Lion King roars into Valley / P. 24
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County to hear QC plant air quality concerns BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer
NEWS..................... 3 Queen Creek’s housing market enters new stage.
COMMUNITY...... 17 Area author pens book on parental death.
BUSINESS............ 19 QC couple keeping town cool.
COMMUNITY.........................17 BUSINESS...............................19 OPINION..................................21 SPORTS....................................23 GET OUT..................................24 CLASSIFIEDS.........................26
Sunday, July 10, 2022
T
he future of the LG Energy Solution Ltd. lithium battery plant will be up in the air, so to speak, with a public meeting thsi Tuesday. The Pinal County Air Quality Department will hold a public meeting on July 12 for the plant because any facility that has the potential to emit 5.5 pounds per
Queen Creek family finds relief with new law
day – or a ton per year – of regulated pollutants requires a permit. But people who attend the hearing shouldn’t expect many answers from county air quality staff. Staff will be there only to record concerns and comments from the public, but will not answers questions or comment in any other way. In LG’s case, particulate matter covered by the permit includes nitrogen
oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, “volatile organic compounds” (V.O.C.) and haps (nickel). The hearing on the permit application by ES America, LG’s American subsidiary, will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, at the Combs Performing Arts Center 2505 E. Germann Road, San Tan Valley. The plant will be located on 650.5
Won’t be long now
see AIR QUALITY page 8
BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer
F
or families of medically fragile children, help has arrived. Gov. Doug Ducey signed the Family Licensed Health Aide Program into law in March 2021. More than a year later, the Arizona Board of Nursing and Arizona Medicaid has certified approximately 50 parents now trained under this program, including one in Queen Creek. Colby Kostur, regional vice president of operations for Team Select Home Care, said this program will help these families cope
see HEALTH page 4
Only a little more than two weeks remain before NFL training camps begin and among those looking forward to them is Queen Creek native Brock Purdy, seen here surrounded by his family. The Perry High alum and Iowa Hawkeyes star quarterback was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. For the story, see page 6. (Special to the Tribune)
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
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Rising inventory, falling demand shake up QC housing scene BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor
Q
ueen Creek is within a whisker of becoming a homebuyers’ market or at least achieving a balance between supply and demand, a leading analyst of the Phoenix Metro housing market reported on Friday. “We can be confident that Maricopa and Queen Creek will be in a balanced zone next week (week of July 10) but on current trends,” the Cromford Report said. “Buckeye will be the first city to become a buyer’s market during the third week of July. Queen Creek and Maricopa look likely to follow before the end of July.” The change represents a marked turnaround from the conditions that prevailed in the housing market in Queen Creek and across the region for nearly two years as home prices escalated, available houses for sale
were scant and sellers were in the catbird seat in sales negotiations – often putting buyers at the mercy of bidding wars, foregoing inspections or making other concessions in a desperate effort to secure a home. While a sudden flood of new listings might be welcome by prospective buyers, the Cromford Report said that they may be in for more heartache. The only difference is that at least some sellers will be grabbing their crying towels along with them as they watch their homes spend weeks on the for-sale lists. The Cromford Report and national real estate experts have noted that while the inventory of resale and new homes has been rising dramatically for the past month, demand for them is dropping sharply as buyers remain discouraged by prices at record levels and rising interest rates. “In summary, prices have stopped
rising but are still much higher than last year while sales volumes are dramatically lower than last year,” it said, adding that there has been more volatility with re-sales than new homes. Stating “it is predominantly the wealthy who are involved in the market at the moment” and that “most ordinary buyers are priced out,” the Cromford Report gave a gloomy assessment of the current Valley housing market. “The last two months have been dismal for the Greater Phoenix housing market, with demand fading sharply and supply growing at one of the fastest paces we have ever witnessed,” it said two weeks ago. “Either trend would have been negative but with both coming together, we have had a very chilly wind blowing through the market. “For many weeks, we have been looking for some convincing sign
of the relaxation of one or both of these trends,” it continued. “We have not found any. Instead, over the last week, the situation has turned significantly worse, at least from a seller’s viewpoint. And it is worse from both a demand and a supply perspective.” It observed last week that the market here “hit the brakes so hard it has skidded off the road” because demand has fallen sharply while listings are skyrocketing. Realtor.com, an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors, said “Affordability will continue to remain a challenge for anyone looking to buy in the current market, as mortgage rates and home prices are not expected to drop this year; thankfully, they aren’t anticipated to grow as rapidly or significantly as they did earlier this year, though.
see MARKET page 9
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NEWS
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
HEALTH from page 1
An edition of the East Valley Tribune Queen Creek Tribune is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Queen Creek CONTACT INFORMATION Main number: 480-898-6500 | Fax: 480-898-562 Circulation: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales: Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@TimesLocalMedia.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@TimesLocalMedia.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 sinsalaco@TimesLocalMedia.com Advertising Sales Executive: Jane Meyer | 480-898-5633 | jane@TimesLocalMedia.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 pmaryniak@TimesLocalMedia.com Managing Editor: Cecilia Chan | 480-898-5613 |cchan@TimesLocalMedia.com Reporters: Josh Ortega | 480-898-5610 | jortega@TimesLocalMedia.com Ken Sain | 928-420-5341 | ksain@TimesLocalMedia.com Photographer: Dave Minton | dminton@TimesLocalMedia.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@TimesLocalMedia.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@TimesLocalMedia.com Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 customercare@TimesLocalMedia.com Sports Editor: Zach Alvira | 480-898-5630 | zalvira@TimesLocalMedia.com
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with personal financial burdens and the nursing shortage at large. “We were a part of the provider network to try to make sure that we have the right verbiage in the statute to be able to make sure that the programs would be operational,” Kostur said. Team Select Home Care started in 2008 and now has offices in 11 states including Arizona, that provides wide range of home health & intermittent visit care and long-term pediatric care. Arizona is third in the country behind Colorado and New Hampshire that have similar programs in place. The new law allows for a new discipline called licensed health aide that allows for a parent or guardians to become certified and be able to provide services for their child. The certification from the Arizona Board of Nursing and a homecare agency goes to someone who has an approved training program that allows them to become certified as an LHA. Queen Creek resident Brandilyn Coon’s 7-year-old son Tyson contracted bacterial meningitis when he was 6 months old and because of that brain injury was later diagnosed with epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Tyson now requires constant care for his condition – including a gastrostomy tube, cough-assist device to clear his airway and Vagus Nerve Stimulation device to treat his epilepsy. Many parents of medically fragile children are forced to stop working to provide necessary medical care for their child. Brandilyn and her husband had faced those troubles in other states they lived. The family just moved to Queen Creek one year ago and said the Arizona’s program already appears to surpass other places she’s lived. “When we lived in Oklahoma, we only qualified for about four hours of respite per week,” she said. “And in contrary in Arizona, they just give out about 600 a year. With Brandilyn now certified as an LHA working for $16.50 an hour and clocking in 32 hours per week, the program as made a tremendous difference
Brandilyn Coons of Queen Creek and her husband must provide constant care for their son Tyson, 7, who suffered a crippling brain injury from meningitis when he was 6 months old. Under a new state program, she qualified to be paid for providing that care. (Special to the Tribune) for the family. She said the biggest concern among families like hers is the divorce rate among the parents due to the stress from issues such as finances. But along with counseling and this new program, she said she and her husband feel fortunate to have this help compared with those struggling as single parents. “It’s been a major financial relief, to say the least, to have this income come through, and so that my husband doesn’t feel complete burden for our family,” she said. The FLHA Program allows caregivers the ability to provide skilled care services for loved ones while operating under the supervision and guidance of a registered nurse case manager, according to a press release. The parent or legal guardian is required to attend a state approved home health care agency that has their own training program, which typically takes less than a week to complete. “They have to submit that curriculum
and some agencies are a couple days, some agencies are a couple of weeks, depending on their program intensity,” Kostur said. “But all of those that have been approved are meeting that requirement from the Arizona Board of Nursing.” When fully certified, parents could then get hired by an agency to provide skilled care to their child or loved one, depending on how much care a physician orders be provided provide. All facets of employment must adhere to state regulations, Board of Nursing rules, labor laws, accreditation standards and agency policies and procedures. This law also provides significant cost savings for Arizona Medicaid and taxpayers including 30-50% savings for every hour of nursing care replaced with LHA care, according to a press release. It also provides significant reductions in unplanned hospitalizations of medically fragile children, which can cost an average of $4,264 per day, according to a release.
