For the first time in eight years, some Ahwatukee Lakes are starting to fill up with something other than storm water.
Vowing to open the long-dormant Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course by November, owner Wilson Gee hit a milestone last month as he began filling some of the site’s lakes.
But it’s an open question whether his work so far will satisfy Superior Court Judge Theodore Campagnolo’s order that the course be open for business by the fall 2022, threatening Gee with $3.5 million in contempt-of-court penalties. Gee closed the course in 2013. In fact, the attorney representing the two homeowners who in 2014 sued Gee was to file
Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course owner Wilson Gee began filling some of the lakes last month as he continues advancing toward his goal of reopening the course this fall – a year ahead of a judge’s deadline and eight years after he shut the site down. (Tom Sanfilippo/Inside Out Aerial) see LAKES page 12
Kyrene capital budget raises auditor’s concern
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
Arelatively new tool released by the Arizona Auditor General for assessing school districts’ financial health shows Kyrene School District is at “high risk” in three of 10 measures of fiscal soundness.
One area is a 26.8 percent decline in its capital reserves between the 2018-19 and 201920 fiscal year and the other Kyrene’s redirection of 44.8 percent of its capital budget this fiscal year to shore up operational spending.
It’s actually very good because you can compare all public-school districts and only publicschool districts are required have that information provided.
But Kyrene Chief Financial Officer Chris Hermann told the school board last week that the metrics are only “indicators” and “guideposts” to help districts and the Auditor General identify troubling fiscal trends.
Kyrene is rated at high risk for declines in state reimbursement caused by enrollment shrinkage – the only factor rated high risk for Tempe Union as well – and for two areas involving its capital budget.
“I think you could really kind of look at what happened last year as being clearly relating to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hermann told the board.
“And so, we were faced with some really difficult budget-balancing situations last year,” he said, explaining “the capital spending really was done because we did not have additional funding coming to us as a school district.”
Noting “there are no official penalties or things like that” for edging into a high-risk category, Hermann said:
“It’s good for us to be aware of those things.
“Not all public funded schools are required to have that same information,” he added, indicating charter schools that get tax dollars are not included in the new measurement tool, which is at frisk.azauditor.gov.
Kyrene is far from being the only district cited as high risk in any of the three categories.
The AG site shows that of 207 public school districts in Arizona, 104 are at high risk for enrollment decline, 74 for declines of more than 25 percent in their capital reserves and 51 for directing more than 25 percent of capital fund-
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State Land auction postponed, now on for next Monday
AFN NEWS STAFF
Developers will have a second chance to bid on some prime State Trust Land in Ahwatukee next Monday after the Arizona State Land Department on May 26 postponed a scheduled auction.
Although the auction of a 373-acre parcel along Chandler Boulevard between 19th and 27th avenues has been advertised for 10 weeks as required by state law, developers are believed to have needed more time to prepare a bid.
The starting price is $105 million for the land, which an appraisal said can accommodate 1,050 single-family houses.
The city also has set aside 12 acres for a year after the final subdivision plat is filed in case either Kyrene or Tempe Union – or both districts – want to build a school there.
Another 44 acres is zoned for apartments or condos while 11 acres are zoned for commercial development. Those 55 acres are in the southeast corner of the tract near 29th Avenue and the freeway, although they can be relocated elsewhere within the massive tract through a routine administrative zoning amendment.
The fact that the land is already zoned, has a prime location and is on the block at a time of a critical inventory of homes for sale is expected to whet the appetite of developers and possibly drive up the price above the minimum bid.
Postponements of state land auctions are not unusual. Just a week before the Ahwatukee auction, the Land Department postponed until later this month the auction of an 1,100-acre parcel in Goodyear and a nearly 900-acre piece of land in Queen Creek.
The money will go to fund K-12 education, one of the 13 beneficiaries of trust land sales set in the Arizona Constitution.
While the Land Department commissioned a detailed appraisal of the Ahwatukee land – which gave the parcel high marks for its development potential – developers often want to do their own studies before walking into the Land Department’s downtown Phoenix auction with a hefty check.
Bidders in the live auction of the Ahwatukee land, set for 11 a.m., must bring a cashier’s check for $13.75 million. The bidding is conducted orally.
The appraisal indicates that before houses start going up on the site, the developer will have close to $6 million of basic infrastructure work to undertake.
Part of that will include extending Liberty Lane through the middle of the parcel and expanding that adjacent portion of Chandler Boulevard from three lanes to five.
Mask issue in local schools far from resolved
The pandemic may be receding, but the issue of mask mandates is far from over – at least in Ahwatukee’s two public school districts.
While Horizon Honors last week announced masks will be optional anywhere inside or outside its Ahwatukee campus beginning June 11, both Kyrene and Tempe Union remain the only two public districts in the East Valley with mandatory mask requirements.
Tempe Union’s mandate extends to both inside and outside buildings on campus while Kyrene recently relaxed its outdoor mask mandate.
While Kyrene officials have extended their mask mandate indoors through summer school, when around 1,000 kids are expected, they took another step toward normalcy last week.
Kyrene Governing Board President Kevin Walsh said that beginning with the board’s next meeting June 8, a limited number of people will be allowed to attend its meetings in the district meeting room.
While masks are expected to be required and Walsh said additional directions would be issued soon, the board until now has allowed only essential district employees to attend the Governing Board’s meetings.
At the board’s meeting last week, the
Kyrene administration released a survey showing that a majority of responding parents and staff at this time are more comfortable with requiring masks for all adults and children in school buildings. The survey, which drew 4,595 parents and 1,493 staffers, showed more than half of both categories of respondents
were more comfortable with a mandatory mask policy and less comfortable with an optional approach for people inside buildings.
The reverse was true when they were asked about optional and mandatory masks outside.
Respondents also were overwhelmingly in favor of Kyrene’s current quarantine policy that requires students to stay at home if they are exposed to someone infected by COVID-19.
The survey also showed that only 17 percent of staff and 28 percent of families favored no limits on capacity at outdoor events or outside visitors to campus.
But a few changes already are in the making for the next school year in Kyrene schools.
Christie McDougall, Kyrene’s director of curriculum and assessment, told the board that while a mask policy for the coming school year has not been determined, there will be a great return to normal for students.
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ing to operational costs.
Kyrene is also far from the dire fiscal straits in which 13 school districts are in.
Those 13 districts “are at higher financial risk than other Arizona school districts,” the Auditor General states, “based both on their current and potential future financial difficulties.
“Collectively, the measures relate to a district’s overall financial risk of not being able to operate within its available cash resources and budget constraints.”
Only one of the 13 imperiled districts, Apache Junction Unified, is in Maricopa County and most are in the southern half of the state.
The AG explains why it monitors the use of capital dollars to cover operating expenses:
“Districts that direct a substantial portion of their intended capital funding to operational spending may be at higher financial risk if they are putting off necessary operational spending cuts or when large capital spending needs arise, especially if they have lower-than-average capital reserves.”
Data on the AG’s site show Kyrene has a five-year average of transferring about a quarter of its capital funds annually to cover operating expenses and that its first big transfer occurred well before the pandemic.
While the district respectively transferred only $757,689 and $722,309 in each of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 fiscal years, it transferred nearly $2.3 million of $9.4 million capital dollars to operations in the 2018-19 fiscal year.
Auditor General’s assessment as well as the strain that pandemic-related expenses have imposed on its capital budget.
And so Kyrene was in a very difficult financial position with our community educational staff because there was no revenue to pay for those employees as many programs were either canceled or they had very low participation.
As the pandemic forced spending on cleaning supplies and technology in the 2019-20 fiscal year, Kyrene moved nearly $3.8 million of $11.7 million from its capital reserves to operational spending.
In the current fiscal year, it has transferred $5.71 million of $12.75 million to operations, the AG says.
Hermann throughout his presentation on Kyrene’s future capital spending stressed that the district is mindful of the
But he said decisions to shift capital monies to the district’s Maintenance and Operations Fund was “based on our ability to maintain a balanced budget in light of having to comply with the state mandate to continue to pay employees throughout the duration of last (school) year.
“And so Kyrene was in a very difficult financial position with our community educational staff because there was no revenue to pay for those employees as many programs were either canceled or they had very low participation.”
For its capital budget in the coming school year, the district is projecting $6.6 million from the state, $6.8 million from the capital override voters approved in 2017 and $30 million from a bond sale sometime next spring.
Elementary students will no longer be restricted to staying with their own classmates and middle school students will have more electives to choose from. “Students will also have more freedom of choice for activities at lunch,” McDougall said. “We will continue mitigation strategies such as hand-hygiene sanitizing and use of HEPA filters. We also anticipate that many events will be able to resume, although they may need to look a little different to maintain mitigation strategies, such as social distancing.”
Kyrene officials indicated any further changes in policies will depend on guidance from county and state health officials.
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Ahwatukee’s other beleaguered golf course remains in a holding pattern.
At the Club West Association’s monthly meeting May 21, board President Julie Tyler said that one committee is studying the course’s future while another is studying solutions to the expensive problem of irrigating the course with less expensive water.
“Housing is not an option. I don’t think it’s any secret that myself and many others are not in favor of ever having housing on the golf course in terms of restoring
LAKES from page 1
a contempt action Tuesday – after AFN's deadline – accusing Gee of not planning to restore a true 18-hole executive course or fill all the lakes. Attorney Tim Barnes declined comment.
The start of the lakes’ refilling last month marked the latest in a series of projects on the 101-acre site that Gee said will lead to a July planting of Bermuda grass.
That means by August, Gee said, what a judge once described as a “moonscape” will be green again.
He said dead trees, weeds and lake footprints have been cleaned from much of the premises, although a final scraping will be done before seeding begins.
The main bridge over a portion of the lakes has been built but completing some of the small ones has been delayed by the nationwide lumber shortage.
“All 18 holes will be ready for planting of grass by the end of July,” Gee said.
