SanTan Sun April 6, 2019

April 6–19, 2019 | www.SanTanSun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler and our neighboring communities

Chandler bipartisanship, moms move teen suicide bill

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

In a rare display of legislative bipartisanship in Arizona, Chandler Republicans and Democrats have united to move a suicide prevention training requirement one step closer to reality for school personnel.

The bill, introduced by Ahwatukee Sen. Sean Bowie, last month won the unanimous approval of two House committees with the enthusiastic support of all Democrats and Republicans whose districts include portions of Chandler.

That approval came as both Republicans and Democrats on the House Education and Judiciary committees wept at times as mothers talked about how

LeAnn Hull, who lost her 16-year-old son to suicide, comforts one of his classmates during their appearance last month before the House Education Committee. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

teachers, principals and other personnel might have saved their sons from taking their lives had they been trained in recognizing suicidal tendencies in young people and knowing what to do about it.

That Bowie drew the support of the two Legislative District members of the House – Mitzi Epstein of Tempe and Jennifer Jermaine of Chandler – was no surprise: All three are Democrats.

But he also had strong support from Chandler’s other lawmakers – Democrat Jennifer Pawlik and Republicans Sen. J.D. Mesnard and Rep. Jeff Weninger – as he personally ushered the bill through a series of legislative hoops.

The bill is scheduled to go before the House Rules Committee on April 8 and, if it passes, will then go before the full House. It then must go back for another vote in the Senate because amendments were added after all but two senators voted for the training bill in February.

While the bipartisan support is crucial to passage, it was the mothers of suicide victims whose testimony clearly moved legislators to continue the process for See

SUICIDE on page 8

Racing school’s $1.6M auction depends on what’s in a name

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

The internationally renowned Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving could be under new ownership by May if a big question can be answered to the new owners’ satisfaction: Can it still be called the Bob Bondurant School if its namesake no longer has anything to do with the legendary automobile racing-training facility?

A federal bankruptcy judge last month approved the school’s sale for $1.67

million – if the winning bidder can work out a lease with the tribal firm that owns the land as well as resolve a dispute over the use of the Bondurant name.

Stig Investments Inc. beat out five other bidders for the famed racing school just south of Ahwatukee, according to minutes of the courtroom auction that were filed last week in federal court.

Judge Brenda K. Martin gave Stig until early May to work out a lease with Sun Valley Marina Development Corp. – a development arm of the Gila River Indian See

BONDURANT on page 14

Chandler school rallies around teacher with cancer

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A charter school in Chandler is rallying around a beloved music teacher who is battling cancer and giving students lessons in compassion and bravery in the process.

Great Hearts – Archway Lincoln Academy at 2250 S. Gilbert Road conducted a Relay for Life walk last month to raise money for the American Cancer Society and show support for Sharon Rockmaker, who teaches third through fifth grade music.

Nearly 700 students at the K-5 campus walked in groups of 30 or more in shifts throughout the day as some parents and faculty joined them, culminating a week of activities teachers taught students about cancer and healthy habits to minimize its risk.

Rockmaker is not the only person affiliated with the Chandler Great Hearts campus who has fought cancer.

Great Hearts–Archway Lincoln Academy

school nurse Kim Mustard and parent Amy Garcia are breast cancer survivors and Lincoln Preparatory Academy assistant headmaster Colleen Posner is undergoing treatment. Both Lincoln Preparatory Academy and Archway Lincoln Academy are in the same compound run by the nonprofit.

Oluwatoyin Atolagbe, headmaster at Great Hearts – Archway Lincoln Academy, said Rockmaker is “very committed to her job.”

“She loves her job,” she said. “She loves the children and she loves teaching music. She’s willing to go the extra mile for everybody. For her we decided to have the Relay for Life. We had too many people that were battling cancer.

“We just wanted a way to show them that they were not alone. We just wanted to create awareness among our students.”

Rockmaker has produced “three beautiful concerts” since she started at the See

TEACHER on page 4

Give ‘em a break Sruthi Devagaptapa, 6, and Jett Timmon, also 6, enjoyed their time off from school recently by attending a spring break program the city sponsored at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler. Both kids were working on an art project titled “polka dot fish.” To see other pictures from the activity, see page 12. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

F E AT U R E STO R I E S New south Chandler company facing lawsuits, probes. . . . . . . . .Community Page 23 Chandler herbal shop marks 20 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . Page 25 Chandler kids find space camp out of this world . . . . . . . . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . . Page 46 Young Chandler thespians abound in ‘Little Mermaid’ . . . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 56 New Chandler restaurant caters to all dietary needs . . . . . . . . . .EAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 68

STFF ................................................................... Center Section

More Community . . . . 01-24 Business . . . . . . . .25-32 Sports . . . . . . . . . .41-42 Opinion. . . . . . . . 43-45 Neighbors. . . . . . 46-55 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .56-61 Faith. . . . . . . . . . . 62-63 Directory . . . . . . 64-65 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . .66 Where to Eat . . . 68-70

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COMMUNITY NEWS

TEACHER

from cover

school two years ago, Atolagbe said.

Atolagbe said Rockmaker was feeling pain in her abdominal area in November but she came to the school to ensure a students’ music concert went well, then went to the emergency room after the performances were over. She discovered she had pancreatic cancer and has been on leave getting treatment since.

“Even after she found out that she had cancer, she kept saying, ‘Don’t worry, I’m going to be back to teach the kids in the spring,’” Atolagbe said. “Every time I have spoken with her she has been extremely joyful. She has exhibited indescribable strength and courage.”

Rockmaker’s husband, daughter and sister joined the school’s Relay for Life event, as did some neighbors who are cancer survivors.

Atolagbe said students would stop her in the hallway and ask her how Rockmaker was doing.

“I’d say she’s doing fine,” she said. “One day a student asked me, ‘Is she going to die?’ I said, ‘Listen, honey, I’m not able to answer that question. All I can tell you is she is alive and well right now.’

“I realized we have not educated these children enough about what these dreadful diseases (are). In trying to shield them from the disease, I don’t think in the long run we are helping them. We need to have a healthy conversation about cancer. I didn’t want it to be this dreadful thing that we can’t talk about.”

Teachers talked to students about nutrition, the importance of physical activity and other ways to stay healthy, as well as how to support people afflicted

Marching in a Relay for Life event are, from left: Amy Garcia, a Great Hearts – Archway Lincoln Academy parent and breast cancer survivor; Kim Mustard, school nurse at Great Hearts and a breast cancer survivor; Colleen Posner, assistant headmaster who is fighting cancer; and headmaster Ben Mitchell. (Archway Lincoln PSO)

with cancer.

“We did talk about cancer in terms of it’s a disease that a lot of people have right now, talking about how to support people that have this dreadful disease,” Atolagbe said. “One way to support them is through the Relay for Life.”

Students brought envelopes home to collect donations in honor of someone who is suffering from cancer or to honor or remember someone who has died. They asked for as little as $1 and the students raised more than $4,100 that will go to the American Cancer Society.

The school also set up a meal train, where parents had been bringing Rockmaker food at home.

“I did get a beautiful email from a parent saying wonderful things about the event,”

Atolagbe said. “I feel like the community feels that it was something that the community welcomed and the parents were very happy we did this.”

Fellow cancer survivors including Mustard and Posner spoke at the Relay for Life, as did Rockmaker’s sister.

Mustard, who now has a clean bill of health after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, empathized with Rockmaker and her family members.

Atolagbe said Rockmaker’s family members were “very grateful, very emotional about it” at the relay.

They declined comment about her condition and the event.

“I can relate and I felt right away, I felt for her and her family knowing what the journey will be ahead of her,” Mustard said.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Mustard said she has been offering Rockmaker support if she wants to talk about anything.

She is pleased the school decided to have the relay and week of lessons for students.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Mustard said. “I was so excited when that was the decision made and I jumped right in with both feet. It’s amazing. I think it’s absolutely wonderful. Kids are like sponges.

“To be able to give that information to them and help them understand and not live in fear, to know it’s not scary to hear. I’m very thankful that we were able to raise money for the American Cancer Society and to continue to celebrate and save lives and participate in such a wonderful cause.”

Mustard, who recently started working at the school, also praised Rockmaker.

“Everybody absolutely loves her and she’s a joy to have for the students,” she said.

Atolagbe echoed Mustard’s sentiment, calling Rockmaker “kindhearted” and “the teacher that waits to clean up after everybody” after events at the school.

“The kids love her because she’s very passionate about music,” Atolagbe said.

“She turns everything into music, even the directions into the classroom. She’ll sing quietly. She takes her time to explain things to them. She will not stop until they get it.”

She said she is thinking about starting a GoFundMe account to raise money for Rockmaker.

People can donate more money to the Great Hearts – Archway Lincoln Academy’s Relay for Life at main.acsevents.org/goto/ greatheartslincoln.

ASU research team seeks breast cancer survivors for study SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

There aren’t many research programs where participants not only are contributing to possible medical advances and making a little money but also engaging in activity designed to make them feel better.

But that’s exactly what breast cancer survivors can expect from the “Recovery and Rejuvenation Study” that the Arizona State University School of Nursing and Health Innovation offers.

Organizers of the study, now in its fourth year and slated to wind up this fall, are now enrolling survivors for a free eight-week series of one-hour classes that will start next month in Tempe and in May in Mesa. There also will be a series in June in central Phoenix and in July in south Scottsdale.

The $70 gift cards that participants receive after completing the eight weeks may be the smallest benefit that participants can expect.

They also will learn some “gentle movement” techniques and get educational support – both of which can help survivors immensely, according to the chief investigator for the research study.

“Evidence-based research indicates gentle movement and peer support are both associated with significant benefits for cancer survivors during treatment and beyond,” said Dr. Linda Larkey, principal investigator for the ASU research study. “We are hoping to learn why that might be, and which approach is most beneficial.”

“All three of our classes have been shown in earlier research to benefit participants; We

Dr. Linda Larkey, ASU’s principal investigator in the breast cancer study, demonstrates the gentle movements that participants will learn. (Courtesy of ASU)

are looking more closely at all three to learn more about the kinds of advantages that participants receive,” she added.

Women must meet three criteria to learn more about the study. They must be a Stage 0 to Stage III breast cancer survivor; between 45 and 75 years of age; and at least six months to 10 years past primary treatment. They can call ASU’s research study line at 602-496-2329 or email RnR@ asu.edu for specifics on enrollment.

Although organizers are mum about all the details and specific objectives of the study, project manager Julie Bucho-Gonzalez said, “When the study ends, we invite participants to join us for a public celebration where we describe the discoveries that they have made pos-

sible.” That includes new applications of the knowledge they yielded from their research.

Participants also are told more about the study’s specific goals when they show up for class.

Spokeswoman Nancy Howe said, “We gather information from our participants one week before classes begin, one week after classes end, and about six months after the last class. In this way, we hope to capture both short-term and long-term effects of the skills and techniques our participants learn.”

Although the last series of classes is scheduled for September – about five years since the first – the study team will continue analyzing data into early 2020.

“The importance of the study is reflected by the significant financial investment that the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute has made to support the work over these five years,” Howe said.

She said the project has been designed to be a “gold standard” of research, which is the randomized control trial.

“That means that our participants are randomly assigned to one of our three classes: two of the classes are gentle movements and the third is a book-clublike discussion group,” Howe explained.

Instructors are trained ASU staff.

“Each class learns different techniques; We ask participants to tell us about their experiences and their insights in their own words as they become familiar with the techniques they are learning and their continued practice,” Howe said.

The Tempe classes begin April 9 at the Pyle Adult Recreation Center while the Mesa classes begin May 4 in an industrial park near Baseline Road and Stapley Drive.

“We always want more participants: The more women we have in our research, the greater the confidence we have in our results,” Howe said.

While the $70 gift cards are meant as a show of appreciation for the participants’ time, they also will have a sense of giving back.

“Breast cancer survivors in our classes are enthusiastic about the essential role they play in helping advance the science and making recovery easier for women who come after them,” Larkey said. “Women tell us the classes are fun, and often, inspiring.”

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Downtown Chandler projects unearth historic infrastructure

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

The deep-rooted history of downtown Chandler is making way for two entirely new developments as part of the city’s effort to revitalize the area.

And the long-awaited Overstreet and New Square projects, located a block apart on Arizona Avenue, unearthed an old infrastructure in the city’s historic square that took work crews by surprise.

Atop the challenge of being surrounded by vital Century Link conduit on three sides, workers on the Overstreet project have had to contend with a 100-year-old web of gas station lines, home sewage systems and other hidden infrastructure, according to project manager Darrell Malin of LGE Design Build.

Malin said the project was delayed for nine months after the discovery of the underground chaos as he was tasked with redesigning the layout of foundation and load-bearing support structures.

He said he had to “tip-toe” around important wiring.

“Just when you thought you caught it all, you’d find more,” Malin said. “At some points, I felt like we were archeologists.

I mean we were in there with hand tools making sure we had found everything trying to determine if it was necessary to keep.”

Downtown Redevelopment Manager Kim Moyers said the New Square development also served up similar underground obstacles that one contractor described as “a bowl of spaghetti.”

Because of the time, money and effort

Once completed, downtown Chandler’s Overstreet project is expected to bring in hundreds of jobs and new attractions that will continue to fire up the city’s economy, officials said. (Special to the STSN)

necessary to sort out the subterranean sites, Chandler City Council purchased the land with intent to lease it out after construction is complete through what is known as a Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET).

“We knew that there was infrastructure in there,” she said. “So, we’ve had to do a great deal of research and study, and

that’s part of the reason the city goes in and assembles these properties to make it more attractive to a developer,” she said.

Moyers added that she understood developers want to have a positive impact on the community, but with such a disorderly underground infrastructure, it would have been hard to find a builder to take on the project.

There has to be a “balance of making it profitable for them but advantageous for the community as well,” Moyers said.

“Without this tool – or if it were not for this tool – this land would be very difficult to ever develop … and quite frankly if not for tools like the GPLET, they would just lose money,” Moyers added, noting: “Really it’s an incentive for redevelopment and the reason that it’s an important tool in particular for downtown is because our downtown is the oldest place in the entire city. So, we’ve had many properties in certain plots that have been developed several times. As we continue redeveloping, there’s more infrastructure underneath and it makes projects much more costly downtown.”

The Overstreet Project is projected to be an anchor of the downtown area.

The modern and stylish development, which could introduce $51.8 million to the city annually, is set to feature upscale eateries like Eggstacy and Camp Social, a micro-brewery and movie theater called Flix Brewhouse, second-story offices and a recently completed 350-space free parking garage.

Moyers said the impact the development will have on Chandler’s economy is what makes the project so “attractive.”

Last week, Revint Solutions signed an 18,492-square-foot lease at Overstreet, with Scott Boardman and Dave Carder of

Cushman & Wakefield representing the landlord and Tanner Milne of The Menlo Group representing the tenant.

“This lease transaction with Revint Solutions is another example of office tenants looking to relocate in vibrant live, work, play environments,” Boardman said, citing the developer’s “track record of designing and building cutting edge urban/ suburban mixed-use projects that office tenants love to be a part of.”

The company plans to occupy the space

by July 2019, moving from East Germann Road in Chandler.

“Overstreet is the ideal location for a forward-thinking company like Revint Solutions,” said David Sellers, president and CEO of Phoenix-based LGE Design Build, which developed Overstreet. “Employees will find creative office space in a live-work-play atmosphere that truly has no comparison in the Valley.”

The city expects Revint to bring 135 “high-paying” jobs to downtown and that an additional 100 to 150 will be created by the first-floor eateries when they open.

“This development is crucial to the downtown,” Moyers said of Overstreet.

“Most of the downtown areas of any community are kind of the heartbeat of the community, and how you treat that downtown is an important factor when people are looking to relocate here both personally and professionally,” said Moyers.

Although not as far along, New Square, across from City Hall, is also making progress.

A centrally located green space will be surrounded by a 112-room Hilton Garden Inn, a three-story glass curtain building with lower level retail space, a separate multi-tenant office building and a 940-space free parking garage.

GOT NEWS? CONTACT PAUL MARYNIAK AT 480-898-5647 OR PMARYNIAK@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SUICIDE

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

from cover

passing the bill, which requires all school personnel who deal with students in sixth through 12th grade undergo training every three years in proven techniques for recognizing suicidal children and teens and knowing what to do to help them.

“There really is a crisis when it comes to our young people and teen suicide, particularly in the East Valley,” Bowie told the Education Committee.

Added five-year legislator Weninger: “I have never testified on another person’s bill in a committee that wasn’t mine. To me, this is that important through the whole state to get this done.”

Both Bowie and Weninger were partly referring to the suicides of 33 teens from Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek since July 2017 and at least five more in Scottsdale and SanTan Valley.

Mountain Pointe English teacher Lori Warnock – whose only child Mitch took his life as a student at Corona del Sol High School two years and five months ago and for whom the bill is named – was one of several mothers who told both committees in gut-wrenching detail why training was so vital.

She recalled that after Mitch died, “the teachers were told by administrators not to speak about suicide because it would encourage the other children to kill themselves.

“We were told the young man who died by suicide wasn’t depressed because depressed people wouldn’t have the energy to kill themselves, rather he was angry. The implication was that his family was dysfunctional and so we ignored the rest of our students who suffered in the week after his death,” she said.

Republican state Rep. Bret Roberts of the Tucson area had trouble making his statement before voting in favor of the suicide prevention training bill after hearing moms testify about losing their sons. It stuck him that he and his wife have an 11-month old baby and he said he couldn’t imagine their pain.

(Special to the SanTan Sun News)

with five more in nearby communities – have taken their lives.

She noted that Tempe Union last year had 800 teachers and other staff undergo training offered and now know “signs of depression, anxiety and suicide, and know what to say, what to do and precisely who to talk to.”

“I am not an expert on behavioral health,” she said. “I am not a counselor, but now I know the words to use and where to go with the information I glean from suicide prevention training.”

LeAnn Hull, who has lobbied for suicide prevention training since her 16-year-old son took his life in 2012, recalled how “I didn’t know anything

After another episode, she said, her son left his closed campus at 9 a.m., went home and fatally shot himself.

A college student told the committee that she knew Hull’s son when she was a high school freshman, breaking down in tears when she recalled his suicide and that of another student three months later.

“The heartbreak we all went through is something I wouldn’t wish upon anyone and I dream that this bill will save more families and communities from this heartbreak,” she said. “So many of us share the belief this bill will give teachers the tools that I didn’t see in my four years of high school when it comes to suicide

Members of the state House Education Committee were left in tears by the heart-rending testimony of teen suicide victims’ mothers, as demonstrated by Kingman Rep. Regina Cobb, left, and Mesa Rep. Michelle Udall, who is a teacher when the Legislature is not in session. Udall said teachers want this training.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

“I can attest that children who died by suicide do not all come from dysfunctional families. Ours was not one.

There’s a lot of misinformation that can be corrected by the free training provided by a number of suicide prevention organizations,” Warnock said, adding: “No plan, no evidence-based training has devastating results. I know that to be true from personal experience. Suicide clusters are a real phenomenon and we have the data to back that claim up in the East Valley where I reside.”

She was referring to the fact that since July 2017, 33 East Valley teens in Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek – along

about suicide, but I knew that there were things going on with my son,” who was bullied by a teacher.

“He loved life, he loved what he was doing,” she said, noting how the teacher had failed him on a paper because he didn’t write between the margins.

“I pleaded with the head of the department, who had ignored me,” she recalled. “I pleaded with his counselor, who told me four days before Andy shot himself that he’d get back to me because the seniors were more important and Andy would be fine. I pleaded with the dean of students, but because they don’t know what to do, they’re not educated.”

prevention. I strongly believe that you can never be too careful because every single life matters.”

Sheila Ortega Hedstrom Pelger told the committee about her 17-year-old son Tyler’s suicide, a week before he was to start his senior year.

“During the fall of his junior year, Tyler was found by two of his female classmates on multiple occasions sobbing in a dark supply room,” she said. “The first two times they comforted him and talked with him. The third time they went to the teacher with their concerns. The teacher knew Tyler very well. He sympathized with his despair, but did not escalate this

to a counselor and did not notify me. He was not trained in suicide prevention. I didn’t know about these incidents until about six months after Tyler died.

“I just want to make it very clear that I don’t blame anybody including our family, including the teachers, but I do know that that was one opportunity missed. It’s a fact that depression usually precedes suicide and I believe that teachers and staff can save lives with this training so they can recognize the signs of depression, anxiety and suicide risk,” she added.

Members of the committee were rattled by the parade of witnesses and some passed a box of Kleenex among them.

Kingman Republican Rep. Regina Cobb fought back tears in vain as she explained why she was voting for the bill and two members talked about suicides in their own family – one, Pinal Republican John Fillmore, talked of how his daughter 15 years ago called him frantically about how she “tried to put his brains back in his head.”

Mesa Republican Kelly Townsend said, “I can’t say I understand what you’re going through, but what I can say is that I know that there are no words that I can say to make it any better.”

Townsend also told the mothers, “Thank you on behalf of the parents in the future who are not going to lose her children because of what you’re doing here, I know it doesn’t make it any better for you, but there will be lives saved because of you.”

Education Committee Chair Michelle Udall, a Mesa Republican, also thanked the mothers “for sharing, for taking something so horrific in your lives and trying to use your experience to make the world better, make our state better.”

Udall, a part-time teacher, added, “I can tell you that teachers do want this training.

They want to know how they can help.

They see children in distress and they want to know how they can help.”

The same heart-rending drama played out among Judiciary Committee members.

Tucson-area Republican Rep. Bret Roberts broke down several times, telling the parents of suicide victims, “There’s a lot of work done. My daughter just turned 11 months old yesterday,” before voting “yes” as he wiped tears from his eyes.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Chandler lawmaker gives up on state income tax fight

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

With less than two weeks until the filing deadline, Chandler Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard and other proponents of saving Arizonans from an unexpected $155-million income tax hike sought by Gov. Doug Ducey this year have given up.

But they’re still hoping to give back to taxpayers next year what they say is an unearned “windfall’’ for the state.

Rep. Ben Toma, R-Peoria, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, said Includes a Tuesday there simply isn’t time to adjust 16-Point Arizona tax laws to deal with the fact that Inspection changes in federal laws will mean higher LIMITED TIME ONLY bills for some state residents.

“I’ve been telling all my friends to file,” RESIDENTIAL ONLY REG. $99 he said.

Mesnard, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, pointed out that many state residents already have, in fact, INSTANT ** filed their returns.

OR REBATES New figures Tuesday from the state UP TO FOR 48 MONTHS† Department of Revenue show that more than 1.9 million returns already have been received out of what may be an estimated 3 million expected based on prior years.

The forms used by those filers include changes in Arizona tax law that the G governor wants, the ones legislative AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING staffers say will boost state revenues by $155 million, even though that has yet to be approved by the legislature.

But Mesnard said that, given the timing, he doesn’t want to create a situation now where Arizonans who already used those forms would have to AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING file amended returns.

Both Toma and Mesnard told Capitol AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Media Services, though, that they continue to demand that any final deal with Ducey will ensure that Arizonans in the long run won’t get hit up for more taxes than otherwise would have occurred.

UNSTOPPABLE PRODUCTS. And that, they said, is likely to mean UNBELIEVABLE DEALS. preparing legislation to be enacted this r UP TO te -up WINTER year that either refunds the $155-million Trane systems put through the harshest testing imaginable — in eare all so they n run through anything. And now, you can get W ucan excess when people file their 2019 TUNE-UP 0% APR for months or instant rebates up to $1,000**.

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Selected Systems REG. $99. *On Selected REG. $99.

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Utility Rebates* TUNE-UP changes in federal law signed OR u ( IN WITH THE PURCHASE $ T $ condenser coil rinse ( 1,295 ($1,495 Value No Charge) condenser coil rinse Includes a 16-Point 1,295 Value $1,495 IN-inNo Charge) inin late 2017.

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LIC. NO.PURCHASE RESIDENTIAL ONLY WITH THE OF A NEW *On Selected Systems ( 1,295 Value No Charge) REG. $99. *On Selected Systems Utility Rebates* REG. $99.

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Chandler state Sen. J.D. Mesnard explained why he and other Republicans were dropping their fight with Gov. Doug Ducey over state income tax changes.

(Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services)

conforming to federal law would be to increase state tax collections by about $155 million.

That proved politically unacceptable to Mesnard and Toma as well as to most GOP lawmakers. So they pushed through the Republican-controlled legislature what they saw as a simple solution: reduce tax brackets by 0.11 percentage points to shed the extra dollars.

Ducey, who wants the extra dollars for the state’s “rainy-day fund,” wasted no time in using his power to veto the measure. And with Democrats wanting to keep the extra cash, there are not the votes for an override.

Now, with taxes due in less than two weeks, time is running out to create a revenue-neutral fix this year. So now they are focused on how to fix the problem by enacting a future change in the tax code.

The key, said Toma, is to be sure that, just because the state gets extra tax dollars this year because of the federal changes, this does not continue “in perpetuity.’’ More significant, he wants any extra dollars collected this year given back in future years.

“There are different ways to do that,” he said. “It could include a one-time tax credit” on individual 2019 taxes.

“It could include some sort of increased exemption for one year just to sort of make it right, if you will,” Toma continued.

“We haven’t landed on anything specific.”

Still, Toma conceded it won’t be a “perfect offset,’’ with no guarantee that the people who will pay more on their returns this year will get back the same amount next year.

Mesnard said a crucial component is having the entire package – both the conformity for this year and the tax offsets for future years – approved as a single package to deter future mischief.

The Arizona Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of the legislature not only to increase taxes but also to eliminate any tax cuts or deductions.

Mesnard said that means if a bill is approved this year for a future tax break, it would take a two-thirds vote of a future legislature to repeal it. That, in turn, would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the governor or future lawmakers to undo the package and the refund of that $155 million.

“My main concern is to make sure that, on the whole, taxpayers are equal to, if not better off than they were,” he said.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

12

Breaking good

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Spring break activities sponsored by the City of Chandler gave lots of children some creative ways to spend their time away from school, as this art class at Tumbleweed Park shows. Among the participants who worked on either a “polka dot fish” or “raised salt painting” were, from left: 1) Fianna Maugaotega provided some guidance; 2) Madison Conteen, 5; a group that worked on the salt painting; 4) Kasen Kelterborn and Russell Zhang; 5 and 6) instructor Danelle Ebert and 7) Ryan Thomas.

All photographs by Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

BONDURANT

from cover

Community, where the school has been located since 1990. Racing legend Bob Bondurant and his wife Patricia founded the school in California in 1968.

Martin allowed the school to be auctioned after the Bondurants’ bankruptcy lawyers saw no other way to save it from a sea of red ink.

But the personal attorneys for the Bondurants asserted that whether the name will be part of the acquisition had to be settled by a separate agreement between them and whoever placed the winning bid.

Also off the table in the auction, they asserted, is a museum on the site that contains extensive memorabilia and a small fleet of motorcycles and cars at the site, located on the Gila River Indian Community next to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

With $3.5 million in debts, the Bondurants filed for bankruptcy last October – nine months after the couple had celebrated the 50th anniversary of the school’s founding in Orange County, California. It moved to the Gila River Indian Community site in 1990.

Over those 50 years, the school has been a training ground for an estimated 500,000 beginners learning to drive, military and law enforcement personnel learning advanced pursuit and evasion techniques and competitive racers. It also became a popular venue for corporate team-building activities and charity fundraising events.

In the nine months that followed the anniversary celebration, a variety of factors pushed the school into seeking bankruptcy protection so it could reorganize its finances.

Those factors included the loss of “a substantial contract with the U.S. Government to train military personnel” that was worth millions, and a downturn in the auto industry’s economy that resulted in what the Bondurants called “inconsistent” payments from the school’s two primary sponsors – Dodge and Fiat.

As a result, court papers state, that “disrupted Bondurant School’s ability to remain current with its own vendors” – including rent to an arm of the Gila River

Less than two years after celebrating the 49th anniversary of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, owners Bob and Patty Bondurant were dealing with huge debts. [Facebook)

Indian Community, which owns the site where the school is located. Back rent now totals more than $245,000.

Lawyers for the school called the auction an effort to “continue operation as a going concern and avoid liquidation in the near future.”

They also told the court the school’s financial state had further been hurt by a walkout in November that was led by the Bondurants’ son, Jason, who had been the school vice president until he resigned late last year.

In turn, that rumor cost the school its “most long-standing sponsor,” Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which lawyers said terminated a 45-year relationship “with scant explanation.”

The school then lost its insurer, forcing it to get a more expensive policy, as landlord Sun Valley Marina Development Corp. threatened to lock out school personnel and take over the facility for nonpayment of rent and banks sought to repossess dozens of racing cars for failure to maintain timely lease payments.

The school to no avail also “engaged in discussions, document and information exchange and negotiations with more than 20 individuals and groups” to secure some kind of emergency financing and provide relief from creditors’ pressure, court records show.

Several banks also wanted to repossess at least 100 high-performance and other

cars worth more than $9 million.

In the fight over the name, the Bondurants’ personal lawyers filed court papers objecting to the sale including Bob Bondurant’s “name and likeness and related intellectual property” as well as the museum.

“Any buyer of the (school’s) assets will not acquire the right to use Bob’s name and/or likeness, the memorabilia or any of the information in the archive unless he, she or it reaches a separate agreement with the Bondurants,” the couple’s lawyer told the court.

The museum houses seven motorcycles – one dating to 1940 – and dirt bikes and nine high-performance and other automobiles as well as a variety of memorabilia from Bob Bondurant’s days as an international racing star.

In an affidavit filed with the court, his wife said he stored the memorabilia at the school and displayed it in a museum on the site “because he knew and appreciated the curiosity and great interest that customers of the school had in those vehicles and the other assets due to Bob’s career as one of the country’s greatest American race car drivers.

“He also knew that many fans of motor racing as well as persons passionate about classic vehicles were interested in seeing the museum cars, the memorabilia, the photographs and other material in archive and the other property,” her affidavit added.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Patty Bondurant also ended her affidavit with a stern warning.

