The Queen Creek Unified School Dis trict Governing Board has approved a 5% pay raise for teachers and support staff.The raise includes a $1,000 market adjust ment for all certified teachers. “Teachers are the backbone of our dis trict,” board President Ken Brague said. “We value their dedication and commitment to our students, and we want to make sure our budget reflects that.” The raise comes in part from Queen Creek’s share of the nearly $8.5 billion in K-12 education funding from the state bud get passed in June. And it comes in time as the district wel comes 150 new teachers to the district for the current school year. The new teacher base salary will in crease to $50,000 with a maximum salary of $80,000, according to district documents. The package also includes $500 for all em
BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer
BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer 2022 Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce
Central Arizona College Paths to Great Careers
www.centralaz.edu
COMMUNITY ........................ 17 BUSINESS .............................. 19 OPINION ................................. 20 SPORTS 22 GET OUT 23 CLASSIFIEDS ........................ 25 SPORTS ............... 22 Eastmark ready to rumble on gridiron. INSIDE BUSINESS ........... 19 Serrano’s marks 18 years serving Queen Creek. NEWS .................. 14 Queen Creek graduates 38 new leaders. CUSD suicides spark concern / P. 6 Sunday, August 14,
FREE | QueenCreekTribune.comAn edition of the East Valley Tribune see PAY page 13 SUBSCRIPTIONFREE Among its many activities, the
T he past two years have present ed some challenges for local businesses but the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce has adapted to help them out. The Chamber celebrates its 20th an niversary this year and despite the pan demic’s challenges, is savoring a year of impressive growth, according to a presentation that President/CEO Chris Clark gave Town Council recently. “Fiscal Year 2021-22 has been an un usual one,” Clark said, reporting that the see CHAMBER page 4 Chamber celebrates 20 years QC school board approves pay raises
QC
hosts networking sessions at various places in town. (Instagram)
2 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 SAME-DAY AIR CONDITIONING & PLUMBING SERVICE Call us for quick, honest, reliable service 7 days a week! $3995 Air Conditioning Tune Up & Safety Inspection Limited time offer. Restrictions may apply. Call for details. Expires 8/31/22 Limited time offer. Restrictions may apply. Call for details. Expires 8/31/22 With Purchase of part/repair. Limited time offer. Restrictions may apply. Call for details. Expires 8/31/22 AirServiceConditioningCall 480.345.COOL (2665) 3065 N. Norfolk Ave., Mesa, AZ 85215 LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED SENIOR & westernstateshomeservices.comDISCOUNTSVETERANAVAILABLE! NONOFREEWeekendChargesOvertimeChargesAZROC #253810 / #321722 $3995 Water Heater Flush A+
ADOT opens another stretch of east Mesa road
TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF
While that construction takes place, drivers exiting SR 24 at Williams Field Road can access Signal Butte north of the new Meridianexpressway.Road’saccess is limited to and from the area south of SR 24, since the road does not extend north of the highway.Thefirst section of SR 24, also called Gateway Freeway, opened between the Loop 202 Santan Freeway and Ellsworth Road in spring 2014.
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 3NEWS
The latest stretch of the new SR 24 in east Mesa connects Ironwood Drive and Williams Field Road. (ADOT)
The Arizona Department of Trans portation opened another stretch of the relatively new State Route 24 in east Mesa with a four-mile stretch between Williams Field Road and Iron wood Drive along the Maricopa and Pi nal county line. The move makes it a little easier to travel between Queen Creek and Mesa, but ADOT said the $77 million exten sion of SR 24 “was constructed as an interim four-lane expressway to provide drivers with a much-anticipated new lo cal route to help ease traffic demands in a growing Constructionarea. started in November 2020.The SR 24 extension is not designed to operate as a freeway. In addition to traf fic signals at intersections, the new road way’s speed limit is 45 miles per hour. In April, crews opened the first mile of the project between Ellsworth and Williams Field roads as part of an agree ment with Mesa and the operators of the nearby Bell Bank Park, a new sports and entertainment complex. “Getting us to this point has taken a great deal of partnership between ADOT, the city of Mesa, the Maricopa Association of Governments and its member communities, as well as the Federal Highway Administration and Pinal County,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski.Keyfeatures of the SR 24 project are not limited to the roadway. Crews also have constructed a region al storm water drainage channel parallel to the north side of the roadway. In addition to intersections at Wil liams Field Road, Signal Butte Road, Meridian Road and Ironwood Drive, SR 24 has on- and off-ramp connections at Ellsworth Road. The roadway also cross es over Mountain Road. The city of Mesa is working to com plete the Signal Butte Road interchange, set to open in 2023, which will connect SR 24 to an extended Signal Butte Road.
Celebrate local businesses Residents and businesses have a chance to celebrate a year of growth with the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce during its annual business and awards dinner 6-9 p.m. Sept. 29 and the Encanterra Country Club. For ticket, sponsorship and other information, see the link queencreekchamber.com.at
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timeslocalmedia.com
“It’s a desirable place to be but our smaller businesses that are expand ing are having a very difficult time,” Clark said. As a nonprofit, the Chamber can represent its members and has the authority to lobby and take positions on legislation, subject to local, state and federal laws.
Chamber saw a 20% growth in mem berships and a 25% growth in gross revenue.Twoyears ago, Clark said the board of directors went from a bene fits-driven and transactional organi zation to a mission-driven and trans formational group. “We solve problems so you can thrive because strong businesses create strong communities,” Clark said.Its business retention and expan sion surveys identify the top needs for businesses in the Town and re mains one of the Chamber’s primary functions.“Talking to people prior to 2020, we typically got the answer that it was somewhat difficult to find em ployees,” Clark said. Two years later, Clark said busi nesses still find it “difficult to find employees” but there’s room for ex pansion.Butsince inflation-related con cerns have become more prevalent, Clark said local businesses have found “extreme disruptions” in price and supply chain issues. Clark said the Chamber’s recent survey found most businesses have raised wages significantly to attract and keep employees and most would add employees this year if they could.
4 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022NEWS 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 NEWSExecutiveDEPARTMENTEditor: Paul Maryniak | pmaryniak@TimesLocalMedia.com480-898-5647 Managing Editor: Cecilia Chan | 480-898-5613 |cchan@TimesLocalMedia.com Reporters: Mark Moran | 480-898-5601 | mmoran@TimesLocalMedia.com Ken Sain | 928-420-5341 | ksain@TimesLocalMedia.com Sports Editor: Zach Alvira | 480-898-5630 | zalvira@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 : 623-535-8439 Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | aaron@phoenix.org Distribution Manager: Brian Juhl | brian@timeslocalmedia.com The content of any advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Queen Creek Tribune assumes no responsibility for the claims of any advertisement. © 2022 Strickbine Publishing, Inc. To start or stop delivery of the paper, please visit: https://timespublications.com/phoenix/orcall480-898-7901 Queen Creek Tribune is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation company owned & operated by Times Media Group The public is limited to one copy per reader. For circulation services, please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@phoenix.org. To your free online edition subscription, please visite: https://www.queencreektribune.com/e-subscribe/
GOT NEWS?
Bryan McClure has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for the past five years and shows how dedi cated the Town has remained to local businesses.“It’satestament to Queen Creek’s commitment to help and support small business and promote a business-friend ly environment,” McClure said. McClure has been a member of the Chamber since 2009 and said the Chamber has remained an advocate for him as senior vice president with Primerica.“It’sprovided education and net working opportunities,” McClure said. “And a chance to get more in volved in my community.”
This type of advocacy is the exact reason people who work with Clark remain satisfied with the work of he and his team have done for their members.AlexSarantis works as a sales exec utive for Employee Benefit Exchange Corp., a Queen Creek company that has set up employee benefits pack ages for the past 15 years.
Sarantis has worked with the Chamber for the past two years and said while its mission transforma tion isn’t the sole driver of the town’s recent rapid growth, its influence cannot be overstated. “They may not be spearheading the growth but they’re sustaining it,” Sarantis said. As the Town and membership grows, Sarantis sees a need to hold more events every month, a similar occurrence he saw in neighboring towns a decade earlier. “I see them following a similar path as Gilbert,” Sarantis said. “But just given the growth in the area, I think they’re going to accomplish that in half the Throughtime.”the pandemic and beyond, the Chamber has helped its members stay informed and helped bring busi nesses and the community together. “They did a really good job of keep ing members engaged,” Sarantis said. “They’ve done a really good job of educating members with what’s go ing on in the Town compared to oth erKerrichambers.”AnnRonquist has lived in Queen Creek for eight years and owned All About You Placement And Senior Resources for the past six years.Ronquist has served with the Gil bert Chamber of Commerce for the past 12 years but has taken a more active role in Queen Creek for the past two. In that time, Ronquist said it’s been amazing to work with Clark, his team and other business owners in the“Itarea.was one of the best things for me and my company,” Ronquist said. With just Chris Clark and Admin istrative Assistant Kim Dowers, Ronquist said the Chamber does an “amazing job” representing its mem bers with such a small team. “They do a lot with just a few peo ple,” Ronquist said. Just as they did during the pan demic, Ronquist said the Chamber has helped small businesses net work and find solutions through the recent economic woes. “It helps to connect with other business owners and community members so that we can support each other through this,” Ronquist said.Despite the outside issues many businesses have experienced, Ron quist said she’s satisfied with how much the Chamber has helped. “I’m super proud to be a part of it,” Ronquist said. “It’s definitely an in vestment of time and money, and for me, it’s absolutely worth it.”
While Clark said the town has “done such a great job with plan ning,” small businesses still need more office, industrial and retail space to grow to their full potential.
CHAMBER from page 1
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 5
One thing the district does not do, however, is send district representa tives to vigils held for suicide victims.
• Putting Teen Life’s suicide hotline number on the back of student ID cards; • Mental health awareness student clubs.
“One thing that’s really important to understand, and this is not an ex cuse, is that we’re a big ship. In order for us to move forward on the things that we’re doing with the number of students, over 43,000-plus, … in a community over 80 square miles, we want to make sure that we’re looking at what we’re doing and it’s some thing that we can, we can sustain.”
