Issuu

INSIDE:

www.ahwatukee.com

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

. 27

PANDEMIC PIZZA

. 31 PRICES STILL RISING

P RE

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. 37

he Phoenix City Manager was scheduled to present a proposed budget to City Council yesterday, May 4, with a dramatically different message from the one he presented at this time last year. City Manager Ed Zuercher noted that the $1.5 billion proposed General Fund budget for the �iscal year beginning July 1 “represents a remarkable turnaround from the budget of 2020-21 when we instituted hiring freezes to prevent COVID-related de�icits.”

This time the city is looking at a $154.8 million surplus that it will use to pay negotiated salary increases totaling $118.3 million and create 318 positions for “programs and services in several important categories.” The surplus results from $98 million in onetime funds – mostly federal pandemic relief money – and $56.8 million in increased revenue that partly re�lects higher real estate tax yields from the dramatic increases in home values over the past �iscal year. The combined real estate tax rate of $2.13 for the coming year will drop by a penny. While the primary rate of $1.31 remains unchanged,

Sanchez starts the race for DiCiccio’s successor

@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

$154.8M city budget surplus funding raises, 318 new positions

NEW GRAD

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

the secondary rate will drop from 82 cents to 81 cents. The budget also lists several new expenditures that administration of�icials said resulted from ideas offered during 14 community town halls on the budget. That new spending – at a cost of $4.3 million – includes three new parks in southwest Phoenix Highline Canal maintenance, more staff for the Pueblo Grande Museum, resources to promote AIDS awareness and prevention, a “city navigator” for veterans’ services, additional

�� BUDGET �� 16

Kind words, deeds

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

he election is 18 months away but the race for a successor to termed-out Councilman Sal DiCiccio is on. And the �irst candidate to kind of throw his hat into the ring is Moses Sanchez – who, like the incumbent, is an Ahwatukee resident. That, Sanchez contends, will be an important factor for Ahwatukee voters in the November 2022 Sixth Council District election. He said having an Ahwatukee resident on City Council in 2023 will be a huge deterrent to any move to split Ahwatukee into two council districts during the redistricting that new Census �igures will require. Though he said he won’t of�icially declare his candidacy until September, Sanchez called AFN last week to say, “I am con�irming any rumors that are being spread about my candidacy.” It was a kind of preemptive strike, he said, because

�� MOSES �� 12

More than 30 people organized by Ahwatukee resident Wanda Kolomyjec are showing support for asylum seekers every Wednesday in Ahwatukee. See page 3 for details. (Suzanne Whitaker/Special to AFN)

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

The Ahwatukee Foothills News is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Ahwatukee Foothills.

Times Media Group: 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219 Tempe, Arizona, 85282 Main number: 480-898-6500 Advertising: 480-898-5624 Circulation service: 480-898-5641

PUBLISHER Steve T. Strickbine

VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt

ADVERTISING STAFF National Advertising Director Zac Reynolds 480-898-5603 zac@ahwatukee.com

Advertising Sales Representatives: Karen Mays, 480-898-7909, kmays@ahwatukee.com Laura Meehan, 480-898-7904, lmeehan@ahwatukee.com

Classified:

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Circulation Director:

Aaron Kolodny 480-898-5641, customercare@ahwatukee.com

NEWS STAFF Executive Editor:

Paul Maryniak, 480-898-5647, pmaryniak@ahwatukee..com

GetOut Editor:

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, 480-641-4518, christina@timespublications.com

Sports Editor:

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Designer: Ruth Carlton - rcarlton@timespublications.com

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Tom Scanlon, 480-278-6903 tscanlon@timespublications.com Wayne Schutsky, 480-898-6533 wschutsky@timespublications.com Cecilia Chan. 480-898-5613, cchan@timespublications.com Ahwatukee Foothills News is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@ azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@ azintegatedmedia.com.

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People opposing asylum seekers continue to demonstrate Wednesday afternoons at Chandler Boulevard and 48th Street. (Special to AFN)

Counterprotest aims for help, reassure migrant families here BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

he ongoing protest triggered by the federal government’s use of an Ahwatukee hotel to temporarily shelter migrant families has given birth to a counter-demonstration that aims to do more than offer a different point of view. Organized by Ahwatukee resident and Kyrene Governing Board member Wanda Kolomyjec, about 35 people are gathering on the southeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and 48th Street at the same time on Wednesdays as the two northside corners of the intersection are occupied by about two dozen people upset over the use of the Holiday Inn Express to shelter migrant families. But Kolomyjec and her colleagues aren’t just trying to remind the public that those families are here legally to await a ruling on their request for asylum. She’s also collecting clothing and other items on behalf of the 100 Angels Foundation, a local nonprofit that, among other things, provides some physical and emotional support to asylum seekers. With the goal of “transforming communities through service and education by providing comfort to populations in need through physical, emotional and spiritual care,” the foundation states on its website that “we are the first friendly faces they (migrants) encounter after a long journey, which is at the same time a new beginning.” The nonprofit said that since 2018, it has assisted 18,000 asylum seekers transitioning to Maricopa County and has helped 670 people so far this year. Kolomyjec organized the counter-demonstration to coincide with the other protest, which runs 4:30-6 p.m. today, May 5, and every Wednesday for the foreseeable future. The protest against the migrants began three weeks

see PROTEST page 12

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

Female slay suspect takes her life in Ahwatukee

165th Ave. in Goodyear. Officers found his body with a fatal gunshot wound. esidents of the San Riva Apart“Due to the suspicious circumstances, ments on Liberty Lane in Ahwatu- this quickly turned into a homicide inkee watched apprehensively April vestigation,” the release said, saying 28 as Goodyear police swarmed into the “Couty became the prime suspect.” complex’s parking lot. But police did not say why she had Even a SWAT armored vehicle was on quickly become the prime suspect in the hand, heightening their concern. slaying or if they had found any motive. But within about an hour of the show Nor have they said whether Couty of force, all that residents saw was a filled took her life with her gun as they arrived body bag being wheeled out to a county or if she had been dead long before they Medical Examiner’s vehicle. got there. And what police had found in one of the All the Goodyear Police would say is that second-floor apartments was the body of Phoenix Police are treating Couty’s death Lisa Couty, 37, whom they had planned as a suicide. to arrest in the shooting death of her ex“This case is being treated as an onboyfriend a day earlier. going murder investigation involving Goodyear Police refused to answer any the apparent suicide of the suspect,” the questions about the murder-suicide. Goodyear Police release said, adding They issued a news release saying that “this to be an isolated incident involvpolice had arrived at the residence of ing a domestic relationship and do not Todd Vermillion, 41, shortly after mid- believe there is a danger to either comnight April 27. munity.” rea Rugs ~ Luxury Vinyl ~ Co Ahad m The release said family members o There were virtually no public t u trecords erto ~ Cus check at indicating anything about Coutynand s r e asked police~ to make a welfare the w ps ood ~ Laminate Sho Vermillion’s home in the 8800 block of S. only information about Vermillion was

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A Medical Examiner’s staffer could be seen wheeling the body of Lisa Couty at the San Riva Apartments in Ahwatukee April 28. (Special to AFN) his guilty plea in 2017 in Yavapai County Superior Court to one count of transporta-

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

Kyrene special revenue outlook a mixed bag AFN NEWS STAFF

he same surge in sales tax revenue that has been an unanticipated boon for state and municipal governments also will benefit Kyrene School District. During a presentation to the Kyrene Governing Board last week, Chief Financial Officer Chris Hermann discussed special revenue funds and where the district expects some extra dollars for the 202122 budget. But even that good news was tempered by his discussion of shortfalls in the district’s community education income and chronic underfunding for special education. The special funds involve revenue outside of state per-pupil reimbursement that forms the bulk of a district’s operating revenue. They often are for specific purposes, such as food service and employee clearance fingerprinting, and account for only about 18 percent of the district’s General Fund revenue.

kee OWN AN’S y

Hermann also warned again that even though some of the special fund accounts showed significant increases totaling millions of dollars, the district still faces a gaping budget hole for the coming school year. “Although we’re grateful to receive this funding, as we have discussed in previous board meetings, our funding allocations are not enough to address all the budget shortfalls that we have experienced and all the expenditure increases that have arisen because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. One of the most significant windfalls involves the classroom site fund, which consists of money from the .6 percent state sales tax and a portion from State Trust Land sales. Kyrene will be getting close to $12.5 million – a marked increase over this year's $7.7 million – in classroom site fund dollars that can typically be used for things such as class size reduction, teacher raises and development, assessment intervention and teacher liability insurance premiums.

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Each district’s allocation of site fund dollars is based on a weighted student count from the previous school year and the amount of sales tax collected. This year, Kyrene is receiving $733 per pupil in site fund allocations – far higher than the $435 it got this year. But that figure includes a one-time infusion of $192 in higher-than-anticipated sales tax revenue. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee earlier this school year said it initially anticipated that sales tax revenues would decline by 4.2 percent in the 2019-20 fiscal year and then increase 2.2 percent in the current fiscal year. “We developed these estimates only several weeks into the nationwide lockdown starting in mid-March 2020,” the committee said. “The decline in economic activity was not as severe as anticipated at that time.” It said revenue grew 6.1 percent in the 2019-20 fiscal year and is projected to increase by 10.7 percent in the current fiscal year. The committee cautioned that it ex-

pects site fund dollars will slip below the 2021-22 allocation for the following school year. Among the bad news Hermann had for the district involved the pandemic’s impact on revenue from Kyrene’s community education programs, which include Kids Club, before- and after-school programs, preschool, summer programs and other student-enrichment programs. “Kyrene does operate one of the largest community educational programs in the state and serves over 3,500 children during a normal school year,” Hermann said. “However, because of the impact from COVID-19, the last two years have been anything but typical from a budgeting and financial perspective.” He said community education took a $500,000 hit this school year despite some cost-cutting measures that included staff layoffs. And even looking at the coming fiscal year, he said, community education income is projected to total about $2 mil-

see KYRENE page 22

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

PROTEST from page 3

ago after it was disclosed that the Holiday Inn near 50th Street and Chandler Boulevard is part of a network of hotels in Texas and Arizona hosting migrant families through an $86.9 million contract Immigration and Customs Enforcement awarded a Texas nonprofit called Family Endeavors, aka Endeavors. ICE has not answered many questions about the Holiday Inn – including the

MOSES from page 1

number of families and duration of stays. But the occupants are here legally. Federal and international laws require the federal government to consider requests for asylum. The protestors opposing their stay at the Holiday Inn contend the migrants should be housed in Mexico to await adjudication on their requests. Kolomyjec disagrees, and was turned off by some of the signs the protestors carried, claiming the migrants are here illegally. Whether the people staying at the Hol-

Sam Stone, DiCiccio’s chief of staff, had been expected to declare his candidacy over the weekend. Although no such announcement came, Stone has long been rumored as a likely candidate. Indeed, Marissa Hamilton, Stone’s predecessor in DiCiccio’s office and the Republican candidate in last years Phoenix mayoral race, all but confirmed that. Sanchez had posted on Facebook that he was considering a run for the council seat and wanted to know if people would support him. Hamilton then posted below his post that Stone would be running and wrote, “If Moses runs for this seat, he will split the Republican vote and a far leftist will ultimately win this seat.” The sprawling, oddly shaped District 6 extends from Ahwatukee across Central Ahwatukee resident Moses Sanchez is a likely candidate in the 2022 election to sucPhoenix to Arcadia. But having District 6 for a stomping ground ceed Councilman Sal DiCiccio. (AFN) will be almost a cakewalk of a campaign for gas and shoe leather beating the bushes Sanchez after his 2018 run for mayor. throughout the city. Though he came in third in a two-way He also said that he led or placed second race between Kate Gallego and Daniel in all the District 6 precincts in that elecAnytime. Valenzuela, Sanchez expended a lot of tion, fueling his optimism about a run for Anywhere.

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DiCiccio’s seat. “I think I can best represent our community, our district,” Sanchez said. An Ahwatukee resident since 2004, Sanchez said he got serious about the race after getting the green light from his obstetrician-gynecologist wife, Dr. Maria Manriquez-Sanchez. They have two daughters and a son. The youngest daughter is his business partner in a marketing company. He credits his kids and physician wife with helping him readjust to civilian life after the E-6 noncommissioned officer took part in counterinsurgency operations in war-torn Afghanistan as part of his duties in the Navy Reserve. A native of Panama who came to America with his parents when he was 4, Sanchez is almost done with a 25-year stint with the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was a member of the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board and has been active in a number of local community organizations, including the Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club and the executive board of the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce. He said his longtime love affair with Ahwatukee is partly fueling his desire to

be dropped off between 4:30-6 p.m. on Wednesday on the southeast corner of 50th Street and Chandler Boulevard or people can make arrangements to donate clothing or cash by contacting the 100 Angels Foundation at 100angels.org. Kolomyjec said the response she and her fellow demonstrators have received is encouraging. “There are quite a few good people out there, a ton of kind-hearted folks,” she said. 

run for City Council and contends that if an Ahwatukee resident holds that seat when redistricting talks get underway in 2023, there will be virtually no effort by other council members to divvy up Ahwatukee. More than that, however, Sanchez said he also wants to serve Ahwatukee and the rest of District 6, promising to run on three basic issues. “Public safety, quality of life, infrastructure,” he said. “We don’t have the same homelessness or crime problems that other parts of the city have,” Sanchez said, “but there are issues that need to be addressed.” Although the election isn’t until November 2022 with a possible runoff the following March between the two top vote getters if there is no clear victor, Sanchez is wasting no time. He said he expects several other contenders will enter the race by early next year, so he’s been quietly drumming up support. He said he hopes the campaign will be issue-oriented, too. “I’m going to focus on my strengths” rather than his opponents’ shortcomings, he said. “I’m good in a non-partisan election.” 

