Santan Sun News - Saptember 1, 2018

September 1–14, 2018 | www.SanTanSun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler and our neighboring communities

With no final results, 1 Chandler Council race still close

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

Chandler voters appear to have returned two incumbents to City Council while a former member and a hopeful who lost a bid two years ago appear to be in a nipand-tuck battle for the third seat.

A resolution of Tuesday’s races by six candidates for three council seats was stymied by a slow count by the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, pushing final unofficial results passed the SanTan Sun News’ deadline.

But by Thursday morning, unofficial and incomplete results indicated that Vice Mayor Rene Lopez and Councilman Terry Roe won new four-year terms and Matt Eberle and Matt Orlando were battling it out for the third.

Meanwhile, with all votes counted by the Arizona Secretary of State in statewide and legislative races, fall

Terry Roe

Matt Eberle

campaigns have been set in the two legislative districts that cover Chandler.

In LD17, former Councilwoman Nora Ellen and incumbent Rep. Jeff Weninger, another former Chandler Council member, secured the Republican nominations for State House, leaving Julie Willoughby out in the cold. Ellen is seeking a seat vacated by her termed-out son, J.D. Mesnard, who had no Republican primary opposition in the LD17 Senate

Matt Orlando

Rene Lopez

race.

The House Speaker will face off against Steve Weichert to fill the vacancy created by retiring Sen. Steve Yarbrough.

Ellen and Weninger will be vying for two seats with Democrat Jennifer Pawlik.

In LD18, Republicans nominated incumbent Ahwatukee Rep. Jill Norgaard and Tempe lawyer Greg Patterson, who is seeking a return to the House, where he served two terms in the 1990s. They

Hunger a problem for EV families

defeated Chandler businesswoman Farhana Shifa and retired Tempe programmer Don Hawkins.

In the Democratic primary for House in LD18, Chandler management consultant Jennifer Jermaine and incumbent Rep. Denise “Mitzi” Epstein of Tempe bested Chandler executive baker LaDawn Stuben.

In the LD18 Senate race, neither party had a primary contest, setting up for a rematch of the 2016 battle between incumbent Ahwatukee Democrat Sen. Sean Bowie and Tempe commercial airline pilot Frank Schmuck.

Eberle on Thursday morning told supporters he appeared to be “within one-third of one percent” of overtaking Orlando as the third highest vote getter.

“With thousands of ballots to still be counted, we believe that our incredible ground game, hard-working volunteers, See

ELECT on page 4

Third of CUSD pupils failed test

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A few years ago, Derrick Bunting worked a minimum-wage job and at one point two jobs, to keep a roof overhead and food on the table for himself and his three growing children.

Often, Bunting, 41, fell short on the food.

“By the time the bills were paid, we didn’t have any money for food,” the single-dad said. “I went like three to four months with it really bad. When I say bad, I mean no food in the refrigerator, no food in my cabinets.”

His mother would help out when she could, but often Bunting would go hungry so his kids could eat.

“It affected their grades, their sleeping habits,” he said. “My kids couldn’t hardly go to bed, and focus when their tummies were growling.”

Arizona ranked 12th worse in the

More than a third of all Chandler Unified School District students who took the AzMERIT statewide test for English Language Arts and math last school year failed.

Yet, the total percentage of students passing in the Chandler district was higher than the statewide percentage as well as higher than the district’s passing percentage in 2016-17.

AzMERIT is an annual statewide test measuring how students are performing in English language arts and math. While passing is not a graduation requirement, the test results weigh heavily in the state Education Department’s grading of a school’s achievement rate, which is reflected in letter grades annually.

Chandler’s results in 2017-18 also showed noticeable improvements among individual grade levels and specific

See

HUNGER on page 14

Photos by Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

Belting out for love

Rex Van Dine and his STEREO REX band rehearse in a Chandler man cave and sing in area venues. As lead singer, he has two reasons for being in the band: he loves singing but he also finds it helps him cope with the loss of his 23-year-old daughter Tawni. For a look at the band, see page 42.

F E AT U R E STO R I E S

72SOLD.COM

Area medical center leads skin cancer fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Community . . . . Page 16 Chandler business aims to make job search easier . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . Page 26 Concussion fears impact high school football recruiting . . . .SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . Page 31 Mexican artists featured at Chandler Center for the Arts . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 54 Madeleline’s Bakery offers Chandler French delights . . . . . . .EAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 68

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

See

MERIT on page 10

More Community . . . . .01-25 Business . . . . . . . 26-30 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 31-32 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Neighbors. . . . . . .42-53 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .54-61 Faith. . . . . . . . . . . 62-63 Directory . . . . . . 64-65 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . .66 Where to Eat . . . 68-70

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

3

Manhole upgrades will cost city nearly $1M

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

The City of Chandler is spending nearly $1 million to rehabilitate 56 manholes with the goal of making them stronger and extending their lives.

The City Council last month approved a contract with Felix Construction Company for up to $919,000 to provide structural inserts and adjustment rings, as well as making bench repairs and replacing their covers.

While the price tag may seem high, a city official said it’s a small investment, considering the city has about 19,000 sewer manholes.

“That’s a lot we have to take care of,” said Gina Ishida-Raybourn, city utilities engineering manager. “We have mostly a gravity sewer system, which is one of the most economical types of sewer systems in the industry. The 56 is a fraction of what we’re responsible for maintaining.

“In the Valley I have not heard of any sewer manhole actually collapsing but no one wants to be that first one. We want

Credit

Manholes aren’t cheap. To repair and upgrade 56 of them on city streets, Chandler offi cials will be spending close to $1 million. The work will enable the city to comply with strict county and state regulations.

to be responsible and think ahead for these,” Ishida-Raybourn added.

Ishida-Raybourn said the manholes give the city access to “maintain the sewer pipes.” Cockroaches and other vermin get attracted to sewer systems and damage them.

“We don’t want those populations

running out of control,” Ishida-Raybourn said. “Wastewater could back up into homes and businesses. We’re not in that danger but we don’t want to be.”

Rather than asking for bids from various companies that wanted to do the manhole upgrades, the city chose Felix Construction Company because the business had

worked with the city previously.

“We got together with them and negotiated out the price,” Ishida-Raybourn said. “We know the quality of work we’re gonna get. We know these contractors and they’re also more open; they want to keep a good relationship with the city. They’re more flexible.”

Felix Construction Company has offices in Surprise and Coolidge, as well as in New Mexico and Texas.

Dibble Engineering, which has several offices in Arizona and one in Denver, is overseeing the manhole project at a cost to the city not to exceed $131,330.

“Utility projects can be quite expensive and it’s because there’s a lot of other requirements as far as county and state agencies that we have to be in compliance with,” Ishida-Raybourn said. “There are very rigid standards that we have to uphold.”

She said the estimated life of a rehabilitated manhole is 25 to 40 years.

Ishida-Raybourn said no roads will be closed while the manholes are renovated but traffic may be restricted.

For example, a two-lane road might be down to just one lane for drivers during non-peak traffic hours.

The manholes that will be refurbished are on Chandler Heights Road between Arizona Avenue and McQueen Road, as well as on Queen Creek Road between McQueen and Gilbert roads and on Warner Road from around Dobson Road to just east of Arizona Avenue.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

ELECT

from page 1

advertising in every local publication, a large and strong mail campaign, social media messaging to all of Chandler, and team work with current council members seeking re-election has made a marked difference. Given the huge odds of defeating such an entrenched politician, we are clearly in position for an ideal outcome at this stage of the race,” Eberle wrote in an email.

But Orlando, who has served two separate eight-year terms on Council, still appeared to have won his bid for a threepeat.

Plagued by Election Day snafus that kept some voters outside Chandler from voting, the County Recorder has not been reporting the number of ballots still to be counted.

However, its most recent update showed Lopez and Roe virtually tied with each garnering 20 percent of the vote, and Orlando and Eberle each with 18 percent, according to unofficial and incomplete results. William Crawford pulled 14 percent and Aaron Harris 10 percent, according to those results.

Crawford in a statement said, “While we await the final outcome, we are prepared for either outcome.”

“I am thankful to the all of those who cast their vote for me, volunteered on my campaign, and to those who I met along the campaign trail. It has been my greatest honor to stand for election to serve the people of the City of Chandler,”

William Crawford

Kevin Hartke He had clear sailing to become mayor-elect and was the top local vote getter.

With his hopes of winning dwindling, he says he enjoyed his fi rst foray into politics.

Crawford added, declaring: “This is my first political campaign and it was been an amazing experience. Whatever the outcome, my wife, Diana and I remain committed to Chandler and fighting for those issues and ideals we discussed during the campaign. We will remain engaged and help build a Chandler where every family and business can grow and prosper.”

The Chandler City Clerk was hoping final unofficial results would be announced Friday. (Go to eastvalleytribune.com for the latest information.)

Amid continuing uncertainty because

of a slow tally of Tuesday’s votes, the outcome of one election is a certainty: Chandler will have a new mayor in January.

Pastor and former Councilman Kevin Hartke had no opposition in his bid to replace termed-out Jay Tibshraeny and his tally far outdistanced total votes for any single council candidate and almost matched the combined total votes cast for Lopez and Roe, according to unofficial and incomplete results.

Hartke at press time had garnered over 26,000 votes.

Orlando in an email told supporters, “I

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

am extremely confident of a win.”

“We held a 300 plus vote lead throughout the evening,” he said. “The early ballots (mailed) and the poll votes were uncannily identical in percentages for the candidates...I haven’t seen those two data points track so closely. I am assuming the Vote by Mail ballots that were turned in at the polls will match the percentages we witnessed.”

Asked if he had ever seen such a slow ballot count, Orlando said he recalled only the first time Chandler went into a consolidated election cycle at the beginning of this century.

“We waited for days to determine if anyone had a 50-percent-plus-1 vote count to determine a winner,” Orlando recalled. “The outcome was I missed winning in the primary by a handful of votes. So, all six of the original candidates were forced into the general election.

Later the legislature changed the formula to determine a winner.”

In the legislative races, the state Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee released a statement identifying both Chandler districts as among five districts “targeted” for flipping to Democrats.

The Arizona chapter of the National Organization of Women simultaneously named Pawlik one of four legislative candidates in the state that it was endorsing.

“Jennifer Pawlik is an elementary teacher with a masters in education and expertise in curriculum development.

She is just what is needed for our perennially troubled education system,” NOW said in a release.

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Happy Holidays from all of us!!!

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6

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

Dems in Arizona gaining more registered voters than GOP

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

It may not be the signs of a “blue wave,” but a new report from the Secretary of State’s Office suggests that Arizona Democrats appear to be more energized this year than Republicans.

And that may translate to victories in races that in any other year they could not win.

The latest figures show that for every person who registered with the GOP since March, the Democrats registered more than three.

That doesn’t endanger the lead that Republicans have in Arizona. They still make up nearly 35 percent of registered voters, versus less than 31 percent for Democrats.

And independents – those not affiliated with any of the four recognized parties – still make up about a third, though their share of the total is dropping.

The surge in Democrat registration in Arizona comes as recent national elections have shown that races in what should be safe Republican districts have proven closer than expected, as some party faithful stay home amid the controversy over President Trump.

That doesn’t mean they’ll vote for a Democrat. But if they sit out the race in November, it negates the party’s voter registration edge.

Arizona already has a real-live example of this.

In April, Republican Debbie Lesko managed to defeat Democrat Hiral Tipirneni in a special election to fill the congressional seat in northwest Maricopa County that became vacant after the resignation of fellow Republican Steve Montenegro.

But Lesko, a state senator who represented the area for years, managed to pick up just 52.1 percent of the votes cast.

That is significant since the Republicans far outnumber Democrats in the district by a margin of close to two-to-one. And that’s a district that went for Trump two years earlier by more than 20 points.

The push to register Democrats is no more pronounced than in the 2nd congressional district, running from midtown Tucson to the state border south and east.

There, Democrats boosted their numbers between March and now by 2,887.

And Republicans? Just 11.

Ayshia Connors, spokeswoman for the

Special to the San Tan Sun News

The surge in Democratic registrations in Arizona still might not be big enough to overtake Republicans, who have held a registration advantage for years.

state Republican Party, said that disparity is not surprising.

“They have a lot of catching up to do,’’ she said of the Democrats.

In fact, though, they’ve more than caught up in CD 2 and now have a 3,500 registration edge.

But Connors said the party is not worried, what with still having 150,000 more registered adherents statewide than the Democrats.

“We have a very strong ground game,’’ she said.

“Our momentum is strong, our team is strong,’’ Connors continued. “So, we’re very confident we’re going to have success in November.

But not everyone in the GOP reads the new data the same way.

“I think the latest partisan registration numbers are yet the most recent tangible evidence that the energy of the 2018 election is on the center-left of the political spectrum,’’ said Republican consultant Stan Barnes.

Barnes said he has never seen such energy among that group in his 30 years as a Republican.

That’s a really significant concession,

given that Barnes, a former state lawmaker, was around when Democrat Janet Napolitano got elected governor in 2002 despite the fact that the GOP had 125,000 more registered voters in the state.

“If the environment is better today, and the Democrats won the governorship when it was less good, what does that mean for Republicans in the 2018 general election?’’ Barnes said.

“That’s got Republicans awake at night.’’

Barnes said he still thinks his party can hold its own with “quality candidates.’’ And he said the GOP has built-in advantages, including a large number of incumbents and the fact that the money tends to flow in their direction.

“But Democrats have been so beat down, so long, for what seems like forever in the minority position politically that any blue sky, any oxygen excites them,’’ he said. And that, said Barnes, could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“That confidence has led to better candidates and more candidates and more money than anybody running has seen Democrats have before,’’ Barnes said.

@ Onlinee.c s U om d n i F e f f o c h s sagebru

“And that must translate to victories that would not have been there before save for that optimism.’’

Chuck Couglin, who does consulting for Republicans, said he expects that energized Democrat base will increase voter participation. And that, he said, should translate into at least one, if not more, victories in statewide races, offices now currently occupied entirely by Republicans.

One place the Republicans do not have the benefit of incumbency is CD 2, won in 2014 by Martha McSally, who took the seat away from Democrat Ron Barber.

That year, Republicans had a voter registration edge of about 3,500.

Now, the tables are turned, with the Democrats up by that same margin and McSally in the hunt for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Jeff Flake.

Coughlin said he doubts the Republicans will be able to hang on to that congressional seat.

The other open seat is in CD 9, which encompasses parts of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.

Republicans had thought it was a swing district when it was first created for the 2012 election, with GOP registration at the time outnumbering Democrats by more than 10,000. Despite that, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema parlayed her time as a state legislator into a seat in Congress.

Sinema now hopes to become the Democrat nominee for Flake’s seat. That has Republicans thinking that perhaps this is the year they can win CD 9.

Coughlin disagrees. And the numbers are not in the GOP’s favor, with the 10,000 registration edge the party had in 2012 having evaporated into a 13,000 registration deficit.

In CD 1, the picture is a bit different.

Democrat Tom O’Halleran is hoping to hang onto the seat he won two years ago after incumbent Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick made an ill-fated run to oust U.S. Sen. John McCain. Steve Smith, Wendy Rogers and Tiffany Shedd are all vying to be the GOP nominee.

The number of Republican voters in the sprawling district that stretches from the state’s northern border to its eastern edge and down into suburban Tucson is virtually the same now as it was two years ago.

But while Democrats still outnumber Republicans in the district, their margin has shrunk by about 7,000 from 2016.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

9

New facilities relieve crowding at 4,100-student Hamilton High

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Students and faculty at Hamilton High were greeted by new facilities for the 2018-19 school year, including an academic building and athletics field house.

“We began programming the new building during the spring of 2017,” said Terry Locke, Chandler Unified School District director of community relations.

The $6.8 million project was completed this June. It was approved by the district Governing Board in August, 2017. Funding came from a $192 million bond that passed in November, 2015, for capital projects.

With a final cost of just over $2.3 million, the new field house gives the school’s athletic teams additional space.

“The facilities here at Hamilton are pretty top notch,” Hamilton athletic director Brett Palmer said. “The support and financial funding we receive from our district and community is tremendous and we appreciate everything.”

Palmer was hired as Hamilton athletic director in May, replacing Shawn Rustad after he was reassigned in September, 2017, amid sexual-abuse allegations in player hazing within the football program.

Palmer spent the past four years as athletic director at Centennial High in Peoria, which has one of the state’s top football programs.

For Palmer, the position at Hamilton was hard to overlook.

“I’m an East Valley guy born and raised from Tempe. I had an awesome experience at Centennial and worked with some great people,” Palmer said. “But a job like this

Soccer Academy.

“We are fortunate to have those type of resources and to have a space that we take some ownership in and call our own,” said Dave Belfort, head coach of the Hamilton Soccer Academy.

“Obviously having a weight room is great to develop the physical aspect of the game and Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer transform our Hamilton High athletic director Brett Palmer stands in the 9,585 squareathletes.” foot weight room that is part of the new $2.3 million field house that The soccer gives the school’s athletic teams additional space. academy runs doesn’t come open often.

Monday through “To be a part of this district and the Friday during first and second periods. support you receive -- not to mention Designed for the school’s soccer teams, Hamilton is well known for premier it uses a combination of weight training, athletics across the board -- it was an drills and live action to keep players opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” active during the off season.

Palmer now oversees all of Hamilton’s “We really try to monitor the physical athletic facilities, including the new field aspect, but still be developing players house that has a 9,585 square-foot weight on and off the field, and to be students room. of the game. It’s definitely beneficial,” The weight room has had constant Belfort said. “One of the things I tell use since its opening, mostly by the parents is that with Hamilton being such football team and boys’ and girls’ soccer a large school it allows players to gain an academies in the morning. The new locker identity and socialize with each other.” rooms for the varsity and junior varsity Along with the field house came a $4.5 football teams has opened up the old million addition to the N Building, adding a field house, just steps away from the new wing and second level. The 27,530-squareone, for the soccer teams and Hamilton’s foot addition brought 20 new classrooms

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and offices for administrators.

The building now is the hub for all freshman classes.

“High school can be tough, and when you throw freshmen into a large campus like this and have them go across the school, each class can be tough,” Palmer said. “Just the consistency they have with everything in that building is huge for their success as they start to branch out in their high school career.”

With 4,100 students at Hamilton, space for academics was an issue. Now all freshmen are in the same building throughout the day, allowing them to socialize among peers while not having to navigate across campus.

Hamilton continues to see an enrollment growth, even with newer schools nearby. Locke traces that growth to Hamilton’s history in academics.

“Hamilton has a well-earned reputation for achievement in academics, arts and athletics,” Locke said. “The 2018 graduating class earned $36,294,225 in college scholarship offers, 9,642 hours of college credit through AP and Dual Credit classes and performed 25,057 hours of service learning.”

