Peoria Times 10-31-2019 by Times Media Group

Legend of McCain grows

At a service last summer to honor the passing of her father, Meghan McCain said, “We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness — the real thing.”

In his eulogy, former President George W. Bush added:

“If we are ever tempted to forget who we are, to grow weary of our cause, John’s voice will always come as a whisper over our shoulder — we are better than this, America is better than this.”

Rep. Sen. John McCain, a naval aviator and prisoner of war who became a power-

ful political leader, died Aug. 25, 2018, a few days short of his 82nd birthday. Twice elected to congress before spending 31 years as a senator, he may be the most famous Arizonan to hold office.

And it can be said his legend continues to grow — literally, in Peoria.

This Veterans Day, the city of Peoria is unveiling an expanded Senator John McCain Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza. The ceremony takes place at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at the Peoria Veterans Memorial in Rio Vista Community Park.

The ceremony features a dedication to the recently expanded McCain Memorial and the addition of 68 names to the Honor Wall.

‘Best of the West’ to be honored

For years considered a tag-along to the Phoenix area business scene, the West Valley is emerging as a leader. Huge projects and high-profile companies underscore rapid growth from Goodyear, Avondale and Buckeye to Glendale and even Peoria.

In its 27 years, WESTMARC—the Western Maricopa Coalition—helped promote this growth.

“The West Valley is coming into its own,” said Sintra Hoffman, president and CEO of WESTMARC.

“Over the past two decades, this region has grown to 1.6 million educated, skilled and connected residents. Over the next 25 years, 49.5%

Military was in his blood, as John Sidney McCain III was the son and grandson of admirals. He was a naval aviator who, after being shot down over Vietnam, was SEE

Peoria General Plan vision for the next 20 years

BY TOM SCANLON Peoria Times Associate Editor

After two years of studies, workshops, open houses, committee and planning meetings, the Peoria General Plan is nearing the finish line.

The comprehensive plan sets Peoria’s goals and priorities for the next 20 years and is being presented to Peoria City Council at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12.

“Council is going to take action on the 2019 major General Plan amendments,” said Chris Jacques, Peoria’s planning director. “We’ve proposed a series of amendments.”

The Peoria General Plan was last updated and approved by voters in 2010. Per state law, it must be updated and approved in 2020.

“It’s effectively a brand new general

plan,” said Jacques. “We set new goals and policies.”

Every year since 2010, minor changes were made to the General Plan. Since early 2017, “PlanPeoriaAz” took a big-picture look at the city.

“Our goal was a completely updated General Plan,” Jacques said. “Each year we’ve modified segments. This General Plan is reflective of all the amendments we’ve proposed over the last few years.”

It’s a fairly safe bet council will approve the General Plan at the Tuesday meeting, as the clock is ticking. State law requires the document be presented to voters in 2020.

“We don’t know if it will be in August or the November general election,” Jacques said. “The council on Nov. 12, will be taking action on the 2019 General Plan amendments. If they approve the amendments, we’ll decide which ballot to go on.”

what we call in planning ‘mixed-use,’ where we have commercial and residential together.”

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The General Plan is to serve as a guiding light to city government, as the draft proposal outlines:

“The city council and planning commission use the goals and policies of the General Plan as a basis upon which to make both long term and short term land use decisions. The city council will also use the goals and policies of the General Plan to determine long term objectives, generate and evaluate budgets, plan capital improvements and prioritize tasks.”

The 2020 election seems so far away, why should Peoria residents worry over it now?

“I think they should care about it,” said Jacques. “This plan is a comprehensive update to the General Plan we had in place. There’s been a lot of changes since 2010: the advent of internet retailing has created a big shift in retail

“We’ve also experienced demographic shifts, more and more people are going to destination experiences or

The General Plan Advisory Committee helped shape the document, sending it to the Planning Commission which approved revisions before sending it up the ladder to council.

In the 198-page document, the top three goals in the economic section are Balanced Land Use, Focused Growth and Sustainable Development.

All are related to the growth of the city, which Jacques witnessed in his 20 years in the Peoria Planning Department; he was named planning director in 2011.

As the introduction to the General Plan draft states, “Peoria was established in 1886, as a humble agricultural community. Since incorporating on June 7, 1954, Peoria has blossomed as a rapidly growing, modern city.”

Peoria’s population in 2010 was 154,065. It has grown more than 10% since, to an estimated 172,259. Official census figures will be presented in 2020.

“This General Plan is a complete re-

The Peoria General Plan will be presented to city council on Nov. 12. (Photo courtesy city of Peoria)

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look at our city,” Jacques said.

Over the last decade, he said, “Commercial growth has been steady. We’ve seen growth of established centers, Four Corners, Happy Valley and Lake Pleasant. And new centers have popped up, like 67th (Avenue) and Happy Valley (Road).”

As a recent council agenda packet on the General Plan stated, “The Master Planned Area category is for large scale developments that go beyond standard community design to gain greater flexibility for land uses and layout. These areas comprise a minimum of 1,300 acres, or any area containing a Specific Area Plan (SAP).

“The Master Planned Areas within the City include the Vistancia Planned Community District, Lake Pleasant Heights SAP, Saddleback Heights SAP, Verlago Planned Community District and the Old Town SAP. These areas go through a separate entitlement process and have unique development standards specific to the community that establish the land uses, densities and intensities of development, and the character of the area.”

Peoria is experiencing more than just traditional residential growth, Jacques said. “We’ve seen more medical facilities, more assisted living facilities. We’ve seen recently more multi-family housing opportunities.”

Jacques stresses the plan is not a “done deal,” and residents may still provide input.

“At the council meeting, (residents) can come and make a comment. We would evaluate that comment and determine if that should be a change to

the General Plan.”

Over the last two-and-a-half years of planning the plan, “We’ve gotten very good feedback,” Jacques said.

“We’ve had traditional community meetings and online surveys that got really good responses … Some of the key themes we’re hearing are people still desire fiscal stewardship, how the government manages fiscal resources.

“People are also interested in having more jobs in the community, shopping opportunities.

“We’re less of a bedroom commu-

nity. That is something the city and council have acknowledged.”

Jacques said residents also asked for more public spaces and gathering areas.

According to an October council agenda packet, “key principals and interwoven themes for achieving the 2040 vision such as:

1) Community wellness.

2) Placemaking.

3) Fiscal sustainability.

4) Building on strategic relationships.

5) Being resilient, adaptable and forward-thinking.

“PlanPeoriaAz also includes new, more descriptive land use categories and land use map which provides an additional layer of information to residents, developers, employers and beyond.”

Projecting for a period of 20 years, the proposal’s goals are lofty:

“The 2040 General Plan seeks to retain the character and values that make Peoria special while accommodating population growth in a better way than simply continuing to expand the city outward.”

tortured over the five years he was kept as a prisoner of war.

“Peoria’s Veterans Memorial represents our tremendous respect for the men and women who courageously defended the freedoms that we enjoy today,” said Mayor Cathy Carlat. “We continue to enrich this area and with the latest improvements now complete, I am pleased to stand alongside the Peoria community as we honor the legacy of America’s bravest patriots.”

The Peoria Veterans Memorial was built in 2007, during the construction of the Rio Vista Recreation Center.

The memorial features notable wartime events engraved on an 88-foot black granite wall, a waterside deck, comfortable seating, shade structures, military branch flag display and the Honor Wall. The Honor Wall is a place where individuals and families can honor their loved ones who serve or have served in the military. Each honor space includes the veteran’s name, rank, branch and service years.

The Senator John McCain Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza includes a 1967 Bell UH-1H Huey helicopter flown in Vietnam from 1968 – 1971. The Huey

is on loan from Light Horse Legacy, a Peoria-based non-profit encouraging the treatment and healing of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) suffered by U.S. combat veterans of all conflicts.

Funded in part by community donations, seating, more trees and architectural elements were added to promote comfort and quiet reflection at the memorial.

“I was fortunate to be on city council when we began the first phase of our Veterans Memorial, but as time moved on, I believed we needed to do more,” Carlat said.

“Peoria is a proud supporter of our veterans and it was important to me that we reflected that support. I envisioned this area as a welcoming and peaceful place for veterans and their families to feel the respect of their community. These individuals have made tremendous sacrifices for the freedoms that we enjoy.”

Councilmember Bill Patena and the Peoria Veterans Board were instrumental in enhancing the memorial, Carlat said.

Years after the Vietnam War divided the country, Carlat said, “Adding a special area specifically for the veterans of this war is an important gesture to

show that no matter the political environment, we support our veterans.

“Sen. John McCain dedicated 60 years of his life to public service, but it is because of his service as a Navy pilot in the Vietnam war that we dedicated the Vietnam Memorial in his name.”

The memorials are open daily 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Rio Vista Community Park, 8866 W. Thunderbird Road.

For information, call the Rio Vista Recreation Center at 623-773-8600 or visit peoriaaz.gov/veterans.

“Peoria’s Veterans Memorial is a point of pride for our community,” Carlat said.

“It’s here to honor the fallen and it’s here to celebrate the life and strength of those who have served and those who continue to protect our freedoms and virtues today.”

Five U.S. military branches are honored at the McCain Memorial. (Peoria Times photo by Tom Scanlon)

Peoria Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony

The program of the Peoria Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, at Rio Vista Community Park includes:

8 a.m.

• Prelude - Glendale Pipes and Drums.

• Welcome and Introduction of Dignitaries by John R. Sefton Jr.

• Pledge of Allegiance by John R. Sefton Jr.

• Invocation by David Mitchell, Peoria Police Chaplain.

• National Anthem performed by Sophie Marie Humbert.

• Welcome by Mayor Cathy Carlat.

• Dedication of the Sen. John McCain Veterans Memorial Plaza by Mayor Carlat.

• “God Bless America” performed by Sophie Marie Humbert.

• Comments by Councilman Bill Patena.

• Presentation of 2019 Honor Wall Additions by Tad Snidecor.

• Postlude by Glendale Pipes and Drums.

8:45 a.m.

Breakfast in Lakeside Room

“Peoria’s Honored Veterans”

Peoria Fire Department ‘Citizens Academy’ graduates

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

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holds an annual Citizens Academy during October. This year’s class start ed on Oct. 7, and met for five different nights, with “graduation” on Oct. 28.

This was an “Introduction to Emergency Response” event, designed to give residents a good taste of what the

Each night featured different activities, said Michael Selmer. As the public information officer for Peoria Fire-Medical, Selmer facilitated the academy.

The first night, the class met Peoria Vice Mayor Bridget Binsbacher, Fire

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Chief Bobby Ruiz, Deputy Chief Stacy Irvine, Deputy Chief Gary Bernard and Battalion Chief Tony Neely.