Unless someone negotiated the sale of everything from the vehicles to the use of Bob Bondurant’s name, she said, “Any purchaser will be required to remove Bob’s name and likeness and my name and likeness from all web sites, social media platforms, retail locations, advertising, publicity pieces, signs, vehicles and any and all other material in any form.

“Bob and I will aggressively prosecute causes of action against any person, including a purchaser of the school, who uses any of the museum cars, memorabilia, other property, his name and likeness, photographs, videos, articles, interviews of bob or me and/ or any pictures or information from the archives without first entering into agreements with bob on terms acceptable to us.”

But the lawyers for the school disagreed strenuously and said the Bondurants have lost any legal right to protect their name from continuing to be used regardless of whoever owns the school.

“To be absolutely clear: no party wants to treat Bob Bondurant unfairly. All parties recognize he built this business over an illustrious 50-year career. What he owns, the (school) is not attempting to take.”

On the issue of the museum, they noted, “There are multiple ‘Museum Cars’ that have no clear evidence of ownership.”

The school’s lawyers also asserted that the school, and not Bondurant personally, owns his name, memorabilia and image.

“Bondurant cannot lawfully prevent the use of his name, image or likeness embodied in the marks, or currently embodied in the memorabilia and archive; the Bondurant name embodies the significant goodwill that has been built over the 51-year history of the school,” they said, adding: “The statement that Mr. Bondurant never transferred the right to use his name or the memorabilia or the archive to the (school) is demonstrably false.”

It added that the prospective new owner would own virtually anything with Bob Bondurant’s name – even his personalized signature.

Chandler road expansion projects aim to fight future gridlock

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

After reviewing traffic patterns throughout south Chandler, the city transportation department has determined several road expansion projects are necessary to relieve future potential for gridlock.

“We look about 20 years (into the future) at anything and everything that could add to traffic so residential, commercial, industrial, office, the whole bit,” city engineer Dan Cook said.

Major roadway overhaul projects to be completed over the next few years include: Chandler Heights Road from McQueen Road and Gilbert Road; Cooper Road from Riggs Road to Chandler Heights Road; Ocotillo Road from Gilbert Road to 148th Street; and Queen Creek Road from McQueen Road to Gilbert Road and Cooper Road to Nightingale Lane.

Cook said the road expansion does not

necessarily signify growth throughout the city, though it does suggest a projected increase in traffic over the next 20 years.

Development patterns across the Valley are taken into account, as well as the average number of cars and what types of vehicles are driving on the city’s road each day in all directions.

“The research just signifies growth in traffic. It could come from areas a lot further east or west. So, we look at all the traffic that’s coming through, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Chandler is getting bigger. It could be areas miles away getting bigger, but we still need to accommodate for the traffic either way,” Cook said.

There are no anticipated road closures for any of the projects, Cook said, because the work is happening in several phases.

However, there could be a single day “here or there” in which a portion of the road may need to be shut down and traffic will be redirected, he said.

“We’re going to maintain the same number of traffic lanes that are there today so we’re not going to be closing the roads down for a week,” said Cook, adding: “There might be some short-term closures because we have to get water lines across existing roads, but those would be an overnight thing or maybe one day but certainly should be able to still get traffic through”.

The Queen Creek Road expansion is one of the larger projects, which began just over a month ago. The roadwork, covering about two miles, is projected to be completed in the summer of 2020.

The road currently features anywhere from two to four lanes depending on where the driver is, but will transition into a sixlane road, three lanes in each direction, and is anticipated to remain open throughout the entirety of its expansion.

“Queen Creek Road is the major eastwest thoroughfare that goes out to the I-10.

So there’s a lot of traffic on that, and the traffic projections in our twenty-year life cycles show there is going to be a lot more traffic there – people commuting to work, things like that,” Cook said.

In addition to the extra lanes, the project will also feature pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes throughout the entire strip of roadway, raised and flushed medians, curb gutters, sidewalks, street lighting, landscaping, drainage improvements and utility upgrades where necessary.

Just down the street, Chandler Heights is under a similar overhaul from Arizona Avenue to McQueen Road allowing the mile stretch to have four lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes and more.

The project began six weeks ago and should be complete in 10 months. The road work will be continued to extend the four lanes to Gilbert Road in fall of 2020.

“There’s a lot going on,” Cook said. “But the improvements down there are needed, there’s no question about it.”

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

EV firm’s foundation seeking grant applications SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Isagenix Legacy Foundation is now accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations that address the focus areas related to the Gilbert-based business that created it.

Those areas include healthy nutrition and support for underserved children, wellness education for all and aid for those affected by natural disasters. Nonprofits must apply by April 30 at IsagenixLegacyFoundation.com.

The Isagenix Legacy Foundation expects to award single-year or multiyear grants in amounts of up to $250,000 per year. Recipients will be notified in July and announced at the Isagenix Global Celebration 2019 event in August in Nashville, Tennessee. The foundation awarded its first round of grants, totaling $665,400 to 16 US-based nonprofits in January.

“We look forward to hearing from nonprofits who share the foundation’s passion for providing the basic needs of every child, person and family,” said

Isagenix CEO Travis Ogden. “Based on our first round of grant applications, we expect many outstanding candidates to consider as partners in our mission to leave a legacy in communities around the world.”

Isagenix launched the foundation last year and, during its first 24 hours of fundraising, raised $2.3 million in donations from the company’s independent distributors, customers and employees and a matching pledge from Isagenix co-founders Jim and Kathy Coover.

Isagenix International covers all administrative costs of the foundation so 100 percent of donations can benefit those in need.

Established in 2002, Isagenix provides systems for weight loss, performance, vitality and well-being, personal care and beauty and financial wellness.

It claims 600,000 customers worldwide have tried some of more than 100 products, packs and systems globally and generated $5 billion in sales through independent distributors.

Small park in Chandler makes room for big improvements

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

The city of Chandler is taking on the full reconstruction of Summit Point Park, one of the area’s smallest recreational areas, with the hope of inspiring residents both young and old to get outdoors and play.

The park is quaint, sitting on just .29 acres of land in the heart of one of Chandler’s many packed neighborhoods situated near Alma School Road and Elliot Road.

The corner lot will be under a $284,205 renovation from April to July, with the intent of better utilizing the area’s limited space.

Though it may be small, the positive impact Summit Point Park has on the community has been substantial since its construction over three decades ago. The corner lot has been used by families in the area for years, and is a staple for both those that live in surrounding homes and

visitors passing through town on holiday.

Mona Lane lives in Indiana, but when she visits her two grandchildren that live in the neighborhood she makes a point to stop at the park with her entire family. She said her grandkids love the space because there are so many opportunities to run, play and climb on the playground equipment.

“The boys climb higher every year,” she said, adding that the children love to race their uncle across the jungle gym bridge. “The boys always win. My grandkids love Summit Point Park.”

However, during her next trip to Chandler, Lane will also have a plethora of activities to indulge in herself while her grandchildren play.

After hosting two public input meetings, Community Services Planning Manager Mickey Ohland has developed a conceptual plan for the park that hits on the prominent inclinations of residents, and said their opinions play a large role in determining what adjustments the park

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“One of the things we try to do is take a look at everybody that’s coming to the park and listen. There are parents that bring their children, but you also have grandparents that take their grandchildren to the park, so what are amenities that they can do while they’re here,” said Ohland, adding one of the most popular additions requested by the community is outdoor fitness equipment.

The requests were modest compared to the city’s plans for the area. Ohland, his team of engineers and other key role players in the department are now preparing to take Summit Point to entirely new heights.

Currently, the lot has a large, vacant alley idly existing at its far end. The reconstruction will expand the park northeast into the backstreet, creating room for a cornhole bag toss game, new vegetation, a rubber surface filled with

sidewalk-styled games and, of course, the highly desired fitness stations.

The rest of the reconstruction will also feature sidewalk improvements, a new water fountain, an additional shade canopy, benches and picnic tables, more trash cans, higher fencing and new irrigation and lighting fixtures.

The Community Services department takes on the rehabilitation of two to three of the city’s 67 parks a year, which Ohland said is equally important to creating new recreational areas in places that may not already have one.

“Parks play an important role in the quality of life in Chandler. Investing in parks such as Summit Point Park ensures that Chandler’s parks are kept up to date and the recreational needs of the community are being met,” Ohland continued. “We want to make sure that all of our parks are attractive, well-maintained and provide a positive experience for our residents.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Family event kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The First Things First East Maricopa and Southeast Maricopa regions will partner with the Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition for the fifth free, annual Family Fun Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m., today, April 6, in Chandler to kick off National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“We want to raise awareness that prevention matters in protecting children,” said Al Moore, coalition chair.

“We are pleased to bring the community together for a positive event that will promote the well-being of caregivers and children with concrete resources and tools that will help strengthen families.”

The coalition hosts the free, familyfriendly event at Pomeroy Elementary School, 1507 W. Shawnee Drive, in efforts to raise awareness on child abuse prevention. The public is invited to the free, family-friendly event that will include booths and information for kids and families, displays of fire trucks, ambulances and a mobile command unit.

There will also be free food, bounce houses, princesses, superheroes, crafts and other fun activities for the children.

In Arizona, more than half of the children in the child welfare system are under the age of 5. And, every month, about 1,000 new children come in to foster care. The coalition was started in response to the death of 3-year-old Schala Vera of Chandler, who was beaten

to death by her mother’s boyfriend in 2009.

“In Schala’s case we knew there were repeated signs of maltreatment that were not being reported,” Moore said. “We have to do more to prevent this from happening and help end the cycle of abuse.”

Young children under the age of 3 are more likely than any other age group to be abused or neglected, are more likely to be removed from their birth parents, and typically stay in foster care longer.

Because 90 percent of a child’s critical brain development happens by age 5, these negative experiences can have lasting impacts to a child’s physical and emotional health, their performance in school and their participation in risky behaviors.

First Things First advocates several ways to prevent child abuse: • Become a foster or adoptive parent by calling 1-877-543-7633; • Volunteer at or donate to communitybased organizations that support children and families.

• Join a child abuse prevention council in your area.

• Be a child’s voice in court by becoming a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (azcourts.gov/casa).

First Things First is a voter-created organization that funds programs to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten.

Information: firstthingsfirst.org

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Longtime EV tech school chief may lose job

BY JIM WALSH Staff Writer

It may not be easy or cheap, but the East Valley Institute of Technology governing board is working on a separation agreement with suspended Superintendent Sally Downey.

Downey, a charismatic leader and a former Mesa Woman of the Year, was placed on indefinite administrative leave in January as the newly elected governing board asked for an investigation by attorney Susan Segal, an expert in education law.

Segal’s subsequent investigation uncovered a series of alleged violations of state contract and procurement laws – including a contract to supervise construction of a $33-million expansion in east Mesa – that are now being examined by the Arizona Attorney General’s office.

The board last week met in executive session for the stated purpose of discussing a “separation agreement” that would end Downey’s 19-year reign as the head of a district that provides career technical education to high school students from Gilbert, Higley, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe and Scottsdale.

The violations alleged by Segal include hiring House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, as a substitute teacher, despite his lack of certification and a failure to obtain bids on a contract awarded to an ex-legislator and former Tempe city council member.

With multiple investigations underway by the AG as well as the state Depart-

SALLY DOWNEY

ment of Education, the board voted 7-2 to instruct an attorney to proceed with a strategy discussed in the executive session related to the settlement agreement, the details of which remain shrouded in secrecy.

The matter may come up for another vote as early as April 8, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary and perks in play.

Downey’s three-year extension on her contract was signed last year and runs through 2021 with a base salary of $188,613 annually.

Her perks include a $30,000 per year annuity contribution, a $750 monthly car allowance and a $100,000 life insurance policy.

Although EVIT normally has a low profile, it is an important institution with a wide regional presence in the East Valley,

with an enrollment of 3,932 and campuses in west and east Mesa, Apache Junction and Fountain Hills.

High school students split their day between regular classes at their school and vocational classes at EVIT. The two Mesa campuses host the lion’s share of students.

Downey did not respond to a request for comment.

Shon Rasmussen, a supporter of Downey’s, said that Downey’s attorney, Michael Pruitt, is attempting to negotiate a settlement with Segal that could be approved at the next board meeting.

“She’s been totally disrespected,” Rasmussen said. “It will be a cloud over her legacy. She does not deserve that.”

Rasmussen said the board has been unfair to Downey by not allowing her to respond to Segal’s charges, especially after her many years of service at EVIT. “She has an absolute gift to get people to feel comfortable with her,” he said.

“She has built our school through her gifts and the gifts from the community.”

Ben Smith, a former Mesa Public Schools governing board president, said the new EVIT board pursued a plan to oust Downey immediately after the November election.

“They put her and two principals on paid leave without notice and they hired Susan Segal to find something,” Smith said.

Segal appears to have found plenty.

Her report shows a pattern of cutting corners on laws intended to protect taxpayers from preferential treatment and no-bid contracts.

It includes allegations of a November board meeting that was not properly posted under the state Open Meeting Law, likely rendering the board’s actions moot and requiring a new meeting on a contract to supervise the $33-million east Mesa campus expansion project. That project has not begun.

Even an extension of Downey’s previous contract – which gave her a substantial raise – was bungled because state law required the board to wait longer before extending it, Segal’s report says.

Katie Conner, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, said the portion of Segal’s report dealing with possible procurement law violations is under investigation for potential civil violations that could result in fines.

Above: EVIT’s governing board met in executive session March 25 to discuss a “separation agreement” that would terminate Superintendent Sally Downey’s contract, then came out for a public meeting that referred to the discussion in a circumspect way. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer) Right: Assistant EVIT Superintendent Chad Wilson has been in charge since Downey was put on paid leave by the governing board in January. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

Prior to joining the law firm of Gust Rosenfeld, Segal was division chief in the Public Advocacy Section of the Arizona Attorney General’s office. She also served as section chief in the Education and Health Section.

She has advised state regulatory boards, including the State Board of Education.

Stefan Swiat, a spokesman for the state Department of Education, said his agency is investigating portions of Segal’s report on teachers who were not properly certified as instructors.

“The department is doing an audit on whether the teachers are properly certified or not,” he said.

Preliminary findings reveal as many as 60 instances of teachers who were not properly certified, dating back to 2015, Swiat said.

He said the Department of Education is giving EVIT an opportunity to provide additional documentation to prove the teachers were certified.

A group of retirees attending last week’s board meeting said Downey was considered by some employees to have created a hostile workplace, that she harmed the careers of many well-meaning people and that the district is in desperate need of a fresh start.

Among Segal’s findings: • The board gave Downey a contract extension 26 months before it was set to expire even though state law only allows extensions of contracts 15 months before their expiration.

The extension increased Downey’s base salary from $167,643 to $174,399 and ran from July 2016 to June 2019. “Dr. Downey’s 2016-2019 contract violated the law,” Segal wrote.

• In three separate instances, no-bid contracts were awarded for consultant work exceeding a price tag of $100,000, the limit under state law

before a contract is required to go out to bid.

One no-bid contract went to David Schapira, a former assistant superintendent at EVIT who left in February 2017.

Schapira, a former state legislator and Tempe council member, was paid $36,000 in fiscal year 2016-17, before his contract was renewed at the same rate. He was paid $86,000 in fiscal year 2017-18 and $43,200 in fiscal year 2018-19, for a total of $129,000 in excess of the bid limit.

Segal also found the contract with Schapira’s consulting firm was never approved by the board, in violation of state law and board policies. Schapira was an unsuccessful candidate last year for state superintendent of public instruction.

• The district designated Billy DeWitt, director of facilities, to serve on a committee to select a construction at risk manager for the expansion of the East Mesa campus.

State law requires that a senior employee of a licensed contractor serve on a committee making the selection.

While DeWitt owns a construction company, his contractor’s license expired in 2008, leaving him unqualified for the position, Segal found.

Segal is consulting with the Attorney General’s Office to see if the procurement process for selecting the construction manager needs to be repeated.

Okland Construction Co. was chosen the first time and the board designated a maximum price of $33 million for the project in December.

“In all likelihood, the evaluation process that led to the award of the CMAR contract or the entire procurement process will have to be re-done,” Segal wrote.

“Fortunately, construction on this project has not commenced.”

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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City of Chandler Insider

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

We’re counting on you, Chandler, in 2020 Census

BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

The US Constitution mandates that all people be counted every 10 years in a national census.

While the United States Census Bureau is in charge of conducting the Census, it also requires support from local government, businesses, nonprofits and community leaders to ensure success.

On April 1, in Downtown Phoenix, City of Chandler Councilmembers and staff participated in the local one-year countdown to Census 2020 kickoff press event.

Elected officials, local Census representatives and members from several Census complete count committees representing a handful of cities attended.

The message delivered was to emphasize the importance of individuals participating in the census; how an accurate population count helps improve the quality of life through funding for key services and programs; and to make everyone aware that Census Day is one year away.

In Chandler, we are already working to ensure a complete and accurate count in 2020. The City of Chandler is partnering closely with the US Census Bureau to ensure it is fast and easy for everyone to participate.

The mayor has created a Complete Count Committee to increase awareness about the 2020 Census and help everyone in our city respond.

Chaired by Councilmember Mark Stewart, the Complete Count Committee will coordinate with City representatives, community organizations and businesses to ensure a complete count of everyone (including children) living in Chandler.

Members of the Complete Count Committee also will serve as Census ambassadors to help raise awareness of the Census in their community and encourage participation among their friends and family, employees, customers, members and the general public.

Why is the Census so important? To

Sam Huang; Vanessa Dearmon, Housing and Human Services Commission; Trinity Donovan, AZCEND; David Gonzalez, Light and Life Church; Jeff Grammer, Chandler resident/Ocotillo Friends; Victor Hardy, For Our City-Chandler/Congregational Church of the Valley/Chandler Men of Action; Rick Heumann, Chandler resident and former Chandler City Councilmember; Terri Kimble, Chandler Chamber of Commerce; Renee Levin, Intel; Shelby Pederson, ICAN; Betty Ramirez, Chandler resident; John Repar, Kiwanis Club; Bob Rice, Chandler resident and education advocate; and Monica Romero, Chandler Unified School District.

Chandler City Councilmember Mark Stewart is the chairman of the Complete Count Committee, which is aiming to increase awareness about the 2020 Census and help everyone in the city respond. (City of Chandler)

start, a lot is at stake. An accurate count will define almost $700 billion in federal funding to states and communities each year for the next decade. Arizona’s share is estimated at $13.5 billion.

That’s almost $2,000 per person, per year for the next 10 years. This funding is for vital programs such as Head Start, National School Lunch Program, Section 8, highway planning and construction, supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and much more.

The Census also determines representation in Congress; Due to Arizona’s rapid growth, we could see another Congressional representative in the US House. An accurate count also determines where schools, roads, hospitals, child care centers, senior centers and other essential services should be built.

These are important issues and that’s why participation by all of Chandler is our right and responsibility.

To make it easier to participate, the Census is changing with the times. This will be the first time the Internet will be the primary response option. That’s right – individuals will now be able to respond to the 2020 Census online and by phone,

which also is a first.

It’s a year away, but here’s a brief overview of how the Census will work. In March 2020, Chandler residents will receive a census postcard in the mail. On this postcard will be a code that will lead you to the online census survey.

Residents also have the option to call the number on the postcard and submit your responses over the phone. These are the two easiest ways to be included in the count for Chandler. You can respond to the Census online or by phone in a variety of languages.

If you do not respond to the postcard, additional steps will be taken to ensure you are counted. These steps include mailing a paper form and a Census Bureau employee knocking on your door to offer in-person assistance.

Chandler residents will be hearing more about this endeavor in the months to come.

Now is just the start of our outreach. The Census significantly impacts the City of Chandler and its residents, and a complete and accurate count is essential. We’re counting on you, Chandler!

Members of the Chandler Census Complete Count Committee are Council members Mark Stewart (chairman) and

Join the Census team The U.S. Census Bureau is currently recruiting thousands of workers across the country to support the 2020 Census efforts. There are a variety of temporary jobs, including census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff and more.

To be eligible, you must be at least 18, have a valid Social Security number and be a US citizen. Interested candidates must complete an online job application.

The process should take about 30 minutes and will include assessment questions about your education, work and other experience. This is used to determine which Census jobs you’re best qualified for. For more information, or to apply, visit 2020census.gov/jobs.

Chandler’s Complete Count Committee guides and supports the efforts of US Census on a local level.

Chaired by Councilmember Mark Stewart, this group represents many of Chandler’s special interest communities.

Around Chandler Native American jazz artist is library program focus

The story of a jazz musician who came from the Gila River Indian Community is the next topic of the Our Stories speaker series at 10:30 a.m. April 20, at the Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive.

David Martinez of Arizona State University will present “Russell ‘Big Chief’ Moore: How a Pima Jazzman Blew His Way to the Top.” Moore (1912-1983) was a gifted trombonist whose distinctions included playing in Louis Armstrong’s All-Star Band, as well as with Lionel Hampton, Sidney Bechet and Papa Celestin, not to mention starting his own bands.

At the end of his career, he had the opportunity to perform for President Reagan at a nationally televised gala event.

As an Akimel O’odham, “Big Chief,” as his musician friends called him, defied the stereotypes and low expectations that confronted American Indians during this era, which was dominated by images of stagecoaches, war parties and teepees.

To the contrary, Russell Moore stands

as a symbol of a new era in Indian selfdetermination.

Dr. David Martinez, an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community and associate professor in American Indian Studies at ASU, is the author of “Dakota Philosopher: Charles Eastman and American Indian Thought.”

Information: 480-782-2717, or chandlerlibrary.org.

Ballroom dance slated at Sun Lakes country club

People who enjoy the foxtrot, waltz, rumba, cha cha, swing (east & west coast), line dance, polka and ballroom dancing generally can spend four hours doing that at a dinner-dance at 5:15 p.m. April 14 with the Rags Allen Jazz Band at the San Tan Ballroom at Cottonwood Country Club, 25630 S. Brentwood Drive, Sun Lakes.

The event costs $10 at the door and is open to the public. Attire is business casual or ties/jackets but no Jeans, shorts, t-shirts or flip flops/gym shoes.

Information: sunlakessundaydanceclub.com or 480-699-7334.

Chandler teacher nominated for history award

Dave Carras, a teacher at Kyrene de la Mirada Leadership Academy in Chandler, has been nominated for the Hannah E. MacGregor Teacher of the Year - History Teacher Award.

The MacGregor Teacher of the Year award is presented to two teachers annually, along with $5,000, for demonstrating a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills and participation in the National History Day Contest.

“A common phrase I hear from Mr. Carras, whenever I thank him for going above and beyond, is ‘It’s all for the kids,’” said Mirada Academy Principal Nancy Branch, adding: “Dave Carras is a teacher who continually goes above and beyond in order to inspire and engage students in their learning. If anyone is worthy of receiving this prestigious award, it would be

him. His intense passion for history (as well as science, technology, engineering and math) awakens his students’ curiosity on a daily basis. He is a true gift to public education.”

Winners are chosen by a team of teachers and historians. Nominees’ work must illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that interest students in history.

The two national winners will be announced at a ceremony on National History Day, June 13, 2019.

Lindbergh photographs to be on display at museum

A traveling exhibit that explores how time and the presence of humans have impacted some of the Southwest’s most important natural landmarks and archeological sites makes a three-month stop at the Chandler Museum beginning Tuesday, April 9, and running through July 7.

“Oblique Views” features aerial photographs taken in 1929 by famed married aviators Charles and Anne See

AROUND on page 22

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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from page 20

Lindbergh as they flew over some of the Southwest’s most significant archaeological sites. The exhibition compares those “then” images with photos taken in 2007-2008 by Adriel Heisey.

Flying at low altitudes and slow speeds, Heisey leaned out the door of his plane, held his camera with both hands and re-photographed “now” images that closely corresponded with the Lindberghs’ perspective, time of year and time of day.

“Examining the then and now photographs side-by-side is so intriguing.

They reveal interesting surprises, showing parts of the landscape that changed and parts of the landscape that look the same,” said Tiffani Egnor, Chandler Museum’s curator of education. “This is the exhibit’s first visit to Arizona. We’re thrilled to host it in Chandler.”

The Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

Corvette Club slates annual charity show in Chandler

The Corvette Club of Arizona is holding its ninth annual Corvettes in the Park Charity Car Show to support “Packages From Home on 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. April 7 at A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave. Corvette Club of Arizona encourages all Corvette owners in the area to come out and display their Corvettes.

“Last year’s show displayed over 100 beautiful and powerful Corvettes from all years, gleaming under the Arizona sun,” a club spokesman said.

CCA will donate $10 from every car registration to the “Packages from Home” program. The Corvette Club of Arizona has donated over $23,000 from past shows.

“Packages from Home” is a Phoenix-based organization providing personal care and support items to US Military personnel stationed abroad.

Representatives from “Packages from Home” will be present to answer questions and share their mission with the public.

There will be a station for children and adults to decorate the outside of the boxes that will be sent to the troops, and they can also write personal notes to be included in the packages.

“Corvettes in the Park” is a “participant’s choice” judged show with awards in each generation of Corvette (C1C7) as well as Best of Show. Presentation of Awards will begin at 1:45 p.m.

Pre-registration is $30 and the form must be received by April 1. Day of the show registration is $35 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. based on space availability.

Registration forms and additional information are available on “corvetteclubofarizona.com” or by contacting Mark Godina at 480-888-0540.

Designers wanted for annual Trashion Fashion Show

Chandler is seeking resourceful, inventive and style-savvy fashion designers to enter the city’s fifth annual Trashion Fashion Show, a celebration of wearable fashion created from materials that might otherwise end up in the trash. Designers ages 10 years and older have until April 12 to register for this runway fashion show which will be held at Chandler Fashion

Center May 11.

Participants must be residents of Chandler and entries will be accepted in three age categories: ages 10-13, 14-17 and 18-plus.

Registration forms and more information are at chandleraz.gov/trashionfashion.

A combination of trash and fashion, the Trashion Fashion Show provides participants with an opportunity to use their design skills to create and exhibit a garment created from discarded materials. At least 75 percent of a garment must be made from recyclable or reused materials that would otherwise be thrown away or recycled. Designers can choose to wear their garment in the show, or select a model.

Chandler’s Solid Waste Services Division is organizing the event and is inviting persons interested in assisting, mentoring or inspiring young designers to contact Conaway at traci.conaway@ chandleraz.gov or 480-782-3510.

In addition, prize donations are being accepted from local businesses.

Ocotillo Spa prepares for Fitness for the Cure

The ninth annual Fitness for the Cure is coming up at Ocotillo Village Health Cklub & Spa, 4200 Alma School Road, to promote fitness while raising cancer research funds for the Translational Genomics Research Institute, or TGen. This year’s event offers expanded workout options beyond in-place cycling – including hiking, yoga and a 5K run.

Fitness for the Cure has raised more than $1.2 million for TGen cancer research in the past, including $200,000 in 2018 – which organizers are aiming to exceed this year.

Fitness for the Cure will be April 28 and activity times vary by club. A membership is not required to participate in Fitness for the Cure. For each club’s activity schedules, participation costs and to register, visit tgen.org/fitness.

TGen scientists are among the global front-runners in genomic-based precision medicine efforts to fight cancer. Using genomic sequencing, TGen helps doctors match the appropriate therapy to each patient’s DNA profile, producing the greatest patient benefit.

Those that participate can participate in the post-exercise “cool down” party at Camelback Village at 5 p.m. April 28 with refreshments, small bites, and music.

The party is free for all participants, $20 for guests. Guests can RSVP to Lindsey Kent for the party at lkent@tgen.org or 602.343.8681.

transportation to medical appointments, and it provides transportation to medical appointments and other places, pays friendly visits to shut-ins and performs other services at no cost. In the past 6 months, our volunteers have provided 8,921 services, primarily to medical appointments, donated 20,669 hours and driven 125,446 miles on behalf of our neighbors.

The tournament is its major fundraising event.

A foursome is $400 and an individual is $110. Breakfast and Lunch are included.

There are sponsorships still open. People unable to attend can still help support the group by sending a donation or an item for the tournament’s raffle and auction.

Information: aboutcare.org or contact Ann Marie McArthur at 480-802-2331.

Gold’s Gym returning to Arizona with Chandler site

Gold’s Gym is returning to the Arizona market for the first time in six years with its newest gym opening in Chandler this spring.

The company is offering multiple membership options with a $0 enrollment pre-sale special and free T-shirt to the first 1,000 members who join.

The roughly 40,000-square-foot Chandler gym is at 4950 W. Ray Road in the Sunset Plaza shopping center and will feature state-of-the-art equipment and amenities, including two separate turf areas for functional and athletic training, a sauna and pool, massage chairs and a suite of classes, body scanning technology, a Kid’s Club and personal trainers.

Information: goldsgym.com/chandler-az.

Compadres to host golf tournament for families in need

The Chandler Compadres will hold a golf tournament April 12 to help raise money for disadvantaged children in the East Valley. The 2019 Chandler Compadres Golf Classic, hosted at Talking Stick Golf Club, will feature a full day of golf, food and awards for those participating.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

The 19th annual event includes an unlimited Bloody Mary bar, premier golf concept shopping, driving range and putting green practice, and breakfast, lunch and dinner. Proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club of East Valley, AzCend and ICAN. There are four ticket packages available for the event in addition to several underwriting sponsorship opportunities.

The event begins at 7 a.m. April 12 at Talking Stick Golf Club, 9998 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale.

Tickets: chandlercompadres.org/golf.

For more than 30 years, members of the Chandler Compadres have donated time and treasure to help kids and families in need who live in Chandler and the East Valley. The group has donated more than $8.3 million to Valley charities, particularly those benefiting youth academic and development programs.

Public drumming hosted by downtown library

People can join a drumming circle free at 2 p.m. the first Sunday of every month at downtown Chandler Public Library branch as the result of a program led by AZ Rhythm Connection.

