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May 24, 2020 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

9 City of Chandler employees have tested positive for virus BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

At least nine City of Chandler employees have contracted the COVID-19 virus since the pandemic began more than two months ago. As of May 15, the city of Chandler reported nine employees tested positive for the coronavirus – a higher rate of infection than some nearby municipalities. The City of Tempe has only reported two cases of COVID-19 among its staff and Gilbert claims none of its employees have been infected. The City of Mesa could not provide a number of infected employees because

it apparently hasn’t been tracking cases for the last two months. “The city is not tracking information about whether city employees have tested positive so we don’t have any information or documents regarding that,” city spokesman Kevin Christopher said. He did not elaborate as to why Mesa is not tracking employees, given that many interact with the public. Privacy laws prohibit cities from publicly revealing who specifically been infected and Chandler is not disclosing which departments they work in. The city did say three of the nine infected employees worked in positions that involve frequent interactions with

the public. Four of Chandler’s nine workers have already returned to work and the remaining five should all be cleared to return by the end of next week, a city spokesperson said. Chandler has already begun the process of reopening its facilities to the public again despite a significant number of COVID-19 cases reported across the city. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Chandler’s ZIP codes have been reporting some of the highest rates of the coronavirus seen in Maricopa County. Between April and May, five Chandler

ZIP codes saw their combined total of COVID-19 cases jump from 149 to 429. The area of 85224, which is home to several medical facilities and nursing homes, has had more than 180 confirmed cases of COVID-19 -- only Mesa’s 85206 has been logging numbers this high in the East Valley. Both ZIP codes are homes as well to hospitals – Chandler Regional Medical Center in 85224 and Banner Baywood Medical Center in 85206, where a number of senior communities also exist. The way local governments have dealt with cases of the coronavirus has See

VIRUS on page 4

City salutes Chandler’s military heroes online BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler Chamber CEO/President Terri Kimble waves to passersby to "come on in" on behalf of local businesses as they began reopening May 15. She organized a convoy that went through the city to welcome them back and spread the word they were open for customers. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

Chandler seeks ways to help pandemic-battered businesses BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler’s Industrial Development Authority is exploring the possibility of providing economic resources for local businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. The nonprofit entity has up to $1 million in revenue it has been collecting

over the years by helping businesses obtain tax-exempt financing and is pondering whether to give some of that money back to the business community. During a meeting on May 12, the Authority’s board of commissioners discussed the feasibility of allowing small businesses to apply for a grant See

GRANT on page 8

Feliciano Ayala died in combat just a couple months before World War II officially ended. It was May 1945 and the young soldier had been stationed in the Philippines, where thousands of American servicemen were killed during bloody skirmishes against Japan. Ayala, who attended Chandler High School before enlisting in the military, died on the island of Luzon – the site of several battles that killed thousands of Japanese, American, and Filipino soldiers. His family in Chandler would have to wait another four years before Ayala’s remains could be transferred back to Arizona and ultimately interred in a Mesa cemetery. During that time, Ayala’s family received an unexpected letter from a family back in the Philippines. The family had inquired why Ayala had not been writing to them -- apparently unaware of his untimely fate. The Filipino family had befriended Ayala before he was sent into combat by sharing meals with him and offering to do his laundry.

Once Ayala’s relatives informed them of his death, the Filipino family wrote back expressing gratitude for the kindness Ayala had shown them. “We could never again find a friend as good as your son,” the letter stated. “All I could do to repay him in serving in this war, driving away those cruel Japanese, is pray for him every night.” Local stories like Ayala’s are what the Chandler Museum is looking for this Memorial Day as it attempts to catalog the voices of local veterans. In addition, the city is marking Memorial Day by airing a special 30-minute video about Chandler’s military history at 10 a.m. May 25, on the city’s cable channel (CenturyLink Channel 8502), YouTube.com/ cityofchandler and social media channels. The video showcases two Chandler Museum exhibits – “A Million Acts of Kindness” and “Chandler Veterans: DUTY.” “A Million Acts of Kindness” exhibit showcases the work of the Salvation Army USA and explores the services provided to the troops and how

F E AT U R E STO R I E S Chandler Council candidates spar at Chamber forum. . . . . . . .Community . . . . . Page 6 A new kind of job: chief sanitizer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Business . . . . . . . Page 36 Chandler woman leaves her mark at ASU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Neighbors . . . . . Page 42 No indoor movies for weeks likely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 47 Ocotillo restaurants ready for dining-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eat . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 54

Congratulations Graduates ........ Center Section

See

MEMORIAL on page 3

More Community . . . . . .01-21 Graduates. . . . . . . 22-35 Business . . . . . . . .36-39 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Neighbors . . . . . .42-46 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .47-48 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Classifieds . . . . . . 51-52 Where to Eat. . . . . . . 54

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MEMORIAL

from page 1

Salvation Army volunteers provided aid on the home front. “Chandler Veterans: DUTY” pays tribute to veterans from the Chandler community who have served in the military, featuring the faces of Chandler men and women who have served in every branch of the military. Both exhibits are on display at the Chandler Museum, which will reopen to the public on May 18. “Chandler Veterans: DUTY” is based on submissions from residents. Earlier this month, the museum asked for Chandler residents to submit personal stories of their own military service or that of their departed family members. The photographs, stories, and mementos of Chandler’s veterans will then be saved in a new database the museum’s creating in order to preserve the city’s military history. James Ryan, a Chandler native, is one of the veterans who has submitted his memories of military service for the museum’s database. He came of age in the late 1960s, when images of the Vietnam War were constantly being broadcast on the nightly news. The war was a constant presence in everybody’s life, Ryan said, and nearly everyone knew somebody who had been impacted by it. After graduating from Seton Catholic High School in 1968, Ryan attended

Feliciano Ayala left his Chandler family to fight in World War II and was killed in combat months before it ended. (Chandler Museum)

college for a couple years and thought the conflict in Vietnam appeared to be winding down. Then he got drafted in 1971 -- a time when the number of American troops in

Vietnam had dropped considerably. It felt like the war was ending, Ryan said, and yet he was still being asked to potentially go over and fight in combat. “That’s why I thought I was very unlucky,” he recalled, “but it turned out I was very fortunate.” Ryan ended up finding a way to avoid being sent to Vietnam. He was recruited into the military’s foreign language program and asked to study Romanian -- a language he knew would have little use in Vietnam. After studying the language, Ryan was assigned to work in the intelligence field at the National Security Agency. He was discharged in 1974 and continued working at the NSA as a civilian for the next several years before graduating from law school. Though he may have been drafted, Ryan said his military experience ended up being beneficial as it helped carve out a career path for himself. Other stories submitted to the museum’s database detail some of the more tragic consequences of serving in the armed forces. The family of George Pickering offered an anecdote describing how the soldier lost one of his legs during World War II. After breaking his leg during a training exercise, Pickering’s limb turned gangrenous and had to be amputated. His family claims Pickering snuck a revolver into the hospital and tried using it to threaten the surgeons not to remove his leg. Jackson Bogle, whose namesake is shared with Chandler’s Bogle Junior High School, is another local veteran to serve

in WWII. According to an anecdote submitted to the museum’s database, Bogle was one of only two soldiers in his entire battalion to come home alive from the war. Bogle, who died in 2005, had been dispatched to the Republic of China to train the local troops how to deploy artillery tactics against the nearby Japanese forces. But the Americans often found themselves abandoned by the Chinese troops and left to ward off the approaching Japanese soldiers on their own. “There was nothing between us and the Japanese but the river, and the Japanese were starting their crossing now,” Bogle recalled in a 1979 interview. The Chandler Museum currently has an exhibit on display that showcases local residents who have served in every branch of the military. From World War I to the Iraq War, the exhibit highlights the lives of Chandler residents who served during both peacetime and wartime. Aside from its archival projects, the city already has a long history of recognizing the service of its local veterans. In 1949, the American Legion erected a large bronze plaque at A.J. Chandler Park that listed the names of every Chandler resident who had served in the military. Chandler completed the first phase of a veterans memorial at Oasis Park in 2016 which includes a plaza in the shape of the Arizona state flag. Funding for phase two of the park has been earmarked for the next fiscal year and construction could commence soon.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Chandler nonprofits reeling from pandemic’s impact

dilemma that confronts others in the Valley: they must accommodate a growing demand for services with an uncertain supply of resources. Mandatory closures forced many nonprofits to cancel fundraiser events that would have generated some muchneeded revenue. Some foundations and companies have additionally delayed handing out grant funding until further notice, Macedon added, creating another fiscal challenge for nonprofits. A survey by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits two weeks ago said 306 organizations reported a loss of nearly $40 million, with three-quarters of the groups saying their services to clients have been disrupted. They also projected a total loss of 10 times that number by the end of their fiscal years. “This may only represent the tip of the iceberg,” said Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits CEO Kristen Merrifield. Regardless of the current economic climate, Macedon said his nonprofit will find a way to continue servicing the Chandler community. “We’re going to get through this,” said Macedon, “We’re gonna take good care of our clients.” Fans Across America is a subsidiary of Chandler Compadres, which raises money for East Valley charities.

Food banks, after-school programs and health clinics all receive funding that the Chandler Compadres raise throughout the year. But the pandemic has cost the Compadres about 20 percent of its expected revenue this fiscal year, according to former president Matt Marshall. Its charity golf tournament was canceled last month, costing the organization a good chunk of money that would have been distributed among its beneficiaries. “We won’t be able to give as much out,” Marshall said. The Compadres has some cash saved in its reserves, he said, but it’s not much since the organization traditionally disperses almost everything it raises each year. Even though some fundraisers have been postponed to the fall, Marshall said the Compadres are looking for alternative ways to quickly raise some cash for its beneficiaries. “These groups and families need support right now but obviously we’re not able to do events to raise money for them,” Marshall added. “So I think we’ll have to look at some virtual fundraisers.” Despite the troubles surrounding fundraisers, the subsidiaries of Chandler Compadres have found ways to still support each other.

ICAN, a nonprofit that provides after-school programs for Chandler students, is part of the Compadres network and has been partnering with other beneficiaries to share resources. Shelby Pedersen, CEO of ICAN, said they’ve gotten supplies from Fans Across American that have helped her organization compile take-home activity kits for children stuck at home during the pandemic. “It’s been really cool to see how much interconnectedness there is between the partners,” Pedersen said. Pedersen said the nonprofit is being forced to find innovative ways to keep servicing families without meeting them face-to-face. As schools around Chandler started closing in late March, ICAN quickly started assembling take-home kits with constructive activities that children could do with their family. The idea has turned out to be a popular one, Pedersen said, with their weekly kit numbers climbing from 100 to 500 in a short period of time. ICAN would normally be in the process of planning for its summer activities that cater to 200 low-income students living around Chandler but the pandemic has cast uncertainty over the next couple months. As Arizona starts reopening, Pedersen expects more parents will get back to work and depend on ICAN for programming to keep their children occupied throughout the summer. ICAN hopes to reopen its in-person programming sometime this summer, yet it will have to be rolled out at a gradual pace. The organization can’t immediately go back to servicing 200 kids, Pedersen said. “It will take us a little while to get back up to that number,” she said. Each subsidiary of Chandler Compadres will likely be in need of more resources in the near future, Matt Marshall added, so the organization’s members will be doing everything possible to make the community aware of the needs that continue to persist during this pandemic. More information on Chandler Compadres and its subsidiaries can be found at chandlercompadres.org.

A city worker who tests positive for the virus must notify their supervisor. Department directors and the city’s human resources office are then notified and guide the employee through potentially using Chandler’s paid-leave program. The employee’s work area is then secured and undergoes a rigorous disinfectant process. The infected employee is told they should not return to work until they’re cleared by a health care provider. If the employee had been at work within six days of when they first felt symptoms of COVID-19, then their immediate coworkers would be notified. Tempe’s protocol is similar in that the

city sends out letters to employees who may have had contact with an infected colleague and instructs them to check themselves for symptoms of the virus. In Chandler, coworkers of an infected employee are instructed to stay home if they detect signs of the coronavirus. The Human Resources Department attempts to help the coworker get tested for COVID-19 and confirm whether they have the virus. If the test results come back positive, then Chandler’s protocol is to initiate paid leave benefits for the employee and instruct them not to return to work until they’re cleared by a doctor. The protocols from other

municipalities have some similarities and differences compared to how Chandler’s been dealing internally with COVID-19 cases. In Gilbert, the protocol specifically requires an infected employee to demonstrate they’ve not had a fever for at least 72 hours before they’re allowed to return to work. Tempe encourages the coworkers of an infected employee to wear a face mask for 14 days from the time they last had contact with the individual. A Mesa city spokesman said a draft of their protocol is currently under review with the city manager and did not disclose details of what it contains.

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

George Macedon noticed something different when he went out shopping for diapers in Chandler a couple weeks ago. His nonprofit, Fans Across America, hands out supplies to victims of domestic violence and their diaper bank had been running low. Macedon drove around to various stores, hoping to stock up his inventory. But all the shelves were empty. The COVID-19 pandemic had predictably caused local stores to suddenly run out of essential items. But even after the shelves got restocked, Macedon noticed the prices for diapers and baby wipes had quickly escalated. “I was just astounded by the pricing,” he recalled, “It’s just sad.” The uncertainty surrounding whether supplies will continue to be available and affordable has been one of the most challenging aspects of this pandemic, Macedon said. His organization has managed to stock up on its inventory of cleaning supplies, clothes and toiletries for the time being. But there’s a looming concern that the supplies won’t be sustainable as more clients contact Fans Across America seeking help. Before the pandemic, the organization would typically receive about 25 referrals per month for new clients seeking supplies in order to avoid homelessness or leave an abusive partner. That monthly number jumped to more than 60 in April. Chandler Police has noticed it’s calls for domestic fights and disturbances have been increasing since the pandemic began in early March. The demand for services will likely grow in the coming weeks, Macedon said, since it will take a considerable amount of time for the economy to restabilize. It’s not like flipping on a switch, he added, so Fans Across America is expecting to stay busy throughout the summer. “We’re preparing for it,” he said. “We just have to stay ahead of the curve.” The Chandler nonprofit faces a

VIRUS

from page 1

been under public scrutiny practically since the pandemic started back in March. The first person in Arizona to die from COVID-19 was an employee for the city of Phoenix’s Aviation Department. The patient, a man in his 50s, died on March 17 and the city was not informed he had tested positive for the virus until three days after his death. Chandler has a lengthy protocol process in place for instances when a COVID-19 case is reported among its employees.

Maria Cruz Trotter and George Macedon take a break at Fans Across America's "locker room" of supplies for needy families. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

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Beth Brizel

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Mark Stewart

OD Harris

Jeremy McClymonds

Christine Ellis

Rick Heumann

Council candidates disagree on city’s preparedness BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler’s six city council candidates are divided on how they think about the city’s level of preparedness for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. During a candidate forum on May 19, the six hopefuls running for three council seats were given a yes-or-no question asking whether Chandler was prepared to handle the ongoing public health crisis. Four challengers – Christine Ellis, Beth Brizel, OD Harris and Rick Heumann – all answered “no” while incumbents Mark Stewart and Jeremy McClymonds responded “yes.” The candidates were not offered the chance to elaborate since it was part of the forum’s “lightning” round of questioning, which revealed some other divisions among the contenders. When asked whether they supported Chandler connecting with Valley Metro’s

light rail line, McClymonds, Ellis and Brizel opposed the idea but Harris and Heumann favored it. Heumann was the only candidate to say “no” when asked if private businesses should be allowed to operate inside residences without a license. Harris was the sole opponent to an extension of Chandler Airport’s runway. When asked if Chandler should add more bike lanes to the city’s streets, Ellis was the only participant to oppose such a project. On a question asking whether Chandler should award merit-based salary raises to its employees, Heumann answered “no,” Stewart declined to respond and the other four candidates supported the idea. Ellis, Brizel, and Harris all thought Chandler didn’t offer enough public transportation while the other candidates disagreed. Stewart and McClymonds said they would not support any future bond

initiatives by the city but the four other candidates would not rule out the need for such action. The broad range of questions allowed spectators to see how the viewpoints and opinions of each candidate either aligned or conflicted with the others. There were several times throughout the forum where Brizel, Ellis, Heumann, Harris, Stewart and McClymonds all responded unanimously in agreement to a question. All six candidates supported the idea of Chandler handing out monetary grants to local businesses hurt by COVID-19 -- but McClymonds and Stewart stipulated that these grants should be funded with assistance from the federal government. The Chandler Chamber of Commerce’s forum additionally allowed candidates to offer fuller responses to more general questions regarding the city. Heumann, who has previously served

on the council, thinks fiscal solvency and smart financing should be the city’s most important responsibilities in the future. “You can’t go out and just spend a bunch of money that you maybe don’t have,” Heumann said. Brizel said she worried most about affordable housing and promised to work with city planners to develop innovative housing designs that can be bought by first-time homeowners. “I believe we also need to find smarter growth initiatives to preserve and revitalize our traditional neighborhoods,” added Brizel, a onetime member of the Kyrene School District Governing Board. Harris, an accountant and entrepreneur, thinks Chandler’s biggest pre-pandemic challenge was keeping up with the city’s growing population by ensuring public services could continue See

FORUM on page 14

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New Chandler subdivision replacing plant nursery property’s history. “The central park will also contain a community garden to allow residents A city panel has approved preliminary to grow their own plants, learn about designs for a new housing subdivision to horticulture, and understand how be built over a historic tree nursery near a nursery cares for plants,” planning Chandler Heights and McQueen roads. documents state. The Chandler Planning and Zoning Some residents in the surrounding Commission unanimously approved area objected to Treeland, raising plans on May 6 for Maracay Homes’ concerns about traffic, dust and 86-lot neighborhood over 25 acres of a irrigation ditches. local nursery business that dates back to Ryan Smith, a resident of a nearby the 1960s. neighborhood, told the Planning The subdivision, called “Treeland” in Commission he worries about density planning documents, would be a gated and the proposed number of homes community with landscaped open being built on the Treeland property. spaces and recreational amenities. “I think it will have a large impact on the lifestyle that has been lived there for quite some time,” Smith said. One stipulation added to the preliminary plan requires Maracay Homes to not have more than two twostory homes next to each other along the Chandler Heights Road border. Other residents fretted over how a private irrigation ditch running along Treeland’s property This diagram shows how homes will be located on what had been Treeland Nurseries in south Chandler. (City of Chandler) will be impacted by the project. Maracay Homes “Maracay is proposing the site be has said it will be responsible for developed as a high-quality community maintaining the irrigation line’s upkeep that builds on the agricultural and and ensuring water will continue to be farming heritage found in southeast delivered. Chandler,” planning documents state. Some land around this area is located The neighborhood’s central park outside the city’s limits and positioned is expected to pay tribute to the in county land, creating some issues property’s historic roots by including regarding which government entity has a special garden that honors the jurisdiction to provide utilities. Waltemeyer family. Planning Administrator Kevin Mayo Edward Waltemeyer moved to the said there’s been discussions about East Valley during World War II and the city finding a way to intervene by started growing a variety of tree species possibly supplying water to residents in out of his backyard. this area. By the 1960s, Waltemeyer had turned County residents elsewhere around his hobby into a business when he Chandler have had water issues in the opened Treeland Nurseries. past, Mayo said, so it may be beneficial He spent decades growing and for the city to take action. selling palm trees off his plot of land in “It may be appropriate to consider southern Chandler. putting just the water line in,” Mayo In 2002, Waltemeyer notably said. donated thousands of his trees to be In addition to approving the project’s planted in the White Mountains area preliminary development plan, the after the Rodeo-Chediski fire scorched city’s Planning Commission authorized and burned more than 400,000 acres a rezoning of the land from agricultural around that region. uses to residential development. “I was truly blessed in having picked Maracay Homes will later have to up 10 palm tree seeds 50 years ago and return before the Planning Commission even more lucky that God saw me plant to obtain approval for its home-design them,” Waltemeyer said then. plans. The company said it will continue Waltemeyer died in 2010 at age 89. meeting with the property’s neighbors His business also includes another to resolve any further issues that arise. nursery in Mesa near Country Club “Treeland makes good land use sense Road. on this site, will be compatible with Maracay Homes plans to have its neighboring developments, and will new subdivision recognize Waltemeyer provide an attractive presence in the by creating a special area within the area,” Maracay Homes wrote in project neighborhood park that lists the documents. BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