“Vice Mayor Binsbacher spoke to the citizens about the city and her support of our firefighters. DC Irvine taught them about tactics and the operations

of how our trucks respond to calls etc. Chief Ruiz spoke at length about fire behavior and the dangers associated with it,” said Selmer.

Night two was at Fire Station 191 where the crews had stations set up for hazardous material, technical rescue,

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After hours in the classroom, Citizens Academy students “geared up,” wearing professional firefighter equipment. (Photo courtesy Peoria Fire-Medical Department)

engine company functions and ladder company functions.

“At the engine station, the citizens got to flow water from an extended hand line,” Selmer said.

“On the ladder station, the citizens got to go up 90 feet in the air and see what it looks like from the top of the ladder in a defensive position. The cit izens also learned about fire behavior by a burning doll-house demonstration from Battalion Chief Brian Leathers.”

Then came a “full hose lay evolu tion,” connecting a hose to the ladder and flowing 1,000 gallons a minute.

It was, Selmer said, “a demonstration of how quickly our crews can get into

place and deployed in two minutes.”

On the third night, academy students listened to real-time 911 calls, to understand how that information gets conveyed to the firefighters. “The night also included a tour of our support services where all of our fleet is maintained and how they stay in top shape and ready for the road,” said Selmer.

The fourth night was a “live burn” event.

“Before a citizen can participate in this event, they had to schedule an appointment to get fit tested with a mask and sized for turnout gear,” Selmer said.

“After they are fitted, they had to pass an agility test that included climbing a flight of stairs, reaching the top and getting down on their hands and knees, then back on their feet and descend to the bottom without any issue

At

or assistance.”

All of that was done while wearing full gear and an air pack.

Fifteen students passed the test and participated in the live burn exercise, alongside firefighters.

“In the burning tower, they stretched a charged hose line down a hallway, searched rooms and experienced a flashover on the ceiling where they opened the bail to extinguish the fire,” Selmer said.

“Incredible experience. No other department in the Valley goes to these lengths for their citizen academies.”

The fifth night covered emergency medical services (EMS) and graduation.

Deputy Chief Jim Bratcher discussed EMS response and “paramedicine,” as well as procedures Peoria Fire-Medical performs in a prehospital setting. The students then had the chance to use equipment used by Peoria to respond to medical emergencies.

“The night ended with the group being led into the building by Firefighter Teresa Black playing the bagpipes as they marched in,” said Selmer.

Councilman Jon Edwards and Ruiz handed each of the participants a cer-

tificate for graduation. They went through fire to get those certificates.

The 2019 Peoria Fire-Medical Department Citizens Academy graduates:

Traci McCormick

Ryan McCormick

Juan Santiago

Jodi Costa

Daniel Navejas

Jessica Sanders

John Hayes

Barbara Hayes

Kylie Evans

Eugene Leach

Brandon Blankenship

Cristina Blankenship

Debbie Pierce

Judith Brooks

Braxton Selmer

Patrick Scott

Jesus Moreno

Philomena Raso-Lambie

Eric Anderson

Kai Goers

Noah Huerta

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Citizens Academy students learned about medical equipment used by Peoria Fire-Medical Department. (Photo courtesy Peoria Fire-Medical Department)

Students get up-close looks at how fire engines operate at the Citizens Academy.(Photo courtesy Peoria Fire-Medical Department)

Professionals trained Citizens Academy students on life-saving techniques.(Photo courtesy Peoria Fire-Medical Department)

Peoria write-in candidate’s lawsuit dismissed

BY TOM SCANLON Peoria Times Associate Editor

After losing in a landslide to Peoria Pine District Councilwoman Denette Dunn, Cordero Delgadillo filed a lawsuit alleging the council seat was “won by Dunn via illegitimate and unconstitutional means.”

The lawsuit, filed Sept. 4, and amended Oct. 8, was dismissed Oct. 17.

“The Court finds plaintiff/contestant (Delgadillo) failed to meet his burden to establish any ground to invalidate the election,” wrote Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sherry K. Stephens.

“The evidence does not show that the city of Peoria or defendant Dunn engaged in misconduct, improper influence or election violations.”

Although his wide-ranging allegations of abuse were shot down, in a minor victory for Delgadillo, the judge ruled he did not have to pay the city of Peoria’s legal fees.

Tim LaSota, attorney for Dunn, called it “a frivolous lawsuit. The allegations are ridiculous.”

Delgadillo, an attorney who specializes in intellectual property and data security, said, “The election lawsuit went quickly, especially relative to other civil lawsuits that often take much longer than a few weeks.”

In an email, he wrote that he lacked “time and resources (monetary and otherwise) to succeed on the expedited timelines … II nonetheless stand firmly behind my decision to utilize the legal system in an attempt to improve the integrity of local elections.”

In his lawsuit, Delgadillo took exception to the city of Peoria mailing a postcard to Pine District voters, notifying them that Randal Rains had withdrawn from running for the open seat and that votes for Rains “would not count toward him being elected as the city of Peoria Pine District Councilmember.”

Delgadillo said, “It was determined by the Court that the spirit of the law was followed even if not the letter of the law was not.

“I respectfully disagree with that determination, but I will not appeal the decision.”

Dunn’s attorney LaSota previously called Delgadillo’s wide-ranging allegations “cheap politics.”

Delgadillo does not see it that way.

“All said and done, I consider this lawsuit a small victory towards ensuring election integrity, and I hope the lawsuit encourages other voters to file similar legal actions if they experience suspicious activities or misconduct during an election,” Delgadillo said.

Peoria nurse accused of assisted suicide

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

A Peoria nurse faces charges in California that she helped a friend commit suicide.

Kristie Jane Koepplin was arrested in Peoria Oct. 14. At Maricopa County Superior Court, she faces fugitive from justice charges, with a hearing scheduled Nov. 13.

She was transported to California, where she entered a not guilty plea to homicide charges on Oct. 29 in Orange County

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said Koepplin allegedly injected Matthew Peter Sokalski, 57, with a lethal dose of drugs in a Mission Viejo, California, hotel in April 2018.

“California’s right to die law strictly governs the conditions under which terminally ill adult patients with the capacity to make medical decisions can be prescribed an aid-in-dying medication,” Orange County District Attorney

Todd Spitzer said in a statement.

“That was not the case here. It is beyond disturbing that someone who is trained as a nurse to aid the sick and the dying would twist their duty to willingly end the life of another human being,” Spitzer added.

Koepplin posted bail and was released from custody. She’s due back in Orange County court on Jan. 7. If convicted, she faces 25 years to life.

Kristie Jane Koepplin, a Peoria nurse, faces charges of homicide in California for allegedly helping a friend commit suicide. (Photo courtesy Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)

of the growth in Maricopa County will occur in the West Valley.

“While many previously felt the West Valley was not the ‘favored child in the family,’ today residents, stakeholders and leaders understand we are the emerging community and have the advantage of learning lessons from other regions in the state.”

WESTMARC is a public-private partnership of the 15 residential and business communities, as well as the educational sector in the West Valley. The organization, according to its mission statement, “is committed to our members’ success and to our mission of enhancing economic development and promoting quality of life in the West Valley,” Hoffman added.

Additionally Hoffman mentioned,

egory are Glendale’s Desert Diamond West Valley Casino, which is expanding and hiring more than 1,000, and Avondale’s Coldwater Depot Logistics Center.

In the excellence in innovation category, the finalists include the city of Peoria’s Business Concierge and Arizona State University’s Cybersecurity Education Consortium (CEC).

The Peoria program was created “to strengthen the city’s business partnership, build rapport, connect businesses with services and community support programs, navigate planning, zoning, signage, code enforcement and other areas within the city.”

ASU’s CEC “is actively working to empower students at any age to be the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and leaders.”

winner is Julie Rees of the lobbying and advocacy firm Triadvocates.

Best of the West costs: Member table, $2,000; non-member table,

$2,500; member individual seat, $275; non-member individual seat, $325.

For reservations and more information, visit westmarc.org/bow19.

The awards dinner is a chance for the West Valley to remember how far it has come, Hoffman said, with destinations like Skyline Regional Park, the Cardinals, Coyotes and ISM Raceway..

“West Valley residents are proud of the high quality of life and strong community networks we enjoy. Many young families who moved here during the economic boom, are still here but with young adult children,” said the Westmarc CEO.

“We truly choose to live here today, and the ‘little sibling complex’ is an outdated feeling.”

“We are working with developers, investors and communities to highlight our professional workforce and encourage investment in Class A office space.”

This time of year, WESTMARC celebrates top West Valley achievements with a dinner and awards show.

WESTMARC is hosting the 27th-annual Best of the West Awards dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at State Farm Stadium.

“The Best of the West Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the image, lifestyle and economy in the West Valley,” Hoffman explained. “WESTMARC is proud to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations making a great impact in the West Valley.” Adding:

“For the last four years, the Arizona Cardinals have been the presenting sponsor - and they really know how to put on a show.”

The organization announced finalists in four categories.

Finalists in the economic engine cat-

There are two quality of life enhancement in community finalists: West Valley Arts Council, located in Surprise and features members from around the West Valley, and Maryvale Revitalization Corporation’s HERO U Program, which aims to promote positive thinking for students in eighth and ninth grade.

Surprsingly there are no teachers in the quality of life enhancement in education category. Finalist include Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life, an annual conference helping to “dispel the stigma of being a ‘snitch’ or a ‘tattletale’ by informing students that reporting warning signs can often prevent school tragedies,” and Waddell’s Canyon View High School, which recently won the prestigious James MacConnell Award “for curiosity, creativity and imagination in education.”

In addition to the four annual awards, the WESTMARC board of directors will also present the inspiration in leadership award to Littleton School District Superintendent Roger Freeman and the regional advancement award to Mike and Cindy Watts, of the ASU Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

This year’s President’s Choice Award

Avondale’s Coldwater Depot Logistics Center is a finalist in the WESTMARC “Best of the West” awards.

(Photo courtesy city of Avondale)

Sintra Hoffman, WESTMARC president and CEO, is excited about West Valley growth. (Photo courtesy WESTMARC)

Maryvale Revitalization Corporation’s HERO U Program is a finalist in the WESTMARC “Best of the West” awards. (Photo courtesy city of Avondale)

Where veterans feel at home

BY TOM SCANLON Peoria Times Associate Editor

Sitting across the lunch table from fellow Veterans IV Veterans member Brian Kendall, Dustin Abbas often looks at a notebook to confirm an event or double-check a date.

“I have to write down everything,” said Abbas, polishing off his fries at

Moe’s Burgers in Glendale.

Abbas was a medic with the U.S. Army from 1998 until 2013, serving in Iraq. In 2011, the vehicle Abbas was in hit a mine. The explosion propelled him out of the vehicle, and he landed headfirst.

