Downtown Mesa’s revolution in full throttle
BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
One year after The Grove on Main began in fall 2018, as a giant hole hidden behind a fence, the retail-residential complex looms over the eastern edge of downtown Mesa.
Together with a complete renovation of the interior and grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple, a $75 million “urban neighborhood” breaking ground later this month and the start of construction of Arizona State University’s building, The Grove on Main Street is the most striking indication yet of the revolution coming to the downtown landscape.
The Grove is well on its way to putting its stamp on the change.
“It’s our first crane in the air in downtown Mesa, which is an exciting time,’’ said Jeff Mc-
City wants to boost post-high school learning
BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer
Mesa plans to join a statewide effort to boost post-graduate educational attainment after a report found the city lags behind the statewide average for residents with either a college degree, a certificate or a license.
The report found about 35 percent of Mesa’s population has such a credential, compared to the statewide average of 45 percent – which still falls well short of Achieve60AZ’s lofty goal of 60 percent attainment by 2030.
“We are not re-starting the, ‘you have to go to college’ conversation,’’ said Amy Trethaway of Mesa Achieves Higher Education, noting welders, diesel mechanics and cosmetologists are all considered credentialed under the Achieve 60AZ program.
“This is a workforce-development program
related to education,’’ she said.
She noted Mesa and other Arizona cities needing a trained workforce to attract major industries and good jobs.
In Mesa, an email authored by Trethaway found 45,000 residents have no education beyond high school and 75,000 started a postsecondary education program, such as taking a class or two at a community college, but never finished.
“As the second largest city in the State, Mesa has 21,599 adults who need to obtain a GED, 45,000 adults who need to enroll into a postsecondary education (they have graduated high school but no college) and 75,000 adults who have SOME college but no degree or certification,’’ Trethaway wrote
“Mesa must intentionally engage in workforce development right now for the future of Mesa’s economy because the lack of a skilled workforce will impact the City and its services
heavily. Right now, on average, Mesa’s workforce will see a reduction in qualified workers as early as 2025.’’
The recommendations include establishing a Mesa Achieve 60AZ steering committee with representatives from the public, educational institutions and the business community, along with a Mesa education dashboard and a Mesa Promise campaign.
Trethaway said the cost of such a campaign is estimated at about $200,000 a year, or $1 million for five years.
The goal is to encourage students to fill out federal applications for financial aid and to take other steps toward either enrolling in post-secondary education or continuing a program.
Mayor John Giles backed the program immediately, along with council members Jen
The Grove on Main Street is rapidly rising on the eastern edge of downtown Mesa. Together with an exhaustive renovation of the Mesa Arizona Tempe grounds, construction of Arizona State University’s building and a nearby new “urban neigborhood”, The Grove will radically transform the downtown landscape. (Courtesy of City Creek Reserve)
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Mesa Public Schools adds student liaisons to board
BY CHRISTOPHER BOAN Tribune Staff Writer
Abit of history was made at last week’s meeting of the Mesa Public school board as seven students joined it as student liaisons.
The septet of Shelbie Rash (Skyline High School), Devyn Houston (Mesa High), Matteo Gomes (Red Mountain), Jaquelyn Hernandez (Dobson), Allyson Manwaring (Mountain View), Gezzell Santamaria (East Valley Academy) and Naomi Sellers (Westwood) make up the first class of liaisons in the district’s 120-year history.
The students will serve as the de facto voice for their peers in the state’s largest school district, apprising board members of student viewpoints on a number of issues.
The liaison program has the stated purpose, according to the Mesa Public Schools website, of giving a way for students to provide valuable information.
“The ideas, opinions and concerns of students are important to the Governing Board. To provide information and communicate the viewpoint of students regarding matters before the board, a student liaison will be invited to attend the open sessions of regular board meetings, sit with the board, and address issues when recognized by the board president,” the department memo reads.
“The student liaison will not vote, make motions, attend executive sessions, or have access to confidential records,” it
EDUCATION
from page 1
Duff, Francisco Heredia and David Luna.
Councilman Kevin Thompson said he supports the goal and the concept, but questions whether the city should stray from its core mission of providing public safety and other services.
“The point is to get the kids falling through the cracks, not the kids on the right path,’’ Giles said. “I don’t want to pretend for a minute this is not going to cost money. There is absolutely city skin in the game. It’s used to leverage philanthropy.’’
adds.
“The superintendent will adopt an administrative regulation to implement this policy, including duties of the student liaison and the selection of student liaisons from each high school to serve, on a rotating basis, as student liaisons during the school year,” the memo notes.
It’s this call to duty that makes Shelbie, a senior at Skyline, believe the liaisons can serve as a valuable resource for the board.
“I think it’s really important we get the students involved,” Shelbie said. “Clearly the governing board makes a lot of really important decisions about our future and
“It’s appropriate to spend a little money on poverty prevention.’’
He said it may be best to form a nonprofit organization to lead the effort, rather than having the city handle donations. Mesa would join about 40 municipalities statewide in participating in the effort.
Heredia said he wants to inspire students, while Duff said she wants to reduce homelessness and prop up the city’s economy.
He said Mesa could commit to spending $100,000 and he could easily raise at least as much, if not more, from the business community.
“This is going to be the easiest fundraising job I’ve ever been part of,’’ Giles said.
“You can see how education and having a better wage can impact our city in numerous ways,’’ Duff said. “I think it’s a dire time to take action and commit to this Achieve 60AZ.’’
Statewide, about half of all high school graduates enroll in a two-year or fouryear program, but only 27 percent.
Rachel Yanoff, Achieve60AZ’s execu-
about our education, and so I think it’s really about time we get involved in and we are able to have some input on some of those decisions.”
The seven-person class was inducted at the board meeting Jan. 28, after a 90-minute course on school board policy and responsibility.
Devyn, who is a senior at the district’s original high school, shared a similar viewpoint on the importance the liaisons can have on the bi-monthly meetings they’ll attend.
The key for Devyn is the students know
tive director, wrote by time today’s preschoolers graduate from high school, an estimated 70 percent of jobs will require a post-secondary degree.
Mesa’s educational profile does not appear unique, with an estimated 1 million Arizona residents among those who started a post-secondary program, but never completed it.
Achieve60AZ has a number of goals that also point some alarming statistics about today’s students in Arizona.
For example, only 44 percent of thirdgraders read at grade level; Achieve60AZ’s goal is 72 percent.
While 41 percent of eighth-graders pass math, the group wants to hit 69 percent. It also wants to boost high school graduation rates from a current 78 percent to 90 percent.
SHELBIE RASH
DEVYN HOUSTON
Vay, Mesa’s manager of downtown transformation, alluding to The Grove’s status as the first major downtown redevelopment project headed toward completion.
Two large buildings are scheduled for completion in November and others in January, said Carl Duke, vice president of City Creek Reserve, the real estate arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“The project is coming along. We are almost completely framed out on the tallest and largest building. It’s the first building to be delivered,’’ Duke said.
Overall, The Grove will include 243 apartments in four buildings varying from four to two stories. Nine historic bungalows along First Avenue are also scheduled for renovations.
The four-story apartment building at Mesa Drive and Main Street is hard to miss, with the steel frame of the new Family Discovery Center located nearby.
The interactive genealogy center will be clad in a distinctive stone finish while The Grove buildings will sport a brick and stucco finish, Duke said.
To advance the new look of this longneglected area, City Council two weeks ago approved the first of several unique 50-year maintenance agreements with City Creek Reserve.
Those agreements pave the way for a themed streetscape with lush landscaping to tie the temple and Grove on Main Street projects together.
The first pact covers landscaping along First Avenue, billed as the grand entrance to the temple district. City officials anticipate the church will pay about $580,000 for the area alone.
The future maintenance agreements are expected to come before Council in the next couple of months and would cover part of Main Street in front of the temple, as well as LeSueur, Hobson and Second Avenue.
“They are trying to create a street theme around these projects,’’ McVay said. “This is the gateway to the temple, one of the few places in the city where we have a terminus view. They really wanted to make this a ceremonial street.’’
People driving west on Main Street into downtown Mesa can’t miss The Grove development. (Pablo Robles/ Tribune Staff Photographer)
The Grove is located immediately west of the iconic temple, which also features lush new grounds.
Since the temple closed in May 2018, the goal has been for both projects to open in tandem by the end of 2020. A Facebook page shows major progress on the temple project as well, although no grand opening date has been announced.
“It’s by far the most important issue we face on the project,’’ Duke said. “We would like what we are building to compliment the temple building.’’
An open house at the temple is anticipated, giving non-members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a rare opportunity to tour the temple.
It opened in 1927, the first of seven temples the church would build in Arizona.
The church’s temple district landscaping will augment a major Mesa street reconstruction project financed with bonds approved by voters in 2013 and 2014.
“We will bring this street up to a base level. They will install lush landscaping on the sides of the street as well as the median,’’ McVay said.
He said the landscaping will include a “selfie platform’’ where visitors can take a picture of themselves with the temple in the background.
“I think it will be some of the most im-
young professionals in mind,” will be around 400 square feet with floor-to-ceiling views of the mountains, galley kitchens and built-in furniture.
On the top three floors above those flats, 196 luxury “sky apartments” will be built. Each floor will feature a private urban living room lounge with a fireplace, balconies and glass walls and residents will have access to special event space for private functions and a rooftop lounge. The Grid community also will have 15 rowhomes with a three-level walk-up. Each rowhome will have a private dooryard, reserved private garage parking, a great room living area, master suite with walk-in closets on the second floor and a third-level that can be turned into an office, second suite or two bedrooms.
pressive landscaping and courtyards in the East Valley,’’ Duke said.
Meanwhile, another major project is about to get underway after more than two years of planning.
The Palladium Grid, a unique officeapartment building wrapped around the Pomeroy Street garage, will occupy 3.3 acres fronting Main Street.
The mixed-use development is directly across Mesa Drive from The Grove on Main and to the east of Benedictine University.
“We will bring morning, noon and evening dining. It will be a great place for meeting and socializing and will mesh beautifully with the existing businesses and restaurants currently operating on Main Street,” boasted Tony Wall, Palladium principal and founder of 3W Management.
Developed in partnership with the city Benedictine University Mesa and Palladium, The GRID “is exactly the type of development we want to see in downtown Mesa,” Mayor John Giles said in a prepared statement.
The GRID’s residential plan calls for four levels of “urban flats” atop the Pomeroy Parking Garage as well as urban flats and rowhomes.
The 75 flats, described by Wall as “micro-units designed with students and
Mesa amended The Grid’s development agreement several times and reduced the parking requirements to help Wall complete the project, scheduled for groundbreaking Feb. 24.
“The GRID is exactly the type of development we want to see in downtown Mesa,” Mayor John Giles said in a prepared statement.
“Building residential, restaurant and office space on top of an underutilized parking garage will add tremendously to our growing urban neighborhood. “
“I’m excited to see another crane in downtown Mesa’s skyline,” he added. Giles predicted in 2018, the temple reconstruction and The Grove would be the first major new downtown projects completed and others would follow.
Duke’s project got off to a controversial start because it required the leveling of modest 1940s and 1950s bungalows, considered early examples of Mesa’s suburbanization, to make room for the underground garage.
While historic preservationists cringed at the damage to the Temple Historic District, the project faced little opposition from city officials, who had been urging the church for years to upgrade the area.
City Creek merely waited for a 180-day moratorium period to expire before bulldozing the 13 historic bungalows, which are largely being replaced by a series of 23 rowhouses and eight single-family homes.
Mesa woman starts local climate change chapter
BY LACEY LYONS Tribune Staff Writer
Anew group of volunteers has joined forces in the East Mesa to support climate change solutions.
The Far East Valley Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization whose goal is to change national policies and address climate change, organizer Sandy Whitley said.
Her group joins 400 other local chapters of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby across the country.
Its main goal is to press Congress to approve a bill to reduce emissions in the country by at least 40 percent in the first 12 years.
Whitley found her passion for climate change while hiking Picacho Peak and noticing the brown fog resting above the city.
“I realized my grandchildren are the next generation and I needed to find out what is in the air they are breathing,” she said.
Whitley is also a retired nurse who
has seen first-hand how pollution affects health.
“Once I found out what was actually in the air, that’s when I knew conditions such as asthma are majorly affected and even worsened,” said Whitley.
“I found Citizens’ Climate Lobby at a presentation at the Desert Botanical Gardens, and I gravitated towards the table set up because they were not just talking about climate change, they had a solution
they were working on to try to reduce carbon in our atmosphere,” she said.
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, or H.R. 763, would impose a $15-per-ton fee on fossil fuels extracted from the earth.
Whitley believes it will motivate companies, industries and consumers to purchase cleaner and cheaper options for their fuel.
The fee revenue would not only cover any program costs but also would be shared with citizens as an incentive to reduce their carbon footprint.
She conceded there is a concern from foreign competition if American companies have to pay the fee while countries exporting products to the U.S. don’t have a similar carbon tax in their home country/
“This could possibly lead to reduced American business,” said Whitley.
However, she contends American companies would receive a rebate for products they sell to such countries.