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
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NEWS
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
QC native looks forward to 1st NFL season BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer
H
e played for the Raiders as a kid and jumped across the Bay as an adult. On April 30, the San Francisco 49ers selected Brock Purdy in the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old Perry High alum and Queen Creek native made the leap to the big time that his parents call inevitable. “He’s always loved football,” Carrie said. “He’s never wavered.” They recounted the moment the Saturday that he was picked and said they all waited on pins and needles guessing but not knowing which team would draft him. Within 30 minutes of the 49ers calling his name, they said wave after wave of family, friends and former coaches rushed to their home to congratulate Brock on the special moment. “It was definitely one of the most special because he wanted family only and no friends and no celebration beforehand,” Carrie said. They said for a moment the family thought the Arizona Cardinals would call and the family’s desert ties would come full circle. His father Shawn Purdy started traveling to Arizona in 1991 for Spring Training when he was drafted by the Anaheim Angels. The Florida native spent the next
Queen Creek native Brock Purdy is considered the greatest quarterback to ever play for the Iowa Hawkeyes. (Special to the Tribune) several years as a pitcher in the minor leagues with the several franchises but only went as high as Triple-A. SoCal native Carrie Purdy didn’t play sports but said she can ski and water ski better than her kids. In 1997, they welcomed their daughter Whitney into the world and she went on to play college softball. Brock followed two years later and the baby-of-the-family, Preston “Chubba” Purdy, rounded out the lineup. The couple said all their kids love the outdoors including camping, hiking and fishing and used their camper for years to travel to Montana and
Colorado. They said one of the most impactful aspects of their children’s upbringing became the nightly family dinners. “We didn’t just eat and scatter,” Carrie said. “We all sat down every night and had dinner.” He said Brock speaks very vocally about his Christian faith and can quote many a Bible verse, typically because he’ll always write down a weekly verse to get him through the week. “He’s very devoted and he doesn’t look at anybody different,” he said. “But if you ask him, he’s not afraid to tell you about Jesus.”
Along with their Christian faith, Shawn said he ensured they always made amends after any sibling disagreements which has made them “each other’s biggest fans.” “I’m just so proud of how excited they always are to talk to each other every day or go support the other one’s game,” he said. They said they made it to all of his home games at Iowa State University and missed only one away game. In 2021, Iowa State defeated the University of Oregon, 34-17, in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Due to the pandemic, only players’ families could attend the game but the couple said supporters held a tailgate party outside the stadium. Shawn said he taught his kids “to not put the cart before the horse” and that means Brock must focus on making it through the preseason with the 49ers before he makes the team. Unfortunately, the first time the Cardinals will welcome the 49ers to Glendale will happen on Jan. 8, 2023, for the last game of the regular season. Regardless of when they’ll get to see Brock play in the NFL, they said the community has shown their support for Brock regardless of who they rooted for on the field. “We’re very thankful and very blessed and we love everybody out there because there’s been so much love and support.”
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
AIR QUALITY from page 1
acres of land at Ironwood Drive and East Pecos Road that ES bought at a state Land Department auction in April for $84.44 million. The facility would produce lithium-ion batteries for use in electric vehicles, though the timetable for its construction has been pushed back indefinitely by LG, which cited current economic conditions. The potential emissions discharges and a list of equipment from which they are allowed by the permit are part of the company’s lengthy application to the county. It can be found atpinalcountyaz.gov/ AirQuality/Documents/Public%20 Notices/Draft%20Permits/C31387. AJ.pdf. That application spells out a draft form of what LG and ES will do to control any harmful emissions. “In the absence of the limitations and controls established in this permit, this source would have an uncontrolled potential to emit VOCs,
HAPs and PM10. PM10 is a general category for any particulate in the air with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less, including smoke, dust, soot, salts, acids, and metals. Particulate matter can also be formed indirectly when gases emitted from motor vehicles and industries undergo chemical reactions in the atmosphere. The county has held two other public hearings in the past year for other companies’ air quality permits for unrelated projects. The LG hearing “is being conducted at the request of several members of the public in compliance with county air quality code of regulation,” Pinal County Air Quality Department Director Michael Sundblom said. A 30-day public comment period on LG’s permit request expires on Wednesday, July 13. Until them, any member of the public can submit written comments to be read into the record. Not many public hearings are held on air quality permits unless a citi-
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ated by the companies and “no one actually showed up to them.” According to county documents, the county has had nine code violations against various parties “in response to an enforcement action related to non-compliance” with the Pinal County Air Quality Control District. State law gives the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality original jurisdiction over the smelting of metal ore, petroleum refineries, coal fired electrical generating stations, air pollution by portable sources, and air pollution by mobile sources. Pinal County retains authority to permit all other facilities that could impact air quality. The two most recent violations came against Pilot Travel Centers, LLC on April 15, 2021, and Circle K Stores on July 16, 2021. County documents stated the parties “failed to obtain an industrial air quality permit nor a dust permit prior to commencement of construction.”
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zen or the permit applicant requests one. One of the most recent permit application hearings held by the county occurred last year, when Salt River Project applied for a permit for its Desert Basin Generating Station electricity power plant in Casa Grande. A permit was issued Dec. 27 and expires on Sept. 9, 2024. That facility has passed biannual inspections for the past 10 years and except for one in 2011 that the SRP eventually resolved. Another permit hearing was held on an application by the Kohler Company for reinforced plastics composite plumbing fixture fabrication facility in Casa Grande. The facility is designed “to create different molded fiberglass reinforced plastics parts and composite plumbing fixtures,” according to county documents. A permit was issued on April 11, and expires on April 10, 2027. According to a county spokesman, both meetings were originally initi-
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
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This 2,645-square-foot house on E. Walnut Road in Queen Creek recently sold for $779,000. (Special to the Tribune)
MARKET from page 3
“One strong positive is that the number of homes for sale is likely to increase as the year continues, meaning more options for buyers,” it continued. The Cromford Report based its predictions of the trend in the Phoenix Metro market on a variety of data it uses to compile the Cromford Market Index. The figures it arrives at each of the 17 major submarkets in the Valley indicate how close each community is to a balanced market, with numbers above 100 indicating a sellers’ market and numbers below 100 favorable for buyers. For all of 2021 and the first three months of this year, its CMI showed numbers at times exceeding 500 –
indicating markets heavily tilted toward sellers as supply shriveled. But the latest CMI shows a starkly different picture, with those figures falling between 31% and 42% from the previous month in 16 Valley municipalities. For Queen Creek, the Cromford Report in June 2021 listed the town’s CMI at 398. Last week, it listed Queen Creek’s index rating at 107. Gilbert has fallen from 490 in July 2021 to 137 while Mesa has dwindled from 433 a year ago to 161. The Cromford Report noted that a wisp of panic among people trying to sell their homes before losing any advantage in the marketplace appears to be settling down. “The brighter sign is that the number of new listings over the past sev-
en days is down from the extreme high of the week before,” it said on June 30. “At some point the seller stampede may run out of new sellers. This is not happening yet, but at least the rate at which sellers are joining the stampede is slowing.” Still, a few days earlier, it also said, “More homes are being listed for sale than at any time since 2011.” But it added, “We are not seeing forced selling, like we experienced during the foreclosure wave of 2007 to 2011. This is people electing to sell because they fear a fall in home prices. That fear is likely to be self-fulfilling. When so many attempt to make it to the exit door ahead of everyone else, people get hurt.. “We do not pretend to know how much prices will fall in numeric or
percentage terms, but the latest data suggests that it is already impossible for home prices to rise under the current market conditions,” it said. “As people get more anxious to dispose of their housing assets, price cuts are growing in number and size. The very top and bottom of the market are least affected, but the midrange, where the vast majority of transactions occur, is experiencing a big freeze. “When a buyer’s strike and a seller’s stampede occur at the same time, the market stalls in mid-flight. A price correction becomes inevitable. The Federal Reserve has stated that they want to see a ‘reset in the housing market,’ and it looks increasingly likely that their wish will come true.”