L ast May, three teen suicides over the span of about two weeks shook the Chandler Uni fied School District. A little more than two weeks into this school year, another CUSD student has taken her own life. A junior in the online school died during the first weekend of August. She was a former Perry High School student.“Kidsare dying and they have been for years,” said Sofia Borczon, a soph omore at Basha High School. “Last time we were here we told you what we wanted. Today I’m going to tell you what we need.” More than a dozen people, most of them students, spoke before the Aug. 10 CUSD Governing Board, calling on them to do more on mental health. The Board held a study session on the topic earlier in the day, outlining all the steps the district has taken over the past five years to improve the mental health of students. Some of those students said it’s not enough.“We’ve asked for you guys to listen to us and work with us so this won’t happen again,” said Riana Alexander, a Chandler High senior and co-found er of Arizona Students for Mental Health. “We’ve proposed many rea sonable solutions and offered as much insight as we possibly could. All of these were disregarded. “We continue to reach out to you and got little response throughout the summer, if we got any. I’m here under the same circumstances as an other young student took her life this weekend. How many students have to die before you make a change and do the job that we elected you to do?” She called on the district to hold a student town hall meeting before Sept. 15 to address suicides and men tal health issues. That is one of the points of conten tion between the district’s approach and what the students want. Brenda Vargas, CUSD director of counseling and social services, said the evidence shows putting a spotlight on teen suicides only increases the risk more students will think about doing it. The students say that talking about it removes the stigma and can en courage struggling peers to seek help.“We will meet them … and just go from there,” Vargas said. “I think as we move forward …, what they’re saying is now, they’re saying ‘please listen now, whether it’s Sept. 15, or a different date,’ it’s saying ‘please make this a priority to listen to us.’” In the study session, the district outlined what it has done for teen mental health over the past five years. On Aug. 11, it asked area businesses and nonprofits to bid on providing mental health services to students.
BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor
• Prevention lessons in kindergarten through sixth grade.
• Trained more than 800 staff mem bers on Youth Mental Health First Aid and more than 700 support staff in safeTALK, a suicide preven tion course.
• All 9th graders get a Teen Lifeline presentation.
6 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022NEWS 480-725-3511Some restrictions apply. See website for additional information. O ers expire 12/31/2022. www.BrewersAC.com Service Call (with repair) • Second OpinionFREEFREE We offer Big Savings and Great Financing! BESTOF 2021 40 Serving the Central Valley Years SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643 DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ARE HERE! We are offering $40 OFF our Brewer’s Deluxe 20 point Tune up REG. $119 Ask about our INDOOR REME HALO ® IN-DUCT AIR PURIFIER! Just in time for Haboob Season CUSD defends its record on teen mental health
“I want our students to know that we see you, we hear you, we have been taking all of this information in to look to see what we can do,” he said.
• Hiring Natasha Davis as a suicide prevention coordinator, a new po sition.Vargas said those are just some highlights and there are many more steps they’ve taken.
Some of the other steps include:
• Partnering with Arizona State Uni versity to offer a mental health toolkit for high school students.
Board member Lindsay Love ques tioned that, saying it may help other students who attend. Davis said they prefer to ask their community partners, such as Teen Lifeline, to attend. A couple speakers criticized the district’s presentation because there was no mention of LGBTQ students, who studies indicate are much more likely to face harassment and consid er“Insuicide.today’s society, we know that our students are struggling,” said Dr. Craig Gilbert, the associate super intendent for pre-K-12 educational services. “They have stresses that are coming from inside school, out side during social media, you name it, the pressures that are coming in. You throw COVID in … it exacerbated what was already there.
Vargas said the district is looking for partners who meet a number of criteria: The expectation that they could see a patient within 48 hours of first contact; their treatments are evidence-based; there are no barri ers to service, including language; they have locations throughout the district.Thedistrict earlier this year com mitted to spending more than $5 million to improve mental health ser vices on top of the services they have already beefed up over the past five years. That includes employing 92 counselors and 21 social workers.
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 7 95 N. Dobson Rd. • Chandler, AZ 85224 480-726-8900 • info@huffsautomotive.comhuffsautomotive.com Appointment!ForCallAn We at Huffs Automotive are specialists in: • Mercedes Benz • Land Rover • BMW • Jaguar • Porsche • Audi • Volkswagen Serving the East Valley since 2009! Family Owned and Operated SeHablaEspañol #1 Rated Shop in the East Valley VOTED #1 EAST VALLEY AUTO REPAIR Your Trusted European Car Specialists BESTOF 2021 NOW HIRING AUTO TECHNICIANS & MECHANICS Experienced & Entry-Level Call 480-726-8900 Or Submit Resume huffsautomotive@yahoo.comat
Town Councilwoman Dawn Oliphant ap pears more than likely to win her bid for re-election and fellow campaigner Bryan McClure also looks likely to win a seat. “We ran as a team, hopeful that we would get in,” Oliphant said. “Clearly, the people voted and me, Bryan and Travis came out onOliphanttop.” will enter her fourth term on council in January and she said she looks for ward to continu ing to serve the
“There’s not a high-degree of confidence in our election system and that needs to
8 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022NEWS
diversity.”
SemperFiHeatingCooling.com Trusted, Expert Service! Buy One Year, Get One FREE Call for Details! Not valid with any other offers or coupons. BOGO Deal (Expires August 31st) PROPRIETARY LINE OF AMERICAN MADE HVAC EQUIPMENT Call602-641-296024/7 $17.75 Includes Full Unit Inspection, Light Coil Cleaning and a written report of findings. $80 Value Not valid with any other offers or coupons. Tune-Up Call for Details! Not valid with any other offers or coupons. (Expires August 31st) GAS500CARD$ ROC#309388 ROC#320048 SystemsNew as low as mo.per$ 79 • 10-Year Parts & Labor Warranty Included on Two-Stage Equipment • Manufactured in TexasGet 20% OFF HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE AVAILABLE TO FIRST RESPONDERS, MILITARY, FRONTLINE WORKERS & THEIR FAMILIES THAT QUALIFY Student Choice. Student Voice. Padilla claims victory in QC council race BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer see ELECTIONS page 12 Travis Padilla Matt McWiiliams
Despite, the ballot mix-up issues in Pinal County, Oliphant said she hasn’t heard of any talk about any candidate taking legal action to challenge the results.
forsomeingsaid.system,”ingforwardcommunity.“I’mlookingtobuildoutourparksOliphant“Andthenlooktoexploringopportunitieseconomicdevelopment
Travis Padilla is claiming victory in a close race for the third open seat on Queen Creek Town Council ahead of the official election canvas. As of Aug. 11, Padilla led Team QC candi date Matt McWilliams 8,090 to 7,647, ac cording to reports by both counties. The Pinal County Board of Supervisors said it will canvass the election results on Aug. 12, and Maricopa County said it will canvass on Aug. 15, making the results of ficial.Padilla on Aug. 10 posted on his cam paign’s Facebook page that he planned a victory party on Aug. 20 in The Pecans. I’d like to recognize all of my volunteers and meet my voters in person so please join us for great music and delicious catered food,” he said on the site, Vote Travis Padilla. Padilla said he applauds the efforts of all the candidates and looks forward to work ing with everyone on town council. “Julia, Dawn, Bryan, and Matt all ran a great campaign,” Padilla said. “And it was difficult to prevail against the combined re sources of ‘Team QC’ with all of their exist ing relationships and time serving on Town Council.”Padilla has noted his efforts and those of his supporters as he knocked thousands of doors in the brutal heat, spoke with com munity members and outraised his oppo nents.“Itis an absolute honor to be chosen by the greatest town in America to serve them on Town Council,” Padilla said. “I don’t take this great responsibility lightly and am ready to take on the challenge!”
Padilla said voters told him of other is sues including polling places running out of paper on Election Day. Padilla also said that some voters told him of instances when they received ballots for the party they weren’t registered for, such as a registered Republican receiving a Democrat ballot or vice versa.
Your Idea • Our Craftmanship Bring Your Vision To Life With Custom Design 4980 S. Alma School Rd., Ste A-7, Chandler 480.659.6984 (Next to Safeway) Open Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pm PRECIOUS ELEMENTS JEWELRY & COIN Jewelry • Coins • Repairs • Gold Buying Sightings of bobcats in residential areas of the East Valley have become “more than just a slight uptick,” an Arizona Department of Fish and Game Department spokeswoman warns. (Special to the Tribune)
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 9NEWS
“Anecdotally, it’s more than just a slight uptick,” said Amy Burnett, a spokeswoman in the department’s east Mesa office. While the state doesn’t have offi cial numbers on bobcat encounters in residential areas, drier conditions have driven more of them in search of readily available water and shelter, she“Wesaid.have inadvertently created nurseries in our backyards for bob cats,” Burnett said. “The living is so easy, really. The resources are so rich in our urban areas. The bobcats are living the high life and urban bobcats are thriving in our urban interface.”
Chasing wild bobcats may not seem like a good idea but the Arizona Fish and Game Depart ment calls it the best way to keep them from starting families in your backyard and adding to the growing population of bobcats putting down roots in residential areas.
“What’s happening in these urban areas is that we now have generations of bobcats living in amongst us that are used to getting water and food from our backyards. That in and of it self is not the problem. It’s when we are okay with it and we are not scaring them away when we see them.”
home BY
Tribune Staff Writer see BOBCAT page 13
Bobcats aiming to make a backyard a MARK MORAN
As the Valley has sprawled in every direction, the number of wildlife en counters has increased. It used to be that state officials would get calls from residents living on the fringes who hadn’t seen bobcats before. As people started to get used to see ing bobcats on the outskirts, Game and Fish started hearing more from people living in more urban areas. “Then, as people get used to bobcats living in and among their communities we get fewer calls from those areas and bobcats seem to be living all in our metro areas now, even urban areas, so we don’t see the phone calls on the fringes any more but we are getting them in the interior,” said Burnett. Phil Cameron, who lives in North Scottsdale, has had his share of back yard bobcats, including an injured one that took up residence in his yard for several days and had to be rescued. “This is the first time I’ve ever had to call someone to help us out with an animal in the yard,” he said. “We’re careful. Like any thing else, if we see it, we stay away from it. Like any thing with Mother Nature, we respect it and give it a wide berth.” “I have seen bobcat calls go up,” said Robert Coon rod, a permitted wildlife specialist who started a business called Arizona Wildlife Relocation Ser vices designed to remove bobcats and other wildlife from residential areas. Coonrod is the person Phil Cameron called for help when the injured bobcat stuck around in his backyard. “I try to educate people as to why they are there, and what they can do to alleviate that problem because if I trap the animal, all I am doing is taking that animal out and putting up a va cancy sign for the next one to move in, whereas if we get the animal to move on its own, it relocates,” Coonrod ex plained.Coonrod also uses scent deterrent, including scat from predators, to keep bobcats at a distance. “I use mountain lion poop in certain yards because that’s an apex preda tor,” he said. Bobcats will steer clear when they think there is another predator.”Healso uses motion detector lights and sprinklers to deter them from be coming full time backyards residents.
Enter little dogs and cats that may be minding their own business in the backyard and may come between the mother bobcat and her kittens. “Bobcats are all cute and fine until the mom hisses at a grandchild,” Bur nett said. “Instinct is automatically go ing to take over. No one wants to have their dog Accordingeaten.”towildlife specialists, the best way to keep all of that from hap pening is to turn a high-pressure hose on the bobcats before they get com fortable and think that your backyard is a great place to start a family. “It’s a delicate balance between un derstanding that bobcats are here in amongst us but not encouraging them to stay in our backyards,” Burnett said. “Not feeding them. Not putting wa ter out specifically for them so that they will stay in our backyards. When bobcats are too close, incidents hap pen. They can become aggressive to wards people.”
