Peoria Times - 12.17.2020

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Peoria Police Shop with a Cop event

December 17, 2020

Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper

From ‘Grand eyesore’ to Grand Commons

BY TOM SCANLON

Peoria Times Managing Editor

NEWS..............2

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Many around Peoria simply were happy to see the leveling of Smitty’s—long vacant and a “Grand eyesore.”

Scott Whyte says the empty space that used to be Smitty’s will grow a residential project that will be contagious in a good way, inspiring similar projects up and down Grand Avenue, which is on the outskirts of the developing Old Town Peoria.

“Redevelopment of the property that formerly housed the Smitty’s building has been a priority for the city for a long time,”

said Whyte, Peoria’s real estate development officer.

A new project called Grand Commons is moving ahead at a fast clip.

The dust had hardly settled on the Smitty’s demolition when the Peoria Planning Commission approved a rezoning and general plan amendment request by the Grand Commons developer.

The site is at 8455 Grand Avenue, just off the intersection of 85th Avenue and Grand Avenue/Highway 60.

A new Old Town Commercial mixed-use designation allows commercial, retail and multifamily uses. The October rezoning

allows 144 multifamily units on 7 acres, with proposed three-story buildings.

The Peoria Planning Commission also approved a Prescott at Park West, a 5-acre project at 8218 N. 99th Avenue, close to Park West mall.

While the Prescott at Park West zoning moved on to Peoria City Council, which gave its stamp of approval to clear the way for construction of around 100 units, Grand Commons developer SJ Acquisitions has to wait a bit.

Whyte said the Grand Commons reSEE SMITTY’S PAGE 2

A very virtual Christmas

BY TOM SCANLON

Peoria Times Managing Editor

SPORTS......... 14 Sunrise Mountain rolls to its first football title

OPINION.................10

BUSINESS...............12 SPORTS...................14 FEATURES...............15 RELIGION................18 YOUTH....................20 CLASSIFIEDS...........21

From “Santa Calls” replacing kids sitting on Kris Kringle’s lap to kids learning on laptops at home, the Christmas season is quite a bit different this year­—thanks, of course, to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though Glendale Elementary and Glendale Union High school districts have closed classrooms and returned to online learning only, Peoria Unified School District and Deer Valley Unified School District continue to teach in classrooms.

That will change, as DVUSD will close classrooms to start the New Year.

But the PUSD board pledged to keep Glendale and Peoria classrooms open

when 2021 begins.

According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, much of Glendale and Peoria is now “in the red,” meaning substantial spread of coronavirus. The Dec. 10 school metrics update shows PUSD’s overall risk level as “substantial” with a recommendation of “prepare for virtual with onsite support.”

On Dec. 4, Dr. Jason Reynolds, the PUSD superintendent, cautioned the district was on the verge of closing classrooms.

“Our community health data SEE SANTA PAGE 3

“Santa Calls” provide virtual visits with Santa Claus.

(Photo courtesy Westgate Entertainment District)

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Peoria Times

December 17, 2020

‘Shop with a Cop’ goes drive-thru Due to the pandemic, this year’s “Shop with a Cop” event was a drive-thru format.

The Peoria Police Department and Peoria Police Officers Association Charities bought presents, and volunteers helped deliver the gifts to 50 kids Dec. 11. Pre-selected families drove through an array of holiday-themed areas without leaving their vehicles. The unique event made for a holiday parade. (Photos courtesy Peoria Police Officers Association)

SMITTY’S FROM PAGE 1

quests are scheduled to be presented to Peoria City Council when it returns to session in January.

“They’re proposing a horizontal mixed use, multifamily housing as well as retail space,” Whyte said.

The developer began discussions “in earnest back in March,” Whyte said.

If council approves the project, he estimated construction of Grand Commons could begin in early spring, with completion around a year later.

“It’s a really good news story,” Whyte said. “It’s great to able to demolish the (Smitty’s) building, then turn around and get a developer ready to build.”

Though it’s technically in Old Town Peoria, Whyte said the architecture of Grand Commons “is going to pull a lot of influence from the Peoria Center for Performing Arts. … Design objectives make it bold and interesting—not necessarily a reflection back to a point in time in history.

“Even though it’s part of the Old Town area, it has more of a relationship with the Grand Avenue core.”

And that core is what Whyte expects

A residential/commercial development called Grand Commons plans to build on the vacant land formerly occupied by the long-closed Smitty’s, for years called “the eyesore of Peoria.”

(Peoria Times photo by Tom Scanlon)

Grand Commons hopes to have its plan approved by Peoria City Council in January. (Image courtesy SJ Acquisitions)

Grand Commons will help change for the better.

Compared to most of Old Town, Whyte said, “Grand Avenue has a whole different paradigm, a lot of boarded-up

buildings and vacant buildings.

“The Grand Avenue redevelopment … that’s a long-term, difficult process,” he said.

He said the city is eager for projects

that will “eliminate blighted buildings”—like the Smitty’s/Grand Commons turnaround, a kickstarter of sorts, as Whyte sees it.

“I’m not viewing this as a ‘one and done’—I’m looking at it as a beginning, a beachhead,” Whyte said.

As Councilwoman Vicki Hunt said at a community meeting regarding Grand Commons, “If I had a nickel for every time I was asked, ‘What are you going to do with that Smitty’s building?’ I would be rich,” she said.

“Now, people are asking, ‘What are you doing with that vacant land?’”

The answer: Grand Commons.

Peoria Times

December 17, 2020 SANTA FROM PAGE 1

Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper Since 1952 The Peoria Times is a circulation weekly published every Thursday.

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is trending in the wrong direction,” Reynolds said. “We are currently in the red in two benchmarks. We reconvened our COVID taskforce and are in the process of making plans for a potential return to virtual learning.”

But the Peoria Unified Governing Board voted 5-0 to return from winter break on Monday, Jan. 4, “in our current instructional models—with students attending school in-person or virtually, depending on which instructional model families previously selected for their children,” Reynolds said in a Dec. 11 announcement.

“We continue to ask that our students, staff and families practice safe procedures and stay healthy so we can continue to stay open and offer in-person instruction,” he added.

Reynolds said each school will have new air purification systems by Jan. 4 “and will continue to utilize each site’s Clorox 360 disinfecting machine. We continue to explore all other mitigation strategies that can help us keep our schools safe.”

Students and staff are required to wear masks in school and maintain social distancing.

While Deer Valley School District classrooms remain open this week, that will change after winter break.

“It is true that our schools have experienced an accelerated increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases since the onset of the holiday season.

Despite this increase, we have been able to continue in-person teaching and learning, and we plan to do so through December 18. We do believe that our schools are the safest places to be due to our mitigation plan and the dedicated work of our campus administrators, teachers and other support staff,” said DVUSD Superintendent Curtis Finch in a Dec. 9 letter to families.

“Our data also shows that students and staff—in most cases—are not spreading COVID-19 at school; however, case counts in the community have risen over the past several weeks.”

And, Finch said, “We anticipate that the number of cases will rise after our winter break where we would not be able to adequately staff our schools and the number of students needing to quarantine and isolate would be un-

usually high. This belief is shared by Maricopa County Department of Public Health.”

As such, the district will resume classes Jan. 4 online only.

DVUSD plans to reopen classrooms for kindergarten through eighth grade students Jan. 19 and high school students Jan. 25.

Meanwhile, vaccines are here. After the FDA gave emergency approval, Pfizer started shipping its coronavirus vaccine throughout the country starting Dec. 14.

“Maricopa County Department of Public Health received its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine,” according to a Public Health email Dec. 14.

Four boxes holding approximately 18,000 doses arrived at a Public Health facility before being transported to two PODs—points of distribution—in other parts of the county.

The first vaccines will be distributed to eligible health care workers across the county.

‘Santa Calls’ Beyond school recommendations, the heightened spread of coronavirus impacted public gatherings and celebrations—which normally would be filling the 12 days of Christmas.

At Park West in Peoria, Santa has been on the scene “for socially distanced pic opportunities.”

Another sign of the changes: At Westgate Entertainment District, kids can see and talk to Santa Claus—but they can’t sit on his lap as they talk about present plans.