Crews two weeks ago started to fill an irrigation pond and the completion of the pump station is awaiting certain parts that SRP requires before it will approve service, Gee said.
“We won’t change any of the drainage patterns, so Ahwatukee Lakes will continue to be basically a retention area for the whole area,” Gee said.
The lakes were designed partly to stop storm-driven torrents of South Mountain runoff from flooding a wide area of eastern Ahwatukee.
Gee also said he is installing a security system around the pump station to prevent vandalism and that the wet well that
it and how it will be funded,” Tyler told homeowners last month. “It is not property of the HOA, so any restoration will not be funded by the HOA.”
Wilson Gee sold the course to a group of four investors who do business under the name The Edge.
They tried and failed early last year to win approval for a plan that would have had Taylor Morrison build 164 single- and two-story homes on three pieces of the site in order to finance a reconstruction of the course, which has been shut down since March 2018.
Tyler said the golf course committee has been studying ways that the site can
be restored and that it has been reviewing a number of business plans for restoring and running the course profitably.
Also unresolved is a lawsuit by the Club West Conservancy against the board. Though all but one of the defendants in that case were defeated in a board election last year, the trial commissioner in the case has yet to file a final opinion.
Superior Court Commissioner Andrew Russell in April issued a preliminary ruling that nullified the old board members’ acquisition of the declarant rights to the course. Those rights basically gave the board oversight in determining the land use regulations for the course.
feeds the site has been fully reconstructed.
“In the meantime,” he said, “we may start testing everything with a generator.”
A large part of the testing is aimed at ensuring the irrigation heads are all working.
“Once that’s done, all we’re going to do is go ahead and what they call scrape all the weeds out and everything else and then we’ll start seeding hydro seed on the tee and greens and regular seeding on the fairways.”
Gee said he does not expect to be affected too much by a sharp increase in seed prices – from a dollar a pound to $1.70 –because he had locked in a price before costs started to soar.
“It’ll be green by August because we’ll lay everything out there but we won’t open until November,” Gee said, adding he intends to wait a minimum two months to let all the grass grow out.
“We may open the driving range ahead
But Russell has not issued a final opinion, so the case remains open.
“We’re going to continue to engage our lawyers and discuss different options on making sure that the course and the different rights are protected as much as we can within our power,” Tyler said. “We’re still trying to understand what our power is.”
The Edge, meanwhile, has been silent. “We still haven’t heard the property owners,” Tyler said. “We would love it if they’d reach out. We would appreciate it if they would present something to the community again” about their plans for the course.
golf instructions for golfers of all ages” once a month.
The clubhouse will be a modular “sales office” type building, approximately 10 feet by 32 feet with no bar or restaurant and only bathrooms and a changing area, though he said he might bring an occasional food truck out on the premises.
But one former staple of the old course will not be returning.
Golf carts will not be rented and private carts banned from the course, Gee said, because they ruin the grass.
Gee said that while part of the overall course, some holes also will be used for teaching new players, particularly when there isn’t much regular play going on.
of time, but everything else will grow out,” he said. “And then once everything goes out, guess what? We cut it down again and overseed.”
While still retaining 18 holes, Gee said, “In order to break even, we’re going to extend the driving range.”
He also said the driving range “will be expanded to 50 spots, providing ample practice for our instructional golf program.”
Additionally, he said, “all golf team members of Mountain Pointe will have access to the driving range and golf course at no cost to them. Hopefully, this will bring more young people to the game – as well as field a stronger team.”
“We talked to the coach already,” Gee said. “We want to build up that team and also promote junior golf.”
He also said General Manager Terry Duggan and his staff “will provide free
“We cut one of the par-4s, so that will be a chipping area and sand trap training area,” he said.
“The instructors can take students out by the driving range and play certain holes when things are slow.”
Gee echoed the concerns that he has consistently cited throughout the long court fight.
He maintained throughout that fight that the course has never been profitable since he bought it in 2006.
“That’s the problem – everything is a moving target,” he said. “We don’t know if people will come back and play. Because of COVID, everybody’s playing the big courses and they’re enjoying it. Will they come back to play here? It’s a big gamble. So that’s why the driving range, I think, offsets that risk because people still will practice…So then, it’s still an 18-hole course but some of those holes can also be used for training.”
Wilson Gee said the 101-acre Lakes Golf Course will be green by late August. (Tom Sanfilippo/Inside Out Aerial)
AFN NEWS STAFF
Ducey gets tough with lawmakers on budget
BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
Senate President Karen Fann said the decision by Gov. Doug Ducey to veto bills because he hasn’t seen a budget will only make it harder to reach that goal.
Fann told Capitol Media Services it’s bad enough that the governor seems to be ignoring the fact that Republicans do not have a lot of wiggle room to line up the votes.
That’s because it will take all 16 Senate Republicans and 31 in the House to approve any spending and tax-cut package. And that, in turn, empowers each GOP legislator to hold out for his or her priorities.
But what’s worse, she said, is that many of the 22 bills he vetoed on Friday were crafted and sponsored by lawmakers who were the most supportive of the $12.8 billion spending plan and $1.9 billion in tax cuts. And all Ducey and his aides managed to do is annoy their friends.
"I don’t know what they were thinking," she said.
Fann isn’t alone in her thinking.
"I don’t think the governor’s move helped us especially" said House Speaker Rusty Bowers.
But Bowers told Capitol Media Services he remains confident that a deal can be cobbled together that will get the neces-
sary votes even if they’re not happy with everything in the package.
"We ask people to hold their nose," Bowers continued. "There are things that everybody doesn’t like." Bowers had an interesting take on how Ducey’s veto of the 22 bills – all but three sponsored by Republicans – actually could help bring about some consensus at least within the GOP caucus, if not with Ducey.
"It kind of unifies people in one way,"’ he said. "It makes them uniformly mad."
Upset with what he sees as lack of progress, Gov. Doug Ducey vowed Friday to veto any other legislation that reaches his
desk until he gets a budget.
“This weekend marks one month until the end of the fiscal year and Arizonans are counting on us to work together and pass a budget that provides certainty to taxpayers and citizens," the governor said in a prepared statement.
The list of now-dead items ranges from the use of public dollars for “critical race theory’’ and changes in election laws to registration of sex offenders and ensuring that women at state prisons get free access to feminine hygiene products.
Less clear is what has to be in the spending and tax-cut plan to get Ducey to relent.
Press aide C.J. Karamargin told Capitol Media Services that the governor’s threat is not tied to adoption of his specific $12.8 billion spending plan and $1.9 billion in permanent tax cuts. But Ducey suggested that’s pretty much what he wants.
"On the table is a budget agreement that makes responsible and significant investments in K-12 education, higher education, infrastructure and local communities, all while delivering historic tax relief to working families and small businesses," he wrote.
He told Fann and Bowers in a letter he looks forward to partnering with them “to focus on what matters and pass a budget.’’
Legislative leaders were working earlier last week to line up the votes among Republican lawmakers. But when a consensus could not be reached, they decided to send everyone home until June 10.
That allowed lawmakers, who had presumed the session would be over in late April as scheduled, to pursue their travel and vacation plans.
Those decisions did not sit well with Ducey.
“The governor believes the Arizona Legislature should do its job," Karamargin said.
“There is no more important job at this
Gone with the wind in state budget tussle
BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
Here are the bills that Gov. Doug Ducey vetoed because he does not yet have a budget.
• SB 1022 - Renames references in law from "product of human conception" to "unborn child."
• SB 1030 - Makes various changes to the practices and procedures of the Psychiatric Security Review Board which has jurisdiction of people found "guilty except insane."
• SB 1074 - Bans requiring public employees to participate in "critical race theory" training.
• SB 1119 - Requires the attorney general to review the constitutionality of any executive orders by the president of the United States.
• SB 1121 - Imposes new requirements for security, packaging and labeling of marijuana.
• SB 1127 - Allows motorists to travel faster on some state highways without criminal charges.
• SB 1135 - Increases the deduction available on individual income taxes for putting money into 529 college savings programs.
• SB 1176 - Creates "produce incentive program" to encourage purchase of Arizona-grown crops by people using food stamps.
• SB 1215 - Exempts some liquor sales from certain labeling requirements.
• SB 1408 - Mandates research on correlation between marijuana use and mental illness.
• SB 1514 - Requires emergency shel-
ter beds in western Maricopa County for homeless seniors who are at least 55.
• SB 1526 - Allows a prisoner to receive a certificate after successfully completing a training program to work in a field or trade and ensures female prisoners get feminine hygiene products without being charged.
• SB 1635 - Makes numerous technical corrections to laws already enacted.
• SB 1716 - Establishes the Joint Legislative Psychiatric Hospital Review Council and requires a surveillance system at the Arizona State Hospital.
• HB 2001 - Creates a retroactive income tax credit for part of the value of land donated for a site for a traditional public or charter school.
• HB 2070 - Provides for the release of original birth certificates that were sealed due to an adoption.
• HB 2296 - Suspends rather than revokes driving privileges after a second conviction of reckless driving, aggressive driving or racing.
• HB 2303 - Mandates proficiency testing of independent laboratories that test marijuana.
• HB 2414 - Authorizes the health department to inspect any medical marijuana dispensary during normal business hours.
• HB 2554 - Requires that those chosen by parties to represent them at polling places be registered to vote in Arizona.
• HB 2674 - Permits some people who were convicted of sex offenses to eliminate the need for them to register.
• HB 2792 - Prohibits delivery of early ballots to anyone who has not specifically requested one.
see VETO page 20
Gov Doug Ducey last week was one of about a dozen Republican governors who appeared on commentator Sean Hannity's show during a GOP governors convention. (Special to AFN)
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Drought in Arizona worst in 126 years
BY ALYSSA MARKSZ Cronkite News
WASHINGTON – Arizona and other Western states just lived through the driest year in more than a century, with no drought relief in sight in the near future, experts told a House panel last week.