Hamilton also had 22 National Merit Scholarship winners last year, the most of all public schools in the state.

The additions have been well-received by students and faculty. They have improved space issues in the main building.

“It’s been a huge asset and it’s helped alleviate some of the other areas in terms of capacity,” Palmer said. “We are very lucky, fortunate and grateful for what we have.

We want to utilize it to the fullest.”

10

COMMUNITY NEWS

MERIT

In CUSD, Strom noted that particular schools and grade levels have shown significant growth over the years in AzMERIT scores.

He said Chandler Traditional Academy – Freedom Campus showed 67 percent of students in all grade levels and all subjects tested in spring of 2015 were proficient or passed while 76.8 percent of those tested last spring were proficient or passed.

Weinberg Elementary School also showed some big improvements in recent years. Of all their students, 56.2 percent passed in 2015 compared to 65.3 percent who passed in spring of 2018, Strom said.

In the English Language Arts section of AzMERIT, of all 11th graders in the district who were tested, 45 percent passed in 2017-18 – up from 42 percent who passed

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

adopted a menu of locally procured achievement tests for high school students to measure their performance.

School districts will be able to choose the exam they want for high school students rather than administer a statewide test.

Of all students in the Chandler school district who took the AzMerit geometry test school year, 57 percent passed – a 2 percent improvement over 2016-17.

CUSD scores on AzMERIT varied considerably among different ethnic groups.

Of all Asian students who took the English part last school year, 75 percent passed. Of all white students, 64 percent passed. Hispanic/Latino students recorded a 39 percent passing rate while

better and close achievement gaps,” Strom continued, stating the district is from page 1 taking “a deep dive in achievement gaps, opportunity gaps and discipline gaps.” schools in the district.

As part of those efforts, the Chandler In the 2017-18 school year, 56 percent district hired Adama Sallu as director of of all CUSD students passed the test’s equity and inclusion in the district.

English language arts portion and 58 Sallu said her mission is to meet percent passed math, according to the the district governing board and Arizona Department of Education.

Superintendent Camille Casteel’s goal of Those percentages were higher than ensuring “all children coming to Chandler the results in 2016-17, when 54 percent schools have access to an equitable passed the English part and 55 percent and inclusive learning environment passed math. where they’re valued and excellence is Across Arizona, 41 percent of all demanded.” students passed English last school year “As a result of the data work while 41 percent passed math. accomplished last year, we have brought Students who score “minimally Dr. Sallu, our Director of Equity, into the proficient” and “partially proficient” are district to work with schools and teachers considered having failed the test, while to improve culturally relevant those who score “proficient” teaching practices,” Strom said, and “highly proficient” are adding: deemed passing or “proficient.”

“Our goal is that with the “When looking at all efforts of our teachers, exams administered we had the mindfulness of our an increase in proficiency administrators and the work of of almost 3 percent,” said Dr. Sallu we will see progress Matt Strom, CUSD assistant in our achievement gaps in the superintendent, comparing next testing cycle.”

2017-18 results to the previous Amber Hutchinson, an year.

African American mother of He said that in the past three girls in the Chandler four years that the test has school district and Black been administered, “we have Mothers Forum, East Valley increased our proficiency by a President, also expressed little more than 5 percent. concerns about the “Our mission is to discrepancies in test scores develop students to have the Special to SanTan Sun News among students of different knowledge, skills and attitude AzMerit tests help teachers assess the progress of students in math and English Language Arts and enable administrators ethnicities but she is hopeful for to be successful learners in to track the effectiveness of teachers. While not a requirement for graduation the test scores overall impact the letter improvement. life,” Strom said. “Our goal is to grade each public school district in Arizona receives from the state Department of Education.

“Earlier this year, Black continue to improve each year Mothers Forum, concerned in this mission for each student. parents and community “AzMERIT is one of several members requested education indicators we use to measure whether in the 2016-17 school year.

38 percent of African Americans passed. and disciplinary data from the district,” we are meeting our mission and we will As for those students’ scores, Strom The Chandler school district is trying Hutchinson said. continue to look for opportunities to said “information can be sliced in several to erase the differences between test “Through the honest and transparent improve our practices so that students scores among students of different reporting of Dr. Strom, we learned CUSD improve their performance on this exam,” different ways.”

“We do look for areas of opportunity ethnicity. is overall doing some excellent work for he added. as we disaggregate the data,” he said, Strom said there has been some their students,” she added, stressing: Arizona public school students in adding the district is “looking for improvement in test scores among some “However, there’s more work to be grades 3 through 12 take AzMERIT exams. opportunities of growth as we move to minority groups from the 2016-17 school done to ensure all children are properly “Although most know that I think the menu of assessments approved by the year. serviced and set up for success; particularly the AzMERIT test has a long way to go state Board of Education.”

“Our profi ciency rates in each of these African American, Hispanic, and special to become the most effective tool of Next spring, all CUSD high school race/ethnicity categories improved over needs students. The 2017-18 AZ Merit test student assessment in our state, I am juniors will be taking the ACT exam while the prior year,” Strom said. “Hispanic scores align with Dr. Strom’s reporting; pleased to announce that our students elementary and middle school students students had an increase in overall white children are excelling while their have improved in 26 of the 30 gradewill continue to take the AzMERIT exam. profi ciency of 2.5 percent.

Africancounterparts struggle. There’s hope!” level and test categories,” Arizona “Next year our high school exam will American students had an increase in She also said she was “confident” that Superintendent of Public Instruction be the ACT for all juniors and we expect proficiency of 2.5 percent. Asian and with Sallu “we will begin to see CUSD Diane Douglas said. that our college readiness scores on this Caucasian students had a 3 percent and student AZ Merit scores and education “While we still have much work to do, exam will be signifi cantly higher in English 2.5 percent increase, respectively. improve.”

I congratulate all of our educators and and reading,” Strom said.

“While the data shows improvement, Information: azed.gov/2018/08/16/ students for widespread gains across the The Arizona State Board of Education we know we still have room to get azmerit. board,” she added.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

11

Kyrene board member wants a new superintendent

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

A freshman Tempe member of the Kyrene Governing Board found herself out on a limb two weeks ago when she openly criticized Superintendent Jan Vesely, voted against extending her contract and said the district needs a new executive leader at the helm.

Her four colleagues couldn’t disagree more.

Michelle Fahy’s stunning speech at the board meeting last week drew immediate rebukes from her four colleagues. But it also may have made Vesely an election issue just two years into her tenure at the district – about six months longer than Fahy has been on the board.

“I believe that the district needs a superintendent who will come to the table and work with all board members equally, be willing to engage in healthy discussions – which may lead to differences of opinion, may have disagreements, or hopefully lots of agreements as well, but certainly different points of view,” Fahy said, adding: “I think we need someone who is willing to answer questions of all board members, not just whenever all the other board members have a question, but (when) any board member has a question, because I think that’s why there are five of us, so that we can all ask questions. I think that the lack of communication and the opportunity to meet as a board member is troublesome to me.”

Fahy went on to say that she had a

Special to the San Tan Sun News

Left: Superintendent Jan Vesely has been at the helm of the Kyrene School District since the start of the 2016-17 school year. Right: Michelle Fahy, a Tempe resident and an employee at Tempe Union’s central offi ce, was elected to the Kyrene board in 2016.

series of emails over a six-week time period requesting a meeting with Vesely that failed to get action.

“My concern is not about me, but this is indicative of a bigger communication issue that we have in Kyrene,” she continued.

“I care deeply about Kyrene. I taught here for 19 years, and Kyrene is about its students and its staff and its community.

And I believe that Kyrene deserves the superintendent who will look at all the

issues, both positive and negative.”

Addressing Vesely directly, Fahy said, “We have come a long way as a district, Dr. Vesely. There are lots of positive things that you have done, and I do not discount that in any way.”

Claiming “we are not a business,” however, Fahy complained that Vesely continues to “push aside or ignore repeated requests for conversation and issues,” thereby reducing Fahy’s effectiveness as a

school board member.

“I believe that Kyrene could be better served by someone who is willing to engage in the tough conversations to help address all the needs in our district,” she added.

Vesely maintains separate councils comprising different segments of the district that she meets with regularly. They include one for parents, one for community members, another for students from all 25 Kyrene schools, one for business owners and one for teachers.

Fahy’s remarks drew an immediate rebuke from Michael Myrick, who was elected in 2016, the same year Fahy was.

“I couldn’t think of a better superintendent I’d rather have for the district,” Myrick said. “And Dr. Vesely, I think she’s done a great job. I think she meets with anyone and everyone. Every time I’ve asked her for a meeting, I have always had it, always been able to meet with her.”

“You’re wrong,” Myrick told Fahy. “The district is a business. We’re in the business of raising children and teaching children.

There happens to be a financial component to that, but we are a business. We have a bond rating, we have a credit rating, we have people that we employ. We are in the business of educating children.”

Myrick also took notice of a few people in the audience who criticized the district administration earlier in the meeting.

“It’s amazing to me that we have a hiring fair and there’s 200 people for 10 openings,” See

KYRENE on page 24

FitLife Med Spa helps patients look and feel their best!

By Sherry Jackson After helping his sister, Suzie (Kensington) Hessman lose 52 pounds, Robert Lundell, D.O.,and Hessman decided to team up to help other valley residents lose weight and change their lives by opening FitLife Med Spa in Chandler.

The brother/sister team opened their south Chandler location after identifying a need for a med spa in the area. Lundell has more than 10 years experience as a family physician and Hessman brings her business acumen and marketing experience as a Realtor to the business. Both are passionate about helping patients improve their lives through weight loss, hormone therapy and other services.

“I think of myself as our perfect patient because I need and/or have had all of our services myself,” said Hessman. Not only did she recently go through FitLife’s Fast Start Medical Weight Loss Program and lost 52 pounds, but she has also been using bio-identical hormone pellets for more than 13 years.

FitLife offers an extensive array of services. In addition to weight loss and hormones with Dr. Lundell, they also have a nurse practitioner, registered nurse and esthetician on staff. Chemical peels, Botox, laser hair removal, body sculpting, skin tightening, vaginal rejuvenation, microneedling and microdermabrasion are just some of the services the med spa provides.

“I don’t think there’s another med spa in this area that offers all of the services we do,” says Hessman.

“We also have the most up-to-date technology with the latest equipment.” A state-of-the-art 3D body scanner analysis gives new patients a baseline and starting point.

“We see patients come in for the weight loss therapy and as they look and feel better, they take advantage of the other services we offer,” she says.

As a family physician, Lundell says he spends most of his day treating and managing the damaging effects of diseases that many times could have been prevented with proper diet and exercise.

“It saddens and frustrates me to see the quality of life decrease in patients when it didn’t have to,” he says.

“I want to help my patients avoid problems associated with obesity and poor diet. I want to help my patients look and feel great. With the tools available to me at FitLife Med Spa I can better help my patients achieve their goals and live each day feeling great.”

Hessman is also looking forward to helping their customers look and feel their best. “I can relate to our patients. I enjoy helping people lose weight. It made such a difference in my life and helping them thru the process and see the transformation and seeing how much better they look and feel is very rewarding.”

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

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Sales volume for the first seven months of 2018 was 3.02% higher than 2017, with 58,757 sales in 2018 compared to 57,034 in 2017. We began August with 5,415 pending contracts, 3,175 UCB listings and 545 CCBS giving us a total of 9,135 residential listings practically under contract. This compares to 10,618 of the same type of listings one year ago.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

HUNGER

from page 1

country for food insecurity and sixth worse nationally for child-food insecurity, according to United Food Bank, which serves the East Valley and much of eastern Arizona. The Mesa nonprofit reported nearly 225,000 people, with more than 84,000 children are food insecure in its service area.

Widespread food insecurity explains why Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and food banks have designated September as Hunger Action Month – a time when Americas are urged to help take action on the national hunger crisis.

Food insecurity as defined by the federal government is the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.

Food insecurity is dropping in Arizona, although it is still higher than the country as a whole, according to a recent annual report from Feeding America, a nationwide nonprofit network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs.

The overall food insecurity rate in the United States in 2016 was 12.9 percent with an estimated 1 in 8 Americans short of food, equating to 42 million Americans, including 13 million children, according to Feeding America.

And, though food insecurity rates have fallen, the need among people who remain food insecure continues to rise, the group said.

In the latest available data for 2016, Arizona saw a 14.9 percent food insecurity rate – down from 15.8 percent in 2015 and 17.1 percent in 2014, according to the Map the Meal Gap study, which breaks the numbers down by county and by congressional districts.

Congressional District 5, which includes Gilbert, Queen Creek, parts of Chandler and east Mesa, also saw a drop to 13.3 percent in 2016 from 13.4 percent in 2015 and 14.8 percent in 2014.

United Food Bank CEO Dave Richins attributed the drop to an improving economy, more job prospects and to food banks.

“We are making progress on this issue,” Richins said, adding that United Food

Bank has helped make a striking impact through its programs and outreach in helping Arizonans out of poverty throughout its 19,000-square-mile service area covering five counties.

Food insecurity in those five counties ranges from a low of 13.9 percent of the population in Pinal County to 25.5 percent in Apache County. Maricopa County’s was 14.3 percent, according to the study.

United Food Bank provides food in

totaling 21,706,093 meals to hungry people.

Bunting said because of the Help Yourself Program, his kids are eating better – fresh fruits and vegetables and meat instead of the canned and processed foods like Top Ramen, beans and fish sticks.

Every Friday, Bunting buys his groceries at the food bank’s Javelina Volunteer Annex near Javelina Avenue and Mesa Drive.

“I have fresh produce,” Bunting said.

Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

A teen volunteer at United Food Bank in Mesa helps a woman stock up on some food. The food bankl serves people not only in the East Valley but in much of the eastern part of Arizona, focusing mainly on families and seniors who can’t afford to buy food.

two ways: via free, emergency food boxes, and through the Help Yourself Program, a co-op program where people on fixed or limited income buy food boxes containing 15 to 20 pounds of different meats and produce for $20. People also can pick from a variety of free items like breads, pastries, dairy and deli products.

“The Help Yourself Program is more of a complete grocery-store experience than an emergency food box, which are shelfstable foods like dry pasta, peanut butter and canned foods,” Richins said.

In fiscal year 2015-16, the food bank distributed 26,047,312 pounds of food

“All my kids are earning straight “As” because they are eating produce, they are eating what comes from the ground and not canned and processed food because your budget requires you to do it.”

He said the program helps his budget and he is able to make a car payment with ease now.

Although he is earning more money as a salesman at a Chandler car dealership, he still uses the program because his family has grown to include a fiancee who has three children.

A fair number of people who show up Fridays for United Food Bank’s program

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

are the working poor, Richins said.

Feeding America cited recent government data that found 58 percent of people at the risk of going hungry live in households that earn more than the federal poverty level such as single mom Jennifer Bottali who worked full time and was on a tight budget.

“I found myself skipping meals to stretch the dollars,” said the Gilbert mom of a daughter. “This went on for years, just making it work. It was like playing a shell game, robbing from one thing to pay another.”

She had earned too much to qualify for emergency food assistance and soon learned about the Help Yourself Program.

But it took her some time to set aside her pride and walk through the door to ask for help. The former New Yorker and her husband once earned a six-figure income until illness and divorce left her struggling.

The day Bottali went to the program, she left with more groceries than she’d had at one time in ages.

“I was so emotional,” she said. “I hadn’t seen that much food at one time in so long.”

Bottali went to Help Yourself for a short time, and then returned off and on, whenever she needed that extra budget help.

United Food Bank also helps seniors, people with disabilities and single people, Richins said.

“Both seniors and disabled folks because they can’t just get a job to make more money, we see these folks on a regular basis,” he said. “Families and individuals a lot less so. Our stats tell us three visits.”

Richins is hopeful the numbers will continue to drop but some of that will rely on the economy, he noted.

“If the economy tanks again we are dealing with people out of work,” he said. “There’s a correlation between the unemployment rate and food-insecurity rate.”

Despite Arizona’s nearly 1 percent drop in the food-insecurity rate in 2016 from the prior year, Richins isn’t claiming victory.

“We have lot of work left to do,” he said. But “we have a system in place to continue to chip away at this.”

EV students rally in the fight against hunger

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

Food drives are a major weapon in the war against hunger in the East Valley, and among the greatest contributors are area schools.

From elementary levels to high schools, students in the region have risen to the call for help in reducing food insecurity.

“Nearly 30 percent of our neighbors are struggling with hunger,” said Tyson Nansel, United Food Bank spokeswoman said.

Added Melissa Forrester, United Food Bank’s community engagement manager: “Food insecurity is when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from. It’s children in school who are hoping they’ll get something to eat when they go home.”

Both women have witnessed the ongoing generosity of East Valley communities, especially area schools, and remain optimistic that the new school year will see kind souls with open hands helping to fight hunger.

For many, it has become an annual race to win the coveted “Tin Can Trophy’ for

Special; to SanTan Sun News

Desert Ridge Junior High in Gilbert has wracked up its share of United Food Bank annual awards for its aggressive approach to drives that yield hundreds of thousands of pounds of food.

their school in United Food Bank’s Kids in Need competition.

This competition runs through March, and can be joined at any time. It can run

only a week, a month or be tied to just one event of gathering canned foods.

In the junior high/middle school division, one school is a regular winner through

student and staff efforts that have the office area entry massed with barrels overflowing with food items.

“Desert Ridge Junior High School is absolutely phenomenal,” said Forrester.

Desert Ridge, a Gilbert Public Schools facility located in Mesa, serves only seventh and eighth graders.

But its front office credenza sports more than 20 Tin Can Trophies amassed from its annual efforts since students became seriously involved in the fight against hunger during the 2001-2002 school year.

It shares the space with a green ceramic Rattler, the school mascot, while nearby hangs a wooden plaque containing the school’s annual can food drive tallies.

“I am extremely proud of our students, staff, and families for their continued efforts to support the East Valley United Food Bank,” said Principal Jean Woods, who was named Administrator of the Year in 2017 by the Arizona Association of School Psychologists.

See

HUNGER on page 24

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

COMMUNITY NEWS

15

Hazardous spills a constant threat on Arizona’s roads

BY GABRIEL SANDLER Cronkite News

In Tucson last year, a collision between a pickup truck and tractor trailer spilled nearly 4,500 gallons of gasoline, igniting the tanker and killing the passengers in the pickup.

In March 2011, it took three hours and 80,000 gallons of water to contain a fuel tanker fire on a highway shoulder near Parker. The driver survived with a broken wrist and pelvis. The fire eventually burned out on its own, and the environmental damage was contained with sand.