Westgate promotes “Santa Calls” as “experience belief by connecting with Santa via a virtual visit at Fountain Park. … Santa Calls invites guests to share their holiday wishes and safely savor screen time with Saint Nick.”

Reservations can be made at westgateaz.com/santa.

David Carmichael, 55, is a North Carolina “freelance voiceover artist” who has played Santa at malls and parties for the last few years.

He is one of the Santas taking virtual calls from kids at Westgate.

“They see me and I greet them and give them a hearty ho ho ho,” he said.

He said kids have no problem with online Santa visits.

“They grew up with technology.

NEWS

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David Carmichael, shown here in his North Carolina home, is one of the actors who star in “Santa Calls” at Westgate. (Photo courtesy David Carmichael)

They’re more used to it than the parents are,” Carmichael said.

Visits are just like they have been for years: “They’re sometimes shy, sometimes they talk a lot, sometimes they don’t—just like what happens to them when they meet you in person.”

What have wish lists been like this year?

“Normal stuff,” Santa Carmichael said. “I’ve gotten requests for Barbie dolls. A Nerf gun, dinosaurs, requests for art supplies. It’s all over the board.”

Adding to the mysterious powers of Santa, Carmichael can often greet the children by name—as reservations are made in advance.

“So I can say, ‘Is that Ethan? It’s been so long! It’s been a year since I’ve seen you!’” Carmichael said.

Just like when he spends hours in malls with kids on his lap, Carmichael is exhausted after a shift of Santa Calls.

“What I find is tiring is constantly being in character. You will step away from a three- or four-hour shift of being Santa Claus, where you have a steady stream of children—I will find I’m exhausted,” he said.

But, just like seeing the kids in person, the job has its magical moments: “Other than being tired as I step away from being Santa, I’m happy. I’m fulfilled.

“There’s a certain sense of joy about seeing Christmas in their eyes.”

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Peoria Times

NEWS

December 17, 2020

Texas court challenge fails, Biden electors set to meet

BY CATHERINE FUSILLO Cronkite News

Days after the U.S. Supreme Court this week rejected an election challenge from Pennsylvania, the same justices on Dec. 11 rejected a last-ditch Texas suit seeking to overturn results from Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin—all states won by Biden.

A number of Republican-led states had backed Texas, and 126 House members—including Arizona GOP Reps. Andy Biggs of Gilbert and Debbie Lesko of Peoria—had asked to file briefs supporting the Texas suit.

Lesko represents the 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Avondale, Litchfield Park, Glendale and Peoria.

After those and numerous other legal challenges to the election failed, the focus shifted to the state’s presidential electors.

Certifying the results of the Electoral College vote—as then-Secretary of State Ken Bennett is doing in this photo from 2012—is normally an uneventful proceeding. Repeated legal challenges and unsupported claims of election irregularities this fall, however, have put a spotlight on the electors, who were scheduled to meet Dec. 14 and cast Arizona’s 11 Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden. (Photo courtesy Arizona Secretary of State)

What is normally a mundane and largely ceremonial task, often handed out as a reward for loyal party service, has been thrust into the spotlight this year by ongoing Republican challenges seeking to upend the election of President-elect Joe Biden.

“This is a very unusual election cycle in that the Electoral College members have never been challenged like this before,” said Felecia Rotellini, the chair of the Arizona Democratic Party and one of 11 electors who met Monday, Dec. 14, in Phoenix and cast the state’s votes for Biden.

Despite those challenges—the latest of which were rejected by the Arizona Supreme Court and a U.S. District Court in separate rulings this week— Rotellini said she was “confident that our electors will be able to vote on Dec. 14.”

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process is sound, and I believe that we will move forward,” she said. “I have every confidence in our government’s systems of election, and so far it is moving smoothly.”

Smooth is how the process works in most years with presidential electors.

When voters cast a ballot for president, they are actually voting for the slate of presidential electors who pledge to vote for that candidate in the Electoral College. Each state gets one Electoral College vote for each of its U.S. senators and House members, and the District of Columbia gets three, for a total of 538 votes—the candidate who gets 270 or more of those votes becomes the next president.

Electors across the country met Dec. 14 in their state capitals to cast separate votes for president and vice president, which have to be delivered to the Senate by Dec. 23. The next Congress will meet in joint session on Jan. 6 to count the ballots, and the winner will be inaugurated on Jan. 20.

Typically, the only excitement is whether an elector will go rogue and not vote for the party’s candidate— an issue that flared up in 2016, when a handful of so-called “faithless electors” for both President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton voted for someone else.

But that did not happen in Arizona, one of 20 states that bind electors to vote for the candidate who won the state. Under Arizona law, an elector “who knowingly refuses to cast that elector’s electoral college vote as prescribed … is no longer eligible to hold the office of presidential elector” and is removed and replaced.

Andy Gordon, an attorney in Phoenix who was a Democratic elector for Bill Clinton in 1996, notes that the concept of a faithless electors law “was found constitutional by the Supreme Court” this year.

“You have to vote for who the people tell you to vote for,” Gordon said.

But some Arizona Republicans were fighting to oust the Biden electors and replace them with Trump electors, charging in a series of lawsuits that the Nov. 3 election results should be overturned due to election fraud.

All of those suits have been quickly rejected by state courts in the weeks af-

Peoria Times ter the election.

On Dec. 8, the Arizona Supreme Court threw out Arizona GOP Chairwoman Kelli Ward’s claims that damaged and duplicate ballots were miscast and needed to be reviewed. The court noted that the party’s review of 1,626 Maricopa County ballots turned up just nine that were miscast, a number that when “extrapolated to the total number of duplicate ballots … is not sufficient to come close to warranting a recount” under state law.

It also said the GOP had failed to provide evidence of problems with mismatched signatures on ballots or evidence of anything more than simple mistakes that were fixed by election workers.

Gordon calls such challenges little more than “Trump in his frenzy of trying to figure out some way to steal the election, and that has put more focus on the electors to see if there’s some way he could peel them off, or really delay them.”

The electors themselves are chosen by the respective state party chairs.

Tom Collins, the executive director of the Arizona Citizens Clean Election Commission, describes the selection as “kind of an honorarium for members of the members of a party, party activists, longtime party contributors and luminaries, if you will, within the state local parties.”

Rotellini said she tried to select Democrats who “have deep roots to our state, and who have dedicated their lives to public service.” The 11 Democratic electors are a mix of genders, races and ethnicities.

“I looked for diversity that reflected who we are as a state and those values that we all believe in, frankly, whether Democrat, Republican or independent,” she said.

Collins is not worried about the legal threats “being bandied about with the kind of a cavalier attitude” by state Republicans.

Although he does say that it muddies the waters, “making it less clear than it ought to be that Arizona law says that there are elections that occur, you know, on Nov. 3 and the county and state canvasses follow from that, and the electors who are seated have the obligation of both for the who won the most votes in Arizona.”

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Peoria Times

NEWS

December 17, 2020

Lesko criticizes Supreme Court, reluctant to acknowledge Biden

BY TOM SCANLON

Peoria Times Managing Editor

Rep. Debbie Lesko, a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, remains reluctant to acknowledge Joe Biden will be the next president—even after the Electoral College’s official vote Dec.111620_PeoriaTimes_4_9x7_7_Ad.pdf 14.

1 Lesko, a Republican, was reelected

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in a landslide win. The Peoria resident represents the 8th Congressional District, which includes Peoria and parts of Glendale and Litchfield Park.

The Peoria Times asked Lesko if she feels Biden should be inducted as the next president.

“Only when all legal cases are resolved and Congress certifies the votes 11/16/20 3:44 PM of the Electoral College will we know

for certain who is the next president of the United States,” said Lesko.

Congress is scheduled to certify the Electoral College results Jan. 6.

On Dec. 14, the Electoral College gave Biden 306 votes, topping Trump’s 232.

Lesko also joined a Texas lawsuit challenging the election results.

“I joined with many of my Republican colleagues to file an amici brief in this case. I was not a party to the case, but instead presented an extremely focused and limited question to the court about the meaning and importance of Art. II, Sec. 2, cl.

