Gilbert Sun News 02-05-2023

Town’s approval of big house angers neighbors

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

Teresa Welker said she has lived on Melrose Street in southeast Gilbert for 13 blissful years.

“It’s a wonderful neighborhood,” Welker said. “As you turn o of Germann, there’s a tree-lined street with beautiful trees.

“You turn on Melrose Street and there’s a row of houses with acre lots, big front yards, spacious generous

Keeping on truckin’

space in between homes to give you that relaxed, open feeling that we all love and at the end of the street is the cul-de-sac ensuring that our street is quiet and for residential use. Kids have the security to walk across the street (and) be outside.”

But a potential party house under construction on that cul-de-sac on Melrose Street threatens their quality of life, Welker and other residents in

see MELROSE page 4

Adventure is over for go-kart park project

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

Randy Nelson said he was sitting outside on his patio one day just listening to the birds’ chirping.

“ at’s the biggest activity of the day,” he said last week, recalling that he thought, “And the time is coming soon, it’s not going to work.”

Since 2021, Nelson and a group of his neighbors have unsuccessfully

fought against San Tan Adventure Park, a planned outdoor venue featuring 22 gas-powered go-karts that they said would pollute the air, emit deafening noise and bring in more tra c.

Construction was scheduled to begin early this year but instead council this Tuesday, Feb. 7, is expected to cancel a lease with the project’s developer SAP Holdings. According to the town,

see GO-KART page 10

If 5-year-old Aria Hartman looks like she’s having a good time as her mother Jennifer Hartman photographs her atop a commercial lawn mower, you’re right. So were hundreds of other kids sharing that delight during the Truck-A-Palooza presented by Earnhardt Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram on Jan. 28 at Gilbert Regional Park. The kids had a chance to get hands-on experiences as they “inspected” a wide assortment of trucks and commercial equipment. For more photos that depict that delight, see page 14. (David Minton/GSN Staff Photographer)

2301 S STEARMAN DR CHANDLER, AZ 85286

NFL hosting Play 60 event at Hamilton High School

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Super Bowl LVII is set.

One of the biggest annual sporting events in the world will feature the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, winners of their respective conferences in last weekend’s championship games. But the two storied franchises aren’t the only ones who will have a unique opportunity to enjoy the game of football next weekend.

As part of Super Bowl weekend in the Valley, the National Football League has announced it will host its annual Play 60 Football Family Festival at Hamilton High School on Saturday, Feb. 11, a day before the big game in Glendale.

e event, held annually in the host state of the Super Bowl, is free for families to enjoy an interactive football experience.

“We are thrilled to host our fth Play Football Festival during the week of Super Bowl LVII,” NFL Vice President of Foot-

ball Development Roman Oben said in a press release. “ is year’s event will o er participants the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football from current and former NFL players and coaches.

“We are dedicated to our youth and high school football communities, fans and coaches, and we are excited about providing memorable experiences they’ll hold on to forever.”

e free event will cater to young athletes and their parents with unique opportunities across the football eld at Hamilton.

Families will be able to take in the Nike Experience, a set up by the o cial sponsor of the NFL. ere will also be equipment ttings with football equipment giant Riddell and a game truck with NFL video games.

Additionally, ag football skills and drills will be set up for athletes, while parents can enjoy a forum led by NFL legends. Autograph signings, giveaways and appearances by current Arizona Cardinals

players are also expected at the event, as well as food trucks on site.

“It gives the families a great opportunity to have a good experience and let the community see what the NFL Play 60 is all about,” said Riczer Desvaristes, Manager of Youth and High School Football for the Arizona Cardinals. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for everybody to really interact with the community.”

e NFL Play 60 event is yet another way the NFL and Arizona Cardinals are actively getting involved in the community. is past fall, the Cardinals began spearheading the growth of girls’ ag football across the state, partnering with the Chandler Uni ed School District and Mesa Public Schools to support district programs.

e Cardinals made donations to the programs, at times upwards of $10,000 for new equipment, uniforms and to help appeal to more girls across campuses. A CUSD All-Star game was hosted by the Cardinals with linebacker Markus Golden as an honorary coach.

Teams from Chandler and Mesa, as well as Xavier and Mountain Pointe, played ag football at State Farm Stadium during halftime of the Cardinals’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers. e Cardinals also host various youth camps throughout the year, an extension of what will come Saturday during the NFL Play 60 Football Family Festival.

“We’re de nitely getting involved and this is another step for us to work with the high school football community,” said Desvaristes, who helped host a similar event last year in Los Angeles when he was with the Chargers. “It went really well last year. I’m expecting an even more amplied Super Bowl here in Arizona and to see everyone in Arizona come together and really take this to another level.

“L.A. was really good, but I know Arizona is going to top it.”

e NFL Play 60 Football Family Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 at Hamilton High School.

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the Poco Bueno Ranchos neighborhood claimed.

e residents approached Town Council Jan. 24 for help in stopping the project. ey’ve alleged that their concerns fell on deaf ears with town sta , which prompted them to go to the council.

“It’s still early in the construction stages though it’s gone up 30 feet into the air,” Chris Welker said. “It’s 5,000 square feet being built in their front yard, blocking their original front door.

“It has multiple entrances, three levels, three kitchens, di erent entrances for each level. It has two rooftop party decks. It has a full gym above an RV garage.”

e Welkers and their neighbors met with town planners in November and viewed the plans.

Chris Welker said the residence under construction was “clearly intended for rental purposes.”

“How do we know?” he asked. “ e owners of the original dwelling have rented out their home for short-term rentals for the last several years.

“It is essentially an apartment building or a hotel complex that’s been built and permitted for a front yard,” he said.

None of the neighbors contacted after the meeting was willing to comment further on the issue, fearing it might a ect the town’s willingness to help them.

e property at issue is owned by Rehbl Trust. e trustees are Joseph and Laura Kerby.

Laura Kerby refused to talk about the project with Gilbert Sun News and said that she has an attorney but would not disclose the name.

Councilman Scott Anderson, who visited the site, said he was discussing the issue with Town sta .

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“A determination is yet to be made about its status,” Anderson said of the project. “ e council and sta realize this could set a precedent for future short-term rentals and we want to have appropriate codes in place to address impacts on neighborhoods.”

e town was asked for speci cs of what was approved for the site and how

Gilbert Sun News is distributed by AZ Integrated Media a circulation company owned and operated by Times Media Group The public is limited to one copy per reader. For circulation services, please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@phoenix.org

The two-story house under construction on Melrose Street in southeast Gilbert towers over other single-family homes on the same block. (Cecilia Chan/GSN Staff)

Neighbors are baffled over how Gilbert planning staff allowed the home to be built. (Cecilia Chan/GSN Staff)

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MELROSE from page 4 it planned on dealing with the issue raised.

e residents at the meeting said planners originally approved the structure as guest quarters but it didn’t meet the requirements, such as being single-story, and was then changed to a “home extension.”

“Sta continues to review this project and the neighbors’ concerns,” spokeswoman Jennifer Harrison said in an email.

For the meantime, the town issued a stop-work order Jan. 27 “to address the onsite grading and drainage requirements.”

Nathan LeSueur, whose front yard is 20 feet from the construction site, said he’s asked the town for the property’s grading and drainage plan.

“ e response I received back was, ‘Based on our research, it has been determined that there is no grading and drainage report plan,’” LeSueur said. “ at is only one of the problems with this project.

“I don’t know how they were able to receive a permit, not checking o this bullet point but there are many others that they don’t check o .”

He also questioned the discrepancy between what the town allows and what’s on site, such as where it involves the setbacks

e Kerbys’ residential lot is roughly 1 acre in size and zoned single family-35. Under the SF-35 zoning, a maximum of two primary dwelling units per acre are allowed.

e secondary dwelling must not have an internal access to the primary access, but is allowed to have full kitchen facilities and may be rented, according to the town.

Ernest Langdon said the structure is two stories – “taller than anything else on the street.”

“It’s in their front yard (and) it doesn’t meet code,” Langdon said. “ is is not a home extension. is is an apartment building.”

He claimed that the Kerbys have “rented their own home out for parties in our neighborhood that have gotten well out

of hand.”

“ is is something that should have never happened,” he said. “It doesn’t t with a neighborhood and if it’s probably not legal, we will pursue legal action if we have to.”

Amy Langdon said it all boiled down to a safety issue and pointed to unsavory behavior of guests who’ve rented from the Kerbys.

“I’m talking about sexual nudity in the streets in the middle of the street in front of houses,” she said. “We have examples of armed guards at the door for parties. Who needs an armed guard at the door for parties?

“ ese streets are so crowded when they rent this place out. You can’t even get an ambulance through the neighborhood.”

Diane West also complained about the Kerbys renting out their home for short-term stays.

“ ere have been multiple parties that have turned into disastrous situations,” she said. “And now we have a structure (with) a lower-level basement, two stories, two huge decks that go above that

structure in the front yard of their home.

I think we need to just go back to the basics, which is how is this structure ever approved.”

According to a Gilbert Police’s premise report requested for the Kerbys’ home since 2010, o cers were called out six times in 2020 with three of those calls on Aug. 15 for a loud party, drug offense and illegal parking.

McDavid Dobson, who lives one street over from Melrose, said he, too, was somewhat taken aback when he saw what was being built in the cul-desac.

“Everybody’s shocked to say the least,” he said. “How do you approve something in somebody’s front yard that’s like this?”

He said that the town’s approval of the project sets a precedence for non-HOA neighborhoods.

“It scares me to be quite honest with you,” he said. “I hope it doesn’t come to this but if legal action is necessary I’d be more than willing to join with my neighbors and make sure that we can get this stopped.”