And in September 2007, a tractor trailer hauling 8,500 gallons of diesel fuel flipped over after striking a highway center divide near Payson. The truck burned and spilled diesel into the environment; the driver was killed.

Over the past 10 years, 2,000 accidents or incidents involving hazardous materials resulted in deaths, fires, injuries and costly cleanups across Arizona.

Cronkite News analyzed tens of thousands of incidents logged by the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center since 1990. The center keeps reports on incidents nationwide that involve hazardous materials, chemical spills, railway deaths, collisions and leaks.

In Arizona from 2007 to 2017, the 2,000 hazardous-material incidents ranged from small-scale violations, like a restaurant pouring grease into a sewer, to millions of gallons of hazardous chemicals accidentally leaking into the environment.

The possibility of hazardous spills was

one of the arguments that opponents used in their ill-fated federal court fight against the South Mountain Freeway.

Spills happen all over the state, varying in scale and severity. In the town of Bagdad in 2009, a bulldozer accidentally ruptured a pipe in a copper mine, releasing almost 2.5 million gallons of sulfuric acid into the soil.

In Gilbert in 2014, debris damaged a manhole, spilling 1 million gallons of sewage near Queen Creek.

Some of the most urgent accidents in the state can start with something as simple and small as a classroom thermometer.

“A teacher brought in an eraser-sized amount of mercury into a science class, in a jar, for whatever reason we do not know,” said Chris Nutter, the emergency resource coordinator for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s hazmat team. “We do know that the kids got a hold of the mercury and decided to play with it and open it up.

“We went up the next day, we had readings through the whole passageway, one full corridor of the school, we had to confiscate shoes from students.”

The hazmat team scanned more than 300 Show Low students and teachers and visited 10 homes to test for mercury.

Nutter and the two other members of the response team, Scot Havir and Arcangel Barragan, are responsible for responding to hazardous material incidents statewide.

“We are the hazmat team for the state, and state on-scene coordinators for hazmat spills that affect the environment,

waterways, public safety,” Nutter said, adding that they work with hazmat teams from the state transportation and public safety departments.

This includes responding to mercury incidents, analyzing wildfire and smoke, training local agencies in hazmat response and serving as a 24/7 on-call unit for all of Arizona.

This agency collaboration is called the Triad and enables Arizona to prepare for most hazardous incidents. They are on the front lines of protecting public health and the environment.

Other times, Barragan said, “Fire and fuel spills, tanker spills are the most common ones that we get calls on. Sometimes just the responding agency locally needs some guidance.”

“We’re dealing with facilities, tankers, railcars, things of that nature,” Barragan said. “Bulk amounts of industrial types of chemicals. That’s what hazmat is for, at least our run of things.”

A special focus is on rural fire departments, he said.

The incidents reported to the National Response Center are forwarded to Arizona agencies, such as AZDEQ, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and others.

Of 204 fatalities reported to the National Response Center, more than half were trespasser deaths on railways. In these cases, the Arizona Corporation Commission is responsible for prevention in the future.

“It’s an unfortunate circumstance when that happens,” said Chris Watson, the railroad safety supervisor for the commis-

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sion. “Our mission is to keep people safe in the state of Arizona around railroads.”

Watson called railway deaths a gray area: “When a trespasser fatality gets reported to us, we’re not first responders, so we don’t immediately go out there at the scene. We’ll go out later on and kind of assess the situation of where that particular incident happened.”

Anyone on the railway is categorized as a trespasser unless they use a marked crossing area, Watson said. The Corporation Commission determines what changes are necessary after an accident.

This includes examining the incident location and figuring out how to make it safer. The commission might remove foliage, add signs and bells, and coordinate with local agencies to help them improve their outreach.

“We like to go out to the communities and schools, talk with bus people, truck people and give that message of safety...

Getting the message out about trespassing – tracks are private property – is a big thing for us,” Watson said.

Both Watson’s team, the AZDEQ team and other hazmat responders have to be ready for a range of chemical and environmental challenges. Across the state, they invest as much in readiness as response.

“We’ll participate in a lot of exercises with other responders around the state, and all 15 counties. We participate in their local emergency planning committees,” Havir added. “Preparedness is a big part of response. It’s not just showing up, it’s having someone on scene that knows what they’re doing.”

16

COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

Regional medical center leads skin cancer fight

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

Sheldon Riggs said his right forearm started itching one day and continued to do so the next morning when he woke up.

He scratched and felt a sharp nerve pain shoot up his arm. Sensing something was not right, he called his doctor who told him to come for a check-up.

Riggs’ days out in the sun working on his family’s crop farm in Chandler and two summers as a lifeguard for Big Surf in Tempe caught up with the 35-year-old.

He became one of the 1,880 new melanoma cases estimated for Arizona this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Of the top 10 cancers in the state, melanoma ranks No. 6.

“I was always outdoors but I wore longsleeve shirts and do what I can,” Riggs said.

“I was lucky.”

He is now cancer-free, said Dr. Mark Gimbel of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, who excised the melanoma from Riggs’ forearm and removed a lymph node from his armpit for a biopsy to ensure the cancer hadn’t spread.

Arizona has the highest melanoma death rate in the country, according to doctors at Banner – which opened The T.W. Lewis Melanoma Center of Excellence in November for diagnosis, treatment and research.

By the end of its first full year of operation, the center will have treated 450 melanoma patients, spokesman Corey

Clinical trials give “ patients access to the most promising treatments not yet available to the public, and help advance medical discoveries to benefi t future patients.

”

– Spokesman Corey Schubert

Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center physician Dr. Mark Gimbel excises melonoma from the arm of Chandler resident Seldon Riggs.

Schubert said.

Patient case load is projected to grow 5 percent to 10 percent a year, Gimbel added.

“What we have here at the Center of Excellence is a multi-disciplinary setting,” Gimbel said. “What we offer is unique.”

Surgical oncology, radiation and pathology are just some of the medical specialties working together in a holistic approach to treating a patient, he said.

The center also offers a prevention, outreach and education program,

survivorship care and support and clinical research.

Gimbel said the center’s program includes going into the grade and high schools, educating children about sun safety and the importance of screening.

“The core objective of the center is outreach and education,” he said, crediting more than 20,000 lives saved from the center’s outreach efforts.

Since the center’s opening, six new melanoma clinical trials have begun with

four currently open, according to Schubert.

“Clinical trials give patients access to the most promising treatments not yet available to the public, and help advance medical discoveries to benefit future patients,” he said.

Ten days after the operation, Riggs last week was having the staples removed from a 3.5-inch incision. Had the melanoma gone deeper into the skin, more skin would have needed to be removed and the larger the incision, Gimbel said.

Of the three major forms of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma – the latter causes the most deaths, claiming an See

CANCER on page 21

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COMMUNITY NEWS

City of Chandler Insider

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

City Manager shares progress on strategic goals discipline followed by the current and many previous councils.

“It’s what brought Chandler through the recession and out of the recession much faster than other cities,” she noted.

After thanking staff in every city department who already have started work on the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget, she added, “It’s the city manager’s main responsibility to bring forward a balanced budget to the Council, and we do that.”

CITY OF CHANDLER

Great things are happening in Chandler every day and city employees are playing a big part in that success as they strive to achieve the City Council’s Strategic Policy Goals.

That was the message delivered to city employees by Chandler City Manager Marsha Reed during a recent information sharing meeting called a Team Talk, held at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

“We have to think about what do our citizens expect and what do our businesses expect,” Reed said. “They expect Chandler to be a fantastic place to work, to live – and it’s our job to make sure that they all feel that way.”

The staff members in attendance and those who watched a video of the presentation later heard Reed share updates on a number of projects and programs that are representative of the Council’s vision.

The genesis of the current strategic policy goals actually began at a Council retreat in 2015.

The direction expressed from those Council members was reviewed by the city’s executive team, and a consensus formed around six areas of focus: being the most connected city, being a leader in transparency, maintaining fiscal sustainability, attracting a range of private sector businesses, fostering a contemporary culture to capitalize on diversity in the community and being safe and beautiful.

Being the Most Connected City

Attract range of businesses

City Manager Marsha Reed addresses a group of Chandler employees during a recent Team Talk.

Improvements to our community’s transportation system also advance Chandler as a “Most Connected City.”

Reed noted that the Council had allocated millions of dollars in recent years to completing arterial street projects, primarily in the southeast portion of the city, and that many city employees had contributed to those improvements.

“Chandler’s Economic Development team is the first to say that they can’t do their job alone,” Reed said. “It takes a lot of City staff members working together to help bring the best businesses to Chandler.”

Earlier this year, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, formerly Orbital ATK, broke ground on a massive new employment center on the Price Road Corridor.

“I’ve been in public service for 35 years, and this is the first time I’ve seen a rocket launched at a groundbreaking ceremony,” Reed said.

In other business development news, the city recently sold a 54-acre parcel near 56th Street and the 202 Santan Freeway, setting the stage for the Lotus Project, a large light industrial development.

or supports a variety of cultural events through the year, including the Multicultural Festival, Diversity Reception and Operation Back to School.

On the cultural side, in addition to the festivals, concerts, library programs, art gallery exhibits and performances at the Chandler Center for the Arts, the Chandler Museum has continued to provide programs for students and the public while staff members are awaiting the opening of their new facility.

The new Chandler Museum will open to the public on Dec. 8, and it promises to be a spectacular venue for residents and visitors of all ages.

Being Safe and Beautiful

When it comes to “being safe,” Chandler’s Police and Fire departments are exceptional organizations, and with the opening of the new Public Safety Training Center they have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to help keep our community safe.

As for “being beautiful,” Reed challenged city employees to ask themselves, “How do our parks look?

How does our landscaping look? How does our City look when people come here? Because it comes down to who wants to visit here, who wants to live here, who wants to locate their business here,” she said.

Being a leader in transparency

Chandler has an award-winning reputation for being a transparent government and the city manager reminded employees, “We have 260,000 people watching every move we make and we have to deal with the public in a transparent way every day.”

The city website is an example of the organization’s approach to transparent operations, with numerous financial documents and reports, going back many years, available online.

Face-to-face interaction is also important and Reed expressed her appreciation for the staff members who spend many nights and weekends interacting with the public at Pictured here during construction, the Overstreet parking garage is now meetings of the open in downtown Chandler, on the east side of the soon-to-open Council, boards Overstreet project located on the southwest corner of Arizona Avenue and commissions, and Chandler Boulevard. and neighborhood listening sessions.

“It is our responsibility to make sure chandleraz.gov. they know where their tax dollars are The new site features more dynamic being spent,” she said. and colorful imagery, video integration, search functionality, enhanced user functionality and much more.

Maintaining fiscal “This is a phenomenal upgrade to our sustainability website,” Reed said. “I also encourage you Maintaining fiscal sustainability is what to take a look at the Social Media Hub, sets Chandler apart from many cities, which brings together social media from according to Reed, due to the fiscal all departments into one web page.”

Reed began her presentation by pointing to examples of projects advancing the city along a path toward being the “Most Connected City,” including the totally redesigned and restructured mobile-friendly, citizen-centric website –

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny conducts an interview with KTAR-FM at the April groundbreaking ceremony for the expanded operations of Orbital ATK, now Northrop Grumman..

In a nearby industrial warehouse district, Waymo is expanding its operations center for its self-driving car project.

Reed said that the city has welcomed Waymo ever since it made Chandler the first city in the world to test its vehicles and that the organization is looking at other strategies to help solidify Chandler’s place in the autonomous vehicle world.

Fostering contemporary culture

Chandler’s economic development prospects would not be as promising if city staff members did not support and work toward accomplishing the policy goal of fostering a contemporary culture to capitalize on diversity in the community.

The city’s diversity office hosts

The Team Talks session concluded with brief updates on a number of other customer service, branding and employee innovation initiatives, plus a status review on the many development projects currently underway or planned for the downtown Chandler area.

Of note are two new downtown parking garages, one that just opened and one that will be under construction soon.

There is also excitement building for the city’s new eCab service starting Sept. 6.

These two electric vehicles, called Wave, will circulate throughout the downtown area, moving visitors from the parking garages to area businesses and restaurants more quickly.

Reed concluded her presentation to Chandler employees with these words, “Thanks to all of you for the work you do every day and your steadfast hold to what the Mayor and Council envision for Chandler.”

City of Chandler Insider

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

COMMUNITY NEWS

19

Profile

This is a logo for the Wave eCab ride service that will move people around Downtown Chandler starting Sept. 6.

I’m new in town, so Wave me down!

CITY OF CHANDLER

Hello. My name is Wave. No last name.

Just Wave. Like Sting. Or Cher. Or Pink, but I’m blue.

I’m new in town and wanted to introduce myself. I’m living in downtown Chandler giving people free rides from the city’s four parking garages to locations in and around the historic square. I can take six of you on my back, but one seat is reserved for my handler.

I was hired to work part time by the City of Chandler because a large surface parking lot located across from City Hall is going away to make room for a new hotel, offices and retail shops.

This means some of you will be parking in garages instead. No fear, the Wave is here! You can catch me Thursdays through Saturdays from 5-9 p.m.

I’m not a golf cart, though I’m allelectric. I’m a street-legal eCab with safety features like seatbelts, windshield, headlights and turn signals.

I have doors and windows and am built to please, with adjustable sliding seats, 43 inches of leg room and six inches of suspension travel to smoothly traverse any humps or bumps.

My forefathers were born in 1998 in Fargo, North Dakota, but today we hail from Anaheim, California. Nothing against Fargo, but I don’t miss my owners

chipping ice off my body.

My birth certificate says I’m a Polaris GEM eCab, but you can call me Wave. The name seems fitting, since I’m from the West Coast where waves are ridden all the time.

In fact, I have a little rap tune I hum while cruisin’ around; “You can ride me, catch me, wave me down. There’s two of us circulating through our downtown.”

And I have a joke. This cracks me up. “What part of me is the laziest? My wheels, because they’re always tired!”

Speaking of wrap, you’ll have no trouble spotting me, ‘cause some crazy graphics adorn my sides. There’s a scuba diver, mermaid and surfer dude. But they’re headless. Why headless?

Because their bodies line up with the heads of my passengers. It’s a great look for selfies or group photos. But, I gotta tell ya, it’s a little disturbing when I’m sitting empty. I look like a victim of eCabitation.

So look me up when you’re Downtown any Thursday, Friday or Saturday eve.

I’m free and I hang out at Chandler’s downtown garages and also will stop if you wave me down.

And if you need a ride from one downtown establishment to another, I’m yours to command. You can reach me at 602-730-5153 (Thursday-Friday-Saturday only, between 5-9 p.m.), or visit my website at chandleraz.gov/wave. Hang loose! #RideTheWave

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

Doctors studying concussions among domestic violence victims

BY TRISTAN ETTLEMAN Cronkite News

Concussions in athletes have received attention in recent years, but experts are now looking to address the needs of a large, yet overlooked, population – domestic abuse victims.

One in three women and one in four men have been physically abused by an intimate partner in their lifetime. There are 10 million victims of domestic abuse a year, of which 76 percent are women, said Dr. Glynnis Zieman of the Barrow Neurological Institute.

And that number is underreported, she added.

Most of the blows from an abuser are to one of the most vulnerable parts of the body and, over years of daily and weekly incidents, those hits take a toll.

“In a domestic violence situation, a lot of the abuse is focused on the head,” said Jonathan Lifshitz, director of the Translational Neurotrauma Research Program at the University of Arizona.

Lifshitz said that football players, who encounter significant blows but are supported by on-hand medical assistance at games and in the off-season, have a different brain-injury reality than abuse victims.

“Where does this woman go? She has to live it. The opportunity for recovery is very different,” he said.

Brain injury research has followed soldiers after combat and professional athletes, but the subjects have been mostly male, Zieman said. Researchers are just

Tanner Stechnij/Cronkite News

The Mesa Police Department will be using an eye tracking device called ConQVerge that can gather data and help determine if domestic violence victims have received a concussion.

beginning to understand differences between men and women with concussions.

Women typically have smaller heads and weaker necks than men, Zieman said.

Female athletes are nearly 1½ times more likely to get a concussion than male athletes playing the same sport.

Women are more likely to have depression, anxiety, and migraines, all of which are common concussion symptoms. That complicates diagnosis and recovery, she said.

Hormones can also play a role. If a significant injury were to occur during puberty, it could fundamentally change the path to adulthood. Zieman also said

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some research has found that injuries sustained at different points in a woman’s menstrual cycle can alter symptoms and recovery time.

Concussions can cause loss of consciousness, nausea, dizziness, memory loss, and long-term neurological problems that can cloud judgment and hinder speech.

Dr. Amaal Starling of Mayo Clinic Arizona said concussions and their effects are varied.

“There is not a test that does or does not rule out a concussion,” she said.

She compared a brain to Jello. When it sustains damage, it ripples, and when the brain attempts to restore equilibrium, pathways and brain cells can become mismatched.

Starling and Zieman both spoke on a panel at the Association of Health Care Journalists conference in Phoenix.

The old model of treatment involved “strict rest,” keeping patients in dark and quiet rooms and out of school or work, Starling said. Now, however, physicians and research have found that brief periods of rest, for about one or two days, should start a process of slowly re-engaging patients into school, work, and (for athletes) sports.

That’s a significant hurdle for many domestic abuse victims. Lifshitz said re-engaging often means working with a social worker or facing legal battles.

“You can imagine what a trial looks like,” he said. “If the assailant says she has a history of drinking, and now she gets on the stand and it sounds like she’s drunk, the jury’s not going to listen to her,” even though a brain injury caused the slurred speech.

Zieman’s team also studied the stigma surrounding domestic violence. About 20 percent of patients had sought medical care before coming to the specialized clinic, even though 81 percent had reported too many injuries to count, and about 80 percent said they had lost consciousness from their injuries.

The research and treatment of brain-injured domestic abuse victims is still in its infancy, Lifshitz said. He hopes to see the circle of care he’s worked on – where domestic violence victims are evaluated by law enforcement, physicians, social workers and legal professionals – adopted elsewhere.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

CANCER

from page 16

estimated 9,320 lives in the United States annually, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Nationwide an estimated 178,560 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed this year.

Melanoma accounts for about 1 percent of skin cancers.

If melanoma is recognized and treated early, it is almost always curable, but if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal.

The nonprofit foundation says one person dies of melanoma every hour and from 2008-2018, the number of new melanoma cases diagnosed annually has increased by 53 percent.

Because Arizona is close to the sun and close to the equator, high altitude and low latitude means less atmospheric protection from the sun’s damaging rays, according to the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

The year-round warm climate also means more time outdoors with less clothing – putting Arizona residents at a high risk of skin cancer.

Melanoma is typically an affliction of older adults after lifelong sun exposure but Gimbel is seeing younger patients with it from being out in the sun or using tanning beds.