1, of the U.S. Constitution, the ‘Electors Clause.’ We asked the question not just for this election, but for elections to come, is it only the state legislatures that can set the rules for choosing electors in each state, as the Constitution clearly says, or is now acceptable for individual officials, state judges, and/or other private parties to do so? I felt this was an important question for the Court to consider as it reviewed the case,” Lesko said via a Dec. 14 email.

The Peoria Times asked Lesko how she felt about the Supreme Court rejecting the Texas challenge to the election results.

“For more than two centuries, the Constitution has been clearly interpreted to require that only state legislatures could set rules for choosing electors in each state. With this decision, the

Lesko visits White House Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-08) enjoyed a pre-Christmas visit to the White House Dec. 5.

“Great visit to the White House today with Team Lesko!” Lesko tweeted. “The ‘America the Beautiful’ decorations by @FLOTUS (First Lady Melania Trump) were absolutely beautiful and we even spotted a few special items from Arizona. Thanks for having us, President Donald Trump!”

Court has opened the door for individual governors, secretaries of state, or other officials, state judges, and/or other private parties to unilaterally change the rules at will for any reason, without consequence,” she said.

“This sets a dangerous precedent for the future of our nation.”

On Nov. 3, 60% of the 8th Congressional District voters chose Lesko for reelection over Michael Muscato, the Democratic challenger.

Trump repeatedly criticized elections in Arizona and other states as “rigged.”

“Who is a worse governor, Brian Kemp of Georgia or Doug Ducey of Arizona?” Trump tweeted Dec. 12.

“These are two RINO Republicans who fought against me and the Republican Party harder than any Democrat.

“They allowed states that I won easily to be stolen.”

The Peoria Times asked Lesko if she believes the Arizona election process was sound and fair.

“Arizona has long conducted safe, efficient elections. Since the 2020 election, I have supported President Trump’s legal efforts to ensure the sanctity of our elections and I will continue to do so until a decision has been reached in every case,” she said.

“Only two cases remain in Arizona, and I look forward to hearing from the court and if necessary, making changes to election processes that are determined inadequate and a threat to our democracy.”

Peoria Times

December 17, 2020

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NEWS

December 17, 2020

Forecast calls for drier, warmer winter to follow ‘non-soon’ summer

BY ALLEN H. AWFE Cronkite News

State and federal weather officials are predicting a warmer and drier than normal winter for Arizona, which would come on the heels of the driest monsoon ever recorded in the state.

The “non-soon” summer followed by a La Niña winter could spell trouble for water resources and wildfire conditions in a state already gripped by drought, the officials said.

“Going into a dry winter after this dry summer is going to be making the drought worse, for sure,” said Nancy Selover, a state climatologist at Arizona State University.

Usually occurring once every two to seven years during the winter, the La Niña weather pattern stems from a cold phase of the Pacific Ocean that shifts the jet stream, leading to colder weather in the north and warm and dry weather in the Southwest.

David Miskus, a meteorologist at the Climate Prediction Center at the National Weather Service, said that if the La Niña weather system “does what it normal-

ly does—sub-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures in the winter time—that’s exactly what Arizona and the Southwest does not need this winter.” The long-term outlook is calling for just that.

The entire state is currently undergoing drought, with 84.76% of it under an “extreme” or “exceptional drought” classification, according to the United States drought monitor. Extreme drought results in insufficient water for livestock and other harms to ranching, and it can stress plants and trees, making them likely to act as tinder for wildfires.

“We already have a fire issue because we had a dry summer, so everything is already very dry,” Selover said.

During a dry winter, trees tend to dry severely, which can lead to sap depletion.

That, in turn, gives room for beetles to infest dried-out trees that die and become fuel to spread any wildfire that starts.

“If we continue this dryness through the winter, we can potentially just extend our wildfire season into the winter,” Selover said.

All those factors—a drought, a dry monsoon season and the expected La Niña

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winter—mean levels of “large reservoirs are going down and down,” Miskus said.

That can be a particular problem for ranchers and Native American reservations in parts of semi-arid northern Arizona that rely on summer rainfall and winter snowfall, he said.

“When you get a lack of precipitation in a semi-arid area, it really hurts,” Miskus said. During times of little to no precipitation, ranchers and tribes must “get water sent to them or pump” it.

Selover added that since La Niña is a

“winter phenomenon,” if Arizona winters keep getting warmer and drier, it could lead to decreased snowfall, which can cause severe water shortages down the road.

“We depend on the snow to store water,” she said. “But if there’s more rain than snow in the winter, it (water) immediately soaks into the ground.”

Ongoing wildfires, extreme drought and the driest monsoon in Arizona—Miskus called it a perfect storm in the summer, and now (because of La Niña) “not a very good winter outlook either.”

City offers rent and utility assistance to residents Financial assistance programs will continue to be offered through the Community Assistance Resource Center by appointment only.

In addition, limitations on group sizes of 10 or less will be implemented in city facilities and buildings.

Most city events and special interest classes have been postponed, modified or canceled, and all sports tournament rentals at city facilities scheduled until Jan. 8 have been canceled.

The Rio Vista Recreation Center and Peoria libraries will remain open with a mask requirement and social distancing protocols in place.

Community and neighborhood parks and trails will also remain open.

For more information, visit peoriaaz. gov/covid19, call 623-773-7770 or email contactus@peoriaaz.gov.

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF The city is offering assistance to those impacted by COVID-19.

Peoria residents can receive up to $500 per month to assist with utility bills and up to $1,500 per month to assist with rent or mortgage up to three months.

The program started Oct. 1 and will run until funds are exhausted.

For more information, contact the Peoria Community Assistance Program office at 623-979-3911 ext. 405 or visit peoriaaz.gov/communityassistance.

Based on the data used to measure the community spread of COVID-19 cases in Maricopa County, the city of Peoria is modifying activities, events and facility operating hours.

The Peoria Community Center is temporarily closed to the public.

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Peoria Times

December 17, 2020

NEWS

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Centennial High coach DJ Ortiz dies at age 33

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF Students, families and athletes in Glendale and Peoria are grieving the loss of David “DJ” Ortiz, who died Dec. 12.

A beloved teacher at Heritage Elementary School and enthusiastic football coach at Centennial High School, he was 33.

At Heritage, the sports-loving Ortiz also coached girls basketball.

“Coach DJ” was a familiar presence at Centennial High School, where he coached the freshman football team and helped with the varsity team.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family,” a Centennial football tweet reads. “Always had a smile and positive approach to his coaching. He will be missed.”

Mark Ernster, athletic director of Peoria Unified School District, shared his condolences.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Coach Ortiz’s family and those students

and staff who had the benefit of working closely alongside him. We are grateful for the impact he left on our students and community through his contributions to the football program and are deeply saddened by his passing,” Ernster said.

Centennial coach Richard Taylor said “we’re all feeling very sad about this tragedy.

“Coach Oritz was a very pleasant, happy, encouraging coach,” Taylor said.

“The kids were happy to be around him.”

Cynthia Mendoza is principal of Heritage Elementary School in Glendale, where Ortiz taught seventh and eighth graders social studies.

Though Ortiz was increasingly suffering from kidney problems that would claim his life, Mendoza said his death was shocking.

“We weren’t expecting it. We knew he was going through some health issues, but he fought it to the last,” she said.

Monday, Dec. 14, the principal and other staff members visited the late

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teacher’s classes to tell them in person about the death of Oritz.

“We are supporting our students,” Mendoza said, adding that a therapist was on campus to provide counseling.

“We let the students know they are go-

ing through a difficult time but remember the good things he brought to our campus. That we are here to support him and love him,” she said.

Many of his students “knew he was going through tough times” and that Ortiz was going through dialysis treatments.

But he continued to teach at the charter school a week before his death.

“He was so passionate,” Mendoza said. “Very loving, caring, passionate.

Always with a smile to try to make everyone’s day, even though he was going through hard times.”

A memorial table in the teacher’s honor was set up for students to add cards and messages. And the school was planning a balloon release to honor Ortiz Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Mendoza will remember Ortiz as “Very enthusiastic, very loving and caring.

“We’re always going to remember that smile. He always walked around this campus with a smile,” she said.