Know anything interesting going on in Queen Creek? Send your news to pmaryniak@timespublications.com
NEWS
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
More women getting into sports gambling, data show BY ALEX AMADO Cronkite News
T
he image of a typical sports gambler is ever-changing. What was once a man in a smoky casino now includes a woman looking at point spreads on her smartphone. More than 4.6 million U.S. women joined sportsbook betting apps in 2021, with female user rates growing 115% compared to 2020, according to data analysis company GWS. Though the number of male users still exceeds female by 250%, the rate of men using sportsbook betting apps grew by 63% in the same time period. “It doesn’t surprise me that there’s more growth among women just because, historically, there have been fewer women who wagered on sports, so now that they have access to that, it’s natural that the percentage growth is going to be higher than men because
the male market was more mature,” said Mike Seely, a sports betting journalist for SportsHandle who has written about the growth. Some sportsbooks have shown so much success in attracting new female users that they have a higher proportion of women than men in its user base. BetRivers, along with its associated New Jersey outlet SugarHouse, saw approximately 600,000 women sign up in 2021, compared to just under 380,000 men. But, it was FanDuel who brought in more new U.S. female users in 2021 than any other sportsbook gambling company, with an estimated 1.7 million women joining since the previous year, GWS reported. FanDuel Sportsbook at Footprint Center, home of the Suns and Mercury, opened up last year when sports betting was legalized in Arizona. It’s a place where sports bettors can go to place
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This growth isn’t just exclusive to women, as 2021 was the biggest year for sports betting in general, and growth from 2020. “Five years ago, you wouldn’t have seen guys talk about odds, over/unders and spreads on the air,” Seely said. “Now, not only are you seeing that, you’re seeing dedicated sidebar shows by major networks that exclusively deal with sports betting and on those major networks during telecasts, you’re seeing live in-game odds flashed across the bottom of the screen. I mean, that would have been unthinkable not just five years ago, but even a couple years ago.” With increased popularity comes greater accessibility, and with incentives such as referral bonuses, it’s no surprise women are joining at such a high rate. “A lot of women enjoy sports just as much as men,” Kirk said. “It’s just teaching new customers and not just necessarily women, whether it be the older population as well, how will they interact with the newer way of sports betting. It’s not the guy at the bar. We have a high tech product here and that takes some getting used to.” Lisa Diaz, a sports betting personality and CEO of sports betting company “BettingInHeels” is encouraged by what she sees. “I just think it’s big for us,” said Diaz, also known as “Lady D.” “We can actually step into a male dominant world now that sports betting is everywhere.”
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
3 significant initiatives sought for November ballot BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
Arizona voters are likely to get a chance to vote in November to bring an end to political commercials by anonymous special interest groups, reverse changes in election laws approved by Republican legislators and provide new protections for themselves against medical and other debt. Backers of three separate measures each turned in more than the minimum 237,645 valid signatures needed to put the issues to voters. State officials now have 20 days, exclusive of weekends and holidays, to do their initial processing of petition sheets, with counties then having another 15 business days to review a random sample of signatures to determine what percentage are qualified. And each is likely to face legal challenges from foes. But each, if approved, would make
immediate and visible changes in Arizona. Backers of an initiative to make changes in bankruptcy and other laws turned in about 472,000 signatures Thursday to put a series of changes in state law on the November ballot. The measure, if approved, would increase the amount of equity someone could have in a home to keep it from being seized in bankruptcy to $400,000, up from $250,000. And it would mandate annual cost-of-living increases in that figure rather than having to wait for state lawmakers to marshal the votes for future changes. Current law also allows individuals to keep up to $6,000 in household furniture, appliances and consumer electronics. That would increase to $15,000, also with inflation adjustments. And the protected equity in a motor vehicle would go from $6,000 to $15,000 for most individuals, with the figure going from $12,000 to $25,000
for any debtor or family member with a physical disability. Separately, the measure would cap the amount of someone’s wages that could be attached. And another provision specifically limits the amount of annual interest that could be charged on medical debt to no more than 3%. “Each one of us is only one major illness away from medical debt,’’ said the Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons, with the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ. “More than two thirds of all bankruptcies are tied to medical debt from health care costs,” he said at a press conference Thursday when the petitions were submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office. “And 18% of Arizonans have medical bills that are past due.’’ Glendale resident Martha French said health insurance is not always an option. She said her husband had to wait until he was 65 to qualify for health insur-
ance as she could not afford to have him as a dependent on the coverage she had as a teacher. Campaign spokesman Rodd McLeod brushed aside questions about the fact that the sponsoring organization, Healthcare Rising Arizona, actually is financed largely by a California branch of the Service Employees International Union. The proposal by Arizonans for Free and Fair Elections contains a laundry list of changes in state elections laws. Some are new ideas for Arizona, such as allowing people to register and vote at the same time, including on Election Day. And people would be registered to vote automatically when they get an Arizona driver’s license unless they opt out. It would ensure that votes are counted no matter in what precinct they are cast as long as it is within the same county.
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see INITIATIVES page 13
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INITIATIVES from page 12
The proposal also would reinstate the state’s permanent early voting list which automatically provides mail-in ballots for anyone who opts in. Lawmakers voted to repeal that last year, replacing it with a system that stops the early ballots from coming for those who do not use them for at least two election cycles, though they still would be able to vote in person. Backers of the initiative said that is not fair for those who may not be regular voters, turning out only when there are issues or candidates on the ballot of interest. Also gone would be the 2021 law that makes it a crime to take someone else’s voted early ballot to a polling place unless that person is a relative, member of the same household or a caretaker. And the initiative would roll back decisions by lawmakers to increase the amount of money that individuals and political action committees can give to candidates, a figure currently set at $6,250. It would be capped at $1,000
for local and legislative candidates and $2,500 for statewide races. Also up for voter approval is a measure designed to put an end to “dark money’’ in political races. Campaign finance laws require public disclosure of who is spending money to influence candidate elections and ballot measures. But state lawmakers crafted an exception for “social welfare’’ organizations who are free to hide the names of their donors. “I believe that Arizonans should have the right to know who’s paying for the advertisements that they get bombarded with in every election,’’ said former Attorney General Terry Goddard who has spearheaded the campaign. He said the proof is as plain as what people are seeing in the 2022 election with TV ads for candidates, many of them listed solely as being paid for by organizations with names that provide no clue as to who actually is providing the financing. The initiative requires the disclosure of true source of donations of more than $5,000 on political campaigns.
And Goddard said it has to be traced back to the original source and cannot be “laundered’’ through a series of groups. Retired business owner Bob Betrand, co-chairman of the campaign, said Arizonans got a close look at how the process works in 2014 when several groups, including the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and Save Our Future Now, spent millions to secure the election of Republicans Tom Forese and Doug Little to the Arizona Corporation Commission. The groups refused to disclose the source of those dollars, citing their status as “social welfare’’ organizations. It took until 2019 for Arizona Public Service, the state’s largest electric utility, to divulge it was the source of $10.7 million to elect the two regulators. A similar 2018 effort failed after foes mounted a court challenge to some of the 285,000 signatures collected, many by paid circulators. The 2020 measure using only volunteers faltered during the COVID-19 pandemic which included, for a period of time, a stay-at-home order.
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NEWS
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
Snakebites can be a life-death matter for dogs BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer
M
isinformation alert: The hottest summer months are not the most dangerous time of year for you or your pet to encounter a rattlesnake. Snakes don’t come out to “sun themselves” on the rocks, “emerge from hibernation,” or prey on you or your pet. “When it gets to be a 100 degrees, they shift to night time,” said Cale Morris, venom manager at the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary in northern Scottsdale. “The heat burns them just like it burns you,” Morris said. When it’s like 82-degrees at midnight, they are moving, but they’re moving to find a place to get out of the coming sun.” The truth is that the most likely times for a rattlesnake encounter are at night during the hottest summer months and during April and August, he added. There are 13 species of rattlesnake in Arizona, the largest variety of rattlers in the United States. While a bite is painful and dangerous, the good news is that medical treatment is available and its administration straightforward. “People will try to capture them or kill them and it delays medical attention,” Morris said. “You get bit. You go to the emergency room. All the emergency rooms have anti-venom and they have plenty of it.” There is only one anti-venom that is an antidote for every venomous snake in America, a relatively new phenomenon. “The beauty of that,” said Morris, “is that you don’t have to know what you have been bitten by.” But the same can’t be said for dogs. “It’s a life and death situation for dogs,” said Morris. “If a dog gets bitten by a rattlesnake … when they run right up to it and bark and get bit in the nose, in the muzzle, it swells up and makes it hard for them to breathe, they definitely need anti-venom. They can die from it.”
