Ahwatukee Foothills News - 05.12.2021

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Wednesday, May 12, 2021

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Ahwatukee’s COVID vaccine rate exceeds its neighbors

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

A

hwatukee residents apparently are taking COVID-19 more seriously than many of their neighbors.

Data released last week by county and state public health of�icials show the percentage of eligible Ahwatukee residents who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus exceeds the state and county percentages as well as those of their East Valley neighbors.

According to the county, 85045 has the highest percentage of fully vaccinated people

among Ahwatukee’s three ZIP codes at 60 percent. When you factor in those who have had their �irst dose, 85045 shows a 73.4 percent vaccination rate.

In 85044, the fully vaccinated percentage is 49 percent while 60.3 percent have had their �irst shot.

ZIP code 85048 has a fully vaccinated rate of 52 percent, compared with 64.2 percent who have had their �irst dose.

The data include both the two-dose P�izer and Moderna vaccines as well as the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients are included in

Pecos Center to reopen a bit on June 7 for seniors

both data sets, according to the county.

Ahwatukee’s stats suggest residents here have been far more open to the vaccine than many Arizonans.

For example, Phoenix citywide has a 36.1 fully vaccinated rate and 47.7 one-dose rate.

Statewide, 44.3 percent have received one dose and 33 percent are fully vaccinated, according to the state Department of Health Services.

Maricopa County’s fully vaccinated rate is only 30 percent, the latest data show. That

Champions!

��� VACCINE ���� 12

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

B

arring a signi�icant uptick in COVID-19 transmission levels in Phoenix, Pecos Community Center will reopen for senior citizen activities June 7 – but under rules that will substantially reduce the number of adults who can participate.

While summer camp registrations for kids 6 to 12 years old is scheduled to begin today, May 12, at phoenix.org/parks, activities will mainly be outside with only limited indoor action.

Also unlikely are festivals in city parks before fall.

While seniors will be allowed to eat lunch indoors, kids will be eating outdoors unless there is an excessive heat warning or a monsoon storm. Otherwise, they’ll be directed to eat in the shade or near one of the portable cooling towers the city has purchased just for

��� PECOS ���� 14

The Desert Vista lacrosse team celebrated winning its first state championship last Friday. Celebrating are, from left, Head Coach Ivy Richey, assistant coaches Torrey Graves and Emily Fry and player Cathy Dirrigl. For details, see page 38. (Pablo Robles/AFN)

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 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:

Elaine Cota, 480-898-7926, ecota@ahwatukee.com

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:

Zach Alvira 480-898-5630, zalvira@timespublications.com

Designer: Ruth Carlton - rcarlton@timespublications.com

Production Coordinator:

Courtney Oldham 480-898-5617 production@timespublications.com

Reporters:

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.

WRITE A LETTER

To submit a letter, please include your full name.

Our policy is not to run anonymous letters. Please keep the length to 300 words. Letters will be run on a space-available basis. Please send your contributions to pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com.

EDITORIAL CONTENT

The Ahwatukee Foothills News expresses its opinion. Opinions expressed in guest commentaries, perspectives, cartoons or letters to the editor are those of the author.

ADVERTISING CONTENT

The content and claims of any advertisement are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The Ahwatukee Foothills News assumes no responsibility for the claims or content of any advertisement.

© Strickbine Publishing, Inc.

Tempe Union seeing fewer students from outside the district

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

S

tudents living outside of Tempe Union High School District boundaries have been a significant driver for overall enrollment, but that’s starting to change.

Demographer Rick Brammer of Applied Economics LLC last week gave the Tempe Union Governing Board a detailed look at student enrollment patterns.

Much of his presentation looked at how the district’s current enrollment of about 13,493 is likely to be impacted by a relentlessly falling birth rate and the continuing increasing difficulty of finding affordable housing in the district for families with children.

“School age population and in-district enrollment are likely to decrease steadily over the next 10 years, declining by about 770 students during the period,” his study concluded. “Many multifamily projects in the district are not targeted to, or affordable for, families with children.”

That means that the district likely will not see enrollment grow.

“The single-family development is limited,” Brammer said. “Lots of the multifamily (development) that we get just generally doesn’t produce kids and because of that, I’m not looking for enrollment to crater in any sort of way but I just don’t see there’s any way you could possibly really increase either.”

Over the years, Brammer noted, out-of-district students have helped prop up Tempe Union’s total enrollment while an increasing number of families living within the district are sending their children either to a charter or private school or, to a lesser degree, other districts.

Right now, he said, there are about 4,200 students within Tempe Union’s boundaries who are of high school age and who aren’t attending the district’s schools.

Correction

A

see ENROLL page 4

story in last week’s edition on the slaying of a Goodyear man incorrectly stated that the victim, Todd Vermillion, had a marijuana-related conviction. He did not.

The family also disputed the police description of the woman who killed him and later took her life as an ex-girlfriend. There was no romantic relationship between the two people and she had been stalking the victim, the family said.

NEWS

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4

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

Community college bill signed into law

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

A

rizona’s community colleges are now on the path to awarding fouryear degrees if they want.

Gov. Doug Ducey last week signed legislation to permit these local institutions to offer baccalaureate degrees without having to first enter into a joint program with one of the state’s three universities.

“Today’s action is school choice for higher education,’’ Ducey said. “It will allow students even more opportunities as they strengthen their education and expand their employment opportunities.’’

The governor’s action comes despite a last-ditch bid by Larry Penley, chairman of

ENROLL from page 3

the Arizona Board of Regents, urging him to reject the legislation.

“There is little evidence to support the need for a substantial change in Arizona higher education structure,’’ Penley said.

Penley also argued that the move is unnecessary, as the regents have four-year programs they operate in collaboration with community college.

Tuesday’s decision drew praise from Steven Gonzales, chancellor of the Maricopa Community Colleges, who said the aim is not to compete with the university system but to supplement it.

Gonzales said there are specific needs for things like more teachers and nurses than the university system is turning out and that these programs can be conducted

at far less cost than the universities charge in tuition, all without raising local property taxes.

None of this will happen immediately.

The new law requires governing boards to determine whether to offer four-year degrees based on both the need, as determined by student demand and workforce gaps, as well as the financial requirements necessary to sustain the program.

Programs also have to be accredited by the same agencies that have purview over university programs. And colleges are required to let state universities know of the programs they are developing.

But the statute also is clear: Universities have no veto power. And that was one of the things the Board of Regents wanted.

Lawmakers added some additional restrictions in Pima and Maricopa counties.

For the first four years, no more than 5 percent of total degree and certification can be for four-year programs, a figure that rises to no more than 10 percent after that. The tuition for juniors and seniors can be no more than 150 percent what they charge for all other courses.

Ducey said 23 other states have similar systems which allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees in certain circumstances.

Penley wrote, “What Arizona needs from community colleges, in addition to their technical certificates and degrees, are associate degrees that have a higher graduation rate.’’ 

“There’s always the possibility that you could get some of those back too and so it’s not solely driven by the demographics,” Brammer said.

“We still have got to keep your eye on marketing and still keep reaching out and try to bring in the kids that are actually already out there.”

Within the district, he added, there are 13 The chart on the left shows enrollment in Tempe Union over the last 20 years. The blue bars are for students living in the district and the green mark outcharter schools with a of-district student attendance. The chart on the right shows where out-of-district students come from. (Applied Economics) total enrollment of about comprises students within its attendance 3,600 students and seven private schools Union High School District this year ver- a different Tempe Union campus.

“Significant differences exist between area. Corona del Sol and McClintock high serving a total 1,300 kids. Not all of sus only 18, 16, 19 in prior years, so I do those students live within Tempe Union believe that is going to have an impact. the number of students in each atten- schools had percentages of students in Again, it’s something we’re going to have dance area and the number at each its attendance areas that were close to boundaries.

In looking at where out-of-district stu- to monitor. We would be knowing more school,” his study found. “Out-of-district that of Desert Vista.  is still the largest attendance area by students come from, Brammer reported that this year were it not for COVID.” But overall, attendance by students liv- dent count, but that may change.” the most, 1,308 live within Phoenix Union The study showed that 70.8 percent of boundaries. Mesa Unified and Maricopa ing in outside districts is falling – which account for 463 and 433, respectively, Brammer attributed largely to improve- all Tempe Union students are enrolled ments being made in those students’ in the high school for their attendance and Chandler Unified another 268. area – meaning that nearly a third go to Other districts represented consider- home districts.

“They are doing a little better job and another district high school farther from ably lower numbers of students attendContact Paul Maryniak at trying to make a bigger effort of trying to their homes. ing Tempe Union schools.

480-898-5647 or The study showed that 85.2 percent “We didn’t really get the impact of the hang on to their own students,” he said. pmaryniak@ Brammer’s study also showed that of Desert Vista High School’s enrollment freeway yet,” Brammer told the board, timespublications.com referring to the now nearly 18-month- there is a lot of movement within the dis- comprises students who lived within its trict and that many students living with- attendance boundaries while only 51.2 old South Mountain Freeway.

“We got 31 students from the Tolleson in a high school’s attendance area choose percent of Mountain Pointe’s enrollment

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

Public safety increase draws fire in city budget hearing

to register any comment on the city’s proposed $1.5 billion budget and that the city he Phoenix city administration’s needs to do a more effective job engaging proposal to add $20.5 million to the people in the budget process.

While no other City Council member public safety budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 drew some harsh discussed police funding per se, several criticism from a City Council member and were supportive of the plan to spend $15 million of the proposed $20.5 million in a number of citizens last week.

Leading the criticism – which was most- new public safety funding on an expanded ly from people calling into the May 4 study Community Assistance Program.

The program will enlist social workers session – was Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia, a vehement critic of the Police Department. and other trained personnel to answer “Despite again, the majority of partici- 911 calls involving people with a behavpants in this cycle calling for a reduction ioral or mental disorder rather than sendin police spending, we’re still looking at a ing an armed officer.

Referring to police responses to emerdraft budget that has a significant increase for the Police Department,” Garcia said, gency calls, Garcia claimed the CAP will who wanted to take at least $15 million for “take 20,000 calls off of their hands” and other services because public safety com- said the police should receive a corresponding reduction in funding of between prises $600 million of the budget.

The City Manager’s Office reported that $18 million and $20 million.

He also said the legalization of recover the course of 14 citizen budget briefings, 199 people opposed police funding reational marijuana also meant police would have that rather than at its proposed level.

Luless xurwork gs ~ y Vinand ydepartment l ~ Co Araea Ra ufunding increase, the But even Garcia admitted thattoout of m unteneeds Cus than 5.5 to make operational adjustments. ~more rtop s r city with a population of e w ~ Sho e t ood ~ La a n i m The Community Assistance Programs million, only 500 people in all bothered

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won’t be operational until the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Garcia also said the city should negotiate its next contract with the police union in public.

Some of the people who called into the meeting, harshly condemned Phoenix Police and echoed sentiments of the “defund police” movement.

One caller said the proposed additional public safety funding “shows that this Council supports, approves of and protects the violence at the hands of the Phoenix Police Department.”

But PJ Dean, president of the city firefighters union, praised the funding measures and defended Phoenix Police. He said the CAP program should remain within the purview of public safety officials as opposed to Garcia’s request to put it under some other department’s supervision.

“Whereas we can appreciate the emotion that is tied to these kinds of comments and we fully support the right of people who wish to express them,” Dean said, “a fringe and profound hatred for the police is not what should

drive the management of a vital Community program. CAP should remain in public safety circles, where its foundation program has already enjoyed decades of success.”

The Community Assistance Program has operated within the Fire Department but “has been under-resourced and unable to meet community demands,” according to the city manager.

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 one-time funds – mostly federal pandemic relief money – and $56.8 million in increased revenue.

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.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

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Mesa lawmaker targets classroom ‘propaganda’

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

A

pproving a measure by a Mesa lawmaker, Republican lawmakers voted Wednesday to punish teachers who don’t present both sides of controversial science or events.

Some lawmakers said the move could force teachers to seek out and present contrary views on everything from climate change and slavery to the 9-11 terrorist attacks, the Holocaust – and even whether Joe Biden really won the election.

The measure, approved along party lines, requires that any “controversial issues’’ discussed in the classroom must be done “from diverse and contending perspectives without giving deference to any one perspective.’’

“While there are many outstanding teachers in our schools, there are a handful that try to teach students what to think instead of how to think,’’ said Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa. “Propaganda and one-sided political ideology should have no place in our classroom.”

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Much of what is in her amendment to SB 1532 is aimed at precluding instruction

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that one race, ethnic group or gender is “inherently morally or intellectually superior to another.’’

Udall’s measure also would bar teaching that any individual bears responsibility for actions committed by others of the

same race, ethic group or sex.

“It simply prevents teaching our students that their race determines their character, treatment or worth,’’ she said. “Biased, unbalanced teaching hurts children.’’

But Rep. Randall Friese, D-Tucson, said the measure is based on a false premise.

“It is not propaganda that our country enslaved people for 400 years,’’ he said. “It is not propaganda that native tribes had their land taken by our forefathers.’’

Udall insisted that nothing stops that from being taught, adding, “We all acknowledge that these things happened.”

But Udall’s legislation contains no definition of what is “controversial’’ and, under her proposal, could not be presented as fact but instead would require a teacher to provide an alternate view or face discipline.

Friese suggested that might only be defined in retrospective after a parent objects to something that already was taught.

And that lack of definition alarmed some legislators, who pointed out that any

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

New law protects gun makers from lawsuits

ov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation to declare gun shops as an “essential’’ and protect them, firearms manufacturers and even trade associations like the National Rifle Association from being sued by those who are killed or injured by their products.

The federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, approved by Congress in 2005, already shields manufacturers and dealers from being held liable when crimes are committed with their products.

But Rep. Quang Nguyen, R-Prescott Valley, pointed out that President Joe Biden, asked what would be his top priority in his gun violence agenda, said that would be to repeal the law. And Nguyen said he wants something in place in Arizona should that happen.

Ducey echoed that theme.

“With efforts currently underway in Washington to erode Second Amendment

rights, Arizona is taking action to protect those rights,’’ he said. “Bad actors need to be held accountable, and we will work to make sure they are.”

Press aide C.J. Karamargin said his boss believes that the law still allows “legitimate’’ lawsuits against gun manufacturers and sellers. But he could not cite a specific instance of what kinds of litigation could proceed.

In fact, after stiff opposition from gunrights groups, Ducey years ago abandoned the one gun violence bill he proposed years ago: Allow judges to issue a Severe Threat Order of Protection (STOP).

Those orders would have required people who own firearms to submit to mental evaluations and to have police take their weapons pending such examinations.

“But we are not going to allow lawsuit after lawsuit to slowly tear down the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens in hour state,’’ the governor said.

Rep. Diego Rodriguez, D-Phoenix, chided Republican colleagues for approving this measure, which has no immediate ef-

fect, rather than dealing with the underlying issues of gun violence.

“People want us to talk about that,’’ he said. Instead, Rodriguez said, the Legislature is dealing with “these bogeyman stories of people coming into your homes, trying to take your guns.’’

“No one is advocating that,’’ he continued. “What we would like to see is a heartfelt, meaningful, substantive discussion of the issue of gun violence in this country.’’

Rep. Jennifer Longdon decried “unfettered access to firearms.’’