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is cosponsored by 75 House members and is co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch of Florida and Re-
publican Rep. Francis Rooney of Florida.
“This carbon pricing bill has more cosponsors than any carbon pricing bill in our country’s history, and it’s been bipartisan right from the start,” said Flannery Winchester, spokesman for Citizen’s Climate Lobby.
The group has found success in the creating an effective solution, improving the health for citizens, and boosting the economy by possibly providing 2.1 million new jobs, said Whitley.
“We actively are looking for events to attend to present and to inform the public of our new chapter in the far East Valley,” she said.
Though the East Valley chapter is small, “we are always looking to expand their group,” said Whitley.
Winchester added, “We continue to grow by tens of thousands of supporters every year, so as we move forward, we will continue to expand our resources to train and support those volunteers to put pressure on Congress.”
Information: citizensclimatelobby.org.
Lawmakers would stop cities from banning gas
BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
The global fight over climate change spilled over into the state Legislature last week as a Senate panel voted to forbid cities from telling developers they cannot erect new buildings using natural gas.
The 4-3 vote by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy on SB 1222 came amid lobbying by business interests who argued that any move to deny access to natural gas would harm economic development.
Dan Bogert of the Arizona Restaurant Association said cooks and chefs prefer natural gas because it comes on instantly and heats the side of the pans. He also said it’s less expensive.
That statement drew derision from Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe.
“Is it your position that climate change, global warming, all that’s just way too hard and expensive and that because
we like to cook a certain way, we should just keep maintaining this process even though it’s bad for the environment and our future?’’ he asked.
“What the restaurant association’s position is that we should continue to have a choice to access the fuel types that we need to have accessed,’’ Bogert responded.
Senate President Karen Fann said her legislation is a preemptive strike.
The Prescott Republican said there are communities in California, Massachusetts and Washington that, in the name of reducing greenhouse gases, have prohibited the use of natural gas in new construction and adopted all-electric building codes.
Absent some state mandate, she said, local communities here could follow suit.
“I do not believe this is a function of a municipality,’’ she said.
“If we are going to have that conversation, we should have it on a statewide level because it doesn’t affect just that municipality,’’ Fann said. “It affects ev-
erybody.’’
Sandy Bahr, president of the Arizona chapter of the Sierra Club, said Fann is right in arguing that issues of energy policy and climate change are best dealt with by the state as a whole.
“The bottom line is the state is not doing that,’’ Bahr said. “So why limit local government?’’
Southwest Gas lobbyist Matt Ligourdi told lawmakers that killing new natural gas hookups as a solution to climate is misfocused.
“We’re not here to hide from the environmental side of this,’’ he said.
Ligourdi said only 4 percent of carbon emissions each year in the United States comes from natural gas, compared with transportation in the 30 percent range and electric generation where carbon emissions rate in the high 20 percent of greenhouse gases.
Robert Bulechek, an energy consultant, argued that lawmakers concerned about the economy need to consider
what he said is the $14 billion cost of climate-related disasters like fires, drought and floods.
“We know, science knows, that climate destruction caused by burning fossil fuels puts our prosperity at risk,’’ he said.
But Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, sees the issue the issue in a different way.
“There are many people that do not believe in man-caused climate change and in the fear tactics that have been put out there that is driving us to go away from things that are necessary to keep our economy strong,’’ she said.
Allen said she prefers the views of “the scientists that are not paid by the U.N. who are giving us this faulty information.’’
Sen. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, expressed his own skepticism about claims of climate change.
“In the ‘70s we were saying ‘global cooling,’ through the ‘80s, ‘90s we were saying ‘global warming,’ ‘’ he said. “But neither one were right so now we say ‘climate change.’ ‘’
SANDY WHITLEY
2 education tax measures may hit ballot
BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
State lawmakers took the first steps last week toward asking voters to sharply increase the special sales tax for education, setting the stage for voters to be able to pick and choose between two separate proposals – or potentially adopt or reject them both.
On a 5-3 margin, with all Democrats opposed, the Senate Education Committee voted to put a proposal on the November ballot to increase the current 0.6-cent levy first authorized by voters in 2000, to a full penny. Legislative budget staffers estimate could raise an extra $580 million a year.
Putting the issue on the ballot avoids the possibility of a veto by Gov. Doug Ducey, who remains adamantly opposed to any new taxes. Ducey said the state has enough money to take care of its education needs.
Meanwhile education advocates – including the Arizona Education Association, operating under the umbrella of Invest in Education – already filed its own proposal to raise $940 million a year for education through a surcharge on the income of individuals making more than $250,000 a year or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Backers have until July 2, to collect the necessary 237,645 valid signatures to put that issue on the November ballot.
This potentially paves the way for both to go to voters to decide on.
But Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale, is worried about having two competing measures on the ballot – and lots of money spent on both campaigns – would so confuse voters they, in turn, will reject both, leaving education with no new funds at all.
Central to the issue is the concession, by the governor, the allocation of state aid for education in his budget for the coming school year still would not bring state funding for K-12 education back to where it was before the recession.
The question now is how much more is needed and how to raise it.
Ducey insists the state has enough without any new taxes. But both the Invest in Education initiative and SCR 1002 are crafted to go directly to voters, giving the governor no official voice in their out-
come.
The more far-reaching proposal is the initiative.
David Lujan, director of the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, one of the groups behind that measure, said polling shows a tax on the wealthiest is the most acceptable.
He said it also makes the state income tax system more progressive, meaning those at the top pay are an even greater percentage than those at the bottom.
Lujan said this makes sense given that most of the tax breaks of the past decade and more have benefited corporations and the wealthy with things like additional tax breaks for capital gains.
More to the point, Lujan objects to the idea of higher sales taxes in SCR 1002, saying it would place a disproportionate burden on those at or near the bottom of the income scale.
Lujan said 20 percent of the money proposed to be raised would be borne by those earning less than $23,000 a year.
“It would only make Arizona’s regressive tax code even more regressive,’’ he said.
Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake, disagreed, calling it “a fair and equal tax,’’ with everyone paying the same rate.
the state’s three universities while continuing to put dollars into technology and research.
And it also would earmark some funds for community colleges largely for trade and workforce development programs.
Lujan, under questioning from Brophy McGee, conceded the Invest in Education proposal does nothing to help the higher education system.
But he said backers believe they need to focus on K-12.
“We have a funding crisis in our public schools right now,’’ he said, saying it would take an additional $4 billion a year in resources to bring per-pupil funding up to the national average.
Sen. Andrea Dalessandro, D-Green Valley, said the need is particularly acute in public schools, where a survey found about 1,800 classrooms without a certified teacher.
That comparison with the national average drew a strong response from Sen. Rick Gray, R-Sun City, who said it was unfair to compare Arizona education funding to other states.
And Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, the sponsor of SCR 1002, said there’s no way the Invest in Education measure can raise the kind of funds Lujan predicts.
“Taxing the wealthy does not work,’’ she said. Brophy McGee said people who would be hit with the surcharge “are wealthy enough to take measure to not pay it.’’
Phil Francis, the retired CEO of PetSmart, a champion of raising money for education through sales taxes, called the Invest in Education proposal “shortsighted.’’
He said any tax increase on the top wage earners will harm the ability of the state to attract and retain businesses.
John Graham, CEO of Sunbelt Holdings, a Scottsdale-based real estate development firm, called the SCR a “thoughtful, clean, clear and something that our business community could easily support.’’
Another key difference between the two plans is while all the proceeds for the Invest in Education plan would be earmarked for K-12 education, SCR 1002 would spread the money.
After some money taken off the top, the measure would give about 83 percent of what’s left to public schools. There also would be some cash to stabilize tuition at
He said only about 17 percent of the land in Arizona is in public hands – meaning its taxable – with everything else in federal hands or tribal reservations. By contrast, Gray said, 98 percent of Texas is private land.
And Sen. Tyler Pace, R-Mesa, said he sees sales taxes as the fairest way to collect additional revenues, noting that there are corporations that pay no income taxes.
“But all of these companies are purchasing something,’’ Pace said. “This (sales) tax would guarantee that those who run these large companies that are declaring billion dollars in losses are still paying some tax in our state on the things they are consuming as a business,’’ he said.
Quezada sought to double an existing state income tax credit to offset any additional burden some people might incur due to higher sales taxes.
It would have spelled out individuals earning up to $25,000 a year would get to take $50 off what they owe when they file their state income taxes. And families with a combined income up to $50,000 would get a $200 income tax credit.
But this proposal was defeated on a party-line vote in the Republican-controlled committee.
State Sen. Kate Brophy McGee is a sponsor of the bill that would put a sales tax increase on the ballot to help fund education. (Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services)
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EV arson investigator is all bark
BY CECILIA CHAN Tribune Staff Writer
Zeta sniffed the several T-shirts spread out before her on the floor until she detected a chemical odor on one and alerted her handler by sitting in front of it.
“Show me,” commanded David Zehring, an investigator with Gilbert Fire and Rescue.
The black English Labrador retriever then pointed with her nose to the shirt’s logo, where earlier Zhering had put a tiny drop of accelerant.
“Good girl,” Zehring said as he reached into the food pouch strapped around his waist and rewarded Zeta with dog kibbles.
For an hour, Zehring trained the 19-month-old arson dog to detect six different classifications of ignitable liquids such as gasoline, lighter fluid, diesel, paint thinner and charcoal fluid along with the different brands of those accelerants.
Zeta is a rare dog.
She is the only canine trained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in trained accelerant detection working in Arizona and one of only 61 on duty in the country.
Mesa Schools seeks public help in superintendent search
The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board has retained McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, to assist in its search for a new superintendent and is looking for public input to help.
Calling such input “an important element of the search process,” the district last week asked parents, staff, students and members of the community to participate in an anonymous online survey to share their thoughts about the state of the district and characteristics they would like to see in the next superintendent.
The search was necessitated by former Superintendent Ember Conley’s abrupt resignation last November after she was suspended for giving unauthorized raises to staffers.
“Listening to and receiving input from our community is essential as we move forward with the search for our new Mesa Public Schools superintendent,” said board President Elaine Miner.
“The board prioritizes finding a leader who is studentcentered, collaborative, inclusive, community focused and committed to continuing the crucial work of implementing our robust strategic and master facilities plans. We value our partnerships with our community and encourage all stakeholders to make their voices heard.”
The survey is open through Feb. 12, at bit.ly/MPSsearch2020. Information on the search: mpsaz.org.
She replaced Spring, the department’s first arson dog, a black lab that retired in October.
Although new to the force, Zeta already was called out to three suspicious fires –in Sedona, El Mirage and Mesa – according to Zehring, who could not go into detail about the cases because they are still active.
Zehring drove Zeta back from Virginia with him in December after the two completed a six-week training course at the ATF Canine Training Center.
She comes to the department at no cost to Gilbert. Zehring said ATF invests about $50,000 to train one dog and a handler.
“It’s a partnership with the ATF,” Zehring explained. “ATF paid for the canine and the training.”
In turn, Gilbert Fire will provide Zeta’s services for local and national ATF callouts. And because of mutual aid agreements, Zeta also responds to other fire departments in need of the service.
Labradors are the dogs of choice for the ATF, which started the Accelerant Detection Canine Program in 1984 and have graduated over 250 labs since. Each dog must have at least a five-year commitment on the job or retire by 10 years old.
Cardon Children’s, Banner Desert Medical Centers seek volunteers
Cardon Children’s Medical Center and Banner Desert Medical Center are seeking volunteers in customer service, ”ambassador” and “comfort care” areas who have excellent communication skills.
Certified dog therapy teams and certified Reiki alternative healing applicants are also needed.
Ambassadors greet and escort all patients, families, visitors and staff, and provide assistance to locations within the hospital.
Volunteer positions are available seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteers must be at least 16 and available to serve at least one 3-hour or 4-hour shift per week for a minimum of 100 hours.
A background check and health screening is required. Information: 480-412-3258 or BDMCVolunteers@bannerhealth. com or bannerhealth.com/services/volunteer/banner-desertvolunteer.
Historical Museum ready for spring baseball, Black History Month
The Mesa Historical Museum is hosting two new exhibits. “Hallelujah Hats” looks at the churches of Washington Park as illustrated by the jewelry, hats and fashions typically worn by church goers during the 1950-60s.
“The ATF get their dogs either from the Guide Dog Foundation or Puppies Behind Bars, where inmates train dogs to be service animals,” Zehring said. “They use labs that washed out or are released from the programs for various reasons.”
Zeta was released from the Guide Dog Foundation in New York at 15 months old when she arrived to the ATF.
Besides being one of the top dog breeds when it comes to sense of smell, Labradors are good at working with people, have a desire to please and are immensely food-driven – which plays a major role in their training.
“Zeta is rewarded with food. That is how she eats,” Zehring said. “So, if we are not working a fire scene, I have to work Zeta minimally twice a day for her to eat.
“So, this morning we did an interior building search. I had to put accelerant throughout the building and work her like a fire scene and where she found where
The exhibit documents the once thriving segregated African American community of Mesa and features historic photographs of ceremonial baptisms and highlights of first five African American churches founded in the area.