Cale Morris, venom manager at the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary, holds up one of the many varieties of slithering creatures that are housed at the Scottsdale facility. (Courtesy of Cale Morris) Veterinarian Dr. David Haworth that while “humans are more often bitten on their hands, arms and ankles,” the location of the dog’s snakebite makes it so much more dangerous. “Due to the extraordinary swelling associated with snake venoms, the closer to things like airways and GI tracts, the more urgent the need for intervention,” he said. For some reason, cats are not nearly as susceptible to snakebites. First, Haworth says, because they are much less likely to be bitten due to their size and quick reflexes. And for whatever evolutionary reason, cats are better able to weather a snakebite. “The impact of the venom on them seems to be less than for dogs,” Haworth said. “Same thing for horses and even more so for cattle.” “There are also approaches to demotivate dogs who are really into snakes,” Haworth says. “Usually it involves getting the dog to run away when they hear a rattle or see something that looks like a snake.” The population of Arizona has grown
dramatically over the past two decades, but somehow, the number of reported snakebites has not increased along with it. “Our averages really haven’t changed,” said Dr. Bryan Kuhn, a pharmacist and clinical toxicologist with the Banner Poison Control Center. “ “If you think of where people move, Maricopa County has been expanding outwards for quite a while. We don’t really grow up, we grow out,” he said. “That’s putting residents Other reptiles also find a home at the Phoenix Herpetological closer to the boundary of Sanctuary. (Courtesy of Cale Morris) where the natural habitats of snakes are. So, intuitiveThe most improbable of Sanctuary ly you would expect more bites.” So why hasn’t the number of report- residents was the result of a prank one ed snakebites increased? The Herpeto- friend played on another. Chuck Simmon was a homesteader in logical Sanctuary’s Cale Morris credits a focused and extended informational northern Arizona, near a place called Pakoon Springs. A friend somewhere campaign. “We have been doing education out- across the country thought it would be reach programs for the past 21 years funny to mail Simmons a baby alligator, here in the valley,” he said. “We taught which he kept and fed on his land until a total of 250,000 people last year 2017. Having disappeared from view for through tours and outreach programs. a while, Simmons left the alligator for This year will be even more.” He also credits an increase in social dead when he vacated his place, now media activity and the Sanctuary’s part of the Parashant National Monuone million TikTok followers. “It defi- ment in the Grand Canyon. nitely is making a difference,” Morris When the Bureau of Land Managesaid. ment went in to clear the overgrown Dan and Debbie Marchand started reeds, they discovered Clem, severely the sanctuary in 2003 when someone malnourished, underweight, and in illegally had two American alligators in need of a home. their Phoenix swimming pool, which The BLM called Marchand, and the were rescued by wildlife officials. sanctuary bolstered its reputation as With nowhere to take them, the wild- the go-to place for rescued reptiles of life officials called Dan Marchand, a all sorts. It’s currently home to more known wildlife enthusiast. than 200 venomous snakes, beardThe alligators – named “Charlie” and ed dragons, crocodiles, gila monsters, “Lucy” after the Peanuts comic strip tortoises and a host of other creatures characters – were re-homed in a shal- over its 2.5 acres. low wading pool on Marchands’ land, “It’s like a no-kill animal shelter,” two and half acres of wild Sonoran Des- Morris said. We don’t euthanize the ert at North Scottsdale and Dynamite stuff,” Morris said. “We educate people.” roads and the sanctuary was born. Information: phoenixherp.com
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NOTE: Once you have sustained 95% nerve loss, there is likely nothing that we can do for you. 3) How much treatment will your condition require?
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The treatment that is provided at Aspen Medical has three main goals. 1) Increase blood flow 2) Stimulate and increase small fiber nerves 3) Decrease brain-based pain The treatment to increase blood flow, stimulate small nerve fibers and get you back to health is our new $50,000.00 SANEXAS UNIT!
As you can see in Figure 2, as the blood vessels that surround the nerves become diseased they shrivel up which causes the nerves to not get the nutrients to continue to survive. When these nerves begin to “die” they cause you to have balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and many additional symptoms. The main problem is that your doctor has told you to just live with the problem or try the drugs which you don’t like taking because they make you feel uncomfortable. There is now a facility right here in Mesa that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects. (See the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article) In order to effectively treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined.
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In addition, we use a state-of-the-art diagnostics like the TM Flow diagnostic unit to accurately determine the increase in blood flow and a small skin biopsy to accurately determine the increase in small nerve fibers! The Sanexas electric cell signaling system delivers energy to the affected area of your body at varying wavelengths, including both low-frequency and middle-frequency signals. It also uses amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) signaling. During a treatment session, the Sanexas system automatically changes to simultaneously deliver AM and FM electric cell signal energy. THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT SANEXAS IS COVERED BY MEDICARE AND MOST INSURANCE! Depending on your coverage, your treatment could be little to no cost to you! The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be
Aspen Medical will be offering this chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination from now until July 31, 2022. Call 480274-3157 to make an appointment to determine if your chronic pain and peripheral neuropathy can be successfully treated. Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this FREE consultation offer to the first 15 callers. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL Call 480-274-3157 … NOW! We are extremely busy and if your call goes to our voicemail, please leave a message and we will get back to you asap.
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NEWS
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
Ducey signs expansive water legislation BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
G
ov. Doug Ducey signed legislation Wednesday to provide $1.2 billion to fund grandiose projects to find new water for Arizona and smaller ones to conserve what the state already has. The governor is particularly excited about the idea of the state being involved in construction of a plant to desalinate water, likely from the Sea of Cortez, providing fresh water that can be used for not only domestic use but also for the agriculture industry which consumes 70% of what Arizona now uses. “We are in the second decade of the worst drought in recorded history,’’ Ducey said. “We continue to experience shortages on the Colorado River. And the forecasts are not getting better.’’ Federal officials recently told a Congressional panel that Lake Mead’s level has dropped faster than expected and warned that Arizona and the six other Basin States as well as tribal nations that rely heavily on the Colorado River will have to enact tougher water-use measures in 60 days – or they will. What the new law does is enable Arizona to come up with a new source of water from outside the state. And what that particularly means, he said is “the largest desalination project in history, anywhere around the globe.’’ What that also will be is expensive – more than the money in the legislation. But House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, said the state won’t be picking up the entire tab. “There are already groups, businesses that want to partner with the state,’’ he said, calling what’s in the legislation “leveraging money’’ to make the state “a partner in larger operations,’’ including with Mexico.
GOT NEWS?
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey holds up Senate Bill 1740 at the Capitol in Phoenix on July 6, 2022. Ducey signed the $1 billion water conservation bill into law. (Troy Hill/Cronkite News) And there are other options, Bowers said, like finding a way to get the floodwaters in Kansas to places where water is needed, like Arizona. That, however, then leaves the question of how much more Arizonans may have to pay for water. Tom Buschatzke, director of the state Department of Water Resources, has put the cost of desalinated water in the neighborhood of $2,500 an acre foot, about 326,000 gallons. That’s the amount of water that, depending on the community, can serve about three homes for a year. And any new costs would come on top of what’s charged now for delivery. The governor, however, said he doesn’t believe Arizona water users will be in for sticker shock “We’re going to be the big boy of the lower basin states,’’ he told KTAR on Wednesday. “Right now we’re the little brother,’’ Ducey said, with Arizona having the lowest priority to take water out of the
Colorado River. “We’re going to have water to sell to other states to supplement and bring out costs down.’’ All that, however, is years off. So the legislation also includes more short-term answers -- and $200 million specifically set aside for them. And many of them involve doing more with less. “We have funding to address best management practices in our counties and our cities,’’ said Rep. Gail Griffin, R-Hereford. That includes everything from recharging rainwater and use of more efficient plumbing fixtures to changing landscape practices to convert to more drought-resistant plants and replacing grass with artificial turf. “I did that about eight years ago and it still looks great,’’ she said. “It’s green, the dogs love it,’’ Griffin said. “And I haven’t used any water on it.’’ And there’s potable water reuse -something that eventually could lead
to what has been dubbed “toilet-totap,’’ where effluent is treated to the point that it can go immediately back into the drinking water supply. “It’s not just one project,’’ she said. “It’s all of the above.’’ But it was only the Democrats who spoke at Wednesday’s press conference where Ducey signed the legislation who mentioned the controversial issue of why Arizona is hotter and dryer. “Our state is confronted with the reality of climate change,’’ said Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix. That, she said, comes in combination with the fact that the Colorado River has been “over-allocated,’’ with the agreement on the amount of water each state was entitled to take set half a century ago. Only thing is, the actual flow of the river now is far below when those agreements were set. And that already has forced mandatory cutbacks, with future reductions possible to keep Lake Mead from become a “dead pool’’ with no water flowing over the Hoover Dam. That rapid decline was noted by the governor who pointed out that he was signing the new legislation in the same location as he signed the 2019 “drought contingency plan.’’ That move provided cash to help farmers who would be getting less water from the river to instead construct new wells and water delivery systems. It also paid money to tribes, who have higher priority claims to the river, to reduce their own use to keep more water in the river. The plan was supposed to take care of water shortages through 2026, complete with some hopes that the drought would abate. But that hasn’t happened. And Ducey said that the state’s financial surplus provided the opportunity to act now to shore up those supplies.
