Patricia and Zane Black bought a bungalow built in 1923 near downtown Mesa, spurning cookie-cutter suburban housing while choosing to raise their small children in a historic district.
Michael Harris looked at the same neighborhood as the perfect place to open a transition-
al-living house, to help drug offenders such as himself stay clean after their release from prison. He viewed access to light rail, Maricopa County Adult Probation and the Mesa Public Library as attributes. It also is near Community Bridges addiction treatment center, where he works.
But the biggest attribute of all for Harris was that all he had to do was have fewer than six residents to avoid Mesa’s zoning requirements.
He considered another building in Phoenix but abandoned the idea after the city imposed a stringent licensing law on group homes.
“We almost bought a four-plex in Phoenix for more money, but the city of Phoenix has adopted some pretty challenging regulations for something I am trying to start,’’ Harris said.
Ducey opposes Ed Board talk of punishing RedforEd
BY PAUL MARYNIAK, WAYNE SCHUTSKY AND JIM WALSH Tribune News Staff
The state Board of Education scuttled its plan to discuss on Monday whether it can, and should, discipline teachers for walking out for better pay this spring and for other unspecified actions, apparently because it didn’t sit well with the man who
appointed all but one of its members. Some East Valley school superintendents and other educators also criticized the board.
Asked about the board’s plan during a campaign stop in Gilbert on Thursday, Gov. Doug Ducey told the Tribune: “I don’t want to see punitive action against our teachers. I’m on the side of the teachers. Our teachers are the biggest difference makers in the state, in addition to the parents of these children.
“What I want to do is move forward. I want to get additional dollars into our teachers’ paychecks and return our teachers to what they do best – to the front of the classroom teaching our children,” the governor added. Mesa Public Schools’ new superintendent, Ember Conley, who heads the state’s largest school system, and Kyrene Superintendent
(Kimberly Carrillo/Tribune Staff Photographer)
This house on Pomeroy Street in Mesa is at the center of a dispute between Michael Harris, who would be the manager of the halfway house for paroled cons living in it, and Patricia Black, who lives next door. Their disagreement has prompted the City Council to examine Mesa’s lack of controls over such group homes.
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Sheriff won’t enforce ‘stupid motorist’ law in monsoon rescues
BY RACHEL BETH BANKS Cronkite News
When monsoon season officially began last Friday, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said it would not enforce a law that permits some motorists to be billed for the cost of their rescue from flash floods because authorities worry people who can’t afford the fine won’t call for help.
Under the so-called stupid-motorist law, motorists who drive around a barricade or warning sign into a flooded area, putting themselves and rescuers in danger, can be required to reimburse law enforcement and fire agencies up to $2,000 for rescue costs.
The law, passed in 1995, has sparked rumors about how much it costs to get rescued and how often people have to pay.
“We don’t charge people under the stupid-motorist law,” Deputy Kevin Kraayenbrink said. “This is part of your tax dollars. We’re here. It’s free.”
Deputies respond to 12 to 24 water rescues every year, sheriff’s spokeswoman Donna Rossi said. It’s not clear whether other local agencies enforce the law. Phoenix and Scottsdale police did not return calls, and a Mesa police spokeswoman directed questions to the MCSO. Jesse Rutherford, spokesman for a volunteer rescue group that helps the sher-
iff’s office with flash floods and other emergencies, said group members often encounter people worried about the cost of their rescue.
“A lot of people that we come in contact with sometimes delay their own rescue by not calling 911 because they think they’re going to get charged,” said Rutherford, of the Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association.
“We’re usually not in favor of legislation of fining or charging people for their predicament,” he said. “One of the examples we have is when you call 911 at your
house – say there’s a grease fire and you threw water on the grease fire – well, most people know that’s a bad idea, but not everyone does. So, does that mean the fire department is going to charge you?”
The law, passed by lawmakers frustrated that drivers were ignoring posted warning signs, leading to costly rescues and risking the lives of the public-safety workers. But it was rarely invoked until a 2005 case made headlines and became the talk of online chat rooms.
Paul Zalewski was charged in Cave Creek Municipal Court after he drove
his Hummer around barriers and into a flooded road in his Cave Creek neighborhood. The rescue cost an estimated $800 and 55 minutes of MCSO deputies’ time, according to news accounts.
“After that, people refused to call for help because they thought everybody that does something that’s not smart gets arrested. They don’t,” Kraayenbrink said. “I don’t know how many times we pull up and people are like, ‘I can’t afford this rescue.’”
Michael Saks, professor of law and psychology at Arizona State University, said laws often become outdated, sometimes because they’re niche, like the stupidmotorist law, or don’t evolve as society does.
“I’m sure the law makes sense at the time to the people who vote for them and then, with the passage of time, they either become less sensible or they come to be recognized as less sensible,” he said.
The stupid motorist law “sounds like it’s creating a bigger problem than the one that it is solving, which the law does sometimes.”
It doesn’t matter whether the law remains on the books or is repealed, Saks said. The rumor about the prohibitive cost of stupid-motorist fees now has more power than the fact the law usually isn’t enforced.
It’s now as much a part of Arizona as the monsoon season.
Low vaccine rates in county concern health officials
BY AMANDA FAHEY AND NICOLE HERNANDEZ Cronkite News
Arecent study identified the metro Phoenix area as a “hotspot” for potential disease outbreak because of the high rate of parents who opt out of vaccinating their children.
Arizona is one of 18 states that allow exemptions from vaccination because of personal beliefs, according to the study published in the Public Library of Science. Many Arizona parents seek medical exemptions for religious or philosophical reasons.
In Maricopa County, nearly 3,000 enrolling kindergartners had nonmedical exemptions from vaccination in the 2016-17 school year, according to the study. That’s three times as many unvaccinated kindergartners as the
next-highest county, Salt Lake County in Utah.
The report’s authors said that because these hotspots have such a high rate of vaccination exemptions, outbreaks could “spread rapidly throughout these populations of unimmunized, unprotected children.”
Laura Glenn, a naturopathic physician at Rejuvena Health & Aesthetics in Scottsdale, said some parents might get confused about vaccines.
“I really think that part of that is because we are living in an age of information overload,” she said. “We have so much news and so much information coming at us from so many different angles, it can be hard to know what to believe.”
In 1998, The Lancet medical journal published a study linking certain vaccinations to autism, triggering the antivaccination movement. The study was
later retracted after it was found the doctor who led the study falsified the data and his claims were fraudulent, according to CNN.
Glenn said she believes information is key when it comes to the decision whether parents should vaccinate their children.
“To make an informed decision, they need to be looking vaccine-to-vaccine, illness-to-illness,” she said. Parents should ask “what are the risks to contracting the illness? What are the possible consequences of the child getting the illness? What are the risks of the vaccine?”
Alexandra Bhatti, faculty associate in Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions, told ASU Now that “before the middle of the last century, diseases like whooping cough, polio, measles, Haemophilus influenzae and rubella struck hundreds of thousands
of infants, children and adults in the United States. Thousands died every year from them.”
But as people began using vaccines for these diseases, their rates declined. However, outbreaks still occur – even when vaccines are readily available.
A measles outbreak hit Maricopa and Pinal counties in 2016, infecting about a dozen people. The outbreak – one of the largest outbreaks in years – started at a privately run detention center in Eloy.
The potential spread of illness is not the only result of non-vaccination.
“You also have the effect on the health-care system,” said Daniel Crawford, a clinical assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University. “And so that utilizes more health-care resources and increases the amount of money spent in the community.”
(Special to the Trbune)
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office says it has no intention to finanically penalize stupid motorists who drive into flooded areas during monsoon storms.
Former EVP leader heading on Cambodian mission
BY SRIANTHI PERERA Tribune Contributor
John and LaCinda Lewis knew since November that they were probably going on a three-year mission to serve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a mission president and companion. They alluded to it in their Christmas card to friends and family.
The question was, where were they going?
In November, they already had faced an exploratory interview with one of the 12 Apostles of the LDS church, who had told them he feels “very good about the two of you serving.”
A few months later, a package arrived with the answer: “You will be serving a Cambodia, Phnom Penh mission. And you will be learning a Cambodian language.”
The couple are set to leave around the end of the month for a three-year assignment.
A mission president is a priesthood leadership position in which the appointee oversees a mission and its missionaries, consisting mostly of 18- to 25-yearolds and some senior-age couples. The appointee and his spouse leave their loved ones behind for three years to spread their faith to communities in America or abroad.
The former mayor of Gilbert and the executive director of the East Valley Partnership and his wife were deemed by the church to be free of challenging family matters that would make it hard for them to be away from home.
Six of their children – three daughters and five sons – are married, and the couple has 16 grandchildren with two more on the way. John’s parents and LaCinda’s mom are deceased. Her father lives in Utah.
“I was very surprised,” John recalled hearing the news. “I hadn’t expected Cambodia, and then, as they talked to us that afternoon, it started to sound like a wonderful place.”
The Southeast Asian country was warravaged in the 1970s when the radical communist party, Khmer Rouge, was in power. About 2 million died during the ensuing chaos and the country became known for burial sites called the Killing Fields.
Now, there’s stability in the predominantly Buddhist country with burgeoning tourism and a thriving textile industry. Tourists come to the Angkor Wat, a
their own.
John and LaCinda have had six months to learn Khmer, or Kamai, which is rooted in ancient Asian languages Sanskrit and Pali, and has 80 characters.
“Each has two different sounds depending on its position in the word. I took a look at the Book of Mormon in Kamai and, of course it’s foreign and a teeny bit frightening,”
cal help is provided.
The Lewises have heard from the current mission president in Cambodia. “They’re very busy, every day. They’re going at a very fast pace,” John noted.
This does not mean that the couple won’t have time for each other. Weekly preparation days allot time to prepare for events and also to perhaps catch up on reading or meet someone.
As a former mayor, John is interested in meeting the mayors in Cambodian cities.
Unlike young missionaries, who leave their families for two years and are allowed to write weekly emails and call home only on Christmas and Mother’s Day, the Lewises will have more communication with their extended family in the United States. Family members can visit, too.
temple complex in Cambodia built in the 12th century, a world recognized heritage site and the largest religious monument in the world.
For the Lewises, who will exchange the Valley of the Sun’s searing summer heat and desert scenery for incessant tropical rains coupled with humidity and fertile rice paddies, it will be a world removed.
“It does seem like it would be an adventure and a chance to go to a place that we probably would never get a chance to go, and meet some wonderful people,” John said.
LaCinda, who teaches fashion design and merchandising at Mesa Community College, said she was interested to know about the textile industry there.
“Not that I’ll be necessarily part of that, but I’ll like to visit and I’ll like to get to know some of the textile workers,” she said.
This is not John’s first foray into mission work in Asia. When he was 19, he served the church for two years in Japan.
LaCinda hasn’t done one, but she has traveled widely, engaged in nonprofit work in Mozambique and is “familiar and comfortable with Third World country situations,” in her words.
She also speaks French, which is spoken in Cambodia, a French colony in the 19th century.
According to John, about half of the 70,000 missionaries serving around the world learn a language to perform their work. Some of them are immersed with native speakers to hasten the learning.
That’s not true for a mission president and companion, who have to make do on
LaCinda said. “But I think with some faith and some hard work and I think actually hitting the ground and mixing…”
Each night and during the weekend, the couple spends time with the manuals sent by the church and connecting with a trainer via Skype.
“They are giving us six months to figure this out and just have a teeny bit of a foundation before so that you understand the characters and the letters and the script and the sounds that they make,” LaCinda said.
The couple also has been learning the cultural nuances of the land. For example, when meeting a person, hugging should be replaced by a handshake or a traditional palm-on-palm greeting. Also, a man’s putting his foot on his knee is taboo. And pointing is rude.
In Cambodia, John will oversee 20 of its 30 congregations, which has a total membership approaching 14,000. There are 95 missionaries between the ages of 18 and 25 and six senior missionary couples.
Every six weeks, 10 missionaries are transferred and 10 others will take their place. John will assign them their new positions, train and guide them.
The couple would travel to meet the congregations around the country and offer assistance where necessary. They will also assist in humanitarian projects, and not be above donning jeans and T-shirts when extending a helping hand.
LaCinda, the “mission mom,” has a special role in its medical program – if someone’s sick, she’ll be the first to learn of it and will ensure that adequate medi-
“We’ll be rolling out the red carpet for grands and guests,” LaCinda said. “And we’ll be recruiting volunteers. We can request senior couples to come and serve with you. We hope that some will be willing to do that. It is a sacrifice.”
As for her, LaCinda may be able to return to Arizona for something special, such as a wedding, but John has to stay put.
“Mission president and companion are the top leaders and, therefore, there’s a lot of flexibility. If there’s a child in need, I would address whatever concern they have,” she added.
The Lewises have to assume their new role by July 1. That also is the day that their son Doug will assume a new job in the East Valley. He and his family plans to occupy the Lewis home for the three years.
When they return, the Lewises may receive other leadership positions within the church. They may just as well be assigned to a nursery to work with babies.
“In this church we belong to, you grow up in a culture where you love to serve and there are all sorts of assignments,” John said.
“There should be no expectation that something special is going to happen,” LaCinda added.
As time goes on, their thoughts may wander to the East Valley and the lives they left behind.