The period from April 2020 to March 2021 was the driest in the last 126 years for Arizona and other Western states, witnesses said.
It capped a two-decade stretch that was the driest in more than 100 years that records have been kept – and one of the driest in the past 1,200 years based on paleohydrology evidence, one official said.
“We have never seen drought at the scale and intensity that we see right now, and it is possible that this may be the baseline for the future,” said Elizabeth Klein, a senior counselor to the secretary of Interior.
the drought,” Davila said. “It’s pretty much kindling at this point.”
Low water levels are also likely to trigger reductions in water agreements with agencies like the Central Arizona Project and the Salt River Project.
But SRP officials said they have long been taking steps to mitigate the immediate impact of those reductions.
“It’s important to understand this is not a crisis but a drought that is expected when you live in the desert,” said SRP spokesperson Patty Garcia-Likens. “Salt River Project, Arizona cities and Central Arizona Project have planned for times like this.”
Charlie Ester, SRP’s manager of watershed management, said that from the agency’s perspective, Arizona has been in drought conditions since 1995.
Elizabeth Klein, Senior Counselor to the Secretary of Interior.
More than half of Arizona is currently experiencing “exceptional” drought conditions, the most severe level of drought, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System. The Arizona Department of Water Resources said most of the state got less than 25 percent of average precipitation for April.
The water shortage can affect everything from the amount of power generated by hydroelectric dams on the Colorado River to the risk of wildfire.
Tiffany Davila, spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said this year’s drought is much more severe than what Arizona saw at this time last year.
“Vegetation is stricken across the state; there isn’t one area that isn’t impacted by
“One of the things that we do at SRP is we always plan for drought conditions,” Ester said, adding that areas of the state not served by SRP or CAP could be hit hardest.
“They don’t have an abundant surface water supply that they can rely on, many areas are dependent upon groundwater,” he said. “As the water levels decline, it becomes harder and harder to pump their water supplies, and sometimes wells will even dry up.”
Ester said there is no obvious precipitation trend in Arizona, but higher temperatures contribute to more severe drought conditions due to increased levels of evaporation.
While he believes that droughts are a natural occurrence, he also said that factors such as greenhouse gases have significantly aggravated the situation.
“I think even if humans were not here,
see DROUGHT page17
the Southwest would be in a drought right now, but I think it has become worse because of anthropogenic causes,” Ester said.
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., and chairman of the Subcommittee for Water, Oceans and Wildlife that held the hearing, said it was about “continuing our work to identify the most critical drought response needs, and to help connect those in need with available resources to get them through a crippling drought.”
Possible solutions cited at the hearing included tools to monitor and predict droughts while collecting data on water resources, programs to increase funding for infrastructure improvements and programs to recycle water and restore aquatic ecosystems.
More than half of Arizona shown in dark red was in the “exceptional” drought category, the most severe, on May 20, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. (Map courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor)
In Arizona, preparations for drought include reducing water waste by maintaining systems to run at peak efficiency, and introducing a two-way connection between SRP and CAP that Ester says will allow the two agencies to “share water supplies with each other.”
The state has also been “banking” water in its groundwater reserve.
“SRP has … put nearly 3 million acrefeet of water into the groundwater re-
serve to use during severe drought conditions,” Ester said. “It’s roughly four years worth of water that we have banked for future use. Conditions have not gotten bad enough yet to use that water.”
County board approves $27M for new EV dog shelter
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved funding for a $27 million animal care shelter in the East Valley.
The county is reserving the money for a “new, modern shelter” at Baseline Road and Lewis Drive, Mesa, on land the county already owns.
“The Board of Supervisors heard East Valley residents loud and clear about the need for investment in a modernized animal care facility,” said Supervisor Steve Chucri.
Chucri promised to “closely monitor plans for this facility to ensure it serves the needs of our community while being responsible with taxpayer dollars.”
The new facility will replace the current shelter at Rio Salado and the Loop101.
Built in 1991, the Rio Salado facility has received and managed more than 7,000 dogs and cats annually and consistently had a higher adoption rate than the West Valley shelter located at 27th Avenue and Durango in Phoenix.
Hundreds of volunteers are key to the shelter’s existence, say officials.
With funding for a new East Shelter reserved, the next step is to begin the procurement process and review construction proposals.
In the meantime, the Durango shelter remains the primary shelter and is open to the public and volunteers with the Rio Salado facility being used for weekend adoptions and special events.
To volunteer, foster, and or to adopt “your new best friend,” visit Maricopa. gov/pets.
Drop-in guest
Jackie Gerard of Ahwatukee found this surprising guest in her backyard in the 4200 block of E. Mountain Sage Road last week. She said the bobcat appeared around sunset May 26 and “wasn’t in a hurry to leave.” Indeed, she said, “he was watching the cats through the window,” although it’s unknown whether the bobcat was thinking dinner or friendship. “Then I made noise and he jumped up on the fence/wall, looked at me so I made more noise then he jumped down on the hill side. He hung around for a few minutes then walked away,” she said. (Jackie Gerard/Special to AFN)
Veterans still need help finding civilian jobs
BY ALYSSA MARKSZ Cronkite News
WASHINGTON – An employment program for veterans that began in the days after 9/11 paid off last year when the COVID-19 pandemic rattled employment for vets in the state and across the country, an advocate told House lawmakers Wednesday.
“Communities in Arizona are no different than communities across the United States. We have seen the significant impact of the pandemic on service members, veterans and their families,” said Thomas Winkel, director of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families.
What is different in Arizona, Winkel said, is that public and private organizations have been working together for years now to establish “a robust and sustainable effort to assist veterans with securing meaningful employment.”
There are still challenges. While national veteran unemployment went from 3.1 percent in 2019 to 6.5 percent in 2020, the veteran jobless rate in Arizona for the same period went from 4.9 percent to 9.6 percent.
Winkel was part of a panel testifying
at a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing on veteran employment during the pandemic.
Like all other sectors, veteran unemployment rose sharply in 2020 – although it continued to be lower than jobless for the general population nationally.
But witnesses said there is still room for improvement in government programs that are supposed to help soldiers transition from military to civilian life.
Chris Thorne, co-chair of the Military Affairs Advisory Council in San Diego, said employers are eager to hire vets, but that too often the transition process “does not adequately prepare transitioning service members for what comes next.”
“To put it quite simply, transitioning service members are walking into a foreign culture that speaks different languages, acts different ways and values different outcomes,” Thorne said, adding that it is not enough to identify a job that requires a skill-set learned in the military.
The unemployment rate for veterans nationally jumped from an average of 3.1 percent in 2019 to 6.5 percent over the course of 2020.
A new county animal shelter at Baseline Road and Lewis Drive will replace the existing one at Rio Salado and the Loop 101. (Maricopa County)
time and the budget,’’ he continued. “And the next fiscal year is a month away.
The governor, in a separate Twitter post, said his vetoes should not be seen as commenting on the merits of any bill.
“Some are good policy, but with one month left until the end of the fiscal year, we need to focus on passing a budget,’’ he wrote. “That should be Priority One. The other stuff can wait.’’
Nothing keeps lawmakers from sending the same proposals back to Ducey later this year – assuming they do it after there is a budget and he dissolves his veto threat.
But there is no procedure in the Arizona Constitution to “un-veto’’ a bill. That means having to start over again from scratch, either with entirely new bills and public hearings or find ways to insert their provisions into the budget package.
Ducey’s move, while unusual, is not without precedent.
In 2013, Republican Jan Brewer announced she would not sign any measures until there was resolution of a new state budget. And in that case, the thengovernor also wanted the Republican-
controlled legislature to include her plan to expand Medicaid.
Lawmakers were not happy then, with Andy Biggs, then the Senate president, calling it “extortion or blackmail.’’ But Brewer eventually got what she wanted.
And Ducey himself took a page from Brewer’s playbook in 2018 when he vetoed 10 bills on his desk because lawmakers had yet to give him a budget with his proposed 20 percent raise for teachers. He relented after he got what he wanted.
One particular sticking point this time is that $1.9 billion reduction in revenue would occur if Arizona enacts a flat income tax structure and alters other income tax laws to shield wealthier residents from a voter-approved income tax surcharge to help fund K-12 education.
Several legislators, citing the cyclical nature of the Arizona economy, question the wisdom of a permanent tax cut. That’s because while it takes only a simple majority to reduce tax rates, it would take a two-thirds vote to raise them if the need arose.
The situation is complicated by the fact that Arizona cities get 15 percent of what the state collects in income taxes.
Witnesses said the national veteran jobless rate got as high as 11.7 percent at the height of the pandemic.
Still, veterans did better than the overall workforce in those years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average unemployment rose from 3.6 percent for the general labor force in 2019 to 8 percent last year. But national averages do not mean some vets were not suffering, Winkel said.
“Unemployment, underemployment and reduced hours have resulted in increases in food insecurity, as well as requests for assistance with housing, utilities, transportation and other essential needs,” he said.
The pandemic also forced the cancellation of in-person job fairs, requiring veterans and sponsoring agencies to quickly adapt to virtual events.
Jeremy Villanueva, the assistant national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans, said his group last year “hosted 92 job fairs, with 63 held entirely online – an increase of the 12-15 virtual job fairs that DAV had hosted annually prior to the pandemic.”
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“The total attendees for these events in 2020 was 32,438, with 5,290 job offers extended to participants. So far in 2021, DAV has held another 30 job fairs, all of them virtual,” Villanueva said.
Winkel said the challenge of virtual jobhunting has had an upside for some vets, opening up opportunities for networking and career preparation that were not there before.
It has also introduced employers to the benefits of remote work, which is ideally suited to many military spouses, he said.
“Some veterans have become more proactive in seeking out educational opportunities like certifications and credentialing to improve, or upskill, their career potential,” Winkel said.
Amy Bolton of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families said the coalition views the issue of veteran unemployment in Arizona as well-managed, but added that, “We don’t reach every veteran, so we’re not going to stop until we do.”