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Peoria Times

10 OPINION

December 17, 2020

For more opinions visit peoriatimes.com PeoriaTimes.com

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How to shop smart this holiday season

BY KIMBERLY YEE Guest Writer

As the Arizona state treasurer and chairwoman of the state’s first-ever Financial Literacy Task Force, increasing financial awareness is one of my top priorities. By making wise personal finance decisions, Arizonans not only strengthen themselves but also their families, communities and the overall economic health of our state. The holiday season is commonly a time of overspending and breaking personal budgets.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent on average $1,047.83 last holiday sea-

son, a 4% percent increase from the previous year. Holidays can be a festive time to spend on your loved ones without drowning in debt.

Here are my five practical tips on how to shop smart this holiday season.

1. Budget for everything, not just gifts.

Before you begin any holiday shopping, figure out what your budget is and how much you can afford to spend on gifts and holiday expenses. Write your budget down and keep yourself accountable to exactly how much you want to spend within those limits. Then make a list of everyone you want

to give a gift to, including family, friends, teachers and co-workers.

Factor in all the costs of shopping, like shipping, gas and packaging.

Don’t forget to account for other holiday expenses, such as decorations, food, holiday apparel, greeting cards, travel and charitable contributions. By determining how much you’re able to spend from your disposable income, you can feel confident and prepared to begin your holiday shopping.

2. Make a gift list and stick to it!

Before you start shopping, whether it’s online or in person, create a list of everything you want to purchase. Stores are designed to incen-

tivize you to buy as much as possible, so walk in prepared with a plan and do your best to avoid sales pitches. Avoid window shopping and stay within the aisles of the store for the items on your list to avoid excess purchases. This tip applies to the nonholiday season, too.

When you enter the store, look for only the items on your gift list. You will be less tempted to overspend and buy items that are not on your list when you have a set budget.

3. Spend less time in the store so that you purchase less.

Spending more time in a store SEE SHOP PAGE 11

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Peoria Times

December 17, 2020 SHOP FROM PAGE 10

usually leads to more purchasing and more opportunity to break your budget. Prevent impulse spending by shopping when pressed for time.

By researching online before you enter the store, you can compare prices with different stores, take advantage of the best bargains and maximize your time. When shopping online, which is increasingly more common, set a time limit for how long you will spend on the online store’s website.

4. Pay with cash to buy gifts.

Cash is the best paying option to maintain your holiday budget.

When you’re swiping a plastic card, you cannot tangibly see money leaving your pocket. If you hand

over $100 in cash, you are more likely to be aware of how much you are spending. Cash has no hidden fees! When shopping online, paying with a credit card is necessary, so make sure you can pay off the full balance. Also, avoid opening new store credit cards, which come with hidden fees and incentivize you to spend more in the store. If you’re prone to making frivolous purchases, having a store card may induce you to spend more to try to earn the offered rewards. Also, store cards often have extremely high interest rates—sometimes up to 23%—which could lead you to quickly racking up interest-related debt. By paying with cash when possible, you will spend your money, not borrowed money.

SMITH’S OPINION — Las Vegas Sun

OPINION

5. Consider making personalized gifts.

Homemade presents are personal, meaningful treasures to give to your loved ones and a great way to save money while creating something memorable and one of a kind. In the day and age of digital photos, consider compiling an old-fashioned photo album for family members and friends, or bake a batch of Christmas cookies to wrap as gifts. Another idea is giving the gift of time by visiting your faraway family and friends, or offering up a free “night of babysitting” card for a busy couple who would love a night out. Personalized gifts are unique, unexpected and can’t be compared to anything you’d find in a traditional store. The homemade, personalized gift-giving opportunities, mixed in with a bit of creativity, are endless!

By practicing these smart shopping tips, you can start off 2021 without holiday debt! The holiday season should be a time for enjoying family and friends’ company,

KIMBERLY YEE

not worrying about your money.

Kimberly Yee is the treasurer of Arizona.

How to get a letter published 250 N. Litchfield Rd., Suite 100, Goodyear, AZ 85338 E-mail: tscanlon@timespublications.com The Peoria Times welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number. The Peoria Times will print the writer’s name and city of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received, and they are subject to editing. The Peoria Times will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not the Times, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.

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BUSINESS

December 17, 2020

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Holiday punch: COVID-19 worries mean no holiday party for most offices

BY CONCETTINA GIULIANO Cronkite News

Parties are not happening in Peoria—and elsewhere.

Just 23% of companies who responded to a survey by the outplacement company Challenger, Gray and Christmas said they plan a year-end celebration this year, a complete reversal from the 76% who held parties last year.

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Of the 189 businesses that responded to the annual survey, just 1.3% said they planned to go ahead with a traditional party with no restrictions.

That doesn’t mean the desire for a holiday party is any less, said Andrew Challenger, vice president of Challenger, Gray and Christmas.

“I think the idea is companies still would like to try to get people together,” Challenger said.

“Even if it’s only virtually, to do something other than talk about business, like getting people together within an organization to connect with each other, in some way is meaningful.”

The annual holiday party is important to staff at the Phoenix IT company Adopt Technologies, said Brett Helgeson, president and CEO. “We genuinely like hanging out with each other,” Helgeson said.

Office culture is vital, and the office party is one way for co-workers to connect, he said. With so many employees working from home because of the pandemic, he said it “was even more critical that we get together in some fashion and have some sort of event.”

But not everyone in the office is comfortable with larger gatherings, so this year’s party will be shaped

by COVID-19.

“We want to be really conscientious and respectful of all parties, but at the same point in time, afford people the opportunity to get together,” Helgeson said.

“Kind of the first thing that we’re going to be doing is a virtual happy hour where we’re hiring a mixologist,” he said. “Then the second thing that we’re going to do, which will include the families, is going to be a pop-up movie, where we’re all SEE PARTY PAGE 13

Peoria Times

December 17, 2020

BUSINESS

13

Waste Not launches app to connect food donors with nonprofits ilies.

The food-donation system addresses food insecurity in a state where 1 in 4 children go to bed hungry every night and 1 in 5 adults lack consistent access to adequate food.

Nationally, more than $218 billion is spent on food every year that is never eaten. Waste Not provides nearly 3.5 million meals a year through donations. In 2019, Waste Not diverted 963 tons of food from landfills, a total value of more than $2.2. million.

For more information about MealConnect, to donate food and to become a volunteer driver, contact Bryant at Hillary@wastenotaz.org or 602-361-9162.

For more information about Waste Not, visit wastenotaz.org.

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF Waste Not, a nonprofit agency that rescues perishable food before it goes to waste and then delivers it to those in need, has launched the MealConnect app, a free and easy way to deliver excess food products to nonprofits helping feed the hungry.

MealConnect “is easy to use and requires no obligation from the user, only that they use it when they have surplus food,” said Hillary Bryant, community engagement manager at Waste Not. “MealConnect users don’t need to donate a lot of food to be part of the effort because every donation, no matter how big or small, has an impact. And, with the intensifying impact of the pandemic and the holidays approaching, the need for food items also is growing.”

Glendale-based West Valley Community Food Pantry, also known as The Way, is one of 70 agencies served by Waste Not. Users of the new app are connected with nonprofits in their community and local volunteer drivers who deliver the food.

Nonprofit agencies including PARTY FROM PAGE 12

going to go to a drive-in theater.”

Challenger agreed that holiday parties are an integral part of an office environment.

He said workers may spend about eight hours a day with their officemates, but the holiday party and other gatherings help create stron-

homeless shelters, transitional housing, senior facilities, preschools and after-school programs, rehabilitation centers and food pantries receive food with no cost for distribution to individuals and famger bonds.

Challenger believes the holiday party will come back as soon as companies feel safe.

“I think there’s a real loss this year for not being able to have it,” he said.

“There’s all these just really human, community elements of a holiday party that you don’t get to see almost any other time of the year.”

GOT NEWS? Contact Tom Scanlon at tscanlon@timespublications.com

Volunteers help connect those who have surplus food with those who are hungry. (Photo courtesy Waste Not)

Peoria Times

14 SPORTS

December 17, 2020

For more sports visit peoriatimes.com PeoriaTimes.com

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Sunrise Mountain rolls to first football championship

BY ERIC NEWMAN

Peoria Times Contributing Writer

The Sunrise Mountain Mustangs, fueled by the largest senior class in team history, utilized their dominant rushing offense Dec. 11 to win the school’s first football title in a 42-20 victory over the Ironwood Eagles in the 2020 AIA Football 5A State Championship Final.