“We also realize that at the end of three years, we’ll be having these emotions of ‘we don’t want to leave this beautiful country, we don’t want to leave the people,’” John said. “That’s part of life. We understand that and we look forward to contributing best we can and then coming back and contributing here again.”
Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer
John Lewis and wife LaCinda are leaving their Gilbert home for three years on a mission to Cambodia for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Decrying his party’s direction, Bob Worsley gives up Senate seat
BY HOWARD FISCHER Capital Media Services
Decrying the direction of his Republican Party, Mesa state Sen. Bob Worsley yanked his name from this year’s ballot.
Worsley said Monday he’s convinced that Republican Tyler Pace, who also submitted nominating papers for the state senate seat, shares his views on most issues and likely would vote the same way he has in his past six years in the Legislature. Anyway, he said, if Pace is elected from the heavily Republican district he will be able to serve for eight years. Even if re-elected, Worsley would have to leave the Senate in 2020 because of term limits.
But Worsley told Capitol Media Services he does not like the direction his party has taken lately. And he’s not sure that’s going to change before his time in the Senate is up.
“If you look at my time horizon of only two more years and the state of national and state affairs with, I would say, an extreme, vitriolic move that we have, I’m not going to see in those two years the Republican Party wake up to the damage that’s being done by not speaking up,’’ he said.
And Worsley said there are issues where Republicans should not remain silent.
“Like separating kids on the border,’’ he said. “We’ve got to wake up to what this
extremism is doing to the tone and tenor of our politics.’’
Worsley, while generally a reliable Republican vote on issues, has parted ways from time to time with his party leadership.
Last year, for example, GOP lawmakers were pushing to allow any child to get state funds to attend private or parochial schools. That plan, had it been implemented as proposed, would have opened the treasury to all 1.1 million children now in public schools to spend taxpayer dollars elsewhere.
Worsley said he’s not against vouchers. But he agreed to support the plan – and provide the necessary vote – only after it was amended to put a cap on vouchers of about 30,000.
Foes of even that expansion have gathered enough signatures to refer it to the November ballot. And just this past May, he and fellow Republican Kate Brophy McGee refused to go along with a plan by party leaders to keep that issue off the ballot and keep voters from getting the last word on the issue.
He also provided a crucial vote in 2013 for the proposal by then-Gov. Jan Brewer to expand the state’s Medicaid program, tapping into funds from the federal Affordable Care Act to increase the number of people eligible for free health care.
And Worsley also bolted party ranks along with two others to kill 2017 legislation that would have meant automatic longer minimum prison sentences for people who commit felonies while in this country illegally.
His position on the border and illegal immigration was not a big surprise. Worsley got elected the first time in 2012 by defeating Russell Pearce, the architect of SB 1070, a wide-ranging measure aimed at giving local police more power to deal with undocumented people in Arizona. Pearce was making a bid at political resur-
rection after having been previously ousted in a recall.
Worsley said he is guided in part by the words of Abraham Lincoln who, in his first inaugural address in 1861, said people should look to the “better angels of our nature.’’ The senator said that didn’t work out “and our country lost a million men.’’
“We just need to wake up and look for the better angels, the better human nature in us and not succumb to the base vitriolic hateful stuff,’’ Worsley said.
The senator said his decision should not be seen as an attack on the party itself.
“I just think we need to wake up and speak up when we see unacceptable behavior like what we’re doing on the border with the kids,’’ he said.
Worsley’s decision gives Pace a free ride in the Aug. 28 primary. But Pace still will have to defeat Democrat Kathy Mohr-Almeida in the general election in a district where Republicans outnumber Democrats by a 2-1 margin.
Worsley drew praise from Gov. Doug Ducey who is engaged in his own re-election campaign.
“He has served Arizona well,’’ the governor told Capitol Media Services. “I wish there were more people like Bob Worsley that would step up, put their name on a ballot, go into the arena and be part of public life.’’
Rabid bats raise alarm from Maricopa County officials
County health officials are reminding East Valley residents to keep their distance from bats after two rabid critters were found – one in a Costco parking lot in North Phoenix.
The other was found in Glendale and two people are receiving rabies shots because they touched it.
“Never, never, never touch bats is a good rule of thumb to follow,” said Craig Levy, epizoologist for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. “Any bat on the ground is more likely to be rabid.”
The recent cases also serve as a reminder about how important it is to keep cats and dogs vaccinated against rabies, officials said.
The two discoveries bring to four the number of rabid creatures reported to health officials in the last six months. They included another rabid bat in Gilbert and a rabid fox in Apache Lake.
Rabies is a virus that infects the central nervous system, including the spinal cord
and brain and is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
“Anyone who has had direct contact with a bat or other wild animals – especially foxes, skunks, and bobcats – should seek medical attention right away,” health officials said in a release. “Receiving the appropriate rabies vaccine and treatment after exposure is 100 percent effective in preventing rabies.”
In Arizona, rabies most commonly occurs in bats, skunks and foxes, but any mammal can contract the disease. Rabid
animals may show unusual behavior or appear unstable.
Rabid carnivores such as skunks, foxes, bobcats and coyotes may become aggressive and may attempt to bite people, pets and livestock. Wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior should be reported to Arizona Game and Fish.
One example of unusual behavior in rabid wild animals is showing no fear of people and pets. Also, nocturnal animals with rabies may be active in daylight. And bats with rabies may be found on the ground or in swimming pools or may have been caught by a pet.
To prevent exposure, health officials said, people should keep themselves and their pets away from wild animals, especially sick or wounded ones, and have no contact with them. If someone has been bitten or scratched, or has had contact with a rabid animal, report it immediately to animal control or health officials.
They also said spaying pets reduces the number of unwanted animals that may not be vaccinated regularly.
Campers are advised not to sleep on the open ground and should stay in a closed tent or camper.
As for bats, don’t disturb roosting ones, which usually appear after nightfall.
“If you find a bat on the ground, don’t touch it. Report the bat and its location to your local animal control officer or health department,” the department said. “If a person or pet has come into contact with the bat, it will need to be tested for rabies. Place a box over the bat to contain it. Be careful not to damage the bat in any way since it must be intact for rabies testing.”
The state Department of Health Services reports that last year, Maricopa ranked third among all Arizona counties for the number of rabid creatures that were found.
But the 10 cases in Maricopa County were easily dwarfed by the 77 in Pima County and the 39 in Cochise County. In all, 155 rabid critters were found – more than half of them bats, followed by skunks and foxes.
Information: MCRabies.org.
(Special to the Trbune)
Mesa state Sen. Bob Worsley yanked his name from the GOP primary ballot, deciding to quit a reelection bid over his party’s political leanings.
Tribune News Staff
(Special to the Tribune)
Maricopa County health officials say that even if you feel sorry for an apparently wounded bat, don’t try to touch it because there’s a good chance it could be rabid.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
State names Falcon Field airport of the year
Mesa’s Falcon Field Airport has been named Airport of the Year 2018 by the Arizona Department of Transportation Multimodal Planning Division/Aeronautics Group.
Falcon Field bested 83 airports of various size and functions in ADOT’s system of airports. Selection criteria included accomplishments in aviation advocacy and community relations, airport management, special events and recognition, as well as innovative activities and programs implemented at the airport.
Don Kriz, aeronautics group manager, said one of the deciding factors in the award decision was how engaged Falcon Field is with airport tenants and the community through its various communications and outreach programs.
Falcon Field’s annual open house hosted thousands of people to view and learn about the aviation businesses and variety of aircraft that operate there, ADOT said.
Tenant/community meetings are scheduled regularly to update airport tenants and residents about airport improvement projects, events and other news and to provide a forum for questions and discussion,” the agency added.
ADOT giving EV police a break in hearings
East Valley police no longer will to go to downtown Phoenix to testify before Arizona Department of Transportation administrative judges, instead going to a new videoconferencing center in Mesa funded by the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
The judges last year heard more than 7,700 cases in Phoenix courtrooms as well as through video conferencing with sites in other parts of Arizona. Many cases involve reinstatement of driver’s licenses suspended for drunk driving, medical review for reinstating driver’s licenses, motor carrier violations and fuel tax evasion.
“Getting to executive hearing office courtrooms can require long trips and significant commitments of time for many law enforcement officers in the greater Phoenix area. Reducing that time can save tax dollars by reducing overtime costs in addition to reducing how long officers are away from their primary duties,” ADOT said.
Mesa’s healthy-workplace programs lauded
For the second year, Mesa received the platinum level of excellence in worksite wellness, the highest awarded by the Healthy Arizona Worksites Program.
The Arizona Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health recognized employers who implement comprehensive worksite-wellness strategies to enhance the health and well-being of employees, their families and the community.
Minimum qualifications include attending the Healthy Arizona Worksite Program training and developing a plan to improve employee health and safety.
The platinum award recognizes employers making an impact within and beyond their walls addressing health challenges.
Mesa was honored for supporting Healthy Living Workshops focused on nutrition, stress management, fitness and safety, diabetes education and tobacco cessation programs.
Also cited were Mesa’s Wellness 360 program launch, including health coaching and a health mobile app; monthly newsletters, weekly tips, recipes and ongoing communications; onsite fitness and yoga classes; annual Wellness and Benefits Fair, challenges and flu shots, and the ASPIRE Academy, coordinated by Mesa Fire and Medical and Mesa Police, for high school girls to become exposed to careers in public safety.
He said the residents are being carefully selected, knowing that their failure would damage his new program at a time when he is trying to build credibility within the neighborhood.
“It’s uber-accountability. It’s our manifesto, take it or leave it,’’ he said.
The problem is that the Black family’s bungalow and Harris’ transitional-housing facility are right next to each other on Pomeroy Street in the Glenwood Wilbur historic district, behind a Mesa fire station near First Street and Mesa Drive.
It has created a conflict that spilled over to the Mesa City Council last week.
Now, Mesa is poised to catch up with regulations passed by other cities aimed at group homes.
Complaints from residents such as the Blacks preceded the Mesa City Council study session, where there was a consensus to pass regulations similar to Prescott’s sober living home ordinance – which is less stringent than the one Phoenix has adopted.
The Prescott ordinance also is similar to a bill passed this session by the state Legislature, though that won’t take effect for two years.
Prescott and all Arizona cities got the go-ahead last year to craft their own legislation after sober-living homes were being set up at an astonishing rate. The same thing happened in Phoenix.
Neighborhood activists in Phoenix said the homes were unsupervised and offered no treatment programs but made significant revenue from government and private insurance payments.
Moreover, with no zoning regulations to control their location, Phoenix officials found that five or six homes were setting up in one neighborhood.
Phoenix took a two-pronged approach, using new zoning laws to regulate the number and locations of the homes. Simultaneously, the city imposed tough new licensing requirements governing their operation, such as requiring on-site supervision at all times and a plan for every resident upon discharge.
Mesa City Attorney Jim Smith said he plans to mimic the Prescott law because it has been in effect for a year and has not exposed Prescott to lawsuits. It is unclear if Harris’ Valjean Society facility would be covered by the new ordinance, which is scheduled for introduction at the July 2 council meeting.
But the Prescott law would appear to pose a couple of issues for the Valjean facility. Prescott requires that a house manager supervise the facility at all times and
(Kimberly
Zane and Patricia Black aren;t happy that a half-way house for ex-cons is setting up shop next to their home. They said they moved to Mesa against the advice of Realtors and now fear for the investment they’ve made in the city.
limits the facilities to sober-living homes where residents are enrolled in drug and alcohol programs. It also imposes restrictions on the types of residents.
“The home will not admit persons who pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others such as persons on the sex offender registry or prison pre-parolee,’’ the Prescott ordinance states.
Harris said he would probably be on the premises 50 percent of the time, but he may have to hire other qualified people to be there when he is not available. He said the men living at the house will have been released from prison and most of them will probably be on probation.
The Blacks see that as a threat to their quality of life.
“It’s a concern about an investment in a home,’’ Patricia Black told the council. “I don’t want to give up on Mesa and move my family away.’’
She said the couple rejected the advice of a Realtor when they bought their house in downtown Mesa.
“We were trying to fight the stigma of Mesa, the negative stereotypes,’’ said Zane Black. “I don’t believe this is an appropriate place for a sober-living home.’’
Although the Blacks welcome Mesa’s move to adopt a regulation similar to Prescott’s, they said after the meeting that they are looking at other options for their family after hearing Harris describe his intentions to help five drug offenders stay clean and to reintegrate them into society.
“At this point, anything that would help monitor them, keep them under control, would be welcome,’’ Patricia said, adding that she is concerned Harris will not
In Phoenix, activists told city planning officials that the potential income was so lucrative for sober-living home operators that no home is out of their price range –even those on the market for as much as $750,000.
Harris said he wants neighbors to give him an opportunity to prove himself. He said the project got off to a difficult start when the Valjean Society bought the house, not knowing the longtime tenant was unaware that it was even for sale. He gave the angry tenant a free month’s rent and one month longer to move out, on July 1.
“We don’t want to be in an area saturated by criminality. We want to create a sanctuary for them,’’ he said, referring to the men 25 to 35 years old with a history of low-level drug arrests. “I have spent six months working with them before they even get out.’’
live there full time. “There seems to be no monitoring whatsoever.’’