Almost all of 3 Gilbert industrial buildings are leased

Three newly built Class A industrial buildings totaling over 300,000 square feet are already nearing full occupancy at Gilbert Spectrum, the leasing agent announced.

e 64-acre industrial park is at McQueen and Elliot roads.

“Our pre-leasing success at Gilbert Spectrum has exceeded ownership’s expectations, with these buildings achieving 93% occupancy at shell completion and now down to the last 21,000 square feet of vacancy, with two users pursuing that space,” said Ken McQueen of Lee & Associates, handling the leasing.

“We continue to actively eld inquiries from prospective tenants on our last planned building in this project, all looking for the contemporary image and functional attributes o ered at Gilbert Spectrum. is leasing activity is indicative of the strength of the Southeast Valley industrial market, which is currently at 3% vacancy and on pace for a second consecutive year of record-breaking absorption.”

Collectively, the new Gilbert Spectrum buildings o er 28- foot to 32-foot clear height, a mix of dock-high and drive-in doors, generous power and early suppression, fast r response sprinklers. ey share a 190-foot loading court.

Northrop Grumman, a multinational

aerospace and defense technology company, has leased one 100,000-squarefoot building.

e lease continues to expand Northrop Grumman’s footprint within Gilbert Spectrum, where it operates a state-of-the-art satellite manufacturing facility, according to a news release.

e company expanded this operation in early 2022, moving into the120,000square-foot Gilbert Spectrum 5, for which Graycor Construction completed the shell and tenant improvement.

S&M Moving Systems, a long-distance moving company, has leased a 142,200-square-foot building.

And Banner Industries and Varsity Brands have leased portions of a 66,400-square-foot at 27,097 square feet and 18,047 square feet, respectively.

e remaining space available for lease in that building is about 21,000 square feet.

Banner Industries specializes in high purity and industrial ow component distribution for the semiconductor, solar, energy, life sciences, biotech, pharmaceutical and vacuum markets.

Varsity Brands is an American apparel company primarily focused on academic apparel and memorabilia.

“Gilbert Spectrum has proven its ability

to support tenants ranging from one of the world’s most tech-savvy aerospace entities to highly valued regional and local businesses,” said Mike Orr, senior vice president with developer SunCap Property Group. “It is an ecosystem of logistics, manufacturing, warehouse and distribution operators, located within a collection of buildings that can ex as this market’s needs evolve.”

Graycor Construction Co., the general contractor, said the new buildings have become “notable destinations within the East Valley industrial market.”

“Today’s tenants require modern space and locations that maximize their e ciency,” said Rusty Martin, Graycor’s Southwest Division general manager. “ ese new Gilbert Spectrum buildings – and all of the buildings at this park – were carefully developed by SunCap to check those boxes.”

In addition to its existing and under-construction buildings, Gilbert Spectrum has one pad remaining for build-to-suit industrial development.

At build-out, Gilbert Spectrum will include up to 850,000 square feet of o ce, ex industrial and technology-related space.

According to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, about 80 to 85% of its projects are industrial focus, which includes distribution, manufacturing and data centers.

And since the pandemic, there’s been a huge swing in industrial projects, GPEC reported recently.

Higley-Ray development gets more town scrutiny

BY CECILIA CHAN

GSN Managing Editor

Gilbert planning commissioners are expected to vote March 1 on the site plan and other design elements of a mixed-used project that includes 276 apartments after raising concerns last week about its parking, circulation and a dog park amenity.

Council in December approved a rezone of two parcels totaling 15.39 acres at the southwest corner of Higley and Ray roads, allowing developer Mill Creek Residential to proceed with Modera Gilbert despite op-

position from adjacent homeowners in the Lyon’s Gate community.

e project includes two buildings along Ray Road, featuring ground- oor retail with three oors of apartments totaling 63 units and underground parking. Two buildings in the rear will house 213 residential units and have frontage for a co-working space and amenities for the renters.

e applicant has made three main changes since the original submittal. One was an administrative use permit to allow for shared parking and another requesting to drop the number of required parking spaces due to a reduction in commercial

space, planner Noah Schumerth told the commissioners. Members were acting as the Design Review Board at the Feb. 1 study session.

Schumerth said the applicant also has added a dog park on the southwest corner of the site, put in additional direct connections between the private open space spine and the apartments and made minor landscaping adjustments by removing oleanders and adding low-water use plants.

He added that the tra c issues, including driveway length, drive aisle ow and parking locations have largely been resolved.

“ is strikes me as an awful lot of stu packed onto a site,” Commissioner William Fay said. “I think the applicant’s trying to put too much juice for the squeeze here and where it’s coming out is in open space and parking. My calibrated eye was saying that the parking is not going to make it.”

“ e answer is to go with underground parking or something. I’m sure they don’t want to spend for that much. But I think we do need to at every juncture we do need to look closely at the parking and I think gimmicks of squeezing a few spaces see MODERA page 9

The 64-acre Gilbert Spectrum has leased almost all its 300,000 square feet of space in three buildings. (Special to GSN)

MODERA from page 8

here and there won’t be adequate.”

Fay said noted, “ e consequences fall onto the neighborhood adjacent.”

Vice Chairman Noah Mundt said the project already includes underground parking for the two buildings with lofts above.

“ ey’re already taking the time to have some underground parking,” Mundt said. “Maybe they can expand that.”

Commissioner Anthony Bianchi also questioned if parking was adequate.

“With hundreds of multifamily units, I don’t want to be short on parking,” he said. “And parking in the adjacent neighborhood, that’s not going to be the answer.”

Schumerth said the project was fairly close to the count required for parking but the issue had to do with how they are distributed on the site and that is the reason for the administrative use permit.

For instance, he noted that the two buildings with lofts have 90 bedrooms total and about 80 underground parking spots. Some of the additional parking has to go into the commercial area outside the gate, he said.

Schumerth added that a parking study was required from the applicant.

“ e space discrepancy is fairly minor and probably can be easily covered because of the number of spaces that is outside those gates are 101 more than needed for the commercial areas,” he said.

Fay also asked if the proposed dog park was large enough.

“If it’s not adequate that’s another impact that spills over into the parks of the adjacent neighborhood,” Fay said, adding that some rework may be in order.

Mundt said the dog park does seem small but it could be because the buildings may be massive “and maybe these people have those tiny, little dogs that they carry instead of real dogs.”

Commissioner Brian Andersen had a concern with how rst responders would be able to reach the courtyards in the multifamily portion of the project.

Schumerth said the Fire Department has looked at the plans and raised no concerns and that the Knox Boxes that are required for access have been called

Gilbert planning commissioners had som concerns with the proposed Modera Gilbert mixed-use development. (Town of Gilbert)

out and provided for. He added that he can revisit the issue with re personnel .

Andersen’s last concern was with the courtyards themselves.

“ ere is no natural breezeway for these,” he said. “So that’s going to be a heat tunnel come July and August. ere’s no way for the heat to escape these courtyards.

“I don’t think anybody is going to want to be there.”

Andersen asked if there was any way to introduce some sort of cross breezeway through the buildings. “Other than that, I do like the architecture,” he said.

And unlike Bianchi, who wanted to see Modera Gilbert look more similar to the buildings at the opposite corners of the intersection, Andersen said he was ne with the design.

“Personally I like it when everything don’t look the same on these corners,” Andersen said. “It gives more variety and interest in the architecture to these types of areas.”

Mundt said he also enjoyed Modera Gilbert’s architecture, stating, “It’s interesting and it will be a place that people will want to go.”

Chairman Jan Simon said his biggest concern was with the circulation on the site.

“I think that they’ve done well with what is there but it does seem a little bit limiting,” he said. “I know that there’s not a lot can be done but I would like to see some connectivity with regards to what’s going to happening there with this site.

“I think it’s important as we build out this corner as an anchor corner within what’s become a character area for the town. I think that’s important.”

GO-KART from page 1

the decision to do so was mutual, citing economic reasons.

“I’m glad they came to that conclusion,” Nelson said. “ at is just wonderful. It could not be better.”

Nelson surmised that the numbers didn’t pencil out for SAP Holdings – given that two new nearby entertainment venues are expected to open this year, both o ering indoor go-karts.

“ ey have a tremendous amount of competition suddenly,” Nelson said. “Our little bunch has been talking about that being the reason why we haven’t seen any activity.

“ ey have to have a sense that these things are going up…able to provide year-round activities.”

According to Tod orton, manager of SAP Holdings, the other two projects “had zero weight regarding our decision.”

“ e much higher than expected construction costs are the only determinant that a ected our project and unfortunately a part of the in ationary environ-

ment that all of us are facing in our daily lives,” ornton said in an email.

“Construction projects in just about every industry sector have been impacted, with plans put on hold or canceled altogether. We are truly saddened that we won’t be able to bring this family friendly venue to Gilbert.”

San Tan Adventure Park also was

to include an 18-hole miniature golf course and a splash pad on 4.5 acres at the southwest corner of Crossroads District Park at SanTan Village Parkway and Knox Road.

Although the entertainment park will be no more, families won’t have to go far to have fun.

e Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

is expected to open later this year in Chandler. e project features 96,000 square feet of amenities, including a high-speed electric Superkarts on a multi-level track, state-of-the-art arcade, racing simulators and a two-story Laser tag arena.

And Urban Air Adventure Park announced an April debut of its fourth location at SanTan Village shopping center in Gilbert. Its o erings included an indoor go-kart track, rock climbing and trampolines.

It’s been six years since the town and SAP Holdings signed a 30-year lease, which was extended a few times.

When SAP Holdings originally pitched the family fun project, it did not include go-karts, although the vehicles are an approved use in the lease agreement.

e project didn’t hit the public’s eye again until 2021 when the design went before the Planning Commission for consideration.