Sunrise Mountain boasted around 30 seniors on this team, many of whom played in the Mustangs’ youth football feeder programs. They had noticeable talent from the onset of their playing days. Many started or contributed to the varsity group as sophomores. They made the playoffs repeatedly, but the victory in the championship game was the first time they got over the hump.

“In youth football we were runner-up twice, and we always talked about getting a championship when we got to high school but never did it, so it feels so good to get this,” said senior offensive lineman Robbie Maple.

The Mustangs used the same strategy—run the ball over and over—to out-muscle the Eagles. They threw one pass all game, sailing incomplete over the receiver’s head in the second quarter.

Julian Esber’s 62-yard touchdown run put away the game and championship for Sunrise Mountain.

(Photo by Eric Newman)

After a solid win in the title game, the Sunrise Mountain Mustangs pose with the 2020 AIA Football 5A State Championship trophy. (Photo by Eric Newman)

The Mustangs finished with 442 rushing yards and six touchdowns, scored by four different ball carriers. They lined up in the same formation nearly every play, with quarterback Travis Ward flanked by two running backs. He continually handed off to the backs, who ran behind a large offensive line for big gains.

“Ever since we were able to figure out what we could do, we’ve been able to maul people and run it up the gut. And it’s awesome knowing that I’m blocking for guys that I’ve been with for so long because we know that anything happens, they’ll be able to make a play,” Maple said.

“Go with what’s working,” coach Steve Decker added.

But, despite the score and dominant statistics suggesting otherwise, it did not appear Sunrise Mountain would be able to run away with the victory early. The Mustangs fell 20-11 to the Eagles in the regular season, and it looked like history might repeat itself.

“It was kind of in the back of our head that maybe we would get to play them again in the championship, and then we got to, so it was awesome,” senior Brandon Bogard said.

Ironwood took a lead on the game’s opening drive behind stellar play from

senior quarterback Will Haskell. He scrambled out of broken pass plays for several first downs, and a long touchdown run put the Eagles up 7-0.

The Mustangs responded with their run game, as always. They moved the ball downfield, but the Eagles halted two drives in the first half by forcing fumbles.

Ironwood utilized the advantageous field position earned by the second fumble recovered to score again, going up 14-7 late in the first half.

Sunrise Mountain kept running the ball, though. With under a minute remaining in the second quarter, Bogard scored a touchdown.

The Mustangs fumbled on the twopoint attempt, but senior running back Tommy Arnold—who had fumbled the first two times—redeemed himself by picking up the loose ball, shedding a tackler and scoring to give Sunrise Mountain a 15-14 lead at halftime. He would finish the game with 205 yards and two scores.

“I knew when we pulled ahead that they were going to break down, and we took advantage of that,” Bogard said.

The runs kept coming in the third quarter. The fumbling stopped.

While the Mustangs kept scoring, the Eagles could not. Sunrise Mountain’s defense began to dominate at the line of

scrimmage. Sunrise Mountain rushed Haskell and contained him from the outside to keep him in the pocket, knowing that his running ability in the open field might kill them otherwise.

The Eagles punched in one short rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter, giving a sliver of hope.

But Julian Esber took that hope away quickly, responding with a 62-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the night, to put the game away.

“We weren’t staying satisfied. We needed to secure it and broke it open right there,” Esber said.

The Mustangs knelt out the clock and won their first title, leaving the Eagles still searching for their own first championship.

Sunrise Mountain finishes their best season with a 10-2 victory. The Mustangs will have to replace the talent of their largest senior class if they want to reach this point again. Coach Decker will have to rely on an infusion of youth, taking after the 2021 graduates.

But at least for one night, hoisting the 5A trophy, the Mustangs could celebrate.

“To win it on our last game, this is just special,” Bogard said.

Senior Tommy Arnold runs the ball in Sunrise Mountain’s 42-20 victory over Ironwood in the 5A championship.

(Photo by Eric Newman)

Peoria Times

December 17, 2020

FEATURES

15

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Midwestern University receives $100,000 grant for vision services

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF Midwestern University has received a $100,000 grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust for the Arizona College of Optometry’s Vision Medical Assistance Program.

The grant, awarded from the trust’s “Helping People in Need” focus area, will help provide low-income individuals with examinations, treatments and vision correction at the Midwestern University Eye Institute.

Under the Vision Medical Assistance Program, Arizona College of Optometry faculty and students will perform a complete ocular examination and will provide eyeglasses, single vision, bifocal, trifocal, progressive or contact lenses dependent upon need. Patients will be treated and taught how to manage identified chronic eye problems

A $100,000 grant will allow Midwestern University to provide eye care to low-income individuals. (Photo courtesy Midwestern University)

Deer Valley High grad launches music career

BY JAKARIA ROSS

Peoria Times Contributing Writer

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a busy year for Glendale rising star Ashley Wineland.

The country singer released an album, sang at the recent NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway and is participating in a Christmas concert.

At 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Wineland will sing at a Christmas show sponsored by Wide Open Country, streaming at facebook.com/WOCountry.

Wineland, 22, is juggling her budding music career with being a student at ASU. “Take Flight” is her third album.

Though she has 650,000 followers on

Facebook, due to the pandemic, she did not tour to promote it, as she did with previous albums.

“A lot of musicians and everybody who works in art media and entertainment are really hurting right now,” she said.

Finding her voice at a young age, Wineland outlined the experience of navigating through Deer Valley High School while pursuing a career in country music.

“In high school, I don’t think too many people realized exactly what I did. Those who had an idea thought it was cool that I was working my career path already,” she said.

SEE WINELAND PAGE 16

and will receive necessary therapy for debilitated vision-related conditions. In addition to providing essential vision services to the underserved, the program will also enhance optometry student clinical training and education at

the Eye Institute.

“The Vision Medical Assistance Program’s goal aligns with the University’s mission to serve the needs of society by developing tomorrow’s health care team, involving ourselves in the community, and fostering partnerships that invest in the growth and development of our state,” said Dr. Kathleen H. Goeppinger, president and CEO of Midwestern University. “We are deeply grateful to the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust for their generosity and faith in our community health care programs.”

The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust is named for Nina Mason Pulliam (1906-97), a journalist, a business leader and humanitarian. The trust has granted over $335 million in Arizona and Indiana since 1998.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit graduate and postgraduate educational institution specializing in the health sciences with 12 colleges located on two campuses.

The Arizona campus, located on a 156-acre site in Glendale, is home to over 3,900 students. For more information, visit midwestern.edu.

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FEATURES

December 17, 2020

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“When I started songwriting and beginning my career in middle school, I was definitely made fun of. It was quite a blow and really hard to go through at the time. As the years went on, though, those that made fun of me saw that I was serious and had a lot of great things happening for me, and now they’re the ones who compliment me on my work,” said Wineland.

She started her music career not as a singer but a trumpet player in middle school.

“I became more interested in pursuing voice, and I joined choir and had opportunities just come up throughout the years where I got to do performances and shows,” said Wineland.

Even without touring, her career is challenging.

“There’s definitely times where things are really crazy. There’s just a lot going on, and it’s very easy to get overwhelmed,” she said. “Especially

over these last couple months with producing new music and making music videos and having school and then trying to balance personal relationships.”

She stressed the importance of school, where she is a senior studying film and media.

“If singing doesn’t work out, I know that I still want to be involved in entertainment in some way, shape or form,” said Wineland.

“In the future my goals are to really expand that and to be able to do bigger shows at get to reach more people. … I would love to have more opportunities come up where we can go overseas and hang out those fans … and eventually move on over to where we can reach a global audience,” said Wineland. “In the next year I greatly hope that the world opens back up again and we’re able to get out on the road, play shows and get face to face with people again.

I’d love to book another national tour in 2021.”