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GRANT

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

from page 1

or loan – similar to what IDA’s in other cities have begun implementing in order to stave off any economic hardship caused by the pandemic. Phoenix’s Industrial Development Authority is handing out $10,000-grants to small businesses that need help paying rent or utilities to stay afloat. But one major advantage Phoenix has over the Valley’s smaller cities is having access to direct financial support from the federal government. Phoenix received $293 million through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Phoenix City Council recently approved fiving $5 million to its IDA for grants up to $10,000 to businesses. Even before the city received the CARES Act funds, the Phoenix IDA had been making grants from a $5 million reserve fund but ran out of money, leaving more than 200 applicants high and dry. Phoenix also has set up other programs to provide $6 million in utility assistance to businesses, $1 million for businesses at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, $1 million to help restaurants start up their business again and $6 million for “microenterprises.” The CARES Act gave cities and counties with more than 500,000 people direct assistance. But smaller cities and all but two counties must depend on Arizona

giving them some of the $2.8 billion it received in CARES funds. So far, the Ducey Administration has not said how or when that money would be distributed. The City of Mesa has begun accepting requests from local businesses wishing to get a cut of the $90 million in CARES funds it received. CARES Act recipients must spend their allotment by Dec. 31. Maricopa County is getting a direct disbursement of $400 million – which county officials plan to spend on public health initiatives and renting rooms for homelessness – particularly those at risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19. Chandler’s exclusion from direct CARES funding has forced city officials to look for other potential remedies that could benefit its local businesses. Dawn Lang, the city’s management services director, raised the IDA as one potential source of financial relief. The authority, which is a separate entity from the city, has previously used its accumulated revenue for economic development purposes. “They have some leeway with those dollars,” Lang said. The IDA earns these fees by serving as a liaison between a private business and third-party institution like a bank. It recently served as a conduit for Intel to obtain capital bonds to improve its plants in Chandler. It’s generally rare for the IDA to receive applications for use of its fee revenue -- only two requests have been submitted over the last couple years.

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The Chandler Chamber of Commerce recently submitted a request to utilize the IDA money for its programs that service local businesses. At least 30 Chandler businesses have closed in recent weeks, according to Chamber President Terri Kimble, so the Chamber is looking to offer as many resources as possible during this tumultuous time. During the authority’s meeting May 12, board members delayed deciding whether to grant the Chamber’s request until it had more information. Lang said the board reviews each request carefully with lots of deliberation, since its revenue source for grant requests is limited. When the authority has used that money in the past, Lang said it’s been for a specific purpose that will significantly enrich the local economy. “We typically don’t just receive random requests from businesses,” she said. “Those are typically directed to a bank.” Chandler’s IDA board discussed possibly handing out grants for small businesses to cover the purchases of any protective equipment they’ve made, but made no decision. Though Chandler has not received the same level of financial support from the CARES Act as other cities, it did receive nearly $850,000 from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department to assist residents impacted by COVID-19. HUD annually gives out money to states and cities for them to disperse in

the form of community-development block grants. Federal laws restrict how this HUD money can be spent, so local nonprofits most often apply for these grants in order to provide some sort of social service to the city. Once the pandemic hit, Congress gave HUD another $5 billion for cities to use as part of their grant programs. Last week, the Chandler City Council authorized awarding those extra HUD dollars to AZCEND, a local nonprofit, for its food bank and rental assistance program. Not long after the pandemic hit in March, AZCEND reported seeing a 30-percent spike in the number of people coming to them for food boxes. Most of the remaining HUD allotment will be used by the city to help Chandler’s homeless population navigate resources. Some of the state’s smaller communities have started taking legal action in order to get some of the $2.8 billion in relief aid that was given to Arizona through the CARES Act. The law requires that money that went directly to Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson and Pima and Maricopa counties be deducted from that $2.8 billion. The state also can use that money for some of the pandemic-related costs it has incurred since March. Pinal County, which has a population of about 400,000 residents, recently sued Gov. Doug Ducey to hand over some of the remaining money that See

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COVID-19 poses new risk in fighting wildfires BY MCKENZIE SADEGHI Cronkite News

As if their job wasn’t dangerous enough, firefighters now have to worry about COVID-19, making for what fire officials say will be the “most challenging season we’re going to have.” Strategies to check the spread of the disease include everything from avoiding eating together in large mess halls to splitting the regular 10-person crews into two teams of five. But officials said they still expect challenges in a job that relies on constant face-to-face communication. All this comes in a year in which conditions are ripe for intense wildfires in the state. “This is going to be one of the most challenging seasons we’re going to have, with the added complexity of trying to deal with the COVID-19 protocols from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),” State Fire Management Officer John Truett said during a recent briefing. Jayson Coil, Wildland Committee chair for the Arizona Fire Chiefs, said new precautions include avoiding mess halls and installing refrigerators so firefighters can grab a meal while maintaining distance. He said personnel will be encouraged to stay away from firefighters before a blaze, to ensure the strength of the workforce and to maintain distances as best they can when in the field.

Firefighters are finding new challenges in their battle with wildfires as a result of the pandemic. While not so much at the scene of a fire, they have to maintain social distance when they eat or rest. (Cronkite News)

In some cases, he said, it is possible to alter actions during firefighting to maintain social distancing, but that it all depends on time and resources available. “It’s argued … that we can minimize the time of exposure and the proximity to other people that may potentially be COVID-19 positive, then we reduce likelihood of spreading,” Coil said. That can include firefighters avoiding mingling with operational personnel and workers undergoing a required temperature check before every shift. But Coil said there will still be times where firefighters will have no choice but to be in close proximity to each other,

for example, during the actual mission of suppressing the fire. Scottsdale Fire Department Assistant Chief Eric Valliere said firefighters are getting temperature checks before they come into the station and are checked for symptoms. If a firefighter has any symptoms, they are sent back home. Valliere, also chairman of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association, said that 10-person fire crews will now be split up into groups of five to follow CDC guidelines. “We’re going to try to socially distance as much as we can,” he said. Highlands Fire District Chief Dirch

Foreman said social distancing will be enforced when possible on the fire line and in camp and that officials anticipate fewer large fire camps in an effort to limit exposure. The new strategies come none too soon: Fire chiefs say the fire season is already starting to hit and will likely continue until the monsoon season starts. “Arizona is already in fire season,” Foreman said. “Over the past couple weeks, the higher-elevation timber country has experienced a handful of wildfires.” Those have been easy to suppress so far, he said, since it’s still early in the season. But the outlook is more challenging. “The wildfire season in the Valley is going to be pretty bad,” Valliere said. “As far as looking at the fine fuels and some of the things that we dealt with last year, some things are going to probably be more aggressive this year.” Foreman said that a reported 1,867 wildland fires – about three-quarters of which were caused by people – burned approximately 400,000 acres in Arizona last year. National forests and some counties in the state have already started implementing fire restrictions to reduce fires started by people. Those include reminding Arizonans to not throw cigarette butts out the See

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over both his stay-at-home order and his directive that only “essential’’ businesses can remain open. But feelings may have only become more inflamed when Ducey announced two weeks ago that he would not let the first order expire as scheduled April 30. The governor may also have further inflamed feelings with his comments

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favor of fellow Republican Jerry Lewis. How deep and wide is the resentment of Ducey has yet to be shown. A survey done for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that even among Republicans, only 12 percent thought Ducey had gone too far with 73 percent calling his approach “about right.’’ Trickovic said the reason there may not be more support at this point for a recall is that people are not getting the facts. He said many of the more than 60,000 deaths nationally being attributed to COVID-19 involved people with pre-existing conditions. “These are the same people that were at risk of dying of a cold or the flu,’’ Trickovic said. “However, the media and government agencies that have lied to the people have gone out there and made this thing look like Ebola.’’ Trickovic, a real estate agent, said this isn’t partisan, saying he is a Republican precinct committeeman. But he acknowledged that, even if the drive doesn’t succeed in recalling the governor, he would be happy if it damaged Ducey politically. “If anything, we will expose who Doug Ducey is,’’ Trickovic said. “And, if anything, that’s going to hurt his chances of potentially running for a Senate seat in two years, like he thinks he’s going to do, or possibly for vice president.’’

Calling him a “tyrant’’ who has violated his oath of office, a Gilbert resident who has been helping to organize protests at the Capitol against the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Gov. Doug Ducey is now seeking to oust him from office. Legal papers filed in May with the Secretary of State contend that the governor’s executive orders were unconstitutional and Marko Trickovic wants to force a special election to not only remove him before his term ends after 2022 but also to give voters a chance to select someone else. The burden is substantial: He and allies need 594,111 signatures by Aug. 29 to force an election. But given the normal disqualification rate on petitions, the more realistic goal could be closer to 750,000. Trickovic, chair of what he is calling Arizonans for Liberty, acknowledged the hurdle. But he said enough people are angry with the governor for shutting down the state’s economy and for doing it in what he calls illegally. Trickovic figures that if he can find 200 people each collecting at least 30 signatures a day, he should be able to force an election. There already has been some sentiment building against the governor

aimed at business owners who had threatened to ignore his orders and open their doors anyway. “He literally declared war on the citizens of Arizona,’’ Trickovic said. “The fact that he came out and said he would jail people for trying to earn a living and feed people, that’s a tyrant.’’ Trickovic acknowledged that if Ducey has acted in an unconstitutional fashion there is another potential remedy: have someone affected by the orders file suit and ask a court to void the executive orders. But he said the issue goes beyond the legal violations. “He has violated his oath of office,’’ Trickovic said. “He doesn’t deserve to sit where he’s sitting.’’ While recalls are difficult, they are not impossible. Under the Arizona Constitution, it takes the signatures equivalent to 25 percent of those who voted for all candidates in the last gubernatorial election. Foes of Gov. Evan Mecham gathered enough signatures to force an election. But it never got that far as the Legislature impeached him and removed him from office. In 2011, those seeking the ouster of Senate President Russell Pearce submitted more than 18,300 signatures to force an election; they needed just 7,756 to be valid. Voters in his Mesa legislative district turned him out in

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

FDA relaxed some regulations to spur blood donations BY GABRIELLA KHALAJ Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – It’s a familiar ritual to anyone who has donated blood – after the finger prick and before the needle stick comes a medical history form that includes a long list of factors than can exclude or defer a donation. The list is still long, but in an era of COVID-19, the deferrals are not. The Food and Drug Administration in April eased a number of restrictions on blood donations in order to help blood banks across the nation keep up with the demand for blood. It came as infection concerns and stay-home orders were leading to widespread cancellations of blood drives and donation appointments. Dr. Peter Marks, the director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said the changes had been under review for some time, but the coronavirus “emergency essentially accelerated the need for us to get those through the pipeline.” “We’ve actually been working on

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wasn’t directly given to bigger cities or counties. Some of Chandler’s elected officials

as men who had sex with men or a woman who had had sex with such a man. The previous year-long wait to donate had been aimed at reducing transmission of HIV through blood transfusions, but officials are confident a threemonth wait is just as secure. The change also trims the wait for people who have traveled to a list of countries Chairs have gone empty at blood donation centers during the where malaria is prevalent, pandemic despite agencies' assurances donors are not at risk. (Special allowing them to donate after to the San Tan Sun News) just three months – or less if FDA-approved devices are used changes in our donor deferral policies over to treat the blood for the malaria pathogen. the past, we continually work on them,” And it eliminates the wait for people Marks said. “But over the past number of who had spent some in some European months, there were a number of things countries or served on military bases that were essentially in the works.” in Europe that was aimed at preventing What the change means is that transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, people who used to have to wait full a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. year to give blood, depending on their Marks said the changes are not circumstances, can now donate after revolutionary but were modeled after just three months or less. existing policies in place in Canada and That applies to people who have the United Kingdom that have been gotten a recent tattoo or piercing as well deemed safe.

“We actually think that it could potentially even make the blood supply … even be safer,” Marks said. Despite the rash of donation cancellations, officials with the American Red Cross said they have been able to meet blood demand for now, but they welcomed the new guidelines for donors as one step to make sure the blood supply remains steady. And they are urging potential donors who are in good health to step up and donate, and to call if they have questions about eligibility. “We are seeing schools, businesses, college campuses close and that is a source for the American Red Cross’ blood supply. And as a result, more and more blood drives are getting cancelled,” American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern said of the shortfall. Marks said that while the FDA changes were enacted in response to the coronavirus, he expects they will be here to stay. “Unless there were to be some finding that there was something that said there was a safety concern, we fully expect those to be permanent,” he said.

Mesa’s ability to award grants to its local businesses gives that city an economic advantage that could end up hurting Chandler’s businesses. Locals may start flocking to Mesa because commodities there could suddenly become cheaper, he noted.

However, Mesa set a deadline of May 24 for applications and reports are that far fewer businesses have even applied for money there. “That isn’t fair,” Stewart said. “That’s unacceptable.”

have criticized the disparities in the way CARES funding was distributed to cities and counties. “Where’s our share here?” asked Councilman Matt Orlando during a recent council meeting. Councilman Mark Stewart said

Seton Prep chaplain is Get your student relieved of duties back on track.

BY JIM WALSH Staff Writer

A Mesa priest who also served as chaplain of Seton Catholic Preparatory High School has been removed from his ministry amid allegations that he sent a naked image to a 17-year-old boy. Father Timothy Seavey also had been assigned to Queen of Peace Catholic Church in downtown Mesa, only a block away from police headquarters. The accusations against Seavey were reported by the victim to Seton Catholic High School after the victim recognized the sender as the school’s chaplain, said Detective Nik Rasheta, a Mesa police spokesman. He said the school also followed state mandatory reporting practices by notifying the Mesa police and the Diocese of Phoenix. Rasheta also said that Seavey, 31, has not been arrested or charged with any crimes. The diocese removed Seavey from his priestly duties while the case is under investigation and its official newspaper removed all stories involving Seavey. While no background information was available on Seavey, an Instagram post shows him celebrating his first mass in 2017, indicating he has been a priest for about three years. “It is comforting to know these allegations were forwarded and not shielding him,’’ Rasheta said.

Father Timothy Seavey A complication in the case is that the boy identified himself as 18 in his online dating profile, representing that he was not a minor. “Fr. Timothy Seavey, a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix, has been removed from ministry following allegations that he used a social networking app to send inappropriate images of a sexual nature to an individual who identified as an adult in the app, but who was later determined to be a minor,’’ a statement from the diocese said. “The Diocese of Phoenix is cooperating with Mesa Police in its investigation and has removed Fr. Seavey’s faculties to minister as a priest. He had served at Queen of Peace Parish since 2017, and as chaplain.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Court ruling likely kills some initiative drives BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Arizona groups still trying to put measure on the November ballot are going to have to try to get needed signatures the old-fashioned faceto-face way despite the COVID-19 outbreak. In a brief order May 10, the Arizona Supreme Court rebuffed pleas by several organizations to allow them to use an existing online signature-gathering system available to candidates. The court, in its 6-1 order, was not swayed by pleas for special permission this year only because of the pandemic but gave no reason for their decision. Attorney General Mark Brnovich, whose office argued against allowing the change, said the justices could not provide the relief sought. “Arizona has had a provision in its constitution since statehood that provides that signatures in the initiative process have to be done by an actual human being,’’ he told Capitol Media Services. The online E-Qual system has no

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to meet with demand. “We need to increase our public safety officers,” he said. “We need more help because we’re managing more people.”

circulators, with supporters “signing’’ online petitions by providing identifying information through a web site maintained by the secretary of state’s office. Only Justice Ann Scott Timmer voted to grant the request. Wednesday’s action may seal the fate of initiative drives that had not already collected sufficient signatures by the time Gov. Doug Ducey directed Arizonans to stay home. A similar request was rebuffed by a federal judge and upheld by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. That leaves the question of what will be on the ballot for voters to consider. One measure that appears to have at least the bare minimum 237,645 signatures needed is the Smart and Safe Arizona Act, which seeks to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults. Spokeswoman Stacy Pearson said circulators already have more than 300,000, enough to provide a margin should some signatures turn out to be invalid and challenges are made to other petitions. Less clear are the fates of two other measures.

One would put a 3.5 percent surcharge on taxable income above $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for couples to raise about $940 million a year for public education. The other would allow judges to impose shorter prison sentences than now required under “truth in sentencing’’ laws and permit inmates sentenced for non-dangerous offenses to be released after serving 50 percent of their time versus the current 85 percent. Pearson, who represents both, said the signature gathering had continued through the governor’s stay-at-home order. She said crculators put the petitions on a clipboard, stepped back, let the person sign it in their presence, and then picked it up. The deadline to file petitions is not until July 2. Other proposals, though, are dead. That includes the Save Our Schools Act, which sought to ask voters to limit the number of vouchers of state tax dollars that parents can use to send their children to private and parochial schools. It would have prohibited the state from issuing vouchers to more than 1 percent of total children enrolled in

public schools. With about 1.1 million students in traditional district and charter schools, that would have set the cap at about 11,000. “We had a robust start and, had that continued, we would have been fine,’’ said Dawn Penich-Thacker, one of the organizers. She also said the group did not have a lot of money to hire paid circulators. “Our own network is passionate about the issue,’’ Penich-Thacker said. “But they’re not comfortable going door to door, not social distancing, and we’re not going to ask them to do that.’’ Also dead is a proposal that was being pushed by the National Credit Alliance to overturn virtually all of the laws that now limit annual interest charges on loans to 36 percent a year. Sean Noble, who was managing the campaign for the lenders, had called it a “stand against socialism.’’ Brnovich said that’s not a decision for courts to make. “The constitution is very clear on this,’’ he said. “If petitioners don’t like what the constitution says they need to work on changing the constitution.’’