Residents from the Green eld Lakes and the Cottonwoods Crossing neigh-

see GO-KART page 11

San Tan Adventure Park was to include gas go-karts, an 18-hole miniature golf course and a splash pad on 4.5 acres at the southwest corner of Crossroads District Park at SanTan Village Parkway and Knox Road

GO-KART from page 10

borhoods showed up en masse speaking against the project. ey even brought in a paid acoustical engineer who found fault with the developer’s two commissioned noise studies and shortfalls in Gilbert’s noise ordinance.

e residents wanted the go-karts placed indoors or have the project moved over to Gilbert Regional Park. Nonetheless, the commission approved the project’s design plans, prompting Nelson to le an appeal with the council.

e council, however, upheld the commission’s vote but added stipulations to help provide some protections for the residents such as requiring a block wall along the track and banning the use of loud speakers for park announcements.

Nicki Reber was ecstatic upon hearing the news that the lease was going to be terminated.

“Well, nally,” she said; “after we fought

them like we did to keep it from being built.

“Oh, that’s wonderful news, absolutely wonderful news.”

She said she had thought the developer was holding o on the project after the council in August 2021 decided to take a look at the Town’s noise ordinance, which hasn’t happened.

And, if the project had proceeded, she promised another legal ght.

Reber also said that the town lost out on revenue for the land as SAP sat on the lease.

“It’ll be interesting to see if Gilbert sits on this land a long time or does something with it or someone comes in and develops it in a much more amenable way,” she said.

According to sta , the property will be returned to the town’s vacant park land inventory with the intention to look for the right use that would t with the surrounding community.

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Town faces $21M revenue loss from state tax cuts

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

State lawmakers are moving to strip cities and towns of their ability to tax residential rentals and grocery store food – a move that would cost the Town of Gilbert about $21 million.

In addition to a vote Feb. 1 by the Senate Commerce Committee on that measure, Senate Republicans also are considering a cut in the corporate tax that would cost the town at least another $5.6 million.

e Commerce Committee’s approval of the food and rent tax cuts came despite objections from mayors and lobbyists for the majority of communities that have the levies. ey told senators that their budgets are dependent on these revenues.

A legislative analysis says the $14.8 million the town collected in 2022 from the food tax and the $6.3 million in revenue from the rent tax represented 10.5%

and 4.5%, respectively, of the total sales tax revenue that Gilbert received last year. e corporate tax cut, under a different bill that has not yet come up for a hearing, would cost Gilbert another $5.6 million in revenue, according to legislative estimates.

e municipalities’ claims of hardship drew derision from Sen. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, who said most cities and towns have a surplus. And he rejected the claims that the taxes are appropriate, even if the state itself has a “rainy day’’ fund to protect against future economic downturns.

And Sen. Steve Kaiser, R-Phoenix, the sponsor of the measure to phase out the tax on rentals, said it is crafted in a way to ensure that tenants get the bene t of the mandated reduction.

But that drew a skeptical response from Sen. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe.

“Whatever the market price is, that’s what the rent will be,’’ she said. All SB 1184 will do, she said, is allow landlords

to pocket what they no longer have to forward to cities in taxes.

Nick Ponder, lobbyist for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, told lawmakers that SB 1063, the companion measure to eliminate local taxes on food purchased for home preparation and consumption, won’t reduce overall taxes.

He pointed out that state lawmakers, facing an initiative, voted in 1980 to exempt the state sales tax on food.

But three years later, facing a de cit, Ponder noted the Legislature raised the overall state sales tax on all remaining items from 4% t to 5%, an increase that never was repealed. He suggested that cities, facing a similar loss of one source of revenues, may have to follow suit.

And he said that cities where the decision was made to eliminate these taxes have a higher overall sales tax rate than others where the levies remain. He cited in particular Tucson where shoppers pay 3.5% on everything else they buy.

Ponder said the decision on what to tax is best left to local elected o cials and their voters.

Not all communities levy rent or food taxes.

But they can be a big part of what communities collect. And the impact is particularly great on the smallest towns.

In Nogales, for example, the tax on food is nearly 14% of total sales tax collections. It’s close to 16% in Cottonwood, 17.6% in Douglas, 18.5% in Sa ord, 19.9% in San Luis and 35.2% in Taylor.

Overall, the levy amounts to more than $161 million a year statewide.

Rental taxes are a smaller percentage of sales taxes in most communities, though they total nearly $180 million statewide for a ected communities.

e food tax repeal is being proposed by Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City.

“To be taxing food, essential items that

see TAXES page 13

are consumed at home, not only is it unreasonable, it’s outrageous,’’ he said.

But Globe Mayor Al Ganeros told lawmakers that the levy, which is paid not only by residents but folks from outside the city who drive into town, helps his community cover its costs. And he said there are costs, citing, for example, the $1.5 million to $2 million it will take to replace a 35-year-old ladder truck at the re department.

Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland said revenues from the food tax amount to 7% of the total city budget.

“I struggle to understand why the Legislature feels the cities are the one who are robbing from our citizens,’’ he testi ed.

“We are where the rubber meets the road,’’ McFarland continued. “We are where citizens rely on the services that we provide.’’

One argument by proponents of both measures is that the cities are getting more money now from the state.

Ponder said it is true that lawmakers are now giving local communities 18% of the revenues they collect, up from 15%.

But he pointed out that occurred only when lawmakers voted two years ago to cut income taxes by more than $1 billion a year by enacting a at income tax. All the higher share did, Ponder said, is keep the actual revenue sharing dollars from declining.

Lawmakers also approved a measure several years ago allowing the state and local sales tax to be levied on online and phone purchases. Ponder said, though, much of this simply makes up for the taxable sales no longer being made at brick-and-mortar stores.

Not every local o cial who testi ed was opposed.

“We have a regressive tax on a fundamental human need,’’ said Allen Skillcorn, a member of the Fountain Hills City Council, said speaking speci cally about the rental tax. “ at’s just mean.’’ e party-line 4-3 votes by the Republican-controlled committee send both measures to the full Senate.

Checking out the wheels

They couldn’t drive them, of course, but that didn’t matter for the hundreds of kids who descended on Gilbert Regional Park to get behind the wheel, handle the gear and otherwise check out the trucks and heavy equipment that were part of the Truck-A-Palooza presented by Earnhardt Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. 1) Arya Figart, 3, got the scoop on a backhoe while 2) Teddy Kerr, 3, honked the air horn on a Gilbert solid waste recycling truck and 3) Logan and Carter Leis, 2 and 5, posed on a re truck bumper for Justin and Katie Leis. 4) Caitlin Cellstino guided Clara and Harrison Cellstino through the back on an ambulance as 5) Zoey Marrill had a blast in a backhoe cab. 6) Indie McCurdy gave Sylas McCurdy some instruction on a tractor while 7) Liliana tried her hand on a police vehicle and 8) Ana and Kenny Vermeyes got a look at how big tra c signals really are.

Photos by David Minton/ GSN Staff Photographer

Uncertainty clouds school spending cap waiver

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

State lawmakers took the rst tentative steps last week to ensure that public schools don’t have to shut down before the end of the academic year. But it remains unclear whether there are the votes in the full Legislature to make that happen.

e House Education Committee voted 8-1 late Tuesday for a one-year waiver of the constitutional “aggregate expenditure limit’’ on what schools can spend.

If there is not nal action by the Legislature by March 1, schools collectively will be forced to cut nearly $1.4 billion they already have been allocated for the current year about 17% of their annual budgets -- and do it before the end of June, which translates out to cutting 70% of their budget for the last few months of the school year.

at would leave Higley with $16 million it can’t spend, Gilbert Public Schools with $39.9 million and Chandler Uni ed with

$54.4 million in state funding that would essentially be frozen, according to state Department of Education estimates.

State schools chief Tom Horne, a Republican like a majority of lawmakers, urged committee members to approve the measure to avoid what he said would be “an incredible disaster.’’

“If we have a 70% cut and two-thirds of the teachers are laid o , I believe parents all over the state, of all political ideologies, will greatly resent what was done to their kids,’’ he said.

Horne pointed out all the waiver does is permit schools to spend the money already approved by the Legislature.

“I think it is in the interests of everyone in this room that the actions of the Legislature be respected,’’ he said.

“And that means respecting the budget that was passed,’’ Horne explained. “And that means we must pass HCR 2001 and provide an exception to the aggregate expenditure limit

Rep. David Cook, R-Globe, who is the

State Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, seen here in at a press conference last month with members of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, said he’s not worried about threats by schools of massive layoffs if the spending cap is not lifted on districts. (Capitol Media Services)

sponsor of HCR 2001 to waive the limit, said shuttering schools should not be acceptable to fellow Republicans.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the Republicans who control the House and Senate will provide the necessary votes or insist on some concessions from Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs to approve some of the things they want. And what some want

is what they call “reforms.’’

Sen. Jake Ho man, R-Queen Creek, head of the Freedom Caucus, said the group’s members – about a third of all legislative Republicans – have questions about whether the money the schools already have is being properly spent. As proof, he cited gures that only 28% of eighth graders are considered “pro cient’’ in reading.

“And only 32% of 11th graders were able to pass the state’s math assessment,’’ Homan said.

e problem, he said, is that schools are not emphasizing “the basics.’’

“

ey’ve now embarked on ideologies and political ideologies that, unfortunately, don’t help children achieve pro ciency in reading or math or English or history or science,’’ Ho man said. He speci cally mentioned “critical race theory, comprehensive sexuality education, gender confusion ideology.’’

Cook told Capitol Media Services he is

see SCHOOLS page 16

SCHOOLS from page 15 tors – can e ectively veto the waiver unless they get what they want.

open to looking at these issues – but not now.