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@TimesLocalMedia.com
COMMUNITY
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EV author pens new book on parental death’s impact TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF
S
an Tan Valley freelance author Michelle Shreeve was only 9 when her mother died and even 30 years later, her loss is never far from her mind. In many ways it has shaped her career as a student and a writer. While earning her master’s degrees in English and creative writing, one of her projects focused on how bibliotherapy and writing therapy can help children, teens, and young adults cope with the death of a parent at a young age. She has written numerous articles for local and national publications about the impact of a parent’s death on children and teens and in 2018 published a book, titled “Parental Death: The Ultimate Teen Guide,” that was based on her interviews with 90 people ranging in age
Michelle Shreeve holds up copies of her first book on how losing a parent at a young age can impact people, like her mother’s loss did to her, for decades. (Tribune ile photo)
from pre-teen to the mid-80s. It was the 56th book in the “It Happened to Me Ultimate Teen Guide” series published by Rowman & Littlefield and is still available on a variety of book-sale websites. This month, Shreeve is publishing a sequel to her book that is directed mainly at teens who have lost a parent and for the surviving parent trying to guide an adolescent child through the trauma of losing a mother or father. “Parental Death: The Ultimate Teen Guide,” which is also published by Rowman & Littlefield, offers a variety of ways in which teens especially can cope with the universal difficulties of losing a parent. She also delves into the unique dynamics of specific losses – sons who lose
see BOOK page 18
Indoor park a welcome respite for hot dogs
BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer
I
t seems like such a no-brainer, you have to wonder why someone didn’t think of the idea sooner: A cool place for dogs to play when the sun is hot and their coats won’t come off sounds perfect. Spencer Mak and his wife opened the state’s first indoor dog park, Mak Pack Dog Training & Boarding, in Tempe in 2020 as the pandemic was beginning. They just recently opened up a second location in Chandler. “I think a lot of people have thought of it, but the execution of it is incredibly difficult,” said Brittany Myer, who manages the Chandler location. “When it comes to thinking about safety, cleanliness, making sure it’s a good environment for the dogs
A dozen friendly pups flood into the entry to say hi as Laura Braidi tries to get her Schnauzer Indigo into the small dog yard at Mak Pack. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)
Ally Smith of Mak Pack watches over the small dog yard as a group of pups run and play. Mak Pack, Arizona’s first indoor dog park that opened in Chandler recently and features small and large dog indoor play yards, grooming and training. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)
with toys and things we need to run and jump on, as well as making sure the owners are safe in that space. “There’s been … about 18 months’ worth
see INDOOR PARK page 18
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COMMUNITY
BOOK from page 17
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
fathers, daughters who lose mothers, and vice-versa – and how that impacts a teen’s future development. This book also identifies how the challenges of life without a parent can affect a young adult at different stages of life. Shreeve has been writing about parental loss and its impact since 2008 and has talked not only with counselors and experts but dozens of people young and old who lost a parent as a child. “I got creative with my own research along the way, researching writing therapy, bibliotherapy, and movie therapy, focusing on fictional relatable characters who lost a parent,” she said. “I’ve compiled lists over the years of notable society members who lost a parent young, but still gave something extraordinary back to the world such as Nobel Prize Laureates, athletes, scientists, actors, and more to serve as a healing coping mechanism. “This book, and the research and interviews I conducted for my first book, have all been a 30 year process for me. In both books, I’ve shared what I’ve learned along the way to try and help others navigate this difficult situation.” Shreeve felt a certain urgency to write a book that focused on the unique impact of a parent’s death on a teenager. “When a parent dies before a child turns 20, they’re still very much dependent on them in many ways – emotionally, financially, physically, and more,” she explained. “So many changes take place
and life right after their death can be really overwhelming, confusing, so many emotions are going on and they suddenly feel empty without their parent. This book would be the ideal go-to book for a child, teen, or young adult who just lost a parent, or a book for adults looking to support grieving children.” A major undercurrent to her book is provided by real-life experiences that people of all ages shared with her,. For the first book, Shreeve put the word out on social media and through various local publications she was looking for people who lost a parent as a child and she bombarded by more than 90 letters from people of all ages. She did it again for her new book, but didn’t garner nearly as many, although she added, “I thankfully was able to interview 13 brave participants.”” “The pandemic caused issues for me writing this book,” said Shreeve, explaining, “I was having trouble finding participants willing to share their story. They had a minimum amount of participant stories they wanted me to include throughout the book, and I was struggling with getting teens to commit.” “I pretty much wrote this second book right smack in the middle of a pandemic and a recession which was no easy task,” said. “However, sadly, more than 200,000 children have lost their parent due to COVID-19 alone, so I feel like the timing of this book was meant to be, as it can serve as a helpful resource to all of these newly grieving parentless children.”
Shreeve explained, “A lot of the teens I interviewed for this book were struggling to participate, not only because they are so young and have been dealing with a lot just regarding the death of their parent alone, but because of the at- home school transition caused by schools closing their doors due to the pandemic.” Her subjects for the new book’s interviews ranged from 15 to 65 years old and she describes them as “brave” because “it’s not easy to share your story, especially when you’re young and the loss is so new. “I was there in that position once myself and completely get it.” One of her most memorable interviews involved a young teen who had lost one parent around the time she wrote her first book and the other around the time she was preparing the new one. “My heart broke for that participant because the participant is still just a young teenager and has already gone through two tragic parental losses,” Shreeve said. Now that the new book is ready to hit book shelves, she said, “I’’m very thankful for the participants who came forward, for had they not, this book, as well as my first one, would not have been made to try and help others.” ... She said her book “can also be a helpful resource for grieving families, teachers, school administrators, counselors, organizations, and other supportive adults looking to help guide and support youth trying to navigate the
of thoughts and processing that had to go into it. It definitely took a while, but we got here eventually.” Myer said many of the people visiting the Tempe location were driving from Chandler, so that’s how they settled on where to open their second location. It’s in a large building that was a gym at the corner of Gilbert and Queen Creek roads. “Spencer put a lot of work into Tempe,” Myer said. “He was, at one point the only person running it, so he was doing training, … he was sleeping there overnight with the boarding dogs, and then there
with the daycare dogs. So it was a one man show for a little while.” Mak Pack offers a variety of services, including use of the indoor dog park, group training sessions and private lessons. There’s also overnight boarding available. Myer said the dogs are never left alone, that someone is there overnight with them. Before showing up with your dog, you need to register in advance. And on the first trip to Mak Pack, the dog’s owner needs to bring along proof of vaccination before their pup can mingle with other dogs. “The dogs that are boarding will also go into daycare during the day, we pride
ourselves in being all inclusive. So a lot of places will charge extra for them to have play time during the day. We don’t. It’s automatically part of that as long as they’re comfortable with their dogs playing with others.” Myer said the Chandler location is off to a great start. “Our weekends are really busy with the dog park,” she said. “Obviously people are off work they’re able to come in and it’s been fun watching everyone from Chandler come in and say, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re right around the corner. I’ve been needing somewhere to bring my dog.’ We get a ton more daycare here.”
INDOOR PARK from page 17
Michelle Shreeve’s new book examines the impact of a parent’s death on a teenager. (Special to the Tribune)
death of their parent.” “My hope for this book is that no child, teen, young adult, or grieving family will think they are alone in navigating this tragic situation,” Shreeve said, “and that every reader can walk away feeling like there’s at least one person on the planet that can relate to what they’re going through and that some of my research and individual chapters can give positive insight into their loss to help guide them to a positive future. “I hope readers will appreciate the bravery my 13 participants had by sharing their personal story of the death of their parent when they were young that can also provide many unique perspectives that can hopefully help readers as well.” Mak Pack also has a private room available to rent for doggie birthday parties. They’ve also played host to some group fun. “We had a bunch of doodles come in for a little doodle romp, unplanned by us,” Myer said. “Last weekend, we had a Boston Terrier romp. We had a ton of Boston terriers come in.” Mak Pack Dog Training & Boarding 3050 S. Gilbert Road 602-374-3388 Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. makpackaz.com
BUSINESS
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
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Jeremiah’s celebrates a year of cool in QC BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer
O
ne year later, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is helping Queen Creek live life to the coolest. The ice cream shop celebrated its oneyear anniversary in Queen Creek in June. Franchisees Mark and Becky Leonard said the journey to this point has included times that’s ranged from fun to busy to crazy. But the couple said they love to watch families come in and celebrate graduations, weddings, proposals, and that’s has made it “absolutely fulfilling” to them.
