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Club West Conservancy wins first round of lawsuit
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive EditorASuperior Court judge last week allowed the Club West Conservancy to continue pressing for a ban on developing any part of the Club West Golf Course for anything but golf, promising more litigation in 2023 on a legal action filed nearly 13 months ago.
In rejected course owner The Edge’s request to dismiss the Conservancy’s suit, Maricopa County Judge Timothy Thomason disagreed with its assertion that the Conservancy had no standing to challenge it.
The Conservancy, which comprises an unknown number of the Club West Association’s approximate 2,600 homeowners, formed within a few months of The Edge’s rollout of its first proposal for the 18-hole
site in January 2020.
At that time, The Edge proposed selling part of the 165-acre site to Taylor Morrison for the construction of 164 houses that would finance the course’s reconstruction and some additional amenities, including a new clubhouse.
Aside from November 2018 to February
leukemia
BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports EditorJake Romaine was just like every other baseball player putting his body on the line for his team last month.
Desert Vista was playing a tournament game, building chemistry for what many around the program believe will be a special season next spring.
Part of those expectations come from the talent on the roster, Jake, a pitcher and outfielder included. So, when he saw the ball coming toward him, he laid out.
He landed awkwardly but didn’t notice any pain right away. He and his parents both wrote it off as a weird landing.
But what transpired over the course of the
next few days brought a new meaning to the word “toughness” for Jake and the rest of the Romaine Family and made this Christmas season especially meaningful.
“I thought I had just hurt my ribs or my spleen,” Jake said. “I wasn’t feeling well the next day, so I went to the doctor. I really didn’t think anything of it.”
Jake’s pain around his rib area didn’t ease up and he had a low-grade fever. Initial tests at a local urgent care didn’t reveal much.
Desert Vista senior Jake Romaine was dealt a curveball in November when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. (Courtesy Armer Foundation for Kids)
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DiCiccio criticizes Ahwatukee’s exclusion from bond package
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive EditorPhoenix City Council on a 7-1 vote advanced the city’s proposed $500 million General Obligation bond toward the November 2023 ballot last week as Councilman Sal DiCiccio ripped its exclusion of another fire station for western Ahwatukee while allocating over $50 million for arts and culture – most of it for just two projects.
DiCiccio bowed out of the Dec. 13 meeting after his remarks, while voting against it was Councilman Tom Waring, who said districts with light rail stations and routes “are getting an unequal share of the pie” comprising about $52 million for fixing streets.
But Mayor Kate Gallego praised the city administration and the executive committee that crafted the bond package for addressing a sizeable portion of what they called the city’s “most urgent needs” amid $1.2 billion in infrastructure and facility additions and improvements that had been identified after months of study. The $500 million package still leaves about $147 million worth of “the most urgent needs identified by staff” untouched.
That was the main reason DiCiccio ripped the bond package, questioning why the city was allocating $50.4 million for arts and culture – including $21.6 million for a new Latino Cultural Center and $14 million for a permanent venue for the Valley Youth Theater.
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“We’ve been planning for a fire station on the west side of Ahwatukee for as long as I can remember – even from the 1990s …What happened to that fire station?” he asked city administration representatives who were briefing the council on the bond package.
“Our response times in that area are going up pretty dramatically,” DiCiccio continued. “And it makes it really hard if almost impossible for me to vote for a bond proposal that has millions of dollars for arts programs.
“There’s not anything there for this fire station, which is critical to the life and safety and the health of the individ-
uals who live in that area.”
The bond program allocates the largest portion of the $500 million for public safety, with $132.5 million for four fire stations in other parts of the city, replacement of one police precinct and renovation of another and a $9 million. renovation of the police department’s property management warehouse.
DiCiccio‘s call for a third fire station comes at a time when Blandford Homes is preparing to add 1,050 houses and more than 500 townhomes and apartments to about 373 acres along Chandler Boulevard between 19th and 27th avenues.
Executive Assistant Fire Chief Scott Walker did not dispute DiCiccio’s assertion of the need for a third Ahwatukee fire station, noting the land for it was purchased with money form the city’s last General Obligation bond passed by voters in 2006.
“We are well aware of the needs in this part of the community,” Walker said. “We are aware of the calls for service in that community and we watch it almost daily.”
Walker said a variety of factors went into his bond subcommittee’s consideration of what projects to include in the bond package, including response times and other metrics that are part of a formula for prioritizing fire safety capital needs.
He also said a third Ahwatukee fire station has been given a “high priority” for the next bond package – which likely won’t be created for another five years.
“It really was just a matter of when we ran through the metrics that we use, these other four projects had a significantly higher frequency of risk to the city and to our residents,” Walker told DiCiccio. “And that’s how things roll.”
“I’m not saying…that station isn’t a priority,” Walker continued. “It is just that at some point we had to make that decision in an area where we have thousands of calls every year and an area where we might have hundreds of calls a year. So that’s how we came to this decision and why it just fell outside of the top four projects that we brought forward and the committee voted on.”
He also said the department is looking at how to use technology and other ways to improve response times to western Ahwatukee communities.
DiCiccio told Walker “I appreciate that a lot” and that “I know how hard you’ve worked on it.”
“But when it comes to the safety issue,” he added, “the only thing they’ve asked for was that fire station being included.”
The councilman also said that while he understood other parts of the city also suffered from prolonged emergency response times that exceed the national standard, “that fire station literally has been talked about since the 1990s.”
Meanwhile, Waring condemned the light rail tilt in the appropriation of $17 million for the city’s Vision Zero road safety initiative, $12.5 million for its T2050 Mobility plan and $22 million for pavement maintenance.
“To touch on districts where you put light rail,” Waring said. “I think you tear up the streets and then you build all new ones, so those people who have light rail are also kind of getting a twofer. They’re getting a lot of infrastructure.”
Some of the council members who voted for the bond package and also approved the spending targets were nonetheless unhappy about some omissions.
Vice Mayor Laura Pastor lamented the absence of any projects for the LGBTQ community as well as military veterans and she, like others who saw no funding for their pet projects, said they’ll be pressing for future funding.
The GO bond is the city’s first since 2006 and the city administration said it hopes it will be the first of $500 million bond proposals it will put before voters every five years in an effort to keep Phoenix on a stable fiscal footing.
Council and the administration will work on ballot language for the bond measure for a formal vote by June that will call for the November election. They also will be mapping out an intensive marketing campaign to inform and persuade voters to approve it.
The package also goes back to the council in March, possibly giving members a chance to lobby for their pet projects at the expense of others.
2019 when an entrepreneur tried to make a go of the course, the site has been barren since former owner Wilson Gee and his partners closed it in summer 2016 because of the high city water bills. The course can only be irrigated by city potable water.
Taylor Morrison pulled out of the deal shortly after the The Edge rolled out the plan because of community opposition.
The Conservancy formed shortly after that, first filing a successful suit against the transferral of land use rights for the site to the Club West HOA board. Those rights have since been transferred by Shea Homes to The Edge.
In early December 2021, the Conservancy filed its latest suit against The Edge and Shea Homes, which succeeded UDC as the primary homebuilder in the community.
It said Shea and UDC had not only marketed an 18-hole executive course to attract homebuyers to the fledgling community in the 1990s, but also had guaranteed that course in sales agreements with an unstated number of homeowners.
“Foothills Club West was developed, marketed and sold by UDC-Foothills Limited Partnership as a golf course community with an 18-hole championship golf course at the heart of the community,” Conservancy attorney Francis Slavin wrote, quoting a 1990 newspaper announcement by the UDC Homes subsidiary that stated:
“The 6,883-yard, par-72 championship golf course and the 20,000 squarefoot clubhouse will be the focal point of a 1,447-acre master planned community that will include 25 residential communities.”
UDC Homes, which was acquired by Shea Homes of Arizona in 1998, owned the golf course property and its CC&Rs through a subsidiary and the lawsuit states those land use regulations “ensure that each golf course property owner operated and maintained” it as a golf course, the Conservancy argues.
The Edge has countered by citing another portion of the use rights to the site that says, “The declarant has the power under the declaration to release portions of the property to be developed for nongolf course uses, including housing.”
The Conservancy also claims that developing part of the course for residences would be particularly unfair to some 360 homeowners who paid premium prices for lots along the course’s perimeter.
In seeking to dismiss the Conservancy’s lawsuit, attorneys for The Edge argued that it had no rights to defend in court, pointing to the fact that it did not list any homeowners in its complaint.
Thomason last summer allowed the Conservancy to amend its original complaint and it did so by filing an addendum to its complaint that listed the names of 50 homeowners.
Thomason last week noted that at this point, “the sole issue before the Court is whether plaintiff has demonstrated that it has organizational standing, such that the plaintiff may represent the interests of its members in this suit.”
He then declared, “The interests that the plaintiff seeks to protect do appear to be relevant to the organization’s purpose.”
The judge several times stressed that he was not ruling on the merits of the Conservancy’s argument.
And he even stressed that in challenging the Conservancy’s right to relief from any non-golf sue of the course, The Edge might even be right.