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iday Inn are even aware of the protests is unclear. But Kolomyjec said, “I want those people to know that not everyone in this community feels” the way the protestors across from her group feel. “We are a Christian nation and Jesus was very clear about what we should do – you don’t judge. You help.” She said she has been overwhelmed by the amount of clothing that has been donated for migrant families. Clothing can

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

Chandler mourns officer killed by vehicle thief BY CECILIA CHAN AND KEVIN REAGAN AFN Staff Writers

uneral services have not yet been set for Chandler Police Officer Christopher Farrar, who on April 29 became the first law enforcement in Arizona to die in the line of duty this year following a violent confrontation at a Gilbert autoplex. Officer Christopher Farrar, an 18-year veteran Chandler policeman who had been assigned to the K9 division, was struck and killed during the deadly climax to a high-speed chase that began earlier Thursday evening in Eloy. Gilbert Officer Rico Aranda remains in critical condition but has stabilized and “has shown signs of improvement” since he was injured in that confrontation. The suspect, Jonathan Atland, 25, was expected to be released soon from the hospital, where he was treated for nonlife-threatening injuries sustained in the confrontation at the San Tan Motorplex at Val Vista Drive and the San Tan Loop 202 Freeway. Once he is released, he’ll be going directly to jail on charges of murder, aggravated assault and other criminal counts. Information released so far by Gilbert Police point to an “intentional attack” launched by Atland as he tried to escape in a second stolen vehicle from San Tan Ford. Aranda had been sitting in his patrol vehicle when Atland, who had already struck Officer Farrar, slammed into him. Atland was subdued shortly after that crash. A gofund.me account has been set up for Aranda gofund.me/afda31c1 and Gilbert Police stressed this is the only official place to donate for his benefit. A separate fundraising effort has been launched for Officer Farrar’s family by The 100 Club, which helps the families of officers killed in the line of duty. That fundraiser can be reached at 100club. org/donate. The gofundme account showed an outpouring of support for Aranda with three quarters of the $100,000 goal already raised within the first 24 hours after it was started. The horrific incident began when Atland was initially stopped in a stolen pickup truck near Eloy. He fired several shots at Pinal County Sheriff’s deputies and sped off along SR 87 with police in hot pursuit,

A procession of Chandler police cars and motorcycles escorted the body of Officer Christopher Farrar at dawn last Friday from Chandler to the Medical Examiner's Office in downtown Phoenix. (Special to AFN) police said. Atland crashed through a fence at Chandler Airport and “then attempted to evade officers by driving in opposing lanes of traffic on surface streets and on and off from the 202 Santan Freeway,” Gilbert Police said. Atland then crashed through the fence of San Tan Ford and “was able to gain access to the building through an open roll-up door to the maintenance area of the dealership where custodial staff were working,” police said. Officers from Gilbert, Chandler, Pinal County and DPS surrounded the building and “discharged their weapons as a result of the suspect attempting to run them over after crashing through the bay door,” police said. He then struck a parked patrol car where Aranda had been sitting and was taken into custody shortly thereafter.

Chandler Officer Christopher Farrar, killed by a vehicle thief last Friday, was an 18-year member of the force. (Special to AFN)

Chandler officers are in mourning over the loss of Officer Farrar, whose body was escorted by a Chandler motorcycle police in a pre-dawn cavalcade from Chandler Regional Medical Center to the downtown Phoenix offices of the County Medical Examiner Friday morning. “Every day he came to work, he made a difference,” an emotional Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan said of Officer Farrar at a pre-dawn press conference Friday. “In the course of 18 years, he touched many lives. “So, I just ask that you keep Chris’ family in your prayers and just take a moment and remember and be mindful of the brave men and women who are out there daily helping to keep our community safe.” Officer Farrar was described as a dedicated public servant and his work was acknowledged in 2010 after his agency honored him with its “Community Service Award.” He held multiple positions throughout the department during his career, including the patrol division, the bicycle team, and his current position as a K-9 Officer. “Christopher received numerous commendations and accolades from community members, business owners, co-workers, and supervisors during his career,” the department said in a release. “He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor in 2004, the Community Service Award in 2009, the Spotlight Award in 2019, and a four-time recipient of the Lifesaving Award. Officer Farrar is survived by his mother and father, brother, sister, daughter, two sons and grandchild. “He was a son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, and dedicated police officer,” the department release said. Tributes and expressions of sympathy for Officer Farrar flooded social media early Friday.

“It’s just tragic,” said Chandler Councilman Matt Orlando. “These guys and gals put their life on the line every day and we just got to keep supporting them and making a better police force.” Police departments across Arizona lowered their flags half-mast and paid tribute to him, as did numerous local and state officials. “My heart aches for the family of this officer,” wrote a man on a Gilbert community Facebook page. “These men and women are true heroes. They wake up every day and put their life on the line to protect and serve. May he RIP.” It has been seven years since a member of the Chandler Police force was killed on the job, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a nonprofit organization. With his death, Chandler Police now have lost five officers who died while performing their job. Chandler Police also recorded a death of one of their own in January not directly linked to his line of work. Officer Tyler Britt, a 19-year member of the force, died from complications of COVID-19. In Mesa, two officers have died in the line of duty, the last in 1994 and Tempe Police has seen five officers die with the last death in 2006. The last Gilbert officer to die on duty was Lt. Eric Shuhandler, who was fatally shot in

see OFFICERS page 16

Gilbert Officer Rico Aranda sustained severe head injuries when the thief rammed his patrol car with a stolen vehicle. (AFN)

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NEWS

BUDGET from page 1

funding for the city’s Adaptive Reuse Program, more maintenance staff for city cemeteries, and additional Water Department for conservation-related activities. It also would cover “targeted economic development opportunities for the west region of the city, expand the successful College Depot Program for our younger residents, increase funding for the Arts and Historic Preservation, provide for adequate floodplain management, add funding for landscape management due to recently completed capital projects and address the need for more resources due to growth and demand for city amenities and services.” Is Ahwatukee getting anything specific beyond normal city services? The city manager’s 73-page budget overview lists nothing specific. Of the remaining $32.5 million in surplus money, $20.5 million will be spent on “public safety reform and responsiveness” that includes creation of 226.9 positions. “Primary in this category is additional resources for a bold investment of $15 million towards expanding an existing civilian-only program for responding to mental and behavioral health calls for service,” the city manager’s budget report states. The city is adding more crisis-response and behavioral health units. They would answer more calls that normally would be handled by police officers but that don’t necessarily require the intervention of someone armed with a gun. “Community members, first responders and mental health professionals have all identified the need for enhanced mental health and crisis response support in Phoenix,” Zuercher’s report noted. The city Community Assistance Program that would run those crisis teams was created in 1995 but “has been under-

OFFICERS from page 14

2010 when he stopped a vehicle occupied by two men near the intersection of Val Vista and Baseline roads in Gilbert. A wild chase ensued before police captured the killers after a gunfight on US 60

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

resourced and unable to meet community demands,” he noted. But that enhanced program won’t even be fully operational for 18 months to two years. During that time, Zuercher’s report stated, “the city plans to seek input from the community and mental and behavioral health stakeholders to ensure the program meets the needs of all. Staff also plans to engage independent experts to conduct thorough process mapping, best practices identification, community engagement, performance measures.” Part of the public safety funding also includes $3.7 million to add 75 civilian Police Department positions. Of that total new personnel count, 15 positions would be devoted to quicker turnaround time on public records requests, 34 staffers would “ensure data reporting compliance with the National Incident-Based Reporting System; and 33 would be assigned to Central Booking for jobs like fingerprinting and initial data input. There also is $500,000 set aside for a “thorough evaluation of practices and policies” in the Phoenix Police Department. Other surplus-fueled spending includes these new initiatives: Administrative accountability. Costing $3.1 million and requiring 27 new positions across a variety of city departments, this initiative aims to provide “timely, effective and high-quality service delivery in areas concerning city elections, public records requests, contract management, information technology, human resources, legal services, fiscal support, and to increase funding for maintenance of the city’s aging fleet of vehicles. A third of that total funding will be spent on “managed services to sustain technology infrastructure and remediate vulnerabilities to protect city systems and applications from ever evolving security threats.”

near Superior. Both killers are serving life sentences. In 2006, Gilbert Officer Rob Targosz died after his motorcycle was struck by a drunken driver at the intersection of Price Road and Apache Boulevard in Tempe during a DUI checkpoint exercise.

The initiative also includes creation of an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with two positions to “ensure the city is both a place to work and live which promotes equitable and respectful treatment of all people.” “COVID relief and resiliency.” City staff proposes spending $2.6 million to create seven positions to “ensure the city not only continues to responsibly navigate the pandemic, but also to provide these service enhancements and information technology benefits going forward.” The largest expenditure in this category would be $1.7 million for an additional three employees and contract services “to support the technology deployed due to the pandemic for teleworking, new WiFilocations and video conferencing.” Also included under this spending category is enhanced digital security for the new PHX 311 system, three positions to man the appointment counter at City Hall and money for emergency food assistance and the city’s 2025 Food Action Plan. Climate change heat readiness. At a cost of $2.8 largely for 14 new positions, here’s how city administration explains this initiative: “The growing hazard of urban heat to the public, particularly vulnerable populations such as the homeless, require a forwardthinking approach to provide for a sustainable environment for city residents. “Proposed additions in this category include establishing a new Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, provide additional resources and staff to achieve the goals of the 2010 Tree and Shade Master Plan, increase staff for the Energy System Inspection Program in the Fire Department and add funding for conducting greenhouse gas emissions inventories and to assist with implementing the city’s newly created Climate Action Plan.” Affordable housing and homelessTo date, according to the memorial page, Arizona has lost 264 law enforcement officers in the line of duty since the 1880s. In the state, Phoenix Police Department led with the most fallen officers at 41, followed by Arizona Department of Public

GOT NEWS?

ness. This initiative, at a cost of $2.8 million, would be used mainly to increase and improve affordable housing units for homeless people. It also will be sued to clean up areas of downtown and Sunnyslope, which Zuercher’s report said has seen an increase in homeless people during the pandemic. The report also summarizes the demands made by citizens during the 14 public hearings, which were held virtually. The numbers indicated not many people participated in those sessions. For example, in looking at what citizens opposed in the trial budget circulated a couple months ago, by far the biggest response involved 199 people who opposed police funding and money for addiction treatment programs in the city’s western half. After that, 23 people opposed the whole budget. The rest of opponents numbered fewer than 4 on any one measure. They were opposed to funding increases for specific city departments. When it came to public requests for additional funding and new programs, the biggest response – with 170 people weighing in – came in favor of the civilian behavioral health response teams that the city is adding. The next largest contingents involved 76 people who wanted more action on heat readiness and conservation; 36 who wanted more affordable housing programs and rental assistance; and 35 each for arts and culture increases and expanded public transit services. "This feedback was taken into consideration," Zuercher's report said, noting the additional spending he included. City Council will have a tentative budget adoption vote June 2 with final adoption of the spending plan two weeks after that. 

Safety with 30. For 2021 so far, 118 law enforcement officers have died nationwide, according to the memorial page. And since 1776, there have been 24,870 known line of duty deaths in America, the memorial page stated. 

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

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

Planning Committee gets city economic overview AFN NEWS STAFF

f more than 2,200 Phoenix businesses that benefited from the city’s expenditure of $22 million, 122 were located in Ahwatukee. That tally was related by city Economic Development Executive Officer Hank Marshall during a presentation to the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee last week. Marshall did not say how much money those Ahwatukee businesses received. Business assistance was supported by the money the city received from the federal government last year to address issues related to the impact of the pandemic. Business assistance was divided into various categories, including $7 million for small businesses with six to 25 employees; $1 million to help restaurants restarted after the governor’s shutdown of in-house dining was lifted; $1 million to businesses at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; $8 million to “microbusinesses” of five or fewer workers; and $5 million to help businesses pay their city water bills. The look at how Ahwatukee businesses benefited from Phoenix’s pandemic-relief programs comprised tiny fraction of Marshall’s presentation during the planning committee’s virtual meeting April 26. Though the presentation had been billed on the committee’s agenda as a “presentation and discussion regarding major employers within the Ahwatukee Foothills Village,” Marshall provided more of an overview of the entire city’s business climate, challenges and opportunities. Of the 10 major employers in Ahwatukee, Marshall said they range from Unitedhealth Group, with 660 employees, to Assa Abloy, a Swedish firm that sells a variety of items ranging from doorknobs to security systems and employs 220 people here. Taken by key industries, he said health care accounts for the most workers in Ahwatukee with 2,690, followed closely by finance-related companies with a total 2,530 employees. The only other four-digit total involved information technology, with 1,550 employees. On the broader economic picture, Mar-

The 28 acres of land in Ahwatukee that Kyrene School District leased for 77 years to a developer will be the home for 500,000 square feet of warehouse space that city officials expect to fill up quickly. (City of Phoenix) shall said the city is still not at pre-pandemic employment levels and companies today face a huge challenge. “In surveying and speaking to employers, which we do every day all day, the RANK

EMPLOYER

Unitedhealth Group

Dish Network Corporation

board them is proving to be very, very difficult.” He suggested that one problem may be the impact of working from home last year. #OF EMPLOYEES 660 620

Fiserv

510

Cyracom

460

Tempe Union High School District 213

410

Fry's Food Stores

310

Stantec Consulting Services

300

Safeway

290

Child Family Support Services Inc.

250

Assa Abloy Inc.