Peoria Times

December 17, 2020

King Crossword ACROSS 1 Porter’s burdens 5 Before 8 Dull sound of impact 12 Enticement 13 Blend 14 Abundant 15 Opera showstopper 16 U.K. broadcaster 17 Black, in verse 18 Fight 20 Like a lot 22 Solid ground 26 Entire 29 Smack 30 Zilch 31 Bees’ home 32 Parsons or Gaffigan 33 Slangy negative 34 -- out a living 35 One of the Brady Bunch 36 Grown-up bug 37 Brownish orange

40 Warmonger 41 Barbershop tools 45 First victim 47 Luau bowlful 49 “American --” 50 Ring out 51 Barn bird 52 Alaskan metropolis 53 Vortex 54 -- Aviv 55 Get larger

DOWN 1 Spill the beans 2 Emanation 3 Determination 4 Birthplace of Starbucks 5 Fireplace bit 6 Cage component 7 Cry out 8 Italian fountain site 9 Ireland 10 Venusian vessel?

11 Lair 19 Appomattox surrenderer 21 Frequently 23 Serengeti beast 24 Chinese dynasty 25 Choir member 26 Sharpen 27 Raise 28 Above 32 Lotto win 33 Incredible 35 Mandible 36 Call -- day 38 Make a comeback 39 Warble 42 Bloodhound’s clue 43 Quarterback Tony 44 Dispatched 45 Mimic 46 Foundation 48 Didn’t pay yet

FEATURES

17

ANSWERS ON PAGE 20

GOby FIGURE! Linda Thistle

SUDOKU TIME

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.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK H H

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK H H H

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY!

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY!

VETERANS

AND THEIR SPOUSES OR WIDOWS… Burial Service at National Cemetery of Arizona is FREE for those who have served our country with military service either in WARTIME or PEACETIME, and have been honorably discharged. This sevice is also FREE for your spouse and dependent children.Included in this service is your cemetery lot, grave liner, opening and closing grave and a grave marker. Benefits also include the interment of cremated remains.

Funeral Services May Be Arranged Through Menke Funeral & Cremation Center.

Valley View Food Bank Drop off Location

Menke Funeral & Cremation Center 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351

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This information is FREE! Yes…I’d like additional information on ❒ Veteran’s Funeral Planning Guide ❒ Free Funeral Planning Cost Analysis Simply fill out this form and mail to: Menke Funeral & Cremation Center Funeral Planning Services 12420 N. 103rd Ave. Sun City, AZ 85351

Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone:

18

Peoria Times

RELIGION

December 17, 2020

For more religion visit peoriatimes.com Peoria Times.com

/PeoriaTimes

Have yourself a very ‘Mary Christmas’

Shepherd of the Desert

Lutheran Church - ELCA • Worship Saturday 4:00pm, Sunday 9:30am • Holy Communion both services • Word on Wednesday 6:30pm, Supper 5:30pm • First Communion Classes Call to schedule • Youth Programs - Scouts After School - Camp

Handicap Bus - Call for pickup

Rev. Dr. Daniel R. Defassio, Pastor 623-933-1359 shepherdofthedesertelca.org Email: sodsecretary@qwestoffice.net

8340 W. Northern Ave. Glendale, AZ 85305

10935 W. Olive Ave. Peoria 85345 Phone (623) 972-8479 office@westolive.com www.westolive.com

Sunday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.

Sunday Bible Study 9 a.m.

Nursery Provided

Worship 10 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday: Family Night 7:00 p.m.

Information 623.334.9482

Dr. Ron G. Rockwell – Pastor

www.hcaz.org

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

Everyone Is Welcome!

Harvest CHurCH 8340 W. Northern

Northern Ave. Glendale Ave.

83rd Ave.

11025 N. 111th Ave., Sun City/Youngtown

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

Harvest CHurCH

91st ave.

Did you know the word fear is used in the Christmas story more than any other event in the Bible? A crippling fear permeated Israel at the time of the birth of Christ. In this atmosphere of fear, the first Christmas came.

Our first couple, named Elizabeth and Zacharias, were childless after many years of marriage. They were well beyond conceiving a child. Their friends felt sorry for them.

(Luke 1:58) They couldn’t understand why they couldn’t conceive a child. The feeling of inadequacy followed them day and night.

Sound familiar?

Zacharias was a Levite priest. One day, as he ministered in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him. Zacharias was terrified. The angel announced to Zacharias that Elizabeth would have a baby and name the baby John.

Zacharias reminded the angel that he and Elizabeth were too old for that sort of thing. Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, shut Zacharias’ mouth until the baby was born.

Maybe Gabriel turned off Zacharias’ voice so his doubt-filled words wouldn’t mess up God’s plan for the birth of John the Baptist.

Zacharias’ name means “God remembers.”

fear. Have you ever felt inferior? If so, this real-life example is for you.

Seeing Mary’s fear and confusion, Gabriel assures her that he is real and his message is valid. It wasn’t Mary’s merit that caused this.

It’s God’s favor. In essence, Gabriel says, “Mary, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of God will overshadow you, even though you are a bond-slave. There’s nothing impossible for God. Mary, you aren’t inferior. You’re a child of God, and God doesn’t make junk!” Do you see that? God’s perfect love given to Mary cast out her fear of being inferior.

There’s a verse in the Bible that explains what is going on in these exchanges. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (I John 4:18) God’s love cast out Elizabeth and Zacharias’ inadequacy, and then God’s love gave them sufficiency. God’s love cast out Mary’s inferiority complex and then gave her kingdom status. No one is inferior to God. And he can do the same for you and me, too! That’s what Christmas is all about.

With Christmas just days away, let’s consider the long journey Jesus made for Elizabeth, Zacharias and Mary, and us as well.

Author Max Lucado says, “He went from

Fre ewa y

Peoria Times Columnist

Elizabeth’s name means “His oath.” How about that? Put those names together—God remembers his oath.

His oath to whom? The people of Israel that He would send a prophet in the spirit and power of Elijah. In fulfilling his pledge to Israel, God fulfilled his oath to Elizabeth and Zacharias that they would have a baby who would be the Savior’s forerunner. God’s perfect love administered straight to them, cast out their fear expressed in their feelings of inadequacy.

Second, let’s consider Mary. Mary is the future mother of Jesus, who is engaged to Joseph. Everything was going well in the engagement, and then there came a suddenly.

Gabriel suddenly comes in her door and says, “Hail, favored one. The Lord is with you.”

Then he says, “Mary, don’t be afraid. You will conceive and bear a son. You will name the son Jesus.”

Mary is freaking out! She has never been with a man. And she is a lowly woman bondslave. Mary was thinking, “Who am I? God doesn’t hang around bond-slaves like me.

What will Joseph think of me? What will other’s think of me? What will happen to me next?” What’s the root of all these concerns?

She is expressing her feeling of inferiority as a woman bond-slave. Inferiority comes from

101

CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION Pastor Ed Delph

commanding angels to sleeping in the straw.

From holding stars to clutching Mary’s finger.

The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier. The tongues He made mocked Him. The mouths He formed spit on Him. The hands He made would crucify Him.” Would you have made those mouths, tongues and hands if you knew what they would do that to you? Why would Jesus do that? God’s love caused Jesus to reach out into other’s lives to set captives free. When God’s love comes, fear goes. On Christmas Eve, “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”

God’s love puts others before itself. To Jesus, your soul was more important than His blood. Your eternal life was more important than His earthly life. Your place in heaven was more important than His place in heaven. He gave up His place in heaven so you could have your place in heaven.

Saint Irenaeus wrote, “Because of His boundless love, He became what we are so that He might make us what He is.”

This Christmas, don’t just have a Merry Christmas, have a Mary Christmas. And remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

10250 N. 59th Ave. 623-937-9216 Sunday Services: Bible Study ....................................... 9:15 Morning Worship ............................ 10:30 Discipleship Training ........................ 4:45 Evening Worship .............................. 6:00

am am pm pm

Wednesdays: TeamKid, Youth Worship Bible Study & Prayer........................6:00 pm Dr. Mark Mucklow, Pastor www.fsbcg.org

December 17, 2020

Peoria Times

Ready for Kindergarten?

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19

Peoria Times

20 YOUTH

December 17, 2020

For more youth visit peoriatimes.com PeoriaTimes.com

/PeoriaTimes

Cox increases internet speeds for low-income families

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF Liam Beltram, a Liberty High School senior, was selected as one of five Arizona nominees for the 202021 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education (CTE).

Beltram was selected by a review team consisting of CTE stakeholders based on evidence of academic rigor, technical competence, professional employability skills, and ingenuity and creativity.