“Drumming gives us an experience where we can be free to connect with ourselves and others, in order to release, restore and heal. It is a universal language where all people can be a part, free from words and concepts so we can experience life with an open heart,” a spokesman said.

Experience is not necessary and a limited number of hand percussion instruments are available for those without their own instruments.

Welcomed instruments include djembes, bongos, congas, tablas, tamborines and other similar hand drums.

The circle is open to all ages, though kids under 12 must attend with a parent or guardian. www.facebook.com/ chandlerdrumcircle Frank Thompson, the circle’s facilitator, is a Remo endorsed drum facilitator and part of the Health Rhythms Network.

Sun Lakes Aero Club hosts WWII presentation.

The attack on German dams by the Royal Air Force during World War II will be the topic of a presentation at the Sun Lakes Aero Club at 6:30 p.m. April 15 at the Sun Lakes Country Club Navajo Room, 25425 N. Sunlakes Blvd.

The public is invited to this free event.

About Care seeks players, sponsors for fundraiser

About Care, a nonprofit serving the elderly and disabled in Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek, is seeking sponsors, players and donations for its 12th annual Charity Golf Tournament May 19 at Superstition Springs Golf Club in Mesa.

Most of About Care’s clients are economically disadvantaged elderly women who need help with

No loss for words

The Sun Lakes Breakfast Lions Club recently donated dictionaries to Santan Elementary School. At the official donation were, from left, club vice president Rich Lovino, third vice president Debra Curry, school counselor Melissa Edwards, special education team leader Rachel Chiaramonte and club President Brian Curry. Special to the SanTan Sun News

COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

23

Company under fire by investors moving to Chandler

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

A California for-profit online education services company has announced it’s moving its headquarters to south Chandler and changing its name – less than a month after a class action lawsuit by investors was filed against it and the Securities and Exchange Commission launched an investigation into its financial activities.

Bridgepoint Education Inc. announced earlier this week it is changing its name to Zovio, moving its headquarters to a new 130,000-square-foot building at 1181 E. Northrup Blvd., and eventually expects to house 800 jobs over the next two years, starting with 200 employees now in temporary offices in Tempe.

The announcement came less than a month after Bridgepoint advised that investors should not rely on two of its consolidated financial statements filed last year because it had “identified errors, relating to revenue, provision for bad debts, accounts receivable and deferred revenue, which resulted in the overstatement of revenue and expenses.”

The announcement triggered a series of actions for the company, which is already under investigation by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the attorneys general for five different states for, among other things, allegedly inflating its student retention rate.

Additionally, a class action lawsuit was filed by investors against the company and two law firms began courting

potential clients by announcing that Bridgepoint could be held liable for losses they incurred between March 6, 2016, and March 7, 2019.

Bridgepoint’s stock also plummeted by 34 percent.

On March 12, 2019, Bridgepoint filed amended financial statements for the periods containing restatements of balance sheet and income statement data.

“We’re focused on investors’ losses,

suit, accused Bridgepoint of maintaining “deficient internal controls” and said it was “prone to and did commit material accounting errors related to revenue, provision for bad debts, accounts receivable and deferred revenue.”

Those accounting errors, the suit said, “resulted in the overstatement of revenue and expenses and as a result, Bridgepoint’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.”

Today, America has 7 million jobs currently vacant “ because of a shortage of qualifi ed workers – a skills gap that threatens our country’s competitiveness in a global economy.

”

– Bridgepoint CEO Andrew Clark admitted improper accounting, whether the so-called ‘errors’ were in fact ‘irregularities,’ and the extent to which Defendants may have misled investors,” said Hagens Berman partner Reed Kathrein.

Hagens Berman, a national investorrights law firm, also posted invitations on social media to whistleblowers that stated “persons with non-public information regarding Bridgepoint Education should consider their options to help in the investigation.”

Block & Leviton LLP, a securities litigation firm, which filed the class action

The owners of online Ashford University, Bridgepoint says it “partners with higher education institutions and employers to deliver innovative, personalized solutions and is redefining education technology.”

In announcing the name change, Bridgepoint CEO Andrew Clark said the rebranding is “further advancing the company’s strategy and transformation to an education technology services company.”

“Today, America has 7 million jobs currently vacant because of a shortage of qualified workers – a skills gap that

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threatens our country’s competitiveness in a global economy,” Clark said in a release, adding: “Zovio will work alongside education institutions, employers, and learners to provide technology and services differentiated by meaningful insights gained through powerful data and analytics, which will enable our partners to address the skills-to-employment challenge.”

He said the company was moving in order to “tap into local talent, enjoy a favorable business environment, and provide a more reasonable cost of living for our transferring employees with opportunities for transferring spouses to find employment.”

“Our team looks forward to working with local leaders as we move our headquarters and bring jobs to Chandler,” he added.

Both Mayor Kevin Hartke and Gov. Doug Ducey hailed the announcement.

“With the relocation of their headquarters, more than 800 employees and their families also will call Chandler home,” Hartke said. “I’m confident they will enjoy Chandler’s quality of life, including recreation, schools, diversity and workforce opportunities. I wish Zovio and their employees continued success.”

Ducey said, “Arizona’s education programs are training corporate employees, software developers and more. As we expand these programs, education technology must also keep up.

We’re proud that Zovio chose Arizona to expand its headquarters and congratulate them on their growth.”

24

COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Chandler Arts Center kicks off anniversary with rebranding SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Chandler Center for the Arts has developed a plan to increase attendance and program participation as part of a rebranding project.

A new brand identity was recently released as the result of an extensive strategic marketing project funded by the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

“The project included multi-pronged market research analysis of current audiences and non-attendees with 3,800 community surveys, 12 focus groups, internal data analysis and third-party marketing assessment,” a spokesman said.

Besides engaging more people, the project also developed a new effort to “enrich its brand recognition and perception.”

“An updated look for the Chandler Center for the Arts was among the recommendations made in order to have an image that reflected the dynamic space that

the center had become in the community,” the spokesman said.

Laura Schairer of Audience Magnets, an Arizona-based firm specializing The Chandler Center for the in performing Arts has developed a new arts marketing, brand identity and plan to boost attendance and pogram was the participation. (Chandler Center consultant on for the Arts) the marketing project, with Surale Phillips, Decision Support Partners, Inc., overseeing market research, Rodd Whitney of Cause Design creating the new graphic identity, and 4 x 3 Design developing the center’s new website.

The new brand symbol is a “revolving ‘C’” that a spokesman said represents “the

encircling warmth of the community, the center’s function as a central gathering space at the heart of Chandler as well as the center’s unique design with three revolving theaters.”

The new logo also alludes to Chandler’s origins amid “rows of agricultural canals and now residing in the grids and circuits of today’s high-tech industries” and is a “moving representation of the center’s history, the future and the special place in the city.”

“Chandler is growing at an astounding rate, evolving from our city’s agricultural roots to the high-tech hub we are today,” said center general manager Michelle Mac Lennan. “We are proud the Chandler Center for the Arts is such an important part of the community, a place for residents and visitors alike to gather, enjoy a rich variety of performances and discover new cultural experiences that form lasting memories with friends and family.

“We are thrilled to have a new look and the communication tools we need to reflect our place in the community and

better communicate with all who enjoy the center,” she added.

The new brand launch coincides with Chandler Center for the Arts’ 30th anniversary, which will be marked with celebrations throughout the upcoming season.

The center is also starting capital projects that the spokesman said would “enhance the patron experience.”

Renovations include state-of-the-art lighting, sound and projection systems, upgraded lobby finishes and new signage.

“The 30th anniversary was an ideal time to move forward with a fresh, new look and upgraded amenities,” said Mac Lennan.

“These improvements reflect who we are as a performing arts center and what we offer to our patrons, volunteers and the community at large.”

The new brand identity can be seen on the website and in new print materials. It will be incorporated into exterior and directional signage throughout the coming year.

Program information: chandlercenter.org

Library to feature Native American performances SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Native American experiences and culture will be explored during the first presentation in the One World, Many Voices performance series hosted by Chandler Public Library next weekend.

From 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, “Coyote in the Outer World” with R. Carlos Nakai will be held at the Chandler Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St. Nakai will discuss how Native Americans form identity on their journey into the outer world beyond their cultural homes and how this journey can teach all of us about how we form identity.

An 11-time Grammy nominee, Gold and Platinum Record winner, and recipient of the Governor’s Arts Award, Nakai will open his cultural exploration with a brief performance of the Native American flute.

In addition to the performances by Native American musicians, dancers and storytellers, a traveling photography exhibition will feature the artists of Canyon Records, an Arizonabased record label specializing in Native American music for 67 years.

Canyon Records is presenting the exhibit in association with Pueblo Grande Museum.

It will first be on display at the Downtown Library April 13-28 before traveling to each of the other Chandler Library locations.

One World, Many Voices highlights cultural themes connected to the photography on topics such as ethnic perspective, family, identity and the meaning of “traditional.”

The exhibit features the photography of Robert Doyle, president of Canyon Records, who shot the images for use in the production and marketing of Canyon’s recordings.

“I’m grateful that the Chandler Public Library provided me the opportunity to share my images of Canyon artists, some of whom I’ve worked with for decades,” Doyle said.

“Collaborating with the Library has been a satisfyingly creative and productive process.

“Chandler Library and Canyon Records share an understanding of the need to make cultural experiences easily accessible so that people can learn, form new perspectives, enjoy the artistic and cultural riches of different communities and have a good time,” Doyle said. “Hopefully, our audiences will come away with a richer understanding of how Canyon artists influence and are influenced by the worlds they live in.”

The five performances of the series are an opportunity for all ages to experience, enjoy and learn from Native American artists through music, stories, poetry and dance.

Each performance includes an opportunity for audience discussion and questions as well as the chance to meet the artists personally.

David Martinez (Akimel O’odham), Angelo Joaquin (Tohono O’odham) and Robert Doyle will serve as moderators.

In addition to R. Carlos Nakai (NavajoUte) on April 13, other performances in the series include: Tony Duncan (ApacheMandan/Arikara/Hidatsa) in “Hoop Dance 101”; Roman, Joel, and Tahj Orona (Apache) in “Sons and Fathers, Apache Music, Stories and Poetry”; and Xavier Quijas Yxayotl (Huichol) in “Our People of the South,” a bilingual presentation of Aztec-inspired music and Mexicá stories.

The series will finish at the Chandler Community Center with “Waila!,” a community dance featuring Southern Scratch (Tohono O’odham) performing the popular O’odham social dance music which incorporates polkas, cumbias and two-step.

The performances are free, but registration is required at chandlerlibrary.org.

Other presentations are: • Hoop Dance 101 with Tony Duncan, Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive, 6-7:30 p.m.

May 15 with the exhibit May 1-17.

Five-time world championship hoop dancer Tony Duncan will conduct a master class in the art of hoop dancing. After demonstrating the dance that has taken him around the world, Tony will invite children and adults to pick up hoops and learn the steps, moves and grooves of hoop

dancing. Additionally, Tony will perform original songs for the Native American flute. Questions and answers will follow the performance, led by Dr. David Martinez.

• Sons and Fathers with Joel, Roman, and Tahj Orona, Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., June 1, with the exhibit running May 20-June 1 Native American survival has been made possible through strong clan and family relationships, especially between fathers and sons. Three generations of the Orona family – Joel, Roman and Tahj – will share the strength and renewal of the Apache through music, stories and poetry.

• Our People of the South with Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road, 10:30 a.m-noon June 15 with the exhibit running June 3-15.

Xavier Quijas Yxayotl presents music, stories and instruments from Native Mexicá. Of the Huichol people of Mexico, Xavier will describe how he built performance replicas of Aztec flutes found only in museums and created his own variations upon those ancient designs. He will perform using clay flutes, double flutes, drums and the eerie death whistle.

• Waila!, with Southern Scratch, Chandler Downtown Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave., 6-8 p.m. June 22.

The popular music of the Akimel O’odham and Tohono O’odham of central and southern Arizona will be presented.

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Mother-daughter herbal team marks 2 decades

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A Chandler holistic center designed to boost customers’ minds, bodies and spirits is celebrating 20 years in business.

Mother and daughter team Vicki Greener and Brittney Sounart aim to spread wellness at their Desert Sage Herbs retail store at 1728 N. Alma School Road.

The center, which sells medicinal herbs, essential oils, spices, crystals and many different gift items, will hold a 20th anniversary party 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today, April 6, offering customers 20 percent off most items in the shop.

“We have holistic health,” Greener said. “We have our main thing is herbs, medicinal herbs, herbal teas, black teas, green teas. We have about 350 jars of herbs. All our herbs are organic or wildcrafted. It’s very important to us that everything is non-GMO (geneticallymodified organism).

“We’re known for our essential oils; they’re all high-grade, therapeutic grade – well-crafted, authentic, pure oils,” Greener added. “We just provide a really great service so people can buy small amounts with these products. We also have gift items and some crystal.”

Desert Sage Herbs sells about 350

Brittney Sounart, left, and her mother, Vicki Greener, own Desert Sage Herbs. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

different jars of herbs and some popular ones are chamomile, nettle leaf, lavender and peppermint. Customers can buy

loose herbs, which they usually prepare as teas or can buy them as tinctures that are mixed with water for drinking.

Sounart is a registered herbalist with See

HERBS on page 30

Realtors with military experience give back

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Veterans, nonprofit activists and other East Valley movers and shakers used to taking charge on the battlefield and in their communities are expanding their leadership after participating in a Realtors association program.

A class of 12 people graduated from the SouthEast Valley Regional Association of Realtors’ leadership development program on April 4 in Chandler.

They met every week from January to early April to learn about building their communities and becoming better leaders and Realtors.

Interested candidates have to apply and undergo an extensive review process.

They must have been a SEVRAR member for the past 18 months in good standing and have been a Realtor for at least that amount of time.

At SEVRAR’s office on East Northrop Boulevard in Chandler, they polished their public speaking skills and tackled group projects.

Most recently, they prepared, packaged and gathered stress balls, inspirational bookmarks, crossword puzzles, tumblers and other items to fill boxes with gifts and delivered them to veterans at the Arizona State Veteran Home – Phoenix on March 21.

Sarah Lossing, of Chandler, a Realtor with Platinum Living Realty, enjoyed gaining leadership skills and getting to know other Realtors in the program.

“I see a lot of avenues to participate

The latest members of the SEVRAR leadership development class graduated recently. (Kate Cullen)

in our community and have been in different charitable organizations but just never had that official training in leadership,” the four-year Realtor said.

“One of the biggest things is being able to communicate with people,” she added.

“We learned about a lot of different personality traits.”

She said she is glad the group decided to help patients in the veterans

home as her father is a Korean War veteran.

The community project was also close to the hearts of three leadership program students who had served in the military – Bruce Bouldin, Dave Rosenfeld and Angela Tauscher.

Tauscher of Queen Creek, a Realtor at West USA Realty’s Chandler office, served in the Army Reserve for six years and said

she is glad the boxes were donated to the skilled-nursing care center that serves Arizona veterans and their spouses since the family members of military members sacrifice a lot.

“I think my family deserves more of a thank you than I do,” Tauscher said. “The fact that this community project is not just about the vets, it’s about the veterans and their families, for me is a big deal. It’s hard on the families.”

A married mother of a 19-year-old daughter, Justice; a 16-year-old son, Payton; and a 15-year-old son, Ethan; she is in her third year as a Realtor and previously owned a landscaping business.

Tauscher was deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom hours from her home in the United States for about six months, leaving her then 6-month-old child, who she was breastfeeding, and her 3-year-old behind.

She was a medical supply sergeant and said she was “living in limbo” during her deployment, expecting to go to Iraq, though that did not happen.

Tauscher said after taking the leadership program, she wants to serve on a Rotary Club board and on one of SEVRAR’s committees. She has volunteered as a Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce ambassador. Tauscher is also a chapter director consultant for BNI Absolute Business Builders.

“It’s been fun getting to know other Realtors outside of my brokerage,” Tauscher said. “I really wanted to know See

REALTORS on page 28

BUSINESS

26

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Realtor awards honor the most productive agents SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

In 2017, Heidi Zebro, director of sales acquisitions for On Q Financial Inc., had an idea.

She wanted to acknowledge some of the top Realtors in Ahwatukee and the East Valley, but reduce the element of subjectivity as much as possible by looking strictly at the most productive agents, based on the number of closed units and sales volume according to data pulled from the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Zebro came up with the idea of the BREA Awards – an acronym for Best Real Estate Agent – and wound up attracting about 150 Realtors and public officials to her first gala in 2017.

Last year, the number of attendees doubled.

And this year, she’s banking on an even bigger audience with a bigger venue, a new award and a nonprofit recipient for

HEIDI ZEBRO

the proceeds raised by the awards gala April 18 at the Scottsdale Center of Performing Arts.

“The real estate industry is one of the most intriguing and followed segments of any thriving metropolitan area,” Zebro said, adding the “BREA Awards specifically recognizes the performances of the top

producing real estate licensees on a local level.”

Th BREA awards also have expanded in scope, with honors now going to individuals, groups of three to eight, teams of 9 or more Realtors and a brokerage in each of the four quadrants of Maricopa County.

Zebro has designed an “Academy Award” feel for the event by adding an element of surprise: Unlike the last two years, winners won’t know who they are until the big night.

The emcee will be Holly Mabery, managing broker for eXp Realty of Arizona, a past director of National Association of Realtors, and a past president of both the Arizona Association of Realtors and the Sedona Verde Valley Association of Realtors.

In addition, a new award will be added in honor of a West Valley Realtor, Mark Parris, who died in his sleep at age 44 last fall. He had suffered from sleep apnea.

The Mark Parris Award will be presented “to an outstanding individual in the real estate community who represents the gift of promoting others, making others know their value, professionalism and integrity,” Zebro said.

All proceeds from the event will go to The Foundation of Blind Children whose mission is to “provide education, tools and services that enable all persons with vision loss to achieve greater independence.”

Zebro, with the support of On Q Financial Inc., is chairing the event with the help of a team of organizers that include: Ben Andrus, Justin Baker, Steve Chader, Randy Cooney, John Creighton, Jennice Doty, John Foltz, Pam Frestedt, Cari Gilliland, Rebecca Grossman, Joan Krueger, Breanna Kruger, Kenny Klaus, Kathryn Lansden, Matt Long, Debbie Marquez, Roger Nelson, Michelle Regier and Jim Sexton.

Foundation info: seeitourway.org; tickets/ information: BREAEvent.com

Medicine, practical tips can ease spring allergies SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Spring has sprung and with it come sneezes, watery eyes, sore throats and other symptoms of seasonal allergies.

The good news is children and adults can prevent allergy symptoms by visiting a local clinic, where they can get the appropriate medications and allergy shots or they can buy an HEPA air purifier.

So says Dr. Misbah Altaf of Chandler, a primary care physician for Bayless Integrated Healthcare at Dobson Ranch at 2204 S. Dobson Road in Mesa.

Spring is the peak of allergy season, a time of year when those susceptible to hay fever and allergies are particularly sensitive to tree pollens and grass grains that strong winds distribute.

The symptoms are not just uncomfortable but if severe enough may keep people from their daily functions.

Typical symptoms of allergies are

W NO

DR. MISBAH ALTAF

runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and itching in the eyes and throat, Altaf said.

“Longstanding symptoms can cause fatigue that interferes with performance

at work, performance at school,” she said. “First of all, we always consider prevention is better than (a) cure.”

A detailed history and physical exam can reveal someone has allergies. If those do not provide enough information, testing for allergies can be done, Altaf said.

People with allergies can avoid allergens and start taking antihistamines including Zyrtec and Claritin to alleviate their allergic symptoms, she said.

Nasal sprays including Nasacort and Flonase are also available over the counter. Patients who know they have spring allergies should start taking antihistamines one or two weeks before the time of year when their issues usually flare up, Altaf said.

Other ways to alleviate allergies include taking a shower before going to bed and keeping windows and doors closed, as well as exercising daily and

eating healthy foods.

People can be allergic to ash and mesquite trees in the desert among other trees and plants.

Anyone who does not respond to over-the-counter medicine is urged to get an allergy test and possibly to start getting allergy shots for a few months to a year to make themselves immune to the allergens, Altaf said.

“It’s the typical time of the year, especially it’s overlapping with upper respiratory illness,” she said. “We are seeing lots of allergy patients.”

Bayless Integrated Healthcare is an integrated service provider that offers family medicine, as well as emotional and behavioral healthcare, addiction treatment and social healthcare treatments for families and children, adults and elderly residents.

Information: baylesshealthcare.com

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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BUSINESS 28

REALTORS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

from page 25

more about the back of different departments, who does what; how could I possibly volunteer and serve.

It’s paycheck of the heart. It’s a huge commitment, but I know it’s for the better of the industry.”

She said the leadership program group is diverse.

“I think some of the biggest eye openers for me are how we’re all in the same industry but we think so differently,” Tauscher said. “There’s a thousand different ways a transaction can be run. Sometimes being in real estate can be a lonely field.”

Rosenfeld, of Gilbert, a Realtor with RE/MAX Alliance Group, retired from the Army after 22 years.

He is in his second year as a Realtor and had also sold tactical equipment to the military and federal government before getting into the real estate industry.

The former paratrooper said it was good being surrounded by others who wanted to be “achievers” in the leadership program.

“They all want to better help their clients,” he said. “The greatest takeaway here is we are all so different. I have to be cognizant that we’re all leaders.”

Rosenfeld is president of his homeowners association and vicechairman of SEVRAR’s Community Outreach Committee.

He said the leadership program members had different ideas about what organization to help and he is glad

Above: Sarah Lossing, of Chandler, a Realtor with Platinum Living Realty, enjoyed gaining leadership skills and getting to know other Realtors in the SouthEast Valley Regional Association of Realtors’ leadership development program. Right: Angela Tauscher, Dave Rosenfeld and Bruce Bouldin helped organize and box gifts that they and other leadership program students delivered to veterans at the Arizona State Veteran Home – Phoenix. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

someone recommended helping veterans.

Rosenfeld said some of the veterans at the home use wheelchairs and walkers and have had limbs amputated.

“The biggest thing these guys want is somebody to talk to,” he said. “When somebody new walks in, it’s uplifting.”

Top: Filling up boxes for the veterans are, from left, Andrew Dumas, Dave Rosenfeld and Katherine Schoville.

Bottom: Members of SEVRAR’s leadership program spent several hours last month packing boxes with goodies for veterans. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

The leadership group not only delivered the boxes to the patients at the veterans home but also participated in karaoke and visited with them for a while.

Bouldin, of Casa Grande, an associate broker for HomeSmart, has worked in real estate for 31 years and served in the Marine Corps for four years. His father had served in the military and his two sons are in the military.

“It’s kind of who you are,” Bouldin said.

“We subscribe to the fact that freedom’s not free.”

He also volunteers as a public information officer for FEMA and the American Red Cross and previously helped wounded warriors through a program in another state.

Bouldin said the leadership program helped him.

“It has given me some contacts that I probably wouldn’t have had,” he said. “It’s given me insight to things that happen behind the scenes. I think that sometimes to get ahead you have to stop what you’re doing and help those around you. It just can’t all be about you. In management, you have to step back and become more humble.”

Melissa Al-Rifai, of Gilbert, a loan officer for Bell Bank Mortgage in Chandler, said the group project was one of her favorite activities in the program.

“A lot of the folks in this class are type A personalities,” she said. “In the past, I’ve worked on a team where I’ve naturally evolved as a leader. I’ve learned to not be that person and identify people’s strengths.”

She said she is glad the group helped the veterans as she is happy to help “anybody in need.” Al-Rifai said she found the idea for “sunshine boxes” designed to “bring smiles to people’s faces” from someone out of state.

T.J. Maxx donated the shoeboxes, a member of the leadership team spraypainted them and everyone in the group contributed something, she said.

Duane Washkowiak, of Tempe, SEVRAR vice-president and a broker and partner with Realty Executives, started the leadership program SEVRAR offers in 2004. He had graduated from the Tempe Leadership Program years ago.

“I felt that that gave me a little bit of insight to the city and how it worked as a resident of Tempe, and I felt that type of program would lend itself well to helping Realtors understand the communities that they serve,” Washkowiak said, adding: “I modeled some of the (SEVRAR) classes after things I learned in the Tempe Leadership Program.”

He said the SEVRAR program helps participants become better at public speaking and get a “better understanding of the community and how the community serves its citizens.”

“We basically set up a round robin of visits for Realtors with different entities that serve the community,” Washkowiak said. “We expect the people that go through to give back to the communities they serve. I think it’s very important for them if they want to be successful.”

A panel reviews applications people submit to try to get in the program and asks applicants what they hope to gain from the classes, he said. This year 17 people applied for the leadership program.

“There’s a group project involved with every class,” Washkowiak said. “The whole idea is to have something that would have a lasting effect. It’s all about growing as a leader, how do you take those things that you learn and turn them into actions that will have results.”

SEVRAR advocates for homeowners with the leadership program and its members get “clued in to the big picture,” he said.

“The bottom line is no one pays us to represent homeowners, but we feel that it’s good for all people to support the home-buying industry because it’s where families spend most of their time,” Washkowiak said.

“Those people are much more engaged in the processes and have a better understanding of what it means to be a Realtor,” Washkowiak said. “It’s not just about selling real estate, it’s about building clients for life and building relationships, being part of the community.”

Information: sevrar.com/leadershipprogram

BUSINESS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

29

Realtor helps raise funds for ‘furry kids’ up for adoption

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A local Realtor’s fundraising party will help feed and house small dogs waiting for a nonprofit to find their forever home.

Tom Speaks of Chandler, a Realtor at Revelation Real Estate, held a charity event to raise funds for Rover’s Rest Stop & Ranch on March 28 at the real estate company’s office on South Stearman Drive in Chandler.

Guests gathered on a luxurious patio with food and drinks served and bid on auction items with a surprise of not knowing what exactly they were trying to purchase ahead of time, Speaks said.

He invited his clients and supporters of Rover’s Rest Stop & Ranch, which rescues small dogs and matches them to the ideal home based on lifestyles, activity levels and personal needs.

D Williams, owner and founder of Rover’s Rest Stop & Ranch, is grateful to Speaks and everyone who contributed money to help her organization.

She said the fundraiser went “exceedingly well” and above her expectations but declined to say how much was raised.

“I have been doing this for a long, long time and I did it all on my own,” Williams said. “It’s kind of a different feeling … the funding is so important because I can’t feed them if I don’t have any money.”

“He came and he saw how I do the dogs and he was so impressed about how well-trained they are and how much love they get and they’re placed in the right home,” Williams added. “I was thrilled for him to pick me. I had never met him.”

Some dogs from Rover’s Rest Stop &

the-cays_santan-sun_half-page-ad_030519.indd 2

Showing off some of the rescued dogs are, from left, Shu-Chen Chuang, Marlene Paschke and Bette Morton.

(Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

Ranch came to the party and two people at the fundraiser already applied to adopt two dogs, she added.

Besides feeding and grooming the dogs, Williams and her volunteers also get them vaccinated, as well as spayed or neutered and microchipped before they

go to their new owners. The dogs also are trained and given showers every week, she said.

“Most people don’t realize how much it takes to house and feed” the dogs, Williams said. “The medical bills can be a couple thousand (dollars) for dogs. It

really adds up.

Our food bill is a couple hundred a week.”

The dogs live with her in Chandler as they await their new pet parents and get lots of love and attention.

Williams Tom Speaks, a Realtor with Revelation Real Estate, organized also provides petsitting and a fundraising party to benefit Rover’s Rest Stop & Ranch. has volunteers who assist her.

She visits the dogs after they are placed with their permanent homes, too.

“I’m a full-circle rescue,” Williams said.

“I’m with them their entire life. I never leave my ‘kids’ alone. We dance around the yard and we sing songs and we play ball. We have educational programming, educational toy hour, movie time, swimming time, agility things. We’re very busy.”

Speaks, a Realtor for more than 18 years, said his wife, Shu-Chen Chuang, knew the Rover’s Rest Stop & Ranch team, prompting him to hold the fundraiser to help the nonprofit.

“We like animals and everything,” Speaks said. “We happen to have cats that we pick up off the street. I love dogs, too.

Everyone likes dogs mostly.”

He said about 100 people came to the fundraising party and he plans to have another fundraiser, probably in the fall.

Information: roversreststop.com.

3/6/19 5:41 PM

BUSINESS 30

HERBS

from page 25

the American Herbalists Guild and she provides private, herbal consultations where her clients get their own blended teas customized to treat their ailments.

She also has a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in business from Arizona State University.

A mother of girls Siena, 15, and Kali, 11, Sounart helps women with fertility and in

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

She is also a certified Feng Shui practitioner, as well as a soul and past life coach.

“Anything that deals with making a healthy home or healthy families, that’s where I’m coming from,” Greener said.

Customers can try custom blends of essential oils Greener developed, including ones to decrease pain or help the immune system or reduce stress.

Lavender, citruses and Frankincense are among some of the popular essential oils shoppers buy at Desert Sage Herbs.

We have holistic health. We have our main thing, “ herbs, medicinal herbs, herbal teas, black teas, green teas. We have about 350 jars of herbs. All our herbs are organic or wildcrafted. It’s very important to us that everything is non-GMO (genetically-modified organism).

”

– Vicki Greener the process of going through pregnancy without needing to take medications and advises them on ways to use herbs with babies after they are born.

“My mom and I do lots of community classes at the shop on herbs, essential oils, making a lot of natural bath and body products,” Sounart said, adding: “I like to support the new process of bringing new life into this world but in a more natural way. I like to help bring us back into that.”

Greener taught in elementary schools for 20 years and has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from ASU, and has done graduate work in elementary education. She also previously taught parenting classes in community colleges in the Valley.

She studied as an aromatic specialist and continues her aromatherapy training.

Many customers are stressed, having trouble sleeping, overly worked and in pain, Greener and Sounart said.

Sounart said one customer said her father had started chemotherapy and had sores “all over his mouth.” The client bought carrier oils, including one with St. John’s Wort that her father rubbed on his sores.

