinner Rolls & Custom Sausage Trays & Fresh Deli Salads!

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Tomato pesto pasta with zoodles or noodles

30 or mor e

$

WE CAN EVEN MAKE JAVELINA TASTE GOOD!!

AND OTHER ITEMS IN OUR DELI SECTION!

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Military Day active & Thurs., Au retired g. 8th, 20 19 SAVE 10 on purchas % e of

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55 13 Tues., Aug. ses of

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2 lbs. Iowa Pork Chops (Thick Cut) 1 - 3 lb. Boneless Rotisserie Roast 2 - 8 oz. Famous Grill SAVE Steaks $5 12 - 1/4 lb. Choice Lean Ground Beef Patties reg. $100.95 1 lb. Cheddar Dogs ONLY 1 lb. Homemade $ 95 Beer Brats 1 lb. Skin-On Wieners

45 Day Dry Aged

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Available Saturdays & Sundays While Supplies Last

95

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2390 N. ALMA SCHOOL • CHANDLER • 480-917-2525 On Alma School Road, Between Elliot & Warner

DOWNLOAD OUR NEW MONEY- SAVING APP!

N. Alma School Rd.

Open: Sun 10-6 • Mon-Fri 9-8 • Sat 8-7

Elliot Rd.

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Warner Rd.

Brisch, takes pesto to a whole new level with the addition of cherry tomatoes and capers. Whether it’s zoodles or noodles, you’re going to love this dish. Never would I turn on my Italian roots, but from now on, it’s oodles of zoodles for me.

VON HANSON’S OWN...

Y SENIOR DA nt Discou older

MEATS & SPIRITS

I’ve had more fun in the kitchen, spiralizing cukes, potatoes, apples, carrots and anything else I have in my crisper. But the zoodles are my favorite. Especially with my new favorite pesto.

This recipe, courtesy of Chef Lisa

We are now on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Yelp!

Arizona store only. We accept Food Stamps • We reserve the right to limit quantities

1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Noodles:

1 lb pasta OR 1 lb zucchini for Zoodles with Spiralizer (About 2-3 large zucchini) Olive oil for pan.

Add pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pesto. Serve, sprinkling with extra parmesan.

If using squash, make the zucchini noodles by cutting off the ends from the squash then carefully running them down the blade of a mandolin fitted with the julienne attachment.

(The blade should be set at ¹⁄8-inch thick). Alternately, you can use a spiralizer to make the zucchini noodles.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the squash noodles and ¼ teaspoon salt; cook, tossing constantly with tongs, for about 3 minutes just until the zucchini begins to wilt. (Do not overcook the zucchini noodles.)

Add enough pesto to completely coat the noodles. Toss gently.

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