As one of the five Arizona nominees, Beltram was selected by Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman and was submitted by her office to the Com-

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with their teachers and have the same opportunities to access information as their classmates,” said John Wolfe, Southwest regional general manager, Cox Communications.

Families can qualify for Connect2Compete easily from anywhere, whether on

their mobile device or desktop, by visiting cox.com/c2c.

Eligible participants who sign up before Dec. 31 will receive two months of free service and pay $9.95 monthly going forward.

Liberty High student nominated as U.S. Presidential Scholar

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Cox Communications is increasing the speed of Cox’s Connect2Compete internet service.

As of Dec. 11, Cox will temporarily double the Connect2Compete speed to 50 mbps/download for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year in all Cox markets.

This is aimed to help students complete schoolwork, communicate with teachers, and have the same opportunities to access information as their classmates.

The Connect2Compete plan is a lowcost internet plan designed to augment the educational opportunities of low-income children who do not have a reliable and affordable internet connection at home. This Cox internet package is offered to students and families receiving government assistance such as reduced or free school lunch, SNAP benefits or public housing.

“During the current COVID-19 spike, many students and teachers are returning to distance learning, once again needing to rely on their at-home internet service provider,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman. “I am thankful that Cox Communications prompt-

ly responded to my request to provide low-income students and families with higher internet speeds.”

“Cox remains committed to ensuring that all kids in our service areas have access to broadband connectivity so that they can do homework, communicate

113th Ave

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF WRITER

Ave

N

mission on Presidential Scholars at the U.S. Department of Education.

As a semifinalist nominee, he will be invited to apply for the National Review by the Commission on Presidential Scholars at the U.S. Department of Education. Twenty outstanding U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education students will be recognized in May. Beltram participated in several of Peoria Unified’s CTE programs throughout his tenure at Liberty High School, including engineering and Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC).

For more information about Peoria Unified’s CTE programs, visit the district’s website at peoriaunified. org/cte.

Peoria Unified School District has 42 schools in Glendale and Peoria, with 37,000 students.

Liberty High senior Liam Beltram was selected as one of five Arizona nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholars. (Photo courtesy Peoria Unified School District)

Peoria Times

December 17, 2020

Classifieds The Place “To Find” Everything You Need ANNOUNCEMENTS

Holiday Deadlines For Legal Advertising

Dec. 17th at 9am for Dec. 24th Edition 480-898-7926

legals@timespublications.com EMPLOYMENT

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Varsity Facility Services is hiring for Part-Time and Full Time Janitorial positions for offices in the City of Glendale.

Applicants must have some janitorial experience, must be dependable and able to communicate with client and supervisor. Applicants must have reliable transportation, must be authorized to work in the United States and pass a Background Check.

Apply in person at: 8930 N 78th Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345 from 9:00am - 4:00pm Monday thru Friday.

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 confiable. Deben pasar una verificación de antecedentes, y ser autorizados a trabajar en los Estados Unidos.

Aplique en persona al: 8930 N 78th Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345 de 9:00 am a 4:00 pm de lunes a viernes.

Varsity está solicitando personas para limpieza de oficinas en la Cuidad de Glendale.

EMPLOYMENT

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JOIN OUR TEAM TODAY! Centurion is seeking RNs & LPNs to work at Arizona State Prison Complexes in Buckeye, Goodyear & Phoenix. We offer a variety of schedules/shifts, great pay, and benefits!

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PUBLIC NOTICE PROPOSALS FOR 2021-2022 On January 4, 2021, the City will begin CLASSIFIEDS accepting proposals for the use of Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG CV) funds.

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the City of Peoria will receive approximately $979,134 in additional CDBG CV funds.

These funds must be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID19 pandemic. Use of the CDBG CV funds is restricted to CDBG-eligible purClassifieds: Friday 10am for theposes, following Thursday publication. and cannot be used for activities are being covered by other federal, Business & Service Directory,that Legals and Life Events Thursday state or local resources. The proposal at Noon for thesubmission following deadline Thursdayforpublication. agencies who wish to utilize these funds is January 25, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. Funds are anticipated to be available beginning April 2021. All applicants are required to submit proposals utilizing the application form that will be made available on the City’s website at www.peoriaaz.gov/notforprofitgrants. Completed applications must be submitted via email to communityassistance@peoriaaz.gov by the above-referenced deadline. Additional information may be obtained by writing to: City of Peoria Attn: Community Assistance Division 9875 N. 85th Avenue Peoria, Arizona 85345 Or by written email to: communityassistance@peoriaaz.gov Accommodations for individuals with disabilities - Alternative format materials, sign language interpretation, assistive listening devices or interpretation in languages other than English are available upon 72 hours advance notice through the City of Peoria’s Community Assistance Division, 9875 N. 85th Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85345; (623)773-7250; TDD (623)773-7221, or email at communityassistance@peoriaaz.gov Asistencia en español: Para que le interpreten la solicitud en español, llame al (623)773-7250. Published in the Peoria Times Publication Dates: December 17, 24, 31, 2020 / 34904

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Peoria Times 250 N. Litchfield Rd., Ste 100, Goodyear, AZ 85338

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PUBLIC NOTICE

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I Name: THE PITS METAL WORX LLC II The address of the registered office is: 9340 W Yukon Dr., PEORIA, AZ, 85382, The name of the Statutory Agent is: John Robert Cerra JR III Management of the Limited Liability Company is vested in a manager or managers. The names of each person who is a manager and each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are: MEMBER John Robert Cerra JR, 9340 W Yukon Dr., PEORIA, AZ, 85382 Published Peoria Times, Dec. 17, 24, 31, 2020 / 35063

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE PROPOSALS FOR 2021-2022 On January 4, 2021, the City will begin accepting proposals for the use of Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG CV) funds.

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the City of Peoria will receive approximately $979,134 in additional CDBG CV funds.

These funds must be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID19 pandemic. Use of the CDBG CV funds is restricted to CDBG-eligible purposes, and cannot be used for activities that are being covered by other federal, state or local resources. The proposal submission deadline for agencies who wish to utilize these funds is January 25, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. Funds are anticipated to be available beginning April 2021. All applicants are required to submit proposals utilizing the application form that will be made available on the City’s website at www.peoriaaz.gov/notforprofitgrants. Completed applications must be submitted via email to communityassistance@peoriaaz.gov by the above-referenced deadline. Additional information may be obtained by writing to: City of Peoria Attn: Community Assistance Division 9875 N. 85th Avenue Peoria, Arizona 85345 Or by written e-

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to the Arizona Self-Service Storage Act, Arizona Statutes 33-1704, Section H, Enforcement of Lien. The Undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on or after December 18, 2020 at 9:00am using an online auction at www.storagetreasures.com, said property has been stored and located at Suncrest Mini Storage, 7410 W. Peoria Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85345. Property to be sold as follows: Misc. household goods, personal items, furniture, clothing, toys and/or business fixtures and items belonging to the following: Tenant Name Unit # Josh Rockrich A228 Keely Chapin A232 Crystal Davis B248 Jack Mustin E350 Kenneth Carpenter E373 Annette Lewis I501 David Porter K584 David Porter P121 Pete Moreno P134 Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Items sold “as is”, CASH ONLY, and Buyer must pay a security deposit and broom sweep/clean the unit.

Go to www.storagetreasures.com to bid on unit(s).

Published: Peoria Times, 10, 17, 2020 / 34900

PUBLIC NOTICE PROPOSALS FOR 2021-2022 On January 4, 2021, the City will begin accepting proposals for the use of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and General Fund Not-for-Profit grants for the July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 funding cycle. The City anticipates receiving CDBG funds of approximately $830,000 and a HOME

CLASSIFIEDS 22 PUBLIC NOTICE PROPOSALS

FOR 2021-2022 On January 4, 2021, the City will begin accepting proposals for the use of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and General Fund Not-for-Profit grants for the July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 funding cycle. The City anticipates receiving CDBG funds of approximately $830,000 and a HOME Program allocation of approximately $220,000. The exact allocations will not be determined until finalized by the Federal Government. The City also anticipates General Fund monies of $196,500 to be available. The proposal submission deadline for agencies who wish to utilize these funds is January 25, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. Funds are anticipated to be available in July 2021, for General Fund programs and October 2021, for Federal programs. All applicants will be required to submit proposals utilizing ZoomGrants, an on-line, cloud based system.

