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Police: Ex-treasurer stole $61K from Monte Vista PTO BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
T
he former treasurer of the Monte Vista Elementary School PTO faces an initial Superior Court appearance Oct. 1 on two felony charges accusing her of embezzling $61,438 through four different schemes between August 2017 and May 2019. The County Attorney’s office two weeks ago charged Jeani Marie Crosson of Maricopa with one count of theft and one count of fraud schemes following a 10-month investigation by Phoenix Police. Less than two months after she became treasurer on June 1, 2017, police and court records say, Crosson began her alleged schemes and they continued up through mid-May of
last year a few weeks before all new PTO officers took over at the Ahwatukee school on June 1, 2019. Like all PTOs, the Monte Vista group raises its own money through a variety of activities and does not receive any district money. PTOs also are independent organizations and their records are not under the purview of district headquarters or the school principal. The alleged schemes outlined by police are: • Between Aug. 10, 2017, Crosson allegedly made bank teller withdrawals totaling $7,754. • Between Aug. 31, 2017, and May 20, 2019, she allegedly used a PTO debit card to make “multiple unauthorized purchases” totaling $3,601 that included merchandise from Amazon and at least one home water bill. • Between Aug. 30, 2017, and May 6, 2019,
she allegedly made unauthorized withdrawals with her PTO debit card totaling $35,985. Police records say many of the withdrawals were for $500 and $1,000 at a time. • Between Sept. 8, 2017, and May 16, 2019, she allegedly failed to deposit $14,098 in cash into the PTO account. Crosson, who is free pending her initial court appearance, also was a Southwest Food Service cook in the Monte Vista cafeteria during at least part of the alleged crimes. In May 2018, she launched a gofundme.com fundraiser to raise enough money to buy a car for a Monte Vista crossing guard whose three children were students at the school. The crossing guard’s car had numerous problems
see MONTE page 9
Rubber meets a golden road on local man’s websites BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
T
alk to Roger Falcone for a little while and it’s easy to understand how his office on Chandler Boulevard in Ahwatukee has become the nerve center for one of the most successful set of websites on the planet, pouring $750,000 into the local economy last year alone. With a dash of motorhead, a sprinkling of computer geek – and a whole lot of business savvy and foresight – the 20-year Ahwatukee resident has developed a skein of automobile websites that command the attention of millions of people around the world and employ 27 people in Ahwatukee. Through the websites that Falcone birthed and nurtured over the last 13 years, owners of classic and collector cars meet each other, sell to and buy from each other and – as of a month ago – also auction vehicles. As the CEO of the Collector Car Network, Falcone presides over the world’s most com-
see CARS page 19
Roger Falcone of Ahwatukee is the CEO of the Collector Car Network, whose websites draw millions of visitors from around the world who are interested in buying or selling collectible and classic cars. (Special to AFN)
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
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Tempe Union Governing Board member Andres Barraza, seen here at the virtual board meeting Sept. 2, criticized dirty campaign tactics as well as student form letters during the Sept. 16 meeting. (Special to AFN)
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Tempe Union High School Governing Board member last week slammed students for using a form letter to beg for the reopening of high schools, linking their pleas and protests to the volatile eight-candidate campaign for three board seats up for election in November. The letters criticized by board member Andres Barraza were among dozens read at the board’s meeting last Wednesday after administrators indicated they are still hoping to have students in classrooms either two days a week or four on Oct. 13. But Barraza said he doubts either will be possible then, stating he prefers to see students on campus only one day a week at least for part of the second quarter. Neither the one, two or four-day scenarios sat well with the authors of most of the dozens of letters that were read at the meeting. For the most part, they urged a full reopening. In a lengthy speech, Barraza lumped together many of those letters protesting campus closures with several incidents directed at three candidates, two of whom are not on the board. He noted that racially tinged threats and insults have been posted on social media against board President Berdetta Hodge, signs belonging to candidate Don Fletcher have been defaced and a video of someone taking their life spammed an online discussion
see TEMPE page 4
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
TEMPE from page 3
about student social-emotional wellness being led by candidate Armando Montero – who has crusaded since high school about the need for more counselors to curb teen suicides. “I’m sick and tired of the politics,” Berraza said. “We are a school district, okay? We are first and foremost a community organization. The board is really just an oversight of what the district does.” “So, this hatred in the community across all political spectrums has to stop. We’re talking students first and foremost. So, it’s just really upsetting and ...it dives deeper than that because right now we’re in a situation where we’re playing politics throughout the entire summer with this entire school function of being able to open properly. “We have school board members and district staff and teachers trying to focus on being able to open properly and the politics is just so much that is just ridiculous,” Barraza continued. “It’s just beyond productive conversation. What I heard tonight was the same thing from people who wanted to remove SROs from our school district.” Barraza noted that some people who emailed opinions during the board’s debate over school resource officers a few months ago also used form letters. “It was students sending a template email to us board members. And I can’t believe that I’m literally reading the template that was sent to these students. We’ve got parents playing politics … telling their students fill out this template.” He said the template advised, “Tell them why you want schools open. …Please let us go back to school as other East Valley schools are already allowed to go back.” “This is getting ridiculous,” Barraza went on. “We had a problem with the SRO situation and I called them out on it because...we’re doing more working towards progress than just politics. We’re not going to answer to this. We’re going to do the right thing. So I would really encourage students that filled out that template – and I know who you are: listen to your letters. “I know you want to go back. We all want to go back. We all want normalcy. We all want to get back to normal and have our community again. We want to see football. We want to see dance. We want to go to a theater. It’s just not in the cards right now
This chart shows the overall benchmarks that the county Public Health Department suggests that school districts follow in deciding the learning format for students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Special to AFN)
and we have to work together.” He also encouraged students to instead send a one-page letter “and say ‘my name is so-and-so and I go to this school. This is
what I am going through.’” “That is what’s going to resonate with us,” Barraza said, “not a template.” Other board members after Barraza ig-
nored the criticism of the letters but addressed different sectors of the school
see TEMPE page 6
Tempe Union administrators made this chart to outline the different learning scenarios they recommend for students, depending on COVID-19 metrics in ZIP codes within the district and those ZIP codes that are home to hundreds of out-of-district teens who attend Tempe Union schools. The one scenario that has been eliminated from consideration would have students on campus only one day a week. (Tempe Union High School District)
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NEWS
TEMPE from page 4
community. Board member Michelle Helm praised teachers and thanked them for their work while Sandy Lowe addressed students, stating, “I see a light at the end of the tunnel I think we’re almost there and I think it’s sooner rather than later that you’re going to be back in school and we’re going to get everyone caught up and we’re going to move on and do some great things in the district.” Board Vice President Brian Garcia turned back to the school board campaign and also criticized the campaign attacks on Montero and Hodge before stating: “I’d like to end...addressing the challenges that our fellow candidates may have been going through in particular: we’re concerned overall and want to make sure that we always remember that we are a community and we’re all in this together, working to provide the best education for students, the best support for our teachers and staff.” Barraza and Garcia are midway through their first four-year terms on the board. Hodge and Lowe are seeking reelection and Helm is retiring after five terms.
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Hodge said, “We’re not against each other. We’re all on the same page.” “We’re Tempe Union we’re going to do what’s best for our community,” Hodge said. “Every East Valley school doesn’t have the same ZIP codes in areas that we have. We have to look at what’s best for our district as board members. And I’m so proud to stand with four people that I know will support what’s best for Tempe Union at all times.” During a presentation before the remarks, Assistant Superintendent Sean McDonald laid out the metrics that the county is suggesting districts follow in deciding whether to reopen schools five days a week or break students into groups that are in classrooms one to four days a week and learning at home the rest of the time. Although the board meets a day before the metrics are updated, the data released by the county Public Health Department on Thursday continued to show that two of the three benchmarks in Tempe ZIP codes 85281 and 85282 show a “substantial” COVID-19 presence. The main campus of Arizona State University is located in 85281 and the other ZIP code is adjacent to it to the south. According to those voluntary county
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guidelines, a “substantial” or “red” zone means districts should continue online learning only while a moderate level or yellow indicates that hybrid learning with a few days on campus is safe. The rest of the district – including Ahwatukee – is at least in the moderate category. The data released the day after the board meeting shows that two of the three benchmarks in the ZIP codes for Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista high schools – 85244 and 85248, respectively – are at a minimal level for COVID-19 while the third is in a moderate range. In the category for virus cases per 100,000 people and in 85044, that number is 45. In 85048, there are 30 cases per 100,000. But Ahwatukee’s other ZIP code, 85045, shows distinctly different metrics. It has 122 cases per 100,000, an indication of a “substantial” COVID-19 presence. But even if all three benchmarks for all three Ahwatukee ZIP codes indicated that hybrid or five-day in-class options were safe, district officials reiterated last week what they have said at previous meetings: until the metrics in all district ZIP codes are in an acceptable range, at-home learning will continue for students – at least un-
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til Oct. 13, the tentative date for the beginning of hybrid learning. On Oct. 13, students could either be broken into two groups with one group in classrooms Monday-Tuesday and the other Thursday-Friday. Or they could be allowed on campus together those four days. In both scenarios, students would learn at home on Wednesdays while their schools undergo deep cleaning and sanitizing. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Mendivil said if one or two high schools have ZIP codes with slightly higher COVID-19 readings, officials would provide additional support – such as “more diligent” temperature checks of students. But Barraza said, “I think a one-day-aweek approach is where I feel comfortable.” Noting he has been taking a conservative approach on reopening, McDonald said, “I wouldn’t put our students or staff in any type of danger if I didn’t believe the twoday-a-week model based on two things: that being the metrics and also how well people are doing with the health mitigation plan and putting those things in place… In my humble opinion, I think we’re going to be in good shape with the two days a week and it’s going to be able to provide a better opportunity for our students.”
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
MONTE from page 1
that were beyond repair. Parents learned of the crossing guard’s plight and one mother donated a used car to the guard that had been owned by a relative who passed away. Crosson’s alleged schemes began unraveling shortly after the new PTO officers took over, police records show. Police records say the new treasurer began trying to reconcile the organization’s records and “discovered a huge discrepancy” totaling $26,000. Quoting the new treasurer, police records say, “the banking records were supposed to be documented on a Quicken spread sheet. However, the records were ‘uncategorized and out of character.’” The treasurer also discovered there were two Quicken spread sheets for the PTO account, adding to the discrepancies because “numerous transactions had been deleted,” investigative reports state. The PTO’s records also showed a host of unauthorized charges to the organization’s debit card that was assigned to Crosson, police said in one of their reports. A second debit card issued to the
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then-president was never activated. Police records show the new treasurer discovered that “funds had been withdrawn from the (PTO) account during the summer months when school was not in session and when the PTO was not active.” The treasurer then “briefly confronted” Crosson in text messages in late May 2019, police records state, and Crosson said “she was having problems with the Quicken spreadsheet (and) therefore had to start a second Quicken spread sheet.” The new treasurer also told police it appeared “that Jeani was trying to avoid making comments about the account,” records state. Other records show that Crosson and her husband had encountered financial difficulties long before she became a PTO officer. In 2014, the couple filed for bankruptcy, claiming $163,842 in debt that included $79,000 in student loans that ultimately were not discharged. Superior Court records show that the National Collegiate Student Loan Trust in July 2018 sued the couple for $35,000 in unpaid loans and the case remains active. The new PTO officers who took over
There has been no reported theft of this magnitude in Kyrene since 2010, when a former principal was arrested on multiple felony charges for embezzling or misusing nearly $55,000 from Cerritos and Cielo elementary schools. Local businesses and parents rallied to the PTO’s aid and before the end of 2019, the organization was back in the black. Asked about the filing of charges, Barrett told AFN in an email: “We are pleased the case is moving forward and will wait to see what happens in court.” Police reports indicated the PTO asked detectives to charge Crosson and take her to court. Given the closure of campuses since March, Barrett said, “We are supporting the Monte Vista admin, teachers and staff on an ‘as needed’ basis. To compare how our PTO is supporting our community compared to last year, there is a fraction of what has to be done since all events have been cancelled until further notice.” The PTO hung large spirit banners on the school fence “to lift spirits,” Barrett
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in June 2019 were devastated when they discovered they had no money. Co-Vice President Robin Barrett told AFN back then, “Ultimately, children are the victims when financial integrity is in question. Now more than ever we need the support of our parents, community and local businesses.” They also discovered there were no internal controls used by their predecessors and instituted various measures to ensure financial transparency and accountability. In a joint statement at the time, the new officers said, Board members also said, “We have inherited this PTO and are frustrated and upset with these findings. “We even considered resigning in light of the discoveries, but each of us has volunteered at this school to raise money for teacher grants, school beautification projects, reading wall, scholastic book fairs, annual events loved most of all by our children and realize that the PTO plays an integral role in making these events and activities happen. “We volunteer because we want our students to thrive and have a positive experience at Monte Vista.”