Chandler educator and mental health advocate Katey McPherson said the ef fort can’t be left to the school district alone and has been urging city officials to take a more proactive role in address ing teens’ mental health. “We have lost dozens of students to these feelings in addition to those who have also overdosed on substances,” she told city administration and council members in a recent email. “When we as parents, cities, munic ipalities, and school districts come to gether with law enforcement and other non-profit entities there is not a diffu sion of resources, there is an amplifica tion,” she said. “Several local municipal ities have begun this work and have fan tastic programs in place because of it.” She noted that in 2017, in the sum mer of 2017, the Town of Queen Creek, Queen Creek Unified School District and Higley Unified lost four students in 90 days to suicide and that “the response from the Town and school district was to dig in and to find out why.
10 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022NEWS
McPherson also urged city officials to: have warning signs of suicide included in utility bills during September, which is Suicide Prevention Month; set up we binars regarding youth mental health hosted by the vice mayor; dedicate city funding “to youth prevention, not just crisis;” and sponsor or support outreach events hosted by local non-profits. In just a few months the teens’ group has attracted considerable news cover age and filed the necessary paperwork to be recognized as a nonprofit.
Riana is co-founder of Arizona Stu dents for Mental Health, which officially became a nonprofit on Aug. 4. The group formed at the end of the last school year after three Chandler Unified students died by suicide and attended a govern ing board meeting to demand more help for struggling students. They settled on wearing purple tiedyed shirts to give their group a visible identity.“Itwas like a cheap way for all of us to be in unison,” explained Elle Mramor, the group’s other co-founder and an eighth grader at Santan Junior High. The teens said one way to help im prove students’ mental health is for adults to engage kids in serious conver sations about mental health and suicide – which they say aren’t happening now. “When it’s talked about now, people, honestly, they joke about it because they’ve just never heard (about) it like until middle school. A lot of kids my age have not been educated about it at all,” Elle“Andsaid.I know it’s really a hard topic to swallow, but you can’t just like leave them without that knowledge and then suddenly in the seventh grade throw it all in their face,” she said.
Riana Alexander knows what struggling with mental health is “I’velike.struggled with anxiety my entire life,” the Chandler High senior said. “But in 2021, I was diagnosed with depres sion, and it just kept getting worse. I was missing school a lot. I was not eat ing, I was withdrawing from friends, I was just not myself. It got to the point where I did withdraw from school. I can go on and on about how hard it was. “I think it’s important to remember that struggling with depression and struggling with suicide isn’t like ... cry ing all the time and wanting to end your life. It’s like ongoing constantly,” she continued. “When I was struggling, I was still going out every day and talking to friends and smiling and laughing. “But I was still struggling, there’s a ton of physical symptoms that come along with it. Like I was always sick all the time. And I think it’s something I would not wish on anybody.”
A fourth member of the group is Lucy Wegener, an eighth grader at Santan Ju nior High. She said teachers and school staff need to be more training. “Which would help teachers be able to recognize more signs, and even stu dents, and maybe they would get more comfortable with it,” she said. “So the students around them feel more supported when it comes to sui cide and know that you’re not as alone as you think you are.”
“I think we’ve gotten ourselves out there, but we haven’t made a huge im pact,” Elle said. “We’ve gotten people on our side, but now we just need to take the people we got and tell them what we need, like what we want.
Another member of their group said he knew the Perry High student who died last May. The other two suicides last May involved Hamilton and Chan dler high school students. “We weren’t the closest of friends,” said Jayden Riecken, a sophomore at Basha High School, adding that they at tended the same middle school and “he sat at my lunch table for a while and we had some classes together.”
The teens would love to see their group expand to other parts of the Val ley and state. But they say they’re not satisfied with CUSD’s response and want to see more results by the end of the year.
BY KEN SAIN Managing Editor
Chandler teens’ nonprofit seeks more mental health help
(David Minton/Staff Photographer)
CUSD officials discuss mental healthPageefforts6 To help Arizona Students for Mental azstudentsformenta.wixsite.com/azsfmhHealth
Riana “Whenagreed.Istarted to talk to people about it and open up about it, it just makes everything so much easier,” Riana said. “And I think that’s where the district needs to start as well. Because I know it’s hard for people to talk about it, and I know it’s a difficult subject, and peo ple don’t want to talk about it. But the reason that people don’t ask for help is because no one talks about it.”
“The survey data was used to align programs, services, and personnel to as sist students on a daily basis,” she said, noting that Gilbert municipal and school officials also worked together under the leadership of former Mayor Jenn Daniels, though the pandemic disrupted plans.
Jayden believes some good has come from their appearance before the CUSD Governing Board. “After the meeting, we had emails back and forth between some of the board members and stuff,” he said. “Not all of them were productive. Some of them were just, ‘hey, thanks for coming out and speaking,’ but I feel like we were raising awareness.”
“There’s not that much time we can waste because it’s happening, it’s gonna be ongoing. Just because there’s a new year doesn’t mean it’s going to stop.”
Chandler Unified students who are organizing efforts to push for more mental health services for teens include, from left, Riana Alexander, Elle Mramor, Lucy Wagener and Jayden Ricken.
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE EXPLORE At American Leadership Academy, we combine academic excellence and character development to create an exceptional educational experience. Our students are prepared not only to be great students today, but also great leaders tomorrow. 12 CAMPUSES, INCLUDING A VIRTUAL CAMPUS, WITH 3 OPENING THIS FALL NEAR YOU! 480.420.2101 American Leadership Academy Applied Technologies is a first-of-it’s kind tuition-free high school in the state that offers students the opportunity to earn their high school diploma and industry accreditation in one convenient location. AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AVIATION INFORMATIONCONSTRUCTIONTECHNOLOGIESTECHNOLOGIESTECHNOLOGY HEALTHFIRSTHOSPITALITYRESPONDERSSERVICES OUR ACADEMIES PRE-K AND 9-12 TUITION-FREE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL @ALAAPPLIEDTECH BUSINESSEDUCATIONCOSMETOLOGY&FINANCE ALASCHOOLS.ORG/APPLIED-TECHNOLOGIESAPPLYTODAY!7729 E. Pecos Road Mesa, AZ 85212 OPENING 2022!FALL TUITION-FREE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS APPLY TODAY! @ALASCHOOLS A-rated academics in a moral & wholesome environment State-of-the-art athletic facilities Full K-12 experience featuring fine arts programs including ballroom dancing, choir, theater, & orchestra Entrepreneurship & Dave Ramsey financial literacy courses
Pinal County Board of Supervisors said at a special meeting in July that they expected legal challenges due to the ballot mistakes. No candidate in the Queen Creek races has threatened legal action against Pinal County and McClure said he’s appreciative of their efforts thus far. “I have no intention or know others who have intention of taking legal action against Pinal County,” McClure said. “I’m grateful they’re working feverishly to rectify a diffi cultMcCluresituation.”said he’s excited to serve his hometown for the next four years and would like to congratulate the other candi dates leading in the races. “We worked hard on the campaign trail and would like to thank Queen Creek for the overwhelming support,” McClure said. McClure said he’s saddened that McWil liams and Team QC fell short but looks for ward to taking office in January with the other“Mattcandidates.McWilliams would have made an excellent councilman,” McClure said. “But I am honored to work with every member of town council to keep our community mov ing in the right direction.” McWilliams declined to comment on the election until the results are certified. from page 8
ELECTIONS
TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF
California
12 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022NEWS
1. Finding the underlying cause 2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage (above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable) 3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition Aspen Medical in Mesa, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00. Th is ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results: 1. Increases blood flow 2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves 3. Improves brain-based pain The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling. It’s completely painless!
ACalifornia real estate investment compa ny recently bought 5 acres of land in Queen Creek for $2.8 Greenwoodmillion.& McKenzie of Tustin and Power Mar ketplace LLC bought the land at S. 187th Place, near Power and Germann roads, from Schwan’s Company, ac cording to Valley real estate tracker vizzda.com. The price paid for vacant industrial land, totaling 218,145 square feet, equaled $13 a square foot, according to vizzda data.There was no debt recorded with the sale, it Greenwoodsaid. & McKenzie specializes in the acquisition, financing, management and sale or exchange of real estate in vestment properties “for investors who prefer sole ownership of real estate and forms private syndications tailored to the needs of small investor groups to ac quire income-producing properties and participate in land development proj ects,” the buyer says on its website. Established in 1956, the company has limited its activity to the Valley and Cal ifornia, though it recently has begun ac quisitions in Texas. Currently it owns two properties in southern California, 29 in Arizona, 10 in Texas and one in Georgia, according to itsItwebsite.values its portfolio of 4.7 million square feet of apartment complexes and commercial and industrial properties at $1.3 billion.
Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:
THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND INSURANCES!!MOST Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free. The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope! Aspen Medical begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage –a complimentary service for your friends and family. Each exam comprises a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings. Aspen Medical will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until October 31st, 2022. Call (480) 274 3157 to make an appointment Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10 c allers YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (480) 274 3157 WNOW!!eare extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Aspen Medical 4540 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 119 Mesa, AZ, 85206 *(480) 274-3157* *this is a paid advertisement* 480-274-3157 4540 E Baseline Rd., Suite 119 Mesa Az 85206 be addressed,” Padilla said. “Those things shouldn’t happen.”
PERIPHERALWARNING!NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!! Mesa, AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side Theeffects.only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness,balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves degenerate – an insidious As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation. The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “Band-Aid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further Thankfully,action. Mesa is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.