“The court emphasizes that its ruling here is limited in nature,” he wrote, adding that the “Edge makes arguments that might end up being correct.
“For example,” he continued, “the Edge may be correct that only a thirdparty beneficiary under Arizona law can sue to enforce” a portion of the course’s land-use rights that promise a site used only for golf. Those land use rights are contained in the course’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) and are not under the HOA’s control.
Noting that the land use rights for the site specifically say that golf is not necessarily forever guaranteed on the site, the judge said, “The CC&Rs provide no representations or warranties were provided to homeowners about the golf course.”
Noting some of homeowners whose names appear on the amended complaint “bought their property after the golf course closed” in 2016, Thomason
said the issue of whether The Edge is obliged to sue the site only for golf will have to await further hearings and legal arguments.
Thomason conceded the prospect of more hearings “might not be economical,” and also wondered why the 50
homeowners whose names appear on an addendum to the Conservancy complaint are not listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
And he noted they represent “a very small percentage of the Foothills West homeowners, perhaps under 2%.” No hearing date has been set for the next phase of the case.
Here’s the deal. These rates are great, surprisingly great.
know
The 165-acre Club West Golf Course has been barren since February 2019 and looks like this now. (Tom Sanfilippo/InsideOut
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Beautifully updated 4,247 sf home with 5 bedrooms, office, finished basement and four full bathrooms! Nearly a ¼ acre with a north facing back yard. One bedroom and one bathroom downstairs. Kitchen boasts rich, dark finish cabinetry, 2022 Quartz counter tops, center island, pantry, large eat-in casual dining area. All flooring replaced in November 2021; wood look vinyl plank flooring throughout with upgraded carpet in bedrooms and on staircase. 2021 baseboards throughout. 2022 interior and exterior paint. Master suite has a large walk in closet, dual sinks, separate walk in shower and Roman soaking tub. Large secondary bedrooms; one of the secondary bedrooms upstairs is enormous and would also make a great game room. All secondary bedroom closets have Classy Closet build outs. The large laundry room, with overhead cabinets for extra storage, is also built out as a mud room. The private back yard setting has a covered patio in addition to the elevated patio area off the kitchen, a large grass area, extensive hardscape, fire pit, and a sparkling pebble tec pool.
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NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!!
Mesa, AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin.
The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.
The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness, balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves degenerate – an insidious
cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.
The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “Band-Aid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.
Thankfully, Mesa is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.
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2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage (above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)
3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition
Aspen Medical in Mesa, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00.
Th is ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results:
1. Increases blood flow
2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves
3. Improves brain-based pain
The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling
It’s completely painless!
THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST INSURANCES!!
The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope!
Aspen Medical begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage –a complimentary service for your friends and family. Each exam comprises a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.
Aspen Medical will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until December 31st 2022. Call (480) 274-3157 to make an appointment.
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As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves
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busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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State falls in rank for defense spending
BY TRISTAN RICHARDS Cronkite NewsWASHINGTON – Pentagon spending in Arizona fell sharply in fiscal 2021, part of an overall decline in expenditures nationally that bumped the state from seventh place among states to 13th, according to new Defense Department data.
Military spending overall in the state fell from $20.2 billion in fiscal 2020 to $14.6 billion in fiscal 2021. That was a sharper drop than the 5.6% decline in spending nationwide during the same period, when combined spending on contracts and military personnel fell from $593.9 billion to $559 billion.
But analysts said that while Arizona may have slipped in its standing among states, the drop is not cause for concern. The defense industry remains a pillar of the state’s economy, they said, and will likely continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
“In terms of a good environment and a welcoming environment, Arizona is positioned very well to continue that growth in this industry,” said Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Pentagon spent $398.7 billion nationally on contracts in fiscal 2021 – a drop from $439.4 billion a year before – but that was partially offset by an increase in spending on personnel employed by the Defense Department, which went from $154.6 billion to $160.3 billion in the same period.
Military contracts have long been a staple of the Arizona economy, which includes multinational defense manufacturers such as Boeing, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, among others. But contract spending took a hit in fiscal 2021 both nationally and in Arizona, with contracts in the state falling from $15.7 billion to $12.3 billion, according to the Pentagon report for 2021.
Boeing saw its contracts in Arizona fall from $2.2 billion to $1.2 billion over the year. But Kathleen Jolivette, vice president of Boeing Mesa’s attack helicopter program, said in a prepared statement that she looks forward to the
future, noting the “solid and stable defense demand” in the U.S.
Jolivette said Boeing in Arizona has been focused on delivering a continued supply of Apache helicopters, working to deliver “the best capability to the warfighter today while innovating for the future.”
Despite the Army lowering its orders for Apache helicopters from 49 in fiscal 2021 to 30 in fiscal 2022, Jolivette said that “strong international sales make up the gaps.”
“Our portfolio is well positioned and our future franchise programs have a long runway ahead,” Jolivette said.
The fiscal 2021 numbers nationwide do not reflect billions in spending this year on military assistance to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
The state rankings were also skewed by “large contracts to Pfizer, Inc. and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in New York” and to “Moderna, Inc. in Massachusetts” to acquire COVID-19 vaccines, the Pentagon report said.
“The contracts in New York and Massachusetts were related to COVID-19 vaccine and treatment purchases by DoD, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” the report read.
The Pentagon also said that while eight of the 10 companies on its list
of the top 10 contractors had been there before, Pfizer and Moderna “were both new to the list and are anomalies for traditional defense spending.”
Over the past decade, Arizona has been as low as 13th among states for defense spending – in fiscal years 2016, 2017 and now 2021 – and as high as seventh place in fiscal 2020.
“Clearly, this spending is important for Arizona,” Sanders said. “We looked at the stats for 2021 and as you look at the rest of the economy, you saw a similar drop in revenues or spending with the rest of the economy as a result of COVID.”
Sanders said the slowdown in defense spending was a “delayed effect of the economic slowdown from COVID.”
But he expects the slowdown is just temporary and reiterated the importance of defense to Arizona, where the Arizona Commerce Authority says 56,500 workers are employed in aerospace or defense jobs.
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If you thought you have been to a Mexican restaurant lately you probably need to reconsider and visit La Casa De Juana in Ahwatukee. The fare is authentic Mexican, and when we say authentic we mean it, unlike many of the restaurant chains that call themselves Mexican. Upon entering you’ll be dazzled by the colorful décor, the tables and chairs are beautiful, Mexican painted murals, colorful banners hanging from the ceiling and the gracious service with warm orange and yellow tones echoing throughout the restaurant will make this your favorite Mexican restaurant. With great lunch and dinner specials, we have Happy Hour Monday - Sunday from 2 - 6 PM with $5 House Margaritas, $4 Beers, $5.95 Cheese Quesadilla, $8.95 Chunky Guacamole and $9.95 Juana’s Nachos. Live music every Thursday night in our Ahwatukee location and every Friday at our Tempe location. In conclusion The flavorful salsa, the delicious margaritas, the extraordinary and well-priced food will definitely keep you coming back.
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House panel makes teen mental health recommendations
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive EditorStating that “in Arizona, suicide is the leading cause of death for ages 10-14 and ages 15-25,” a special Arizona House task force has signed off on 23 recommendations to address the problem.
But Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, co- chair of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Teen Mental Health, told panel members those recommendations may not be adopted as quickly as they hope.
Telling his colleagues their work over the last three months “is not for nothing,” Grantham said:
“Everybody now is going to have to be patient and be happy with any victories we get out of these recommendations. I’m going to just tell you we’re a divided chamber here and across the yard. We have a new governor.
“There’s going to be a period of time and as we come down here in January and February, where we have to get our feet under ourselves and figure out what’s possible. And the lobbyists will come out. The special interest will come out. The representatives who have disagreements or agreements will come out and that’s my business. That’s what I volunteered for.
“And I’ll do my best to put as much of this forward as I can with other members’ help because I can’t do it all by myself. And I just want you all to know that your work here matters and even something in here is the most important thing to you or this group doesn’t happen this year, it might very well happen next.
“These things take time,” he said, telling panel members to “be patient, pray, watch, encourage” and speak on behalf of whatever measures do come before lawmakers.
The recommendations represent the culmination of hours of hearings by the panel, which comprised educators, a variety of medical and behavioral experts, social workers and others.
And they receded last week’s adoption by the Tempe Union High School Governing Board of an extension policy that promises the district will be “developing and implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies across
State Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, cochaired the special House panel on teen mental health and warned members it may take a while to see their recommendations win approval. (YouTube)
the curriculum and within entire school environments to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and to equitably meet the needs of all students.”
That policy is the result of months of work by a group held by board Vice President Armando Montero of Ahwatukee, a Desert Vista High School graduate and Arizona State University junior who has long been an advocate for better mental health services for students.
That policy promises “peer-to-peer connections so students feel heard, validated and supported” as well as “trauma-informed practices aimed at helping our students feel safe, connected and equipped to learn.”
It creates a suicide prevention coordinator, staff and student training in suicide awareness and prevention as well as risk assessment. It also creates new avenues for students and their parents to get mental health treatment and establishes teams “designed to provide targeted support to struggling students with a focus on the ‘whole child.’”