“I’m seeing teens and people in their 20s,” he said.

Ninety to 95 percent of melanoma cases are due to ultraviolet rays from the sun, which destroys skin cells, the doctor added.

Although Riggs was outdoors a lot, he had other risk factors going for him.

He, like his other siblings, has a fair

REDUCING ULTRAVIOLET EXPOSURE

SIGNS OF MELANOMA Melanoma most commonly appears on the trunk area of the body in fair-skinned men and on the lower legs of fair-skinned women. In dark-skinned individuals, it is most prevalent on the palms, the soles of the feet and beneath the nails.

Melanoma usually develops as an irregular brown, black and/or red spot and existing mole that begins to change color, size or shape. While signs and symptoms vary from person to person, the following ABCDEs provide an easy way to recognize the signs of melanoma: Asymmetry: One side of a mole is different from the other.

Border irregularity: The edges of a mole are ragged or irregular.

Color variation: The mole gets darker, changes color or contains several colors.

Diameter: It is bigger than the diameter of a pencil eraser.

Evolution: It grows in width or height.

Source: Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center complexion, blond hair and blue eyes, said mom Ahtanya Riggs, who added her husband had a melanoma removed from his back.

The Skin Cancer Foundation said one in every 10 patients diagnosed with the cancer has a family member with a history of melanoma.

And the risk of melanoma is much higher for whites than for blacks, with whites with red or blond hair, blue or green eyes, or fair skin that freckles or burns easily at increased risk, according to the American Cancer Society.

Riggs also mentioned he got sunburnt and developed blisters when he was 8 years old, which increased his risk for developing melanoma, Gimbel said.

Another tell-tale sign of a melanoma that Riggs ignored for a year was a mole on his arm that changed in shape and color.

He also had a melanoma removed from his back years about a decade earlier.

Every time Riggs becomes exposed to the sun’s rays means his risk for developing a melanoma continues to increase, Gimbel

• Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants or skirts, dark colors and tightlywoven fabrics.

• Wear a hat with a two to three-inch brim all the way around to shield areas of the head and neck that are often exposed to intense sun.

• Use sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater every day, regardless of whether the sun is shining; reapply frequently to maximize efficacy.

Because children often spend more time outdoors, extra precautions should be taken.

• Wear sunglasses that wrap around the sides of the face and have at least 99 percent UV absorption to protect the eyes and surrounding skin.

• Seek shade to help limit exposure to UV light, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.

• Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps Source: Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center said.

To minimize the risk, he should, for instance, stay out of the sun’s reaches between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the UV rays are the strongest, Gimbel said.

“Don’t be afraid of the sun but be sensible,” he said.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

23

Robo calls are becoming a nuisance in Chandler and the state

BY BRYAN PIETSCH Cronkite News

Chandler residents who think they’ve been getting a lot of robo calls aren’t imagining things.

They are.

Robocalls skyrocketed for every area code in Arizona in the first half of this year, reaching 78.3 million calls in June alone, according to data compiled by a firm that sells call-blocking software.

The Arizona spike mirrored a national trend, with the total number of robocalls in the U.S. hitting 4.1 billion in the month of June, up from 2.9 billion for January, according to the data from YouMail. The increase came despite Federal Communications Commission regulations aimed at reining in such calls.

“It’s become a real problem and agencies at all levels of government are trying to deal with it,” said Susan Grant, director of consumer protection and privacy at the Consumer Federation of America.

In Arizona, the number of calls rose from just under 48.1 million in January. The 431.5 million calls to area codes in the state in the first six months of this year almost reached the total for all of 2017, when Arizonans received 475.4 million robocalls.

The increase can be attributed to the development of technology that allows one person to send out large amounts of calls, said Ed Mierzwinski, senior director of consumer programs at the Arizona

It’s become a real “ problem and agencies at all levels of government are trying to deal with it.

”

– Susan Grant, Consumer Federation of America

Public Interest Research Group.

“Now it’s one guy with a computer, who could be working anywhere, making all the calls, not a bunch of people in a big room in a building with a giant phone system,” Mierzwinski said.

He said there are two levels of robocalls, the first being “unfair robocalling from student loan companies and debt collectors and banks” who are “generally harassing people.”

“They’re legitimate businesses but they might not have a legitimate reason to contact you,” Mierzwinski said. “They may be contacting you too much. Robocalls are making it too easy.”

The FCC notes on its website that not all robocalls are illegal – and Mierzwinski added

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that what could be illegal is simply the debt collectors surpassing the number of times they are allowed to contact borrowers.

But the next level of robocalls come from “bad guys” – people who, in Mierzwinski’s words, have “no reason to live, basically.” Those scammers use computer software to send out mass amounts of calls, usually from overseas.

The scammers can now use a trick called spoofing, when one phone number is masked as another. Spoofing itself is legal; a doctor or a public official can use it to display an office number, for example, when calling from a cell phone. But the FCC says that spoofing “with the intent to defraud, cause harm or wrongly obtain anything of value” is illegal and can lead

to fines of up to $10,000.

The FCC website also states that rules require telemarketers – which are legitimate businesses – to provide an automated menu throughout the call for people to get off the calling list. But the FCC also warns not to engage in such menus from unknown or spoofed numbers.

“I’m glad that the Federal Communications Commission has succeeded in lighting a fire under the telephone companies to get them to work together to create ways to identify spoofed calls,” Grant said.

But Mierzwinski said that the FCC needs to do more and that “they’ve done a terrible job” managing the growing problem of robocalls. He urged consumers to call their telephone service providers and ask them to “improve the way that they are trying to block robocalls.”

“The robocalls keep coming,” Mierzwinski said. “They’re rapidly growing into being an epidemic of nuisance.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

HUNGER

from page 14

“The first food drive in 2001 netted 3,500 pounds of food,” Woods said. “This year we had our biggest collection ever with 60,314 pounds of food. That is 30 tons of food – which required one semitruck and two large delivery trucks to haul everything away.”

The average student population at Desert Ridge is 1,200, and Woods said no one “dreamed our students could, year after year, break their own record while helping so many”.

“Everyone contributes to this most worthy cause,” she said. “The generosity of our families is beyond compare. Everyone knows this is what DRJHS does and all of our families support us beyond our wildest expectations.”

Woods, who has been at Desert Ridge since it opened in 2001, encourages other schools to get involved in putting together a United Food Bank Drive, even if it begins humbly as a one-day event.

“Our food drive is proof that when a school community comes together, it is possible to do the unimaginable. We’ve earned 13 Overall Winner and Most Pounds per Students awards.

“But it’s not the trophies that motivate us,” she added. “It’s knowing that we are making a difference for families right here in our own community.

“We know that if every school just committed to half of what we do every year, the students and families in Arizona could make

KYRENE

from page 11

he said, adding that Kyrene must be doing something right.

“It’s a little redundant when the same group of people keep saying how bad the district is and yet we still have people that are here, that want to come here, people that move here for this district, and you would think we are the worst district in the state based on some of the comments and what people say. It’s absolutely amazing.

That being said, I think you’ve done a great job,” Myrick told Vesely.

Bernadette Coggins, who is wrapping up eight years on the board and is not seeking re-election, recounted the number of troubling issues she and past boards dealt with under Vesely’s predecessor.

“What she’s done in two years that didn’t

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

a giant leap toward stamping out hunger in our state.”

Williams Field High School in the Higley School District also takes gathering food for the less fortunate seriously.

Students name November “Stuff the Bus Month” for United Food Bank and are often winners in the competition.

Mary Buscema, a school career center specialist, said she’s proud of her students.

“Williams Field High School is preparing to Stuff the Bus for the eighth year in a row.

This is a school-wide project of love. Each year we come up with creative ways to reach out to our community for donations,” she said, adding: “Our students are aware of how many families go to bed hungry and they want to make a difference. When the bus is packed, a group of students are driven to the United Food Bank to unload the bus and receive a tour of the facilities. They leave with a better knowledge of how the food is distributed to those in need.”

Buscema bragged, “We were thrilled when, on Dec. 19th, 2013, we were mentioned on the White House Blog regarding our success with this project.”

The school instituted the Stuff the Bus concept when Buscema was having lunch with transportation Supervisor Josh Crosby.

“We were discussing the lack of community service projects and this was a slap-myforehead moment,” laughed Buscema. “I truly love being a part of this campus.”

Another successful food drive is held at Gilbert’s Carol Rae Ranch Elementary School, spearheaded by student council advisor and music teacher Carolyn Wilson.

“It is really important to me that our kids have the experience of helping others, and it correlates with our Character Counts program in the district,” said Wilson, who has taught music in Gilbert for 18 years, and opened Carol Rae Ranch Elementary in 2000.

Each year she and council members set a school-wide goal on the number of cans to collect, and establish classroom goals. The drive continues for up to nine school days.

“I always talk with my students about what the Food Bank does, and how important it is for us to help others,” she said.

“You never know what life may bring in your future, and I’m a big believer in the Golden Rule - treating others the way you want them to be treated,” Wilson added.

Wilson said she learned from experience how life can throw individuals and families a curve ball.

“I’ve had a time in my life when I needed help and it was very difficult for me to ask for it. I feel its our responsibility to help take care of others who need our help. I want my students to learn the importance of building each other up, and that there is strength in numbers when you’re helping others.”

According to Forrester, there are 300 or more schools within the United Food Bank service area that incorporates all of Pinal and Gila Counties and portions of Apache,

Navajo and eastern Maricopa.

With 120 schools participating in food drives, she is hopeful other schools will become involved.

The annual competition is divided into elementary, middle school or junior high and high school categories.

To level the playing field, awards are based on collected pounds per student, with the school population determined on the 100th day of school.

“There are so many ways in which the schools can help host food drives,” she said.

“Some specify a month for a drive like Thanksgiving or Christmas, others prefer to wait until February for a Month of Love drive.

“It can even be a one-time drive. Westwood High School hosts theirs at their preseason scrimmage games, requesting a can of food as admission,” said Forrester.

When asked how, after 10 years with United Food Bank, she maintains optimism, Forrester didn’t hesitate before replying: “I feel blessed when I see our community choose to step up and help. I always share that no one is forced to donate; it’s not a mandatory thing.

“People choose (emphasizing the verb) to help those around us and I get a real feeling of greatness in our community when I see people donating their time and/or treasures. I get the privilege to watch people do good things for each-other for a living.

Doesn’t get better than that”

get done in 10 years to me is amazing,” Coggins said of Vesely.

“Do we have areas where we can improve?” Coggins continued. “Absolutely. I don’t know any district that doesn’t.”

Coggins also said it was imperative to extend Vesely’s contract now because “our district cannot afford to not finish the great work that’s been started.”

Board member John King suggested Fahy’s opposition was no secret to her colleagues on the board.

“I’m really glad you sort of came out,” he told Fahy at one point.

He then discussed the role of a board member and suggested Fahy had gone beyond her role in setting policy for the district and was trying to meddle with its management.

“We are very limited to our scope of responsibility,” said King, who is retired

after working a number of years as a management consultant to companies.

“We are a governance group,” he continued. “We are not an operations or management group. We deal with governance, policy issues and things like that. We deal with budgets, we deal with the higher-level things. The district administration is responsible for management, and when we have board members who wanted to dip down into the management level, that creates serious problems.”

Vesely did not speak at the meeting and Fahy had no response to the remarks by her colleagues.

But after the board voted 4-1 to extend Vesely’s contract, another disagreement broke out between Fahy and the other four board members over the way minutes of a meeting on May 21 characterized the

remarks of a departing teacher who was moving to Colorado for another job.

That teacher, Andrew Williams, said the district has a morale problem and that he wanted to discuss it by using a problemsolving method he relies on in the classroom.

He went on to say that he thought morale was low because of “communication, compensation and complaints” and that “some parent voices are being valued more than others and some teachers are being given due process while others are being removed haphazardly with knee-jerk reactions.”

He gave no specifics.

The minutes of his remarks summarized them as stating he was talking about the method he referred to rather than morale and Fahy wanted the minutes amended.

Following a lengthy discussion, she was voted down 4-1.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018

25

Around Chandler Chandler Girl Scout completes National group gives Chandler Costa Rican adventure Museum leadership award Mikaela Best, an 18-year-old Chandler Girl Scout, recently completed the 15-day Rainforest, River and Reef course with Outward Bound Costa Rica.

“Alongside Girl Scouts from all over the country, Mikaela contributed to a service-learning project and pushed herself beyond her comfort zone through an array of adventure activities,” Outward Bound said in a release.

The group contributed to reforestation efforts close to Outward Bound Costa Rica’s rainforest base.

Best and the other Scouts hiked and camped their way through the remote region of Piedras Blancas, through unspoiled rainforests and cascading waterfalls. There, the group lodged with local families, practiced their Spanish and tried their hand at the trapiche, a traditional method of processing raw sugar cane stalks.

“The most difficult section of the hike, a 17-km stretch of steep terrain, encouraged the group to support and rely on each other.

Mikaela developed her teamwork skills and pushed her limits on an 80-foot rappel down a cascading waterfall,” Outward Bound said.

The group then headed to the famed Manuel Antonio National Park, where they learned about local wildlife and enjoyed the beach. The group finished up their last two days of course whitewater rafting on the Pejibaye River known for its Class III and IV rapids, ziplining through the forest on a canopy tour and enjoying a city tour of San Jose.

Chandler Museum has received a Leadership in History Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History for its multi-faceted 2017 project that explored the history of Japanese Internment during World War II at the Gila River Internment Camp, located a few miles south of Chandler.

The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 73rd year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Chandler’s project, “Un-American: Engaging Our Community with the Story of Japanese Internment,” included a park kiosk, three exhibits, a community-driven art installation, and public presentations.

“The community’s response to this project was unprecedented,” said museum administrator Jody Crago. “The interactions we had with former internees and their families were extremely powerful. This project really established the Museum as a safe place for the community to come together to explore its cultural heritage including challenging topics. It is an honor to receive this national award for our work.”

There were several components to the project, which began with a permanent history kiosk at Nozomi Park. This kiosk, which tells the story of the Gila River Internment Camp, was financially supported by the National Park Service through the Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program.

Content was created with input from an advisory committee of subject specialists and cultural representatives, including the Japanese American Citizens League and the Gila River Indian Community.

The Chandler Museum also hosted the traveling exhibit, “Art of Survival: Enduring the Turmoil of Tule Lake.” This exhibit explored the experiences and events at Tule Lake, a Japanese American camp in California where many prisoners from Arizona’s Gila River Internment Camp were transferred. The traveling exhibition used haunting images of artifacts to give a glimpse into the lives of those who were held at this unique WWII confinement site. Museum attendance skyrocketed during this exhibit, with people all over the state coming to see it.

Chandler author offering online writing workshop

Chandler author Lynne Hartke, who wrote a book last year about her mother’s and her battle with cancer, may offer an online writing course titled “Reclaim Your Scattered Story: a 6-Week Online Writing Workshop for Those Touched by Cancer.”

“Let’s face it. With 1.7 million people diagnosed with cancer in the United States last year, we all know someone who has been touched by cancer. In fact, you might be that someone,” said Hartke, who is seeking 20-30 people to be part of a test group for the six-week course that begins on Sept. 9.

The chapters include: How to tell a story of your diagnosis day (or a family

member’s diagnosis day) that will stir emotion and draw people into the pages of your story in your first sentences; How to write images into your experience with cancer to tell a story people won’t forget; How to take the popular fighting back language of cancer and transform it into a story; How to do the hard work of tackling the ugly, raw, and vulnerable of cancer, yet still write with hope.

Also, how to take the lessons you have learned while experiencing cancer and weave them into a story that is interesting and inspiring; and How to tell stories of legacy, purpose and faith without sounding like you are preaching or giving a lecture.

The workshop will also include these various templates and videos.

The workshop is free but Hartke is asking participants to buy a copy of her book, “Under a Desert Sky: Redefining Hope, Beauty and Faith in the Hardest Places.”

“Each week we will read portions of the book as part of the lessons,” she said.

Interested people can go to lynnehartke.com and click the workshop tab for information.

Chandler IHOP building on Arizona sells for $3M

Marcus & Millichap, a commercial real estate investment services company, has sold an IHOP building in Chandler for $3 million. The 4,656-square foot net-leased property at 3877 S. Arizona Ave., was sold by one limited liability company to another, according to Marcus & Millichap.

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26

Business

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Company aims to help job hunters find ideal fit

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Searching for a job online can be frustrating and time-consuming, but a new Chandler company is promising to make it easier for candidates to put their best foot forward and land an ideal position.

VCandidates.com, which will officially launch Oct. 15, aims to make it simpler for candidates to connect with vetted recruiters in a confidential setting where they can find a company where their skills and personality will be a good match, according to LT Ladino Bryson, CEO, chief marketing officer and founder.

“Our site is specifically a subscriptionbased site for candidates and recruiters only,” Ladino Bryson said. “The candidates go on, they create their profile; it’s very extensive with reference checks, background checks, personality tests, videos. They’re looking for not a job, but a career and lifestyle.”

“Vcounselors” will help candidates put their profiles together, she said.

“Our goal is to build up candidates,” Ladino Bryson said. “They call me the employment therapist. My job is to make it as easy as possible. It really puts the control of the hiring process in the candidates’ hands.”

A basic membership for job candidates is $50 one time to sign-up and $15 a month while a premium membership will be $175 to sign-up and $15 a month.

Premium members will have a background check performed on them that will be presented to the potential employer.

Recruiters will pay $299 a month to subscribe to vCandidates.com, which

Special to SanTan Sun News

VCandidates.com CEO, chief marketing officer and founder LT Ladino Bryson appeared on Money Radio in August.

Ladino Bryson said is much less than other job-finding sites that charge recruiters at least twice that amount for subscriptions.

A pre-sale will allow the first 500 recruiters who sign-up for a subscription to vCandidates.com to pay $250 per month and be locked into that rate if they register by the end of this month.

Ladino Bryson said she has a database of more than 20,000 job candidates from across the country as of Aug. 21.

Candidates with basic and premium memberships take personality tests and answer “culture-fit” questionnaires to

determine if they are “like-minded” and would “fit into company culture” at a particular business, Ladino Bryson said.

Job seekers can also submit up to four resumes to reveal their diverse abilities and experiences in case they are open to applying for different types of positions.

The site is tailored to people who want to earn at least $19 an hour or at least $40,000 a year.

The Internet is full of job scams, including people offering what are fake jobs or advertising fake companies and asking for personal information including Social Security numbers or payments to

try to steal identities, profiles and money.

Vcandidates.com carefully screens those seeking positions to ensure the recruiters are legitimate, Ladino Bryson said.

“They’re going to get a confidential platform, the confidence of knowing the person looking at their information has been vetted, too, and is a viable recruiter,” she said.