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
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NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
As classrooms reopen, students’ mental health a big concern BY JIM WALSH AFN Staff Writer
A
s children and teens begin returning to Mesa classrooms, teachers and administrators aren’t just focused on addressing “learning loss” among many students during months of online instruction. They also are focusing on the impact of campus closures and pandemic-related stress on students’ mental and emotional well-being. While they are addressing academics as well as numerous new protocols aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, schools also have developed plans to address the fallout from months of uncertainty, isolation and stress. Experts say that fallout has triggered wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, drug overdoses and suicide ideation and attempts. Suicide is already the leading cause of death among children 11-14 years old, Gov. Doug Ducey noted two weeks ago. Katey McPherson, an East Valley education consultant and suicide prevention advocate, estimates that there have been at least six suicides of students between the ages of 12 and 18 that have occurred since campuses were closed in mid-March. She said the East Valley could lose a child to suicide every six to eight weeks. But, she added, “The awareness has grown and people are talking about mental health. We have made great strides.” “I’m excited for my own children to get back to school, but it will probably take 90 to 120 days for them to settle in,” said McPherson, a former assistant principal at a Gilbert junior high school. “We all want to think home is a safe place, but for many children, it’s not.” Schools also are making progress on dealing with mental health issues among students. The state Department of Education has developed competencies that teachers and administrators are learning in order to recognize and help troubled youngsters. Some districts hired more counselors and social workers after the Ducey administration set aside $20 million for additional grants to pay for them, although the demand far exceeded available dollars. Two new state laws also are taking effect at the same time campuses are reopening.
enced an increase in referrals for East Valley youngsters and teens. “I would say that across the board, behavioral health is pretty busy,” said Natalia Chimbo Andrade, director of community education and outreach for Community Bridges. “We have seen an increase in referGov. Doug Ducey two weeks ago called attention to the problem of suicide among young Arizonans, noting the millions of dollars his administration has been putting rals for suicidal ideinto programs to help troubled children and teens. (Capitol Media Services) ation, anxiety and Teachers, administrators and other school depression,” she said. “What is going on employees who regularly come in contact with the pandemic is a contributing factor with students in grades 6-12 must receive in depression and anxiety in teenagers.” A child psychiatrist also said she has seen mandatory training in recognizing and rean unusual increase in suicide attempts. sponding to the warning signs of suicide. “We’ve definitely seen more suicide atThat law is dubbed the Mitch Warnock Act, named in honor of a Tempe teen who tempts than generally what I have seen during my career,” said Dr. Adeola Adewas lost to suicide in 2016. Also taking effect is Jake’s Law, which ex- layo, of Banner Behavioral Health Hospipands the availability of behavioral health tal in Scottsdale, a specialist in child and assistance for children in school and will adolescent psychiatry. “It pushes them over,” she said as teens eventually lead to the creation of a panel that will investigate the root causes of struggle with social isolation and other interruptions in the normal school year. teen suicides. “The ones who are prone to abusing Denise Denslow of Gilbert – who started the JEM Foundation with her husband Ben substances, we have seen more overdosand spearheaded a grassroots movement es,” Adelayo said. While Adelayo believes that going back to get Lake’s Law passed after her teenage son’s death by suicide – said the $8 mil- to school may generally improve the menlion Behavioral Health Services Fund will tal state of many children and teens, she help students get emotional help at school said the benefits must be weighed against the risks of contracting the virus. more readily. “I’m definitely hopeful,” she said. “Kids She said the investigative panel has been delayed and it will take a year to implement are going back to normalcy. It sends the new regulations that require insurance message that things are getting better.” The return to classrooms “gives some companies to cover mental health needs the kind of structure. Every human being needs same they cover physical health treatment. Still, the pandemic has had a far-reach structure, especially kids,” Adelayo said. She said teens in particular need space impact on children and teens. “They’re really struggling,” Denslow to grow up and develop their identity. “That’s where they get their socializasaid. “It’s the social isolation, the uncertion from, being out of the home, being tainty and the fear.” Teen Lifeline reported a 46 percent in- able to make friends,” Adelayo said. “They need some space to figure out crease in calls and texts during June and July from stressed teens. Teens contemplat- their own morals, their own values,” or ing suicide or feel the need for help can call whether they continue on the same path imparted by their parents. “They are trythe hotline 24/7 for supportive services. Mesa-based Community Bridges, which ing to figure out who they are.” During the pandemic, Adelayo said she provides services to address addiction and behavioral health issues, also experi- noticed that stressed-out parents trying to
cope with a job loss, financial stresses or sickness and death within a family, unwittingly influence the children’s emotional and mental state. Often a child’s mental state would improve after therapy sessions involving the child and a parent, she said. Nikki Koontz, clinical director of Teen Lifeline, said teens have been struggling with social isolation caused by the pandemic but they also are concerned about becoming carriers for COVID and infecting their families if they return to school. “Going back to school is politicized. Many kids feel their opinion doesn’t matter,” Koontz said. “They are struggling with there being no control over anything.” She said the pandemic has created an opportunity for parents to have the sort of deep conversations that can lead to stronger emotional connections. At the same time, however, the pandemic’s effect have also given rise to more family conflicts. The usual warnings about the dangers of social media have been pushed aside a bit during COVID, Koontz said. “The lack of connection with their peers can make them feel very lonely,” she said. Even though teens have spent more time with their families, “there still can be a sense of loneliness. They don’t feel people understand.” “I can’t imagine how things would be without technology. That’s how we are all staying connected,” Koontz said. “One of the biggest protective factors is a sense of connection.” A return to school may help many teens emotionally, Koontz said, because “a lot of their social and emotional growth comes from their associations with friends and peers.” Koontz said Teen Lifeline has been helping school districts prepare for the return of their students, running training sessions on digital platforms throughout the summer for employees to spot the warning signs of teen suicide, with as many as 25-30 employees attending. Adelayo said it only stands to reason that more emotional problems among children will be spotted when they return to school. “Anytime you have more oversight, you will be able to see better. You have more people keeping an eye on you,” she said. “Your parents may be working two or three jobs.”
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NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Tempe Union candidates address issues AFN today begins a two-part presentation of the questionnaires it sent to
LORI BASTIAN Students in OR grads of TU schools? My husband Nick and I have three sons attending a Tempe Union High School: Two freshman and one sophomore. Occupation: Realtor, Small business owner. Years in district: 17 years. Educational background: BA from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. Community involvement: PTO Board Member, Tempe South Little League Board Member, Corona del Sol Touchdown Club board member, volunteer for the Boxer Luv Rescue. Member and volunteer at Arizona Community Church. What top three skills would you bring to the Board? 1) I am a good listener. By listening to others and valuing our diverse community and perspectives, I will seek collaborative solutions. 2) I am detail-oriented, and I will be sure that issues are thoroughly reviewed. 3) As a small business owner, I am fiscally prudent. Overseeing the budget is a primary function of the board, and I will work to keep our district accountable. Why should voters vote for you? I bring a perspective that is currently missing on the board – a parent with children attending a district school. I will advocate for meeting the needs of ALL students. It shouldn’t matter which TU high school students attend; all students deserve an excellent and equitable education. I will make that a priority. Has the pandemic affected your view of a governing board’s role in general? If so, how? The pandemic has not affected my view; however, it has highlighted the importance of electing trusted community members to make data-driven decisions while listening to constituents. Many are realizing for the first time that critical decisions are made at the school board level. Governing boards are nonpartisan, and personal agendas should
see BASTIAN page 16
the candidates for Tempe Union High School District Governing Board. The
complete questionnaire appears at Ahwatukee.com. Some answers in print
see FLETCHER page 16
see HODGE page 16
DON FLETCHER Students in OR grads of TU schools? All graduated from public schools in our area. Occupation: Former teacher and lawyer in small Tempe law firm. Years in district: 33 in Ahwatukee. Educational background: Bachelor of Arts and law degrees. Community involvement: Currently, I am the Scholarship Chair for Tempe Union High School Educational Foundation and we raise money for student scholarships. Team leader for Family Helping Families Mexico; we raise money and build homes for families in Mexico. Member of the Kiwanis Club and we raise money and support local youth groups. What top three skills would you bring to the board? 1) Ahwatukee Foothills resident. Currently, the board has no representation from our area. I have helped build our local youth for years as I have served in several community organizations. 2) I am a former teacher and understand the struggles and the joys of teaching. 3) Parent who raised four children. I understand the importance of education to the strength of our community. Why should voters vote for you? I will start Day One ready to serve due to my service on several TUHSD committees relating to mental health, finance, and the gifted programs. I also have served on many professional and community-based boards and understand how boards must find a way to govern. I will always be respectful and find ways to build positive relationships with our community. Has the pandemic affected your view of a governing board’s role in general, if so, how? Yes, the importance of listening to parents, teachers, staff, and government officials at State and Federal level, and then using the best ways of communicating clear policies to families and students. The Governing Board is
BERDETTA HODGE Students in OR grads of TU schools? Life-long Tempe resident and graduate of Tempe schools, mother to two Tempe-education sons. Educational background: Arizona State University, Tempe High School. Community involvement: President, TUHSD Governing Board; Vice-Chair, Booker T. Washington Child Development Center; former Education Liaison, East Valley NAACP; Former board member, Hope’s Crossing; former board member, Mesa Arts Foundation; former president, multiple parent-teacher organizations, volunteer, Boys & Girls Club. What top three skills would you bring to the board? Experience leading the school district, managing its budget, and collaborating with other officials to meet community needs. Strong written and oral communication skills when representing the district and working with students, families, staff, and community stakeholders. Deep knowledge of our district and challenges facing our community members. Why should voters vote for you? It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as President of the TUHSD Governing Board. I stand to continue supporting Arizona’s next generation of leaders. That means erasing education inequity among students, paying staff livable wages, and serving our neighbors in need. I will continue striving to ensure TUHSD has a strong voice shaping education in Arizona. Has the pandemic affected your view of a governing board’s role in general? If so, how? The pandemic strengthened my resolve that TUHSD impacts more than classrooms. We touch everything from taxes and healthcare to food and jobs; as an official, it is my duty to serve constituents, that includes coordinating recovery efforts with governments, nonprofits, and businesses. Assuming COVID-19 will be with us indefinitely, does Tempe Union need to do something it isn’t doing now to en-
were edited for length but the full answers are online.
SARAH LINDSAY JAMES Students in OR grads of TU schools? I am an alumna of Tempe High and my children (8 and 12) are future Corona students. Occupation: Teacher Years in district: 9 Educational background: Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, graduated from ASU in 1999; Master’s degree in Music Education, graduated from ASU in 2003. Community involvement: Volunteer with Save Our Schools AZ, member of the School Improvement Advisory Committee at Aprende Middle School. What top three skills would you bring to the board? I have 22 years of experience as an educator, and have taught at all levels - K-12. I have taught in the Tempe Union HS District, New York City Department of Education, and Mesa Public schools. I understand education from the perspective of a teacher, mother, and education advocate. Why should voters vote for you? It is vital to have the voice of an experienced educator with a proven track record of advocating for public schools. While we currently have board members who advocate for educators, the insight of a teacher is invaluable. I also have the additional insight of raising two children in our schools, so I can also provide the perspective of a parent. Has the pandemic affected your view of a governing board’s role in general? If so, how? As a teacher and parent working through this pandemic, I have seen that it takes a community working together to support our students. Many families are struggling through remote learning, often because of limited access to childcare and to technology. We must put these issues at the forefront of our decision making so we can empower all of our families. Assuming COVID-19 will be with us indefinitely, does Tempe Union need to do something it isn’t doing now to ensure a quality high school experience
see JAMES page 16
NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
SANDY LOWE Students in OR grads of TU schools? Two sons graduated from Corona del Sol. Occupation: Retired from APS. Research/statistical analysis. Years in district: 33 years Educational background: MBA, Arizona State University; BS Social Welfare, University of Minnesota. Community involvement: Tempe Union Education Foundation, Volunteer at Threadz (provides students with clothing and other school needs), Tri-District, District and School Education Committees. What top three skills would you bring to the board? Decision-making ability: identify relevant facts, pertinent input and focus on student impact. Extensive knowledge of Tempe Union and community: provides a better understanding of different needs by school & similar District needs. Recognizes importance of community input and how different viewpoints impact decisions. Ability to collaborate, compromise and bring consensus to decisions for benefit of students. Why should voters vote for you? My 25 years of education advocacy have given me a broad working knowledge of current issues & what our priorities should be in preparing graduates for their future. Focus is always on students first, followed by stakeholder input, teacher impact, transparency and objectivity in decisions. I am a great listener, do NOT impose a personal agenda on decisions, and am effective in calming difficult situations. Has the pandemic affected your view of a governing board’s role in general? If so, how? Governing Board’s responsibilities continue to be budget oversight, policy review and hiring/firing the Superintendent; however, our current time has emphasized the importance of stakeholder input and concentrating on relevant facts in decision-making. It’s critical for board members to oversee major decisions without micro-managing, giving our staff the chance to do their job. Assuming COVID-19 will be with us indefinitely, does Tempe Union need to do something it isn’t doing now to ensure a quality high school experience for students over the next four years: Where academics generally and prepa-
see LOWE page 17
ARMANDO MONTERO Students in OR grads of TU schools? Two siblings at Desert Vista High School and 1 at Mountain Pointe High School. Occupation: Legislative analyst and Regional Director with the Arizona Students’ Association; Student – Barrett the Honors College at Arizona State University. Years in district: 7 Educational background: Graduate of Desert Vista High School; Arizona State University: B.S. Mathematics with a concentration in Statistics, B.S. Economics, B.S. Political Science. Community involvement: Created and led Tempe Union Student Advisory Committee, community advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, led and expanded tutoring programs from Desert Vista into our community, internal operations with Refugee Education and Clinic Team. What top three skills would you bring to the board? Collaboration and Problem Solving: In my role with the Arizona Students’ Association I have built coalitions of students, teachers, staff, and other stakeholders to work on the educational issues in our community in a collaborative manner. Active Listening: I will always value input from teachers, students, and parents to make the most informed decisions through open communication with the community. Why should voters vote for you? As a graduate of our district and someone who has experienced the classroom and school culture in recent years, I know firsthand what issues our students are facing and have a fresh perspective on how to solve them. I will bring a vital voice that will shed new light on many issues our district discusses and often fails to discuss. Has the pandemic affected your view of a governing board’s role in general? If so, how? This pandemic has shown the importance of ensuring that we include voices of everyone affected by our decisions from every corner of our district. Now more than ever, we need voices on the board that understand, firsthand, the impact these decisions have on our students, teachers, staff, and families. I am running to bring that new voice to the board.