Mayor John Giles told the Blacks and other historic district residents not to overreact, with downtown Mesa on the brink of a resurgence because of several large redevelopment projects. He said the city is pursuing a large residential development on the vacant Site 17, only a block away from their neighborhood.
“If you are a little bit discouraged right now, please hang on,’’ Giles said. “There are great things ahead.’’
He said Mesa is joining with Prescott and Phoenix in regulating the transitional homes and that he plans to adopt a resolution through the Arizona League of Cities and Towns, asking the state Department of Health Services to develop regulations for such homes much sooner than the two years allowed by the law passed this year in the Legislature.
The Legislature was reluctant last year to adopt any regulations, but sympathized with communities, like Prescott, that were seeing huge spikes in sober-living homes.
“We are anxious to be engaged in this issue and to provide all the protection we can, but at the same time, be respectful to people,’’ Giles said, by not violating the federal Fair Housing Act. “I think we are leading in this area.’’
Janice Gennevois, a historic preservation activist, wasn’t sure of that, saying during the meeting that other cities erect more barriers through zoning and licensing than Mesa.
“It’s really cheap and easy to come to Mesa. That’s where they are going to come,’’ she said.
He said the men realize the program will be rigorous, with requirements to attend alcohol and drug counseling, mandatory drug testing, a curfew and a camera system that will watch their behavior.
“These people have not hurt anybody. If anything, they have hurt themselves,’’ Harris said. “Our society is so plagued with the opiate epidemic. Everyone in that neighborhood knows someone who has been impacted by the opiate epidemic.’’
Harris said he works long shifts at Community Bridges three days a week and will be at the transitional-living home before and after work and on his days off. He added that he has been sober for six years and has been out of prison for 3½ years. He lives with his wife and three daughters in Ahwatukee.
“I understand there are fears and stigmas,’’ Harris said. “Society doesn’t want people to go back. We want people to recover.’’
The Blacks say sober-living homes are necessary, but they are not sure they want their children so close to one. Patricia Black said she understands downtown Mesa’s potential, but the transitional home scares her.
“I have to be skeptical,’’ she said. “I don’t know if we can stick around for that.’’
Carrillo/ Tribune Staff Photographer)
NOW OPEN IN QUEEN CREEK!
Services set for Chandler soldier killed in Somalia operation
A viewing of Staff Sgt. Alexander W. Conrad is 6-8 p.m. June 29 at St. Juan Diego Catholic Church, 3200 S. Cooper Road in Chandler.
The funeral is 10 a.m. June 30, also at St. Juan Diego Catholic Church.
A date for services and burial in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia has not yet been set.
Sgt. Conrad, 26, died of injuries suffered June 8 during an operation in Somalia while supporting Operation Octave Shield. He had been assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Four U.S. service members were injured during the attacks.
Sgt. Conrad graduated from Hamilton High School in Chandler in 2010. He was born in Mesa in 1992 and joined the U.S. Army on June 1, 2010.
Bud’s gone, but this storm tip’s for you
Arizona monsoon season is under way, and while Hurricane Bud yielded considerably less than a draught glass of rain, East Valley, this storm tip is for you: Be prepared.
Mesa is providing free sand and bags to those whose property is at risk for flooding at Fire Station 202, 830 S. Stapley Drive; Fire Station 204, 1426 S. Extension; Fire Station 205, 730 S. Greenfield; Fire Station 209, 7035 E. Southern, and Fire Station 212, 2430 S. Ellsworth.
Bring your own shovel and be prepared to do the heavy lifting. Fill the bags one-half to twothirds full. The bag should lie fairly flat. Overfilled bags are too firm and cause a leaky sand-bag wall. Tying bags is not necessary.
Filled sand bags are available at the Transportation Building, 300 E. 6th St. (west side of building), and East Mesa Service Center, 6935 E. Decatur (front parking lot). For more information about sandbag availability in Mesa call 480-644-2160.
Summer monsoon storms can develop rapidly and cause severe winds and flooding. During heavy rains, it is best to stay put. Remain in your home or business. Don’t travel unless you have to. Obey all signs and avoid low-lying areas. Do not cross running water. Put together a simple supplies kit with basics like flashlights, batteries and bottled water. Make sure you have a plan to communicate with your family and loved ones.
Hey, teachers, this Four Peaks program’s for you
The Four Peaks Treasures 4 Teachers Program, the brewing company’s classroom-supply fundraiser, returns for its eighth year supporting teachers statewide.
Teachers may pick up vouchers through July 13 and redeem them for supply kits July 23 through July 27. East Valley’s Four Peaks will purchase enough items to fill 4,500 supply kits for teachers. Four Peaks cofounder Jim Scussel created the initiative in 2010 after he learned from customers that teachers regularly run out of basic classroom supplies and often have to purchase them out of their pockets.
East Valley teachers may pick up vouchers through July 13, then redeem their vouchers for school-supply kits 4-7 p.m. July 24, at Treasures 4 Teachers, 3025 S 48th St. #101, Tempe; 4-8 p.m. July 25 and 2-6 p.m. July 27 at Four Peaks 8th Street Brewery, 1340 E 8th St #104, Tempe. Teachers also can collect their boxes at a special Teachers’ Happy Hour, 2-6 p.m. July 27 at Four Peaks 8th Street Brewery.
• Wellness Visits
• Immunizations
• Sports Physicals
• Same Day sick Appointments Available
• Most Insurance Accepted Including AHCCCS Accepting New Patients!
21805 S Ellsworth Rd, Ste B111 Queen Creek, AZ 85142
8-5, Some Saturday Appts. available | 480-821-1400 |
TEACHERS
Jan Vesely also oppose any disciplinary action. Both said teachers did nothing to be disciplined for.
“They were exercising their rights as a citizen to stand up for something they believe in, in a peaceful manner,’’ Conley said.
Added Vesely: “Kyrene teachers were not in violation of any state statute for their participation in these rallies because our schools closed during this time. All teachers and support staff made up all contract days through an extension of our district work calendar.”
And she said, “We need to praise teachers, hold them to high standards, pay them the salaries they deserve, not punish them because they refuse to treat education as a commodity and they recognize that the crisis of schooling is about the crises of democracy, economic equality and justice.”
Higley teacher Joe Bisaccia, a Democrat running for a state House seat in Legislative District 12, which covers most of Gilbert and part of Chandler, said, “I think it is totally crazy.”
He noted State Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas “definitely made this veiled threat about coming after teachers that walked out.”
Douglas is the one board member not appointed by Ducey.
“I don’t know what she is trying to accomplish her,” Bisaccia added. “There are over 2,000 vacant teacher positions in Arizona. Perhaps she should focus on that rather than on teachers walking out to secure more funding for their students and their classrooms.”
Other East Valley superintendents declined comment or did not reply to requests for comment.
Douglas did not ask for the discussion, listed on the agenda for the board meeting June 25 as a “presentation, discussion and possible action regarding the board’s authority to take disciplinary action.”
It was placed at the request of board President Lucas Narducci, a Phoenix attorney who at the board’s May meeting said he thought it was the board’s due diligence that “we have something to review,” citing “the past and ongoing conduct of RedforEd.”
RedforEd is the name of the movement that provoked thousands of teachers across the state to walk out of the classroom and shut down schools for six days. It ended after the state Legislature approved the plan that Ducey proposed as the walkout loomed to give teachers a 10 percent raise in the next school year
and 5 percent raises in the following two school years.
When another board member asked what actions he was referring to, he replied, “I really don’t know – for the way they continue...Everything that ran, from the effect on our schools, the effect on our parents, the effect on our teachers.”
He said that “in light of a few things we’ve seen this past month in our state,” he wanted to know “the author-
ity and scope of action that the board may consider in light of the past and ongoing conduct of RedforEd...If we can’t do anything, that’s fine. If we can, let’s see what we can do now and for the future.”
When another board member asked him what specifically he would put under the RedforEd category, Executive Director Alicia Williams cut Narducci short and ended the discussion by saying her staff had enough information to
know what Narducci was talking about.
“We can work with the attorney general’s office and define where the board can go,” she said. She told The Tribune on Thursday the board was not likely to act on any proposal.
Many teachers spent their time out of the classroom volunteering at programs hastily set up to feed kids who rely heavily on school meals or at others taking care of kids while parents were at work.
Ironically, the education board’s discussion comes after every East Valley school board voted to give their teachers 10 percent raises, with some teachers on the low end of the pay scale likely to get a far bigger bump in their paychecks.
Some people have been critical of Red for Ed, however, because it has taken on overtones of a political movement.
In particular, the “Invest in Ed” plan has drawn the ire of chambers of commerce and other organizations, which say its proposal for an income tax surcharge on Arizonans earning at least $250,000 annually will hurt small businesses because of the way the state taxes business earnings.
Teachers are trying to get the surcharge on the November ballot for a referendum but have until early next month to collect thousands of signatures to qualify. At a press conference several weeks ago, leaders declined to discuss their progress. Organizers of Invest for Ed say it would raise more than $600 million in new money for public schools, although chambers and other critics say it would drive wealthy Arizonans out of the state and crush businesses.
Conley said she also is not concerned that Josh Buckley, president of the Mesa Education Association, is a leader of that referendum drive.
Vesely noted that district staffers – including some superintendents themselves – as well as parents, students and community members joined the teachers in demonstrations.
“Every day, both experienced veterans and those early in their careers decide to leave the classroom in favor of lessstressful jobs that provide better compensation – jobs that allow them more time for their families and a way to make ends meet without worry or the need to find a second job,” she said.
“Teachers across America are beginning to rise up and made their voices heard, asking policymakers to honor the important work of educating our next generation by increasing funding for our schools,” Vesely added. “This is not a minor struggle, because no democracy can survive without informed citizens.”
(Kimberly Carrillo/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Teachers lined streets near schools in Mesa and throughout the East Valley in April to demand higher pay and more funding for public schools in Arizona. Now, the state Education Board wants to talk about punishing them.
(Tribune file photo)
Mesa Public Schools teacher Joshua Buckley has been a prominent leader in the Invest In Ed effort to tax the rich to fund public schools, but Superintendent Ember Conley has no problem with his activity.
Community
Mesa nonprofit promotes sports for the disabled
BY ASHLEY MACKEY Tribune Contributor
Straddling the shooting line, Zach Wharton’s feet are shoulder-width apart and his posture is relaxed. He places the arrow on its rest and snaps the nock on the bowstring. He prepares his trigger and pulls back the drawstring. He stares down the target through the sight ring and exhales one last breath before sending his arrow down the 40-yard stretch. He assesses his shot, makes his adjustments and repeats the process.
Wharton does it all from his wheelchair.
Athletes will face challenges they have to overcome. There are some, however, who must conquer different obstacles. Wharton, 23, is an archer and spokesman for Arizona Disabled Sports, a Mesa nonprofit organization founded in 1988.
“I go out in the community and I basically help spread the word of the program and how there are different sports,” said Wharton, who graduated from Red Mountain High School in 2014.
Wharton was born with spina bifida, a disorder in which the spinal cord fails to develop completely. It hasn’t prevented him from living his life to the fullest. Since he was 6, he’s played a variety of
sports, including archery, curling and air rifle, with AZDS.
“Wheelchair basketball I played for a while. Track was one of them. Field was another,” Wharton said. “I did swimming for a little bit and then came over to archery.”
AZDS’ vision statement is “Let no one sit on the sideline.” It offers a range of adaptive sports, including track and field, swimming and air rifle.
“It’s a great program for these individuals who are with a disability to give them
something to do, give them a sport to be involved in,” Wharton said.
AZDS volunteer Dalyss Perry said she is awed by what she’s seen the athletes accomplish.
“For some, it’s sight. For others, it’s physical. Some kids, their arms aren’t strong enough and they have to use their mouths to pull the arrow, which is really cool,” Perry said.
Perry said Wharton is the perfect athlete/spokesman.
“He has that personality where he
Mesa woman gets life on track through Year Up
BY MELODY BIRKETT Tribune Contributor
Odette Mimila is like a lot of East Valley students who graduate from high school. She enrolled at Mesa Community College and was off to a good start pursuing her education and career.
A year and a half later, she got pregnant. Mimila took time off to spend time with her daughter. After a few months, she wanted to get back on track with her education but wasn’t sure how to do that because she was a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals student. DACA gives young undocumented immigrants protection from deportation and a work permit.
On top of that, she was looking for a job and didn’t know how she could afford college. Her brother heard about the Year Up program and together they went to an informational session.
“I really liked how the program was run and all of the opportunities and support it creates for students,” Mimila said.
She enrolled in the one-year program last January. Classes are operated through Gateway Community College and are accelerated so students can earn as many as 30 credits, transferable to any university or community college.
Students choose from four course studies: cybersecurity, Java programming, IT help desk and business operations.
During the first six months of Year Up, students learn professional and career-de-
velopment skills, such as how to properly shake hands, write a professional e-mail and resume and make eye contact, as well as the importance of arriving on time.
Classes are structured like a full-time job – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The second half of Year Up is an internship. Any student who completes the first six months earns an internship for the next six months, when they work with some of the largest global employers with
doesn’t seem to let his disability control him. He’s very outgoing and positive about life,” Perry said. “He’ll make a bad (shot) and he goes, ‘Oh, that’s OK, I’ll do better,’ and he just makes you want to do that for yourself.”