“ ose are discussions to happen after this,’’ he said. “ is is to clean up last year’s budget.’’

at has to do with the fact that legislators last year, with a state budget surplus, provided additional dollars to public schools, restoring many of the cuts made in the prior decade.

A 1980 voter-approved constitutional amendment caps total education spending at what it was then, with annual adjustments for in ation and student growth. But the new infusion of funds, coupled with a decline in enrollment due to COVID, puts that cap now at close to $1.4 billion less than what the nearly $7.8 billion schools already have.

at 1980 constitutional amendment does allow lawmakers to enact one-year waivers, which is what HCR 2001 seeks to do.

Approval takes a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate. And that, in turn, means a minority of lawmakers – 21 representatives out of 60 and 11 of the 30 sena-

Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, told Capitol Media Services he will not bring the waiver to the oor unless a majority of his 16 Republicans agree. So that gives just nine of them a veto.

e most recent report by state Auditor General Lindsay Perry says Arizona schools, on average, spend 55.3% of their dollars on instruction. But she said that gure does not paint the whole picture of what is e ectively going into the classroom.

For example, Perry said, student support, consisting of counselors, audiologists, speech pathologists, nurses, social workers and attendance services, all necessary parts of running a school, ate up another 9.1% of every dollar.

And there was 5.8% for instructional support, de ned as librarians, teacher training, curriculum development and instruction-related technology services. at brought what she considers total classroom spending up to 70.2% versus 69.3% the prior year.

Schools also spent an average of 11.7% on building maintenance, equipment repair and the costs to heat and cool build-

ings.

ere also was 4.0% for food service and 3.7% for the cost of operating the school bus eet.

What’s left is 10.4% for administration.

at includes superintendents, principals business manages and other sta who do everything from accounting to payroll.

And there is data to show that Arizona schools spend less on administration on a per-student basis than the national average.

Ho man, however, said he is not convinced that teachers and classroom instruction are getting as much as they should.

“So we’re calling for these reforms to accompany the AEL’’ waiver, he said.

“And we need Katie Hobbs and we need Republican leadership and Democrats to come to the table,’’ Ho man continued. “ is is something we should all be able to agree upon.’’

Hobbs, however, has given no indication she wants to deal.

Ho man also told KTAR talk show host Mike Broomhead he is not concerned about the issues raised by Horne about closing schools and how parents might resent lawmakers whose votes against waiv-

ing the limit would force schools to close before the end of the year.

“I understand there is the concern about political fallout,’’ he said.

“But the reality is, doing the right thing is our job,’’ Ho man continued, saying he and his supporters want to support students going to public schools. “So if that means I don’t win my reelection because I’m standing up for parents and standing up for the kids that are in our schools, so be it.’’

A temporary waiver would solve the problem for only this year.

Hobbs said earlier this month at an event in Avondale that it is time for the expenditure limit to go away, since this is the second year in a row the limit was reached and it is likely to happen again.

“We can keep suspending it every year and going through this exercise, but we need to repeal it,’’ Hobbs said. at, however, requires a public vote.

“And if the Legislature is not willing to refer a measure to the ballot to do that, then I’m willing to lead that e ort to get into the initiative on the ballot to that,’’ the governor said.

Bob Christie of Capitol Media Services contributed to this report.

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Sifarth had competed in the three previous years as his school champion. He won in the 15th round over 32 other top spellers representing their schools. e winning word was “clusters.”

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Sifarth and seven students who are runners-up will compete in the Maricopa County Regional 6 Spelling Bee at Higley Uni ed School District on Feb. 15. e regional winner will go on to the Arizona state competition on March 18 at Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix. e Scripps National Bee is May 27-28 in Maryland.

Runners-up in the Gilbert Spelling Bee were Nahuel Becerra of Gilbert Elementary, Lucas Casapini of Neely Traditional Academy, Katelyn Jesse of Sonoma Ranch Elementary, Gwen Leavitt of Green eld Elementary, Tyler Mantanona of Desert Ridge Junior High, Sean-Fei Ng of Highland Junior High and Vaishnavi Shah of Towne Meadows Elemen-

he fourth time was the charm for Sifarth Rahaman, a South Valley Junior High student who won the Gilbert Public Schools Spelling Bee on Jan. 26 at Campo Verde High School.Sifarth Rahaman

tary.

e district bee was sponsored by the Arizona Educational Foundation and by the Assistance League of East Valley, which provided trophies and bookstore gift cards to all eight winning students. Assistance League of East Valley is an all-volunteer group that raises funds to clothe thousands of school children each year through its thrift shop at 2326 N. Alma School, Chandler.

Gilbert residents Marco Velasquez and Grace Kuhn will perform in the East Valley Children’s Theatre production of the musical “The Frog Prince” Feb. 16-26 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Sundays at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Featuring a cast of 23 youth ages 8-18. East Valley Children’s Theatre is a founding resident company of the Mesa Arts Center. The show is the winner of EVCT’s 2022 Aspiring Playwrights Contest, Marcus Yi’s fun script and catchy musical score is a take-off an old fairy tale. Tickets are at mesaartscenter.com.

Emily Penrod/Penrod Photography)

South Valley Junior High student is top speller

PRESENTED BY

Gilbert re investigator’s top tool is a beloved dog

BY COLE JANUSZEWSKI Cronkite News

Who … is … going … to … jail … today?”

Gilbert re investigator David Zehring is addressing Zeta, his black Labrador retriever, as he points back and forth to my hands. Hidden in my right hand is a piece of wood with a single drop of lighter uid on it.

Zehring is the re investigator for Gilbert Fire and Rescue, and Zeta is trained to detect arson.

“Who … is … going … to … jail … today?”

Zeta, who’s 4, points her nose at my right hand, where the wood is tucked between my ngers.

“You are!” Zehring tells me as he feeds Zeta a treat.

Zeta trains twice a day as an accelerant detection canine for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. She’s the only such dog in Arizona, and has solved 95 arson cases. In just 20 minutes, Zeta can deter-

mine the cause of a re, something that can take investigators hours or days.

Zeta can detect and signal minute traces of six re accelerants. She sits

when she smells an accelerant and then “shows,” or puts her nose on the exact spot where the accelerant is.

As a member of Gilbert Fire and Res-

EV CEO launching kids’ mental health app

BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Sta Writer

While everyone else was learning how to make sourdough bread during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Ben Smith was learning how to launch an app that asks users a single question but could hold many answers in the youth mental health crisis.

Smith is founder/CEO of GnosisIQ, an arti cial intelligence software company based in Chandler that partnered with nonpro ts Death2Life and notMYkid to provide Arizona teens with immediate

access to mental health and emotional support resources.

Smith wants to revolutionize education and considers this the next step in his company’s mission to help young people excel.

“ e best way to engage with kids is to make it universal, comfortable, approachable and something they’re familiar with,” Smith said.

e GnosisIQ app checks all those boxes with kids answering a single question: “How are you feeling?”

ey answer by picking one of 12 emojis: happy, con dent, excited, content,

bored, confused, mad, sad, stressed, sick and tired, and depressed. e app records their answers by date and time of day to help track a student’s well-being.

Gnosis IQ can help predict and track a student’s success. It also leverages academic research, arti cial intelligence and educator insight to support the holistic success of K-12 students.

Smith said Gnosis IQ allows teachers, administrators, and parents to know how students perform academically and their state of mind at any given time through individualized dashboards.

see APP page 26

cue, Zeta wears a police badge on her collar. For Zehring, who owns Zeta, this means he gets to bring his dog to work every day.

“Even though she is an accelerant canine, she brings a lot of enjoyment to our o ce,” he said. “Somebody could be having a bad day and she comes in and just lightens the atmosphere, and that’s a bene t.”

Zehring joined the ATF accelerant detection canine program in 2012 after an arson canine came from Oregon to investigate a large re at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints meeting house in Tolleson.

Fire ghters suspected arson because of the re’s heat and speed, which destroyed the brick structure. After the re, ATF o cials determined Arizona needed an arson dog.

ere were no ATF dogs in the Southwest at the time. e Maricopa County Fire Investigation Task Force nominated Zehring in 2012 to be the dog’s han-

see DOG page 27

Gilbert fire investigator David Zehring is the only person who can handle Zeta, an accelerant-detection canine for the ATF, during arson investigations. (Samantha Chow/Cronkite News)

Ben Smith is founder-CEO of GnosisIQ in Chandler. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

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For those concerned about privacy, Smith said the app doesn’t record location, opting instead for a simpler record-keeping, like that of a journal.

“While the software is free, we don’t sell the data,” Smith added.

Because the data belongs to the user, Smith said they can access it anytime like a journal.

“What I didn’t expect was for this tool to replace what used to be journaling,’ Smith said. “I used to keep a little notepad next to my bed, I’d scribble down thoughts and such, and I would just do bullet points. And for a lot of kids, this is replacing that.”

Smith said tech companies haven’t really innovated much on behalf of education, and this app could be the beginning.

“ ey focus on aerospace, and the military and di erent aspects of business, banking, and so on,” Smith said. “No one really innovates in education.”

“We’re 100% self-funded, and now I’m just looking to maintain that so I don’t go bankrupt,” Smith said.

Both nonpro ts partnering with him have a similar vision of nding innovative ways to assist struggling youth amid a shortage of counselors and emotional support specialists on school campuses.

Dawna Allington, director of peer programs at notMYkid based in Scottsdale, said partnering with Gnosis IQ provides a way to nd youth who need support.

“My hope is that the software Gnosis IQ provides will nd the individuals who would not otherwise ask for help and allow us the opportunity to assist them,” Allington said.

Whether teens need to talk to someone day or night, they will have access to a Death2Life counselor through notMYkid’s [I]nspired program app, which connects youth with a certi ed peer support specialist who has a wide variety of life experiences so that talking about life’s problems becomes a little more relatable for teens.