“The Arizona Spring Training Experience” tells the story of the birth of spring training in Mesa, from the Buckhorn Baths to the Giants Goodwill Tour to Japan.
A new documentary, “The Mesa HoHoKams, Then and Now,” will also be featured.
The exhibits open Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mesa Historical Museum at 2345 N. Horne, Mesa. Information: info@mesamuseum.org or 480-835-2286.
Southwest Maker Fest returning to downtown Mesa with fun exhibits
Downtown Mesa will be hosting the free Southwest Maker Fest 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 15, giving visitors a chance to explore hands-on activities ranging from robotics to rocketry to weaving.
The i.d.e.a. Museum will be open free to the public that day as part of the festiva with its new exhibit, “Art of the Story.”
Other exhibits at the fest will include fiber arts, comedy and improv, robotics, metalworking, glass flameworking, tearapart electronics, t-shirt printing and more.
At the same time, Southwest Maker Fest is partnering with Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts, the bi-monthly arts festival, resulting in more than 100 exhibitors. Food and music also
I hid the accelerant she is rewarded with food. I not only give her food but praise, tell her she is a good girl to reinforce what she’s doing.”
Because arson dogs work a fire scene like they do in training, it helps the han-
will be at the twin festivals.
Festival visitors will also be able checking out the future ASU @ Mesa City Center building through virtual and augmented reality and make suggestions about what the new facility’s features, programs and amenities should eb made available to the public.
A pub crawl of downtown Mesa’s microbreweries and taprooms also is planned and Oro Brewing Company will demonstrate the fermentation process used to create craft beers at its festival booth.
Information: SouthwestMakerFest.com.
East Mesa spa makes comeback after ‘devastating’ fire, slates open house
Fuchsia Spa is coming back.
The East Mesa spa was in a building that caught fire last August, but the owners have restored their space and added a “tranquility room,” snack and drink station and new services. They’re hosting a grand re-opening with treatment demos, foo and drink and giveaways 6-8 p.m. Feb. 13 at the salon, 1822 S Val Vista Drive. RSVP at eventbrite.com.
Though her master works for Gilbert Fire and Rescue, Zeta serves a number of municipalities across the state as Arizona’s only ATF-trained dog to investigate suspicious fires. (Chris Mortenson/Tribune Staff)
AROUND MESA
Arizona’s medical pot consumption near 83 tons last year
BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
Arizonans legally smoked, ate or otherwise consumed nearly 83 tons of marijuana last year. That’s nearly double the figure from two years ago.
It’s also the equivalent of about 331,400 eight-ounce bags of Cheetos. Looking at it another way, it’s more than 222 million joints, assuming a gram of the drug produces three joints.
The latest report from the state Department of Health Services has no financial figures, as any financial data from the state-regulated dispensaries is confidential.
But if an ounce of average weed goes for $200 -– and there’s a lot of variables there – it’s a half a billion dollars expended in 2019 on medical marijuana.
This is just the stuff state health officials
dlers see where there are deficiencies and it helps the dogs keep their skills sharp.
Twice-a-day training seven days a week is part of Zeta and Zehring’s routine when they are not called out.
“There’s no weekends off, no vacations, no sick days,” Zehring said, adding Zeta only eats out of his hand and is weighed weekly.
Zehring also hides dog treats and food in some of the paint cans used during the training exercises to teach Zeta not to be distracted by them and give a “fake sit.”
And, Zehring must learn to recognize Zeta’s changes in behavior. For example, a snap of her head means she’s picked up an odor; the flap in her nose works faster because she is trying to get where the scent is.
He also must keep detailed
know about, based on the reports it gets from the more than 100 legal dispensaries around the state.
The big unknown is how many medical marijuana patients are getting their drugs from other sources which may be more convenient or cheaper.
And none of this counts for those who are buying and using the drug illegally.
Other findings in the new report also show:
On average, more marijuana was sold on a daily basis in December than any other month;
Male patients outnumber females by a 3-to-2 comparison.
And if you divide up the number of legal medical marijuana patients by the amount of the drug sold in Arizona law year, the average user consumed more than an ounce a month.
Under a 2010 voter-approved law, patients with certain medical conditions
training records, which are critical in a courtroom.
Every year, ATF dogs must be re-certified, which involves a double-blind odor recognition and search exercise and they must score 100 percent.
Before Spring retired at 9, she worked over 200 cases in Arizona and across the country with Zehring in her seven-year career with the department.
One case involved a car fire the owner claimed was accidental to collect on the insurance. However, Spring detected gasoline inside the vehicle.
“When a car is shut off, the high-pressure lines won’t have fuel in them because the car is not running,” Zehring said. “To find gas in the interior of a car shouldn’t occur.”
If a gas tank explodes, the gasoline would be on the ground, he noted.
While Spring is no longer on
and a doctor’s recommendation can obtain up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana every two weeks.
Those conditions range from cancer and glaucoma to AIDS and post-traumatic stress disorder. But by far the largest category of patients are those who complain of “chronic pain.’’
The most recent figures show there are close to 220,000 people who have cards allowing them to legally purchase the drug.
Health department figures also show the vast majority of what was purchased last year was the whole marijuana form, meaning the leaves and flowers, many can smoke or make it into a tea.
Only about 10 percent was in other forms, including edibles like candy bars and drinks, as well as pills and liquids.
The 2019 sales figures of nearly 166,000 pounds have once again set a new record. That compares with less than 122,000
the job, Zehring still has her company: he adopted her and she is now living the life of a “regular” dog.
When it came time to find Spring’s replacement, Zehring said he requested a black lab.
“Zeta, she is very similar to Spring, a black English lab female,” he said. “If people see her, they think she is Spring.”
Zeta is one of two arson canines in the Valley. Phoenix Fire acquired a dog last year from a State Farm-sponsored training program.
pounds for 2018, 87,000 pounds for 2017 and about 58,600 pounds in 2016. It was a 52 percent increase over 2015 sales which, in turn, were double the 2014 numbers.
ZETA from page 10
Zeta awaits a command from her master David Zehring, an investigator for Gilbert Fire and Rescue. (Chris Mortenson/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Mesa lawmaker opposes anti-discrimination bill
BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
State lawmakers from both parties are seeking to enact new laws to nullify last year’s Arizona Supreme Court ruling allowing business owners to cite their “sincerely held religious beliefs’’ to refuse to serve gays.
But a Mesa lawmaker is among those blocking it.
The proposals from Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, and Rep. Daniel Hernandez, D-Tucson, would expand existing laws now prohibiting discrimination in public accommodation based on race, religion, sex, age, disability or nationality.
Both SB 1321 and HB 2716 would add sexual orientation and gender identification to the list. Only a handful of Arizona cities already have such protections.
The potentially more far-reaching part of the plan would alter the current existing laws, now generally making it illegal for government to “substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion’’ even if this burden results from laws applied to ev-
eryone else.
It was this section of the law the state’s high court used to rule a Phoenix city ordinance, similar to parts of the statute Brophy McGee and Hernandez are proposing, did not require the owners of Brush & Nib Studios to prepare custom wedding invitations for gays.
To that end, they are proposing new language to say if a business is open to the public – as was the studio – it has to provide services to all customers, regardless of whether those services run counter to the beliefs of the owners.
Both measures face an uphill fight. Neither Senate President Karen Fann nor House Speaker Rusty Bowers of Mesa has agreed to allow either bill to be heard.
Fann said she’s been trying to keep all legislation dealing with gay rights, on both sides of the issue, off the legislative agenda.
Bowers said he sees no need to expand existing anti-discrimination laws to cover issues of sexual orientation and gender.
And he was particularly adamant about not overturning the Brush & Nib decision.
“I think my right of freedom of religion and religious beliefs and expression is at least equal to anybody else’s,’’ Bowers said.
Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, said the law “would violate Arizonan’s conscience rights with the apparent intent to force health care providers to participate in abortions, or provide puberty blockers or surgery to minors and adults struggling with gender identity questions.’’
Brophy McGee told Capitol Media Services Herrod is finding problems with her
legislation where none exists.
“Arizona has the strongest religious freedom laws in the country, which I support,’’ she said. “All we are asking for is fairness in employment housing and public accommodations.’’
And Brophy McGee, who is a foe of abortion, said she would not support any legislation affecting the issue.
“The court made clear the government ‘must not be allowed to force persons to express a message contrary to their deepest convictions,’ ‘’ Herrod said, quoting from the Bursh & Nib ruling.
But Brophy McGee said she views the issue in a different way.
She uses the example of what would happen if she, as a Catholic, were to go into a Muslim-owned bakery to order an Easter cake, complete with three crosses and inscribed ‘God our Savior, He is Risen.’
“I would expect them to bake it for me and decorate it for me,’’ Brophy McGee said, saying the business is opened to the public. “If you are a public business, we expect everybody be open to the public in the same way they are open to anybody.”
RUSTY BOWERS
Doggone lucky
STUDENTS from page 3
they have someone at meetings who knows what they and their classmates are going through.
This presents a special viewpoint for board members, she said.
“The students want their voices heard and so I think this is a really good way we can help bring what they want to the board to help make it happen,” Devyn said.
Both Shelbie and Devyn have run for student body president, with Shelbie currently serving as senior class president at Skyline.
Both believe their experience with classroom politics has set them up for what lies ahead at the board level, using
what they’ve learned to make the district better for students of all ages.
“I think making the decision to run for Student Body President, Mesa High helps me realize there would be leadership opportunities to help the school and this is just another one of those,” Devyn said.
The sentiments shared by Devyn and Shelbie are echoed by Elaine Miner, who serves as the president of the MPS school board.
Miner believes having student liaisons contributing to the board will ensure a more all-encompassing setting at their meetings, as students can count on their opinions being voiced by the liaisons.
“The Governing Board understands how important the student voice is in our decision-making,” Miner said. “At the
end of the last school year, we adopted a policy for establishing student liaisons to the board. We are eager to work alongside them and provide mentorship during our time together.”
Both Shelbie and Devyn see serving as a student liaison as a fitting final chapter in their time in the Mesa school district.
Shelbie, who is awaiting word on whether she’ll be attending Brigham Young University in Utah, believes the appointment will be a one-of-a-kind experience.
“I think it’s really cool at the close of my high school career, I get to not only leave my mark on Mesa Public Schools in Arizona being one of the first liaisons, but also I get to serve my community even more in a way, I never have before,” Shelbie said.
“So, it’s really cool to end high school doing something so special,” she added.
Devyn hopes the current crop of liaisons can set a solid foundation for future Mesa Public School students.
The senior, who is undecided on her college route, believes the program will only improve with time.
She’s excited to get in on the ground level of the liaison program, however, lending motivation to future Mesa students entering the program in the years to come.
“This is a good opportunity and I’m glad this is something that has started,” Devyn said. “We get to be the first, but it’s something other kids can enjoy and look forward to being a part of this. We hope we’re the first of many.”
Two Sharpei puppies narrowly escaped serious injury and even death after this car crashed into gas pumps at the QuikTrip gas station in the 500 block of West McKellips Road, Mesa. Mesa Police spokesman Jason Flam said that after the crash, shortly before midnight Jan. 29, the driver fled on foot while Mesa firefighters had to free the dogs, which were trapped in the wreckage. Police found the driver about a mile away from the scene and police believe he was impaired at the time of the crash. Meanwhile, the dogs were taken to a veterinarian, who treated them for paw burns and removed some melted plastic in their fur. The driver’s name was not released.
(Mesa Police)
•
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my name is Paige O’Dowd. All my friends thought I was crazy getting into such a maledominated field; but my answer to them was “who knows clean better than a woman?” If you don’t believe that, try to remember what your spouse’s home looked like before you married them. I’m a mother of six and a proud owner of nine rescue dogs, so I know clean. I promise... I will deliver a clean like you’ve never seen with the safest and most effective method ever developed.
Mesa resort honors 6,000 years of wedded bliss
BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor
Ann Christensen and Charlene Culver figured they would see a couple dozen couples at most sign up for a special luncheon to honor residents of The Resort who have been married more than 50 years.
But once the notice went out to the approximate 700 households in the 55-andover mobile home park on Ellsworth Road in Mesa, they realized how badly they had miscalculated.
The RSVPs poured in, and 108 couples signed up for a luncheon in the community’s ballroom with a maximum capacity of only eight people more than that.
“I thought maybe no more than 30 or 35 couples would respond,” said Christensen, the community’s activities director.
Christensen thought it would be a nice pre-Valentine’s Day treat to honor couples who had been married that long, with the community’s activities fund picking up the tab.
And so many of the long-term couples agreed with her that she had a waiting list
on her hands for a while, though in the long run a few cancellations enabled her to accommodate everyone.
So, last Tuesday, 108 couples gathered for the lunch. Other residents volunteered to decorate the cavernous ballroom with
red balloons and gold-colored centerpieces while Culver served as emcee for a brief but entertaining program that was climaxed by a performance by resident Chuck Kish, billed as The Classic Crooner. The highlight of the program, though,
was finding the couple who had been married the longest.