The carrier oils are essential oils that are more concentrated. Desert Sage Herbs offers bottles and jars and carries oils in bulk so shoppers can buy just an ounce of an oil if that is all they want.

“Really there’s probably 20 to 30 different things one herb can do,” Sounart said.

Greener said she recommended essential oils in a tranquility blend for a man who had “terrible, terrible anxiety” and could not go near people. After using the aromatherapy and taking deep

Crystals are sold at Desert Sage Herbs, as are many gift items including jewelry. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

breaths, he said he could go into a mall again for the first time in a long time.

Desert Sage Herbs also sells books about herbs and oils, as well as a variety of spices including turmeric and ginger people could use in dishes including curry.

The center also sells spices that can be used for therapeutic purposes to make their own capsules or mix in smoothies.

Some other spices offered are cinnamon, clove, coriander, basil and oregano.

“We also carry blends of spices, too, like Mexican seasoning or Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence,” Sounart said.

Several independent practitioners provide healing treatments in the building. An esthetician offers facials using all-natural products; a reflexologist treats feet, hands, faces and ears; and a neuromuscular therapist offers deep tissue massage techniques to help alleviate injuries and improve alignment.

After previously running their business out of space in a strip mall on the southwest corner of Ray and Rural roads,

Greener and Sounart bought the building where Desert Sage Herbs is located on Alma School Road, just south of Warner Road.

“That was always my dream,” Greener said. “When we were in that strip mall, it was nothing but retail. We wanted space where people could get support physically on their bodies.”

The business offers lots of community classes including a popular one on using herbs to get better sleep and reduce stress and anxiety. Shoppers can choose from jewelry and crystals they can carry in their pockets or large crystals with lights in them.

“We’re just here to educate the community and so we can empower them, help their own life and their family,” Sounart said.

Desert Sage Herbs is located at 1728 N. Alma School Road and open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Information: desertsageherbs.com

Yoga helps heal business owner and her clients

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Nicole Anne Fonovich of Chandler has suffered from severe back problems all her life, but never wanted to stop moving because she felt like she wasn’t really living.

That is why the active, energetic mother and busy entrepreneur started her own mobile yoga company, Nicole Anne Yoga, in November of 2017.

Fonovich and her team of yoga instructors and holistic practitioners teach a variety of yoga styles designed to help people of all ages and backgrounds heal from physical and emotional challenges and just unwind from stressful days.

Unlike many other wellness companies, Nicole Anne Yoga comes to clients, teaching at yoga and dance studios, schools, companies, nursing homes, temples and anywhere else in the Valley people seek the classes and treatments.

The business provides not only yoga classes, but also life coaching, Reiki energy healing, holistic nutrition/ health coach and other services aimed at improving people’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Fonovich has a business partner, Manny Gallegos, two employees and 30 independent contractors, including holistic practitioners, yoga teachers and Reiki masters providing the classes and treatments.

A graduate of the Southwest Institute of Holistic Arts in Tempe, she has her holistic practitioner degree, which includes advanced yoga training – 800 hours, and sound healing certification.

In addition, she also is an advanced certified meditation instructor for the Amrit method.

She specializes in teaching Yoga Nidra, sound healing, restorative yoga, holistic nutrition and life coaching. Students include senior citizens going through chemotherapy and recovering from illnesses, children with lots of energy and active young adults.

Born with a weak back, Fonovich has had four surgeries on her back and has three slipped discs in her neck and one slipped disc in her back right now.

She also has a fatty, benign tumor between her shoulders and neck that was removed but returned. Fonovich took her first yoga class at 20 years old while living in her native Illinois.

“I fell in love with it,” she said. “I

was hooked. Over the years it was a practice I kept coming back to. At first I didn’t realize the benefits of yoga. What I noticed is I’m not as stiff. I’m sleeping better at night. I don’t have as much pain.

“I don’t take prescription pain medication. This has completely changed my life and the way that I live.”

Fonovich said people do not have to be super flexible or do a lot of moving, stretching and twisting to practice yoga.

She also has a master’s degree in education from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and previously worked in financial aid as a university administrator for 12 years.

Fonovich has a bachelor of liberal arts degree in leadership and advocacy from Kendall College in Evanston, Illinois.

She had worked as director of financial aid at Touro University in California for five years before she moved back to her native Chicago to help her mother and sister care for her father, who was dying from leukemia.

Her father’s illness and subsequent death sparked her interest in holistic medicine. She has also written nine children’s books and has a line of online children’s books and apps called Luca Lashes, LLC, based on her series of books.

Her books have been translated into

different languages, bringing the total number of books in her name and apps to 40-some. Fonovich also owns her own company, N&L Enterprises, LLC, through which she does investment real estate.

“We tried to do everything we could to extend his life,” she said of her family caring for her father. “I think it changed the fundamental health of our family for generations.”

During her father’s illness, Fonovich gave birth to her son, Lucas, now 9, which helped heal her family.

Fonovich recalled having back spasms at age 8. She went to the hospital and a doctor put her on morphine, but that was far from the end of her pain. “Everything I did made it worse,” she said.

She remembered feeling a pop in her back while swimming at 15. Fonovich said the surgeries she has had have allowed her to keep walking, but the holistic health treatments have also helped.

“I’ve utilized acupuncture, chiropractic care, float tanks,” she said.

Fonovich said a friend encouraged her to come to yoga class when she was 20 and she loved the contentment and company of others in the yoga class.

See

YOGA on page 31

BUSINESS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

YOGA

31

from page 30

She loves teaching Yoga Nidra, a sleepbased type of meditation technique designed to take people to the deepest levels of relaxation.

Practicing Yoga Nidra for 45 minutes is as restorative as getting three hours of sleep, according to the Amrit Yoga Institute website. Fonovich said anyone who can lie on the floor can practice Yoga Nidra, where they are guided into deep relaxation.

The type of yoga can “help reduce the suicide rates” of veterans and help people process trauma, she said.

“It helps heal at a subconscious level,” Fonovich said. “This is a very real, holistic modality. It also helps relieve chronic pain. It’s beautiful. I have made it my expertise.”

She and her teachers are certified to teach the Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra, founded by Gurudev Shri Amritji (Yogi Amrit Desai), who came to the United States from India in the early 1960s.

Desai is the founder and spiritual director of the Amrit Yoga Institute in Salt Springs, Florida. Fonovich recently went to India, where she helped Desai as he taught yoga and visited with prime ministers and companies.

“I’m honored and it was a privilege and just a dream come true to be able to assist him,” she said.

In the Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra classes Fonovich teaches, students do little or no movement but engage in a series of breath, body and awareness techniques to “drop into yogic sleep.”

She tailors classes to students’ abilities and needs, including cueing veterans to get into plank positions and downward dog to help their minds slow down. Children can jump around like kangaroos, doing kicks and punches, to release energy.

“Every population has a little bit different need,” Fonovich said.

She also loves teaching Kirtan-Music Meditation. Kirtan is a Sanskrit word that means “praise or eulogy” and it is a type of call-and-response chanting involving hymns or mantras. The chanting is delivered alongside the use of instruments including drums, guitars, flutes, cymbals and harmonium.

“This is really the passion piece,” Fonovich said. “It’s our creative time. This is all about healing.”

She has a music background and said she has a “love of music.” Growing up she played clarinet and piano and sang in choirs and musicals.

Nicole Anne Fonovich, owner of Nicole Anne Yoga, teaches a Yoga Nidra (guided sleeping meditation) & Sound Healing Experience class at the Spirit of Yoga. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

Some students are singing the praises of Fonovich and her team.

Heidi Brenke, 58, of Mesa, a longtime nurse, said, “I kind of liken it to a park in the middle of a really busy city where you can go and you’re just in the moment with yourself.”

“What she does with the sound healing along with the movement has really reduced down my stress, amazingly, more than just doing it by myself,” Brenke said. “When you’re with the community, it just amplifies so much better.”

She usually takes a class at 10:30 to noon Saturdays at Kaleidoscope Dance Space at 2848 S. Carriage Lane in Mesa.

Fonovich and her instructors rotate teaching different types of yoga each Saturday there.

“Yoga has really just been a beautiful center seed of a cucumber for me,” Brenke said. “It puts me right in the moment of remembering the most important thing for that moment is selflove. We’ve forgotten that.”

She said Fonovich is “very engaging and warm” and “comes with a lot of experience.”

Brenke said yoga helps alleviate

chronic neck and back pain she has experienced on the job. She said men, women and children of all ages take the classes from Nicole Anne Yoga.

Jackson Brown, 25, of Mesa, who installs air conditioning for a living, said he loves the meditation in the classes Nicole Anne Yoga teaches.

“I go almost every Saturday,” Brown said. “I absolutely love meditation and I started taking it very seriously about November, December of 2016. My body was kind of lacking and I’ve always been interested in yoga. It was almost like magic. I have never been more thankful for it. I absolutely love sound healing.”

He also praised Fonovich.

“She is such a sweet person,” Brown said. “She has very high energy, but when she gives her instruction she just knows exactly what to say, how to do it. It’s amazing how deep she can get you. Afterward is my favorite part, the feeling that you have after completing a practice after pushing your body so hard.”

He said he would not be able to do his current job crawling through rafters and climbing ladders if he did not take

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yoga classes to counteract the physical activities.

Besides the Saturday morning classes, Nicole Anne Yoga also teaches a Family Yoga class at 6 p.m. Fridays at Kaleidoscope Dance Space in Mesa.

“It mixes it up for the kids, the parents,” Fonovich said.

Nicole Anne Yoga also offers a yin yoga class from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Abundant Space, 10824 N. 71st Place in Scottsdale.

The business provides a Yoga Nidra (guided sleeping meditation) & Sound Healing Experience class once a month on Sundays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Spirit of Yoga, in the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts at 1420 E. Southern Ave. in Tempe. The next one will be held April 28.

A Weekly Yoga Nidra/Guided Sleeping Meditation class is given by Nicole Anne Yoga from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays at Mesa Artspace Lofts at 155 S. Hibbert in Mesa.

Information: facebook.com/ nicoleanneyoga; on Instagram at instagram.com/nicoleanneyoga; nicoleanneyoga.com

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City going green at Earth Day event

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Children and adults of all ages can grow their knowledge of “green” practices and get their hands on sustainable goodies at the family-friendly Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration next weekend in Chandler.

The city will host the annual event, where its various departments, along with different companies and organizations, will offer fun activities and freebies, as well as a chance to buy plants, from 9 a.m. to noon on April 13 at Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road.

Some activities will be outside in the park while others will be inside the Environmental Education Center on the site, Daniella Rodriguez, recreation coordinator for the City of Chandler’s Environmental Education Center, said.

“We host a variety of vendors that basically promote the environment in different ways,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a big family event for sure. As far as environmental-related, it’s our biggest event that we hold. We do our best to include everyone and have enough activities and variety for people of all ages.”

One “big promoter” of the environment is SRP, which will come to teach people about water and energy conservation, she said.

Savers, a global thrift retailer with stores providing gently used clothes, accessories and household items, will also participate in the celebration.

Representatives from the store on North Arizona Avenue in Chandler will talk to visitors about Savers’ recycling program.

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is also going to have a booth at the Earth Day and Arbor Day festivities for the first time.

To share how Joanna Scheffler, adjunct faculty member in geology at Mesa Community feathered friends make College, displays rocks at Chandler’s Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration last year. (Daniella Rodriguez) up an important part of the environment, Desert Rivers Audubon Society will The Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus Pine also participate in the Chandler event.

Council, Inc. will also set up a booth at That is an area birding group that the event to promote environmentallyoffers bird walks, as well as classes at the friendly practices.

Environmental Education Center.

The Weeders Garden Club, organized Other types of animals will be and federated in 1955, will sell plants represented at the environmental festival. its members have grown themselves at The Arizona Herpetological Association the Earth Day and Arbor Day gathering. will bring reptiles for people to check That club meets monthly to learn from out. speakers about all aspects of gardening and takes field trips in the Valley.

See on page 34

EARTH DAY

Family Bike Ride with mayor rolls into parks

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

What’s inside Page 2,3 Santan Family Fun Calendar

People can pedal their way through parks and other parts of Chandler while chatting with Mayor Kevin Hartke and getting some freebies at an annual event.

The Chandler Family Bike Ride starts at 8 a.m. today, April 6, at Chandler’s Park & Ride lot, 2100 S. Hamilton St. in Tumbleweed Park.

Bike riders will head east through the park to the Paseo Trail, then travel north along the Consolidated Canal to Tibshraeny Family Park, which is on North Cottonwood Street, just north of Chandler Boulevard.

Then bikers will ride back to Tumbleweed Park. The whole ride is 7.8 miles and is occurring in conjunction with Valley Bike Month.

“I love this ride every year because it provides families with a great opportunity to get a little exercise, make new friends and celebrate bicycling in Chandler,” Hartke said. “It’s free, so come out and enjoy the Paseo Trail with us on April 6.”

Bike riders must wear helmets, but Phoenix Children’s Hospital, a partner with the city in the bike ride, will provide helmets to those who do not have one with them.

The hospital will also give away helmets through a raffle. Global Bikes will perform free safety checks on participants’ bicycles and talk and “promote safety while you ride,” said Nancy Jackson, city transit services coordinator.

Valley Metro is also a partner and will

The Chandler Family Bike Ride starts at 8 a.m. today, April 6, at Chandler’s Park & Ride lot, 2100 S. Hamilton St. in Tumbleweed Park. (City of Chandler)

give free T-shirts to attendees.

The Chandler Kiwanis Club, a nonprofit organization, will send volunteers to help with the giveaways.

Sprouts Farmers Market will provide snacks and drinks to participants at Tibshraeny Family Park. Kona Ice will give away cool, Hawaiian-style shaved ice to bicyclists.

“I think it’s important because it gets them out and enjoying the beautiful weather at this time and tries to promote a healthy lifestyle and living, and it gives them an opportunity to enjoy their family and friends and all the services the community of Chandler has to offer,” Jackson said, adding:

“It’s not a race, it’s not a competition.

It’s more of just a family ride. It’s not a fast-paced race. It goes at your own leisurely pace.”

Last year about 200 riders took part in the bike ride, with about half of them being children. Jackson expects about the same number of people to participate in the ride this year.

While the ride is free, people need to register before it starts as they must sign waivers before bicycling. They can register starting at 7 a.m. today at the Park & Ride lot.

Information: chandleraz.gov/explore/ special-events/family-bike-ride

34

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Mon

1

8 • Toddlertime

15

• Toddlertime

22 •Toddlertime

29 •Toddlertime

Tue

April

2

9

• Family Storytime • Toddlertime • Lapsit Babytime • Lego Club • Family Storytime

16

• STEAM Club • Family Storytime

23 •Toddlertime • Family Storytime • Lapsit Babytime • Lego Club • Family Storytime

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3

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STFF@SanTanSun.com

Fri

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• Diamondbacks vs. Padres • Toddlertime • Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Toddlertime

18

• Toddlertime • Ready, Set, Preschool!

25

Always call to verify information as some events change or cancel after the calendar is printed.

• Toddlertime • Ready, Set, Preschool!

Sun

6

• Chandler Jazz Festival • Arizona Railway Museum • Monthly Family Bird Walks • ImprovMANIA • Chandler Farmers Market • STEAM Club • Coyotes vs. Winnipeg Jets

12

•ImprovMANIA • Diamondbacks vs. Padres

19

• ImprovMANIA • Rhythm and Rhyme

26 • ImprovMANIA • Diamondbacks vs. Cubs

13

• Arizona Railway Museum • ImprovMANIA • Chandler Farmers Market • Diamondbacks vs. Padres • STEM Saturday: Marvelous Materials • Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration • Earth Day at the Zoo

7

• Arizona Railway Museum

14 •Arizona Railway Museum • Diamondbacks vs. Padres

20

21

27

28

• Arizona Railway Museum • ImprovMANIA • Chandler Farmers Market • Preschool Science: 3, 2, 1 Blastoff

• Arizona Railway Museum • ImprovMANIA • Chandler Farmers Market • Diamondbacks vs. Cubs

• Arizona Railway Museum

• Arizona Railway Museum • Diamondbacks vs. Cubs

30 • STEAM Club • Family Storytime • Toddlertime • Lapsit Babytime • Lego Club

see

EARTHDAY

CALENDAR page 35

from page 33

“Their organization basically serves to promote reptiles and the importance of them to the ecosystem and teach people how to appreciate them better,” Rodriguez said.

Education Empowers Inc., a local nonprofit organization where volunteers promote sustainability, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and robotics education, will take part in the Earth Day and Arbor Day bash.

“I like that I get to collaborate with a lot of organizations that are local and they really are making a difference in the environmental footprint,” Rodriguez said. “It’s just all kind of one common goal that we strive for, to promote the environment. It’s a lot of fun. As far as Arbor Day, we talk about the importance of trees and how they help with mitigating climate change.”

Various city departments will also do their part to spread environmental awareness in an entertaining way.

The Water Conservation and Solid

Left: The City of Chandler Water Conservation Department shares information and resources at the city’s Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration in 2018. (Dexter Belling) Right: People check out reptiles the Arizona Herpetological Association brought to Chandler’s Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration last year (Daniella Rodriguez)

Waste Services departments and Stormwater Management Program, as well as its Sunset Library, will share information and offer giveaways at the event.

City employees have given visitors tote bags, sponges with reminders about water conservation and other items at previous gatherings.

“They all team up,” Rodriguez said.

“A big part of their mission is to really promote their outreach and all the ways that would benefit the environment but also residents of Chandler.”

Children and anyone young at heart can participate in several craft and other activity stations at the event.

One includes decorating blank canvas tote bags people can take home and

learning about UV rays, then taking home bracelets with beads that change colors in the sun.

Stand-up pictures with a cactus and owl with holes cut in them so people can pose for photos with their heads behind them will also be set up.

See

EARTH DAYon page 35

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

6 Chandler Jazz Festival, 5 to 10:30 p.m. Listen as jazz fills the air in Downtown Chandler at the 20th annual Chandler Jazz Festival. Some main stage performers on Saturday include Carmela y Mas and Gaines Brothers Jazz Quintet. Throughout the evening, guests are encouraged to stroll around downtown and discover the many local shops and restaurants.

Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, Stage Plaza, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler, free, chandleraz.gov.

6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 Arizona Railway Museum, noon to 4 p.m. Visit Chandler’s railway museum at Tumbleweed Park. The Arizona Railway Museum was founded in 1983 as a nonprofit organization and is dedicated to the railways of Arizona and the Southwest. All types of railroad memorabilia and cars are represented in the museum. Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Road, Chandler. Display yard and building free; display cars $5 per person or $15 per family/group. For information, call Tim at 480-833-4353 or Bart Barton at 480-831-6520, azrymuseum.org.

6 Monthly Family Bird Walks, 8 a.m.

Desert Rivers Audubon leads free guided birdwatching tours through Veterans Oasis Park the first Saturday of every month from November to April. The 45-minute walks begin every 15 minutes. Sunscreen, closed-toe shoes and plenty of water are recommended.

Environmental Education Center, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, free, 480782-2889, chandleraz.gov/eec.

6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 ImprovMANIA, 7 p.m. Join ImprovMANIA on Fridays and Saturdays for family-friendly comedy shows. ImprovMANIA’s improv performances are fast paced, like the show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Prepare for a night of laughter in downtown Chandler.

ImprovMANIA, 250 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, $10, 480-699-4598, improvmania.net.

6, 13, 20, 27 Chandler Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The market offers fresh local produce, prepared goods, desserts and some crafts on select days. All items are grown in Arizona or are homemade from local vendors. 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, free, downtownchandler.org/farmers-market.

EARTHDAY

from page 34

The usual features of the park and Environmental Education Center will also be available for people to check out.

The center will be open and people can view many rocks and minerals on display including petrified wood, copper and malachite.

There also will be fishing in the lake at Veterans Oasis Park.

6, 16, 23, 30 STEAM Club, 4 to 5 p.m. Come to the Chandler Library STEAM Club and have fun every Tuesday with science, technology, engineering, art and math. Win prizes just for showing up. Ages 6-11. STEAM Club is a Vertex program, where Chandler Public Library intersects with STEAM and makerspace.

Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

6 Coyotes vs. Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. Watch the Arizona Coyotes take on the Winnipeg Jets at Gila River Arena. Purchase four Pepsi Family Value Pack tickets to earn a hot dog and soda with each ticket.

Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale, $23 to $142, 623-772-3800, nhl.com/coyotes.

Mondays wednesdays sundays

SPECIALS

11, 12, 13, 14 Diamondbacks vs. Padres, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the San Diego Padres at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $15 to $155, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

9, 16, 23, 30 Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m. Read books, sing songs and play with puppets at Family Storytime. This week, families will build forts, select books and read. Fort-building material will be provided.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Road, Chandler, free. 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

11, 18, 25 Toddlertime, 9:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.

Toddlertime features singing and puppets to engage the children. The story time is approximately 30 minutes.

Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

9, 16, 23, 30 Toddlertime, 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The 30-minute program features singing and puppets to engage children.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Road, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

9, 16, 23, 30 Lapsit Babytime, 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

Read books, listen to music and interact with fun puppets at playtime. All activities are designed for newborns to 18-month-old children. One parent for each child is highly recommended.

Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

9, 16, 23, 30 Lego Club, 4 p.m. Meet new friends and have fun building with Lego, which are supplied.

“Most likely people will be fishing that morning,” Rodriguez said. “We have a lot of regulars that come and fish and enjoy the park.”

The Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration typically draws about 400 to 600 people every year, she said.

Earth Day is an international event celebrated April 22, which started in 1970 when millions of people hit the streets to protest the negative effects of industrial development over 150 years.

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9, 16, 23, 30 Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m. Read books, sing songs and play with puppets at Family Storytime. This week, families will build forts, select books and read. Fort-building material will be provided.

Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

10, 17, 24 Lapsit Babytime, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Read books, listen to music and interact with fun puppets at play time. All activities are designed for newborns to 18-month-old children. One parent for each child is highly recommended.

Downtown Library Copper Room North, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

8, 15, 22, 29 Toddlertime, 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. Songs and puppets engage toddlers during this 30-minute event.

Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

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Lego Club is a Vertex program, where Chandler Public Library intersects with STEAM and makerspace.

Sunset Library Monsoon Room, 4930 W. Ray Road, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

11, 18, 25 Ready, Set, Preschool!, 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Children ages 3 to 5 prepare for kindergarten through songs and activities. This is a 45-minute program.

Basha Library, 5990 S. Val Vista Drive, Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

11, 18, 25 Toddlertime, 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Songs and puppets engage toddlers during this 30-minute event.

Downtown Library, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

National Arbor Day is April 26 and the roots of the day go back to the 1850s, when J. Sterling Morton and his wife, Caroline Joy French, moved from Michigan to the newly formed Nebraska Territory, a land without trees, according to the Morton Arboretum website.

Morton strived to encourage tree planting and to improve the environment, as well as make the landscape more beautiful. He did his work through literary, agricultural and political

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13 STEM Saturday: Marvelous Materials, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about different types of metals and test their strength. Children can test the tensile strength of their hair and use ferrofluids to see magnetism. The entire family is welcome to interact with the many exhibits on-hand.

Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler, free, 480-782-2717, chandlermuseum.org.

13 Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration, 9 a.m. to noon. Learn how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle by participating in a morning full of fun activities celebrating the earth. Children can see live animal presentation and make crafts and parents can learn about different “green” products from businesses in the area.

Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, free, chandleraz.gov.

13 Earth Day at the Zoo, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spend the day strolling through the Phoenix Zoo while learning how to be more sustainable. Some of the activities include a bag making station, bubble making station and face painting. Shakti drum circle dancers will perform by the lake multiple times throughout the day.

Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, included in regular admission, 602-286-3800, phoenixzoo.org.

19 Rhythm and Rhyme, 11 to 11:30 a.m. Young children are welcome to join in a musical celebration at the library. During the event, they can sing, dance and play instruments.

Hamilton Library, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, free, 480-782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

20 Preschool Science: 3, 2, 1 Blastoff, 10:15 a.m.

Children interested in science will have a blast learning about rockets. This hands-on event will have kids creating their own rocket and launching it using an engineered launch pad.

Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, $15 to $20, 602-716-2000, azscience.org.

26, 27, 28 Diamondbacks vs. Cubs, Times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field. The first night of the series features a postgame firework show.

Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, $19 to $44, 1-800-745-3000, mlb.com/dbacks.

positions and activities, first as editor of “Nebraska City News.”

On April 10, 1872, Morton’s idea to reserve a day for planting and bringing attention to trees became the first Arbor Day; when Nebraska residents reportedly planted one million trees.

In 1885, Nebraska declared Morton’s birthday, April 22, as Arbor Day. Information: chandleraz.gov/events/ earth-day-and-arbor-day-celebration

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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24-Karrot Trail 9ForA.M.-NOON kids up to 9 years of age.

Make sure to bring your baskeT. No Scrambles

The morning will also be hopping with Easter crafts, face painting, interactive amusement, musical performances and more. Grab the whole family and don your best smile as photos with Peter Cotton Tail will be available for purchase too.

COLORING CONTEST SUBMISSION FORM CHILD’S NAME _________________________________________________________________ PARENT’S NAME __________________________________________

AGE _______________________

PHONE NUMBER(S) _______________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY ___________________________ ZIP ___________________ E-MAIL ______________________________________________ Contest winners will be chosen from each of the following age categories: 2 years and under, 3-4 years, 5-6 years and 7-9 years.

Colored pictures must be dropped off at Chandler City Hall, 175 S. Arizona Ave. or mailed to: Attn: Annette Watson Easter Celebration Coloring Contest | Mail Stop 500, P.O. Box 4008 | Chandler, AZ 85244-4008 Coloring page must be submitted no later than Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 5 p.m.

You do not need to be present to win.

For more information please call 480-782-2669 or visit chandleraz.gov/easter.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Sports & Recreation

41

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Hamilton, Basha stand out in crowded Premier baseball race

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Year after year, the Premier Region seems to have a team in the hunt for the 6A prep baseball title.

This season is no different. Hamilton, Basha, Perry, Chandler and Brophy Prep all entered region play with winning records.

Given the camaraderie among the Chandler district players, who have grown up playing with or against each other, region games bring out intense, yet friendly, battles.

Two of those giants met last week.

Hamilton walloped Basha, 10-4 and 100. Strong pitching by Hamilton quieted Bashas’ big bats.

“I know at least five or six (Hamilton) guys I’ll go work out with on the weekends,” Basha senior infielder Cam LaLiberte said. “It’s always fun to come out, see friendly faces and play with them.”

LaLiberte, who has committed to Chandler-Gilbert Community College, leads Basha with a .514 batting average, 13 RBIs and a home run.

Jim Schilling, who has been at the helm at Basha since 2011, has confidence that his team (13-5) will bounce back. They’ve bought into a system that he believes will keep them poised and confident.

“We have some talented players,” Schilling said. “We just have to find a way

Left: Hamilton High junior infielder Tyler Wilson went 3-for-3 with a 2-run homer, a triple and a double against Basha. That comes after a sophomore season shortened to seven games by a shoulder injury. Right: Basha senior infielder Cam LaLiberte, who has committed to Chandler-Gilbert Community College, leads Basha High with a .514 batting average, 13 RBIs and a home run. (Photos by Zach Alvira/STS Staff)

to beat teams like that. Our schedule is a meat grinder. There’s no time for crying on our part. Our kids get after it. They’re a tight-knit family. They know how to win.

I think we have done that so far to start the season.

“Hopefully we see these guys again.”

Hamilton’s ability to dominate one of the best teams in the state isn’t a fluke.

The Huskies (14-4) went in as the sixthranked team in the nation according to MaxPreps, their only losses being close games against Desert Vista, Corona del Sol and Mountain View.

Huskies junior infielder Tyler Wilson went 3-for-3 with a 2-run homer, triple and double against the Bears. That comes after a sophomore season shortened by

a shoulder injury. Seven games into it, Wilson dove for a back pick to first base.

When he landed, his shoulder popped out of place.

“It was weird,” said Wilson, a Grand Canyon University commit. “It’s been a hard, long process. I just stayed positive and told myself it would be all good in the end.”

Before his injury, Wilson was batting .409 with 6 RBIs and 8 runs scored.

“He would have had a good year last year if he didn’t get hurt,” Hamilton coach Mike Woods said. “He’s a good worker and a talented young man. He’s been a big part of our success so far.”

The wins over Basha on back-to-back days moved Hamilton to the top of the Arizona Interscholastic Association rankings.

Now the Huskies prepare to dive deeper into region play as well as “freedom games” against Mountain Ridge, Desert Vista and Desert Ridge.

“Our guys are used to playing good competition,” Woods said. “There are no days off for us. We are always playing quality teams. On the personal side with the kids knowing those guys (at Basha), they get to talk a little smack with each other. It’s fun.

“But every game is important to us.

Every game matters.”

EV athletes playing key roles in ASU baseball’s historic start

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

The secret is out. At 21-0, Arizona State University’s baseball team was the final remaining undefeated Division I program in the country.

A slew of talent from East Valley high schools is playing key roles in the Sun Devils’ fast start, now 25-2.

“There’s a lot of good high school baseball, first and foremost,” said Ben Greenspan, ASU assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. “There’s some great coaches and programs all over the state and we are lucky to have a majority of those in the East Valley.

“Every player is able to play at our level right away.”

Sophomore outfielder Trevor Hauver, a Perry High alum, who has seven home runs, is hitting .391 and has knocked in 25 runs, said some of the success can be traced to how they prepare.

“We aren’t looking toward any one series, we are just focused on the next game,” Hauver said. “I think it’s helped that we don’t look past any of the teams.”

Hauver was part of the 2017 ASU recruiting class that included Basha infielder Gage Workman, Skyline pitcher Boyd Vander Kooi and Hamilton infielder Drew Swift. All are contributing.

“When we played each other in high school, we all knew who each other were,” Hauver said. “It was friendly competition but we talked a lot of smack. We will be in the locker room now and we will see the scores for the high school season going on and we’ll talk.”