220

Key Industy

# of Employees

Health Care

2,690

Finance

2,530

Information Technology

1,550

Manufacturing

940

Warehouse/Distribution

750

Aerospace

410

This chart shows the 10 largest employers in Ahwatukee and the biggest employment industry sectors in Ahwatukee. (City of Phoenix) resounding challenge for companies is workforce,” he said. “It is proving to be an incredible challenge,” Marshall continued. “As people are scaling up, as the economy is coming back, finding good employees, being able to recruit them, being able to on-

“A lot of people looking to get back to work, change their job but are really relishing the virtual opportunity but that may not be something that some employers are willing to offer,” he said. He also said employers are experiencing trouble accessing local capital for ex-

pansion. “Some people haven’t had good banking relationships,” he explained. “They’ve in many instances self-funded a small business for a long time and access to capital is something that they’re just going to have to figure out. We’re certainly reaching out with them to kind of direct them to resources to the extent that we can.” Marshall also said supply chain disruptions and changes in the global economy have impacted Phoenix businesses. Saying “we’re clawing our way back up” to pre-pandemic employment levels, he also said that about 40 percent of the workforce in the city is “non-participatory.” “Many people are pursuing independent employment or self-employment,” he said, and that makes it even more difficult for companies to find employees. “We’ve seen a lot of people that, because of 2020, have said, ‘You know what? I either got downsized. I lost my job, I elected to leave. I’m now completely rethinking what my future is and what my employability will be in that independent employment category.’” He said that is not just a Phoenix problem in that “roughly 70 million Americans are in the independent-employment pool and that is expected to grow to roughly 90 million in the next five to 10 years. On a related note, Marshall also predicted that the innovation economy will bring new job opportunities that Phoenix is preparing for. On a small scale, he noted the plans to build 500,000 square feet of warehouse space on a 28-acre tract of land along I-10 that Kyrene School District recently leased to a developer for 77 years. On a bigger scale, he cited the South Mountain Tech Corridor that the freeway has given birth to. “I can’t give you a good number of how many projects we have, both national and international, that are looking at buying land and everywhere from Dobbins all the way to the I-10 on both sides of that highway,” Marshall said. “It is absolutely booming. …It is absolutely one of the hottest areas that we’re dealing with and I expect that to continue to grow.” After the Ahwatukee Foothills News

see PLANNING page 20

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

Doctors get vaccinations OK in Arizona BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ith the number of vaccine doses being administered dropping, state health officials are finally agreeing to let doctors start immunizing their patients against COVID-19. The change, which went into effect Monday, means that nearly 1,200 physicians who have set up procedures and register with the state now can directly receive the Moderna vaccine. Each will be able to get up to 200 doses every two weeks. More than 100,000 doses are expected to be available for direct ordering this coming week. But the only vaccine option at this point for those going to a physician will be that one from Moderna whose storage requirements are less stringent than that of the Pfizer vaccine which requires ultracold storage. Moderna also can be distributed in smaller lot sizes. The move comes as Dr. Cara Christ, director of the state Department of Health Services, acknowledged that the number of doses being administered at state-run sites has been dropping. On April 29, for example, the state says only about 9,100 doses were administered. That compares with nearly 25,000 at the beginning of the month when it reached its peak. At the same time, though, the number of people still contracting the virus actually is increasing. Current figures put daily infection rates at where they were last September and October, before there was a vaccine. Christ also warned that the state could be in for yet another surge in infections. But she said that should not result in the same crush on hospital beds as last year, as those who are inoculated tend to get less severe infections. As of Friday, however, just 2.27 million Arizonans had been fully immunized. That’s fewer than 32 percent, though that figure includes the total state population. And for the moment, the vaccines

PLANNING from page 18

asked one of Marshall’s colleagues for more details on the tech corridor along the South Mountain Freeway, a city spokes-

State health director Dr. Cara Christ has given private physicians the green light to administer COVID-19 shots to their patients. (AFN file photo) have not been approved for anyone younger than 16. The move away from massive vaccination sites is a reversal of the policy of the state since December, when Gov. Doug Ducey banned private vaccine distribution without state approval. That order, issued even before the state had its first allocation, even allowed the health department to seize any vaccine allocation made to anyone else. “It’s been really successful for quickly vaccinating individuals,’’ Christ said. But she said it always was the intent to eventually move away from mass-vaccination sites, whether run by the state or by counties. “Those that were very motivated to get the vaccine were going to do whatever was needed, even if that was driving to Glendale at 3 a.m. in the morning, to get that vaccine,’’ she said. “We knew that was kind of our low-hanging fruit in Arizona.’’ Now, Christ said, there are still some people out there willing to get the vaccine but may simply be busy. “And now we have to make it more con-

man emailed back, writing: “The South Mountain Tech Corridor is the newest employment corridor in Phoenix and joins the other 13 corridors around the city. “We are working on a marketing and

venient, more in the areas where they live, work and play, at their grocery stores, at their pharmacies,’’ she said. Christ said she believes having physicians administer vaccinations will make a big difference in the state’s efforts to get as many people inoculated as possible. It goes beyond the convenience factor of people being able to get the vaccine when they stop by for their annual checkup. What is key, said Christ, is being able to get immediate – and trusted – answers about things like the risks and benefits. Consider the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Its use was paused by the Centers for Disease Control following reports of some people getting blood clots. While CDC now has again cleared it for use, Christ said the reports could make people hesitant to get inoculated, especially if that is the only vaccine available. Doctors, she said, can put that in perspective. “I would advise a patient of mine, ‘You’re at higher risk for getting blood clots if you get COVID-19 than you are from getting a

promotion infographic that will be available within a couple of weeks. CED (City Economic Development) cannot disclose the names of companies until a decision to come to the city is final. There is signifi-

blood clot from this vaccine,’" Christ said. “Hearing those types of facts from your health care provider who is actively encouraging you to get vaccinated, and, by the way, we have the vaccine, we just go in the next room and get it, could be a major driver for getting some of those that just want more information about the vaccine,’’ she said. “I think that would be a big help.’’ Christ, who falls into that age group of women who appear at highest risk of blood clots from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, said she would get it if she had not already been inoculated. All this comes as the state continues to struggle to reach “herd immunity,’’ the point at which a sufficient number of Arizonans are vaccinated that the virus has a hard time finding a new host. Medical experts put that figure at 70 percent at minimum. Vaccine hesitancy aside, there’s also the question of vaccinating children. While they appear to get less ill from the virus – though some mutations seen elsewhere have proven fatal – they can still carry and transmit the disease. Christ said she is hoping that Pfizer will have federal approval from the Food and Drug Administration by the middle of the month to start inoculating anyone 12 and older. And that, she said, would open the door to vaccinating anywhere from 320,000 to 400,000. The health director said she is “hopeful’’ that Arizona reaches that herd immunity level by the end of summer or early in the fall. She said the fear of not getting there is why her agency has been working with community organizations to do “pop-up’’ clinics as well as education campaigns, “especially with variants that could come up.’’ “Luckily, the vaccines appear to be working against the variants we see circulating in Arizona,’’ Christ said. “But we know that’s what viruses do: They mutate.’’ 

GOT NEWS?

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@ timespublications.com cant interest in Phoenix by manufacturing and technology companies and the South Mountain Tech Corridor is one of the few areas for large urban greenfield development.” 

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

State won’t get another seat in Congress BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

rizona is not going to get more representation in Washington. And one political demographer said it may be because some Hispanics chose not to respond to the decennial survey. The Census Bureau announced last week that Arizona had not gained enough population in the past decade, at least not in the official count, to merit another congressional seat. That keeps it at nine members of the U.S. House. This is the first time since the 1960 census that Arizona has not picked up a seat. According to the announced tally, Arizona added 746,223 new residents between April 1, 2010, and the same time a decade later, bringing the tally to nearly 7.16 million. That amounted to an 11.6 percent growth rate. By contrast, the country as a whole grew just 7.1%. But other states grew faster. And given how the congressional seats are allocated, Arizona just didn’t add enough population to merit that tenth seat. Arizona wasn’t even close to getting one of the seats given up by other states with lagging population growth.

KYRENE from page 9

lion less than what the district collected in the last “good year” of 2018-19. Hermann also noted that while the cost of special education programs is going up, the state and federal funding for those programs has not. “The gap between actual expenditures and funding is millions of dollars for Kyrene and is consistent across the state as most public school districts in Arizona are also underfunded,” he said. “When you look at the total cost to provide special educational services, this means that Kyrene, like many other school districts across the state, must use other funding sources” to cover the gap. “The special education funding formula is pretty much unchanged for decades,” Hermann said. He said the formula for funding special education programs not only has failed to keep pace with inflation but also is far below what’s necessary for the types of spe-

The Census Bureau reports that New York was the first state to fall off the bottom as it divided up the 435 seats that were available. Had census workers found an additional 89 people in the Empire State, it would not have lost a seat to somewhere else. Next in line for those available seats was Ohio which fell short and also lost a seat. In fact, both Texas and Florida with their growth rates were closer to picking up additional seats -- Texas already is getting two and Florida getting one -- before Arizona would have been in line for No. 10. Political consultant Chuck Coughlin called the findings “shocking.’’ He was not alone. “It’s hard to believe, with all of our incoming population -- and with states like California losing a seat for the first time in state history -- that we’re not getting one,’’ said consultant Stan Barnes. Kimball Brace, president of Election Data Services said he sees a common thread. He said not only was Arizona predicted to gain a seat based on annual population estimates but that Texas was due to pick up three new seats and two in Florida. “What do all those states have in common?’’ Brace asked before answering his own question: large Hispanic populations. And that, he said, is no accident.

The key, Brace said, was the effort by the Trump administration to add a citizenship question to the survey. “It caused people to not respond to the census,’’ he said.’ Brace said it’s irrelevant that Trump failed to get that question on the form. “If you got all of those press reports and commentary and everything else talking about how much Trump doesn’t want people to respond if they’re Hispanic, you don’t necessarily have to have a question on the survey,’’ he said. It wasn’t just Trump pushing the question. Gov. Doug Ducey told Capitol Media Services two years ago he was siding with the administration, even as he was asked whether that could lose the state a new congressional seat. There was no immediate response from Ducey, who put $1.8 million into a campaign in a bid to boost the state’s Census response rate. Coughlin said there will be losers in all this. And it starts with rural Arizona. The largest population growth has been in central Arizona, meaning Maricopa and Pinal counties. Now the existing nine districts need to be redrawn to put about 795,500 individ-

Special revenue funds comprise only a portion of Kyrene's overall budget and those listed above with asterisks are for funding specific activities. (Kyrene School District)

cial needs students the district is seeing. “Those needs are different now than they were decades ago, so that funding

amount really hasn’t changed,” he said, calling state funding for special education “one of the more significantly under-

uals in each district. What that will mean is that to get sufficient residents to create a rural district -- where the population growth is the slowest -- the geographic size of that district or districts will have to be even larger. Put another way, residents of Sierra Vista could soon find themselves sharing a representative with residents as far away as the Grand Canyon. Coughlin also said the status quo could help Democrats. Coughlin said that will lead to pressure to simply start with the current lines – the ones that give the Democrats that 5-4 edge – and just make minor revisions. There are state legislators who were hoping that a new seat, plus radically redrawn lines, might create a political opportunity for them. They now have to reevaluate their own futures. And if they stay put, then that does not open up their own seats for others hoping to become state lawmakers. Prior to 2000 it was up to the Legislature to draw the decennial lines both for their own districts and the seats in the U.S. House. That year voters wrested away that power, creating the Independent Redistricting Commission.  funded areas across our state.” “We’ve also seen over the last several years, an increase in the number of students in that special education criteria in Kyrene,” Hermann added. “We’ve had even more students identified and even more needs. And so, it’s just exacerbated the problem from a funding perspective in that that gap has widened significantly over the last three years.” He said there had been a bill in the last legislative session to address special needs education funding but never made it to a final vote. “We don’t similarly see any promise of additional funding for Special Ed coming out of this legislative session,” he added. 

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

Community college bill before governor BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

t’s taken at least four decades, but Arizona’s community colleges appear on the verge of being able to offer fouryear degrees. On a 24-6 vote last week, the Senate gave final approval to legislation setting out the conditions for these traditional two-year and certificate institutions to start offering baccalaureate degrees. With the House already having approved, the only thing that remains now is a decision by Gov. Doug Ducey. An aide to the governor said he does not comment on pending legislation. Ducey is likely to face a last-ditch effort by the Arizona Board of Regents, which for at least 40 years fought any effort to infringe on what it sees as its turf as the governing body of the state’s three universities. Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, one of the champions of SB 1453, said they tried to quash this bill even after proponents

included much of what the universities wanted – mainly limiting when and how such upper division courses can be offered. Boyer said he remains concerned that even if the bill becomes law, universities will attempt to stymie new course offerings at community colleges. But he told Capitol Media Services that while the measure does give an opportunity for university input into community college plans, it does not give them veto power. Central to the multi-decade battle has been the question of both physical and fiscal accessibility of higher education. Rep. Becky Nutt, R-Clifton, has argued for years that the current system requires rural students who want four-year degrees to leave their homes. And Nutt said many community colleges already have buildings and other infrastructure in place that would allow them to start offering four-year degrees without new investment and without raising local taxes. Larry Penley, chairman of the Board of Regents, has argued that the university alCOMING SOON

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ready has working relationships with community colleges around the state, partnering in ways to offer four-year degrees. And he has told lawmakers there is reduced tuition for university courses that are taught on community college campuses. Sen. David Livingston, R-Peoria, said he fears the additional costs of upperdivision courses comes with a price tag, whether higher local property taxes or from the state. But Livingston said he agreed to support the plan for a simple reason. “It expands school choice,’’ he said. “It expands competition in the education setting, which is very important to me.’’ The measure does not provide carte blanche for the schools to start offering bachelor’s degrees. It first requires a district governing board to determine if there is a local workforce need for the degrees that would be offered. There also would need to be a study of the costs and whether a similar degree is offered by other Arizona colleges. There also are specific restrictions on

new programs offered in Pima and Maricopa counties, with community college limited to offering no more than 5 percent of their degrees at the baccalaureate level for the first four years and, after that, capped at 10 percent. Public universities also would be given a chance to provide a written response to any planned community college degrees. Costs to students are an issue. Typical tuition at state universities runs north of $9,000 a year and up to more than $12,000. Maricopa Community Colleges has a flat rate of $1,020 per semester, putting the cap at slightly more than $3,000 annually.