When asked how the Chandler Fashion Center can stop more stores from leaving as the pandemic’s economic fallout continues, McClymonds said the mall should pursue experience-based tenants who can offer services beyond regular retail goods.

“They could potentially take a Nordstrom’s space and put in a whole restaurant wing with indoor (and) outdoor space,” the councilman suggested. “We need to do whatever we can to help them attract and retain businesses.”

This year’s election will result in at least one new member to the council since Councilman Sam Huang decided not to seek re-election. The election is Aug. 4 and the registration deadline is July 6. Information: recorder.maricopa. gov/elections.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Tubing season begins under social distancing BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

For about a month, tubers, boaters and others seeking to cool down on nearly 100-degrees days flouted Gov. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order and Tonto National Forest’s parking restrictions. Their rebellion against measures designed to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, apparently based upon soaring temperatures and boredom rather than politics, plunged the normally picturesque Lower Salt River into traffic and parking chaos. Salt River Tubing and the popular Blue Point Recreation Area were part of a long list of closures ordered by Tonto officials to discourage large crowds from congregating. But as temperatures rose, the tubers and boaters came anyway – even though there was no place to legally park. Hundreds of cars were parked illegally along Bush Highway north of Mesa despite a considerable and obvious law enforcement presence. While tubers carried rafts and floatation devices for long treks up and down rolling hills to the river, five or six Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies stuck orange tickets on their cars, scrawling the ominous message “tow zone’’ on them. A group of tubers, who appeared

Social distancing may be difficult to enforce when tubers are afloat on the Lower Salt River but the company that drives them from the parking lot to the water will make them wear bandanas on their face if they don't want to walk there. (Special to the San Tan Sun News)

to be in their 20s, said they were bored, because so many other forms of entertainment were closed or unavailable. Robin, who did not give her last name, said she wanted to cool off from the heat. “We’re going to risk it,’’ said Ryan Gates, another tuber who came to the river with Robin and a couple of other friends. Another young woman simply said,

“because we’re stupid,’’ when a reporter pointed out the heavy police presence. Sgt. Bryant Vanegas, an MCSO spokesman, said the parking issue had become an ongoing problem near Blue Point. He said the cars were being ticketed for parking illegally, but no one had been towed even though they were parking in a tow zone. “The temperatures are getting up there right now. That’s when people are going to the lake,’’ he said. The pandemonium may soon fade, however, as the area settles into its usual pattern of summertime fun and revelry. But this time with a dose of social distancing added to the mix. After Ducey announced May 12 that he was letting his stay-at-home order expire, Salt River Tubing announced it is now open for the season – just in time for Memorial Day weekend. The Tonto National Forest also announced that it is lifting closures in virtually all developed recreation areas. But it warned visitors that overcrowding is likely and said visitors permits will be required at the many fee areas in the forest, including Blue Point. “In conjunction with Governor Ducey’s phased reopening of Arizona, we are opening many popular sites on the forest for public use and enjoyment,” Tonto National Forest Supervisor Neil Bosworth said in a release issued Thursday. “We recognize the importance of providing recreational opportunities to forest visitors while providing for the safety of our employees and the public,” he said. “We ask visitors to avoid crowded areas and parking illegally. Over the past month, the entire forest has seen unprecedented visitation numbers,’’ Bosworth said. “While opening additional recreation sites will help address crowding and parking issues, we anticipate visitation will continue to exceed capacity in some areas.’’ Bosworth asked visitors to be good

stewards of the land by leaving no trace behind. He also asked visitors to follow social distancing guidelines. The opening of Salt River Tubing gives the tubers a better option than parking illegally – but they also will have to follow social distancing. By lifting the closures, Tonto is eliminating an unusual situation in which trails, rivers and lakes were technically open to public use, but access was greatly restricted. “People are drawn to the water when it gets hotter. We have not closed the forest,’’ Anne Thomas, a Tonto spokeswoman, said during the closures. “I think what’s happening is they see one car; they park behind it and it gains momentum.’’ She said that nationwide, public lands are experiencing an uptick in visitation, with a lack of other recreational choices during the pandemic contributing to that trend. Thomas said the forest does not formally track visitation numbers, but that longtime employees have reported that they have never seen larger crowds. “People have their favorite places,’’ Thomas said. “I know people are trying to get to the water.’’ Lynda Breault, a spokeswoman for Salt River Tubing, a permittee of Tonto, said she was notified by a ranger in an email that her company was “good to go’’ for opening its 40th anniversary season on Saturday. “We are very excited about opening and hoping the public will cooperate with us’’ about social distancing, she said. “It’s almost an experiment.’’ Visitors park in the Salt River Tubing parking lot for $19 plus tax per person to use a tube and to take a shuttle bus to the river and back to their car. Salt River Tubing will pass out a bandana to everyone who wants to use their service. All visitors will be required to use the bandana or some other face mask during the roundtrip bus ride. “They are free bandanas we’re giving to everyone. We’re saying, hang onto it,’’ Breault said, because it is also required See

TONTO on page 19

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

HUGE MEMORIAL DAY SALE!

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Around Chandler Farmers market reopening in downtown Chandler The Downtown Chandler Farmers Market is returning to Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West June 6 but there will be new hygiene regulations enforced to prevent COVID-19 spread. Market hours will be 7-10:30 a.m. The guidelines for vendors will include staying at home if they are sick or were recently exposed to sickness; no cooking or sampling on site; required sanitizing or hand washing stations for workers and customers; masks and gloves must be worn with gloves replaced after each transaction and contactless payment. Vendors must put a table or bungees across the front of their sales table and vendors will be separated from each other by at least six feet. Guidelines for customers include: social distancing of at least six feet; no pets are allowed and people are encouraged not to bring their whole family; customers must let the vendor bag what they want and customers are not allowed to touch produce or products. Customers are encouraged, but not required, to wear gloves and a mask and to use credit or debit cards instead of cash. No eating will be allowed on site and craft vendors, picnic areas, toys and games will not be available. For a list of vendors:

downtownchandler.org/ farmersmarket.

Chandler offers ﬁnancial incentives for conservation The City of Chandler offers financial rewards to eligible homeowners who alter their landscaping or install an irrigation system to reduce water consumption. The Water Conservation Division offers rebates for conversion to a lowwater use landscape, plant low-wateruse xeriscape vegetation and install smart irrigation controllers. The rebates are credited to the homeowner’s utility bill. Learn more at chandleraz.gov/ water.

City seeks public's input on Chandler’s park master plan Chandler is currently developing a master plan for its parks system to ensure parks are accessible, sustainable and innovative. A new website for public input is at planchandlersparks.com. Chandler has 67 developed parks totaling 1,281 acres and is nearing completion of its remaining undeveloped parkland and prioritizing the maintenance and refurbishment of existing facilities, As COVID-19 restrictions ease in the coming months, parks staff plans to

reschedule meetings on the plan and also will include a virtual public forum. “We need everyone’s help to ensure this parks master plan accurately reflects the needs, desires and recreational values of the community,” said Community Services Director Andy Bass.

Atlas Meals helps Chandler church offer cheap produce Atlas Meals and owner Jason Livermore, a certified nutrition coach and personal trainer, helped Trinity Christian Fellowship in Chandler host a “Market on the Move” for area residents to purchase 60 pounds of produce for $10. In addition to various fruits and vegetables, community members were given a ready-to-eat meal prepared by Atlas Meals. Atlas Meals is a local meal preparation service that provides individual or familystyle meals are according to preferences and dietary needs.

St. Vincent de Paul partners with 16 eateries The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has partnered with 16 restaurants to connect people who need food with those who have food but need customers. It will purchase pre-packaged meals at a discounted price and serve them to-go style at each of the nonprofit’s

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five charity dining rooms across the Valley. The partnership enables the agency to provide more than 4,000 meals without volunteers and with a limited staff. Restaurants include Ajo Al’s Mexican Cafe, Barro’s Pizza, Chickfil-A, Chompies, Original ChopShop, Detroit Coney Grill, El Portal Mexican Restaurant, Ginger Monkey, Little Caesars, Raising Cane’s, R. T. O’Sullivan’s, Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants, Spokes on Southern, Straight to the Plate Catering, Streets of New York, Subway and Wildflower Bread Company. Donations to the society’s COVID-19 Relief Fund make this partnership possible can be made at stvincentdepaul.net/COVID19Relief.

Gilbert publicist named to Chandler ﬁlm fest board Gilbert resident Lynette Carrington has been named as an associate board member for the Chandler International Film Festival and chair of its screening and judging committee. The long-time media professional comes in at a time when preparations already are underway for the fifth annual fest Jan. 21-24. Carrington has worked as a producer, movie unit and entertainment publicist, casting director and a location scout and has worked with local, national and global media since 2005. The Chandler International Film Festival began in 2016 with the goal of showcasing films from around the world and is one of the fastest-growing events of its kind Arizona. “It is dedicated to uniting the community through film - whether someone is a filmmaker or a casual viewer,” Patel said. Next January it will be showcasing more than 150 films from six continents and 35 countries.

Chandler Chamber award nominations needed

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The Chandler Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its annual Community Awards celebration, which recognizes businesses in the city. The event, normally held around this time of year, has been pushed back to Aug. 28 but nominations are due June 12. "This year we will be honoring how businesses of all sizes, and in true Chandler fashion, have banded together to support one another," the group said. Go to chandlerchamber.comor the online nomination form.

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

SMILE AND EAT CONFIDENTLY While Tonto Forest was under a number of restrictions as the weather started to heat up over the past month, people seeking relief in the Lower Salt River weren't about to let closed parking lots stop them. They simply parked illegally on the road leading to the river. (Jim Walsh/Staff)

TONTO

from page 16

for the ride back to the car. She suggested that tubers wear the bandanas around their necks during their ride on the river. “We want to keep our employees safe as well as our guests. We are encouraging them to be responsible,’’ Breault said. She said she witnessed some “backlash’’ at Costco, which is requiring employees and shoppers alike to wear face masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but she decided to still require the face coverings. Anyone who refuses to wear the bandana will be denied service. “It’s your choice. To go tubing with us, your choice is contingent on wearing the bandana,’’ Breault said. She said other social distancing measures will include limiting the number of passengers per bus to 15, even though the buses seat as many as 72 passengers. But only last week, on May 9, there was little or no evidence that the tubers were paying attention to the CDC guidelines. They were clustered in groups, including a family with small

FIRES

from page 10

window or drag chains on trailers, Valliere said. And it includes banning campfires, which Coil said may have a double benefit, not only reducing small fires but also minimizing the spread of COVID-19 on campgrounds. As far as what kind of role the stayat-home order will play in the wildfire season, Valliere said it is too early to tell. But Coil said that because many people are not working because of the shutdown, they could be more likely to engage in activities that could spark a fire, by taking their trailers out to the lake and dragging the chains on the road, for example. Scottsdale Fire Deputy Chief Adam Hoster said the department plans to use social media and other technology to spread the message of fire prevention and to track fire activity.

children. Swimming trunks, bikinis, tank tops and flip flops were way more popular than masks. In anticipation to opening day, Breault said she was sending crews to the area near the Blue Point Recreation Area to clean up the trash left behind by the tubers who defied the parking restrictions. “We want the river to be clean and beautiful, like we left it,’’ at the end of last summer, Breault said. Ducey gradually has allowed restaurants, hair salons, retail stores and health clubs to re-open, but only if they adopt social distancing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. “This doesn’t mean to return to normal. This is the next step forward,’’ Ducey said. “I would like them to feel safe, based upon the gradual decisions we have made over time.’’ But while the transmission of COVID-19 appears to have slowed, the death toll continues to mount, with 624 deaths in Arizona through Thursday morning, 781 patients still hospitalized, and 201 on a ventilator. “We are making gradual, responsible decisions along the way. What an Arizonan decides to do is up to them,’’ Ducey said.

“Every city has their own demographic for this urban wildland firefighting interface,” Hoster said. In Scottsdale, he said, fire officials have been mapping “troubled areas” where they can devote more resources and attention. And in much of the state, officials are looking forward to an active season, as wet winter conditions led to new growth that can provide fuel for fire as the state starts drying out. “The lower elevations, due to winter precipitation, which produced an abundant grass crop are at higher risk,” Foreman said. “Specifically the southeast portions of the state, the Sonoran desert fuels and areas around Wickenburg seem to be most at risk.” Despite the double threat of disease and dry forests, however, officials say they are prepared and are working with state and federal partners to share resources as well as an automatic system that deploys trucks and personnel across Phoenix.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

State House GOP stays in session despite virus BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

House Republicans thwarted a bid by Democrats last week to shut down regular legislative business and focus only on issues related to COVID-19. The party-line vote to keep the session open came as the GOP majority said it’s time to stop worrying about the virus and get back to the regular business of the Legislature. And they followed through with votes on everything from regulation of travel insurance to when state health inspectors can drop in at medical marijuana dispensaries. “Nobody is saying we’re all going to be safe going out,’’ said Rep. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix. “We know this is a very contagious disease.’’ “But we shouldn’t live in fear and have to get back to normal life,’’ Barto said. Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction, had his own take on how there has been a vast overreaction to the pandemic, stating, “The experts were wrong in the United States and the state of Arizona. “They surrounded my president and they surrounded the governor and they gave them bad information,’’ Fillmore continued. “Paranoia was fueled by the media.’’

All that, he said, is part of “a blatant move to replace the freedoms that have been given to us.’’ The extensive debate came as the Senate remains in recess, with members there having voted earlier this month to say they’ve finished their business for the session. But House Republicans have a laundry list of issues they want addressed. That decision by the GOP to remain in session angered Rep. Arlando Teller, D-Chinle, who pointed out that the Navajo Nation has the highest per capita infection rate in the country. Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez, D-Yuma, chided colleagues for voting on changes in state oversight of college savings programs. She said what her constituents need is food. It’s not that Democrats want to go home. Instead, they want a special session to focus only on virus-related issues, including increasing the maximum benefit under the state’s unemployment compensation law. It is capped at $240 a week, the second lowest figure in the nation. Some of that has been masked by federal legislation providing an additional $600 a week. But those additional benefits are set to disappear this summer.

The divide between Republicans and Democrats over COVID-19 was pointed up by the fact that only a handful of Republicans were wearing masks; all the Democrats had their faces covered. “We know that a person who is speaking without a mask is sending out vaporized virus in their breath, no less than six feet,’’ said Rep. Diego Rodriguez, D-Phoenix. “To pretend otherwise is irresponsible.’’ The fight that erupted onto the House floor on has been brewing for weeks, ever since the GOP majority refused to follow the lead of the Senate and shut down. At the same time, though, there has been some finger pointing about what is taking so long to wrap up the session. In a message to colleagues, House Majority Leader Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, said the chamber could wrap up all the loose ends by Thursday -- “or if the Dems are turds, we come in Friday to wrap up.’’ And Petersen set the stage for the talking points. “We need to constantly push the narrative that the Ds are stalling and keeping AZ society from getting back to normal as needed,’’ he wrote. That played out on the floor as House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, called the Democrats a “party of fear.’’

And he noted the hit the state’s economy has taken from the virus and the governor’s orders telling people to stay home and limiting what businesses could operate. Most of those directives are now gone. Bowers acknowledged that there are people who are not ready to resume their pre-COVID activities, stating, “Wait until you’re confident, then start coming out.’’ “For the majority of Arizonans, especially those with businesses, they need to get back to work,’’ Bowers said. One unanswered question is whether the votes taken Tuesday -- and those set for the rest of the week -- will actually result in changes in the law. Technically speaking, while the Senate voted to say it is finished, it has not gone home. Instead, Senate President Karen Fann put the chamber into an indefinite “recess’’ as the Arizona Constitution forbids one chamber from adjourning for the year without the consent of the other. But Fann also noted that being in recess leaves the door open for dealing with a few more issues if needed. And one of those she personally favors is a bill set for House debate to make it harder for people who contract COVID-19 to sue businesses.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Congrats Emily Greenwood

Congratulations Emily. We are so proud of the woman you have become. You have done amazing things and we are so excited to see what’s next! Chapman University is lucky to have you! We love you. Love, Mom, Tyler, Sara, Cooper, Quincy and Lucy.

ACP Erie Class of 2020

Eliana Faith Nash Eliana Faith Nash is planning to attend Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University to study Political Science. Ellie, your senior year has been unusual, unexpected, and unprecedented, and yet you have handled it with grace and success. May this be your guide for handling challenges that arise in the future. I am so proud to call you my daughter and am blessed to be your Mom. “Live with life. Be courageous, adventurous. Give us a tomorrow, more than we deserve.” - Maya Angelou

Class of 2020

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Congratulations Haley & Hunter Meyer Haley to Major in Forensic Psychology at ASU • Hunter to major in Business, starting at CGCC then ASU Congratulations Haley & Hunter, we are so proud of you! Mom & Dad

“Never underestimate what it feels like to be desperately happy.” - Gary Vaynerchuk

Class of 2020

Aidan Harrison

Congratulations Aidan!

Aidan is graduating with honors from Hamilton High School and lettered in football, wrestling, and track. He earned Arizona All-Academic First Team for Football and Wrestling and National Honor Society membership. We know how hard you have worked over the past 4 years and you have accomplished so much.

We are all so very proud of you! Love, Nana, Mom, Dad, Cameron, and your whole family Aidan has been offered academic scholarships and recruited to play football at many schools, including the following: Lawrence University (WI), Willamette University (OR), University of Puget Sound (WA), and Muskingum University (OH). He also received an academic scholarship to ASU and was accepted to the W.P. Carey School of Business. Aidan has decided to attend and play football for Lawrence University in Wisconsin. He is looking to major in Health Science and Pre-Med.

Class of 2020

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Congratulations Seniors! We wish you luck and success in your future endeavors!