see MONTERO page 17
MICHAEL MYRICK Students in OR grads of TU schools?: A freshman and junior attending Corona Del Sol High School and I am a graduate of Corona del Sol. Occupation: Commercial real estate broker. Years in district: As a student I completed four years in TUHSD. I have currently lived in the district for over 17 years. Educational background: Northern Arizona University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Community involvement: President of the Kyrene School District Governing Board from 2018-present; past president of the Tempe Sports Authority Foundation. Youth sports coach for various sports teams including football, baseball, and wrestling. What top three skills would you bring to the board? Leadership as I have been the president of the Kyrene School board for the past two years. I have the ability to work with board members and help facilitate difficult discussions and debates while achieving results in a timely manner. I understand school board budgets, process, procedures and school financing. Why should voters vote for you? I think voters should vote for candidates who currently have children in the district as its imperative to be relevant and current when sitting on a governing board. I also am a firm believer that we need less incumbents in any elected position and a change of board members in TUHSD is much needed. Has the pandemic affected your view of a governing board’s role in general? If so, how? In the Valley, the pandemic exposed the weak governing boards and senior district leadership in those districts that were comprised of a ghost board and had no board or district leadership. Assuming COVID-19 will be with us indefinitely, does Tempe Union need to do something it isn’t doing now to ensure a quality high school experience for students over the next four years: It should look at the option of a quick and inexpensive COVID Testing option and allowing students who test negative be allowed to attend in person.
see MYRICK page 17
15
PAIGE REESOR Students in OR grads of TU schools? All the students I teach will go to Tempe Union. Occupation: Art educator at Gililland Middle School in the Tempe Elementary School District. Years in district: 7 years. Educational background: Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Western Michigan University. Community involvement: Business owner: Artist - volunteered my artistic services in the community (Believe I Can Academy, Tempe Leadership, Tempe Empty Bowls); Tempe Diablos Excellence in Education Inspiration Award 2020; Tempe Excellence in Arts and Culture: Engaged Educator 2020; Participation in the 2017-2018 Tempe Sister Cities Educator Exchange Program. What top three skills would you bring to the board? I will contribute my valued perspective as a Tempe Elementary School teacher and have an understanding of how our feeder districts collaborate. I will translate my experience as an independent business owner to the inner workings of the TUHSD governing board. I will be able to analyze data and information and use that analysis to make the best decisions for our students. I was a student who dealt with attention deficit disorder and dyslexia, so I have an understanding of IEPs and programs that benefit students with learning differences. Why should voters vote for you? As an educator, I regard student success as my highest priority, and I understand that achievement can look different for each student. Supporting individual student strengths and needs, establishing strong relationships with students, parents, and community members, as well as encouraging students to find their voice are three key ways that we can help all students blossom and accomplish great things. Has the pandemic affected your view of a governing board’s role in general? If so, how? The pandemic has reaffirmed my values and beliefs when it comes to the role of governing. Elected officials and representatives each bring their own set of skills, but need to realize when they are not the experts. Good leadership is knowing when to listen and follow through on the best information and advice available.
see REESOR page 17
NEWS
16
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Chamber forum hosts school board candidates tonight Chamber of Commerce. People can register for the forum at bit.ly/3c81BZ5. Tonight’s forum will feature the five Kyrene candidates from 7-8:05 p.m., followed by the eight Tempe Union board hopefuls from 8:22-9:27 p.m.
There will be opening and closing presentations by each candidate and moderator Nick Knight will ask some questions in both portions. On Thursday, Sept. 24, the Ahwatukee Chamber will present a forum featuring the two candidates for Mari-
said, and sold spirit shirts to help raise money as schools in the district begin a gradual reopening. Students in kindergarten through second grade had the option to return to classrooms last week and this week, kids in third-fifth grades can come back beginning Thursday. The Monte Vista PTO has created Takeout Tuesdays, Barrett said, through part-
nerships with local restaurants. “We are so grateful for the local business support,” Barrett said, adding that the district also is raising money through purchases people make at Fry’s, AmazonSmile, Tuft & Needle and American Furniture Warehouses and that “BoxTops is still a good way for us to earn money.” Still she added, “The fundraising is nothing compared to last year but any amount helps. We have used the funds to
purchase personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies.” The PTO also partnered last year with APEX Leadership, which coordinates events built around positive messaging for kids concerning physical fitness, character development and leadership. It culminated last November with an obstacle course peppered with unusually shaped or oversized slides, monkey bars and other inventions that are as much
about having fun as they are about instilling leadership qualities and a commitment to physical fitness. The partnership with APEX this year is virtual, which Barrett said “allows us to fundraise while staying safe and at the same time have a fun and interactive dance party. Being virtual means we keep another 5 percent of all funds raised, which is an added bonus. We are so grateful for our partnership with APEX. “
not interfere with the oath to serve all students. Assuming COVID-19 will be with us indefinitely, does Tempe Union need to do something it isn’t doing now to ensure a quality high school experience for students over the next four years: Where academics generally and preparation for higher ed and/or the job market are concerned? TU needs to identify students who have fallen behind. Remediation must be provided to get these students back on track, and students must be allowed the option to return to in-person learning. Online learning is not working for all students, further expanding the achievement gap. For those who do choose online learning, TUHSD should provide more rigorous course options. Where students’ social-emotional wellness is concerned? I believe that getting students back into schools will significantly improve current socialemotional health. We are in crisis mode now, and East Valley schools have already lost five students to suicide since March. In a virtual environment, it can be difficult to identify at-risk students. Being disconnected from friends and teachers has many unfortunate consequences. Reconnecting needs to be a priority.
the community voice to our district administration of what our schools should be doing to provide the best educational experience for our students and families. Assuming COVID-19 will be with us indefinitely, does Tempe Union need to do something it isn’t doing now to ensure a quality high school experience for students over the next four years: Where academics generally and preparation for higher ed and/or the job market are concerned? I do not believe COVID-19 will be with us indefinitely. I do believe we have learned much and will continue to learn to use technology in new and better ways. I see opportunities for students and teachers across multiple campuses collaborating in educational experiences. I also see cost savings as administrators and teachers use technology in training. Where students’ social-emotional wellness is concerned? As for socialemotional wellness, I understand this issue well, having been a parent to four children. I support opening our schools to the greatest extent possible to avoid some of the depression and loss of association that has occurred. We must be safe, but also find ways to restore as much interaction as possible for our students.
sure a quality high school experience for students over the next four years: Where academics generally and preparation for higher ed and/or the job market are concerned? The pandemic has changed everything. We must do all we can to keep our community safe and take care of our kids’ social and emotional well-beings. That starts with mobilizing our staff to provide East Valley families food, clothing, and good schools. Additionally, I am working to erase the digital divide by ensuring all students have working computers and the internet. This will not only allow them to access remote learning today, but will also prepare them to enter the 21st century workforce where computer literacy is a must. Where students’ social-emotional wellness is concerned? We must do all we can to keep our community safe and take care of our kids’ social and emotional well-being. I will work to ensure our staff has up-to-date training on identifying and handling issues pertaining to emotional well-being so they may spot warning signs of depression and other mental illnesses. When courses handle emotionally-sensitive content, educators will then be equipped to have conversations in their classrooms about coping with mental distress.
for students over the next four years: Where academics generally and preparation for higher ed and/or the job market are concerned? The goal of the district should be focused on how to get in-person instruction happening safely. Part of that is ensuring all students have their own laptop and supplies. Even in a face to face situation, much instruction and work will likely be done online to ensure the safety of students and teachers. Where students’ social-emotional wellness is concerned? Many students are dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma. I’ve noticed how much harder it is for teachers to pick up whether a student is struggling while learning remotely. Our district can help mitigate these issues by hiring more counselors and social workers who can reach out to students and help teachers learn best practices with a trauma informed approach.
AFN NEWS STAFF
T
he candidates for Kyrene and Tempe Union governing boards will appear at 7-9:30 p.m. tonight, Sept. 23, in a virtual forum sponsored by the Ahwatukee Foothills
MONTE from page 9
BASTIAN from page 14
FLETCHER from page 14
HODGE from page 14
copa County Sheriff from 7-8:30 p.m. Republican Jerry Sheridan and incumbent Democrat Paul Penzone will have opening and closing remarks and answer questions posed by Knight. Register for that forum separately at bit.ly/2FONbXK.
JAMES from page 14
GOT NEWS?
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@ timespublications.com
NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
17
Pandemic not deterring human trafficking, police say
he pandemic has not reduced human trafficking in Phoenix as police expected and conspiracy theorists have made it more difficult to help victims, speakers recently told the Arizona Human Trafficking Council. “Things just did not slow down,” said Phoenix Police Lt. Dave Saflar of the department’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit. “During the height of the pandemic where we were on the street, the trafficking calls actually went up,” he said. Saflar said two differences he and his team have noticed since the onslaught of COVID-19 are that more people are making reports of human trafficking from home rather than workplaces and that there has been an increase in offenders from out of town. Since the start of the pandemic, Phoenix Police had to change some of their methods of operation to better protect officers when they investigate complaints, he explained. “Instead of putting people in cars in order to make contact with victims and deal with prostitution, we were very removed for a little bit,” Saflar said. He added that the department began conducting more interviews and surveillance before placing decoy detectives on the streets to pose as prostitutes. “Essentially, we distanced ourselves from the people but we were still address-
ing the issue and trying to take these people off the streets,” Saflar said. The department’s goal is to keep employees safe but still meet its obligation to “serve victims and to provide safety for the community,” Saflar said. And despite some operational changes, Saflar said his team conducted seven undercover operation stings since January – five of which occurred after COVID-19 hit – and made 79 arrests. As human trafficking is on the rise in Phoenix, false stories and claims involving human trafficking are becoming more prevalent in social media and the internet, other speakers told the council. Samantha Calvin, a community health faculty member at the Edson College of Nursing and Health at Arizona State University, pointed to rumors being spread by conspiracy proponents about high-ranking elected officials trafficking children. For example, she cited the recent unsubstantiated rumor that the online furniture website Wayfair was using codes for traffickers to bid on children. She said that particular rumor was started by a Phoenix couple and triggered an overwhelming number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Such bogus complaints were “using up a resource that is otherwise intended for victims and survivors,” Calvin said. She also said such false information perpetuates an image that “human trafficking is a stranger in a white van, kidnapping girls in suburban neighborhoods.
ration for higher ed and/or the job market are concerned? The District needs to return students to the classroom, provide timely academic intervention for those struggling and then begin planning for students’ future needs. I am optimistic about Tempe Union and the important role it plays in quality education for all. Where students’ social-emotional wellness is concerned? Like academics, it must be a priority to identify students that may be dealing with stress/depression and then provide support. This area demands continued attention and increased resources; and fortunately, this year will be our 1st with full-time youth specialists at each school.
Where academics generally and preparation for higher ed and/or the job market are concerned? We need to bring back vocational tech on campus and use EVIT as a resource to do so. The move from VOTECH off campuses put those students at a disadvantage as transportation and class alignment make going off site a challenge. Where students’ social-emotional wellness is concerned? In Kyrene we hired counselors in middle schools and saw an immediate and significant impact. High school for many students is stressful and I would like to see four counselors, one for each grade level in each of our high schools.