Culver asked everyone who had been married at least 55 years to stand, which left only a few couples in their seats.
Then she asked everyone who had celebrated their 56th anniversary to keep standing, and a few more couples took their seats.
The “count-up” continued until she got to 68 and no one was left standing. She went back to 67 and four couples stood up.
Now, she was down to months because she only had three heart-shaped boxes of chocolate for the “winners.”
The pairs who went to the altar in March, April and June were the lucky ones while a November bride and groom missed out on the candy.
With about 6,000 years of cumulative wedded bliss represented in the room, the couples – Len and Dorothy “Dottie” Barlow, Moe and Phyllis Moeller and Carl and LaVonne Neff – beamed like they probably did the day each were pronounced
see COUPLES page 18
From left: Len and Dottie Barlow turned out to be the longest married couple at the celebratory luncheon, besting everyone else by a few months. Moe and Phyllis Moeler were high school sweethearts in Iowa. Carl and LaVonne Neff tied the knot in April 1953, making them the second-longest married couple at the luncheon. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
The cavernous ballroom at The Resort in East Mesa was filled last Tuesday by couples marking at least a halfcentury of marriage. (Pablo Robles/Tribun Staff Photographere)
Churches, Tim Tebow give teens ‘Night to Shine’
BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Tribune Contributor
Three local congregations of the Living Word Bible Church are joining with the Tim Tebow Foundation to assure area special needs teens have a prom night to remember.
The Feb. 7 event is the first Night to Shine in the East Valley, and it joins more than 655 host churches in every U.S. state and 24 countries – all of whom hold the prom night before Valentine’s Day.
The sixth annual world-wide event offers people with special needs, ages 14 and older, a memorable evening that includes an entrance walk on a red carpet, paparazzi, professional photography, hair and make-up for girls and shoe shine for fellas. Dancing, food and the crowning of a prom king and queen also are on tap.
There is one aspect that sets it apart from other proms: at Night to Shine, every guest attendee is crowned queen or king of the prom and a tiara or crown is placed upon each head.
Worldwide, nearly 100,000 special needs guests are assisted by 200,000 volunteers who undertake a variety of roles to ensure a special evening for all.
A moving “2019 – Night to Shine” video, available on the Tim Tebow Foundation website, shows the joy and excitement of these special prom goers in the U.S. and
abroad.
“Every single person is important,” said Tebow, who sponsors many other charitable events and activities. “We’re all loved; we’re all created in God’s image.”
Tebow was born in the Philippines where his missionary parents were serving. The youngest of five children, he moved with his family to Florida when he was three.
His career as a quarterback in high school and the University of Florida, where he was the 2007 Heisman Trophy, led him to the NFL. His strong Christian stance was well-illustrated with his practice of kneeling on one knee that became known as “Tebowing.”
The Living Word Bible Church at 3520 E. Brown Road, Mesa, is the host site of the East Valley Night to Shine and members from their congregation and sister churches in Ahwatukee, Gilbert and Scottsdale are providing assistance and volunteers.
In addition to online training, the Living Word Bible Church hosted two volunteer
Mesa family seeks help to get therapy dog for autistic daughter
BY CHRISTOPHER BOAN Tribune Staff Writer
Aubrey Porter’s face lights up when she attends a training session with a series of canine therapy dogs.
Such a simple reaction might be mundane to most, yet it represents a monumental achievement for Aubrey’s mother, Tara Porter.
That sense of joy stems from the litany of ailments that have gripped the 3-year-old Mesa resident, who was diagnosed with sensory deprivation disorder at 6 months of age, followed by the discovery of autism a few years later.
Tara, who works at the East Val-
ley YMCA, was tipped off to service dogs by a friend and soon jumped at the opportunity to get one for her daughter.
That idea came to an end, however, once Porter realized that the animal costs between $32,000 and $35,000—not to mention the $3,000 in application fees.
Adding an autism service dog is crucial, as Porter is a single mother who is stretched thin trying to care for Aubrey on her own.
“She wouldn’t wear clothes or shoes for the longest time. She doesn’t eat. We struggle with eating even to this day. She does have some health issues, she throws up a lot, she has reflux and sleep ap-
nea,” Tara said.
“So, right now, she sleeps with me, because frequently she wakes up, has trouble breathing and she throws up in her sleep.”
Tara hopes that the service dog can help alert her to such health issues, so Aubrey can go back to sleeping in her own bed and Tara won’t have to worry that her daughter might choke.
She also believes a dog would enable Aubrey to go outside and interact with other kids without feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
“She does not make friends at all, she does not like children,”
see DOG page 18
sessions for their inaugural Night to Shine prom.
The Tim Tebow Foundation requires background checks for all volunteers and volunteers under age 18 need parental permission.
Cliff Maes, outreach director at the Mesa host church, said that since this is the first year Living Word Bible Church will host Night to Shine, they opted to limit attendance to 75 guests.
“We wanted to make sure we did it just right, and having a smaller group we knew would help us do that,” said Maes, a Gilbert resident.
The church was recommended to the Tim Tebow Foundation by a parishioner.
“Since we’re opening our new Special Needs Ministry, one of our volunteers suggested us to the Foundation. They asked us if we would be willing and we said, ‘yes, that would be great!’ We started getting inquiries before we even posted,” Maes said. “And we hit our 280 mark for volunteers three weeks ago.”
He said the special event dovetailed with the church’s launch of a specialneeds ministry and three rooms for the
see SHINE page 18
Pastor Jeff Zubeck is helping to organize the Night to Shine for East Valley residents with special needs. (Special to the Tribune)
husband and wife.
Unlike the other two couples, the Neffs – originally from Minnesota and parents of five children – had not been high school sweethearts.
He was a little older when she was in high school when they met through a mutual friend. A retired machine shop operator, Carl married LaVonne in April 1953 – giving them the second-longest
Living Word Champions Club.
“We’re creating a special-needs space because there are families in our congregation and community that cannot worship freely because they don’t have a place they trust to accommodate the needs – both safely and educationally –for their children with special needs,” he explained.
marriage among the group.
The Moellers were high school sweethearts in Iowa, though their country schools were four miles apart.
Married in June 1953 after he too returned from an Army stint in Alaska during the Korean War, they raised three children on a family farm.
Moe had two jobs – farmer and rural mail carrier. “The mail job was the bigger one,” he said of a position he held for 40 years before retiring.
Among the many volunteers signed up for Night to Shine are parishioners from the Living Word Bible Church in Ahwatukee.
Pastor Jeff Zubeck and wife Tammy have overseen the church, at 14647 S. 50th St., for 10 years.
“Our primary focus is on the family, and we look at how anything we do affects the family and A Night to Shine was one way to get involved,” said Jeff Zubeck, whose church on Jan. 31 held a dance for kids aging out of the foster care system.
“Through acceptance, laughter, and love, our services and ministries show people just how valuable they are to God, and just how much they can accomplish
The Barlows, whose March wedding made them the longest-married couple at the luncheon, hail from Seattle, where Len had worked on the space shuttle program and he and Dottie raised three kids.
He couldn’t help but note that the luncheon was being held on a day that carried a somber thought for him – the 34th anniversary of Shuttle Challenger explosion that killed seven crew members.
But that memory didn’t stop the Bar-
in this lifetime through Jesus,” he said.
The Living Word Bible Churches in Gilbert and Scottsdale are also providing volunteers.
Because this is a night of music, bright lights and fun, Night to Shine also provides a respite room for parents and caregivers to relax as each prom attendee has a personally-assigned volunteer during the event.
The Tebow Foundation also requires a “sensory room,” a quiet space to allow guests to be away from the noise and excitement should they become over-
lows or any other couple from having a memorable time.
Asked their secret to a long and happy life, their answers generally followed the same pattern: work together and share each other’s interests, though Len and Moe also stressed the need for husbands to pretty much let wives be the boss.
Christensen was happy with the way the event turned out, explaining,
“When you can find someone you can live with that long, you should celebrate.”
whelmed or over-stimulated.
According to the Tim Tebow Foundation and Night to Shine website, nine churches in Arizona are hosting a prom night this year, including Mountain View Church in Queen Creek, Highlands Church in Scottsdale and Twentynine11 in Tempe.
For more information on Night to Shine and other ministries the former NFL quarterback, missionary kid and sports commentator oversees, see TimTebowFoundation.org.
For information on the Living Word Bible Church: LivingWordOnline.com
Tara says. “So, we were told that the service dog would help her be able to make friends and learn to be able to socialize with kids.”
“When we go to the park or anywhere, she doesn’t play, she just sits there and watches them. And if a kid comes up to her, she’ll either latch onto me or go hide somewhere…. I just know that as she gets older that it’s going to be one of the biggest struggles that she goes through, with not having friends and not knowing how to make friends.”
Tara said she can tell Aubrey wants to play and interact “but she struggles with it.”
She also hopes a service dog would cut down on Aubrey’s meltdowns, which can run from 20 minutes to several hours long.
She’s seen the dogs’ impact when one has accompanied her daughter to the mall.
“She circled the entire mall, just walking and looking at things. You couldn’t even tell that she had anxiety, she was so calm with this dog,” Tara says. “And it was really the first time where she wasn’t
having meltdowns or she wasn’t holding on to me or having to spin. It was really nice, because you could tell that she really had no idea what a mall looks like. We were able to stop at the windows and look at things.
“I see what a big difference it makes when we are training with a service dog.”
Aubrey does get a little picky when it comes to a dog’s personality, her mother said.
“She likes a very calm, tame dog. She gets very nervous if there’s one that comes up and licks or that jumps all over her,” Tara said.
“She struggles on how some dogs feel.
So, she has to be around a very soft, tame dog. When we do a couple of the trainings with the service dogs, they always give her the calm dogs that don’t lick and she connects with them really well.”
Above all, she wants the world to see what a beautiful and caring girl Aubrey is and that her diagnosis doesn’t override those qualities.
Tara and her mother have set up various fundraising mediums, from a website – pawsforaubrey.com – to a GoFundMe page.
Their efforts have largely been for naught, with the GoFundMe raising $260 of a $5,000 goal.
But they hope seemingly against hope their plea will be heard, for Aubrey’s sake.
“She’s actually a really sweet child if you can look past all of the stuff that she’s going through,” Tara said. “She’s really sweet, she has the biggest heart.”
“We’re hoping once she can get this dog, that it will be able to go to school with her, to be able to help with all her needs that she needs,” Tara said. “And basically, this dog will basically be her best friend, and the only friend that she’ll really have.”
DOG from page 17
SHINE from page 17
Aubrey Porter likes gentle, laid-back canines when she has been to sessions with therapy dogs. To help her, people can go to GoFundMe.com and search by the term “aubrey’s service dog.” (Special to the Tribune)
Mesa jeweler’s customer service sparkles
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tribune Staff Writer
Don Plamondon is honest when he describes the secret behind the success of DPaul Jewelry.
“I’m stubborn,” he said with a laugh. “I’m stubborn or stupid. I can’t figure it out. I acquired a little bit of debt with the economy, but things are really good now.”
Established in 1992 and located at Recker and McKellips roads, DPaul Jewelry specializes in custom fine jewelry design and repair, suing Plamondon’s mastery of the metal arts. Plamondon has been honing his jewelry and gemstone knowledge for about 40 years.
He prides himself on completing tough jobs referred to him by his peers.
“There is a lot of stuff other jewelers say can’t be done or they don’t do it because,
maybe, there’s no money in it,” Plamondon said. “I take on that stuff.”
DPaul Jewelry is armed with a laser welder, which makes repairs easier and quicker.
“It’s kind of like having a pickup truck,” he said. “You’ll always have friends.”
Jokes aside, Plamondon said jewelry was a calling for him. He tried other occupations, but “God said, ‘No, no, no. This is where you’re supposed to be.
“So, I surrendered and here I am. I love doing what I do.”
He initially worked out of his home, but eventually moved into his space tucked in a shopping center behind Circle K. Plamondon admits he was a bit nervous at first, but he threw caution to the wind.
“If you don’t roll the dice, you don’t know and then you’ll wonder about it on
see JEWELER page 21
EoS Fitness muscles its way into Northeast Mesa
BY OCTAVIO SERRANO Tribune Staff Writer
EoS Fitness flexed its competition muscle by opening a 53,000-squarefoot gym in Northeast Mesa on Gilbert and McKellips roads.
With 70 employees, EoS Fitness, 1954 E. McKellips Road, is equipped with an array of amenities like its own cardio cinema, basketball courts, group classes and an aquatic area. Memberships range from $9 to $24.
“It’s huge,” said Katlyn O’Neil, senior area operations manager. “We have a ton of amenities. People can watch TV while they do cardio. We have a full turf area. We have personal trainers. We have exercise and we have something called Fitness Unchained.”
She’s referring to an instructor-led intense group workout class. Members who are part of this group are provided with a heart rate monitor.
“Anybody who is a training client, they actually get a heart rate monitor and they can go in there and work out,” O’Neil said. “You can watch your heart rate monitor on the screen.”