Vcandidates.com also offers what it calls vUniversity, an online learning and information center for anyone seeking a position and the recruiters.

Webinars will include free viewings and paid viewing events aimed at developing confident candidates who show appropriate behaviors during the hiring process.

The website will also house information on free online programs that accredited learning centers provide. The learning center will also have blogs, articles and messages from hiring professionals, as well as trainers including question-and-answer events with Ladino Bryson.

The company also has the “vCan Manager,” an employment relationship manager that acts as a communication manager between recruiters and candidates.

It automatically tracks the screening, search, communication and presentation process and is also the name of the company’s mobile app.

The “vCan Manager” allows for sending messages and providing notifications, offers automatic interaction with the interview calendar and automatically updates the interview pipeline and presentation method, as well as delivers See

VCOMPANY on page 28

State to add 543,000 jobs in 8 years, economist says

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

State economists predict Arizona will add 542,975 new jobs by 2026, and one out of every eight of them will be in preparing and serving food.

Doug Walls, research director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, also figures: three-fourths of all new jobs will be in Maricopa County, with the majority of those in the communities outside Phoenix; an aging population will sharply boost the need for healthcare workers, from higher-paying medical professions to those in lower-paying jobs like aides; outside Maricopa County, the strongest growth will be in Yavapai County, much of that driven by that need for more healthcare workers; further out, job growth in rural areas will lag, with just a 0.8 percent annualized increase in Apache, Navajo and Greenlee counties, and not much better at 0.9 percent for Graham, Greenlee, Cochise and Yuma counties.

And construction employment, while predicted to grow a healthy 3 percent a year on average, still won’t get Arizona

anywhere close to the number of people working in that sector before the recession and the burst of the housing bubble.

Overall, the report predicts an average 1.7 percent annual growth rate in new jobs between now and 2026. That compares with just 0.2 percent for the decade ending in 2016.

That comparison, however, is not exactly fair given that 10-year base period includes the Great Recession, when the state was shedding employment far faster than new jobs were being created.

Arizona lost about 300,000 jobs between 2007 and 2010. And at one point the state’s jobless rate topped 11 percent; it now is 4.7 percent.

Walls said jobs should grow faster in Arizona than the rest of the country, which currently posts a 4 percent jobless rate.

But he would not predict what Arizona’s unemployment rate would be in 2026.

Much of what is driving both the employment growth and the type of jobs created is related to population.

It starts with the fact that Arizona, which actually saw population growth slow to less than 1 percent at the height

of the recession, once again is growing twice as fast as the national average. And that, Walls said, has a ripple effect.

“More people within the area, either migrating to the area or born and raised into the Arizona economy, are going to consume healthcare, are going to consume housing, food, clothing and other resources,’’ he said. “That’s going to drive a lot of economic activity within an area.’’

The biggest jump in jobs, in pure numbers, is in food preparation and serving-related occupations, which is expected to create 67,231 new jobs, twice as many as health care support.

These are jobs that, in general, pay less than the statewide average. But Walls said the sheer growth in the number of jobs is simply reflective of how large a segment it already is of the state’s economy.

In fact, though, the number of current employees at food service and drinking places is just 8 percent of the economy, versus the 12 percent of the total job growth predicted by 2026. And the annualized growth rate for this sector is 2.4 percent, versus the 1.7 percent for the economy as a whole.

Walls also said that the 2016 voter-mandated increase in the minimum wage – from $8.05 an hour to currently $10.50 and going to $12 by 2020 – hasn’t had the dampening effect on hiring for these jobs that was predicted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry in trying to convince voters to reject the initiative.

“We’ve seen strong employment growth rates and total numeric change in leisure and hospitality, food and drinking places, on a month-to-month basis,’’ he said. Walls said there was no indication that higher minimum wages “had any impact on that industry.’’

Still, he said, there may be other factors at work that are keeping employment in the food service industry growing faster than many other segments of the economy. And one of them, Walls said, are changing consumer habits nationally.

Most notably, in 2015, for the first time ever, the amount of money people are spending on food and drink outside the home exceeded what they were shelling out at grocery stores. And that disparity continues to grow.

BUSINESS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

27

Heavy handbags can hurt women’s back, neck

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Large handbags that can hold lunch, laptops, makeup and anything else women might need during a busy day might be a big trend but they can cause major problems for backs, necks and shoulders.

So says Dr. Penny Bowen, a musculoskeletal radiologist at EVDI Medical Imaging, which has locations in Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert and Mesa.

As the physician site manager at the Chandler office, Bowen reviews MRIs, magnetic resonance imaging or detailed images of the inside of patients’ bodies that can be used to help diagnose or monitor treatments for various conditions.

Bowen interprets the MRIs and gives reports to the patients’ doctors. The Chandler EVDI Medical Imaging office is at 1076 W. Chandler Blvd.

“The main problem is with these fashionable oversize purses it really makes it easy for you to over pack that bag,” Bowen said. “Most experts feel a bag greater than 10 pounds really is causing the problems. The idea is that carrying a heavy load on one side of your body can lead to pain in your shoulders and neck as well as spasms.”

EVDI Medical Imaging

Dr. Penny Bowen is a musculoskeletal radiologist at EVDI Medical Imaging, which has locations in Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert and Mesa.

She said a bag’s strap fits in a “sensitive area” and can cause traction or stretching of the nerves.

“The nerves are like little strings,” Bowen said. “Pull on them constantly, it

can cause nerve damage to the shoulder, back, neck.”

The traction of the nerve might cause “numbness or tingling” in fingers or a change in someone’s natural sense of

gravity, she said.

“You can develop hip pain or core muscle pain on your purse side and on your opposite side the neck gets strained; it’s working extra hard on the non-purse side to keep things straight,” Bowen said.

“It interferes with your normal gait. This unbalanced load can really contribute to mechanical falls.”

She said the most common issue from carrying handbags that are too heavy “would be worsening of arthritis in the neck and shoulder as a long-term consequence.”

Back, neck and shoulder issues, as well as tingling in hands can also occur from lugging around handbags that weigh too much, Bowen said.

If the symptoms keep occurring, people can experience residual nerve damage, she said. Degenerative disc disease is the “process of the disc narrowing and softening and losing normal hydration,” she said.

“You can accelerate degenerative disc disease or a ruptured disc,” Bowen said.

“That can be in your neck, your mid-back, lower back.”

People suffering from the disc problems often get anti-inflammatory medicine and they might need physical See

HANDBAGS on page 28

Free dental services to be offered on Labor Day SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Children, teens and adults will be able to get free dental treatment at a business with offices in Chandler.

Anyone can stop in for one of four free services at Risas Dental and Braces from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 3 as part of the annual Labor of Love event on Labor Day. The services include basic teeth cleaning, cavity filling, tooth extraction and a complete exam with X-rays. Risas Dental and Braces has a Chandler office at 125 E. Ray Road.

“True happiness is accomplished the moment you start giving to others,” Dr. Andrew Lewis of the Chandler Risas Dental and Braces office said. “Labor of Love is a

day of happiness to patients and to our staff. It’s truly a win-win and I am grateful to be a part of such an amazing company.”

This will be the seventh consecutive year doctors and staff members at Risas Dental and Braces have donated their time and services for Labor of Love.

“Phoenix was our first home and we love serving patients and partnering with the community year-round,” Dr. Whitney Wright, founding orthodontist at Risas Dental and Braces said.

“Labor Day is a great excuse to open our doors even wider to address the needs of this community and work to offset costs for their oral health care needs,” Wright added.

Activities for children will be provided

and music from 104.7 KISS FM and other radio stations will be played. Also, free breakfast will be given to people waiting in line.

Anyone who is in line before 8 a.m. will be guaranteed treatment. Patients do not need to make appointments. The bilingual Risas staff members will also offer braces consultations and schedule follow-up services if needed.

“With nearly 60-percent of Americans concerned about the cost of going to the dentist, we want to dispel the myth that oral care isn’t affordable,” Risas Dental and Braces managing director Jeff Adams said.

“Our goal has always been--and will continue to be as we expand in Phoenix, Denver, Tucson, and this Labor Day in

Las Vegas--to make oral-care accessible and affordable for all, regardless of their insurance status or financial situation.”

Risas Dental and Braces has served patients in the Valley area for the last seven years, expanding every year with new locations in areas that traditionally have not been adequately served with dental care.

Since the company held its first Labor of Love treatments in 2011, it has donated over $3.5 million in free dental care.

Risas Dental and Braces was started in Phoenix in 2011 and its mission is to change how dentistry is provided in the United States, making it accessible for everyone regardless of their insurance status or financial means.

Information: risasdental.com.

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BUSINESS 28

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

Open house safety guidelines important for home sellers

BY CARI GILILLAND Guest Writer

According to the National Association of Realtors, only 2 percent of homes are sold during an open house.

Even with this low percentage, an open house is a common marketing activity for many Realtors and something that home sellers have come to expect as part of the process.

It is important for home sellers to remember that an open house is basically inviting anyone and everyone, qualified

or not, to come into your home, look in your cabinets and hang out at your house for a bit.

While I don’t necessarily think that sellers should be overly paranoid about this, I do think it is smart to take a few simple precautions to protect themselves: • Work with a reputable Realtor. Insist your Realtor has a partner with them at all open houses. With only one agent there it is very easy for a guest at an open house to distract the agent. This opens up a great opportunity for a partner in crime to swoop in and find the valuables.

• Insist your Realtor use a sign-in sheet.

It’s not a bad idea to ask for ID before allowing people to enter to verify they are who they say they are.

• Consider security cameras for an extra layer of protection.

• Lock up guns, medicine, jewelry and smaller valuables that might be easy for someone to put in their purse or pocket.

• Put away or hide any personal papers, documents, id’s, passports, bills or anything with personal information.

• Hide or lock away any small electronics.

Laptops, Ipads, small devices.

• Have passcodes or screen locks on all of your computers.

• Limit the pictures of small children and

CHANDLER REAL ESTATE BY ZIP CODE 85226 85248

family members. De-personalize your home as much as possible.

• Hide extra keys and garage remotes.

• After each open house make sure your Realtor checks all the windows and doors very carefully. You should do the same when you get home.

I hope these tips help you have a safe and productive open house.

Here is your Chandler real estate update.

Simple data that even the least analytic person can appreciate. This information comes directly from Arizona Regional Multiple Listing System. Information based on sales between 6/1/18- 8/22/18, singlefamily homes only.

85224

85225

85249

85286

Average sales price:

Average sales price:

Average sales price:

Average sales price:

Average sales price:

Average sales price:

Average days on market:

Average days on market:

Average days on market:

Average days on market:

Average days on market:

Average days on market:

$322,208

$284,679

33

33

$348,898 38

$413,785 63

$439,252 49

$399,308 46

For real estate questions or suggestions on future real estate tips, contact Cari Gililland at Cari@CariSellsHomes.com, 480-390-9247 or Facebook.com/CariSellsHomes

VCOMPANY

from page 22

real-time process notifications.

Candidates will receive “clear communication as to where they are in the interview process,” according to vCandidates.com.

Recruiters can create and pre-load response emails to be sent to job seekers as recruiters update their interest in the candidate without having to remember to send the emails manually.

Candidates will be able to apply for scholarships through vCandidates.com to help pay for classes to help them earn certifications, starting six months after the

HANDBAGS

from page 27

therapy, steroid injections and a shoulder replacement.

When someone has an “unbalanced load,” including carrying a purse that is too heavy or doing asymmetric exercise like painting frequently, they can suffer problems in their backs. They may need to use cold and heat therapy or take antiinflammatory medicine, muscle relaxers or narcotic pain medication to deal with

company launches. Those certifications can help them get job offers.

Longtime recruiter Melanie Crouch is going to use vCandidates.com.

A recruiter for 19 years, she is a friend of Ladino Bryson and said vCandidates. com is “phenomenal and brilliant for the recruiting industry.” Crouch owns a recruiting company Triple P and lives in Sierra Vista but plans to base her business out of Chandler.

“It’s not a job board,” Crouch said. “It’s beyond comparable to any Indeed(.com) or Monster.com. She has brought these recruiters and these candidates together where they can actually relate together, communicate together in one area. It’s

something this industry has been needing for many, many years.”

She said vCandidates.com will save recruiters time and “the one thing that’s the most important is time management and organization.”

“With this tool, you’re able to communicate with your client and the recruiter and the candidate and get that set up in a timely manner,” Crouch said, adding: “It’s really nice and the portal is so user-friendly for anybody to use. It’s really, really grand for the candidates. Candidates are the key to the recruiting industry.”

She added the website also will give “passive candidates” – those who have a job but are searching for another position

– more privacy.

Crouch also praised Ladino Bryson, who has been recruiting job candidates since 2012. Ladino Bryson said she has placed more than 600 job candidates.

“LT is a very well-organized individual with a special heart,” Crouch said. “She really has love for this industry and cares enough about it to create something like this to share with the people. It’s gonna explode. She’s gonna do really well.”

Ladino Bryson is happy to run her business in Chandler.

“I think it’s a thriving city,” she said. “It’s got a lot of great companies there. I have love for Chandler.”

Information: vcandidates.com.

the pain – or even require surgery.

Bowen said people can do many things to avoid hurting themselves when carrying handbags.

“Lighten the load, clean out your purse regularly,” she said. “Take out those unneeded items. I really don’t need to tote around individual servings of apple juice,” added the mother of three children.

Leaving the handbag in the car is another way to alleviate problems.

Bowen also encouraged people

to “take a break when they can.” For example, they can put their purse in their shopping cart while grocery shopping.

She also advised people to get a purse with a strap at least two inches wide in order to help disperse the weight of the purse better.

Even better, people can choose a backpack-style purse with two straps on both sides of their body to “even out weight,” Bowen said. A cross-body bag can help spread out the weight in a healthier way, too.

Alternating which strap people carry their purse on is another way to help their bodies. Bowen also urged people to keep their purse under 10 pounds.

Women can also even out the weight by putting something on the other shoulder. For instance, if they are carrying a purse on one side, they can carry a tote bag on the other shoulder.

Bowen recommends women bend at their knees and hips when picking up their purses and not using their back as a “fulcrum to pick” it up.

Chandler salon marking first anniversary with open house SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Fortees Salon & Spa in Chandler will celebrate its first anniversary with an open house event beginning with a ribbon-cutting event 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, and continuing through Sept. 8.

Chandler Chamber of Commerce president Terri Kimble will be on hand for the kickoff event, which will take place at 5865 W. Ray Rd., Suite 1 in Chandler, on the southeast corner of Kyrene and Ray Roads.

The celebration will feature tours of the ultra-modern facility, the chance to meet and ask questions of the owner and staff, free food and beverages, a Chamber of Commerce presentation, raffles and other product and service giveaways,

product samplings and free consultations with the salon’s aestheticians.

The event is also a fundraiser for the charitable group Wigs for Kids, which provides free

wigs to those suffering the hair-loss effects of cancer treatment.

The salon is looking for volunteers to donate hair to the organization during the event. Hair donations must be 12” long or more, not color-treated and chemical free.

Owner Eddie Osunlalu is proud of reaching his first major milestone with the salon.

“It will be a great celebration,” he said. “I came into this with almost overwhelming expectations and we’ve come pretty darn close to meeting them.

This salon is an investment for me, and Special to SanTan Sun News

Eddie Osunlalu is the owner of Fortees Salon & Spa in Chandler, which will celebrate its first anniversary with an open house event starting with a ribbon-cutting event Sept. 6 through Sept. 8.

this first year has really opened my eyes to the beauty industry, learning all the products, services and the local market.

“The ability to be an employer and contributor to the local community is huge for me,” he continued. “It’s a great responsibility and honor. That’s one reason why we’ve become an affiliate with Wigs for Kids; it’s a great way to give back to the community where we live and a great cause that benefits people who really are in need,” he added.

For more information or to make an appointment with Fortees Salon & Spa, call 480-753-4765 or visit Forteessalon. com. Information about making either monetary or hair donations to Wigs for Kids: WigsForKids.org.

BUSINESS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

29

Business Briefs Chandler Chamber presents YouTube career videos

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce has rolled out its “What’s Your Job” career videos on its YouTube channel.

The videos have a wide appeal to teens gathering information to decide a career path and to top professionals looking to make a career change.

“This project blossomed from our Education Workforce and Development Coalition. It is especially hard for young people to decide what career they want to go into,” said Terri Kimble, President/ CEO of the Chandler Chamber. “Also, we wanted to point out that there are many options to choose from today. The college route isn’t right for everyone and we wanted to present information on careers that required certifications and other forms of education along with college degrees.”

The videos feature employees talking about what education/training they undertook to obtain their job, what their job entails and what they like best about their job.

“The videos give users the chance to digitally shadow these employees and it is almost a mentoring experience,” said Kimble.

Renee Levin, Intel’s Community Affairs Manager and co-chair of the Education Workforce and Development Coalition,

said that students explore interesting jobs available in Chandler. Videos will be added monthly.

Information: bit.ly/Whatsyourjob or 480-963-4571.

Optima Tax Relief expanding Chandler operations One year after opening their first Arizona office in Chandler, Optima Tax Relief is expanding again, due to significant growth, into a larger office building at 450 N. 54th St..

The company currently has 32 employees in Chandler and is planning to ramp up to approximately 100 employees in the next 12 months, the city said, adding: “Optima Tax Relief is expanding operations in Chandler due to robust business growth, a business-friendly environment and the ability to attract skilled labor.”

Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny said, “The City of Chandler is thrilled that Optima Tax Relief chose to expand in Chandler and appreciate their loyalty to our community. We wish them many more years of continued growth.”

“From day one, Optima Tax Relief has enjoyed our experience in Chandler and has been impressed with the workforce talent available in the East Valley,” said Ben Simpson, Vice President of Phoenix

Operations at Optima Tax Relief.

“In particular, Chandler’s Economic Development team has built a strong partnership with our company and, because of this relationship, we decided to expand in Chandler even though there were buildings in other communities that were less expensive with more favorable lease terms,” Simpson added.

Optima Tax Relief, initially launched as a small startup in 2011, has risen rapidly to become the largest tax resolution firm in the country. Currently employing over 500 staff at their Orange County, California, headquarters, the company is making Chandler central to their future growth strategy. The grand opening for the new office is Sept. 28.

Two Realtors associate with Coldwell Banker

Lyrae Perini and Sam Gerardi have associated with the Chandler office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage as affiliate agents.

She comes to the office with five years of real estate experience while Gerardi has 13 years.

“I have only heard wonderful things about Coldwell Banker from their affiliate agents. Based on the rave reviews, I knew I needed to be affiliated with such great company and have their support,” said

Perini. “I have finally found a place I can grow and excel in my business.”