BY ROXANNE BANUELOS AFN Contributor
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LOWE from page 15
MYRICK from page 15
“It pulls away from the true narrative of what human trafficking typically looks like in our communities, and therefore doesn’t allow for people to know what it actually looks like,” Calvin said. Other speakers talked about the conspiracy group called QAnon that infiltrated a fundraising campaign started by the Save the Children nonprofit. “I’m really concerned about how people are using their COVID-19-inspired altruism in a way that is not really helping the things that we serve,” said Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, director of ASU’s Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention and Research. None of the money raised during this period or the large gestures of support have yet to “trickle down” and benefit anti-human trafficking programs. “I work directly with survivors in our housing program. Each of you work in different programs. We have not seen a dollar of that money. It seems like it’s going to t-shirts and signs and places for people to declare they don’t like this,” Roe-Sepowitz said. “There are people in our communities
who are not talking about the solutions that we are doing in this council and in our community. They’re just people who have no information about trafficking,” she added. Calvin said, “The hard part, too, is that some of the information being shared has a factual component – it’s just not all true.” One viral Facebook post, she noted, said, “By requiring kids to wear masks - whether it’s in stores, in schools, or a public place - you are robbing them of their ONE hope of being found in the event that they get taken – their faces.” Calvin said the pandemic can impact human trafficking but it’s more likely due to housing issues and poverty than masks. The council was formed five years ago by Gov. Doug Ducey with the goal of developing a comprehensive and coordinated victims’ service plan; evaluating statewide human trafficking data; promoting greater collaboration among law enforcement, state agencies and the community at large; and raising public awareness about victims’ services, restitution and prevention.
Assuming COVID-19 will be with us indefinitely, does Tempe Union need to do something it isn’t doing now to ensure a quality high school experience for students over the next four years: Where academics generally and preparation for higher ed and/or the job market are concerned? As a very diverse district, we must work to erase the divide in access to the necessary resources for every student through 1:1 laptop distribution and working with local providers to expand broadband access to those in need. Once back in person, we need to develop a system to assess and respond to learning gaps caused by the digital divide. Where students’ social-emotional wellness is concerned? I have been a mental health advocate at the district for years. As someone who has experienced virtual learning, I understand the socialemotional implications this has on our students. We must find creative solutions to reach the students who feel isolated and expand resources virtually and onsite when we return while also working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
Assuming COVID-19 will be with us indefinitely, does Tempe Union need to do something it isn’t doing now to ensure a quality high school experience for students over the next four years: Where academics generally and preparation for higher ed and/or the job market are concerned? We need to make sure we are also addressing not only college-readiness, but other opportunities for our students like trade school, arts, military or allied-health programs. We need to be celebrating all student abilities by preparing our teachers with a variety of resources. We need to market and reinvent our schools as enrollment in public schools has changed since the start of the pandemic. Where students’ social-emotional wellness is concerned? Before the pandemic, depression and anxiety were on the rise for our students. Tempe Union started to put more programs in place to address the issue, but we could always be doing more. While teachers naturally provide support for our students, we need more experts in mental health in our schools.
MONTERO from page 15
REESOR from page 15
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CARS from page 1
prehensive collection of resources for buyers, sellers and owners of classic and collector vehicles. His enterprise has twice been inducted into the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America that, as his website explains, serves “the passions and lifestyles of classic automotive enthusiasts” who can easily and safely buy and sell classic and collector vehicles of all ages and makes. His flagship brand, ClassicCars.com, is the largest online collector car marketplace in the world and ranks 2,954 out of a billion domains for web visits and engagement, according to Alexa Rank, the Amazon tool that measures such internet activity. Among millions of U.S. websites, it ranks 612. His ClassicCars.com Journal is a regularly updated site with hundreds of articles on everything automotive – or, as the site puts it, “steel, rubber and soul” – from how to pick a good restoration service to backroads where you can see vintage car shows in motion to the latest concept designs and even 50s movies like the 1958 “Hot Rod Gang.” It also has been voted the second most influential automotive blog in the country. Another brand under the Collector Car Network umbrella, called futurecollectorcarshow.com, features pictures of souped-up cars and hot rods from Falcone’s Future Collector Car Show that kicks off Arizona Auction Week. That show will be held Jan. 17 on High Street in North Phoenix, where, since 2016, owners have a free chance to show vehicles of any make, model, year and condition. Now, Falcone has added another brand to the Collector Car Network. AutoHunter.com is his new online auction for collectible vehicles – offering people to sell and buy vehicles on a bid basis like the restored 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Woody Resto-Mod powered by a 2019 GM engine that had a high bid of $7,000 with 16 days left to raise the ante or the 1996 Porsche that, with three days
Falcone’s staffers help buyers and sellers on the sites know that each other are legit and also provide a variety of other functions that have earned the Collector Car Network customer service awards the last five years. (Special to AFN)
to go, had a top bid of $3,000. Right now, you can place a bid on a 2003 Red Ferrari 360 Modena F1 with a mere 33 miles or a 1960 MG MGA Roadster with a 5-speed manual transmission. The possibilities on Falcone’s sites are almost endless – as is his business. Classiccars.com, the backbone of his enterprise, pulls in a monthly average of 4.5 million visitors who can peruse over 35,000 vehicles for sale. So popular is the site that the pandemic barely made a dent. Indeed, from March to July, Falcone said, traffic grew 34 percent year-overyear. Falcone’s top two people in the enterprise say it’s easy to understand how all that traffic has become a major force in the local economy. It not only has created fulltime jobs for people who vet the vehicles, the owners and potential buyers, but also has provided business for local vendors and services like mechanics and transporters who can connect buyers halfway around the world with a vehicle they bought from someone in the Valley. “The collector car industry and hobby, by its inherent nature, consists of being
able to get out on the open road to enjoy the innate passion for the automobile,” said Mike Langthorne, vice president of ClassicCars.com. “With the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacting inperson gatherings, the expansion of our digital platform has helped to feed and foster the passion of collector car enthusiasts, providing a much-needed bridge
to the collector car community as we eagerly await a return to some sense of normalcy.” As for auto hunter, Thomas Bechtel, classiccars.com operations director: “We’ve leveraged the operational and transactional knowledge that comes with
see CARS page 20
This 1960 MG MGA Roadster with a five-speed manual transmission recently was posted to Falcone’s new autohunter.com auction site. (Special to AFN)
GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
CARS from page 19
listing millions of vehicles over the last 13 years to build an effective, safe and engaging new online auction platform.” Falcone didn’t expect to settle in Ahwatukee when he moved out here from his native Boston to sell his company, an online site that carried stories about motor sports, to a buyer that made products for the same industry. “It was supposed to be three years and turned out to be 20,” he quipped. Before he ever got into online businesses, he had worked for an energy company in Massachusetts, where he was in charge of several computer-related departments. Then, “I started to break out on my own and start my own business.” He had started the motor sports site in 1994 – when the internet was barely a baby to the world at large – and at the same time bought the domain name classiccars.com. He had gone to a couple conferences and learned about the internet, then “I decided to take the lead.” “I first had to explain to my wife and family what the internet was – that shows you how long ago it was,” said Falcone, who with his wife Diane has two grown children. What followed can only be described the way Falcone explains it: serendipity. “I’ve always had an interest in cars,” he explained. “I’m not a mechanic or mechanically inclined in any way, but I’ve
represented. And between his automotive specialists and other employees who assist owners and buyers with all facets of the online operation, his enterprise has won customer service awards for the last five years. Falcone is psyched about autohunter.com. The difference between classiccars.com and autohunter.com, he said, is that the latter “is not just classic cars and certainly not old or older classics….This is about interesting and collectible vehicles. And so, if you go to the site you might see a 2003 Ferrari or a 1992 Toyota. The nerve center for the Collector Car Network is on Chandler Boulevard in Ahwatukee across the street from the Safeway We wanted to broaden our supermarket. (Special to AFN) reach.” always had an interest in cars and I was grow throughout that whole ordeal. We And Falcone gets a chuckle that while introduced to this gentleman at the time were really really fortunate. We were people around the world know his and told him I was I was interested in able to still grow the company.” brands, you’d barely notice the nerve “Now we’re the largest car marketplace center where his global enterprise is starting the company and it just so happened that he owned a racetrack.” and we’re right here in Ahwatukee,” based – right across Chandler Boulevard In 2007, Falcone decided to do someHe has also built a reputation among from the Safeway supermarket. thing with the classiccars.com domain. car lovers for his company’s efforts to For passersby, he said, “the trees are “I’ve always loved the history and the protect buyers from shady sellers – and blocking every once awhile until they beauty and the stories and the passion vice versa. trim them a little bit. It’s probably the behind classic cars, so I thought I’d give Sellers have to prove they actually can world’s best kept secret in a way.” that a shot,” he said. come up with the cash for vehicles. BuyBut he’s happy to be here, stating: The only problem: The next year saw ers get a protection plan that insures “We’re proud to be in Ahwatukee and the advent of the Great Recession. them against ending up with a car that we’re certainly proud of having so many “Yeah, so my timing wasn’t always has no title or has undisclosed damage of our Ahwatukee folks working here. great,” he chuckled. “But we managed to or hose make and model year were mis- It’s a very special place.” Family managed since 1981
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Octogenarians �lock to local pickleball courts BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor
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group of four octogenarian friends are daily players at the pickleball courts at Ahwatukee Recreation Center and the Pecos Community Center. And summer heat doesn’t stop them “I’m very good at it,” brags 84-year-old Joe Augustine. “I know what to do with the ball, what to do and what not to do with it.” Augustine, who has been playing the game for a decade, advocates pickleball’s physical and emotional benefits especially for seniors. He’s not alone. Pickleball got its start in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, when three fathers created a game that involved tennis paddles, a wiffle ball and a lowered badminton net to entertain their summervacationing children. With modifications over 55 years, the game and equipment have evolved and retirees have embraced the game. It’s esti-
The informal octogenarian club of pickleball players from Ahwatukee include, from left: Dave Kraus, 84; Rose Cancellieri, 80; Chuck Copenhaver, 83; Joan Gillespie, 83; Babs Lester, 86; Joseph Augustine, 84; and David Dudak, 83. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)
mated more than 2 million adults, many of them older than 60, play in the U.S. alone. “I go almost every day; I run around like a youngster,” said Augustine, a widower
since 2016. “And it’s more than just the game, this is my family. This is my life now.” Joan Gillespie, 83, is not only an avid player but a star on the courts. She won
second place at the 2019 Margaritaville USA National Championships in her 80-85 single player division. The 2020 National Championships were cancelled due to COVID-19, yet that wasn’t the only disappointment for Gillespie, who moved to Arizona with her husband in 1975. “A good friend and I had made arrangements to spend the month of May teaching and playing pickleball in Armenia - pickleball isn’t played there yet,” she said. “COVID cancelled those plans, though we hope to reschedule when borders open up again.” Gillespie has been a strong champion of pickleball since she first watched an exhibition by two women 10 years ago. “We then started the group at the Ahwatukee Rec Center. At first, we played in the parking lot, and we did that for three years,” she recalled. “The Board of Management was reluctant at first but we finally got our courts and now we have
see PICKLEBALL page 23
Ahwatukee girl wins prestigious Native American scholarship AFN NEWS STAFF
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n Ahwatukee youngster has won this year’s Arizona Indian Education Association Student Scholarship. Akimel A-al Middle School 7th grader Hayden Connor earned the Middle School/ Junior High Exemplary Scholarship. Each year, AIEA recognizes American Indian students for high achievement in academics, community service, leadership and participation in cultural activities. Through these scholarships, the AIEA aims to encourage and support students in their educational and cultural endeavors. Since her first day at Akimel A-al, Hayden has been a proud participant in the Native American Program Affinity
“The Affinity Club provides students the opportunity to apply themselves c u l t u r a l l y, socially and academically through group and individual projects,” said Nerissa White, Kyrene’s Native American Hayden Connor of Ahwatukee won the Arizona Indian Education Association Scholarship Program coorgiven annually to a middle school student who displays academic excellence and leader- dinator. ship. (Kyrene School District) White said it is in Hayden’s nature “to go above and beClub, Kyrene School District spokeswomyond, taking pride in each of her projects.” an Erin Helm said.
When students were asked to step into the role of student engineer for STEM, Hayden constructed a Native American dwelling, and her International Baccalaureate project involved making posters to promote a donation drive for Native American elders. As a sixth grader, Hayden was selected to participate in the Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life conference and Phoenix Indian Center’s Living in 2 Worlds program. “Hayden has been consistently in my top tier of outstanding students,” White said. “She is the first to volunteer and give words of encouragement to her peers. Her positive atmosphere radiates in my classroom and on our campus.” AIEA will celebrate Hayden and other scholarship recipients at a student recognition meeting in November.