The cardio cinema is O’Neil’s favorite feature. The room is dark and has several pieces of cardio equipment and a projector playing a different movie every day.
“We play a movie on a reel all day long,
so you can go in there and get on a piece of cardio equipment and you can watch TV,” O’Neil said.
If members would like guidance during their workouts, EoS Fitness offers an array of group fitness classes, with over 60 options to include Zumba, yoga and cycling. New members are also given a free session to warm up their muscles for what EoS Fitness has to offer.
“We offer a free one-on-one session with anybody who comes in and just joins the gym to introduce them to everything we have on the floor,” she said.
For further help, EoS Fitness has personal trainers who are trained to work with people with disabilities and injuries. They are all nationally accredited.
“One of the new things we offer in this location is we have, not only a fitness manager but also a PT manager,” O’Neil said.
In addition to the more traditional choice of diamonds, DPaul Jewelry and its owner, Don Plamondon, enjoy working with other colorful gems, from amethyst to zoisite, to create a distinctive look. (Photo by Annika Tomlin)
EOS Fitness has an array of machines and trained professionals to help people get their bodies toned. (Special to the Tribune)
your dying bed,” he said. “You’ll wonder what would have happened if… But I’ve met a lot of amazing people in our community, so it’s been a really good ride.”
His biggest joy is seeing a smile on his customer’s face after he’s presented a piece of jewelry as a gift or cleaned a ring.
“There’s a lot more to it than stones and metal,” he said. “There’s a lot of sentimental attachment.”
In addition to the more traditional choice of diamonds, Plamondon enjoys working with other colorful gems, from amethyst to zoisite, to create a distinctive look.
DPaul considers itself a “design studio,” so Plamondon represents other jewelry designers like Michael Daniels and Frank Reubel. In addition to jewelry, DPaul has sculptures by Tacha Vosburg, paintings by various artists.
“I love my career,” he said. “It’s a gift because I can make money doing what I love.”
Information: 6017 E. McKellips Road, Suite 112, Mesa; 480-325-6000, dpauljewelry.com.
The PT manager helps continually educate the trainers.
EoS Fitness features an open-floor workout area to include “The Yard,” a green turf functional training area with battle ropes and weighted sled workouts, and “The Backyard,” an outdoor workout space. A pool and Jacuzzi are available for use.
“The thing I love about this gym is we have two workout floors, so sometimes it may look like it’s crowded but it’s not,” O’Neil said.
EoS Fitness brings innovative concepts to the fitness culture, and its latest location in Mesa has set the standard for future gyms. It is also a place that welcomes anyone, despite their fitness level or challenges.
“Everyone can work out at EoS,” O’Neil said. “That’s the great thing about us. Regardless of workout style or goals, anybody can work out here. Our core purpose is to create loyal lifelong fans and exercise practitioners.”
Information: 480-651-8272, eosfitness.com.
Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com
I misjudged a superman on and off the court
BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist
If you considered yourself a Phoenix Suns fan for the first decade of this century – the best decade in Suns’ history – you will understand what I am about to say about Kobe Bryant, who died last week at 41.
God, I hated his guts.
Mine was a loathing that extended outside the hardwood, a revulsion that extended to the man personally.
It took into account a single night in a hotel room in Colorado; Bryant’s imperious air and the way he carried himself; and what Bryant himself called the “Mamba Mentality,” which struck me for years as an ironically perfect metaphor: superstar as snake.
God, was I wrong.
I see that now, in the aftermath of a Sunday morning helicopter crash in the hills of Calabasas.
I have read all the fawning obituaries, watched all the television tearjerkers, and pondered why we allow our passions for sports to obliterate logic.
What do I know now that I didn’t know then? That Kobe Bryant, inhumanly talented on the court, was merely human off it.
Only two people ever knew with certainty what happened in that room at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera on the night of June 30, 2003.
Now one of those people is dead and the other, the accuser, took an undisclosed sum of cash not to testify in court. Whatever happened – be it sexual assault or adultery – in retrospect, it looks to be the lone blemish on Bryant’s otherwise exemplary public profile.
Thus, it should be kept in perspective and not held against him for eternity.
Because that single night aside, Kobe Bryant appears to have been an excellent husband to Vanessa, his wife of 18 years, and a doting father to his four
daughters, Natalia, Bianka, Capri and 13-year-old Gianna, who perished in that same crash.
Then there’s everything else, Bryant’s life on the court, where he served for a decade as a villain for Suns’ fans. I’m talking about 2000 to 2010, when Kobe ranked right beside the San Antonio Spurs as the Suns’ most reviled rival.
Kobe’s Lakers won the NBA championship in 2000, with Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal steamrolling through a meek Suns team, 4-1.
The teams’ next playoff confrontation, the 2006 first round, was epic – and epically satisfying. The Suns went down 3-1 in that series. We won Game 5 at home, then flew to LA and whipped the Lakers in Game 6 – despite Kobe scoring 50 and Raja Bell, our designated Mamba stopper, suspended for a flagrant takedown of Bryant. The Suns jumped to a 17-point lead in Game 7 and sent the Lakers home.
We also eliminated Kobe in the first round the following year, 4-1. Kobe got
his revenge in 2010, though. That was peak Kobe, the last of his five NBA titles, with Shaq gone and Bryant a slithering, scoring nightmare.
It was also the last great Suns team, the final ride for Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire, and for my fandom of a team since ruined by incompetent ownership.
I was in the stands for Game 6, the series ender. What do I recall of that nightmare? A long Kobe three-pointer right before halftime and a series of buckets late in the third quarter to slash the Suns’ throats.
I screamed at anyone in purple and gold that night, doubly so for anyone in a Bryant jersey. I never hated him more than that night.
Kobe Bryant was the greatest athlete I ever detested, and I despised him for reasons that now seem insufficient and dumb. Dead at 41, he turned out to be superman in a basketball jersey, and superlative off the court – in ways that matter far, far more.
Don’t let a fall ruin your year, go see the doctor
BY DR. LIANNE ROGERS Tribune Guest Writer
It is time for most people to think about ways to make a meaningful change to their health and lifestyle.
Maintaining our mobility and independence becomes a main concern as we age. The common problem impeding this goal is a fall. Older adults state their biggest fear about getting older is the fear of falling – the fear of getting hurt and not being able to maintain their current lifestyle or living situation.
The National Council on Aging states, “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten a seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the financial toll for older adult falls is expected to increase as the population ages and may reach $67.7 billion by 2020.
The costs of falls are not the only impact on an older adult. The fear of falling can also become a reality for those who have experienced a fall. This fear can lead older adults to restrict their social outings, suffer depression, isolation and physical inactivity.
We have all heard about someone who has fallen or know someone directly who has suffered from a fall. But we tend to think it won’t happen to us.
Being aware of how common falls are and doing what we can to prevent falls and raise awareness is vital to keeping our communities healthy and safe for people as they age
Having these conversations with the
older adult population is important, as one in four Americans 65+ fall each year. However, falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Here is a list of ways you can prevent yourself from falling.
Talk to your doctor: Schedule a visit with your physician to review the list of medications you are taking, including supplements, herbs, and over-the-counter prescriptions.
Schedule an eye exam: As you get older you rely more on your vision for balance. Annual eye exams are important to maintaining good eye health.
Exercise: Find an evidence base exercise program such as Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention or Matter of Balance. If you can’t find a class, visit your physical therapist to help you create a safe and effective balance and strength program.
Home improvements: Add grab bars in bathrooms; place railings next to steps;
improve lighting around your home; remove rugs; remove clutter and obstacles in walkways.
Maintaining good balance is great for your health and is a skill that can be improved with practice. Fall prevention and awareness can go a long way to keeping you or a loved one safe.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We cannot cure the human tendency to fall, but if we take simple steps toward prevention, we can improve health outcomes both for our communities and ourselves.
- Dr. Lianne Rogers, physical therapist and fall prevention specialist, owns Balance by Li At-Home Physical Therapy and Wellness. For information and a free copy of her report on how to improve your balance, email her at info@balancebyli.com or go to BalanceByLi.com.
EastValleyTribune.com @EVTNow /EVTNow Check us out and like the East Valley Tribune on Facebook and follow @EVTNow on Twitter
‘Not there yet’: Valley Christian finding its way to defend title
BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor
Greg Haagsma spent the last 23 years building Valley Christian’s boys basketball program into a powerhouse at the 3A level.
Haagsma led Valley Christian to eight title games during his tenure as head basketball coach, winning six championships. The Trojans’ most recent title came last season when they beat Pusch Ridge in the championship game.
Nearly a year later, Haagsma once again has Valley Christian on track to win a state title. But to his own admission, he doesn’t believe this year’s team has reached its full potential despite a 16-2 record through 18 games.
“We aren’t there yet,” Haagsma said. “Playing against teams like Scottsdale Christian and Paradise Honors again later in the year, those are really good defensive teams. We have to learn how to share the ball, play at their pace and get quality
team to beat Valley Christian so far this season.
The Trojans’ only other loss came against Hurricane from Utah in December at the Lake Powell Holiday Classic.
peared to be selfish, settling for contested shots rather than finding an open man elsewhere on the floor.
“We have a lot of guys who can put the ball in the hole,” Haagsma said. “When we focus on the fact we have to move it to the open guy and keep the ball moving, we are a really good team.
“We have to continue to develop chemistry.”
shots against a better defense.”
Paradise Honors, a 3A powerhouse in Surprise, is the only Arizona-based
Dobson girls aiming for region title, the playoffs
BY BRITTANY BOWYER Tribune Contributing Writer
The Dobson High School girls basketball team came out of the gate hot this season and have yet to slow down as the Mustangs are looking to make a statement in the 6A conference.
It’s been five years since Dobson’s girl’s team won the 2015 state basketball title, but this group is ready to make the Mustangs back relevant once again.
Dobson hasn’t seen this kind of success on the court since the year they won the state championship. The roster that year had 10 seniors, leaving things pretty bare for current head coach Henry Bribiescas, who took over the program the fol-
lowing fall.
It’s been a bit of rebuilding process for the program.
Things seemed to look promising in the 2017-18 season for Dobson as they made a return to the playoffs, but they were unfortunately eliminated in the first round.
It was followed up with a disappointing season in 2018-19, as the team was plagued with injuries. A number of the top players were sidelined during the season, making things tough for their backups on the court.
Going into the 2019-20 season, this team knew things would be different. From the change in the team’s culture and chemistry to the talent, experience and health of the players, this was going
Even leading up to the blowout loss against Paradise Honors, Haagsma said he didn’t exactly like what he saw from his team. Lacking in size compared to last year’s state-championship squad, the Trojans struggled with rebounding on both ends of the floor. Haagsma also said there were instances where his team ap-
Valley Christian’s game against Bourgade Catholic Jan. 14, was one of the Trojans’ most complete games of the season. They were dominant on both ends of the floor, gathering rebounds and finding open shooters along the perimeter and in the paint.
The team showed its effort to build chemistry with one another was coming along, which presents a dangerous scenario for upcoming opponents.
Much of this chemistry stemmed from Haagsma’s efforts to get younger players
see VALLEY page 26
to be something special for the Mustangs. “Our girls are starting to believe in themselves and believe in the program,”
said. “We’re young, but yet
Bribiescas
Valley Christian senior guard Logan Phillips is one of the few returning players from last year’s team and has picked up where he left off by averaging 24.1 points per game. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Dobson junior Rachel Early has become one of the three main leaders for the Mustangs this season. She and the two others are referred to as the “triple threat” by coach Henry Bribiescas. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
involved in the program early on. It also comes with the bond formed by players during club and summer league tournaments rubbing off on the rest of the team.
“A lot of these players were on JV last year, but we practiced together and against each other all the time,” Valley Christian senior Logan Phillips said. “It’s basically like they come in knowing how we play. They already know what to do. They adapt well being at the next level.”
Phillips, a 6-foot-7 guard, was the only non-senior starter on last year’s championship team. As a junior, he led the team in scoring, averaging 16.1 points per game. He picked up where he left off last season, as he currently leads Valley Christian with a staggering 24.1 points per game average.
But he isn’t the only one contributing offensively to Valley Christian this season. Four other players average at least 7.5 points or more a game for the Trojans, including Shane Haagsma, Greg’s son. Jackson Risi, who transferred into the program this past summer from Desert Vista, also plays a key role despite sitting out half the season due to the Arizona In-
from page 25
come out every day ready to work hard, and the expectation is always high.”
“Our main goal for this season is to win the region championship and get into the playoffs soundly,” junior Rachel Early added.
Early is one of the three main leaders on the court for the Mustangs. She’s joined by junior Jaden Leslie and freshman Aaliyah Garcia.
“I call them our triple threat. They have definitely emerged,” Bribiescas said. “Aaliyah just being a freshman is following the leads. Jaden didn’t play last year because of a knee injury so we are welcoming her back, and Rachel transferred to us and sat out half the season.”
Garcia said the bond between the teammates is incredibly strong and attributed their relationships with each other as to why they’ve been so successful on the court.
“I feel like we all have a bond with each other,” Garcia said. “We all know each other on and off the court and we hang out with each other.”