“I got up, dusted myself off and went back to trying to help people,” he said.

His wife knew something was wrong

when he called and asked how she was doing in the snowstorm. She was in Hawaii.

Though he suffered a traumatic brain injury, Abbas served another two years, hiding his failing memory by writing down everything he had to do each day.

After a medical discharge from the Army, Abbas settled in Phoenix, just outside Glendale. He felt he was drifting, until he found Veterans IV Veterans.

Though the group is nominally a motorcycle association, “We’re just a bunch of vets helping other vets,” said Kendall, who lives in Peoria.

On Veterans Day, there are plenty of events for those who served in the military.

Members of Veterans IV Veterans take part in several of the big ones, including a Saturday, Nov. 9, parade in Buckeye and a Monday, Nov. 11, event at the Glendale Public Library.

While Veterans Day is a special time for them, Abbas and Kendall say they are just as committed to helping veterans the other 364 days of the year.

“We’re the people behind the scenes, at a lot of veterans events,” said Kendall, who served in both the Army (197780) and U.S. Air Force (1981-85).

Kendall, who lives in Peoria, and other members of the West Valley group say helping other veterans has helped them find purpose post-active duty.

They say one of the most meaningful things they do is hosting bingo every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Phoenix Veterans Administration Community Living Center.

“The guys we play bingo with are usually the sickest of the sick,” said Robert “Tiny” Hogan. “A lot of them aren’t going home.”

Hogan and his Veterans IV Veterans comrades have spent time with dying veterans, sharing tears and prayers and letting them the military bond is with them to the end.

“The hardest part for me is the bingo, when we lose patients,” said Hogan.

Yet he soldiers on, feeling the purpose this group has given him.

Though the group is nominally a motorcycle association, “We’re just a bunch of vets helping other vets,” said Kendall, who lives in Peoria.

Hogan and Kendall co-founded

Veterans IV Veterans four years ago.

The association now has 22 members around the West Valley. They have found comradeship, post-military.

“I get along with other veterans better than citizens,” said Hogan, a pro wrestling-sized Goodyear resident with an ironic nickname.

“You can relate to them better.” Hogan, 52, is a Desert Storm combat veteran. After his discharge from the Army with a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, the PTSD symptoms hit him so fiercely there were days he wouldn’t leave his house.

Then he realized other veterans were far worse off, and helping them would also help him.

They are an active association, overcoming individual problems - several have PTSD, Abbas also had a traumatic brain injury - to aid other veterans, or just to celebrate the service.

On Veterans Day, the Veterans IV Veterans group will be in Glendale for a ceremony that includes the raising of a new flag and incineration of old American flags.

The Glendale event starts at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11 at the Glendale Main Library Auditorium, 5959 W. Brown Street. Speakers are planned, as well as a flyover by Luke Air Force Base.

“They should be fun,” Hogan said. While there is plenty of entertaining, uplifting events and specials around Veterans Day, the other 364 days of the year veterans can drift into the shadows. Hogan and his group stay active around the year. For veterans who are struggling, they deliver food and help clean yards. All the assistance and events can be exhausting, Hogan said. “We’ve got

Bernie “Slingshot” Kendall and Dustin “Singleshot” Abbas are members of Veterans IV Veterans, a West Valley motorcycle association that aids veterans in need and takes part in veterans events like the Buckeye Veterans Day Parade. (Peoria Times photo by Tom Scanlon)

Veterans IV Veterans is a West Valley motorcycle association that aids veterans in need and takes part in veterans events like the Buckeye Veterans Day Parade. (Photo courtesy Veterans IV Veterans)

to try to make time for ourselves with family and our kids,” he said.

“Sunday, we’re going to get together as a family group and enjoy some time together.”

When he uses the word “family,” it includes his association, Veterans IV Veterans.

“It’s a lot of work — a lot of work,” Hogan said.

“But it’s what I thought it would be. And it’s starting to get rewarding. People you helped years ago, you’re running back into. You’re seeing their lives are better.”

Abbas said was drifting three years ago until he heard about Veterans IV Veterans.

“I was going through a lot of hardship. I didn’t have a place in society,” Abbas said.

“When I met them, I went up to Tiny and put my hand on his shoulder and said, ‘Hey, what’s this group all about?’

“It’s what you learn in grade schoolgo up to the biggest, baddest dude and talk to him. And he was really nice.”

Indeed, Tiny Hogan proved to be soft-spoken and caring. And, he said, he is grateful to the group for making his own life better;

“For me, it’s important. It gives me a purpose. It gives me a purpose to get out of the house. Without that, I don’t know what I’d do.”

Abbas seconded that, saying that being a part of Veterans IV Veterans has given him direction.

“It’s been a lifeline for me,” said Abbas. “It’s easier for veterans to talk to other veterans. We’ve all been through the same stuff.”

For more information, visit veteransivveteransmotorcycleassociation.com.

Veterans Day Celebration

Glendale will host a Veterans Day Celebration beginning at 9 a.m. Monday Nov. 11 outside the Glendale Main Library, 59th Avenue and Brown Street. A new flag will be raised before unveiling of a custom-built incinerator to retire worn Amercian flags. Dignity Memorial is joining the Glendale Chamber of Commerce Military and Veterans Affairs committee to install vaults for the retired ashes in Glendale’s Resthaven Memorial Park. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, call the Glendale Public Art Program at 623-930-3557 or visit

glendaleazchamber.org/militaryaffairs

Peoria judge inducted into Veteran’s HOF

BY ERIC NEWMAN Peoria Times Staff Writer

Donald Watts was among the 22 members inducted into the United Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame on Oct. 18. Watts is a Manistee justice of the peace from Peoria and a veteran of the Arizona Air National Guard who spent time at the Luke Air Force Base.

He expressed humility, wondering what he did to deserve the Hall of Fame honor.

Watts recalled hearing speeches from Gov. Doug Ducey as well as several other influential politicians at the ceremony. He also enjoyed traditional dances from Native Americans to celebrate the inductees.

But, just like when he was nominated in the first place, when he heard his name and received the lapel pin, he was very humbled.

“I am not sure that I really did a lot to deserve this,” Watts said, chuckling.

“But then in front of 500 or so people, they’re reading your name and all your accomplishments, and I said, “Hey, maybe I did something after all.’”

The Hall of Fame is sponsored and run by United Arizona Veterans, a coalition of over 50 veterans’ groups that meet monthly to represent the needs of vets to state and national legislators and provide communication between the different factions.

Each year, a select group of veterans is nominated for their service and work for their community after retiring from the military. A panel of 13 members thoroughly examines each nominee’s credentials in an extensive background check. Then, the Arizona governor must sign off on each inductee.

Past inductees, since the hall was founded in 2007, include important state figures such as John McCain, Barry Goldwater and Pat Tillman.

Watts, after retiring from the military, served for over 20 years as a police officer before becoming a justice of the peace in 2014.

Outside of work, he is involved in such organizations as the American Legion, scouts and the Stand Down initiative, among others. His dedication and service were what earned him the nod for the 2019 class.

Last week, Watts was not sure how he would celebrate Veterans Day. But he will remember those who served before him.

FEATURING FURNITURE MADE IN THE USA

Judge Watts (Peoria Times File Photo)

America is in the middle of an uncivil war

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Peoria Times Columnist

Now the calendar flips to November and you find yourself offering a prayer for this embattled nation of ours.

In precisely one year, on the first Tuesday in November 2020, America will contest what promises to be the ugliest Presidential election, in any of our lifetimes.

Given what this nation lived through in 2016, that’s really saying something.

Twelve months from Election Day, with the Iowa caucuses three months out, we know perhaps only one thing for sure: President Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee.

Sure, Trump needs to survive the upcoming House impeachment process –a dog and pony show for the ages, no doubt – and the increasing likelihood of a trial in the U.S. Senate.

But the smart money remains on the House impeaching followed by the Senate failing to muster the twothirds vote necessary to remove a sitting President from office.

Might Trump resign under pressure, a la Richard Nixon in 1974? My belief is no.

Feeling pressure is a rational response to facing a deeply unsettling situation and rationality has never been a Trump strong point.

Across the aisle, Democrats culled their field to 18 candidates running against Trump.

I’ll confess I’ve paid precious little attention so far, instead of adopting my typical approach to NBA basketball: Skip the regular season and wait for the conference finals.

This way, you avoid watching the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks – or Wayne Messam and Steve Bullock – and you cut straight to the chase.

My prediction: Anyone who predicts in American politics a year out is bound to be embarrassed.

I’m still living down predicting Joe Arpaio would be sheriff until he turns 114 years old. Instead, here’s an observation I guarantee will be key come next November: Whomever the Democrats pick, Republicans will hate that person, down to the marrow.

This will leave us heading into Election Day about where we are right now: With eight in 10 registered partisans very likely to vote and 90 percent

of them in lockstep with their party’s candidate of choice.

As for the rest of us – voters outside the two major parties – there’s one key demographic who will decide this election, exactly as exit polls say they did in 2016.

Georgetown University recently polled Americans about the 2020 race, and buried in GOP pollster Ed Goeas’ analysis was this nugget: “Exit polling in 2016, indicated that 19 percent of voters who voted on Election Day had an unfavorable view of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. President Trump won most of these ‘dislike both’ voters by a two-to-one margin in the key states making this bloc of voters decisive for his victory.”

That’s what Election 2020 surely will come down to swing state voters, who

Support veteran-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs

BY MICHAEL VALLANTE Guest Columnist

As we move into November, a month of gratitude, the Small Business Association begins the month by celebrating National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW).

We take this opportunity to say “thank you” to our military men and women, and veteran community for serving our country. Now entering its sixth year, NVSBW raises awareness of veteran business ownership and encourages local communities to support their veteran- and military-owned businesses.

At SBA, the Office of Veterans Business Development is devoted exclusively to promoting veteran entrepreneurship and supporting veteran small business owners and their family. Veterans and transitioning service

WAR FROM PAGE 12

despise both candidates, holding our noses and throwing a dart at the lesser of two evils.

Maybe the economy stays strong and that’s enough to bail out Trump come November.

Or maybe he tweet-attacks and MAGA hashtags his way right out of office, fired like that old colleague we all once worked with, the guy who got some stuff done but took credit for his achievements and yours and whom nobody liked much besides.

members can access customized entrepreneur curriculums, in-person classes and online courses to aid them in their small business journey. SBA knows that these resources are valued by our service members’ community.

For example, veteran couple Don (U.S. Navy) and Sheila (U.S. Marine Corps) Richardson started their business, Aspen Communications, with two employees and revenues of $30,000 in 1999. The company focuses on structured cabling and fiber optics, computer networking, network security, surveillance, and phone and video conferencing. Don and Sheila reached out for guidance along the way to the Small Business Development Center at Yavapai College and SCORE for assistance in addressing challenges unique to business and federal contracting. SBDCs and SCORE are SBA resource partners that offer free one-on-one

The Georgetown poll also found that the average voter believes that right now America is two-thirds of the way to the edge of a second civil war.