Since September, the House panel heard from a wide range of experts as well as from teenagers who either attempted suicide or know teens who completed it. It also heard from parents who lost or nearly lost children to suicide or other self-harm, including drug overdoses.
According to the 2022 report by the
Arizona Child Fatality Review Team, 44 of the 863 deaths of people under 18 in Arizona in 2021 were suicides. It said warning signs existed in 68% of those suicides and the majority involved children 15 to 17 years old.
Various experts told the panel that suicides aside, more Arizona youngsters and teens face a variety of pressures – and substance abuse dangers – that have imperiled their mental and emotional well-being.
Pandemic-driven disruptions of their school life the last two years only intensified those pressures, according to a report issued in May by the U.S. Department of Education.
“Many children and students struggle with mental health challenges that impact their full access to and participation in learning, and these challenges are often misunderstood and can lead to behaviors that are inconsistent with school or program expectations,” it said.
“The COVID-19 global pandemic intensified these challenges, accelerating the need to provide school-based mental health support and leverage our accumulated knowledge about how to provide
nurturing educational environments to meet the needs of our nation’s youth.”
The House panel was created by outgoing House Speaker Rusty Bowers of Mesa, who asked it to return in December with potential solutions and recommendations to public and private agencies that address teen mental health issues.
Some of its recommendations involve unspecified amounts of additional funding for a state-run Teen Mental Health Grant Program that supported school districts and nonprofits “for mental health first aid training, youth resiliency training, substance misuse awareness training” for adults and kids.
It also asked the Legislature to work with the Attorney General’s office to ensure that the millions Arizona will be getting for settlements of opioid-related lawsuits “are utilized appropriately for these specified purposes.”
It also urged the creation of a “community hub of information and support” that would address access to care, depression and mental illness; bullying and social media; and family support and substance abuse.
Some experts who testified before the panel earlier had urged such a hub, but
also warned “it is not an easy lift” because it required coordination among a number of websites and social media platforms.
Among other information, the hub would address “different types of bullying, cyberbullying, social media impact and bullying behaviors for parents and students as well as strategies for students to mitigate incidents and timely reporting to school officials.” It also would provide an array of other information related to prevention, treatment and support.
The panel also called for increased financial support for crisis and in-patient services for kids, higher reimbursement rates from insurance companies and the state Medicaid program for providers because of their specialized training and their need to have longer children’s appointments because parents have to be involved at some point.
It also called for more financial incentives that would encourage more college-bound students to consider careers in mental health programs serving children’s social and mental wellness.
It said school districts should obtain or create an app that assists in threat assessments and enables students to report safety issues or reach out for help
on a 24/7 anonymous basis.
It also urged tax credit deductions for inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs “to relieve financial burden for families: and state funding for districts to have at least one staff member who would “work with local coalitions and nonprofits to coordinate youth resiliency and primary prevention lessons and training.”
Co-chair and outgoing Rep. Joanne Osborne, R-Goodyear, conceded that the problem the committee had been tasked to address “isn’t a one-size fits-all situation.”
“This is an all-hands-on-deck,” Osborne said, and that finding solutions needs the involvement of parents, medical experts and educators, law enforcement and teens themselves.
She pointed to the 400-page report the committee is issuing and ticked off a variety of actions that need to be taken not just on a governmental level but in homes and schools as well by businesses.
“Those kids need to know you’re back there,” she said, adding:
“Those are the things that we need to be doing. There’s so many great people that are doing it but we need more of them to do it.”
More tests were done with his pediatrician on Nov. 11, including blood work. A couple of hours later Jake’s mother, Deanna, got a call from his doctor.
The doctor was calm, yet serious. Her message: Get Jake to Phoenix Children’s Hospital immediately.
“She called me at 1:30 and said, ‘I don’t want to alarm you but there were some concerning things about his blood work, and I need you to go to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, they know that you’re coming … and you need to get there within the next 10 to 15 minutes,’” Deanna recalled. “I was sensing it was not good. But I never expected this.”
Tests at PCH found leukemia cells in Jake’s blood.
He was officially diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on Nov. 12. It has a 90 percent survival rate but is dangerous nonetheless. He immediately began chemotherapy treatment, was hospitalized for 10 days and had three surgeries and three treatments before he was allowed to go home.
“It stunned me,” Jake said. “You don’t really expect to hear that. But it defi-
nitely put a lot of things into perspective. I thought I just busted up a couple of ribs. I wasn’t thinking leukemia or anything close to that. It was definitely a big shock.”
Jake was a healthy teenager who has loved playing sports and being around his friends. He had been sick a few times last couple of months but never felt bad enough to warrant testing for leukemia.
Most of the time, a simple medication from doctors cleared any signs of illness, which mostly replicated a cold or flu –the types of viruses that float around schools on a yearly basis.
The telling sign for his doctor was an unexplained rash on his leg. The skin around it was tight, a sign of leukemia cutis, which takes place when the cells from the blood begin to affect the skin.
“Sometimes I’m still not believing it, not accepting it,” Deanna said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I know it’s happening. He will accomplish his dreams, but your life got put on pause a little bit.
“We have to prepare and know it’s going to be a big fight. But we’re up for it and he’s up for it.”
The news of Jake’s diagnosis spread like wildfire in the Desert Vista community.
It broke the baseball team.
Never did they think someone like Jake, who they call “Letty” – short for lettuce and in reference to his last name and long hair – would be diagnosed with a deadly disease.
So, they did what any team would, they
2 groups want to upend voter-OK’d dark money initative
BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media ServicesTwo groups involved in politics in Arizona want a court to void a new voter-approved law designed to prohibit “dark money’’ in political races.
The Center for Arizona Policy and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club contend that Proposition 211 runs afoul of a provision in the Arizona Constitution saying every person “may speak freely ... on all subjects.’’ And that, the lawsuit said, includes the right not to be forced to speak.
“The act violates Arizonans’ right to speak freely by chilling donors from supporting causes they believe in and wish to support, lest their charitable giving become public knowledge,’’ wrote attorney Scott Freeman of the Goldwater Institute.
He represents the two organizations which urged voters to reject the measure. That effort was unsuccessful as it was approved by a margin of close to 3-1.
Freeman also said the law impairs the ability of nonprofit groups to engage in dialog on public issues to avoid having to disclose the names of their donors.
In the lawsuit filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, Freeman also argues that the initiative violates another state constitutional provision which says no individual “shall be disturbed in his private affairs ... without authority of law.’’
That, he said, includes financial information, political choices -- and giving to “charities engaging in campaign media spending.’’ And Freeman said that also protect the financial dealings of private organizations.
Only thing is, the “charities’’ the new law affects includes what the Internal Revenue Service classifies as “social welfare organizations.’’ And while they are nonprofit entities, they can use up to half the money they raise for partisan political activities, including spending money for and against candidates and ballot measures.
But Scot Mussi, president of the Free Enterprise Club, said his organization fits the IRS definition because it is “doing work that helps out others,’’ even if it does try to influence elections.
The initiative was aimed at what former Attorney General Terry Goddard, who helped craft it, considers a loophole in the law.
Arizona law for years has required the names of those who give at least $50 to political campaigns or to support or oppose ballot measures to be made public. That includes “in-kind’’ contributions, where some organization, rather than give money to a cause, runs its own commercials.
But the law until now has been that only the name of the organization need be made public, not the individuals or corporations who donated to the group. That, he said, is why the sponsors of so many of the political commercials run during the campaign were identified only by names that gave viewers no clue as to who really was financing them.
And the Free Enterprise Club itself reporting spending money just this year on several legislative races, both for candidates it supported and against those it opposed. But those reports gave no indication from where the group’s money came.
Goddard said Proposition 211 addresses that by requiring public disclosure of anyone who has given at least $5,000 to one of these groups. Potentially more significant, it requires any group making political expenditures to trace the money back to its original source, no matter how many hands it has passed through.
And while campaign commercials can’t list all major donors, the law says they must include at least the names of the three contributors who made the largest contributions to the campaign.
Mussi said the initiative is built on the premise that money is being deliberately funneled through organizations like his to hide the source. He said it’s not
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rallied around him.
Shirts with the phrase “Live like Letty” were made by Desert Vista softball player Jocelyn Briski and baseball player Hunter Cline, who own a company called Turn2Designs.
Desert Vista’s baseball program gathered to take a picture with most of the players’ heads shaved in his honor.
Rival Mountain Pointe also planned to wear shirts for a team pic alongside the Thunder in a show of solidarity. Chandler’s baseball team did so this past week.
Along with the baseball and softball teams, Desert Vista’s lacrosse program offered support. So did the Ahwatukee Devils, a club baseball team in the area.
Friends, family both near and far, Canyon Thunder families, the Armer Foundation for Kids and even complete strangers joined Jake’s fight.
Head baseball coach Pat Herrera fought back tears thinking about Jake’s diagnosis and the way the community has rallied behind him.
“I don’t really have words for how hard it hit us as a program and for me as his coach,” Herrera said. “He’s one of the most coachable kids I’ve ever had. Al-
ways positive. When we found out, it was a punch to the gut.”