The state and federal services, programs and resources offered to Arizona veterans are in one network called Be Connected, which Winkel called “a datadriven and human-centered approach to advancing economic opportunity.”
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Major national sports store fills Fashion Center hole
BY GARY NELSON AFN Contributor
One of the two vacant big-box stores at Chandler Fashion Center is getting a new tenant in 2023.
Scheel’s, a sportinggoods chain based in Fargo, N.D., plans to open a 220,000-square-foot store in the space formerly occupied by a Nordstrom department store.
Nordstrom’s, on the north end of the mall, closed in 2020, blaming the COVID pandemic for a lack of customers. It was the second anchor store to leave the 20-year-old mall; the first was Sears, an iconic retailer still dealing with fallout from its 2018 bankruptcy.
This anchor spot at Chandler Fashion Center has been empty since Nordstrom's pulled out, but it will be filled soon by a major sports chain. (Special to AFN)
agreed to forego about $80 million in city taxes and fees, in hopes that overall revenue from Riverview would eventually bolster the city’s economy.
In Nordstrom’s place, Scheel’s will encompass 75 separate shops with merchandise for virtually every kind of team and individual sport.
A typical Scheel’s store is something of a tourist attraction and the one in Chandler will come with a 16,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, a “wildlife mountain,” arcade games and a restaurant.
Scheel’s operates 29 stores, with another opening this fall in Montana. The Chandler outlet is its first in Arizona.
“Scheel’s entrance into the Chandler market speaks volumes about the dynamic retail environment and vibrant quality of life in Chandler,” Mayor Kevin Hartke said in a press release. “Chandler Fashion Center continues … to cement itself as a premier shopping, culinary and entertainment destination.”
Scheel’s CEO Steve M. Scheel said the company studied the Phoenix market for several years before deciding to locate here. Its closest Valley competitor in terms of scale and style is likely to be Bass Pro Shops in Mesa’s Riverview shopping area. Bass, however, focuses on outdoor sports such as fishing, hunting and boating.
The arrival of Bass in Mesa about 15 years ago was accompanied by major controversy.
To lure Bass and other retailers, Mesa
Opponents of the deal forced a referendum; Mesa voters approved the incentive package in May 2005 by a 56-44 percent margin.
In contrast, Chandler spokeswoman Stephanie Romero said, the city offered no tax breaks to Scheel’s.
Edyie McCall, Chandler’s economic development manager, said the arrival of Scheel’s speaks to the overall strength of the city’s economy.
“Chandler has pro-actively attracted high wage jobs, which allows for disposable income to be spent in our retail venues, making Chandler an attractive location for Scheels,” McCall said. “Scheels is a premier destination retailer, which will draw visitors to Chandler Fashion Center, strengthening the mall and surrounding retail environment.”
Chandler Fashion Center is owned by Macerich Co., whose president, Ed Coppola, said the store “will be a great amenity for this family-friendly market.”
Scheel’s expects to employ about 400 people in Chandler.
The first Scheel’s store opened in 1902 in Sabin, Minn., financed by $300 that German immigrant Frederick A. Scheel had earned from harvesting three acres of potatoes. Eventually, sporting goods replaced hardware as the company’s primary line of business.
1st 3rd 2nd
My secret weapon against the “New normal”
By Patricia Dunn
During a lunch time excursion, I was regaled by stories of free moving activities and a stress-free life in this new world we have found ourselves in.
Like many, I had been cooped up for months on end, my habits changed — my body changed, and my mindset was no longer the same!
I was crankier, sleep had become a chore, and activities I used to do; I hadn’t done in months. I yearned for the opportunity yet cringed at the thought.
Listening to my friend’s advice, I accompanied her to a shop on the Warner Elliot loop with an open mind and a hopeful mindset. The woman who ran the shop, ever so kind and compassionate, seemed to have a similar story as mine. She used to do things, she used to be happier; much to her dismay, this viral climate of the latter year had changed things — but she made it to the other side.
How? I had to know.
I explained that I wanted to be more active again, but I feared the pains and groans of getting back to where I used to be, what I used to do before everything shut down. After an exchange of questions and answers, I chose to be happy again. I chose to make it through this “New Normal.”
The keeper at this shop of hope explained — Improving your wellness is key to happiness, and here is how you do it. She introduced me to a product called a tincture, by Live Rishi. A simple little bottle with a miracle inside.
She put together a daily regimen for me to follow, it was actually quite simple I would take the tincture in the morning, followed up with a phenomenal topical on the back of my neck for stress and easing of tension as I saw fit. Finally, I would take the tincture once more in the evening. I ended up also buying a few candies for on the go, and something I could
pop in my mouth mid afternoon as a quick dessert. That night, ever so enthused to give it a first try, I took my very first serving of Live Rishi vanilla tincture just after dinner. It even satisfied my nighttime sweet tooth. I slept wonderfully that evening, in fact I was so invigorated the next morning, I could not wait to call and exclaim to my friend my experience.
Ninety days into my journey and I am back to being me — not the old me, but the New Me! I no longer worry about the daily grind of life in this new normal world we live in. I once again have the care-free attitude, I feel wonderful day in and day out; but most of all — I feel like I can take on new challenges like never before.
you CBD Emporium — and thank you to my great friend Robyn.
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Community
www.ahwatukee.com
Studio 111 dancers perform live once again
BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor
As pandemic restrictions recede, dancers at Ahwatukee’s Dance Studio 111 are ready to perform on stage for an in-person audience once again.
This Saturday, June 5, the 27-year-old dance studio will offer two live public performances of ‘Happiness Is….’ Matinee is at 1 p.m. and a second show at 6 p.m.
It is Studio 111 owner Kimberly Lewis’ first stage show since June 2019, and the young dancers, ages 3 to 18, are jubilant not only to be preparing for the live show but just being together again.
“After being forced to shut down all shows with a live audience due to the pandemic, this will be the first time our dancers have been able to perform on stage with a live audience,” said Lewis.
“I chose our theme ‘Happiness Is…’ because after so much loss and sadness due to the pandemic I wanted to focus on hope and everything that makes us happy –
25 Dollars for Schools winners in local high schools
Thirteen Desert Vista High School graduates and 12 Mountain Pointe Class of 2021 members were among the 78 Tempe Union seniors who were awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Tempe Dollars for Scholars program.
Dollars for Scholars, a chapter of Scholarship America, awards the stipend to help recipients pay toward tuition, books, campus fees or other college-related expenses for the 2021-2022 school year.
This is the 15th anniversary for Tempe Dollars for Scholars, an all-volunteer group of community members and school guidance counselors that raises funds through individual donations, special events, partnerships, and grants.
Since its inception in 2006, the chapter has awarded $418,000 in scholarships to Tempe Union grads.
Many of the scholarships are tribute or memorial scholarships that are funded by friends and family. Two major donors – the Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation and the Tempe St. Luke’s Medical Sta – have provided what a district spokeswoman called “significant financial support for the chapter’s scholarship program.”
Brooklyn Mindeman of Ahwatukee will play one of the Wizard of Oz Munchkins in this Saturday’s Studio 111 presentation, titled “Happiness is….” (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
family, love, kindness, our community and much more.”
Dance Studio 111 is one of the many lo-
cal small businesses that worked hard to survive the pandemic.
For Lewis, it meant communicating with
AROUND AHWATUKEE
During the school year, TDFS board members provide a mentorship program that supports scholarship recipients as they transition to higher education.
The chapter provides assistance to classroom teachers and scholarship counselors who request scholarship application assistance with their students and also o ers support to donors for fund-raising initiatives.
Students apply for the awards online and can also can apply for additional scholarships promoted by Scholarship America.
Community members interested in contributing to TDFS or establishing a scholarship should contact Nori Cannell Zavaleta at noricannell@gmail.com or Dianne Welling at dwelling@tempeunion.org.
Desert Vista recipients and their scholarship include: Benjamin Carter, Barbara A. McDonald Resilience Award; Brandon Tse, Dr. Joe McDonald Memorial Scholarship; Nicole Spreitzer, Rund Family Scholarship; and Mason Hickel, Larry Cannell Memorial Athletic Scholarship.
Thunder Class of 2021 members who won a Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation Scholarship are: Aislinn Conner, Adam Stewart, Katie Spreitzer, Alyssa Duncan, Canyon
Akromis, Shanti Oza, Alexa Horn, Madeline Zallar and Lauren Goebel.
Mountain Pointe winners and their scholarship are: Lauren Froberg, John Lassen Jr. Memorial Scholarship; Kara Asher, Larry Thomas Memorial Scholarship; Graciela McHenry, Tempe St. Luke’s Medical Sta Ione Sharp Memorial Scholarship; and Grace Phillips, Annis Dotts Memorial Scholarship.
Janis Chapman Merrill Foundation scholarships were awarded to Pride graduating class members Jacob Harrison, Brett Whitmyer, Taryn Collins, Angel Heredia, Grace Urbinato, Marcos Smith, Ailee Schoenfeld and A’Niyah Johnson.
Esperanza Lutheran slates ‘Best Day Ever’ for kids
Area children should get ready for June 10 and the Best Day Ever Vacation Bible School at Esperanza Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee.
The one-day event, which begins at 9 a.m. at Esperanza, 2601 E. Thunderhill Road, Ahwatukee, will o er music, skits and dance moves as kids throughout the day will
her dancers via computer. She creatively stayed in touch with her students by offering online cooking shows and bedtime story hours, and even a Drive-by Cookie Parade in which she and teachers distributed homemade cookies and a “We miss you” card to her isolated dance students.
“It was a scary time for children when our world was shut down. And to see our children being shut inside their homes, no more after school activities, was heartbreaking,” she said. “The Drive-by Cookie Parade in front of our studio was one of the memories that I will never forget.”