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REAL ESTATE

Real Estate Guide Little to cheer about on home price front here BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

major Valley real estate tracker is reporting its data show 13 of 17 cities in the Phoenix Metro area – including Phoenix itself – “moving in favor of buyers.” But homebuyers likely won’t find much to cheer about in the Cromford Report’s latest findings. That’s because prices are so high and inventory so little changed that it will seem like same-old, same-old in the market:

prices are red-hot and pickings are slim. “We must remember that these are declines from extreme heights and the situation is not going to feel much different in the real world,” Cromford said. “It is only the mathematics that detects the slight cooling in the market,” it said. “This does NOT look like a bubble bursting and it is actually a healthy sign that the market cools a little while prices rise.” Cromford has developed what it calls the Cromford Market Index that uses a va-

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

MARKET from page RE1

riety of data to indicate whether the housing market in various Valley communities is tilting toward buyers or sellers. Anything over 100 is considered tipping toward sellers and anything below 100 favoring buyers. For more than a year, the index rating for individual cities has been well over 200 and in recent months has been as high as 900 in some communities. Last week, Tempe had the lowest index at 328 while Avondale’s 838 was the highest. “If all indicators begin to drop like dominos, then we need to worry. At the moment, this is not the case. Nobody should be expecting prices to reverse direction just because the CMI takes a breather. In fact, we are expecting price rises to remain very strong for a long time yet.” Indeed, it said that in any community showing 200 or more on the Cromford index, bidding wars for homes can be expected. Over the weekend Cromford said that while the market is cooling, “this is still a market in a buying frenzy.” Meanwhile, it also noted that homebuilders are approaching the low inventory with a vengeance and that March “was a monster month for single-family building permits.” Pinal and Maricopa counties issued a combined total of 3,536 permits in March, the highest monthly total since June 2006, Cromford said, noting that also “was the month in which prices last hit their peak before tumbling.” Permits issued in March 2021 were up by 39 percent over March 2020, prompting Cromford to observed: “Clearly developers are doing what they can to compensate for the derisory amount of re-sale single-family homes available to buyers. It is fair to

This home on W. Briarwood Terrace in Ahwatukee recently sold for $1.3 million. The 5,200-square-foot single-story house was buil;t in 2006 and features six bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths and is located in Calabria. (Special to AFN) assume that we will see a 30 percent to 40 percent increase in the supply of new homes across Greater Phoenix over the next 12 months. “This could alleviate some of the pressure on re-sale listings and allow them to start to grow again. We certainly would not expect to stay at the current low level of re-sale forever. If they did, prices will reach levels that are unaffordable to the majority of buyers, which would eventually slacken demand and cause supply to rise anyway.” The surge in permits – which is expected to continue – has Cromford predicting a “slow and steady effect, rather than a sudden flooding of the market.” He noted that for every new home sold, it generally means a re-sale goes on the market. Of course, that assumes the seller will be giving up the old home for a new home and not joining the equally hot rental mar-

ket either as a landlord for long-term tenants or vacation renters. Years of under-building has caught up with the U.S. Now, the country has a serious shortage of homes—as many as 4 million, according to Freddie Mac—to meet the demand from buyers. Realtor.com noted, “Millennials hit the point in life where buying a home becomes very attractive, and the pandemic has caused people to rethink their living situations. All of which is to say that de-

mand in this market is organic, according to economists and not fueled by risky lending practices.” It said builders are having enough trouble keeping up with demand – partly because of disruption in supply lines for crucial supplies, such as lumber and appliances – which also is driving up prices. Realtor.com also foresees “some headwinds for the market.” “While mortgage rates have fallen in April thus far, if they begin to rise again in the future that could constrain buyers’ interest in pricier new homes,” it said. “Supply is the biggest limiting factor in home sales. There is a 2.1 month’s supply of existing homes at the current sales rate, which is up from an all-time low of 1.9 months last December,” Chris Low, chief economist at FHN Financial. “But the rise from the low is not because there are more homes for sale, it is because the sales pace slowed.” Meanwhile, the S&P CoreLogic CaseShiller Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, last week released national and regional data showing prices in February were 12 percent higher nationwide than they were in February 2020. “Phoenix, San Diego, and Seattle reported the highest year-over-year gains among the 20 cities in February,” it said. “Phoenix led the way with a 17.4 percent year-over-year price increase.” 

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see ROOFS page RE5

around air conditioners, solar installations and sky lights. Sky lights are typically made out of plastic and the plastic wears out after about 10 to 15 years. Cracks in your skylights and solar vents are a surefire sign they need to be replaced. When preparing for the monsoon season you want to examine your roof for bird debris and leaves in the valleys of your roof. This debris needs to be blown or swept out and your gutters must also be swept out in order to prevent damage to the roof. A good roof should have no missing or

windblown shingles. Immediately call a roofer if any shingles are missing. Cleaning your roof from debris will ensure it drains properly during a monsoon storm. Check around the drains and clear any buildup around them. I would also recommend checking for shingle protrusions and fixing them with plastic cement. You can do this yourself but if you don’t feel comfortable, then call your local roofer to get these problems fixed as soon as possible. If you choose to get on a roof yourself, it is important that you follow a few safety rules. Never work on your roof alone, your ladder should be on a solid, level surface, avoid working on a wet roof or

SALE PENDING

he summer months are an especially rough time for your roof. High temperatures and monsoon winds can cause heavy damage if Arizonans don’t take precaution and prepare it for the summer. Here are a few tips to ensure your roof is ready for the hot months ahead. Check your tile, shingle roofs. A tile roof usually last 40 to 50 years but not in Arizona, where the heat in the Valley significantly decreases a roofs longevity. The Arizona heat will shorten tile roof’s lifespan to 20-25 years. High temperatures burn out the felt tar paper under the tiles of the roof like it is an easy bake oven. Shingle roofs have an even shorter life

span in the heat. This is because the sealant around the tar and the plastic flashings will wear out a lot quicker in the Arizona sun. Flashings are a thin material used to direct water away from critical areas of the roof. The plastic flashings will only last about 5 years before they become so brittle a bird could step on it and break it. Never use rubberized flashings in Arizona. They are prone to crack in the heat. I personally recommend using galvanized metal flashings. They hold up to the heat and have a much longer lifespan. When inspecting your roof, it is important to be on the lookout for sliding tiles. If you notice any tiles that are out of position they will need to be reinstalled and

ROOFS from page RE4

SOLD

BY MIKE SMYTH AFN Guest Writer

REAL ESTATE

MAY 5, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

SALE PENDING

REAL ESTATE

SALE PENDING

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15832 S. 22nd St, Phoenix ✔ 5100 sqft, 5 (+7) bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms

$1,739,000

Luxury Custom Estate nestled on a 40,000 square foot lot with amazing views!

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

SPO OTLIGHT home

AMAZING LOCATION IN AHWATUKEE GREAT STREET! SINGLE LEVEL, 4 BEDROOMS, 3 BATH, 3 CAR GARAGE WITH A POOL! GREAT CURB APPEAL • FORMAL LIVING & DINING • FAMILY ROOM W/FIREPLACE • KITCHEN INCLUDES: SLAB GRANITE COUNTERS, CUSTOM CABINETS, COOKTOP, ISLAND, RECESSED LIGHTING, & PANTRY • UPGRADED FIXTURES THROUGHOUT • PLANTATION SHUTTERS • PRIVATE MASTER SUITE • MASTER BATH W/DUAL VANITIES, HUGE GLASS SHOWER, & WALK-IN CLOSET • ALL SECONDARY BEDROOMS ARE LARGE • GUEST SUITE IS SPLIT WITH OWN BATH WHICH IS PERFECT FOR OFFICE, TEENS, OR INLAWS • UPGRADED BATHROOMS • LAUNDRY ROOM • TROPICAL PARADISE BACKYARD W/COVERED PATIO, PEBBLETEC POOL W/BAJA STEP & WATERFALLS, PAVERS, AND GRASSY PLAY AREA • BACKYARD IS VERY PRIVATE AND BACKS TO THE WASH • THIS IS THE HOME YOUR BUYERS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! WILL NOT LAST!

Listed for $619,000

Geno Ross (602) 751-2121 www.GenoRoss.com CIRCLE G AT RIGGS RANCH

11616 S EQUESTRIAN TRAIL

Estate living with refined tranquility in this exquisite setting. Meticulous stonework adorns entire exterior of this luxury home. Inviting entry opens to diagonally laid tile with granite inlays and dramatic wooden staircase. Formal dining room with stacked stone fireplace. Gourmet kitchen features granite countertops, large island, Subzero refrigerator, and Wolf gas cooktop with double ovens. Fireplace and wet bar in great room. Floor plan boasts seven bedrooms, playroom and large game room. Expansive master suite includes large sitting area with two-way fireplace, crown molding, separate walk-in closets and spacious bathroom. Three custom iron doors lead to massive covered patio with pavers, built-in barbeque, heated pool with waterfall and slide, gorgeous landscaping with fruit trees and koi pond.

10,519 sqft, 4 bedrooms (+8) 7 bathrooms. This magnificent contemporary home, designed by notable Architect Ilan Baldinger, is truly one of a kind. You will be captivated by the commanding, picturesque views from every room along with the exceptional focus towards luxurious details found throughout this 10,000 plus square foot estate. The massive cul-de-sac lot, nestled into the Foothills of South Mountain features spectacular city lights, breathtaking mountain views, and overlooks a 16,000 acre natural preserve.

Large secondary bedrooms. Oversized laundry room with sink, granite countertops, cabinetry and room for a refrigerator. Additional upgrades throughout include 8’ solid core doors, speakers, surround sound in numerous locations, designer paint and exterior security cameras. Three masonry fireplaces. Anderson windows installed six years ago on entire first level. Four Trane a/c units with variable speed. Over-sized side entry four car garage. Availability to park an RV in the back as long as a garage is built for it. Over 7,000 square feet of stone on exterior. Almost acre-sized lot affords complete privacy.

Listed for $3,395,000

Bonny Holland

Listed for $1,790,000

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

602.369.1085 • www.LeadingLuxuryExperts.com

SONORAN LIVING

Mike Mendoza

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

480.706.7234 • www.MendozaTeam.com

REAL ESTATE

MAY 5, 202 1 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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HOAs can run rampant collecting debts BY PATRICK MACQUEEN AFN Guest Writer

e were recently contacted by several owners in an HOA because their names appeared on a public “collection” list. Specifically, a local HOA, through its management company, “posted” a list of homeowners with delinquent HOA obligations on the HOA’s public website. These homeowners wondered whether the HOA (and/or its management company) had any legal basis to make the list public. Oftentimes, an HOA or its managers take it upon themselves to collect delinquent amounts from owners that have failed to pay HOA assessments. And, oftentimes, these HOAs and managers violate the detailed federal laws governing debt collection. The primary law governing HOA collection activities is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “FDCPA”), which

480-706-7234

was created to protect consumers from unfair practices from debt collectors. Consumers are generally defined as any natural person obligated to pay any debt which arose out of a transaction where the services were primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Individual owners and their HOA assessments fit within this definition. A “debt collector” is anyone who regularly collects or attempts to collect a debt owed to another, whether directly or indirectly. The FDCPA is only applicable to those collecting debt owed to someone else. Therefore, it usually does not generally apply to the HOA itself in the HOA’s efforts to collect what may be owed. That said, once an HOA management company, or other third party, attempts to collect on behalf of the HOA, this may trigger the FDCPA. The FDCPA is very strict in its application, meaning that liability for an offending party is easy to identify and there is not a lot of “wiggle room” to argue that the FDCPA is inapplicable. Liability in-

Estate living with refined tranquility in exquisite setting. Meticulous stonework adorns entire exterior of home.

! LD O S

4 BR / 2 BA / 2,698 SQFT Superb single-level home in Candleridge with updates throughout.

Ahwatukee lawyer Patrick MacQueen is cofounder of MacQueen & Gottlieb, the state’s leading real estate �irm. Reach him at patrick@mandglawgroup.com or call 602-533-2840. 

Majestic Southwest contemporary estate on private hillside lot with stunning mountain and city light views.

Listed for $1,325,000

! LD O S

Stunning panoramic views from privately gated luxury retreat with casita on elevated preserve lot.

Sanctuary

Mountain Park Ranch ! LD O S

Mountain Park Ranch

4 BR / 2.5 BA / 3,090 SQFT Candleridge singlelevel with 2018 roof replacement and A/C installation.

Listed for $675,000

Mike Mendoza MendozaTeam.com 5 BR / 5 BA / 6,455 SQFT

Listed for $600,000

Call for Details

5BR / 4.5 BA / 4,924 SQFT

Tapestry Canyon

There must also be language in written communications setting out the consumer’s rights, including their right to request written verification of the debt and dispute its validity. In short, if your HOA, the HOA’s management company, or any third party attempting to collect HOA debt, is attempting to collect past due assessments, these parties must do so very carefully. Ultimately, the HOA and its management company mentioned in the initial paragraph of this article settled out of court to avoid the full extent of the penalties imposed by the FDCPA, which was the only good move on the management company’s part. If you have additional questions about your HOA, or you are an HOA board or member, or have other real estate related questions, you can contact me.

Ahwatukee’s #1 Team for Over 30 Years 7BR / 4.5 BA / 8,873 SQFT

Circle G at Riggs Ranch

cludes actual damages, statutory fines, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and even punitive awards. There is a list of common prohibitions that may create liability. These include making threatening or false accusations to the person owing the debt; representing that the nonpayment may result in arrest and/or the seizure of property; placing telephone calls or sending communication without properly identifying oneself or the creditor; publicizing the owner’s debt to third parties; and communicating directly with a consumer who is represented by an attorney. In addition to avoiding these activities, the FDCPA requires the debt collector to provide certain information within five days of their initial communication to the consumer. This communication must clearly include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor who is owed the debt, and the contact information for whom to contact to discuss the debt and make payment.

! LD O S

Listed for $1,950,000

4 BR / 3 BA / 2,730 SQFT Spectacular waterfront home in popular Laguna Shores. 2019 A/C replacement.

Call for Details

Laguna Shores

Tapestry Canyon

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

re8

Ahwatukee Custom Estates One of the most amazing view lots in

all of AZ. Custom home with everythingl 10,000 sq. ft., 3/4 acre prserve lot, 6 bedrooms, 6 bathes, Executive Office Suite, Master Suite with Sitting Room, Master Bath with Jacuzzi, Theater Room, Exercise Room, Loft, Guest House, Grand Foyer, Gourmet Kitchen, Resort Backyard with Pebbletec Diving Pool, Watertalls, slide, Volcano, firepit, Spa, Sport Court, Grassy Play Areas, & Outdoor Kitchen, 4-car A/C Garage. A true masterpiece!!!