Dobson was 13-3 by the end of win-
terscholastic Association’s transfer rule.
“I waited a while,” said Risi. “I was getting really excited, I was jumpy. I really wanted to play.”
Risi brought a different mentality to the Valley Christian program having come from among one the favorites to win the 6A title this season. While the competition may not be the same as he had become accustomed to in the state’s biggest conference, he still has aspirations to move on to the next level.
For this reason, he plans on bringing the same level of intensity every night he steps out onto the court.
“I’m still hungry. I still want to get looks for college,” Risi said. “I just try to bring it whenever I can. I can’t just chill yet. I still have things I want to accomplish.”
Risi made the decision to transfer shortly after his junior season at Desert Vista ended. Along with feeling, he may benefit from a small-school environment, he wanted to have the ability to fully express his faith. Valley Christian offered the opportunity.
Teammates and other students at Valley Christian welcomed Risi with open arms in the summer, when he began practicing with the basketball program. Fitting
ter break before opening up the second half of the season against Westwood on the same day the initial Arizona Interscholastic Association rankings were released. Then 12th-ranked Dobson was able to earn a statement win over region rival Westwood, which was No. 3 at the time.
It was a victory helping to establish an identity for the team moving forward.
“For us, it was even bigger and we played it up with the girls,” Bribiescas said. “We hadn’t beaten a team in the top five since I had been here.”
Now, the girls basketball team is the hottest team on Dobson’s campus. It’s something the girls take pride in.
“This is the first winning team I’ve ever been on in any sport I’ve ever played, so I almost don’t know how to act,” Early said.
Because of the diverse demographics of the student population at Dobson, not every player comes from a solid home foundation, which can have an impact on their attendance and performance.
For Bribiescas, the goal is to make sure they’re giving the players what they need to have a safe and enjoyable place
in was easy, especially given the relationship he had already begun to build with Phillips in summer ball just a year before.
“One of the reasons I came to Valley was because of (Phillips) and his family,” Risi said. “We got to know each other better and I felt like I already knew some people here. It made the transition really easy.”
Risi’s impact was felt right away both in practice and the last two games when he was finally able to suit up. He scored
14 points in Valley Christian’s loss to Paradise Honors. He scored another 12 against Bourgade Catholic.
“We’ve had shooters in the past but he’s a dead-eye shooter. He just doesn’t miss,” Phillips said of Risi. “This opens up the floor for everyone. He can also attack off the dribble. He’s a playmaker and it really helps.”
Valley Christian is currently ranked third in the 3A Conference, according to the AIA. With seven games remaining in the regular season, the Trojans have set themselves up to clinch home court for most of the postseason should they win out the rest of the way.
But Haagsma and the players know it isn’t an easy task, especially in region play with a matchup against Paradise Honors awaiting them in early February. But as long as they continue to play together as they recently have, they’re confident they can make yet another run and defend their state title.
“We talk about energy and effort in the locker room,” Phillips said. “It’s what makes us play better in every single way. “If we just continue to have energy whether it’s a blowout or a really close game, we will be fine.”
to open themselves up for play.
It’s something the players recognize and appreciate because it creates an environment where they’re able to grow.
“We have the most admirable coaches. They donate all of their money back to the program, so we are able to do things together,” Early said. “In doing the most
for us, they put in hours every single week and it’s just a feeling you know whether you win or whether you lose, your coaches are there for us.”
Dobson’s girls team hopes they’ll be able to repay their coaches for all they do with a deep run in the playoffs to capture a 6A title.
Valley Christian boys basketball coach and athletic director Greg Haagsma has spent the last 23 years building his program into one of the top in the state. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer
DOBSON
Dobson coach Henry Bribiescas is starting to see a change in the mindset of the girls on his team. They’re buying into the process and it’s resulting in wins. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
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Unique skills on display at Renaissance Festival
CONNOR DZIAWURA GetOut Staff Writer
Renaissance fairs around the nation are breeding grounds for people with interesting talents. From unique skills to thrilling performances, these popular events tap the best they can find in medieval entertainment.
The Arizona Renaissance Festival –open Saturdays and Sundays from Feb. 8 to March 29, as well as on Presidents Day, Feb. 17.
On this year’s docket are Adam “Crack” Winrich, who developed a skill working with flaming whips; The Angels, who fuse their vocal talents with the thrill of swordfighting, all put through a comedic lens; Cirque du Sewer, the acrobat with rats and cats; The Danseries, a historical dance crew; and The Jousters.
Quick thinking has been handy to performer Terry Foy, better known as Zilch the Torysteller, who will return for this year’s festivities.
Known as a master of spoonerisms and storytelling, Foy has a knack for reconstructing words on the spot.
“If you’re doing a whole story like ‘Little Red Riding Hood,’ it comes out, ‘Rittle Led Hiding Rood, the gittle lirl in the ced roat, went out for a falk in the worest, met a wig
wad bolf,’ and so on and so on and so on,” he explained.
The term “spoonerism,” he said, is named after 19th and 20th century Oxford don William Archibald Spooner, who was known for this “art of switching,” as Foy identifies it. Using his mastery of the skill, Foy tells other tales such as “Parunzel” and Spilliam Wakesheare’s “Jomeo & Ruliet.” He mixes in music, too, and is experienced with the mandolin. He has also played viola, violin and guitar.
“I found out when I was 12 years old that I had a facility for this citching of swonsonants,” he said, adding with practice, “I’ve been able to put these stories together and use my rather odd sense of humor to present a comedy routine.”
He credits elementary English for teaching him about spoonerisms, malapropisms and pig Latin, as does he his dad, who loved comedian Archie Campbell on “Hee
see REN FEST page 30
Queen Nation pays tribute to legendary band
Mike McManus remembers the night that changed his life.
He was 15 and saw Brian May playing guitar for Queen in 1980.
“I saw ‘The Game Tour’ when I was growing up in Boston,” said McManus, who also attended a concert in 1982.
“I was with my dad and it changed my life. I looked at Brian May walking to the front of the stage doing a guitar solo, and all the light and smoke hit him. I thought, ‘Oh yeah, I want to do that.’ My dad looked
If You Go...
What: Queen Nation.
Where: Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
Cost: $20, More info: 800-946-4452, playagila.com.
over at me and the thought of me going to law school or medical school went right out the door.”
McManus now plays the May part in Queen Nation, a tribute to the legendary English band. The group comes to Wild
Horse Pass Hotel and Casino at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. He has fond memories of playing in Arizona.
“We have been coming there for 10 years,” he said.
“It started 10 years ago when Terry and Ann Davies owned Sky in Peoria. Since then, we’ve come to Casino Arizona and Talking Stick and, in fact, we were the very, very first band to play on the outside pool at Talking Stick.”
Queen Nation shows, McManus said, take fans back to 1980, when Queen was at the height of its popularity I America.
“That’s what we emulate,” he said. “‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is the most challenging song, but I’ve read articles with Brian May and after even years and years of playing it, there are still parts of that song that are pretty intricate. He would dread them coming up.
“But it’s also the most fun to play. We let the audience sing the operatic part— whether or not they’re in key, as long as they sing from their hearts.”
McManus said his 15-year-old self would be thrilled at his career choice.
“I know now I would have been pretty psyched,” he said. “We’ve been doing this now for 15 years. We’ve met the nicest people you could ever imagine. It’s bittersweet, though. We go to places like Ohio, Wisconsin and Canada and we meet some of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet, but there’s a good chance we’ll never see them again.”
CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor
Two festivalgoer favorites are retuning this year to the Arizona Renaissance Festival in Gold Canyon. Zilch the Torysteller, known for his “spoonerism”, the art of switching constants and vowels returns to wow Ren Faire pariticpants along with Lord Robert Chessman, the queen’s royal Falconer. (Special to GetOut)
Queen Nation is ready to play all your favorites by the legendary British rock band. (Special to GetOut)
Scottsdale is ready for the 67th Parada del Sol
GETOUT NEWS STAFF
There will be lots of whoopin’ and hollerin’ in Old Town Scottsdale Saturday, Feb. 8, as the Scottsdale Parada del Sol Parade & Trail’s End Festival hit the streets for the 67th consecutive year
“The annual event promises a full day of wild west adventures in Old Town Scottsdale,” said Parada Chair Wendy Springborn.
“For 67 years the Scottsdale Parada del Sol volunteers coordinated this free parade of more than 100 horse-drawn carriages, bands, wagons and stagecoaches winding their way down Scottsdale Road and through Old Town Scottsdale,” she added.
Mounted horse riders from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Posse, the Scottsdale Charros and the Hashknife Pony Express riders are some of the horse groups participating in the parade.
“Our theme this year is ‘Western Legends’ and we will be honoring our cogrand marshals – both the Navajo and Hopi Code Talkers,” Springborn said.
Codetalker Peter McDonald will represent the Navajo Code Talkers in the parade and Hopi Codetalkers Orville Wadsworth and Frank Chapella will be represented by their widows, Elida Chapella and Velma Wadsworth.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. and runs from Drinkwater Boulevard along Scottsdale Road, finishing at Brown Avenue and Indian School Road.
When the parade ends at noon, Old Town streets transform into a western street festival with western bands, dancing and a Cowboy Kids Corral filled with petting animals, bouncy houses, cowboy drama and horse rides.
The three stages in Old Town will have rockabilly, string and rock bands, including local rock artist Raun Alosi and country dancing in the street with the Herndon Brothers and Pearl Ridge.
Aztec and Folklorico dancers will perform on the Hispanic stage and street entertainers offer visiting photographers a vast array of vivid colors and western style.
The parade and festival culminate a weeklong series of events as Scottsdale marks Western Week.
Other activities include:
◆ Wyatt Earp: A Life on the Frontier Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1 p.m.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way
This bio-drama features grandnephew Wyatt Earp in a portrayal of his famous relative. The two-hour program is free for members and included with museum admission for guests.
◆ Gold Palette ArtWalk
Thursday, Feb. 6, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Scottsdale Arts District
Main Street from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Boulevard and north of Indian School Road on Marshall Way to 5th Avenue
Will include entertainment, music and special offerings at participating galleries throughout Scottsdale Arts District.
◆ Hashknife Pony Express Arrival
Friday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way
This year marks the 62nd ride for the Hashknife Pony Express, the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world. This free event features activities including the Hashknife Boot Camp for kids, free museum admission, live entertainment, family-friendly games, storytelling, crafts, face painting, on-site food trucks and more.
◆ Arizona Indian Festival
Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 9,10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
This two-day celebration includes traditional food, storytelling, dancing, singing and crafts.
◆ Arizona Native Edible Experience
Saturday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way
A cocktail-style setting with Native art and artists, Native chef tasting stations offering traditional and fusion foods and
cocktails and a silent auction. Tickets are $25+ per person with a no-host bar. VIP, sponsors and press activities begin at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25. arizonanativeexperience.com.
◆ Free Admission to Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West Saturday, Feb. 8, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 9, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 3830 N. Marshall Way
This 43,000-square-foot museum offers an encyclopedia of Western art, featuring regularly changing and permanent exhibits of Western and Native American art and artifacts, entertaining events and informative programs bringing the West’s heritage, culture and community to life.
The collection includes contemporary artists’ work, pristine Navajo chiefs’ blankets, 1,400 examples of Old West cowboy gear, Hopi pottery spanning six centuries and a Western Spirit Trail 3D illusion mural literally placing visitors in the Old West Information: ScottsdaleParade.com or 602-432-7941.
Scottsdale will kick off a week’s worth of tributes to the Old West, culminating in the 67th annual Parada del Sol and Trail’s End Festival on Saturday in Old Town. (File photo)
Haw.” Campbell has done spoonerisms.
“I’m not the first; I won’t be the last to do this kind of thing,” Foy said. “I happen to be pretty good at it.”
Modeled as a 30-acre, 16th-century European village, the Arizona Renaissance Festival has 14 stages boasting talented acts like Foy.
Medieval enthusiasts can wander the festival grounds and check out all sorts of other performances, activities and arts and crafts, maybe even picking up a turkey leg along the way.
As is tradition, the king and queen will be paramount to the yearly festivities. Robby Sinkler knows this all too well, as he serves as Lord Robert Chessman, the queen’s royal falconer.
Festivalgoers can check out his Art of Falconry show. In this show, which he calls a “family affair,” he is aided by his wife, his daughter and local volunteers.
Together, they work with a variety of birds of prey – from eagles to owls, vultures and falcons – showing their natural behaviors while explaining the medieval history of falconry.
This includes flying over the audience,
or even just groundwork. In one display, Sinkler has a vulture trained to spot a particular egg based on its color; in another, he demonstrates an eagle’s speed with an amphitheater fly-by.
“We don’t have them ride a bicycle or anything like that like you might see in a parrot show,” he said with a laugh. “It’s really a close encounter of animals that you usually see at a distance.”
Sinkler heads up Wild Sky Productions, through which he acquires birds from zoos, rehabilitation centers and captivebreeding projects. He said his organization is a last resort for nonreleasable birds.
“They may have handicaps or mental disabilities,” he admits. “Depending on the year, there’s a lot of different types of birds we might work with.”