Wharton also represented AZDS at the Diamondbacks Disability Expo – an event meant to increase awareness of the programs available for people with disabilities.
He’s been a leader for Project Lead the Way and has participated in the Walk-NRoll for Spina Bifida, a one-day walk and picnic dedicated to raising funds for the Arizona Spina Bifida Association.
In addition to those roles, Wharton advocates for sponsorships and promotes the programs at city council meetings. He said he does it because he can relate to other people with disabilities, and it also helps him break free of his comfort zone.
“It gives me the social skills to communicate with others and gives me the chance to come out and actually participate in my community,” Wharton said. “Once you start (AZDS), it’s a blast. Because, not only are you having fun yourself, but you get to have fun with other athletes.”
Information: 480-835-6273 or arizonadisabledsports.com.
(Melody Birkett/ Tribune Contributor)
Odette Mimila of Mesa found help through a program called Year Up in getting her education back on track after she had a baby.
(Ashley Mackey/Tribune Contributor)
Zach Wharton is an archer and spokesman for Arizona Disabled Sports in Mesa.
an Arizona presence.
“With our partner companies, they get a chance to apply their skills in this critical work experience to help them prepare for the final phase, which is graduation from our program,” said Kim Owens, executive director of Year Up, adding:
“At that point, they’re ready to launch a career, they’re ready to continue their education. These unemployed or underemployed young adults contribute to our community and to our economy. They’re on this path to self sufficiency.”
When Mimila finishes with the business-operations program, she’ll need one more semester of classes to get a business associate degree.
“My major goal is to be an entrepreneur, and so with that, I want to continue my education and hopefully, soon enough, I’ll get a doctorate,” Mimila said. She wants to set a good example for her daughter.
“Being able to do all of the goals I’ve set for myself will definitely benefit her and I’ll be able to give her more opportunities than if I was not pursuing this,” Mimila said.
Year Up was founded in 2000 in Bos-
ton and launched in Arizona in 2015. Since then, Year Up has served more than 530 Arizona young adults. Each semester, the program assists as many as 120 students, ages 18-24, who have a high school diploma or equivalent.
“Our mission is about empowering low-income young adults in their personal and professional lives through education and career,” Owens said.
Most students don’t have any out-ofpocket cost.
“We don’t let financial need prohibit someone from being in the program,” Owens said. “About 80 percent of students will qualify for some type of Pell Grant, federal financial aid.
“And those who don’t, if there is assistance needed, Year Up has a generous funder base and we have the means to support and scholarship students who can’t otherwise afford education. They’ll pay for the college courses, but there’s zero cost for Year Up and the support and the service we provide.”
Year Up has a rigorous admission process and accepts only motivated students who fill out an application and go for an interview.
“At the interview, they ask you more about you and what obstacles are stopping you from pursuing a higher educa-
tion,” Mimila said. Owens added, “As equally important as it is for them to know whether they have what it takes and whether they’re ready for this program, we need to ensure they have what it takes for them to be successful.”
“We call it grit. And we’re really looking at the ability for students to work hard, to know that opportunity is earned not given to you,” Owens said. “They have to work harder because of the situation that’s bringing them there.”
Mimila said that it’s about being prepared, motivated, doing what is necessary and wanting to complete the task for each day.
“For everyone of those students, we have employers lined up who want their talent, who are looking to bring them into their companies,” Owens said. “So, it’s opportunity and we become the brokers of that opportunity to help these young people who have the talent but lack the access, find the companies who have the jobs but lack the talent. It’s a perfect marriage.”
Year Up regularly receives positive feedback from employers about its interns. Year Up is enrolling students for August and January classes. Information: yearup. org.
BY LEE SHAPPELL Tribune Managing Editor
Shannon Tolbert had reached a difficult time in her life and wasn’t quite sure how to manage it. She was losing sleep, taking medication and feeling as though she was running on fumes every day, she said. “I was in a very stressful leadership role for a Fortune 500 company, and people don’t realize what that can do to you –anxiety, insomnia,” Tolbert said. “I was waking up at 2 and 3 in the morning, and over time that can cause even more problems.”
Finally, on the referral of a friend, she found her way to acupuncture, and that proved to be a life-changing event.
Not only did acupuncture treatment improve her condition, it became her passion, and now her business. Tolbert
is franchise owner of the new Modern Acupuncture Dana Park, at 1652 S. Val Vista Drive, Suite 105 in Mesa.
“After my first session, I slept uninterrupted for seven hours and I woke up screaming to my husband, ‘I slept through the night! I slept through the night!’” she said. “I became a believer that day.”
Her 1,200-square-foot Dana Park facility, which opened June 7, features 11 zero-gravity acupuncture chairs in the Zen Den, a relaxing retreat where traditional and cosmetic acupuncture is administered. Construction began recently on her second facility, at Williams Field Road and Santan Village Parkway in Gilbert.
Tolbert had done a five-year stint with a large financial institution, in which she learned the franchise industry, how to evaluate opportunities, what it takes
to make a franchise successful and lending money to franchisees.
“It was the perfect storm, where my passion met with my business experience,” she said of purchasing a Modern Acupuncture franchise.
Tolbert acknowledges that she turned to acupuncture as a last resort, and as a result she was not a “Nervous Nellie” about being stuck by needles.
“At that point, I was ready to try anything,” she said.
But for those who are skittish when they come to Modern Acupuncture, her staff is trained to put them at ease.
“We actually show them the needle, how small it is,” Tolbert said. “You can fit 35 to 40 of ours inside a needle that is normally used to draw blood. Then we also tell them that we’ve treated children
Acupuncture franchisee sticks to what worked for her Game stores growing in popularity across East Valley
BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA
Tribune Contributor
Jeff Caples describes his Gilbert game store, GamesU, as “Cheers, without the bar” – a comfortable place to go where everybody knows your name.
The same sentiment is echoed by the owners of Gateway Games in Mesa, founded by Les and Janice Tanzer in September 2017, and Mike Griffin of Desert Sky Games, who opened his store in a larger Chandler location the same month.
The three stores bustle with business. Visiting any one of them will typically showcase gamers of all ages pursuing the shelves of games for sale.
Some try out board or card games in special stay-as-long-as-you’d-like game rooms or compete in regularly scheduled role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons or various trading card games like Magic: The Gathering.
Their calendars are chockablock with activities with weeknight and weekend games, including the parent-child popular Starwars Destiny and Pokemon, and other popular games like Pandemic, and
And don’t look for the $9.99 specials, though there are trading cards that circle that price.
Today’s games can cost big bucks.
“You’re talking games running more than $100,” said Gateway Games’ Janice Tanzer. “Games are expensive. Gloomhaven is priced at $140 and we can’t even get it. I heard it’s being sold online for as much as $200.”
Tal’dore, with specific characters based on the original “Vox Machina” cast.
These aren’t the board games played on rainy days back home. But don’t discount the standards like Scrabble and Monopoly; they’re still around.
But newer games like Catan and Carcassone are all the rage for family game nights or adult competitive gatherings.
Those prices prompted the game stores’ owners to make many of their board games available for rent at Gateway, or for play instore at all three establishments. Pick a game, find a private room or table and experiment before handing over your credit card – or hardearned allowance.
The resurgence of board games and the popularity of game stores are not just local phenomena.
According to Euromonitor International, a global market research company, sales of games and puzzles grew by 15 percent in 2016, while industry news outlet ICv2
proclaimed sales in the United States and Canada that year surged by 21 percent.
Both say more than 5,000 new board games were introduced in the United States alone in 2016.
To get an idea of the vast number of games available and/or coming available, a perusal of BoardGameGeek.com will be an eye-opener.
And the game store business is blossoming across the country.
GamesU, Gateway Games and Desert Sky Games are reaping the results of this renaissance of tabletop games, which provide real-time connection between people, so unlike most online games.
For the owners of these area game stores, having these stores as their place of business is the culmination of years of dreaming.
“I’ve been planning and dreaming this for a quarter of a century,” said Jeff Caples, 46, of GamesU, which proclaims itself “Smart Games for Smart People.”
“I spent most of my adult life contemplating this. My first job, at age 17, was
(Special to the Tribune
Owner Shannon Tolbert hopes that clients find Modern Acupuncture to be a relaxing retreat, where they unwind to peaceful music while experiencing the benefits of the sessions, which typically are 30 minutes or shorter.
(Special to the Tribune
Les and Janice Tanzer opened Gateway Games in Mesa last September and are riding the wave of the growing popularity of all kinds of games.
in a game store in Diamond Bar, California. The owners basically taught me to run the business. By 18, I was actually running the business – hiring, ordering, operating it day-byday,” he said.
Caple served in the U.S. Army, attended a local police academy and returned to the Army before changing careers to teach math and social studies in Phoenix and at Mesa’s Kino Junior High School.
“As much as I loved teaching – and I absolutely loved being in the classroom and loved being with my students – this is something I wanted to do, needed to do, planned to do,” he said.
Today’s game stores are well lit, clean and welcoming. This may sound normal for a business, but until the recent resurgence of board and card games, many game stores were too often described as cave-like and well, smelly.
“We try to be a step above,” said Janice Tanzer, Gateway Games’ co-owner with her husband, Les, an electrical plans examiner for the city of Phoenix.
“Our store is bright and clean, and we have three private rooms, including a Dungeon & Dragons room that has a projector on the ceiling to project a detailed map,” she said, adding:
“We have a demo library of more than 120 games that people can sit down and play. If they don’t like one, they can pick out another one.”
The couple purchased the former QCB Fun Store and rechristened it Gateway Games last September. They already were avid gamers themselves.
“We’ve both played games pretty much, all our lives; we have quite a selection at home,” she said.
Added her husband: “I started playing the original Dungeons & Dragons in 1977 and continued until around 1986.”
Their oldest son reignited the spark with the introduction of D&D to QCB, suggesting they start a game night. It blossomed from there.
Their Mesa storefront, at 2,100 square feet, is a draw every day of the week, but particularly late afternoons, evenings and weekends. On Fridays and Saturdays, their store is open until 11 p.m. GamesU is open Friday and Saturdays until midnight.
Besides D & D, Tanzer said, Magic: The Gathering is a big pull, especially among high school and college students.
“And we have families come and play games,” she asserted. “The Star Wars Des-
tiny is scheduled every week and we have father-and-child sets that play that regularly.”
Desert Sky Games, 3875 W. Ray Road in Chandler, is owned by Mike Griffin, who operated his store at two other locations before moving into this 6,100-square-foot storefront.
“It’s larger than our other two stores combined,” said Griffin of the previous locations in Tempe and Gilbert. “We had 104 people last Friday night in our game room.”
Like the other owners, owning a game store has been a long percolating dream.
“I’ve been wanting to do this since I was a teenager,” admitted Griffin. “I’m a software engineer and we have an physicist and electrical engineer here, so we have a pretty well-educated staff.”
Desert Sky Games also has an in-house arcade with eight machines, with more planned. Griffin agreed families are also among the regular customers, especially participating in “very family-oriented” Pokemon competitions at 3 p.m. Sundays. A Monday Pokemon play tends to pull college students.
As if to confirm the increasing popularity of neighborhood game stores, a recently released book may provide additional proliferation. “Friendly Local Game Store: A Five Year Path to a Middle-Class Income” by Gary L. Ray is already spurring interest nationwide.
Games U
1550 N. Stonehenge Drive Suite 102
Gilbert
480-497-6003 | gamesuaz.com
Gateway Games
8743 E. Pecos Road
Suite 108
Mesa
480-341-2299 | gatewaygamesaz.com
Desert Sky Games
3875 W. Ray Road, Suite 7
Chandler
602-615-5214
desertskygames.crystalcommerce.com
ACUPUNCTURE
from page 13
as young as 10. That usually changes an adult’s mindset. And we’ll put into the notes for our acupuncturist to handle them with great care.”
Modern Acupuncture, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Scottsdale, bills itself as the first franchise to deliver the natural health and cosmetic benefits of acupuncture in a retreat-like setting in highly accessible neighborhood locations across the country. Unlike traditional acupuncture, Modern Acupuncture does not require the removal of any clothing to access full-body health.
“We are so different,” Tolbert said. “At the top my list is that we are branded. If you drive around the Valley, you may see a lot of signs that say ‘acupuncture,’ but there’s no brand. If you see ‘Modern Acupuncture,’ you can go to any of them. We’re branded.
“Anther thing is the average American is on a tight budget, and they’re being charged $100-plus for one acupuncture session.”
Modern Acupuncture’s Pathway Plan for traditional acupuncture is $69 a month and includes two sessions, preferred scheduling and additional visits at $20. The Pathway Plan for cosmetic acupuncture is $89 a month and includes two cosmetic sessions, which include traditional acupuncture, preferred scheduling and additional visits at $30. Walk-in sessions are $59 for traditional and $79 for cosmetic.
“We’re affordable,” Tolbert said. “And the last thing that makes us different is that we are very Zen.”
By that, Tolbert said, she means that clients find a visit to Modern Acupuncture to be a relaxing retreat, where they unwind to peaceful music amid contemporary décor with calming colors while experiencing the benefits of the sessions, which typically are 30 minutes or shorter.