According to the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, Arizona schools have more than 700 students for one school counselor and a more

than 3,000 students for one social worker. ose ratios should be 250-to-1.

For school psychologists, Arizona’s ratio of 1,593-to-1 is more than three times the suggested 500-to-1.

“I don’t want lack of funding to result in the death of a student,” Smith said.

Smith started this venture as a big supporter of Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Foundation and found out about notMYKid and Death2Life through a few “coincidental connections” at some of Solid Rock’s events.

“And it quickly became apparent that that we were really out to help the same kids,” Smith said.

Smith said the software directly con-

nects students with counselors and peer advisors to organizations that want to help.

Smith knows all too well the struggles kids face – not only with three kids of his own and one foreign exchange student living with his family – but also from his own life.

He grew up in Arizona and struggled academically with an undiagnosed case of dyslexia.

In fth grade at Yavapai Elementary School in Scottsdale, Smith discovered his passion for computers.

“I remember going into that computer lab in the library and interacting with a computer for the rst time and

just loving it,” Smith said. “Just seeing all the potential that it had.”

At Coronado High School, Smith continued his fascination with computers and was given the opportunity to accelerate his learning.

As a sophomore, Smith sat “completely bored” in an online learning class reading prompts and answering questions, albeit repetitive and unengaging. So Smith decided to have some fun with the system.

Admitting to this much later, Smith hacked the system, passed his way through the class and spent the rest of the time designing an interactive online learning platform that Smith said he couldn’t have designed without the teachers and lab aides fostering his learning.

“ at supported me through experimenting with coding and developing and building out something that ultimately other students would be able to use,” Smith said.

With computers on the forefront of Smith’s mind, mental health also sat heavy on his mind.

His mother su ered from mental health issues and addiction problems, and though her death in 2009 isn’t classi ed as suicide “it was really self-inicted over time,” he said.

As a nurse, his mom would know how to work the system to ll multiple prescriptions at di erent locations in a single day, and to this day, Smith has vivid memories of his mother’s struggles with prescription narcotics.

“She started mixing the batter and then passed out in the middle of making my birthday cake,” Smith said.

Smith said he designed the app at a third-grade level because that’s the age children start to read or at least understand and recognize what’s going on around them. But, he added, it doesn’t look childish for teenagers in high school.

GnosisIQ is in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and Smith said he hopes this will usher in a new era in the youth mental health crisis.

“It’s really something that I hope will hopefully be a true innovation in education, supporting kids going forward,” Smith said.

For more info, visit gnosis-iq.com.

The app by GnosisIQ asks kids to indicate with a single click how they are feeling. (Courtesy GnosisIQ)

DOG from page 24 dler.

e ATF made special accommodations for Zehring to get his training done three months after the nomination – a quick turnaround, as the ATF usually takes one to two years before approving a re department for the canine program.

Zehring’s rst dog, Spring, retired in 2019. She is living out her retirement with Zehring.

e dogs go through more training than the handlers.

“Dogs go to ATF (Front Royal, Virginia) six weeks prior to the handler,” he said. “So in those six weeks, the canines are imprinted on ignitable liquids.”

Cody Monday, with the ATF’s Phoenix eld division, said the imprinting process is fairly simple.

“You have the dog sni the accelerant and then pay it with food,” he said. “Have the dog sni it and you do that approximately 80 to 100 times per day for the rst week.”

Once the dog sni s the acceler-

ant and looks to the handler for food, Monday said, the dog is trained to sit. Instructors then introduce the dog to di erent types of accelerants.

After these six weeks of imprinting and training, the handlers show up and the dogs are assigned to trainees based on their personality.

“ e instructors have an opportunity to get to know the handlers, and then that’s when they do their placements,” Zehring said. “ ey don’t just walk in and say, ‘OK, you’re taking this dog.’ ey are going to assess to see what would be best for each handler.”

Monday, who trained dog handlers for seven years, said he sent handlers a questionnaire before they arrived. Before making assignments, he would consider their living situation, if they had a dog, or whether they were married or had kids.

e bureau’s accelerant-detection canine program began in Connecticut in the early 1990s in conjunction with the ATF, the Connecticut State Police and the federal O ce of Antiterrorism Assistance.

“ ere was obviously a need for something of that caliber to be used, especially in the Northeast, where a lot of the homes are really old,” Monday said. “If somebody wanted to commit an act of arson, we needed to nd the best tool

see DOG page 28

Zeta, an accelerant-detection dog for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, sniffs T-shirts for fire accelerants during her daily training. (Samantha Chow/Cronkite News)

DOG from page

to do that with.”

Labrador retrievers turned out to be the best tool. Monday said Labs have an excellent nose and are a hearty and friendly breed who “just want to lick you to death.”

Once handlers and their dogs are trained, there’s a written exam and a eld test to get certi ed. Zeta joined Gilbert Fire and Rescue in December, 2019. She is one of only 50 ATF arson dogs in the U.S.

Zeta travels around the country helping re departments investigate possible arson. She ies rst class because of her status as a government agent.

Her ability to precisely locate accelerants also helps convict o enders.

Zehring said he will group possible arson suspects together and then have Zeta smell each of them. When Zeta “shows,” Zehring said the suspect will either admit to lighting the re or will get caught later when their clothes are tested for accelerants.

Although Zeta’s job is to investigate res, she does get to play – and she loves people, Zehring said.

“Zeta was released from being a guide dog or a service animal because she was way too friendly,” he said. “She just loved people way too much.”

Zehring said his food reward system helped Zeta succeed as an ATF arson dog. Zeta only eats from Zehring’s hand when she trains, so she tunes out distractions to get rewarded.

“When I go to work her, she is able to shut down and say, ‘Now you’re invisible, and I have a job to do,’” Zehring said. “ at’s the food reward program. She wants to work for that food. She wants to please me.”

Her love of people also makes her popular among Gilbert re ghters and police o cers.

“We all love her,” said Julie Howe, human resource receptionist with Gilbert Fire and Rescue. “She comes in happy and comes up and greets everybody and we love her. I can’t have a dog where I live, so she lls a need for me having a dog.”

Zehring said Zeta also helps Gilbert Fire and Rescue employees relax.

“We always say she’s not trained to

be a therapy canine, but there are so many people that look at her as a therapy canine because of her unconditional love,” he said. “It’s almost like she seems to know who is having a bad day and will brighten their day.”

Zehring plans to retire in 2025, when Zeta has completed her ve to seven years of service. at way, he said, he’ll have the most people attend his retirement out of anyone in police or re.

“I thought, ‘If I could get Zeta to retire with me, I could say that I had the most people,” Zehring said. “But it’s (a banner) going to say ‘Congratulations, Zeta,’ and my name will probably be at the bottom. But I can still say that a lot of people showed up to my retirement.”

When Zehring retires, Arizona will be without an arson dog. He’s trying to nd someone who can replace him, but that’s challenging because Arizona requires handlers to be re investigators and sworn peace o cers, which is a di cult combination to nd in Arizona.

e ATF also wants its dogs to retire at age 8, which creates another challenge in nding replacement dogs.

“We usually retire our dogs when they’re 8 years old so they can live out an actual retirement,” Monday said. “ ey’ve given so much to the country or the city that they work in. We at ATF believe they should have an actual retirement.”

e other re investigator for Gilbert Fire and Rescue wants to follow Zehring’s path, but his daughter is allergic to dogs. Zehring said a replacement needs to be found soon.

“We need to start making plans because it could take three to four years before (new handlers) are accepted,” he said.

If no replacements are found, then Arizona will lose a popular service member and a time-saving investigator.

“We always say she’s not trained to be a therapy canine, but there are so many people that look at her as a therapy canine because of her unconditional love.”

French cookie the star at Decadent Macaron

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

Mark and Stephanie Wagner’s search for the perfect French macaron took six months and hundreds of batches of test cookies before the Gilbert couple created a recipe for the perfect meringue-based confection.

“Our real kind of secret sauce was creating the butter cream,” said Stephanie Wagner. “Our feelings are it’s a lot di erent than most macarons.

“We like to use more butter and less sugar so it’s a lot silkier and more health sensitive but tastes much better. It got more of a delicate texture to it than the traditional American butter cream, which is sugary.”

Now, residents can get a taste of those colorful bite-size treats locally at the Wagners’ rst brick-and-mortar location at Verde at Cooley Station at Williams Field and Recker roads. It opened Jan. 23

“Our goal with the new location is more variety of avors and expanding the menu a bit,” Stephanie said.

Previously, since December 2018, Decadent Macaron was selling its sandwich cookies inside the Palette Collective in Chandler, which houses a variety of merchants in studio spaces. e couple closed their Chandler location Jan. 20.

While before 15 to 20 of the over 40 di erent avor options were baked daily, the Gilbert bakery o ers more avors that will be rotated, Stephanie said.

e avors include salted caramel, mint chocolate, red velvet, strawberry, chocolate peanut butter and key lime.

e overall fan favorite is churro, Stephanie said.

e couple’s 2-year-old son, Greyson, also loves the meringue-based sweets.

“His favorite is churro,” Stephanie said. “He is our chief tasting o cer.”

Besides avors to suit just about every taste bud, Decadent Macaron also bakes up specialty cookies molded into shapes such as avacado, unicorn, Baby Yoda, pumpkin and cactus.

Some of the new menu o erings will include cheesecake with a macaron crust instead of the traditional graham crackers and tiramisu with macarons instead of lady ngers, Stephanie said.

Other yummy desserts in the planning include creme brulee in various avors rotated out and a variety of croissants.