Longdon is in a wheelchair, having been paralyzed in a 2004 incident where an unknown gunman fired at her and her fiancé.

He was left blind and with brain damage.

“I, too, support the Second Amendment,’’ she said.

“So why bother’’ passing new laws like this, she asked.

“We bother because we have an administration that’s made it clear they want to infringe on our Second Amendment,’’ responded Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City.

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Nguyen said, “Part of my job as a representative is to protect business and jobs.

And I believe this bill will do just that.’’

Nguyen said he has a particularly unique perspective on the right to bear arms, having been born in Vietnam in 1962 and emigrating to the United States after the war.

“I know what it’s like to live in a country with no Second Amendment,’’ he said. “I’ve seen people killed. I’ve seen people die without the ability to defend themselves.’’

He cited the 1986 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act which provides immunity to manufacturers for their products.

That law, however, also sets up a system of compensation for those found to be injured by certain vaccine.

Nguyen also pointed to the General Aviation Revitalization Act, a 1994 federal law that shields the manufacturers of aircraft and their component parts from liability from lawsuits.

But, here, too, it is not blanket immunity but only against lawsuits filed more than

see GUNS page 14

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

VACCINE from page 1

percentage puts it behind Yuma, Santa Cruz, Pima, Navajo, La Paz, Graham Gila, Coconino, Cochise and Apache counties.

Ahwatukee’s vaccination rate also stands out among its East Valley neighbors.

Tempe has a fully vaccinated rate of 39.2 percent while 50 percent have received one dose.

Chandler’s fully vaccinated rate is 46.2 percent compared with 59.3 percent who have received one shot.

Gilbert’s fully vaccinated rate is 31 percent with 53.5 percent with one dose while Mesa’s fully vaccinated rate checks in at 37.6 percent and a one-dose rate of 48.4 percent.

The vaccination rates have been sufficiently concerning to state Health Director Dr. Cara Christ that she recently held a virtual town hall specifically “for those living in areas of Mesa identified for highly targeted outreach on COVID-19 vaccinations.”

Though she took questions only from two Mesa City Council districts, she made it clear she was giving a pep talk “to encourage every Arizonan to be vaccinated.”

Several callers had a similar question: How safe are the vaccines?

“Arizona is now vaccinating all individuals age 16 and over … This vaccine is safe and effective,” she stressed, noting manufacturers were required to show their vaccines are safe.

“With any medication or vaccine, there’s

UDALL from page 9

teacher who violates the law is subject to not just a $5,000 fine but would be forced to reimburse the school for any “misused monies.’’

Udall brushed aside some of the examples of what might land a teacher in trouble. For example, she said, a teacher would not have to present alternate theories about whether the earth is round.

She said an “accurate portrayal of historical events’’ would be permitted. And she said that “largely discredited’’ theories do not need to be presented as fact.

But then legislators started asking about specific examples.

Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said there are those who believe there were positive aspects of slavery and that some slaves were treated better than others.

“Suppose that a teacher were to teach, and believed was an accurate portrayal,

Dr. Cara Christ took questions from Mesa residents reluctant to get COVID-19 vaccines during a telephone town hall. (File photo) always the possibility of side effects … they’re really common after the second dose,” Christ added.

She referenced a recent national article that showed “not only does the vaccine protect against the strain it was designed against, but it also protects against the variants.”

Asked about “booster” shots for those who have been vaccinated, Christ said timelines are fuzzy, then added, “Some providers are looking at combining a flu shot with a COVID booster.”

Christ said all that needs to be done for now is the two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one shot of Johnson and Johnson, which are “believed to provide six months of coverage.”

that all slavery was bad, that all masters were bad?’’ she asked.

“If the sources are well understood and if it’s well-cited, that would be considered an accurate portrayal,’’ Udall said.

“If it’s not something that has been discredited it would be considered an accurate portrayal.’’

But Rep. Diego Rodriguez, D-Phoenix, said Udall’s measure makes issues where there should be none.

“It is not a controversial statement to say slavery was the cause of the Civil War and not an issue of states’ rights,’’ he said. Ditto, Rodriguez said, would be a statement in a current events class saying that Joe Biden was elected in a fair and free election.

“And now we’re going to have to ‘bothsides’ this?’’ he asked.

And what of climate change, Salman said, where there is a small group of scientists who contend either it is not occurring or that humans play no role. Does that,

Although at AFN’s deadline the minimum age eligibility for any of the COVID-19 vaccines remained at 16, Christ said she is “hoping 12 and above will be eligible starting” this week.

And, she added, “We’re hoping before the start of school, more ages will be eligible for vaccines.”

One caller shared concerns about “long term effects” of the new vaccines: “I don’t want to grow a third eye or something,” she said.

“There aren’t a lot of long-term effects with these vaccines … these are safe,” Christ stressed in her answer.

After another caller shared similar concerns, Christ said, “This (vaccine) has been tested on hundreds of millions of people

too, she asked, require equal time?

“If they’re working on controversial topics, they should teach them from diverse and contending perspectives without giving preference to either side and let students draw their own conclusion,’’ Udall responded.

Rep. Kelli Butler, D-Paradise Valley, asked about the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

“There are ample conspiracy theories as to whether that happened, how it happened,’’ she said. Butler wanted to know if a teacher who believes the attacks occurred and who caused them would then have to bring in someone with an alternate viewpoint.

“Because there are a lot them,’’ she said.

“You can just Google it,’’ Butler continued. “There are all kinds of videos. It’s a pretty established conspiracy theory.’’

Udall said she wasn’t concerned.

“Largely discredited arguments don’t need to be presented as fact,’’ she said.

…. The vaccine is really good at protecting against hospitalization and death.”

Christ took another shot at convincing the skeptics: “The vaccine is the best tool we have for returning to normal,” she said.

“This virus is very unpredictable. It is able to mutate … The more people that can get vaccinated the less chance there is for the virus to be transmitted and mutate into a strain that may not be protected.”

The level of participation varies with age, with 80 percent of county residents over 65 — the age group at greatest risk of severe complications and death from the coronavirus — vaccinated.

Other county data last week served as a reminder that while COVID-19 transmission levels are nowhere near what they were when 2021 began, Ahwatukee and Arizona generally aren’t out of the woods.

County data last week show that ZIP code 85044 had 101 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people – putting it in the hightransmission category. Positive new test results were at 5.8 percent, an indication of moderate virus spread.

In 85045, the county reported 61 cases per 100,000 – a level showing substantial spread – but only a 4.7 positivity rate, indicating low transmission.

In 85048, the county reported 80 cases per 100,000, which is in the substantial transmission category, and a moderate positivity rate of 6.3 percent.  Rep. Frank Carroll, R-Sun City West, said he sees the legislation as simply an extension of existing law which declares that parents have a right to direct the education of their minor child “without obstruction or interference from this state.’’

Even the method that Udall used to bring the issue to the full House for a vote was itself controversial.

Rather than going through the full process, which would have guaranteed at least one public hearing, she attached it to a semi-related measure which would make it illegal for teachers to use school resources to “organize, plan or execute any activity that impedes or prevents a public school from operating for any period of time.’’

The now-amended version of SB 1532 now returns the bill to the Senate – which approved it without that language. And it, like the House, can approve it without a public hearing. 

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

13

14

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

PECOS from page 1

that reason.

Those rules and strategies proposed by the city Human Services and Parks and Recreation departments were approved unanimously last week by Phoenix City Council.

But Council is hewing to a conservative approach, with no drop-in use of the gym allowed for now.

Parks and Recreation Department spokesman Gregg Bach said indoor activities will be limited for the kids' summer camps and pool activities and field trips will not be provided.

"Once Phoenix has reached the moderate spread risk category, the city's remaining 16 community centers will reopen, capacity levels at centers will increase to 75 percent and open gym and fitness room activities will resume at reduced capacities by reservation only," he said.

City administration presented a broad plan to Council last week for reopening the city’s 30 community centers – which have remained closed for 14 months.

Pecos is among 14 that are reopening June 7 while the remainder will be reopening a week later.

When they do reopen, the scores of seniors who use Pecos – as well as their counterparts at the other centers – will find the center radically different from what it was before the pandemic struck.

For example, capacity has been cut in half, meaning that seniors will have to choose between and register for only the 9-11:30 a.m. or 1-3:30 p.m. session. That restriction is in force to enable more seniors to attend a center program.

Attendees will have to wear masks, get their temperature checked before entering the building and maintain social distancing when they’re inside.

The city has installed touchless light switches, social distancing markers on the floors, automatic-flush toilets and placed plexiglass barriers at customer service counters.

Janitors will clean and disinfect touched

POLICE from page 6

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

Crowds like this for senior activities at Pecos Community Center won't be seen this year as capacity is being cut in half. (AFN file photo) surfaces and restrooms throughout their day despite the Centers for Disease Control’s recent advisory that surface transmission of COVID-19 is negligible.

Cleaning of games, craft items and exercise equipment will occur after each member’s use. Disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, disposable masks and gloves for members and staff will be readily available.

Fresh air intake volume has been increased at all community and recreation centers to circulate a higher concentration of fresh air into the buildings. MERV13 air filters have been installed at all centers.

“The department recognizes the importance of providing in-person programming options to our community and has worked with the city’s contracted epidemiologist to prepare a plan to reopen safely,” said Cynthia Aguilar, acting parks and recreation director.

City administration said, “Senior centers will return to normal service hours and days and programming and activities will be expanded based on what CDC thresholds allow.”

But it’s unclear when that will be.

University of Arizona epidemiologist Dr. Saskia Popescu, who has been advis-

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. 

ing Council for the last year, noted that Phoenix and Arizona generally are between substantial and moderate levels for virus spread.

“It’s really important with vulnerable people that we take the time to ensure we’re doing this correctly and not rushing into it,” Popescu told Council, noting there have been slight upticks in the number of new COVID-19 cases and positive new test results.

“So within these plans we’ll see an emphasis especially on eating outside,” Popescu said, noting that in Arizona “we don’t spend enough time talking about how that can be really challenging in the summer. But the reason why we have spent so much emphasis on this is because dining indoors is high-risk.”

“We want to be very cognizant of the highest risk activity and that is indoor dining so that’s what we’re really focusing on,” she said.

Council also allowed private groups of more than 50 to start applying for permits for gatherings in city parks.

But the decision does not apply to festivals, which remain off limits.

City administration said it hoped to give a status update on community center and

GUNS from page 11

18 years after the aircraft or part was first manufactured.

The new law not only prohibits such lawsuits from being filed but requires a court, if it tosses the claim based on the law, to assess legal fees and costs against the person who filed it.

park operations under the protocols by the end of June before City Council goes on summer break. That could mean any existing restrictions that are not changed by then could remain in effect until Council returns.

Human Services Director Marchelle Franklin said her staff “worked really hard to get some virtual programs and some social activities changed to the virtual format” since the centers were closed and deprived many senior citizens of one of their few options for low-cost socializing.

Franklin called the virtual programming “very successful” and said the city went to great pains to ensure that the lunches that also are an important part of community centers’ senior services continued.

“We also transitioned the meal program to home delivery,” Franklin said. “But we also then used that time to check on the seniors because it was a time of isolation and we really wanted to make sure that the seniors had the resources and things that they needed.”

Human Services Department spokeswoman Tamra Ingersoll said, "The senior centers managers have been communicating directly with the seniors through the whole pandemic." She also noted that meals will continue to be delivered and virtual classes offered "for those seniors not wanting to venture out yet."

Franklin said that 1,300 seniors responded to a survey that her department sent to 5,300 senior center participants.

She said 94 percent of the respondents support limited reopening and that 99 percent supported mandatory masks and social distancing.

Aguilar said about 4,500 teens and adults participated in virtual programs and that “a select number of community centers” offered in-person programs for children of city employees.

There is no in-person registration at Pecos Center for youth activities and summer camp capacity has been cut in half.

Pecos Pool will reopen May 29 and registration for free lessons begins May 13 at phoenix.gov/parks/pools.  The new Arizona law does contain exceptions.

For example, lawsuits alleging breach of warranty would remain legal. So would those in cases of death, physical injury or property damage “resulting directly from a defect in the design or manufacture of the qualified product’’ if it is being used as intended. 

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

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16

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

Chandler officer’s heart, faith remembered

BY KEVIN REAGAN AFN Staff Writer

S

lain Chandler Police Officer Christopher Farrar’s big heart, steadfast Christian faith and diligent service were recalled Saturday as he was laid to rest nine days after he was struck and killed by a cornered truck thief.

Family, friends and scores of law enforcement officers gathered at Compass Christian Church to hear eulogies praising his devotion to his children and parents and his community service that saved four residents’ lives.

“Chris had a passion for service most of his adult life prior to joining the Chandler Police Department in 2003,” Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan told mourners.

“He worked as an emergency room technician at Chandler Regional hospital and before that, he worked at Banner hospital. But he also was a volunteer in the fire department. He worked in our Victim

The late Chandler Officer Christopher Farrar's portrait stood next to solemn wreaths at Compass Christian Church during his funeral last Saturday. (Special to AFN) Services Unit helping crime, victims and survivors,” Duggan continued.

“Chris had a very special calling and was drawn to the profession of policing as a career where he could serve full time help-

ing others.”

Officer Farrar, 50, died the evening of April 29 after he was run over by 25-year-old Jonathan Altland at the end of a chaotic car chase that began in Eloy

civil infraction in January and in October 2020, he was cited for reckless driving and driving over 85 mph, according to Maricopa County Justice Courts. The latter, a criminal case, was adjudicated.

Altland purchased his house in Tolleson with a girlfriend in 2019, according to county property records.

The April 29 incident began after Pinal County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop Altland for speeding in a yellow pickup truck. It was later determined the pickup was stolen.

As Altland began to yield, he started shooting at the deputy’s vehicle, according to police.

Altland then fled north on State Route 87, reaching speeds of over 100 mph before crashing through a gate at Chandler Municipal Airport, where he drove onto the runway, police said.

He left the airport and drove the wrong way on surface streets and then on the Loop 202 Santan Freeway as Chandler and Gilbert police, Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers and PCSO gave chase.

Gilbert Police were alerted to the pursuit at 10:35 p.m.

Altland then crashed his vehicle on the

northern embankment of the 202 west of Val Vista Drive and fled on foot.

He entered the maintenance area of JONATHON J. ALTLAND JR. the San Tan Ford dealership at the Motorplex Loop and was confronted by a janitorial staff. Two custodians observed Altland with a handgun.

Police said Altland threatened the dealership manager, “stating he had a gun and would shoot him,” police said.

The manager followed Altland out to a vehicle bay area and Altland told him to turn off the lights.

The manager responded he could not do so and fled from the service bay.

Meanwhile law enforcement had surrounded the building.

and ended in Gilbert.

Gilbert Officer Rico Aranda was severely injured when he was struck by a parked car Altland had hit at San Tan Ford on Val Vista Drive near the Loop 202 Santan Freeway.

During the funeral, former Chandler Police Chief Sherry Kiyler noted that Officer Farrar talked with his father every day.

“Chris, you gave so much – to your family, to your community, to your profession, you cared about everything and you cared about everyone,” Kiyler said.

Officer Ron Emary, one of Officer Farrar’s colleagues in the K9 Unit, said, “Chris lived his life by just a very simple code: He honored God, he loved his family and he defended against evil.”