The thought of all those people backing him in his fight has been overwhelming for Jake. But it’s also given him even more motivation to beat leukemia.
Since his diagnosis, Jake has undergone weekly chemo treatments, which he will continue treatments for six to nine months, followed by maintenance
chemo for more than two years.
“Chemotherapy is tough,” Jake said. “There are some days where you wake up and you feel OK. Then there are some where your whole world seems upside down. Take the good days when you can and do the best you can on the bad days.
“Take it one hour and one day at a time. That’s the thought process right now.”
Even while his blood counts have been
normal and he feels good, his weakened immune system prevents him from returning to classes this school year.
That also means no baseball, which arguably hit him the hardest. He was able to visit the school in an outdoor setting while wearing a mask recently, but only for a short time.
Jake is confident. He’s confident he’ll beat leukemia. He’s confident he’ll be able to begin practicing next season with Paradise Valley Community College, where he signed to continue his baseball career just days before his diagnosis.
He knows his parents want to see him play again. He knows his team wants to see him play again.
He believes the greatest thanks he can give to those who have supported him is to suit up at the next level.
“I couldn’t be more appreciative to everyone who reached out,” Jake said as he fought back tears. “Personally, I feel amazing. I know I can do this, and I have a lot of people behind me that are with me.
“This is just a speedbump.”
The Armer Foundation, which assists families with kids diagnosed with lifethreatening illnesses, has set up an account in Jake’s honor. To donate, visit armerfoundation.org/jake.
that simple.
“You’re operating under the assumption that giving to the Free Enterprise Club or any other organization that was the impetus for the giving,’’ he said.
Goddard, however, said there’s no reason for state law to allow a special carveout from disclosure requirements.
“Ninety nine percent of all people that participate in political contributions in Arizona disclose fully their name, their home address and their employer,’’ he said. “All we’re asking for is that the same rules apply to everybody.’’
Mussi acknowledged that this isn’t about just protecting the names of individuals. As the law now stands – and would remain if his lawsuit succeeds – those shields are available even to corporations.
In 2014, for example, outside groups, including the Free Enterprise Club and Save Our Future Now, put $10.7 million into successful campaigns to elect Republicans Tom Forese and Doug Little to
the Arizona Corporation Commission.
But it was not until 2019, under a commission subpoena, that it was disclosed those funds had come from Arizona Public Service, the same company which in 2017 had gotten approval from the regulators for a 4.5% rate hike.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in the landmark 2010 case of Citizens United, prohibited the government from restricting independent expenditures for political campaigns by corporations, labor unions and other organizations. But Goddard said the justices specifically did not bar disclosure requirements.
Former Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard submitted petitions in 2021 to qualify the so-called “dark money” initiative on the 2022 General Election ballot. Despite its overwhelming approval by voters, the initiative is under attack by two special interest groups seeking to protect the identities of large donors to political campaigns. (AFN file photo)
Introducing ®MILGARD MOVING GLASS WALL SYSTEMS. This innovative solution blurs the line between inside and out of the question. Aspirational yet realistic, this sliding wall seamlessly transitions between dreams and reality.
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2 reports point to Valley’s gloomy housing scene
NEWS STAFFTwo new reports show that rising prices this year generally left Valley homebuyers and sellers worse off than those who bought or sold last year.
The Cromford Report, the Valleys’ leading analyst of the local housing market, last week said that median home prices in Pinal and Maricopa counties increased in 20 of 32 submarkets between mid-December last year and this year.
Stressing that “monthly medians can
be quite volatile” because only a few sales in a community might distort the picture, the Cromford Report said that because Phoenix’s sales volumes accounted for a quarter of all sales in central Arizona, data for that city are the most reliable.
And that data show prices fell 15% since June and 4.5% between Dec. 13, 2021, and Dec. 13, 2022.
That may explain why fewer people are bothering to even put their homes on
HOAs dominated location of new home builds in the West
AFN NEWS STAFFHomeowners associations are dominating new construction, especially in Arizona and the seven other Census Bureau-defined Mountain States.
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, 82.4% of all single-family homes started in 2021 in those states were built in HOAs – the most of any region in the country and more than twice the number of newhome starts built in New England states, where only 34.5% are in associations.
Overall, 65.5 percent of single-family homes started in 2021 were built within a community or homeowner’s association, according to the survey – the second highest percentage for new homes started in any year since 2009, when the Census Bureau revised its survey of HOA houses.
The Census Bureau defines community or homeowner’s associations as “formal legal entities created to maintain common areas of a development and to enforce private deed restrictions; these organizations are usually created when the development is built, and membership is mandatory.”
In absolute numbers, a total of 729,109 homes with community associations were started in 2021, compared to 657,378 in 2020.
The share of all new homes built within a community or homeowner’s association declined slightly to 62.0 percent in 2019, after a decade long upward trend. In 2009, the share was 47.6 percent, and in 2010, 48.0 percent.
Since 2011, more than 50 percent of all homes have been built within a community or homeowner’s association. In 2018, the share was 62.5 percent, the second highest and in 2021, 67.1 percent was the highest since 2009.
In the West South-Central Division, 73.1 percent of new homes started in 2021 had a community or homeowner’s association, followed by the South Atlantic Division at 71.3 percent, and the East North-Central Divisions at 54.9 percent.
In the Pacific Division, the share was 52.1 percent, while in the West NorthCentral Division, it was 50.6 percent. In the East South-Central and Middle Atlantic Division 39.4 percent and 35.8 percent of new homes started in 2021 were within a community or homeowner’s association, respectively.
The percentage of new homes built in homeowners associations has generally been going up over the years, according to census data. (U.S. Census Bureau)
This map, broken into the Census Bureau’s nine regions, shows Arizona and other Mountain States saw the vast majority of new homes built last year to be located in HOAs. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Part of an Ahwatukee office condominium complex occupied by Vision Community Management this month was sold for $3.3 million.
Valley real estate tracker vizzda.com reported that 13 units in Foothills Park-
way Office at 16625 and 16725 S. Desert Foothills Pkwy. was purchased by the Christy L. Kelso Living Trust of California and VREH LLC. of Sun City.
Located on the northeast corner of S. Desert Foothills Parkway and the South Mountain expressway, the three singlestory complex has a total 24 units and
was built in 2007, according to vizzda.
Totaling 13,886 square feet of space, the purchase included eight units in Building C and five in Building B. Vision oc-
cupies all those units and has a lease that expires in July 2027, according to vizzda.
the market.
The Cromford Report said that while demand has dropped to the lowest level since April 2008, “the supply index is falling even faster.”
“We have an extremely low number of new listings,” it said, noting that new listings in 2022 totaled only 1,099 – less than half of a “cold” market in 2005.
The National Association of Home Builders last week issued provided data that buttressed the Cromford Report’s assessment of supply.
It said that nationwide, there is a shortage of 1.5 million units – 800,000 apartments and 750,000 sale homes – that won’t come close to being resolved before the end of this decade.
It identified the Phoenix market as one of five metro areas in the country with the biggest shortage of vacant homes and apartments and said vacancy rates among sale homes and rental units had hit .9% and 5.%, respectively – the lowest since 2005, when the association first started collecting such data.
“The current low homeowner and rental vacancy rates are typically interpreted as a sign of tight housing markets, with abnormally low vacancy rates signaling a greater housing shortage,” the association said, adding that “unusually low vacancy rates signal deeper supply-demand imbalances.
Meanwhile, Point2, a division of Yardi Systems, Inc., that covers real estate trends, reported that Arizona homebuyers saw significant losses in their purchasing power this year over last year.
Those losses ranged from a whopping $174,097 in Gilbert to $73,709 in Tucson. Phoenix buyers this year lost $113,684 in buying power year over year while Scottsdale recorded the second highest loss at $157,171, point2 said.
It also found buyers in Mesa had $115,065 less purchasing power this year over last while Chandler buyers suffered the third highest loss in the state at $157,171.
That loss of purchasing power meant losses in the amount of house a buyer
could afford, according to point2.
In Gilbert, buyers could afford an average 2,416-square-foot home last year but lost out this year on 810 square feet of space.
Phoenix homebuyers this year could afford only 1,098 square feet as opposed to 1,661 square feet last year, Point2 reported.
Looking at the nation’s 100 largest cities, Point2 said, “The average buyer lost the equivalent of 1 to 9 bedrooms due to increasing home prices and interest rates.”
“Aggressive rate hikes (after the latest increase, the average mortgage rate hovers around 7%), coupled with sky-high home prices mean buyers are bleeding money,” it said, adding “homebuyers — and especially post-pandemic homebuyers — are also losing what they wanted the most: More living space.”
“In just a few months, buyers in the 100 largest cities lost between 92 and a staggering 1,140 square feet of space,” Point2 said, basing its analysis on a bedroom average of 132 square feet.
“With affordability eroding, the homes that cash-strapped buyers can choose from are disappearing,” it continued, adding that number has fallen to zero in most California cities and that “in 41 other cities it represents less than 10% of the total homes for sale.”