The California company that bought these 5 acres of vacant industrial land In Queen Creek for $2.8 million says its port folio of multifamily, commercial and industrial properties is worth over $1 billion. (Special to the Tribune) firm buys 5 acres in QC for $2.8M
•
contact Arizona
Each office is independently owned and operated BESTOF 2022 BESTOF 2021 2350 S Apache Drive, Chandler 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath with deep swimming pool 3907 S Coach House Dr, Gilbert. 4 bedroom, 2 bath with soaring ceilings. Paver patio and ramada in backyard to take in Arizona outdoor living 4623 W Alabama Lane, Queen Creek Sold for $481,000 4 bedroom, 2 bath home with mountain views
What
Relocation Services: Southwest
The new salary schedule for support staff will start at just under $54,000 for positions such as athletic trainer and elementary counselor, and top out at more than $109,000 for the district nurse.Hourly employees will receive $2 more per hour plus an equity adjust ment based on their current range, ac cording to district documents. Administration will receive a 5% raise and $1,000 equity adjustment. The dis trict said this is in addition to a one-time 2% stipend increase for all returning employees approved earlier this year. Superintendent Dr. Perry Berry said the district still has work to do to help the district’s employees that sit below the median income. According to the Census Bureau, the median household income for Queen Creek from 2016-2020 was $104,161, and about 5.2% of the town’s population is in “We’repoverty.taking a balanced approach with a package that honors staff mem bers who have been committed to the district and increases equity to help our employees who are furthest from the marketBerrymedian.”saidthe raise will also help Queen Creek Unified remain competitive among other school districts in the East Valley and retain employees. “It follows guidance from our market analysis team JB Rewards,” Berry said. “And helps attract and retain talent by increasing base salary.” Virtually all districts in the East Valley took advantage of the unexpected surge in state funding to increase teachers’ and other workers’ pay, citing a critical shortage in the labor market for almost allThepositions.state Auditor General’s annual report on school spending said in Feb ruary that the average teacher pay in Queen Creek Unified during the 202021 school year – the latest for which data is available – teachers in the dis trict earned an average annual salary of $53,470 – lower than the statewide average of $56,349. Queen Creek teachers had an average 11.2 years’ experience and 15% of all teachers had three years’ experience or less, the report said. PAY from page 1 Coonrod says the number of bobcat interactions likely will increase as the population expands at the urban fring es and drier weather patterns persist. Both he and Burnett say they are not an inherent danger in a backyard; the problems arise when people do things that they shouldn’t. So, wildlife officials say to have the best possible outcome of coexisting with wildlife is to enjoy it, but at arm’s length. And don’t roll out the welcome mat. “Urban bobcats are definitely here to stay,” Burnett said. “If we set up a KFC next door, they’re not leaving.” to do if you encounter a bobcat yard: approach them Haze with water hose. pets the animal is injured or ceive threat, Wildlife Wildlife: (480) https://www.southwestwildlife.org/471-9109
a
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 13
you per
For Sale in ChandlerComing Soon in Gilbert SOLD in Queen Creek ployees who have been with the district for five or more consecutive years. Employees with five to 11 years of ex perience will receive $2,500 plus $200 per year for every year above 5 years. Employees with more than 11 years or more will receive $3,500 plus $100 per year for every year above 10 years. Board member Samantha Davis was part of the unanimous decision and said she’s thankful to serve on a board that puts students and families first. “Supporting our teachers and staff supports our students,” Davis said. “We want people to know we hear you, and we make decisions with your voices in mind.”
a direct
Encourage them to move • Keep
in your
www.fosteringre.com480.221.3034
• Do not
inside If
BOBCAT from page 9
Community leaders helped Desert Lily Academy re-bloom. Renovating the academy was the project for the latest class of Citi zen Leadership Institute for the Town of Queen Creek, which graduated 38 participants earlier this month. The CLI program teaches communi ty members about the town’s govern ment through hands-on participation in the community. This is the first grad uating class since the pandemic. “We had the opportunity to refresh and redecorate the cottage for the girls at the Desert Lily Academy,” Tabetha Denman-Geideman said. The participants spent two days re storing the Dignity Cottage located on the campus of Canyon State Academy at 20061 E. Rittenhouse Road. “Our goal was to give them a visual ly appealing, welcoming, comfortable, calming and safe space to do that,” Den manYoungsaid.girls ages 11-18 spend their first 30 days in the intake room when they enter the Desert Lily Academy res idential treatment program. The female-specific program helps dozens of girls identify their the rea sons for disruptive behaviors and de velop coping skills to overcome trau mas, sometimes including a history as human trafficking victims. Denman presented their project to the Queen Creek Town Council at its Aug. 3 meeting and said how happy and appreciative the girl were from this transformation.“Infact,thedesign made such an im pact that they’ve very recently found out that they planned to paint all of the remaining cottages with the paint color and chalk wall that we did in that room,” Denman said. From January through July, CLI par ticipants attended 10 sessions that encompassed every aspect of the town government, including its history, util ities, public safety, and parks & recre ation department.
BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer
14 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022NEWS
Amber Gough serves as the Outreach Specialist for the program and said participants learned about the Town programs, infrastructure and depart ments.“Allof our citizen leaders are pas sionate about wanting to learn about the Town,” Gough said.
Community volunteers rehab youth treatment facility
To complete the program, partici pants had to attend at least seven out of 10 sessions, as well as attend one town council meeting, attend one town commission meeting, volunteer at a town-hosted event or program, and participate in a class service project.
Gough said the biggest personal ben efit came in the form of networking among their fellow townspeople.
This was Kolnick’s first time partici pating in the CLI program and he said his biggest takeaway was this service project.Kolnick donated more than $2,100 in materials for the project including painting supplies, furniture, window coverings, and electronics. He said the project made him real ize how much such a small gesture can mean to people who going through a difficult time. “We take a lot for granted and to think about disadvantaged people in our society is …huge,” Kolnick said. “We need to have that safety net.”
The group coordinated online and through several drop-off locations around town including the library, po lice station, civic center, and then local businesses.Bothgroups thanked everyone in volved in the project and said they felt inspired to continue to serve the com munity.“Ialso want to give a special thanks to Amber Gough for leading the Cit izens Leadership Institute,” Samora said. “And we’re also looking forward to seeing what others are able to accom plish in the future.”
Joe Kolnick has lived in Queen Creek for 20 years and owns the Cold Stone Creamery located at 7507 South Power Road, Suite 104.
The service project served as the cul mination of the seven-month program and put the participants skills and teamwork to the test. The entire group of participants di vided into two teams: one for renova tions and one for a donation drive. The renovations team met with some of the girls over ice cream donated by Kolnick and got their input for what renovations they should make. Todd Seymore said the project also installed window tinting to keep the girls cool, among other ideas. “We also used inspiring quotes that would also help them see past some of their problems,” Seymore said. Nick and Jen Masse from RZR AZ, a Facebook group for local off-road enthusiast, donated all the paint the group would use with some left over to continue painting in other rooms, Sey more“Thesaid.service project was huge,” Joe Kolnick said. “Just being able to help out a bunch of disadvantaged girls that are dealing with big problems.”
Town Council congratulated the latest class of Citizen Leadership Institute for the Town of Queen Creek, which graduated 38 participants. (Town of Queen Creek)
“Collectively, they all want to find ways to get involved and make a posi tive impact,” Gough said.
The second group coordinated a do nation drive for various “much needed” items, including art supplies, sporting goods and books. Some of the items included sketch books, coloring pencils, books of vari ous reading levels, and a tetherball pole they specifically requested. “The collection of these needed sup plies was vital to Canyon State Acade my’s ability to advance their mission and to improve the lives of the youth and grow their organization,” Sergio SamoraDaniellesaid.McGinn said the group uti lized social media to get the word out about items and made an Amazon Wish List for what items the academy need ed.“We had over 200 items on our list that got donated,” she said. “About 90% of that list was fulfilled.”
Anational survey found that Chandler is the best place for swimming pools in the country. It is one of seven Arizona cities ranked in the top 20 in the country, though Queen Creek didn’t make the cut.. “The Phoenix metro area is one of the big gest swimming pool markets in the world,” said Cohl Workman, owner of Thunderbird Pools & Spa. The survey ranked Chandler first because about 60% of single-family homes or condos for sale have a swimming pool. For those who don’t have a pool at their home, there are 2.3 public pools for every 100,000 residents. The survey also consid ered storage space for pool accessories, and said Chandler ranks just above the nation al average for a 10’x12’rental unit at about $142 per month. Gilbert ranks fourth, and, like Chandler, almost all the apartments in the city have ac cess to pools. Also, about half of the homes or condos for sale in Gilbert feature pools. A home with a pool in Gilbert is approxi mately 9% more expensive than one without a pool, the survey found. Mesa and Scottsdale rank 6th and 7th respectively. Scottsdale has the highest pro portion of homes and condos for sale with pools among the top 100 cities, 70%, but all this water fun potential comes with a lofty price tag. Scottsdale homes with pools are 16% more expensive than those without pools, the survey found. Other Arizona cities that wound up in the top 20 were Tucson, Glendale and Phoenix.
Workman said that led some pool compa nies to oversell, meaning there was no way they could build enough pools fast enough. He said some people have been waiting up to two years for a pool they ordered to be built. The other problem facing the industry right now are the supply shortages every other industry is dealing with. “This year we’re dealing with a crippling concrete shortage,” Workman said. “We’ve had to cut the orders we can take in half.”
Workman said people who don’t have a pool in their yard but are considering it, ex pect to pay about $55,000. “It was nearly $35,000 before the pan demic, but it has nearly doubled,” he said.
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 15NEWS
The pandemic has led to a huge increase in the number of new pools being built and also the increase in price, Workman said. “The swimming pool industry has been majorly affected by the pandemic,” Work man said. “The demand for pools went up during the pandemic. “People said if I’m not going to go to con certs, or out to eat, and I’m going to be spend ing a lot of time at home, well, that money went into their house, and their backyard.”
Chandler nation’s tops for swimming pools BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer Now in our 38th year! ARIZONA’S LONGEST-RUNNING EXPO IS HERE! Healthcare | Retirement Living | Financial Leisure | Home Repair | Education Casinos | Tour & Travel and More... (480) 898-6500 • (480) www.seniorexpos.com959-1566 Lots of PrizesandEveryINCLUDINGGiveawaysa$100CASHDRAWINGHour! Entertainment by MS. SENIOR ARIZONA FREE PARKING! FREE ENTRY! Wednesday, November 2nd 8am - 12pm Mesa Convention Center 201 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201 Title Sponsor Entertainment Sponsor Bag Sponsor A deluge of water pours down onto guests at Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer) see POOL page 16
Owning a swimming pool in a desert can help families escape the summer heat. But, all that water sitting in backyards during a drought is being noticed.
Las Vegas officials voted this month to limit the size of swimming pools in that city because of the drought and falling water
Workman said the pandemic also prompt ed many people to decide to move to the Sun Belt or sunny areas. He said people moving from expensive areas, such as California, could buy a cheaper home and have extra ming pool. “In May of 2020, the demand went through the roof,” he said. “We came to work one day and there were over 100 inquiries for a new pool. And it was like that for quite a while.”
andMountainhillsnestlednelreasonwhichpastimportancetakenpossibilitiespocketplaygrounds,system,andparks.“Freshairandhaveonanewinthefewyears,isamajorwhySentiatOroRidge,atthefootoftheSanTanRangeofferinganabundance of
Information:
NEWS Top 20 U.S. Cities for Pool Lovers StorageCafe ranked the top 20 cities
TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF
Tri Pointe Homes, a 30-year-old homebuilder formerly known as Maracay, has broken ground for the 52-home Sentinel at Oro Ridge within the expansive Oro Ridge planned community in Queen Creek.