Applicants interested in applying for grant funding must register with ZoomGrants in order to obtain a login and access to the City’s grant applications. A link to ZoomGrants and the applications will be available on the City’s website at www.peoriaaz.gov/notforprofitgrants beginning January 4, 2021. Additional information may be obtained by writing to: City of Peoria Attn: Community Assistance Division 9875 N. 85th Avenue Peoria, Arizona 85345 Or by written e-mail to: communityassistance@peoriaaz.gov Accommodations for individuals with disabilities - Alternative format materials, sign language interpretation, assistive listening devices or interpretation in languages other than English are available upon 72 hours advance notice through the City of Peoria’s Community Assistance Division, 9875 N. 85th Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85345; (623)773-7250; TDD (623)773-7221, or email at com munityassistance@peoriaaz.gov. Asistencia en español: Para que le interpreten la solicitud en español, llame al (623)773-7250. Published in the Peoria Times Publication Dates: December 17, 24, 31, 2020 / 34902

case GPA20-06. Trianna Park: Planned Area Development (PAD) Amendment (Z05-07A.6) A request to amend the allowable uses for Parcel 6 within the existing Trianna Park Planned Area Development (PAD). Currently, Parcel 6 allows a behavioral health facility, dementia facility, senior living housing, and medical offices. The proposed amendment would change the approved uses to only allow for a 234 unit multi-family residential community. Parcel 6 consists of approximately 12.42 acres and is located south of the southwest corner of Thunderbird Road and 88 th Avenue.

There is a companion case associated with this proposal (case GPA20-06). The scheduled City Council Hearing will be held on February 2, 2021 beginning at 6:00 p.m. for case Z05-07A.6. Published in the Peoria Times Publication December 17, 2020 / 35018

Peoria Times

December 17, 2020

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PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is given pursuant to ARS §9-462.04, ARS §9461.09(A) and the City Code of Peoria, Arizona, that the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Peoria will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the Peoria City Council Chambers, 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria Arizona 85345. Further information related to these requests or the Public Hearings may be obtained from the Planning Division of the Planning & Community Development Department, 9875 N. 85 th Avenue, Peoria, Arizona 85345, or by calling the Planning Division at 623- 7737200. Agenda items: Trianna Park: Specific Area Plan Amendment (GPA20-06) A request to amend the existing Trianna Park Specific Area Plan land use designation on approximately 12.42 acres from Single-Family Attached Residential / Senior Living to Multi-Family Residential. The purpose of the request is to allow for the development of a 234 unit multi-family community located south of the southwest corner of Thunderbird Road and 88 th Avenue. There is a companion case associated with this proposal (case Z05-07A.6). The scheduled City Council Hearing will be held on February 2, 2021 beginning at 6:00 p.m. for case GPA20-06. Trianna Park: Planned Area Development (PAD) Amendment (Z05-07A.6) A request to amend the allowable uses for Parcel 6 within the existing Trianna Park Planned Area Development (PAD). Currently, Parcel 6 allows a behavioral health facility, dementia facility, senior living housing, and medical offices. The proposed amendment would change the approved uses to only allow for a 234 unit multi-family residential community. Parcel 6 consists of approximately 12.42 acres and is locWE’RE ALWAYS HERE TO SERVE atedYOUR south of the southwest corner of CLASSIFIED NEEDS Thunderbird Road and 88 th Avenue.

There is a companion case associated with this proposal (case GPA20-06). The scheduled City Council Hearing will be heldclass@timespublications.com on February 2, 2021 beginning at 6:00 p.m. for case Z05-07A.6. Published in the Peoria Times Publication December 17, 2020 / 35018

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602.956.7299

PATIOS, WALKWAYS, DRIVEWAYS, RV PARKING

3942 E. Campbell, Phoenix, AZ 85018 After hours call 602.956.7299

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL CONCRETE DEMOLITION & PLACEMENT SPECIALTY CONCRETE FREE ESTIMATES

ROC Lic. #K-09 149540 • Insured • References Available

Office 623-872-7622 DOORS

ROC#289851

PLUMBING

SECURITY Dobash $

250

Legal Notices

TOTAL PACKAGE Locks & Installed Place your Notice Today Call 480-898-6465 Email: notices@star-times.com

PLUMBING, INC.

Quality Plumbing with Quality Service

REPAIR • REMODEL WATER/SEWER/GAS WATER HEATERS REMOVE & REPLACE

Legal Notices Place your notice today.

Call 623-847-4600

Doubles & 8 ft doors starting at $

650

IRONSMITH DOORS, INC

623-486-5777

COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED Lic# C37R122566 L37-122567

623.878.1102

Peoria Times

December 17, 2020

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY

623.847.4600 PAINTING

PLUMBING

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

PAINTING

SPORTS CENTER

DESERT HOME PAINTING LLC

JOHNSON - EVINRUDE VOLVO - OMC - MERCRUISER Fishing Boats - Runabouts Pontoons - Trailer Repair Welding - Parts

623-937-9233 12405 W. Glendale Ave. Glendale

www.boatrepairaz.com

Kite Plumbing FREE ESTIMATES

Commercial / Residential 15 Years Experience Interior/Exterior Clean Jobs Free Estimates (623) 329-6966 DesertHomes1592 @gmail.com ROC 328279

POOL SERVICES

POOL TILE CLEANING

“Licensed, bonded and insured” ROC #267604

Tiles & Shingles

Repair * Installation * Re-Roofing Clean, Prompt, Friendly and Professional Service

602-471-2346 High Quality Experts 22 Years Experience

POOL SERVICES

AE&Sons

WINDOWS

623-418-9941

New Roofs, Repairs, Coatings, Flat Roof, Hot Mopping & Patching & Total Rubber Roof Systems

FREE ESTIMATES & MONSOON SPECIALS

SAME DAY SERVICE Licensed Bonded Insured ROC 286561

All Complete Pool Remodeling

FALL SPECIALS FREE Estimates BEST Prices

Your leaks stop here!

30 Years Experience References Available

Pools Plastering Co. LLC

Plastering, re-plaster & pebbles All types of custom plastering Dive-to-play pool conversion New Pool Builds We accept credit cards

ROOFING

Serving all types of roofing

602-329-2790

www.aeandsons.com

Senior & Military Discounts Is your house ready for a makeover?

Building your dream house?

We can help!

• Replacement windows • New construction windows • Multi-slide - Bi-folding doors • Entry, french and patio doors • Barn doors & hardware • Interior doors and trim • Window covering and shutters Stop by our new showroom: 4454 E. Thomas Road ROC#179513

623-522-9322 ROOFING

Almeida Roofing Inc. All Types of Roofing

602-743-3175

• Free Estimates / Free Inspections

602-505-8066 Cell

BEFORE

SUN LAND ROOFING

FREE Estimates and Very Competitive Prices

ROC#309706

MARINE SERVICES Sales & Service

ROOFING

Michael Kite

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

480-338-4011

CLASSIFIEDS 23

Se Habla Espanõl Lic’d, Bonded • ROC #235771 • ROC #235770

602-667-3667 Phoenix www.liwindow.com

• Tile

• New Roofs

• Shingles

• Re-roofs

• Foam

• Repairs

• Coating • Modified Bitumen

AFTER

www.almeidaroofing.com

Pool Services and Repair The Glendale

tar

623-695-9199

www.miraclepoolcare.com

Honey-Do List Too Long?

Check out the Business & Service Directory!

Call 623-847-4600

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC #215758

Peoria Times

24 CLASSIFIEDS

December 17, 2020

Keep your Christmas Sweet!

Let Your Residential and Commercial Roofing Contractor Keep Your Family Warm!  New Construction, Repairs, Recovers, Maintenance  Installation of Gutters & Attic Insulation  Shingles, Tile, Built Up Single Ply, Foam & Coatings, Metal, Shake

“Let Our Family Cover Yours” The Glendale

tar

We’re Here To Answer Your Questions.

Give Us A Call!

www.JBSroofingAZ.com ROC #’s: 061127 - 287012 - 198009 - 082024 - 318282