Guests receive a customized consultation with an advisor and then are taken to the Zen Den, with its lounge-style recliners, calming sounds and cool earth tones, for the session with a licensed acupuncturist, who is certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Acupuncturists not only must complete a three-year master’s degree from an accredited school, but they are trained further in the specific methods used at Modern Acupuncture by Robert Doane, co-founder of Modern Acupuncture and world-renowned acupuncturist and educator.
(Special to the
The 1,200-square-foot Modern Acupuncture Dana Park features 11 zero-gravity acupuncture chairs in the Zen Den, a relaxing retreat where traditional and cosmetic acupuncture is administered.
“Most places, when you walk in, it’s a very sterile environment, like a doctor’s office. It’s not a place of relaxation,” Tolbert said. “When you come into our clinic, our Zen Den is tranquil. You’re in a zero-gravity leather chair. It calms you down. Most of our clients actually fall asleep during treatment.”
The East Valley is an under-served market regarding alternative methods of healing, according to Tolbert, raising her confidence that Modern Acupuncture Dana Park will be popular in Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe and Chandler.
An introductory free session is available through July 7.
“Last week, a husband and wife were walking by, one obviously in severe pain, the other just wanting to try it out,” Tolbert said. “Long story short, they both tried it and they both bought packages.”
Modern Acupuncture Dana Park is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information or to book an appointment, visit modernacupuncture.com/az004 or call 480-508-4616. Walk-ins are welcome.
Modern Acupuncture offers franchisee opportunities to qualified entrepreneurs. For information, visit www. modacu.com or call 480-999-5505.
Tribune
(Special to the Tribune
People can gather at Gateway Games in Mesa to try out games and even engage in some spirited competition with other customers.
Online-taxing decision threatens Gilbert eBay business
BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Tribune Staff Writer
As the Internet continues to change the face of the retail industry throughout the country, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision that could affect hundreds of thousands of people who sell items online.
That national debate hit close to home for Gilbert resident Theresa Cox, who has spent years building a successful small business on eBay and has been recognized by the company as a top seller.
Cox has been particularly worried about the South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc. case. In a 5-4 decision, the court sided with South Dakota, allowing states to impose retail and use taxes on online sellers from other states even if they don’t have a physical presence in that state.
Cox began selling items on eBay in 1997, two years after the company was founded and before many Gilbert residents had an Internet connection in their home.
“In 1997, it was completely different,” she said. “There was no PayPal and when you sold something, the buyer would send their (address), and you drove to the post office. It was all very manual.”
Buyer expectations also have changed.
“If you got your item in 30 days 20 years ago you were happy,” Cox said. “Now people expect everything in three to five days.”
“It’s a completely different ballgame,” she said.
Cox first started off selling red items, an homage to her love of the color, and now sells through her eBay store, ClubRed97. Selling online is now her sole source of income.
“Like most eBay sellers, you start in a niche and then expand to anything you can find and make a profit on,” she said. She then began selling off items from her large Gilbert home in order to downsize, including a large collection of practically unused toys and games that had been in a playroom for her niece and nephew. She now also makes money via retail arbitrage – buying items on discount at retail stores and reselling online at markedup prices.
A previous Supreme Court decision from 1992 (Quill Corp. v. South Dakota) found that states can only force companies to collect sales tax if the business has a physical presence in that state.
The result of the Wayfair case reverses the Quill decision, meaning Cox and
similar small business owners may have to navigate the complex web of sales tax regulations and jurisdictions that have cropped up since 1992. There currently are over 10,000 sales tax jurisdictions in the U.S., according to the Tax Foundation.
“The compliance costs are high because not everything is taxable the same in each state,” said John Buhl, media relations manager for the Tax Foundation. “There is a lot of complexity that gets overlooked.”
However, the Wayfair decision is limited because the court supported only South Dakota’s law, which includes some protections for sellers. It noted that more complicated state laws adopted in the future still could be struck down if the court determines they impose an undue burden on interstate commerce.
The Tax Foundation actually filed a brief in the case in which it did not support either party but did ask the court to uphold South Dakota’s law without tacitly approving more cumbersome laws.
The Wayfair decision worries Cox.
“I’m disappointed in this decision and am very concerned about the impact that it will have on small businesses like mine,” she said. “I hope that Congress will now step in to decide what constitutes a small business and hopefully they will keep in mind the stories that we were able to share while we were in D.C.”
“For many small businesses today, it’s not uncommon to have $1 million in sales and still be a small business with a limited number of employees. Congress needs to do their homework when deter-
Dakota’s law is acceptable because it includes protections for companies that do only limited business in the state and does not allow for retroactive application of the sales tax. Kennedy also wrote that South Dakota has a Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement that reduces administrative and compliance costs for sellers.
Third-party marketplaces like Amazon or eBay also could provide solutions for sellers.
While that is true, Buhl pointed out that those resources will not come cheap for small businesses.
“Solutions are out there, and no one will be left out completely,” he said. “They will just be more reliant on the small group of software that is out there and have to pay a fee that would affect their bottom line.”
Cox echoed those sentiments.
mining the definition of a small business.”
Bills have existed in Congress since 2008 that would deal with the issue. The most recent incarnation of these never made it out of the House of Representatives, though some lawmakers considered attaching it to the recent spending bill.
That bill would have allowed states to tax out-of-state sellers without a physical presence in the state, but it also would have offered some protections for sellers like Cox.
“That bill would have protected sellers from getting audited from a bunch of different locations by requiring one point of contact in each state,” Buhl said. “For small sellers, states would have had to pay for the cost to run software for compliance and collection.”
Without included protections, state or federal laws on the topic could put an undue burden on small businesses.
“The smaller the businesses, the larger the burden,” Buhl said.
The Tax Foundation is advocating for states to simplify their standards and guidelines to make the tax process as simple as possible.
“The easier sales tax compliance is, the more it benefits all parties,” Buhl said.
Supporters of the Supreme Courts recent decision have argued that states are currently missing out on needed sales tax revenue and software now exists that would make navigating those tax regulations much easier for business owners.
Writing on behalf of the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy stated that South
What started as a hobby slowly grew over time until Cox decided to quit her finance job at Arizona State University over two years ago to begin selling full time. While she has created a thriving business in that time, the prospect of changing tax regulations has intimidated Cox due to –and not in spite of – her background in finance.
“The (potential) online sales tax legislation is something that scared me because my background is in operations and finance,” Cox said.
Cox said that when she worked in the University of California system she had to participate in sales tax audits, but she had a staff and expensive software to help at the time.
For small businesses that cannot afford those resources, the burden of navigating hundreds of different tax regulations could prove fatal.
“When I looked at the legislation, I saw that it would put a lot of small businesses out of business,” Cox said.
The issue is so important to Cox that she traveled to Washington, D.C. in May to meet with lawmakers and advocate on behalf of small businesses that operate via online platforms like eBay.
In Arizona, Cox runs a group on meetup.com called EVIES, or East Valley Innovative eBay Sellers. The group meets up twice a month to offer advice and discuss topics related to improving members’ businesses. The group has around 80 members and meetings typically have up to 40 people in attendance.
The group is also planning to meet with Reps. Andy Biggs (R-5) and Kyrsten Synema (D-9) to discuss the issues facing online sellers.
(Special to the Tribune
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last week that allows states to tax online sales worries Theresa Cox, who has had a lucrative eBay business. She’s hoping Congress will soften the blow of that decision by passing a bill that would ban retroactive application of the tax.
Many suspects in the erosion of credibility and trust
BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist
Growing up, my family had a ritual in the old apartment in Queens. Dinner at 6 served on our scratched-up glass table surrounded by four Formica chairs, followed by a half-hour of Walter Cronkite and the CBS Evening News.
This was the 1970s, when the anchorman was at the peak of his powers, and Cronkite was the most trusted of the breed. What Walter Cronkite said, America believed.
Now, it’s 40-odd years later. Now, when broadcasters, the newspaper, Facebook, Twitter or a website delivers information, we don’t know what to believe.
Nor should we, given the current state of America, our political leaders and our media.
This strikes me as among the saddest of many sad facts revealed by the national fistfight over illegal immigrant children
being forcibly separated from their parents.
Amid the conflicting stories, shrill spin, weeping, fury, Old Testament citations and the Trump administration’s statements, Tweets and briefings, I found myself confused not by the morality of this issue, but by the actual damn facts.
It may be the shining achievement of President Trump’s leadership-by-gaslight style: It is now impossible to discern what is going on in America amid all the screaming and diametrically opposed tales.
Not that this is all Trump’s fault. Three other parties share complicity in this disaster, and each demand its share of flogging. There’s the Democrat opposition; there’s the media; and there’s the public, as in you and me.
So far as the Democrats go, their inability to separate what works politically from what’s true makes many of them the opposite side of a Trump silver dollar – an idea he’ll likely float any day now.
They despise this president as much
as he loves himself, which renders their judgment and credibility equally suspect. Think about it: Who among today’s Democratic leaders would you trust with your wallet, your kids, your future? If there’s an FDR in this bunch, he or she has yet to say boo.
And if the Democrats clean up in the November midterms, it will be less a mandate and more a case of swing voters – disaffected independents and moderates – holding our noses and picking the seemingly lesser of two evils.
Which is how President Trump got elected in the first place.
As for the media, reporters from national outlets to local seem more committed than ever to “journalism by rollercoaster.” They lurch from crisis to crisis, sideshow to sideshow, context and news judgment be damned, a bloodthirsty mass with the judiciousness of a mosquito on sweaty flesh.
Many reporters posit that “fake news” is the fault of a dumb public unable to discern the difference between fiction and fact.
My take? If real news wasn’t so full of cliches and so often so wrong, fake news would never have taken hold. When a Russian bot can capture the public’s attention, but a real news reporter can’t, perhaps it’s not the public’s fault, but the fault of shoddy real news.
Which isn’t to say the public merits full acquittal. Used to be, I was a news junkie – a columnist and radio yakker who consumed journalism like comfort food.
Now? I’m less curious about the front page than the box scores or obituaries. I’ve run out of curiosity, despite decades of being taught that understanding current events isn’t merely smart – it’s our civic duty.
How I miss simpler times, when Walter Cronkite summed each day by saying, “And that’s the way it is.” Cronkite said it, so it was true.
The way it is today? Who knows? And, most days, it’s so confusing and distasteful, who can summon the energy to care?
Invest in Ed Initiative will devastate small business
BY RONALD S. ELWOOD Tribune Contributor
I’m a small business owner: I offer accounting, CFO, and CPA services to my clients, many of whom are other small businesses. I provide strategic and financial expertise to avoid risk, leverage opportunity, and maximize returns. In other words, I know good investments from bad ones.
The proponents of the “Invest in Education” initiative may have a laudable goal –improving our education system through providing additional revenues. However, I believe they have made several dire miscalculations. Arizonans should beware: This is a bad investment. The costs will far outweigh any potential gains. Currently, Arizona has five income tax brackets, starting at 2.59 percent and topping off at 4.54 percent. With less than 2 percent separating the bottom
from the top brackets, our state does not disincentivize individuals from working hard to make more money. This is especially true for the thousands of small businesses in our state.
The majority of small businesses in Arizona are S-corps and LLCs. One main difference between their organizational structure compared to large businesses (mostly formed as C-corps) is how they are taxed. Small businesses’ income is “passed through” to the individual side, meaning they pay personal income taxes on their small business profits.
The “Invest in Education” initiative proposes a complicated and confusing new income tax system in our state. It increases our five brackets to seven and instead of each bracket applying one tax rate, each bracket is taxed two separate rates – a minimum tax liability based upon the upper threshold of the previous bracket plus a higher rate on the excess income over that threshold. Based upon
this added complexity alone, it will cost people more to do their taxes as well as cost them more in taxes.
Doubling the top two rates is incredibly unfair to the little business that pays personal income taxes on business profits. It will severely limit their ability to reinvest in their operations, hire people, and expand. It also puts them at a competitive disadvantage to larger corporations that are taxed at a flat 4.9 percent.
Ultimately, if passed, this proposition will drive start-ups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to other states with a more competitive, less burdensome tax system that doesn’t punish their success.
Voters should also be aware that Arizona has what is called the Voter Protection Act. This locks in any initiative passed at the ballot box and precludes the elected Legislature from making any changes to the law unless they have a three-quarter majority vote and they further the intent of the proposition. Effectively, this will
make the new income tax system permanent and make it impossible to tweak in the future.
I know the complexity of taxes, and I know the best way to debate and craft a modern, simple and effective tax system is not at the ballot box.
As has occurred in California, other high-tax states and at the federal level, those who choose to stay in Arizona and who have the most resources and influence will find ways to shelter their hardearned income.
My clients, the small business owner, will have no such advantage. Because the Legislature will be unable to make requisite fixes to the brackets and rates, tax credit programs and carve-outs will be the go-to mechanism. This will only further complicate our tax code as well as create greater inequities.
-Ronald Elwood is a certified public accountant.
Sports & Recreation
Chandler Wolves hoops team growing during summer play
BY ERIC NEWMAN Tribune Staff Writer
This was a high school chemistry experiment that did not end with a disastrous explosion.