“When you talk about family,” Emary said, “you can’t not include Chris’s church family. Chris loved his church family immensely and he developed a number of close friendships and relationships with

see OFFICER page18

Arrest report describes harrowing encounter

BY CECILIA CHAN AFN Staff Writer

A

Tolleson man accused of ramming a stolen car into a group of officers, killing Chandler Officer Christopher Farrar and severely injuring a Gilbert officer, remains in jail on a $3-million cash bail.

Jonathon J. Altland, Jr., 25, faces a firstdegree murder charge of Chandler Officer Christopher Farrar, 50. A preliminary hearing was set for May 10.

Gilbert Officer Rico Aranda suffered head injuries during the April 29 violent confrontation but was showing signs of improvement, according to Gilbert Police.

“We are encouraged by Gilbert Police Officer Rico Aranda’s recovery progress,” Gilbert Police said May 3. “We are happy to report that he is responding well to treatment and we expect him to be transferred within a couple days out of ICU and into neurological treatment and recovery.”

Altland worked for FPS Civil LLC, according to police documents. Very little detail about Altland was included in the report.

His record appears limited to several traffic violations, including a stop-sign

Altland stole a vehicle and crashed through a closed bay door.

“The suspect sped out of the service bay area, veering and accelerating directly towards one group of officers who feared for their lives and discharged their firearms,” the police documents read. “The suspect did not stop and continued fleeing through the parking lot and drove directly toward” Farrar, fatally striking him.

Altland continued what police called “an intentional attack,” driving toward other officers in the parking lot, who fired their weapons at him.

Altland next struck another officer and then slammed his car into a parked vehicle, directly injuring Aranda who was near it, police said.

Police reported six people in total were injured by the suspect, including the dealership manager.

According to Gilbert Police, Pinal County deputies were expected to submit charges related to its involvement with the initial traffic stop and attempted murder of an officer and Chandler Police will be submitting charges related to the suspect entering the airport. 

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

Injured Gilbert officer moved to rehab unit AFN NEWS STAFF

G

ilbert Police Officer Rico Aranda was moved from the ICU to rehab last week, just days after a deadly pursuit that left a Chandler officer dead.

Aranda suffered serious head injuries April 29 after a man in a stolen vehicle rammed a parked car that hit him. The suspect, who is in custody, also hit Chandler Officer Christopher Farrar, who later died at the hospital. His funeral was slated for yesterday, May 8, after the Gilbert Sun News’ deadline.

Aranda’s wife, Idalia Ontiveros, spoke briefly to the media last Wednesday.

“This is something that you’re not prepared for. Nobody really is,” said Ontiveros, standing in front of the Gilbert Police Department building. “I thank God every day that he is alive.

“He’s doing so good. I’m not a doctor

OFFICER from page 16

members of the church. He was very active, attended small group Bible studies and things of that nature and volunteered with the security team here at the church.”

At a special service May 1 one Chandler policeman remarked on the cruel irony that Officer Farrar had not been expected to work on the night of his death.

Chandler Police Detective Tom Schuhrke said Officer Farrar, who had recently been assigned to the Chandler Police K9 United, was working a relief shift for an absent employee.

It was something Officer Farrar often did because it was his nature to serve the department whenever help was needed.

“He didn’t have to be there that night,” Schuhrke noted.

Attendees at the May 1 memorial recalled Officer Farrar’s willingness to volunteer for church activities or to offer his mentorship to aspiring police officers.

He was always full of energy, Schuhrke said, and seemed to embody the eagerness of a manic cartoon character.

“He was like Speedy Gonzales,” Schuhrke said. “There were no slow speeds for him.

A 100-miles-an hour all the time.”

“It’s a big loss for our department,” Schuhrke added. “It’s a big loss for our community.”

Officer Kyle Liggitt credited Officer Farrar

OFFICER RICO ARANDA

myself but I can tell you I know my husband and he’s strong. He’s probably the strongest man I know.”

She said her husband was looking

forward to returning to work and that Gilbert Police was like his second family.

Ontiveros and Aranda are the parents of two sons, 2 and 8. They’ve been together for 10 years and married for four.

Ontiveros also sent her condolences to the Farrar family.

“I just want them to know that there’s nothing I can say or do to make it better but I want to let them know I have them in my prayers and there’s not a day that goes by that they’re not in my mind,” she said.

Ontiveros also thanked the community and the Gilbert Police Department for their support. Aranda was hired in 2018

by Gilbert Police.

She described her husband as a chatter box who is optimistic and always looks for the positive.

“He says, you know, it was unfortunate what happened, but he wouldn’t take back what he did for the commu-

nity and that’s what he signed up for,” she said.

Assistant Chief Mike Angstead said Aranda’s recovery “is trending upward now. He’s doing pretty good.”

But, he added, on the night of the incident when he and Ontiveros met with the doctor, “We didn’t know exactly how things were going to end.”

He thanked all the doctors at Chandler Regional Hospital, saying their work was nothing short of a miracle.

Sgt. Matthew Reale, who was Aranda’s field training officer, spoke highly of the injured officer.

“For such a little person, Rico has an enormous personality that naturally draws many officers to him,” said Reale, reading from a prepared statement.

“Rico is a model employee, he meets or

see ARANDA page 22

After the funeral, Chandler police officers and other law enforcement personnel gathered outside Compass Christian Church for a final salute to their fallen colleague, Officer Christopher Farrar. Several police departments also had helicopter flyovers during that time.(Special to AFN) with making him a better police officer by always offering helpful advice and support.

Officer Farrar was quick to share his policing experiences, Liggitt said, or take a moment to check in with a rookie officer who had just joined the force.

“He had just this ability to find newer, younger officers and to just give them wisdom and to make them better officers,” Liggitt added.

Everyone in the department has spent the last few days asking lots of “what if” questions, Liggitt said, and contemplating whether Officer Farrar’s life could have been saved if different steps were taken on the night of the incident.

“All of us at this department are hurt-

ing,” the officer said. “But we also know that, unfortunately, this is part of our job.”

The group of mourners included members of law enforcement from various agencies, church leaders, and elected officials who wanted to publicly express their support for the officer’s family.

Chandler Vice Mayor Mark Stewart tried to hold back tears as he emotionally conveyed his sympathy for everyone who will miss Farrar.

“We know Chris is a hero and his name needs to be celebrated,” Stewart said. “He is a true hero.”

Friends described Officer Farrar as having an endearing curiosity for spirituality and would often lean on his faith to get through

the grueling work of a police officer.

Pastor Brian Jobe said Officer Farrar’s sudden death has struck a “brutal blow” on his church community and offered the services of his church’s counselors to mourners who may be struggling with their grief.

Compass Church additionally set up a memorial in their courtyard that allowed mourners to drop off flowers or to write notes to the fallen officer.

A 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. It can be reached at 100club.org/donate. 

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

Law clamps down on cops' property seizure

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

G

ov. Doug Ducey is cutting off what some say has been an easy and unethical source of money for police and prosecutors.

The governor has signed legislation saying that property ranging from cash and homes to cars and cell phones can be seized in an arrest and sold off only after the owner actually has been convicted of a crime.

That is a far cry from the law until now.

It required only that they convince a judge in a civil proceeding that the property is tied to criminal activity. And that has a lower burden of proof than “beyond a reasonable doubt,’’ the standard to convict.

Ducey pointed out that the Arizona Constitution, unlike its federal counterpart which protects against unreasonable search and seizure, has a specific right to privacy.

“I have a constitutional responsibility to provide a balance between those rights and ensuring that law enforce-

ment has the tools necessary to protect our state,’’ Ducey wrote in explaining his decision to sign the bill. “HB 2810 provides this balance.’’

The decision to sign the measure came over the objections from prosecutors and police who insisted that it will hamper their efforts to go after criminal enterprises, particularly those smuggling drugs into Arizona and cash to Mexico.

In a letter to the governor, Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk and Sheriff David Rhodes say these organizations set up their operations so that it is virtually impossible to link cash seized to the drugs that are separately transported.

“As written, HB 2810 is a free pass to transnational multi-billion dollar smuggling organizations to prey on American citizens by simply keeping the money away from crime,’’ they wrote.

Sadly, it is a tremendous win for smuggling organizations, dramatically limiting law enforcement’s ability to prevent criminals from obtaining their ultimate prize – money.’’

Gilbert Police Chief Mike Soelberg, tes-

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tifying before the House Committee on Criminal Justice Reform on behalf of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, echoed similar sentiments.

“This is an invitation to criminal enterprises and trans-national criminal operations to operate in the state of Arizona,’’ he said.

“Depriving criminals and criminal organizations of their ill-gotten gains is a mechanism to disrupt and dismantle and deter those who prey on individuals for financial gain,’’ Soelberg said.

There also were concerns that criminal operations would dispose of their assets in the time it takes to get a criminal case into court and get a conviction.

Ducey pointed out that the measure does allow police to hang on to property even before a conviction if it is evidence of a crime. They just can’t sell it unless there’s a conviction.

And then there’s the financial side to all of this.

The law was used to seize close to $27 million in cash and property in 2019, according to Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, who sponsored the legislation.

He said police and prosecutors love the law because they use the proceeds to supplement their own budgets.

“Some of these departments have used these seizures and this type of practice to fund their agencies,’’ he told colleagues during legislative hearings.

“To me it’s terrifying to think that, here we are, the ones that should be appropriating money to these folks to do their job, to do the good job of law enforcement, and we’ve created a system that incentivizes them, oftentimes, with regards to when they may take property from somebody, sell it and get to keep the proceeds.’’

Grantham said he does not doubt that police and prosecutors do use the law to go after major criminals.

But he said that of the nearly $27 million seized in 2019, more than half of that was made up of items worth less than $1,000.

“They took cash, cars, guns, cell phones, three glass pie dishes, an $18 Best Buy gift card,’’ he told colleagues.

“Some poor sap pulled over for whatever reason and has committed a crime and the next thing you know their $1,000 van is taken from them or the trailer they’re towing or whatever items they have in

their possession,’’ he said.

Grantham said it even can occur just because someone was a witness to a crime, “which, believe it or not, happens.’’

“While it definitely captures some bad people, it destroys a lot of good people,’’ he said. “And I’ve always been of the opinion that in our country, if we’re going to do something that hurts one innocent person just because it gets 10 bad ones, we’re doing it wrong.’’

Adding insult to injury, he said, is that the system is set up to make it next to impossible for people to get their property back.

“Individuals have to prove that their property wasn’t involved in a crime,’’ Grantham said.

“And I think we all know, it’s very difficult to prove a negative, in our business especially,’’ he continued. “Well, that’s not how the system is supposed to work.’’

On top of that, Grantham said the process of going to court often involves having to hire an attorney.

“Oftentimes, the cost of hiring that lawyer may exceed the value of the property,’’ he said. “And you might be taking something from somebody that’s their only means of transportation or communication.’’

Polk and Rhodes said they offered to put some limits into the existing laws. That included adding a provision requiring a minimum $10,000 threshold for the state to seize and forfeit currency.

Grantham, however, said that misses the point: It still would have allowed someone’s property to be taken without having to go to court and get a criminal conviction.

“That’s great for somebody whose asset is worth less than $10,000,’’ he said. But that still leaves the door open to seizure of cars and homes and cash.

“Their offerings, while they sound maybe reasonable on the surface ... they wanted no conviction requirement,’’ Grantham said.

A 2017 measure signed by the governor said prosecutors must provide “clear and convincing evidence’’ to a judge that property they want to seize is connected to criminal activity before they can seize it.

Prior to that, the law allowed seizure based on “preponderance of the evidence.’’ That is the lowest of all standards and means only that it is more likely than not the property is linked to a crime. 

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

More inmates to fight Arizona wildfires

BY HALEIGH KOCHANSKI Cronkite News

I

t’s important to have boots on the ground when battling wildfires.

And come July 1, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management will start putting 700 more pairs of them on the ground.

That’s when an expansion of a long-running program that lets the department use inmate crews to do forest maintenance will allow for the possible addition of 700 more inmates.

“This is a win-win for inmates and for the state and agencies that are benefitting from the work,” said Donna Leone Hamm, executive director of Middle Ground Prison Reform.

“Any time an inmate is allowed to leave the correctional facility and go into the community to work … that alternative alone is beneficial to the inmate because they don’t feel the sense of confinement so deeply when they are out in the community,” she said.

The expansion is part of the state’s Healthy Forest Initiative, a $24.5 million plan for wildfire prevention and forest maintenance approved by the Legislature this spring.

As he signed authorizing legislation in March, Gov. Doug Ducey said the plan would allow more than 700 inmates over the next two years to be part of the forest-maintenance crews in fire-prone areas, clearing brush and doing other work in hopes of stopping wildfires in the first place.

The plan comes on the heels of a 2020 wildfire season that saw 2,520 wildfires burn nearly 980,000 acres of state, federal and tribal lands across the state, accord-

ARANDA from page 18

exceeds expectation, is willing to take additional responsibilities. His paperwork and duties were always completed on time.

“As an officer Rico is a valiant protector of the Constitution, constantly studying law and its application to serve the community. While in uniform Rico is an officer his peers wanted to see on scene.

“Rico was adamant that he responded to all the calls in his district. He didn’t want anyone to work more because of

Drought, climate change, insects and disease can all combine to weaken forest health and create conditions ripe for wildfire if the debris it not cleared, as in this California photo. Arizona crews will get additional help with forest thinning this year with a program that allows use of prison inmates to do the work. (U.S. Department of Agriculture/Creative Commons) ing to the forestry department. That was the most since 2011, when more than 1 million acres in the state burned.

Only a fraction of the funding will go to inmates, who can be paid no more than $3 an hour. But participating inmates get experience that can help them find jobs when they get out, officials said.

“We’ve had a longstanding relationship with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry. This is going to further that partnership, and we know the benefits of rehabilitation,” said Tiffany Davila, public affairs officer for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Management. him. He was adamant that he carried extra load because he could, because he was capable. He was incredibly motivated, an inquisitive officer that did his best to be a better officer, a better human being at the end of every day.”

Reale described Aranda as someone who likes to laugh and make others laugh, adding “he’s humbled enough to admit when he doesn’t know, courageous enough to ask for help.

“I spent a lot of time with Rico, getting to know him the last two years since he started with us. We talked about any-

Davila said some post-release inmates have “walked right out of prison and into a full-time job with the state of Arizona.”

She said the Forestry Department already has a dozen 20-member inmate “hand crews” in place that work in forest thinning and one “initial attack” crew in Phoenix, consisting of mostly post-release inmates, which may be called in to do firefighting as well as fire prevention work.

The expanded program begins July 1, with the start of the 2022 fiscal year.

“We’ll be able to start getting overhead (supervisors) hired, supplies, equipment and things of that nature,” Davila said. “These folks are going to have to be thing where I learned that Rico is a loving father and husband.”

To sum up his friend, Reale recalled receiving a phone call from Aranda, who was in the hospital, and the two spoke for the first time since the incident.

“There no words to express the relief I heard in hearing his voice,” Reale said.

“He told me about his visitors, how Chief (Michael) Soelberg came to visit him.

“Chief Soelberg expressed gratitude with Rico’s sacrifice and explained that Rico’s career took a difficult path that is rare in our profession and told him there

trained on how to use saws, properly and safely for the work that they will be doing.