$2,099,000

SOLD!

SALE PENDING

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

Calabrea

$1,750,000

$1,339,000

Pristine & Classy Gated Estate On A Premium 2/3 Acre Hillside Lot, Private Cul-De-Sac, 6 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths, 5200 Sqft Of Pure Luxury Finishes, Stunning Views In Every Direction, Iron Door, Butted Glass Windows In Entry & Kitchen, Custom Window Treatments, Decorator Paint, Dome Ceiling Foyer & Groin Vaulted Ceilings In Living Room, Travertine & Hardwood Floors Throughout, 7-Inch Baseboards, Media Room, Dream Kitchen Includes S/S Appliances, Slab Granite Counters, Alder Cabinets, Huge Island, Walk In Pantry, Large Master Suite W/Stone Fireplace, Master Bath W/Jacuzzi Tub, 3 Vanities & Snail Shower, Paradise Backyard W/Travertine In Versailles Pattern, Turf Grass, Pebbletec Pool/Jacuzzi, 4 Water Features, Large Covered Patio, Stacked Stone Bbq, 4 Car Garage W/Epoxy & Storage! Your Dream Estate Awaits!!

SOLD!

Amazing Remodeled Custom Estate with mountain views located at the end of a cul-de-sac.Over 8000sqft of pure luxury finishes.6 Bedroom,5.5 Baths.Custom Kitchen.Elevator.Executive Office.Basement Media Room.Dance Studio.Huge Backyard with Pool, Jacuzzi, Turf, BBQ, Sportcourt.This Spectacular Estate has it all!!!

Summerhill $1,099,000

Calabrea $1,099,000

Cabrillo Canyon $689,000

SOLD! Stunning Single Level Custom Remodel on a huge corner lot in a cul-de-sac! *4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath *The highest quality custom finishes throughout *Grand foyer *Formal living & dining room *Familt room w/fireplace *Wetbar *Designer kitchen includes: quartzsite counters & island, s/s appliances, custom cabinetry, walk-in pantry *Recessed LED lights throughout *Plantation shutters *Large master suite *Master bath w/walk-in shower, free standing tub, & walk-in closet *Laundry room w/sink *Wood flooring *Custom fixtures *Trane A/C’s *Private backyard w/covered patio, pebbletec pool, turf, & RV gate with tons of room to park the toys *3 Car garage with epoxy *The lot is very private *The house shows like a new build *Do not miss your opportunity to own this amazing Cabrillo Canyon Estate!

5 bedroom / 3 bath, 3,506 SqFt, Cul-de-sac location with huge backyard, sports court, built-in BBQ, mature shade trees, very private backing to wash. Good size SOLD! bedrooms, master downstai5. Features a large office with balcony, plus office/loft with built-in bookcase and 3 full baths. Th� home is perfect for family gatherings BEST NEAR THE LOOP 202 in gated withand stunning mountain only. views. andLOCATION entertaining. CanNEW be previewed with 24Calabrea hour notice appointment

SOLD!

Canyon Verde/$899,000--SOLD IN 1 DAY Foothills/$299,000--SOLD IN 1 DAY Ahwatukee/$489,000--SOLD IN 1 DAY

Complete with the highest quality build and finishes. Gourmet kitchen includes slab granite counters, alder cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. This estate also features a media/ theater room with 105 inch screen. The basement includes a full wet bar, family room & 2 bedrooms. Resort Backyard with pool. A perfect 10!

www.GenoRoss.com Donna Leeds TOP GRI, ABR REALTOR

�

949.310.5673

Stunning single-level custom estate gated summerhill on a 1/2 acre lot. beautiful mountain views. Gourmet Kitchen. Master Suite w/sitting area. Two master suites. Split floorplan. Executive office w/built-in cabinets. Tropical paradise backyard w/covered patio, gazebo, pebbletec pool, rock waterfall, built-in bbq, turf, & putting green. This estate has the perfect floorplan!!

lf"fl!

Geno Ross

602.751.2121

wwwBestAgentWUSA.com

Making Ahwatukee

Home Dreams Come True Since 1986 www.WestUSA.com I 480.893.0600

4505 E. Chandler Boulevard, Suite 170, Phoenix, AZ 85048

Mountain Park Ranch

SOLD!

$320,000

Open Floor Plan, Bright & Cozy Corner Lot Home Across from Large Greenbelt. 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Pool Backyard Paradise Private Pool with Travertine Pool Deck, Split Master with Separate Entrance to Back Yard. Beautiful Custom Shower and more.

$365,000

Chandler Fox Crossing

$575,000

$475,000

ingle level, 3 car garage! 2,511 sq ft. 4 Bedroom & 2 Bath with over 115K in upgrades since 2015! Spacious formal living/dining area, tile flooring in high traffic areas, plantation shutters, high ceilings, and an open concept family room enhanced with a charming fireplace. Kitchen equipped with Princeton off white cabinets, contrasting dark SS appliances, custom backsplash, speckled granite counters, and an island w/breakfast bar. Master bedroom has an immaculate ensuite with dual sinks, a glass shower, a separate tub, and a walk-in closet.

Single level 1,848 sq ft. 3 Bedroom + a Den. Beautifully updated home w/vaulted ceilings, plush carpet, upgraded lighting, ceiling fans, window blinds, & saltillo tile in all the right places. Bay window in the breakfast area. Center kitchen island, granite counters. Generous size bedrooms with ample closets. Enjoy the sparkling pool, spa, covered patio, & builtin BBQ!! Easy access to schools, shopping, & more

Jenifer Bulfer 480-297-6968 jbulfer@westusa.com

Marty Griffin 602-692-7653 martygriffin@q.com

Ahwatukee

Foothills Paseo

PENDING!

Pristine Curb appeal in desirable Adult 55+ Golf Community of Ahwatukee. Open concept split floor plan with Vaulted ceilings. Many upgrades include remodeled and updated kitchen, tile floors, master bath, murphy bed, travertine deck and patio with misting system and a putting green. updated duel pane windows, Plantation shutters throughout, pebble-tech heated pool with a water feature, North South exposure and mountain views. Enjoy all the benefits that the ARC has to offer.

Troy Royston 480-435-3461 troyston61@gmail.com

Chandler Harmon Ranch

PENDING!

Modern and spacious townhome just south of Arcadia! The Papago Point gated community is close to hiking & biking, golf, shopping, dining, Sky Harbor and more! . The first level features a 2 car garage, storage room and an entrance to your private patio! The second level has an open floor plan hardwood flooring and is filled with natural light from the oversized windows featuring the great room and a roomy kitchen with granite countertops. This is the perfect place for a low maintenance lifestyle!

Natalie Christensen 602-373-6212 nchristensen@westusa.com

Citrus Mountain Estates

SOLD!

$399,900

1,861 Sq Ft. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths. Split Floor plan. Beautiful Wood Flooring in Living, Dining and Bedrooms. Kitchen is Open to Spacious Family Room. Nice-Size Backyard W/ Covered Patio W/ Pavers. Garage Cabinets. In 2019 Exterior Painted & Roof Replaced. AC Replaced in 2015. Close to Shopping, Restaurants & New Bike Path. Easy Access to the 202.

Prepare to be amazed! Come and see this wonderful 4 bed, 2 bath property now for sale in Phoenix! A beautiful facade, desert landscaping, 3 car garage, this home has it all and more!

Kelly Quek, M.B.A. 480-734-9808 kellyquek8@gmail.com

SOLD!

$329,900

Marty Griffin 602-692-7653 martygriffin@q.com

$420,000

Geri Thompson 480-239-7589 gerithompson@westusa.com

Papago Point Townhomes

Mountain Park Ranch

SOLD!

$450,000

5 bedroom 3 bath, 4,254 sq ft. Large lot “Cul-D-Sac” family home in the heart of Ahwatukee. Home features two new Trane AC units, new roof and newer pebble tec diving pool! Enjoy Mountain Park Ranch and all its amenities. Award winning Kyrene School district and close to Sky Harbor Airport.

Link Paffenbarger 602-989-7221 linkpaff@gmail.com

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

Ahwatukee, Tempe and Sun Lakes!

THE ORIGINAL R E S TA U R A N T S We’re Open for

Mother’s Day

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Biscuits & Gravy......................................$6.99 Breakfast Sandwich ........................... $10.99

Biscuits Special $10.99 One biscuit with gravy, 2 eggs any style, choice of ham, bacon, or sausage and choice of grits, hash browns or country potatoes. Without Meat $8.99

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South Mountain Scramble $10.99 Open-faced biscuit covered with scrambled eggs, diced country ham and topped with country gravy.

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Mickey Mouse Pancake with Bacon or Sausage . . . . . . . . . $5.99 One Egg* Any Style, Bacon or Sausage, Choice of Toast. . . . . . . . $5.99 French Toast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.99 Seasonal Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.99

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Traditional .................................................$8.99 WWII Spam & Eggs* .............................$9.99 Country Ham Steak ............................ $10.99 Hungry Man’s Steak & Eggs* ...........$17.99 Carnitas Supreme ................................ $11.99 Breakfast Burrito or Breakfast Quesadilla ......................... $10.99 Huevos Rancheros* ............................. $10.99 Chorizo Scrambler* ............................. $10.99

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MAY 5, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Community

COMMUNITY

@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

www.ahwatukee.com

New ASU grad from Ahwatukee eyes foreign service AFN NEWS STAFF

ven over Zoom, Arizona State University graduate Cameron Vega’s poise and professionalism is notable. Like many students this year, the Ahwatukee man has had some practice using the virtual platform. Just as his semester interning for the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., was getting underway in the spring of 2020, the pandemic hit. Cameron ended up returning home to finish out the internship online, but it took some convincing. Ever since his first visit to Washington as an adult, in the summer of 2018 when he flew out to represent the Alexander Hamilton Society as incoming president at a conference, he was hooked. “I kind of knew I found where I wanted my home to be on the flight in, where the plane does a little turnaround at the Washington Monument,” Cameron said. “I was stunned by that. I knew that these

CAMERON VEGA

were the sites I wanted to see for the rest of my life.”

Ahwatukee Boy Scout earns his Eagle ranking AFN NEWS STAFF

n Ahwatukee Boy Scout has earned Scouting’s highest rank. Clay Diggs, a Mountain Pointe High School senior, recently was inducted as an Eagle Scout. The son of David and Nancy Diggs of Ahwatukee, Clay, who has been involved in Scouting for 12 years – five as a Cub Scout and seven as a Boy Scout – Clay launched a project to benefit Centennial Middle School as his Eagle project. “I built three 6-foot benches for the courtyard at Centennial Middle School,” he said. He raised enough money for his project that he had some left over. So, he used the surplus to buy plants that were added to

Centennial’s landscape. “I wanted to help out Centennial because I went there,” he explained. “An Eagle Scout project has to help out the community in some way. I enjoy building things and working with my hands.” The project took about 100 hours. “That includes planning, obtaining funds, actually building and installation, he said. “I held two build-days of about 8 hours total in which Troop 278 boys helped cut wood, sand, paint and assemble the benches.” To raise money, Clay collected used electronics and sold them to a technology recycler. And to get volunteers, he reached

see SCOUT page 29

He might still get that chance now that he is a freshly minted graduate of Arizona State University. Cameron was there as one of 18,000 ASU students who received their degrees last Monday. That total was an 8 percent increase from spring 2020 — including more than 5,200 ASU online students, a 24 percent increase over last May; more than 700 of those online students earned their degree through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan partnership. Of the overall student total, nearly 12,200 are undergraduates and more than 5,500 are graduate students. Nearly 6,900 students graduated with honors, the most ever for an individual class and a 5 percent increase over last spring. And unlike last spring, when everything shifted remote, this time colleges will host a variety of in-person celebrations in addition to their virtual convocations. “We are incredibly proud of what our

Sun Devils have accomplished during the past year of all-compassing changes and challenges wrought by the pandemic,” said Melissa Werner, executive director of the Office of University Events and Protocol and the Office of University Ceremonies. Cameron is among the honored grads. He is the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership Dean’s Medalist. His academic career so far has included three fellowships – one each with ASU’s Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict, Center on the Future of War and Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies. He also earned a National Merit Scholarship, a National Hispanic Scholarship and a George Washington Scholarship. In March, Cameron received word that he had been accepted to Johns Hopkins University for graduate studies with a full ride, thanks to a well-earned Pickering

see GRAD page 29

The benches that Clay Diggs and his team made for Centennial Middle School were a welcomed addition to the campus. (Special to AFN)

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

Hospice nurses brought families together at critical time BY LIN SUE COONEY AFN Guest Writer

hen nurse Gina Day showed up at Golden Heritage Assisted Living in Scottsdale to care for Joan Cullen, she noticed right away that her sweet patient’s hair had been set and styled for a special occasion: her 91st birthday party. Her immediate response was to tell Joan how pretty she looked. That’s because Gina checks her patient’s disposition as closely as her blood pressure. Nurses do so much more than care for physical symptoms. The truly remarkable ones know how to nurture people’s hearts too. For Gina and other Hospice of the Valley nurses, lifting patients’ spirits is an essential part of providing compassionate care. “It’s a very sacred time of life to be with a family and a patient,” Gina says. “We want our patients to have quality — quality of life. We really make that happen so that they’re going to have the best experience that they can possibly have.” National Nurses Week, May 6-12, gives us an opportunity to thank these healthcare heroes for their incredible skill, tenderness and resilience.