Tri Pointe starts Sentinel at Oro Ridge
“We are very excited about Sentinel at Oro Ridge for many reasons, from the premium designs and beautiful natural surroundings to the market and demo graphic trends favoring the East Valley,” said Tri Pointe Homes Arizona Division President James Attwood. “Customers know quality when they see it — life-changing design in a high opportunity market from a company that has brought innovation and value to the Valley for more than three decades,” heAvailableadded. in Spanish, Farmhouse and Desert exterior styles, Sentinel at Oro Ridge homes will range from approxi mately 2,665 to 3,124 square feet with four or five bedrooms, 2.5 to 3 baths and 3-bay garages. All three unique floor plans at Sentinel at Oro Ridge — Lowell, Pearce and Chol la — will feature single-story homes on lots of about 8,400-square feet. Depending on plan, customers will be able to personalize flex spaces such as offices, game rooms, and outdoor living areas. Some additional options include an extended primary suite, an executive kitchen with extended island, an extend ed covered outdoor living area, and fifth bedroom or GenSmart Suite for fami lies with college-aged kids, live-in fam ily members or frequent out-of-town guests.TriPointe’s LivingSmart program in cludes a wide range of new materials, technologies and features. Equipped with energy-efficient technology, all homes at Sentinel at Oro Ridge will also be LEED Certified and Energy Star cer tified.The Oro Ridge planned com munity includes a trail outdoor amenities and close proximity to job centers, schools, shopping and other at tractions, will be a big draw for a wide range of buyers,” Attwood said. Sentinel at Oro Ridge is located at 33580 N. Maverick Mountain Trail, with a grand opening slated for Fall 2022. phoenix-metro/sentinel-at-oro-ridge.tripointehomes.com/az/ in the U.S. for swimming pools based on a number of 2.1.criteria:ChandlerHenderson, NV 3. Orlando, FL 4. Gilbert 5. St. Petersburg, FL 6. Mesa 7. Scottsdale 8. Plano, TX 9. Irvine, CA 10. Aurora, CO 11. Tucson 12. Riverside, CA 13. Austin, TX 14. Anaheim, CA 15. Tampa, FL 16. Arlington, VA 17. Irving, TX 18. Denver, CO 19. Glendale 20. Phoenix levels at Lake Mead. Phoenix is encouraging residents to cover their swimming pools to preventChandlerevaporation.hasnoplans to limit how its res idents use their swimming pools, officials said.Gregg Capps, the city’s utility resources manager, said there are steps they can take if the drought gets worse. “If we reached Stage Four, which is the highest level of our current plan, there could be restrictions put in place related to out door water uses, such as for irrigation pur poses,” Capps said. “Those decisions would be made based on the demand and available water sup plies at the time. We are proactively eval uating municipal water uses to identify water saving measures that could be im plemented.”Thecityis currently in Stage One of its drought management plan. That is using ed ucation to encourage residents to take steps to conserve water. “There are no specific restrictions out lined in Chandler’s Drought Management Plan related to the city’s pools and aquatic facilities,” Capps said. POOL from page 15 Tri Pointe Homes’ Sentinel at Oro Ridge is nestled at the foothills of the San Tan Mountain Range. (Courtesy Tri Pointe Homes)
16 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022
East Valley family feels blood shortage uncertainty
“Bip originally had an art gallery across the street and my two dogs — Lacie and Mr. P. — would come out and sit at the top of the stairs and wait for Bip to bring them treats every day,” Silver said. Upon the passing of Mr. P. in 2017, Silver decided to treat Haley to a din ner where she gave her pitch of start ing a wellness fund that would help fund animal shelters in providing care for their animals, fund surgeries and pay for pet’s medication.
BY SAMANTHA MORRIS Tribune Staff Writer
E very three weeks, Adelyn Trout man goes into the hospital for a blood transfusion and every time her family holds their breath. They never know if that blood will beTheavailable.6-year-old girl suffers from the rare Diamond Blackfan Anemia, a con dition that prevents her from develop ing her own red blood cells. There’s always a need for blood be cause she needs a transfusion every month, but these days, the circumstanc es are even more troubling. “You always have that concern of whether or not there will be blood available for her,” said Adelyn’s father Matt Troutman of Ahwatukee. “But even more so now.” Since the pandemic began, there has been a 12% drop in blood donors every yearButnationwide.whileexperts say COVID-19 has made blood collection more difficult because of donor fears and staffing shortages at collection centers, the prestigious Tufts University says “the blood donation landscape as a whole has really changed” for several years before COVID-19 was ever known. “Older adults, who account for a large percentage of donations, are aging and younger donors are not replacing them quickly enough,” it said. “With fewer centers and fewer donors, the system is not as responsive as before and it’s not always possible to meet unexpected surges in demand.” In Arizona, blood organizations like Vitalant, are working to combat it. Over the July 4 weekend, it held a two-day drive and collected enough “to provide 466 red blood cell transfusions. “We had hoped to see more donors, but were pleased that we came so close to bringing in a full day’s blood needs,” said Vitalant’s communication manag er, Sue Thew. But now that more people are sched uling essential surgeries they put off during the pandemic, blood is being
Tribune Staff Writer see PUPS page 18 see BLOOD page 18
Entering its fifth year as a nonprofit, Two Pups Wellness Fund and co-founders Nancy Silver, left and Bip Haley have saved the lives of over 10,000 dogs by funding life-saving procedures and care through state-wide animal rescues. (Orlando Pelagio/ Tribune Con tributing Photographer)
A ccording to Nancy Silver, the co-founder of the Two Pups Wellness Fund, it started with a sick dog and a promise five years ago.As Silver sat in the waiting room of a veterinary hospital, she was horrified by the number of pet owners she saw leaving the hospital feeling defeated because they could not afford to pay for the care their pets needed. “When my two dogs were sick, I would watch people go into the veteri nary hospital and have to turn around because they didn’t have the money to help their dog,” Silver said. “I knew I had to do something about that.” After the passing of her second of two rescue dogs, Silver decided she has seen the same scene two too many times and she called upon a good friend and former neighbor of hers to kickstart the Two Pups Wellness Fund — Bip Haley, the former owner of the Naked Horse Gallery on Marshall.
QueenCreekTribune.com | @QCTribune @QCTribune Community For more Community News visit QueenCreekTribune.com QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 17COMMUNITY
“We went to dinner and I saw her vi sion and work and I knew who needed help out there,” Haley said. After toasting their glasses to a new venture, the two were quickly intro BY ALEX GALLAGHER
Two Pups Wellness Fund marks 5 years saving dogs
Staff COMMUNITY 18 BUSINESSCLASSIFIEDS
BUSINESS...........20
PUPS from page used faster than it can be provided. Lifestyle shifts like working from home, have limited potential blood drive locations like offices. Additional ly, generally reliable young adults and teenage donors in schools are off for theForsummer.Troutman, combating an overall lack of awareness is important. “When everybody was working in the office, blood buses would come to the workplace and everybody would have some sort of incentive or just feel obli gated to go do it,” said Troutman. He and his wife Kami Troutman host a biannual blood drive in Ahwatukee and sometimes people believe that their donation is directly serving Ade lyn, while in reality her blood is a ran dom donor’s match. And that’s how it is for any blood drive; you really can’t individually do nate to a specific person in times of crisis.“You can’t really wait until you know someone in a hospital bed to go donate blood. It takes about two days to test and process blood before it can even be sent to a hospital for possible transfu sion,” Thew said. “So, if you wait until someone’s al ready in a hospital bed, you’ve waited tooAdelynlong.” serves as an inspiration that ends up helping everyone, explained Troutman, who with his wife came up with the biannual drives partly as a way to “pay if forward” and encourage blood donations that could help others as oth ers’ have helped their daughter. Her story is a reminder that donating blood is a community effort. “It’s everybody around us that is keeping other people alive,” said Trout man. The Troutmans are hosting their next blood drive in Adelyn’s honor at Desert Foothills Methodist Church in Ahwatu kee on Sept. 24.
SPORTS...............25 Queen
J over two years ago, Adelin Lon ghurst was enjoying her high school in her state Kentucky. At the time, she no idea she soon make an impact much smaller Queen Creek Unified high school in East Mesa.But when her family made the move to Arizona, she found Eastmark High School. enjoyed the small student population the school still in its third year existence. wanted become involved. TribuneSports Debate continues over QC lithium plant Eastmark to graduate its first senior class KATHLEEN Tribune 26 seeks state INSIDE gives QC Restaurant Week presence. QCUSD principal ‘coming home.’ Meta expands in region 14 GOP debateAG Sunday, May 15, 2022 FREE QueenCreekTribune.com An edition of the East Valley Tribune Easy-To-Read Digital Edition questions and concerns about LG Energy Solution’s plans build lithium battery plant as town and San Valley residents remain divided over the SouthKoreanmanufacturer’sfacility. But 匀琀漀渀攀䌀爀攀攀欀䘀甀爀渀椀琀甀爀攀⸀挀漀洀 Amid another snafu the PinalCountyElectionsDepartment, at least the three Town could ed November run-off following the results Tuesday’s primary. With some ballots countywide still being counted the Tribune’s deadline Friday, results from the icopa County Recorder’s Officer showed incumbent Dawn Oliphant with 27% of the vote; Bryan McClure, 25%; Travis Padilla, andMattMcWilliams,23%. The Pinal results had Oliphant with 27%; McWilliams, 25%; McClure, and AccordingPadilla,tothe latest available data, Pinal reported that total ballots had been its portion Queen Creek while Maricopa portion saw 10,482thresholdballots. for outright win involvesdividingthetotalnumberofvotes by the number of available seats, then dividing by As of Friday, whole numbers put Padilla ahead of liams,the6,100-5874.mathmay further compliORTEGA TribuneEStaffast Valley municipalities the last fiscal tookadvantageofunantici patedgeneral fundrevenue increases make big additional payments on their debt pensions earned thousands retired officersandfirefighters. But Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdalestill longway go theyerasetheirhugeunfundedliabilities. Those five municipalities still owe tal $1.4 billion for pensions covering 955 retired firefighters, 1,471 retired cops and PENSION QC an exception amid big pension debt Pinal snafus muddy outcome of QC council races MARYNIAK Tribune QC dad, road East Valley The plane is on the way jet may unusualbitsighthighschool,planesoonthewaythenewLeadershipmyeastThesprawling223,000-square-foottak-ingapproachvocationaleducation,asyou’llreadon (Enrique
Haley“Thensaid.there are special projects like when shelters go down with a disease and they have to quarantine,” she add ed. “We’ll go in there with the funds to treat those dogs.” Their reach over the past half-de cade has spread far outside of the Val ley as the fund has cut checks to 55 shelters and rescues state-wide.