There I disagree. I think we’re actually in the middle of it.

This time, the war isn’t being fought with muskets and cannons. The weapons are ballots and we have a year until a ceasefire. Then, next November, we can total up the dead and wounded.

david@leibowitzsolo.com.

counseling to small business owners. Today, Don and Sheila employ 20 and have revenues exceeding $2 million. Aspen is now a Service Disabled Veteran Owned business with a Federal 8(a) certification and located in a HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone).

SBA encourages veterans and transitioning service members to utilize SBA services. Here are five SBA resources available today to our country’s service members reach the American Dream of owning a business:

1. Transition assistance: SBA and its resource partners support active duty and transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses through Boots to Business, part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program. Find a Boots to Business education and training program here: sbavets.force.com/s/.

2. Entrepreneurial training: On your entrepreneurship mission, you may need additional training to help you start, grow, or expand your business. Whether you’re a female veteran, service-disabled veteran, or looking to learn business fundamentals, you can tap into SBA’s entrepreneurial training programs for help. Resource partners include Women’s Business Centers that assist women in starting and growing small businesses; Small Business Development Centers that offer free, one-on-one counseling and low-cost training services; and SCORE a network of thousands of volunteer business counselors around

the country that provides free in-person and online counseling as well as educational workshops.

3. Access to capital: It may be time to consider funding options for your business – whether it’s capital to start the company or funding to help you expand. SBA and its network of resources understands that funding and capital may be a barrier for veterans on their mission to start or scale up your business. The network of local offices, resource partners, and organizations is available to help entrepreneurs identify lenders and understand different financing options. SBA’s Lender Match is a free online referral tool that connects small businesses with participating SBA-approved lenders.

4. Government Contracting: Are you looking to pursue government contracting opportunities to help your business grow? At this stage of your mission, SBA and its partners can help you through the Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program where you can learn how to navigate the complexities of government contracting. Learn more about government contracting at sba.gov/ federal-contracting.

5. SBA district offices can connect you to local SBA resources, mentors and training. Visit sba.gov for more information and to find a local office.

Michael Vallante is a Small Business Administration administrator for Region IX, overseeing the agency’s programs and services in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Guam.

David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995. Contact

Meant for More teaches balance for entrepreneurial women

BY ALISON STANTON Peoria Times Contributing Writer

As a busy mom, wife and businesswoman, Stephanie Hendrick knows what it is like to have one day blend into the next.

Between taking care of her two daughters and working with her husband to grow their business, Hendrick realized that her life had become an endless to-do list and a constant struggle to find balance — often at the expense of her own joy and dreams.

These experiences, along with a desire to help other working moms and women entrepreneurs to live more fulfilling lives and become more successful in their work, inspired Hendrick to launch her own business, Meant for More LLC, about a year ago.

“Meant for More is a platform primarily of speaking, writing and coach-

ing to reach the female entrepreneurs and working moms,” said Hendrick, who resides in Peoria with her family.

“I know their journeys firsthand as well as the struggle of balancing everything. I’m here to tap them on the shoulder and show them how to break through the glass ceiling they’ve been staring at.”

As Hendrick explained, this glass ceiling represents barriers that women face in business.

From her own personal experience as a businesswoman who is busy with a family, Hendrick said she knows that other women may need someone who can guide them and show them how to manage aspects of their day.

This can include improving their time management, putting systems into place, learning how to narrow their market into a niche and knowing how

tools that women can use, including a free morning routine workbook and a blog filled with inspiring articles.

In early November, Hendrick spoke to members of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce at a “Women 4 Women” event. Her talk focused on the use of stories in branding, including how to capture the audience’s attention and drive business.

“Branding is typically a lot of noise, but stories are where we stop and listen,” she said.

to tell a story to capture their audience.

Since founding Meant for More, Hendrick has been pleased to see women from all over the country follow her website and join her email list.

“Meant for More isn’t about me; it’s about the women who are walking the same path,” Hendrick said.

While Hendrick said her niche market is the female entrepreneur, her talks are applicable to both men and women, because they cover productivity, niche marketing and implementing story into brand messaging.

“My coaching, writing and speaking is nationwide, and I love the opportunity to be invited into corporations, associations and small businesses for speaking engagements,” she said.

“It’s a platform for those that feel isolated or stuck but are driven by passion to take their business to the next level. I’m merely a guide on their journey to help them get their faster and to educate them on some of the toughest topics in business.”

By launching Meant for More, Hendrick said she also wanted to show her own daughters, ages 7 and 10, the importance of following their own passions in life.

“Our kids don’t learn by what we tell them; they learn and model after what they see their parents do,” Hendrick said.

“As a woman, I knew my girls needed to see their mom chase her purpose and dream if I wanted the same thing for them someday.”

In addition to her business coaching and speaking engagements, the Meant for More website offers a number of

Hendrick said she especially enjoys watching women break through the barriers and realize what they can do—often surprising themselves in the process.

“We all have such incredible potential, but until our mindset aligns with what we know our next steps to be we’ll continue to tread water,” she said.

“When you give a message that resonates and inspires someone into action there’s so much reward in that.”

For more information about Meant for More and/or contact Hendrick, visit stephaniehendrickco.com or email her at stephaniehendrickco@gmail.com.

With Meant for More, Stephanie Hendrick aims to help women in business find life balance and break through “the glass ceiling.”

(Photo courtesy Stephanie Hendrick)

Business is buzzing in Peoria

BY ALLISON ENGSTROM Peoria Times Contributing Writer

Honey Hive Farms is creating a buzz with its honey exchange.

Owner Tim Moore, owner of the Peoria business, offers bulk honey, bee packages and equipment.

He sells his local honey Saturdays from 10 am. - 1 p.m. at his farm on 83rd and Thunderbird avenues.

Moore recently offered people the option to trade in their store-bought honey for a new bottle of his locally made honey. Moore was eager to get out of his comfort zone and try something new with his business and feels like it paid off with the people that he met.

“It was a good way to meet people in the neighborhood. I really liked seeing people come in,” Moore said.

Moore’s nine-year-old son Alex loves “when customers come by to buy our honey and bring kids too.”

“The beekeeping classes bring people together and educate them. That part is pretty cool because people have nowhere to go to learn these things in town, that I know of,” Moore said.

Moore’s wife Connie enjoys educating people and “seeing customers having fun going into the hive.”

Tracey Lugo of Raw Life Farms is a wholesale buyer who has worked with Moore and enjoys the uniqueness of the honey he makes.

From local flavors like orange blos-

Moore hopes to do something like this again with a “zero waste” twist to it. “I want to do another one where if you’ve bought honey with us before, then you can come fill your bottle back up yourself, we will weigh it and charge per ounce,” Moore said.

What started as a hobby for Moore in Missouri quickly turned into a business that brought him to Phoenix. He brought Honey Hive Farms to Peoria four years ago.

Honey Hive Farms thrived in the desert climate, as Missouri’s weather is a “dice roll” as Moore puts it. Due to the warmer temperatures here, Moore has found success in harvesting honey almost all year long.

Moore doesn’t stop at selling honey. He also offers beekeeping classes to help educate the community.

som to wildflower, there is something for everyone at Honey Hive Farms.

“What sets his honey apart is it’s unpasteurized and unfiltered and its local to this area so it helps people who have allergies,” Lugo said.

Lugo sells a variety of honey at her stand inside Arrowhead Mall. From CBD infused honey to honey that provides allergy relief, Lugo uses Moore’s honey because it is unique.

“Tim has a distinctive taste to his honey that my customers love,” Lugo said.

The process of making honey is rather simple as Moore describes it.

“Ultimately you just pull the honey out of the hives, you extract it and then you bottle it. It’s a lot of work but it’s a

also travels across the country shipping his products.

“I drive 5,000 miles in five days by myself in eight states and meet 900 people with two different time changes and two different directions,” More said.

simple process,” Moore said.

While the process sounds simple, the maintenance can be the challenging part.

“The hard part is taking care of them. It’s like having 50 kids and we have 600 hives here,” Moore said.

Not only does Moore have the challenge of taking care of the bees, but he

Despite these challenges, he has found that the people he meets along the way are what keep him passionate about his business.

“I meet the coolest people here,” Moore said, “I enjoy hearing their stories and learning from them.”

Honey Hives farm is at 14611 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria. For more information, call 602-330-8468 or visit honeyhivefarms.com.

Bring the Thanks to Thanksgiving

Bundtinis® and our “Sweetest in the Patch”

Bundtini Toppers available by the dozen.

Tim Moore doesn’t just produce and sell honey, he teaches beekeeping classes in Peoria. (Photo courtesy Honey Hives Farms)

Tim Moore’s “employees” work hard at Honey Hives in Peoria. (Photo courtesy Honey Hives Farms)

Tim Moore sells a variety of his local honey Saturdays from 10 am. - 1 p.m. at his farm on 83rd and Thunderbird avenues. (Peoria Times photos by Allison Engstrom)

Football playoffs kick off

BY ERIC NEWMAN Peoria Times Staff Writer

Multiple teams from the Peoria area landed in the football playoff brackets, announced in a presentation by the AIA on Saturday morning.

Among the teams selected to compete for a state championship:

OPEN Division:

Centennial:

The No. 2 Coyotes howled up a 9-1 record. Their only loss was a 71-21 defeat against California’s Mater Dei, the defending high school football national champion. After that, Centennial went on an 8-0 run to end the season, allowing just a total of 28 points in eight games that included five consecutive shutouts in their region contests.

Senior quarterback Jonathan Morris leads the Coyote offense, throwing 16 touchdowns and just one interception through nine games. Junior Bryson Thomas led the team with 53 tackles, and senior Jaydin Young added 47 while also starting at running back.

The Coyotes, who have won the past two 5A state champions, will likely face a more difficult playoff bracket, including a first-round matchup against No. 7 Hamilton.

“Our guys like to challenge themselves. That’s why we play teams like Mater Dei, or Long Beach Poly, and this will be a real challenge here,” coach Richard Taylor said.

“Normally if you’re seeded high, the

first playoff game is kind of a warmup. But in this, you’re playing a tough team because everybody in that eight has a real chance of winning the whole thing.”

As the only team from the area in the Open Division, Taylor added that the team is looking to win a title for the West Valley.

“We feel that we’re not only representing our school and our community, but we want to hold the banner high for all of the west side,” he said.

6A:

Liberty:

No. 7 Liberty is the only West Valley school to host a 6A playoff game. The Lions lost to Open Bracket-bound Chaparral 36-35 to end the season, but the group of over 40 seniors – the most in recent team history – are prepared to make a postseason run.