The project work will need to be funded as well, it’s not free.”

Davila said the crews do “a bunch of positive things” besides fire prevention, including improving the overall health of forests.

Hamm said women will be included in groundwork crews, which she called “fairly unusual.”

“A lot of times, female inmates are relegated to what some might consider stereotypical female work when they are assigning jobs,” Hamm said, adding: “This is outside of that stereotypical job description and it’s empowering and healthy for the inmates who get to participate in it, male and female.”

She said that by being out and working in the community, the program can help inmates develop “a sense of pride in their community and that can lead over into all aspect of their lives.”

While there is not always “a direct linear connection” between the program and a job, there are other indirect benefits for inmates, Hamm said, like meeting people and possibly making “an impression on an employer or supervisor, that can transfer to a direct job offer upon release.”

“The more ambiguous benefit is that it prepares inmates to interact with employers … it prepares them for the experience of working for another person,” she said.

Davila, noting that nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans, said it is “important that people do their part.” But the inmate crews will help, she said.

“This will … allow us to get more work done in a faster amount of time because we will now have more boots on the ground,” Davila said.  was no shame if he retired after this incident. Rico looked the chief in the eye and stated, ‘Nah, dog. I’m gonna be chief one day.’”

Officer Steve Gilbert, president of the Gilbert Police Leadership Association, has set up a GoFundMe for Aranda for medical expenses. Gilbert didn’t know Aranda well but said the officer was well respected in the department.

The GoFundMe site has a goal to raise $100,000. As of Thursday, it raised $101,606.

To donate: gofund.me/afda31c1 

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

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3 local teens receive Congressional Award

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

T

hree Ahwatukee high school seniors are recipients of the 2021 Congressional Award, and all three will receive Gold Medals in a special ceremony this summer in Washington, D.C. Annika Bridge, Sierra Smith and Hannah Matsumoto are reaping the rewards of up to three years of work in various designated categories to receive the Congressional Award’s highest accolade, the Gold Medal.

The Congressional Award, established in 1979 to “recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people” is a nonpartisan and voluntary program open to youth ages 13-1/2 to 23 who can earn bronze, silver and gold certificates or choose to level up to bronze, silver and gold medals.

Each level involves setting and fulfilling goals in four areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fit-

Ahwatukee 18-year-olds, from left, Annika Bridge, Hannah Matsumoto and Sierra Smith each have earned the 2021 Congressional Award Gold Medal. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) volunteer and public service, 200 hours of ness and expedition/exploration.

The gold medal level is the most ardu- personal development and 200 hours of ous. For instance, to earn this award, physical fitness.

In addition, the expedition/exploration participants must complete 400 hours of

category requires the participant plan and fulfill a five-day, four-night trip.

And all of these difficult challenges were further complicated after last year’s midMarch pandemic shutdown.

“It was a lot of hours, a lot of work,” confessed Annika Bridge, a senior at BASIS Ahwatukee. “But it pushed me to be better organized, and I ended up really enjoying it.”

She said one of the effects of the COVID shutdown required her to scuttle her expedition/exploration goal to hike the length of Catalina Island, a part of the Channel Islands off the coast of California.

But it turned out well.

“Because of the pandemic, I had to change my plans for my expedition. I had planned to backpack through Catalina Island but the campgrounds in California closed and we couldn’t travel out of state. So, I had to basically replay my entire expedition,” said Bridge, who will attend the University of

�ee MEDAL page 29

Retired Army nurse helps fellow Hopi, Navajo vets

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

A

s a nurse who served for 33 years in the Army Reserve, including a stint in Desert Storm, retired Col. Christine Mahon of Ahwatukee has a special place in her heart for veterans, particularly the women who belonged to one of the branches of the Armed Forces.

That’s why she and Pat Upah of Tempe, as members of Veterans First Ltd., organized a drive on behalf of some 165 women veterans in the Navajo and Hopi Nations, where many also live with their children in domestic violence shelters.

The drive was aimed at collecting a range of badly needed items, from hygiene and household cleaning items to clothing and things for kids.

The drive fit right in with Veterans First Ltd.’s mission: “Preventing homelessness

Pat Little-Upah, left, and Christine Mahon of Ahwatukee stand amid the boxes of donations collected to help female veterans in the Hopi and Navajo reservations. (Pablo Robles/ AFN Staff Photographer)

and stabilizing lives among our women veterans while providing referrals, re-

sources and information to all veterans, their families and caregivers.”

The response to the month-long drive overwhelmed Mahon.

“I’m blown away by the generosity,” she said. “It is just very heartening that they want to help these women.”

She ticked off some of the donors: a group called Forty And Better at Mountain View Lutheran Church helped collect items as a service project; a quilting group called Strawberry Patchers donated money so she could fill the items needed for the drive and money for the materials that the Ahwatukee Recreation Center charity sewing group used to make 68 lap-sized quilts.

Others included the Daughters of the American Revolution in Buckeye, the First Baptist Church of Tempe, the Military Order of the World Wars and other church and secular organizations.

�ee MILITARY page 28

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�ee CHICKEN YOGA page 27

Yoga practitioner Emily Wilkinson said animals help humans feel more connected to the world around them and disconnect from stress.

Silkies are known for their soft feathers and relatively calm, friendly temperament.

The National Center for Health Research says animals help people in many ways, such as dampening anxiety, depression and loneliness.

Seay worked with the US Doodles dog breeder and animal farm to bring in the Silkies.

Andrew Lawver, owner and founder of US Doodles, lavished care to incubate

Silkie chickens, known for their fluffiness and mostly friendly ways, wander a yoga room at a downtown Phoenix coffee shop last month. (Ivory Ward/Cronkite News)

SALE PENDING

M

eows, barks and bleats have been common at yoga sessions in recent years, as animal therapy became a trend to soothe participants as they work out. Recently, a downtown Phoenix business added clucks into the mix.

Yes, chickens. But not your average Rhode Island reds. These were Silkies, an ancient breed generally considered calm and friendly – at least compared to other chickens.

Missy Pruitt and Carrie Seay, co-owners

of La Gattara Cat Café & Boutique, have opened a coffee shop that eventually will feature cats lounging among customers.

Right now, there are cat motifs everywhere – on mugs, on walls, statues – all things cats. The live cats haven’t arrived yet, so Pruitt and Seay decided to host animal yoga in the meantime.

“Animals are healers,” Seay said. “Animals just kind of have this way about them that they are attracted to any person that needs them the most. They just have that ability to know and be there for people.”

No cats or goats have made it into the

room so far, but the business brought in puppies one week and Silkie chickens the next week.

Pruitt, who founded the business, which is being transferred from Tempe, said chicken yoga was just a funny idea for a one-time experiment.

The cafe hosted a class with Silkie chickens making their way around the room as yogis practiced their downward dog, cobra and warrior poses. At one point, one of the six Silkies flew onto a customer’s head but were peeled off peacefully.

SOLD

BY IVORY WARD Cronkite News

CHICKEN YOGA from page 26

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Special chickens spice up downtown yoga class

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Ahwatukee Republican Women slate next meeting May 25

The Ahwatukee Republican Women will meet May 25 at Foothills Golf Club, starting with registration at 6:30 p.m. and the formal meeting at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available.

Guest Speaker is Joe Pitts, president of the Arizona State University College Republicans.

The group also will announce the winner of the ARW Marjorie Miner Scholarship.

Information: ahwatukeerepublicanwomen.com contact ARW President Judy Krahulec at judy.krahulec@gmail.com or 603-520-5082. All Republicans are welcome.

Ahwatukee woman’s bottled water drive wrapping up

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, but if you want to help you have only until Monday, 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.

St. Vincent de Paul gives out 2,500 bottles of water a day – almost 2,300 gallons in a week.

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.

DV senior earns Desert Financial Credit Union scholarship

Desert Vista High School senior Adam Stewart has earned a renewable $2,500 scholarship from Desert Financial Credit Union.

The award is through Desert Financial’s Community Service Scholarship Program, which salutes “outstanding student volunteers who are passionate about paying it forward through community service.”

Adam plans to attend Arizona State University to study cognitive neuroscience. The credit union lauded his volunteer work with Banner Hospital, Boys Scouts of America and Ironwood Public Library.

An essay also was required that includes a question asking how the applicant envisions volunteering in the community following the pandemic.

Kyrene student-artists’ work on display virtually

Kyrene School District students’ art is on display virtually through June 30 at kyrene.org/artshow2021.

Normally, their work is on display at district headquarters but the pandemic has prevented that from happening for the second consecutive year.

MILITARY from page 25

A native of New York who has lived in Ahwatukee since 1978, Mahon is the daughter of a World War II veteran and the niece of an Army nurse.

So, in some ways it was almost natural that after earning her nursing degree, she also enlisted in the Army Reserves.

Besides her service to her country, Mahon also has served a community closer to home: She worked until 2005 as a public health nurse, serving as an administrator for the Community Health Center, running the immunization and disease surveillance programs.

Even now, she also serves as a volunteer with the Maricopa County Medical Reserve Corps – and has spent some time administering COVID-19 vaccines.

The pandemic’s impact on the Hopi and Navajo Nations drove her and other members of Veterans First Ltd. to come to the aid of their fellow warriors.

She said the group is dedicated to helping women veterans avoid homelessness and get integrated back into society once they leave the service.

“A lot of women have suffered in the military,” she said. “Some of them have

The annual celebration honors a year of discovery, growth and creativity as Kyrene students expand their artistic horizons.

“Visual arts are essential to a high-quality and balanced education. In Kyrene, we take a whole-child approach to teaching and learning, ensuring well-rounded and creative thinkers,” said Superintendent Laura Toenjes. 

Submit your releases to pmaryniak@ timespublications.com

Donated items should be packed in boxes or suitcases and clearly labeled and Veterans First will arrange to pick them up.

It’s easier to list what is not needed: small appliances, food, furniture, pillows or dishes.

Think medical supplies, hygiene supplies, household cleaning items that don’t have a strong odor, new large adult sports bras and sizes 8-9 briefs (no high cut) toilet paper, new or gently used towels, socks, jackets, bedding, baby and kids clothing and toys.

Because Veterans First is a certified nonprofit, donations are tax deductible.

Christine Mahon’s garage at her Ahwatukee home is packed with more stuff than she ever imagined she and her Veterans First LTD colleagues collected for women veterans at the Hopi and Navajo reservations. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) all kinds of social issues and we do everySo Veterans First liaisoned with coorthing to support them and many have chil- dinators at both reservations to find out dren. So, we do help a lot of children too.” what those women veterans need even For months during the early stages of now in the seemingly waning pandemic. the pandemic, tribal members were espeThe list was staggering – but, as Mahon cially hard hit. noted, so is the need.

“People don’t realize how many Native Though the boxes of donated materials Americans serve our country and how will be shipped out of Mahon’s garage in many women serve our country,” she said. the next few days, people can still help.

Contact Pat Upah at pupah@veteransfirstltd.org or Chris Mahon at RetCol27@cox.net. 

People also are welcome to write a check, with “women veterans” in the memo field and made out to Veterans First Ltd., sent to: Veterans First, 8433 N. Black Canyon Hwy. Ste 164, Phoenix, Arizona 85021. Information: 602-841-7663.

The latest breaking news and top local stories in Ahwatukee!

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MAY 12, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

MEDAL from page 25

North Carolina at Chapel Hill as one of its 25 Chancellor Science Scholars.

“I then planned a six-day hiking and camping trip in Northern Arizona with my mom to escape the cabin fever I was feeling while studying for six AP (Advanced Placement) tests during the pandemic,” Annika said.

“As the only individuals hiking most of the trails, our focus shifted from the uncertainty of the pandemic to a calming peace among the Mogollon Rim pines, wildflowers, and prehistoric rock formations. And, on our hike, I observed rare species like the California Condor. It was really an amazing experience.”

Hannah Matsumoto, a senior at Tempe Prep who turned 18 on May 8, said she found the volunteer service hours requirement the most difficult to complete during the pandemic.

“With the other three, I was able to find activities I was already a part of and apply it to the award, but with the volunteer service hours requirement, I had to be more active seeking out opportunities to become engaged in the community,”

said Hannah, who will be attending Notre Dame University. She will be a part of the Glynn Honors Program studying biological sciences.

“For my expedition, I helped plan a trip to Belize and I created an itinerary for the time that we were there. Each day we did different activities such as cave tubing and visiting the archaeological site Xunantunich,” she said.

Sierra Smith, also a Tempe Prep senior, said she found the many hours involved in meeting the challenges, especially volunteer public service, difficult to squeeze into an already busy life.

“I found the voluntary public service most challenging, but alternatively the most rewarding. It was only challenging due to the extensive time commitment you have to make. As a high schooler going from junior to senior year, I had to sacrifice my weekends to work towards the Congressional Award, but it was well worth it,” said Sierra, 18.

The 200 hours of physical fitness came more easily for Smith, who will attend Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College, majoring in biological sciences with a focus in genetics, cell and develop-

mental biology with a goal of becoming a medical doctor.

Starting with the state’s highest mountain, Humphreys Peak with an elevation of 12,637 feet, she continued hiking Arizona mountains, ending with the 7,659 foot Brown’s Peak, the highest point of Maricopa’s Four Peaks.

“Humphrey’s Peak is the highest point in Arizona, but my later hikes were more arduous,” she said. “I was already very active when I started, but I wanted to push myself.”

“My entire life I’ve had a passion for physical fitness, whether it be for martial arts, weightlifting, or hiking,” said Sierra, who earned a Taekwondo black belt and taught as an assistant sensei as part of her physical fitness project.

“For all of my expeditions, I hiked a peak or mountain, and they progressively increased in difficulty as I moved up in rank.”

For her gold award expedition, and due to the pandemic, she also opted to plan and lead a camping trip in northern Arizona.

“I planned a week-long camping trip and did different activities each day, one of them being a hike on the Anna Mae Trail

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to the Tonto Natural Bridge,” she said, speaking of the natural travertine bridge for which the state park is named.

The number of hours involved in earning the Congressional Gold Medal Award were validated by an independent validator, not a family member.

For Annika, it took years.

“I fulfilled my bronze and silver awards in my freshman and sophomore years,” said Bridge who has set her educational goal toward earning a Ph.D. at UNC Chapel Hill to study viruses and diseases. “I spent my junior and senior years working toward the gold.”

Annika is the daughter of David and Pamela Bridge; Hannah’s parents are Dr. Diane Matsumoto and Dr. Bertrand Matsumoto; Sierra is the daughter of Baron and Kimberly Smith.

Other East Valley teens earning a Congressional Gold Medal were Julia Liu, Chandler; Lucas Tapia, Mesa, Viletta Panayotova and Theresa O’Connor, Tempe.

Three other Tucson youth were also Gold Medal winners.

For more information on the Congressional Award, see CongressionalAward. org. 

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Local woman puts this bucket on your list

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

L

aura Lopez’s family loves spaghetti and meatballs, so when she saw a television segment on By the Bucket in Payson last year, she and her husband Chris took an exploratory drive.

What they discovered was not only great to-go hot spaghetti and meatballs with tasty freshly-made garlic bread, but an opportunity to invest in a license to open their own By the Bucket eatery in Ahwatukee.