Greenspan, head coach Tracy Smith – an

Left: Arizona State sophomore outfielder Trevor Hauver, a Perry High alum, has seven home runs, is hitting .391 and has knocked in 25 runs as the Sun Devils started the season 21-0. Right: Arizona State baseball coach Tracy Smith, an Ahwatukee resident, and the Sun Devils had the second-best start in school history. Now 25-2 and No. 5 in the country, the Sun Devils are winning with East Valley recruits playing key roles. (Photos by Pablo Robles/STS Staff)

Ahwatukee resident – and the staff scour the East Valley every year for recruits.

Next year, ASU will have more.

It recently signed Mountain Pointe pitcher Nick Wallerstedt, the son of former Sun Devil football standout, Brett Wallerstedt. Nick, the Pride football team’s starting quarterback for two-plus seasons, chose baseball over football.

“I’m very excited to join them,” Wallerstedt said. “I went to one of their games against Notre Dame and it looked like a Major League team playing a Little League team. It’s pretty cool.”

Corona del Sol infielder Brian Kalmer also has signed with the Sun Devils, as have two players from Tucson.

The area in and around Ahwatukee is a

hotbed for recruiting. It might help that the ASU staff lives close by. “‘Skip’ lives right next to Desert Vista and I live close to Corona del Sol, so we are tucked right into that area,” Greenspan said.

“Not that you set your recruiting based on where you live but sometimes it’s nice to catch a high school game close to home.”

ASU’s 21-0 was the second-best start in school history. The 2010 team holds the school-record best start at 24-0.

Among those on that 2010 roster was Desert Mountain High alum and current Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly.

“They’re catching up,” Kelly said, laughing.

“I hope they get to it and break it. That’s a cool record to break.”

Alas, the streak ended at 21 and Kelly and

teammates still hold the mark.

However, in what appeared to be a makeor-break season for Smith, the Sun Devils are breaking out.

With their strong defense and power at the plate, they cracked the national top-25 the first week of March. They were No. 10 in the USA Today coaches’ poll by mid-month and No. 5 going into April.

That’s serious stuff, yet friendly banter is common among the East Valley alums.

Hauver and Swift played on the same team in junior high and a club team with Vander Kooi.

Hauver doesn’t let Swift forget that he started over him at shortstop in eighth See

ASU on page 42

SPORTS & RECREATION 42

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Chandler Youth Baseball celebrates 50 seasons

BY ERIC NEWMAN STSN Staff Writer

“Baseball is a blast. Leagues like this are really what it’s all about,” Drago said.

Hundreds of youth baseball players, parents, coaches and board members marched at Arrowhead Meadows Park in Chandler on March 23 to celebrate Chandler Youth Baseball’s 50th season.

Dressed in their game uniforms, the players enjoyed an opening ceremony featuring inflatable bounce houses, food, drinks and their first games of the spring season.

Arizona Diamondbacks public-address announcer Chuck Drago even made a guest appearance, saying that youth baseball is the sport’s purest form.

“I love it because it brings me back to the energy I had when I was a kid, the joking around and the fun of just playing baseball with your friends,” Drago said.

The 2019 season is the sixth that CYB has partnered with the Diamondbacks, which sponsor several leagues around the state, providing about 65,000 jerseys to coaches and players.

League president Bryan Korus said having the partnership is a major reason why excitement and registration continue to grow. In seasons past, the league had just one Diamondbacks team. The others wore jerseys and hats representing other squads.

There was an obvious jealousy toward the players who got to don the jersey of the Valley’s Major League Baseball home team each season. Not anymore.

“They all get to be the Diamondbacks.

You’ll have teams with the different

Chandler National ready to play ball, too

Players in the Chandler Youth Baseball league, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this season, line up on opening day, ready to play ball. (Chandler Youth Baseball Photo)

colored or designed uniforms, and they just play off the name, like the Vipers or Snakes, but everybody gets to be part of the Diamondbacks, and they love it,” Korus said.

CYB board member and former president Dan Moellering gave credit to the numerous volunteers who participate on the board and help run the league.

Not affiliated with Little League Baseball, which is based in Williamsport, Pa., nor to be confused with the Chandler National Little League representatives, which have made their way to the Little League World Series, CYB is not bound by national rules and can tweak its league and its rules each season as it sees fit.

“We can do whatever we want, and what we think is best for the kids,” Moellering said.

A recent implementation is the league’s Pee-Wee Division, which allows kids as young as 3 to learn the basics. In what Korus calls the “kindergarten of baseball,” each player is required to have a parent alongside them at all times on the field, engaging the kids more than they could with just a single coach.

“They all start to enjoy the game together, and hopefully they stick around for years,” Korus said.

The league also offers a recreational high-school division for players not playing on their school teams. With the focus solely on baseball and fun, Chandler Youth Baseball is proud of how far it has come in a half century.

Amid adoring players ready to get started, Drago could sense the excitement.

Chandler National Little League celebrated its opening day March 23, as well, with parents and youngsters eager to emulate the success of past teams that have advanced to Williamsport.

Board member Joe Strazz coached the 2018 12-and-under all-star team that reached the Arizona Little League State Tournament. Ten of that team’s 12 players attended the ceremony, being honored for their success and wishing the current players good luck.

“We had a lot of kids show up, and when the younger kids walked in the parade and onto the field they got a chance to give high-fives to the all-stars, which you could see meant a lot to them.

They’re looking at it like they’re the kids they want to be in a few years,” Strazz said.

Chandler National applied new rules to limiting the action of pitchers and catchers last season in order to protect their bodies. The adaptation of those rules into the national Little League rules is a testament to the success the local league has had.

Most important are the energy and expectations that Strazz and colleagues have learned to enjoy.

“It’s exciting to see the kids coming back, and to see how much they’ve grown since the last time they played. Seeing all them so happy makes it one of my favorite days of the year,” Strazz said.

SEV club lacrosse league raising funds to scrape by SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Left: Arizona State sophomore pitcher Boyd Vander Kooi (holding clipboard), a Skyline High alum, is part of a dominant Sun Devil pitching staff that has held opponents to .235 batting. (Zach Alvira/STS Staff) Right: Among the East Valley high school products contributing to Arizona State’s 25-2 start is Basha sophomore infielder Gage Workman, who has 16 RBI and whose batting average has improved to .324 from .276 as a freshman. (Pablo Robles/ STS Staff)

ASU

from page 41

grade. Workman reminds Hauver of the time Basha no-hit Perry in 2017. Vander Kooi often brings up how he and the rest of the 2017 class turned around the Skyline program.

“I’ve heard ‘Chandler Unified (School District)’ more in the last two years than I have since I got here,” Greenspan said. “It’s like a chant.”

Swift usually gets the last word.

“Drew always likes to bring up that he won three out of the four state championships,” Vander Kooi said. “In my junior and senior years at Skyline we had 20-plus wins so I like to brag about that a little bit, but you can’t beat all of the championships.”

Vander Kooi is 3-0 with 34 strikeouts and 20 walks. The dominant ASU pitching staff has held opponents to .235 batting. The Sun Devils have served up just 15 home runs.

“Our pitchers are doing our thing and keeping us in ball games, and our hitters are mashing right now,” Workman said. “We are all playing for each other.”

Workman’s batting average has improved

from .276 as a freshman to .324. He has 22 RBI. His first two homers came against Washington State. The next day, he added another, matching his total from all of last season.

“Hitting, defense, base running -- everything is better,” Workman said. “All of the reps and at-bats from last season have helped. Anytime you get more reps, the better you are.”

The success of the East Valley players in ASU’s 2017 signing class reflects the caliber and depth of Division I talent the region produces each year.

The East Valley recruiting scene is now crowded with Valley institutions Grand Canyon, Benedictine Mesa and Park Gilbert entering the fray, joining the University of Arizona and other Division I schools outside of the Valley.

Some players may head away from home, but the four former East Valley prep players are pleased that they stayed close to home and play key roles as ASU recovers from a few off years.

“Growing up, I went to Packard (Stadium) all the time,” Vander Kooi said. “My whole family has gone here, so I wanted to come and carry over that tradition.”

Lacrosse is a growing sport in the Southeast Valley, especially among girls, but one that still is not sanctioned for interscholastic high school play in Arizona.

So, like ice hockey, lacrosse is a club sport, and as such is on its own for funding.

Typical of leagues that hustle to get by is One Team Lacrosse, a league of about 250 boys and girls who live in Chandler or Gilbert and attend Chandler schools.

Their annual fundraiser, a corn-hole tournament, is 1-6 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo Wild Wings, 970 S Gilbert Road in Gilbert.

One Team Lacrosse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

“We brought teams together to have a larger and, frankly, more positive voice in the East Valley,” said Leslie McCoy, One Team Lacrosse president. “We support a healthy extracurricular activity for our kids, and we also encourage our families to give back to our community.”

Players from kindergarten through 12th grade participate on age-group teams. Youth boys and girls teams and high school girls play January through April. High school boys play February through May. They generally play in Arizona, most games in the Valley or in Tucson. Teams do travel to tournaments in California, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.

It isn’t necessarily an inexpensive sport.

Costs range from $175 to $525.

“We are 100 percent non-profit, so it depends completely on our costs incurred for field space, lighting, field lining, team

equipment and uniforms,” McCoy said. “We have donated equipment for new kids to borrow so they don’t have a large outlay in cost to try the sport.”

Seth Polansky of the Arizona Interscholastic Association said that the organization, which is the governing body of high school sports, recognizes the growth of lacrosse. For it to become a sanctioned high school sport, it must be recommended from a conference committee. Recommendations are then presented to the AIA Executive Board for consideration. It was that board that in recent years voted to add beach volleyball, girls wrestling and, coming this fall, e-sports.

“It would take an official committee or group to make a recommendation at a board meeting through an agenda item, and then for the board to approve,” Polansky said. “ With most of our board members serving at member schools, they probably already know the positives and negatives about adding these sports.”

The big issue is field space. Lacrosse would compete with football and boys and girls soccer for use of fields.

Meanwhile, club leagues negotiate with schools and city parks officials for fields and conduct fundraisers to pay for them.

Entry fee for the corn-hole tournament is $50 per team. The winning team gets $400, the runner up $200. Those who don’t play but want to stop by to watch, eat, drink and support the cause should mention the tournament when ordering. The league then receives 15 percent of food and bar tabs.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Opinion

43

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

New supervisor looks at major county issues

BY JACK SELLERS Guest Writer

I’m now two months into the job as a Maricopa County Supervisor and I can tell you that the business of running the county is every bit as challenging, interesting and rewarding as I thought it would be.

I have a lot to learn, but also, I believe, a lot to contribute. I’m thankful for the support of my colleagues on the board, grateful for the legacy of my predecessor, Denny Barney, and excited to connect with those of you in District 1 so I can better represent your needs.

There’s no shortage of work to be done, but there are three issues that stand out to me as the most urgent and important.

Elections: The Board of Supervisors is working with Recorder Fontes to improve how elections are run in Maricopa County. Turnout was high in 2018 and could break records again in 2020. We need a system that works for everyone.

This means investing in technology that meets the needs of a 21st century

electorate. It means staffing in a way that enables votes to be counted in an accurate and timely manner. It also means reexamining the structure of our elections system. Which responsibilities fall to the board, and which fall to the recorder?

We’ll be thoughtful about it and work with state legislators to strike the proper balance. The goal is a best-in-class elections system worthy of a world-class region.

Transportation and Infrastructure: I don’t have to tell you our region is changing. In the 2000 Census, Chandler had 177,000 residents and Maricopa County as a whole had 3 million. In 2004, voters passed Prop 400 to fund transportation projects that would fuel a new wave of growth.

Among them, the Loop 202 projects – the completed Red Mountain and Santan Freeways as well as the future South Mountain Freeway. These improved connections make the East Valley a more attractive destination for business.

I’ve been deeply involved in these projects as a member of Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the State Transportation Board, and I’m proud of the impact they’ve had. By 2010, Chan-

dler’s population was nearly 240,000 and Maricopa County had grown to almost four million as families relocated to an area with both space and freeway access.

Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe and Queen Creek all saw incredible growth as well, brought about in part by these investments in freeway expansions, surface street improvements, light rail and bus routes.

Now it’s time for a new transportation plan that will connect the next generation to greater opportunity and improved quality of life. Prop 400 expires in 2025.

When voters passed it, self-driving cars were a thing of science fiction. Now the East Valley is the epicenter of the autonomous vehicle revolution.

That’s one of many factors we have to consider as we think about future of transportation in the nation’s fastest-growing county. A future “Prop 500” is a priority of mine – in some ways, it’s what my career in public service has been building to – and I plan to be a strong advocate for long-term, countywide solutions.

You can get involved in the discussion right now by taking MAG’s 10-minute online survey at azmag.gov/values.

Continuing economic development: Our transportation infrastructure is one reason our region is growing so quickly, but it’s not the only reason. In my work with East Valley Partnership and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, I’ve seen how Arizona champions can build relationships that bring the jobs of the future to Maricopa County.

Because of my work with state legislators and other leaders, I know the difference good policy can make in creating an environment that attracts both new industry and new families. As a member of the board, I will work with my colleagues to build and diversify our vibrant economy.

Other issues will come up, of course, and as they do, I want to hear from you.

Please reach out and let me know what you need. You can email me anytime at sellersj@mail.maricopa.gov or call my office at 602-506-1776. Thank you for the opportunity to serve District 1.

- Jack Sellers is a Chandler resident and a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors whose district includes Ahwatukee and much of the East Valley.

Our voices will be heard even if bills are not

BY DR. WARREN STEWART SR. Guest Writer

We all want the same thing: safe streets, safe communities for our families and children. But, Arizona’s criminal legal system goes far beyond the goal of safety.

We are fourth highest in the nation in incarcerating people.

For instance: Since 2000, Arizona’s prison population has grown by more than 16,000 people, a 60 percent increase; Seven out of 10 prison admissions in Arizona are for a nonviolent crime. In this year’s January “Corrections at a Glance” report, 77 percent of inmates are identified as needing substance abuse treatment, yet only 2 percent of the inmates receive treatment.

These and other harrowing statistics are especially acute for our Black and Brown Arizonans, women and the elderly.

Yet, the Arizona legislature has yet to see its way clear to correct these injustices in the criminal justice system.

Some of the most thoughtful bills, reforms that have been implemented in states like Mississippi, have not seen the light of day in Arizona.

One of the most incredulous moments experienced this session came just a week ago when HB 2661 was introduced; This bill would have allowed each prisoner who is in an eligible earned release credit class to earn a release credit of one day for every six days served, including time served in county jails, except those prisoners who are serving a term for a dangerous offense.

At exactly 12:48 p.m. on Feb. 20, HB 2661 was introduced to the Judiciary Committee, and at exactly 12:57 p.m., House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Allen, sponsor of the bill, decided to declare the bill “held.”

Only a handful of testimonies were heard regarding the support of HB 2661, while over a dozen tax-paying citizens were refused an opportunity to share their support of the bill “for time’s sake.”

For time’s sake, HB 2661’s sponsor decided that these voices, who had traveled from all over the state of Arizona to rally behind this sliver of hope, were not considered important enough to be heard.

We echo the words of Pope Francis on prison reform in Argentina in August 2017, when he rightly stated: “Those who are in prison are there because they ‘made a mistake’ and they have to pay for it. But let us not forget that for the punishment to be fruitful, it must have a horizon of hope. Otherwise, it is enclosed within itself and is only an instrument of torture, it’s not fruitful.”

And from the words of the Lord to Prophet Zechariah: “As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the

waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.”

We as faith leaders across this region stand in solidarity for those who are unjustly incarcerated and their loved ones.

We pray you will stand with us to right the wrongs in our criminal justice system in Arizona by doing away with mandatory minimum sentences, allowing for expungement of records and providing a barrier-free avenue for re-entry into society as productive contributing citizens.

We pray that you will join us by giving voice to those who are incarcerated for low-level crimes, and demanding a “horizon of hope,” a system of justice that is restorative, not just punitive. Voices will be heard … even if bills are not.

- Dr. Warren Stewart, Sr., is president of the African American Christian Clergy Coalition.

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OPINION

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

How storytelling can empower youth, heal veterans

BY RICK ROMLEY Guest Writer

For public servants, few things can inspire the simultaneous dread and gratitude that comes with receiving an award. We do all that we do out of a calling to serve others, so naturally receiving personal honors feels at odds with our mission.

Yet, for the community you serve to express their gratitude is humbling.

This push-and-pull is exactly what I felt when I learned I would be receiving the “Storyteller Award” from one of the Valley organizations that is dearest to me, Veterans Heritage Project (VHP), at their Saluting Stories of Service Celebration Dinner.

The Storyteller Award is given to those

whose stories impart inner strength, and who are committed to furthering veteran interests in Arizona.

While I hope my work has done those things, I will readily admit that there are Arizona veterans who are more deserving.

When I’ve met them, shook their hands and heard their stories, I’ve felt their inner strength.

VHP offers that same experience to students; The program provides middle school, high school and college students with firsthand civic education by connecting them with veterans.

Through VHP’s oral history publishing program, students capture veterans’ stories and images, which are permanently preserved in the Library of Congress and through the student publication Since You Asked. Since 2004, students have preserved over 2,000 stories.

We fought to ensure our children would never have to face that ugliness.

But that very ugliness also taught us the meaning of courage, grit and self-sacrifice.

Through VHP, veterans can impart the lessons we learned in those difficult times to new generations.

History can fade quickly, but VHP gives our youth a deeper understanding of what it takes to protect this democracy of ours. It is an unmissable civics lesson for our future leaders.

And as beneficial as the experience can be for students, veterans benefit from the opportunity just as much.

Returning from service is not as simple as stepping off a plane; It takes years to truly come back. My experiences in combat were extremely personal to me.

Talking about them was the last thing I wanted to do.

But something happens when you begin to tell your story, when you push through the pain and vulnerability of exposing something you’ve kept hidden: You set down the baggage you’ve carried for so long, and you begin to unpack the suitcases to find the lessons that were buried beneath the piles of dirty fatigues.

And as you share those with the young person sitting across from you, you begin to see all the positives those experiences taught you, rather than only the negatives. It is a healing experience like no other.

VHP’s contribution to our veteran community cannot be understated. But don’t take my word for it: visit veteransheritage.org to learn more.

-Rick Romley is the former Maricopa County Attorney.

Anti-vaxxers swelling the ranks of stupidity

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Columnist

Lately there’s been a lot of talk about climate change as the most serious threat facing mankind. Respectfully, I disagree.

Climate change may indeed lay waste to civilization someday. But my money is on stupidity killing us first.

If that sounds mean-spirited, please

understand that the past few weeks have been an epic stretch for those of us who track idiocy, which happens to be my principal form of entertainment. And while it’s easy to excuse stupidity because we all have brain lapses from time to time, some of us seem determined to push human ignorance to its absolute pinnacle.

Like the now-notorious selfie-taker known as Leanne, no last name, who came to fame on a recent sunny Saturday at the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park.

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Leanne is alleged to have leaned beyond or otherwise crossed a barrier in order to get closer to a female jaguar. The jaguar did what annoyed jaguars do, swiping at Leanne through a fence, clawing her arm deeply enough to require multiple stitches.

“We have determined the jaguar was not at fault in any way,” a zoo spokesperson told a reporter for Channel 3. “The injuries were due to human error.”

Uh, I’ll say.

Seriously, if you can’t attend the zoo

properly as an adult, how do you handle stuff like work or grocery shopping?

I typically ponder such existential questions while hiking Piestewa Peak, except I’m giving that particular trail a break now, after police arrested three men there last Monday. Their crime? Firing a 9mm handgun at a saguaro near the busy Hopi trailhead. While smoking weed. And babysitting a 1-year-old.

Terrorized hikers and residents called See

ANTI-VAXXERS on page 45

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OPINION

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

ANTI-VAXXERS

from page 44

the cops. Officers found the Glock pistol in the baby’s car seat – beneath the baby.

The 29-year-old dad, Nicholas Forte, told police he was holding the toddler when a buddy handed him the gun, so he put the Glock in the baby seat, then sat the kid down on top of it.

This story makes me wonder why there isn’t an enhanced sentence for

criminal stupidity, similar to how a “hate crimes” designation adds prison time for heinous offenders. We clearly need to up the ante because stupid people are getting more dangerous daily.

Like the anti-vaxxers.

Leanne risked only her own life. The Saguaro Shooters endangered a small child and some nearby hikers. Anti-vaxxers endanger broad swaths of Arizona by refusing to vaccinate their children, despite decades of persuasive medical evidence and the urging of everyone from

the Centers for Disease Control to the Surgeon General to Gov. Doug Ducey.

Mesa Rep. Kelly Townsend, head of the State Legislature’s Looney Tunes bloc, recently bashed vaccination requirements, opining, “The idea that we force someone to give up their liberty for the sake of the collective is not based on American values but rather, Communist.”

Townsend later doubled down on the crazy, comparing vaccinating children to ward off measles, mumps and rubella with … the Holocaust?

45

For Townsend, mandatory vaccines to protect public health – or, as she puts it, “government forcing you to inject a solution into your body that could very well damage you for life or even kill you” – is somehow akin to the Nazis tattooing prisoners with ID numbers at death camps.

“Your body is your own,” Townsend told reporters. I couldn’t agree more. As a rule, Americans stand free to use our bodies as we see fit. I just wish more of us would actually use our brains every now and again.

Some special needs kids falling through the cracks

BY REBECCA MASTERSON Guest Writer

Jay is 5 and intellectually disabled. He is entering kindergarten, but developmentally, is years behind his

typical peers.

His new school has a plethora of resources for Jay, including a smaller classroom with a trained special education teacher and individualized academic programs for Jay’s unique needs, but the school is unable to put Jay into this program.

Instead, Jay spends his days in a general education kindergarten class, unable to participate, unable to progress, unable to access the curriculum.

Why? Because Jay is one of Arizona’s 15,000 foster children.

For the past few years, I have volunteered as a special education lawyer for children in state care. These children have

been abused by their parents or caregivers and removed from their homes, but usually, the parents retain education rights.

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that a parent has the right to control their child’s education. Federal special education law requires parental consent before a student can be evaluated for special education.

In other words, a school can’t give a child special education services without parental approval. For children in foster care, this is often a barrier to an appropriate education.

For students like Jay, the school typically tries to locate the student’s parents. School personnel call, email and send meeting notices to the parents’ last known contact information.

If the parents, often battling their own demons, do not attempt to participate, the schools cannot evaluate these students and are unable to implement the special education programming these children desperately need.

The schools are stuck, and it’s Arizona’s abused and neglected children who suffer.

Children with disabilities are more likely to suffer maltreatment, and therefore more likely to be removed from their homes and placed into foster care. Studies from various states and localities indicate that 30-60 percent of children in state care have developmental delays and 25 percent have three or more chronic health problems.

One in four foster children suffer from PTSD, and well over half have mental health issues resulting from the trauma of the abuse and the foster system itself.

With Arizona’s opioid use skyrocketing, these statistics will continue to rise. And yet, Arizona schools are forced to ignore federal special education requirements and overlook these children – even though help is just a classroom away.

Arizona HB 2378 solves this problem.

It requires that the Arizona Department of Child Safety promptly provide a foster child’s school with the contact information

for a student’s biological parents when those parents retain educational rights.

This protects parental rights and allows schools to implement special education services for the child in the same timeframe services are implemented for other students.

If the parents do not attempt to participate, the foster parent or kinship caregiver can provide the necessary consent. This provision mirrors what schools are legally able to do for children not in state care, complies with federal special education laws and has no effect on the parent’s ability to step in at any time to exercise their parental rights.

HB 2378 is a safeguard for parental rights and a critical step in helping foster children with disabilities. We can make education one crack foster children can’t fall through.

- Rebecca Masterson is Vice President & Chief Counsel of Gen Justice, which serves abused children through its pro bono Children’s Law Clinic. Reach her at rebecca@ genjustice.org.

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Neighbors

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Teens have blast, gain skills at space camp

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Several students at Chandler high schools are flying high after taking simulated missions, building model rockets and engaging in other fun STEM activities at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

The eight teens who attend Chandler schools were among the 292 students from 41 countries and 27 US states and territories chosen to participate in the annual Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy at the center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Each student spent a week dealing hands-on with real-world challenges in astronautics, coding and computer sciences. The camp for students ages 16 to 18 aims to encourage youths to pursue STEM careers.

“Engaging students in science and engineering is now as fundamentally important as learning to read and write,” said center CEO Deborah Barnhart.

“By investing in these young students, Honeywell is helping to prepare them to become the global STEM-literate citizens who will change our world.”

The Chandler students who attended are a busy lot: they also participate in clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities.

Nastia Andreyeva, 16, a junior at

Rohan Ravikanti, 16, of Chandler, a sophomore at BASIS Chandler, said he made many friends at the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy. (Reena Rose Photography)

Corona del Sol High School, liked the space camp so much she is thinking about applying to be an ambassador next year.

“It was a really good experience,” Nastia said. “We got into little groups. Every

single day we got to do different activities.

Everyone got out of their comfort zone.

Everyone got really close. We learned a lot about missions and STEM.” She said her favorite mission involved

simulators to experience what it is like to fly a plane.

See

SPACECAMP on page 53

A mother’s intuition leads to Chandler’s volunteer of the year

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

An innate maternal need to help her child find happiness years ago ultimately won Cathy Yamashiro two volunteer-of-theyear awards during Disability Awareness Month.

But her passion to see people thrive has driven her to donate countless hours on behalf of the disabled community for over 13 years.

For her uncompromising view on the importance of inclusivity and her determination to make disabled people feel loved, Yamashiro was honored by the Chandler Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities and Wells Fargo Arizona.

She also received $1,000 that she said she plans on donating to the nonprofit Recreation and Athletics for Individuals with Disabilities (RAD).

“It’s nice to help the community grow, and help the city grow in the right way as far as being diverse,” said Yamashiro.

Disability Awareness Month, proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, is aimed at recognizing nationally those with cognitive differences, their families, caretakers and teachers. It also is intended to promote the importance of inclusivity for those with special needs in daily work, school and recreational activities.

According to a report last year by the state Department of Economic Security, 606,166 individuals of all ages were living with a disability in Maricopa County. That

Cathy Yamashiro holds one of the plaques she received recently for being honored by the Chandler Mayor’s Committee on Disabilities and Wells Fargo Arizona for her work in the disabled community. Standing around her are, from left: Jessica Wells, Shawn Honea, Matthew Yamashiro, Cheryl Yoshioka, Skyler Prill, Heather Honea and Anthony Guglielmo (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

includes 159,765 people with a cognitive disability that involves mild to severe intellectual and behavioral struggles.

Cognitive disabilities can be genetic or the result of traumatic brain injury.

Because her son, Matthew, 28, has a cognitive impairment and is learning disabled, Yamashiro years ago looked for communities that would accept her son and provide him with a network of friends.

Matthew eventually was enrolled

in the City of Chandler’s Therapeutic Recreation program, which offers various opportunities for individuals with disabilities to socialize while learning and partaking in sports such as basketball, cheerleading, bowling, golf, track and field, and many more.

The program also helps residents get ready to compete in the Special Olympics – which commanded Matthew’s attention almost immediately.

Yamashiro said she noticed Matthew’s attraction to the many sports the Special Olympics offered and the endless opportunities her son would have to create and foster friendships with peers.

But in the midst of the excitement she had for her son’s newfound hobbies and companions, she made what she called a “heartbreaking discovery.”

While the program and Special Olympics Arizona help facilitate the venues for competitions, things such as uniforms and equipment come at an additional cost that many individuals cannot afford.

“There are quite a few individuals with disabilities who just don’t have the means to pay for these social events,” Yamashiro said. “Those with disabilities live off of fixed incomes where sometimes the most an individual will receive is $700 a month. They live in care homes so they don’t really have any money left over for recreation and athletics.”

As soon as Yamashiro encountered others without the means to pay for the necessary supplies to partake in sports, she made it her mission to seek out an organization that funded recreation for the disabled community and spread her knowledge of the resource to other families.

“I was always one of those moms who wanted to see these special individuals be involved, get active and get social,” Yamashiro said. “So that’s how I found out about RAD.” See

VOLUNTEER on page 50

NEIGHBORS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Mikalya Sedgwick

Ginger Bode

Elizabeth LaBate

Michaelyn Moses

Katelin Weber

47

Brianna Persiani

6 from Chandler earn Girl Scouts’ highest honor SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Six Chandler girls are among 14 Girl Scouts in the East Valley who recently earned the Gold Award – their organization’s highest honor – for projects that impact the community.

“Recipients of Girl Scouts’ highest honor are part of an elite group of Girl Scouts who have distinguished themselves as prominent leaders in their communities and as true change-makers,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO for Girl Scouts of America Cactus-Pine Council.

Gold Award Girl Scouts “are visionary leaders, and this year’s awardees have tackled prominent issues by cleaning up our planet, creating programs to support lowincome students’ development and wellbeing, creating self-defense programs to battle violence against women, getting state laws changed to end forced child marriage, executing initiatives to raise awareness for teen suicide prevention, veteran support and emergency preparedness,” a council spokeswoman said.

The projects challenge the scouts to develop collaboration and problem-solving skills, while they give them “confidence and leadership capabilities as well as leaving a positive impact,” the council added.

The Chandler awardees are: Elizabeth LaBate. Elizabeth designed her project to raise awareness and motivate people to “pick up the planet.”

She created an informational website called PickUpYourPlanet.Weebly.com for people to learn the effects of littering around the globe. She also led several clean-up hikes and trained friends to educate and lead others. Elizabeth plans to attend the U of A to study biochemistry, then veterinary studies at Colorado State University.

Michaelyn Moses. Michaelyn has been dancing and performing since she was 3 and learned that many kids her age were unable to participate due to cost. This inspired her to make a dance program accessible to kids with financial hardship.

She created and taught a cheer and dance

program for 30 girls at the Boys and Girls Club in Guadalupe and led the teams in the Guadalupe Light Parade. The program will continue during the football season at the Boys and Girls Club.