It was even worse for Mesa and Phoenix, the study found, where only 7% of available houses could be purchased by the average buyer.
“Home seekers go out of their way to find homes that are within their budget, but that usually means they end up settling for a much smaller home, a home in a totally different location or both,” Point2 said.
That trend made Gilbert 10th in the nation for the greatest loss in square footage that the average buyer could afford this year compared to last.
It said Gilbert buyers in 2021 could afford a 2,416-square-foot house and this year, could expect to afford a home with only 1,606 square feet.
The Cromford Report said last week that median home prices fell between mid-December 2021 and mid-December 2022 in only 12 of 32 communities in Pinal and Maricopa counties. (The Cromford Report) see MARKET page Re7
The square footage price of the units was $237.
Marketing materials included in vizz-
da’s report show LevRose Commercial Real Estate is pitching the site’s location “within the thriving Ahwatukee Foothills” and its proximity to the freeway.
It noted that Vision Community Man-
agement, which was founded in 2003, had the space configured for its “exact needs” and that the complex “offers a well-balanced blend of private offices and bullpen space throughout.
The complex “presents an extremely attractive opportunity to a wide range of investors looking to establish themselves within the highly desired Phoenix Market,” LevRose states.
Selling your home? Here are some tips for next year
com rounded up our top advice stories on home selling over the past 12 months.
in the latter part of 2022, you decided not to put your house on the market this year. Sure, you knew about record-high home prices.
But maybe you also heard how, at the end of the year, homes were lingering on the market and that sellers had to offer price reductions to unload their properties.
Or maybe your current home has a low mortgage rate that you don’t want to trade in for a higher one that will come with buying a new home.
Whatever the reason, 2022 was not the year for you to plant a “For Sale” sign in your front yard. But perhaps 2023 is. So to help you fetch top dollar, in the shortest amount of time—with the least possible amount of headaches— Realtor.
Step back. Putting your home on the market is an emotional and financial endeavor. So it’s little wonder that it’s easy to get caught up, confused, frustrated, or excited by the real estate market’s ups and downs.
Of course, you want to get top dollar for your home. Yet it’s crucial to take a step back and remember that selling a home is a business transaction above all—and that involves compromise and decision making founded on the realities of the market rather than hopes and dreams.
To that end, sellers need to price their homes reasonably and examine an entire offer instead of simply chasing after the highest dollar sign.
Some sellers may get so caught up in selling their homes that they may forget about where they’re going to live next.
But in today’s market, with listings still below pre-pandemic levels, it’s wise to start your home search as soon as you decide to sell your current property.
DIY. There are things in your home that drive you bonkers! And you want to fix it, paint it, and generally make it a place you want to live. If you’re handy, what better way to get there than to do it yourself. Yet some projects that are easy to do yourself can be hard—and pricey—to undo when it comes time to sell.
Some common projects that can turn a potential buyer off centers around your kitchen cabinets—or lack thereof. Many DIYers think nothing of distressing or removing cabinet doors or getting rid of cabinets altogether in favor of open shelving.
While these options may work for you, not being able to shut a door on kitchen clutter can turn off many buyers.
Perhaps the biggest no-no, if you’re planning to sell someday soon, is hopping on the dark wall trend. Buyers will walk into a room with hard-to-paint-over dark walls and see a project they don’t want to undertake. So keep your walls airy and bright until you find your forever home.
Staging. If you live in a home that’s uniquely your distinct, funky style, has dark wood paneling, or has simply seen better days, your real estate agent may recommend that you stage it before you put it on the market.
Put simply, staging is when you pack up most of your possessions for storage, and a professional decorator turns your home into a fresh, blank canvas that potential buyers can see themselves in.
While staging can often help you sell
faster—and for more money—it can be difficult to see your home turned into an entirely different space while you’re still living there.
So before you hire a stager, think carefully about the time, money, and effort it takes to stage a home. Then weigh whether or not it’s worth it based on your pocketbook and ability to live in a home that is no longer quite yours until you move.
A stager will work with many items you already have to reinvent your home, but sometimes the pro might have you order a new bright lamp or fresh sheets. The good news is these items are yours to keep, so be sure to buy items you can see sprucing up your new home.
Tax deductions. In addition to making a hopefully tidy profit on your home sale, you also reap all the available tax
benefits that come along with it.
For instance, you can claim a tax deduction for the upgrades you made, like painting the house or repairing the roof. Another sweet tax deduction you can take is any costs you incur selling the home, including legal fees, escrow fees, advertising costs, and real estate agent commissions.
Capital gains are the profits you make from selling your home after paying off expenses and mortgage debt. And it’s crucial to remember the money is taxed as income. But you can exclude up to $250,000 of the capital gains from the sale if you’re single ($500,000 if you’re married) and you’ve lived in your home at least two of the past five years.
Don’t get greedy. Sellers may have to work a bit harder to draw buyers in these days. So instead of your real estate agent taking some fantastic photos of your lovely home, you might have to shell out
a few extra dollars to create a 3D tour to draw a buyer in.
And once those buyers take an interest in your home, prepare to leave for long stretches of time. Open houses are back, which means you’ll have to clear out and make peace with strangers traipsing through your home.
With home prices still high, you might be tempted to price your home at the top of the market in an effort to get a bid over the asking price. However, this tactic can often backfire by scaring off buyers. And if your home goes stale on the market, you’ll likely have to accept a low offer in the long run.
A better strategy is to price your home slightly below market value to get buyers interested—and bidding.
Why an agent is important. Your real estate agent has one mission: to sell your home for the best price with the best overall offer. And that directive is
sometimes complicated by the space itself. No home is perfect, yet some have more flaws than others. And an agent with a ton of experience will be able to quickly pick out what might make your property more difficult to sell.
For instance, you may have a kitchen with a colorful backsplash, a living room with dramatic stained-glass windows, or wall-to-wall carpeting that you love. But the truth is, agents know that most buyers prefer simple kitchens, bright rooms, and hardwood floors.
You have a unique personality that your agent appreciates. But the pro also wants you to keep it under wraps while selling your home. That means anything political, religious, or downright kooky should be removed from your home (including your yard) when you put your home up for sale.
Realtor.com provided this report.
Impressive home with mountain views in highly coveted Ahwatukee Custom Estates. Dramatic entrance showcases Cantera fireplace in living room. Additional two-way fireplace between kitchen and family room. Eat-in kitchen boasts granite countertops, soft-close raised-panel cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, desk, pantry and wet bar. Travertine and wood flooring throughout. Custom wrought iron stair railing. Spacious master suite features access to oversized covered view balcony. Separate workout and hobby rooms accessible via deck. Huge laundry room with cabinetry and sink. 3-car garage with cabinetry and workshop with air conditioning. Private backyard with flagstone, covered patio, Pebble Tec pool and spa, putting green, pizza oven, lush landscaping and professional multi-sport “sport court” with basketball and pickleball. Listed for $1,475,000
Nationally, it said, Scottsdale and Chandler ranked 8th and 9th, respectively, among the 10 cities sustaining the biggest losses in purchasing power, Point2 said.
“Analyzing purchasing power, Gilbert house hunters had the most to lose: Based on their income and the then home prices and rates, they were able to afford a $621,675 home in 2021,” Point2 said. “Right now, although incomes grew as well, they can only afford a $447,579 home. This translates to a $174,097 loss in buying power.
“Gilbert was followed by Scottsdale and Chandler, places where people interested in buying were set back more than $150,000. In fact, there was only one city where buyers lost less than $100,000: In Tucson they ‘only’ lost $73,709,” Point2 continued, adding:
“Unfortunately, the share of affordable inventory — meaning the percentage of homes on the market at or below the price that the average homebuyer could afford — just adds insult to injury: With 12%, 11% and 10%, respectively, Chandler, Scottsdale and Gilbert were the only
three cities where the share of affordable homes was more than 10%.”
Point2 based its analysis on a broad range of data and assumed a 20% down payment and a mortgage payment of up to 30% of monthly income.
“When the interest rate was hovering around 3%, the pain of soaring home prices was just a dull ache compared to the major burden it has become,” Point2 said. “Now, with rates crossing the psychological barrier of 7% (a level not seen in more than two decades) the consequences for homebuyers are crushing.”
As for the loss in space an average homeowner can afford, this couldn’t come at a worst time, according to Piont2, which noted:
“Although home size in the U.S had been on an upward trend since 1973, the pandemic really made everyone hungrier for space than ever. … With sky-high home prices and rising mortgage rates, big homes are becoming untouchable.”
And the Point2 report wasn’t very encouraging about the future, stating:
“Despite the corrections from the last few months, home prices remain prohibitively high. That’s why, in 97 of the 100 largest U.S. cities, the share of homes at
or below the price that the average buyer can afford is (way) below 50%. Housing affordability really seems to be eroding
faster than ever.”
Information: point2homes.com
Music Maker Workshops marks 25 melodious years
BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN ContributorAn Ahwatukee family business celebrates 25 years teaching music to adults and children, and it all began with Beverly Bigam’s appreciation of the art.
Music Maker Workshop launched in 1997 when Bigam started her business teaching music via keyboard to senior citizens throughout Maricopa County.