A run-heavy team, senior quarterback Jonah Guevara leads the Lions in rushing with over 600 yards, as well as over 1,200 through the air. Sophomore Jax Stam recorded a team-high in tackles with over 60 and was last year’s top freshman tackler in Arizona.

The Lions landed on a 6-4 record and will host No. 10 La Joya Community in the first round.

5A:

Sunrise Mountain:

The No. 8 Mustangs have shown the ability to compete with just about anybody in the conference, showcasing their talent with a 38-35 victory over Williams Field – the top-seeded team

in the 5A bracket –early in the season.

The Mustangs are an offensively-stout squad, with senior quarterback Alex Gianoli leading the group with over 1,500 passing yards and another 500 on the ground with the most carries on the squad.

With a 7-3 record, despite a season-ending 50-0 loss to Open-bound Centennial, the Mustangs will host No. 9 Buena in the first round.

Sunnyslope:

Coach Damon Pieri’s No. 10 Sunnyslope Viking squad began its season just 1-2, with a pair of disappointing losses. The team battled back since in a tough region to secure a playoff spot.

The Vikings are led by twin seniors quarterback Niko Haen and receiver David Haen, who have been one of the top passer-receiver duos in the state this season.

The Vikings have a 6-4 record and will visit No. 7 Cienega in the first round.

4A:

Cactus:

Following a comeback 20-14 victory over rival Peoria, the No. 2 Cactus Cobras have a chance to play two home games in the 4A playoffs.

The Cobras are led by senior quarterback Conner Cordts and running back Anthony Flores offensively. Both are a

threat to run for a long play on any carry, and have recorded over 10 rushing touchdowns each this season. Defensively twins Nicc and Nate Quinones wreak havoc on opposing backfields. Nate has totaled over 90 tackles in 2019.

The Cobras snapped to an 8-2 record, and host No. 15 Tempe in the first round.

“To get the two-seed here in my second year is something special. But we can’t celebrate too long, because we have to get to work preparing for Tempe now,” said coach Joseph Ortiz.

Peoria:

The No. 7 Panthers started the season 4-0 and have not taken their foot off the gas pedal since.

The Panthers are led by senior Micho Cordero, described by teammates as the emotional leader of the group. He leads the team in carries with over 120 and is among the leaders in tackles as a linebacker.

Peoria finished with an 8-2 record,and will host No. 10 Greenway in the first round.

Senior quarterback Alex Gianoli’s passing and running helped Sunrise Mountain make the playoffs. (Peoria Times photo by Eric Newman)

Peoria Times publishes on Thursday. The 9 Days a Week calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofit groups — runs every issue.

Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the Times’ coverage area, which is within the city of Peoria.

9 Days a Week calendar items print on a space-available basis. The only way to guarantee that an item will print is to purchase an advertisement.

Submissions must reach our office by 4 p.m. Thursday to be considered for the following Thursday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to Rachel Hagerman, rhagerman@timespublications.com, or faxed to 623-935-2103.

Thursday

lege. The group will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. For information, call 623-773-8650.

Friday

Scrabble

Play a game of Scrabble at 12:30 p.m. at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street.This Scrabble group meets weekly and welcomes new participants. For information, call 623-773-7436.

Pinochle

Play a game of Pinochle at 1 p.m. at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street. Attendance is free. For information, call 623-773-7436.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission meets the first and third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 8401 W. Monroe Street. For information, call 623-773-7340.

Toddler Time

Toddlers can play and learn beside their caregiver with group stories, music and fingerplays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street. For information, call 623-773-7555.

Technology Classes: E-Books Readers

Learn to download apps, take and transfer photos, use mobile websites and more in these technology classes from 2 to 3 p.m. at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. Registration is required. For information, call 623-773-8650.

Diversity

LGBTQ+ teens and their friends are invited to come to the library once a month for socializing and activities from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street. For information, email tonya.stuempfl@peoriaaz.gov.

Let’s Speak Spanish!

All speaking-levels are welcome to attend a Spanish practice group led by James Abraham, a Spanish faculty member at Glendale Community Col-

Glow

Lasers, music and backlights will transform the indoor trampoline park into a jumping dance club from 8 to 11 p.m. at Sky Zone Peoria, 9040 W. Larkspur Drive, Suite 134. The park has trampoline dodgeball, a foam pit, a warrior course and more. Tickets are $20. All ages are welcome. Participants must wear an all-white or neon-color shirt. Shirts will be available for $5. For information, call 623-979-400.

Mini Bingo

Meet new friends over short rounds of bingo from 9:15 a.m. to noon at the American Legion Post 62, 9847 W. Desert Cove Avenue. For information, call 623-972-8372.

PAWS 2 Read

PAWS 2 Read is a program that allows children to read with therapy dogs to improve their reading skills and confidence. The program takes place from 10 to 11:30 p.m. at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. For information, call 623-773-8650.

Blender User’s Group

Bring a laptop and explore how to use Blender, a free open-source modeling software for 3-D design and animation from 1 to 4 p.m. at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street. Registration is required. For information, call 623-7737556.

Lego Club

Children ages 6 to 12 are invited to play with others as they make Lego creations from 2 to 3 p.m. at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. This month’s theme is “sports ideas.” For information, call 623-7738650.

Second Saturday

Bingo

Play a game of bingo at 12:30 p.m. at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street. Individual bingo cards cost 25 cents and 50 cents for coverall. For information, call 623-773-7436.

Castle Hot Springs History

Learn the interesting history behind Castle Hot Springs, a hidden oasis in the desert from 1 to 2 p.m. at Discovery Center at Lake Pleasant Regional Park, 39345 N. Overlook Road. For information, call 928-501-1703.

Sunset and Moonlight Hike on Yavapai Point Trail

Join a group hike from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the Yavapai Point Trail, which is a moderate three-mile round trip. Bring a flashlight, water and snack. Meet the group at the Cottonwood Lane Trailhead at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Follow the “hike” signs to find the group. For information, call 928-501-1703.

VolkStock Festival

Enjoy a live music concert with electrifying performances from various artists in addition to a car show with a large collection of vintage Volkswagen cars. This weekend festival starts at noon on Nov. 8 and ends on Nov. 10 and takes place at Pleasant Harbor, 8708 W. Harbor Boulevard. For information, call 623-203-5173.

Saturday

9040 W. Larkspur Drive, Suite 134. This premier indoor trampoline park has trampoline dodgeball, a foam pit, a warrior course and more. For information, call 623-979-4000.

Monday

11

Private Riding Lessons

Arizona Riders private horseback riding lessons are available from 5 to 8 p.m. for all levels of experience from children ages 3 and older to adults. Arizona Riders is located at 15125 N. 83rd Avenue. For information, call 602403-9560.

Line Dances

Have a fun morning of line dancing from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street. The class does not require a partner dancer. Attendance is $5. For information, call 623-773-7436.

SilverSneakers

The focus of this class in on toning muscles and building overall strength. The class is comparable to the Fit After 50 exercise program and takes place at 9:30 a.m. at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street. Attendance is $1.50 for nonmembers. For information, call 623-773-7436.

Tuesday

Stop outside the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts at 10580 N. 83rd Drive between 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. for outdoors games, live music and food trucks.

Sunday

10

Early Bird Jump

The early bird gets the work from 10 a.m. to noon at Sky Zone Peoria, 9040 W. Larkspur Drive, Suite 134. Tickets are only $10 for two hours of jump time. This premier indoor trampoline park has trampoline dodgeball, a foam pit, a warrior course and more. For information, call 623-979-400.

Distillery Tour

Bring family and friends to see a craft distillery in action. Lucidi Distilling Co. tours are available at 1 p.m. Sundays. Pricing starts at $14 per person and includes a generous sampling of three kinds of spirits and a custom-made signature cocktail. The distillery is located in Historic Fire Station No. 1, 8307 W. Washington Street. To book a party and learn more, call 623-299-8779.

It’s Only Knit and Purl (Ages 16+)

Make friends as you knit, crochet or quilt from 1 to 3 p.m. at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street. For information, call 623-773-7555.

Sunday Family Night

Enjoy a family night with four 60-minute activity jump tickets, one large pizza and a pitcher of soda, all for $56. Buy a family night package for a 4 to 5 p.m. or 5 to 6 p.m. session at Sky Zone Peoria,

toddlers with entertaining songs, dances, crafts and stories from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. For information, call 623-773-8650.

Peoria City Council Meeting

The Peoria City Council will meet from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Peoria Council Chambers, 8401 W. Monroe Street. City Council meeting dates and times are subject to change. For information, call 623-773-7340.

Teddy Bear Storytime

Children ages 2 to 6 are invited to a late-evening storytime event from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. Pajamas and teddy bears are optional. For information, call 623-773-8650.

Technology Classes: Library Databases

Learn to download apps, take and transfer photos, use mobile websites and more in these technology classes from 6 to 7 p.m. at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street. Registration is required. For information, call 623-7737556.

Great Beginnings Book Club

Start the day off well discussing great books with others from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street. For information and the month’s book title, call 623-7737555.

Wednesday

12

Pool Tournament

Compete in a pool tournament from 5 to 9 p.m. at the American Legion Post 62, 9847 W. Desert Cove Avenue. For information, call 623-972-8372.

Tai Chi Essentials

Learn Tai Chi from 9 to 9:50 a.m. at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street. Attendance is $1.50. For information, call 623-773-7436.

Board of Adjustment

The City of Peoria Board of Adjustment meets at 5:30 p.m. second Tuesdays in the City Council Chambers, 8401 W. Monroe Street.

Open Play

Children of all ages can jump around and play from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Jumper’s Jungle Family Fun Center at 9299 W. Olive Avenue, Suite 406. The center is complete with bouncy houses, super slides, inflatable obstacles and more. For prices and information, call 623322-4100.

Busy Bee Crafters

This creative group meets weekly to share ideas and work on a variety of craft projects at 9 a.m. at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street. For information, call 623-773-7436.

Zumba

Instructor Akua Jitahadi will lead a Zumba class at 8 a.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. Thursdays at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street. Attendance is $1.50 for nonmembers. For information, call 623-773-7436.

Toddler Time: Step Up from Baby Steps Toddler Time embraces the energy of

Thursday

13

Westside Stitchers

Join others in a variety of needlecraft projects including knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery and beading at 12:30 p.m. at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street. For information, call 623-773-7436.

Free Ice Skating Lessons

AZ Ice Peoria offers one skating class for free every Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. at 15829 N. 83rd Avenue. The intro class is available for children and adults of all ages. After the class, an evaluator will provide a class recommendation.To register, email bridgetk@azice.com.