Prior to affiliating with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, she was a real estate agent with Realty One Group.

She holds a master’s degree in leadership in nursing.

“I was affiliated with the Realogy network for several years prior and have always had an affinity for Coldwell Banker,” said Gerardi. “In working with the agents as co-ops, understanding the market advantage and appreciating the brand position, I decided that when I was ready to start a business that I would affiliate with Coldwell Banker.”

Prior to affiliating with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, he was the general manager for a new Sotheby’s International Realty broker for eight years and before that an agent with Coldwell Banker Town & Country for five years.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from the University of California. Active in his community, he is a sponsor and volunteer for the Salvation Army and Gleaners Food Bank.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is the only full-service real estate company in the state.

Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

Two businesses team up to help county’s sheltered canines SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Mike Casten of Gilbert and Rebecca and Paul Tolani of Ahwatukee have a couple things in common: They both own pet-related businesses and they both love the clientele their businesses cater to.

So, after Casten told the Tolainis about the toy drive to benefit Maricopa County Animal Care and Control shelter dogs, it’s not surprising they jumped in.

Casten owns Poodini Pet Waste Removal, a company that he resurrected in January to provide weekly or bi-weekly pet y 2017 mailer distribution approval aug/rest of Campaign waste removal. This includes cleaning up the waste, hauling it away, treating themailing yard (+tax) Approved x_______________________ Date ___ / ___ / ___ 0 distribution to E11, T7 and $500.00 each with a sanitizing/deodorizing treatment.

The Tolainis own Pet Planet Ahwatukee in Mountainside Plaza, which sells a wide range Photos by Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer of pet food along with toys and other supMike Casten, left, of Poodini Pet Waste Removal in Gilbert, and Paul Tolaini of Pet Planet in Ahplies for furry family members. watukee have teamed up to collect toys, food and other items for Maricopa County Animal Care Pet Planet promised to match item for and Control shelter dogs. item and it didn’t take long for the two businesses to raise two truckloads of doopted our dogs.

He said most of the donations come nations for the shelter.

“But word began to spread and severfrom “everyday people who love animals “I started the drive in June of this year,” al local businesses wanted to help out,” and want to help.”

Casten said. “Initially, I was simply trying to he added. “I seized the opportunity and “Some donate old blankets and things collect donations from my customers in turned it into a full-blown toy drive for they already have around the house while order to help out the shelters where we adthe dogs.” others purchase brand new items to do-

nate,” he said.

Since Pet Planet has been a customer of his and have cross-promoted over the last 18 months, Casten figured Paul Tolaini might be interested in the drive.

He was right.

“When I told him about the toy drive, he was excited to help out and really stepped up by offering to match donations,” Casteen said.

Both businesses are collecting much-needed items, including toys, blankets, leashes, food and treats.

“These items aid the staff and volunteers in properly caring for the dogs in their facilities, thus giving them a better chance to be adopted,” Casten explained.

Currently, both the east and west adoption centers are overcrowded and in need of supplies.

The Poodini Pals Toy Drive is an ongoing fundraiser in which donated items are collected, sorted, and then delivered to the shelters.

Casten said he is heartened by the response both he and the Tolainis have been getting to the drive and is hoping more people open their hearts, wallets or storage areas to help out.

To make a donation: email toydrive@ poodini.com.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

Sports & Recreation

31

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Concussion concern fuels decline in football participation

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

On Sept. 12, 2014, Wyatt Ellis’ life changed forever. Playing defensive end for the Basha High Bears against Cesar Chavez, Ellis broke through a double team and dove to tackle a running back.

Ellis’ football helmet cracked when it made contact with the breast plate of the ball carrier, which also cracked as a result of the hit. Ellis took two steps after the play, and then collapsed.

He woke up 22 hours later with tubes in his mouth in the trauma center at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.

“I didn’t know who I was, I didn’t know my parents and I had an awful migraine,” Ellis said. “I went home that evening and I started to gather who I was.”

He received a call from the office of Dr. Javier Cárdenas, director of the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center at Barrow Neurological Institute.

Ellis saw Cárdenas a few days later for tests, which revealed that he had two brain hemorrhages.

“It took a lot out of me hearing that news, knowing my career was over,” Ellis said. “I was committed to playing at Arizona State, but I knew I couldn’t do that. It’s hard to have that stripped from you after one play.”

The severity of Ellis’ injury was uncommon, but there has been growing concern in recent years about the longterm effects of concussions among football players.

This is prevalent across the country and reflected in Arizona prep sports, as both parents and athletes have decided

Photos by Zach Alvira/STSN Staff

Former Basha High football player Wyatt Ellis (left) suffered a serious concussion four years ago that ended his career. He said he still has occasional ringing in his ears. Dr. Javier Cárdenas (right), director of the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, said participation in football is declining over fear of concussions.

to walk away from a game they love.

“We feel this is driving a decline in sport participation, specifically in football,” Cárdenas said Aug. 17 during a news conference. “We find that more parents are restricting their kids from playing sports, such as football, and athletes, themselves, are declining to play.”

Cárdenas leads Barrow’s annual survey, which evaluates and quantifies the awareness and education that parents and student athletes have about concussions.

The most-recent survey, announced during the news conference, showed that 59 percent of parents are allowing their children to play football, a 15 percent decrease from last year.

Only three in 10 parents say that schools and sports teams have done enough to help athletes prevent concussions.

In addition, the study showed that one in five Arizona athletes said they have suffered a sports-related concussion, 78 percent of whom are concerned about the long-term effects of the injury.

“We feel that some of the message is not always getting through,” Cárdenas said. “There are some athletes that report they are not getting education on concussions.”

To combat this, Cárdenas created the Barrow Brainbook in 2011, a web-based instructional tool that educates athletes on the prevention, recognition and

response to concussions.

The book has more than 400,000 users and is required by the Arizona Interscholastic Association to be completed before athletes can play.

Additionally, athletes are required to take the ImPACT Baseline test before the season, which measures their memory, verbal memory, motor control and reaction time. It also looks at short-term memory and impulse control to create a baseline score. Athletes take it again after suffering a concussion for comparison.

It is an effective tool for evaluating a player’s readiness to return to play after the concussion.

AIA guidelines require athletes who suffer a concussion to undergo an evaluation process before they are allowed to return to play. Ultimately, athletes must be symptom free before they begin a five-stage program that involves light physical activity before gradually returning to full participation.

Trainers, coaches and officials have the ability to remove an athlete from play if they believe they have suffered a head injury. If players are slow to get up, have trouble balancing or show confusion, they are immediately pulled from action.

Increasing concern about brain injuries has led to advancements in technology in football helmets. Vicis, a Seattle-based company, developed technology that allows the outer shell of its football helmets to be separate from the padding inside. When a player makes contact, the outer shell flexes to reduce impact.

Similar technology has been introduced in other helmet makers, such See

CONCUSSION on page 32

Love for sneakers has given birth to a fan community

BY NATE FAIN Cronkite News

J Carrillo’s house is covered in sneakers.

Some pairs are scattered across the floor, permissible to be kicked out of the way by his girlfriend. Others have been worn once or twice and are stored in the man cave room of the house in individual, transparent display drawers.

In this special room, Carrillo, a DJ who is known under the alias “Chilly,” can open up the top of his coffee table like a treasure chest. Inside are his most prized possessions, about a dozen versions of his all-time favorite sneaker, the Air Jordan XI. Chilly is a sneakerhead, a collector, willing to spend thousands of dollars to accumulate and sell troves of the trendiest, newest and rarest athletic shoes. With an assemblage hovering around 250 pairs, he’s allotted a permanent place in his heart to what he wears on his feet.

Along with the shoes, his two-story Tempe home is a shrine of sports memorabilia and “Star Wars” knickknacks.

Even something he takes as seriously as sneaker collecting is done with childlike exuberance.

“Every time a shoe drops and I’m able to get it, I feel like a kid a Disneyland,” said

Photo by Nate Fain/Cronkite News

J Carrillo, who goes by the alias “Chilly,” has only worn his Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Golden Child” shoes once. He said he’ll wear them again, one his wedding day.

Chilly, who once spent $1,400 for a pair of Air Jordans 1s. “It makes my day. I love to smell the shoes and touch them and look at them.”

He is part of a community, one that is growing in Chandler and across the Valley, and is navigating a rapidly changing

marketplace and retail industry in search of the most unique and artistically inspired shoes in the world. And he is not alone in his love for sneakers.

The U.S. athletic footwear industry generated $19.6 billion in sales in 2017, according to a report from global

information company The NDP Group.

“It’s a community, but like every community there are good and bad parts,” Chilly said. “Some people are just in it for the money. Others are in it because they genuinely love sneakers.”

Over the years, Chilly has learned how to navigate the sneakerhead community, skirting the sharks and finding what he calls “bounty hunters,” who admire his kindred spirit and help him find the best pairs.

One of them is Ryan Gizinski, the owner of Guest List, a sneaker and apparel store in Tempe. Gizinski started working at a Footlocker when he was 16. Not long after, he became obsessed with sneakers.

Now 30, he has owned Guest List for six years. He organized the Heated Sole Summit at Arizona Mills, which took place in July.

Over 150 vendors set up shop at the swap meet, buying, selling and trading coveted new releases, including the Travis Scott inspired Air Jordan 4 “Cactus Jack” and the Nike Off-White Presto.

Multiple Heated Sole Summits take place each year across the Valley. While the retail marketplace is rapidly moving to online platforms, and local sneaker consignment stores like Pound For Pound are closing, See

SNEAKERS on page 32

SPORTS & RECREATION 32

CONCUSSION

from page 31

as Riddell, with its Speed Flex.

One East Valley high school coach, Jeremy Hathcock at Desert Ridge, said that he contemplated purchasing extra padding to place over players’ helmets.

“I’m starting to learn that a kid only has so many hits in them,” Hathcock said. “(Helmets) are expensive, but it’s to the point that I want to have my kids safe.

You can’t win on Friday without the kids.”

Hathcock’s experience with concussions hits close to home. His son, Koby Hathcock, a junior linebacker for the Jaguars, recently came off concussion protocol for his second concussion in two years.

“We tried to convince him not to play but the concussions have been a year apart,” Hathcock said of his son. “If it happened nine months apart he would be sitting the rest of the year.”

Hathcock doesn’t find distinguishing between being a father and a coach difficult. To him, it’s simple: “I’m a parent first. Our son is more important

SNEAKERS

One East Valley high school coach, Jeremy Hathcock at Desert Ridge

than football will ever be. Even though football is my livelihood, I don’t give it a second thought.”

Improved technology to keep players safe comes at a cost, making it difficult for high school programs to outfit players with cutting-edge gear. For that reason, additional policies have been mandated

across the nation to protect male and female athletes in all sports.

Arizona has enacted legislation to limit physical contact, whether on the football field or header practice in soccer.

Another major factor is how athletes learn to play the game. Proper technique is emphasized.

Ellis believed that leading with his head to make that play back in 2014 was his only option, at the time not thinking about the impact it could have on his life.

Speaking to news media at St. Joseph’s on Aug. 17, Ellis was moved to tears thinking about his friends who continued their dream of playing football at the next level, admitting he still gets a “spark” when he sees them play.

Even so, he remains satisfied with how far he has come since his injury.

“If I was here the day after my concussion, I wouldn’t know what I am doing. I would have no idea,” Ellis said.

Initially, he suffered migraines and he was overly sensitive to light.

“When it first happened, I had a ringing in my ears like a freight train,” he said. “The migraines have stopped, but occasionally I still have ringing in my

from page 31

sneakerheads are trying to establish sneaker culture and street wear in Phoenix.

“In 2018, retail is tough, but the market in Arizona is strong,” Gizinski said. “There are five major businesses here that travel to every big sneaker event in the country.”

Last year, Sneaker Con, a globe-trotting shoe show, made its first stop in Phoenix.

Along with living in here Phoenix, Chilly has a condo in Los Angeles, one of America’s most fashion-forward cities and a multi-time host of Sneaker Con. He sees differences and similarities between the two places.

“Naturally, Phoenix is a little bit behind, but the proximity to Los Angeles helps,” he said.

“I think it’s stronger here than in like Kansas or Alabama. I know there are a lot of places in Arizona that are trying emulate Los Angeles.”

But for those who have already embraced the culture, collecting sneakers can come with consequences.

Some collections, like Gizinski’s, consist of more than 1,000 pairs of shoes. Even when paying the modest retail price of $120, which collectors only pay for the rarest shoes if they win online lotteries, the hobby (or habit) can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Gregory Robison has long been aware of the financial vortex that often snags sneakerheads. So when he started college at ASU, he sold his entire collection of approximately 500 shoes. Now that he’s 35, has a wife and child, and works a steady job for the City of Phoenix, he’s back in the game.

“During college, I fought it off,” Robison said. “I was focused on school. I told myself, ‘Get a good job, make a lot of money and you can always go back and buy all the pairs you sold.’ ” He made it through college, but he’s still a prisoner to the rush that comes with owning a new design that no one else has.

“One thing a lot of sneakerheads in the community won’t tell you is that sneakers are a real addiction. I know for a fact: I’m addicted to sneakers,” Robison said. “It’s not just a hobby. Most sneakerheads will tell you, ‘Oh, I can stop anytime.’ We might be able to stop for a period of time, but we can’t fight it, and it’ll come right back.”

Photo by Nate Fain/Cronkite News

Some collectors covet the status and attention they receive for owning something rare much more than innovative designs or splashy colors.

“People might not admit this, but sneakerheads want the shoes that no one else has. It makes them feel a certain way,” Robison said.

Anyone suffering from this sneaker addiction Robison alludes to would have found their strength tested at Heated Sole. During the event, the large, usually vacant space in the mall, filled with vibrant colorways and retro athletic apparel, looks like a candy store. However, the treats there cost more than a couple of quarters — try anywhere from $150-$1,500.

There was money to be spent, but also money to be made. And anyone there — even non-vendors — could sling some sneakers for cash.

Young entrepreneurs have figured out a pretty simple system. Buy a limited-release pair at retail value, and sell it for five or six times the price.

Kyle Warner is one of those savvy

salesmen. Only a teenager — unlike the Generation Xers who were introduced to sneakers by Michael Jordan in the 1980s and dominate the community — he set up a line of about six pairs of sneakers on the floor at the summit.

He loves sneakers, and has pumped a lot of money into his “high-end” collection. But he said he’s made a lot of that money back.

“I make so much money on shoes,” Warner said. “The most I’ve ever made (on one pair) is $1,100 above retail.”

Reselling shoes has made the hobby more sustainable and affordable for some sneakerheads, but older members of the community worry that resellers aren’t in the game because they love basketball shoes, but because they want to turn a profit.

But as retailers struggle across the country, and with fewer consignment stores to mitigate fair pricing, the marketplace has shifted to websites like Facebook, Ebay and StockX, where bidding wars are encouraged.

“The majority of people I sell to don’t live in Arizona,” Warner said.

The marketplace has changed, but so

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

ears.”

Otherwise, he said, he is mentally and physically fine now.

“It’s something I don’t take for granted.

I am extremely happy,” he said.

Ellis plans to graduate from Arizona State with a degree in criminal justice in the next year, and has begun the process to work in local law enforcement. From there, he hopes to work for the federal government as an ATF agent.

Even though Ellis knows first hand how a severe injury can change his life immediately, when asked if he would let his kids play football, he didn’t hesitate.

“I definitely see my future kids playing football, absolutely,” Ellis said. “Hopefully they won’t go through the same type of injuries I have but I will give them the proper coaching.

“It will at least help prevent something like this from happening.”

Jeremy Hathcock of Desert Ridge High is familiar with the effects of football concussions as a coach and a parent. His son, Koby Hathcock, a junior linebacker for the Jaguars, recently came off protocol for his second concussion in two years.

has the market. Sneakerheads still seek the status that comes with having a unique collection. But now the athletic practicality of a shoe matters much less than it used to, and the artistic value of a shoe is of higher priority.

“The sneakers used to be associated with the athletes. Now, it’s all about the fashion,” Robison said. “They wear the shoes, but they don’t watch football or basketball. In the ‘80s and ‘90s that would be blasphemy.”

Many of the major athletic apparel brands, such as Nike and Under Armour, have seen a dip in basketball shoe sales and have focused more energy on running and casual footwear. Several product advisory boards see this as the new normal.

As consumers crave more flamboyant and creative designs, artists are taking the classics and giving the one-of-a-kind customization.

Even the NFL — known for its strict on-the-field dress code — started the “My Cleats, My Cause” initiative, which allows players to wear cleats with custom artwork to promote a charity of their choosing.

Jon Trevor hopes that someday he’ll be able to display his work in an NFL game.

The head of human relations for a startup company, Trevor, in his spare time, has combined a lifelong love of sneakers with artistic gifts. He does commissionbased shoe customizations for everything from football and golf shoes to Air Jordans.

Trevor’s art is more of a stress reliever than a side hustle. His business model is not complex. He doesn’t have a website, only an instagram page with photos of his work.

Interested buyers approach him with an idea, and if he likes the idea, he’ll come up with a design and make the shoes a reality.

The work itself is a little more complicated, and the end product doesn’t come cheap. Trevor, 37, uses a variety of paints and styling utensils. It can take several hours of work to complete a pair.

“We’ve made shoes more important than they really should be, but they’re really just a piece of rubber and cloth,” Trevor said “There was an allure to shoes, now no one really cares about that. They just want to show off for their friends and Instagram.”

But even he has found life-long friends in the sneaker community, ones who share his appreciation for custom shoes.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018 November 5 - 18, 2016

“An award winning publication”

SanTan Sun News

September2018

SANTAN FAMILY FUN

33

Sports, crafts, nature walks part of break camps

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Fall break is just around the corner and the City of Chandler is offering several camps to keep children and teens busy, entertained and active while they are not in school.

The city is offering youth, nature and sports camps at different city recreational centers for youths ages 5-13 and also a Leader in Training program for those ages 13 to 17. The camps are Oct. 1-12 and registration is already underway.

Kids at the Youth Camp will play sports and games, work on arts projects, swim, take field trips to swimming pools and laser tag venues and bowl and engage in other activities.

Nature Camp gives youths an opportunity to take hikes, walk around a lake, encounter animals and plants and participate in experiments and naturethemed craft projects.

Sports Camp enables children and teens to play basketball, hockey, soccer, dodgeball, capture-the-flag and other games.

Youths ages 13 to 17 will gain work skills if they are accepted to the Leader In Training program, where they will have a chance to work with staff members instructing the children in the fall break camps.

Interested teens have to fill out applications and go through interviews to be considered for the LIT service.

Susan Richardson, recreation coordinator 1 for the City of Chandler, said it’s important to offer camps with different themes and activities “just to have a variety so the kids can do different things, meet different people.”