“We took a weekend drive up to Payson and learned the founder of By the Bucket was interested in selling licenses. We actually purchased the license for this location and own the business,” she said. “We thought it was an amazing opportunity and decided to go for it.”

Lopez said she’s anticipating opening her doors sometime this month.

The new business, she explained,

serves hot spaghetti and meatballs, yet shouldn’t be considered a restaurant in the traditional sense.

“It’s not really a restaurant; it’s strictly take-out,” explained Lopez, who has a son, Aidan, 9, and daughter Alex, 12, a sixth grader at Altadena Middle School.

After four years, Lopez is leaving her position as support staff May 14 at Kyrene Monte Vista Elementary, where Aidan is a fourth grader.

As an independent licensee, By the Bucket Ahwatukee varies a bit from the original one founded by Bret daCosta in Payson.

Their decor is similar, but Lopez has added her touches to the 1,200 square foot establishment. Black and white checkered tiles augment the traditional red and green colors on the wall and counters.

“I wanted to give it a little retro-ish Italian feel,” said Lopez as she looked around proudly at the L-shaped counter that fronts the back-of-the-

space kitchen area. “The name’s the same, the food items are the same and we use the same recipes.”

Lopez, who has lived with her husband in Ahwatukee for 20 years, was well aware of where she wanted to place her new hot spaghetti to go venture –1420 E. Chandler Blvd.

“One reason I chose this location is I’m up and down this street at least 10 times a day,” she explained.

“My daughter goes to the Innerlight Dance Center, there’s a Tae Kwon Do in the center and Anytime Fitness right next door. I hope the garlic aroma won’t be distracting.”

“I know there are a lot of other parents like me who sometimes don’t have the time or the energy to make dinner,

see BUCKET page 32

Laura Lopez is ready to serve Ahwatukee spaghetti by the bucket. (Zachary BonDurant/AFN Contributor)

State deals a bitter blow to Chandler couple’s business

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

T

he Ducey Administration has long touted its “regulation rollback” strategy “to make Arizona the best state in the nation to open a new business or to expand an existing one.”

But the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control apparently never got the memo.

It clobbered a Chandler couple’s unique business last fall – seven years after it gave them permission to launch their flavor-extract operation.

The department’s change of heart forced Bill and Lillian Buitenhuys to shut down their thriving business, AZ Bitters Lab. They had turned what started as kitchen experimentation into the only business of its kind in Arizona – one that found a mar-

Lillian and Bill Buitenhuys of Chandler hold bottles of their flavor extracts that the state won't allow them too make any more. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer) ket across the country and as far away as Australia.

Despite the business’ name, the Buitenhuys’ business license states they had

been making flavor extracts that have a bitter taste.

Though the beverage community euphemistically call such products cocktail bitters – which are spirits – their product labels stress they are extracts.

The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau agrees that unlike true bitters, the Buitenhuys had been making flavor extracts rather than spirits.

And for seven years, the Arizona liquor department felt that way too.

But last October, the department without warning told the couple it changed its mind from a ruling it had made in 2013.

It told the Buitenhuys their product actually was a spirit and that they would have to meet stringent requirements for becoming a spirits producer – including

see FLAVORING page 32

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BUSINESS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

BUCKET from page 31

and this location with hot spaghetti to go will be perfect for them,” said Lopez. “This gives them another quick meal option.”

By the Bucket Ahwatukee’s menu starts with the Famiglia Bucket that offers 1.5 pounds of hot spaghetti with marinara sauce, a half loaf of garlic bread with the option of upgrading to a whole loaf. Twoounce meatballs, available for $1.50 each, can be added to any bucket order.

The smallest hot spaghetti to-go option is the Bambino Bucket that provides a half pound of spaghetti and marinara sauce with three pieces of garlic bread for $7.

“Our garlic bread is amazing,” gushed Lopez. “The bread is melt-in-your-mouth, and made with our garlic butter spread and then toasted to-order. It’s great dipped into our marinara sauce, and you can order extra sauce just for that.”

Also available at By the Bucket Hot Spaghetti to Go is a meatball sub with three meatballs and marinara covered with Boar’s Head mozzarella cheese for $9; New York cheesecake by the slice with complimentary drizzle of strawberry, caramel or chocolate; and 20-ounce bottles of soda for $2.50 or water for $2.

FLAVORING from page 31

constructing a production facility that would pass state inspection as a distillery.

It was a bitter blow – no pun intended – for Lillian, a Gilbert native who has a fulltime job as a business manager, and Bill, a native Bostonian who works in the defense industry.

Chandler residents since 2007, they built a business that started simply from their epicurean appreciation of a good cocktail.

“We started out as a hobby back in 2011,” Bill explained.

Though they both like wine-and-food pairings, Bill’s East Coast upbringing had him more inclined toward European rather than California wines.

Hence, he said, “There weren’t a lot of wines here that we wanted to go with our food.”

On the other hand, Bill was impressed with Valley bartenders’ inventive cocktails.

“So, we would sit in a bar and watch these bartenders pull out little bottles of infusions or extracts to tweak the cocktails to go with our food and we found that fascinating,” he said.

“These bartenders were just so creative

Laura Lopez was grateful to be able to find this space on Chandler Boulevard in Ahwatukee for By the Bucket Hot Spaghetti to Go. (Zachary BonDurant/AFN Contributor)

Lopez said her hours are subject to change once she sees what the market traffic brings, but to start they are open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday’s noon to 6 p.m.

“We’ll play it by ear for now,” she said.

“I have my brother helping, we’ve hired

that it gave us this thought to say, ‘You know, why can’t we try this at home and then we can tweak our cocktails to be what we would want them to be on our own?’” he continued. “So, we started making these little infusions and bitter flavor extracts for ourselves.”

The Buitenhuys worked in their kitchen, mixing a high-proof spirit with various dried fruits and herbs, depending on the flavor they wanted to create.

All the flavors were bitter, which Bill said basically make a cocktail tastier – much like what salt does to food.

“Bitterness does the same thing in that it balances out the sour and the sweet and acid, and kind of balances everything to make everything taste more harmonically,” Bill said.

As time went by, they became so pleased with their concoctions that they took them to some bartenders and asked if they’d be interested in trying them.

Soon, word caught on and bartenders started calling the Buitenhuys because they were impressed with the couple’s creations.

“There were enough people that talked to us that we said, ‘OK, maybe we can look at turning this into a small busi-

some local high school students who will start after their finals are over, and I will be there with my friends and husband helping out when they’re able.”

Even with the prevalence of locals obtaining their vaccinations, Lopez said By the Bucket is perfect for those still hesi-

ness,’” Bill said.

Though neither has a background in mixology, Bill’s science background and Lillian’s business background blended perfectly with the couple’s love of kitchen experimentation.

They soon realized they couldn’t meet the growing demand just working in their kitchen.

They had to find commercial kitchen space, get special equipment – and then get the approval of county food inspectors to set up their production facility.

They met with state liquor department officials to explain what they were doing and also cleared their products with the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

The state liquor department, Bill said, “told us, ‘you guys are exempt from liquor licensing because you’re producing flavor extracts.’”

With Lillian’s mother helping out, they were off and running.

When they weren’t working at their fulltime jobs, toying around with new extract ideas or making larger batches for sale, they were traveling to bars across the Valley and, eventually, Arizona, offering sam-

tant to eat out.

“In these uncertain times, it was a nobrainer to start this business. You can come in and order or you can place your order online. There’s no seating area.”

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Lopez came to Ahwatukee 20 years ago when she was employed in the hotel business in sales, working at Hilton Hotels, the Airport Marriott and later the Marriott Resort at The Buttes.

It was while waiting for a flight back to El Paso at Christmas in 2001 that she met her husband, Chris Lopez, who was also heading to visit his parents in El Paso.

When their daughter, Alexandra was born, Lopez opted to be a stay-at-home mom.

“It was too hard to leave her, and I was blessed to become a stay-at-home mom,” she smiled.

Now Lopez is ready to put her organizational and business skills to work by owning her own small business.

“I’m excited about this. We think it will be an amazing opportunity, and hope the Ahwatukee community and people in the surrounding areas will come give us a try,” she said.

Information: BytheBucket.com/Ahwatukee.  ples of their creations to bartenders.

More than 600 bartenders in Arizona became customers as others in other states picked up on their product through their web store.

Word of mouth from friends and bartenders even reached Down Under. Bartenders in New Zealand and Australia also started buying their extracts.

“It kind of floored us every time that happened because here we were, this little company in Chandler that’s got this global reach,” Bill said.

And the kicker: “We never advertised.

We never spent a penny on advertising.

We post on social media and we had a bunch of friends who have a lot of followers who posted on social media. But we never bought an ad.”

Over the last eight years, the Buitenhuys have spent “tens of thousands of dollars” between all the trademark, licensing and other legal fees and the equipment they kept on upgrading.

But that investment was paying off. “We were growing at about 20 percent a year,” he said.

see FLAVORING page 33

MAY 12, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Knowing Social Security rules is important start

BY HAROLD WONG AFN Contributor

M

any decades ago, future retirement income was based on “the 3-legged stool:” Social Security, pensions and whatever you saved.

In 2021, virtually no one in the private sector has an old-fashioned pension that pays you a guaranteed lifetime income.

Today, only government employees (with rare exceptions) get a pension today.

In 2020, the average annual Social Security (SS) benefit was $18,024 for an individual and $30,372 for a married couple.

About 40.2 percent of Americans age 60 and up rely solely on Social Security for retirement income. According to Secure Retirement Institute research, SS makes up 37 percent of retirees’ total income.

SS retirement income is based on only two factors: the highest 35 years of wages (or net profits from one’s own business) that you paid into SS, inflation adjusted; and when you take your SS. The easiest way to increase your SS income is to wait until age 70, when you get

FLAVORING from page 32

Then came the phone call from a state liquor department detective.

“We went seven years without hearing from them at all and then this past fall we got a phone call from a detective and she said, ‘We have an issue with your product.’

I said, ‘We have written approval … that were exempt’ and she said, ‘Not anymore.’”

Did she explain the change of heart?

“Nope,” Bill replied. “We asked and we got crickets. They just said, ‘The attorney general’s office supports this and this is what it is. You guys have 30 days to wrap up business or we’re sending a cease-anddesist.’”

Though the couple shut down the operation, Bill asked the state liquor department how it was going to regulate their product even if they did apply for approval as a distillery.

They wanted to know if the state would issue, as federal regulators do, a “certificate of label approval” – something that follows after a manufacturer submits their recipe and labeling for approval.

the maximum possible.

However, Motley Fool finds that about 60 percent of retired workers take their SS prior to reaching age 65 and only about 10 percent begin taking SS between the ages of 67-70.

Only 3 percent wait until age 70 and many take it at age 62, the earliest one is eligible.

Taking SS at age 70 instead of 62 could be a $1 million decision: From 2017-2019, I gave two seminars each year for federal employees on “How to Understand Your Federal Retirement Benefits.” I did a composite of three single women: a nurse, nurse practitioner, and pharmacist. If they took SS at age 62, it would be $22,344 per year versus $43,680 at age 70. The difference is $21,336.

For most of the last 12 years, one could only earn about 2 percent in a 10-year US Treasury bond. One would need to save $1,066,800 times 2 percent to equal $21,336 of annual income.

What’s easier: waiting eight years to take SS or saving an extra $1,066,800 from age 62 to 70?

In retirement, folks live on monthly

cash flow, which is usually more important than the total one’s saved. Example: if you deposit $3 million in a bank that pays 0.1 percent interest, one would only have $3,000 of annual interest income.

Case study of single female federal employee, who will turn age 66 in a month: She earned $60,000 annually and had worked for the federal government for 36 years. She had talked to the local SS Administration office, who stressed that she should take SS when she turned 66. She would get about $24,000 annually.

I advised her to wait until age 70 and she would get 32 percent more, or $31,680.

This is $7,680 more annually.

If she retired from federal employment at 66, the Federal Employee Retirement System annuity would give her 36 years (1.1 percent of every year of service) times $60,000 salary = $23,760. Her total annual retirement income would be $23,760 federal retirement + $24,000 SS = $47,760.

However, she thinks she has a good chance of getting a big promotion to $100,000 per year.

If she works four more years, now her

distiller when they can’t tell us the rules.”

Bill said state regulators indicated at one point that they were concerned “about underaged people buying our product and they just want to control that.

“But we asked them how are they going to regulate the hundreds of producers from outside Arizona that sell the same product direct to Arizona residents by The Buitenhuys' flavoring extracts add a touch of bitterness to a mail without any age cocktail to balance its sweetness. (Pablo Robles/Staff) verification and they have not answered that The problem is that because federal question.” regulators consider what the Buitenhuys Ahwatukee Foothills News asked the make to be only a flavor extract, they don’t liquor department for comment but its issue certificates of label approval, usually chief spokesman did not return the call. called COLAs. Lillian is discouraged by the state’s at“We’ve asked the state if will they re- titude. quire a COLA on bitter flavor extracts and She recalled all the trial and error inwe haven’t gotten an answer,” Bill said. “So, volved in mixing ingredients, testing them there was no sense in us applying to be a in drinks and doing that many times to

33

FERS benefit is 40 years (1.1 percent) times $100,000 = $44,000. Her retirement income is drastically increased to $44,000 + $31,680 in SS = $75,680 versus $47,760 without following my advice. That’s $27,920 more annual retirement income!

Conclusion: knowing the rules of SS and your employer pension can yield much more retirement income for your bucket list dreams.

Free live seminars and lunch: • Saturday, June 12 at The Old Spaghetti Factory, 3155 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, at 10:45 a.m.; • Sunday June 6 at The Hyatt Place 3535 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, at 10:30 a.m.

Topic: “Double Your Social Security & Other Retirement Income and Pay No Tax!” RSVP: 480-706-0177 or harold_ wong@hotmail.com.

Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.  come up with the perfect flavor extract.

“There’s a lot of thought, a lot of process that goes into this,” she said. “It’s really a labor of love and the effort that the two of us and my mom put into any bottle … we do that because we really support the community and want people to have good experiences.

“People also use our products for cooking and baking and other applications like with any flavor extract,” Lillian said. “So, we want people using it, to really enjoy it.”

So far, the couple has been reluctant to hire a lawyer.

“We respect that Arizona can make their own liquor laws,” Bill said. “They have a right to do that. What they don’t have a right to do is target a business and they don’t have the right to not explain how they are going to regulate an entire industry and that’s what we’re pushing for.”

He said the Arizona Craft Distilleries League has reached out to them to point out how legislation could be changed.

But at the end of the day, Bill said, “We work full-time jobs and there’s only so much energy we can put into trying to fight the system.” 

34

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Opinion

OPINION

MAY 12, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

35

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At Kyrene, we’re planning for more typical school year

BY SUPERINTENDENT LAURA TOENJES AFN Guest Writer

T

his is an excerpted version of Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes’ monthly report to parents.

With �ive weeks left in the school year, I want to commend every teacher, parent, guardian, employee, extended family member and community member who went above and beyond to help keep our Kyrene students on track in this one-of-akind year in education.

As we look forward to the 2021-22 school year, I have adopted the mantra of “Plan, but Prepare.”

While we are planning (and hoping) for a return to more typical school calendar, daily schedule and activities, we are also preparing to be responsive to evolving guidance from the CDC, state and county

health departments.