Sew Smart

Bring or start a sewing project at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Library sewing machines are available for use. For information, email mary.vass@peoriaaz.gov.

Baby Steps

Learn how to help babies step into reading more easily from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. For information, call 623-773-8650.

Teen Club

LGBTQ+ teens and friends are invited to the library from 6 to 7 p.m. Activities take place at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. For information, call 623-773-8650.

Storytime (Ages 3-5)

Ms. Jenni will share stories, songs, poems and activities from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street. For information, call 623-773-7555.

Thrifty Thursdays

Children of all ages are admitted to Jumper’s Jungle Family Fun Center at 9299 W. Olive Avenue, Suite 406, for $5.The center is complete with bouncy houses, super slides, inflatable obstacles and more. For information, call 623322-4100.

Shuffleboard

Join friends for a game of shuffleboard from 5 to 6 p.m. at the American Legion Post 62, 9847 W. Desert Cove Avenue. For information, call 623-9728372.

Grab Bag Bingo

Enjoy eight games of free bingo at 10:45 a.m. at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W. Jefferson Street. Winners choose from an assortment of grab bags. For information, call 623-773-7436.

Crazy Times with Madame Patchouli

Enjoy songs, stories and crafts with the eccentric and much-loved Madame Patchouli from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. For information, call 623773-8650

Toddler Time

Toddlers can play and learn beside their caregiver with group stories, music and fingerplays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street. For information, call 623-773-7555.

Technology Classes: Resumes

Learn to download apps, take and transfer photos, use mobile websites and more in these technology classes from 2 to 3 p.m. at Peoria Main Library, 8463 W. Monroe Street. Registration is required. For information, call 623-773-7556.

Blood Drive

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at Peoples Mortgage, 9059 W. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Suite G700. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are available. For information, call 1-800-733-2767.

Friday

Steps to Living Free of Dementia

Dr. Timothy Gerhart, practicing physician and author, will explain how not to live in fear of developing dementia by introducing Therapeutic Lifestyle Change from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Renovare Wellness by Design Clinic, 18969 N. 83rd Avenue. To RSVP, call 623-776-0206.

Songercise (Ages 1-5) Learn the benefits of and ways parents can play with their children to maximize brain and skill development from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at Sunrise Mountain Library, 21109 N. 98th Avenue. For information, call 623-773-8650.

www.peoriachamber.com

2020 4 Alarm Charity Golf Tournament

BY SCOT ANDREWS President & CEO Peoria Chamber of Commerce

The Peoria Chamber announces 2020 4 Alarm Charity Golf Tournament supporting Peoria First Responders to be held at Quintero Golf Club. We are so excited to partner with the professionals at Quintero Golf Club, the No. 1 ranked golf course in Arizona, for our 2020 Charity Golf Tournament! In honor of the men and women who put their lives on the line or rescue ours, each day to provide everyone in our community a safe,

pleasant place to live, we are donating partial proceeds from this event to our Peoria first responders.

The Peoria first responders continue to model excellence across our community with their training, capabilities and service delivery every day. But this greatness does come at a price when serving in traumatic situations. This charity event allows our Chamber to recognize their sacrifice and demonstrate our appreciation for what they do for our community each day and support those most in need within their organizations.

Our sponsorship packages will be

available soon ranging from a VIP Package that includes an overnight stay in one of the golf casitas with dinner for four to breakfast sponsor

to help us get a great start to the day and a VIP sponsors connection event the evening before with a private Chef and a great time together!

BY GABRIEL RIVAS

My name is Gabriel Rivas and I am the proud owner of the Links Neighborhood Grill in Westbrook Village on the Vistas Golf Course in Peoria.

I have been in the restaurant business since 1997, when my parents took over a small café in Sun City, Arizona. As a family, we grew to three locations within eight years.

In 2010, I founded the Links Neighborhood Grill and started with a core group of seven employees and we now employ 16 employees during our peak season. We are open seven days of the week and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

mjpccr@pritchardgroupinsurance.com www.pritchardgroupinsurance.com

Member Spotlight

We have a beautiful glass-enclosed banquet room with a connecting outdoor patio that overlooks the Vistas Golf Course which has been great for bridal showers, anniversary parties, graduation parties and just about any other special event. We have recently expanded our catering to food trailers.

We have a fully self- sufficient food trailer with a pizza oven that we serve fresh, made-to-order pizzas at festivals, farmers markets, corporate parties, etc and we also have a smoker where we smoke ribs, chicken and pork that we will use at neighborhood block parties, outdoor events and community events.

Mary J. Pritchard President

We also support our local schools and churches with our food trailers and have been a part of several school functions in the West Valley along with a couple church functions in our area and have helped in fund-raising events. Personally, I am a former president of Northwest Valley Lions Club, served on the Board of IGYB Peoria High Wrestling Boosters Club, served on the Surprise Tourism/Advisory Board, on the Board of Chance Shelter of Surprise and I am on the Ambassador Committee for the Peoria Chamber.

I strongly believe in giving back to the community and the surrounding areas that have supported me and my business throughout the years. My mission is to be able to provide a great quality meal at an affordable price and to be able to support our local non-profit organizations as much as possible.

PREMIUM QUALITY

Hometown Heroes

BY BRANDON BETTIS Major, United States Army Chair – Peoria Military Affairs Committee

The Peoria Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee (MAC) is proud to host a Veterans Day event to honor and thank our Hometown Heroes. We are so pleased to partner with the Arrowhead Valley Retirement Resort in their beautiful facility that includes a luxury community movie theatre. We’ll feature two inspirational movies, “Men of Honor” and “Hacksaw Ridge,” plus an interactive day of speakers, music, services and food!

The event takes place from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Arrowhead Valley Retirement Resort, 20025 N. 81st Avenue, Peoria. Our veteran support sponsors, and “Blessing Bags” for each veteran guest. These bags can be given to anyone less fortunate and it’s our way of giving back.

The goal of this

day is to bring together Peoria and west side veterans and their families to thank them and provide a space to network and break bread. There is no cost to the veteran, but we will be asking for a small payment from guests to offset our costs. This will cover a barbecue dinner and entertainment.

Another goal of “At the Movies” is to

educate and recruit leaders in our community to get involved with the Peoria MAC. We serve Peoria Veterans and support their growth in life. This extends to future veterans with mentorship and funding for future Peoria businesses. Members of the Military Affairs Committee do not need to be Veterans nor need to be members of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, but membership is encouraged. The real requirement is a strong desire to improve the lives of those that served our country!

BY PEORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

It was standing room only as the Montecito celebrated 20 years in

Mayor Cathy Carlat was in attendance for the celebration and Chamber Ribbon cutting.

We sincerely appreciate the hospitality always shown by the amazing staff when they host our monthly networking breakfast event.

Congratulations Montecito for hosting a First Class event!

Peoria Chamber Women 4 Women

Meeting

Nov. 1

8:15 - 9:30 a.m.

Networking Breakfast

Nov. 5

7:30 - 8:45 a.m.

Montecito Senior Living 17271 N 87th Ave Peoria, AZ 85382

Networking Mixers

Nov. 6

5 – 7 p.m.

Kawaii Sushi & Asian Cuisine 8385 W Deer Valley Rd Ste.114, Peoria, AZ 85382

Coffee is for Closers

Nov. 7

7 – 8 a.m.

Union Coffee

6750 W. Thunderbird Peoria, AZ 85381

Tech 1 Auto Ribbon Cutting Nov. 7

Calendar of Events

11 a.m.– 2 p.m.

Tech 1 Auto 8768 W Thunderbird Rd, Peoria AZ 85381

Hometown Heroes Veteran’s Day

Open House

Nov. 11

1 – 7 p.m.

Arrowhead Valley Retirement Resort 20025 N. 81st Ave. Peoria, AZ 85382

Connecting the Chamber & Community - The Haymaker Nov. 12

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Haymaker Restaurant 24762 N Lake Pleasant Pkwy Peoria, AZ 85383

Biz Bites

Nov. 13

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Giordano’s 16222 N 83rd Ave, Peoria, AZ 85382

Coffee is for Closers

Nov. 14

7 – 8 a.m.

Union Coffee 6750 W. Thunderbird Peoria, AZ 85381

Peoria Chamber Women 4 Women Meeting Nov. 15 8:15 – 9:30 a.m.

New Location: TBD

Networking Breakfast Nov. 19

7:30 – 8:45 a.m.

The Links Neighborhood Grill 18823 N Country Club, Peoria, AZ 85383

Coffee is for Closers

Nov. 21 7 – 8 a.m.

Union Coffee 6750 W. Thunderbird Peoria, AZ 85381

New Members and Member Renewals

New Members:

• Brothers Plumbing & Air Conditioning

• Paragon Business Equipment, LL

• Sun Cities 4 Paws Rescue, Inc • Vanishing Ink Med-Spa

West Valley Mavericks

Renewals:

Heritage Funeral Chapel

The Woodmark at Sun City

The Place at Santana Village • Nothing Bundt Cakes • MJC Automotive

E3 Cryo & Wellness – Tina Smith

Buick

Hip-hop star Tyla Yaweh said touring is all about the fans

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor

For break-out hip-hop star Tyla Yaweh, touring with Post Malone and Swae Lee has been a “dream come true.”

It’s not because he’s playing arenas with two of the biggest rappers. It’s all about the fans.

“People are waiting outside of the bus,” Yaweh said. “It’s everything I expected.

“We did a bunch of arena tours in Europe and Australia, but America is something different. It’s magical. This is where we’re from.”

The 24-year-old singer-songwriter is from Los Angeles, but he was raised in Orlando. He combines R&B and hiphop with a self-proclaimed “rock star”

attitude.

Earlier this year he released his debut album “Heart Full of Rage,” which earned more than 86 million global streams. The key to his success is staying focused, he said.

“I just try to stay sane and not get distracted by the lifestyle,” Yaweh said. “I work hard and health is wealth. Structure is key. I keep all these things in my head.

“I love making music. Whenever I get the chance to be in the studio, when everybody is still sleeping I’m still up working. Sometimes I like it when I’m not in the studio every day. I can build up the memories and stories and write it all out when I’m in the booth. I was born to do this. It’s a gift.”

Music wasn’t originally his goal, though. He aspired to be a magician

like Criss Angel.

of the business yet lives vicariously through him.

“I love my family,” he said.

Yaweh is looking forward to returning to the Valley with Post Malone on Friday, Nov. 8.

“I’ve played two shows in Phoenix— when I was on tour with Yung Pinch and for Pot of Gold,” he said. “It was cool. I look at my Twitter and people there are so ready for me to get out there. Scottsdale is lit, too.”

He calls his shows the “Tyla Yaweh Experience.” He wants a shared experience between him and his fans.