JOSH
At 6 years of age, Adelyn Troutman recently had her 100th monthly blood transfusion amid a nationwide shortage of blood that has health officials concerned. (Courtesy of the Troutman
Family) Know anything interesting going on in Queen Creek? Send your news to pmaryniak@timeslocalmedia.com www.queencreektribune.com Subscribehere Receive your digital flip-thru edition every week in your e-mail box! QlithiumueenCreekofficialsareaddressingcitquestionsandconcernsaboutLGEnergySolution’splansbuildbatteryplantastownandSanValleyresidentsremaindividedovertheSouthKoreanmanufacturer’sfacility.
Editor COMMUNITY 16 BUSINESS 18 OPINION 20SPORTS...............22SPORTSOUTCLASSIFIEDS
last season together. INSIDE BUSINESS...........18 women run Lego NEWS....................4 Council QC
COMMUNITY.....18
BY
BLOOD from page 17
Info: Two Pups Wellness Fund ac cepts checks and grant funding. To contribute or find out additional in formation, visit twopups.org
EASTMARK
headache. EV stage-boundband 23 Sunday, August 7, 2022 FREE QueenCreekTribune.com edition of the
17
One shelter that found the Two Pups Wellness Fund to be a lifeline is the Glendale-based animal rescue, Stealing Hearts Rescue. “There are all kinds of grants that are open for shelters all over the place but trying to get them is worse than pulling teeth,” said Stealing Hearts Rescue founder and director Toni Cerepanya.“Fortunately, with the Two Pups Wellness Fund It’s an easy form that says what you need and why and that’s it. Because of that, we can pay for medical procedures for dogs we would have had to euthanize.”
18 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022COMMUNITY duced to the needs that animal res cues across the state were facing. “Immediately when we started, we got a phone call that a dog was hit by a car and we were asked if we could help,” Haley said. “That was our first project and once word got out, it just started snowballing.”
As the Two Pups Wellness Fund en ters its fifth year, the nonprofit is ex cited to announce it is bringing back its signature Booze and a Band event and Silver hopes to eventually take the nonprofit national. “All I want to do is save dogs, that’s all I want to do,” Silver said.
Tribune ELECTIONS page SUBSCRIPTIONFREE
Haley said that when she and Silver started the Two Pups Wellness Fund, they anticipated funding two to three cases a month. But they have since been funding anywhere between 10 and 20 dogs a month who had myriad needs. “It can go anywhere if this dog is sick – if it needs complete blood work and exam shots to where it needs long-term medication for valley fever or heartworms or if it needs surgery,”
Jeff Serrano, general manager of Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant in Queen Creek and Ric Serrano, president of Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants, credit community support for their thriving business. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Today, the five locations include their newest concept in Tempe called Pronto
BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer
As a brand, Serrano’s is older than Chandler, which did not officially incor porate as a municipality until 1920. By then, Albert Serrano and his brother Luis had already been running their dry goods store for nearly a year. And they kept running and expanding their business for the next few decades –paving the way for their descendants to car ry on the family name into the 21st century. While the first 60 years of the business was devoted to clothing and other dry goods, Ernie and Eva Serrano 40 years ago confronted a life-or-death business decision.
Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant at 22703 S. Ellsworth Road has been a Queen Creek destination for 18 years as of this month. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Serrano’s celebrating 18 years in Queen Creek
“It’s been a wonderful family business that just continues to grow,” Ric said.
Albert and Luis Serrano first moved to Chandler from Tucson in 1919 and opened the Popular Store with $10,000 worth of inventory. With the help of their brothers, they opened more locations in Casa Grande, Gilbert, and Mesa and sold goods to the region’s many farm families.
An iconic East Valley restaurant is marking 18 years in Queen Creek this Serrano’smonth.Mexican Restaurant, a fam ily-owned brand that started in 1919 in Chandler, was the last of five East Valley venues the owners opened. Located at 22703 S. Ellsworth Road, General Manager Jeff Serrano said this lo cation has remained blessed through the years – even during the pandemic.
“I don’t know how to explain why it happened, but we’ve been killing it ever since COVID ended,” he added. Jeff is the nephew of Ric Serrano, presi dent and CEO, and has worked his way up the company ladder from busser. He has worked at Serrano’s Queen Creek as the GM for the past six years and said his experience has come as an amalgam of lessons from biological and work mentors in the business, including his grandfather, Ernie Serrano Sr., who served as a captain in the Army. “You just kind of take everybody’s ad vice, and you put it all into one and you become who you are,” he said.
“There were times when the crops might not have been good and so credit was extended to the farmers who might have had a bad year and sometimes they would wait up to a year to get paid,” Ernie Serrano Jr. said in an oral history that was recorded in 2005. By the 1970s, indoor malls started sprouting up around the Valley and the Serranos found it difficult to compete. As their stores started to close, the family thought they could try selling a different type of service.
“The reception of the community has been fantastic,” he said. “It’s been grow ing ever since that I can see, even prior to COVID.”
And Serranos’ Mexican Restaurants wasJeffborn.has worked in a management role since he was 21 and looks forward to tak ing the helm one day – “hopefully, when ever the time comes, whenever they want to move me up,” he said. Ric Serrano, president and CEO, said like any business, they’ve seen very few struggles company-wide but they’ve adapted accordingly. Staffing remains the only major issue with the company short about 25 positions company-wide, with the Queen Creek location representing nearly half of that. With that, they’ve adapted from the pandemic by transitioning to more take out orders, which Jeff said now represents a quarter of their overall business. “Even though we reopened, the takeout side of our business exploded,” Ric said. They’ve also had to reduce their hours across their chain. Despite the staffing challenges, Jeff credits the community for is the young, amazing workers that keep it moving. “We have a lot of good kids that work out here for us,” Jeff said. “The communi ty has blessed us with amazing workers.”
QueenCreekTribune.com | @QCTribune @QCTribune Business For more Business News visit QueenCreekTribune.com QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 19BUSINESS
ByRicSerrano’s.saidthis fast-casual concept de rived from the company’s lessons during the pandemic is an adaptation to the la bor shortage. Currently, Ric said there’s no plans to expand anymore, but if they did, they would look toward more Pronto restau rants in San Tan Valley. The unprecedented labor shortage hasn’t taken away from the rewarding at mosphere the Serranos have maintained.
Then there’s former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Once a political juggernaut, a law man sought out by presidents seek ing to kiss his ring and parts further south, Arpaio, now 90, lost his fourth consecutive election last week – for the lofty title of Mayor of Fountain Hills.To someone named Ginny Dick ey. Who beat Arpaio, once America’s Toughest Sheriff, by 213 votes. This despite Arpaio spending $161,000, or about 31 bucks for each of his 5,207 votes.The great ones never know when to bid us goodbye. I met Arpaio in 1995, a few weeks after I moved to Arizona. He was two years into his 24-year run as sheriff, a law enforcement sideshow full of bombast and bull. The gimmicks seemed endless: pink underwear so jail inmates wouldn’t steal undergarments, Tent City tours on 117-degree days, meals of donat ed fruit and green baloney to save the taxpayers money. There was a rogu ish charm to Arpaio then, like he was in on the joke, a hound for headlines who reveled in being despised by re porters and liberals alike. During my early days as a columnist for the Tribune, I went to Arpaio with an insane idea: Put me undercover on the chain gang. He couldn’t say “yes” fast enough. MCSO deputies sneaked me into the jail at 3 a.m., gave me a sweat-stained uniform and chained me to a crew of convicts. To a man, my fellow inmates con fided that chain gang duty was better than sitting in the tents all day. We gathered trash from roadsides in the sweltering summer heat, passers-by constantly honking and giving us the finger.Igot a column and a bunch of TV in terviews out of the deal. Arpaio got to read his name in bold news type yet again.Inthe early days, Arpaio’s mantra I thought would serve him for eternity: You will never live better in jail than you live on the street. Eventually he lost sight of what made him a political rock star, instead using the sheriff’s office to target political opponents. Arpaio failed to investigate serious crimes and he misused the people’s money like a drunken lottery winner. As American politics got meaner after the turn of the century, tough Old Joe
Reagan concluded that thought in a way that sounded both presidential and prophetic: “Or one day, we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” Sadly, it now appears that “one day” is fast approaching.
QueenCreekTribune.com | @QCTribune @QCTribune Opinion For more Opinions visit QueenCreekTribune.com 20 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022OPINION
see LEIBOWITZ page 21
Trump raid signals ‘Mourning in America’
4th election defeat a sad end for Arpaio U nable to leave the fanfare be hind, the great ones inevitably hang on too long. There’s a sadness watch ing them fade in plain sight. Think Muhammad Ali out on his feet against Trevor Berbick; Willie Mays batting a feeble .211 in his last year with the Mets; Elizabeth Taylor picking up a paycheck in the TV flick, “These Old Broads.”
Welcome to “Mourning in Ameri ca.”Thoughtful Americans, regardless of partisan label or political philos ophy, find themselves mourning the unprecedented FBI raid on the home of a former President. No less a liberal than Alan Der showitz, lifelong Democrat and Har vard Law professor emeritus, wrote that the “full-scale morning raid on former President Trump’s Mar-a-La go home does not seem justified…
If it is true that the basis of the raid was the former President’s alleged removal of classified material from the White House, that would consti tute a double standard of justice.”
BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune
While conservative historian and former House Speaker Newt Ging rich describes Reagan’s distinguish ing characteristic as “cheerful per sistence,” the fact is that the former radio sportscaster and Hollywood actor was likewise persistent in warning Americans about a fate con siderably less cheerful. “Freedom,” Reagan said, “is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
Columnist see HAYWORTH page 21
T he “Reagan Re naissance” is seldom herald ed by today’s history scholars – and that’s a shame. A one-liner is usually all they can spare from their considerable labors to revise the past so that they may pacify the woke among us. And predictably, their minimalist assessment goes something like this: “Ronald Reagan’s boundless opti mism induced his fellow country men into believing it was ‘Morning in America’ again.” That’s it. But for the vast majority of Amer icans who were of voting age in the 1980’s, and experienced the “Age of Reagan” first-hand, they know it was much more. The end of “stagflation.” The restoration of a strong national defense as well as a strong economy. And yes, a consensus that “America wasNoback.”wonder the 40th president won a second term in a landslide of historic proportions, carrying 49 states and the District of Colum bia. The television ad that typified the successful 1984 campaign pro claimed that “It’s ‘Morning in Amer ica’Thatagain.”line so resonated within the national consciousness that even contemporary critics employ it in a quick dismissal of the Reagan years.
BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist
LEIBOWITZ from page 20 In a column for “The Hill,” Der showitz goes on to explain that two figures who have enjoyed his politi cal support—2016 Democratic pres idential nominee Hillary Clinton and former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger—were spared raids of their homes “for comparable allega tions of mishandling official records in the recent Dershowitzpast.”hasrepeatedly warned against the criminalization of polit ical differences, but that appears to be precisely what the Department of “Just Us” is doing right now. Simply stated, the Biden Adminis tration authorized a raid of the home of a former President, who could very well face Joe Biden as the Re publican presidential nominee again inGingrich2024. put the sordid episode into context: “If they can do this to a former and potentially future pres ident, what can they do to you…or your cousin, or your friends, or your neighbors? And I think it’s a very scary step towards a police state.”
Newt’s concern is compounded by the Left’s goal of adding 87,000 new IRSRestagents.assured, when they show up at your door, they won’t be there for tea and crumpets…they’ll go for your “cookie jar” instead. What else will crumble? The cornerstone of American jurisprudence—the pre sumption of innocence to which the accused is entitled. An earlier Congress (in which this columnist served) enacted the “Tax payers’ Bill of Rights” to assure that the burden of proof remained on the IRS during an audit, but like the orig inal Bill of Rights, certain individual freedoms appear headed for perma nent misplacement in the “lost and found” of a newly-founded “enforce mentListenstate.”again to President Reagan: “The future is best decided by bal lots, not bullets.” Your vote can turn the current “Mourning” into “Morn ing” once again. That’s a promise.
HAYWORTH from page 20 Call today to make an Callexperience,servesburial,GiveMattersWhatAZLegacyFuneralHome.com480-207-2286appointment.Most?yourfamilypeaceofmindwithpreplannedcremation,orfuneralarrangements.NooneMesaandchandlerwithmorecompassion,andvaluethanLegacy.orvisitusonlinetoday.
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 21OPINION
How to get a publishedletter
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 num ber. Queen Creek Tribune will print the writ er’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 ed iting. The Foothills Focus will not publish con sumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not Queen Creek Tribune, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters. moved his crosshairs from criminals to anyone with brown skin. In 2016, Arpaio lost to Paul Pen zone, a retired Phoenix cop who has returned law enforcement focus and decorum back to the Sheriff’s Office. Two years later, Arpaio lost in a GOP Senate primary. In 2020, he lost in the Republican primary for sheriff. Last year, announcing his candida cy for mayor of Fountain Hills, he told Fox News, “What do you want me to do? Go fishing? Go golfing? I don’t do anything. My hobby is work. I’ve done that my whole life. I’m not stopping now.”Arpaio in his prime fooled me total ly. Back in 2001, “60 Minutes” did a bio piece headlined “Joe the Jailer.” How does it end for Arpaio? “It’s gonna wear out when this guy passes away giving his speech in Sun City at 9 at night and he slumps for ward into his rubber chicken,” was my assessment. “That’s when it wears out and not a moment before.” We were younger then. The mo ment seemed eternal. It always does with the great ones, until it does no longer.
QueenCreekTribune.com | @QCTribune @QCTribune Sports For more Sports News visit QueenCreekTribune.com 22 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022SPORTS BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor
“The point being, if you’re locked in, we control what we control. We’re excited to be considered because it shows we’re building something special. But it’s all hypothetical. Everyone has to go out and play.” It should come as no surprise Mo lander has already built Eastmark up to a high level. He won two state titles at Bro phy in his first three seasons and made the playoffs 12 out of the 13 years he led theHeBroncos.resigned after a 1-9 season in 2017 and was hired to start the Eastmark pro gram a year later in 2018. His accolades while at Brophy, along with the boom ing Eastmark community that continues to grow in East Mesa near the border of Queen Creek, quickly attracted talent to theEastmarkprogram.graduated some players last season, but this year presents Molander’s biggest senior class. Most have been at the school since they were freshmen, and they have the chemistry to show for it. There’s also a sense of pride that comes along with that. They started the pro gram. They built it into a playoff contend er. They set the foundation. “Super excited about the leadership,” Molander said. “As coaches, we don’t have to say too much anymore. They handle it. They’ve embraced the lifelong skills we teach and it’s exciting coming out to prac tice. We aren’t having to babysit out here.”
Along with Mack, Eastmark also re turns Diego Rodriguez, who was one of the Firebirds’ leading rushers last sea son. Linebacker Kaden Armstrong led the team last season with 131 tackles as a ju nior, and Ramar Williams figures to be a standout at defensive end and tight end after a big off-season that saw him grow physically and mentally. He is a junior. Mack will benefit the most from re turning wideout Austin Johnston, who led the team with 1,186 receiving yards on 63 receptions last year with 15 touch downs. The two have grown close to the point where they hangout nearly every day after practice. They know what is at stake this season and with this team. They want to do ev erything in their power to set an example for younger players and go out on top.
No matter how the season goes, it’s one Molander will cherish. Not only will it be his last with Mack, but all the seniors he has grown close with. To him, they aren’t just his players. They’re his sons. “I’m trying to remember to never take one day for granted and to enjoy every moment,” Molander said. “It’s my last goaround with (Mack) and some of my other sons, and what I mean by that is these kids have been in the program for four years. They’re going to be really missed.”
It represents another opportunity for the team to become even closer while showcas ing what it can do outside of Arizona. “It’s exciting, we’re ready to go. We’ve been ready since the summer,” Mack said. “We’re ready to go against somebody else. We did a lot of fundraising for this trip, and I think we earned it after having a good season in our second varsity sea son last year. “I think we can really show, at least New Mexico, what’s over in Arizona.”
It hasn’t taken long for Eastmark’s football program to rise to the level of championship contender in the 3A Conference. They got their first taste of postseason action last year as they fell to River Valley in the first round of the playoffs. That came on the heels of a 2-6 campaign with a ma jority of their players freshman and soph omores playing varsity football for the first time and during the pandemic in 2020. Now, in its third season, Eastmark’s roster is bigger and filled with talent across the board. So much so that the Firebirds have become one of the favor ites to hoist the gold ball in November at the end of the season. “I was reading something this morning, it was a quote from the great Bill Russell,” Molander said. “It said, ‘Do you listen to the boos or the negative comments or the racism?’ He says, ‘No, why would I? I don’t listen to the cheers.’
Eastmark football coach Scooter Molander, wide receiver Austin Johnston, “middle,” and quarterback Mack Molander have high ex pectations this season as the Firebirds return several key starters on both sides of the ball. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff) Eastmark will travel to New Mexico to face Rob ertson on Saturday. It’s the first out-of-state trip for the team. It’s part of what Molander hopes to be a special season for the program’s first large senior class. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff)
Eastmark heads into first game with expectations high
Molander’s son, Mack, has become one of those leaders for the program. A senior, he’s heading into his final season playing under his father at the quarter backMackposition.saidit’s a unique circumstance being a coach’s son. There is some added pressure that comes along with it. Even more so due to the position he plays. But it’s also become enjoyable. He passed for 1,367 yards last year in six games for the Firebirds. He threw 18 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also rushed for 268 yards and a pair of scores.
“We want to set an example for the next class,” Johnston said. “It’s all good on the field but building the school and having a good leadership standard is important to us. We’re going to work hard in the weight room and practice field every week. It’s going to pay off every Friday night.”
Mack, like the oth er seniors, are aiming for a trophy to cap off their high school ca reers. They feel as if they have the talent to do it, even with three of their top players transferring to near by Basha during the summer.Butwith other tal ented teams in the 3A Conference, including Valley Christian in Chandler, they know they have to take it a game at a time. That starts Saturday when Eastmark travels by plane to take on Rob ertson, the defending 3A champion from New Mexico. A flight and stay in a hotel will be a unique experience, as it is the first out-of-state trip for the program.
QueenCreekTribune.com | @QCTribune @QCTribune Get Out For more Get Out News visit QueenCreekTribune.com QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 23GET OUT
Sweet Dreams puts a new twist on wine, cocktails
Sweet Dreams Vineyard and founder Bill Gibbs have brought a cutting-edge product to the cannabis industry. As of early 2021, the company re leased a nonalcoholic, THC-infused red wine and margarita, dubbed “Cannaber net” and “Marijuarita,” respectively.
What Gibbs hadn’t realized is that non-alcoholic wine is not exactly fruitful in the taste department. “It’s not just awful; it’s incredibly ter rible,” he said. “You would never want to have it by the glass. I don’t know exactly what causes that, but without the alco hol in there, it really is bad.’”
Gibbs hired a sommelier and pur chased “every kind of juice known to man.” The two of them, Gibbs said, sat in his kitchen to try and figure out the juice combination that would best mimic the taste of a glass of red wine. After finding the correct combination, Gibbs wasn’t exactly done with the beta stage. He said the “edible experience” is something he did not want his can nabis-infused beverages to mimic, as edibles can be unpredictable and take a long time to take effect. “When I was able to do some research, I realized that this was an issue that the pharmaceutical companies had solved a long time ago to be able to have the ac tive ingredients enter the bloodstream at a much quicker rate,” Gibbs said. “Then, I just went about trying to figure out how to do that.”
Gibbs wanted his product to have the quicker response time that alcohol has –roughly 15 minutes. “With cannabis, it’s been illegal for so long, so there’s no manual,” Gibbs said. “Nobody writes any of this stuff down; it’s not like almost any other industry. If you go into any other industry, there’s
The cost is in the low to high teens for the 187mL bottle of either Cannabernet or Marijuarita and in the low to high $30s for a 750mL bottle of Cannabernet, depending on the strength. As they are both essentially juices, both products must be refrigerated after opening. “The impetus for this is I’m older, and I love to drink alcohol, but it’s just getting harder and harder for me to do,” Gibbs said.“But I love the social experience of be ing around people. So that was kind of the impetus about why I did it; it was selfish on my part. I wanted to drink less alcohol, but I didn’t want to change my lifestyle at all.”
Both products are sold to anyone over the age 21 at Herbal Wellness Centers, as well as a growing number of dispen saries around the Valley.
BY JORDAN HOUSTON Tribune Staff Writer
These beverages also offer fast-acting effects similar to that of an alcohol-based beverage without the hangover. By using nano-emulsification technology, which makes the THC water soluble, the effects are felt in as little as 15 minutes. Cannabernet has half the calories of traditional wine per serving, and the Marijaurita only has 45 calories, which is far fewer than the traditional version of a margarita. Gibbs said keeping his products healthy was at the top of his list for things to accomplish. No stranger to the marijuana indus try, Gibbs founded a dispensary called Urban Greenhouse Dispensary in Phoe nix in 2012 and served as its CEO until he later sold the company to Harvest Health and Recreation. While he was with the company, Gibbs was at a marijuana convention in 2016 when, for fun, he threw a cannabis label on a bottle of wine. “Just out of a lark, I took a bottle of wine and put a cannabis label on it,” Gibbs said. “I got calls from – and of that convention attracts an international crowd – all over the world, from people going, ‘We’re going to get the wine in my location.’ That was kind of an amazing response. I also literally got probably around 100 emails from people.” After selling that dispensary in 2019, Gibbs took a break from the industry. When he decided to get back into it, he followed up on that response he re ceived at that convention. “I thought there would be a million products out there by that time because at that time, nobody had done it,” he said. “I was surprised to see that there was virtually none.” “You know, we’re close to California. I thought I’d get some (nonalcoholic) wine and put THC in it. There you go; there’s the product.”