Chandler Community Center at 125 E. Commonwealth Ave. will provide the general youth camp at several different times, including in half and full-day sessions for kids ages 5-12.

Tumbleweed Recreation Center at 745 E. Germann Road also is offering the

An Pham

Children participate in a City of Chandler program. Youth, nature and sports camps will be offered at different city recreational centers over fall break, Oct. 1-12.

general Youth Camp for kids ages 5 to 12, and Club TRC for kids ages 10-13. Half and full-day sessions are also being provided for the camps at that site.

The Nature Camp will be offered at the Environmental Education Center at 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road. Kids ages 6-12 can participate in that camp, which will only have full-day sessions from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sports Camp, at Snedigar Recreation Center at 4500 S. Basha Road, offers half and full-day sessions for children ages 5-11.

Youths need to bring a snack for the morning and one for the afternoon and a lunch each day at the camps.

Parents can ask questions and get more information about the camps at

informational sessions at the facilities where the camps will take place.

One session will be held at 6 p.m. Sept.

27 at Snedigar Recreation Center, The Chandler Community Center will also have its parent meeting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 27.

Tumbleweed Recreation Center will hold its parent session at 6 p.m. on Sept. 24.

College students, school teachers, as well as high school students with “a great wealth of knowledge of the activities we do” make up the staff guiding youths in the camps, Richardson said. Generally one staff member works with 12 to 15 children at a time.

Registration: chandleraz.gov/ registration and type in “fall break” in the search area.

Johnjay Van Es dedicates career to dogs, foster children

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff

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

Johnjay Van Es paced nervously inside Grimaldi’s in Old Town Scottsdale. He and his 104.7 KISS FM morning show partner, Rich Berra, have interviewed some of the world’s top celebrities. But this time, Van Es is about to chat with a hero: John Travolta.

“When I was in elementary school in Chandler, I wore a Welcome Back Kotter T-shirt for my school pictures,” Van Es said.

He pulled out his cellphone and slides through pictures until he finds it. There are photos of dogs, his family and finally him wearing the Welcome Back Kotter shirt. Van Es isn’t one to get starstruck.

These days he’s more enamored by adoptable dogs and foster children.

Through #LovePup, Van Es, his wife, Blake, and three sons rescue dogs, love and care for them, so when the animals transition to their new families, they have all they need. It’s a family project, indeed.

“I want to teach my kids empathy, compassion and character,” Van Es said.

He travels an unconventional road to help dogs get adopted. To adopt from

Special to SanTan Sun News

Johnjay Van Es and his family rescue dogs through #LovePup. To adopt dogs from Van Es, there is no charge but he is strict about possible dog parents.

Van Es, there is no charge, although he’s strict about potential dog parents.

“I have had a blessed life,” he says.

“But I think to get a dog adopted from me, I really like to take my time

researching the person.” #LovePup will come together with fellow rescues from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, See

PUP on page 34

34

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018 November 5 - 18, 2016

September2018 Mon

3

• D-backs vs. Padres

Tue

4

Wed

5

• D-backs vs. Padres • Toddlertime • Lapsit Babytime • Lego Club • Family Storytime • STEAM Club

• Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Lapsit Babytime

Thu

Fri

6

7

• Toddlertime • D-backs vs. Braves • Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Charlotte’s Web • D-backs vs. Braves

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

Send family events and activities to

STFF@SanTanSun.com

Sat

Sun

1

2

• Arizona Railway Museum

8

9

16

• Arizona Railway Museum • Charlotte’s Web • D-backs vs. Braves

10

11

12

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• Lapsit Babytime • Read & Play Group • Family Night at the TRC | Wham! Pow! Zap! Boom!

• Lapsit Babytime • Read & Play Group • D-backs vs. Cubs

• Lapsit Babytime • Read & Play Group • D-backs vs. Dodgers

• Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Lapsit Babytime

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

• Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Lapsit Babytime • D-backs vs. Cubs

• Toddlertime • Lapsit Babytime • Lego Club • Family Storytime • D-backs vs. Cubs

• Lapsit Babytime • Lego Club • Family Storytime • STEAM Club • D-backs vs. Dodgers

• Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Lapsit Babytime • D-backs vs. Dodgers

• Toddlertime • Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Read to a Dog

• Toddlertime • Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Toddlertime • Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Read to a Dog

• D-backs vs. Rockies • Family Foam Fest

• Arizona Railway Museum • Charlotte’s Web

• Arizona Railway Museum • Charlotte’s Web • D-backs vs. Braves • Toddlertime

• Arizona Railway Museum • Charlotte’s Web • Toddlertime

• Arizona Railway Museum • Charlotte’s Web • Ho’ike • Ocean Commotion

• Arizona Railway Museum • Charlotte’s Web • Read to a Dog • D-backs vs. Rockies

• Arizona Railway Museum • Charlotte’s Web • Fall Butterfly Exhibit

23

• Arizona Railway Museum • Charlotte’s Web • Toddlertime • D-backs vs. Rockies

30

• Arizona Railway Museum • Charlotte’s Web • Fall Butterfly Exhibit • Toddlertime • Fall Butterfly Exhibit

See

PUP

from page 33

Sept. 28, for a big adoption event at Vertuccio Farms, 4011 S. Power Road, Mesa. #LovePup Family Fest will feature rescues, food, live music and dog adoptions. Madison Beer, who was discovered by Justin Bieber, and Ocean Park Standoff will perform. Admission is free, but donations of dog supplies are requested.

At his last family fest, more than 10,000 people showed up and all the rescue dogs were adopted.

“These rescues were cleaning up and they were all emotional because their dogs were adopted,” he said. “Plus, there were leashes, diapers, bags of dog food, canned food and treats. It’s cool to give back to the rescues.”

Miracle Mile Deli in Phoenix will donate $1 per pastrami sandwich sold from Sept. 6 to Sept. 30 to #LovePup. The kickoff is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

6, with a KISS FM appearance, T-shirt sales and adoptable dogs.

Van Es is planning to open an adoption center and bring the model to different states. A Tucson native, he returned to the city to find his former elementary school was for sale.

“I’ve never seen that before,” Van Es said. “It made me want to buy it and put #LovePup Tucson there. Imagine how many dogs we could save if every classroom was a place where we could house/love dogs.”

Van Es uses his celebrity connections to film videos of stars like Charlie Puth and Ed Sheeran with adoptable dogs.

“Ed Sheeran isn’t a dog person, so I

went to a cat rescue and I brought a bunch of kittens,” he said.

“Do you know how many people wanted to adopt the kittens he was playing with?”

Johnjay Van Es’ career in radio was written in the stars. He lived in Tucson until the fifth grade with his Dutch father, who managed two Taco Bells, and his Mexican mother.

When he was 11, he moved to Chandler, where he attended Knox Elementary, Chandler Junior and Chandler high schools.

His mother found a job at Burger King, while his dad was employed by Kings Table. Van Es delivered newspapers.

When he was 14, Van Es won movie passes to see “Sixteen Candles” from the very station by which he is now employed.

“My dad would tell me, if you find something you love to do, you don’t have to work a day in your life,” he said.

Van Es agrees with that sentiment. His

CALENDAR page 3

passion extends beyond music, celebrities and dogs. He and Berra founded the #LoveUp Foundation. They, along with the Arizona Department of Child Safety, recently surprised a group of graduating eighth-grade foster children with brand new Chromebook laptop computers through a new pilot program that aims to put technology in the hands of kids in Arizona’s foster care system.

With a grant from the Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club, #LoveUp purchased $22,000 worth of technology for the DCS pilot program. The 100 laptops were distributed this summer to foster children who have been nominated by their DCS case managers.

“The #LoveUp Foundation is proud to continue our partnership with Arizona Department of Child Safety,” Van Es said.

“Foster children deserve to have the same advantages as other kids. If we can help make this happen, we are serving our mission to the best of our abilities.”

Pups and Pastrami Kickoff, Miracle Mile Deli, 4433 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, lovepupfoundation.org, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 6, charge for meals.

Miracle Mile will donate $1 per pastrami sandwich sold in Sept. to #LovePup. #LovePup Family Fest, Vertuccio Farms, 4011 S. Power Road, Mesa, lovepupfoundation.org, 5 to 9 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 28, free admission.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018 November 5 - 18, 2016

CALENDAR from page 2 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 Arizona Railway Museum, noon to 4 p.m. Visit Chandler’s railway museum at Tumbleweed Park. The Arizona Railway Museum was founded in 1983 as a nonprofit organization and is dedicated to the railways of Arizona and the Southwest. All types of railroad memorabilia and cars are represented in the museum.

Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Road, Chandler, display yard and building free; display cars $5 per person or $15 per family/ group. For information, call Tim at 480-833-4353 or Bart Barton at 480-831-6520, azrymuseum.org.

2, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 “Charlotte’s Web,” times vary. Follow Wilbur the piglet as he tries to navigate farm living with his new friends and Charlotte the spider.

Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, $12 to $30, 602-252-8497, herbergertheater.org.

3, 4 D-backs vs. Padres, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the San Diego Padres at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $13 to $155, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

4, 11, 18, 25 Toddlertime, 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The 30-minute program features singing and puppets to engage children.

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

4, 11, 18, 25 Lapsit Babytime, 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

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

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

4, 11, 18, 25 Lego Club, 4 p.m. Meet new friends and have fun building with Lego, which are supplied.

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

makerspace.

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

4, 11, 18, 25 Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m. Read books, sing songs and play with puppets at Family Storytime. This week, families will build forts, select books and read. Fort-building material will be provided.

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

4, 11, 18, 25 STEAM Club, 4 to 5 p.m. Come to the Chandler Library STEAM Club and have fun every Tuesday with science, technology, engineering, art and math. Win prizes just for showing up. Ages 6-11. STEAM Club is a Vertex program, where Chandler Public Library intersects with STEAM and makerspace.

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

5, 12, 19, 26 Ready, Set, Preschool!, 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. Preschool-age children prepare for kindergarten through singing and activities.

This program requires active participation by children and their caregivers so they can use these skills at home.

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

5, 12, 19, 26 Lapsit Babytime, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Read books, listen to music and interact with fun puppets at play time. All activities are designed for newborns to 18-month-old children. One parent for each child is highly recommended.

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

6, 13, 20, 27 Toddlertime, 9:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.

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

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

6, 7, 8, 9 D-backs vs. Braves, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $19 to $190, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

6, 13, 20, 27 Ready, Set, Preschool!, 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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

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

9, 16, 23, 30 Toddlertime, 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Songs and puppets engage toddlers during this 30-minute event.

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

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

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

10, 17, 24 Read & Play Group, 11:30 to 11:55 a.m. Network with other parents while children read and play games. Different child development experts may visit on certain days.

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

13, 22, 27 Read to a Dog, times vary. Children are welcome to practice their reading skills with a certified therapy dog.

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

15 Ho’ike, 5 p.m. Watch traditional Kahiko and modern Hula Auana dances inspired by the Polynesian Islands.

Desert Vista High School, 16440 S. 32nd St., Phoenix, cost TBD, https://bit.ly/2PknOxC.

35

15 Ocean Commotion, 10:15 a.m. Kids can explore the ocean through hands-on experiments.

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

17, 18, 19 D-backs vs. Cubs, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $19 to $190, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

19 Family Night at the TRC | Wham! Pow! Zap! Boom!, 5:30 p.m. Dress up in superhero costumes and fly on over to the Tumbleweed Recreation Center for a night of family activities. Play games and create superhero masks.

Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Road, Chandler, $2 to $3, chandleraz.gov/trc.

21, 22, 23 D-backs vs. Rockies, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $19 to $190, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

21 Family Foam Fest, 4:30 p.m. This Rawhide event features a number of family-friendly races, including a half mile elder walk, a 5K run and a 1.5 mile walk. Participants will receive a T-shirt and finisher medal.

Rawhide Western Town and Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, price varies, https://bit.ly/2PiQ7wc.

24, 25, 26 D-backs vs. Dodgers, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $19 to $190, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

29, 30 Fall Butterfly Exhibit, Step into an enclosure swarming with colorful butterflies. Guests will learn about the importance of pollinator insects while observing a variety of butterfly species.

Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, free with general admission, 480-941-1225, dbg.org.

‘Game of Thrones’ concert highlights music off Westeros

BY LAURA LATZKO Contributor

In the HBO series “Game of Thrones,” the music not only helps to drive the plot but tells the characters’ stories. Behind the scenes, composer Ramin Djawadi creates the soundtrack to add drama and evoke emotion during pivotal scenes in the show.

Arizona audiences can experience the show’s music live Sept. 12 as part of the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience.

During the musical showcase, Djawadi acts as conductor, leading the choir and orchestra.

The concert experience is in the second leg of its national tour. The show started in the United States in February 2017 and visited Europe in May. Based on the books of George R.R. Martin, “Game of Thrones” recently finished its seventh season. The TV show follows families as they fight for titles and control of lands on the fictitious continents of Westeros and Essos.

The live experience combines music and video footage from the seven seasons of the show, along with special effects such as pyrotechnics.

Djawadi wanted to transport audiences to another world, where dragons, white walkers and long winters exist.

“When they come out, they really feel like they are in Westeros. I wanted to create

Photo by Ralph Larmann

The Game of Thrones concert experiences comes to Gila River Arena on September 12. The “Game of Thrones” composer is Ramin Djawadi.

this whole experience,” Djawadi said.

It took Djawadi and his team three years to develop the live show. He said narrowing down the music was the biggest challenge.

“When I chose the pieces I wanted to perform, I had way too much music. So, I had to pick the right pieces, to do the right storytelling,” Djawadi said.

The concert highlights music from pivotal scenes in the show, such as the Red Wedding and the explosion of the Great Sept of Baelor, as well as themes used for different characters and houses.

Similar to the TV show, the cello is one of the featured instruments in the live experience.

“The cello is definitely one of the

most dominant, or maybe the dominant instrument, at the (live) show just because I thought it captured the mood of the show overall, that dark sound that the cello can have,” Djawadi said.

The concert also showcases other instruments from the TV show, including the violin, flute and duduk.

“I think it’s fun for the audience to see some of these instruments they’ve heard on the show for so long. You get to see what they look like.

Seeing it live, performed by the musician, just takes it to another level,” Djawadi said.

The show is meant for avid fans as well as series newcomers.

The idea for the series of concerts came from a conversation with show creators

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

Also a composer for the TV shows Westworld and Prison Break and the film Iron Man, Djawadi works closely with the Game of Thrones creators to develop music for the show.

Djawadi said the music is almost like another character in the show.

“It becomes a very powerful tool of storytelling and in leading the audiences in whatever direction you want to lead. With emotional music, you can enhance a certain scene, or on a chase scene, you can make it more dramatic,” Djawadi said.

Although he has done one-time concerts, being in front of an audience for a concert series has been a new experience for Djawadi.

“I think the biggest thing for me is actually just to have that connection to the audience right there and then, when we perform the music, and really see their reaction,” Djawadi said.

More Info What: Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience Where: Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 Cost: Tickets start at $34.75 Contact: 623-772-3800, gameofthronesconcert.com

36

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018 November 5 - 18, 2016

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018 November 5 - 18, 2016

480-998-0110

37

38

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018 November 5 - 18, 2016

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and the Chandler City Council

Fall into Fun with

CHANDLER PARKS & RECREATION New Look!

Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Whether you take a break at one of our intersession camps, stretch your wings at the annual Dragonfly and Butterfly Bash or make a night of it at Family Night, Chandler Parks & Recreation offers a variety of ways for you to fall into fun. For a complete listing of upcoming activities or for more information on programs highlighted below, pick up a Break Time magazine at Chandler facilities,

visit chandleraz.gov/breaktime or call 480-782-2727.

5

$

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Talent Competition FRI., SEPT. 7 | 6–8 p.m.

BOOKWORM BLAST

CHANDLER COMMUNITY CENTER

WED., SEPT. 5 | 5:30–7 p.m.

Cheer on Chandler’s most talented youth! Enjoy a variety of acts ranging from dancers, singers, and musicians.  chandleraz.gov/community-center

TUMBLEWEED RECREATION CENTER Book it to Tumbleweed Recreation Center for Family Night written just for bookworms. Take note as you enjoy games and crafts inspired by your favorite literature characters and books.  chandleraz.gov/trc.

27th Annual

Disability Awareness Awards  MON.,

WHAM! POW! ZAP! BOOM!

WED., SEPT. 19 | 5:30–7 p.m.

SEPT. 10 

Reflecting on the important role different perspectives play in the workforce, the fall Disability Awareness Awards celebrates workers with disabilities and employers who employ them. Nominations are currently being accepted for Employee and Employer of the Year.  chandleraz.gov/therapeutic

FR E

E

Calling all super kids and grown-up sidekicks! Report to Family Night at the TRC in costume and get ready for an adventure of heroic proportions! Design you own superhero mask or create the perfect secret identity. You’ll practice your super-strengths with epic games.  chandleraz.gov/trc

SAT., SEPT.22 9 a.m.-noon ENVIROMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

It’s time to stretch your wings at the Environmental Education Center’s annual Dragonfly & Butterfly Bash. Be a social butterfly and flutter over to the EEC for a fun-filled morning. Enjoy guided nature walks, hands-on crafts, presentations and more. Walks are approximately 15-mintues in duration over easy terrain.  chandleraz.gov/eec

Stay cohnunse!cted wit

TUMBLEWEED RECREATION CENTER

are October 1–12 School just started, but before you know it your kids will be home for fall break. Chandler Parks & Recreation offers students, ages 5 to 13, an opportunity to break away and enjoy well-deserved vacation activities during fall. From art and sports to nature and science, you’re sure to find something exciting for every child in your family. Flexible options include your choice of all day, half day and specific weeks.  chandleraz.gov/camps

@ChandlerRec

Chandler Recreation

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018 November 5 - 18, 2016

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14, 2018 November 5 - 18, 2016

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VOTE NOW!

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

Opinion

41

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Election officials’ Tuesday performance worse than abysmal

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

I’ve never been the world’s greatest when it came to math – which is perhaps a reason why I was never attracted to any public office that had to do with counting election results.

Apparently, Michelle Reagan and Adrian Fontes would have done well to have done the same.

Given last Tuesday’s handling of the primary elections, all I can say is that Reagan justly lost her primary bid for a second term as Arizona Secretary of State and Fontes should seriously consider doing something else for a living when his term as Maricopa County Recorder comes up in 2020.

As someone who has worked more primary and general election nights than he can remember, I can safely say that I’ve never seen such a deplorable handling of returns than I did last Tuesday night.

It was so bad that by 10 p.m., I gave up on my promise in print to have an up-to-

date story awaiting our website readers Wednesday morning, opting instead to come in early in the hopes I could post a story with reliable results.