“My show has a lot of raging,” he said. “I might go out and touch the crowd. I like getting off the stage and running into the bleachers and performing. It’s a good show that has genuine energy.”

“I wanted to be a skateboarder, too,” Yaweh said. “I still skate to this day. If music doesn’t work all the way, I can go to the X Games and call it a day.

“I loved skating and dancing. My sister was in a girl band and I used to go to all her practices and studio sessions. That was something that probably gave me the talent. I studied it. I figured out I could sing as a kid.”

He said his sister inspired him, but now the tables have turned. She’s out

Post Malone with Swae Lee and Tyla Yaweh

8 p.m. Friday, November 8

Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale Tickets start at $76 623-772-3800, 1-800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

Updegraff, PA-C

Before Tyla Yaweh became a hip-hop star, he wanted to be a magician or a skater. (Photo courtesy Epic Records)

Dealing with back pains during holiday traveling?

BY DR. NICK HUNTER Guest Columnist

We encounter many people who have traveled to another state, whether it may be by car or by plane, and return home with major back issues. Patients often ask, “I want to see my family. What can I do to make traveling less painful for me so that I can go see them?”

This week, we have put together some tips to make traveling during the holidays a little less painful.

We all know being stuck in a car for an extended amount of time can be brutal- especially for the driver. Having bad posture while sitting down for hours at a time can lead to severe back problems. Here are some tips to avoid common mistakes while on a holiday road trip:

Driving Tip No. 1

Stop the pain before it starts by adjusting the car seat before you begin your journey can help immensely. Putting your seat in a position that is tilted

slightly backward will allow your elbows to relax and your body to sit naturally. This, in turn, will reduce the stress placed on the spine because the seat will carry some of your weight.

Driving Tip No. 2

Tight clothing or belts can restrict your movement and cause the body to gradually become stiffer over the duration of the trip. Wearing loose, comfortable clothes will allow more movement within whatever tiny space you might find yourself.

Driving Tip No. 3

over to a rest stop or gas station will allow you to get out, walk around and give your legs a much-needed stretch. (To help encourage these breaks, drink lots of water!)

Are you leaving on a jet-plane this holiday season?

Flying instead of driving does have its perks.

Air Travel Tip No. 1

People often don’t realize that giving the body a break after a certain amount of time in the car is essential. Pulling

While on the plane, it can understandably be difficult to get up and move around. Unless you’re walking to the back to use the restroom, you probably aren’t getting much movement. A solution to this would be to do tiny in-flight exercises such as shoulder shrugs and foot circles. This will assist blood circulation throughout the body and help

to avoid blood clot formation in your legs and have a huge impact on the way you feel after landing.

Air Travel Tip No. 2

The final piece of advice is to push your suitcase, rather than to pull it. Pulling your suitcase from behind as you cross the airport causes the body to twist in a motion that can be harmful to your back. Pushing the suitcase in a forward direction alleviates strain on the back and upper body.

This season, venture out into the world and make some memories! Jump in the car! Hop on a plane! Hopefully, these tips will keep you active and healthy so you can take advantage of the most wonderful time of the year with your loved ones!

Dr. Nick Hunter is the founder of Preferred Physical Therapy, 18301 N. 79th Avenue, Suite B122, Glendale; for more information, call 623486-3333 or visit preferredptaz.com

Second Saturday culture time

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

The popular Second Saturday cultural event continues this weekend.

From 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., the city of Peoria hosts outdoor games, live music and food trucks.

The action takes place outside the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive.

Admission is

Saturday’s music lineup is a big one,

Seven musical performers and four food trucks are scheduled for this month’s Second Saturday. (Photo courtesy city of Peoria)

with seven performers scheduled:

• AJ Odneal.

• Nathaniel Wallberer.

• John Caufield.

• Michelangelo Caggiano.

• Estevan Corrales.

• Josh Caballes.

• Aaron Lopez.

Hungry? The lineup of food trucks includes:

• Three Hearts Doghouse.

• Queso Good.

• Cuties Lemonade.

• Salsa Patron.

Get to know a GCC Gaucho

Glendale Community College serves tens of thousands of students from all walks of life and a wide variety of backgrounds. They all share the dream of a better life through higher education. We’d like you to hear a few of their stories.

Meet Alaina

Alaina Espinosa is making it happen on the soccer field and in the classroom. She came to GCC from Alhambra High School where she excelled in soccer. Her GCC coach recently moved her from midfield to the wing position and Alaina is attacking this change the same way she does with every other challenge, with grit and determination. Currently in her sophomore year at GCC, she is well on her way to achieving her dream of obtaining her law degree. Alaina has always had an interest in criminology and GCC gave her the freedom to explore the opportunities in that field. She credits her soccer coach and instructors for growing her self-confidence. “My English professor really challenged me and worked with me to improve my writing and presentation skills.”

Alaina said that she considered other colleges but she chose GCC because of how welcome she felt during soccer tryouts.

Let GCC be a part of your life — Make it happen at Glendale.

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

King Crossword

Dieters’ targets

Film director whose father was a painter

Baffler

Wine and dine, maybe

Elegantly maintained

Bk. after Prov. 38 Vacationer at Vail, probably

Group character

Metal refuse

Recording

Martini ingredient

Solidify

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

SCRAMBLERS

Unscramble

One Wright was wrong, but two Wrights were right

Pastor Ed Delph Peoria Times Columnist

In the latter part of the 19th Century, when the Methodist church was holding its denominational convention, one leader stood up and shared his vision both for the church and society at large. He told the ministers and evangelists how he believed someday men would fly from place to place instead of merely traveling on horseback. But it was a concept too outlandish for many members to handle.

One minister, Bishop Wright, stood up and angrily protested. “Heresy!” he shouted. “Flight is reserved for the angels!”

He went on to elaborate that if God had intended for man to fly, He would have given him wings. Clearly, the bishop was unable to envision what the speaker was predicting. When Bishop Wright finished his brief protest, he gathered up his two sons, Orville and Wilbur, and left the auditorium.

That’s right. His sons were Orville and Wilbur Wright. Several years later, on Dec. 17, 1903, those two sons did what their father called impossi-

12200 N. 111th Ave. Youngtown, AZ 85363 623-847-3228

Pastor Daniel J. Duarte

ble. They made four flights that day. The first lasted only 12 seconds, but the fourth lasted 59 seconds and took them 852 feet. The two brothers partnered together to accomplish the impossible – and in the process, they changed the world. They discovered the power of partnership.

Let me share another story about Orville and Wilbur Wright. Columnist Harvey Mackey shared this true story in his newspaper column.

Early in the development of flight, the Wright brothers (Orville and Wilbur) were largely dismissed at home in America. They had to go abroad to get proper recognition for their aeronautical achievements. The French government gave the Wright brothers an opportunity to demonstrate what they had done. However, the French were obviously jealous of the two modest Americans.

At a banquet in Paris to honor the accomplishments of the Wright brothers, the chief speaker at the dinner devoted most of his remarks to claiming France had led the world in aviation exploration and would do so in the future. He gave very little in praise to the two American guests.

When Wilbur Wright was called upon to speak, he said: “I am no hand at public speaking, and so I must on this occasion content myself with a few words. As I sat here listening to the speaker who preceded me, I heard his comparisons made to the eagle, to the swallow and to the hawk as typifying skill and speed in mastery of the air. But somehow or other, I could not keep from thinking of the parrot which, of all the ornithological kingdom, is the poorest flier and the best talker.”

No comment needed.

Notice the two types of speakers we have in these two accounts. Both were full of hubris. Both were condescending. Both spoke from their preconceived biases. One was proud and short-sighted. The other’s head was so far in the clouds, he couldn’t see the real heroes sitting right in front of him. Don’t be too hard on those two speakers. We all have been like those them from time to time. Lesson: While it’s hard to get off our high horse, it might be much harder if we don’t.

While others waxed eloquent in their arenas, Orville and Wilbur just went on with the business of building an airplane. They understood inspiration must turn into perspiration. With good old-fashioned grit, primitive engineering skills, humility, and with few assets, they turned old bicycles and unreliable engines into an achievement that turned the world right-side up. They

shifted the playing field. They moved from “tell-a-vison” to “do-a-vision.”

It was a “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” moment, not even recognized by those in their own country.

The Wright brothers and their ilk aren’t distracted by the “parrots” who keep parading throughout history, busy convincing their audiences they are eagles, swallows and hawks. No, they just kept on keeping on, doing what is Wright, accomplishing the mission, accomplishing great things that are real, tangible and lasting for the benefit of all.

No seeking the glory here. Just finding a need and meeting it. I want to say thank you to the researchers, nurses, doctors, pastors, IT people, pharmacists, front line responders, elementary teachers, Sunday school teachers and workers, workers in factories, volunteers, business owners and their employees, the military, ironworkers, machinists, printers, binders, janitors and the like that are too busy accomplishing something to be distracted by static in the airwaves.

Obviously, I could only mention a few heroes in this article so if I missed you, it wasn’t intentional. You know who you are. You are the ones who make countries work. I say to you, like many others in our community, well done. It’s amazing what we can accomplish when no one gets the glory.

This reminds me of Jesus and the work He accomplished. No glory seeking. No stately form that you would notice Him. Jesus wore blue jeans. Humble, mounted on a colt, engaging the nameless, faceless, and needy, equipping all people for life, salt and light for a world that needs it, giving grace to all who will accept it. A model for all of us to emulate.

You see that? One Wright made a wrong. Two Wright’s made a right. And the parrots are still talking about it.

To learn more about Pastor Ed Delph, the Church-Community Connection and Nation strategy, call 623-376-6757, e-mail nationstrategy@cs.com or

GOD’S LOVE IS ETERNAL

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

Roman Catholic Parish Glendale

5614 W. Orangewood Ave., Glendale • 623-939-9785 www.olphglendale.com

Mass Schedule - English M-F 6:15am & 8:30am Sat 8:30am & 5:00pm Sun 6:30am, 8:30am & 10:30am

Mass Schedule - Spanish Fri 6:00pm (OLPH) Sat 7:00pm (Capilla) Sun 10:00am (Capilla), 12:30pm (OLPH) & 3:00pm (OLPH)

Avondale Baptist Church

1001 North Central • Avondale 623-932-2723

Church At Cactus

A Welcoming and Afﬁrming Congregation

8133 W. Cactus Rd. Peoria, AZ 85381

Sunday Activities: 9:00 am - Connections (Church Gathering) 9:30 am - Connections (Bible Study) 10:30 am - Fellowship 11:00 am - Sunday Worship 623-979-3239 www.churchatcactus.org

Member of AWAB (Association of Welcoming and Afﬁrming Baptists) A place of Grace

W. Olive Ave. Peoria 85345 Phone (623) 972-8479 ofﬁce@westolive.com www.westolive.com

Sunday Bible Study 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Classes for all ages - 7:00 p.m.