She’d previously taught online, focusing on the increasingly ubiquitous keyboards.
Now 77, she and her husband of 52 years, Larry Bigam, are retired in Sun Lakes, though she continues to teach some of her previous adult students online.
She opened her brick and mortar store in 2002 with an eye to offering music lessons to children as well as adults.
“I’d been going to senior centers and teaching, so this was a progression. I found a place and opened up, and I did it with fear and trembling,” she admitted. “I had 40 students and I wondered
how many students would I need to pay the rent.”
“I didn’t consider myself a business woman,” insisted Bigam. “God was with me all the way. It’s like a walking miracle business.”
She persevered, and her Music Makers Workshop business burgeoned.
She was joined by her two daughters, Shelley Yakubow and Kim Steedman, now MMW’s co-directors. They are assisted by Jessica Magee, who has served as studio manager for 13 years and holds a bachelor’s in music from Northern Arizona University.
Today, Music Maker Workshops has a 5,000-square-foot facility with 35 faculty members and approximately 800 students ranging in age from preschool students through seniors.
They have occupied their 3233 E. Chandler Blvd studio since 2002, renovating and expanding their facility so that it now boasts 19 classrooms.
Under the co-directorship of Bigam’s daughters, Music Makers has continued
100+ Women Who Care raises over $1M for charity
BY KIM TARNOPOLSKI AFN Guest WriterOne hundred dollars at a time is how 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun exceeded their goal of donating $1 Million to local nonprofits.
Eight years ago, Kim Tarnopolski, Jacqueline Destremps, Stephanie Millner, and Jenn Kaye launched a people-centered form of philanthropy called a giving circle in Ahwatukee and Scottsdale.
A giving circle brings a group of people with shared values together to collectively discuss and decide where to make a pooled gift.
Giving circles support with their dollars, but also build awareness and edu-
cate members about the great work being done by local charities. Individuals multiply their impact and knowledge, have fun, and connect with their local community.
“Over the last eight years, we’ve facilitated 91 giving circles in the Valley. That is 91 times our members were given the opportunity to donate $100 to a deserving nonprofit,” said Stephanie Millner, chief charity officer. “When you add all those donations together, it quickly multiples to tens of thousands of dollars each year.”
In November, the chapter’s Ahwatukee group delivered $15,400 to the Armer Foundation for Kids.
This Ahwatukee-based nonprofit has
helped over 25 children with life-threatening illnesses since its founding in 2019.
The foundation has indirectly impacted the lives of thousands of Valley children (and their families) via donations to hospitals, which have included things like toys, gas cards, grocery cards, Uber cards, toiletries for parents, music equipment, and more.
One of the Foundation’s success stories centers on a 10-year-old named Riley. Riley was diagnosed with Perthes Disease, a rare childhood disease where the blood flow to the femoral head stops for no reason and the bones start to die.
Riley’s family connected with a specialist in Baltimore who recommended a hip distraction with an external flexor plus three weeks of extensive physical therapy.
The external flexor needed to remain on for four months and then Riley needed to return to Baltimore to have another surgery to remove it.
The foundation worked with Wings
of Humanity to provide a free, private flight to Baltimore for the surgery.
It also partnered with several organizations to construct a main floor bedroom in Riley’s two-story home, allowing Riley to avoid stair climbing to her second-floor bedroom.
Today, Riley can walk with a slight limp but no longer needs a wheelchair or crutches! She is in a wait-and-see mode to determine how her growth rate impacts her disease.
“We are overwhelmed by the kindness of 100+ Women Who Care and their generosity in gifting $15,400 to the Armer Foundation,” said Jennifer Armer, founder of the Armer Foundation for Kids.
“There are 17 children we are currently assisting across the Valley who require life-saving treatments, and this donation will directly benefit their care.”
To learn more about Armer Foundation for Kids visit armerfoundation.org.
To learn more, register, and attend 100+ Women Who Care’s next giving circle in Ahwatukee on January 31: 100wwcvalleyofthesun.org.
Diaton Insurance awards Armer Foundation $10K
AFN NEWS STAFFThe Armer Foundatiion for Kids found another guardian angel in the form of Diatom Insurance Company, which awarded it $10,000.
“The $10,000 award will help Armer Foundation for Kids assist families with paying copays, premiums, deductibles, and any medical-related outof-pocket expenses when health insurance is not enough,” the company said in a release.
“The funds will also provide gas gift cards to allow parents to transport their children to and from the hospitals for required chemotherapy and radiation treatments.”
Diatom co-owner Eric Gidley originally received a $5,000 donation for Armer Foundation for Kids thanks to a submission process with Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance through their 2022
Make More Happen awards.
A story of their local partnership was featured on the official Make More Happen microsite, agentgiving.com/ Diatom-Insurance-Company, where Diatom Insurance Company had the opportunity to raise an additional $5,000 by conducting a local awareness campaign for the nonprofit.
Throughout 2022, Liberty Mutual and Safeco will select up to 37 independent agents nationwide for a Make More Happen Award and donate up to $370,000 to the nonprofits supported by them.
Agencies became eligible for the award by submitting an application and photos demonstrating their commitment to a specific nonprofit.
Presenting the check to foundation founder Jennifer Armer recently were Diatom co-owners Kenneth Gidley, sales manager, and Eric Gidley, marketing manager.
Ahwatukee teen named to national leader academy
AFN NEWS STAFFAn Ahwatukee teen has been accepted to the prestigious Civic Leadership Academy for a week-long study this spring in Washington, D.C.
Liam Proctor, the son of Eric and Katherine Proctor, is a junior at Horizon Honors High School in Ahwatukee.
The academy is an academically-focused activity that includes seminars, readings, and group projects aimed at fostering Civil Air Patrol cadets’ leadership skills, sense of civic responsibility and overall interest in the democratic process.
The week culminates with Legislative Day, when cadets meet with their elected leaders on Capitol Hill.
Liam engaged in a competitive application process that included essays, letters of recommendation, and a resume that demonstrated his com-
mitment to civic engagement.
Besides being a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, Liam also is student body secretary for Horizon’s Student Council and an athlete on its crosscountry team.
to amass accolades and has been voted Best Music Studio by Ahwatukee Foothill News readers for eight consecutive years.
Shelley Yakubow joined her mother at Music Makers in 2000 after graduating with a elementary education degree from the University of Alberta (Canada).
“Collaboratively, we work hard and implement ideas. It hasn’t always been easy. We’ve made mistakes, but we try to get feedback and improve, said Yakubow. “And it doesn’t feel like a job; it’s a therapeutic place to be with all the music surrounding you. It’s such a blessing.”
Steedman left nursing in 2003 to join the family business. Initially it was parttime as she raised her three children, now ages 18-21, in Ahwatukee.
“Even though it is quite a change from nursing, and I really loved nursing, being part of a musical family business is special, unique and full of life,” said Steedman. “We all come together with our shared experiences and I get to work every day with those closest to me.
A teacher of Music for Little Mozarts at MMW, Steedman said being honored as Ahwatukee’s best studio for eight years validates the family business.
“It feels like the community recognizes we are a safe, fun, exciting and positive place,” she smiled. “And it feels good providing such a good service to our community.”
MMW’s instructors are experts in their fields, and the variety of classes
Ahwatukee financial planner slates informative luncheon
Ahwatukee financial planner Joseph Ortiz of Edward Jones has scheduled a luncheon discussion at noon Jan. 13 at VaBene Italian Cuisine, 4647 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee.
He will discuss some key topics facing investors today amid inflation and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to curb it.
To reserve a seat, contact him at 480-75237664 or email joseph.ortiz@edwardjones.com by Jan. 6.
Ahwatukee garden club invites new members to next meeting
Desert Pointe Garden Club members invite prospective members to start the New Year with them at their meeting at 1:15 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive.
Several members will discuss their favorite
Participating in the Ahwatukee Music Makers Workshop’s recent winter recital were three children of Ahwatukee residents Dave and Terri Nigro: Nora, 10; Luke, 12; and Drew, 8. (Special to AFN)
are myriad including piano, voice, guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, strings, brass, woodwinds, as well as DJing, songwriting, theory, composition, audition prep and recording.
Ahwatukee parents Terri and David Nigro, are among those appreciative of the diverse musical opportunities for their three children: Luke, 12; Nora, 10 and Drew, 8.
“Our introduction to Music Maker Workshops was in 2016 when we started
Kindermusik classes with our youngest child Drew, who was two at the time. The classes were fun and engaging for toddlers - Drew loved it right away,” said Terri Nigro.
“Soon after that, Luke began taking piano lessons at age 6. He loved the teachers and seeing his progress each week.”
Seasonal camps at Music Makers Workshops have proved popular with the Nigris’ children.
“All three of our children have also attended summer camp sessions where they are able to try out three different instruments each session. After each session, they have asked to learn a new instrument,” Terri said.
“Currently, Luke plays drums, bass guitar, piano, and clarinet; Nora has played piano and is currently taking voice lessons; and Drew plays piano, but wants to start drum lessons soon,” said Terri Nigro.