Chandler High School’s mixing of basketball players to find effective combinations and rotations during summer-league games was a success. That it won a major tournament in the process is good, too.
As rewarding as the Wolves’ recent championship was in the Arizona Summer 64 tournament, including a titlegame defensive clamp-down on Brophy, a 6A semifinalist last season, Chandler coach Jonathan Rother said summer basketball is an opportunity to tinker with lineups and develop player rotations.
“It’s nice to win, obviously, but summer’s about getting some chemistry,” said Rother, set to enter his first full season after serving as interim coach. “We’ve been working out and getting shots up every day. And the summer is about finding which kids gel together, and bringing new kids up from JV and seeing how they mesh with the returning varsity players.”
In summer league, Rother gives some players more minutes than he might give them during the regular season. It’s their chance to showcase their skills, the payoff
for the work they have put in throughout the offseason.
As summer leagues and tournaments grind on, Rother can place players in pressure situations to see how they respond,
in hopes of developing his roster’s mental game as much as its physical conditioning.
He said there is still work to do but the team continues to improve with each game. A long tournament with little rest between tough contests, especially when the talent is as deep as the Arizona Summer 64 tournament, is a test. Chandler won six games in three days.
In the June 16 title game at Cesar Chavez, Chandler, after leading by 11 points at halftime, saw Brophy cut the lead to two with 26 seconds left. Chandler then missed a pair of free throws with 15 seconds to go and had to make one last defensive stop to secure the 42-40 victory over a team that beat the Wolves twice last season, both in overtime. Much like the Wolves’ style during 2017-18 that ended in a less-than-ideal 13-16 record, it was a defensive battle.
“The last 10 minutes of the game, you could see that we were fading a little bit mentally and physically, but that’s a teach-
Ex-Mtn. Pointe assistant settles in as Marcos football coach
BY BRIAN BENESCH Tribune Contributor
Eric Lauer seems to have found a home as Marcos de Niza High School’s new football coach.
Lauer, a former longtime Mountain Pointe assistant, clearly is in command on the practice field already, and the Padres appear to be embracing him.
The sport provides valuable life lessons, far more than learning Xs and Os, Lauer believes. He relishes teaching those lessons in the hope that success on the field translates to success off of it for his players.
“It’s an honor to be called coach. I’ve never taken that lightly,” Lauer said before a recent summer practice. “I’m just trying to focus on what lasts, and that’s education and character.”
Leading a football team is something Lauer had worked toward for nearly a decade with his mentor, former Pride coach Norris Vaughan. Vaughan’s long-
time right-hand man is taking the lessons he learned and applying them to his new squad.
“His focus was always on what’s important and being deliberate about what you do. Everyone needs to know what expectations are. I’m preaching that to our kids now,” Lauer said.
Replacing Paul Moro, the state’s winningest high school football coach, at Marcos in May was an opportunity Lauer could not pass up. Lauer is no stranger to winning, himself. At Mountain Pointe, the Pride won a big-school state title, reached the championship two other seasons, and played in the state semifinals in eight out of nine years.
When reflecting on his tenure with the Pride, which also included time with legendary coach Karl Kiefer, Lauer said that his fondest memory wasn’t the 2013 state championship win under Vaughan. It was Kiefer not hesitating to suspend a few star players after they were caught drinking at a homecoming dance.
Kiefer’s dedication to upholding moral values made a lasting impression on Lauer.
“Karl Kiefer said that they were done without hesitation,” Lauer recalled.
“Since then, I’ve always thought about worst-case scenarios. You’ve got to be ready to lose your best player. That was the greatest example of putting your values to work.”
That experience helped shape Lauer as a coach and as a person of strong character.
He is applying those values as he transitions into his role with the Padres: The coach has high expectations for his team on and off the field.
On the field, the Padres are expected to be a contender in 4A under Lauer this season. They went 21-10 the last three seasons, including a championship appearance in 2015.
“Our secondary is big, with real good speed. Our O-line will be one of the big-
(Special to the Tribune)
Chandler sophomore Carson Kelly drives against Brophy during the Arizona Summer 64 tournament championship game on June 16 at Cesar Chavez.
WOLVES
able moment because there’s going to be a lot of times in the season where we’re tired or we’ve played a bunch of games in a row. So it’s just getting through that adversity,” he said.
Loaded with talented seniors for 2018-19, Chandler will have a full summer’s experience with Rother.
coach Jonathan Rother coaches his team during the Arizona Summer 64 tournament championship game on June 16 at Cesar Chavez High.
Senior Carl Wilson said beating Brophy for the tournament championship hopefully will supply some motivation and energy.
“It’s a major confidence boost. Last year we had a decent season, but we knew we could do better. It’s really our defense, and we rely on our defense every single game,” Wilson said. “This is some revenge for us.”
Chandler sophomore Carson Kelly said confidence in the bench players makes it easier to give full effort on the defensive end, even if it means a few less minutes a game because of fatigue.
“We don’t really worry about ourselves getting tired on defense. We put it all out there, and just let coach know if we’re tired. We know the bench and the other teammates really have our back, so it’s
pretty easy to just play as hard as you can,” Kelly said.
Rother expects that his players, who will split into various club teams later in the summer, will continue to bond and understand the importance of team chemistry and communication on and off the court.
“It’s only been a couple weeks and I’m already really seeing the guys come together to fight not just for themselves, but each other,” Rother said.
“It makes me excited for the regular season because I can keep giving them more and more and they’re soaking it in like sponges.”
ger groups in the conference,” Lauer said. He expects the offense to be the engine that powers the Padres.
More specifically, he believes that they will impose their will on opponents through a dominant run game, just as the Pride did under Vaughan.
Lauer’s confidence stems from what he’s seen out of junior Yakeen Baylis, who rushed for 1,130 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, last season.
“At 190 pounds, he can cut on a dime. The run game can be demoralizing,” Lauer said. “A lot of teams want to base their mentality off defense. We want offense. Our mentality will come off running the ball.”
That mentality will, of course, be combined with the coach’s message of accountability.
Just as he did with the Pride, Lauer is taking his role as a leader of men seriously at Marcos de Niza.
“Accountability and discipline will go a long way,” Lauer said. “We tell them to give us Monday through Thursday, and Friday nights will be here soon.”
Chandler basketball
Travelers get taste of Valley’s top restaurants at Sky Harbor
BY NICOLE HEHL GETOUT Contributor
Imagine an airport experience that feels like a night on the town. When the TSArecommended two-hour preflight arrival time flies by as you dine at some of the best Valley restaurants, and flight delays invite you to leisurely sip unique tequilas, wines and local craft beers.
What you’re imagining is Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where national restaurant chains and fastfood spots have been replaced with more than 20 local favorites that reflect the Arizona culinary experience. Terminal 3 travelers also will delight in local dining options, with more than a dozen homegrown restaurants opening over the next few years.
Local restaurateurs are excited to represent Phoenix and introduce their concepts to the more than 40 million travelers flying through Sky Harbor each year. Among the new arrivals to Terminal 3 are Joyride Taco House and Postino WineCafé from Phoenix-based hospitality group Upward Projects.
“Like any traveler, we love visiting new places and experiencing a taste of local culture,” said Lauren Bailey, Upward Projects CEO and co-founder. “We’re proud to support Sky Harbor’s efforts to add more local flavor and give both visitors and locals a true taste of Phoenix’s amazing food scene.”
With full-service restaurants and bars, fast-service counter dining and fresh prepackaged options, you’ll have the chance to enjoy these popular local dining spots even if you’re running for a flight. There also are several pre-security options, perfect for meeting friends passing through on a short layover.
While your options run the gastronomic gamut from burgers and barbecue to Mexican and French cuisine, the common theme among the local spots is fresh, scratch-made menu items with often locally sourced ingredients. Plus, many offer a special perk for travelers that can’t be found at the original locations: breakfast.
Terminal 4
If you’re planning a departure from Terminal 4, build extra time into your travel
itinerary for some delish local fare at these spots:
Barrio Café (Gate D1)
Experience the funky vibe, vibrant artwork and tantalizing take on Mexican street food at this nationally renowned spot. Pair signature dishes like tableside guacamole or cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) with one of nearly a dozen margaritas or slip into the intimate tequila tasting room to take the edge off your travels.
Blanco Tacos & Tequila (A5)
Watch the planes arrive and depart while sipping a sangria at this award-winning Sam Fox spot. The Mexican-inspired specialties include street tacos, fajitas and cheese crisps, plus breakfast options like huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos for morning travelers.
Cowboy Ciao (B22)
This local favorite offers a uniquely Southwestern American menu with a global twist served up overlooking the tarmac. Eat your way through the day with choices ranging from chocolate-chip pancakes and the chicken-and-waffle sandwich to filet mignon and the exotic mushroom pan fry.
Delux (A22)
Get your burger fix with one of the best burgers in Phoenix. The Camelback-born eatery serves Niman Ranch, all-natural, vegetarian-fed beef with no antibiotics or hormones. Stop by from breakfast to late night for a hearty burger, delicious hotdogs and savory sweet-potato fries.
Chelsea’s Kitchen (pre-security)
Delight in a taste of this local favorite serving American and Southwestern dishes, including gluten-free and vegetarianfriendly options. Keep it light with deviled eggs (yes, add the bacon) and a Brussels sprouts salad or indulge with the green chile burger finished off with a scoop or two of Grateful Spoon Gelato.
Cheuvront Restaurant & Wine Bar (pre-security)
Cheese and wine? Yes, please! Relax with a glass of wine from an extensive collection paired with an award-winning artisan cheese selection, or choose from the eclectic menu of salads, burgers, sandwiches and “haute dawgs.”
Four Peaks Brewery Company (A20)
With Four Peaks’ award-winning brews on tap at this airport pub, you’ll be hoping for a flight delay. The beer-inspired menu includes Kilt Lifter fish and chips, Brewery burgers, beer-bread sandwiches and a variety of soups and salads.
Humble Pie (A20, C3)
Pick up a 10-inch specialty pie like the famous SOP topped with Humble Pie’s signature sausage, caramelized onion, roasted
red pepper, mozzarella and ricotta. Other tasty options at this quick-serve location include breakfast wraps, burgers and salads.
Joe’s Real BBQ (pre-security)
If you haven’t made it the original Joe’s in Gilbert, you no longer have to miss out on what is considered some of the best barbecue in the United States. Dig into meal plates, sandwiches and other specialties featuring your choice of meats slowcooked over pecan wood.
La Grande Orange (D1)
Grab a seat at this counter-service café for tasty salads, sourdough pizza, sandwiches, soups and baked goods, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Try the California burger with guacamole and Havarti cheese on a famous LGO English muffin or the signature LGO tuna Niçoise. Complete your meal with a decadent scoop of Grateful Spoon Gelato.
Lola Coffee (pre-security)
This central Phoenix-born spot has your preflight pick-me-up, covered with artisan roasted coffees, breakfast pastries and sandwiches.
Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles (pre-security)
Phoenix earns its soul-food credentials with this popular combo of juicy, flavorful, fried chicken and fluffy, melt-in-yourmouth waffles.
Los Taquitos (C3)
This sibling-run taco shop serves up its award-winning family recipes with tacos, burritos, tortas and quesadillas. Get there early for a carne asada breakfast torta topped with eggs, avocado and beans.
Matt’s Big Breakfast (B5)
Anytime is a good time for breakfast, and Matt’s serves it up all day with thick-cut peppered bacon, cage-free eggs, Niman Ranch ground-chuck butter burgers and hand-cut home fries. Wash it down with a fresh-squeezed orange juice or lemonade.
Modern Burger (A2)
This quick-service burger counter offers a simple menu of juicy burgers, hot dogs
(Special to the Tribune)
Dozens of Valley restaurants have a presence at Sky Harbor International Airport.
SKY HARBOR
and salads. Top your burger with bacon and a fried egg, or save room to wash it down with a milkshake. (Or do both. We don’t judge.)
Nocawich (C2, C3)
Dine in or grab and go with a menu of gourmet breakfast and brunch dishes, salads and sandwiches. Enjoy comfort classics with a gourmet makeover like the CB&J with cashew butter and blackberry jam and the popular fried-chicken sando with slaw, pickles and honey hot sauce.
Olive & Ivy (A3)
Enjoy a preflight meal of light, Mediterranean classics, such as paninis, salads and soups, plus smoothies and breakfast favorites. And energize your travels with a white mocha or other espresso drink.
Pita Jungle (B3)
This is a Valley favorite for globally inspired healthy fare showcasing lean proteins, veggies, grains and legumes. Dip into a plate of jalapeño cilantro hummus, sample the popular Mediterranean roasted chicken pita or choose from wraps, salads, soups and sides.
Sauce (pre-security)
This quick-service Italian spot brings the casual feel of its street-side locations to Sky Harbor. Create your own gourmet
pizza (gluten-free crust is available) or go for specialty pies like the portobello and artichoke or chicken Caesar and Parmesan. Other options include bruschetta, soup, pasta, panini and chopped salads, as well as a kids’ menu.
Wildflower (pre-security, A9)
This hometown favorite is a fast and friendly spot with a passion for great food and outstanding service. The award-winning bakery is open 24 hours a day with an array of breakfast, lunch and dinner options from fresh artisan breads and pastries to hearty sandwiches and healthy salads.