RN Bessie Medigovic works with a patient. (Hospice of the Valley) Throughout this pandemic, Hospice of the Valley nurses also have played a critical role in bringing families together in our inpatient care homes, so that loved ones could safely be at the bedside to share precious moments. “I love being a nurse because you get to share people’s lives,” says Moriah Colon, who is part of the After Hours team. “I’ve had patients who were fighter pilots in World War II, surgeons, ballerinas and all

Men at work

kinds of wonderful individuals. To have a connection with them and be a part of their story is amazing. It’s very meaningful to be able to provide this service and really touch lives this deeply.” It’s what drew nurse Patrick Murage to hospice care. “This job is not an 8 to 5 job that you punch in and out. It’s a call that you answer every day,” says Patrick, who serves patients and families throughout the Ahwatukee Troop 17 recently completed a service project for Mountain View Lutheran Church to refresh landscaping and prepare their sanctuary for in-person services. Under the leadership of Senior Patrol Leader Kenny Baird, 15, and Scoutmaster Chris Grojean, Troop 17 recently partnered with Mountain View Lutheran Church to prepare for a return to in-person services. This effort allowed Scouts to work towards the Citizenship in the Community merit badge, earn service hours, prepare for future Eagle Scout service project planning, recognize their responsibility to their community, and provide valuable service to MVLC. The Scouts removed tons of old gravel and placed fresh gravel throughout planters in the church courtyard. Additionally, another group of Scouts cleaned and helped prepare the sanctuary for a return to normal. The troop meets at Foothills Baptist Church in Ahwatukee. Information: troop17.mytroop.us for Troop 17. Working in the photo are Les Brown, Matthew Brown, Alex Shin, Aidan Wall, Preston Kiley and Pranav Nalole. (Special to AFN)

East Valley. “I think the biggest part is knowing that I helped somebody today. That’s what makes me wake up and come to work.” In many ways, “we are the eyes and ears for the doctors,” says Bessie Medigovic, a visit nurse based in the Northeast Valley. “At the end, our visits increase because patients need more support. With each encounter, I try to take in what’s important to each family.” Sometimes, a simple act of kindness makes all the difference. When nurse Kim Werton’s patient needed help with a bed bug treatment in his apartment, she and her team packed and washed 11 bags of his clothes and linens at a laundromat while he stayed at one of our inpatient care homes. And perhaps the most touching moment of Matt Hughens’ career had nothing to do with what he learned in his practical nursing program. “My patient’s son was singing and playing for his dad. He asked if I played and when I said yes, he handed me his guitar. As soon as I strummed ‘You’ve Got a Friend,’ the room became silent. I noticed tears falling. When I finished, the son said, ‘You don’t know what you have done!’ Turns out his father was a music composer who loved James Taylor, and this song was the last one sitting on his dad’s piano stand at home,” Matt recalls. The next evening, Matt returned with his own guitar and played gospel songs at the family’s request. The patient died peacefully as Matt sang “Amazing Grace.” Nurses may never know how deeply they impact people’s lives because how can we possibly measure the value of comfort and compassion? But it definitely is more of a calling than a job. As James Taylor might say… “Winter, spring, summer or fall — all you have to do is call.” Nurses who want to bring comfort, dignity and compassionate care to our community are invited to apply at hov. org/careers. Home care, inpatient, admissions and telephone triage positions are available, along with flexible schedules, educational opportunities, excellent pay and benefits. Lin Sue Cooney is director of community engagement for Hospice of the Valley. 

COMMUNITY

MAY 5, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

AROUND AHWATUKEE

New nonprofit holding fundraiser Saturday for abuse shelter

Truhit Fitness and the Ahwatukee Chamber Women in Business have partnered to create a large fundraiser for the new non-profit Janice’s Women’s Center. From 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, Truhit, 4302 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee, will host over 15 local businesses, a raffle, a mimosa bar, massage table and Botox. Free to attend, ladies will receive a free mimosa upon arrival. Attendees will be able to purchase raffle tickets to win a door prize or raffle prizes, and anyone who brings an item to donate will automatically receive a raffle ticket in exchange for their generous donation! Janice’s Women’s Center, founded by Sheri and Shaunte Saulsberry of Ahwatukee, has been conceived as a day center providing educational resources and a night temporary housing center. This center is for homeless women and

GRAD from page 27

Fellowship. He plans to pursue a master of arts in international relations, after which he will join the U.S. foreign service for five years. Cameron started his freshman year at ASU as a physics major. It was a lastminute decision to take part in the model United Nations Conference that changed his trajectory forever. ASU Now spoke with Cameron about how he got to where he is today.

You double majored in political science as well as civic and economic thought and leadership. When did you realize you wanted to study those fields? Before the start of the fall semester freshman year, I participated in the model United Nations Conference for the very first time. I participated in the conference because I had enjoyed playing computer games like “Civilization” and had developed an interest in the role of foreign policy and how it relates to interpersonal communication and understandings. So, after the conference, I was drawn

SCOUT from page 27

out to his fellow Scouts in Troop 278, to which he belongs. “It was hard to fundraise during COVID,” he said. But he learned a lot from the project – as Eagle Scouts often do. “Appropriate equipment makes the project get completed faster,” he said. “Leading a bunch of 13-year-old boys is hard.” He said the benches are being used and are “holding up well after a year in

women suffering from domestic violence. For this event, Janice’s Women’s Center is hoping for donations of children’s items, new or lightly used, including things like diapers, clothing, blankets. Jessica Stout, the owner of Truhit Fitness, enlisted the help of a private foundation to start the fundraiser off with $3,000. They will also match the donations from the day’s proceeds up to $1,000. “This is going to be a great day for a great cause,” Chamber member Angelica Parra said. “Not only are we able to give back in a big way to Janice’s Women’s Center, but we get to connect a lot of local women in business with the community; it’s a win win.” Parra and Jess Magee chair the Ahwatukee Chamber Women in Business. Vendors for the fundraiser include Bling by Nene, Clothes Minded, Your Body Remedy, The Buzzed Goat, Scout and Cellar, Bodiac Sculpting, Maxwell Rowe Candles, Green Chile Love to political science as a broad field. Then, while I was taking a political ideologies class, we read a couple excerpts from texts such as Machiavelli’s “The Prince” and Thomas Hobbes’ “Leviathan.” And for me, reading those excerpts really didn’t capture the full picture. But I noticed that in my SCETL classes, which I took on the recommendation of a few peers, that they really did approach the whole texts and look for not just the individual context, but the context of the text as a whole and the historical context which was developed. And I found that it really complemented my political science degree and ended up becoming more of my focus than political science was. Why did you choose ASU? For me it was a matter of cost effectiveness knowing that I’d be pursuing a graduate degree later. I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to be in debt beforehand. And the offer from Barrett as a National Hispanic Scholar was too good to pass up. What’s something you learned while at ASU that surprised you or changed your the sun.” Best of all, he added, “Centennial was overjoyed to get the benches.”.

The benches that Clay Diggs and his team made for Centennial Middle School were a welcomed addition to the campus. (Special

to AFN)

Food Truck, Elite Medical Partners (for Botox), Tricore Chiropractic (for massages), Bye Bye Bra Ruby Ribbon, Sweet Emotions Boutique, Board & Brush Ahwatukee and Fuchsia Spa.

Ahwatukee woman collecting bottled water for homeless

Joan Greene, a 28-year Ahwatukee resident and businesswoman, is raising as many cases of bottled water and as much cash as she can for The Society of St. Vincent de Paul through May 16.. The Society uses those bottles to help homeless people during the Valley’s scorching summer – which is taking an increasingly higher toll on lives. In 2020, there were more than 300 heat-associated deaths that were confirmed in Maricopa County. St. Vincent de Paul gives out 2,500 bottles of water a day – almost 2,300 gallons in a week. perspective? Just about how many opportunities are out there. Being from Arizona and wanting to be in D.C. means that I took every opportunity I could to try and get over there to the East Coast and level the playing field between me and some of my East Coast peers and colleagues that I’d be competing with for careers and graduate school positions. And for me, that meant going online, parsing through jobs and internship listings, parsing through conference listings and seeing what I could apply to and what was realistic for me. And ASU was a big help with that; receiving institutional support from the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership as well as from the School of Politics and Global Studies was critical for me getting my foot in the door. Same thing with student organizations at ASU. There were some fairly well-renowned foreign policy organizations that I was able to become a part of and rise through the ranks of, officer-wise. Being able to utilize those positions to get myself over to D.C., despite being all the way from Arizona, really allowed me to succeed in my undergraduate career.

“Just $10 could help people stay safe and hydrated,” said Greene, whose drive lasts until May 16. There are two ways people can help. They can drop off cases of water at: Niro’s Gyros, 10826 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee; or Fetch, 6058 N. 16th St., in Central Phoenix. Or they can make a donation at stvincentdepaul. net/joan-greene-water-drive.

Local women’s group will hold fundraiser for animal rescue

Ahwatukee Foothills Friends and Family will hold its annual fundraiser 5-7 p.m. May 14. The ice cream social and bazaar will benefit the group’s Lost Our Home pet rescue. Cost is $6.50. Over 500 items for sale including collectibles and designer clothing and purses. For information and to register: affanwomensgroup@gmail.com. What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school? Look for opportunities to pursue leadership positions in student organizations, but make sure you can handle them; make sure you can commit to them. I’ve seen some students before, including myself, who get burned out by overcommitting. But look for opportunities, especially for leadership, because they allow you to stand out among a huge undergraduate class when you’re applying for scholarships, fellowships, graduate schools and careers. And don’t be afraid to take some chances and maybe sit in on a class and see if it sparks an interest, especially early on as a freshman or sophomore. If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle? I think that that money should be put toward equitable structures in America. Whether that be police reform or testing out a universal, basic income or offering greater educational opportunities for those in lower income brackets. 

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MAY 5, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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‘Can do’ is ‘must do’ for local restaurant family BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

y now, “pandemic pivot” has become a cliché in describing businesses’ efforts to stay a�loat during the pandemic and overcome its detrimental impact on their income. In Ahwatukee, the family owners of Trattoria D’Amico have, by necessity, coined their own unique twist on it: Pandemic pizza. Business was going well for the three D’Amico siblings after they purchased Ahwatukee’s oldest continuously operated restaurant, Ruf�ino’s Italian Cuisine, adding not only their family name but authentic Italian family recipes as well. They purchased the then-27-year-old restaurant in January 2016 and proudly placed their name over the door – the same name their mother Vilma had for the restaurant she founded in Rome nearly 50 years ago – and won numerous plaudits for their cuisine. But then March 2020 brought the �irst mandatory COVID-19 shutdown, plunging the world, and certainly business owners, into an abyss of fear and uncertainty. “We weren’t sure the restaurant would open at all,” said Claudia D’Amico, who with her brother Romolo, run Trattoria D’Amico. Their older brother Mossimo returned to Italy to attend to family matters. When the restaurant �inally reopened, D’Amico said they were operating at less than 50 percent capacity. Prior to the pandemic closure, Trattoria D’Amico, at 4902 E. Warner Road, had received excellent reviews; Tripadvisor awarded the restaurant four and a half stars for all categories: food, service, value and atmosphere. The trattoria maintained a loyal clientele who feasted on their family recipes for fresh-made pastas, sauces and breads gleaned from their mother, who had learned them from her mother. Yet their business never recovered. “It was a big loss, we were really im-

Claudia D’Amico of Ahwatukee depends on her mobile pizzeria to keep alive her family’s restaurant investment that helps to keep them in America. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) pacted and not doing well at all,” Claudia said. “The people who used to come – well, they were afraid to go out. We all were. We tried reopening as an Italian grocery store, but we still didn’t have enough business.” But, as if Fortuna, the Italian goddess of Fortune, was looking out for the family who emigrated from Italy to Ahwatukee in 2015, there was already a plan in motion for a new venture: Handmade pizza cooked and served from a pizza oven on wheels. A mobile pizzeria may be the saving lifeline for not only the family business but their ability to remain in the country. “We came up with the concept before COVID and by the time the oven was ready. We had imported it from Italy, it was the end of March 2020,” explained D’Amico.

“We held off for a little while as we weren’t sure how to go forward, but then we got the license as a food truck.” And that food truck, an authentic pizza oven on wheels, has become a popular draw at area farmer’s markets, business events, and as an extended lunch-time offering at Honeywell’s 3209 E. Airlane facility. “We are also doing private parties, and are already getting asked to be at graduation parties,” said D’Amico, who lives with her husband Alef�io and their two daughters ages 7 and 3. “It’s basically like having a piece of Italy parked outside your door.” The desert’s summer’s heat is also cause for change, yet another pivot for the D’Amico’s. “We plan to go to Payson this summer

when it gets too hot here,” she said. “Besides our own, we’re borrowing a friend’s oven so we can do more.” She is optimistic that when fall arrives in the Valley of the Sun, signature festivals like Ahwatukee’s FOL Kick-Off and Chandler’s Arizona Harvest Fest, both held in November, will see a resurgence as more residents are vaccinated and feel free to gather once again. By then, the D’Amico’s road will be a different one. “The restaurant will never reopen, it was already on the plan, (but) we will be at that location for as long as we can,” she said. “The future I see is having a second oven, starting a �leet. Then we can be at

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several places on the same dates.” The success of their mobile pizza oven business is crucial to the D’Amico family, who rely on it to maintain their visa – known as a Treaty Investor Visa, or E2. The visa permits foreign investors and their family to live in the country by investing in a commercial enterprise. One of the advantages of the E2 visa is that it can be extended inde�initely – for as long as the business concerned is viable. D’Amico, her brother Romolo and their families have acclimated to living here and wish to stay. To ensure that happens requires a focused dedication to their business, said D’Amico “We have to make it because as long as the business is going, we can be here. As long as the business goes well, we can be here,” she said, her dark eyes emphasizing the passion behind words. “The only chance you have, we have, is to go for it.” Determination to succeed, despite what life throws at them, is ingrained in the D’Amico family. It was proved when they left the comforts of their homes in Italy to immigrate to Arizona, and it bloomed like

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yeast in dough when the pandemic fallout hit their business. “It’s an act of courage to leave an old concept and start a new one, but we need to keep moving and improving. I tell people when something bad happens to them, they don’t have to give up, they should do whatever they can to do for that extra push,” she said. “You gotta �ly.” Augmenting the handmade pizzas cooked to-order onsite is the selling of grocery items the D’Amico’s import from Italy – extra virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegar, sundried tomatoes, artichokes, tuna, biscotti and more. Besides the pizza doughs handmade by Romolo D’Amico, Claudia’s fresh-baked Italian pastries are also available at their farmer’s market stops. The family continues making it a point to take Mondays and Tuesdays off to focus on family, a practice they began before COVID-19. For more information, to order Italian foods or Claudia’s homemade pastries, or to reserve the D’Amico’s mobile pizza oven for an event, see TrattoriaDAmico. com or �ind the latest on Facebook under D’Amico. 