Sweet Dreams Vineyard founder Bill Gibbs has found a unique product that blends the effects of marijuana with the taste of red wine. (Special to CQT) see
SWEET DREAMS page 24
24 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022GET OUT long legions of people that have done stuffAfterbefore.”learning about nano-emulsi fying technology, he was able to figure out how to correctly utilize it, and he had his finished product. In this case, nano-emulsification converted the THC into something that would allow it to en ter the bloodstream faster.
With JAN D’ATRI
• 8 oz. powdered sugar
• 8 oz. walnuts
• Pinch of salt • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for frying
8. SWEET DREAMS from page 23 If you’ve put off dental care, it’s easy to get back on track. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company now for inexpensive dental insurance. Get help paying for the dental care you need. Don’t wait. Product not available in all states. Includes the Participating (in GA: Designated) Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). Rider kinds: B438, B439 (GA: 6208-0721B439B). DENTAL Insurance Getting back to the dentist couldn’t be easier! CALL 1-855-389-4273TODAYDental50Plus.com/214 Get your FREE Information Kit Know anything interesting going on in Queen Creek? Send your news pmaryniak@timeslocalmedia.comto
• 8 tablespoon cold butter, diced small • 1 cup apricot jelly • 3 tablespoon rum • Vanilla ice cream
• Candied walnuts
Gibbs said the flavor of the juices serve as a blocker to the bitter taste can nabisGibbs,brings.however, said he doesn’t want people to expect a perfect flavor profile to a classic Cabernet. “You’re never going to drink that and go, ‘That’s the best Cabernet I’ve ever had,’” he said. “You’re going to say, ‘It’s wine-like, and it tastes good.’” “The big reason about why I wanted the alcohol experience, is that it includes the social aspect of it,” he said. “You could bring a bottle of this to a party where you might not be able to bring a joint. This encourages the social aspect, which for alcohol, for me, I think is one of the most important and endearing properties of Information:it.” sweetdreamsvineyard. com. Looking for a “go-to” dessert recipe? You can’t go wrong with this delicious combination of apple pastry, candied walnuts, a drizzle of homemade balsamic reduction served with vanilla ice cream. It’s a scrumptious culinary puzzle that fits perfectly together. Make it once, and you’ll go to it time and time again, guaran teed.
GetOut Columnist This go-to dessert will have guests saying ‘more, please’
Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper. Unfold the sheets of puff pastry and cut each sheet into quarters. Place the pastry pieces on the prepared sheet pans and refrigerate while you prepare the apples. Peel and core the apples. Slice the apples in half (from the top of the apple), then slice cross wise in 1/4- inch-thick slices. (8 slices per ½ ap ple). Place 6 overlapping slices of apples diago nally across each piece of pastry and place a slice of apple on each side. Sprinkle the sugar over all the pastry pieces and dot with the butter. Bake for 40 minutes, until the pastry is browned and the edges of the apples start to brown. Rotate the pan once during cooking. If the pastry puffs up in one area, cut a little slit with a knife to let the air out. When the galettes are done, heat the apricot jelly together with the rum and brush the apples and pastry completely with the jelly mixture. Loosen the galettes with a metal spatula so they don’t stick to the paper. Serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of ice cream, walnuts and Maple Balsamic Syrup over top. Make the Balsamic Syrup. In a deep sauce pan over medium low heat, bring the balsamic vinegar and maple syrup to a boil and cook until it reaches 230 degrees. Set aside and al low the mixture to cool to room temperature. (When cooled, it should be the consistency of honey.)Inapot of boiling water, blanch the walnuts in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain walnuts. Heat the frying oil to 300 degrees. Toss the walnuts in the confectioner’s sugar with a pinch of salt until well coated. Heat a skillet with 1 TBSP oil. Over medium high heat, fry the sugar coated walnuts until a deep golden brown, stirring often. Do not burn walnuts. Allow to cool on a silicone sheet. Place one scoop of ice cream on each apple galette. Sprinkle candied nuts over ice cream and drizzle with balsamic syrup. Serves
• Maple balsamic syrup • 7 oz balsamic vinegar • 8 oz. real maple syrup
Ingredients: • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed in the refrigerator
• 6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut in half
• 1 cup sugar
TOCALLADVERTISE480-898-6465 HIRINGNOW JOBS.PHOENIX.ORGJOBS.LOCALPEOPLE.LOCAL QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 | JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG 25 Scan to see all job openings! Now Hiring in Mesa! CMC Steel Arizona has proudly been making the steel that builds America since 2009. We are hiring immediately for all skilled operator positions to be part of building our new, state of the art micro mill from the ground up! At CMC, we offer great benefits and provide all necessary training and certifications. •General Laborer •Shipping & Inventory Crane •MaintenanceOperatorMechanics/Electricians•ProductionOperatorAndmore! JOIN OUR TEAM!
TOCALL ADVERTISE 480-898-6465 HIRINGNOW JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG JOBS.LOCAL PEOPLE.LOCAL 26 JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022Ahwatukee Chandler Gilbert Glendale Mesa North Valley Peoria Phoenix Ahwatukee Chandler Gilbert Glendale Mesa North Valley Peoria Phoenix SanTan Scottsdale Queen Creek West Valley To Advertise Call: 480-898-6465 or email Class@TimesLocalMedia.com CLASSIFIEDS.PHOENIX.ORG Air Conditioning/Heating www.BrewersAC.com Service Call (with repair) • Second OpinionFREEFREE 480-725-3511 SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643 40 Serving the Central Valley Years We are offering $40 OFF our Brewer’s Deluxe 20 point Tune up HERE IS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE OUR 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS REG. $119 EmploymentGeneral PTShuttleBus Drivers,Tempe CDLwithpassenger endorsementrequired. ContactCorey@ (636)577-1919or cheilandgws@ yahoo.com People??? 898-6465orJobEmailEveryClassifiedslookingareintheday!YourPostto:class@timespublications.comCall480WE’RE ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU CLASS@TIMES480.898.6465LOCALMEDIA.COM JOB SEEKERS jobs.phoenix.org 480-898-6465 Freelancing offers a number of perks that everyday employ ment can’t, beginning with the opportunity to make your own schedule. Becoming an on-de mand worker also allows you to dabble in a variety of things, rather than focusing in on one particular job or career path.
GETTING STARTED On-demand work requires an online presence, since you won’t be taking part in a tra ditional interview process or typically even work at a job site. You’ll need to provide a comprehensive landing spot for prospective employers to learn more about your job history, special skills,and work product. Your portfolio can be posted on professional job sites like LinkedIn, or consider launching a personal site. Accept that you might have to take low-paying gigs to begin with, since you’re just getting started. Follow pro spective companies on social media, in order to learn more about the kind of employee they’re interested in. Consid er tailoring some of your early pursuits toward the kind of jobs that they’re already offering.
MAKING YOUR PITCH TARGETED AND SHORT
Make an honest assessment of your particular experience and skillset before applying for a freelance gig. Casting a net that’s too wide will only lead to unhappy clients. Hiring managers who are looking for freelance help typically need to fill the jobs quickly, so your pitch needs to be targeted, short and sweet. Make it easy for them to skim through your query to find key points, and provide a link to your online portfolio to find out more. And don’t forget to craft every pitch for each unique opportunity. Generic queries will often be ignored.
Is Freelancing Right For You? Frustrated with your current job? Become your own boss.
The number of people work ing from home soared as pan demic-related restrictions were put in place. That gave many people a glimpse of the freedom and flexibility that on-demand workers have long enjoyed. Freelancers remain in high demand. They quickly introduce specialized skills to a workforce, and can be hired faster since employers avoid the lengthy interview process involved with hiring full-time personnel. At the same time, freelancers gain valuable ex perience in a variety of work situations. On-demand workers enjoy broadly expanded net working opportunities, while working on a much more per sonalized schedule. They don’t get stuck in a work-related rut either.
A GROWING FIELD
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022 27CLASSIFIEDS Meetings/Events? Get Free notices in Classifieds!the Submit to ecota@TimesLocalMedia.com Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!! Classifieds 480-898-6465 Air Conditioning/Heating Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship New 3-Ton 14 SEER AC Systems Only $5,995 INSTALLED! New Trane Air Conditioners NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 MONTHS! QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE! Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252 833-777-8337 Over 1,000 Five-Star Google Reviews ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Plumbing Heating & Air PlumbSmart Air Duct Cleaning Air Duct Cleaning & Dryer Vents BY JOHN (480) 912-0881 – Licensed & Insured ★ 30+ Years ExperienceHVAC ★ Disinfected & Sanitized With Every Job Glass/Mirror GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices. FREE Estimates WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR Call 480-306-5113 wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Handyman All Estimates are Free • Call: 520.508.1420 www.husbands2go.com LLC Ask me about FREE water testing! • Drywall Repair • RemodelingBathroom • Home Renovations • Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC#317949 SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Irrigation ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded 480.345.1800 Sprinkler & Drip Systems • Modi cations • Installs • 20+ Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty • RepairsSprinkler/Drip • NewPoly/PVCInstalls • Same Day Service 5 -YEAR PART WARRANTY 480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671 Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs We Are State Licensed and Reliable! Free480-338-4011Estimates•SeniorDiscounts ROC#309706 HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Painting PAINTING Interior & ReferencesSeniorDrywallFreeResidential/CommercialExteriorEstimatesRepairsDiscountsAvailable (602) 502-1655 — Call Jason — Plumbing PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH! FREE Service Calls + FREE Estimates Water Heaters Installed - $999 Unclog Drains - $49 10% OFF All Water Puri cation Systems Voted #1 Plumber 3 Years In A Row OVER 1,000 5-STAR REVIEWS Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709 844-560-7755 Remodeling 602-363-2655https://www.rrdelacruzshowerandmore.com/|fredydelacruzluis@icloud.comFREEESTIMATES•COMPETITIVERATES Your best choice for shower walls & floor installation with all kind of materials like wood, laminate & more. 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE | RESPONSIBLE | QUICK RESPONSE *NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR Roofing MonsoonRoofingInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561 10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof 480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com Irrigation Ahwatukee Chandler Gilbert Glendale Mesa North Valley Peoria Phoenix SanTan Scottsdale Queen Creek West Valley To Advertise Call: 480-898-6465 or email Class@TimesLocalMedia.com CLASSIFIEDS.PHOENIX.ORG
28 QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 14, 2022