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Congratulations Gianna Jamal Abdallah Nadean Accra Amber Sheila Adams Cody Michael Adams Paige Elizabeth Adams Oluwatobi Oreoluwa Adigun Anushay Khan Adnan Jayson Anthony Aguilar Noel Anthony Rodriguez Aguilar Derek Rey Aguinaga Isaac Edward Aguirre Jocelyn Aguirre-Morales Emily Aker Ananya Rama Akula Levi Joseph Alben Brenna Marie Alderson Keion Lamar Alexander Patrick John Alferez Sami Nizar Ali Mary Roma Alkas Christian Nicholas Allan Elijah Wyeth Alonzo Nikolas Angelo Alvarez Noah Luis Alverio Chase Wallace Alvey Samuel Jon Andersen McKenna Delphine Androsky Grant Richard-Espenscheid Arbelbide Paige Arnett Abigail Gabriel Astalos Christopher R. Atwood Craig Avery Rex William Awerkamp Andrea Lizeth Ayala Higareda Jagger Race Baca Brigham Matthew Bachrach Rena Sophia Bacino Youhana John Bacus Sydney Nicole Badhorn Jessica Baduqui Michael Ian Bagley William Parker Bagley Daniel L. Bailey Blake Anthony Baird Philip Grady Baker Samantha Jean Baldwin Brandon Jared Banegas Madison Kaylee Banfi eld Sirena Nevaeh Barba Andrea Hunter Barbee Landon Joseph Barkat Donald Cody Barnhill Jr. Jason Daniel Barres Megan Leigh Barrett Nyah Avonelle Barrett Miqueas Medley Barrios Joseph F. Barta III Carson Bradley Bashford Nathan Douglas Batronis Brady Mark Bauman Kiara Rita Baxter Koryn Racheal Baxter Dane Preston Bebak Jacob Leo Becchetti Cheyann Jaime Becker Madysen Becker Sara Marie Beedle Mason Walker Begay Travis Martin Begoody Nathan Reed Bell Kendal Jane Bellar Reut Ben-Ezer Tomer Ben-Ezer Kaelynn Lea Bennitt Grace Kate Bergeson Yonas Abel Berhane Brooklin Jo Bevacco Paul Nkongolo Biaya Sabina Lynn Bingham Ryan Jacob Bjornholt Jacob Douglas Black Peyton Michelle Blair Tyler Joseph Blake Carly Maria Blewster Ginger Adelia Bode Mia Jasmine Boelig Alexander Allen Bonenberger Emma Marie Boragina Reagan J. Boris Haley L. Bosch Joseph Michael Bosi Shawn Michael Bovell Hunter Philip Brackman Emma Cherie Braeutigam Grace Evelyn Bramlett Kyle Christopher Brereton Grant Brigham Abigail Wilda Brimley Noelle Mei Brooks Tatum Jane Brooks Logan Daniel Brower Olivia Grace Brown Ryan Elizabeth Brown Winston Scott Brown Zachary William Brumm Hannah Lynne Brundage Trent Rollie Buckallew Khanh Nhat Bui

Faith Alyse Bullington Kylie Marie Burge Hayden Scout Burley Kayden McKay Burnes Tristin Xavier Bustillos Tatum Rae Butcher Kendall Zeiler Butler Evan Chad Caffall Cooper Randall Call Michael Camarra Alejandra Camou Max Ronald Camp Kayla Anne Campbell Kristian Reign Campbell Isabella Marie Cantu Stephanie Hailey Caplan Daniel Anthony Cappucci Joshua Steven Carbajal Gabriella Alexis Cardiel Craig James Cardon Autumn Marie Carroll Laura Jan Carroll Ellie Faith Carter Katelyn Cathleen Carter Sean William Carver Ashlynn Kate Casselbury Tanner Joseph Cassens Meridith Makayla Castanon Katia Castillo Chaz Miguel Castillo-Wilson Hagen James Cates Marco Cavazos Jake Allen Cawley Jason Robert Cawley Anna Maria Celaya-Garner Melanie Cerio Kailey Elyce Cesarano Caitlin Olivia Chamalbide Mia Ashley Chang Hester LeShawn Charles Jr. Andrew John Charlet Maxwell Andrew Chase Coeen Trinidad Chavez Christopher Chanthara Cheang Brayden Scott Childers Kaycie Marie Christensen Sofi a Marrosa Cicalese Aubrey Faith Clark Brooke Ann Clark Brooklynn Paige Clarke Jadyn Mariah Clement Lindsey Elena Clouse Jasmine Lynette Cobos James Daniel Cochran Trevor Ethan Collins Lauren Ashley Combe Cade Terrence Commers Jake Michael Commers Paulina Angela Compean Natalie Grace Conati Benjamin John Connor Ronin Robert Conway Audrey Pilar Coody Mason Cook Emeline Paige Cooper Lexi Lu Cornforth Jesus Felix Corona Ellysa Cortez Jillian Nicole Cox Evan Michael Crabtree Dustin Caleb Crenshaw Dana Patrick Crist Gabriel Thomas Croft Jake M. Csekme Blake Eathan Cutlip Ryan Alexander Cvijanovich Jacob Thomas Czyz Tayler Lyn Dale Erica Lynn Damon Mya Dang Trinadee Dang William Spencer Darby Chloe Brianna Davis Coltin James Davis Kinslee Tate Davis Sienna Jeanine Davis Dakota Dawn Davis Glenn Phoebe Margaret Hope Davison Nathan Jose de Jesus Lea Deen Zachary Michael DeHondol Sydney Kate Del Fosse Joliee Rain-Marie Delarue Dylan Michael DeLisle Zachary Burton Dellner William Wright DeLugt Thomas Reed Denning Trevor Graye Desiderio Bo Casey Deskins Wyatt James Deutsch Justin Tyler Dewald Aneesa Celeste Diaz Jaelin Matthew Diaz Mckenna Elise Dickson Samuel Joshua Dietz Michael Anthony DiMatteo Tia Leigh Do Tara Marie Doane

Tanner James Donaldson Matthew William Dougherty Travis James Drosos Chandler Addison Dudding McGoldrick Natalie Quinn Duffy Amelia Frances Dufriend Vivian Duong Megan N. Dye Taylor Elyse Dykstra Jake Daniel Eaker Brylin Melissa Eaves Samuel J. Eberhard Erik Ricardo Echeverria Morseller Ector Alex Levon Edjourian Manuel Adam Edrozo Miles Rae Elio Josiah James Elliott Paiton Aleece Ellis William Andrew Ellzey Savannah Leanne Elwood Jayla Embaby Kaelyn Elizabeth Ems Adriana Monique Encinas Lourdes Marie Enciso Kylee Danielle Engelke Mason Marcus Engle Elyse Veronica Enriquez Grant William Epifanio Keeley Carryn Erickson Ben Jacob Escobar Kathryn Lucelle Ethington Katie Elizabeth Fairbanks Benjamin Jonathan Falkner Kalli Marie Fama Tori Reanne Farris Alexa Marie Favela Paul Graham Fawson Jack Riley Felix Zachary Paul Felty Maggie Liu Feng Rachel Lauren Fenton Jordi Ryan Ferre Logan J. Ferrera Tyler Michael Ferry Jordan P. Fickert Mia Ashley Figarelli Allison Kate Fillmore Hannah Alta Fitzgerald Jacob Ryan Fitzgerald Jacob Tyler Fjerkenstad Rylie Christa Flaherty Keegan Nicolas Fleck Scott P. Fleming Janae Ann Flicek Aubree P. Flores Jason Brian Flores Mariana Lucía Flores Gurrola Jackson Gerald Ford Nell Augustine Forsac Kayla Mira Fortney Anneline Fossum Lexi Nikole Foster Hunter Lehi Foutz Kaitlyn Sade Fowler Tracey Treshon Franklin Logan Wade Frazer Mackenzie June Freeman Ian Joseph Frerichs Logan Michael Frink Hannah Jean Frutkin Alyson Anne Frye Rachel Erin Fugate Camryn Nicole Funston Golan Aaron Gabay Eric Mathew Gabbard Julia Lauren Gallegos Hima Gandhe Olivia Nicole Castañeda Garcia Elizabeth Gardner Megan Diane Garduño Lauren Vivian Garnsey Diana Lynette Garza Gage Lewis Gastley Ashlyn Paige Gates Colette Rose Gates Brenna Moret Gauchat

Michael Roman Gazda Declan Ronan Geltmacher Angelique Isabela Gerdes Breanna Carol Gill Nathan Daniel Gipson Leonardo Antonio Giron Tyler Thomas Glaze Austin James Gloyd Colten Brugh Goff Anyssia Monique Gomez Dane Edward Gomez Nicolas Joseph Gomez Alexander Francisco Gonzales Wesley Jeremiah Gonzales Seth Daniel Gonzalez Tatum Caroline Gooch Tyler James Goodrich Snigdha Reddy Gopidi Callan Richard Gotschall Autumn Kyanne Gould Natalie Christine Graham Mariah Lynrose Gramza Ashlyn Elizabeth Graziani Christian Mitchell Greenhalgh Madeline Christine Greenhalgh Mea Taylor Griffin Noah Brenden Grusky Craig Chrysler Agpoon Guela Ella Grace Gunkel Lauren Elizabeth Gunning Haley Elizabeth Gural Ezra James Gutierrez Alexa Rose Guy Elias Manuel Guzman Julia Baovy Ha Jared Richard Haas Kaylee Jayne Haase Julia Kathleen Hacnik Connor John Hadden Ashley Marie Haek Lauren Elizabeth Hahn Anni Louise Hall Charles Matthews Hall Joshua Dominik Hall Lacey Fleur Hall Holly Jessica Hames Olivia Oanh Harambasic Loryn Izabella Harper Leighton Layne Harris Sierra Nicole Harris Taylor Rea Harris Caleb Al Harrison Braxton Alexander Hartley Conner Tyler Harvey Jonah Mark Haslip Jillian Destry Hatch Camron Drake Hauser Hannah Kathleen Hayes Emily Brenna Hays Mariah Jayn Hays Julianah Angele Head Daniel Joseph Hedgecoth Connor Ryan Hendley Joshua Bennett Hendrickson Sydney Elizabeth Henkel Alexandra Renee Henriquez Aaron Henry IV Andrew Scott Henwood Justyce Nicole Herbert Jeremiah Matthew Hernandez Santiago Angel Hernandez Sofi a Hernandez Bedereu Gavin Hertel Paige Aubrie Heun Tiegan Jade Heuser Aidan Maximiliano Hibert Trey Matsuo Higashiyama Brianne Elizabeth Hill Baylee Marie Hochhalter Kiran Nicolas Hofer Elyse Charlotte Holdaway Bryce Colin Holdridge Mackenzie Reeve Holian Hadley Holman Natalie Christine Holmgren Jordan Cole Holtz John William Honea

Cody William Horcasitas Logan Dean Horned Jack Michael Houghton Luke David Howard Matthew Robert Howard Stephanie Nicole Howarth Ethan Christopher Hubbard Lavender Lashey Hubbard Natasha Katherine Hudson LaTaevia Tanae Huff-Betts Andre Demitrius-Louis Hughes III Jacob Chief Hunsaker Joshua Roman Hunter Jordan Annemarie Hurt Yang Sie Husurianto Collin Isenhart Austin Jeffery Ivanhoe Emily Claire Jacoby Zavier James Hayden Rudy Jaramillo Kaelyn Marie Jatho Anthony Lee Jaurigue Johnny Lawrence Jenkins II Emma Ann Jensen Camden A. Jephson Sophie Rae Jex Grace Anne Jimenez Justin Arthur Jobe Dallas Kimball Johanson Amira Ka’Lyn Johnson Carter James Johnson Charisma Diane Johnson Kai Eric Johnson Troy Lucky Johnson Grace Chenxia Johnson Ashley Marie Johnston Andre Lamont Jones Jr. Kaia Noelle Jones Nathaniel Charles Jones Jonathan Bryant Jordan Eli Ross Joseph Ricardo David Juarros Ari Jacob Kahn Meena Thenammai Karuppiah Daylon Parley Kassing Sierra Vanassche Katz Megan Raye Kayser Vanessa Karina Kazarian Blake Lynn Kean Spencer Walter Keller Karson Michael Kelley Nicholas Brett Kelly Gillian D. Kennedy Megan Elizabeth Kester Rita Nyawira Kibaki Cade Wayne Kilanowski Sofi a Marie Kile Jacob Thomas Kimling Anne Marie King Mychel Maryke Kleck Savannah Rae Klein Kierstan Faith-Ann Kleinholz Gabrielle Marie Knaggs Jalyn Alexis Knight Aeriel Marie Knotts Haley Su Kohl Abigail Kate Kozel Madison Zoe Krause Jacob Alan Krauser Sue Min Kwon Jake Ryan LaChance Jonathan Cole Lackey Ezra Brig Lamoreaux Broc Kevin Lane Reghan K. Lanning Chad Eric Lapham Caleb Kawika Tamaki Higa Larca Joseph Dansaert Lares Alexis Victoria Larkins Logan Gunnar Larson Matthew John Larys Kolby Grace Lassen Trace W. LaValle Alli Sandra Lavender Anvinh Pham Le Victoria Le Joshua Michael Lermayer

Jarin Alonzo Levels Bailee Marie Lewis Reilly Morgan Lewis Cameron Wyatt Linder Brandon Thomas Link Daniel John Lippert Justin Tuori Lisonbee Hezekiah Maleek Lockhart Skye Elliott-Gunderson Loomis Andrew Rene Lopez Ebony Yasmine Lopez Felicity Marie Lopez Francisco Gabriel Lopez Casey Vertical Lot Colton Christopher Lowther Yu-Hsuan Lu Julian Louie Lucero Ryan Mathew Lucero Davin Craig Ludwig Paige Ann Luedtke Abigayle Anne Luma Bryce Lynch Francesca Sitson Macaraeg Nicholas James Macdonald Jack M. MacGregor Jordan Danielle Mack Lauren Elise Macpherson Tyler Ian Macpherson Caleb Johnathan Magel Austin Nguyen Mahnken Aryssa Da’im Mahrt Hunter Francis Maka Ikaika David Maldonado Sophie P. Mallek Alyssa Marie Manzo Jenna N. Manzo Nicholas J. Manzo Madelynn Rose Marinaro Shea H. Marovich Ashdyn Rae Marr Caitlin Marie Martin Emma Lee Martin Victoria Lee Martin Madison Martineau Jordan Anthony Martinez Kelci Shea Martinez Nathan Aaron Martinez Brayden Carter Mason Ethan David Matthias Jordan T. Mauk Andrei Jahmal Mayberry Jakius Germaine Mayberry Nathaniel Isaiah Mays Jacquelyn Ann McAllister Kyler C. McCarthy Erinn Paige McCauley Ashlynn Diane McClimans Keeley Marie McConahay Samara Beth McConnell Sydney Nicole McCoy Zachary McDill Andrew Mingue McDonald Madison Gray McDougal Lynsey Renae McGowan Matthew Brian McGrane Kendall Nicole McIntyre Shayne E. McKinley Cameron Hideo Li McVey Stone Jackson Medina Rhaelynn Anne Mehan Benjamin Henry Meister America Olyvia Mendoza Armando David Mendoza Daniel Hector Mendoza Edward Mendoza Isabella Mari Mendoza Marie Ida Mendyka Paris Lauren Merrill Michael Alfredo Mesa Madison Olivia Mesenbrink McKenna Lee Messenger Cadence E. Messier Sydnee Alexis Milkovic Caden James Miller Colton Ryan Miller Edward Christian Minogue Mikaela Yasmin Miranda

Colin A. Mitchell Kenny Matthew Molash Derek Scott Moncur Micah Jasent Montaño Lexy Marie Monte Frank D’Angelo Montero Julia Faith Montgomery Kate Elizabeth Montgomery Sebastien A. Montreuil Mason Wyatt Moon Spiridin Jewel Moore Megan Jean Morales Jalen I. Moreland Alexander Gerald Morley Zachary Philip Morrill Joi Naomi Morrison Richard Alexander Mortensen Veronica Nichole Mortensen Tya Madison Mounlachack Brandon Jacob Moyers Afnan Mohammed Mukarram Kaitlyn Nicole Murphy Morgan Maria Murphy Aaron Murray Dwight Dwayne Murray Layla Sana Mushtaq Noah Dibwe Mutamba Conner James Myers Erica Tran Myers Katie T. Myers Mackenzie Myers Jaidyn Maxine Myres Jaron Ray Nance Ryosuke Narisawa Isabel Ruiz Narry Katelyn Neal Erica Nicole Neaves MadEleine Elizabeth Nemeth Mikayla Ashley Ness Devin Michael Neuweiler Cameron Jacob-Neal Newby Kiley Taylor Newby Katelyn Thi Ngo Lenny Ba Luan Ngo Joey Chhea Ngork Adam Van Hieu Nguyen Annie Tram-Anh Nguyen Jennifer Vivi Nguyen Lilliana Rose Nguyen Kellen Brady Nickel Madelyn Hope Nickerson Blake Matthew Nicol Isaac Alexander Nieves Christopher Ning Spencer Faisal Nizamuldin Donnovan Armando Nolasea-Ott Vanya Nordeen Preston Lines Norton Ikenna Dominique Nwankwo Obinna Dieudonne Nwankwo Zachary Olsen Oberan Elle Danielle O’Brien Emily Elizabeth Ochoa-Flores Davis Gerald Ogden Evan Christopher Ohme Kiersten M. Oliver Alexis Marie Olson Marnie Nicole Olson Holland Grace Olszak Emilee Rose O’Neil Jade Esperanza Orona Alexander Luis Ortiz Antonio Ortiz Brianna Ruby Ortiz Reve’ Payten Osheel Aziza K. Osman Erin Ruth O’Toole Aaron Jacob Owen Ysabella Curiel Padilla Cameron Michael Page Ryan David Pallas Trenton William Pallas Tyler Hilton Palmatier Caleb Barry Palmer Brandon Rega Park Jackson Park Kiley Kay Park

Joshua Tyrone Parker Monique Isabella Parker Lorenia Francisca Parra Grijalva Rylee Danielle Pass Naomi Ann Pastrick Carter J. Patterson Parker J. Patterson Joanseena Maria Paulinose Gabriella Photini Pavlatos Makaya Nicole Perks Peyton Marie Perry Jency Starr Petersen Lauren Anne Peterson Ashlyn Brooke Petite Tanner Antonio Petteruti Alexis Clair Phillips Keith Emil Pichardo Anissa Janae Pimento-Howard Wyatt Clifton Pinckard Charles Matthew Pitman Rianna Marie Pitones Fernando Daniel Pizano Charrelton Jerem Platero Elyse Noel Policastro Joyce Poon Cory Rebecca Porter Isabel Catherine Portillo Andrew Mason Powell Carista Kyrie Provins Preston Robert Purdy Kendall Elizabeth Pyrtle Hunter James Quick Nicholas Alexander Quihuis Noah Christian Quihuis Alejandro Quintana Roman Quintero Alexa Ann Ralenkotter Arianna Elisabeth Rallison Daisy A. Ramirez Madison Rose Ramirez Andres Ramirez Crista Angie Ramos Reign Jade Ramos Bryan Thomas Ramsdell Robert Earl Rasmussen Josh Bobier Ratifi car Dylan Michael Ray McKenna Marie Rayburg Brady Alfred Raymond Kyan Isaiah Raymond Hannah Anne Reda Noelle Marie Redding Alexander Bentham Reeder Danise Socorro Georgina Rees David Gareth Mansel Rees Aubree Allison Reese Jonah Anderson Reese Kaitlyn Christina Reeves Hallie Marie Reggio Bryson Michael Reid Rachel Ann Rex Isaiah Nathaniel Reyes Christian Robert Gerald Reynard Daneli Janelle Reynoso Dylan Walker Rhoads Maxwell Jordan Rhoads Sian Marie Rena’ Richardson Noah Lee Richey Victoria Elaine Wyman Richter Matthew James Riley Leilani Angelique Rios Nabor Andres Rios Ruben A. Rivera Adrian Gabriel Rivero Devin Joseph Roberts Kevin Robles Alejandro Rocha Emanuel Ivan Rodriguez Hailey Andrea Rodriguez Danna Emilia Rodriguez Vazquez Elliana Noelle Roesler Isabelle Kate Rogers Kobe Demitris Rome Diego Joaquin Romero Jacob Michael Ronquillo Kalany Janey Rosado Jacqueline Elizabeth Rosales