In September 2020, the dance studio reopened, carefully adhering to all safety protocols while offering a full dance schedule. All dancers performed within 10’x10’ spaces in the studio.
“I know it was a difficult decision for parents to send their children to dance during a pandemic. Among them were Carlos Tosca and his wife Angie, who be-
see DANCE page 27
learn about God’s superheroes through science, arts and crafts, Bible stories, music, games, and a service project for the heroes of 2021 – first responders. The Best Day Ever ends with a celebration at 2 p.m.
The Best Day Ever! is an original program, with songs and stories written by local music teacher Dave Coste and former pastor Steve Hammer.
Families do not have to be a member of Esperanza to participate. Enrollment is for ages 3 through entering 5th grade at $20 per child. Each child will be asked to bring a sack lunch, a snack, and a mask.
If COVID-19 infection rates rise, this event will be canceled. In that event, participating families will be notified before June 10.
Information: myesperanza.org/education/vbs.
Submit your releases to pmaryniak@ timespublications.com
Ahwatukee women’s club helps shelter, sets meetings
AFN NEWS STAFF
The women’s club Ahwatukee Foothills Friends and Neighbors has been busy helping an animal rescue shelter and setting up meetings.
Recently AFFAN presented a check for $3,145 to Lost Our Home Pet Rescue, which was founded in 2008 as a grassroots response to the housing crisis that left thousands of people displaced and thousands of pets abandoned.
Lost Our Home Founder and Executive Director Jodi Polanski worked as a local mortgage banker during that time and witnessed these devastating results firsthand.
Pets were abandoned in foreclosed homes, often without food or water. Others were forced into shelters—their owners having no other choice. With the second highest foreclosure rates, and the second highest shelter-euthanasia rates, Maricopa County was experiencing a crisis and no existing service was designed to address the needs of both people and pets.
Over time, it has not only found new homes for thousands of cats and dogs but also has set up a variety of programs such
from page 26
lieved in me and that I was following all COVID protocols,” Lewis said.
“As with many small businesses, we’ve been greatly impacted by the pandemic. It meant so much to me when families like this stayed by my side during these challenging times.”
The Toscas, 23-year Ahwatukee residents, say that having their daughter Giselle remain a part of the Dance Studio 111 during the pandemic was “a blessing and a godsend.”
“Dance Studio 111 provided a muchneeded opportunity for Gigi to be active and social, providing a healthy challenge and activity,” said Carlos Tosca.
“I’m a mental health professional, a licensed professional counselor, and over the past year I’ve seen many children struggling with mental health issues due to the isolation and lack of activity and socialization that the quarantine placed on children,” he said.
“The studio was a bright spot during this time and has been a panacea to the potential debilitating effects quarantine
Ahwatukee Foothills Friends and Neighbors charity Chairwoman Angie Gray, left, and President Sylvia Shippey, center, present a check to Lost Our Home representative Shari Griswold. (Special to AFN)
as temporary shelter for pets of struggling owners, a mobile pet food bank and other programs that can be found at lostourhome.org.
AFFAN holds an annual ice cream social and bazaar fundraiser and Charity Chairwoman Angie Gray and President Sylvia
Shippey recently presented a check for the money it raised to Shari Griswold of Lost Our Home.
Meanwhile, AFFAN has two meetings set for this month – including its first in-person monthly meeting since the pandemic. The first meeting, at 1 p.m. June 20, is a
Tosca and his daughter Gigi are among the Daddy-Daughter
Dance participants, an annual tradition in the Dance Studio 111 spring production that takes place prior to the intermission.
Zoom session with a program titled “Transition with Dignity for Seniors.”
Carol Phillips, a senior real estate specialist and author of a book titled “Transitions with Dignity” will discuss how she equips, educates and inspires seniors and their families to make informed choices and empowered decisions concerning their future lifestyle goals.
People in the planning stages or who need to make changes fast can seek her out to develop and implement a plan and a solution. Register at affanwomensgroup@ gmail.com. An email will be sent the morning of the presentation with the Zoom link.
At 11:30 a.m. June 28, the club will hold a Mexican buffet with a program titled “Foraging the Desert” by Kelly Athena. Athena will demonstrate how she forages local plants for food from back yards. There will be samples of Sonoran Desert foods. Kelly also teaches a foraging class at the Desert Botanical Garden. Cost of the buffet is $18.
Email affanwomensgroup@gmail.com for instructions on registration, location and payment.
and the pandemic has had on children and families. If it weren’t for dance and Kimberly’s perseverance and vision in keeping it going over the past year, I fear the negative effect the quarantine could have had on my daughter and the other children involved with the studio.”
“The dads and daughters do a big production routine with their daughters, and it takes two months of nonstop rehearsals to prepare,” said Lewis, adding:
“It is a special time for the dads to bond with their girls, and this year there were a lot of new friendships formed. Because everyone was quarantined during the
DANCE
Karina and Mark Breyer, will be part of the daddy-daughter portion of Studio 111’s “Happiness is…” Spring Show. They will be performing “King of New York.” (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
Karsten Colin and daughter Sweden will perform “Cat in the Hat” at the Studio 111 show. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
DANCE from page 27
pandemic, the bonding with others was surely missed. It was good to be all together again.”
Gigi Tosca, 13, started with Dance Studio 111 at age 5, appearing in the annual Ahwatukee Nutcracker Ballet. After a hiatus, she returned to the Studio four years ago and danced the role of China Queen in 2019 with her father onstage as a party guest.
“I will forever cherish these times and the opportunity to bond with my daughter,” said Tosca.
The spring production, usually performed at the Desert Vista High School auditorium, will be at the Madison Center
for the Arts, a beautiful 908-seat theatre at 5601 N. 16th in downtown Phoenix.
“We tried to get the venue for Desert Vista but unfortunately, due to the pandemic, they weren’t able to commit to a June, 2021 date at the time we were in the planning stages of doing the production,” explained Lewis.
She said she hopes the traditional annual Ahwatukee Nutcracker Ballet will return this year to Desert Vista but nothing is certain.
“This fall is the first time that theaters at the Tempe Union high schools will be opening back up, so there will be a waiting list for outside theater rentals,” Lewis said.
One of the most significant changes
made as COVID-19 restrictions were loosened occurred at Dance Studio 111 in midMay when the all-person’s indoor mask mandate was made optional.
“I will tell you it was wonderful seeing our dancers’ smiling faces and facial expressions once again,” said Lewis.
“Not one time throughout the year, while requiring the children to wear masks, did they ever complain. They were just happy to be back inside the studio.”
Echoing other local small business owners, Lewis said she’s happy to see business picking up after the horrific 2020, but much ground needs to be regained to reach pre-pandemic numbers.
“We’re still trying to survive,” she said.
“We’re still struggling and it’s not been easy. We lost so many students. There’s so much work to keep it going. I’m so thankful for people who stood by me and believed in our studio.”
The award-winning studio, voted Best Of Ahwatukee in 2020, is located at 4910 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 111. Registration for summer dance camp and a full array of dance classes – including the return of the Mom/Dad and Me Program for children walking through age 2, are now available online.
Tickets for ‘Happiness Is…” are available online at DanceStudio111.com.
Tickets for both shows start at $20.
Performing a Wizard of Oz scene at the Studio 111 show will be, from left, Laycie Michell, Olivia Roberts, CharleeAnn Higham, Mikaylee Bellino, Caprie Anders, Lexa Mackenzie and Maddy Mindeman. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
Madi Millsaps of Ahwatukee will play Glenda the Good Witch. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
Mikaylee Bellino will play Dorothy in Kimberly Lewis’ spring show. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
Jenna Hansen of Ahwatukee will play a citizen of Emerald City. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
Laycie Michell of Ahwatukee will play a scarecrow from the “Wizard of Oz” in the Studio 111 show. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
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Ahwatukee travel agent a pro at romantic getaways
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
So now that masks are coming off and the pandemic seems to be in retreat, it’s time to log into a travel website so you can take an exotic transoceanic vacation, right?
Not exactly, warns Eliseo Rangel, a longtime Ahwatukee resident and professional romantic getaway travel agent for a small Texas-based agency called Pickles Vacations
COVID-19 is still a major global force and the precautions countries are taking when it comes to the coronavirus and vaccines are as varied as the vacation destinations themselves.
That’s why Rangel – who specializes in “romantic getaways for busy couples in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Iceland and mainland Europe” – believes people need someone like him to help them navigate the rules.
“The biggest thing is this: these restrictions are confusing,” Rangel said. “I know people are busy, and sometimes stuff can fall through the cracks. You don’t want to get to the airport and find out you can’t get on the plane because you missed something.”
And it’s not just foreign countries that have rules, particularly when it comes to vaccinations.
With the State Department recently announcing it will study the possibility of mandatory vaccine passports for anyone traveling in or out of the country, at least one state already has mandated them.
“Right now, the big thing on everyone’s mind is how vaccine passports are going to work,” said Rangel, whose father is a Boeing software engineer and mom an artist.
“Hawaii has approved them for inter-island travel, but only if you got vaccinated in Hawaii. If you’re from the continental US, a negative COVID test will allow you to bypass the 10-day quarantine with your vacation days intact. Restrictions are changing all the time and we’re constantly updated with new information.”
“For instance, Iceland is currently open to all travelers who are vaccinated. You can visit the Land of Fire and Ice and see their active volcano right now,” he added.
If it sounds like Rangel has a particular fascination with Iceland, you would not be mistaken – although he is also what you might call a well-traveled travel agent.
He recalled a trip with his parents in 2011 that really gave him the travel bug.
“I was six months into my 20’s, and high school was becoming a distant memory of bad acne and band camp,” he recalled.
“My parents, having traveled throughout their lives, wanted to take my sister and I to Europe as a family and we landed in the tourist-laden capital of France in the middle of June.
“To this day, I still remember stepping out of the Parisian subway for the first time: surrounded by seemingly towering buildings, I could barely take in the sight of the European architecture, the sweeping smells of the nearby restaurants, and the chatter of pedestrians in a completely indecipherable language. I’ve been smitten ever since.”