“And we are going to team up with local bakers to wholesale their items,” Stephanie said. “ at is how we started out and we wanted to do the same for other small bakers starting out.”

e Gilbert location also o ers a full-service co ee menu.

e business, which now has six bakers, up from the one employee when it rst opened makes well over 200 to 300 macarons daily. e quantity increases if there are special orders.

While Stephanie manages the day-today operations, husband Mark handles the bookkeeping.

“He makes sure I stay in budget,” she said.

Mark not only balances the books but he inspired the couple’s venture.

According to Mark, he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud’s disease at the age of 17. When he was 26, he changed his diet to primarily gluten-free. But the new eating habits meant it was challenging to nd a dessert that would not damage his body.

And that was when Stephanie introduced him to macarons that uses almond our instead of wheat, rye and barley, which contain the protein gluten.

“Macarons were always my favorite,” said Stepahnie, who has a sweet tooth. “Living in Gilbert it was very hard to nd good ones.

“We always went to Scottsdale and Phoenix for them and we got tired of the drive.”

One day, as Stephanie explained, the newlyweds watched a show where peo-

ple were baking macarons and they decided why not give it a try themselves.

“We began playing around with it and failed miserably,” she recalled of their initial attempts. “We decided to read up on everything on macarons, watched a lot of videos and created our own recipe.

“As soon as we really learned the art of macarons is when we started to have success.”

Successful batches given out to family and friends led to strangers contacting the Wagners for the sweets.

“When that started we thought maybe this is a business,” Stephanie said. “We went through the proper channels, through the environmental (services) and licensing to become an actual business.”

Stephanie gave up her day job as a professional nanny while Mark remained as a real estate specialist.

Initially the bakes were done in the couple’s kitchen at home and from there they grew and located to Chandler and now Gilbert.

Although macarons are credited to the French their roots are in Italy. Each country has its own take of the cookie and Decadent Macaron opted for the French version.

“Italian is very more forgiving and there’re less chances of mistakes,” Stephanie said. “French is a little temperamental but we feel the taste is better because there’s not as much sugar and it’s not as hard.”

A box of 12 macarons starts o at $24 and one specialty shaped macaron will set a customer back $4.

Stephanie attributed the macarons’ cost to the use of high-quality ingredients and the time it takes to bake them.

“ ey really are a labor of love,” she

Owner Mark Wagner of Decadent Macaron and his wife Stephanie are excited about their new Gilbert bakery. (David Minton/GSN Sta Photographer)

ree advance IRA strategies aren’t used enough

BY DR. HAROLD WONG GSN Guest Writer

There are three advanced IRA strategies that are rarely used.

year.

However, only 2% of the folks I’ve met have $30,000 or more in Roth IRA funds.

e reason is they can’t stand the pain of paying tax on a $500,000 Roth IRA Conversion, which creates $500,000 of taxable income that year.

bonds, and mutual funds. ese alternatives can generate a 7-10% or more annual cash ow, which is at least three times what bank CDs, bonds, and stock dividends pay.

e Roth IRA allows tax-free income from your investments. e Multi-Generational IRA can double income for your heirs.

e

Self-Directed

IRA allows you to invest in alternatives (such as direct real estate, equipment leasing, and private lending) to Wall Street investments.

Ticking tax time bomb: For 30 years, you contribute $10,000 a year to an IRA or 401(k). You are lucky and it grows to $1 million by age 63. You are in a 25% tax bracket and the $300,000 total deductions saves you $75,000 in taxes.

e entire $1 million is taxable as ordinary income when you pull it out to spend in retirement. You got no bene t of a lower long-term capital gains tax rate if your stock market investments grew from the $300,000 contributed to the $1 million at retirement.

You don’t need the money at age 63 and it doubles to $2 million at age 73. If you and your spouse both passed away

MACARON from page 29

said. “So, for instance today we will be working on stu that we are going to bake tomorrow.”

She explained that the macaron shells need to rest or dry out overnight before they can be baked.

Macarons reportedly are as popular if not more than cupcakes.

“It’s about the look and taste,” Stephanie explained. “It’s a very delicate French pastry. It’s very pretty and so lot of people like it for the aesthetics and when it’s done well it tastes amazing.

“It’s the perfect size for a nice little treat. You don’t feel like you’re overdoing it with dessert.”

Decadent Macaron

Hours: Weekdays, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., weekends, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Suite 106, 2438 S. Recker Road

that year the $2 million would go to your kids and adds to their normal taxable income.

At a 40% tax rate, that’s $800,000 of taxes vs. the $75,000 you saved. e government wins big-time!

e only solution. By converting the $1 million at age 63 to a Roth IRA, you get two major bene ts. All future earnings are tax-free for your life; your spouse’s life; and the rst 10 years your kids inherit the Roth IRA. ere are no required minimum distributions (RMDs), which start at age 73 for folks who reach that age this

What if there was a strategy that allows you to do large Roth IRA Conversions without paying any federal income tax? Why stay in forever-taxed traditional IRAs and 401ks instead of never-taxed Roth IRAs?

Multi-Generational IRA. is allows your IRA to grow for three generations. However, the SECURE Act took e ect on 1/01/2020 and limited delayed distributions of your IRA, after your death, to a maximum of 10 years to your heirs such as kids.

at 10-year delay is enough to double the IRA if your investments do well. In reality, most kids take your IRA funds right after the parents dies and are not aware of their options.

Self-Directed IRA. is allows access to alternative investments such as direct real estate, equipment leasing, and private lending instead of Wall Street stocks,

Ask yourself: would life be better if I had $20,000 to $100,000+ more annual retirement income? is strategy is rarely utilized because there are few trustees that allow a true self-directed IRA.

Free seminar and supper: 10 a.m.-noon, Feb. 25, Hyatt Place, 3535 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler.. e seminar is followed by a free catered lunch. Topic is “Secrets of Roth, Multi-Generational, and Self-Directed IRAs.”

Free Tour/Workshop: 9 a.m.-noon, Solar Reefer (Refrigeration) Factory at Advanced Energy Machines, 4245 E. Norcroft St. Mesa. Topic is “How solar reefers can reduce taxes to $0 and earn a steady 1014%.” Refreshments served.

To RSVP for the seminars or schedule a free consultation, contact Dr. Harold Wong at (480) 706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail. com. His website is drharoldwong.com. He earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

Macaron Tiramisus get decorated in the kitchen at Decadent Macaron at Cooley Station. (David Minton/GSN Sta Photographer)

Perry’s Cody Williams named McDonald’s All-American

BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

Cody Williams, Perry High School’s 6-foot-8 5-star guard, has been selected to participate in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game, one of the most prestigious honors for high school basketball players across the country.

Williams, who signed with Colorado in December, will join the East roster and be teammates alongside some of the other top players in the country, including third-generation All-American D.J. Wagner from New Jersey.

“It’s all about him and a testament to him and the work he has put in,” Perry coach Sam Duane Jr. said. “I’m so happy for him. That’s one of his goals, to make that team and for him to achieve that goal, he’s just such a good person I’m elated for him.”

Williams, who has played varsity basketball under Duane since his freshman season, has quickly risen to become one of the top players in the country over the course of his career. He began to hit a growth spurt after his initial high school season, shooting up

from 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-5.

By the time he was a junior, he was 6-foot-8 and already among the highest rated prospects in the nation by various recruiting outlets, including ESPN.

He helped lead Perry to a 15-3 season as a sophomore. As a junior, Williams, alongside fellow five-star Koa Peat and Dylan Anderson – who is now a freshman at the University of Arizona – captured the 6A state title. Perry hasn’t skipped a beat this season with Williams leading the way, as the Pumas are 21-1 and the favorite to win the Open Division state title.

“Cody is wonderful to coach,” Duane said. “It’s been a pleasure. We’re getting down to four game left and I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with him because it’s been such a fun four years.”

Williams’ length and overall athleticism have helped him become a dominant player at the high school level in Arizona. His older brother, Jalen, had many of the same characteristics during his time at Perry and Santa Clara.

Jalen was taken 12th overall in last

see WILLIAMS page 34

Arsenal Soccer taking next step toward pro development

BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

Since 1992, Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club has been one of the go-to programs for youth soccer players to compete at a high level in and outside Arizona.

e club expanded to join the United Premier Soccer League and Women’s Premier Soccer League to cater to players ranging in ages 18 to 30 years old. e

semi-professional environment has been a hit ever since for the premier agship soccer club out of Bell Bank Park in Mesa. But now, Arsenal is looking to further extend its reach in the soccer space.

e club announced on January 19 it would join the United Soccer League, League Two, a division of the USL Championship that houses professional teams such as Phoenix Rising FC.

It’s a monumental step for a club that aims to be seen as a direct path to a profes-

sional career in the sport for aspiring players.

“ is is huge. We thought we were going to stick with the UPSL and WPSL, that was the move we made last year but we’re always looking to expand,” said Ty Iannone, Arsenal’s pre pro general manager and an assistant coach at Desert Vista.

“We’re always looking to create a better soccer environment in Arizona and to bene t our soccer membership at Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club. It felt like the move we

had to make when the opportunity came forward to us.”

USL League Two is two steps down from the championship league, which houses professional clubs awaiting an opportunity to join Major League Soccer.

Founded in 1995, USL League Two is a semi-professional developmental league with 16 division across four conferences. Teams are spread out throughout the counsee ARSENAL page 34

Perry star guard Cody Williams was one of 24 high school basketball players from across the country named to the McDonald’s All-American Game that will be played in March in Houston. (Dave Minton/GSN Staff)

ARSENAL from page 32

try, with several in the western part of the United States. FC Tucson was an expansion team in USL League Two last season.

Arsenal’s League Two team will cater to collegiate athletes mostly but will be open to elite players in the 16- to 17-year-old age group as well as up to 30 years old. e League Two team will now become the agship for the club. It will still have teams in the UPSL and WPSL also, as those will cater to those who are on the cusp of making the jump to the League Two team.