As we have all learned this year, that guidance changes often and sometimes rapidly. This means decisions about masks and other safety measures may not be �inal for another couple of months.

What I can tell you with relative certainty for the coming school year is that we are not planning to continue the cohort model, in order to return to a more standard school day structure.

As previously shared, Kyrene schools are returning to their pre-COVID bell schedules with a few small adjustments to ensure all students riding buses arrive to school on time.

As we get closer to the start of the new school year, details on our mitigation strategies will become clearer, and even then, we will continue to be �lexible in response to scienti�ic and medical guidance.

We are also reviewing the results of

the recent School Health and Safety Survey, to better understand family and staff comfort and experiences with this year’s safety protocols.

Survey results will be shared with the Governing Board at the May 25 Board meeting.

Last week was national Teacher Appreciation Week, and our Kyrene educators deserve recognition this year more than ever. I have seen them pull off nearly superhuman feats in education during the pandemic, proving that teachers truly are heroes for our students.

Kyrene’s oldest school currently in operation is marking a major milestone.

Congratulations to C.I. Waggoner Elementary, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year!

Waggoner opened in 1970 for the ‘7071 school year. Waggoner students and staff will commemorate the anniversary with the dedication of a beautiful new

mural, designed by retiring Kyrene art teacher Ellen Pope.

I am pleased to share with our community that Kyrene School District is a recipient of an Arizona School Safety Grant, which will help fund two more full time counselors in our elementary schools, at Kyrene de la Esperanza and Kyrene de las Brisas.

To date, the safety grants have helped fund eight counselors and four school resource of�icers in Kyrene. These positions help ensure a wholistic approach to student well-being.

Social-emotional learning is about equipping students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, to maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions. These skills create a foundation for high aca-

The legislative calendar dominates my work, but the school bell runs my life – just like it does for most parents.

Balancing work and a young child is a rarity in the Arizona Legislature. But it’s everyday life for thousands of my constituents and for families across the country.

As a legislator and as a mom, I think it’s time for policies that reduce the costs of that daily balancing act for families and our economy.

Start with paid leave. When our daughter was born, our joy was quickly interrupted by job loss. Despite leading me to believe I would be granted maternity leave, the small �irm I was working for at the time laid me off.

To be home with a newborn – as exciting and stressful a time as any family goes through – and have to cope with sudden, unexpected job loss, well, that was a lot to deal with.

That’s why I’ve worked across party

lines to make sure more of our state’s businesses are covered by the law that prevents employment discrimination against pregnant women.

Traditionally, business groups have resisted such measures, saying they put too much strain on small businesses.

But when I talk to Chamber of Commerce groups today, I hear something new: The COVID-19 pandemic, with its online schooling and closed daycares, has forced more and more people to struggle with that daily balance of parenting and working.

As more white-collar workers and businesspeople recognize the dif�iculty of that balance, they’re seeing the value of paid leave and other family-friendly policies.

That’s also why I’m hopeful that President Biden’s American Families Plan will help American businesses provide paid family and medical leave. Right now, just one in �ive Americans has access to paid leave to care for a sick loved one.

The COVID-19 pandemic made clear just how much the lack of paid leave can harm families and public health. No one should have to choose between feeding their family and endangering their coworkers by coming to work sick.

We also need to provide better support to the workers who care for our children, the sick and our seniors. Imagine, for instance, that you’re a nursing assistant at a senior care facility and have a newborn baby.

Full-time childcare for an infant – if you can �ind a slot in Maricopa County – costs $45 to $50 a day. But Arizona’s care workers make, on average, less than $14 an hour.

That means child care would take up nearly half your pay, leaving little left for rent or groceries. That’s not fair to families, nor to the seniors or children who depend on care workers.

Public investments in raising wages

��� TOENJES ���� 36

Family-friendly policies needed in Arizona, nation

BY REP. JENNIFER JERMAINE AFN Guest Writer

W

hen I walk onto the �loor of the Arizona House of Representatives, I’m part of a very small club: I’m one of only three members of the chamber with a preschool-age child.

Like any parents, we put our 4-year-old daughter at the center of our lives. And sometimes, by necessity, she’s at the center of my job: There are plenty of photos of me on the House �loor with my daughter during legislative debates because our daycare wasn’t available.

When legislative leaders scolded me and other members for not paying sole attention to virtual hearings, I had to tell them: “I am a mom with a small child doing online preschool. When she needs attention, she takes priority.”

��� JERMAINE ���� 36

36

OPINION

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

TOENJES ���� ���� 35

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

GOP lawmaker’s ‘audit’ keeps the big lie alive

Mary Lou Moore’s letter of May 5, “GOP Lawmakers’ joke of an audit is distracting” is right on the money.

The audit is doing just what it’s meant to do.

There was never any expectation of the audit turning up any voter fraud. Its purpose is to perpetrate the idea that there IS voter fraud, and the Republicans are coming to the rescue.

It is supposed to keep alive the idea that the election was stolen from Trump.

And that’s just what it’s doing.

There is no voter fraud. The election was not stolen. The audit is simply another ruse by Trumpians to keep his lies alive and to raise money for his purposes.

-Judy Wade and Bill Baker

demic achievement, reduce harmful behaviors like drug use and bullying, and help children to be well-rounded students and good citizens.

Recognizing the critical role of socialemotional supports in students’ academic success, Kyrene made a commitment two years ago to staff all of our schools with full-time counselors.

That commitment is more important now than ever before, as students are emerging from the life-changing impacts of COVID-19 and entering a period of social-emotional recovery.

This month’s Superintendent Spotlight on Kyrene is going to take you on a ride through Kyrene’s transportation hub. I had so much fun checking out our �leet and getting a �irsthand look at how we keep our buses fueled up, geared up and ready to roll.

All of the monthly Spotlight videos can be found in the Superintendent section of kyrene.org. 

JERMAINE ���� ���� 35

for care workers, like those provided in Biden’s American Families Plan, are not just good for those workers – they are critical to allowing families to meet both work and family responsibilities. It’s also good for our economy: Investments in the care economy would, according to one economic analysis, create nearly half a million new jobs for Arizonans.

My experiences may be unusual in the Legislature, but they’re not unique to Arizona families.

For families like mine, or caring for an aging relative, or for a sick loved one, family-friendly policies can make the difference between success at work and home, or a constant struggle with both.

In the Legislature and Congress, we need to keep building momentum for policies that help families strike that balance.

Rep. Jennifer Jermaine of Chandler represents the 18th Legislative District, which includes Ahwatukee and parts of Chandler, Tempe and Mesa. 

Share Your Thoughts:

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

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OPINION

MAY 12, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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information because of rumors they’ve heard.

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Reverse mortgage loan terms include occupying the home as your primary residence, maintaining the home, paying property taxes and homeowners insurance. Although these costs may be substantial, AAG does not establish an escrow account for these payments. However, a set-aside account can be set up for taxes and insurance, and in some cases may be required. Not all interest on a reverse mortgage is tax-deductible and to the extent that it is, such deduction is not available until the loan is partially or fully repaid.

AAG charges an origination fee, mortgage insurance premium (where required by HUD), closing costs and servicing fees, rolled into the balance of the loan. AAG charges interest on the balance, which grows over time. When the last borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse dies, sells the home, permanently moves out, or fails to comply with the loan terms, the loan becomes due and payable (and the property may become subject to foreclosure). When this happens, some or all of the equity in the property no longer belongs to the borrowers, who may need to sell the home or otherwise repay the loan balance. V2020.12.22 These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency.

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37

SPORTS

Sports & Recreation 38

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

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Molly West announces retirement as Thunder volleyball coach

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

F

or 26 years, the Desert Vista volleyball program was virtually all head coach Molly West knew.

She had built the program from the ground up when the school opened in 1996. She helped develop high school players into major Division I college volleyball talent and brought two state titles and a plethora of region championships to the school.

But after nearly three decades and a year in which the pandemic made it more difficult than in the past, West decided her time has come to retire.

“COVID played a big role,” West said. “We were locked down for a year like everyone else and when things started to open back up it was hard for me to think about running this program the way I run it and not appreciate my family. It was a tough decision but it’s the right time.”

West’s coaching career with the Thunder was one filled with triumph at the

Molly West, who coached the Desert Vista volleyball program for 26 years, has announced she will retire from the program and not return next fall. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff) state’s highest level of high school volleyball. She recorded 642 career match wins during her time leading the Thunder and made it to the semifinals five times.

Her two state championships as a coach came in back-to-back years, when Desert Vista reigned supreme over the rest of the state in 2014 and 2015. Her two other

Desert Vista, the No. 3 seed in the Arizona Girls Lacrosse Association state tournament, knocked off top-ranked Pinnacle 14-11 Friday night at Higley High School in Gilbert to win the program’s first-ever state title.

“This program hadn’t been to a state championship since my freshman year, so 10 years ago,” Richey said. “It’s unreal. I’m so proud of these girls and how hard they worked. I started coaching when these seniors were freshmen, so it’s been really cool to see them grow.”

Richey and the rest of the team, made up of students from both Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe high schools in Ahwatu-

Desert Vista junior Carly Dirrigl scored five goals in the Thunder’s state championship win over top-ranked Pinnacle Friday night at Higley High School. Her teammate, Anna Lewis, also scored five goals in the Thunder’s 12-10 win. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff)

Thunder girls’ lacrosse wins �irst state championship

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

I

vy Richey didn’t attempt to run from the impending ice bath from her Desert Vista girls’ lacrosse players. To her, it was a welcomed sight 10 years in the making.

Richey was part of the last Thunder girls’ squad to appear in a lacrosse state championship match. She was a freshman at Desert Vista at the time and had just begun to dabble with the sport that would soon begin to shape her future.

Richey, along with her teammates, experienced heartbreak in that 2011 match.

But this season, with her now as head coach of the team, they experienced the joy of hoisting the state championship trophy.

state championship appearances came in 2004 against Mountain Ridge and 2008 against powerhouse Xavier Prep, both of which resulted in losses for the Thunder.

While she was able to build Desert Vista’s volleyball program into a yearly contender, it didn’t come easy.

On a few occasions West had to navigate through a varsity season without veteran players. In 2018, the Thunder’s roster was without a senior. But even then, West led the team to a near .500 record and the next season broke through to the playoffs.

Along with their play on the court, West’s teams thrived on getting involved in the community. The team did an annual community service events, including a father-daughter car wash that was turned into a fundraiser for former player Alex DePriest, who passed away suddenly in 2018. The team also participated in Dig Pink with Mountain Pointe, raising money for breast cancer awareness.

�ee LACROSSE page 39

�ee WEST page 39

SPORTS

MAY 12, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

WESTfrom page 38

“It was important to me that our kids did community service or some sort of charitable contribution,” West said. “We raised over $100,000 to go toward breast cancer research. I was really proud of that.”

West’s career in volleyball began well before she was hired to start Desert Vista’s volleyball program.

She grew up playing the sport in high school and went on to compete at Central Arizona College and Glendale Community College before she transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 1984, she joined the Blazers’ staff as an assistant coach, where she remained until 1987.

West made two more stops at the collegiate ranks – Colorado State and Cal State Fullerton – before landing her first head varsity job at McClintock High School in Tempe. Shortly after her four-year stint at McClintock, she was hired at Desert Vista.

“I wanted to build a program that emulated a college program,” West said. “I wanted it to be a steppingstone to that and looking back on it, it’s amazing.”

LACROSSE from page 38

kee, went into the match riding a wave of momentum. The Thunder knocked off Chaparral, the No. 2 seed, in the semifinals to reach the title game.

Desert Vista’s ability to beat both teams is an accomplishment in itself. Pinnacle and Chaparral have traded championships the last decade, dominating the Division I field.

But Richey said her team’s ability to breakthrough against both powerhouse programs not only showed the growth of her team, but the sport and overall competitiveness in the state as well.

“It’s so much bigger than lacrosse,” Richey said. “It really has become its own community, its own family. The growth of the community and family has been huge for these girls to be part of something bigger than them.”

Desert Vista and Pinnacle traded goals early in the first half. The Thunder were able to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish throughout the remainder of the match.

Carly Dirrigl and Anna Lewis, both juniors at Desert Vista, combined to score 10 of Desert Vista’s 14 total goals on the night.

Dirrigl said she entered the match with somewhat expecting to have similar success as she did in the regular season

West coached the Thunder to two state championships during her tenure and four semifinal appearances. Overall, she won 642 matches with the program. (AFN File Photo) West credited several individuals for her success as a coach.

From former Desert Vista principals Dr. Anna Battle and Dr. Christine Barela, who West called her “mentors” upon first arriving at Desert Vista, to Dr. TJ Snyder and

Tommy Eubanks, the school’s previous two athletic directors. Most importantly, she credited her husband John, who for 26 years supported her endeavors as coach of the Thunder.

“There’s no way I could have done what

Desert Vista girls’ lacrosse coach Ivy Richey, an alum of the school, was part of the Thunder team that played in the program’s last state championship match in 2011. Now 10 years later, she coached the team to their first-ever title. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff) against Pinnacle, when she scored another six goals against the Pioneers.

“One less, but it felt great,” Dirrigl said. “It is just an unreal feeling to win. I got to do it with my best friends. This win gives us hope for growth for fans, supporters and the program. I hope it goes up from here.”

For both Dirrigl and Lewis, being part of the process to build Desert Vista’s girls’ lacrosse program has been a rewarding experience. Especially being able to share

it with a senior class that has not only become great leaders, but great friends, too.

Whether it be during lunch at school or on the field, the seniors have set the stage for the two juniors to carry on their legacy as leaders for the program next season when they begin their title defense.

“They’re role models,” Lewis said. “I try to do everything like them, and I hope to be as good as them one day. Winning with them, it almost doesn’t feel real. It’s over-

39

I did without his support,” West said.

“There was a time where I was coaching, and we had three young kids. I couldn’t have been able to coach without him.”

West’s announcement came as a shock to players and parents within the program. She said many were at a loss for words at the thought of her not being on the sideline with them next fall.

While retired from Desert Vista, West said she still plans to coach for Arizona Storm Elite, a competitive girls volleyball club based in the East Valley. Though she won’t be completely stepping away from the game, the grueling hours put in every summer and fall with Desert Vista will no longer have her full attention.

But she will forever cherish the time she spent coaching a plethora of talented players for a school in a community she has grown to love.

“At Desert Vista you feel like you are part of something special,” West said. “I loved going to work every day. The program is in a really good spot. Someone is going to be able to step in and take over a great group of girls.” 

whelming and honestly, I think I’m just in shock. We came in not knowing what would happen but I’m so happy.”

Three of this year’s senior class plan to play next season at Arizona State University. Richey, who played collegiately for the Sun Devils, was recently named head coach of the 18U Arizona Women’s National Team with US Lacrosse.

The overall growth of girls’ lacrosse in Arizona has been a welcoming sight for both Richey and her players.

“There’s really only been two programs (Chaparral and Pinnacle) dominating the sport,” Richey said. “It’s been really cool to see the league become more competitive in the last three years.”

Richey is hopeful Desert Vista will make room in its display case for the team’s championship trophy. She also believes the growing support for the program in Ahwatukee will continue in an upward and positive trend.

“This trophy has been a long time coming,” Richey said. “We would love to have them find a sport for us.”

Have an interesting sports story?

Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.