But after receiving his fine arts degree in 2013 from Arizona State University, Rangel ventured into restaurants initially.
“The next few years were spent in kitchens and baking an unconscionable amount of bagels, but I kept saving as much as I could for that next big trip,” he said. “I backpacked through the Netherlands, road tripped around Iceland, drank Guinness in Ireland and ate incredible steak in the Canary Islands.”
Three years ago, he signed up as a trip advisor with a small startup that designed trips for students headed to competitions.
“It was my first experience planning trips for other people and I fell in love immediately,” he said.
From there he latched onto a gig as a business travel organizer – until last year, when “COVID-19 sucker-punched the travel industry in the face and I found myself furloughed right as quarantine began in full swing.”
So, what did Rangel do?
Hit the road, naturally.
He headed to Iceland for what originally was supposed to be three months and ended up spending most of the rest of last year there.
It was during that time that he became aware of Stephanie Pickles, who eventually brought him on as one of a handful of agents Pickles Vacations employs.
“For years, I worked jobs to fund my travel addiction because my desire to experience the world was something that could not be crushed,” he said. “I wanted to see incredible art, meet wonderful people, and eat some of the best (and worst) food of my entire life. I knew this passion was shared by many others, so I decided to put my expertise to good use.
“I want to help people design the trip they’ve always wanted to take, to fulfill that dream or check off that bucket list item. That brings me joy.”
Of course, there was a lot of training involved.
Beyond the basics, he said, “We’re also training consistently with the changing health and safety restrictions enforced by each individual destination.”
“Then there are the certifications, used for tangible proof that you know what you’re talking about. I just got my certification as a Hawaii travel expert a few months ago.”
But some of that training also has fueled what he calls his addiction.
“Just last week I learned about Iceland’s new Sky Lagoon infinity pool, and I can’t wait to try it,” he said, of a new ocean-edge feature said to have incredible Northern Lights views and a swim-up bar.
As a Pickles travel agent, Rangel said, “We prioritize personality and connection when working with our amazing clients, with the assurance that you get to work with someone who knows what they’re doing and is always there to support you.”
Despite his travel specialties, “I do organize trips within the continental USA if people are looking to take a vacation closer to home, especially since many countries are still opening up their restrictions.”
But his forte is prioritizing ease of information.
“I make trip details, travel restrictions, and myself incredibly accessible at all times,” he said. “Clients can access everything in one app on their phones, includ-
Eliseo Rangel of Ahwatukee is a well-traveled travel agent who specializes in romantic getaways in the Caribbean, Hawaii, mainland Europe and Iceland for busy couples. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)
Real estate investment trusts have pitfalls
BY DR. HAROLD WONG AFN Guest Writer
My column last month on the importance of knowing Social Security rules included a case study of how a long-term federal employee could have $75,680 total Social Security (SS) and federal pension income by knowing the rules instead of $47,760, or $27,920 less.
You can read this by going to drharoldwong.com and clicking the “Articles” link at the top of the home page.
Ever since the 2008 financial panic and stock market collapse, normal investment alternatives for retirement income are terrible. Here are the yields as of 5/24/2021: .10 percent to .50 percent for bank interest; 1.60 percent yield for US 10-year Treasury Bonds; 2.30 percent yield for US 30-year Treasury Bonds; and 2.02 percent average dividends for S&P 500 companies since Jan. 1, 2000.
Because of ridiculously low levels of interest rates, most people are taking way too much risk in the stock market.
TRAVEL
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ing contacting me. They are aware of all travel restrictions, any tests they need to take or any documents they need to show at the airport.
“Plus, I make sure they know exactly where to get tested on their trip so they can re-enter the United States and send out reminder emails to ensure there are no surprises on their trip. The only surprises I want are from their wonderful experiences.”
“Pickles may be small, but we have a lot of experience,” he added. “We’ve been to these places ourselves. We live, breathe, and work in the industry our clients will be dipping their toes into, so we know exactly what to do to make sure that your trip is taken care of from start to finish.”
“We’ll think of things you haven’t even considered, manage any and all problems that pop up, give you suggestions for amazing places you can experience on your own time, and even slip a gift in there to show our appreciation.”
And, Rangel noted, unlike DIY travelers, “We are your advocates. You can con-
When I see folks that qualify for their free strategy session, it’s not unusual that they have 80-95 percent of their life savings exposed to stock market risk. If the stock market has another major crash, they may never recover.
Note that during the 2000-2002 DotCom Crash and the 2008-2009 financial panic and real estate crash, the stock market dropped by about 50 percent.
In order to double or triple these terrible returns listed above, one has no choice but to explore alternative investments. These would include real estate investment formulas, private pensions, and solar business equipment leasing.
One could consider Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which often specialize in different types of real estate. To maintain favorable tax status, they have to distribute 90 percent of earnings via a dividend to the securities owners.
Typically, investors purchase REITs for their dividends, which currently average more than double the dividends on S&P 500 companies and the 30-year Treasury bond.
Warning: The purchase of REITS is a security, much like owning a stock or mutual
fund and you can lose principal.
On April 15, 2020, vs. one year previous, there were major losses in the REIT property indices due to the coronavirus pandemic. The sectors that declined were -15 percent for multifamily; -17 percent for office; -25 percent for health care; -48 percent for retail; and -53 percent for hotel. In contrast, it was +34 percent for data centers; +31 percent for cell towers; and +14 percent for industrial. Source: Nareit.com.
Note that one can often obtain higher and more stable returns by owning private real estate directly and not through a REIT.
Private pension funds operate like Social Security or any other pension. The longer you wait to trigger your retirement income, the more you get.
A nurse was age 62 in 2014 and deposited $270,000 in a private pension. When she triggers her retirement income at age 70, she will receive $27,000 per year guaranteed for life. That’s a 10 percent rate of cash flow.
Solar business equipment leasing, allows investors to be part of the massive
Rangel is a big fan of Iceland and he’s excited about the country’s new Sky Lagoon that opened recently just outside Reykjavik that visitors to wallow in a warm, 230-foot infinity pool with unobstructed views of the ocean and, at night, stargazing and spotting the Northern Lights. (Special to AFN)
tact us at any time. There’s no hold time, no difficult voice assistant to guide you through a menu.
“When you pick up that phone or write
push by government for “The New Green Deal” and a cleaner environment. Cash flows can average 5-7 percent annually. However, one must also add the tax savings. If one buys $100,000 of solar equipment that is leased to businesses, there’s a 26 percent tax credit and a potential $87,000 immediate deduction by using Section 179 of the tax code.
It’s not unusual that high-income taxpayers will save $50,000 in tax, which doubles the tax-adjusted rate of return and reduces their total personal tax bill. Free live seminars and lunch: 10:45 a.m. June 12 at The Old Spaghetti Factory, 3155 W. Chandler Blvd. #9, Chandler; and 10: 30 a.m. June 13 at The Hyatt Place, 3535 W. Chandler Blvd.
Topic is “Double Your Social Security & Other Retirement Income and Pay No Tax!” To RSVP, please contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com. His website is drharoldwong.com.
Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.
is arranging a large group trip for people around the country to the Texas Safari Ranch, where a baby giraffe is due to be born later this year.
“I would be hard pressed to say I loved anything as much as” the point of contact for the group loves giraffes, Rangel said. “But I’m definitely excited to get them to see the baby in question.”
His favorite vacation destination is where he spent a good part of last year, by the way.
that email, you know a real person who you’ve been working with is going to find you a solution.”
One of his more interesting assignments
“I love Iceland,” he gushed. “It’s an incredibly unique place; there’s really nothing else like it in the world. It’s barren and lush; you’ll travel roads with incredible colors on one side and endless black sand on the other. Everything is picturesque. The people are wonderfully kind and the food is amazing, especially if you like seafood. “If you’re looking to visit somewhere exotic, but still be comfortable and safe in an English-speaking country – everyone is bilingual there – I can’t recommend it enough.”
Information: 480-225-7651 or PicklesVacations.com.
www.ahwatukee.com
Share Your Thoughts:
Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com
Getting off the hook of a predatory tow
BY TERESA MURRAY AFN Guest Writer
Many Arizonans can relate to that sinking feeling in your stomach when you return to your parking spot, only to �ind your car is gone.
Was it stolen? Did you forget where you parked? Or was it towed? In the �inal case, you may not know where your car has been taken, how much it will cost to get it back, or what legal protections you have.
Consumer protections for towing vary greatly by state, and sometimes, by municipality. Whether your car was towed, or you want to be prepared for a predatory tow by learning your rights, here are basic tips to protect yourself:
Learn your rights: PIRG’s search tool will answer questions about consumer
Time for Ducey to lead amid sham ballot audit
Local columnist E.J. Montini uses a Dr. Martin Luther King quote to demonstrate Gov. Ducey’s non-stance on the ongoing sham audit:
“There comes a time when silence becomes betrayal.”
Arizona is now the laughingstock of the nation, perhaps the world. Even though facts bear out President Biden’s triumph in last fall’s election, Ducey’s silence can be seen as approval of a process that’s designed for one thing. To keep Donald Trump in the public eye while he �igures out his next political move.
Gov. Ducey has indicated that he won’t state a position because he wants the people to make up their own minds. Hah.
Gov. Ducey simply doesn’t want to ruf�le any political feathers, nor does he want to
protection laws for towing in Arizona and in states across the country, which can help you recognize predatory or illegal towing practices.
Contact local police: Some states require towing companies to notify the police if your car is towed. While this isn’t in Arizona law, several municipalities in Arizona require towing companies to notify the police.
In those cases, a call to the local law enforcement’s non-emergency number can help you �ind your car quickly.
Review all charges: Read your bill very closely. As of 2018, Arizona requires a detailed bill for towing-and storage-related expenses following a wreck. Allowable rates and charges for towing vary signi�icantly by state and, in some cases, by municipality.
Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe are among the cities that each have their own
maximum fees. Make sure the charges match what you legally owe.
Dispute any damages: Every state has a department that’s responsible for addressing cases of predatory towing practices or damages to vehicles during the towing or storage process.
In Arizona and many other states, you could receive a full reimbursement or even additional compensation for an illegal or careless tow.
Be proactive: Try to avoid a day-wrecking tow. Pay attention to signs in private or public parking lots and on city streets.
Note how long you can be parked in a retail area and whether a municipality may restrict parking on public streets when, for example, street maintenance or cleaning is taking place.
Make a call: If your vehicle breaks down, won’t start, or has a �lat tire, either on private or public property, put a big
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
doom his own political career as he follows in the footsteps of Trump.
Aren’t leaders supposed to lead? Grow a spine and do what you were elected to do. How about it, Gov. Ducey?
-Judy Wade and Bill Baker
Congress needs to be careful with online regulation
The past 2 years have been �illed with wild environmental events, social unrest, and a pandemic that has tested many of our systems. As a business community, we have been forced to look at how we accomplish the goals through somehow continuing to work.
Companies who had reservations of remote work no longer had a choice. Many brick and mortars had to adapt to online interaction with delivery or pick-up options. I hear the word “pivot” in almost ev-
ery business conversation.
Digital platforms, online tools and easy access apps have enabled us to adapt. When COVID-19 forced all non-essential businesses to close, businesses across the Phoenix area – including several of my own – were thrust into an online-only environment.
Thankfully, the landscape of digital platforms available today is vast.
Between launching new online systems and creating alternative revenue streams, local business owners like myself have bene�itted from technology many times over.
Communication made possible by the suite of video platforms we’re all too familiar with, including Zoom, Google Meets, and paper-free organization and cloud storage have been enabled by tools like Google Drive.
Nearly all commercial activity and com-
note on your dashboard or under your windshield wiper (or both).
Notify the property manager and/or police (by calling the non-emergency number) that you’re having car trouble and you’re getting help. This can head off a tow.
Update your information: If you moved or changed phone numbers since you last renewed your vehicle registration, make sure the Department of Motor Vehicles has your current contact information.
These would be the records law enforcement would access if your vehicle is towed or found stolen and abandoned.
Teresa Murray is the consumer watchdog for the Arizona PIRG Education Fund. The Arizona PIRG Education Fund conducts research and education on issues in the public interest. The report and consumer tips can be found at ArizonaPIRGEdFund.org.
munity engagement moved online. Analytical tools have allowed us to analyze performance and ef�iciency.
As elected of�icials like Congresswoman Lesko assess takeaways from a recent hearing on content moderation and other inarguably important issues related to technology, they must consider the reality that the current landscape of online tools and services has truly enabled survival for businesses like mine this past year.
While misinformation should of course be addressed, and intellectual property agreements need to be adjusted to better re�lect personal rights in ownership, signi�icant changes to the rules of the internet that would hurt our communities’ access to technology should be avoided.
These are the platforms actively supporting small businesses like mine and many of the businesses that I serve.
-Ryan David Winkle
@AhwatukeeFN
Sports & Recreation
Ahwatukee Bulldogs win juniors district title
BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor
An Ahwatukee Juniors Little League team completed its season as district champions, capping off a season �illed with both adversity and triumph.
The Ahwatukee Bulldogs, a mainstay in the town’s Little League organization, won the district title on May 22 by defeating Chandler’s Juniors team. The win capped off the season with an 11-7-1 overall record for the Bulldogs, which is comprised mostly of 13- and 14-year-old players.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Bulldogs’ head coach Chuck Sabatt said. “It was fun for the young guys and the old guys. The players were excited, which winning brings out. That permeated throughout the team.”
Sabatt’s dedication to Little League teams in Ahwatukee stems back nearly two decades. He �irst became involved
when his grandson began playing at a young age. Sabatt helped coach various
teams as his grandson grew older.
Even as he aged out of Little League, Sabatt remained. He realized he no longer wanted to coach just for his grandson. Overall, he enjoyed the opportunity to help boys become men through baseball.
“I decided I could help some boys and I thought it would be a lot of fun to manage a team,” Sabatt said. “I was selected to manage Triple-A minors and then in 2017 I was asked to coach the Juniors team. I’ve been at it for quite some time.”
Sabatt admits coaching hasn’t always been as glorious as winning the district championship.
Arguably the toughest moment in his career was navigating his players through the canceled 2020 season due to the pan-
Pride alum Ethan Long having breakout season at Arizona State
BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor
Ethan Long is the �irst to admit his success as a freshman on Arizona State’s baseball team is something he had envisioned for himself since he was young.
While still in Little League, Long created a goals board. He set several milestones for himself, including the ability to make a positive impact in college right away. He’s been able to do that and more for the Sun Devils as a true freshman.
The calls home to mark off goals on the board have become more frequent as of late.
“My dad is the one who motivated me to do that, but I’ve been doing it since seventh grade,” Long said. “I’ve just been checking off all the goals I’ve achieved so far. I’ll have my grandma check it off back at the house. When I write down my goals, I put my mind to it and achieve it.”
Long initially attended Mesquite High
School for the �irst two years of his baseball career. His talent level quickly showed. He transferred to Mountain Pointe after his sophomore season and �it in right away. Given his familiarity with Carson Tucker, who was drafted in the �irst round of last year’s MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians out of Mountain Pointe, Long �lourished quickly under then-head coach Matt Denny. He was poised for yet another breakout year as a senior in 2020 under new head coach JJ Sferra. However, his �inal year of high school was cut short by the pandemic.
Long, like Tucker, was regarded as a potential pick for the draft out of high school. He was rated as the No. 3 overall prospect in the state as a senior and 46th overall in the nation by Perfect Game. However, the draft was shortened from 40 rounds to just �ive due to the pandemic.
He didn’t hear his name called in the virtual draft, but his future was still set after
��� LONG ���� 37
The Ahwatukee Bulldogs Little League team capped o the 2021 season by winning the Juniors district championship against Chandler May 22. (Pablo Robles/AFN Sta )
Mountain Pointe alum Ethan Long has quickly established himself as one of the top freshman baseball players in the country for Arizona State, winning several Pac-12 and national awards for his performance throughout the season. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
he signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his career at Arizona State as an in�ielder and right-handed pitcher. Due to injury, he hasn’t pitched since March and only saw the mound for 6.2 total innings this season. He has, however, found his niche in the in�ield and at the plate in the middle of the Sun Devils lineup. Especially in the last month.
“It’s no secret he’s been carrying us,” Arizona State hitting coach Mike Earley said. “The guys are feeding off of it. The way he competes and how he acts, he brings the best out of everyone. He’s really talented and a really good player.
“When you put that into your team and have guys like that around, it brings the best out of everyone.”
In a three-game series against Rhode Island in late April, Long drove in 11 total runs – six of those in one game. He earned Pac-12 Player of the Week nods for the second week in a row, becoming the �irstever Arizona State baseball player to do so, and was named National Player of the Week. His six RBIs were the most by any Sun Devil in one game since 2019, when Trevor Hauver hit seven.
Long (35) has 52 RBIs so far in his first season with Arizona State and 11 home runs, inching closer to marks set by Barry Bonds and Spencer Torkelson – records he has envisioned himself beating when he signed with Arizona State out of Mountain Pointe. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor)
At that point in the season, Long had also hit seven home runs in the last eight games. He became the �irst freshman at Arizona State to ever do that. He currently sits in third behind Barry Bonds and Spencer Torkelson for the most home runs ever hit by a freshman in one season at Arizona State.
JUNIORS
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demic. It was a dif�icult time for everyone involved in Little League — especially those with kids too young to understand the extent of the pandemic.
It created a new mindset for many players, parents and coaches within the league when they received word they would be able to play this season. Sabatt said if anything, they were all just thankful.
“COVID was a catalyst for energy,” Sabatt said. “I think that goes for the entire country, not just youth baseball and myself. Everyone was on the sidelines and literally shut down from activity. That stored up energy; it was a relief for them to get back to some sort of normal.”
Sabatt believes part of the reason for his team’s success this year stems from that level of appreciation for the game. He also credited the players and parents for their dedication to the team.
Each player shares a certain level of chemistry that has strengthened the team
Bulldogs coach Chuck Sabatt no longer has a grandson playing Little League baseball, but he continues to coach for not only the love of the game but the ability to help young players grow. (Pablo Robles/AFN Sta )
as a whole. Not to mention, �ive of the six players eligible to return from the 2020 team did so. It created an enjoyable expe-
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game – one of the many goals he set for himself early on.
“On my goal board I had to beat (Torkelson’s) record, but I also had Player of the Week, Freshman of the Year, Pac-12 Player of the Year,” Long said. “I have all of these goals I wanted to achieve and it’s not just me writing them down thinking, ‘oh, I can do it.’ It’s, ‘I’m gonna do this.’
“I’ve always viewed it like that.”
Long and the Sun Devils wrapped up the regular season against UCLA last week. They will now prepare for the Pac-12 Tournament with a trip to the national tournament on the line.
Long’s performance this season undoubtedly has him in the conversation to be drafted in July. But that isn’t something that frequently crosses his mind. For now, he aims to continue making a positive impact on the Arizona State baseball program and enjoy the game.
He again earned Pac-12 Player of the Week honors for his heroics against Oregon State. On May 14 against Oregon State, Long hit a three-run walk-off home run to secure the victory for the Sun Devils. His performance also earned him unanimous National Player of the Week honors from
rience for both the players and Sabatt.
“We had an experienced core that came back from that 2020 team,” Sabatt said. “I was also very fortunate to have parents step up as assistant coaches. This isn’t a one-man band. I had a lot of excellent help.”
Many of the Bulldogs players still remain eligible to return next season to defend their championship. Some, however, will move on to the next level and likely compete for either Desert Vista or Mountain Pointe.
