Gilbert conductor hangs up baton. PAGE 14
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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
This Week
BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
NEWS.....................................
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Non-fatal drownings can carry tragic consequences.
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Gilbert Little League softball teams in high gear.
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s Gilbert prepares for its July 4 celebration, town fire officials are on the look out for illegal fireworks. Arizona allows for the purchase of certain consumer fireworks from May 20 to July 6 and their use from June 24 to July 6. Permissible fireworks include ground spinners, flitter sparklers and ground sparkling devices. Anything that can become airborne is banned, such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and aerial spinners.
Police are on the lookout for illegal fireworks sales, so Gilbert residents are advised to patronize only those legitimate operations, like this one, and know the laws governing their use. (Kimberly Carrillo/GSN Staff Photographer)
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This museum has an "i.d.e.a." or two.
COMMUNITY...................... 14 BUSINESS............................. 19 OPINION...............................22 SPORTS................................ 26 GETOUT............................... 29 CLASSIFIED.........................35 A New Beginning Can Start Today!
Besides chain stores such as Costco and Fry’s markets selling fireworks, a handful of independent dealers like TNT Fireworks and Desert Sky Fireworks have set up temporarily in Gilbert for the upcoming holiday. “We do monitor all the local fireworks stands for the legal versus illegal fireworks,” said Josh Friedman, Gilbert interim fire marshal. “Their shipping manifests are checked when they open and then spot checks,
see FOURTH page 6
Gilbert Realtor launching sustained kindness effort
BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
GETOUT............................
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Gilbert readies a ‘Happy Birthday’ to America
INSIDE
SPORTS.............................
Gilbert tutors, clients matched PAGE 19
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Gilbert woman wants to spread compassion and help in the Southeast Valley — especially since her town has the official nickname Kindness USA. Sharon Kotsonas this week is launching Weekly Collective, a community liaison program that will direct people in need to local resources and connect people who want to help with agencies and organizations. She says her program is different from what currently exists and is open to those not just in Gilbert but in Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Queen Creek and Santan. “I’m surrounded by people who want to help but don’t know how or want to give
but don’t know where to give,” said the Realtor. “They don’t want to fall prey to a scam and want a trustworthy source they can trust and engage with. I am transforming the community by inspiring volunteerism.” How Kotsonas sees that growing is by having volunteers recruit people they know and the “recruits” would in turn convert their acquaintances. “The second part of it, we have people here in this community that need help and don’t know where to get it or are embarrassed to go and ask for help,” Kotsonas said. “Sometimes people fall on hard times and some need a helping hand or two or three. If we are able to help, it’s our social responsibility to help.” She said those in need may be intimidat-
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ed or embarrassed to go to a church or government agency for aid but would be comfortable talking to a neighbor, co-worker or friend. “Not everyone goes to a church and responds to a church,” Kotsonas said. “They will be more open for help from someone they know.” She said people will be able to go to the Weekly Collective website to sign up for volunteer activities. The website also will feature a directory of organizations offering help and support. People looking to volunteer can reach out to the same organizations listed.
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