COMMUNITY
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
PICKLEBALL from page 22
one of the nicest facilities. Our four courts are busy all winter long, and in the summer, we’ll have three or four courts going mornings and evenings.” Gillespie said she’s proud of her years advocating for the courts that opened two years ago at Pecos Park. “I was really active in lobbying the city for the courts - I was at the City Council and Parks and Rec meetings. But we finally built 16 beautiful courts,” she said. “The neatest thing about Pecos is that during COVID, people can come and feel safe. Families are coming,” she said. “Pickleball is easy to learn yet challenging to get good at.” Like many others, Gillespie came to the sport from tennis. “I was a tennis player for decades and pickleball is so different from tennis because you have a group and you rotate players in. With tennis, you have a foursome and that’s it.” Gillespie is physically fit and springs about the pickleball court with energy that belies her eight plus decades. “My body has held up pretty well and I attribute it to staying active,” the retired private investigator said. “I play at ARC, Pecos Park and Tempe Sports Complex that has eight courts. I’ve also played in Madrid, Spain and Rocky Point, Mexico.” At 80, Rose Cancellieri is the youngster of the group of regular octogenarian pickleball players. Like some of the others, she was playing pickleball before Ahwatukee Rec Center built their pickleball facilities, back when the court lines were being drawn on ARC’s parking lot macadam.
Cub and Boy Scouts still get together online for now
Jeremy Piwowarczyk, committee chair for Arizona Cub Scout Pack 178 in Ahwatukee says that despite the pandemic’s impact on most social gatherings, “Scouting continues to serve youth of all ages in Ahwatukee.” “Scouts are taught many life skills, including those needed to adapt to overcome challenges in front of them,” he said. “While in-person scouting was put on hold due to COVID-19 lockdowns; Scouts and leaders throughout Arizona, the nation and the world adapted and found many new ways to keep programs going.” Cub Scout Pack 178, which at more than 40 years old is Ahwatukee’s oldest troop, offers an active program for boys and girls in grades K-5. “The leadership of the pack did not let the global pandemic and lockdowns slow down the experience for the
Babs Lester waits for a chance to swat a pickleball at the courts at Pecos Park in Ahwatukee. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photoggrapher)
Cancellieri is also a COVID-19 survivor, having contracted the disease in June. She is now using her beloved sport to accelerate her recovery. “Since I’m still having symptoms, at the order of my doctor, I’m playing in order to increase my all over physical stamina, reflexes, mood, and overall health, and its working, she said. “The exercise improves my circulation and strengthens my muscles, and improves my overall metabolism. Being out with my fellow players lifts my spirit.” The 19-year Ahwatukee resident, who emigrated from New York City, said she finds pickleball a better sport over tennis for seniors to play regularly. “There’s not as much running involved as the court is smaller than a tennis court. Having said that, the game is faster and
one has to respond more quickly with the hard paddle and wiffleball,” she explained. “The game also allows the opportunity for social interaction since we change partners and opponents with each game,” said Cancellieri who also plays at Pecos and holds a silver medal from an American Pickleball Association tournament a few years ago. Dave Dudak, who settled in Ahwatukee seven years ago after traveling often from Chicago to visit his parents, was wooed to pickleball three years ago by a neighbor with whom he’d played golf with often. “I started with a beginner’s class a couple hours a week and then I started playing evenings and mornings, and I just kept getting better. You do once you start to get the feel of the game,” said Dudak. “I never realized there was so much running and
Scouts,” Piwowarczyk said. “New concepts for scouting were quickly adopted and a new phrase helped drive units throughout the world – “Scouting From Home.” Pack 178 adapted quickly to video conference services to conduct online meetings so no Scout was left without the opportunity to complete their scouting activities. “As Scouting from Home developed throughout the US many new opportunities arose as virtual programs allowed participation in events held by scouting units thousands of miles away,” he said. “This expanded the scouting experience beyond what it had been and opened many new doors.” Scouts also continue to have fun even in a virtual environment. Pack 178 continued planned events such as ice cream socials. While these are normally held at a local shop to support community business, Scouts adapted and everyone brought their own desserts with them as they headed online to talk with their friends,
tell jokes, share laughs and participate in games. “To the Scouts it was almost like nothing had changed,” Piwowarczyk said. “Through all the fun Scouts have they learn many valuable life skills, including being resilient and finding ways to keep the things they love going whatever challenges they face.” Pack 178 always welcomes new Cubs in grades K-5. Information: join178@azpack178.com. Older Scouts looking for other units can go to beascout.org.
AROUND AHWATUKEE
Magical Journey Learning Center holds fundraiser
Magical Journey Learning Center in Ahwatukee is holding an online fundraiser-sale through Sept. 28. Fundraisers help the center “create amazing experiences for our children,” said center owner and director
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moving but you have to or you let them score on you.” Dudak said ARC is working to get more seniors involved in pickleball and he’s personally encouraging his neighbors to give the game a go. “We’re trying to grow the sport back to what it was and so far, we’re succeeding,” he said. Chuck Copenhaver is another player who started pickleball on the makeshift courts in the ARC parking lot. Formerly of Los Gatos, California, Copenhaver has lived in Ahwatukee 22 years. He lauds both the exercise the game affords him at 83 and for the social aspect. “It’s a great sport to take part in as you get older, and as we play about two to three hours a day, it’s great exercise, too,” said Copenhaver, who also plays at Pecos Community Center and on the new courts at the Tempe Sports Complex on Hardy Road. “I also enjoy the social life and at our age we have nothing to prove, and everyone seems to get along with each other, and no one ever seems to get angry,” he said. And they all say their peers should seriously consider joining them. “I encourage people to come give a try, and I’ll teach them,” offered Augustine. “I’ll share the game with them.” “It’s open play and generally if someone comes and says ‘I’d like to give it a try’, somebody will put a paddle in their hand,” said Gillespie. While the Ahwatukee Recreation Center pickleball courts are available only to residents of the 1,628 homes between Knox and Elliott Roads that are governed by their Home Owner Association, the courts at Pecos Park are open to the public and are free. Jessica Spada. Those experiences in the past have enabled the center to invite visits from Mad Science, a petting zoo and a fire truck. Along with foam parties and reptile exhibits, the center also has relied on fundraisers to buy classroom furniture and playground equipment. Go to fundraisingshoppingcart.com and enter the Seller’s ID number: 00911572. Items can be shipped to people’s homes; they can be picked up at Magical Journey. Information: 480-699-6552 or magicaljourneylc.org.
Kyrene providing free meals for all kids in the district
Kyrene School District is providing free meals for all
see AROUND page 24
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Ahwatukee Preschool seeks children, regardless of income or eligibility, after the U.S. rummage sale items AROUND from page 23
Department of Agriculture extended a waiver allowing districts to offer breakfast and lunch on school days to all children under 18. The USDA will cover the cost of the meals at no expense to families or to the district. Breakfast and lunch will be served on all 25 campuses, including schools that previously did not offer breakfast. Students receiving on-site services will begin receiving free meals at school immediately. In-person students will receive free meals at school when they return and hot lunch service will resume. Free breakfasts and lunches also are available for pick up at the Kyrene District Office, northwest corner of Kyrene and Warner roads, Tempe Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Mondays, families can pick up meals for that day and Tuesdays or all five days. On Wednesday, meals for Wednesday through Friday are provided. Children do not have to be present. Children do not have to be Kyrene students. Meals will be free through Dec. 31. Adults must still pay for meals. Information: kyrene.org/foodservices.
t o G ws? Ne
Ahwatukee Preschool, 11002 S. 48th St., is taking donations for a rummage sale that will be held 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 26 at its campus. The school will accept donations through Sept. 24, but donors must make an appointment by calling 480893-2579 and asking for Mary or Pastor Chris or you emailing info@mvlutheran.org for more information. No mattresses will be accepted and electronics must be no more than 5 years old. The money raised will support the preschool and Mountain View Lutheran Church’s youth ministry. The school hopes to use some of the rummage sale proceeds for supplies, scholarships, off-site events and creating a space where social distancing will be able to be maintained. Clothes, toys, furniture, decorations and other items will be on sale. Boy Scouts will be there to sell drinks and hotdogs at lunch time.
Kyrene slates school bus tryouts for potential drivers
Kyrene School District is repeating its popular Drive the Bus, giving interested people a chance to see what
it’s like to drive one of the yellow vehicles and the benefits the district offers drivers. The event runs 4-6 p.m. Sept. 24 at the district’s transportation facility on the northwest corner of Kyrene and Warner roads, Tempe. Attendees will hear about the benefits of being a Kyrene School District bus driver and all participants will have a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the basics of driving a school bus. All high-touch surfaces in the bus will be cleaned after each interested applicant and training team member drive the bus. Masks must be worn and social distancing will be observed at all times. Information: kyrene.org or 480-541-1000.
Free women’s workout at Ahwatukee home
Emma Caumont and her husband Ron Rocco are offering a free workout program for women only in their pool. Their Waterthon is held in a pool with a temperature of 93 degrees. While there is no charge, donations are welcome. Details: waterfeel.club. Only eight women are allowed to maintain social distancing and all touch surfaces are sanitized regularly. To reserve a time: eventbrite.com/e/ waterathon-for-women-tickets-120423480873.
Available Tuesday-Thrusday at 7 a.m., 7:40 a.m. or 8:20 a.m.
Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club very much around
The Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club hasn’t let the pandemic shut it down. Members meet online every week and have resumed speakers now that it’s fall. The lineup so far includes: Sept. 24, state Rep. Jennifer Jermaine; Oct. 8, James Taylor of the Arizona National Guard, Counterdrug Task Force; and Oct. 15, Margaret Wright, Kyrene School Board candidate. To ensure online security, people interested in the Kiwanis Club or attending a virtual meeting can contact President Mike Maloney at mike.maloney2003@gmail.com.
Mountainside Martial Arts has free self-defense clinic
Mountainside Martial Arts Center and the Women in Business group of the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce are partnering for a free two-hour self-defense seminar 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 17 for ages 14 and up at 3173 E. Chandler Blvd. Ahwatukee. To reserve a free spot, contact Sensei Rick Savagian at 480-759-4540 or info@mmacaz.com.
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
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OPINION
Opinion 26
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Share Your Thoughts:
@AhwatukeeFN |
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Time’s a wasting! Register to vote now BY DIANE E. BROWN AND KATIE HOBBS AFN Guest Writers
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he November election is fast approaching. This is your opportunity to help shape the community you live in, our state and our country, but to do that you must be registered to vote. Earlier this week, Arizonans celebrated National Voter Registration Day. If you missed it, no need to be concerned. There is still time and no time like the present to act.
Getting registered to vote is easy. National Voter Registration Day is observed on the fourth Tuesday in September, which is well ahead of Arizona’s Oct. 5, registration deadline for the Nov. 3 General Election. The process is simple and only takes a few minutes. To register, you must meet the eligibility requirements that include being 18 years old by Election Day, a United States citizen, and a resident of the state and county you list on your registration. If you have an Arizona Driver’s License or an Arizona nonoperating I.D. card is-
Lakes golf course should embrace housing
I’m happy for the residents of the Lakes that they may soon see the dirt lot that was once a golf course revived. However, I would have loved to see it put to use with greater social utility. It is ironic that the community embraces what Mr. Butler says is God’s will for the land, but shouted down suggestions to install high-density housing in the nowvacant lots. I would have thought that folks so invested in putting the land to a Goddriven use would have been more open
sued by the Motor Vehicle Division, you can register to vote online through the Service Arizona portal. Or you can download a paper voter registration form, �ill it out and return it to the Maricopa County Recorder’s of�ice. Simple as that. Remember to update your registration. Voters should make a habit of checking their registration status regularly. If your address or legal name has changed, you need to update your voter registration. If you’d like to change your political party af�iliation, you should also update your registration. Although your registration is effective based on the date the form is submitted, it might take a few weeks to receive your new or updated voter registration card. Voters don’t need to have a physical voter registration card to participate in an election – but your identi�ication will be veri�ied. A list of all acceptable forms of ID for in-person voting is available at Arizona.Vote. Make a plan to vote. Once you’re registered to vote – make a plan to exercise that right! There are
many options for participation in Arizona. Voters can: • Mail a ballot back as soon as possible and no later than Oct. 27 to ensure of�icials receive it before the deadline, which is Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. • Return an early ballot at a secure election drop-box or at any voting location. • Cast a ballot in person early or on Election Day. Ballot-by-mail process is a safe, secure and reliable option. Arizona has an impressive history with ballots-by-mail. We’ve had “no-excuse” absentee voting for decades, which means any voter, for any reason can get a one-time ballotby-mail. All you need to do is request one from your county recorder. Additionally, the Permanent Early Voting List (commonly referred to as PEVL) has been in place since 2007 in our state. Voters on this list are sent a ballot-by-mail for each election in which they qualify to participate. About 3 million of Arizona’s 4 million registered voters are currently on the PEVL, and we have many elections worth of experience to know that the system works.