Bailey Dawn Rosato Luke David Paul Roshay Erica Rose Rotundo Isabella Elisia Rovetto Tyler Andrew Rovnak Mason Riley Rowlett Amanda Lyn Rowley William Zachary Rowling Abigail Sage Rucshner Albert Alex Ruelas Olivia Russell Ashlyn Renee Rynd Cole D. Sabetta Sarah Jan Sachs Abigail F. Sackett Dionysus Enrique Saldana Vanessa Sanchez Elizabeth Hope Sanders Sydney Taylor Sands Samuel Ea Santos Abhimanyu Sathish Ethan Thomas Saunders Alexander Isaiah Savage Jameson Gardner Savage Nathan Michael Scheier Nathan Richard Schildgen Lauren Ashlee Schneider John Dennis Kay Tuan Schnulo III Trevor Schorie Royal Balboa Schraeder Devon Manuela Schroeder Kortlyn Kaleihokuoupolu Schwenke Hunter Thayne Scott Kenneth Edward Scott Leah Catherine Scott Maizie Alayna Scott Pierson William Scott Bailey Christine Scow Isaiah Michael Scruggs Austin Self Kaylie Danielle Selvidge Jordan David Shapiro Ayush Sharma Ashley Paige Sherwood Kate Sherwood Sabrina Shimo Owen Christopher Short Jacquelyn Ann Shugarts Cooper Neil Sibley Zachary Sato Siegrist Tanner John Siffermann Coleton Seth Simmons Nevada Noelle Simmons Jennifer Ranay Singh Evan Anthony Skeoch Braydon Jared Smith Ella Riley Smith Kassi Lynn Smith Marissa Nicole Smith Matthew Michael Smith Mickeal Ray Smith Seaira Rae Smith Sophia Isabella Smith Trey Carson Smith Tyrese Jamil Smith Grant David Speaker Brintley MacKenna Spencer Sophia Sproll Jacob Collins Stabler Tatum Ann Stall Elizabeth Mabel Geraldine Standage Kobe Anthony Stanley Hugo Gunnar Stannervik Sean Henry Stark Leonie Marie Steber Kristen Marie Stenz Lennon Stephens James E. Stevens Quinn Anslyn Stewart Aliyah M. Stinemates Joleigh Jacklyn Stoklas Brandi L. Strauss Mia Marie Strauss Chante Giovanna Straziscar Ashley Kay Stricklett Kristopher Allen Stricklett Shayne Patrick Strong Samantha Michelle Stroup Kason Gene Stubbart Cole William Suddarth Michael James Sweet Nicole Elizabeth Sylvester Samson Kenneth Sylvester Mashiat Tabassum Lexi Rose Taillon Nathaniel Bo Taing Brycen Chad Tambone Jennie Tang Justinian Chase Tassinari Kai Ke Alaula Taylor Mc Kell Krista Taylor McKenzie Lynn Taylor Sareya Jenise Taylor Joielline Pitenam Tchilao Sean Garnett Teague Benjamin Anthony Tebbe Jenna Elizabeth Tegge Habtamu Teshager

Austin Michael Thanner Logan Nicholas Themins Haylie Brooke Thomas Monique Brianna Thomas Alec Hunter Thudium Alexandria Renee Thurman Kaitlyn Renea Tilton Tatum Rose Tisdale Daxton Reed Tolman Kaitlin Rose Tomasello Matthew S. Tomlinson Tyler Robert Tone Jonathan Matthew Torre Alycia Elena Torres Damariz Torres Manuel Antonio Trejo Silva Daisy Lizet Trinidad Campoy Breanna Riley Trujillo Grant Andrew Tucker Lucas Jerome Tuman Connor Hanley Tupen Jake Matthew Tupen Trenton Lee Tupen Isaac Lewis Turbarg Blake Adam Turner Eric Ryan Uphill Andrew Steven Urena Aryzema Maritza Urrutia Alyssa Katrina Uzueta Jonas Valdez Tyler Reid Valdez Cristian I. Valdez Jennifer Evelyn Van Dusen Cade Scott Veach Rachell Velasquez Palacios Giancarlo Goshi Veloria Lily Kate Vernon Katrina Alexa T. Vertudes Jordan Ho Vijungco Clare Marie Viktor Edward Jonathan Virtgaym Matthew Ryan Virtue Sydney Marie Volker Ethan M. Vukonich Joseph James Vullo Ryan James Wagner Jacob James Wagstaff Brooklyn Walker Kaylee Saniyah Walker Sarah Michelle Walker Caleb Michael Wall Mason Calin Waller Ruthi Lilean Wang Hayden Cameron Warner Madison Marie Warner Cherilyn Warren Madison Katlyn Watson Madeline Rose Waz Nicholas Steven Weakley Anna Marie Weikel Emma Louise Weinert Noelle Spencer Weintraub Adam James Weiss Carsen Ray Welch Steven David Welch Robert Perry Wells Mason A. Whatcott Michael Paul Wheaton Nicole Elizabeth White Rhys Phillip Whiteside Jasmine Ashley Whyte Brandon Wicker Nathaniel Steven Wiedle Kaden Timothy Wilkins Derek John Williams Hailee Alexis Williams Taia Luree Williams James David Willis Briyana Mikelle Wilson Jory Doss Wilson Raquel Adriana Wilson Jacob Brinton Wise Elizabeth Evelyn Wisniewski Ethan Austin Witt Nathan Peter Wold Mitchell Cooper Woodford Austin Blake Woodman Amanda Lindsay Wright Georgie D. Xenikakis Zhenfeng Xue Joshua Shoji Yamada Patricia Ysabel Yango Jakob Livingston Young Jorden Deion Young Mark Joseph Ypma Anya Adora Yu Braeden James Yungdahl Ryan Mckay Zachary Matthew Christian Zarro Alyssa Y. Zhang Justin Zhen Mikelle Marie Zimmerman Aeneas Alexander Zobel

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

r e l d n a Ch

HIGH SCHOOL

NUMBER OF GRADUATES: 796 TOTAL VALUE OF ALL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS: $16,279,852

CLASS OFFICERS: PRESIDENT: Austin Morrow VICE PRESIDENT: Alana Alfredo SPIRIT COMMISSIONER: Erica Ramirez BUSINESS MANAGER: Isabel Honzay PUBLICITY MANAGER: Miranda Gonzalez SECRETARY: Jazmyn Montez PARLIMENTARIAN: Miranda Fimbres COMMUNITY SERVICE: Madison Apoderado HISTORIAN: Tessa Cowell

OTHER AWARDS: Luke Bass

National Hispanic Finalist Lewis & Clark College Biochemical Engineering Mom- Vanessa Bass Dad- Jonathan Bass

Melody Colucci-

National Hispanic Finalist ASU Barrett Honors College Double major in Sustainability and Geography Mom- Raquel Colucci Dad- Gino Colucci

Esme Crawford-Paz SoldanNational Hispanic Finalist ASU Barrett Honors College Biological Sciences Mom- Michelle Paz Soldan Dad- Neil Crawford

Jacob Pisors

National Hispanic Finalist ASU Robotics Engineering Mom- Giselle Pisors Dad- Isaac Pisors

Jose Segovia

National Hispanic Finalist ASU Mechanical Engineering Mom- Letty Segovia Dad-Juan Segovia

Alexandra Wilhelm

A Flinn semi-finalist. Pepperdine University International Business/Pre-Law Mom-Marianne Langner Dad- Terry Wilhelm

TOP STUDENTS IN THE CLASS:

Katherine Chou

GPA: 4.91 Parents’ names: Mom-Li Zhu, Dad-Ziming Chou Total Value of scholarship offers: $174,000 College/intended major: Yale University Achievements/Activities: National Merit Semi-Finalist, Flinn Scholar. Katherine is on staff of two literary magazines outside of school. She has won or placed highly in multiple state and national Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competitions with her short stories, critical essays, and poetry. Katherine is also a gifted piano player. Her dedication led to a third place finish in the 2018 American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music, affording her an opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall.

Karan Preety Singh

GPA: 4.88 Parents’ names: Mom-Sukhwinder Kaur, Dad-Baldev Singh Total Value of scholarship offers: $42,600 College/intended major: ASU Barrett Honors CollegeComputer Science Achievements/Activities: President of the National Honor Society, Speech and Debate, Model UN, Academic Decathlon teams, Tennis, Robotics.

Mariiia Shevchenko

GPA: 4.87 Parents’ names: Mom-Olga Shevchenko Dad-Alexander Shevchenko Total Value of scholarship offers: $72,000 College/intended major: Taking a gap year and then will continue her education at a four-year university. Achievements/Activities: Mariia created and ran a TEDx Conference, created a STEM club for students with disabilities, and improved the organizational structure of the robotics team. Helped organize various student outreach events for the team that totaled over 600 volunteer hours. Mariia is a full IB Diploma candidate. Won the National Women in Computing Award for 2018.

Sachit Swaminathan

GPA: 4.87 Parents’ names: Mom- Sheela Balaram Dad- Sreeraman Swaminathan Total Value of scholarship offers: $422,800 College/intended major: Georgia Institute of TechnologyMiomedical Engineering Achievements/Activities: President of the National Honor Society, Speech and Debate, Model UN, Academic Decathlon teams, Tennis, Robotics.

Sarah Quintana

GPA: 4.87 Parents’ names: Mom-Marichu Quintana Dad-Jonathan Quintana Total Value of scholarship offers: $192,712 College/intended major: Vassar College-Biology Achievements/Activities: Competitive swimmer since the age of 7. Full IB Diploma Candidate. Swim scholarship to Vassar College

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Seton

HIGH SCHOOL SALUTATORIAN

VALEDICTORIAN

Audrey Stevenson

GPA: 4.6 weighted Parents: Toni and Shane Stevenson Total scholarship offers: $202,323 freshman year; $805,240 four-year total. Achievements: • National Merit Semifinalist; • Academic Letter Award, earning the Lamp of Knowledge pin and 5 merit bars over four years; • Department Awards earned: Sacraments, Honors Composition and Reading, Honors Algebra I; • National Spanish Exam: Gold and bronze medals, honorable mention; • Cross Country Coach’s Award, 10th grade; Leadership Positions: • President of the Seton’s Sentinel Ambassador Society and its National Honor Society chapter; • House Leader as a junior and senior; • Public Relations Officer for Spanish National Honor Society 2018-2020; • Seton Sentinel Ambassador, 2017-2020; • Junior co-chair for the Sentinel Ambassador Society Council 2018-2019; Junior Representative for the National Honor Society 2018-2019; • Representative on Student Council 2016-2017; Activities: Leader for freshmen and sophomore retreats; Fine Arts productions all four years; member of Pep, Marching, and Concert Bands; Member of cross country and soccer varsity teams; Participant in MathWorks Math Modelling Challenge and Santa Clara University Summer Engineering Seminar; Music Ministry at St. Mary’s Catholic Church; tutor at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School.

GRADUATION INVOCATION LEADER

Justin Alexander Manila

Parents: Gigi and Alex Manila College: Arizona State University Activities: House leader, three years; Latin Certamen Competition, first place team; Varsity volleyball team, three years; National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, Latin Club and Engineering Program; Drama Club, performed in 2 productions; tech department team, 2 years; Academic Boot Camp counselor; National Honor Society math tutor for high school and middle school students; St. Vincent de Paul food preparation; Feed My Starving Children food packer.

Veronica Borboa

GPA: 4.3 weighted Parents: Ana and Karlo Borboa Total value of scholarship offers: $34,000 freshman year; $136,000 four-year total College: University of Arizona Achievements: • National Hispanic Scholar; • Sentinel Ambassador, three years; • House Leader, two years; • Varsity Pom Team member earning a varsity letter, pin, bar and Most Improved Award; • Varsity Cheer member earning a varsity letter, pin, and bar and Crossover of theYear Award; • Studio Company and Seton Catholic Prep Dance Company member earning a varsity letter, pin, and bar in dance and Top Performer Award. Activities: Musical and drama lead choreographer at SCP, as well as Chandler Youth Theatre; SCP Concert Choir member, as well as Diocese Crozier Honors Choir, three years; National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society and National Art Honor Society member; Kairos Retreat home team leader; Junior Ambassador for the American Diabetes Association; St. Mary Catholic Church Music Ministry; Library assistant at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School.

BACCALAUREATE MASS WELCOME SPEAKER

Jacqueline Lee Schisler

Parents: Debra and Rick Schisler College: Arizona State University Achievements: • AP Scholar Award, junior year; • Latin State Convention Academic Testing: Two first place individual honors in 11th grade; first place Certamen team in 9th grade; second, third and fourth place individual honors in 9th grade; • Lamp of Knowledge pin and two merit bars over four years; • Honors Latin 2 Grade 10. Activities: House Leadership Executive Board chaplain; house leader for two years; Sentinel Ambassador for three years; National Honor Society, Latin Club, Toastmasters Youth Leadership, Track and Field Team member; Seton Campus Ministry Retreat Leader, two years; Pueblo Grande Museum volunteer, three years; President, Junior Catholic Daughters of America, Casa Grande.

Ottawa University enhances student experience BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

With the COVID-19 pandemic still dominating the world, high school graduates and transfer students may choose to stay closer to home to continue their studies this fall. Encouraging students to “Stay Connected, Stay Local,” Ottawa UniversityArizona (OUAZ) wants these bright young minds to consider its Surprise campus at 15950 N. Civic Center Plaza. “We are preparing all necessary

precautions to host students at our brand-new residential campus in Surprise, which also has emergency services on site,” said Dr. Brian Sandusky, OUAZ’s chief enrollment officer. “Students may want to stay close to home and we want them to know about their opportunities here with us. We have new facilities on our campus, which opened in Fall 2019. It’s an exciting time for us here in Surprise.” Founded in 1865, Ottawa University is a nonprofit, private liberal arts university with its original residential campus

in Ottawa, Kansas. The professional campus in Phoenix has been educating adult learners in the Valley for more than 40 years and boasts more than 8,000 alumni. Surprise is home to Ottawa University’s second residential campus. Housing at OUAZ features a new residence hall with suite-style, fully furnished rooms. Amenities include cable television and a 55-inch, wallmounted TV, laundry facilities, student lounges and a game room. Scholars Hall accommodates more than 300 students. Ottawa University offers housing

awards for students who hail from the West Valley—Avondale, Buckeye, Deer Valley, El Mirage, Goodyear, Glendale, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Sun City West, Tolleson, Surprise, Waddell, Whitman and Youngtown. “We believe a fully rounded educational experience for students includes residential living,” Sandusky said. Students who stay in university housing for six semesters, or three years, are eligible for 50% off their graduate tuition rate while studying at OUAZ See

OTTAWA on page 30

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

OTTAWA

from page 29

Surprise. “We want to bring value to our community and our alumni, and this is one example of that mission,” Sandusky said. Two other new buildings are part of the OUAZ campus. The student union includes a state-of-the-art dining center, an entertainment lounge with indoor/ outdoor fireplace, fan shop, mailroom, classrooms and banquet hall. It is also home to the new Adawe Center mentorship program, which is designed to help students be successful in their college experience. The new O’Dell Center houses the university’s athletic facilities, fitness and recreational center, Faith Arena, facility and athletic offices, additional classrooms and laboratories. OUAZ offers a variety of majors. Top majors include biology, business, Christian studies and ministry, communication, early childhood education, elementary education, engineering, exercise science, human resources, leadership and management, psychology, secondary education and sport studies. Ottawa University is committed to developing students to be work-ready and world-ready upon graduation. Personal Growth Days (PGDs) consist of three important components: Spirit Life, a worship and speaker series; Network Lunch, a community lunch on campus; and Student Development Courses, a series of life- and work-skills workshops “Our chancellor, Dr. Kevin Eichner, came up with the idea of limiting classes on Wednesdays to allow for our PGDs,”

Above: Ottawa University Arizona—Surprise Campus offers classes in four-, eight-or 16-week format. Left: Dr. Brian Sandusky is Ottawa University Arizona’s chief enrollment officer. (Courtesy Ottawa University)

Sandusky said. “We have a variety of guest speakers, such as community- or faith-based leaders. The Wednesday workshops provide students with workreadiness skills, like resume writing and interviewing. Students need those skills. There’s a focus on world-readiness skills, too. That can be how to buy a house, how to budget, business dinner etiquette, and even changing a tire.” Ottawa University prides itself on being a “participatory campus.”

Students participate in academic clubs, competitive club sports and varsity athletics. For example, students who participate in the business club gain real-world business experience outside the classroom, while receiving a significant scholarship to help them. “We have ACT, SAT and GPA scholarships, as well as scholarships for the academic and club sports,” Sandusky said. “These are unique and lucrative scholarship opportunities for our students.” Complementing OUAZ’s robust varsity athletic offerings are the university’s competitive club sports. Esports and badminton are starting in the fall. Other programs include ultimate frisbee, cycling, outdoor adventure, bowling and wrestling.

Call

Gone are days of one-size-fitsall scheduling, and OUAZ offers an innovative alternative. “Our exclusive FlexTerm scheduling is one of our biggest distinguishing features,” Sandusky said. “It has been well received by students.” FlexTerm scheduling consists of classes offered in a four-, eight- or 16week term format. Students work with their faculty mentor to assist them with their course scheduling. This flexible format allows them time to study and participate in activities. Visit ottawa.edu/ouaz to learn more about OUAZ’s programming and scholarships. So next semester, remember to “Stay Connected, Stay Local.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Congratulations, class of 2020!

Congratulations, class of 2020! At Arizona State University, we want to help you along the path toward realizing your goals. Thousands of incoming first-year and transfer students will soon call ASU home, and we want you to be one of them. Let ASU be part of your academic journey. Map your path to Congratulations, of pathway 2020! At Arizona ASU today with class ASU’s program. State University, we want to help you along the path toward realizing your goals. Thousands of incoming first-year and transfer students will soon call ASU home, and we want you to be one of them. Let ASU be part Ready to start this fall? of your academic journey. Map your path to Apply today! The fall 2020 application for admission is open. ASU today with ASU’s pathway program.

Congratulations, class of 2020!

admission.asu.edu/transfer/maricopa | asu.edu/apply

Ready to start this fall? The fall 2020 application for admission is open.

Apply today!

admission.asu.edu/transfer/maricopa | asu.edu/apply

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Congratulations

BASHA HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

#bashabuilt

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

CONGRATULATIONS

GRADUATES from Grand Canyon University!