“Everyone at Music Makers Workshop is always welcoming, and the teachers make lessons fun and find ways to individualize lessons in order to help students stay excited and progress.
For example, Drew’s teacher, Ms. Maddie, recognized his trouble focusing while learning from his piano book, so she introduced a song from his favorite video game, “Zelda.” Practicing was fun when it was his favorite song.
Terri explained how both Nora and Luke have also benefited from their Music Makers Workshop lessons.
“Nora has gained confidence and de-
AROUND AHWATUKEE
plants and give tips on achieving success with them. Members maintain the plantings at the Blue Star Memorial and three other nearby locations.
Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club announces a full roster of guest speakers
The Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee has announced a full roster of speakers for its weekly breakfasts at 7 a.m. Thursdays at Biscuits Restaurant in the Safeway Plaza on the southwest corner of Elliot Road and 48th Street.
There are no meetings the rest of this year after tomorrow, Dec. 15, when the speaker is Shirley Coomer, representing the Kyrene Foundation.
Other speakers and their appearance dates are: Jan. 19, Paul Maryniak, executive editor of the Ahwatukee Foothills News; Jan 26, a speaker from Helping Hearts; Feb. 9, Jeff Parent, Ahwatukee Little League; Feb. 6, Kevin Robinson,
Phoenix City Council candidate; March 9, Mary Adams, of Mountain View Lutheran Church; and March 16, Juan Te Dailey, of D Squared Homes for the Homeless.
Holiday dance party on tap today at Cactus Jacks in Ahwatukee
Cactus Jacks Bar & Grill in Ahwatukee is hosting its annual Holiday Dance Party starting at 6:30 p.m. today, Dec. 21 with line dancing lessons and open dancing.
The partying also includes treats and raffles and patrons are urged to wear an ugly Christmas sweater or holiday attire.
There is a $5 cover at the door. Cactus Jacks is at the southwest corner of 48th Street and Elliot Road. Information: cmcneish@cox.net or dancemeetsfitness.net.
veloped her stage presence through her voice lessons, she enjoys performing and is currently a member of several community and school choirs Luke has been inspired by his teachers who play and teach multiple instruments, and he set a goal for himself to learn multiple instruments by the time he was 12, which he’s done,” she said.
Terri, who has lived with her family in Ahwatukee for 15 years, said the music lessons “have helped to build confidence and discipline in each of our children.”
Moreover, she noted, “Listening to and playing music is also a wonderful outlet for stress, and it helps our children relax after busy days at school.”
Music Makers Workshop is an accredited vendor for Empowerment Scholarship Account as many teachers hold bachelor degrees, 10 hold masters degrees in music and five faculty on staff hold doctoral degrees in music.
“I don’t care what kind of business you run, it’s all about your staff and your teachers,” said Bigam.
Music Makers Workshop offers tours of their facility with preset appointments.
“Kids, teens and adults are welcome to explore their musical creativity at Music Makers year-round, seven days a week,” added studio manager Jessica Magee.
The Workshop is enrolling students and parents or students can text 480-706-1224 for a tour. Information: mmwaz.com.
Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, presents a variety of programs for children, teens and adults. Unless otherwise noted, free tickets are required and available 30 minutes before programs’ start times at the library’s information desk. For more information: phoenixpubliclibrary.org.
Book club
Adult readers 18+ can meet up with fellow adventuresome bibliophiles to share their thoughts about each month’s selection the first Wednesday of each month, 5-5:45 p.m. The book to be discussed on Jan. 4 is “Bottle of Lies” by Katherine Eban.
Red Cross blood drive
People ages 16+ can give the gift of blood during the library’s American Red Cross Blood Drive 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 28, 10:00-3:00 p.m.
Ironwood
Library offers all ages a variety of free activities
Appointment times can be found at redcrossblood.org by selecting the “donating blood” option. Masks are optional.
www.ahwatukee.com
Chandler pickleball store thrives as sport’s popularity soars
BY KEN SAIN Staff WriterIt’s no surprise to Cheryl Megli how quickly pickleball has become a major recreation option in the East Valley. In fact, she wonders what took so long.
“We saw it coming,” said Megli, owner of the Tennis & Pickleball Cabana, which recently moved from Ahwatukee to Chandler. “The west side of town started first, we had a store over there. And we knew it was coming to the East Valley. We just didn’t know when.”
Megli’s store off Arizona Avenue, just south of the Loop 202, offers supplies for tennis and pickleball players. It also has its own pickleball court.
She bought an existing business that started in Ahwatukee about four years after it opened.
When the lease was ending on that location, she said she wanted to move farther east to the Chandler-Gilbert areas because of how much the sport has grown there.
Besides, she said, she also needed a larger location to keep up with that growth.
“From what I hear in the pickleball world, the East Valley of Phoenix right now is the hotspot,” she said. “We are growing the fastest and building the most courts, and have the most players. It’s very exciting!”
There are an estimated 4.8 million pickleball players in the U.S., and the sport grew 14.8% from 2020 to 2021. There are 10,320 pickleball facilities nationally according to Pickleheads, a court data provider.
Megli said the company that built the pickleball court inside her store told her it has become the hot commodity in the homebuyer’s market.
“A lot of the new, higher-end homebuilders are putting pickleball courts into their backyards, and not as an option,” Megli said. “A lot of people in Gil-
bert, and the SanTan area are actually putting them in their backyards.
“And if you’re building a new senior community, you must have pickleball
courts. Nobody will give it a look unless it has pickleball courts.”
Pickleball is a version of tennis, but on a much smaller court so it doesn’t
require as much movement. It’s played with paddles and the balls have holes in them, so it slows the game down considerably.
It rose to prominence among seniors but Megli said that now people of all ages are playing the sport and it’s become quite popular with younger generations.
It’s become so popular that most cities and towns in the metro region have invested millions in constructing pickleball courts. And yet, pickleball fans contend there aren’t nearly enough to meet the demand.
For those who prefer the older, faster and more powerful game Megli’s store continues to sell tennis gear as well.
She said the equipment in that game has changed so much that her staff will be able to help any tennis player get the right gear for them.
One thing she stressed is that even though pickleball and tennis can be low-key recreation options, she said it’s important to have court shoes. Megli said there have been a lot of injuries because people wore the wrong shoes while playing those sports.
Megli offers a range of supplies –from the players just starting out to the more serious types who are competing in tournament.
She doesn’t doubt that it will continue to grow in popularity.
“It’s such a social sport, a fun sport,” Megli said. And it’s a sport you can pick up the first day. So a 4-year-old can literally go out there and play pickleball today without having years and years of lessons like tennis. And then it’s a natural transition for tennis players.”
Tennis & Pickleball Cabana
1400 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler 480-598-0162 tenniscabana.com
Sports & Recreation
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Pride’s Chris Arviso honored by Doherty Award nomination
BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports EditorThe naming of the Ed Doherty Award recipient on a yearly basis is the culmination of every high school football season in Arizona.
Nicknamed “the Heisman” of high school football in the state, it’s awarded every year to the player that stood out among the rest. The event itself is extravagant. Fifty-nine players who have been nominated throughout the season with medallions for excellent play are invited to attend alongside families. Forty were in attendance this year.
They walk a red carpet and eat an extravagant lunch before finding out if they have been deemed the best high school football player in the state for the season. While every athlete aims to come away with the award, simply being one of the nominees is an honor, too.
That was the case for Mountain Pointe senior quarterback Chris Arviso.
“It feels good to be recognized for all the work this season,” Arviso said. “There’s so many talented people here in Arizona, so being a part of this feels good.”
Arviso’s career overall at Mountain Pointe was special.
A transfer from South Mountain his sophomore year, he came into the back half of the 2020 season and showcased his talent despite splitting time with former Mountain Pointe quarterback and wideout Amier Boyd. The job was his as a junior, but injuries kept him out at times. But even then, he helped lead the Pride to the playoffs.
As a senior something clicked for Arviso. He meshed with the offense and offensive coordinator Brian Whitacre and utilized the weapons around him at wideout and running back. He completed 180-of-292 passes for 2,600 yards and 25 touchdowns on the season while he led the Pride to the quarterfinal round of the 6A Conference playoffs.
He earned his Ed Doherty medallion in the final week of the regular season,
shortly after he helped lead the team to a win over Cesar Chavez heading into the playoffs. Arviso’s time with the Pride saw some ups and downs, but he came into his own as a senior. Along with his
2,600 passing yards, Mountain Pointe’s three running backs – Jay’len Rushing, Christian Clark and Randle Parker – all had 1,000 all-purpose yards. Wideout Matty Braun nearly reached the 1,000yard receiving mark.
All of that was made possible with the help of Arviso’s leadership and play at the quarterback position.
“It was very special,” Arviso said of his time at Mountain Pointe. “It is something I’ll never forget. All the memories and special relationships I built, it’s something special.
Arviso was joined by other nominees for the award at the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch Saturday, Dec. 18 for the annual Ed Doherty Award Luncheon.
Among those in attendance included Eastmark’s Austin Johnston and Mack Molander, as well as Saguaro’s Devon Dampier, Basha’s Demond Williams and many others.