Arsenal still caters to the younger age groups as well.

“To see how much the club has grown from my time playing here to what it is now, it’s super exciting to be a part of it,” Iannone said. “I’m grateful for it and excited to see where it can grow in the next ve to 10 years as we continue to grow.”

While an exciting new venture for the club and its players, it doesn’t come without added expenses.

Iannone said the cost for the team to travel across the southwest region of the United States will be steep. ey’ve looked

Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club is further expanding its reach into the semi-professional realm of soccer by joining USL League Two, a division of the United Soccer League which is home to the Phoenix Rising. Games will be played at Bell Bank Park in Mesa. (Dave Minton/Sta )

into various sponsorships from local businesses across the Valley.

While it will be di cult, he is con dent the club will be able to achieve their nancial goals and put together a competitive team to compete in the USL League Two.

“It’s a big jump up, I’ll be honest,” Iannone said. “It’s expensive but we thought to create a better landscape of soccer in Arizona and to give a better opportunity to Arse-

nal alumni, collegiate athletes and aspiring professional athletes, we thought, ‘Let’s do this thing.’

“We want to make it as competitive and impactful for the state as we can.”

Arsenal’s League Two team will be coached by Adam Burke, whose soccer coaching experience includes time with the Rising and most recently St. Louis youth teams.

Arsenal will soon hold tryouts for the League Two team. e team will play 14 matches in the regular season, seven of which will be held at Bell Bank Park’s stadium. e season will run from May to mid-July.

“I’m a kid in a candy shop,” Iannone said. “ is is something Technical Director Dave Belfort and I have had in the works for a long time. We nally got it approved about a month ago and to get this announced and see the reactions on social media, it was super exciting.

“ e hard work isn’t done yet. But as soon as that rst whistle is blown on that rst game, I know it’ll be super exciting for everybody that was involved putting this together.”

WILLIAMS from page 32

year’s NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City under. His younger brother’s ceiling, according to experts, is the same, if not higher.

Twenty-four of the best high school senior basketball players from across the country were selected for the game, which include sons of former or current NBA players. Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, was selected to the West roster alongside Reed Shepherd (Je Sheppard) and Andrej Stojakovic, the son of former Kings sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic.

Mookie Cook, a 6-foot-7 small forward from AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, was also selected. He will compete on the West roster.

e McDonald’s All-American Game will take place on March 28 in Houston.

“Cody is an elite player. He belongs in this game,” Duane said. “I don’t say that just because I’m his coach. He has supreme con dence in his abilities. Cody will do very well in that game.”

Pickleball capturing attention of athletes, celebrities

BY AARON SCHMIDT Cronkite News

Pickleball has taken the country by storm and its surging popularity has attracted the attention of some of the biggest stars in sports. Major League Pickleball (MLP) ofcially kicked o its 2023 season last month at Bell Bank Park with 24 teams from across the country participating in the tournament-style event.

e popular recreational game, which has been described as a combination of tennis, ping-pong and badminton, now has become a fast-growing professional sport. Athletes and celebrities have invested in the sport as members of ownership groups.

According to a report issued to the nancial network CNBC by the Association of Pickleball Professionals, 36.5 million Americans picked up a paddle in 2022. By comparison, the Sports & Fit-

Protect Your Legacy

ness Industry Association reported that 4.8 million people had played the sport in 2021.

In short, pickleball is skyrocketing, which is why well-known professional athletes are investing in pro pickleball teams.

e league reached out to athletes and corporations with experience in entertainment media, sponsorship and branding with the hopes of increasing revenue and promoting the sport.

e connection with tennis was evident in the MLP Mesa event, which was broadcast on the Tennis Channel, welcoming a national audience.

“If you look at some of our celebrity investors, we’ve got investors like LeBron James, who has almost 150 million Instagram followers,” said Brian Levine, the interim CEO of MLP. “We can reach a lot of people that I think typical linear broadcasting or live events won’t reach, so the upside is pretty dramatic.”

For 2023, MLP introduced two levels of play, Challenger and Premier.

e Premier Level consists of 12 teams made up from the top 48 players taken in the MLP draft. e Challenger Level is much like a developmental level in other sports, with the next 48 draftees making up 12 more teams that give the players an opportunity to eventually prove they belong at the Premier Level.

Each team consists of four players, two men and two women. Age isn’t a factor and league players range from

16 years old to 48. e inclusiveness is one reason pickleball is growing in popularity and gaining attention across America.

In 2023, MLP will be split into two seasons of three events. e rst season began this past weekend and ends in June, while the second season begins in September and ends in December.

e total prize pool for the six events is more than $5 million.

Because of the nancial opportunities MLP now o ers, many players are beginning to devote their lives to this sport.

Although pickleball is growing throughout the country, it has a long history of popularity in Arizona, where there are more than 300 courts. e Legacy Sports Complex has 41 pickleball courts on site, and most of them were in use as the matches were taking place. e MLP season continues at the league’s next event slated for March 2326 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

“If you look at some of our celebrity investors, we’ve got investors like LeBron James, who has almost 150 million Instagram followers.”

WM Phoenix Open brings the noise to Scottsdale

BY JOE MCHUGH Tribune Staff Writer

After record-breaking attendance in 2022 with over 719,000 fans, the WM Phoenix Open returns to TPC Scottsdale tomorrow, Feb. 6.

“We’re going to have probably 90,000 people per day at a minimum,” said tournament Chairman Pat Williams.

“Certainly, on the weekend, we’re going to have more, so with the sheer size and scale of our tournament, we’ll have almost five or six days of people at our tournament that will match the Super Bowl crowd every day, which is really fun and exciting.”

Organized by the Thunderbirds, the 2023 WM Phoenix Open runs through Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 12.

It will host free practice rounds, and other peripheral events like Annexus Pro Am, the Special Olympics Putting contest starting Feb.9.

The 132-player field is loaded this year, with a commitment from the world’s top golfer, Rory McIlroy, as well as defending champion and No. 2-ranked Scottie Scheffler.

Other top-ranked players in the field are Xander Schauffele (6), Will Zalatoris (7), Justin Thomas (8), Collin Morikawa (9), Tony Finau (12), Sam Burns (13), Max Homa (16), Cameron Young (17), Sungjae Im (19), Shane Lowry (20) and Tommy Fleetwood (24). Golfers had to commit by last Friday.

“It’s just going to have a tremendous

see WMPO page 38

College exhibit captures the beauty of Prague

BY SRIANTHI PERERA GetOut Contributor

Geoff Reed, a photographer and Chandler-Gilbert Community College adjunct professor, views Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, as “a magical place of enduring mystery and beauty.”

As the digital photography instructor of the Study Abroad Program in Prague, housed at the community college, he has made eight visits and plans to teach during a ninth visit this summer.

With its many churches and cathedrals, Prague has a beautiful silhouette and is known as the “City of 100 Spires.” Cobblestone streets, ancient bridges, and a hilltop castle, as well as architecture from every period and style have contributed to its reputation.

Reed’s photos, along with work by photographer Elizabeth Overall, titled “Prague Frames: Photographs by Geoff Reed and Elizabeth Overall,” are on display through Feb. 14 at the college’s Library Gallery.

On show are 17 works by Reed, created using digital cameras, processed using Photoshop and printed as chromogenic prints, and nine works in cyanotypes by Overall. Reed also launched a book of images that complements the show.

“The works are very engaging and attractive,” said Roja Najafi, Ph.D., exhibition curator and art history program faculty lead. “They give you a snapshot of the city of Prague, with landmarks, normal street life, closeups and long shots.”

Teacher-student photographers Geo Reed and Elizabeth Overall are holding an exhibition of images from Prague at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College, taken during its Study Abroad Program. (Srianthi Perera/Contributor)

niques in urban landscape photography: straightforward digital photography and cyanotype.

Reed noted the modern spirit of Prague contrasting with its darker, medieval element.

“It’s got a very interesting mix between being in the center of Europe with more of an eastern influence,” he said. “Because it was a world heritage site, it was not bombed heavily at all during World War II. Most of the medieval architecture remains there.”

The Czechs, on the other hand, with its vibrant, young demographic, are quite modern.

“So, there’s an interesting contrast,” he added.

As an important European city, Prague has a very rich history, politically, culturally and artistically. The exhibition gives exposure to the program and showcases see

the opportunity, Najafi said.

Adding to the energizing visual experience are the two different printing tech-

Reed teaches commercial and portrait

After record-breaking attendance in 2022 with over 719,000 fans, the WM Phoenix Open returns to TPC Scottsdale, tomorrow, Feb. 6. (Courtesy of the WM Phoenix Open)

King Crossword

Betty “Jean” Corbridge, 97, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away January 19, 2023 in Vista, California. Jean was born January 7, 1926 in Grand Island, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Lt. Col. Leith James Corbridge, Jr. Jean leaves behind her children: Carol, William and Cecile; grandchildren: Torrey, Montana, Scott, Skye, Shay, Jordan, Tyler, Shauna; great-grandchildren: Landon, Lena, Alex; niece Robin, and her dear friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, February 6 at Resthaven Mortuary Chapel, 4310 East Southern Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85042. Private interment will follow service.

Betty Jean Corbridge

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES

WMPO from page 36

effect on our tournament overall,” Williams said. “Our fans who are there to see golf, are going to see the best players in the world. It’s really exciting for us to have a field that really will rival any major tournament, or one of the majors in golf, so we couldn’t be more excited.”

Another player joining the field is 2022 WM Phoenix Open T14 finisher Chris Kirk, who will be looking to capture the title. Kirk has participated in the WM Phoenix Open 10 times in the last 11 years. Only being cut twice in that span, Kirk knows how to navigate the course.