These ballots are tracked and go through a rigorous veri�ication process before being securely tabulated. And it is important to remember when you vote by mail, sign and date the return envelope that is how your identi�ication is veri�ied! At the onset of COVID-19, Arizona election of�icials were ready and able to support voters when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended early voting and voting by mail whenever possible. If you have questions about registering to vote or your voting options, you should visit Arizona.Vote or call the Secretary of State’s Of�ice at 1-877-THE-VOTE. This will ensure you get the information you need from trusted sources; and being ready with trusted information is the best way to ensure your vote counts. Katie Hobbs is the Secretary of State and the Chief Elections Of�icer in Arizona. Reach her at khobbs@azsos.gov. Diane E. Brown is the Executive Director of the Arizona PIRG Education Fund, a non-partisan organization that protects consumers and promotes civic participation. Reach her at dbrown@ arizonapirg.org.
Foothills resident supports HOA board candidate
learn about our community. In addition to listening and asking questions, Jon has been out in the community to see for himself the ongoing and upcoming projects and challenges the board is managing. He has also seen the complexities of the day-to-day management of our community. In his short time on the board, Jon has gained invaluable insight and knowledge that should be valued by our members, especially with the loss of three experienced board members. I felt most of the other candidates
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
to welcoming town homes, apartment buildings or even affordable housing into our community. Personally, I would not put donating to orphanages and disaster relief in developing countries on the same Biblical playing �ield as investing in a business opportunity, as Mr. Butler does. But I’m sure Mr. Butler will bring a wonderful new recreation experience to our backyards. I just wonder when God started caring more about golf than providing housing opportunities. -Katie Giel
After attending the Foothills virtual Candidate Forum last week and listening to all the candidates for our HOA board, one candidate stood far above the others. Jon Samuelson, who was appointed to the board about nine months ago, is running as the incumbent. When asked what his greatest accomplishment was in these �irst nine months, he replied that it was listening, asking questions and learning. Jon recognizes how much there is to
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OPINION
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
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Please Mr. President, stand up for patients BY HEATHER SANDSTROM AFN Guest Writer
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he entire world has turned its attention to the biopharmaceutical industry. With COVID-19 spreading through Arizona and beyond, we’re all hoping for a vaccine breakthrough to save lives and enable us to get back to normal. That’s why President Donald Trump’s “most favored nation” executive order undermining pharmaceutical research is so troubling. Why, at this critical juncture, would he sign and implement a price control system that would strangle companies’ programs aimed at discovering new treatments and cures for all types of disease? Why would he suddenly impose an International Pricing Index? I’m originally from Canada, and I know a thing or two about price controls because Canada has socialized medicine where the government decides everything. What many Ameri-
LETTERS ���� ���� 26
were vague, had misinformation and were mostly interested in �inding fault with everything. I will cast all of my four votes for Jon Samuelson. -Mary Engbrecht
Foothills HOA treasurer questions candidate
At a recent virtual public meeting for the Foothills Community to meet the candidates for the board, one candidate stood out as someone I cannot vote for in this election. Vicky Glover answered questions regarding her past actions that every member of our association should be aware of before voting. Within the past 10 years, Vicky has
cans don’t realize is the impact of such top-down mandates on patients’ access to advanced treatments. Because of price controls, only about half of newer cancer therapies are available today in Canada, for example. Patients here in America’s free market system, on the other hand, can use nearly all of them, a full 96 percent. This is why I’m extremely disappointed the President chose to move forward with his plan to match medication prices to those set by bureaucrats in Canada, France, Japan and other countries. Our patients will suffer the same limits on biopharmaceutical choice as patients abroad do. Do you really want foreign nations to essentially decide whether you or a loved one may obtain a life-saving treatment? I don’t. In fact, I might not be here today if I had faced restrictions on the medications my doctors could use to treat the tumor they found in my brain. The day I was diagnosed was the scariest I’ve ever endured. I thought I was looking at the end.
sued her homeowners’ association at her condo community. In addition, in 2019, she �iled a complaint with the Arizona Department of Real Estate against the same board for which she is now running. This complaint, which our association successfully defended, cost our association approximately $5,000 of your money. She does not appear to be willing to work issues out with others without escalating the issue to a legal forum. Vicky Glover is not someone I want representing me on the Foothills Board of Directors. -Sandy Salvo
Writer likes Tukee Talk for political candidates
I have lived in Arizona most of my life
Share Your Thoughts:
Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com
But instead, I survived because of access to new, innovative treatments. Throughout the process, I was reliant on various prescription medications to keep my body strong and to ease my pain. This �ight left me extraordinarily grateful for the years of effort and investment required to �ind, test, and bring to market any new medicine. I know �irsthand the difference even modest improvements in safer pain medications or better chemotherapies can make. So, when I hear that an International Pricing Index would force three out of four pharmaceutical companies to reduce or eliminate current and future R&D projects, I worry. What if development of the more than 1,100 cancer therapies currently in progress were to halt? What if research on medications targeting other devastating diseases, from Alzheimer’s to MS, were to slow? How many lives would be irremediably harmed or cut short, and how many families would
but had the pleasure of living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Fort Worth, Texas, for short periods of time. While in Texas, I started getting more involved in politics and was inspired to learn as much as I could. Then my husband and I decided to move back to Arizona to be closer to our grandkids, children and family. This January we bought a home in Ahwatukee and were so excited. Our new house has a pool and a large front room to entertain and host game nights with our families. Once coronavirus cases started to rise, we began staying home to do our part to stop the spread. Since we couldn’t do anything in person, I started to look into volunteering and �inding ways to give back, so I started
be deeply affected by struggle and loss that could have been avoided? These days, we are all too familiar with having a dangerous illness hanging over our heads. But for many people with serious conditions, the threat and life impacts of disease were already there, only to be exacerbated by this pandemic. Each of these patients deserves an all-out, never-give-up effort to create the therapies they need. They are worthy of the same level of investment the nation is currently making to defeat COVID-19. We cannot let anything, but especially not ill-conceived price controls, stand in the way of curing their disease. But �irst, we need President Trump’s attention. He must revoke this executive order that establishes an International Pricing Index. We need to stand up for patients. -Heather Sandstrom is the president of Arizona Republican Women and a Mesa resident.
volunteering with the LD18 Democrats. Writing letters to my Democratic neighbors made me realize I wanted to make a bigger impact. With the pandemic continuing to spread, I started reading more about what actions our local government was (or in this case, wasn’t) taking. The time to act was now, and I couldn’t wait to leave anything to chance. I was inspired to make sure everyone knew more about our Democratic candidates. With that in mind, we organized a series of virtual meet and greets with a wide variety of candidates called Tukee Talk. Please join me in my journey to turn Arizona Blue in order to protect our values. https://ld18democrats.org -Melissa Galarza
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 September 26, 2020 9:00AM-12:00PM 4700 S Mill Ave Tempe, AZ 85282
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Business SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
@AhwatukeeFN |
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@AhwatukeeFN
www.ahwatukee.com
Ahwatukee couple’s business caters to thirsty people BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor
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aint Patrick’s Day 2020 was to have been a big day for Neal and Kinsey Kendrick. Not only was it their 12th wedding anniversary, but they had also organized a celebration that, of course, couldn’t happen. “We actually had a tap truck cul-de-sac party planned but unfortunately had to cancel, Neal said. “It was a bummer but I still enjoyed a green beer with my beautiful wife.” The week of the St. Patrick holiday was also to have brought a bit of business with numerous parties and private events on tap for the company that the Kendricks had launched a decade before. In that period, the Ahwatukee couple had grown their Chandler business, Liquid Caterers, into a burgeoning concern with related businesses that the 1997 Mountain Pointe High School grads oversaw. Life was busy, hectic, but good.
their nose-to-the-grindstone work, the future looked bright. But in mid-March, Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and with the unprecedented stay at home order put in place, public and private gatherings – the lifeblood of their various businesses – were no longer possible. “Since St. Patrick’s, we’ve had well over 200 events canceled, so it’s been devastating,” said Kinsey Kendrick. Liquid Caterers began more than 10 years ago as the couple faced a life-changing decision point. Neal had been laid Since the pandemic struck, Neal and Kinsey have had to keep their off from his sales job, and Kinbeer-on-wheels operation grounded, but that hasn’t stop the sey, who also worked in sales, Liquid Caterers owners from finding other ways to do business. realized she wanted more (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer) time with their first born. “Little did we know that when you deFollowing the trajectory of success that they had experienced already through cide to run your own business you tend to
trade your 40-hour work week for a 24/7 venture,” Kinsey chuckled. That’s when their first business, Couple of Bartenders, or CoB, was born. “We started Couple of Bartenders after I got laid off. At first it was just for friends of the family, but then it grew to friends of friends and from there we added other bartenders, moved from our Ahwatukee garage into offices and decided to grow and go all in,” Neal recalled. “All in” included their exceptionallysuccessful business featuring the mobile Tap Truck, a 1966 Chevy C-10 panel truck named Alice Marie for Neal’s late mother. The fully-enclosed truck houses kegs of all sizes with five taps located on the passenger side capable of dispensing beer and wine and even specialty cocktails or mocktails. Finlay Ray, their smaller yet classy 1964 Cushman Tap Cart, was the newest member of their fleet family, with four taps artfully
�ee CATERERS page 30
Board & Brush marks 3 years in Ahwatukee BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor
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ix months ago, business was booming for Melissa Malcom’s Board & Brush businesses in Ahwatukee, Gilbert and Scottsdale. The future for this successful franchise owner appeared rosy. And then when the state shut down to contain the spread of COVID-19 in March, Malcom’s business suffered a staggering blow. “We closed down completely,” said Malcom. There were hard decisions to be made. She opted to close her Scottsdale store, which was up for a lease renewal in July, while hanging on tenaciously to her Ahwatukee and Gilbert Board & Brush businesses. Her tenacity paid off and in early July, the Ahwatukee Board & Brush located at 4910
The Board and Brush on Chandler Boulevard in Ahwatukee is a treat for the DIY crowd, offering both supplies and instruction in woodworking and other skills. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)
E. Chandler Blvd. in Ahwatukee, and 538 S.
Gilbert Road, Gilbert, opened for business.
And Malcom has found that people are ready to get out again, joining friends for private DIY woodworking parties in a safe environment and often with a little BYOD wine sipping. But it’s still not business as usual. Instead being able to host 16 customers at a sitting in her Ahwatukee studio, Malcom can accommodate only eight. “When we first opened, people weren’t coming to us so we started At Home Kits,” she explained. “Now we’re getting more people coming in, mostly a lot of families or groups of friends. We don’t seat people together if they don’t know each other. We’ve started hosting a lot of private events, too.” Headquartered in Wisconsin, of the 273 studios throughout the U.S., 10 are located in Arizona.
�ee BRUSH page 31
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BUSINESS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Ahwatukee lawyer named one of the best AFN NEWS STAFF
A
n Ahwatukee man has been named to the 27th edition of “The Best Lawyers in America” list. Patrick MacQueen, a founding partner of Arizona’s top-ranked real estate law firm MacQueen & Gottlieb, PLC (M&G) was selected in the real estate practice area. The designation recognizes the top six percent of private practice attorneys in the nation and is based on more than eight million evaluations by attorneys around the country. The 40-year veteran list recognizes about 65,000 attorneys in 147 separate practice areas. Recognition is based on peer review and the list organizers’ methodology is designed to capture the consensus of lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and practice area. MacQueen said he was “humbled” by his addition to the list – his first. “The most important part of this, other
CATERERS from page 29
presented on light wood paneling. Its size made it easier to fit into smaller venues. There, too, the vehicle’s name had significance. Finlay is the name of Kinsey’s grandfather and one that many in the family, including Kinsey, have as their middle name. Though Kinsey feels the word “pivot” is being overused in the pandemic, admitted it aptly describes what she and her husband have had to do to keep their businesses viable. “We’ve had to pivot due to the effects of the pandemic on our business,” she said. “It’s brought us back to the core of mixology. We’re really coming back to the basics.” If there is one aspect of the youthful owners of the company that remains incontrovertible in the confusion wrought by COVID, it is their tenacity for optimism. “I think I’m more of an eternal optimist, but Neal is optimistic, too. He’s just more pragmatic,” said Kinsey. “We make a good team.” Neal said they remain hopeful for an improved post-COVID future where they’ll see an uptick in business. But they remain hard at work in the meantime. “We’ve kept our offices and warehouse
PATRICK MACQUEEN
than just being selected, is that the selection comes through peer review,” MacQueen said. “The selection lets me know I’ve earned the respect of my colleagues. It solidifies for me that we are doing the right things the right way here at M&G.
“I’m extremely proud of this honor, but it’s not just an award for me, it reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone here in the firm that provides our clients with great service and great results.” Chris Zarda, director of complex litigation at M&G, said MacQueen “continues to be on the forefront of the ever-changing residential and commercial real estate litigation and transactional realm, and his recognition as a Best Lawyer is well-deserved.” MacQueen said the award reflects M&G’s commitment to providing a different kind of law firm experience to its clients, a commitment MacQueen and his partner Benjamin Gottlieb made when they founded the firm in 2016. “Ben and I both believed then, and still do, that there is a better way to provide legal counsel than is being offered in the ‘traditional’ firms,’” MacQueen said.