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OPINION

Opinion 34

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Mothers in prison deserve dignity BY SUSAN CAMPBELL AFN Guest Writer

his Mother’s Day I won’t receive �lowers or enjoy brunch with my daughter Amy. Instead, I’ll pay money to receive a call from her. We’ll share memories before being reminded that there’s only �ive minutes for us to speak. My daughter is serving a sentence in an Arizona state prison. When my daughter was sent to prison, it created a hole in our family. It felt like a punishment for not only her, but for me, her grandmother, and her children. More than 3,500 mothers, sisters, and daughters are incarcerated in Perryville Women’s Prison. Like my daughter, many of these women were arrested after they became addicted to drugs. Amy did an informal study of this by surveying 204 of the 262 women in her wing. She found that more than 90 percent of them were incarcerated for drug

GOP lawmakers’ joke of an audit is distracting

As the GOP volunteers grapple with the count of the 2.1 million Maricopa County paper ballots at the state fairgrounds, the world media is focusing on this action as an outrageous Arizona frivolity. The roar of the Arizona voter fraud conspiracists catapulted into yet another audit folly, of which three independent audits previously denounced any ballot count wrong doings. Most authorities believe the Arizona GOP audit will be completed optimistically by July. At that time our sacred ballots will have been handled four times

or alcohol related offenses. My daughter’s addiction stemmed from a series of traumatic events that led her down a rabbit hole of physical pain, desperation and despair. Within prison walls, my daughter’s drug addiction got worse, not better. The �irst time she came out of prison, she was fully addicted to meth, a drug easily available in prison. Unfortunately, this led to a second prison sentence. Prisons and jails are not designed with the well-being of women in mind. Conditions are horrible. Tampons and pads are dif�icult to access. I have to send my daughter money for long underwear to stay warm in the winter and for nutritional snacks like peanut butter and crackers. The kitchen is rat-infested and �ilthy and they regularly serve outdated canned food. On top of this, the threat of contracting COVID-19 is heightened because its

impossible to social distance in cramped quarters. This year, the Arizona State Legislature had a chance to pass a “Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act,” sponsored by Republican Walt Blackman. Unfortunately, the bill died. The Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act would require the Arizona Department of Corrections to provide better conditions for women. It would provide extra protections for pregnant people who are incarcerated, including making sure they are not restrained during any point of their pregnancy and making sure they have access to healthy food. Finally, it would require DOC to attempt to keep parents in facilities within 250 miles of their kids. Arizona Senators also failed to pass a law to allow incarcerated people to earn additional time off their prison time if they participate in programming and demonstrate good behavior.

My daughter is on a good path now. She is clean and plans to stay that way. She has opportunities for work and housing once she is released. She would do better for her remaining time of con�inement by being placed in a transitional facility where she could work, or where she could become actively involved in community service. It is time to heal our community members who are sick with a drug addiction or who have been traumatized. They need a compassionate and holistic approach to help them reach their full potential, rather than punishing them and forcing them into the revolving doors of prison. What I want for Mother’s Day is for Arizona state lawmakers to step up in 2022 to do the right thing for Arizonans and pass smart, sensible, and bipartisan criminal justice reform. Susan Campbell is an ACLU of Arizona Smart Justice volunteer. 

with my prediction of zero ballot count errors. When this zero-error result is veri�ied, can we then allow the media to turn its attention to real issues like immigration reform, infrastructure funding, homelessness, drug abuse, private prison reform and an issue that affects Arizona speci�ically, our soon-to-be water shortage? Will the GOP �inally stop their vacuous chant of voter fraud? -Mary Lou Moore

little if any homeless people with their grocery carts, backpacks �illed with treasures of life and pop-up tents. My snowbird Montana uncle requested that I show him the highlights of downtown Phoenix. After a two-hour tour of Desert Botanical Gardens, we tackled the Phoenix frontier with the downtown ASU campus dominating the light rail trail and the Heard Museum a cherished tour. As I approached the Capitol and other state buildings, we drove in silence as I intentionally routed through the many blocks of the homeless, some riding bikes, some peeping from tents, some just meandering in the Phoenix sun.

Silence was broken when we asked each other, “What can we do about this?” We cited earlier progress with homeless veterans and yet both agreed that minds better than ours must command a more universal solution, and that a solution is needed. Homelessness must be on a TO DO tackle list for our elected of�icials. Please make it so. -CJ Briggle

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Outside Ahwatukee, homeless problem keeps growing

We Tukeeans are privileged to see

Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

OPINION

MAY 5, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Good luck, danger lovers, dodging vaccine BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

or the past 14 months, my logic about the COVID-19 pandemic has been a lot like my rationale for turning down any and all offers to go skydiving. Whenever possible, I avoid optional danger. That means I don’t jump out of perfectly good airplanes, especially for kicks. And when it comes to risking a potentially lethal virus, I’ve done my best to avoid danger. You know the drill: Stand 6 feet away from folks whenever possible. Wash your hands like a surgeon with a raging case of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Wear a mask to the grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants and anywhere else the law requires. Was I certain all the above would keep me healthy? No. But smart people I trust – like doctors and other -ologists

– said not doing so would risk a serious downside, like, you know, death. As an added bonus, the things I was asked to do weren’t that tough. I hate going shopping or sitting in meetings, so avoiding them felt a lot like not skydiving. The easiest sacri�ice to make is the sacri�ice you were going to make anyway. Getting a COVID-19 shot also was easy. The whole process took maybe two hours. When the state opened up vaccines to my age group, I registered online. Then in early March and again three weeks later I ventured across the Valley to the State Farm Stadium vaccine site. The �irst shot left me with a sore arm for a couple days. The second shot did the same. Again, it came down to trust. Trained medical professionals said the vaccine was safe. Out of curiosity, I dug up some studies. The research indicated the risk of serious side effects was low. For the peace of mind being vaccinat-

ed would provide, it seemed like a safe play, a small price to pay for avoiding a virus that has killed more than 17,000 Arizonans and infected 870,000 people statewide. That’s why I’m surprised to �ind myself in the minority as April comes to an end. To date, in a state of 7.3 million people, about 40 percent have gotten at least one vaccination. Only about 30 percent of us – 2.2 million Arizonans – have been fully vaccinated. According to the state, demand for �irst doses of the vaccines has been falling lately, so now they’re allowing folks to just pop in whenever, even without an appointment. “We know sometimes making an appointment for a later time is not as easy as … driving by and thinking, ‘I want to get a vaccine, I’m going to stop by.’ We can accommodate that now,” Dr. Cara Christ, Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, told KTAR Wednesday. Christ is one of those folks in whom

I have some basic trust. She has a master’s degree in microbiology with an emphasis in molecular virology and public health. And she earned her medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Would I take her recommendations on how to invest my life savings? No. But on getting this vaccine, she’s the expert – and her recommendation squares with the rest of the global medical community. That’s good enough for me. But apparently not for most Arizonans. You all must be the risk-takers who keep skydiving companies in business. The adventurers who run with scissors, drink expired milk, think bungee-jumping is a hoot and who go swimming in the ocean without waiting 20 minutes after you eat a sandwich. You’re real daredevils, you optional danger lovers. I honestly hope it works out for you. Or that you have fantastic health insurance. Me, I’m playing this one safe. 

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Pride baseball hopeful for shot at postseason BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

J Sferra is the �irst to admit he would rather not rely on a computer to know his team’s fate at the end of the regular season. But the second-year Mountain Pointe baseball coach understands the circumstances his team is currently facing. The Pride entered the last two games of the season this week at 10-6 and No. 14 in the 6A Conference playoffs. This year, due to the pandemic-shortened season, only 16 teams make the postseason. It’s a peculiar situation for the program to be in, especially given its successful past. But the Pride are in control of their own destiny, a thought that still has Sferra con�ident down the stretch. “It’s kind of like our two-strike approach, we always say to not leave it in the hands of the umpire,” Sferra said. “Ultimately, the only thing we can control is our preparation and how hard we play and try to win games. That’s what we put all our eggs into.” Mountain Pointe took one step closer toward controlling its destiny last Friday, April 30 against Brophy. The Pride took a 9-4 lead into the �ifth inning before allowing the Broncos to score �ive runs and tie the game. A scoreless sixth and top half of the seventh paved the way for Mountain Pointe to win in walk-off fashion. One-by-one Pride batters were walked by the opposing pitcher, ultimately setting up a bases loaded situation with no outs. Senior Tyler Kearney, who already had an RBI in the game, hit a line drive to left �ield that allowed fellow senior Tyvon Moore to cross home plate for the game-winning run. The win against Brophy, which was one spot ahead of Mountain Pointe, gave the Pride some breathing room in the playoff race. However, there was still little room for error entering Tuesday’s matchup against Basha, the No. 11 team in 6A. “We all know in the back of our minds

Mountain Pointe senior Cade Westerlund believes if Mountain Pointe has a shot at the postseason tournament, it could be a dangerous team and shock some of the top seeds. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor) what could happen but our mindset with anything is to focus on the next game,” Sferra said. “We never look too far ahead. We just aim to try to come out and play good baseball.” Mountain Pointe started the 2021 season on a hot streak, beating North, Highland twice and Mountain View before dropping two straight games to Desert Ridge. The losses came during a period in which the team started struggling with injuries. Junior Flores, one of the team’s senior leaders and overall best players, has battled a lingering injury since the preseason. It’s limited the Hawaii-commit to just nine games played this year and a below-average batting percentage at the plate. The Pride have also dealt with injuries to its pitching staff, which has hampered them on some occasions. But still, the team has never lost con�idence in itself. In fact, it’s a mindset that the team has carried with it throughout the year. “We always pick each other up, that’s where the con�idence comes from,” senior

catcher Cade Westerlund said. “We come have to play �luid baseball. If we do that, together, and we just �ight. I think we have hopefully it falls our way.” All of those involved in the Mountain the chance to do something special.” “I think our playoff team would be bet- Pointe baseball program know the situation ter than the regular season. I think we at hand. Win and the Pride are in. Lose and they will likely be on the bubble when the could be unstoppable.” Westerlund is one of several players that of�icial brackets are release on Thursday. Especially after a year in which one seahas stepped up to help in the absence of other key players this season. He is sec- son was canceled and another hampered ond behind only fellow senior Cole Shee- with injuries, the Pride feel as if they can han in batting average with a .429 with 12 enter the postseason a completely differRBI. Sheehan is batting .453 with 22 RBI. ent team and shock those ranked ahead of One of Westerlund’s three home runs on them. But for now, they remain focused on the year came in the �irst inning against continuing to �ight through adversity and Brophy last Friday, a two-run shot that do everything they can to get to the playoffs. “We tell them all the time life is going sparked the Pride’s offense. The win against Brophy, which may turn to throw some things at you and you just out to be the difference in playoff implica- have to be prepared and have a next man tions, was also special for Westerlund and up mentality,” Sferra said. “Show up, work his fellow seniors because it came on se- hard and try to win. That’s it.”  nior day for a class that dealt with adversity the last two seasons. Westerlund and Sheehan both said they had a wide range of emotions throughout the contest. In many ways, it was bittersweet. But most importantly, it gave them further hope of being able to hit the reset button and enter the postseason tournament. “It was huge,” said Sheehan, who dislocated his �inger in the sixth inning against Brophy but came back in the game. “We are right in the Mountain Pointe senior Cole Sheehan acknowledged his team is in a must-win situation going forward with the season if it wants to make spot in the rankplayoffs, and last Friday’s win against Brophy was a step in the right diings where it was a rection. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor) must-win. We just

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Shop takes ice cream doughnut treats seriously BY OLIVIA DOW GetOut Contributor

ailey Foxcroft and Brandon Douglas may not agree on the best ice cream-doughnut sandwich �lavor, but they agree that customers are the best part of co-owning Mesa’s Novel Ice Cream. “Honestly, we make an amazing product, don’t get me wrong,” Foxcroft said. “But what keeps me going is truly our customers, to be able to make a small connection with them and give them some type of joy and part of their day. As easy as it is to say, the customers are honestly what keeps me going and are my favorite part of working and now co-owning an ice cream shop with Brandon.” Located in Mesa and Phoenix, Novel Ice Cream blends nostalgia, warm doughnut buns and artisan ice cream. It offers two �lavors, crispy European waf�le sandwiches, glass bottle sodas and cereal sprinkles. “The idea for an ice cream-stuffed doughnut has been done in other cultures quite a bit,” Douglas said. “The version in Italy is what drew my attention to it. They were taking brioche buns and stuf�ing gelato and then that idea made it over to the U.S.” Novel has specialized in ice creamstuffed doughnuts since the Phoenix store opened in March 2017. But, he said, they “take it more seriously than anybody else.” Douglas has tried the treats in other states, but they were “underwhelming.” “I felt like it could be done really, really well,” Douglas said. “For a couple of years, I just secretly hoped somebody else in Arizona would do it. But after nobody else did, I decided it must be my calling.” But there’s more to Novel Ice Cream than doughnuts and ice cream. Douglas said it’s been a place for “people who have been hurt by the world in some way.” People need a sweet escape from the world’s problems. “Objectively speaking, we’re kind of inundated with bad news a lot and we want it to really be a place where people come

Brandon Douglas and Kailey Foxcroft think they have a winning combo with their donuts stuffed with ice cream. (Pablo Robles/GetOut Staff Photographer) in and just feel absolute joy,” Douglas said. “Food’s just a universal language. When you have something you look forward to for a long time, there are few things that will provide that type of escape from your

worries. We are probably like a place to eat your emotions, basically,” The Downtown Mesa store is the newest one, having opened in March. The opening of it was a two-year project. For

two years, the duo had been working on an East Valley location. “When we were ready to open a second location, we knew that East Mesa was, or at least the East Valley, is where we wanted to go,” Foxcroft said. “I grew up out in East Mesa and I’ve always kind of had a heart for Downtown Mesa and it just felt right. One random hot summer day, I just started walking the streets of Main Street and landed at the spot that we’re in. One of our neighbors is actually a customer of ours and so it just really sealed the deal that Mesa is where we needed to be.” Foxcroft started as an employee for Novel and is now the co-owner of Novel Ice Cream in Mesa. Douglas said Foxcroft’s love for the customers is why they complement each other as owners. “I don’t want to say ditto, but that’s why Kailey was the perfect �it for a business partner for me,” Douglas said. “She shares that vision. A lot of stuff we talk about sounds really cheesy on a surface level because you can go to the corporate meeting and they’ll talk about family and how important customers are and all this.” When Douglas and Foxcroft look for employees, they want people who are personable. “What we do is we hire people who genuinely love people,” Douglas said. “We can teach you how to do everything at our shop, but we can’t teach you to like people. You come in a Novel and you get an experience that literally ruins all other ice cream shops for you because we want to be that bar that we set for you.” 