It’s not too late to get started on your college journey. We have virtual, interactive campus tours available and plenty of scholarship opportunities!

Visit gcu.edu to apply for free today! 855-428-7884

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, please visit our website at gcu.edu/disclosures. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org). GCU, while reserving its lawful rights in light of its Christian mission, is committed to maintaining an academic environment that is free from unlawful discrimination. Further detail on GCU’s Non-Discrimination policies can be found at gcu.edu/titleIX. The information printed in this material is accurate as of MAY 2020. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. ©2020 Grand Canyon University 20GTR0463

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

New addition to eatery: Chief Sanitizing Officer BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

In response to looming fears of the COVID-19 virus, a Chandler restaurant has beefed up its cleaning regimen by creating a position dedicated solely to sanitizing every surface of its dining room. The Pedal Haus Brewery, which opened downtown earlier this year, has a new employee working every shift known as the restaurant’s new “Chief Sanitizing Officer.” Once a patron leaves, the CSO rushes over to their empty table and scrubs it down with a cleaning solution, leaving behind a little sign indicating the area is ready for its next customer. In between cleaning tables, the CSO routinely wipes down door handles, counters and any other surface subject to public exposure. Adding these extra cleaning duties to the workload of the restaurant’s servers would have been too stressful on staff, said owner Julian Wright, so Pedal Haus decided to shuffle around its personnel. “We were really concerned with contact points -- there’s a ton in a restaurant,” he said. The CSO idea came about during a brainstorming session that Pedal Haus

Chief Santizing Officer Roger Karner is constantly looking to wipe any high-touch surface to protect patrons at Pedal Haus Brewery in Chandler. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

staff held before reopening May 14, Wright added, and it seemed like the most logical solution to keep customers safe. Servers, bussers and the CSO will

now be interacting, Wright said, with the goal of preventing dirty dishes from touching too many hands and guarantee that tables are getting periodically

containers.

cleaned. Restaurants across Valley are making adjustments as they begin reopening their dining rooms now that they are allowed to serve patrons inside. In lifting his stay-at-home order and allowing restaurants to open May 11, Gov. Doug Ducey releases a list of protocols restaurants should follow to keep hand-to-hand contact at a minimum. Those protocols include screening staff for COVID-19 symptoms at the start of every shift, using disposable menus and banning shared condiment

See

SANITIZER on page 37

Ex-Chandler mayor’s Corp Comm bid doomed BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

It looks like there may be at least two Democrats on the Arizona Corporation Commission for the next two years unless the Arizona Republican Party can find someone with high name ID. The Arizona Supreme Court on May 15 rejected a last-ditch effort by Republican Kim Owens to qualify for the 2020 ballot. The justices, in a brief order, refused her request to reconsider an earlier finding that she did not submit enough valid signatures to qualify. That order comes just days after the court reached a similar conclusion for incumbent Republican Boyd Dunn, ending his bid for reelection. Dunn served as Chandler’s mayor from 2002 to 2011. What makes all that significant is there are now just two Republicans left on the ballot: incumbent Lea Marquez Peterson who was appointed to her post last year by Gov. Doug Ducey, and Eric Sloan. And there are three positions on the five-member panel up for grabs. By contrast, all three Democrat contenders appear to be cleared to run: Bill Mundell, who actually served for a decade on the commission as a Republican until 2009; Anna Tovar, a

enough of them to put her over the legal minimum. But Justice Andrew Gould, writing for the four judges who heard the case, said that the only evidence Owens presented was from the Republican Party’s data center. “However, Owens failed to make the Data Center records available, nor were the records offered or received into evidence,’’ Gould wrote. “Additionally, there was no testimony establishing that either the Data Center records or Owens’ testimony about the records constituted reliable, competent evidence for the court to consider,’’ the justice Former Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn lost a chance to seek another term on the Corporation Commission. continued. “Accordingly, there (File photo) was no reasonable evidence to support the trial court’s former state lawmaker who currently is finding that the candidate rehabilitated mayor of Tolleson; and Shea Stanfield. a sufficient number of signatures to The high court ruling actually comes remain on the ballot.’’ after Owens had convinced Maricopa The ruling has sent state GOP County Superior Court Judge Timothy officials scrambling to fill the gap. Thomason that she really had enough “We’re exploring all options to make signatures. sure we hold onto our seats on the Thomason had found several hundred Corporation Commission and provide signatures to be invalid. But then he voters a solid number of Republican concluded that she had presented candidates to choose from for the enough evidence to “rehabilitate’’ commission,’’ said party spokesman

Zach Henry. The best option is to find someone to run as a write-in candidate for the Aug. 3 primary. And anyone can try to get nominated by this route by submitting his or her name and financial disclosure statement by June 25. But it’s not that simple. Under Arizona law, someone seeking to get on the party’s slate in November through a write-in process has to gather at least as many votes as the number of signatures needed for nomination. In the case of the Republicans, that’s 6,663. And that puts the party in the position of finding someone with whose names is sufficiently familiar so that party faithful will remember it while filling out early ballots at home or writing it in when they go to the polls. The 2020 race didn’t start out this way for Republicans who actually had six contenders for the three open seats. Nick Myers was previously disqualified. And state Sen. David Farnsworth, R-Mesa, who had hoped to move to the commission, withdrew his name from consideration after a challenge was mounted to his petition signatures. Two members of the commission are not up for reelection this year: Democrat Sandra Kennedy and Republican Justin Olson.

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

SANITIZER

from page 36

Wright said Pedal Haus is trying to follow all the recommended guidelines and is continuing to look for new ways to limit the risk of exposing customers to the COVID-19 virus. In addition to creating the CSO role, Pedal Haus has moved around its dining area to add more space between customers, removed some barstools and added hand-sanitizer stations. All these changes do come at a cost to the restaurant’s ability to serve customers, since its dining room can now only seat about half its regular capacity. Pedal Haus has also created its own custom-made face masks, Wright added, which must be worn by all staff during their shift. The masks were designed to be a bit more fashionable then the standard medical gear that’s become a common sight during the pandemic, he said. “We’re trying to avoid the feeling of being in a trauma center -- obviously that’s not very welcoming,” Wright said. Pedal Haus opened its first location in Tempe a few years ago and quickly became known for its unique selection of original beers. The business has won numerous dining awards, been routinely covered in the local press, and was just starting to spread its reach across the East Valley. Its Chandler location had only been open a couple weeks before the pandemic hit in March and businesses were ordered closed.

Pedal Haus Brewery patrons have an extra layer of comfort as a result of signs the brewery’s chief sanitizing officer leaves on surfaces that he has just disinfected. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

The Chandler restaurant was shut down for almost two months, Wright said, aside from the take-out service they offered for a couple weeks. The business managed to get some funding through the government’s Paycheck Protection Program, which has helped to keep its finances from dipping

too far into the red. Navigating these next couple weeks will be like walking a “tight-rope,” Wright said, since Pedal Haus needs to start generating revenue again while still being mindful of all the health concerns the public may still have. “We’re far from being out of the

woods on this thing,” he said. Customers need to understand that restaurants are trying their best to get through this, Wright added, and should be respectful of the precautions they’ve put in place. Pedal Haus had been in the midst of planning the opening of another location in downtown Phoenix before COVID-19, but that project has been delayed for the time being. The upcoming summer months will probably be rough, Wright said, yet Pedal Haus is confident it can weather through this storm. “We’re a pretty resilient bunch,” he said. “We’ll just find our way out of this one way or another.”

The tony Waterfall Villas Residences in south Chandler should be done by next month, the developer says, and people already are lining up to buy one of the ultra-modern units. (Special to the San Tan Sun News)

New Waterfall Villas project eyes June completion SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Even when home sales have slowed as a result of social distancing, a new Chandler condo project is selling units. Waterfall Villa Residences, slated to open next month, has already sold 17 of its 106 two- and three-bedroom residences, which range between 1,225 and 1,630 square feet and are priced in the upper $200,000. With gourmet kitchens, expansive

balconies or courtyards and energyefficient design, the units are nestled amid date palms, streams and waterfalls in the area of Lakeview and Chandler boulevards. The palm-lined luxury pool will offer cabanas, firepit, ramadas and gathering areas. The single-level villas come in three different floor plans and include an attached two-car garage. Alec Zorn, a 23-year-old software

engineer, chose the development for his first home and said he was partially attracted to the community’s proximity to Chandler Airpark Business Center. “I just decided to go for it. Buying a home has always been an ambition of mine, and Waterfall is the perfect fit,” said Zorn. Developer Cambridge Properties said it has seen a lot of interest in the villas from West Coast buyers “looking for new-build homes complete with

gourmet kitchens, master retreats and easy access to a bustling city center” and said it “expects to see an influx of clients once travel restrictions are lifted. “Even with our traffic cut significantly, our sales have remained steady,” said Keith Mishkin, Cambridge president/CEO. His sales team is providing virtual and private, onsite opportunities for prospective buyers. Information: liveatwaterfall.com or 602-875-0700.

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

EV woman helps female business owners

have a system in place to collect testimonials so you’re actually getting those love letters sent to you.” BossTalk is not a typical networking “If your love letter group. is high on words of For starters, it’s for women only. affirmation, than that’s just And it’s not just an opportunity for going to help recharge your businesswomen to exchange business battery as you’re just doing cards and promote their goods and the normal day-in and dayservices. out stuff in your business.” Gilbert author-speaker La’Vista Jones Jones, who currently created the monthly meeting in July runs the monthly sessions 2018 as a “place for us to come together virtually at lavistajones. to share stories about what’s going com during the widespread on along the entrepreneurial journey closure of businesses, takes and to share vulnerabilities with one the approach of sharing the another about the struggles, issues with journey of each person’s overwhelm that we all deal with.” story by interviewing one “It’s a place for us to come and get participant. needs met,” Jones said. “The hope is “Typically, I sit down that a woman here in the room either with an entrepreneur and has an answer to that problem or is I interview her,” Jones said. connected with someone who is.” “And I talk to her about Jones launched a consultant company, different aspects of her 31Marketplace, in 2005 but returned to journey – like what causes corporate work from 2008 to 2014. Her ‘overwhelm,’ what has been company helps small business owners the biggest failure in the with their operations and self-care and business and learning from merging the two together. that failure. Her BossTalk group meets monthly BossTalk owner-facilitator La’Vista Jones, carrying her son, “The Cub,” says “The hope is the story with a focus on different topics, such as her networking sessions are designed at helping businesswomen help will resonate with one of how to use “love language” in business. each other with practical issues. (Special to the San Tan Sun News) the other women in the At a recent gathering before socialaudience to let them know, distancing guidelines were issued, with your customer as you’re on‘I’m not the only one that deals with this the group looked at “love-building a boarding them,” she explained, “how stuff in my business,’: she said. “I think business” through words of affirmation. you take care of the people you do a lot of the times we see the highlight “It’s about how you share the love work with and also making sure you reels from other people in the business, and it’s like, ‘She’s out there speaking or she’s got this book or this is happening or that is happening.’ “And that’s great but you don’t see the struggle behind the scenes, where she got rejected from that speaking The Owners Clean Your Windows! engagement.” She aims for women to get encouragement from those stories. Over 150 business owners have come through at least one BossTalk session. Jones records every session and releases them to members, whether Power Washing Available they attend or not. Up to 30 women attend a normal meeting at an admission of $20 per session. fans | lt. Fixtures | Mirrors For a monthly membership of $25, members get recordings, a Facebook Additional Panes 3.00 ea. group to network with women in between the BossTalk sessions, access Inside & Out Up To 30 Panes Screens Cleaned 3.00 ea.

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to members-only events, a business directory for members and monthly guest passes. She also focuses attention on members’ personal health, both physical and mental. “Once we get the business running more smoothly and more streamlined, they’ll have some free time to focus on themselves and make them a priority in the business,” said Jones. “But it’s also building those systems with love languages incorporated in it so as you are actually working in the business, the business is recharging you instead of draining you.” By discovering a better way to run a business, Jones tells women, “you can get back to making yourself and what you love a priority.” Ilana Myerson was part of the inaugural BossTalk group. “It doesn’t feel like your typical networking group – which I love,” said Myerson. “So, with my business, this focuses me and really sets my mindset. Instead of having the pressure of making a sale, I feel like I’m finding joy in what I’m doing. The happier I am the more I attract.” After attending the first BossTalk session, Myerson hired two people and gained another five customers within the month “just by being happy.” “It’s a great place to connect people to what they need,” Myerson said. “Jones does a real good job of finding out what people need and everybody is like, ‘ooh, I can help with that, I know this.’” “A lot of times we don’t say what our actually company is or what we actually do,” explained Myerson. “We say how we service the community…You’re not pressured to give an elevator pitch.” The group is not for someone unemployed but for someone who owns their own business or at least has an idea for starting one. And it’s not for women seeking an 8-5 job. She gears her talks to “business owners who want more from life than frazzled days and sleepless nights” and urges them “to add time back to your day by streamlining processes, identifying operational gaps and outsourcing.” Information: thirtyonemarketplace. com/boss-talk

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BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Virus safety influences project’s new upgrades SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The developer of a downtown Chandler office renovation project said the pandemic has inspired him to make changes to better equip a “new normal work environment.” George Oliver said he’s made a number of “strategic updates” to The Alexander, a 112,000-square-foot building at 25 S. Chandler Place that are designed to “build tenant confidence” in the redevelopment project. “Businesses today are dealing with plenty of uncertainty and stress as they’re trying to navigate what the new work environment may look like. With that in mind, making these changes to our design at The Alexander was an easy decision for us,” said George Oliver managing partner Curt Kremer. “It gives us the power to deliver a more adaptive end product and build more confidence for our tenants as they re-enter their workplace.” New enhancements include “touchless” accessibility with 10-foot sliding glass entry doors, motionsensor restroom doors and fixtures and touchless drinking fountains.

The Alexander in downtown Chandler will have a hotel-like lobby and many amenities, some of which have been now reconfigured in a way to help protect people from the coronavirus. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

The Alexander’s design and architecture team, led by George Oliver Design, has also upgraded the building’s main HVAC systems and elevators “to optimize air quality and functionality.” The updates won’t slow the construction timeline, slated to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. “The design and construction teams did a great job of making these changes real-time, so that we could

accommodate ownership’s request to add these features to The Alexander without increasing the construction schedule.” said lead architect Jay Sciarani. “Seeing our designs adapt to the current environment and enhance the user’s experience is really rewarding for us,” he said. The Alexander’s building management guidelines were revised to

incorporate more stringent cleaning and disinfecting standards and signage will promote social-distancing policies. Arcadia Management will manage the property with a full-time building concierge and on-site building engineer. George Oliver is investing over $10 million in capital to transform The Alexander from a five-story, 1980s vintage office building into a Class A modern workspace featuring a kaleidoscope coffee and juice bar, lounge-style outdoor areas with games, library-themed amenity, training center and boutique hospitality-inspired lobby. The building’s wellness center will feature a cardio room furnished with Peloton equipment, a spacious yoga studio, spa-inspired private showers and an attached tranquil garden for postworkout decompression. The building is named after the city’s founder Alexander Johnathan (A.J.) Chandler. The Alexander’s sister building, The Johnathan – also named after Chandler – is on an adjacent parcel at 55 N. Arizona Pl. Renovations at The Johnathan will begin later this year with a similar modern amenities.

Even swim school will be different because of virus SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

It’s not easy running a swim school these days. For one thing, pools have been on lockdown, along with most businesses in Arizona, since March. Worse, as temperatures rise and school closures make pools at home more tempting to youngsters who don’t know how to swim, the need for swimming lessons gains additional urgency. So while Lana Whitehead, president and founder of SWIMkids USA in Mesa has used her state-ordered “time off” to enhance her facility, she also is getting more worried about pool drownings. “We are very concerned about water safety for our youngest citizens,” said Whitehead. While SWIMkids USA has been sending information to clients “about layers of protection for pool safety,” Whitehead has begun free online lessons – though she said “parents need to install fences around their pools, learn CPR and touch supervision and enroll their children in swimming lessons.” The online lessons offer “a way for us to stress water safety since May is Water Safety awareness month,” she explained. “Our instructors are able to show the parents how to execute basic water safety skills while instructing them in home safety protocols. The parents and children seem to enjoy this interaction.” Whitehead has found a bit of a silver lining in the closures that took effect in mid-March. “I’ve owned my business for almost 50-years and while I have never experienced anything like this,” she “was committed to finding something positive in the fact that we no longer

SWIMkids USA founder-owner Lana Whitehead has redone her Mesa swim school and developed a new protocol for customers once the state allows swimming pools to reopen. (Special to the San Tan Sun News)

were hearing the sounds of children learning in our building.” “I was committed to not only spending my last dollar to keep our wonderful instructors on the payroll,” she added. “I decided the benefit of the closure could be stepping back to see what improvements I could make.” Whitehead’s facility includes three pools and a gym. When families bring their children to SWIMkids USA once the facility opens again, they will find replastered pools, a remodeled reception area, repaved parking lot and upgraded women’s bathroom. “The staff pitched in to do extensive interior painting and they stained the benches where parents sit,” she said. “They are also excited to see the reaction when children discover that there is a colorful new rock-climbing wall that has been installed in the gym.” She added the closing enabled staff “to do a deep, thorough cleaning of every area of the building and develop extensive safety protocols for how they would open their doors again and

operate under a ‘new normal.’” Whitehead started teaching children to swim in 1971, driven by the passion to make kids safer after experiencing the tragic drownings of two friends’ toddlers. She pioneered some of the early swim safety techniques still in use today and has now developed training videos on up-to-date techniques for instructors. “These instructional videos will go step-by-step and outline the various proven techniques we use to teach children to master both strokes and safety moves,” said Whitehead. SWIMkids is building a library with the videos that “will ensure that all instructors consistently understand the nuances of every step of the survival skills teaching process,” she added. While conceding “we would very much rather be teaching children in person right now,” Whitehead also is preparing for the state to allow pools to open, though she has developed a new protocol to comply with social-

distancing guidelines. “When we resume our lessons, we have initiated a strict infectious disease protocol for our staff and clients and this includes physical distancing,” she explained. “We are placing six-foot demarcations in lines at the check-in for the front desk and there will be six feet between the chairs parents sit in,” she explained. Moreover, parents will be asked to have their student swimmers ready to jump in since the changing area of the restroom will not be available. “The swim classes will have to be very small with no more than two or three students per instructor,” she said. “The teachers will maintain the physical distancing between students as they greet them and on the pool steps and the instructor will be assigned to one zone in the pool to work for their entire shift,” she added, noting only one adult will be allowed to accompany their child in the pool area. Staff temperatures will be taken when they come to work and they will wear masks and a concierge of sorts will open and close the front door “to minimize touching,” she said. “High-touch areas will be sanitized every half hour and there are sanitation stations at the front desk with hand sanitizer for clients. The gym will be completely cleaned after each class. The water fountain is covered and we are asking that they bring bottled water,” Whitehead said. All the new routines will be prominently displayed in the lobby so there’s no mistaking that even learning to swim is different in the postpandemic world.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Little League cancellation emotional for players, parents BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