“It’s just fun to see everyone celebrate and have fun and connect and have a place that is refreshing,” Mark said. Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is the brainchild of Jeremy Litwack, who opened his first shop in Winter Park, Florida in 1996. Since then, it’s expanded to 71 locations across the country with most of those in Florida alone. Today, they have three shops in the East Valley and one opening soon in Tucson. Italian Ice is lighter than ice cream, yet smoother, thicker, and creamier than shaved ice, often called water ice to those in the Northeast. The Leonards said they have more than 40 flavors on their menu that are
Mark and Becky Leonard own the popular Jeremiah’s Italian Ice shop in Queen Creek. (Facebook)
made fresh in their shop with a couple dozen on hand at any given time. The “fully-infused flavor experience” has remained a staple to any visitors that would deplane in their former home of Orlando, Florida. Then, five years ago, the couple decided to pack up move to Arizona with their children and realized Jeremiah’s selection was the missing piece for the community. “We just really wanted to share it with everyone around here because it is truly a refreshing treat,” Mark said. Today, they have 21 employees rang-
see JEREMIAH page 20
Reno business found greener pastures in Mesa BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer
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arlier this month, Mesa officials helped cut the ribbon on a 93,000-square-foot headquarters north of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport for KP Aviation, a global jet parts supplier that recently completed a relocation from Reno, Nevada, to Mesa. CEO Kim Schulze co-founded the aftermarket parts business in her garage in San Diego in 2001, a volatile time in aviation, she said, before moving to Reno for a larger space. Times of crisis are sometimes fertile grounds for opportunity, and Schulze’s company took off. Growth has been especially strong the past six years, and last year the company decided to find a new home for its next phase of growth. After looking everywhere from
Florida to Chandler, the company decided on Mesa. KP has come a long way from Schulze’s garage; its Mesa headquarters is a sleek office and warehouse building complete with an employee gym and large dining and kitchen area, where employees gathered to celebrate the ribbon-cutting with an impressive spread of food and beverages. Mesa leaders covet business migrations with high-wage jobs, and the desire to attract companies like KP Aviation drives policy-making at the city. After the ribbon-cutting, the Mesa Tribune spoke with Schulze and two employees who moved with the company to Mesa to better understand their attraction to the community. Schulze said the need to grow its workforce was a primary reason for the move to its new home in Mesa.
In Reno, KP Aviation largely hired workers from outside the region, and the company wanted a place where it could find professionals closer to home. So far, it’s had success, hiring 31 employees in Mesa, with plans to hire 20 to 22 more. Workforce seems to be critical for many businesses right now. Jet maker Gulfstream Aerospace, which recently signed a contract to build a maintenance hub to the south of KP Aviation, also cited the presence of skilled workers in its decision to settle in Mesa. While workforce has been an asset for Mesa in attracting companies – the East Valley boasts relatively high levels of education – local companies still report a challenging environment for recruiting workers. At a June 7 Mesa Economic Development Board meeting, Kathleen
Jolivette, vice president of attack helicopters at Boeing, told the board that finding experienced aerospace workers is a “struggle” and an area where the city could continue to improve. But for KP Aviation, the Valley represents a “massive talent base” compared to Reno, Chief Financial Officer Linn Shaw said. Schulze said she also liked the Valley for reasons that are harder to quantify: the quality of entertainment, hotels and restaurants. These amenities were important to the company because even though KP Aviation’s services are technical, the business is based on relationships, she said, so the ability to host and entertain clients when they visit headquarters is important. Schultze gave the example of the
see AVIATION page 20
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JEREMIAH from page 19
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ing in age from 16-20 who the couple said serve as incredible leaders that are eager to learn, eager to serve, and the best of the best that they could find. “I’ve no idea what parents are feeding these kids in Queen Creek, but they are absolutely phenomenal,” Mark said. The shop has traditional soft-serve ice cream in a vanilla, chocolate and swirl, or you can try their Gelati—“the perfect layering of Italian Ice & Soft Ice Cream.” Like most businesses today, supply chain issues have forced them to raise prices but they said their customers re-
main very supportive and understanding. They said their flavors vary with the season and can include root beer and mango margarita in the summer, and gingerbread, pumpkin pie, candy canes, and spicy hot chocolate in the winter. “Year-round, people love our tropical flavors,” Becky said. Mark said it’s especially fun to see customers exude their mantra “live life to the coolest” when they enter the shop. Customers can find special for the shop on the “J-List Rewards” app that offers members-only discounts, free tasty
Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament in February. The company purchased a box at Hole 16 this year to host clients, and she said it was a great experience for the company. The Phoenix Open is not in Mesa, which highlights how prospective companies don’t look at Mesa in isolation when considering a move; they look at the broader region, too. In this case, looking beyond Mesa worked in the city’s favor, since a chorus of local leaders have noted Mesa’s relative lack of destination dining and entertainment attractions. Jolivette also told the Economic Development Board that visiting Boeing executives tend to stay in Scottsdale, where she ends up having to drive for dinner.
Seventeen of KP Aviation’s employees decided to move with the company, and another key factor for Schultze in choosing Mesa was finding a place that offered something for those employees and their families. “This area really offered an opportunity to expand their career growth,” Schulze said of the Valley. She added that the availability of “infrastructure” for families, like schools and daycare, was an important factor in choosing the region. Two of the employees who came to Arizona with KP Aviation said they are happy with their new home, though it may be worth noting that both employees decided to live outside Mesa, as did Schulze, who lives in Gilbert. This is something of a reversal for Mesa, which historically has housed
AVIATION from page 19
KP Aviation CEO Kim Schulze cuts a ribbon with Chief Financial Officer Linn Shaw to celebrate the opening of the company’s new Mesa headquarters on June 2. (City of Mesa)
frozen treats, and the ability to earn sweet rewards on your purchases, according to their website. The Leonards said they also enjoy serving the community and helping out various groups. They’ve partnered with 15 schools in the area and in February they handed out more than 13,500 coupons to students. Becky said a teacher at American Leadership Academy Signal Butte had told her about how their coupons helped revive the school’s reading program. When the students read enough books and filled out their reading lists, they re-
ceived a free small item from the shop. “Giving those coupons to them had made all the difference for kids learning and growing,” Becky said. She said they’ve helped a variety of other organizations especially those that have a harder time raising funds such as band, swimming, choir, and track and field. She said “being able to partner with them and generate excitement for raising funds for their programs that are a little bit harder to normally raise funds for is really, really awesome.” Information: 20784 E. Victoria Lane; 480-268-7793
KP Aviation’s Director of Product Line Edy Cortes, center, explains some of the services offered by KP Aviation following a June 2 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company’s new Mesa headquarters. (City of Mesa)
workers who commute to job centers outside the city. Director of Product Line Edy Cortes said “it was an easy decision” to move with the company to its Mesa headquarters. “It was time to make a change.” When looking for housing, though, the 30-something aviation professional settled on north Tempe, citing proximity to nightlife, gyms and other amenities for an active lifestyle. “I love it. I love north Tempe,” he said. Repairs Manager Sumerae Sisemore moved to the area with her boyfriend, who also works at KP Aviation, in October, and she said find-
ing a rental with her three dogs was difficult. She said she submitted “tons of applications” before eventually landing a house in San Tan Valley, which she likes. She enjoys the quiet of her neighborhood, she said, and the sunny climate of Arizona, describing herself as a “patio person.” The Valley held many attractions for KP Aviation, and Schultze said the responsiveness of city staff made the decision to choose Mesa even easier. She said there was “constant communication” with the city, and whenever the company had a problem, “all we had to do was make a call.”
OPINION
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Pima County Dems July 4 disrespect may backfire BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist
Chris Matthews, during the “pre-MSNBC Celebrity” phase of his career, penned an article in 1991 for “The New Republic” in which he detailed the parentally partisan roles of the two major parties, based on the basic family unit. “‘Daddy’ (the Republican) locks the door at night and brings home the bacon. ‘Mommy’ (the Democrat) worries when the kids are sick and makes sure each one gets treated fairly.” Today that convenient partisan shorthand is as outdated as the 1950’s TV sitcoms which Matthews
claimed as the inspiration for his theory. Three decades later, the “family political dynamic” must include a third group of active participants. Biology, psychology, and current events indicate that the new “contributors” to the political process are spoiled brats who throw public tantrums. And their profane exhibitions are decidedly “family unfriendly.” “Peoples’ Exhibit A” comes from right here in Arizona. The Pima Country Democratic Party promoted an event—a protest, actually— for Independence Day. Sadly, the “F” in the first word of the event’s name did not stand for the “Fourth.” That tweet subsequently disappeared faster than you could fry an egg on a sidewalk in Sahuarita during the summer.
In its place came a longer twitter thread, which began in contrite fashion: “PCDP posted a graphic which, we agree, was in poor taste…That was a mistake, and we will do better.” So far, so good…but so-so must have been the reaction of the Pima County Dems involved in drafting that internet response. As is often the case, a party committee tasked with formulating a reply is usually more concerned with arriving at a consensus rather than quelling a controversy. And this one was no different. The subsequent two threads of the replacement tweet grew more shrill and combative: “Make no mistake, however. We support the event which will be on July 4 at 7p.m. at Reid Park.