They are the next generation of Little Leaguers who aim to make a positive impact on the two local programs. Sabatt believes they’re ready for the next step in their baseball careers.
As for Sabatt, he plans to continue coaching the Bulldogs for the foreseeable future. He believes he has the knowledge that can bene�it young players and help them be successful on the �ield.
“I just enjoy youth baseball and I guess it’s part of my DNA to manage,” Sabatt said. “I guess it’s the motivation. There’s
“Words can’t describe how fun it’s been,” Long said. “Being out here with my teammates and enjoying the time I have with them, performing the way we do. Seeing how hard our entire team works and seeing us succeed, it’s just, it’s a feeling you can’t describe. It’s one of the best feelings ever.”
an element of community service.
“You think you have something to offer, and you don’t want it to sit on the sidelines, you want to put it to action. That’s what I did.”
Ahwatukee Bulldogs roster
Nate Alvarez
Caden Duran
Gavin Flores
Mateo Galache
Noah Hoskins
Bailey Lohman
David Lowe
Hayden Melville
Max Miller
Robby Neese
Lex Perovich
Chris Vega
Kingston Zingali
Chuck Sabatt — Head Coach
Luis Alvarez — Assistant Coach
Steve Neese — Assistant Coach
Richard Duran — Assistant Coach
Kids ‘revolt’ on stage in ‘Matilda the Musical’
BY KATY SPRINGER
GetOut Contributor
It’s not often that “revolting” children get a standing ovation – but that’s exactly what will happen next week when nearly 40 East Valley kids and teens charge the stage in “Matilda The Musical.”
The Tony Award-winning show, inspired by Roald Dahl, has captivated audiences of all ages worldwide and will be presented by Gilbert’s Actor’s Youth Theatre in conjunction with Zao Theatre in Apache Junction, where the show will run June 10-26 with evening shows on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and matinees on Saturdays.
The cast, which includes Campbell Carr, 12, of Ahwatukee, performs in a story of a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers.
She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the loveable Miss Honey.
They develop a powerful bond, but school life isn’t completely smooth sailing: headmistress Miss Trunchbull hates children and loves thinking up new punishments for
those who don’t abide by her rules.
“Matilda is a really sad story about a girl who basically doesn’t have a family,” said Campbell, who plays Amanda, a classmate
of Matilda’s.
“It has taught me to appreciate my family while I have them. Matilda grew up in an abusive relationship with her mother and father, and hopefully this show will teach everyone to be grateful for the family they have.”
Bonnie Wanstreet, 17, who is now a senior at Horizon Honors in Ahwatukee, said, “’Matilda’ was one of my favorite books when I was growing up, so portraying Miss Honey is like a dream come true.
“I have idolized her for so long. She learns how to stand up for herself and she is kind to everyone. She reminds me of my own kindergarten teacher, Ms. Shaw, who I still talk to now.”
Bonnie’s mother, Laura Wanstreet, is the principal of Horizon Honors Elementary School and the costume designer for “Matilda.”
�ee MATILDA page 41
Upbeat ‘Heights’ recalls old Hollywood �licks
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor
In the Heights” stars Olga Merediz and Jimmy Smits say their musical masterpiece is the perfect anecdote to a rough 18 months.
“It’s balanced with emotional and deep moments, but there’s a lot of happiness and joy,” said Merediz, who plays the matriarch Abuela Claudia.
“The musical numbers are just right. The music cuts right through to you and Jon Chu has done an amazing, amazing job with his incredible visuals. I think people are really going to resonate with the characters and I think people are really going to enjoy it.”
With a wide smile, Smits said, “ditto,” but takes it a step further.
“We’ve also had to reckon with a lot of social issues in the past year and a half,” said Smits, who plays Kevin Rosario, a father
2018’s “Crazy Rich Asians.”
The film takes viewers to the streets of Washington Heights, where the scent of Cafecito caliente hangs in the air outside of the 181st Street subway stop. Led by bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos, “A Star is Born”), the tight-knit, multicultural community shares its dreams and wishes with each other — in the hopes of paving a way out, while maintaining its ties to Washington Heights.
“I hope people recognize themselves and see themselves and feel proud,” Merediz said.
An energetic and talented cast powers the upcoming film musical “In the Heights.” (Special to GetOut)
who butts heads with his ambitious daughter. “We’re hoping that this film provides joy. Musicals tend to be uplifting and inspirational, but the universal themes resonate very strongly. I think this film is something
all audiences will be able to grasp.”
Set to hit screens on Friday, June 11, “In the Heights” fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music and lyrics with director Chu’s lively eye for storytelling. Chu also directed
Smith adds viewers mustn’t live in Washington Heights to feel for the characters.
“I’m sure you had your nanas, your grandmothers and that,” he said. “The city might be different, and the cultural specificity might be a little different, but the feelings of community and family, and how the
The cast of “Matilda the Musical” praised its award-winning songs. Zac BonDurant/GetOut Contributor)
While the story has sad moments, Matilda proves triumphant in the end. With an outsize share of courage and cleverness, she saves her classmates and beloved teacher from the monstrous Miss Trunchbull while creating a new and happier world for herself.
“I think Matilda is a role model because it’s really important to stand up for what you believe in and to stand up for other people,” said 11-year-old Belle Elle, who plays the title role.
Added Bonnie: “The message of this show is about how anyone can make a difference in the world no matter who you are. To quote the show, anyone can ‘change their story.’”
It’s a theme that director Lucy Garner hopes to drive home.
“I think the relevance of ‘Matilda’ in today’s society is especially poignant,” said Garner. “My goal is for the audience to feel the opposition between good vs. evil, acceptance vs. rejection, youth vs. age, and intelligence vs. ignorance.
“Through the eyes of a gifted and spunky 5-year-old, we learn that with a little moral courage, good can triumph over evil, and we can be the authors of our own life stories.”
“Matilda” delivers these lessons through high-energy dance numbers and more than a dozen songs including beloved favorites like “Revolting Children,” “When I Grow Up” and “Quiet.”
“The show is written from the perspective of the children, so a lot of the ele-
HEIGHTS
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generation who comes here from another place has expectations for their (children and grandchildren) are all the same.
“Those are universal things.”
Merediz starred as Abuela Claudia on the stage version of “In the Heights.” She’s excited to spread her character’s word among the mass of movie lovers.
“I wanted to give Claudia the platform she deserves,” said Merediz, referring to her character’s age. “She’s a character who is overlooked in our society. It’s just such a youth-oriented society. It gives me such
ments are larger than life,” said Stephen Hohendorf, artistic director of Actor’s Youth Theatre.
“Matilda’s world consists of oversized books that seamlessly open and close to reveal different settings. The entire prosce-
pleasure to give her that platform.”
She explains she enjoyed translating the stage version for film, although it was a little challenging.
“The difference is, on stage, you’re delivering to the last row and you’re doing things chronologically. In a film, everything is very internal, and you shoot out of sequence. That is a challenge for an actor to keep your place, to where you are to keep that flow and that intensity of the moment in the song. It was definitely challenging, but I was up for the challenge. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
“In the Heights” will be available in cin-
nium is covered in Scrabble tiles that look like they’re falling right out of the bag.”
Since the first rehearsal on April 27, the young thespians have worked diligently to bring their characters to life – whether they’re funny, loud, fierce or crazy.
“It was imperative that we found actors who could bring these over-the-top characters to life, and we’ve done just that,” said Hohendorf.
“I often forget these are youth performers because their dedication to and delivery of their roles is unmatched. It’s so joyful to see them having so much fun up on that stage.”
AYT’s production features two casts –Telly and Book – that will take turns performing over the three-week run. Not only does this provide stage opportunities for more kids, but double-casting is a special accommodation amid COVID-19.
“I am really grateful for the opportunity for this show,” said Campbell. “This is like my favorite show in the world, and I was so excited to hear that AYT was doing it, and even more excited when I was cast.”
“Matilda” has won 99 international awards – including 24 for Best Musical.
“I think that the most fun part of this production is seeing it all come together,” said Campbell. “Everyone has worked so hard, and I’m really excited to see the full show all put together.”
“Matilda” is directed by Lucy Garner with artistic direction from Stephen Hohendorf, choreography by Jessi Rodriguez, music direction by Michael Snyder, set design by Mickey Bryce and Tanja Bauerle,
emas and on HBO Max. Smits and Merediz say, although it’s available to watch at home, “In the Heights” is worthy of a trip to the movie theater.
“The film has to be seen in the cinema,” Merediz said. “These huge numbers are epic, and they need the biggest screen you have. I know in the past year we were in lockdown. We didn’t have a choice.
“I think it’s a good idea to have the option to see it in the movies and also at home, if you don’t have the ability to go to the cinema. I hope people see it in the theater.”
The singing and dancing numbers can
costume design by Laura Wanstreet, stage management by Stephanie Coffelt. The show will be performed at Zao Theatre at 550 S. Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction, at 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays with an extra show on Saturdays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance/$22 day-of and are available at aytaz.org/tickets or by calling 480-907-7050. Group discounts are available. Performances are expected to sell out quickly.
translate to a cellphone or computer, but Smits agrees — go to the cinema.
“Jon’s chosen to give these visual flourishes to old Hollywood,” he adds. “It takes your breath away. He really did such a great job. I hope we bring richness, light and happiness to their (cinema-goers’) lives. After the horrible year that we’ve had, people are ready for a film like this.”
“In the Heights” Opens Friday, June 11, in theaters and HBO Max
Campbell Carr, 12, of Ahwatukee is one of the stars in “Matilda the Musical” being presented at the Zao Theater in Apache Junction beginning June 10. (Zac BonDurant/GetOut Contributor)
Horizon Honors senior Bonnie Wanstreet, 17, plays Matilda’s lovable teacher Miss Honey. Zac BonDurant/GetOut Contributor)