Brianna Persiani. Brianna’s 90-year-old grandmother is the inspiration for her Gold Award Project. Spending time with her and realizing the lack of interesting programming targeted to people her age, she thought of a way to provide meaningful entertainment to her and other elders.

She created a club at Basha High School called “Oldies but Goodies” that performs older songs for the residents at nursing homes and assisted living facilities in her area. She plans to major in hospitality with a minor in Spanish at Grand Canyon University.

Mikayla Sedgwick. As a nationally competitive rifle shooter, Mikayla dedicated her project to creating awareness for youth shooting sports. Through personal experiences where people questioned her or didn’t understand the sport, she developed

a passion for educating others and breaking down the stigma the sport carries.

She created a video that highlights the positive impacts of the sport and addressed the common misconceptions. The video also covered key elements of shooting sports including safety, fitness and competition.

Katelin Weber. Understanding that some students have limited access to supplies, books and spaces to study, Weber created a learning space with resources at Compass Christian Church’s Bridge Community Center.

Katelin installed several bookshelves near the center’s café and filled them with 90 books for kids grades 7-12, including test prep books, textbooks and fun reading.

She also gathered scientific calculators and school supplies, like paper and pencils, for students to use as needed. Katelyn plans to attend the nursing program at ChandlerGilbert Community College and finish her bachelor’s degree at U of A. For information on the Cactus-Pine Council: girlscoutsaz.org.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Teens learn safe driving at two-day workshop

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Teenagers can gain critical safe driving techniques in an upcoming program started by a Top Fuel drag racing champion after his two sons died in a car accident.

The free, national teen defensive driving program called B.R.A.K.E.S., an acronym for “Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe,” will be held from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. April 13 and 14 at Chandler-Gilbert Community College on the Pecos campus at 2626 E. Pecos Road.

Professional trainers – including current and former law enforcement officers and professional racing drivers – give teens extensive behind-the-wheel lessons using vehicles that Kia Motors provides.

The students learn about distracted driving, panic braking, drop-wheel/offroad recovery, avoiding crashes and car control/skid recovery. A parent must accompany the student to the training.

The teen drivers must at least have a learner’s permit and 30 hours driving experience. Some young drivers as old as 19 and 20 years old participate in the program.

Doug Herbert, 51, a four-time Top Fuel drag racing champion in the IHRA division and a 10-time Top Fuel national event winner in the NHRA division, started B.R.A.K.E.S. after his sons Jon and James died in a crash when Jon was driving in North Carolina in 2008.

Herbert, who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, said a police report showed

Doug Herbert, 51, a multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion, started a national, free teen defensive driving program B.R.A.K.E.S. (B.R.A.K.E.S.)

Jon was “driving fast and was swerving through traffic.”

“The reality of it is I was 17 years old before, too,” Herbert said. “We did dumb things without really thinking about the consequences. That’s the reason why I made my mind up I want to do everything I can to keep another parent from getting this phone call.”

In 2008, Herbert’s goal was initially to teach his sons’ friends smart, safe driving methods. He trained 50 of the boys’

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friends and then got calls and letters from parents who wanted the same kind of program for their children.

The program became a nonprofit organization in 2009 and the B.R.A.K.E.S. team has trained more than 35,000 teenagers in 30 different states.

“It’s therapy for me,” Herbert said. “Really it’s a performance driving experience.

Everything we focus on is safety-related.

B.R.A.K.E.S. isn’t driver’s ed. We don’t teach anything about parallel parking. We’re really

teaching the exact things that are the leading causes of crashes.”

Some courses involve a crash avoidance exercise “like emergency lane changes, hand position on steering wheel and why it’s so important,” he added.

“Obviously a big one is distracted driving.”

“We do a panic stopping exercise, how to activate and use properly (an) antilock braking system … how to recover from a skid,” he added.

Special wheels and tires are used to teach students how to avoid skidding and how to recover their vehicles if they do skid.

Instructors also talk to students about making good decisions, such as how passengers should speak up if their driver is making them uncomfortable, Herbert said.

“We try to make sure the teenagers and parents understand that driving is a big responsibility. We’re putting them in real-world situations, except we’re doing it in a controlled environment,” he explained.

The B.R.A.K.E.S. instructors will also talk about drinking and driving – a timely topic as prom season is about to begin.

About 200 teenagers are expected to take the B.R.A.K.E.S. program at ChandlerGilbert Community College. Herbert said he and his organization have reached out to many local schools and he hopes they will spread the word about the courses.

He said generally the teens that come to the program are “not all that excited about it.”

“About an hour into the program, they See

DRIVING on page 49

NEIGHBORS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

DRIVING

from page 48

realize, ‘Wow, this is really fun and I’m learning something, too,’” Herbert said.

“By the end of the class the teenagers are really, really excited. A lot of them are like, ‘Can I come back again?’ It’s a very life-changing experience for families.

“I want to get the message across to them that, hey, driving can be really a lot of fun, but it’s something that we really need to take it seriously.”

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Police Department Commander Chuck Mount said the program is important.

In 2016, across the United States 2,433 teens ages 16 to 19 years old were killed and 292,742 were treated in emergency departments for injuries they got in motor

vehicle crashes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Teenage drivers have an unusually high accident rate,” Mount said. “The age of young people, the lack of driving experience, they are involved in a disproportionate number of traffic accidents.”

People ages 15 to 19 years old represented 6.5 percent of the population in the United States in 2016, but they made up an estimated $13.6 billion (8.4 percent) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries that year, according to the CDC. Chandler Police Sgt. Keith Aguiar said he pushed to bring the B.R.A.K.E.S. program to the area after a retired police officer at a training he attended in San Diego told him about it.

The 10-year traffic officer manages the Chandler Police vehicular crimes unit.

“If you just look at the videos, what

they’re training them on; it’s not just your basic classes,” Aguiar said. “It’s teaching them more of the emergency-type situations that may come up, roadway hazards. It’s hard enough being a driver, much less a teenage driver.”

Chandler Police teach a distracted driver class at Basha, Chandler and Hamilton high schools and any other high schools interested in it.

“What we really hit them on is the distracted driving, not just cell phones,” Aguiar said. “There’s so many different ways that somebody could be distracted.”

Aguiar has a 20-year-old son, a 15-yearold daughter and a 9-year-old son, and the idea of them driving someday is unnerving.

“I still get nervous,” he said. “I don’t think as a parent you’re ever not nervous about it. A big thing is look for these schools. Get them into a school like that.

49

Don’t just rely on you teaching them.

“It’s beyond a basic level of just roadway driving and let them see firsthand what can happen and also what you can do and why you need to be focused on the road.”

Herbert has been to the Valley several times, both to compete as a professional driver and to offer classes. He was in the Valley when he got the phone call saying his sons had died in 2008.

“I’ve been to Chandler quite a few times,” Herbert said. “It’s a great place to go. Hopefully we’ll plan on coming back there several times a year.”

The classes April 13 and 14 have sold out, but people can get on a waiting list in case spots open up.

Information: putonthebrakes.org

Republican Club hosts Judicial Watch speaker

BY CAROLYN MCCORKLE Guest Writer

The Sun Lakes Republican Club will feature “Issues and Answers” with Judicial Watch Southwest Projects Coordinator Mark Spencer at its regular meeting April 9.

The public can attend the 6:30 p.m. event in the Arizona Room of the Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 S. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes.

Judicial Watch is a non-partisan educational foundation that promotes accountability and integrity in government, politics and the law.

As a police officer, Spencer acquired a firsthand perspective and appreciation of policing strategies that were effective and ethical.

The ability to cultivate community partnerships and support for rank and file law enforcement personnel was a crucial component in Spencer’s role as an executive board member and president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association.

A continued dedication to proactive accountability for political entities, community quality of life issues and the rule of law has led him to Judicial Watch.

Spencer has been interviewed by international (CNN) and national cable news outlets.

Also at the meeting will be the newly elected chairman of the Maricopa County Republican Party, Rae Chornenky.

A Constitutional law attorney for the past 32 years, Chornenky is a former president of the National Federation of Republican Women. She was also a speaker at the 2012 Republican National Convention.

An Arizona native, Chornenky was chosen as a fellow by the Arizona State

University Leadership Policy Program and served as president of the Arizona Federation of Republican Women.

She was on the Arizona Superior Court Bench for five years and was a Constitutional law professor, as well as a prosecutor of Organized Crime and Racketeering. Chornenky appears in print, radio and television media nationally and internationally.

State Rep. Jeff Weninger will provide an update on the current state legislative session.

Information: slgop.org or Mike Tennant at 480-802-0178

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VOLUNTEER

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RAD covers the cost of any and all equipment necessary for various sports for disabled individuals, contributes to the city’s stash of recreational equipment and acts as a medium to connect volunteer coaches to players.

Although her involvement in RAD began as a concerned parent, today Yamashiro spreads RAD’s message as a board member while overseeing some of the nonprofit’s largest fundraisers.

As a board member, she helps raise roughly 40 percent of all RAD funds annually through donations, which allow the organization to support about 400 individuals with disabilities.

As a result of Yamashiro’s involvement with the organization, more athletes have been able to participate in several of the city’s athletic and leisure events than ever before.

“If you go to a Special Olympics event, you will see Chandler has the largest participation and I think it’s because we have a group like RAD helping to pay for

these services,” she said.

She added that an increasing number of people are seeking RAD’s services from outside of Chandler including areas like Gilbert, Ahwatukee and Florence.

“We don’t turn anyone away. We try to do what we can to ensure [everyone] can still be active and social and have a place to go no matter the reason why they are seeking our help.”

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said Yamashiro’s “work of educating others about people with disabilities helps to break down barriers to show what is

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

possible when we accept and support people for who they are.”

Yamashiro also works as a business initiatives consultant with Wells Fargo in Chandler. The company allows employees to take two days off a year to give back to the community.

Yamashiro hopes to expand her outreach.

“We’re always looking for more volunteers and donations, so I encourage community members to go to [RAD’s] website to learn more about how they can help,” said Yamashiro.

Service club fundraiser addresses hunger in schools

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A nonprofit organization is urging people to wear white at an entertaining fundraiser intended to erase hunger and clothe children in need in the community.

The Chandler Service Club is holding a WhiteOut Hunger Fundraiser 6-10 p.m.

April 13 at The Forum, 2301 S. Stearman Drive, No. 44 in Chandler.

The gathering will raise money to feed and clothe children in the Chandler Unified School District. Guests are encouraged to wear anything white they like, formal or casual, at the fundraiser.

The party will feature the Platinum Band performing live, an area to dance, a dinner buffet, drinks, a live auction and a raffle with a variety of prizes.

A women’s nonprofit organization, the

Chandler Service Club provides meals, warm coats, socks, shoes and college scholarships to youths in the community, among other outreach and help.

Last year the Chandler Service Club hosted a fundraiser with a Mexican theme, including a tequila tasting, a live band, a silent auction and crab racing.

This year the organization wanted to try something different.

“We needed a change,” Ann Saba, club member and co-chairwoman of the WhiteOut Hunger Fundraiser, said. “We’re hoping for a real good turnout. It should be fun.”

Theresa Perkovich is the co-chair.

Guests will each get three drink tickets. A signature, WhiteOut Hunger drink with coconut rum will be available.

During the live auction, people can bid on a large-screen TV as well as trips to California and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Party-goers can buy raffle tickets for chances to win Lululemon gear, yoga classes paired with accessories, personal trainer sessions, barre classes, champagne baskets, liquor baskets, a chiropractic exam with an orthopedic pillow, facials, nutritional packets, beauty baskets and many other items, Saba said.

People dressed in white with glowing halos and wings, “angels,” will circulate selling raffle tickets. Raffle tickets will be sold for $25 each or five tickets for $100.

Saba said she hopes the fundraiser will attract 250 people.

“We’re hoping to make this one of our biggest ones,” she said. “Theresa and I are kind of overachievers.”

The all-women service club works with partners Arizona Brainfood, the Chandler Compadres and Bashas’ Grocery stores to feed children every week.

The Chandler club through its Weekenders Program provides and fills boxes with nutritious, child-friendly food that is delivered to students in schools in the Chandler Unified School District every Friday.

Young women also have a chance to give back to the community through the Chandler Service Club. The club’s Flower Girls nine-month program invites young women who are seniors in high school to participate in community service projects, social events and selfimprovement seminars including learning about etiquette and Internet safety.

Many Chandler Service Club members are married to men in the nonprofit Chandler Compadres.

Tickets for the WhiteOut Hunger Fundraiser are $100 per person and $175 per couple. They can be purchased at chandlerserviceclub.org.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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Young cancer victims treated to own prom

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

A teenager’s life can be hard enough, but throw in a major illness, especially cancer, and life can become a nightmare.

Isolation, chemotherapy, hair loss, myriad hospitalizations and doctor visits ad nauseum all combine to make life a challenge. And sometimes other diseases may require missing chunks of school days – or worse, leaving school altogether.

That’s where Cancer Support Community Arizona comes in. The Phoenix organization is the only one of its kind in Arizona that provides year-round emotional, nutritional and educational support for teens impacted by cancer.

On March 30, the group hosted its annual Prom for Teens Impacted by Cancer, a night of dancing preceded by a sit-down dinner.

The purpose is to let the teens be comfortable at a prom attended by others who know what it’s like to be going through the pain and stress of battling cancer.

“Doctors often treat many pediatrics diseases within oncology,” explained Cancer Support Community Arizona spokesperson McKenzie Simmons. “Thus, their treatment and side effects are often the same.

“For example, we have quite a few

“

Prom is a teenage rite of passage and when living with a cancer diagnosis, these seemingly normal life events can bring greater anxiety and extra challenges.

”

– Sarah Martin Keisling chronic brain tumor teens that are treated at Barrow. While they officially do not have brain cancer, they have a brain tumor which still requires chemo and radiation to manage. It’s a fine line and tricky clinical side of pediatric illness.”

Brenna Swaffer of Chandler attended her second prom.

“Even though my situation was a little different, they were accepting,” she said.

Swaffer, 19, will graduate this year after taking online courses to complete the work on her diploma, which she started at Chandler High before neurological issues meant she couldn’t continue attending school on a regular basis.

“I was placed on the oncology floor at Phoenix Children’s Hospital because there wasn’t room in neurology, and I was invited to a taco night they were haviing,” she recalled, adding: “I have a lot of chronic illnesses and these people understand what I’m going

t? o G ws Ne

Above: Cancer Support Community Arizona provides year-round emotional, nutritional and educational support for teens affected by cancer. The group holds an annual Prom for Teens Impacted by Cancer. Pictured is last year’s prom group. Right: Brenda Swaffer of Chandler, 19, was able to select her prom dress at a free Dress and Tux Day for the prom she recently attended. She will graduate this year after suffering from neurological issues. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

through. Even though the situation was a little different, they were accepting.”

Like last year, Swaffer attended the prom with a group of friends. And like many others, she was able to select her prom dress earlier this month at a free Dress and Tux Day. “I found a purple ball gown with tulle in two different colors of purple.

It’s beautiful,” she enthused. “Honestly, because I starting getting sick around my sophomore year, I didn’t get a chance to hang out with kids my own age. I really like being able to do that now.”

This year’s prom had a Harry Potter inspired theme, “One Magic Night.”

Swaffer said last year’s theme, “Rock the Red Carpet,” came complete with “paparazzi,” and she’s looking forward to seeing how the planners use this year’s theme in the event.

“They really go all out for us,” she smiled.

Chandler resident Sarah Martin Keisling has been a Cancer Support Community Arizona board member for two years, drawn to the nonprofit, she said, “because of the teen and family service elements of the programs that are delivered.”

“Being a mom of two young kids, I love that our organization focuses on support of the entire family in a cancer diagnosis,” she said.

“Prom is a teenage rite of passage and when living with a cancer diagnosis, these seemingly normal life events can bring greater anxiety and extra challenges,” she said.

Saying the prom “delivers a magical night to our teen participants, supporting

this rite of passage,” Keisling added: “Attendees get their hair done, wear beautiful dresses, dine under the stars and dance the night away. Prom is a safe, comfortable space where they can fully be themselves, wigs or no wigs.”

She said that because Cancer Support Community Arizona programs and services are always free, “Their only focus is having an amazing time with their friends.”

Cancer Support Community Arizona CEO Debbie DiCarlo concurred, saying the prom “is about cultivating a sense of community and creating a comfortable space for the teens.”

All events sponsored by the nonprofit are open to any teen or young adult ages 13 to 21 impacted by cancer, including those undergoing treatment, posttreatment survivors and teen caregivers.

Brielle Giesemann, the nonprofit’s bilingual program coordinator, emphasized that cancer often “turns the entire family’s world upside down.”

“Whether they are battling feelings of insecurity from the way cancer changes their bodies, or they struggle to just ‘be a teen’ because of a family member’s diagnosis, prom is the perfect opportunity to do something just for themselves,” she

said, adding: “At our prom, they feel safe and comfortable and are with others who know what they’re going through.”

The prom and myriad other activities provided are funded by donations from individuals, corporations and foundations; They are organized by staff, volunteers and even some of the teens themselves.

Swaffer is looking toward attending college, possibly starting with community colleges, especially Rio Salado where she can take classes online. She hopes eventually to be healthy enough to attend Northern Arizona University.

“And, when I get to a better health space, I’d like to volunteer with Cancer Support Community Arizona’s youth program and work with the kids ages 5 to 12,” she said.

Information: CSCAZ.org

Contact Contact Paul Paul Maryniak Maryniak at at 480-898-5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications.com

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

SPACECAMP

from page 46

“We had to bomb different bases,” Nastia said. “It really interested me.”

She said she also liked riding in a machine that spun students around and made it difficult to lift their arms and legs as they felt pressure more than three times their body weight pushing on them.

Nastia said building miniature rockets – including learning how to solder them – was “a little tough for me, at least for the programming and engineering part” but she learned a lot in the process.

One of Nastia’s favorite things was meeting people from different countries and learning about their cultures.

She won the communication award for her group.

“People describe me as a really quiet and shy person so I was really proud of myself for winning that,” she said.

Quentin Curry, 16, of Queen Creek, a junior at Basha High School, thought it was “a great experience.”

“It was actually really different from what I expected,” Quentin said. “I thought it’d be how to be a leader; it was more to it. We learned a lot of things like … about the Apollo Mission, working effectively in teams. We also talked a little bit about public speaking, which was really nice.

“We were with a group the whole time; it really helped us strengthen bonds,” he added, explaining he applied because “I felt like it was a cool opportunity to learn about the final frontier, which is space and also learning leadership skills, which you can’t have too much of.”

“We talked with actual NASA scientists on it, so I felt like that was really cool to get firsthand experience with scientists that worked on those types of rockets,” Quentin said.

The students were part of a simulated mission on the international space station.

“We were mission control, in charge of keeping the people on the International Space Station alive and make sure all their equipment was good and they were healthy. It was kind of stressful to do, but we were able to get it together,” Quentin said, adding: “It was really overwhelming in a good way.”

He also enjoyed meeting students from Brazil, Germany, Italy and other countries.

“It was totally fun to meet people from different cultures and countries,” he said. “I learned a lot about stuff that goes on in different cultures and countries.

One of my friends from Italy, he talked about (how) most things in the US are prominent in Italy: music, fashion mainly.”

Cora Ebaugh, 16, a junior at Hamilton High, said she enjoyed learning about aviation challenges.

“I have never done anything with coding,” she said. “I never knew what a Raspberry Pi was. I learned a lot of new stuff. We built a rocket that we had to code Raspberry Pi for to launch. It was really cool.”

Cora liked riding in a multi-axis trainer that simulates the disorientation someone would feel reentering the Earth’s atmosphere.

She said her crew instructor said it was built in space if astronauts get hit by something so they “train so your stomach doesn’t move so you don’t get dizzy that fast.” The device flipped upside down and forward while passengers were strapped in.

“We had a throttle, landing gear, a TV in front of us, a video game simulator,” she added. “It took me a little while to figure out how to keep going straight. I

NEIGHBORS

53

Honeywell’s camp “ was really great. I met people from all over the world. I made friends from Australia, India, Canada.

It was really diverse. I’m especially interested in aerospace or aviation engineering or something in robotics.

”

Nicole Spencer-Walters, 16, of Chandler, a sophomore at Chandler Preparatory Academy, built heat shields and rockets and took simulated flights. (Honeywell)

– Rohan Ravikanti was one of the bombers; it was like halfwar, half air-to-ground bombing. It was really cool.”

Rohan Ravikanti, 16, a sophomore at BASIS Chandler, fondly recalled “so many cool experiences and team-building activities” at the camp.

“Honeywell’s camp was really great,” Rohan said. “I met people from all over the world. I made friends from Australia, India, Canada. It was really diverse. I’m especially interested in aerospace or aviation engineering or something in robotics. I was always interested in it since I was 2.”

In a team-building exercise, he said students had to balance bricks while moving somewhere.

“The biggest lesson I learned in camp is how important cooperation and teamwork skills are within any industry,” Rohan said, adding: “The main focus of camp is aeronautics and leadership. Honeywell’s camp was a really good experience because you learn so much from it. Even if I weren’t interested in aerospace, I still think it’s a great experience for everyone to try.”

Nagaprasad Rudrapatna, 17, of Chandler, a senior at Hamilton High School, said, “The best part was there were so many people from outside of the US that came.”

“The best part was we had flight simulators, sitting in a cockpit and controlling a fighter jet,” he added, noting: “Coding was the most beneficial for me. I got to use some of the coding skills I learned in school in an actual project. It’s fun. I think the biggest skills that we learned were about teamwork and dividing up roles to complete a task more efficiently. I think I definitely want to work on it, but I think I’m a decent leader.”

Nicole Spencer-Walters, 16, a sophomore at Chandler Preparatory Academy, raved about her experience.

“It was phenomenal,” she said. “The program was so fantastic. We had a lot of special speakers like a CEO and an astronaut.

We built rockets. We built heat shields.”

The heat shields were created with tinfoil and other supplies and the goal was to “set it up so it wouldn’t burn the tinfoil,” Nicole said. The concept illustrates how planes must not descend too quickly or the nose of the planes could burn, she added.

She was impressed with the other students’ work ethic at the camp.

Other students who attend Chandler schools who took part in the space camp were Yazdaan Taajwar, of Chandler, a student at Hamilton High School; and Kevin Grady, of Gilbert, who attends BASIS Chandler.

Quentin Curry, 16, of Queen Creek, a junior at Basha High School, was among 292 students from 41 countries and 27 states to take part in the program. (Honeywell)

Cora Ebaugh, 16, of Chandler, a junior at Hamilton High School, built and launched rockets. (Honeywell)

Nastia Andreyeva, 16, of Chandler, a junior at Corona del Sol High School, said her favorite mission was one where students used simulators to experience what it is like to fly a plane. (Honeywell)

Nagaprasad Rudrapatna, 17, of Chandler, spun around in a multi-axis trainer that simulates the disorientation someone would feel reentering the Earth’s atmosphere. (Honeywell)

54

NEIGHBORS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Gilbert teen fights leukemia head on

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Jacob Medina is known as a healthy, caring teenager who goes out of his way to help others at Perry High School.

So, when the Gilbert teen was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia two weeks ago, it sent shockwaves through the Perry community.

“Everyone was heartbroken and surprised,” said CJ Valdez, Medina’s cousin and a Perry senior infielder. “He’s so athletic and strong, you wouldn’t expect him to be the one that has this.”

Medina, a senior, was a pitcher on Perry’s baseball team for three seasons.

He joined the BlueChip Arizona Baseball Academy this season, a team for players not competing with their high schools.

With small-colleges recruiting him, Medina began an extensive workout regimen with the club. In early March, he began to have pain in his ribs. He and his mother, Krystal, thought it was a minor injury.

“I took him to urgent care and they thought it was just a muscle strain, which I thought made sense given his workouts,” Krystal said. “We started him on antiinflammatory medication and it got better for a week or so, but then the pain came back.”

Krystal, who is a surgical nurse at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, urged him to take it easy, but Medina continued to work out.

Krystal and Jacob’s father, Mike, took

Jacob Medina works out with his club baseball team before he was diagnosed in early March with B leukemia.

(Krystal Medina)

him and a friend, who was visiting for spring break, out to dinner on a Friday. A ghostly look came across Jacob’s face and he told his parents he needed to go home.

“I could see how pale his face was and his hands were almost corpse-like,” Krystal said. “He kept telling me how cold he was and that he couldn’t breathe.”

Medina went home instead of to an emergency room. He had to drive down to Tucson the next morning to meet with a college baseball coach. Despite not feeling well, he made the trip.

“I thought it would be a quick turnaround trip so he would be fine,” Krystal said. “We ended up staying and watching some of their game and then he talked to the coach after.

“After that, he looked at me and said he couldn’t make it home.”

Medina was drained of color. Tiny red patches appeared on his neck and arms from blood vessels breaking while trying to spread oxygen through his body. He had chest pain.

Medina was rushed to Banner University Hospital in Tucson. X-rays were taken of his chest, and blood tests were conducted.

Doctors informed Jacob and his parents that they suspected leukemia.

“I didn’t know what to think,” Medina said. “I sat back for a second and took it in.

I asked when I could play again and when I would be OK.” Doctors wanted to admit Medina, but his 15-year-old brother, Casey, was back home in Gilbert. Doctors tried to arrange an ambulance to transport him to Phoenix Children’s Hospital due to his condition.

Instead, his parents loaded him in the car and rushed back to the Valley.

“I honestly don’t remember the drive here,” Mike said. “I’ve been asked multiple times how fast I was going and I can’t remember. I knew I just had to get him to care as fast as possible.”

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NEIGHBORS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

The three arrived at PCH around midnight and were immediately taken into the ER. Two days later, Medina had his first round of chemotherapy injected into his spinal fluid.

It has been a whirlwind month for the entire family.

“Things have moved pretty quickly here,” Krystal said. “I just can’t believe how good he was doing considering he was in the beginning stages.”

There has been an outpouring of

Medina is remaining positive, a trait he’s had while growing up.

“He stays strong through everything,” said Tyler Valdez, CJ’s younger brother and a Perry junior pitcher. “But it’s scary. He’s the last person you would expect to go through that.”

Medina doesn’t know when he can return home. He received his fourth chemo treatment on March 21.

“It’s tough at times,” Mike said. “My whole thing is, as a parent, you have to

I took him to urgent care and they thought it was “ just a muscle strain, which I thought made sense given his workouts. We started him on anti-inflammatory medication and it got better for a week or so, but then the pain came back.

”

– Krystal Medina, Jacobs Mother support for Medina since his diagnosis. A GoFundMe was set up in his honor to help with medical costs. More than $5,600 was raised in four days.

Orange stickers shaped like a ribbon, bracelets and shirts with #JacobStrong printed on them were made for sale to raise funds. The Perry baseball and softball teams put #JacobStrong stickers on the back of their batting helmets. The softball team also tied orange ribbons to their gloves.

Proceeds from the funds go to Medina’s family.

“It’s really cool to see how everyone is coming together,” CJ Valdez said. “It’s nice to see what everyone is willing to do when something bad happens.”

protect your kid and we wanted to do that as much as possible. But he keeps telling me that it is just another addition to his story.”

Medina spent his 18th birthday March 23 in the hospital, a thought that never crossed his mind just weeks ago. Even through all of the pain, he keeps a positive outlook.

“I know I have to have a good attitude through this whole thing, especially in something like this,” Medina said. “The fastest way out is to have a good attitude.

“With that, I believe you can overcome anything you want no matter how hard it may seem.”

To make a donation to the Jacob Fights Back GoFundMe campaign, visit gf.me/u/ rmmi38.

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Arts & Entertainment

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Guns are focus of provocative gallery exhibit

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Distinctive works of two artists that relate to guns will likely generate questions and conversations on a timely topic at Vision Gallery.

The photographs of Kari Wehrs of Tempe and the sculptures of Nathaniel Lewis of Phoenix are being exhibited at “TOGETHER” through May 3 at Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St. An opening reception for Wehrs and Lewis will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, April 6, at the gallery.

The artists’ works are being shown together for the first time.

Wehrs photographed a series, “Shot,” showing people she encountered in the desert shooting guns recreationally using tintype photography, where images are processed directly onto a piece of aluminum in what she said is a “direct positive process.”

The tintype process was invented in the 1850s and was the main method of photographic image-making in the 1860s during the Civil War, remaining popular into the 1880s, Wehrs said.

Lewis, a father of two and former toy designer, created sculptures that he said were created to illustrate “adult behavior that we don’t typically model for children,” including the use of guns, surveillance

Nathaniel Lewis has created sculptures called “Automatic Fun” such as these related to guns and other topics tied to what he described as “adult behavior that we don’t typically model for children.” (Nathaniel Lewis)

cameras and TSA stops.

“The current gun debate in the United States can be very polarizing,” said Peter Bugg, visual arts coordinator for the City of

Chandler, adding: “Many people discuss it in person, or argue about it online, in (an) attempt to get other people to agree with them – but that

is not what these artists are doing. Kari is making her photographs in order to interact with people who she doesn’t see eye to eye with, try to understand their points of view and find common ground.

“Nathan makes his objects as a way to help him navigate the peculiarities he sees in the world, and his … own reactions to them.

These artworks are a way to actively listen, as opposed to ways to yell at others.”

Both artists said their works are not meant to make judgments on gun use or other controversial matters but rather to raise questions and make viewers think.

“Both our bodies of work tread in inbetween space that’s not so judgmental to say, ‘This is good’ or ‘This is bad,’” Lewis said.

“It asks you a question and makes you come up with an answer and think about it.”

Wehrs said on the surface, her photos are about guns, but on a deeper level they are a way to “investigate and provoke both personal and collective consciousness.”

She shot the photos as part of her thesis work while earning her master’s degree in fine arts from Arizona State University and said the work examines social and “political divisiveness” in the world today.

“My work is kind of stemming from these incidents of gun violence,” Wehrs said. “I think that his and my work when seen in the See

TOGETHER on page 58

Chandler thespians diving into beloved ‘Mermaid’

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Many Chandler and Gilbert children and teens are hoping to make a splash when they dive into the popular musical “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” at Limelight Performing Arts.