“The event was organized to help women in our community grieve for the loss of their bodily autonomy, which we consider an elemental right. Our posting of the graphic upset some people. We urge you to save your outrage for the women in this state who will die of botched abortions. Arizona is not a good place to be a woman right now.” Apparently, Reid Park in Tucson on the Fourth of July was not a good place to be for radical leftists who hoped to draw attention to a stance they would characterize as “pro choice.” Why? Because Tucson media outlets made a conscious choice not to cover
you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.” We have been told by the White House press secretary that Biden has read the letter. We also have been told his Administration will “use every tool we possibly can” to bring Griner home. I hope so, because Russian news reports have said Griner, arrested on Feb. 17th, faces up to 10 years in prison for allegedly having .702 grams of hash oil in two vape cartridges in her luggage. She pleaded guilty to drug charges on July 7. Biden and the U.S. State Department should use every tool in America’s toolbox to secure Griner’s release – exactly as he should on behalf
of the more than 60 Americans currently held hostage in foreign countries. Like Paul Whelan, a former Marine wrongfully detained in Russia since 2018. Like “the Citgo 6,” petroleum executives wrongfully held in Venezuela since 2017. And like Alina Lopez-Miyares, wrongfully locked up in a Cuban prison since January 2017. In a more just world, we would care about all these Americans with the same vigor and at the same loud volume. The truth? As a culture, we have a limited attention span, a finite amount of compassion we spend in dollops – a sprinkling for the homeless here, a few spoonsful for the struggling poor there, and a drip or two for Brittney Griner.
Is that right? I don’t think so. I wish we had an endless reserve of compassion, enough to go around in the right proportions. Even so, I disagree wholeheartedly with Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard, who took dead aim at America in comments supporting Griner last week. “If it was LeBron, he’d be home, right?” Nygaard declared. “It’s a statement about the value of women. It’s a statement about the value of a black person. It’s a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those. We know it.” Actually, it’s a statement about how little we pay attention to wrong-
see HAYWORTH page 22
Griner case illustrates plight of detained Americans BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist
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he open letter to President Biden, written by hand and released on the Fourth of July, tore at the heart. This is the unfortunate plight of Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner, wrongfully detained for 143 days and counting in a godforsaken gulag 6,000 miles from home. “As I sit here in a Russian prison,” Griner wrote, “alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.” She went on to beseech Biden: “I realize
see LEIBOWITZ page 22
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 10, 2022
ful detainees and their suffering. Virtually no one save the families of the imprisoned has made a peep about wrongfully imprisoned Americans anywhere, about Whelan, the Citgo 6, or Lopez-Miyares. This silence has nothing to do with race, gender,
or who someone loves. It has everything to do with our culture’s capacity to empathize. Nygaard seems to think if Griner was male, white and straight, America would be threatening nuclear war. Reality says otherwise. Nygaard is correct about one thing, though. If Lebron James was wrongfully im-
the event with the obscene name. Usually, newsroom assignment editors make every effort to cover events organized by leftist grievance mongers But in this case, the theme was so objectionable that it resulted in non-coverage. Clearly, the dropping of the “f-bomb” in polite company has grown in frequency, and neither political ideology nor partisan label ensures that it will not be uttered. But this coarsening of our culture cannot be condoned under any circum-
stance…least of all to curse Independence Day. A Democrat-turned-Republican offered a humorous take on the differences between our two major parties, including a gentle nudge to the party of his youth, and an exaltation of the party he joined, while including a mention of Independence Day. “Republicans think every day is July 4,” said Ronald Reagan, “while Democrats think every day is April 15!” But Arizona Dems may find another date on this year’s calendar even more taxing: Election Day.
HAYWORTH from Page 21
prisoned, Americans would be rioting in the streets. That has everything to do with celebrity, which is the only reason you have heard about Brittney Griner’s case at all. If Griner couldn’t dribble, couldn’t dunk, wasn’t a six-time WBNA All-Star, her imprisonment would be occurring in silence.
Nygaard is dead wrong about for whom we care and why. We reserve the greatest compassion for the most famous among us – that is a perverted truth about the American way. I hope Brittney Griner comes home soon. And I hope we bring every other wrongfully detained American home with her.
How to get a letter published E-mail: pmaryniak@TimesLocalMedia.com Queen Creek Tribune welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number. Queen Creek Tribune 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 Foothills Focus will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not Queen Creek Tribune, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.
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Diamondbacks still the best bargain in MLB BY DAVID RODISH Cronkite News
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or the 13th year, the Arizona Diamondbacks remain the most affordable fan experience in Major League Baseball. That’s the determination of Team Marketing Report’s 2022 MLB Fan Cost Index, which combines ticket price with other game-day costs, including beer per ounce, parking and hot dogs. The Diamondbacks had the lowest number in the majors with a Fan Cost Index of $152.30. For Arizona sports fan and mom of two, Crys Melton, the affordability makes a big difference in what she and her family are able to do during the summer months. “Especially as season-ticket holders, when my brother brings his herd of children, (the cost is) not a big deal,” Melton said. “After the price of admission, it’s more expensive to go to the movies.” The Meltons have been season-ticket holders for 10 years. Melton purchases the 28-game pass which allows flexibility for game choice and buying souvenirs and food at the ballpark. Despite a 5.6% increase from last year’s mark, Arizona is still the most affordable team in MLB for fans. This comes as “the majority of Major League Baseball clubs have begun ramping up ticket prices,” Chris Hartweg, CEO and Publisher of Team Marketing Report, stated in the report. “In reversal of 2021, concessions hold (the) line, while tickets fuel (the) increase.” Melton’s work as a non-medical care provider for pregnant women forces her to be on call most of the time. It makes it hard to go to other ballparks. But from the few she has visited and from what her friends who live else-
YOUTH
The Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the few MLB ballparks that offer value items, helping them earn the title of “most affordable MLB team” by Team Marketing Report. (Chris Nano/Cronkite News)
where have said, the affordability of Chase Field makes family trips manageable. Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall said it’s important that despite new projects like the Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field, families like the Meltons must not be priced out. “The affordability for us is a point of pride,” Hall said. “When you come to the ballpark, we want to make sure you’re not gouged. We allow people to bring in their own food (and) water. We have family-value pricing. We want to make sure that anything we do, it’s still affordable so people have a reason to come back.” The average ticket price around the majors in 2022 sits at $35.93. For Arizona, the average cost is well below at $22.12. The ticket cost is a 3.5% increase, which sits just below the league average of 3.6%. Melton often brings her nieces and nephews to Diamondbacks games, so
ing than I do at Chase (Field),” Melton said. The Diamondbacks have dominated the Fan Cost Index, having maintained the least expensive fan experience in MLB every year since 2009. In the 13 years, the Diamondbacks’ Fan Cost Index has increased $37.88 from $114.42 to the current $152.30. The Boston Red Sox have the most expensive fan experience, with a Fan Cost Index at $385.37. MLB’s average cost is $256.41. Arizona has remained low in cost while rising in performance on the field. After finishing tied for last in the standings with the Baltimore Orioles with a record of 52-110 last year, the Diamondbacks sit eight games below .500 after 76 games and are in fourth place in a strong National League West division. Arizona is 13 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. But as a diehard, Melton would show up to the games, no matter the performance on the field or if the cost became greater. “I don’t care how the team is,” Melton said. “If (the team) doesn’t look like it’s trying, then why do you expect me to pay $20 just to park my car?”
she experiences the normal ticket price often. It is in those days that she makes sure to take advantage of outside food being allowed. “In a couple of weeks, I’m coming (to Chase Field) with my brother and his five kids,” Melton said. “There’s a zero percent chance of buying food at the ballpark. We will get a ton of McDonald’s nuggets before we go.” Even if she can’t avoid the cost of concessions, Team Marketing Report found that beer per ounce, soft drink per ounce, hot dog, hat and parking costs are all below league averages. “I go to football games and I go to spring training games Fans often arrive early at Diamondbacks games to get an closeup and I spend way more view of players working out and taking batting practice. (Chris money at spring train- Nano/Cronkite News)
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‘The Lion King’ comes to ASU Gammage BY ABI CELAYA GetOut Staff Writer
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arian Sanders and Michelle Scalpone are obsessed with “The Lion King.” They call the musical – now at ASU Gammage through July 31 – beautiful, stunning and a story for all ages. “I have been obsessed with big cats and lions my entire life,” said Sanders, who plays Simba. “I named my first dog Nala and this was 15 years ago. I was obsessed with the animated feature. I absolutely loved it. It’s been cool to come full circle.” Broadway’s “The Lion King” hit stages
for the first time in 1997, three years after Disney’s animated film was released. Since then, it has garnered more than 70 theatrical awards. With roots in Kentucky, Sanders joined the cast of “The Lion King” in September 2019. He heard about the role after singing the national anthem at a basketball game. And, thanks to his former manager, he was connected with “The Lion King” producers. He was hired as a cover for Simba and was in the ensemble for the Broadway show. Last year, he landed the role of Simba on the national tour. Sanders said, in some ways, he’s similar to his character.