Everyone Is Welcome!

Sunday Services: Bible Study 9:15 am Morning Worship 10:30 am Discipleship Training 4:45 pm Evening Worship .............................. 6:00 pm

Wednesdays: TeamKid, Youth Worship Bible Study & Prayer 6:00 pm

Dr. Mark Mucklow,

8340 W. Northern Ave. Glendale, AZ 85305 Information 623.334.9482 Dr. Ron G. Rockwell – Pastor Sunday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. Nursery Provided Wednesday: Family Night 7:00 p.m. www.hcaz.org

Shepherd of

Lutheran Church - ELCA

• Worship Saturday 4:00pm, Sunday 9:30am

• Holy Communion both services

• Word on Wednesday 6:30pm, Supper 5:30pm

• First Communion ClassesCall to schedule

• Youth Programs - ScoutsAfter School - Camp

Handicap Bus - Call for pickup

Rev. Dr. Daniel R. Defassio, Pastor 623-933-1359 shepherdofthedesertelca.org

Email: sodsecretary@qwestoffice.net

PUSD received Board of Education grades

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

They don’t just give grades - they also get them.

On Friday, the Arizona State Board of Education released grades for school districts and schools across the state. The formula that determines school labels uses a wide range of academic measures, including results from the AzMERIT test and academic growth.

Peoria Unified School District’s overall results show eight schools moved up one letter grade.

Eighteen schools of PUSD’s 42 received A’s.

PUSD elementary schools on “the A-team”:

• Apache

• Canyon

• Copperwood

• Desert Harbor

• Frontier

• Kachina

• Lake Pleasant

• Oakwood

• Oasis

• Paseo Verde

• Peoria Traditional

• Sunset Heights

• Vistancia

PUSD high schools who aced it:

• Cactus

• Centennial • Ironwood • Liberty

•

Sunrise Mountain

Peoria Elementary School saw the most growth moving from a D in 201718 to a B for the 2018-19 school year. This year was also the first for school

labels for alternative schools. Peoria Flex Academy scored a B.

According to a PUSD press release, “The A-F Accountability System is just one of those tools. “Throughout the school year, there are many ways teachers assess how students are doing in the classroom, including classwork, homework, quizzes, projects and teacher and counselor observations about individual student growth. The district also measures soft skills such as students’ ability to communicate, collaborate and think critically.”

A complete list of all Peoria Unified school labels is available at peoriaunified.org.

Eighteen of PUSD’s 42 schools received A’s from the Arizona Board of Education. (Photo courtesy PUSD)

Highland Prep recognized as outstanding STEM school

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

The Phoenix Suns and APS recently honored Highland Prep as one of the top STEM schools in Arizona.

Highland Prep was honored for science, engineering, math and technology on Oct. 28, during halftime of the Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz game. The Suns provided students and staff with 30 tickets to attend the game.

The Surprise school has students from all over the West Valley.

The STEM curriculum at Highland Prep emphasizes 21-century skills needed to solve problems, find and use evidence, collaborate on projects and think critically in all courses.

“We are honored to be recognized for our rigorous STEM curriculum,” said Jack Bagley, principal of Highland

Prep. “Our continued expansion of AP, dual enrollment and engineering offerings will further prepare students for higher education and a technologically advanced workforce.”

Highland Prep, a STEM charter high school in Surprise, offers multiple engineering courses via Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a project-based curriculum. Extracurricular clubs such as VEX Robotics, SeaPerch Robotics and Zero Robotics support STEM coursework.

Students use their expertise in robotics to mentor Valley middle school students with their VEX Robotics clubs.

Highland Prep embraces sustainability, another STEM imitative, by recycling obsolete computers, packaging and software collected from school and the community to create original artwork in art classes.

$27,000

Thursdays, November 7, 14 & 21 11am - 1pm & 6pm - 8pm Get ready to get out of town with with airline gift cards, travel vouchers, and cash prizes! Swipe your Diamond

Highland Prep students, left to right, Brandon Nevers, Kendal Matthews, and Darius Mixon and teacher Jack Bagley attended a recent Suns basketball game. Highland Prep was honored at the game for being one of the top STEM schools in Arizona. (Photo courtesy Highland Prep)

BLOOM365 this weekend

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

BLOOM365 is a nonprofit that educates and activates young people as peer advocates “to uproot abuse in a generation.

“Our work focuses on preventing domestic violence, sexual assault, and teen dating violence at the root causes

through education in schools, advocacy and crisis counseling and youth-led activation to promote healthy relationships,” says BLOOM365’s website.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, and Saturday, Nov. 10, BLOOM365 holds workshops at Peoria Community Center, 8335 W Jefferson Street, Peoria.

The workshops are aimed “to provide the skills, knowledge and resources for teens aged 13-19 to serve as peer advocates in their communities and on their campuses,” said Kathryn Wickersham of BLOOM365’s Peoria office.

“The goal is to empower youth who witness, experience or perpetrate verbal, emotional, physical or sexual violence to seek help.”

More than 15,000 teens complete the “Bloom It Up” curriculum at schools each year, demonstrating improvement in their self-esteem and communication, conflict resolution and coping skills.

The program is designed for teens who are passionate about cultivating a culture of empathy, respect, consent and kindness.

Halloween at Peoria preschool

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

Preschoolers, staff and families at Peoria’s Primrose School of Fletcher Heights celebrated Halloween with a Trunk-or-Treat event at the school, including a funhouse set up in the school bus.

The school also hosted a pumpkin decorating contest for families and let the community decide the winner.

The winners are the candy corn “pufferfish,” baby shark and Kermit with Ms. Piggy.

Madix and Nixon Mahan wore matching costumes to the Primrose School of Fletcher Heights Halloween party. (Photo courtesy Primrose School of Fletcher Heights)

Primrose School of Fletcher Heights hosted a Trunk-or-Treat event. (Photo courtesy Primrose School of Fletcher Heights).

The winning pumpkin required quite a bit of work. (Photo courtesy Primrose School of Fletcher Heights).

CTE helps students plan for future

BY NATALIE URQUIZA Peoria Times Contributing Writer

What to do after high school?

The Peoria Unified School District helped students with that big question at a Career and College event Oct. 19. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) center at Centennial High School hosted the event, now in its ninth year. It was created by Dr. Patti Beltram, the CTE director. Students in grades six and up were able to start exploring their futures.

“Students were able to talk to current students to find out what is like, talk with colleges, universities, trade and technical schools,” Beltram said.

Employers provided mock interviews, she said and discussed internships as well as entry-level positions.

Nine years ago, the event was held at Arizona State University West.

“The students and parents were like, ‘Oh my gosh I can’t believe all of this is available but I don’t know what it looks like,’” Beltram said. “That is the reason why we moved it to Peoria high school in the third year because we wanted the students to not just have an open house but to have a hands-on experience.”

As part of that, the students were able to use virtual wells, create a toolbox, do cybersecurity or decorate cupcakes.

The event is designed for students to develop their goals and help map their way through high school and college. Beltram said nearly 95% of the 2019 graduates took one CTE course before they graduated and 85% of the graduates took two or more.

One student earned four mastery subject area graduation endorsements. Areas include engineering, automotive

and agriculture.

For a graduation endorsement, students must take sequential courses and maintain a 3.0-grade point average, then pass a technical assessment or industry credential.

This is Beltram’s 15th year with the Peoria district and is her 10th year as the CTE director. Before being the director, she was a CTE instructional specialist where she would train teachers.

C TE GR ADUATION ENDOR SEMEN TS

Students may pursue a CTE MASTERY OF SUBJECT AREA GRADUATION ENDORSEMENT by completing a course sequence in a specific program. This endorsement will be added to a high school transcript indicating academic achievement in a major area of study. Students will receive a graduation medallion, certificate and pin for the program completed. Students may receive endorsements in multiple CTE programs.

Requirements include:

Completion of all courses within a CTE program

Completion of a work-based learning experience

“B” average or higher

80% or higher on assessments

One year membership in CTE student organization

Final approval from CTE teacher

For more information, speak to your counselor today or contact the CTE Department at 623-486-6259.

“I am so excited because you get to find out what you like and what you don’t like in school, you get to save time and money for your parents,” Beltram said. “I have to say it is so exciting, it is the very few positions within the district that I get to see positive stuff about students every single day.”

credits towards an associate or a bachelor’s degree. We are finding 85% of our graduates are graduating from our district and continuing post-secondary or related employment to what they took in high school.”

The program has already begun planning a meeting for next year’s College and Career Day.

“I think it is important to know our students graduate high school, not just with a high school diploma, but they can graduate with an industry credential,” Beltram said.

“They can graduate with college

Answers

The Peoria Unified School District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) center assists students with planning for post-high school. (Photo courtesy PUSD)

Burial Service at National Cemetery of Arizona is

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Varsity está solicitando personas para limpieza de oficinas en la Cuidad de Glendale. Los solicitantes deben tener alguna experiencia de limpieza, ser confiable y capaz de comunicarse con el cliente y supervisor, deben tener transportación

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Tips for Having a Great Garage Sale!

1. Sort through your closets, cupboards and garage for items to sell.

2. Partner up with a neighbor or friend. This is helpful to give each other breaks during the day.

3. Advertise your sale — ask us for our Yard Sale Special!

4. In your ad include the type of sale, (e.g., Yard Sale, Multi-Family Sale), date, time, address/cross streets, and be speciﬁc on prices for high dollar items. Popular items you can include: furniture, appliances, electronics, tools, yard equipment, designer/ children’s clothes and shoes, craft items, antiques, unique items and collectibles/ collections.

5. Place signs on major cross streets and on the corners leading into your neighborhood. Just a fat, solid black arrow on colorful poster board works ﬁne.

6. Price your items. If having a Multi-Family sale, each family should have a different colored price tag. You can do a $1 table, $5 table, etc., to save time.

7. Money. Be prepared with change, including coins. Do not accept checks. Cash only!

8. Have electricity available to test items.

9. Be safe. Do not let anyone into your home. Take your phone outside with you Have an extra person relieve you occasionally.

of Glendale Mun c pal Office Complex, 5850 W Glenda e Avenue, Room B-3 The C ty also created an online Commun ty Needs Assessment Survey availab e at www surveymonkey com/r/Glenda eConPlan Paper copies of the survey are a so ava able at the Co mmun ty Revita ization Off ce located at the Glenda e Mun cipal Office Comp ex, 5850 W Glenda e Avenue, Suite 107 Your nput s important to us, so we encourage all residents, bus ness owners and employees,

10. If it’s warm, offer cold bottled water for sale to cool off your customers! Happy customers buy things!

11. After the sale, remove your signs and donate leftover items to a local charity.