The Finlay Ray mobile beer bar is a 1964 Cushman Tap Cart that Liquid Caterers use for smaller venues. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
in Chandler, and are currently working on developing a schedule for our virtual classes,” said Neal. “We do still have events scheduled for the fall but currently live events have been put on pause and in the fall the guest counts for events plus the number of overall events have been drastically reduced. We are essentially doing less than a quarter of what we would typically do during the months of October through December.”
Their pristine vehicles currently sit idle, but Neal and Kinsey Kendrick do not. They’ve pivoted. Liquid Caterers is now running online weekly Virtual Cocktail Classes in which they illustrate how to mix up some classic cocktails. Some classes focus on a specific spirit. A July class featured rum and various rum recipes as well as background on the
spirit. “We’re teaching people how to prepare unique cocktails and even basics like how to make a simple syrup at home,” explained Kinsey, adding that Facebook customers can get a discount code when signing up for a class or get one class free when registering for three classes. Liquid Caterers’ Cocktail Infusion Kits, a proprietary blend made with all-natural ingredients, are offered online and come
“We just go about things in a different way. Our firm’s culture allows us to build personal relationships with our clients and find unconventional ways to provide our clients with great outcomes in an atmosphere that is completely different from most law firms.” We are proud of what we are doing, and this award shows us that other attorneys recognize that the way we are doing things is working. It is affirmation that we made the right decision to run the firm the way we decided to when we opened our doors.” Patrick MacQueen has practiced law since 2006. He co-founded the firm with Gottlieb, who also has practiced for more than 10 years and currently boasts an undefeated jury trial record. Voted the number one real estate law firm in Arizona in 2019 and 2020 by Ranking Arizona, M&G handles a variety of residential and commercial real estate matters. Information: MandGlaw.com.
with instructions and recipe cards. The company even offers local pickup at their Chandler offices so customers can save on shipping costs. The company is still offering their gluten-free, kosher and vegan edible garnishes for fancied-up cocktail toppers. And even if they can’t gather with clients for holidays, their Facebook page is awash with ideas for at-home celebrations. Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day provided opportunities for cocktail creation sessions, gift box ideas and more. For now the couple, who have two sons ages 11 and 7, are focusing on the virtual side of their business. “We’ve had many of our wedding events scheduled for September and October postponed, some for a year,” said Kinsey. “But we’re doing our best to stay focused on the positive.” “It was pretty devastating how quickly it all came to a halt, but all in all I like to keep a positive tone, adapting and changing our model to accommodate the current state of the union with our virtual offers,” said Neal. “But we’re really looking forward to getting things going again in person soon.” Find out more about Liquid Caterers, CoB and more at LiquidCaterers.com and on Facebook.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
BRUSH from page 29
Each Board & Brush Creative Studio provides tools, paints and wood stains to help customers, mostly women, bring out their “inner woodworking skills” in either a BYOB private party setting or with classes like the Sept. 25th Mini Framed Sign Workshop. Personal instruction and help with woodworking techniques are part of each gathering. “Our goal is to turn you into a DIY master while having a great time and helping you create something special for your home or to give as a gift,” said Malcom. Malcom said there’s plenty of physical distancing provided for both private parties and workshops. “Within the studio itself, our tables are 4’X8’ so we can still social distance our public workshop by including only four per table max, when within the same group,” she said. “When a group knows each other, we sit them at the same table. Generally, everyone usually comes with one friend, so you and your friend have a table to yourselves and we place that table 6 feet away from others,” she explained. “We’ve always been cautious with our sanitation of supplies, but we have stepped that up to extreme measures. Our staff all wear masks, of course, but we also ask for frequent hand sanitation and extra wiping down of tools and surfaces.” One regular customer, Shawnacy Lofgreen, said she has attended classes since the reopening and feels comfortable with the precautionary steps. “We’ve been back since they’ve reopened and we felt completely safe,” said Lofgreen, who said she usually goes with a friend but has taken her husband for a date night. “We’re even going back in a few weeks for our next Halloween project.” Lofgreen estimates she’s attended dozens of classes in the last few years at Malcom’s Ahwatukee and Gilbert locations. “I found Board & Brush when I was looking for something fun for my girlfriend and I to do to get out of the house, catch up and do something fun in the process. Between work and kids, we found it easiest to schedule something for us to do,” she explained. “I’m not very artistic or crafty – you can look at the paintings from the prior classes to prove that,” Lofgreen confessed. “So, I was a bit nervous trying this out. But my fears were completely unfounded. We end-
Melissa Malcom has managed to keep her Board and Brush afloat in Ahwatukee and Gilbert despite the challenges of business shutdowns brought on by the pandemic. (Pablo Rob;les/AFN Staff Photographer)
ed up really enjoying ourselves and feeling pretty proud of what we had created. “Even if you’ve never painted or built anything before, the sessions are still really fun. The instructor is there to help guide you, offer tips and tricks, but you’re the one completing the project and you can be as creative as you want. You also get ideas from the people around you. I have seen some really creative combinations that have given me ideas for the next time I’m in.” Positive customer reactions spur Malcom on, even though the pandemic has cut into the number of clients she can accommodate. “I love watching the connections made in the studio, even since we’ve reopened gradually with private and semi-private
events,” she said. “We’ve been able to virtually teach workshops as well as provide a place for families to get together with friends still in a safe space, and do what we love to do best – teach our customers how to handcraft a beautiful, wooden sign and turn them into woodworking masters.” Malcolm started her career in marketing and strategic brand development for various Fortune 500 companies. After losing her husband to cancer and after 25 years working with corporate entities, she decided to make positive changes for herself and her then 9-year-old daughter Ellyson. “After many years of travel for work, I knew it was time for a change so I could spend more time with my daughter, who’s now 13. Board & Brush allowed me to have a more flexible schedule to spend time with family and to meet a wonderful man, Eric Mathiesen, and his two children,” she said. Her sweetheart, a career coach, often helps her at her two business locations. Even with her doors open once again, Malcom is still grappling with how to make up the losses she suffered. “As a business Maddie Hayes works with wood during a “Be An Artist” workshop at a recent Board and Brush activity. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) that relies on in-
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person workshops, usually a social gathering for friends and family, COVID has had a dramatic impact both on my business, and myself personally,” said Malcom. “We’re a business that was designed to connect people socially through the experience of a workshop or classes, and when we were closed in March, we were forced to cancel everything, and were unsure how we were going to move forward – such as so many other businesses.” “Unfortunately, we were forced to permanently close the doors on our Scottsdale studio, but we were lucky that we were near the end of the lease and had a very gracious landlord,” she said. “Besides losing one of my three studios, I’m also running the existing two businesses at less than a third of the prior customers. We know that so many people still have concerns over gathering, so we’ve offered private workshops so that family members and friends can still gather and feel they are in a space where they are able to be themselves and enjoy being social once again, but in a safe environment.” Private events are proving popular as a recent Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Women in Business early evening gathering proved. Team building also remains a popular draw. Sign-ups for Board & Brush classes and workshops, all described on the BoardandBrush.com/Ahwatukee site, is effortless. The Sept. 27 DIY Porch Planter Workshop with the Trick-or-Treat Stacked Pumpkin Planter is an annual favorite. A variety of paint colors and wood stains are available. A Family-Friendly Tote Bag Workshop featuring Halloween designs is also slated for Oct. 3 from 12:15-1:45 p.m. Board & Brush also offers a variety of specialty projects including backyard games like oversize wooden dice, ring darts, backyard tower and crate (think oversized Jenga) and a variety of cornhole boards with various designs. With Oct. 1 marking her two-year anniversary at her Ahwatukee location, Malcom hopes business will continue to pick-up. “We know everyone who comes will appreciate the fun they have creating their own DIY wood project, and be very proud of what they’ve made to grace their own home or to give as a gift,” she said. Information: boardandbrush.com/ ahwatukee, boardandbrush.com/gilbert or their Facebook pages.
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
ANSWERS TO PUZZLES AND SUDOKU from Page 37
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AIA adjusts metric, clears way for football to begin BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor
A
fter months of speculation, worry, optimism and most importantly, stress surrounding the Arizona high school football season, it seems all systems are a go. The Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Governing Board, in conjunction with its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, adjusted a key COVID-19 benchmark the association is using to determine when safe for competition to begin. Previously, SMAC recommended cases in each county drop to 10 per 100,000 people, a near impossible number to achieve, before games could take place as scheduled on Sept. 30. After the latest revisions however, the target number is now 75 cases per 100,000 people. Maricopa County has hovered around 50 cases per 100,000 the last two weeks, along with other counties. “There were several things in play that led to the change,” AIA Executive Director David Hines said. “We fortunately had other states that went before us, that was very helpful. They have mitigation strategies in place similar to what we have. We needed to see how that was going. “The board also wants to make sure our modi�ications are adhered to. That was very important with our sports medicine people to limit exposure as much as possible.” The initial benchmarks were adopted by the AIA Executive Board as a recommendation from SMAC on Sept. 3. It was at that same time the board approved the existing fall sports timeline. On Sept. 4, Hines sent an email to school administrators and coaches explaining the benchmarks SMAC was using to determine whether it is safe for games. The 10 per 100,000 cases metric was identi�ied as the one that would present the biggest challenge. The other benchmarks, which include the percentage of hospitalizations
The Arizona Interscholastic Association and its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee approved new guidelines that relax benchmark requirements and give the all clear for high school football games to begin Sept. 30. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff)
for COVID-19 and the percentage of positive tests, had already been met by most counties. Hines explained the document is “living,” meaning is could be updated with approval from the board. That was made clear Thursday. “We’ve been given an opportunity to compete in football,” Hines said. “But it could get shut down if people don’t follow the procedures if cases go up and people don’t follow protocol. If that happens, schools, districts and health departments could come in and say, ‘no more.’” The metric caused an uproar in the Arizona high school football community. A parent group led by Brad and Brooke Schweigert, Max and Carine Werner and Bryan and Elena Bernardo, sent a letter to board members on Sept. 9, demanding for the guidelines to be changed. Along with the metric, the group also called for revisions to the “close contact” guideline put in place by SMAC, which requires an athlete who has been exposed to someone
that tests positive for the virus to be away from team activities for 21 days. All six parents signed the letter, noting it also had support from the “Parents in support of 2020 football in Arizona” Facebook group, which has more than 1,300 members. “We would expect our parents to support our kids,” Hines said. “As a former parent, yes, you are very passionate about your own child. But we have to look at the entire picture and we have an entire state that is all over the board. “We are going to use the medical people, our administrators and our experts to do what is best for all of the kids.” The updated guidelines pave the way for the AIA to allow games to begin Sept. 30. Ultimately, however, it remains up to districts. Most East Valley districts have given teams a green light to begin contact, but with some modi�ications. Tempe Union High School District still requires the use of face masks for all athletes under helmets. Restrictions lighten up farther east.
In Scottsdale, schools have still been barred from contact despite being able to put on pads. In other parts of the Valley, some districts have yet to allow teams on school grounds to practice at all. Tolleson Union High School District and Phoenix Union High School District teams haven’t had an of�icial practice since June. Both districts, however, plan to begin competition later in October. Hines said he hopes the updated metrics help school districts �ind a clear path to allow athletes to play this fall. “We know some districts have been able to do more than others,” Hines said. “To be honest, that happens when we aren’t in the middle of a pandemic. Knowing we have some scrimmages next week, we wanted to help teams have the ability to get some hitting in before they had a scrimmage.” Several scrimmages between teams have already been scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23, Thursday, Sept. 24 and Friday, Sept. 25. It’ll be the �irst live action for most teams since the end of the season last December. Starting Wednesday, Sept. 30, the lights above stadiums will once again burn bright. Hines said it will be a welcoming site after a tense summer. “I think any of us that have any interest at all in high school athletics knows how important it is for our kids,” Hines said. “I’m excited for the kids, the coaches and the schools, I just have to caution us. “We have to keep our nose to the ground to do the things that are required so we can continue.”
Have an interesting sports story? Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications. com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.
34
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
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Pangean Orchestra uses down time to plan BY SRIANTHI PERERA AFN Contributor
T
he East Valley’s Pangean Orchestra, which gathers musicians and instruments from various cultures, has achieved nonpro�it status and is now looking for four board members and �ive volunteers. “By being recognized, we open Pangean up to a vast wealth of people power,” said orchestra founder Colin O’Donohoe of Chandler. “We believe our organization is a force for good that others would want to be a part of,” he said. “Volunteers can be a part of a powerful organization spreading a message of peace and understanding among diverse people.” Nonpro�it status enables the group to accept tax-deductible donations. Moreover, O’Donohoe added, many companies encourage and reward employees to volunteer in their community if the organization is a federally recognized nonpro�it. The Pangean Orchestra, earlier known as The Immigrant Orchestra, was founded in 2010 by O’Donohoe with the aim of uniting people with the language of music. Musicians drawn from various countries play their traditional instruments, harmonizing seemingly incompatible instruments such as the stringed qanun, from Iraq; the percussion tabla, from India and the goblet drum, djembe, from West Africa. They play music in new ways. Members of the group, now numbering 100, have performed in the East Valley, New York and Turkey. All members don’t play in each concert as the number of musicians at a concert depends on the stage and what the venue can afford to pay. Pangean has held concerts at the Tempe History Museum since 2011, averaging about 160 attendees – a full house for the place. A concert is tentatively planned for next July.