A cast of 44 young actors is going to perform the classic love story about Ariel, a mermaid who longs to be with human being Prince Eric in the world above the sea. The kids will take the stage April 10-14 at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. Audiences can expect to ride a wave of musical and visual stimulation with elaborate and complex costumes and choreography, said Emma England, artist director of Limelight Performing Arts in Gilbert.

“It’s exactly the movie that everyone remembers and loves, but it’s been given new music and moments,” England said. “It’s so much fun. I have known for more than a year that I wanted to direct this show.”

She said the musical features “more songs and meat to the plot” than “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.” that Limelight Performing Arts brought to life six years ago.

The audience at Mesa Arts Center can expect the fin-tastic songs from the movie including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.” “‘Under the Sea’ is like an extended, fiveminute experience,” England said. “Three of us are designing costumes. We’ve got puppets. There’s a huge tap number in act two. We’re really making it our own. There’s

The cast and costumes make for a colorful stage presence for the young thespians performing in “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” that Limelight Performing Arts will present at the Mesa Arts Center next week.

(Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

some really good talent in the show.”

Several young performers will play the roles of water and dancers will move under and over organza fabric as if they are in the water in one scene. The children and teens wear Heelys, a brand of shoes with wheels in them, to glide across the stage in the scenes where the characters are in the sea.

The kids are soaking up the choreography, music and lines of the humorous, romantic and sometimes dramatic tale and several have already

gotten their feet wet in musicals in the past.

Elliot Burns, 14, of Chandler, an eighthgrader at Arizona College Prep – Erie Campus, plays Allana, one of Ariel’s “mersisters” (mermaid sisters), as well as a princess and a maid. She is also part of the ensemble.

“I like that there’s so many different parts and it’s fun to be any role in the show,” Elliot said.

“There are lots of good songs. It’s really fun.”

She said singing is “more my thing” but she also likes dancing.

She said Allana is the “sweetest of the mersisters” and believes the audience will like the colorful costumes and how interesting “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” musical is when they watch it.

Ciara Bogan, 12, of Chandler and Ahwatukee, also enjoys playing multiple roles in the musical. She plays several parts in the ensemble including a flying fish, a maid, a sailorette and reed-grass, and she is the understudy for Windward, a trumpet fish.

A sixth-grader at Kyrene Middle School, Ciara is spreading her wings, or rather fins, in the musical.

“It’s a lot of dancing and singing and I normally do plays, so it’s fun to go outside of my limits,” she said. “I always loved Ariel.

Ariel was like, my favorite princess. She’s just a strong female.”

Ciara said her flying fish costume makes her arms “two times my normal size.”

“Sometimes you hit people because they’re so long,” she said. “It’s ruffled. It’s very creative and the set is like amazing. The costumes are bright. You can tell how much effort was put into it.”

Zoey Hart, 12, of Chandler, a seventhgrader at Santan Junior High School, also likes “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” story and choreography. She plays a maid and a princess (Cinderella) and she is in the ensemble.

“I like that it’s like a movie that I’ve grown up on,” Zoey said. “It’s about a princess and prince. I really like to be a maid because See

MERMAID on page 59

ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

57

Cajun Fest to offer taste, sound of bayou SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

People can get a taste of Louisiana and bayou treats like crawfish boil, jambalaya, po-boys and other Cajun food at a festival in downtown Chandler later this month.

Southwest Cajun Fest brought to the public by sponsor Abita Brewing will jazz up the culinary scene noon-9 p.m.

April 20 at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave. HDE Agency is producing the festival.

Many different vendors will sell food inspired by the passion of New Orleans mixed with Arizona fusion and flavors while the festival will also feature live musical performances.

Hoodoo Casters, Bluesman Mike, NOLAZ Band, D. on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers and headliner Souled Out Jazz Band will hit the stage. Ticket holders can also participate in eating competitions, a kids’ zone and other interactive experiences.

A new highlight this year will be an expanded, family-friendly Big Easy Lounge where people can relax and get out of the sun.

Some of the food vendors this year include Angry Crab Shack, which will sell crawfish boil, shrimp boil, crawfish roll, turkey legs, gumbo and cornbread, as well as Cajun bowls; and Bayou Bistro, which will offer crawfish, etouffee, jambalaya, shrimp, po-boys and other Cajun treats.

Other vendors at the festival include Cantaguas, which will sell handcrafted aguas frescas in horchata, mangopineapple, lavender watermelon and

Bayou favorites like crawfish boil, etouffee, jambalaya and other Cajun food will abound at the Southwest Cajun Fest. (HDE Agency)

other flavors and Delicious Beverage AZ, a company that sells custom-made sweet tea and lemonade.

Family Squeezed Lemonade will sell its fresh, fruit-infused drinks and Farmboy American Fare will bring corn dogs and give those with a sweet tooth choices in desserts – ice cream, funnel cakes and deep-fried Oreos. Firehouse Concessions will give attendees choices in sweet and salty snacks with its kettle corn and shaved ice.

Hogg Doggs will sell andouille, gumbo, dirty rice, pulled pork and brats while

Honey Bear’s BBQ will offer shrimp etouffee, jambalaya, fried catfish, fried chicken, spicy hot links, as well as red beans and rice, cornbread and other food.

Jasperz Island Fusion Cuisine will add to the Cajun selection with jerk Cajun crawfish boil, jambalaya, Caribbean curry chicken and rice, as well as jerk chicken, catfish and beignets.

JJ’s Louisiana BBQ will provide pulled pork, brisket, turkey legs, chicken, hot links, rib tips, beans and potato salad.

Pearson’s Catering will sell catfish, shrimp,

frog legs, gator, jambalaya, hush puppies, po-boys, Cajun fries and oysters.

Vegan diners can check out Maya’s Cajun Kitchen, which will sell vegan Cajun po-boys, jambalaya and bread pudding.

General admission tickets for the Southwest Cajun Fest ahead of time online are $8 each for anyone over 12.

Children ages 12 and younger will get free general admission.

For military and first responders, discount tickets are available for $10 each at the gate only, limited to four tickets per each qualified customer.

For anyone 13 and older, access to the Big Easy Lounge is $45 for presale online only and $55 each the day of the event at the gate.

People can upgrade any ticket to the Big Easy Lounge for $40.

The Big Easy Lounge admission allows the ticket-holder to get general admission into the event plus four alcoholic beverages, a large lounge area with shaded seats, snacks, private restrooms and unlimited water and soft drinks.

Access to the Big Easy Lounge for people 12 and younger is $25 presale online and $35 on the day of the event.

A portion of the proceeds from the Southwest Cajun Fest will go to the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, a nonprofit corporation with a mission to mobilize leadership and resources to boost the development of downtown Chandler as a regional destination for dining, shopping, living culture and the arts.

Information: southwestcajunfest.com

90

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ARTS

TOGETHER

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

from page 56

same space is going to create interesting conversations or just spark a new question.

Many of us are kind of tired of the same old conversations.”

She said she deliberately used the tintype photography method used during the Civil War because today “there’s so much cultural civil war.”

“From scenes of gun violence that make the national news, to my 60-some-year-old mother suddenly deciding to carry, incidents of gun use haunt me with curiosity and fear,” Wehrs wrote in her thesis statement for the photography project.

“Having no personal attachment to guns, I am grappling with present day societal reverberations and implications of the gun in American culture,” she added.

She said she set up her darkroom tent and tintype gear in known target shooting places in Arizona’s desert and walked up to “gun enthusiast strangers” to see if they would be willing to be photographed.

After creating the portraits, Wehrs gave the people she photographed the option of shooting the images as targets. Some of them did and left bullet holes in the plates. “‘Shot’ refers simultaneously to my use of the camera and the participant’s use of the gun,” Wehrs said.

She said the project might make people think “How might we need to reconsider this time in our history?” and other questions including “When do/ did our rights become our burdens?” and “How do we want to think of our social or political opposite, and how might crossing uncomfortable boundaries potentially lead to positive change?”

Besides having a master’s of fine arts

Kari Wehrs of Tempe photographed people she encountered in the desert shooting guns recreationally, and used tintype photography.

(Mark Dawson)

degree from ASU, Wehrs has a bachelor’s degree in visual communication from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

She now is an adjunct professor of photography at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Wehrs also is an instructor at the Maine Media Workshops + College, where she teaches summer classes.

Tilt Gallery in Scottsdale represents Wehrs, 36, who is thrilled to be showing at Vision Gallery, in the community where she teaches.

“It’s so exciting,” she said. “This is the first time we’ve shown together. His (Lewis’) work is much more humorous on the forefront.”

Lewis is also happy to be showing for the first time at Vision Gallery and is a fan of Wehrs’ work.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “This is the first time that I’m showing a concentration of this work, a very specific vein of it. I’ve looked at her work and I really like it.”

Lewis was born and raised as an American in Saudi Arabia and worked for many years as a toy designer.

He has a bachelor’s degree in sculpture

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Left: The photo titled “Mike” taken by photographer Kari Wehrs is one of many photos relating to guns that is displayed in the “TOGETHER” exhibit. (Kari Wehrs) Right: Kari Wehrs’ photograph, “Alonso & Karina,” aims to “investigate and provoke both personal and collective consciousness.” (Kari Wehrs)

from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in sculpture from Arizona State University.

Lewis said his experience growing up in Saudi Arabia and later making toys shaped his work as an artist. He began doing woodworking at 12 years old and said he has been pursuing it for the last 20 years as a sculptor.

He and his family moved to the United States when he was almost 14 years old.

Later Lewis worked for Maxim Enterprise, Inc. as a toy designer in Massachusetts, making trucks, houses, people and other items for various companies.

Besides working as a sculptor, Lewis also is a multimedia artist who creates video and photography and draws, and he also teaches at a private high school.

“Toys are used to model adult behavior,”

he said. “We teach them how to go to the grocery store or how to be a teacher.”

“I have been examining adult behaviors that we are ashamed of and don’t render as toys,” Lewis said in a statement. “Examples would be a TSA stop with a child-sized dynamite vest, or a Fisher-Price inspired case with a child’s gas mask, surveillance equipment etc.

“When I came up with the image of a toddler carrying an assault rifle, it confounded me and somehow indirectly embodied a lot my fears. As a parent and a teacher, I am interested in the seemingly arbitrary ages we introduce violent concepts to young people,” he added.

Noting “I grew up with the specter of surveillance, terrorism and war,” he said See

TOGETHER on page 61

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ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

mom’s favorite movie. The dances are fun and sometimes they’re hard, but they’re fun to do.”

Tara said the show is “cool” and she probably likes “getting to dance a lot and play different parts” the most about being in the cast.

Avery Jimenez, 7, of Chandler, a secondgrader at Kyrene de la Mirada Leadership Academy, is one of the younger cast members but she takes on a leadership role in the ensemble. She said she plays several roles including a bird, duck and guppy.

“It’s a super good story,” Avery said. “I love the happy ending. I love dancing.”

She has been dancing since age 2 and said she likes Ariel because she said “she’s pretty and kind.”

Gabrielle Jimenez, Avery’s mother, said performing in the show at Limelight is a great experience for Avery. “She’s taking a leadership role,” Gabrielle said. “It’s given her more responsibilities. It’s a very nice little community.”

Getting ready for their appearance in “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” are, from left: Standing: Olivia Timothy, Angelina Cappellano, Brett Small, Remi Rasmussen and Peyton Schoffner; Sitting: Mia Tarwater, Kaitlyn Woodward and Angelica D’Escoto. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

MERMAID

from page 56

I get to take care of Ariel. It’s really cool choreography and it’s really fun.”

She is looking forward to performing at Mesa Arts Center, and said the audience will find a lot to like about the youth version of the musical.

“I think they’ll like that the songs are good, the acting’s good and the choreography’s really fun,” she said. “It’s a really cool venue.”

Sophia Sanchez, 12, of Chandler, a seventh-grader at Santan Junior High School,

is a water dancer and performs as a flat fish and squid as part of the ensemble.

“It’s really fun,” she said. “You get to spend a lot of time with your friends. There’s a lot to it. The costumes are amazing and the sets. I love it.”

Chandler sisters Mason Todd, 11, a fifthgrader at Islands Elementary School and Tara Todd, 6, a first-grader at Gilbert Elementary School, also like the choreography and costumes in the show.

Mason plays a turtle in the ensemble and Tara plays different animals including a guppy and bird in the ensemble.

“It has surprises to it,” Mason said. “It’s my

The following Chandler children and teens are performing in Limelight Performing Arts’ production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” April 10-14 at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St.:

Chandler:

Ciara Bogan, 12, Kyrene Middle School, sixth grade, ensemble and is the understudy for Windward Elliot Burns, 14, Arizona College Prep-Erie Campus, eighth grade, plays mersister Allana, as well as a princess and maid and is in the ensemble Zoey Hart, 12, Santan Junior High, seventh grade, is in the ensemble and plays a princess and a maid Avery Jimenez, 7, Kyrene de la Mirada –

59

Adults play big roles in directing the sea life in the musical. The music director and co-director for “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” is Corinne Walker and Wendy Crawford is the stage manager.

Limelight Performing Arts rehearses for its shows at Studio 3 Performing Arts, which is at 511 W. Guadalupe Road in Gilbert.

Studio 3 is the business that provides lessons in acting, singing, dance, musical theater and musical instruments.

Limelight is a nonprofit youth theater that holds its shows’ rehearsals at Studio 3, but all youths are encouraged to audition and participate in Limelight productions.

England is owner of Studio 3 Performing Arts.

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” will be performed at 6:30 p.m. April 10; 6:30 p.m.

April 11; 7 p.m. on April 12; at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 13 and 2 p.m. on April 14 at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. Information: mesaartscenter.com Leadership Academy, second grade, is in the ensemble Sofia Lindsey, 12, Horizon Honors, seventh grade, plays Arista and a maid and is in the ensemble Jadyn Pinkwasser, 9, homeschooled, in third grade, plays Leeward and is in the ensemble and is an understudy Flounder Remi Rathbun, 14, Basha High School, ninth grade, plays a maid, is in the ensemble and is an understudy for Adella Sophia Sanchez, 12, Santan Junior High, is in seventh grade and plays a water dancer and is in the ensemble Mason Todd, 11, Islands Elementary School, is in fifth grade and in the ensemble Tara Todd, 6, Gilbert Elementary School, is in first grade and in the ensemble

‘Big River!’ set for 5-week run at Hale Centre Theatre SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF The acclaimed Broadway musical “Big River!” makes its debut April 4 for a fiveweek run at the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert.

“Big River!” is a musical adventure with book by William Hauptman and music and lyrics by Roger Miller – yes, the Roger Miller of “King of the Road” fame.

Based on Mark Twain’s classic 1884 novel, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” it features country and bluegrass music styles in keeping with the rustic and adventurous setting of the novel.

The show is directed by Tim Dietlein and choreographed by Cambrian James, with musical direction by Elizabeth Spencer.

Twain’s timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi River as the uncontainable Huck Finn helps his friend, Jim, a runaway slave, escape to freedom in the North. Their adventures along the way are full of suspense, peril, humor and, at times, heartbreak as Huck learns the value of keeping a promise and the importance of freedom.

Propelled by an award-winning score from Miller, this soul-stirring journey is a powerful celebration of pure Americana.

The cast features Nicholas Gunnell as Huckleberry Finn and Robert Collins as Jim. Other performers include, Kathleen Richards (Widow Douglas), Bonnie Rom-

Left: Nicholas Gunnell plays the uncontainable Huckleberry Finn in the Hale Centre Theatre production of “Big River!” which debuts on April 4.

Right: Jim, a runaway slave attempting to escape to freedom in the North, is played by Robert Collins. (Hale Centre Theatre photos)

If You Go Above: “Big River!” a musical adventure with book by William Hauptman and music and lyrics

by Roger Miller of “King of the Road” fame, debuts April 4 at Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert. The play is based on Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”

ney (Miss Watson), Joey Morrison (Judge Thatcher), Gary Caswell (Pap Finn), Allan DeWitt (Tom Sawyer), Nathan Spector (Ben Rogers), Nick Williams (Jo Harper), Hunter Cuison (Simon), Kale Burr (Dick), Tim Fiscus (The King) and Matthew Harris (The Duke).

They are supported by an all-star ensemble cast that includes Tom Endicott, Maya Weber, Emily Woodward-Shaw,

Annalise Decker, Savannah Alfred, Annelise Koyabe, Nathan Alfred and Pierre Brookins.

Big River is produced by David and Corrin Dietlein.

The Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., is in the heart of the Historic District of Gilbert across the street from the iconic Gilbert water tower. Convenient, free parking lots surround the theater.

What ‘Big River!’

Where: Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert When: April 4-May 11. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturday and select Friday matinees Tickets: $40 adults, $22 ages 5-17 Info: www.haletheatrearizona.com, 480497-1181 or box office at 50 W. Page Ave. in Historic Downtown Gilbert. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

ARTS 60

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Learn about tiki culture at Valley Ho OCTAVIO SERRANO Contributor

The tiki culture is in the blood of Otto and Baby Doe von Stroheim.

“It’s in our blood for sure,” Otto said. “I grew up in Torrance (California) and every house that was made in the ’50s and ’60s had tropical landscapes. I didn’t realize until I grew up and left that area, that the whole world wasn’t like that.”

Still, they are spreading their message by bringing the tiki culture and AZTO (Arizona Tiki Oasis) to the historic Hotel Valley Ho from Friday, April 12, to Sunday, April 14.

The weekend kicks off with the Tiki-Tiki Ho-Ho Luau, a stylish luau at Hotel Valley Ho’s OH Pool, complete with a traditional pig roast, fresh poke bowl station, grilled options including crispy cola-marinated short ribs, Hawaiian-themed desserts, and an array of tiki cocktails.

The Tiki festivities continue with a marketplace featuring more than 60 curated artisans.

For those who really want to be engrained in the tiki culture, there are more than 20 educational seminars with topics ranging from tropical cocktail mixology, to the history of tiki in the Southwest.

A pop-up art show will feature international tiki artists including Japan’s Mookie Sato and Josh Agle (a.k.a. Shag) from Los Angeles, and Scottsdale’s Fashion

by Robert Black will be doing a poolside fashion show.

Authors Sven Kirsten (“The Book of Tiki” and “Tiki Pop”), Beachbum Berry

(“Grog Log and Sippin’ Safari”) and Shannon Mustipher (“Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails”) will also make appearances at weekend seminars.

Evenings will be filled with rooftop parties, cocktail-lounge-style dinners and a suite open to those with the evening resort pass.

The von Stroheims founded Tiki Oasis 18 years ago when they tried to revive the mid-century Palm Springs Caliente Tropics Motel, which attracted a small gathering of tikiphiles.

“They were under new management and they were thinking about changing the style of the hotel from ‘tiki’ to ‘southwestern,’” he said. “We threw our event there and convinced them that tiki was big and popular.”

Eventually, Tiki Oasis outgrew The Tropics and moved to the Crowne Plaza in San Diego in 2006. Since then, it has grown to include two locations, three hotels and well over 3,000 attendees. The inaugural AZTO will welcome nearly 2,000 attendees.

“We were looking to expand Tiki Oasis and we were looking for a location that would have the correct vibe for us,” Baby said. “Funny, playful and something potentially historic and we were really pleased when we found the Hotel Valley Ho because that is a historic hotel that was built in the 1950s.”

Baby said Tiki Oasis is having a free marketplace with Tiki art, jewelry, clothing and collectible ceramics.

“We have artists who will be coming from all over the country to sell their wares in our marketplace, which is free and

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open to the public,” Baby said.

Tiki seminars are the anchor of the weekend, Baby said.

“They are all about a variety of topics including historic preservation, the history of tiki in the Southwest, cocktails and mixology and mid-century art,” Baby said.

Those with an evening resort pass will have access to the Tiki Oasis nightclub, Baby said.

Although the duo founded Tiki Oasis in San Diego, she said the Scottsdale event is different.

“This is less of a large-scale music festival and there will be opportunities to hang out and get to know people. It has a more intimate setting,” Baby said.

“You learn during the day and you have

cocktail parties at night where you can hopefully discuss and share what you’ve learned,” Otto adds.

Like their previous efforts, AZTO is for charity.

“Arizona Preservation Restoration Foundation is a great partner for us at this event because they care about keeping and holding onto history in Arizona and they want to make sure these things are preserved for future generations,” Baby said.

The streamline the cause, Otto and Baby say their passion is to preserve the history of tiki and its culture. Historic sites and architecture fuel their desires.

“We really want to try and preserve what’s left of tiki architecture so people can go and experience it again,” Otto said.

Arizona Tiki Oasis seminars

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Otto and Baby Doe von Stroheim will bring tiki culture and the AZTO (Arizona Tiki Oasis) to the historic Valley Ho from Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 14. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

10 to 11:30 a.m.: Wild West Tiki in the Valley of Fire w/ Mike Skinner 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Hotel Valley Ho Magical History Tour Noon to 1 p.m.: EXOTICA: The story of the sound of Tiki, on a platter w/ Brother Cleve 1 to 2:30 p.m., 3 to 4:30 p.m.: Tiki’s Big Bang: Planter’s Punch w/Jeff “BeachBum” Berry 1 to 3 p.m.: The Good, the Bad, and the Tiki w/Marshall Shore 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Adventureland, Trader Sam, and two shots of Rum w/ Trader Brandon Saturday, April 13 10 to 11:30 a.m.: In Search of Tiki in the Sunshine States w/ Sven Kirsten 10 to 11 a.m.: Vintage Hair Styling w/ Lauren and Severely Mame 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Hotel Valley Ho Magical History Tour 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: On the Road: Visiting East Coast Tiki and MidCentury Modernism w/ Darren Bradley and Sam Lubell Noon to 1:30 p.m.: New Traditionalists

w/ Garret Richard Noon to 1 p.m.: The Art of Trader Vic’s w/ Eve Bergeron 1 to 4 p.m.: Modern Phoenix: The Three Hour Tour w/ Alison King 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Ukulele Jam & Singalong w/ Steve Conrad and Kehau Kuhi 2 to 3:30 p.m.: Create a World of Tiki in your Home w/ Pam Kueber 2 to 3:30 p.m.: Kon-Tiki Book Club w/ Karen Finlay 3 to 4:30 p.m.: Catch The Wave: Women Leading Rum w/ host Shannon Mustipher 3 to 4:30 p.m.: “Bosko and the Rebirth of Tiki,” with Bosko Hrnjak and special guests 5 to 6 p.m.: House Industries: From Sub to Pop Culture w/Andy Cruz Sunday, April 14 10 to 11 a.m.: The Birth of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise 11 a.m. to noon: Where Cantilever Meets Coyote: Postwar Architecture in Phoenix w/ Alison King 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Arizona Tiki Oasis Book Signing 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Arizona Tiki Oasis Bartender Battle

ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

61

Something for everyone: It’s all fair at the County Fair

BY LAURA LATZKO Contributor

Whether it is raising animals for auction, baking a pie, making a quilt or performing with a choir or dance group, there is opportunity to showcase talent for a wide spectrum of people at the Maricopa County Fair.

This year’s edition is April 10-14.

Among the attractions are a livestock show and auction, motor sports, carnival rides and games, multiple entertainment stages, a petting zoo and agricultural exhibitions.

The Maricopa County Fair, which dates to the 1950s, when it was not only a fair but also a citrus festival, offers categories for traditional and modern hobbies,

TOGETHER

from page 58

these things “have only recently become a part of everyday life in America.”

“As a parent, I struggle to explain the peculiar state of the world and I spend a lot of time trying to explain the unexplainable and control things that are uncontrollable,” he said.

“These toys, while humorous, also reflect my own anxieties and the terrible conversations I have to have with my children.”

He has a 9-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son. Lewis said most of his sculptures in the Vision Gallery exhibit are “toy size,” pieces a 2-year-old could pick up, though one installation piece is larger and mounted on the wall.

Lewis frequently creates public art

including the culinary arts, photography, horticulture, clothing design, quilting, cell-phone photography and model building.

“Whether it’s something that people do for a hobby because they love it or even professionally, we welcome it all,” said Karen Searle, executive director of the fair. “The talent that is in our community is extremely impressive.

That’s why I encourage everybody to participate.”

The livestock show is expected to have more than 1,000 animals. Searle said that raising animals teaches young people important lessons they can use throughout their lives.

During the fair’s livestock show and auction, children ages 9 to 19 show

including the “The Catacombs of Professor McGee” in the Gallery @ The Library, Scottsdale Civic Center and at Grand Rapids Art Museum after he won the ArtPrize Phoenix Pitch Night competition at Found:RE Phoenix last year.

Vision Gallery is a fine arts gallery that represents more than 300 regional artists and is home to one of two Art-O-Mats in Chandler. The Chandler Cultural Foundation manages the nonprofit Vision Gallery and exhibits are rotated on a regular basis.

A portion of art sales at Vision Gallery support the Vision Kids program, which offers free art classes for kids ages 6 to 16 January through May, then August through December.

Information: visiongallery.org/vision-gallery

animals they have raised, such as pigs, sheep, pygmy and dairy goats, chickens, rabbits and dairy cattle.

“When they are raising an animal that is going into the food chain, they learn responsibility,” Searle said. “They learn so much about business, and by that I mean the costs and expenses of raising an animal, how much the animals cost, how much time they have to put in. So, it’s not just responsibility for themselves, but it is responsibility for another living creature.

“Parents are driving them every weekend or transporting those animals. It is definitely a commitment by the family.”

The fair will showcase community acts on four stages. Dance troupes, bands, cloggers, belly dancers, a safety magic show, karate schools and choirs

Left: Nathaniel Lewis is an artist whose sculptures are on display as part of the “TOGETHER” exhibit at Vision Gallery through May 3. (Peter Bugg) Right: Nathaniel Lewis used to work as a toy designer. (Nathaniel Lewis)

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will entertain visitors, as will a roaming magician and balloon act.

The nostalgic and thrill rides are back, including a Ferris wheel and carousel, and carnival. Monster trucks, freestyle motocross motorcycles and Demo Cross demolition figure 8/derby races also return.

Seniors 55 and older and those in military and first-responder uniforms receive free entry on Wednesday.

Those who bring canned food goods to be donated to St. Mary’s Food Bank receive $4 off admission on Thursday.

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade get free admission and four free rides on Thursday when they read four books. They must complete a Read to Ride form to participate.

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62

Faith

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Americans of all faiths can no longer be silent

BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER Guest Columnist

“O God, keep not your silence; hold not your peace, and be not still O God. For lo your enemies are in an uproar; and they that hate you have lifted up their head. They hold crafty converse against your people, and take counsel against your treasured ones. They have said ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.’ (Psalm 83) If there ever was a time when this scriptural reading had more significance since World War II, it is certainly now.

It has reached the heights of the greatest deliberative body in the world and reeks with the age-old bigotries of Jewish scapegoating.

The halls of Congress are filled with hate, hate for one another, hate for the duties that are their responsibilities, hate for the decency of commonality, hate for the democratic expressions that gave this country life.

There was an essay written during the 1940s by a Protestant Pastor, Martin Niemoller, in which he wrote: “First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak for me.”

Here we are witnessing the same complicit behavior.

If there were to be declarations by members of Congress against African Americans, the Black Caucus would raise their voices in unified condemnation.

If there were expressions of anger against people of the Muslim faith, there would be shouting of discrimination.

Where are the indignations regarding the vitriol and hate emanating from the people elected to ensure the tranquility of all our citizens?

Even members who are of the Jewish faith refuse to stand and condemn these atrocious diatribes.

At this season of the year, in Jewish Houses of Worship, the holiday of Purim

is celebrated and the Book of Esther is read. It describes, in vivid detail, the tragic events that had occurred over 2,500 years ago.

It is as though we are traveling back in time. Again and again we witness the attempt at eradicating a certain people because of their beliefs and traditions, these same understandings of faith that are part of all religious expression to this very day, whether it be Christianity or Islam.

Soon, Judaism and Christianity will commemorate two holidays designed to remind us of the value of freedom.

More than that, however, Passover and Easter should awaken our understanding of tolerance because intolerance results in the complete destruction of society.

History is replete with these lapses in judgments and civility, and the total annihilation of cultures and countries.

Are there none who will stand up to bigots? Are there none to understand that hate, in any form, will eventually find its way into everyday living and experiences? Are there none who will realize the destruction resulting from such venom?

All that is being accomplished is the resurgence of perceptions that were thought

to have been eradicated by time. Today, more than ever, efforts are being introduced, under the guise of free speech, to rekindle the flames of distrust reminiscent of the past. The world seems to be in flames, the flames of xenophobia and enmity.

As a nation, we have weathered the storms of animosity, bigotry, sexism and racism. There have been pauses and even back sliding, but we persevered because we understood, and should now understand, that only a nation united will stand as a beacon of what the Prophet Isaiah taught: “For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Perhaps there are no greater heights to reach for than the Heavens above.

And then, perhaps as Psalm 83 ends, we too will understand: “That they may know that it is You alone whose name is the Lord, the Most High over all the Earth.”

And, as Shakespeare asked: What’s in a name?” Whatever name we call God, it is the same God who breathed life into us at the beginning and sustains us to this very day.

Rabbi Dr. Irwin Wiener, D.D., is the spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Spiritual Connections

Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler 480-855-4333, rabbi@chabadcenter.com

WEDNESDAYS

Call ahead to confirm as details occasionally change after print.

If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting to list in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to news@santansun.com.

SUNDAYS

Celebration Service 10:30 a.m. Sundays All with peaceful beliefs are welcome to this inclusive, loving, thriving UNITY Community.

Join the group at 10 a.m., preceding the service, for fellowship. Youth and toddlers meet during service. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa, 480-593-8798, interfaithcommunity.org Kids’ Sunday School 10 to 11 a.m. Sundays Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Lift Your Spirit 10 a.m. Sundays Hear inspirational messages and music.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler

1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Traditional and Contemporary Services 7:30 a.m. daybreak contemplative worship, 9 a.m. traditional worship and choral music, 11 a.m. contemporary worship with live Christian rock band. There is also a service at 12 p.m. Wednesdays.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W. Erie St., Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

MONDAYS

The Art of Parenting 7:30 p.m. Mondays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99.