The Florida native and 30-plus-year falconer remembers gaining an appreciation for animals from his father at a young age, before doing zoo work in college. There he learned about falconry and birds of prey. He first signed on to a Renaissance festival gig around 25 years ago, at the Georgia one. Wild Sky has also worked with theme parks and other attractions, with wildlife celebrities like Jack Hanna and Jim Fallor, and on music videos and movies.
“It’s such a unique opportunity,” Sinkler said. “For me, it’s (the appeal) bringing the wilderness to a unique type of venue where we get up-close and meet a lot of people. We actually, at the end of every show, have a meet-and-greet and we take pictures with the guests, and it’s an opportunity to hear stories.”
Just as he loves sharing his knowledge with audiences—he tries to make it a “positive experience” and even talks about conservation—he loves hearing from audience members about their own experiences with birds and other wildlife.
“I think it’s (the appeal) about meeting the guests and really making that connection so that they have a greater appreciation of the wildlife,” he said.
For Foy, who is also a teacher, Renaissance festival work is a lifestyle. He said he has been performing in Arizona since 1989, but he got his start with the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in 1975.
“Like many kids who were interested in theater when in high school, my friends and I heard an audition notice on a radio station and went, ‘Renaissance Festival? Hey, we’ve been there! Let’s try it!’” he recalls. “There were three of us who went to go audition together, and one fellow
saw what the audition entailed and went, ‘Nope, I’m out of here,’ and the other two of us auditioned and got hired.”
He eventually branched out beyond his initial one in Minnesota, and he’s a busy man for it. He expects to visit states like Texas, Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota and North Carolina by next Thanksgiving. While he can’t speak as to why festivalgoers are drawn to his performances— aside from those who have told him they feel smarter after checking out a show— he said his own personal appeal is entertaining others.
“I have always been a laugh junkie,” he said. “To get people laughing has always been sort of my reason for living. It’s what makes life worth living.”
If You Go...
What: Arizona Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace.
Where: Renaissance Festival Grounds, 12601 E. U.S. Highway 60, Gold Canyon.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Presidents Day, Feb. 8 to March 29. Cost: $15-$28 at the box office, with discounts online and at Fry’s. More info: 520-483-2600, renfestinfo.com
YWDhat are you hoping the spread will be for Big Game?
JNo, I don’t mean the point spread, I mean the snack table spread! Anything and everything deep-fried, grilled, buttered, battered and baked, I’m assuming.
With JAN D’ATRI
With JAN D’ATRI
With JAN D’ATRI
GetOut Contributor
GetOut Contributor
GetOut Contributor
Beef stew a perfect antidote for chilly days
The big game may take a back seat to this treat
Bu alo Cheddar Chile Dip takes you deep into deliciousness
ou love jalapeno poppers. You love great Mexican dips. Now you can have them both with this cheesy, slightly spicy dish that gives you no choice but to dive in and indulge.
o you love a great steak? A juicy piece of chicken? Savory seafood? How about adding a ton of flavor to a baked potato or a slice of grilled French bread?
I’ve got the flavor bomb you need for all of these dishes and so much more.
ulia Child made it fancy with her iconic boeuf bourguignon. But you don’t have to get fancy to make a delicious, satisfying good old-fashioned beef stew.
It’s called compound butter and it just elevates the flavor of so many foods in a very simple way. Compound butter is a real restaurant secret.
The Bu alo Cheddar Chile Dip is so simple to whip up, bake up and gobble up for those game day watch parties or for any get-together.
While we’re considering the menu of all the things we want to dip and dive into, here’s a very simple Pepperoni Party Bread that is a real “slice ‘n diver.”
It’s also one of those recipes that you can adapt, adjust and add to for more kick.
It’s used a lot in high-end steak houses and many other establishments, and now you have the recipes to make your own right at home.
With half a dozen vegetables, some good stew meat, a packet of dry soup mix and a few seasonings, you can’t help but have one heck of a hearty meal.
This dip combines crispy bacon bits, shredded grilled or rotisserie chicken and several kinds of cheese.
Compound butter is simply unsalted butter, extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs and spices mixed together and refrigerated.
Then you will add chopped fresh herbs, some spices and salt and pepper.
You slice it up and plunge it right into your favorite red sauce. It all starts with refrigerated bread dough; either pizza or French bread dough. It’s loaded up with thin slices of pepperoni, some tasty shredded cheese like gruyere, mozzarella or a combination of both.
You can make one basic all-purpose compound or create several compounds with ingredients that en-
With our chilly winter evenings, beef stew is the perfect tummy-warming comfort food and it’s about the easiest dish you can cook up. There are a few tips for making this recipe fantastic.
When creating this recipe, I came across Alouette Spicy Jalapeno Spread in the deli section of the grocery store and decided to add it to the shredded cheddar and jack cheeses as well as the cream cheese.
Ingredients:
For chicken, potatoes and bread
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1 package frozen or refrigerated bread or pizza dough
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
First, grab a good stew meat. I prefer chuck roast because it has a bit of fat which adds a lot of flavor. I have tried sirloin or other higher-end cuts, but the chuck roast seems to o er the most flavor.
It’s optional, but it does add a spicy yet creamy texture. If you want the dip to have more heat, just add more diced jalapeños or green chiles. Love bacon? Just add more.
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 tablespoon sage, chopped
8 ounces pepperoni slices
Once you cut it in cubes, dredge the meat in flour and brown in a skillet before adding to the crockpot,
I baked this dip in a cast-iron skillet and served it
2 tablespoons chives, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh dill
Ingredients:
8 ounces shredded cheese (like Gruyère or mozza rella cheese)
1 tablespoon rosemary
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup sliced pepperoncini
1 teaspoon pepper
10 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped fine 2-3 chicken thighs or breasts, grilled and shredded
2 pounds stew meat (2-inch cubes), like Chuck roast 1 1/2 cups flour (for dredging)
2 tablespoons dried or fresh herbs (garlic salt, Italian seasonings, red pepper flakes, parsley, etc.)
1 (8-oz.) cream cheese, softened
For steak
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 egg plus 1 tablespoon water Marinara or pizza sauce, for dipping
For shrimp
1 large sweet yellow onion, cut in 2-inch pieces
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1/3 cup sour cream
Directions:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
I love the idea of compound butters because once you make them, you just roll the butter combination into logs on parchment paper, keep them in your refrigerator and use them any time you want. Flavor bombs, for an explosion of flavor.
instant pot or Dutch oven.
right from the pan with lots of corn tortilla chips and some homemade flour tortilla chips. It can also be served with cr0stini, crackers or cut vegetables.
This Bu alo Cheddar Chile Dip is worth the deep dive into deliciousness.
For this recipe, you want the cheese to pull and stretch when you slice and lift it out, and both gruyere and mozzarella are great “pulling” cheeses! Some sliced pepperoncini and some seasonings for added flavor and you’ll have super party bread for a super game day.
After the stew is done, taste it, and if it needs a
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
2 large Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
1 container Alouette Spicy Jalapeno Spread (Optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh dill
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a spring form pan, pie plate or round baking dish with cooking spray.
2 cups baby carrots or regular carrots, cut in 2-inch lengths
Directions
2 tablespoons Italian Parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons capers, chopped
1 ½ cups corn, fresh, frozen or canned
1 teaspoon pepper
1 ½ cups peas, frozen or canned
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cup green beans, fresh, frozen or canned
On a lightly floured surface, roll out bread dough with rolling pin into a large, thin rectangle. Combine the olive oil and melted butter. Brush mixture over the dough.
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Preheat oven to 350º. Cook bacon crisp. When cooled, chop bacon. Grill chicken and then shred. (If desired, shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken.)
1 teaspoon pepper
Zest of 1 lemon
1 packet French’s Onion Soup Dry Mix
Directions:
Directions:
Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of seasonings. Layer pepperoni slices across the dough. Sprinkle shredded cheese over pepperoni slices.
In a large bowl, stir together cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, cheese spread, cheddar and jack cheeses, jalapenos, green chiles, bacon, chicken, garlic powder, salt and pepper. (Reserve some
In a mixing bowl, add 2 sticks of softened, unsalted butter. Select the herbs for your compound and chop fine.
Drain peperoncini slices and sprinkle over cheese. Carefully roll the dough up lengthwise. Place the dough in the pan or pie plate coiling it into a doughnut shape.
Heat the oil in a skillet. When hot, dredge the stew pieces in flour and then place in hot skillet. Brown stew meat on all sides, leaving a little space in between pieces to ensure proper browning.
With a fork, mix the egg yolk and water, and brush egg wash over top of dough. Sprinkle with remaining tablespoon of seasonings.
4 cups water
shredded cheese, bacon and jalapeno for topping.)
Transfer to an 8-inch oven-safe skillet or baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup each of cheddar and Monterey Jack, cooked bacon, and jalapeño.
Optional: beef bouillon for added flavor (I prefer Superior Touch Better Than Bouillon Beef Base)
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until bread is golden brown. Remove from pan. Place on a plate and slice. If you used a Bundt pan with a hole in the middle, place a small bowl of marinara sauce in the hole. Dip slices of pepperoni bread into the sauce and enjoy! Serve hot.
How to make Homemade Flour or Corn Tortilla Chips
Place stew meat in a crockpot, instant pot or Dutch oven.
Mix until well combined. Spoon mixture onto a piece of parchment paper and shape into a log with your spoon. Roll the log up in the parchment paper and twist the ends to secure the paper.
Pinch the ends together to secure the dough.
Add the onion, potatoes, corn, green beans, peas, soup mix, thyme, salt pepper and water. For the
Refrigerate or freeze to harden. When hardened, unwrapped the compound log from the parchment paper and slice o dollar-size discs and add to your foods.
Bake until dip is golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.
For larger party bread, dough the amount of ingredients except for the seasonings. You will only need 2 tablespoons of seasonings for the larger party bread.
Roll the compound log back up in the parchment paper and refrigerate. (I roll the logs in the paper, and then place in a zip lock bag to keep it fresh longer.)
For the bread, combine two packages of refrigerated bread dough and spread out into one larger rectangle.
Stack several tortillas on top of each other and cut into triangles. Repeat until all tortillas are used up. Heat vegetable oil to about 350 degrees. Carefully drop the triangles into the oil and fry for a few seconds. With tongs, turn the triangles over and fry until golden brown. Transfer the chips to a paper towel and sprinkle with salt. Serve with Bu alo Cheddar Chile Dip.
crockpot, cook for about 6 hours on high. For Dutch oven, cook over medium heat for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally so the bottom doesn’t burn. For instant pot, refer to instructions. (Meat should be very tender.) When beef stew is done, taste for flavor. If the stew needs more beef flavor, add 2 teaspoons or a tablespoon of Superior Touch Better Than bouillon beef base, found at most grocery stores. You can also use beef bouillon cubes)
Enjoy a spectacular cruise & tour between Seattle and Alaska including 7 nights aboard Holland America Line’s ms Westerdam and 4 nights on land. You’ll cruise the Gulf of Alaska and the Inside Passage—a breathtaking sea lane teeming with marine wildlife, where you’ll pass glaciers, towering mountains, and lush forests, with stops in Ketchikan, historic Skagway, and magnificent Glacier Bay. On land, you’ll go deep into Denali National Park, tour Anchorage, and see the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
CRIMSON CANYONS & MESAS NATIONAL PARKS TOUR
Las Vegas • Grand Canyon • Bryce Canyon • Zion • Arches • Capitol Reef National Park • and more
10 days, departs May - September 2020
Prepare to be amazed as you experience the stunningly red rocks of 6 iconic southwestern national parks. Formed by the elements over countless centuries, these natural treasures are still grand enough to make our jaws drop. Experience several of the most popular national parks in the United States, traveling through dramatic deserts, lush forests, deep valleys, soaring mountains, and to the very edge of the South Rim of the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, one of the most famous natural wonders of the world.
Enjoy a fully guided 4-island Hawaiian vacation with beachfront lodging on Kauai, Maui, and the “Big Island” of Hawaii, and in Waikiki on Oahu. Includes a Pearl Harbor experience where you will see the USS Arizona Memorial. Visit historic Lahaina, enjoy a boat cruise on the Wailua River, and authentic Hawaiian entertainment and food at our Farewell Feast. Guided throughout by our friendly Tour Directors—your local experts. Price includes 3 interisland flights.
BELLA ITALIA TOUR
Rome • The Vatican City • Pisa • Florence • Orvieto • Bologna • Venice • Verona • Tuscany • and more
10 days, departs May - September 2020
$1,749 $1,499 *
See Italy’s iconic sights! Start in Rome, where you’ll see The Vatican City, gaze in awe at the Sistine Chapel, walk through St. Peter’s Square, and stop at the Trevi Fountain. Ride a funicular in ancient Orvieto and stroll through the spa town of Montecatini Terme. Visit Pisa’s leaning tower, historic Florence, the canals of Venice, and the Romeo and Juliet balcony in fair Verona, before your final stop in magnificent Milan. Enjoy exquisite food, stunning sights, fascinating history, and the company of brand-new friends.
CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
(RFQ)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking a qualified firm or team to act as the Construction Manager at Risk for the following:
THE STUDIOS AT MESA CITY CENTER
59 E. FIRST STREET
PROJECT NO. CP0880
The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) to provide Pre-Construction Services assistance and complete Construction Services as the CMAR for the Studios at Mesa City Center Project. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
The following is a summary of the project. The required tasks will be reviewed with the selected CMAR and defined to meet the needs of the project as part of the contract scoping.
In February 2018, the Mesa City Council authorized an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Mesa and Arizona State University (ASU). This agreement outlines a plan for the development of both educational and civic facilities in the City Center of Downtown Mesa over several years. Subsequently, in June 2018, the City and ASU agreed to terms of a lease and jointly finalized a master plan for these improvements.
This phase of the project is comprised of a 6,000 to 12,000 square-foot remodel of an existing 26,500 sf building located at 59 E 1st Street, Mesa, Arizona. The proposed renovation of the building will create a facility that will empower modern workforce development and serve as a startup pipeline to fuel the economy of today and tomorrow. There will also be a strong connection between the Studios and the new ASU facility. The City may include other miscellaneous improvements at the site, as needed.
The estimated construction cost is $7,000,000. The total estimated project cost is $8,500,000.
A Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at 8 am at the Mesa City Plaza Building, 20 E. Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201, in Conference Room 501. At this meeting, City staff will discuss the scope of work and general contract issues and respond to questions from the attendees. Attendance at the pre-submittal conference is not mandatory and all interested firms may submit a Statement of Qualifications whether or not they attend the conference. All i nterested firms are encouraged to attend the Pre-Submittal Conference since City staff will not be available for meetings or to respond to individual inquiries regarding the project scope outside of this conference. In addition, there will not be meeting minutes or any other information published from the Pre-Submittal Conference.
Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (in cluding the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below.
RFQ Lists. The RFQ is available on the City’s website at http://mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/construction-manager-at-risk-and-job-order-contractingopportunities.
The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt. Please provide eight (8) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy (CD or USB drive) of the Statement of Qualifications by February 20, 2020 at 2 pm. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.
Delivered or hand-carried submittals must be delivered to the Engineering Department reception area on the fifth floor of Mesa City Plaza B uilding in a sealed package. On the submittal package, please display: Firm name, project number, and/or project title.
Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/vendor-self-service).
Questions. Questions pertaining to the Construction Manager at Risk selection process or contract issues should be directed to Donna Horn of the Engineering Department at donna.horn@mesaaz.gov.
BETH HUNING City Engineer
Public Notices
CITY OF MESA
RIVERVIEW SOCCER FIELDS UTILITY RELOCATION 940 N. RIVERVIEW AUTO DRIVE, MESA AZ 85021
PROJECT NO. M99-2019-036 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Thursday, February 6, 2020, at 1:00p.m. All sealed bids will be received at Mesa City Plaza Building, Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, 5th Floor, Mesa, Arizona; except for bids delivered 30 minutes prior to opening which will be received at the information desk, 1st floor, Main Lobby of the Mesa City Plaza Building. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration.
This contract shall be for furnishing all labor, materials, transportation and services for the construction and/or installation of the following work:
Installation of 616 linear feet of new 36-inch Sanitary Sewer piping and 602 linear feet of new 36inch Concrete Cylinder Pipe Force Main Reclaimed Water Line. The work also includes removal of existing sewer, reclaimed and stormwater lines, excavation, removal of contaminated soils, recompacting clean / reusable soils, and soil import.
The Engineer’s Estimate range is $1.00 to $2.00 million.
For all technical, contract, bid- related, or other questions, please contact Stephanie Gishey at Stephanie.Gishey@mesaaz.gov.
All project questions must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2020. See Section 11 of the Project Special Provisions for more information.
Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified above.
Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.e-arc.com/arcEOC/PWELL_Main.asp?mem=29. Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, an order must be placed. The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $16.00 which is non-refundable. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please ve rify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.e-arc.com.
One set of the Contract Documents is also available for viewing at the City of Mesa’s Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ. Please call 480-644-2251 prior to arriving to ensure that the documents are available for viewing.
In order for the City to consider alternate product s in the bidding process, please follow Arizona Revised Statutes §34.104c.
If a pre-bid review of the site has been scheduled, details can be referenced in Project Specific Provision Section #3, titled “Pre-Bid Review of Site.”
Work shall be completed within 163 consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day following the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed.
Bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to Union Mesa 1, LLC, or a certified or cashier's check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Published: East Valley Tribune, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 2020 / 27810
ATTEST:
DeeAnn Mickelsen, City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 2020 / 27757
James H. ("Jim") Freer
With heavy hearts the family announces the passing of Jim. Jim accepted the terminal nature of the Parkinson's diagnosis with grace, courage and fortitude. Unfortunately, after a long and brave battle Jim passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at his daughter's home in Seattle with her by his side.
Jim was born to John and Harriet Freer on April 7, 1932 in Graceville, MN. After graduating high school Jim made his way west to Washington State University in Pullman, WA and became a life-long Cougar. Jim graduated 1955. While in Pullman Jim met and married his first wife, Kathryn E. Womeldorf. Jim and Kay had four children, David James, John Steven, Janice Kay and Robert Howard. Jim served in the Air Force as a commercial pilot and retired the rank of Major in 1975. Jim's professional career then took him to the USPS as a mail carrier at the Manito and Garland Station in Spokane, Washington and again retired in 1993.
Jim was a cherished life partner, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Jim is survived by his life partner; Delia Smith and her daughter Rebecca; his four children, David (Tracy), John (Tamara), Janice and Robert (Katy); four grandchildren, Chad, Matthew, Larissa (Lonnie Newton), and Cody; great grandchild Kinley Newton; and brother Robert. Jim is also survived by sister-in-law's family Quetta Collin, Greg (Esther), David, Marklyn, Caleb and Casey Hallett and Carol (Tony Cabera), as well as numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, John and Harriet Freer; sis ter and brother-in-law, Barbara (Doug Smith); his first wife Kathryn E. Womeldorf Sanders and his life saving four legged companion, Shasta Pup.
Passionate as Jim was about his professional life, his greatest loves were his life partner, Delia, family and becoming a snowbird! Jim's fondest and happiest memories were those spent with family and friends, especially those junking and garage selling with Del; fishing and huckleberry picking with his sons and competing in international, national and state shuffleboard tournaments with his daughter.
Throughout his life in his own quiet way, Jim was a very strong, warm, kind, caring, funny, generous and loving man who believed strongly in giving to others and the communities he loved. Jim enjoyed the life-long friendships and camaraderie of his many friends in Washington and Arizona and the opportunities to share his many talents by mentoring and teaching in some of his favorite activities such as Spanish, shuffleboard, cribbage, pool, Sudoku and woodworking. Jim followed his beloved WSU Cougars, Gonzaga basketball and the Seattle Seahawks. Jim also gave generously to Wounded Warriors, USO, as well as being a staunch blood donor for decade s.
Jim lived a rich and full life. Jim was a man whose mind and hands had to be busy all day long and there was never enough time to do everything! Jim's passions were riding his bike, even in the snow to go to work, shuffleboard, woodworking, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, cribbage, bridge, pool, gardening, canning chairs, planting succulents in shoes and donating them to the local community center, making wind chimes, collecting matchbooks, Pub jugs, German beer and wine glasses, German Volksmarches and last but not least his 1967 Impala, 1968 Caprice and Shasta Pup.
Jim was one of a kind and will be remembered for his honesty, conscientious work ethic, sense of humor, being soft spoken, a gentle soul, a man of few words yet a very big and warm heart. Jim was intelligent, a gentleman genuinely and dearly loved by his family and friends and leaves a huge void in the lives of all he touched. Jim will be missed by all those whom he loved and loved him. Jim will be forever in our hearts and his spirit lives on in all those who were blessed to know him.
Jim asks you spend time with loved ones, ride a bike, plant a garden, make a toast to enduring life-long and beyond friendships with your favorite drink complete with ice cube or two!! Jim will be forever pleased.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to Kline Galland Home for their loving and compassionate care to our father and sister during his final days. Also, appreciation and thank you to Visiting Angels caregivers and staff at American Lake VA for their care of Jim.
A Memorial Service / Celebration of Life honoring Jim's amazing full life and love of family and friends is planned later in the year in the fall / winter in Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you please consider a donation in honor of Jim's memory to the NW Parkinson's Foundation (NWPF.org), Wounded Warriors, USO or a charity of your choosing. Family and friends may leave remembrances by signing Jim's online guest book at cascadememorial.com. Condolences may also be sent to 18925 37th Ave. S., Seattle, Washington 98188.
Seniors Welcome - Join Our Family! Healthy Habits is a leader in the supplement industry with a proud history that spans 40+ years. Based in vibrant Tempe, we’re looking to add a couple of family members to our customer support team in either a full-time or part-time capacity. The environment is casual, low stress & friendly. Generally; you’ll be taking customer orders & providing customer support. No outbound sales calling is required, & our customers relationships are the best in the business because we’re fair, honest & friendly.
If you’d like to learn more about this position, please visit website at: www.HealthyHabits.com/jobs/
Now hiring janitors for office cleaning in various valley locations. Please apply in person at ACE Building Maintenance 7020 N 55th Ave Glendale, AZ 85301. Se solita personal para limpieza de Oficina en varias localidades del valle. Favor de aplicar en persona a ACE Building Maintenance 7020 N 55th Ave Glendale, AZ 85301.
TechMileage has openings for the following positions in Scottsdale, AZ area.
Large Home Improvement Company Looking For People to Work at Chandler Fashion Center, Superstition Springs Mall & Arizona Mills Locations as well as Home Show Events to Schedule Appointments. Must be able to approach people.
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PT HELP WANTED BARBER (GILBERT) L ooking For Experie nced Licensed Barber Must be able to provide c lients with the lates t haircut trends, other trad itional barber services & be experienced in al l hair textures. Must have a ctive Arizona Barbe r License - Strong founda tion in men's cutting Call 301-491-3900
Software Engineers reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in Java/Jscript/SOAP/CSS/ Clear Case to dsgn/dev/implement/test apps/systems. Sr. Programmer Analyst reqs US Bachelors/equiv (3 or 4 yr degree) in Commerce/BusAdm/STEM field to analyze/resolve/test/report on IT related projects using skills in EMC/MS/SQL/Excel/ Java/C. Email resume to careers@techmileage.co m with ref # 2020-19 for Software Eng; 2020-20 for Sr. Prog Analyst & ref EVT ad.
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Public Notices
CARE AND PROTECTION, TERMINATION OF PARE NTAL RIGHTS, SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION , DOCKET NUMBER 19CP0008HO, Trial Court of Mass achusetts, Juvenile Court Department, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Hampden County Juvenile Court, Holyoke Division, 121 Elm St., Holyoke, MA 01040 TO: Jesus Gonzalez or the father of Joilyn Aida Gonzalez born on 11/15/2011 to April Danielle Richard in Northampton, MA: A petition has bee n presented to this court by DCF Holyoke, seeking as to the following child: Joilyn Gonzalez, that said child be found in need of care and protection and committed to the Department of Children and Families. The court may dispense the rights of the person(s) named herein to receive notice of or to consent to any legal proceeding affecting the adoption, custody, or guardianship or any other disposition of the child named herein, if it finds that the child is in need of care and protectio n and that the best interests of the child would be served by said disposition.
The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) has received a request for financial assistance from the Town of Queen Creek to refinance the acquisition of Groundwater Extinguishment Credits to address a current water resource deficit.
WIFA staff analysis concluded that this project qualifies for a CATEGORICAL E XCLUSION. The proposed project will not impact the environment either by itself or in combination with other projects, and the environmental information provided has met statutory intent of the WIFA’s environmental review requirements.
DW-012-2020 – Groundwater Extinguishment Credit Acquisition, 22350 S. Ellsworth Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142-9311
Documentation regarding the proposed project is available for review at WIFA, 100 N. 7th Avenue, Suite 130, Phoenix, Arizona 85007.
WIFA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Alternative formats for the project documentation are available upon request. Please contact Samantha Lemke, Environmental Program Specialist, (602) 364-1326 for any requests or inquiries.
Published: East Valley Tribune, Feb 2, 2020 / 278xx
You are hereby ORDERED to appear in this court, at the court address set forth above, on the following date and time: 02/24/2020 at 9:00 AM Other Hearing. You may bring an attorney with you. If you have a right to an attorney and if the court determines that you are indigent, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you.
If you fail to appear, the court may proceed on that date and any date thereafter with a trial on the merits of the petition and an adjudication of this matter. For further information call the Office of the Clerk-Magistrate at 413-322-6700
WITNESS: Hon. Lois M. Eaton, FIRST JUSTICE , DATE ISSUED: 01/14/2020, Donald P. Whitney, ClerkMagistrate
Published: East Valley Tribune, Jan, 26, Feb 2, 9, 2020 / 27628
Please call Elaine at 480-898-7926 to inquire or email your notice to: legals@evtrib.com and request a quote.
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