MUST SEE
AT LEAST ONCE in YOUR LIFETIME
Tucson • Phoenix • Mesa
MARCH 7 - 22
THE VOICE OF THE EAST VALLEY SINCE 1891 AND WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING
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THE SUNDAY
West Mesa Edition
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EAST VALLEY
PAGE 8
Sunday, December 11, 2016
South Mountain Freeway opponents prepare for possible last fight BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Managing Editor
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Sold Out Shows Across North America
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MAR 7–8
“An extraordinary experience. Exquisitely beautiful.” — Cate Blanchett, Academy Award–winning actress
“A mesmerizing performance! Reclaiming the divinely inspired cultural heritage of China.” — Donna Karan, creator of DKNY
“The orchestra is phenomenal. They are very, very on top.” — Roger Tallman, Seven-time Emmy Award– winning composer/producer
Early Bird code: Early17
Get best seats & waive service fee by Dec.31
Tucson Convention Center
MAR 14–19
Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix
“I’ve reviewed about 4,000 shows. None can compare to what I saw tonight.” —Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic
“Absolutely the No.1 show in the world.” — Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of the English National Ballet
“AWE-INSPIRING!” “A MUST-SEE!” —
— Broadway world
“The 8th wonder of the world.
People have no idea what they're missing until they come here and see the show.”
—Joe Heard, former White House photographer, watched Shen Yun 6 times
MAR 21–22
lkeda Theater, Mesa
ShenYun.com/AZ 800.880.0188
800.880.0188
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hrough the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of genuine Chinese culture. Its stunning beauty, purity, and tremendous energy leave audiences greatly uplifted and deeply inspired. A Shen Yun performance features 100 world class performers, over 400 sets of exquisite handmade costumes, a unique orchestra blending East and West, and dazzling animated backdrops – creating a spectacular performance beyond imagination. Experience divine culture! Experience Shen Yun!
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ShenYun.com/AZ
“5,000 YEARS OF CHINESE MUSIC & DANCE IN ONE NIGHT.”
The Arts Connecting Heaven & Earth
(Cheryl Haselhorst/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Estrella Elementary School kindergartener Victoria Stockton, left, presents a poster about frogs to her class, with the help of her teacher, Candy Rice, during an all-day-K class. All-day kindergarten's benefits are coming under question, but Kyrene Superintendent Jan Vesely says there is no doubt about its effectiveness.
All-day kindergarten faces uphill battle COVER STORY BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Managing Editor
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s the state Legislature prepares for a new session next month, funding for all-day kindergarten appears to be unlikely as conservative Republicans raise questions about its value and the absence of standards. But East Valley school districts are prepared to continue free all-day K even without full state funding, convinced that its positive contribution to early education is welldocumented. Apparently, so are parents. “The bottom line is we cannot deliver our present-day kindergarten curriculum in a half-day model,” said Kyrene Superintendent Jan Vesely. Noting that only six parents opted for halfday kindergarten while 1,570 enrolled in the all-day program this year, Vesely added,
“Clearly our community understands the importance of early childhood education. Parents want this kind of education for their young children.” Added Michael Cowan, superintendent of Mesa Public Schools, the state’s largest district: “Without additional classroom time for kindergarten under the direction of a master educator, many children will not be afforded adequate time to build foundational learning competencies in reading, writing and mathematics.” Terry Locke, spokesman for Chandler Unified School District, concurred. “We find all-day kindergarten to be vital,” Locke said. “Today’s kindergarten standards have more rigor than in the past. Only 30 percent of our students starting kindergarten come to us with preschool experience. The extra time helps ensure students get off to a strong start to their school experience and See
BATTLE on page 4
hat could be the last court fight to stop construction of the South Mountain Freeway is scheduled to begin this week in San Francisco. There, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will begin receiving briefs aimed at stopping the 22-mile freeway in its tracks. A hearing is not expected before the panel until spring. So far, the Gila River Indian Community and Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children haven’t had much luck with judges in the effort to stop the Arizona Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration from building a highway that has been on the books for more than three decades. And if the Ninth Circuit rejects opponents’ arguments, their only recourse is to hope they can get a re-hearing or get the case on the U.S. Supreme Court docket. Neither is a guarantee. The freeway would connect West Phoenix and the Loop 202 Santan Freeway-Interstate 10 interchange in Chandler to provide a bypass around the heavily congested segment of I-10 that runs through Downtown Phoenix. The $1.77-billion highway project is the most expensive in Arizona history and has been billed by ADOT as a time-saver for motorists traveling between the east and west valleys. ADOT also calls the freeway a potentially huge stimulus to economic development along its path. But in the eyes of opponents, the freeway desecrates South Mountain, which Native Americans consider a sacred site, and poses significant health risks, especially to children attending 17 schools within a half-mile of the right-of-way. Opponents in November lost their bid to See
OPPONENTS on page 6