40

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

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41

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Black Rodeo riding into WestWorld

BY LAURA LATZKO

Tribune Contributor

T

he Arizona Black Rodeo is about more than entertainment. The event gives contestants a place to compete and spread awareness about African American contributions to Southwestern heritage.

“African Americans played a huge part in the history and culture here,” said Lanette Campbell, the rodeo’s founder and director.

“If we don’t preserve that heritage and that information, it’s going to get lost.”

Now in its 10th year, the Arizona Black Rodeo is at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

Before the Arizona Black Rodeo was established, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo visited Arizona until it cut back on its events. It was then the local rodeo was founded. It’s co-sanctioned with the Bill

Pickett circuit, so qualifying times can be used in the traveling rodeo.

During the rodeo, cowboys compete in bull riding, steer wrestling and calf roping while cowgirls engage in barrel racing.

Riders can also participate in the Pony Express relay races, in which they race around bar- Most of the cowboys haven’t rodeoed in a while because of the pandemic, “so they are biting at the bit to get here,” said founder/director Lanette rels on horseCampbell. (Special to the Tribune) back, passing off and 110 contestants annually. In May, batons to their teammates.

The Arizona rodeo draws between 50 Campbell expects at least 90 contes-

tants, vying for more than $21,000 in prize money.

Like previous years, the rodeo will have contestants from around the country, including Arizona, California, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The Compton Cowboys, a group dedicated to promoting equestrian and farming heritage in the inner-city, will take part in this year’s rodeo.

The Arizona rodeo attracts cowboys and cowgirls at different levels and ages.

“When you have a love for it and a passion for it, it is something you want to continue to do,” Campbell said.

Although many contestants are skilled in their events, going professional can be challenging because of the expenses like entry and travel fees and costs associated with horses.

Campbell said many of the contestants

��� RODEO ���� 43

Celebrated ramen restaurant opens downtown AFN NEWS STAFF

A

signature California-based ramen restaurant chain has opened its �irst Arizona location in downtown Chandler.

JINYA Ramen Bar, a contemporary Japanese franchise restaurant concept, opened recently in New Square, where DC Steakhouse and The Stillery are neighboring tenants.

JINYA in Chandler, owned by Realtor Daradee Olson, is the 41st location of a concept started in 2010 by Tomo Takahashi, the son of a restaurateur in Japan.

His father had owned an Isakaya-style restaurant named Jinya, where he focused on delicious food at reasonable prices that’s accessible to all.

Wanting to revive his father’s dream, Takahashi opened his �irst JINYA in Tokyo in 2000, naming the restaurant for a Samurai soldier who was close to the community.

JINYA Chandler owner Daradee Olson, third from left, is flanked by her team. It includes, from left: Lori Eitel, Paul Norris, Daradee Olson, Jordan Ruiz, Stephanie Daniels and Cody Tolbert. (Debby Wolvos/Special to AFN) When he came to the U.S. Takahashi decided that traditional taste and �lavor of ramen wasn’t possible – unless he made it himself. So, he opened his �irst restaurant in Los Angeles.

Takahashi has been called one of the nation’s most in�luential restaurateurs.

Olson was inspired to bring a JINYA to Chandler after stumbling upon the concept while vacationing in Utah. She lived

in Taiwan for six years, which allowed her the opportunity to visit 42 countries throughout Southeast Asia.

“She grew very passionate about Asian culture and cuisine, and after returning to Arizona, she longed for an authentic bowl of ramen,” a spokeswoman said.

According to Olson, “After eating at JINYA for the �irst time, I knew this was the style of ramen I had been searching for in the United States. When I returned home, I immediately began the process of bringing a JINYA Ramen Bar to the Valley.”

Olson is so passionate about the concept she has plans to open four more locations in the Valley over the next four years.

JINYA is known for meticulously prepared ramen broths that are slow simmered for 20 hours only in impurity-free Fuji water. The noodles are homemade.

The concept has consistently drawn raves

��� JINYA ���� 43

42

GET OUT

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

Venues stretch after 18-month hibernation first-served basis.

Info: mim.org

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor

W

Phoenix Theatre Company

ith steady vaccine rollout and falling cases, Arizona’s longshuttered museums, sports venues, art galleries, stores, restaurants and more may finally welcome the public back inside.

Around Arizona, residents are returning to their favorite attractions as businesses plan safe openings. Many high-profile community and cultural hubs are already open for business.

Here are four:

Children’s Museum of Phoenix

After being shuttered for more than 14 months, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix will reopen its interior spaces on May 29.

On May 10, the museum will close to the general public for 19 days to dismantle its outdoor Adventure Play experience and prepare the museum’s interior exhibit spaces for visitors.

The museum will be open seven days a week, May 29 to Labor Day, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thereafter, operating hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays.

COVID-19 precautions will remain in place upon reopening including limited capacity and timed ticketing. Mask requirements and social distancing will be enforced.

Admission price is $14.95. Members and children younger than the age of 1 are free.

In addition to reopening its indoor spaces, the museum will once again offer inperson summer camps with reduced number of campers per week. CMoP Camps begin May 31. CMoP Camps are $235 for members and $280 for nonmembers.

Info: childrensmuseumofphoenix.org

The Musical Instrument Museum is even holding concerts, but regardless of whether you’re there for the interesting exhibits or a show, safety protocols are in place. (Special to GetOut) miniatures fabricated in silver, such as a treehouse made by Shawn Bluejacket (Shawnee), which has a removable roof and is fully equipped with a slide and a table with a hinged tabletop that, when opened, reveals a bundle of carrots that Bluejacket painted on the interior.

Other silver highlights include a yo-yo

Musical Instrument Museum

Heard Museum

The Heard Museum continues to celebrate its reopening with “Small Wonders,” which displays a range of intricately made small-format works including jewelry (rings, brooches, earrings and buckles) and specialty items such as silver seed pots and fetishes or stone carvings. It runs through the fall.

Each work of art is shaped in silver, gold or from a variety of gemstones, and all are from the Heard Museum’s permanent collection.

Highlights in the exhibition include the

by Daniel Sunshine Reeves (Navajo), a teapot with coral inlay by Darrell Jumbo (Navajo), and a tray and teapot set by Elizabeth Martha Whitman (Navajo).

There is an assortment of brooches, many in animal and insect forms, as well as complex figurative works by Denise Wallace (Chugach Sugpiaq/Alutiiq) and more traditional works in silver with inset turquoise. The exhibition is curated by Chief Curator Diana Pardue and Assistant Curator Velma Kee Craig (Diné).

Info: heard.org

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix will reopen on Memorial Day weekend. (Special to GetOut)

The MIM in North Phoenix has been open for a bit and even concerts are happening here.

May shows include Giovanni Kiyingi (May 15); NOLAZ: The Music of New Orleans (May 21); Davina and the Vagabonds (May 22 and May 23); MusicaNova Orchestra Presents: Centuries of Brass (May 27); and Blues in the Round featuring Hans Olson, Eric Ramsey and Mike Eldred (May 30).

May will see the MIM’s Experience Central Africa on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16. It’s included with paid admission; free for members. Experience diverse music and dance traditions of Central Africa with live performances, curator talks and other family-friendly activities.

To support social distancing, the MIM is limiting the number of guests at each activity. Participation will be on a first-come,

The Phoenix Theatre Company is returning to indoor performance, just in time for its 102nd season.

After a pivot to virtual and outdoor programming, The Phoenix Theatre Company welcomes audiences back to its threestage complex starting in June to kick off a season highlighting stories of extraordinary everyday heroes and beloved characters that inspire hope and unity.

“We are unbelievably grateful to welcome back audiences to our home,” says Michael Barnard, producing artistic director. “Our stages may have been darkened, but our spirits are undimmed. Over the last year, we’ve faced creative and financial challenges and what’s lifted us up is our community. Now I am beyond grateful to announce our 102nd season filled with stories of resilience and tenacity.”

As the theater company moves performances indoors, it will continue to monitor local health trends and work closely with public health agencies and Actors’ Equity Association to keep artist and community safety a priority.

When the theater company opens in June, face masks and temperature checks will be required for all staff and patrons.

The indoor theatres’ ventilation systems exceed recommendations by public health officials and cleaning and disinfecting will occur frequently. Seating will not be socially distanced.

As vaccines become more available and accessible, safety protocols will be updated to ensure patron and staff comfort and wellbeing.

Indoor performances resume June 2 with a summer series featuring “Becoming Dr. Ruth,” “Daddy Long Legs” and “Pump Boys and Dinettes.” The 2021/2022 season starts August 18 with “Steel Magnolias.”

Tickets to the summer series are on sale.

Info: phoenixtheatre.com. 

GetOut. GetConnected.

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MAY 12, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

RODEO from page 41

have regular jobs and rodeo in their spare time. After taking time off during COVID, many of the contestants are eager to get back to doing rodeos.

“Most of these guys haven’t rodeoed in a while, so they are biting at the bit to get here,” Campbell said.

The Arizona rodeo begins with the Black National Anthem; grand entry festivities and a salute to the Buffalo Soldiers, a group of African American soldiers that served in the West following the Civil War. Local Buffalo Soldiers re-enactment groups will arrive on motorcycles and horseback.

Grand marshal duties will be shared by Chandler Councilman OD Harris and civil rights activist and National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO

JINYA from page 41

from the Los Angeles Times for its ramen, featured in 12 signature creations that include JINYA Tonkotsu black, spicy chicken ramen, and spicy creamy vegan ramen.

The restaurant boasts six signature broths made from whole pork bones, chicken and vegetables “with just the right amounts of bonito, dashi, miso, kombu and other classic Japanese ingredients.”

The result is a rich, thick full-flavored broth.

The handmade noodles undergo a special aging process before they are cooked and served, a spokeswoman said.

JINYA serves 12 signature chicken, pork, shrimp or vegetable-based ramen creations, which can be completely customizable from a selection of more than 25 addons such as chicken chasu, kikurage, spicy bean sprouts, green onion and thin noodles.

The Sprouting Up Ramen features pork and chicken broth, pork chashu, kikurage, spicy bean sprouts, green onion, half seasoned egg, crispy Brussels sprouts, black pepper, ginger, and thick noodles.

Shrimp wonton ramen is “a simple but tasty creation of pork and shrimp broth, shrimp and chicken wontons, green onion and kikurage with thick noodles,” the spokeswoman said.

The menu also features a variety of starters, including salads and small plates.

Salmon poke mini tacos are served in a crispy wonton shell, topped with cilantro.

The JINYA Bun is a sweet and savory small bite of slow braised pork chashu, cucumber and baby mixed greens, nestled inside

Benjamin Chavis.

This year, medical frontline workers will be honored, and the reigning Miss Tucson, Abby Charles, will be highlighted.

During the rodeo, line dancers from a local American Legion chapter in South Phoenix will perform.

Growing up, Campbell spent the summers in Safford, where she helped feed and clean up after her family’s horses, cows and chickens. Like Campbell, many attendees have a connection to farm animals and agriculture. Heading to rodeos helps them reminisce.

“You find a lot of people have come from that background,” Campbell said.

“They grew up on a farm and then they moved to the city, and they didn’t stick close to their roots. Then, you see a rodeo and remember it, and it stimulates something in you.”

All the thrills of a live rodeo will be awaiting spectators at WestWorld next Saturday.

(Special to AFN)

Items like the JINYA bun, lower left, and shrimp wonton, lower right, in an elegantly designed 3,000-square-foot space in New Square in downtown Chandler. (Debby Wolvos) a steamed bun with JINYA’s original bun sauce and mayonnaise.

A crispy chicken appetizer features juicy, garlic-pepper fried chicken thighs, served with baby mixed greens and JINYA’s house ponzu sauce. A Japanese street snack, Takoyaki is battered octopus balls, served atop egg tartar and drizzled with mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce, green onion and smoked bonito flakes.

For those who want to skip the ramen, JINYA offers several rice bowls, as well as rotating chef’s selections. The California Poke Bowl is loaded with salmon, spicy

43

Getting young people involved is important to organizers like Campbell. They need to keep the tradition alive and develop homegrown talent. She noticed it’s worked. The Arizona Black Rodeo Kids Round Up gives children the chance to get close to and ask questions about horses and learn more about rodeo events.

The association gives back to high school kids who participate in rodeos or are interested in animal-related careers through scholarships. They also have scholarships to help young kids to pay for rodeo fees.

The day before the main rodeo, the association will put on a children’s rodeo.

“It’s just a great family event,” she said. 

tuna, shrimp, seaweed salad, masago, avocado and cilantro. Tokyo Curry Rice showcases a Tokyo-style curry with ground chicken. The current quarterly chef’s specials, available through the end of May include Tonkotsu Curry Tsukemen (dipping noodles) and ground pork Lettuce Wraps.

JINYA Ramen Bar offers a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes.

For example, the Brussels Sprouts Tempura are crispy Brussels sprouts, sprinkled with white truffle oil.

A Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen is a base of vegetable broth with tofu, onion, green

onion, kikurage, crispy onion, garlic chips, garlic oil, chili oil, sesame seeds, and thick noodles.

The Vegan Rice Bowl features plantbased “meat”, crispy chickpeas, kale, pickled red cabbage, crispy garlic, roasted pine nuts, and vegan curry ranch dressing. In the Vegan Bun, a plant-based steamed bun is stuffed with a pea protein patty, guacamole, cucumber and vegan mayonnaise.

JINYA also showcases a full bar menu of local craft and Japanese beer, wine, and sake. Aside from Japanese sake, JINYA Chandler carries the only awarded sake made outside of Japanese, Arizona Sake, which is produced in Holbrook. For guests who really want to explore the world of fermented rice wine, Olson, as well as General Manager, Stephanie Daniels are certified sake sommeliers.

JINYA’s cocktail menu includes drinks like Lycheetini with Jinro Soju, lychee syrup, and fresh lychee or the Suntory Toki High Ball, served from a special machine that results in a drink that is ice cold, super fizzy and smooth. A machine dispenses the whiskey and soda at ultra-cold temperatures to keep the ice from diluting the drink, and a high-powered carbonation tap pumps out five times the carbonation of regular soda water.

The nearly 3,000-square-foot restaurant seats 60 guests indoors, which includes ramen bar seating with direct views of the kitchen action, as well as a long community table for gatherings. The outdoor patio space seats 42.

Information: 480-758-5198 or jinyaramenbar.com/locations/chandler. 

GET OUT

44

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

King Crossword ACROSS 1 5 8 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 26 30 31 32 33 35 36 37 38 41 42 45 46 48 49 50 51 52 53

Borscht veggie Nourished Great Lakes fish Choir voice “-- been real” Plane-related Pear variety Fury Away from WSW Mine yield Say Snoop Upscale auto Golf great Sam Husband of Eurydice Level Genetic letters Sicilian peak New Mexico’s capital Director DeMille “Nasty!”

Cowboy’s sweetie Brag Gaiety Mauna -Pac-12 sch.

Cocktails garnished with olives Avoid Ostrich’s kin Sultry Horne Male turkeys -- Moines Retain

37 38 39 40 41

Mentors Small statue Twice cuatro Grad Notoriety

42 43 44 46 47

Sudoku

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 16 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 34 35

Leg joint Aachen article Now, on a memo Club -Sort

Innocent one Flair French 101 verb Preschooler Red-hot Diminutive suffix “Spring ahead” hrs.