“I think that the course just sets up really great for me,” Kirk said. “It gets a little bit of a reputation of bombers playing well there, but I feel like you’ve got to drive really good out there, especially the par fives, it’s really important to hit fairways.”

Kirk was on a roll in the 2021-2022 season, coming off one of the better years. He’s placed well in big tournaments like the PGA Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Honda Classic and RBC Canadian Open, finishing top 10 in each event.

His momentum has carried into the new season, as he has played in seven events, only missing two cuts. His success continues this season, missing the same number of cuts.

The WM Phoenix Open is one of 17 tournaments this season designated for a bigger purse. The players will compete for a $3.6 million first-place prize, more than double the 2022 purse. This prize is pulled from a $20 million purse in 2023, $11.8 million above the $8.2 million purse last year, as well as 500 FedEx Cup points.

“I’m expecting a great field, maybe the best field we’ve ever had,” Williams said. “At the core, what makes this work is the players and we need and want a good field every year. It’s very important to the success of the tournament.”

One of the oldest events on the PGA Tour, the WM Phoenix Open will be entering its 88th iteration. The structure of the golf tournament has evolved, turning from an ordinary golf event to a spectacle.

The 2023 WM Phoenix Open experience will feature many of the things

that were at last year’s event, like the return of the 36,000-square-foot Fairway House, a general admission structure on the highest point of the golf course that offers the best views.

Starting on Monday, the first of two pro-am events, the Carlisle Pro-Am, will be held and has free admission.

The following day is a free practice round, where the pros will be in action, sharpening their game and concocting a winning game plan. Tuesday will also include the Special Olympics putting contest, paving the way for the tournament thank organizations for supporting the event.

Come Wednesday, the stars are out to shine in the Annexus Pro-Am. Participants include former Arizona Cardinals running back and Super Bowl champion, Emmitt Smith, ASU alumni and the most decorated Olympic athlete, Michael Phelps and three-time MVP Albert Pujols.

“Wednesday is maybe my favorite day of the week,” Williams said. “Wednesday is our pro-am day, but it’s also our shot at glory which, if fans haven’t been to that, shot of glory is a fantastic honor and tribute to our military. And we have a really neat event where, where we’ll have some people hit shots at the 16th hole for charity.”

“As much as I am excited, I’m just proud that myself and the support of 54 other active Thunderbirds, and 200 plus more-like Thunderbirds have all worked very hard this year to make this tournament what it will be,” Williams said.

The WM Phoenix Open

When: Various times Feb. 6-12.

Where: TPC Scottsdale-Stadium Course, 17020 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale

Cost: Tickets start at $50

Info: wmphoenixopen.com

“As much as I am excited, I’m just proud that myself and the support of 54 other active Thunderbirds, and 200 plus more-like Thunderbirds have all worked very hard this year to make this tournament what it will be.”

Hale Theatre presents ‘The Andrews Brothers’

GETOUT STAFF

Just about everyone of a certain age knows about the Andrews Sisters, an internationally famous trio of “girl singers” who rocketed to fame in the 1940s.

The Hale Theatre in Gilbert is presenting a rollicking play that takes a different spin on this popular trio.

LaVerne, Patty, and Maxene sang their way into the hearts of Americans with such tunes as Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Slow Boat to China, and I’ll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time.

Over their careers, they charted more than 100 Billboard hits, 46 of them in the Top Ten – more than Elvis and The Beatles – and sold 100-million records.

But what about the Andrews Brothers?

People may not know them until they see three guys slip into the Andrews Sisters’ skirts and tap shoes to perform a USO show for World War II troops after the Sisters’ appearance became unavoidably canceled.

The guys have plenty of experience, sort of, as USO stagehands. They step up to save the day as they sing and dance to the amusement of the soldiers.

One of them even dances his way into the heart of a pretty admirer, backup singer Peggy Jones. Mistak-

en identities and madcap adventures abound in this wonderful valentine to the heroes of the Greatest Generation.

The show features two star-studded casts. The Gold Cast will star Joey Morrison as Max, Trevon Powell as Lawrence, Reece Harris as Patrick and Michala Montano as Peggy.

The Green Cast cast will star Raymond Barcelo as Max, Adam Guinn as

EXHIBIT from page 36 excursions.

photography at the Maricopa Community College District and digital photography for the Study Abroad program.

Any person of any age may participate in the digital photography class, provided they enroll in the community college and use a digital camera for the class. In the past, an 80-year-old enrolled, hence, age is not a barrier, according to Reed.

“It’s mainly community college students,” he said.

The five-week summer program begins with a week at the campus for basic instruction before leaving for Prague, where they meet four days a week for lessons and

A “fair amount” of free time is available for students to explore on their own, Reed said.

The digital photography course is aimed for beginners and intermediate learners, while it can also be tailored to offer advanced studies.

Overall works in cyanotype, a process created in 1842. She starts with a digital image, which is then hand-printed using the cyanotype process with Prussian Blue, reflecting her visual and spiritual experiences of Prague.

“The Prussian Blue of cyanotype speaks to me on a heart level, evoking a sense of spirituality, melancholy, and peaceful

Lawrence, Kyle Webb as Patrick and Holly Payne as Peggy. Both casts consist of popular Hale actors.

One hilarious skit follows another in the show studded with more than two dozen Andrews Sisters hits. Directed by Cambrian James, an oft-honored director and choreographer, with music directed by Lincoln Wright, it is a fun evening for families running

beauty,” said Overall.

Anyone interested in joining the Study Abroad program may like to visit the exhibition, Reed said.

“It’s a nice promotion for the study abroad program because we don’t always have exhibits of the work,” he said.

Meanwhile, Reed, who participated in a collaborative photography show regarding a trip to Guatemala at HD South in 2021, relishes in the new opportunity. His body of work from Prague has been snowballing since 2006.

“Having an opportunity to get it out in front of people and making the book itself was a real project of love,” he said. “I have a lot more pictures I want to make in

through March 7.

Tickets are $45 for adults and $30 for youth ages 5-17. Obtain tickets by calling Hale’s box office at 480-4971181 or online at HaleTheatreArizona.com.

Hale is located at 50 West Page Ave. in Gilbert’s Heritage District, across the street from the Gilbert Water Tower Park.

Prague; I haven’t finished there.”

Learn, see more

“Prague Frames: Photographs by Geoff Reed and Elizabeth Overall” is open to the public at Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Library Gallery. Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 7:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

Details on the Study Abroad program: cgc.edu/academics/studyabroad

Upcoming virtual information sessions are held on Mondays from 4-5 p.m. Feb. 13 and Feb. 27, March 20 and March 27.

The Hale Theatre in Gilbert presents a hilarious take-o on a famed singing trio with “The Andrews Brothers.” (Nick Woodward-Shaw/ Special to GetOut)

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• General Laborer

• Shipping & Inventory Crane Operator

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We are hiring immediately for all skilled operator positions to be part of building our new, state of the art micro mill from the ground up!

At CMC, we offer great benefits and provide all necessary training and certifications.

HD SOUTH offers array of programs

HD SOUTH will offer a series of informative programs for people of all ages in July. Programs are led by artists, historians, storytellers, botanists and scientists; experts in their field who share their knowledge and skills with our community.

Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum and located in the heart of the heritage district at Gilbert and Elliot roads,, the building opened as Gilbert Elementary School in 1913. It is the oldest building in Gilbert and is the only one on the National Register of Historical Places.

Gilbert Museum is a repository of artifacts chronicling the town’s rich history, featuring newly remodeled exhibits and interactive displays.

Many of the educational programs are free. Information: hdsouth.org/calendar. Unless otherwise noted, registration is required and admission is free..

Vintage Home Life Exhibit

On display through Feb. 19 are vintage and antique artifacts used in homes in the early to mid 1900’s. Exhibit items include oil lamps, irons, kitchen implements and utensils, toasters, butter churns, coffee grinders, and more used by early Gilbert residents. Every piece in the exhibit is from HD SOUTH’s private collection.

18th annual Quilt Show

The annual Art of Quilting Show Feb. 28-May 27 includes a special exhibit of log cabin pattern quilts.

Annual arts league show, sale

The 20th annual Gilbert Visual Arts League Show and Sale is coming and select pieces are in Gallery 4 while all works can be viewed at gval.org . The show will include over 80 pieces of painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture.

The show opens Feb. 25 and runs until April 4. HD SOUTH partners with the nonprofit that offers a venue for local art-

ists to show their work. GVAL’s mission is to increase artistic awareness and appreciation in the community.

Valentine’s Day cookie decorating, 3-4:30 p.m. Feb. 11.

Vickie from Mae’s Cookie Jar to teach people how to decorate gorgeous Valentine’s Day themed cookies.

Attendees will take home their creations. All supplies are provided. Attendance is limited. Cost: $22 per person and includes instruction, three cookies, icing and sprinkles.

Art with Gval, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Feb. 18

A member from the Gilbert Visual Arts League will lead participants through a workshop where they will learn new artistic techniques and make their own personal art projects. All supplies will be provided. Ages 10 & up.

Mental health talks, 6:30-8

p.m, Feb. 21

Paula McCall, founder of the Semicolon Society will teach attendees more about mental health issues and awareness and will provide information for treatment sources and wellness options. This month’s mental health discussion revolves around teen mental health awareness.

Gardening

in the

desert, 10:30 a.m.-noon Feb. 25.

Learn how to start and upkeep gardens during the long summer months. Included will be information about which plants and trees are the best to include in your home gardens.

Movie night, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28.

Snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase. Movies are rated from G to PG. This month’s movie will be “Inside Out.” Ages 5 & up. Attendance is limited to 50.

GSN NEWS STAFF

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