Dampier, who led the Sabercats to the Open Division state championship game two weeks ago, was named the 2022 recipient of the Ed Doherty Award. He became the fourth player from Saguaro to win the award, joining Kyle Caldwell, Tim Ruben and Teddy Ruben.
The other five finalists included Wil-
liams, ALA Gilbert quarterback Adam Damante, Liberty quarterback Navi Bruzon, Higley quarterback Jamar Malone and Pinnacle tight end Duce Robinson.
“It’s a lot, it was really shocking at first,” Dampier said. “I’m in a very good place and I’m thankful for that. It’s ridiculous what has happening to me right now. It’s all happening so fast. I like to feel like I’m an underdog. I never think I’m good enough, it’s just the expectations I have for myself in my head.
“I’ll always continue to be an underdog until I feel like I’m at my peak.”
The Ed Doherty Award, while special for the winner, also recognizes the outstanding play of a select players from most conferences across the state.
While every player aims to join the likes of Hamilton alum Nicco Marchiol, Mesquite alum Ty Thompson, Perry alum Brock Purdy, Salpointe Catholic alum Bijan Robinson and Desert Vista alums Zach Miller and Bobby Wade, simply being nominated and invited to the luncheon is an honor and experience they will never forget.
And for Arviso, specifically, it adds to the legacy he established at Mountain Pointe building the program back up to a playoff contender.
“I feel like I did think about that,” Arviso said, referring to his goals to rebuild the Pride program when he transferred as a sophomore. “I think this whole team wanted to do that. But to think about it and for it to actually happen are totally different. It’s crazy that we as a team, everybody, rebuilt that program into something special.”
Have an interesting sports story?
Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timeslocalmedia.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.
Chandler club boasts creative drinks, fun times
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut EditorWhen Chuck and Angela Fazio moved from a traditional real estate agency to a cloud-based international company, they were left with a beautiful building in Chandler. So, the couple did what anyone would do. They opened a nightclub and a lounge.
TwentyThree01 Bar & Nightclub and The Forum Lounge are hidden gems in Chandler. The Instagram-worthy club marks a full-circle moment for Chuck, who worked with nightclubs in New York.
“The atmosphere is really great,” he said. “We have two patios, the bar and a dance floor. The front part of the building is The Forum Lounge. It will have live entertainment, great food and amazing ambience. It has a large event space that will also have entertainment and is available for private events.
“We want this to be a hub where people in the Valley know they can get
entertainment — whatever it is.”
The music varies from Top 40 and EDM to Latin at TwentyThree01 Bar & Nightclub.
Ladies Night is every Friday in December and January, while Saturdays see the kitchen open until midnight and hookah available all night. Soon we’ll even have cigars.
On Ladies Night, women can enjoy drinks for $5 until midnight, while everyone can take advantage of happy hour starting at 4 p.m.
The menu is elevated bar food, with Korean fried chicken, popcorn shrimp, tuna tataki, chicken pot stickers, pork and vegetable rolls, barbecue
pork sliders and chicken yakatori. TwentyThree01 Bar & Nightclub also boasts spicy French fries, spicy tuna roll, California roll, Philly roll, bang bang shrimp roll and crunchy hidden spicy tuna roll.
The drinks are creative and range from a pecan old fashioned to banana espresso martini to tequila colada.
The Fazios say TwentyThree01 Bar & Nightclub and The Forum Lounge were born out of necessity, not a dream. Chuck moved here in 1998 and met Angela through real estate. He said they were both broke and almost exited the real estate business.
“By the grace of God, we went on to be one of the top agents in the country and the top teams in 2005,” he said.
“The next logical step was opening a brokerage. We slowly built and built and built. Then I had a vision of building the coolest real estate office. So, we started to look for spaces. I had a vision in my head.”
Zoppe Family Circus now at Bell Bank Park in Mesa
SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFFThe Zoppe Family Circus has left Chandler with its annual holiday show and moved to Bell Bank Park, 1 Legacy Drive, Mesa.
The one-ring circus that honors the history of the old-world Italian circus tradition and runs through Jan. 1.
Liberta Zoppe welcomes guests into an intimate, 500-seat tent for a show that will star Nino the Clown and a circus that is propelled by a central story, as opposed to individual acts.
The circus features acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and plenty of audience participation.
Tickets are on sale at BellBankPark.com, with general admission starting at $25, and VIP tickets at $45. For more information on the Zoppe Family visit www.Zoppe.net.
Show dates are: today, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., & 7 p.m.; 6 p.m. Dec. 21 and 23, 4 p.m. Dec.
24; 6 p.m. Dec. 26-30; 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 31 and 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 1.
Meanwhile, Bell Bank Park also is hosting the Pratt Brothers Christmas Spectacular 6-10 p.m. through Jan. 1.
The display features more than six million lights and unique attractions.
Previous contestants of The Great Christmas Light Fight on ABC Television, brothers Sammy and Kyle Pratt have devoted their life’s work to construct a magical Christmas Town delivering an experience for all the senses.
The immersive visit delivers attractions for all ages, with twinkling Christmas lights, threestory gingerbread house, magical snowfall and thousands of bubbles, featuring the ultimate Santa Experience, Mrs. Claus Cookie Decorating, dazzling 360-degree light show with showstopping pyrotechnics, and a Miracle Market filled with simply merry gifts to bring home holiday cheer.
Nino the Clown is one of the stars at the Zoppe Family Circus. (Special to GetOut)
With JAN D’ATRI
GetOut ColumnistHarvey Wallbanger Cake harkens to a bygone era in festive way
Could it be that it lost its popularity in just one generation?
The cake that was one of our mother’s “no-fail-absolute-go-to” recipes?
The brilliant yellow moist miracle in a Bundt pan that was served during the holidays? I presented a group of millennials with a certain rich and flavorful cake in cooking class last week.
While they all gobbled it up in short order, they had never even heard of the classic Harvey Wallbanger Cake. It had been years since I’d thought of this delightful treat myself. And what a shame because it’s so easy to make!
The Harvey Wallbanger Cake grabs its rich flavor from the vodka, Galliano liqueur and orange juice that you find in the classic Harvey Wallbanger cocktail. Add some eggs, cake mix and pudding, and this special treat bakes up like a brilliant yellow sunflower and absolutely melts in your mouth. A little sprinkling of powdered sugar, or better yet, a drizzle of glaze and that’s all you need to relive the kitchen memories from the 60’s and 70’s.
I was just a little girl when my Momma started giving the Harvey Wallbanger Cake equal time with her classic Italian rum cakes.
I remember the giant long, thin bottle coming out
Ingredients:
For the cake:
• 1 box yellow cake mix (with pudding in the mix is best)
• 1 small box (approx. 3 oz) vanilla instant pudding
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup Galliano liqueur
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one large bundt pan (9-10 inch) or two small bundt pans (7-8 inch). In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding, vegetable oil, eggs vodka, Galliano and orange juice.
of the cabinet. My father was the bartender at our restaurant, and so his beverage suppliers would, during the holidays, gift him with the extra, extra giant bottle of the liqueur. Back then, from where I was standing, I estimated that bottle to be 500 feet tall and not an inch less!
I remember the flavor of the cake (whenever I could sneak some) was just as large. It’s such an easy cake to bake up that it would be a shame not to give it a try.
Who knows? Perhaps with the resurgence in popularity of the classic cocktails like the Side Car, Manhattan and Dirty Martini, the Harvey Wallbanger and its companion cake will find its sweet spot once again!
• 3/4 cup orange juice
For the glaze:
• Mix together:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 tablespoon vodka
• 1 tablespoon Galliano
• (Note: If you don’t want glaze, you can sprinkle cake with a bit of powdered sugar)
Mix until well blended, about 3-4 minutes. Pour into bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes for the large pan or 25-30 minutes for the smaller pans, or until toothpick comes up clean. Let cake cool then glaze or dust with powdered sugar.
For the real estate office, Chuck obtained a class six liquor license and LGE, a commercial custom builder, put its touch on the building. The bar, café and kitchen were all part of the real estate office. A game room was also featured.
“We built it to be the No. 1 single-office, independent real estate brokerage in the world,” he said proudly.
“Out of this one location, we had 906 agents, and we did about $2 billion in production and sales. We are really well known in the industry, so we were approached by a cloud-based, forwardthinking company that’s international.”
eXp wanted Chuck and Angela to work there, but, at first, neither wanted to give up the office. They prayed, looked at the options and closed the brokerage.
“The industry laughed at us because they thought we lost our minds,” he said. “It took me 16 years to go to 906 agents, and it took us three years to go to 8,000
agents worldwide. So, I have agents in India, Italy, Portugal, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain and, obviously, the United States.”
“The reason why we built up such a big brokerage is we believe in the community,” he said.
“We were into entertainment and that’s the reason why everybody loved us. We like to give back, so why not do something like this?”
TwentyThree01 Bar & Nightclub
2301 S. Stearman Drive, Chandler 480-722-9800 clubtwentythree01.com 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays theforumlounge.com
Opens the last week in January 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
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