“Everybody has a little bit of Simba in them,” he said. “That story and that journey are personalized for everyone when they come and watch the show.” The strongest connection between Sanders and Simba rests in their faith. “My faith is what grounds me,” said Sanders, who also works as a worship leader. “For Simba, Mufasa has told him that the kings of the past are who he can rest on and who he can call upon and I say, ‘Man, that’s awesome.’” Sanders, who made his theatrical debut
Benj Gershman and DePizzo – formed in high school and this year rings in 25 years. Sticking with its moniker, Of a Revolution, the band helms Heard the World Foundation, which raises money to create education-based On Friday, July 15, O.A.R. will kick off its summer jaunt with G. Love and opportunities, Dispatch at the Mesa Amphitheatre. (Zoe Rain/Special for GetOut) including music therapy programs three years in the making. Any time OAR in hospitals, scholarships, donating is going out with Dispatch, it’s a good computers to schools and provided an idea.” infrastructure in Flint to help with the O.A.R. – which features vocalist/gui- ongoing water crisis. tarist Marc Roberge; lead guitarist RichJuly 15 is a special day for O.A.R., ard On; drummer Chris Culos; bassist best known for the hits “Shattered” and
“Love and Memories.” That morning, it releases its 10th studio album, “Arcade,” which features the first single, “In the Clouds.” The “In the Clouds” video features Barstool Sports’ John Feitelberg in singer Marc Roberge’s treatment. “It was a great experience from soup to nuts,” he said. “It’s rare when you have an idea or a vision for something and it gets executed. All the pieces fell into place. When we were initially talking about it, we said it’ll be light, super positive, and put a smile on people’s faces. People are enjoying it and it’s bringing a sound that’s not only for people familiar with O.A.R., but others as well.” DePizzo compared “Arcade” to video games — each song has its own story behind it.
Darian Sanders as Simba and Kayla Cyphers as Nola share a tender moment in “The Lion King,” now at ASU Gammage Theater. (Special to GetOut)
see LION page 25
Playful O.A.R. kicking off U.S. tour in Mesa
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Edtor
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hen O.A.R. multi-instrumentalist Jerry DePizzo thinks about the Maryland band’s tours, he recalls love and memories. Within seconds of hearing the word “Phoenix,” he thinks Celebrity Theatre and its quirky revolving stage. “It’s one of my favorites, in a weird and wild sort of way,” he said with a laugh. “It’s quirky. There’s nothing else like it. It’s a great room and when it’s at capacity, the audience has the ability to be a lot louder.” The guitarist/saxophonist fondly recalled the Valley, and venues around the state. On Friday, July 15, O.A.R. will kick off its summer jaunt with G. Love and Dispatch at the Mesa Amphitheatre. “We’re excited to go out with Dispatch this summer,” he said. “That one’s been
see O.A.R. page 25
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LION from page 24
at Lexington Theater Co., said audiences should keep an eye on the opening scene, “The Circle of Life.” “There’s something about being there in the theater and having Rafiki do that opening call,” Sanders said. “That just shifts and changes something in your heart and it brings you back to the first moment you ever saw the animated feature.” At Tucson native, Scalpone is the assistant stage manager for “The Lion King.” She speaks to the joy of working on such a largescale production. She fell in love with the magic of stage management at a young age when she attended a production of “Beauty and the Beast.” “I remember more things that happened in that wing than what happened on stage,” Scalpone said. “I immediately went to my middle school like, ‘How do I do that?’ I staged my way through high school and went to college for it and then I went to Juilliard working professionally and now I work for Disney,” Scalpone said. She started with the legendary company 10 days before the pandemic put its clamp on the world. She was working on “Love Life” for Encores at City Center when she got a text from her mentor asking her if she wanted to go on tour for “The Lion King.” Scalpone interviewed and two days later she was hired. Scalpone — who travels by car so she
O.A.R from page 24
“The album is a collection of all of those sounds and styles of O.A.R.,” he said. “We never tried to define ourselves as one thing. We’re a collection of five guys coming together with musical taste and interest, throwing it in a pot and out comes O.A.R. It’s certainly very much in that vein.” DePizzo revealed O.A.R. cowrote a song with Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, “Over My Head.” “It’s an earwig that — even as I’m saying the title of that song — is earwigged into my brain and lasts the rest of the day. I enjoy this album.”
can sightsee—agrees with Sanders that the opening scene is moving. “I’ve been working here, technically, for two years,” she said. “‘The Circle of Life’ still brings me to tears because it is just so beautiful.” She said her favorite line in the performance is, “The past can hurt, but the way I see it, you can either run from it or you can learn from it.” Sanders and Scalpone say they believe “The Lion King” is a show for people of all ages. He said anyone who has a pulse, heartbeat and breath in their lungs needs to see “The Lion King.” “It is phenomenally great, and it is timeless,” Sanders said. Scalpone was quick to add that the show isn’t just for kids. “The messages are so universal and make you feel like it is an individual story being told just to you,” Scalpone said. “The Lion King” is about inner strength and being OK with your journey, she adds. “The aspect of redemption” is important, Sanders adds. “There is nothing you can do or a spot you can go too far that you can’t come back and be redeemed from.” “The Lion King”
WHEN: Various times through July 31 WHERE: ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe COST: Tickets start at $75 INFO: asugammage.com, ticketmaster.com
DePizzo described the album as trademark O.A.R., which is rooted in early Genesis and Phil Collins. “That was imprinted into our brains, watching it on TV and live concert videos, along with UB40, Sting and Police,” he said. “Those kinds of sounds and elements and textures really played a part in this album.” O.A.R. and Dispatch w/ G. Love
WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, July 15 WHERE: Mesa Amphitheatre, 263 N. Center St., Mesa COST: Tickets Start At $48.75 INFO: Mesaamp.Com, Dispatch-Oar.Com
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With JAN D’ATRI GetOut Columnist
Ice cream churros are a tasty answer to any heat wave
I
t’s always on the list of favorite treats for summer – ice cream in any shape, flavor or form. And if you want to create a cone with a real Southwest twist, how about a home-made, hand-crafted ice cream cone that tastes just like a Mexican churro, and it holds as much ice cream as the cone you are willing to create. While homemade churros are pretty tough to tackle (churro dough is very dense and sticky), this cone is made with store-bough biscuit dough, making the process a whole lot easier. The dough is wrapped around a homemade paper mold. It is then baked, rolled in cinnamon and sugar, baked again and then coated on the inside with dipping chocolate which seals it, preventing a soggy cone. Load it up with scoops of your favorite ice cream for Ingredients: • 1 (16.3) ounce package biscuit dough (Grand’s or larger biscuits work best) • 1 /4 cup flour • 1 /2 cup granulated sugar • 2 teaspoons cinnamon • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted • 1 cup dipping chocolate or chocolate coating • 1 pint ice cream •C andy sprinkles •S pecial equipment: 6 sheets (8x10inch) of heavy stock paper or manila folders Painter’s or regular tape Aluminum foil Pastry brush Directions: Place oven rack in the bottom third of the oven, removing the rack above the one you will be using. Preheat oven the 375 degrees. Take the sheet of paper and roll into a tight cone, securing the end with a piece of tape. Trim the wide end of the cone straight across so it will stand upright on a baking sheet. Wrap cone tightly with foil (on the inside too), completely covering the paper. Lightly spray
a cool and festive way to celebrate summer, Southwest style! with cooking oil and set aside. Repeat with remaining sheets of paper. Dust work surface with flour. Using a rolling pin, roll out the biscuit dough to a 1/4-inch thick piece of dough large enough to wrap around the cone mold. Wet your fingertips with water and press and seal dough around mold. Place the cone, base side down on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes or until cone is golden brown. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. Remove the cones from the oven and brush the outside with melted butter. Sprinkle cones evenly with cinnamon sugar and return to the oven, baking for an additional 3 minutes. Remove the cones from the oven and let cool. While the cones are cooling, melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30-second intervals until spreadable. When the cone is cool enough to handle, remove it from the mold. Pour chocolate into the cone and coat all the way around, pouring out any excess. Let the chocolate harden. Fill the cone with a scoop of your favorite ice cream and sprinkles. Serving size: 6
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