The coronavirus pandemic, at one point, put the entire world on pause to mitigate the threat of the illness. Restaurants were forced to transition to takeout and delivery, retail stores were closed, and all sporting events were suspended until further notice. That suspension turned into a cancellation for universities and high schools back in March. On April 30, Little League International closed the door on the Little League World Series taking place. Leagues across the East Valley and Ahwatukee quickly followed suit, canceling their seasons. “I kind of knew it would happen from the start because everything else was canceled,” said Cash Groppenbacher, who will attend Bogle Junior High in the fall. “I will still have more opportunities in junior high, high school and maybe even college.” Cash, who was looking forward to carrying on the legacy of Chandler National’s All-Star success, took the news better than other 12-year-olds in the league. Rich Groppenbacher, Cash’s father and longtime coach in Chandler National, believes this All-Star season could have been special for the league. “The finality of it is there’s hope one day then it’s gone, it was a hard one to take,” Rich said. “Within our district, we were all really good teams. It was a fun summer last year and it would’ve been fun to get a chance to do it again.” Cash has the ability to come back and play again in juniors next year. However, the participation rate drops significantly at that level. Chandler National usually fields as

directly back to the league. Brewster said this was done out of concern for the league to continue operations going forward. “A lot of the emails we received back were telling us to keep the money because they don’t want Chandler National to fold,” Brewster said. “We spend all of our money up front from Left: Rich Groppenbacher, a longtime coach for his son, Cash, in Chandler uniforms, to fields National Little League, said it was difficult to have the season taken away due and equipment. A to the pandemic. (Photo courtesy Rich Groppenbacher) Right: Doug Brewster, the lot of parents enjoy president of Chandler National Little League, had to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 season. (Photo courtesy Doug Brewster) Chandler National and they want to give many as 12 teams in the major division. back.” But that number drops to around five at Brewster said the most difficult part the next level. Games are played at larger about announcing the cancellation of the fields in juniors, which often doesn’t bode season as informing the 12-year-olds who well for some players. will age out of the league. “A lot of kids don’t play after 12, it’s Phil Cardis, the president of the Red a numbers game,” said Doug Brewster, Mountain Little League in Mesa, tried to the president of Chandler National Little hold off as long as he could to somehow League. “There’s a huge drop with kids give this year’s 12-year-olds an outlet to play. moving on to different things.” “Little League International encouraged Brewster has been involved with leagues to try and have something as long Chandler National for 20 years, dating as it was safe to do so,” Cardis said. “We back to when his son, who is now 25, were kind of holding on to the hope we started playing. He’s been a member of would be able to do something.” the board for 18 years and is in his 11th as Little League International President president. and CEO Stephen Keener said despite the He, too, explored all avenues to World Series being canceled, individual preserve the 2020 season. But ultimately, leagues across the country could still Chandler National agreed to cancel the play their respective seasons should it be season and offer refunds to the families. deemed safe by local health authorities. Most, however, elected to donate it While Cardis and the rest of the board

wanted to hold off on cancellation, the thought of risking the safety of players and parents even if games were allowed to resume was something none of them wanted to take head on. Cardis officially announced Saturday, May 9 the season was canceled. “If there was a way for us to provide something for the league, we wanted to do it,” Cardis said. “We wanted to work hard to give the kids in the community some sort of viable option.” Cardis had to break the news to his son, George, a 12-year-old in his last season with Little League. George had hoped to make the All-Star team this summer and get the chance to win a state title and go further, perhaps even to Williamsport, Penn. for the Little League World Series. Making it to Williamsport is every Little League player’s dream. But much like it was for seniors in high school in their final season, the opportunity was unfortunately taken away. “I was disappointed,” George said. “I was just looking forward to playing. Everyone supported each other this year and had good sportsmanship.” Chandler American League also announced cancellations, as well as all five of the other leagues in Mesa. Both Gilbert American and Gilbert National joined as well. “It was gut-wrenching to say the least,” said Ray Ng, president of the Ahwatukee Little League which canceled its season on April 30. “We have about 50 or 60 12-yearolds where this is their last year and a majority of them have been playing in our league for a long time. To have this last year taken from them is difficult. “We tried to do everything we could to save the season for them.”

America’s Best Karate offering safe camp for kids BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

For nearly three decades, Mike Erickson has presented local parents with a fun and safe option for their kids to go during the summer months. Even now, as the coronavirus pandemic has made individuals adapt to a new normal, Erickson plans to be there for parents as the state begins to loosen restrictions and parents begin to head back to work. Erickson has run a kids day camp for 27 years his karate school, America’s Best Karate, in Chandler. He attributes the consistent success every summer not only to the community that entrusts him with their children, but for the way his camp is run compared to others. “We are much smaller than the other camps,” Erickson said. “A lot of the larger ones just sit in gyms with kids all day, which can have a lot of germs. We don’t go to a lot of the same events as other camps that have 3,000 kids.” Limiting the number of campers, especially in today’s society, is key to further practice social distancing as recommended by state health officials. Erickson’s camp is limited to about 40 kids per day. They are all separated into smaller groups and participate in different activities.

Most of the groups start the morning with a field trip to a local business. Erickson expects Big Air Trampoline Park, an indoor facility opening nearby, to be a big hit for kids once able to safely attend. The groups go on fieldtrips to a local Peter Piper Pizza and movie theater. America’s Best also brings in outside vendors for the kids, such as petting zoos and firetrucks. But while some camps, Erickson said, may bring their campers during normal business hours, America’s Best does the opposite. “We go in two hours before they open, that way we make sure the place is clean,” Erickson said. “The kids still get to go out and do fieldtrips and be active, but they aren’t intermingling with other kids or the general public. When we go to movie theaters, we rent our own theater so it’s just one of our small groups.” The camp usually stays at one of the fieldtrip locations until it opens for regular business. At that time, they all return back to America’s Best Karate’s 40,000-squarefoot facility on Alma School and Germann roads. More activities from arts and crafts to indoor sports are then played until lunch. Campers usually partake in a martial arts or other activities before and after lunch, then have the ability to choose whether or not they want to participate in one of America’s Best’s classes that take

place in the early evening hours. “We are super active,” Erickson said. “When we go to Peter Piper Pizza, they can have all the tokens they want for two hours but they have to do 10 pushups. We are encouraging exercise, but we are also working to keep the kids safe and happy.” By limiting the number of campers, Erickson said it allows for adequate social distancing measures to take place even inside the facility. Kids are allowed to interact with others, but they generally stay within their own small groups. Those same groups rotate to different activities throughout the day, so they generally aren’t ever all together at once. The club also has hand sanitizer and other disinfectant products readily available to constantly maintain a clean environment. They’ve also started taking temperatures of each child before they can enter. Masks are also provided. “Even the kids get involved with cleaning sometimes by washing their hands,” Erickson said. “They’re learning responsibility of keeping clean in today’s world. Anything we can do to keep them safe, we are doing it.” America’s Best is currently in the process of signing up campers for the summer session which started May 22. Erickson said there is still room for

more to sign up. The camp typically runs through the first week of August, when schools begin for the new year. The cost of the camp is $189 per week, which includes all the entrance fees for fieldtrips and other necessities, such as a mask and shirt. Children ages 5 to 14 are allowed at the camp, but Erickson said the typical age range that attend is from 6 to 12 years old. If kids sign up for at least four weeks, the price drops to $169. Family discounts are also offered for two or more kids. The camp typically runs until 4 p.m., with parents dropping off kids between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. From 9 to 11 a.m. they go on a fieldtrip. Erickson’s goal with his camp was to provide a similar experience to what he had as a kid, one that to this day he still and cherishes. “I remember going to camp as a kid and getting excited to see what my mom packed for lunch and getting to play and explore with my friends,” Erickson said. “We were really active, and I always looked forward to going to camp. We wanted to offer that same experience.” For more information about America’s Best Karate summer camp, visit www.summercampaz.com/ or call (480)217-0652.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Who was that masked man? Probably our columnist BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Columnist

I spent a chunk of Wednesday at the dermatologist’s office, sitting in the waiting room. Twenty minutes cooling my heels typically isn’t fun, but this time there was entertainment, pandemic-style: A guy in his fifties who bristled at the receptionist offering him a disposable face mask. “We’re requiring masks for everyone’s safety,” she explained. “Yeah, I’m sure this’ll fix everything,” said Mr. Tucked In Tommy Bahama Shirt. “You know these are dangerous, right?” He took a few steps toward the door, to leave in protest, then apparently changed his mind. Our hero settled for sighing and eye-rolling his way to a chair beneath the lobby flat screen, where, mask on, he commenced barking into his iPhone. “If I sound muffled, it’s because they’ve

got me wearing this stupid %$@^ing mask,” he told the poor soul on the other end of the phone. It seems covering one’s face in public has become the latest flashpoint in our ongoing COVID-19 wars. Costco discovered this a couple weeks ago, immediately after announcing a new policy requiring members and guests to wear a face covering when entering its warehouses. This 21st century pandemic update of the old “no shirt, no shoes, no service” sign sent some Costco members into a frothing rage, complete with #BoycottCostco trending on social media and a wave of canceled memberships. Soon after came the predictable backlash: Costco received a wave of support for not buckling to the threats and keeping its mask requirement in place. Expect many more such arguments to occur over the next few weeks, as our economy lurches back into motion, businesses begin reopening and hordes on both sides of this argument turn a simple

act – wearing a cheap mask or piece of cloth over your nose and mouth – into a referendum on patriotism, freedom, manhood, civility, intelligence, common courtesy and anything else they can dream up and turn into a meme. You know what wearing a mask really means? It means you’re wearing a mask. And pretty much nothing else. You know what not wearing a mask means? It means you’re not wearing a mask. And pretty much nothing else. Anymore, as we split ourselves into warring tribes, we seek to invest with massive meaning all sorts of small acts that we hold out as proof we belong to this or that club. Mask wearers hold themselves out to be more evolved than those who refuse to wear a mask. Members of Team Breathe Free or Die think of themselves as outlaw badasses, freedom fighters willing to sacrifice buying raw almonds and toilet paper in bulk at Costco in service to their cause. The truth? It’s just a mask, people. Get

over yourselves. Medical science in large part has come down on the side of wearing a mask while in public and in close proximity to others as a way of slowing the spread of COVID-19. For me, that’s reason enough to cover my face if I’m going to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, the post office, Costco or any potentially crowded spot. By contrast, I haven’t been wearing a mask when I’m walking the dog, going on a hike or playing golf while keeping a reasonable distance from my playing partners. In either case, it’s a decision predicated mostly on common sense and a little bit on comfort – and not at all on “what’s the message I’m sending?” As for the Masked Avenger in my dermatologist’s office, he may still be sitting there grousing about being forced to wear a mask. To me, it should’ve been the least of his worries. After all, as everyone knows, only idiots tuck in Hawaiian shirts.

Arizona still will be the nation’s ‘brightest light’ BY DENNY BARNEY Guest Writer

From an economic standpoint, Arizona has been, to borrow a phrase from Gov. Doug Ducey, “the brightest light in the nation.” Ever since the Great Recession, our state has been building momentum, diversifying its business sectors and training the next generation of leaders. The results: we ended 2019 with the third-highest year-over-year employment gain in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Exports also reached a record high last year and our state was projected to add an astounding 159,000 jobs by 2021. The cities, towns and Native American communities in the PHX East Valley have been an American success story, too. Our region celebrated some big economic development wins, with

corporate relocations, the expansion of global companies like Deloitte and Northrup-Grumman, and the groundbreaking of a world-class hub for digital education at Arizona State University’s new campus in downtown Mesa. We also heralded the growth and development of some the most creative entrepreneurial startups and small businesses imaginable. COVID-19 has changed that trajectory, yet I believe our state and region will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever. Restarting our economy is a critical factor in making this happen, but our approach to re-emerging from this crisis must be slow and steady. That is, we must balance the health and well-being of our citizens with the need to get back to work. In my view, the governor’s plan does just that. What I like most about his approach is that it leads with public health. After all, in a situation with so many unknowns, we

can’t take enough precautions. Enlisting ideas from business leaders also is a plus because who knows better than restaurant, retail and other owners who live and breathe their businesses every day how to modify their operations successfully? On a broader level, our leaders are also forging ahead with important economic development, education enhancements and quality of life initiatives. Some cases in point: City and town officials have stepped up efforts to reignite small businesses. The Mesa City Council approved its largest master-planned development, which is projected to create 55,000 new jobs. President Michael Crow and his team at the uber-innovative Arizona State University are charting a course to transform our economy by laying the foundation for what technology-enhanced businesses are going to be. None of this work should come as a surprise. After all, in Arizona and the

PHX East Valley, our greatest asset is the ingenuity of our people who work together for a common goal. This includes those who shape policies for our cities and towns, turn their bright ideas into enterprising ventures and build a pipeline of talent for today and tomorrow. They are the reason our state added 350,000 private-sector jobs and boasted the fastest decline in the poverty rate nationwide since 2015. It’s also why Arizona welcomed with open arms 120,000 new residents between 2018-19. COVID-19 has created a new normal for everyone. But in Arizona and especially in the PHX East Valley, our future is brighter than ever and our best days are yet to come. Denny Barney is president and CEO of the PHX East Valley Partnership, a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of business leaders in the cities, towns and Native American communities known as the PHX East Valley.

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Young artist graces Commonwealth Canal with mural BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

A colorful mural designed by a Chandler High School graduate is in the process of being added to the landscape of downtown Chandler. Ariana Enriquez, who last week earned an art degree from Arizona State University, has begun working on a 225-foot-long mural between the San Marcos Resort’s southern wall and the northside of SanTan Brewing Company. The 68-inch-tall mural runs adjacent to the Commonwealth Canal, which has been delivering water through Chandler since 1912. The aqueous surroundings inspired the mural’s aesthetic, Enriquez said, as the artist aimed to illustrate how water replenishes the desert ecosystem. The mural is covered with hummingbirds and bumble bees pollinating cactus flowers against a vibrant backdrop of watery waves and sunny skies. The idea was to present water as a nourishing, vital element that allows the desert’s beauty to continuously thrive, the artist said. Much of Enriquez’s prior work explores how nature can be used to symbolize human relationships. Her paintings and drawings often incorporate floral designs that are meant to serve as metaphors for experiences Enriquez has observed and felt in the modern world. “I may paint sunflowers, peonies and forget-me-nots, but what I am really

Chandler High alumna Ariana Enriquez is painting a mural across the entire 225-foot wall along the Commonwealth Canal. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

trying to tell you is that I am feeling joyous, fortunate and steadfast,” the artist said in a 2018 interview. Enriquez, who graduated from

Chandler High in 2012, was one of 14 artists to submit mural designs to the city of Chandler, which has been commissioning local artists to beautify

the downtown region for several months. Enriquez’s submission was ultimately See

MURAL on page 45

Chandler ASU grad taking next step to medical career SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Now that she has graduated from Arizona State University summa cum laude with a double major and a long list of research projects and related work, Rohini Nott is taking the next step toward become a physician. Rohini majored in both biology and society) and public service/public policy) with a 4.0 GPA and research experiences and contributions that a spokeswoman called “extraordinary.” She has completed six different research experiences as a research intern between high school and her undergraduate studies, published three scientific research papers and four encyclopedia entries and presented six times at national or regional research conferences. Much of her work has been devoted to studying peptides, small chains of amino acids that have been studied for their use in slowing aging or building muscle. Nott studied their potential in cancer therapy. The daughter of Sujatha and AJ Nott and an alumna of BASIS Chandler, she explained that her two majors enable

Rohini Nott her to prepare for a medical career. “In my biology and society classes, I got to explore many historical, philosophical, political and ethical perspectives on the life sciences and relevant complex human issues,” she said, adding the public policy/service classes taught her “a lot about business principles, which I feel will be really

helpful for me to have an understanding of as a doctor.” “What really motivated me to pursue my double majors was my strong interest in health policy and my desire to get an interdisciplinary perspective on healthcare-related topics,” she said. Since the summer of 2017, Nott has been a research intern at the University of Arizona Phoenix in a cancer drug discovery lab. “Essentially, our lab looks at novel ways we can develop cancer therapeutics,” she said. “There are a lot of things that can go awry in the cell that can led to cancer development and progression. My research focus over the last two years has been on the development of stapled peptides as an approach to treat cancer.” In some ways, her academic pursuit was personal. “Cancer is a disease that impacts so many of us and within my own family, has affected both my grandmothers,” she explained. “I have learned so much about the science and disease process behind cancer from doing cancer drug discovery research at UA Phoenix. I have

also gotten to learn a lot about the complexity of the drug development process. “From my research, I have gained an appreciation for all that drug discovery entails,” Nott continued. “I recognize that what I have learned from my research will translate to my endeavors in medical school and beyond. I look forward to applying what I have learned from my research as a future medical student. Despite the time-consuming nature of her academic pursuits – as well as serving as student director for a nonprofit organization serving those experiencing homelessness – Nott does find time for other activities. “I value spending time with my friends, family and significant other,” she said. “Outside of academics, I love to play soccer, listen to music and read books. She’s now on her way to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA as part of the MD Class of 2024. “I want to be a physician involved in advocacy and health policy efforts, specifically for low-income/underserved and vulnerable communities,” Nott said.

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

JWV Post 619 doesn’t let pandemic stop its aid BY GEORGE STAHL Guest Writer

In line with social distancing and other common-sense guidelines concerning the struggle with COVID-19, the Sun Lakes Jewish War Veterans Post 619 has suspended monthly meetings at the Sun Lakes Country Club’s Mirror room until fall. Despite not being able to gather as a group to help the area’s veterans, Post 619 has not been lying dormant. Proof of this came from Joan Sisco, founder and CEO of Phoenix-based Veterans First Ltd. Sisco, a Marine Veteran, reached out to the JWV Post with a thank you highlighting their efforts in helping local veterans. In the following letter, Sisco expresses gratitude for the work Veterans First accomplishes with the help from JWV Post 619. Dear Members of Jewish War Veterans Post 619: “We are really busy packing up and delivering care boxes specific to the needs of the Veteran. “Most of the Veterans we are helping are between 60 and 98…male and female. Some are not in good health; diabetes is a big issue. Most live alone with no relatives. It is sad and unacceptable that they live this way. “I deliver care packages personally because I want to physically see them and have a conversation so I can assess how they are living and what they need.