Sideways somersault Miami team Desire Afrikaner Byron or Tennyson Strike caller Devoted supporters Bikini top Rds. Actress Long Still, in verse Small bill List-ending abbr.

Half of biBando of baseball “Bobby” subj.

Do something Quitter’s word

PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 19

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Classifieds

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | Ahwatukee.com Click on Marketplace

Engagements Jacobsen-Ballard Engagement Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Jacobsen of Austin, Texas (formerly of Ahwatukee, Arizona), announce the engagement of their daughter Lauren Diane to Christopher Travis Ballard, son of Scott and Lisa Ballard of San Marcos, Texas.

Ms. Jacobsen, a graduate of the University of Arizona and Midwestern University, practices dentistry in Austin, Texas. Mr. Ballard graduated from Miami University and manages an investment fund. A wedding is planned for the summer of next year.

Life Events

Employment Employment General Manager, SAP Financial Lead (Chandler, AZ) Oversee designing, building, testing, & deployment of SAP S/4 FICO Solutions. Work independently to design & config solutions to meet the most complex biz reqmnts in the reltd areas. Manage all phases of the project life cycle. Define project tasks & coord completion to ensure estimates are thorough & accurate. Reqs: Bach's deg in Management Information Systems, or a foreign equiv, & 5 yrs of relev exp. Mail resumes to HR Mgr, Array Technologies, Inc., 3901 Midway PL NE Albuquerque, NM 87109.

Avnet, Inc. seeks Manager, Quality Engineering to interpret & administer policies in our Chandler, AZ location. REQ’D Bachelor’s degree in Elect. Engr., Industrial Engr. (or foreign equivalent) & 6 yrs of exp. in quality assurance & reliability engineering w/ 2 years supervisory experience. Master’s degree in Quality Engineering, Process Engineering & 4 yrs exp. in quality engineering or process engineering accepted. Up to 25% travel to unanticipated locations in the U.S. and international locations pending vendor manufacturing locations. Background checks & drug screening req’d. Resume to hrnow@avnet.com and reference job code 824TW.

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Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours, this time I ask You this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear Heart of Jesus and place it in your own broken heart, where our Father sees it, then in His merciful eyes it will become Your favour, not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer for 3 days and promise publication and the favour will be granted no matter how impossible.

Never known to fail. XX

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2008 through 2019

ROC #158440 Bond/Insured

www.readelectricaz.com

480-940-6400

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

• Serving Arizona Since 2005 •

• Panel Changes and Repairs • Installation of Ceiling Fans • Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel

ALL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL Call Jim Endres 480.282.7932 Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured

• Grout Cleaning & Seal • Tile removal • Affordable Pricing • Free Estimates

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES

See MORE Ads Online!

Ahwatukee Resident

 Electric Car Chargers for ALL your  Fans electrical needs  Lighting 41 years  Troubleshooting  And much more experience

LLC

SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

520.508.1420

All Estimates arethe Free Call: Marks Spot• for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

www.husbands2go.com Painting • Flooring • Electrical

Plumbing Drywall • Carpentry Licensed, Bonded & •Insured • ROC#317949 Decks • Tile • More!

Ask me about FREE Needs! water testing!

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman

Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting Flooring • Electrical “No Job Too ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Man!” Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More!

Quality Work Since 1999 www.Ahwatukee.com Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job ✔ Carpentry Handyman Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry

Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens 9 199 ce Sin rk Wo y alit Affordable, Qu ✔ Bathrooms BSMALLMAN@Q.COM 2010, 2011 9 199 ce Sin rk Wo 2012, “No 2013, Job Too Affordable, Quality And More!

2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 2012, 2013, 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee / References Work ty Quali , Affordable 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor 2014 Bruce at 602.670.7038

Jaden Sydney Associates.com Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

Visit our website!

Landlord and Homeowner Property Services

Repairs • Drywall • Painting • BINSR Items Trash Removal • HOA Compliance

AND so much more!

Ahwatukee Resident

480.335.4180 Not a licensed contractor.

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

Sell Your Stuff!

Call Classifieds Today!

480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

Landscape Design/Installation Irrigation Systems & Outdoor Lighting Fountain Repair C - Caring alls Repairs & Instuse. rm D - Dedicated te ng for lo S - Service No Yard

LANDSCAPING

.

Maintenance

• Spring Hrs: M-F 8-4; Sat 9-2; • Summer Hrs: M-Sat 7-11 • You Pay Labor & Materials Only • ROC#312942 • David R Smith

Text or Email Only

480-580-4419

david@swo-of-artworks.com

CLASSIFIEDS

48

Landscape/Maintenance

Lani's Desert Landscaping Comm'l & Residential Female Owned & Operated!

Weekly, BiWeekly, Monthly

Call Lani (623)755-0452

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

Landscape/Maintenance

Landscape/Maintenance

Landscape/Maintenance

Arizona Specialty Landscape

Complete Lawn Service & Weed Control

SPRINKLER DOCTOR

New & Re-Do Design and Installation

Starting @ $60/Month!

Affordable | Paver Specialists All phases of landscape installation.

Plants, cacti, sod, sprinklers, granite, concrete, brick, Kool-deck, lighting and more!

Free Estimates 7 Days a Week!

ROC# 186443 • BONDED

480.844.9765

• One Month Free Service • Licensed, Bonded Insured for your protection.

• Call or Text for a Free Quote

kjelandscape.com • ROC#281191

480-586-8445

JR’S LANDSCAPING

Irrigation Repair Services Inc.

GRAVEL • PAVERS TRIM TREES ALL TYPES SPRINKLER SYSTEMS SYNTHETIC GRASS COMPLETE CLEAN UPS

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

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

CALL US TODAY! Not a licensed contractor

ROC# 256752

SH ALL YOU NEED IS A PU

480.898.6465 CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Landscape Design/Installation

Specials

Jose Martinez

480-745-5230

Not a licensed contractor.

Get Your Lawn Ready For Spring!

602.515.2767

WANT A GREEN LAWN?

RAMON LANDSCAPING SERVICES

Serving the Valley for over 28 years

The Possibilities are Endless

Custom Design and Renovation turning old to new Custom Built-ins, BBQs, Firepits, Fireplaces, Water Features, Re-Designing Pools, Masonry, Lighting, Tile, Flagstone, Pavers, Culture Stone & Travertine, Synthetic Turf, Sprinkler/Drip, Irrigation Systems, Clean ups & Hauling

Call for a FREE consultation and Estimate To learn more about us, view our photo gallery at: ShadeTreeLandscapes.com

480-730-1074

Bonded/Insured/Licensed • ROC #225923

480-940-8196 theplugman.com

FREE ORGANIC LAWN FERTILIZATION TREATMENT WITH CORE AERATION FERTILIZATION • SOIL AMENDMENTS • LAWN SOIL TESTING ROC 282663 * BONDED * INSURED YOUR LAWN EXPERT SINCE 1995

I could help you have your palm trees and other trees trimmed by giving you a reasonable and better price than the others.

Irrigation Repair & New Installation Yard Clean-ups • Storm Damage • Palm & Tree Trimming Tree Removal • Landscape Lighting Installation & Repair Landscape Design

Responsible • 100% Guaranteed Ask for Ramon

Not a Licensed Contractor

Not a licensed contractor.

Your newspaper.

Your community.

Your planet.

Please recycle me.

Painting

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

Complete Clean Ups

SONORAN LAWN

25 years Experience & Insured

480.690.6081

TRIM TREES ALL TYPES GRAVEL - PAVERS SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

15 + Yrs Exp! All English Speaking Crew

LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

CONKLIN PAINTING

High Quality Results

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

Timers/Valves/Sprinklers DRIP-PVC-COPPER Backflows & Regulators

HIGH QUALITY RESULTS

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

Repairs - Installs - Modifications

Free Estimate & Color Consultation

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

Looking To Freshen Up Your Home?

WE CAN HELP!

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

480-217-0407

Meetings/Events?

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

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

FREE ESTIMATES • CALL TODAY!

(480)785-6323

CLASSIFIEDS

MAY 12, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Plumbing

Painting

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

SUN TECH

PAINTING

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

INC.

Serving Ahwatukee Since 1987 Interior / Exterior

ROC#309706

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

• 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

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com

★ Interior/Exterior Painting ★ Drywall Repair & Installation ★ Popcorn Ceiling Removal

SERVICE • REPAIR • REPLACEMENT We offer personalized service for our customers.

We use the best materials that we can find.

★ Elastomaric Roof Coating ★ Epoxy Floors ★ Small Job Specialist

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

Owned and Operated

by Rod Lampert Ahwatukee Resident Serving Ahwatukee for over 25 years

East Valley PAINTERS

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

Plumbing

Off 40work done *Any

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

www.affinityplumbingaz.com

Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor Water Heaters

24/7

Inside & Out Leaks

Bonded

Toilets

Insured

Faucets

Estimates Availabler

Disposals

$35 off

Any Service

Pool Service / Repair

Juan Hernandez

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR

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

Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

PLUMBING

10% OFF

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality Free Estimates!

Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

$

showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

Voted #1

Family Owned & Operated

AHWATUKEE SPECIAL

Anything Plumbing Same Day Service

Plumbing

“We get your house looking top notch!”

Plumbing

Not a licensed contractor

Painting

49

Now Accepting all major credit cards

$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)

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

MARK’S POOL SERVICE Owner Operated - 20 Years

Play Pools start at

$85/month with chemicals

Ask About Filter Cleaning Specials!

Mark

602-799-0147 CPO#85-185793

CLASSIFIEDS

50

Pool Service / Repair

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

Roofing

Roofing Watch for Garage Sales in Classifieds!

$25 OFF

Filter Cleaning!

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

Family Owned & Operated for over 30 years

ROC #152111

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

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

Quality Repairs & Re-Roofs Complimentary & Honest Estimates

Call our office today!

480-460-7602

MonsoonRoofingInc.com

New Roof Installation & Roof Repair Specialist

Cell: 480.417.3689 Office: 480.912.5014 Email: tomjilek60@gmail.com

and every step of the way.

10% OFF COMPLETE UNDERLAYMENT Commercial & Residential Family Owned & Operated

FREE ESTIMATES 602-736-3019

www.porterroofinginc.com

Over 30 Years of Experience

Valley Wide Service

480-446-7663

Over 30 yrs. Experience

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING

Licensed, Bonded, Insured

Roofing

Licensed & Insured • Bonded, Res/Com ROC 328854

Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! We have a “Spencer” on every job

FLAT ROOFS | SHINGLES | TEAR OFFS | NEW ROOFS | REPAIRS TILE UNDERLAYMENT | TILE REPAIR | LEADERS | COPPER ALUMINUM COATINGS | GUTTERS | SKYLIGHTS

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

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

480-706-1453

Flat and Foam Roof Experts!

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

Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

Roofing

JILEK ROOFING, LLC

TILE ROOFING SPECIALISTS

desertsandscontracting.com

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

30 Years Roofing Experience

Roofing

10% OFF with this ad

LICENSED | INSURED | BONDED | ROC #269218

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

Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

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

MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.Ahwatukee.com

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

Window Cleaning

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

MISSED THE DEADLINE?

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

Call us to place your ad online!

Add a Background Color to Your Ad! Classifieds 480-898-6465

480-898-6465

Ahwatukee Based Family Owned and Operated Insured • Free Estimates

See our reviews and schedule at:

www.cousinswindowcleaning.com

480-330-2649

CLASSIFIEDS

MAY 12, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

palmabrisa.com

NOW SELLING

A new gated resort community is now selling in the Ahwatukee Foothills with a dramatically different style. It feels exclusive, but also lively and exciting — and it's called Palma Brisa.

• Modern resort-style gated community with stately palms

• Diverse architecture: Modern Bungalow, Urban Farmhouse, Italian Cottage, Andalusian, Modern Craftsman, French Country, and Spanish Mission • Four amenity areas connected by expansive lawns

• Homes from 1,700 sq. ft. to 4,000 sq. ft. from the $500’s

ERIC WILLIAMS

480-641-1800

TERRY LENTS

© Copyright 2021 Blandford Homes, LLC. No offer to sell or lease may be made prior to issuance of Final Arizona Subdivision Public Report.

Offer, terms, and availability subject to change without prior notice. Renderings are artist’s conceptions and remain subject to modification without notice.

51

CLASSIFIEDS

52

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 12, 2021

10,000

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ARE YOU GOING TO BE OUR

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3RD

Samsung Refrigerator & Range

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Samsung 75”TV

4TH

P R IZ E

Beautyrest Mattress

58” 4K UHD SMART TV 18 CU. FT. REFRIGERATOR • 2 HDMI Inputs • Airplay2 Built-In

WASHER

• 3.5 Cu. Ft. • Porcelain Tub • 700 RPM Spin Speed

$

NTW4500XQ CLOSEOUT

449 • 4.8 Cubic Foot Capacity • Self Cleaning Oven • Smooth Top • Proudly Made in USA WFE505W0HS CLOSEOUT

S

• 12-Place Settings • 5 Wash Cycles • Piranha™ Hard Food Disposer • Hot Start Option – GSD2100VWW

299

$

12 MONTHS NO INTEREST**

• Integrated Control Styling • Premium Nylon Racks • In Door Silverware Basket • Energy Star Qualified WDF520PADM

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$

DISHWASHER

$339 10%

99

GRM183TW

$

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499 $499 UN58TU7000

DISHWASHER

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• 2 Adjustable Glass Shelves • Fixed Gallon Door Shelves • Sealed Drawers with Glass Cover

FRONT LOAD WASHER

• 25 Cubic Foot Capacity • Spill Proof Glass Shelves • Humidity Controlled Drawers • Energy Star Qualified WRS325SDHZ

BUYS ALL 3 PIECES DRYER

• • 4.5 Cu. Ft. Capacity • • • 10 Wash Cycles • • Smart Care

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NO MATTER WHERE YOU SEE IT, READ IT, OR HEAR ABOUT IT, SPENCERS IS GUARANTEED TO BE A LOWER PRICE!

SIDE BY SIDE COUNTER DEPTH REFRIGERATOR • Adjustable Glass Shelves • 2 Crisper Drawers • LED Lighting

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MESA SHOWROOM & CLEARANCE CENTER 115 W. First Ave. | 480-833-3072 AHWATUKEE 4601 E. Ray Rd. | Phoenix | 480-777-7103 ARROWHEAD RANCH 7346 W. Bell Road | 623-487-7700 GILBERT Santan Village | 2711 S. Santan Village Pkwy | 480-366-3900 GLENDALE 10220 N. 43rd Ave | (602) 504-2122 GOODYEAR 1707 N. Litchfield Rd | 623-930-0770 RECONDITION CENTER 160 EAST BROADWAY | 480-615-1763 SCOTTSDALE 14202 N. Scottsdale Rd. | 480-991-7200 SCOTTSDALE/PHOENIX 13820 N. Tatum Blvd. | (602) 494-0100 NOW OPEN - MESA 5141 S. Power Rd. | 480-988-1917

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WWW.SPENCERSTV.COM OPEN DAILY 9AM-9PM | SATURDAY 9AM-6PM | SUNDAY 11AM-5PM

SE S IN HOU SPENCER T PLANS PAYMEN BLE AVAILA Due to current circumstances, some items may be out of stock stock.