Zinc Brasserie (A1 (Grab and Go), C11)
Slip into a rich leather booth and transport your taste buds to France with classics like warm dungeness crab crepes, crispy duck confit, or the Zinc omelet stuffed with French ham and Gruyere. Or stop by grab-and-go location for gourmet baguette sandwiches, crepes and melty French onion soup.
Other grab-and-go locations for fast sandwiches and salads include Dilly’s Deli (A17, A7) and Focaccia Fiorentina (B7). For a sweet indulgence, stop by Sweet Republic (B5) for all-natural, artisan ice cream or enjoy cakes, cookies and baked treats from
acclaimed bakery Tammie Coe Cakes (A25).
Terminal 3
The new Terminal 3 dining options are slated to open late this year to early 2019 in the new south concourse with more coming to the north concourse in 2020. Here’s what you have to look forward to:
Ajo Al’s Mexican Café
Crave Grounds
Christopher’s Crush
Joy Ride Taco House
Leoni’s Focaccia
Mustache Pretzels
Original Chop Shop
Phoenix Ale Brewery Central Kitchen
Postino
The Parlor
The Tavern
Tru Burger Co
Überrito Fresh Mex
Primary Election Day is August 28 , and debates are taking place across Arizona. Hosted by Citizens Clean Elections Commission , candidates discuss the issues that hit close to home, so you can vote informed on Election Day. For information on debate times, locations and viewing options, visit azcleanelections.gov/debates
(Special to
Stick with this salad to beat Arizona’s summer heat
Steak sandwich with cheese spread is a super dad’s meal
BY JAN D’ATRI Tribune Contributor
BY JAN D’ATRI AFN Contributor
King Crossword
OIt’s officially summer, and around our house that means salad season.
K, time for dad stories.
My father was a butcher all his life – one of the first meat cutters at Safeway back in the 1930s.
There are a thousand ways to make a salad, including a really fun idea – salad on a stick.
Through the years, I’ve talked a lot about my child hood and that I was the only kid in school who had prosciutto and mortadella hanging on hooks in the ga rage. I certainly was the only kid whose parents bought Parmesan cheese shipped from Italy in 80-pound wheels.
kitchen to eat meals, standing side by side, diving into slices of meats, cheeses, olives, pepperoncini and big slices of crusty Italian bread. The Chianti never too far
Steak sandwiches were Dad’s favorite. We’d pan-fry a steak then slice it up and lay it open-face on olive
ma’s garden that were also soaked in olive oil, salt and
My biggest “meal memory” growing up is how we gathered around our massive butcher block in the
Ingredients (For 4 sandwiches)
It makes a beautiful presentation on a platter, and it all ends up on your plate in bite-size pieces, which makes it so much easier to eat. I love salad on a stick with cold cuts like turkey, prosciutto and salami and a couple of hard cheeses or mini mozzarella balls to go with grape or cherry tomatoes.
1 16-oz. steak
1 loaf French or Italian bread, cut in four sections
You can even cook up some bacon and make bite-size ribbons. Then, add a little crisp, curly green
2 large vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced thin 8 -10 leaves lettuce
Simple Salad Vinaigrette
1/2 cup sour cream or alfredo sauce
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup olive oil for (for steak and tomatoes)
- ¼ cup vinegar (red wine, white wine, champagne, balsamic)
I’ve recreated my dad’s sandwich for you, including an incredible two-ingredient cheese slather that brings the sandwich to life. I used a sirloin steak sliced thin, but you can use any cut of your favorite steak. Or even better, one that’s on sale.
lettuce torn into small pieces and some crusty bread, cut in cubes.
Buon appetito!
Now grab some skewers and you’re ready to assemble.
If you looking for some delicious homemade salad dressings, I’ve listed three of my favorites. Looking for healthier way to eat this summer? Here’s a plan you can stick to.
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
Drizzle steak with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil on both sides. Salt and pepper steak on both sides. Sear in a hot dry skillet or grill. Cook until medium, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Set aside to rest, about 10 minutes. When rested, slice in thin slices.
Place all ingredients in a bowl, mini food processor or blender. Blend or whisk until emulsified. (The longer you whisk, the more the dressing will stay combined.)
Place ingredients in blender except olive oil. While blender is on low, slowly pour olive oil into blender. Turn to medium, then high and blend for about 2 minutes. Dressing will thicken as it is blended and then chilled. Refrigerate. Makes about 2 cups of dressing. Can be used as marinade. Discard any dressing leftover if used for marinade. (The dressing will keep in the refrigerator for a week!)
Oriental Salad Dressing
Ingredients:
In a bowl, add about 1/4 cup of olive oil. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Coat tomato slices in olive oil and set aside. Make Gorgonzola slather. In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup sour cream or Alfredo sauce and 1/2 cup gorgonzola. Mix until lumps are gone. Grill bread.
Jan’s Favorite Italian “Home Dressing”
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup oil (avocado, grape seed or olive oil)
To assemble:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Marsala
- ½ cup Balsamic vinegar
- 1 small clove garlic
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard (I use spicy and sweet)
Spread cheese mixture evenly over eight pieces of bread. For each sandwich, begin with lettuce leaf. Then layer tomatoes, steak, another lettuce leaf and finish with bread. Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe/steak-sandwich/
- 1 teaspoon chopped onions
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Directions:
Whisk together until well blended
‘Tough as Nails’ tells story of survival
BY RACHEL HAGERMAN
GETOUT Contributor
Valley-based CaZo Dance Company will tell the story of a California couple who struggled with brain cancer and fertility issues in its latest production, “Tough as Nails.”
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30, at the Mesa Arts Center’s Nesbitt-Elliott Playhouse.
CaZo Dance Company artistic director Bridgette Borzillo of Gilbert created the interpretive dance piece after reading about the journey of her cousins, Phil and Stacy Bacigalupi.
The Bacigalupis were married for six years when they decided to try for a baby. However, Phil was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2011. It proved to be a six-year battle for the couple, but a year ago, Phil ran a half marathon a week after his baby, Sophie, was born. Phil’s nickname is “Tough as Nails.”
Stacy posted a photo of the three of them at the race’s finish line on Facebook, therefore inspiring Borzillo.
“I knew right then that I had to ask them if I could use their story,” she said.
Tough as Nails’ cast includes lead female dancer Samantha Brown of Tolleson, lead male dancer Brayan Perez of Mesa and a Scottsdale Community College student, and dancer Misty West of Ahwatukee.
“’Tough as Nails’ is an emotional story told through the power of dance,” Borzillo said. “Attendees can expect to feel raw emotion from the performers, especially from the incredible leads, Samantha Brown and Brayan Perez. We are a unique dance company because we tell these stories through movement, acting and music, and we make sure the story is easy to follow.”
Borzillo created “Tough as Nails” in hopes that Phil and Stacy’s story would raise awareness about brain tumors and fertility problems.
The challenges this couple faced are not uncommon. According to the CDC, 10 percent of women in the United States struggle with fertility, and the National Brain Tumor Society estimates that 78,980 Americans will be diagnosed with a brain tumor this year.
Borzillo is credited with creating “Tough as Nails,” but the dancers used their own interpretations to unveil the Bacigalupis’ journey. Borzillo is thrilled with her 18-member dance team.
“The dancers really step up where they are needed in rehearsals and come together as a team to get the product right,” she
said. “I am extremely blessed to work with such talent.”
Following the performance, CaZo will host a Q&A session with the Bacigalupis.
“We have never done a Q&A as a part of our shows, but in this instance, I felt it was important to ask questions about what was told to get clarity and to have more insight,” Borzillo said.
Along with raising awareness, CaZo is raising funds to benefit those struggling with brain cancer. CaZo is donating $3 from every ticket sold to the National Brain Tumor Society.
Borzillo is excited to see the couple’s story come to life on stage and hopes the performance will bring about positive change.
“It’s been beautiful to watch. I am excited to use dance as a platform to raise awareness and funds for a good cause. I wanted to create something that is about inspiration, hope, kindness, strength, perseverance and love. That’s what the world needs right now. Maybe ‘Tough as Nails’ can help with some healing, even if it’s a small amount of people.”
IF YOU GO
What: “Tough as “Nails”
Where: Mesa Arts Center’s NesbittElliott Playhouse, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30
Pursuant to A R S §41-563 01, the City Council of Mesa, Arizona, voted to extend the alternative expenditure limitation – home rule option – at its special meeting on June 18, 2018 The vote for approval was 7 For and 0 Against
At the General Election to be held on November 6, 2018, the voters of the City of Mesa, Arizona, will vote on the question to continue an alternative expenditure limitation – home rule option
With voter approval, the City shall be limited to the expenditure of estimated a
state-imposed limit As an example, in 2019-2020, the state-imposed limitation plus applicable constitutional exclusions will allow expenditures of approximately $1,207,601,519. Under the proposed alternative expen diture limitation, estimated expenditures are $1,360,071,000
If the voters approve, the additional expenditure authority will be used for all loca l b u d
Cultural/Recreation, Transportation and Airports, Community Outreach and Development, Utilities, and Trusts Revenues received from federal, state and local sources will be used to fund such expenditures
By order of the City Council of Mesa, Arizo na.
Signed:
DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk
AVISO PÚBLICO
En conformidad con A.R.S. §41-563.01, el Concejo Municipal de Mesa, Arizona, votó para extender la limitación alternativa de gastos – la opción de autogobierno – en su reunión especial el 18 de junio de 2018 El voto de aprobación fue 7 A Favor y 0 En Contra
En la Elección General que se llevará a cabo el6 de noviembre de 2018, los votantes de la Ciud ad de Mesa, Arizona, votarán sobre la cuestión de continuar una limitación alternativa de gastos – la opción de autogobierno,
C o n l a a p r o b a c i ó n d e l o s v o t a n t e s , l a C i u d
límite impuesto por el estado Como un ejemplo, en 2019-2020, la limitación impuesta por el estado más las exclusiones constitucionales aplicables permitirán gastos de aproximadamente $1,207,601,519 Bajo la limitación alternativa de gastos propuesta, los gastos calculados son de $1,360,071,000
Si los votantes la aprueban, la autoridad adicional de gastos se usará para todos los propósitos presupuestarios locales, incluyendo el Gobierno General, la Seguridad Pública, Cultura y Recreación, Transporte y Aeropuertos, el Ambiente Comunitario y Empresa, Utilidades y Fideicomisos. Los ingresos recibidos de las fuentes federales, estatales y locales se usarán para financiar tales gastos
Por or den del Concejo Municipal de Mesa, Arizona
Firmado: DeeAnn Mickelsen
Secretaria Municipal
(Photo by Stephanie Tippi Hart/Special to the Tribune)
Samantha Brown of Tolleson and Brayan Perez of Mesa play Stacy and Phil Bacigalupi in “Tough as Nails” at Mesa Arts Center.
Public Notices
CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA
DOWNTOWN FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT NO CP0781 / HUD PROJECT NO IDIS 752 Davis Bacon Wages Apply ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV
2018, at 1:00 p 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:
The Engineerʼs Estimate range is $500,000 to $600,000
For all technical, contract, bid-related, or other questions, please contact Donna Horn at donna horn@mesaaz gov
Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from T h o m a s R e p r o g r a p h
http://public constructionvaults com Click on “Register Today” and follow the prompts to
ceive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, REGISTRATION ON THE WEBSITE IS REQUIRED. For a list of locatio ns nearest you, go to www thomasprintworks com, and click on Phoenix The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $84, which is non-refundable regardless of whether or not the Contractor Documents are returned 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 Thomas Reprographics website at the “Public Construction Vaults” address listed above Please verify print lead time prior to arr iving for pick-up
One set of the Contract Documents is also available for viewing at the City of Mesaʼs 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 products 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 120 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 the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier's check PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE
The successful bidder will be required to execute the standard form of contract for construction within ten (10) days after formal award of contract In addition, the successful b i d d
quired to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one
(100%)
(100%) of the Contract Price, and the most recent ACORD® Certificate of Liability Insurance form with additional insured endorsements
The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa
BETH HUNING City Engineer
Public Notices
CITY OF MESA
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Mesa City Council will hold a public hearing concerning the following ordinance at the July 2, 2018 City Council meeting beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Mesa City Council Chambers, 57 East First Street.
1 ZON17-00461 (District 1) The 100 block of West 8th Place and West 9th Street (both sides) (6± acres) Located southeast of Brown Road and Country Club Drive Rezone from RS-6 to RS-6-HD to establish the Flying Acres Historic District Amy Mahoney and other property owners of the proposed Flying Acres Historic District, applicant.