Novel Ice Cream

Guests can enhance their ice cream doughnuts with sprnkles and other treats at Novel Ice Cream. (Special to GetOut)

40 N. Macdonald, Suite 2, Mesa 602.784.4729 1028 NW Grand Ave., Phoenix 602.373.2235

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

MAY 5, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

King Crossword

Corrected puzzle from April 28

ACROSS 4 7 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 22 24 28 32 33 34 36 37 39 41 43 44 46 50 53 55 56 57 58 59 60 61

Put two and two together? Recede Crib cry Weaving frame Standard Author Hunter Falco of “The Sopranos” “The Greatest” Donate Line dance Wife of Jacob Moreover Like bell-bottoms Fragrant flower Ouzo flavor Sparkling Italian wine Nile biter Complain Daily trio Flying horse Soup grain -- of 1812 Victor’s cry Small boat TV clown Tool set Traditional tales Ms. Brockovich Scratch (out) List-ending abbr. Lights-out tune Gender Hill dweller

ACROSS 1 6 11 12

40 42 45 47 48

Helium, for one Oxen harnesses Goddess of victory Tiny bit Drescher or Tarkenton

49 50 51 52 54

Sudoku

8 9 10 12 19 21 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 35 38

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Fedora fabric Wager Man-mouse link Energy -- -Mex cuisine

14 15 16 17 19 20 22 23 24 26 28 30 31 35 39 40 42 43 44 46 47 49 51 52 53 54

Mr. Guinness Nitwit Slay Ecol. watchdog Event for Cinderella Fleeting The Duchess of Sussex who once starred in “Suits” Bird (Pref.) Dallas hoopster, briefly Chemical suffix Multi-state lottery with a huge jackpot Blackbird In the style of “CSI” evidence Ocho --, Jamaica Isaac’s eldest Cozy rooms Doorframe piece Cruising Flag feature Mentalist’s gift Church seat Stitch

Fashion Cougars Copier part Sanford of “The Jeffersons” Sweatshirt variety “The Raven” maiden Off-roader (Abbr.) Burn with steam Khan title “Moonstruck” star -- -la-la War god “Praying” singer TV actor Prinze Business mag Melancholy Dagwood’s lady Chic again Lariat Neither mate Actress de Matteo -- -de-France Red Square figure Last (Abbr.) Sister of Moses Restaurant fan Sports venues Not as small Admin. aides Plant firmly Mollify Caches Pay stub abbr. Floral rings Upright Columns Secondhand Chess piece On the train Composer Prokofiev

11 13 18 21 23 25 27 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 41 44 45 48

Crude cabin Rental contract Canine cry Bonn’s river Threw in Moreover Corn serving Movie houses Hat edges Nabokov novel Puccini works Very long time Plod Counted (on) Western flick Sentry’s weapon Cannes milk Linguist Chomsky Check-cashing needs 50 Sphere

Sudoku

PUZZLES ANSWERS BELOW

PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 32

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES AND SUDOKU

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Get Your Lawn Ready For Spring!

CONKLIN PAINTING Free Estimate & Color Consultation

Interior Painting ● Pressure Washing Exterior Painting ● Drywall/Stucco Repair Complete Prep Work ● Wallpaper Removal

Honey Do List Too Long? Check out the Handyman Section!

898-6465

Painting

480-888-5895 ConklinPainting.com Lic/Bond/Ins ROC# 270450

Painting SUN TECH

PAINTING INC.

Serving Ahwatukee Since 1987 Interior / Exterior

• High Quality Materials & Workmanship • Customer Satisfaction Free Est imates • Countless References • Carpentry Services Now Available

Visit us at Suntechpaintingaz.com or view our video promo at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM5pbvpZJlg

602.625.0599 ROC #155380 Family Owned • Free Estimates

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts “We get your house looking top notch!” ★ Interior/Exterior Painting ★ Drywall Repair & Installation ★ Popcorn Ceiling Removal

★ Elastomaric Roof Coating ★ Epoxy Floors ★ Small Job Specialist

Scott Mewborn, Owner 480-818-1789 License #ROC 298736

Looking To Freshen Up Your Home? WE CAN HELP!

Not a licensed contractor.

SONORAN LAWN

or Call 480-

FREE ORGANIC LAWN FERTILIZATION TREATMENT WITH CORE AERATION FERTILIZATION • SOIL AMENDMENTS • LAWN SOIL TESTING

TRIM TREES ALL TYPES GRAVEL - PAVERS SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Lawn Mowing Starts At $40 Full Service Starts At $70

Email Your Job Post to: class@times publications.com

theplugman.com

High Quality Results

Specials

Classifieds Are Read Every day! Put your ad HERE!

Sell Your Stuff! Call Classifieds Today! CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

ROC 282663 * BONDED * INSURED YOUR LAWN EXPERT SINCE 1995

ROC# 256752

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING Interior, Exterior House Painting. Stucco Patching. Gate/Front Door Refinishing. Quality work/Materials Free Estimate Ignacio 480-961-5093 602-571-9015 ROC #189850 Bond/Ins'd

480.898.6465

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

HIRING?

Painting

Proudly Serving Ahwatukee for 15 Years! Family Owned & Operated Residential & Commercial Painting • Interior & Exterior • Professional Cabinet Reﬁnishing • Epoxy Floors & Concrete Coatings • In-Home Color Consultations “Professional, Punctual & Clean”

Veteran Owned

480-338-4011

East Valley PAINTERS Voted #1 Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

10% OFF

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality Free Estimates! Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

www.ACPpaintingllc.com Licensed - Bonded - Insured ROC 290242

FREE ESTIMATES • CALL TODAY!

(480)785-6323

ROC#309706

CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

Plumbing

Affinity Plumbing LLC 480-487-5541 affinityplumber@gmail.com

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH! Beat Any Price By 10% • Lifetime Warranty Water Heaters Installed - $799 Unclog Drains - $49 FREE RO UNIT w/Any WATER SOFTENER INSTALL NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 Months!! ‘A’ RATED PLUMBING REPAIR Free Estimates • Same Day Service

www.affinityplumbingaz.com

Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor Anything Plumbing Same Day Service Water Heaters

24/7

Inside & Out Leaks

Bonded

Toilets

Insured

Faucets

Estimates Availabler Not a licensed contractor

Disposals

$35 off

Any Service

Pool Service / Repair

$25 OFF

Filter Cleaning!

Roofing Watch for Garage Sales in Classifieds! You will find them easy with their yellow background. Garage Sale Fri & Sat 7a-11am Household, clothes, kitchen items, furniture, electronics, mason jars, kid items, DVDs, MORE 555 W. Lane Dr Mesa

Monthly Service & Repairs Available

602-546-POOL 7 6 6 5

www.barefootpoolman.com See our Before’s and After’s on Facebook Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC# 272001

Only $27.50 includes 1 week online

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

To place an ad please call: 480-898-6465 class@times publications.com

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

Plumbing

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident

AHWATUKEE SPECIAL

Plumbing

Off 40work done

Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

*Any

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

SERVICE • REPAIR • REPLACEMENT

See MORE Ads Online!

We offer personalized service for our customers. We use the best materials that we can find.

Owned and Operated by Rod Lampert Ahwatukee Resident Serving Ahwatukee for over 25 years

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

Our services include: Sinks, Toilets, Faucets, Water Heaters, Garbage Disposal, Drain Cleaning, Pressure Reducing Valves, Pressure Vacuum Breakers, Hot Water Circulation Systems, Main Service Valves and Hose Taps.

(480) 279-4155 Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC 189848

Pool Service / Repair

MARK’S POOL SERVICE Owner Operated - 20 Years

Play Pools start at

www.Ahwatukee.com

Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! We have a “Spencer” on every job and every step of the way.

$85/month with chemicals

Ask About Filter Cleaning Specials!

PLUMBING $35.00 Off Any Service Call Today!

A+ RATED

We Repair or Install ROC # 272721

AHWATUKEE’S #1 PLUMBER Licensed • Bonded • Insured

704.5422

(480)

Mark 602-799-0147 CPO#85-185793

Juan Hernandez

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

480-446-7663 Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hirerooﬁng.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

CLASSIFIEDS

MAY 5, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Roofing

TILE ROOFING SPECIALISTS

Roofing

Family Owned & Operated for over 30 years

Over 30 Years of Experience

Window Cleaning

Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

Flat and Foam Roof Experts!

ROC #152111

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING

Quality Repairs & Re-Roofs Complimentary & Honest Estimates

10% OFF COMPLETE UNDERLAYMENT

Call our office today!

Commercial & Residential Family Owned & Operated

480-460-7602

AZROC #283571 | CONTRACTOR LIC. AZROC #312804 CLASS CR4 | FULLY INSURED

FREE ESTIMATES 602-736-3019 30 Years Roofing Experience

Ahwatukee Based Family Owned and Operated Insured • Free Estimates

Valley Wide Service

480-446-7663

See our reviews and schedule at:

www.cousinswindowcleaning.com

480-330-2649

Ask us about our discount for all Military and First Responders!

10% OFF

www.porterroofinginc.com

Place YOUR Business HERE! in the Service Directory

with this ad

JILEK ROOFING, LLC

Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

New Roof Installation & Roof Repair Specialist

Cell: 480.417.3689 Office: 480.912.5014 Email: tomjilek60@gmail.com Licensed & Insured • Bonded, Res/Com ROC 328854

Call for our 3 Month Special! Starting at $145.20/month

FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hirerooﬁng.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

Licensed, Bonded, Insured

Roofing

Classifieds: 480-898-6465

Puzzle

The world is a stage... in need of a carpenter. Given 4 jobs an actor had in movie roles, and a few hints, can you figure out the actors?

$1000 OFF when you show this ad *on qualifying complete roof replacements

CHARACTER’S JOBS Hot as lava mayor, “corny” girlfriend, doomsday mom, and an unrecognizable crime matriarch... Actress: ______________________ Big famous tiny naval aviator, father of pranking match-maker twins, famous gunfighter/dentist, and a “dreamy” psychic Actor: ______________________

Call for your FRE E roof evaluation today www.InExRooﬁn g.com | 602-938-7575

Meetings/Events? Get Free notices in the Classifieds! Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

“Unchained” potter, tough Navy Seal trainee, a juror, “A” puritan Actress: ______________________ Dark fairy, CIA operative, athletic English archaeologist with a high I.Q., teen computer hacker Actress: ______________________ Kindergarten teacher/cop, secret agent spy, military team leader, cold-hearted bad guy Actor: ______________________ CB

Western outlaw in a famous duo, ragtime grifter, resourceful survivor, investigative journalist (last two involve water in some fashion) Actor: ______________________ Answers: Linda Hamilton as a mayor in Dante’s Peak, a girlfriend in Children of the Corn, Sarah Connor in Terminator series, and King George in Easy Does It Dennis Quaid in Inner Space, The Parent Trap, as Doc Holliday in The Untouchables and as a psychic in Dreamscape Demi Moore as Molly in Ghost (Unchained Melody played during famous pottery scene), seal trainee G.I. Jane, a juror in The Juror, and as Hester Prynne in The Scarlett Letter Angelina Jolie as the dark fairy Maleficent, as CIA operative SALT, as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, and a teen computer hacker in Hackers Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cop undercover as a kindergarten teacher in Kindergarten Cop, a secret agent spy in True Lies, a military team leader fighting an equally tough alien in Predator, and as bad guy Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin Robert Redford as Sundance in Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, as grifter Johnny Hooker in The Sting, cast listed as “Our Man” in All Is Lost as a man lost at sea, and as Bob Woodard, one of the two famous investigative journalists looking into Watergate

LICENSED | INSURED | BONDED | ROC #269218

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 5, 2021

PROMOTION

REBATES UP TO

SPRING SPRING TUNE-UP TUNE-UP SPECIAL!

UNSTOPPABLE SOLUTIONS. UNBELIEVABLE DEALS.

Includes a 16-Point Inspection. Includes a 16-Point

REG. $99.

500

LIMITED TIME ONLY Inspection. RESIDENTIAL LIMITED TIME ONLY ONLY

Trane systems are put through the harshest testing imaginable — all so they can run through anything. And now, you can get rebates up to $500.* We never stop finding ways to bring you products that never stop.

RESIDENTIAL ONLY SPECIAL! REG. $99. Your Hometown Air Conditioning Speciali

Your Hometown Air Conditioning Speciali

Fl_t EEC�

SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643

480-725-7303 cHooi�� 6�� E

cHooi�� E6��

Fl_t EEC� C� brewers

SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643

CTEB0J.-__..__.

www.brewerers.com

(480) 898-7909

BIG, SAVINGSoR GREAT CTEB0J. -__..__. FINIANCING a

A + Rating ti. srnw !',\LIST lllrl.lJIH I, f.11.IAUF'lfl!N, ,OIJTll-001: IJUIT,. llfllOOR UNIT AND Tfll,NE CONm)l.''

BIG, SAVINGSoR GREAT FINIANCING

ti. srnw !',\LIST lllrl.lJIH I, f.11.IAUF'lfl!N, ,OIJTll-001: IJUIT,. llfllOOR UNIT AND Tfll,NE CONm)l.''

**See your independent dealer for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special financing offers valid on qualifying equipment only. Special rebates from $75 to $500. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Void where prohibited. The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 3/1/2021 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. The offer expires 12/31/2021.