Memembers of Sun Lakes Jewish War Veterans Post 619 won’t be gathering like this for monthly meetings before September out of concern over COVID-19 spread.0 (JWV Post 619)

“I recently visited a 76-year-old male vet who lives in an apartment. I got there around 3:30, and he said he had not eaten all day. He could not get me out of the doorway fast enough so he could eat some food. It was heartbreaking. “The great thing is we are blessed to be able to find and help these veterans so we can continue to assist them with food, hygiene and special items they need, i.e. diapers, pads, denture

adhesive, etc. We pack every care package specific to their needs and what they can and like to eat. One man said he liked goulash and he got it. “They are so appreciative to get these care packages. We are also assisting veterans, who have been laid off due to COVID- 19, with rent and utilities. We do have a few who need additional services, and I will be talking with the VA about how to accomplish this. “We appreciate so much your

support in caring for our veterans in this time of crisis. “It keeps them from going out to get food and other things they need which some, after meeting them, I know cannot go out themselves. “We have also been blessed with women making masks for the care packages. “Please let everyone know that their donation is helping many veterans both male and female. We appreciate you all very much.”

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Chandler teacher’s videos connect with kids BY ZACH ALVIRA Staff Writer

A Chandler teacher is connecting virtually with students through fun, interactive videos he creates alongside his sixth-grade son. Hamlet Opazo has recited the morning announcements at Leman Academy of Excellence in Mesa since it opened in 2018. But when the coronavirus pandemic shifted in-person classes to online for the remainder of the school year, Opazo wanted to find a way to interact with students in a way that would keep them engaged. “I was trying to find something I could do for our students, our scholars,” Opazo said. “I just started filming myself and it’s kind of progressed from there.” He began creating short videos with different themes. On Wednesdays, he and his son, Phoenix, generally use Legos. “I enjoy helping put together the Legos and helping with the scenery and things like that,” Phoenix said. “I think it’s very important that kids should have something to look forward to everyday and it’s nice to be able to help with that.” The themes often vary. His video has used Lego Star Wars and in one he played Indiana Jones. Recently, he took students through a virtual time machine back to the 1950s and showed them how to make a hulahoop out of PVC pipe to stay active. Each video covers a different subject, such as physical education and he

Left: Hamlet Opazo, a teacher at Leman Academy of Excellence in Mesa, ﬁlms interactive daily announcement videos with the help of his son, Phoenix, for the students at the school with different themes and a fun twist. Right: Hamlet Opazo plays a detective with his son Phoenix for one of his videos. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

routinely tells students about a historical event that happened on that specific day. Opazo typically films his videos the day before releasing them. “The videos now and when I first started are much different,” Opazo said. “When I first started, they were five minutes long and it only took about 30 minutes or so to film. But now, some take four to almost seven hours long from beginning to the point where I send them off. “I’ll have some ideas that I want to put in the videos, but I have to figure out what props to use and how many different locations I can film while being home.” Opazo began reciting morning announcements at an American school in

Kuwait, where he and his wife worked following his graduation from Grand Canyon University. He found the typical, “good morning, go to class” message lacking in motivation for the kids and so, when he began speaking over the PA system, he added his own touch. “I just wanted to do something to get our day going,” Opazo said. “It was just something like, ‘good morning, students. I hope you have a good day,’ then maybe throw in a little joke in there to hopefully get a little laugh. Sometimes they would come up and be like, ‘Hey, Mr. Hamlet, your jokes are kind of cheesy and corny.’ “But they still got a laugh out of it.”

Opazo and Anita then went on to teach in North Africa for a year before returning to the U.S. He then began working at Leman Academy while Anita taught music at their Chandler home. Opazo said it’s refreshing to continue to have an impact on the lives of his students. He often hears positive feedback from other teachers or parents and students about his videos. Many have told him his morning announcement video is something they look forward to on a daily basis and that the lessons have helped kids stay engaged. See

TEACHER on page 45

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MURAL

from page 42

selected due to how it incorporated physical elements of the surrounding area into the mural’s design, said Kim Moyers, the city’s cultural development director. “Downtown Chandler continues to add art and cultural amenities to attract and keep our residents and visitors coming back again and again,” Moyers stated. “This mural connects the downtown to the award-winning Commonwealth Canal, enriching pedestrians’ experiences and invoking conversations.” Enriquez also is one of 10 artists painting utility boxes around northern Chandler as part of a public art project supported by the city. Each artist could bring their own idea for painting a box. The boxes represent a wide variety of artistic styles ranging from abstract shapes to whimsical portraits of desert animals -- each meant to capture a different aspect of Chandler’s history and culture. Enriquez’s box, located at the

TEACHER

from page 44

Opazo said even children from out of state email him about an art technique they learned from one of his videos. The support from the Leman Academy community motivates him to continue putting a spin on morning announcements. “As teachers, or parents or even anybody who is a mentor or trying to

City officials say Enriquez's work on the wall along the Commonwealth Canal enriches pedestrians' experience as they walk along it. (Pablo Robles/Staff

Photographer)

intersection of Warner Road and Arizona Avenue, features a floral design painted around the portrait of an ostrich -- an icon of Chandler’s pioneering days when several city founders owned ostrich farms. The back of the box depicts a cactus wren perched upon a jumble of prickly pear cactus. The inclusion of Arizona’s state bird was a symbolic gesture, Enriquez said, since wrens are known for how they meticulously construct and maintain

be an influence on someone’s life, you never know what impact you will have on someone,” Opazo said. “I look back on people who have been a big influence on my life when I was younger, and I don’t know if they realize how much they meant to me. “We have a job to do as teachers, as parents and as mentors to the younger generation of giving them the best that we can to help them in whatever journey they are going through.”

their nests. “Protecting their established territory, the cactus wren serves as a reminder to collectively take care of and contribute to our city,” Enriquez explained. Enriquez’s recent projects are part of several artistic additions that have been sprucing up Chandler’s downtown. Over the last couple years, artists have painted wall murals outside Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant and along the breezeway near Saba’s Western Wear. The entire downtown region is now home to more than 30 sculptures, murals and paintings that can be spotted along the Arizona Avenue corridor. And the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped residents from enjoying this public art, since the city has been producing video tours of downtown

that can be viewed from home. Some of these projects have come to fruition thanks to downtown business owners partnering with the city to help artists bring their designs to life in various spots surrounding City Hall. Anthony Canecchia, founder of SanTan Brewing Company, said the addition of Enriquez’s mural to the restaurant’s backyard will positively enrich the environment encapsulating his business. “We feel that Downtown Chandler should be a destination for more than just food and drinks,” Canecchia said. “It should reflect our artistic community, be family friendly and offer open spaces for our amazing community to thrive. “That’s why we were happy to get involved with this project commission to beautify our neighborhood.”

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For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

It may still be some time before multiplexes reopen BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

You can legally go catch a flick at your local theater. Gov. Doug Ducey says it’s now OK. But don’t pack the kids in the car just yet or fill your purse with candy from the dollar store. Theater operators contacted by Capitol Media Services say they’re not ready to open the doors just yet, if for no other reasons than there simply isn’t anything new to throw up on the screen. But they are willing to sell you popcorn, and even bring it out to the curb for you. The Department of Health Services has issued guidelines for how the theaters should operate, covering everything from seating to butter dispensers for popcorn. These are being phrased as suggestions and recommendations, leaving a lot up to individual operators and, ultimately, to customers to see if they feel safe. As to other recreational opportunities, don’t hold your breath waiting to see the first pitch of the season. Yes, Ducey has said that games can go on, albeit without fans. So, you’ll be watching on the small screen.

Gov. Doug Ducey wants to hear the crack of bats at the Diamondbacks’ home field but much will depend on the outcome of discussions between Major League Baseball and the players union over precautions that must be in place before the multi-billion-dollar baseball season can kick off. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Here, too, however, Major League Baseball isn’t ready yet, either. The latest news show team owners looking for a start in early July – assuming some arrangement can be reached with players. At stake is some $4 billion in revenue for owners, according to published reports. And where they will play is a whole

other question. Ducey said he has been in discussions with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, though he declined to disclose what he said. But the governor did say the state “is very open-minded to hosing whatever Major League Beaseball would like.’’ And he made a pitch of sorts.

“We have the facilities that are here,’’ Ducey noted, especially with all of the Cactus League fields. “We have the hotel space that is here.’’ Ducey, however, is going to get competition from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who is doing his own outreach, especialSee

MULTIPLEXES on page 48

Salt River Fields offering drive-in movies BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

Scottsdale Airpark-based R Entertainment is promising to “adapt and overcome” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of throwing events with elbow-to-elbow crowds, R Entertainment is taking social distancing seriously and hosting drive-in movies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. “We wanted to show people that they could get out of their houses in a safe way and have fun,” said Kerry Dunne of R Entertainment. “One thing we believe is people feel safe in their cars, as opposed to a room with 5,000 people.” And it worked. All 100 spots were sold out for the first weekend’s movies, “Frozen II” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” May 1 to May 3. “The faces on these kids were priceless,” Kerry said. “Everybody was smiling and happy. People were dressed up in princess costumes. It was all worth it.” His brother, Dave Dunne, who runs Salt River Fields, said interest has blossomed for the pop-up drive-in movie experience. “We’re getting a lot of interest from people who want to do corporate buyouts for their staff or customers to come out for a night,” Dave said. “I know it’s going to start getting hot

R Entertainment even sets up a small snack area near the screen during its drive-in movies at Salt River Fields. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)

here pretty soon, but I think this might have more legs than I thought. Once the governor lifts everything off and we go back to normal, we might keep trying this for a while. “We’ve even thought about bringing it back for other times of the year, when the weather is a little nicer, like Christmas or early December/late November. We could have a Christmas Village with Santa and show some holiday movies.” The movies are shown in the Center

Field lot on the east side of the complex on an LED wall attached to a stage. Sound is piped in through the car radio. The price is $25 per carload and concessions can be added. For a list of movies, visit srfdrivein.com. “I was happily surprised with the picture quality and the sound was fantastic,” Dave said. Kerry added, “It’s really amazing to have this kind of technology to be able to do this. When technology meets

opportunity, it really works out for everybody. The experience, the sound and the picture were great. The screen was out with a major rock band all last year. It’s just been hanging around in a warehouse with the guys from Showboss. Pro Production said they had a stage. My brother runs Salt River Fields. It felt like the Hardy Boys do a festival.” Kerry said they’re working with the Diamondbacks to create a Little League night, and others have called for a first-responders’ night. The Dunnes are considering other types of events, too, such as concerts, karaoke nights and comedy shows. “There was a car concert in Denmark that went off really, really well,” Kerry said, “We’ve been discussing that. We were thinking of rolling out some really cool concerts where everyone turns on their speakers and they beam the show into the car. We can make the shows interactive with Instagram, too. We can be creative as can be. The technology allows us to do so many things. “What makes this so fun is the technology is so flexible. This has been a blessing for Salt River Fields, our partner, and us. We’re on the cutting edge of doing something positive and we keep exploring our options. It may die out the end of May and it’ll be an interesting chapter in our lives.”

ARTS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

Scorpius keeps engaging fans through video LAURA LATZKO Contributor

The COVID-19 Pandemic has a major impact on dance companies around the Valley, including Scorpius Dance Theatre. Despite the challenges it is facing, the company is bringing dance to the community—but in a different way. Since March, it has been releasing videos showing the dancers in motion in their homes. For the first video, they did 1-minute recordings of themselves dancing on and over a chair. For another video called “We Need to Dance...,” members of Scorpius performed contemporary dance routines while sweeping, vacuuming, dusting and cleaning windows or counters. Many of the dancers have been performing by themselves, although of the dancers included her children in one of the videos. Angel Castro, one of Scorpius’ dancers, recorded himself while on a mountain for the first video. He has also been assisting with video editing. Scorpius artistic director Lisa Starry has encouraged dancers to take part in the videos so that they can still keep doing what they love. “Our thoughts were let’s just try to keep making art,” Starry said. “It is seeing how they can get creative with these different assignments and seeing how they can connect.” Her company is a close-knit family. She said members of the company have missed dancing and spending time with each other. “That’s the hardest thing is we’re not in the studio together working. There are also so many parts besides just rehearsing. We are all friends. We support each other. We talk. We got out to eat after rehearsals,” Starry said.

MULTIPLEXES

Starry hopes that the videos with bring some positivity during a difficult time. “I felt like right away in the beginning, there was very negative and scared energy going around. I just wanted to try to bring people’s spirits up,” Starry said. She said audiences have responded favorably to the videos and Starry’s content on her Vimeo channel. “I was able to share some videos that we did that people haven’t seen in a while,” Starry said. Scorpius’ season ended abruptly when major gatherings, including dance concerts, were canceled due to the coronavirus. That includes its 20th anniversary showcase set for April. If the stay-at-home order is lifted, Scorpius dancers will begin rehearsals for “A Vampire Tale,” the troupe’s annual Halloween show, in July. During its downtime, Scorpius has been fundraising through its Facebook page and website, collecting more than $3,000. Starry said that community support has been important because of the uncertainty the dancers and the studio are facing. “I think the part that is the most stressful for me is a lot of my dancers are young artists, and they work in the dance studio or at a coffee shop,” Starry said. “None of them have jobs now. They are stressing out, and we don’t know if we will have a season next year because everything is on hold right now. My studio had to close. We don’t have the income for that. We are doing a fundraiser to just pay the bills for the next couple of months and help the dancers out, too.” scorpiusdance.com, facebook.com/ scorpiusdance.

Scorpius dancer Angel Castro has been recording himself in performances as theaters and other venues remain dark. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

from page 47

ly after California Gov. Gavin Newsom have balked at the idea of large gatherings where the virus could spread. “If you have a team in an area where they just won’t let them operate, we’ll find a place for you in the state of Florida,’’ he said. Florida also has the advantage of Grapefruit League fields, though they are more far-flung than those in Arizona which all are concentrated in the Phoenix area. But then there’s the question of playing outdoors in the summer heat, as only Bank One Ballpark has a roof. More immediate recreational relief for Arizonans – and air-conditioned at that – is likely to come at one of the state’s movie houses. But not just yet. “Although we’re are not planning to reopen our theaters now, we are anxious for the day we can safely and responsibly welcome guests back into our theaters to watch movies on the big screen, where they are meant to be seen,’’ reads a statement from Harkins Theatres. The company says it is working with public health officials and industry partners to finalize a reopening plan and

Harkins at Chandler Fashion Center will remain extra dark and moviegoers likely won’t be able to go there until big blockbusters start rolling out in July. (File photo)

safety protocols. But, for the moment, all that is academic. “Another necessary criteria is a reliable and continuous slate of great new theatrical films,’’ the company said, saying it is waiting for the planned release of anticipated summer blockbusters like “Wonder Woman 1984’’ and “Mulan.’’ Potentially the first up could be “Tenet,’’ the latest film from “Inception’’

director Christopher Nolan scheduled for release on July 17. Still, the company said it will probably open its doors “a couple of weeks’’ ahead of new Hollywood offerings, whether with previously released or specialty films. AMC, the other big player in Arizona, did not immediately return calls seeking a schedule. The company is not listing any showtimes for the immediate future.

Arizonans anxious to sit in the dark may have some options soon. That still leaves the health department’s protocols which are mere recommendations. For example, it says that operators should “consider spacing out seating for those who are not in the same party to at least six feet apart.’’ And even that has some wiggle room, saying that should occur “when possible.’’ It also suggests that theaters “consider limiting seating to alternate rows.’’ That’s apparently by design. “We want to provide as much flexibility as possible,’’ Ducey told business owners two weeks ago. Other suggestions include: operating with reduced capacity and limiting areas where customers and employees and congregate; wiping all counters and hard surfaces between uses or customers; arranging concession areas and break rooms to provide for appropriate physical distancing; providing employees with masks and have them wear them “when possible.’’ As for popcorn and flavored salts, the protocols suggest scrapping those common-use dispensers and having single-use servings.”

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

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We need faith in our ability to overcome adversity BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. Staff Writer

Look around our community. There you will find people who may appear different, but in reality, they are not because each of them is distinctive in his or her own way. Some may speak with an accent that makes it hard to understand and some wear clothing that seems bizarre. The truth is that while we may have different customs and traditions from the various areas of the country that was our home, we are all people who are now enjoying the fruits of our labors in an environment that gives us comfort and joy. This is Sun Lakes. If we drive up and down Riggs Road, we will see edifices that have been erected for the purpose of gathering to offer thanksgiving to the One who gave

us life and helped us find this haven in the desert. There are churches and a synagogue dedicated to the betterment of our society through our involvement in the many activities that offer connection. If I were starting this community, I would have named this part of Riggs Road, “Brotherhood Way.” Over the years we have witnessed an outpouring of brotherhood and feelings of solidarity. While we may have different approaches to our understanding of God and how it is expressed, the one thing we all understand is that the path is not the important aspect of our connection to one another. The important part of our relationship deals with the destination. The destination is the same for all of us: joining in acknowledging our obligation to honor the concept of Love and Faith and Harmony. How best to reach this destination?

Joining our houses of worship so that we will always feel the inspiration of God who is there to receive us and listen to our prayers. As we enter our respective houses of worship we immediately are reminded of history, and tradition, and faith. There is an unexplainable chill that runs through our veins because we feel a sense of reverence and peace. Generations past have felt the very same thing, but I wonder if the generation that follows will also receive this feeling of love. Now, more than ever, we have been reminded that while our houses of worship stand in all their grandeur, we could not enter for fear of a terrible scourge that may cause us all pain and sorrow. Now, more than ever, we have to realize that not being able to express ourselves in various rituals and traditions gave us a feeling of emptiness. We were like lost sheep looking for

the shepherd to guide us and steer us ever closer to God. Now, more than ever, we need to reinforce our desire to ensure that these facilities remain available for all to enter and marvel at the symbols erected to remind us that we are not alone in trying to find meaning and purpose in our lives. Now, more than ever, we need to continue to strive for human decency. Now, more than ever, we must remember that having faith includes faith in ourselves. We have the ability to overcome adversity in partnership with God. When the call goes out to support these havens of relief and fulfillment, we must answer with all that we are able. This is our obligation because most of all, these places of reverence teach us the most important lesson of all: That each of us has value. Rabbi Irwin Wiener is the spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish ongregation.

John Wesley’s writings can help in these times BY MARVIN ARNPRIESTER Guest Writer

We are living in the most interesting of times, aren’t we? Voices seem to grow more and more strident. Tensions escalate pain and frustration, which highlight differences in understanding and perspective. This gives way to anger, hostility and accusations. It happens in homes, in churches, in government and in society at large. It sometimes evolves into violence which tears apart and destroys individuals, relationships, families and organizations. Two quotations from John Wesley, continue to ruminate in my mind,

challenging me and my behaviors. I believe they can help us in the times in which we live. In a sermon on Religious Bigotry and a Catholic Spirit he said, “But although a difference in opinions or modes of worship may prevent an entire external union, yet need it prevent our union in affection? Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences. These remaining as they are, they may forward one another in love and in good works.” In another sermon he said, “If your heart is as my heart, then give me your hand.”

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change them to conform to my beliefs and standards. May God grant us all to be agents and examples of peace and goodwill to each other. Rev. Marvin Arnpriester is senior pastor of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 24, 2020

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