TUESDAYS

Silva Class and Meditation 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays Learn the Silva method with Lois Britland.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Career Connectors 8:30 a.m. to noon, fourth Tuesday of month Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to highquality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits.

Central Christian Church, Gilbert Campus/ Student Center, 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert 480-442-5806, careerconnectors.org Christian Business Networking Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

Crackers and Co. Café, 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa, Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com HOPE—Help Overcoming Painful Experiences 7 p.m. Tuesdays Free, weekly small-group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free child care for children ages 10 and younger. Desert Springs Church, 19620 S. McQueen Road, Room 106, Chandler, hope4all@comcast.net helpovercomingpanfulexperiences.org

Panic Healing 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday Receive a 15-minute energetic tuneup.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Gong Meditation and Yoga Nidra 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday Presented by Will Zecco, gong master. Bring yoga mat, blanket and pillow as desired. Love offerings will be accepted.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org “A Course in Miracles” with the Rev. Julianne Lewis 1 to 2:15 p.m. Wednesdays The weekly group is an interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for course beginners, as well as longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org The Art of Parenting 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99.

Chandler Jewish Community Center 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler 480-855-4333 or rabbi@chabadcenter.com Grief Care 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone.

See

CONNECTIONS on page 63

FAITH

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

CONNECTIONS

from page 62

Epiphany Lutheran Church, South Campus, old church building, 800 W. Ray Road, Room 325, Chandler, griefcareaz@gmail.com

THURSDAYS

Women’s Empowerment & Awakening 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Thursday Release negative beliefs.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 A Course in Miracles 7 p.m. first, second and fourth Thursday Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Empower Model for Men 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays The three-class series is taught by author Scott E. Clark and designed to offer practical wisdom and tools to help men shift into their higher consciousness, based on the sevenstep empower model detailed in Clark’s book, “Empower Model for Men.” Cost is $85.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

SATURDAYS

FRIDAYS

OTHER

Temple Havurat Emet 7:30 p.m. first Friday of each month Lecky Center, Robson Library 9330 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, templehavuratemet.org

Chandler United Methodist Church Making and Deploying Disciples for over 100 Years.

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Spirit Night – Psychic Fair 4 to 8 p.m. third Saturday of each month The “Lightworkers” offer a wide range of services, including Reiki, facials, mediums, drumming, tarot, angel messages and more.

Services range from $20 to $30. Cash only.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa interfaith-community.org heatherposey70@gmail.com

Moms in Prayer International A group of mothers who meet one hour each week to intercede for their children and schools through prayer. Liane Wright, 480-699-7887, momsinprayer.org

Bible Study Meets twice a month Members of the Women’s Life Group study the Bible and discuss how the lessons can relate to their lives. Sun Lakes United Church of Christ, Chandler.

Jan Olson: 480-802-7457, Joy King 480-588-1882 Let us help you publicize your church or temple’s events in the Spirituality section by emailing details to news@santansun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.

The Family that Prays Together Stays Together Service Times Wednesday

5:30 p.m. - Potluck Dinner 6:00 p.m. Youth and Adult Bible Study SUNDAY WORSHIP At 8:30 am & 10:00 am

PALM SUNDAY, April 14th – Worship at 8:30 & 10:00 AM with Palm Procession by the children MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 18th, 6:00 PM at Sun Lakes UMC – A Tenebrae Cantata Service with holy communion: “It Is Finished” by the combined Sun Lakes UMC and Chandler UMC Choirs.

GOOD FRIDAY, April 19th, 6:00 PM at Chandler UMC – A Tenebrae Cantata Service with holy communion: “It Is Finished” by the combined Chandler UMC and Sun Lakes UMC Choirs.

EASTER SUNDAY, April 21st: Worship at 8:30 & 10:00 AM EASTER EGG HUNT during Fellowship Time.

480-963-3360 | www.chandlermethodist.org | 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.

Join us for Holy Week Sun Lakes United Methodist Church 9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 (480) 895-8766 • sunlakesumc.org

Palm Sunday • April 14 • 8:15 & 10:00 am Maundy Thursday • April 18 • 6:00 pm Easter Eve • April 20 • 4:00 pm • Chapel Sunday • April 21 • 8:15 am & 10:00 am

63

Sunday

9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship Service Like and Follow us on Facebook facebook.com/OasisofGraceAG Check out our FB page for upcoming events

950 E Riggs Rd, Suite 8, Chandler

230 W. Galveston St., Chandler 85225

64

DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY AIR CONDITIONING/HEAT

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Call us at 480-898-6465 or email classifieds@santansun.com Proud member of

LANDSCAPING Four adsHANDYMAN for $116.73

CLEANING SERVICES

SPRING GREEN-UP? WANT ALAWN LAWN? WANT GREEN LAWN? WANT A GREEN LAWN?

PAINTING

PAINT SERVICES

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With over 20 years of experience I can repair, install or improve just about anything you can imagine.

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CARPET CLEANING

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SERVICES

A group of local business representatives and owners committed to development of local businesses in the Greater Chandler Area. Providing a forum for local businesses to promote themselves. We also work with and promote several non-profit organizations. Each member is required to assist or fund a non-profit organization as a show of support to our community. chandleralliance@gmail.com

FERTILIZER SOIL TESTING • LAWN SERVICE ROC PROGRAMS 82663 ** •B * IINSURED ROC 22LAWN 82663 BONDED ONDED NSURED YOUR EXPERT SINCE *1 995

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LAWN AERATING * LAWN SOIL TESTING FREE LAWN WEED CONTROL LAWN AERATING * LAWN SOIL TESTING LAWN AERATING * LAWN SOIL TESTING GIVE ME A CALL TODAY AND CONSIDER FERTILIZER PROGRAMS * LAWN SERVICE FERTILIZER PROGRAMS * LAWN SERVICE TREATMENT WITH CORE AERATION We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality FERTILIZER PROGRAMS * LAWN SERVICE YOUR TO-DO LIST DONE! Free Estimates• 3 Year Warranty ROC 282663 * BONDED * INSURED

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HOME REMODELING

LANDSCAPING

PET SERVICES

YOUR #1 CABINET REFACING COMPANY IN THE VALLEY 39 Years of Masterful Craftsmanship 0% Down (OAC) Credit Union West FREE In-Home Estimates

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IRRIGATION

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

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PAINTING

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not a licensed contractor

CONCRETE & MASONRY LANDSCAPING

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LANDSCAPING

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• Daily Visits to Your Home • Multiple Visits to Your Home Don’t feel guilty for leaving your pet ...

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PAVERS, WATER FEATURES, FLAGSTONE, FIREPLACE, SOD, BBQ, CURBING, ROCK AND IRRIGATION Remodeling License ROC #183369 • Bonded, Insured

480-699-3290 www.sandistailwaggers.com Member of the PSI and Chamber of Commerce Licesed, Insured and Bonded

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

DIRECTORY

65

CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS

CallCa us or email or email cla

PLUMBING PLUMBING

POOL SERVICES

To Place Your Classified Ad 480-898-6465

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• Brush Walls & Benches • Remove all Debris from Surface of Water • Empty all Baskets (skimmer, leaf canister, pump baskets, etc.)

• Inspect Equipment for any Repairs, Leaks, Etc., and Report to Customer if Anything is Needed • Backwash as Needed • Check & Balance Chemicals • Basic Chemicals Included with Monthly Service!

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CARPET CLEANING BIG JOHN'S CARPET CLEANING Our truck-mounted steam cleaning system will deep clean your carpets, ridding them of unwanted dirt, bacteria, fungus and chemical residues.

Upholstery cleaning also available.

Tile and grout cleaning.

For a clean and healthy carpet, call 480-786-6610 or 602-989-8311 John Downs, Owner/Operator, Ocotillo Resident.

Call for monthly specials.

MUSTANG CARPET & TILE CLEANING Carpet, Tile & Grout, and Upholstery Cleaning. Family owned, truck-mounted steam cleaning. We off 1/2-hour appointment time frames, so no waiting around. We include pre-spraying, mild deodorizer and degreasers for high traffic areas at no charge.

Member BBB with A+ Rating!

"We clean like it's our own!"

480-688-3003

CLEANING SERVICES

PLUMBING

WINDOWS/ CLEANING

JOHN’S

WINDOW CLEANING The Owners Clean Your Windows!

480-980-3321 Power Washing Available

1-Story $145 Additional Panes $3 ea.

2-Story $165 Screens Cleaned $3 ea.

Inside & Out Up to 30 Panes Fans|Lt. Fixtures|Mirrors

FINISHING TOUCH CLEANING SERVICE...19 years in Chandler and Gilbert areas. Mother/Daughter Team with excellent long-term client references. METICULOUS w/an EYE 4 DETAIL!!

Looking for Steady Clientele that want Consistent Quality Service with EVERY cleaning.

Competitive rates.

Exceptional Service!! We Love Pets!! Free in home estimate.

Call Rita -480-250-9744

MELISSA'S CLEANING SERVICE Make Your House Sparkle & Shine.

Reliable Energetic Cleaning.

Reasonable Rates.

Free Estimates. giada42607@gmail.com 480-395-8757

ELECTRICAL E. Z. ELECTRIC SERVICE RETIRED ELECTRICIAN. SMALL JOBS WANTED. I ALSO FIX LOW VOLTAGE OUTDOOR LIGHTING. ALL WORK TO CODE. I SHOW UP! 480-406-3610

EMPLOYMENT CONCRETE FINISHERS NEEDED IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for work throughout Maricopa County. Must have a valid driver's license, own transportation and be able to bend and lift. We are looking for highly motivated individuals that enjoy teamwork. On the job training, paid time off with a competitive rate.

Please email resume to MDMerrett@aol.com or give us a call at (480) 575-0915.

GLASS SERVICES 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

ESTATE/GARAGE SALES LARGE ESTATE MOVING SALE Fri 4/19 -Sat 4/20 9am - 5pm Coca-Cola & Elvis Collectables, Golf cart, Furniture, Burch China Hutch, Matching Pub Table & 6 Chairs, Down Field Living Room Sofa, Leather Loveseat, Patio Furniture, Household & Decor Items, Linens & Bedding, Kitchenware, Art, Electronics Sunbird Golf Resort 1578 W Peachtree Dr Riggs & Cooper Call For Early Sale 509-307-4149

ESTATE/GARAGE SALES

Estate Sale- 1763 E. Verde Blvd, San Tan Valley, on Sat & Sun, April 6 & 7th starts at 10 AM to 2 PMish. Enter Encanterra gate on Combs for access to home. Come see quality, gently used home goods! Beds, bath, kitchen, living room & patio furnishings. Cathi Pospisil, 928-2730538

HANDYMAN UNIVERSAL HOME REPAIR Small projects, house maintenance and renovations, house/apartment preparation for new tenants.

Air conditioning repairs.

Call Jack @ 480-213-4005 jacekwrona@cox.net

HOME IMPROVEMENTS Dave's Tile Installation 25+years experience Floors, countertops, back splashes, showers, exterior patio BBQ's & repairs.

Any tile of your choice. Quality Work at areasonable price. Free Estimates.

Please call 480-748-9826 480-748-1545

LANDSCAPING A+ SPRINKLER REPAIR SERVICE Are you tired of fixing drip system leaks?

20 years experience repairing and replacing drip systems, valves, wire troubleshooting & timers. All repairs!

Honest and reliable.

East Valley Native.

Call and compare prices!

602-826-4717 www.AplusSprinklerRepair.com

KUTTINGEDGE LANDSCAPE

A Professional and Reliable Maintenance Company.

Services Include, Weekly and Bi-Weekly Maintenance, One Time Clean Ups, Weed Control, Tree Work and More.

Call Rick For a Free Estimate 480-250-6608 or email: Kuttingedgelandscape@cox.net

and Visit:

www.kuttingedgelandscape.com

66

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS LANDSCAPING BERNIE'S LANDSCAPING Mowing, Clean-Ups, Gravel, Winter Grass, Irrigation Repair, Tree Removal & Pruning.

Landscape Maintenance FREE Estimates 480-340-6009

MOVING IN OR OUT MOVERS Professional, hardworking, excellent service. No hidden fees. Whether you are moving in or moving out LEAVE THE LIFTING TO US! Serving the East Valley.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

Call us at 480-898-6465 or email classifieds@santansun.com Proud member of

PAINTING

PLUMBING

WINDOWS/ CLEANING

WINDOWS/ CLEANING

Gold Medal Painting

ABC PLUMBING & ROOTER CHANDLER/GILBERT *$79.00 OFF with this ad* 110% Guarantee*/OWNER OPERATED Small & Large REPAIRS 24/7 Slab leak, water main, hot water heaters, & sewer repair specialist.

Water softening specialist, water filters, and reverse osmosis. 100-year warranty on parts & labor. * BBB A+ Rating. BBB Ethics Award Winner. Chandler Chamber of Commerce Employer of Choice Award.

ROC#153202/213288 *Call for details 480-726-1600

DIRTY WINDOWS? Call Fish Window Cleaning @ 480-962-4688 and you will have the cleanest windows and screens on the block.

Below is the list of services we offer: Windows – Interior & Exterior Screens – Sunscreens and Regular Tracks, Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures Power Washing - Your driveway, sidewalks and patios.

Follow us on InstaGram @FISH_WCEASTVALLEYAZ

"MOM WAS RIGHT" Appearance Counts!

PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANING Detailed Service and Tidy Inside Your Home!

1 Story-$100 & 2 Story-$140 Up to 30 Panes.

Price Includes Inside and Out. Screens Cleaned $3 Each.

Pressure Washing and Fixture Cleaning Also Available.

21 Years of Accumulated References!

CALL RON at 480-584-1643 A+ Member of BBB Bonded & Insured

Reputably Serving the East Valley Unsurpassed workmanship and quality products. *Interior/Exterior *Concrete coatings *Custom Faux finishes Discounts: Senior Citizens, Police, Fire & Teachers Free Consultation and Estimate Call Today 480-938-1085

www.inoroutmoversphoenixmetro.com

Call Terry at 602-653-5367

Stuff for Sale? Your Neighbors are ready to buy!

Place your Ad today!

480-898-6465

EMPLOYMENT

REAL ESTATE MANUFACTURED HOMES (SALE) BRAND NEW NEVER LIVED IN 2 BED / 2 BATH HOMES $48,900 Financing Available.

Also Available Affordable Homes Between $5K - $15K 55+ Mobile Home Park in Great Chandler Location.

Call Kim 480-233-2035

Business Development Specialist Fulltime -Tempe Times Media Group has an immediate full-time opening for a inside Business Development Specialist. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing new business for targeted specialty publications.

Primary responsibilities include strategic prospecting, sales acquisition via the phone, account retention and must be able to work collaboratively with clients and internal staff.

Qualifications/Requirements • Min of 3 yrs sales exp; advertising preferred; knowledge of print media a plus • Excellent customer service skills internal and external • Strong computer skills, Word, Excel, Gmail, Google doc and spreadsheet • Excellent written and verbal communication skills •Valid Driver’s License and Proof of Vehicle Insurance Benefits - Health, 401k and Vacation If you are interested in applying for this position please send your resume to Elaine Cota ecota@timespublications.com

REAL ESTATEROOMS FOR RENT Room For Rent. Ocotillio Lakes. Shared Kitchen.

Private bath. Nearby shopping. Snedigar Park. $600 flat. 480-883-1315

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NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SPECIALTY IS, WE HAVE A DIRECTORY SPOT FOR YOU!

Call us at 480-898-6465 or email Classifieds@santansun.com for details.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

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68

Where To Eat

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Cherish Eatery menu meets diverse tastes, diets

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

People craving flavorful, fun food to fuel their energy while still adhering to any dietary restrictions can find plenty of options at the new Cherish Farm Fresh Eatery in Ocotillo.

Owner David Nelson and executive chef Steven Fowler recently opened the casual restaurant on West Queen Creek Road with a diverse menu that provides eclectic, colorful combinations of vegetables, meats and breads.

Those items are labeled for vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free and low-carb/Keto-friendly diets.

Even people with no dietary limits who just want delicious food that is also good for them can find lots of choices, Nelson and Fowler said.

“I think Chef (Fowler) has done an amazing job of creating things that are healthy,” Nelson said. “You feel good.

We’ve just supplied the food to meet whatever diet you want. I think we definitely have something unique.”

Fowler, who has worked in the restaurant industry for 25 years and spent 20 of those years cooking professionally, echoed Nelson’s sentiment.

“I think it’s just clean food,” Fowler said. “It’s unadulterated food. We don’t put a lot of garbage in it. We wanted a

Cherish Farm owner David Nelson, left, and Steven Fowler, executive chef, run the new fast casual restaurant, Cherish Farm Fresh Eatery on West Queen Creek Road. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

place where people could feel included even on a diet. We make the majority of everything in house.”

In an open space with lots of pink and green accents on the walls, customers

go up to a kiosk to order from the comprehensive menu.

It features many breakfast options including Keto Benedict, which has Cloud bread, a poached egg, tomato jam,

chopped bacon, bacon fat Hollandaise and chives. This gluten-free and Ketofriendly meal for $9 has the low-carb egg bread made in house.

Another popular breakfast dish is the Cherish Cakes, ricotta pancakes with a mixed berry compote and agave nectar for $7. Those pancakes are vegetarian and “thick, yet light and fluffy,” Fowler said.

Diners have several starters to choose from, including a red miso soup with red miso broth, gold beets, soft Tofu and scallions for $6 that is gluten-free, dairyfree, vegan and vegetarian.

Guests can get creative with the custom plates on the menu. They can pick one, two or three vegetables.

Those veggies include broccolini with feta and lemon oil; glazed sweet potato with sweet chili soy sauce, sesame seeds and scallions; quinoa with avocado and Tahini vinaigrette and spaghetti squash with an heirloom tomato, spinach and Grana Padano.

They can add protein – grass-fed steak, all-natural chicken, sustainable salmon and organic firm tofu – to any dish.

Cherish satisfies customers’ cravings for greens with several different types of salads such as one with Pink Lady apples, pink grapefruit, rainbow chard, butter See

CHERISH on page 69

Broken Yolk serves breakfast creations

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A popular restaurant known for its large portions, diverse eggs Benedicts and other breakfast options is opening its second Arizona location in Chandler on Monday.

The Broken Yolk Café will open at 2970 E. Germann Road on April 8.

The national chain began in 1979 in the San Diego area and was featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” show several years ago. The Broken Yolk Café already has a Mesa location at 2034 E. Southern Ave. – one of more than 30 around the country.

A varied menu with lots of choices in breakfast and lunch dishes and homemade, high-quality food are trademarks of The Broken Yolk Cafe, said Bill Marble, co-owner of The Broken Yolk Café in Chandler and owner of Phoenix Cafes, a franchise of the parent Broken Yolk.

Bill, who also owns 12 Five Guys restaurants in Oregon and Washington state, said Chandler will be a great location for The Broken Yolk Café.

“The demographics are great for the restaurant,” he said. “It seems like all the time I spent there, it seems like a lot of people were eating out around there.

I like this particular area and location because of the activity. The demographics are very dense. There’s a good population.

The average income was good.”

Previously Bill spent 29 years working

Jay Marble, franchise owner, Michael Mauricio, Kitchen Manager and Jeff Marble, franchise owner, at Broken Yolk Restaurant in Chandler, AZ. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer))

for McDonald’s, serving as the vicepresident for southern California, Hawaii and Micronesia. Bill, who lives in Moorpark, California, said he was involved in getting McDonald’s to start serving breakfast around the country decades ago.

“This is totally different and I’ve always liked the breakfast timeframe,” Bill said of The Broken Yolk Café.

After retiring from McDonald’s and spending 10 years retired, his brother,

Ron Marble, wanted to do something new professionally and the two of them checked out Five Guys. Ron is the director of operations for the Five Guys restaurants Bill owns and a 13th one Bill will open this summer in Washington state.

“Real estate is a big part of it,” Bill said. “You’ve gotta pick the right location if you’re gonna be successful.

I had some experiences in that. I had all the disciplines underneath me at

McDonald’s.”

Bill’s nephew, Jay Marble, is a franchisee of The Broken Yolk Café and a principal in the Chandler location.

Bill’s son Jeff will be principal of the next restaurant that will open in Arizona and the Marbles are looking for a location.

“They have a variety of Benedicts, eggs Benedicts,” Bill said. “My personal favorite is the south of the border Benedict, which is excellent. They’ve got a lot of variety on the menu. We’ve got our own seasoning that we use for some of the dishes. They have all kinds of high-end waffles and pancakes. The omelets are exceptional, too, very big, very tasty.”

Diners will be able to indulge their tastes for unusual and traditional breakfasts, as well as lots of sandwiches, soups, hamburgers, cheeseburgers and salads for lunch in the 4,900-square-foot space in Chandler.

The hearty eggs Benedicts at The Broken Yolk Café include the Border Benedict, which has seasoned carne asada on two Mexican sweet corn cakes covered in homemade poblano sauce.

Another twist on the well-known breakfast dish is the chicken-and-waffle Benedict, which has crispy chicken tenders and poached eggs smothered in Hollandaise sauce over two Belgian waffle quarters.

Customers also can satisfy their sweet tooth with the many French toast and See

YOLK on page 69

WHERE TO EAT

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

69

Deviled eggs are kid-friendly in many ways You can pretty much be certain of one thing about kids. They love deviled eggs.

The more they research these little round miracles of nature, the more they’ll discover some pretty cool things about the incredible edible egg.

There are 13 essential vitamins and minerals plus six grams of protein in every large egg. Each egg only costs about 20 cents.

Ingredients 6 eggs, hard-boiled & sliced in half 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon mustard 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce a splash of hot sauce Salt and pepper to taste Paprika and chopped parsley to garnish

CHERISH

If you store them pointy side down, they will stay fresher longer. If you hard boil eggs too long, a green ring forms around the yolk.

A hen can lay more than 300 eggs a year. Chickens can’t taste sweet, but they can taste salt. The word “deviled” means to mix with spices. Most kids really love deviled eggs. So, here’s a simple recipe for delicious, kid-friendly deviled eggs!

Directions: Slice hard-boiled eggs carefully in half, lengthwise. Remove yolks and place in a medium bowl. Place egg whites on a serving tray.

Place your cooked egg yolks in a small bowl & mash them up with a fork. Stir in the mayo, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt

and pepper. Scoop the filling into the egg whites or use a piping bag to fill egg whites. Lightly sprinkle with paprika and parsley for garnish. Store in the refrigerator, lightly covered until ready to serve. Makes 12 halves.

When hard-boiled eggs are overcooked, a green ring forms around the yolk. Here’s my method:

Place eggs carefully in a pot nestled together. Cover eggs with water and 2 teaspoons of vinegar. Once water comes to a boil, cook for 2 minutes.

Remove pot from heat. Let sit for 12 minutes.

Check out the video for some fun tips and ideas here: jandatri.com/ recipe/deviled-egg-party.

from page 68

lettuce, strawberries, spiced walnuts, Zinfandel goat cheese and pomegranate vinaigrette.

A popular grain bowl at Cherish is the Faux Ramen, a play on Ramen noodles. It has buckwheat, grilled bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, a soft-boiled egg, purple radish, bean sprouts, scallion and red miso broth.

Meat aficionados can indulge in a braised, all-natural short rib with Yukon potatoes, braised vegetables and a braised reduction.

A healthier spin on an Italian dish is the turkey Bolognese with all-natural ground turkey, thick tomato sauce, fettuccini noodles, grana, basil, saba and extra virgin olive oil. Diners can substitute the fettuccini noodles for gluten-free Zoodles.

Other specialty dishes are sea bass, squash casserole and grilled vegetables.

Some hearty sandwiches include a Keto steak sandwich with grass-fed steak, avocado, heirloom tomato and butter lettuce on a Cloud bread and a pulled lamb sandwich with parsley arugula salad, oven-roasted tomato, pistachio and a clove-onion spread on Noble buttermilk bread.

A sandwich that is a big seller is the unusual, vegan banh mi. It has roasted golden beets, a shiitake mushroom and Tofu pate; bean sprouts, pickled radish and carrots, as well as shaved jalapeno, cilantro and banh mi sauce on a Noble vegan hogie.

The sandwich has “a little bit of a bite” and a “Vietnamese flair,” Fowler said.

Customers are also eating up the cauliflower crust pizzas at Cherish.

Fowler and the team make so many of

Left: Cherish Farm Fresh Eatery is a new fast casual restaurant in Ocotillo. Right: The Pink Lady salad has Pink Lady apples, pink grapefruit, rainbow chard, butter lettuce, strawberries, spiced walnuts, Zinfandel goat cheese and pomegranate vinaigrette. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

them they bought a second oven to make crusts for these pizzas.

He said the most well-liked cauliflower-crust pizza is the Caprese one that includes mozzarella, basil, oregano, extra virgin olive oil and saba.

Cherish uses produce from local farmers including Harvest 480 in Chandler, and the beef for dishes comes from animals raised in Arizona.

Visitors can quench their thirst for a variety of beverages at Cherish including fresh, cold-pressed juices; organic coffee, beers, wine, cocktails, fresh, cold-pressed lemonade, organic iced tea and Maine Root organic soda.

Fowler has a lot of varied experience under his belt.

He has cooked food for a wide range of venues over his extensive career including EVO in Scottsdale, T. Cook’s in the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix; Tonto Bar & Grill in Cave Creek and The Boulders Resort in Cave Creek.

He and Nelson met through a business consultant who gave Nelson advice on starting a restaurant. Nelson had previously worked as an attorney for 12 years in Los Angeles.

But he wanted to return to Arizona, where he had earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology from Arizona State University years ago. He has a law degree from University of Southern California and when he was an attorney many of his clients worked in the restaurant industry.

“I’ve always wanted to invest in business and grow something,” Nelson said. “I really wanted to do something where you could be a part of the community.”

He said when people enjoy their experience at a restaurant, it can “really have an effect on their day.”

Nelson aims to keep prices affordable and said an average bill is for $20 and customers could easily spend $15 on a meal.

The restaurant is already getting busy, seeing heavy traffic during lunchtime as well as all day on Saturdays, he said.

“I really like the Chandler area,” Nelson said. “It’s quickly growing up.

The people here seem to really care about what they eat and how it affects their body.”

The area has room for growth and many businesses are situated nearby, making it convenient for people to stop by for a bite anytime.

“The growth is coming,” Fowler said.

“Our long-term potential here is good.”

Nelson said he hopes to eventually open more locations. He and Fowler also plan to add brunch and desserts at the restaurant.

Cherish Farm Fresh Eatery is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays. It is located at 2551 W. Queen Creek Road. Information: cherishrestaurant.com

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YOLK

WHERE TO EAT

SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019

from page 68

crepe choices at The Broken Yolk Café.

The Tiki Toast is three extra-thick slices of sweet Hawaiian bread, grilled until they are golden brown, covered with strawberries, blueberries, shredded coconut, powdered sugar and caramel drizzle.

Crunch French Toast is three very thick slices of bread rolled in crunchy, frosted flakes with sprinkles of sliced almonds, raspberries and powdered sugar, covered with whipped cream and a raspberry drizzle.

Nutella crepes are three homemade, very thin pancakes, filled with the Nutella spread of customers’ choice and their pick of fresh, sliced strawberries or a banana. Those crepes have powdered

sugar and whipped cream spread over the top.

Pancakes are offered in buttermilk, blueberry, banana, chocolate chip, cinna-cakes, honey wheat and gluten-free recipes.

They come as short stacks with two pancakes and a full stack with three pancakes.

Chicken and Lots of eggs Benedicts and a variety of other, diverse breakfast dishes are on the waffl es together is menu at The Broken Yolk Cafe. (The Broken Yolk Cafe) also on the menu, as are a Belgian waffle and a waffle sandwich, which has scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and applewood-smoked bacon inside it.

Fans of Mexican food have lots of spicy breakfast dishes to pick from at The Broken Yolk Café.

The huevos rancheros is a grilled corn tortilla covered with two eggs over medium and homemade ranchero sauce.

It is paired with guacamole, Mexican rice and refried beans and diners’ choice of corn or flour tortillas.

Huevos con chorizo blends beef chorizo sausage with two scrambled eggs and is served with Mexican rice, homemade salsa and refried beans, as well as a choice of corn or flour tortillas.

Breakfast burritos and tacos are among the other Mexican breakfast choices. Baja breakfast tacos are two corn tortillas with

scrambled eggs, beef chorizo sausage and fresh avocado, covered with homemade salsa and Cotija cheese, delivered with Mexican rice and black beans.

A Southwest chicken wrap gives diners a spicy lunch with diced, grilled chicken breast, avocado, black beans, corn, lettuce, tomatoes, as well as red and green bell peppers and chipotle mayonnaise wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla.

Many classic sandwiches and wraps are available at The Broken Yolk Café.

One of them is a club sandwich called the Gaslamp with sliced turkey breast, Provolone cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on toasted sourdough bread. A B.L.T. has bacon, lettuce, tomato with mayonnaise on customers’ choice of toasted bread.

The food will not be the only attraction at The Broken Yolk Café in Chandler.

The restaurant has a full liquor license and will sell beer, wine and liquors including Bloody Mary drinks and mimosas.

Broken Yolk’s Breakfast Waffle Bloody Mary is a hefty creation with a classic BYC Bloody Mary covered with a mini breakfast waffle sandwich filled with sausage, bacon, a fried egg and a crispy chicken strip on top, paired with garnishings.

A “big hit in San Diego” is mimosas, and the Chandler restaurant will have a broad range of different flavored mimosas, Bill said.

The Broken Yolk Café in Chandler will be located on East Germann Road, just west of Gilbert Road. It will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Information: thebrokenyolkcafe.com

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 6–19, 2019