“They �ill up our stage and it is always a fun challenge to set up sound for such varied instruments – from didgeridoos to tablas to cellos to si- The Pangean Orchestra performs at Tempe History Museum but canceled this year. (Tempe Historical Museum) tars,” said Dan Miller, the museum’s exhibit curator. with,” he said. “We show everyone how working to“They always theme the show around creating a small bit of world peace by bring- gether can sound amazing and give such a ing together musicians from all over the strong positive feeling.” A typical volunteer, besides being motiworld.” Due to COVID-19, no concerts are slated vated and engaged, should believe that by for 2020; the group is using the down time working for Pangean, they are doing good for the community. to plan and raise money for next year. “Often, someone begins as a volunteer The Pangean’s mission and motive is relevant today as never before. Together, the and wants to become more helpful by bemusicians are dedicated to promoting un- ing a board member and taking ownership over solving problems faced by Panderstanding among a diverse population. O’Donohoe’s description of a potential gean,” O’Donohoe said. volunteer underscores its mission Volunteers also should have different “If someone is looking for a meaningful perspectives. way to change the hurtful rhetoric of ha“I hope that the people volunteering are tred against minority groups and wants to as diverse as the musicians. We can only offer an alternative to the ignorance and be a global orchestra when we have global hate, it is my hope they would �ind what personnel offering many approaches to Pangean is doing as a great group to work our endeavors,” he said.
Colin O’Donohoe, founder of Pangean Orchestra, plays the keyboard at a concert. (Courtesy of Pangean Orchestra)
Volunteers should also ideally work outside of music and have business and communication skills and a passion to see the orchestra grow in popularity and success, O’Donohoe added. The former mayor of Gilbert, John Lewis, is a fan of the group and said he was glad to hear of its continued success. “Part of a ‘clean, safe, vibrant’ community includes the blessing of individuals like Colin who have vision and persistence,” he wrote from Cambodia, where he’s currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “The Pangean Orchestra adds vibrancy to a community and brings communities together from all over the world.” Miller said a Pangean Orchestra concert is the quintessential gathering of such diverse community members in a most entertaining way. “We are a community history museum that welcomes performances by members of our diverse community. The orchestra is always welcome at Tempe History Museum,” he said. The path forward is not always smooth for the group. Last year, O’Donohue ran a crowdfunding campaign to record professional videos and recordings and fell far short of the goal. Instead, he used the funds to apply for the 501c3 status to solidify as a company. O’Donohue wants to make Pangean a household name. “I want us to be a shining example of what happens when many different people work together,” he said. “A year ago, we said that our country was in a vulnerable place with tension among our people at a high level. Sadly, over the next year we’ve seen the anger from a year ago turn into violence,” he added. “We need Pangean desperately in our country. We need powerful examples of different people working and creating together as a catalyst for a real change in our mentality towards co-existence and mutual respect for one another,” he said. Details: thepangeanorchestra.com
36
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
Ahwatukee Foothills News
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High Quality Results TRIM TREES ALL TYPES GRAVEL - PAVERS SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
Landscape Design/Installation
Sprinkler & Drip Systems
Complete Clean Ups
Repairs • Modifications • Installs
Jose Martinez Not a licensed contractor.
602.515.2767 Serving the Valley for over 28 years
The Possibilities are Endless
Custom Design and Renovation turning old to new
• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty
480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded
Custom Built-ins, BBQs, Firepits, Fireplaces, Water Features, Re-Designing Pools, Masonry, Lighting, Tile, Flagstone, Pavers, Culture Stone & Travertine, Synthetic Turf, Sprinkler/Drip, Irrigation Systems, Clean ups & Hauling
Call for a FREE consultation and Estimate To learn more about us, view our photo gallery at: ShadeTreeLandscapes.com
480-730-1074
Bonded/Insured/Licensed • ROC #225923
Specials
Lawn Mowing Starts At $40 Full Service Starts At $70 15 + Yrs Exp! All English Speaking Crew
LANDSCAPE LIGHTING
FERTILIZER PROGRAMS * SOIL TESTING * LAWN SERVICE
Irrigation
480.643.9772
ROC# 186443 • BONDED
Repairs - Installs - Modifications
480-940-8196
SYNTHETIC TURF • PUTTING GREENS
Free Estimates 7 Days a Week!
Not a licensed contractor
INSTALLING A WINTER LAWN?
Landscape/Maintenance
Arizona Specialty Landscape
TREE
Install/Design We do it all!
Landscape/Maintenance
Irrigation Repair Services Inc.
SONORAN LAWN
480-745-5230
Is your lawn ready for the holidays? Call for a clean up.
RAMON LANDSCAPING SERVICES I could help you have your palm trees and other trees trimmed by giving you a reasonable and better price than the others.
Irrigation Repair & New Installation Yard Clean-ups • Storm Damage • Palm & Tree Trimming Tree Removal • Landscape Lighting Installation & Repair Landscape Design
Responsible • 100% Guaranteed Ask for Ramon
Not a Licensed Contractor
480-217-0407
MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.Ahwatukee.com Painting
Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician
Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems
Call Lance White
480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com
ROC# 256752
HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs
We Are State Licensed and Reliable!
Add a Background Color to Your Ad! Classifieds 480-898-6465
Free Estimates • Senior Discounts
480-338-4011
ROC#309706
CLASSIFIEDS
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
Painting
Plumbing
Painting
Jose Dominguez Painting & Drywall SEE OUR AD IN DRYWALL! Quick Response to your Call! 15 Years Exp 480-266-4589 Not a licensed contractor
East Valley PAINTERS
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING Interior, Exterior House Painting. Stucco Patching. Gate/Front Door Refinishing. Quality work/Materials Free Estimate Ignacio 480-961-5093 602-571-9015 ROC #189850 Bond/Ins'd
AHWATUKEE SPECIAL $
SPEND A LITTLE…
Off 40work done *Any
MAKE A LOT!
SUN TECH
PAINTING
Plumbing
INC.
Serving Ahwatukee Since 1987 Interior / Exterior
Voted #1 Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting
10% OFF
www.eastvalleypainters.com Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131
Now Accepting all major credit cards
We offer personalized service for our customers. We use the best materials that we can find.
Visit us at Suntechpaintingaz.com or view our video promo at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM5pbvpZJlg
602.625.0599 ROC #155380 Family Owned • Free Estimates
Free Estimates! Home of the 10-Year Warranty!
480-688-4770
SERVICE • REPAIR • REPLACEMENT
• High Quality Materials & Workmanship • Customer Satisfaction Free Est imates • Countless References • Carpentry Services Now Available
We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality
Family Owned & Operated
Pool Service / Repair
“We get your house looking top notch!” ★ Interior/Exterior Painting ★ Drywall Repair & Installation ★ Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Owned and Operated by Rod Lampert Ahwatukee Resident Serving Ahwatukee for over 25 years
Our services include: Sinks, Toilets, Faucets, Water Heaters, Garbage Disposal, Drain Cleaning, Pressure Reducing Valves, Pressure Vacuum Breakers, Hot Water Circulation Systems, Main Service Valves and Hose Taps.
(480) 279-4155 Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC 189848
★ Elastomaric Roof Coating
Plumbing
★ Epoxy Floors ★ Small Job Specialist
Scott Mewborn, Owner 480-818-1789 The Valley’s Premier Painters Proudly Serving Ahwatukee for 15 Years! Family Owned & Operated Residential • Commercial • Best Painters EVER! • Epoxy Floors & Concrete Coatings • Interior & Exterior “Professional, Punctual & Clean”
ACP is 100% Veteran Owned Like us on Facebook to stay current & Receive 5% Off Services
License #ROC 298736
PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH! Beat Any Price By 10% • Lifetime Warranty Water Heaters Installed - $799 Unclog Drains - $49 FREE RO UNIT w/Any WATER SOFTENER INSTALL NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 Months!! ‘A’ RATED PLUMBING REPAIR Free Estimates • Same Day Service
www.AcpPaintingllc.com Licensed - Bonded - Insured ROC 290242
FREE ESTIMATES • CALL TODAY!
(480)785-6323
PLUMBING
Plumbing
Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709
480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com
$35.00 Off Any Service Call Today!
A+ RATED
We Repair or Install ROC # 272721
AHWATUKEE’S #1 PLUMBER Licensed • Bonded • Insured
704.5422
(480)
MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!
480-898-6465
41
42
CLASSIFIEDS
Pool Service / Repair
$25 OFF
Filter Cleaning! Monthly Service & Repairs Available
602-546-POOL 7 6 6 5
www.barefootpoolman.com See our Before’s and After’s on Facebook Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC# 272001
Crops of Luv
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
"My dream is that one day we will be able to give every "wish" child a scrapbook to remind them that dreams do come true."
Roofing
Come Join us: Help make embellishments, organize or assist with events, scrapbook, donate your time, money or space. Teens who need to fill Community Service hours for High School are welcome! Come be apart of something Awesome!
desertsandscontracting.com
Jody, co-founder, Ahwatukee based non-profit
TILE ROOFING SPECIALISTS
10% OFF COMPLETE UNDERLAYMENT Commercial & Residential Family Owned & Operated AZROC #283571 | CONTRACTOR LIC. AZROC #312804 CLASS CR4 | FULLY INSURED
FREE ESTIMATES 602-736-3019
480.634.7763
showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!
FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable
602-938-7575 $ 1000 OFF 480-446-7663 when you show this ad on qualifying complete roof replacements
Pool Service / Repair
PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR
and every step of the way.
FLAT ROOFS | SHINGLES | TEAR OFFS | NEW ROOFS | REPAIRS TILE UNDERLAYMENT | TILE REPAIR | LEADERS | COPPER ALUMINUM COATINGS | GUTTERS | SKYLIGHTS
cropsofluv@cox.net
Juan Hernandez
Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident
Let us show you the IN-EX Difference! Serving The Valley Since 1996
Over 30 yrs. Experience
480-706-1453
Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!
FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded
Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099
Call Juan at
inexroofing.com
Not a licensed contractor.
Call for your FREE Roof Evaluation
480-720-3840 1st Month of Service FREE
Roofing
Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! We have a “Spencer” on every job
Flat and Foam Roof Experts!
Cropsofluv.com
Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair
Roofing
CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com
Family Owned & Operated for over 30 years
ROC #152111
Quality Repairs & Re-Roofs Complimentary & Honest Estimates
For a limited time
Call Now!
Ahw Resident • Owner Operated Maintenance & Repair Professional and Superior Service
We maintain, repair and service all types of pools, equipment, filters, cleaning systems, fresh water and salt water systems
Call me, Howard:
480.231.9651
AZPoolExpert.com BBB Member Not a licensed contractor.
Call our office today!
Over 30 Years of Experience
480-460-7602
Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!
Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING
Ask us about our discount for all Military and First Responders!
Valley Wide Service
www.porterroofinginc.com
480-446-7663
Roofing
480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com
10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof
MonsoonRoofingInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561
10% OFF with this ad
Licensed • Bonded • Insured ROC # 269218
Licensed, Bonded, Insured
Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!
SELL YOUR CAR IN THE CLASSIFIEDS! 2 WEEKS STARTING AT $20.80
FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded
CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM
480.898.6465
43
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
palmabrisa.com
NOW SELLING
A new gated resort community is coming soon in the Ahwatukee Foothills with a dramatically different style. It feels exclusive, but also lively and exciting — and it's called Palma Brisa. • Modern resort-style gated community with stately palms
• Diverse architecture: Modern Bungalow, Urban Farmhouse, Italian Cottage, Andalusian, Modern Craftsman, French Country, and Spanish Mission • Four amenity areas connected by expansive lawns
• Homes from 1,700 sq. ft. to 4,000 sq. ft. from the $400’s
ERIC WILLIAMS
480-641-1800
TERRY LENTS
© Copyright 2019 Blandford Homes, LLC. No offer to sell or lease may be made prior to issuance of Final Arizona Subdivision Public Report. Offer, terms, and availability subject to change without prior notice. Renderings are artist’s conceptions and remain subject to modification without notice.
44
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
**Get up to
$
3,899
in Dealer Rebates –and–
No Interest if Paid in Full Within 18 Months on a qualifying Trane purchase. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period.
FALL TUNE-UP SPECIAL!
REG. $99.
Includes a 16-Point Inspection. LIMITED TIME ONLY RESIDENTIAL ONLY
Your Hometown Air Conditioning Specialist Service Call (WITH REPAIR) Second Option
FREE
SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643
480-725-7303 www.BrewersAC.com **See your independent dealer for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special financing offers valid on qualifying equipment only. Special rebates from $75 to $500. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Void where prohibited. The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 1/1/2020 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. The offer expires 12/31/2020.