2 . ZON 1 7 - 0 0 5 0 7 ( D
Th
(west side) and the 9100 block of East Glencove Avenue (south side) Located north of Brown Road on the west side of Ellsworth Road (1 8± acres) Rezone from LC to LC (Modification of Zoning Stipulation); and Site Plan Modification This request will allow for the development of an e n c l o s e d
3 . Z O N 1 7
S o u t h D o b s o n R o a d ( e a s t s i d
South Longmore (west side) Located on the southeast corner of Southern Avenue and Dobson Road, (The Mesa Community College Campus) (145± acres). Rezoning from PS, LC and GC to GC-PAD. This request will allow for private development within the Mesa Community College c a m p u s W
(north side). Located on the north side of Germann Road west of Ellsworth Road (4± acres). Council Use Permit; and Site Plan Review. This request will allow for the development of an indoor recreation facility. Andrew Greybar, LGE Design Group, applicant; ETP Funding, LLC , owner
A l m a S c h o o l R o a d ( w e s t s i
West Southern Avenue (north side). Located at the northwest corner of Alma School Road and Southern Avenue (16± acres). Rezoning from LC t o R M - 5 P A D f o r 1 0 .
acres; and Site Plan Review for 16± acres This request will allow for dev
Withey Morris, PLC, applicant; WM Grace Development Co , ETAL, owner.
6 . Z O N 1
acres) Rezoning from DB-1 to DB-2; Site Plan Review and Special Use Permit This request will allow modifications to an existing carwash Michael Scarbrough, 3K1 Consulting Services, Inc , applicant; Bajo Enterprises, Paul Crandall Jr Trust and Joyce Bond, owner
7
ATTEST:
DeeAnn Mickelsen
City Clerk
PUBLISHED: East Valley Tribune June 10, 17, 24, 2018 / 13521
(south side) and the 100 to 200 block of North Sossaman Road (west side) (3 4± acres) Located on the west side of Sossaman Road north of Main Street Rezoning from RM-2-PAD to RM-2-PAD; and Site Plan Review This request will allow for the development of a townhome subdivision Reese Anderson, Pew & Lake, PLC, applicant; American Savings Life Insurance Company, owner.
DATED at Mesa, Arizona, this 24th day of June 2018.
DEE ANN MICKELSEN, City Clerk
Public Notices
CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA
FLEET WEST ROOF REPAIR
310 E 6TH STREET
PROJECT NO CP0793
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Thursday, July 26, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. All sealed bids will be received at M esa 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
Removal of mechanical units and roofing materials on an identified section of 310 E 6th St Reinstallation of roofing materials and mechanical units as identified
The Engineer's Estimate range is $200,000 00 to $220 000 00
Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from Thomas Reprographics, Inc dba Thomas Printworks, http://public constructionvaults com Click on “Register Today” and follow the prompts to create your account. Please be sure to click finish at the end. NOTE: In order to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, REGISTRATION ON THE WEBSITE IS REQUIRED For a list of locations nearest you, go to www thomasprintworks com, and click on Phoenix The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $21 00, which is non-refundable regardless of whether or not the Contractor Documents are returned P artial bid packages are not sold You can view documents online (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the Thomas Reprographics website at the “Public Construction Vaults” address listed above Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up
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 products 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 45 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 the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier's check PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE
The successful bidder will be required to execute the standard form of contract for construction within ten (10) days after formal award of contract. In addition, the successful bidder must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self-Service (VSS) System (http //mesaaz gov/business/purchasing/vendor-self-service)
The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, will be req uired to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and the most recent ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance form with additional insured endorsements
The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Thursday, July 26 2018, at 1:00 p 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
the following work:
Waterline and Gas line improvements at Quarter Section location (cross streets of West 1st Place and Alma School Road) Additional improvements may include asphalt pavement removal and replacement, concrete removal and replacement, private water service line installation, and landscape restoration
The Engineer’s Estimate range is $4 0 million to $5 0 million
Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from Thomas Reprographics, Inc dba Thomas Printworks, http://public constructionvaults com Click on “Register Today” and follow the prompts to create your account Please be sure to click finish at the end NOTE: In order to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, REGISTRATION ON THE WEBSITE IS REQUIRED For a list of locations nearest you, go to www thomasprintworks com, and click on Phoenix The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $56 00, which is non-refundable regardless of whether or not the Contractor Documents are returned. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents online (at no cost), order Bid Sets and access the Plan Holders List on the Thomas Reprographics website at the "Public Construction Vaults" address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up.
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 products 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 210 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 the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier s check PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE
The successful bidder will be required to execute the standard form of contract for construction within ten (10) days after formal award of contract In addition, the successful bidder must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self-Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz gov/business/purchasing/vendor-self-service)
The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, will be req uired to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and the most recent ACORD Certificate of Liability Insurance form with additional insured endorsements
The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa
BETH HUNING
City Engineer
ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen
City Clerk
Obituaries
DOUGLAS, Mary Martha Hoffman
Mary Martha Hoffman Douglas, age 92 of Chandler, Arizona, formerly of Monroe, died
After graduating from St Mary Academy in Monroe in 1944, she received a BA degree from Marygrove College in Detroit in 1948, and a MA degree from University of Michigan in 1952.
She taught at Christiancy School in Monroe for five years (1948 – 1953) until she moved to Los Angeles where she resided for forty years She taught elementary grades 1-6 in the Los Angeles City Schools for 37 consecutive years. She did teacher training for USC and multiple Cal State campuses, plus teaching in-service classes for teachers and adult night ESL classes, while raising her son Henry, alone
Mary Martha was active in many clubs and organizations, both professional and social: St Mary Academy Alumna, Marygrove College Alumna, University of Michigan Alumnae and Alumni clubs, American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, Big
n C
South America, Europe, Asia and Africa during summer vacations. After completing 42 years of teaching service (1948 – 1990) she retired in August 1990 In Februa
was involved in club work and became a Chandler community activist in her area, rep-
Council In 1992, she founded The Marygrove College Alumni Group in Arizona, in 2004 she founded the St Mary Catholic Central Alumni Group in Arizona, and in 2005, she established the Mary M. H. Douglas endowment at the University of Michigan. I n 2 0 0 6 , M a r y M
where she became an activist and founded The SKY CLUB at the village Her long interest in astronomy had taken her to Alaska (1972) and to Africa (1973) to see eclipses. With her 8” telescope, she did outreach programs with the East Valley Astronomy Club and the Mesa Community College Astronomy Nights for years, until she lost vision in one eye and had to give up driving
At Friendship Village, she became known as “SKY” Mary She continued her hobby of a
column in the community weekly newsletter was her vehicle to inform around 700 other residents about current sky events
Mary was interred privately at St Joseph Cemetery in Monroe in the Hoffman family plot in accordance with her wishes Rupp Funeral Home was in charge of her arrangements
In her memory, Mary Martha would appreciate memorial donations be made to St Mary Catholic Central High School in Monroe or to the Mary M H Douglas Endowment Fund at the University of Michigan
, Illinois to Edward and Florence Jelinek She grew unky Bohemian neighborhood with a “Cock Robin” m shop on the corner Back in those days she was
bly personality had her quested after as well as enmany She was so fun and beautiful! She became an resident over 35 years ago and never went back to west She loved her home here We called our mom G
n times of need She was basically the glue that held e was the “Go To” She was “The Fixer” She was aleal estate for so many years she had every connecon all the friends and business associates she spoke dearly and loved working together to help make othhe was like a mom to all of her clients. They never d? Hardwood floors? A gorgeous backsplash? How diatrician? Or maybe an honest mechanic or a reliERED! Every time She also made every home she of Phoenix Home & Garden Her amazing landscapos were epic and her interiors were so warm, cozy AIR, such style and yes, she was THAT good! was together Whether we had cookouts with brats d
iʼs house We ate those wonderful meals with gusto, atʼs just how she rolled What I wouldnʼt do to celebher Just one more BBQ And do not even get me e
ucky and lived in very close proximity to one other. NGLE DAY What a blessed family we were to be so xico, Ireland, Hawaii and Bali were nothing short of r best times were preparing homemade food in the atio We were just jamminʼ to old school 70ʼs music, out life Our plans Our dreams
touched by so many! Since we were toddlers and until the very end she rescued a zillion misfit cats and dogs---she thought the animals that nobody wanted were the best friends ever AND she was right, they were She would not even allow an injured bird to suffer and once again we would be off to the “bird ladyʼs” house with a little bird in a shoebox This is who she was She ROCKED! Nani was our EVERYTHING Our sun
forever connected throughout space and time. We are bound together in ways that the
Forever & ever Oh Nani, WE ARE YOU AND YOU ARE US We know that you knew how deeply you were and forever will be love d. Your biggest fans, John, (Son) Janie and Conor Wroble Ryan, Julie (Daughter), Jake and Jesse LaChance Ed (Son), Kimmie, Shelby and Tyler Wroble
A private memorial will be held on June 27th 2018 in celebration of our momsʼ life If anyone would like to reach us please feel free to contact us at juliannajirarde@hotmail com
work in the East Valley and a reputation for
e c o n o m i c p e r i o d s W o r k c a n b e g i n immediately and we do not with hold first pay checks Contact Kim at 480-924-8953
Employment General
KollaSoft, Inc has openings for the following positions in Scottsdale, AZ and/or client sites throughout the US
Must be willing to travel/relocate IT Engineer reqs US Masters/equiv or bachelors + 5 yrs exp to design/dev/test systems/apps using Java/J2EE/HTML/CSS/ Net/C#/Unix Operations Research Analyst (ORA) reqs US Masters/equiv or bachelors + 5 yrs exp to analyze/formulate/design systems using ETL/Informatica/Cognos/Oracle/JAVA/UNIX/ Net /C# IT Analyst reqs Bachelors/equiv to test/maintain/monitor systems/programs using SQL/Oracle/JAVA/Hadoop/UNIX/.Net/C#. Send resume to jobs@kollasoft com with ref # 2018-19 for IT Eng; 2018-20 for ORA; 2018-21 for IT Analyst & ref EVT ad
Employment General
Looking for experienced compassionate CNA s Certified Caregivers Part time/ full time 623-547-7521
Finance/Financial
Hours and Days If You Enjoy People, Are Energentic, Can Handle Cold Calls, And Are Tenacious, Then Join Our local Team - You ll Enjoy Working While Having Fun Ask For Ron 480 513 8147 CMG2@Outlook com
Virtuouspros has opening for Software Engineer in Phoenix, AZ Reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach + 5 yrs exp w/ skills in XML, Java, Oracle, Visio, and, Unix to analyze/design/develop/implement/test systems & apps Email resume to Tanya at tanya@virtuouspros com with ref no 2018-19 & ref ad in EVT
Office Assistant for 200 space manufactured housing community in E Mesa
Excellent computer skills-Excel and bilingual preferred Fax resume to 480-585-5755 or Email to: annsmith2009 @cox net
Verification Engineer sought by ARM Inc in Chandler, AZ to be part of a small and talented Chandlerbased processor RTL design team. Min Req: Master s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related program and 2 years of experience in functional debugging of errors in the RTL model; Verilog HDL language and associated software simulators and waveform debugging tools; Developing detailed verification plans for the block/unit; Generating and running testcases on logic simulation models; Debugging and correcting functional errors in the RTL model, using simulation tools, debug tools, based on in--depth understanding of the architecture and RTL design of the processor; Defining and implementing functional coverage, and enhancing the testbench to ensure coverage closure Send resume to: resume@arm.com. Reference #2004.
Prayer Announcements
O Holy St Jude! Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue a n d r i c h i n m i r a c l e s , n e a r k i n s m a n o f J e s u s C h r i s t , faithful intercessor for all who invoke you, special patron in time of need; to
c o n s t r u c t a n e w t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s
t o w e r f a c i l i t y l o c a t e d a
tersection of W Dunlap Ave and N 22
A v e ) T h e n e w f a c i l i t y w i l l c o n s i s t o f a
replacement light pole with top-moun -
t e d
Public Notices
A T & T M o b i l i t y , L L C i s p r o p
c o n s t r u c t a n e w t e l e c o m m u n
tower facility located at 2805
F r i a F w y , P h o e n i x , M a r i c o p a
A Z 8 5 0 2 7 ( a p p r o x i m a t e l y 8
w e s t - s o u t h w e s t o f t h e i n t e r s e
W B e a r d s l e y R d & N 2 7 A v
n e w f a c i l i t y w i l l c o n s i s t o f a
m e n t l i g h t p o l e w i t h t o p - m o u
height Any interested party wishing to
The Arizona Board of Regents, for and on behalf o f Northern Arizona University, is soliciting sealed Proposals from qualified firms or individuals for the pur-
A n y i n t e r e s t e d p a r t y w i s h i n g mit comments regarding the effects the proposed facility m on any historic property may
s e n d i n g c o m m e n t s t o :
6 1 1 8 0 0 3 6 4 6 - W R c / o E B I
6876 Susquehanna Trail Sou
Offers shall be delivered no later than 2:00 P M , Arizona Time July 9, 2018 to the office of the Director of Procurement on the campus of Northern Arizona University, 545 E Pine Knoll Dr , Building 98B, PO Box 4124, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86011, (928) 523-4557
To request a Proposal by E-mail, Fax, Mail, or to Pickup a copy contact Northern Arizona University Purc h a
number To download a copy from the Internet
to reject any or all Offers, to waive or declare to waive irregularities in any Offer, or to withhold the award f
o r e s e r v e s t h e r i g h t t o h o l d a n y o r a l l O f f e r s f o r a p e r i o d o f ninety (90) days after the date of the opening thereof No Offeror shall withdraw their Offer during this ninety (90) day period
Figure out the phrase: Decide what letter goes with each number, then fill in the blanks above the numbers. Start with the one letter words, then move on to two letter words and so on. Some letters are given to start you out. Letters not used are noted.