Sadly, they were semi-reliable at best, given that the Secretary of State’s website showed only 49 percent of the vote had been counted 12 hours after the lights had been turned off in polls across the state.

And the recorder’s website – well, it never did say how many votes had been counted, leaving some pretty close races for municipal councils in the East Valley in a state of doubt and confusion.

This got me wondering about whether I should have reconsidered a career in an office that oversaw elections.

What other job is there in the world where you have one critical task to accomplish twice every two years and can blow it with no immediate consequences?

I don’t count Reagan in that because she apparently bore the brunt of failures that were both hers and her predecessor – failures that, by the way, had nothing to do with counting votes.

You might think this is all caterwauling

by a journalist disgruntled by the inconvenience created by the remarkably shoddy performance of the secretary of state and recorder’s offices.

It’s not.

What it is on my part is outrage that the time and money so many candidates had spent on trying to win their respective campaigns in Maricopa County and the state seemed not to matter to the two people who should have been most determined to perform flawlessly in their jobs on Tuesday night.

One legislative candidate I spoke with late Tuesday evening seemed pretty much ahead, but when I asked her is she was ready to declare victory, she hesitated and said she wanted to wait a few hours because it wasn’t clear whether it was time to grab a bottle of champagne.

The same thing happened Wednesday morning when I emailed a municipal council candidate in the East Valley who seemed to have won. She too told me she was figuratively keeping the Moet on ice.

I wasn’t particularly surprised by Fontes’ office’s performance.

The indications of sub-par performance on his part were there for months when I had to click my way around the recorder’s site trying to find simple answers to questions – and couldn’t.

Then, of course, when news of malfunctioning machines at 62 Maricopa County polling places broke during the day Tuesday, my only reaction was: Why am I not surprised.

Incredibly, Fontes’ office never posted how many votes had actually been counted, making it impossible to call elections and requiring more qualifying adjectives and adverbs in our Wednesday morning online report on results than a used car salesman might put on a lemon.

The last email I read Tuesday night was an abject apology by Fontes in which he told the world: “I take responsibility for what happened and I will make sure that it does not happen again.”

Words like “How nice” and “yeah, yeah” came to mind.

But the ones that stuck were: “You’re fired.”

Or should be.

We wish we didn’t need your support, but…

BY DAN SHUFELT Guest Writer

I enjoy sharing the work we do every day at Arizona Helping Hands with our community. I believe it’s important to spread the word of a small charity making a BIG difference for the 15,000+ children in foster care in Arizona.

A safe place to sleep, a backpack to start the school year, a birthday gift and more all add up to make a huge impact on the lives of kids who have been abused and neglected.

These boys and girls, the victims of actions by people who claim to be adults, deserve every helping hand we can provide.

Our numbers document the enormity of the work we do.

In our service to kids in foster care we have provided more than 2,300 cribs to infants, most of whom have come out of the NICU with substance abuse issues; 6,600+ twin beds to give youngsters a spot of safety – their own bed to lay down on at night; 5,000 children with birthday gifts to celebrate their special day.

Special to the San Tan Sun News

Dan Shufelt holds a foster infant as part of his role as president/CEO of Arizona Helping Hands.

And we have done it all without any support from federal, state or local gov-

ernment.

Like most charities, we are left telling our tales of good deeds, and begging for support from everyone we can to help us keep the lights on, and to push the next bed out the back door for Samantha or Joey.

After a recent blogpost, I received a note that read, “I get so sick of all the do-gooders out there begging for help with everything. Arizona taxpayers already pay families to take care of children. I pay my taxes, so I believe I have given enough.”

I too pay taxes, I too am frustrated that more of my tax dollars don’t go to help kids in foster care.

You may not know that almost half of the children in Arizona’s foster care system are placed with kinship providers (mostly grandparents) who receive no governmental assistance for taking in and supporting children in foster care.

This presents a huge hardship on many who live on a fixed income, another reason that Arizona Helping Hands does everything we can to help.

I guess you’d have to call me one of the “do-gooders” who begs for help with everything. I believe that helping kids with basic needs in a life that’s been disrupted by the actions of ignorant adults is a worthy mission, and one that deserves community support.

I apologize for begging, but when it comes to helping that little baby I held just this morning who was born addicted to methamphetamine, or the teenager who is struggling with self-esteem issues after being removed from a toxic environment, my pride goes out the window.

I believe in our work, I believe in supporting children to give them a better chance at success. I wish we didn’t need your support, or have to beg for it.

BUT…..

-Dan Shufelt is president/CEO of Arizona Helping Hands, the largest provider of basic needs to Arizona’s children in foster care. Learn more about the Organization at www.azhelpinghands.org and contact him at dshufelt@azhelpinghands.org. Follow his blog at azhelpinghands.org/blog-post.

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Neighbors

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

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Rockin’ dads jam for charity as they cope with loss

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

While some fathers like to bond with other men over rounds of golf or by coaching their children’s sports teams, one group of dads prefers rocking out in a Chandler man cave and playing gigs at local bars and charitable events.

Besides the joy they experience banging on drums, strumming guitars and singing their hearts out, the members of STEREO REX say their jam sessions and songwriting have also helped lead singer Rex Van Dine, 52, grieve and cope with the loss of his daughter, Tawni.

She died at age 23 in 2013, leaving behind a son, Jaxon Tryon, now 7, who Rex and his wife, Kerry Van Dine are raising at their Gilbert home.

Rex wrote three songs with help from STEREO REX drummer Paul Burch, 49, of Chandler, and Dran Drago on guitar and JD Arthur on bass with Casey Weaver producing the compilation.

One song, “Sunday Road,” was about Rex’s frustration in trying to help his daughter, who had struggled with drug use while “One I’ll Never Know” is about Rex realizing that his daughter was no longer his little girl. The third one on the CD of three songs is called “One Last Time,” about Rex and Jaxon saying

Photos by Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

STEREO REX band members (from left) Bryan Linder, guitarist, Rex Van Dine, lead singer and guitarist, Brian Hoch, bass player and Paul Burch, on drums, pose outside of Burch’s home in Chandler.

“goodbye” to Tawni.

The support and camaraderie of his fellow STEREO REX band members – Burch, Bryan Linder on guitar and Brian Hoch on bass – have helped him cope with his loss.

“If it wasn’t for these guys, I would

have lost my mind,” Rex said.

A sign of Rex and his family moving forward and the strength his band mates provide is evident in a video for STEREO REX’s song, “Home” on their CD “Crunch, Crash, Boom.”

In the video, Rex interacts with Jaxon

outside in the desert during the song Rex wrote as if Tawni was singing to her son from above. The lyrics include words about her always being with him and comforting him if he is sad. Burch produced the video.

“I can’t imagine losing a child,” said Burch, the father of two. “We wanted to be there for him. It’s all Rex pouring his heart out.”

STEREO REX is performing at the Battle of the Bands at 10 p.m. on Sept.

7 at The Patio at The Forum, 2301 S. Stearman Drive in Chandler. The band will also be performing an acoustic, familyfriendly show from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept.

22 at Nicantoni’s Pizza, 323 S. Gilbert Road in Gilbert.

The band plays charitable events, eager to support anything that helps children and brings awareness to drug abuse.

Every November, STEREO REX plays at American Legion Post 90 in Black Canyon City as part of the Annual Marines Toys for Tots Rides Maricopa. The band will take the stage at a Cutrano AZ Troop Run, Inc. event that raises money for fallen soldiers’ children to attend college at Lucie’s Sage & Sand in Glendale in November.

See

DADSBAND on page 46

Chandler single mom escapes abuse, makes a life

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A single mother of three has been honored for her passion and perseverance in furthering her education and building a brighter future for her family after escaping an abusive relationship.

Vanessa Dearmon, 31, recently received the Family Self-Sufficiency Participant of the Year distinction from the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.

Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix partner to offer the Family SelfSufficiency Program to help low-income families transition from public assistance to economic self-sufficiency.

Dearmon works full-time at a restaurant and is taking classes to earn her bachelor’s degree in interior design and sustainability from Northern Arizona University while raising her children.

She already has two associate’s degrees from Mesa Community College.

Dearmon lives in public housing in Chandler and is also a member of the Chandler Public Housing Authority Commission and Chandler Housing and Human Services Commission.

The Housing and Human Services Commission makes recommendations to the City Council and Public Housing Authority on the city’s annual Community Development Block Grant from the federal government that is divvied up among nonprofit organizations in Chandler.

Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

Bonding with Vanessa Dearmon are her children, from left, Nahzhim, Khalil and Nala-Iyah.

Dearmon said she was surprised when she was asked to join the Housing and Human Services Commission and when she found out she received the selfsufficiency award.

“That one came as a total shock to me,” she said of the commission invitation. ‘I was like, really, you guys want me?’ I came in and interviewed. They talked about what we do, how we help with the community.

“Who wouldn’t want to give back to the community? Coming from using these

services to being on a commission that oversees these services is amazing. It really touches my heart to be able to give back to programs that I have received.”

Dearmon also is happy to be on the Chandler Public Housing Authority Commission, the governing authority for topics related to the administration, operation and management of the federal public housing and rental assistance programs that the city administers.

She has lived in public housing in Chandler since 2016 with her children:

Nahzhim, 8; Nala-Iyah, 5; and Khalil, 3.

“I had no idea I was even a nominee or in the running,” Dearmon said of the award. “I feel blessed. I feel grateful. All these people have come together and helped me rebuild my steps. People I’ve never met are like, ‘I’m proud of you; you’re doing a good job.’ It’s humbling at the same time.”

Through the self-sufficiency program, Dearmon and other residents who live in public housing pay a certain percent of their adjusted monthly income towards their rent.

When a family’s earned income increases from a job, a percentage of that pay raise can be put in an escrow savings account. The family will get all of the money in the account, plus interest, when the program contract is successfully completed.

The contract is completed when the participant reaches personal goals including earning a higher education, maintaining full-time employment and fixing credit card debt.

Families are encouraged to open an individual development account, which is a savings account that lets them save money to buy a home. For every dollar saved in that account, the family will get a $3 match from the IDA program.

Amy Jacobson, housing and redevelopment manager for the Chandler Housing Authority, is one of Dearmon’s supporters.

See

SINGLE MOM on page 44

NEIGHBORS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

43

Hamilton grad’s life-detection invention earns scholarship

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

A Hamilton High School graduate is getting a huge boost paying for college because of his invention – a system that helps detect human beings trapped under rubble after earthquakes.

Sachin Konan, 18, a computer science major at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of 20 students across the country to receive a $25,000 Davidson Fellows Scholarship.

“It basically detects the movement of the heart and chest of any buried victim that’s under rubble,” Konan said.

“I actually started this project in 2015; it was several months after the Nepal earthquake when I saw the images of the families and first responders. They were frantically searching for their loved ones under the rubble.”

Konan designed a 2.4 GHz Doppler radar that has active clutter cancellation and signal processing algorithms. The end system can sense humans through as much as 1 meter of concrete and 1.5 meters of brick.

He said he wanted to create something that was affordable and not tens of thousands of dollars. Konan said his device would likely cost about $500.

When Konan began his project, he said he “had no knowledge about radar, electrical engineering or programming.”

“I just started reading research papers, just tried to get bits and pieces.”

He also contacted an associate

Special to SanTan Sun News

Sachin Konan, 18, a Hamilton High School graduate, is one of 20 students across the country to receive a $25,000 Davidson Fellows Scholarship. The teen received the scholarship for his project that addressed recovering buried earthquake victims after natural disasters.

professor James Aberle at Arizona State University’s engineering school for guidance.

“He guided me towards resources,”

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Konan said. “He taught me things about radar that would be harder to do by myself. I did the entire project at home.”

While in high school, Konan

participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition and a Formula1-car design competition. He had volunteered as a student mentor for many regional FIRST Lego League robotics teams and at an area senior center. the scholarship came as a surprise, Konan said.

“I applied a week before it was due,” he said. “I completely forgot about it. It was a huge surprise when I got the email.

It was a huge blessing to get that.”

The 2018 Davidson Fellows will be honored at a reception Sept. 28 in Washington, D.C. The Davidson Fellows Scholarship program provides $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000 college scholarships to students who are ages 18 or younger, who have completed major projects with the potential of helping society in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math, literature and music.

The program has awarded more than $7.5 million in scholarship money to more than 300 students since it started in 2001.

“U.S. News & World Report” has named the Davidson Fellows Scholarship as one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships.

Started by Bob Davidson in 1999, the Davidson Institute for Talent Development honors, nurtures and supports extremely intelligent young people and offers opportunities for them to develop their talents to make a good difference.

Information: davidsongifted.org.

NEIGHBORS 44

SINGLE MOM

from page 42

“I am so proud of her,” Jacobson said. “She has been such an asset to our community and she serves on our Public Housing Authority Commission and our Housing and Human Services Commission.

She brings the perspective of a public housing resident and she has been doing great things. I encourage her to keep moving forward. She’s wonderful.”

Dearmon has come a long way from a turbulent life a few years ago. Originally from the Bay area of California, she and her family later moved to Nevada, where she finished high school.

During her freshman year of college in Nevada, her mother got throat cancer, which she beat.

After moving to Chandler initially in 2006, Dearmon later moved to Phoenix.

She was involved with her boyfriend for six years and he is the father of her children.

“Everything was okay in the beginning,” Dearmon said. “After (our) son was born, it started to go downhill so to speak. It was a slow-moving process. I realized at the end we hit rock bottom. He beat me up and he put me in the hospital. I was 9 months pregnant with the baby (Khalil.)”

She said her boyfriend had been

injured and he became addicted to prescription medicine. He was not working and he “turned to crime,” Dearmon said.

She said he started secluding her from her family members, friends and social media.

“He’d say things like, ‘They don’t care about you,’ kind of breaking down my mental state,” Dearmon said. “He’s like ‘I’m the only one that cares about you.’”

She said he also started shoving and pushing her.

“It went from a shove to black eyes, locking me in rooms, all kinds of horrible things,” Dearmon said. “I knew I was going to leave. I just didn’t know how because he’d say, ‘If you leave, I’ll take the kids.’ I didn’t want to put my children’s safety at jeopardy. I wanted to leave but I was afraid. I was embarrassed.”

She said she did not want to admit to her older sister, Yvonne Fawkes, of Chandler, and her mother that anything was wrong.

Fawkes, a nurse, 48, and married mother of three children, said she suspected the abuse but did not know for sure until Dearmon told them.

But after Dearmon had her baby, Khalil, Dearmon’s boyfriend beat her up and she went to the hospital.

“I just said, ‘This is enough,’” Fawkes said. “I told the nurse; I said, ‘We need

to move her into a private room where he couldn’t find her (in the hospital.) My mom and I proceeded to try to get the kids.”

Dearmon and her three children moved in with Fawkes and her husband and their kids. Fawkes said she was concerned about the children’s safety and wellbeing.

“My husband and I say that we’re really glad that she came and stayed with us,” Fawkes said. “I think Vanessa has come a long way and I’m super proud of her.”

She said when Dearmon was living with her she told her she needed to go back to school and earn a degree to improve her situation.

“She’s gone from having herself in a position of being in a bad situation to turning it around and then trying to be an advocate for other people in the community that have to go on HUD (Housing and Urban Development),” Fawkes said, adding: “For other women that come from a situation where they are being abused it is a message that there is light at the end of the road; that you can take a different path.”

Dearmon also feels good about her progress.

“I’m proud of myself because I know a lot of people don’t foresee it to the end,” she said. “I love being involved in

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

the community, especially learning about what really happens, where the funding comes from…seeing that things are looking up for the better.”

Dearmon also enjoys Chandler.

“Everything’s at your fingertips: the police station, the fire station, the school district; I love that,” she said. “I love living in Chandler. This is a great place to live.

There’s a lot of help out there. You just have to know where to get it.”

The hectic schedule juggling work, school and taking care of her three children is tiring, but Dearmon is driven to keep it up.

She wakes up at 5 every morning and takes her classes, brings her children to school, works and does homework each day.

“I just keep swimming,” Dearmon said.

“My children are my motivation. I have to give them something to look forward to.

I’m a mom. Moms, we have this fire that has to keep constantly burning. You’ve gotta get up and you gotta keep moving.”

She hopes her story of leaving an abusive relationship and returning to school will inspire others who are domestic violence survivors.

“I want people to know that you can get away; you can be okay; you can do it,” Dearmon said. “It’s a scary world out there. I’m the master of my story and I’m gonna make it my way.”

Deborah Burkett

Left: Dereon Godfrey, on left, participates in the ASPIRE Read to Succeed program with help from tutor Rosyln Tucker. Right: Children (from left) Braiden Martinez, Janina Whitehead, Melanie Romeylama and Gregoire Juma take part in the ASPIRE Read to Succeed program with tutor Sean Levine.

Volunteers needed for award-winning literacy program

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Volunteers are needed for an unusual and award-winning reading program that has helped boost reading levels among children in public housing and foster their love of the written word.

ASPIRE Read to Succeed, developed for kids ages 6 to 8 who live in Chandler public housing, received the Program Innovation of the Year award from the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials at its state conference in Phoenix last month.

City of Chandler public housing staff members saw children struggling with language and reading skills so they worked with the Housing Authority and Chandler Public Library to create a

tutoring program to aid the children.

Children who were reading below a firstgrade reading level and “deemed as at-risk” were eligible for the tutoring program, said Amy Jacobson, the authority’s housing and redevelopment manager.

Adult volunteers delivered the program twice a week for an hour at public housing sites.

The children answered questions and played games to build their vocabulary and other reading skills on apps they accessed on tablets that allowed them to learn at their own pace through a partnership with T-Mobile, Jacobson said.

They were tested with quizzes before they could move on to each next level in the curriculum. At the end of last school year, 11 children graduated and got free tablets.

Jacobson is happy the program got recognized.

“I’m just thrilled; considering this is the first year that we have implemented this program,” she said. “It’s really a benefit to the children in public housing in really making them hopefully better readers and elevate their literacy so they have the confidence really to do what they set out to do in life.”

Volunteers work with the children in the program in small groups.

“There’s really that attention those kids, really boosting their self-confidence, knowing even if they make a mistake they can continue to learn and feel comfortable,” Jacobson said, adding: “Those tutors are instrumental in creating their self-confidence and their love of reading. The hope is after graduating, they continue with the program on their app. They can check out books through the public library based on their reading level and just continue

through. They now feel comfortable using a tablet.”

More than 30 children originally registered for the ASPIRE Read to Succeed program.

Because several of them already tested as reading at or above first-grade level, a book club was created for them. They read books and talked about them at the Downtown Chandler Public Library with a volunteer/facilitator guiding them.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering to be a tutor for the ASPIRE Read to Succeed program may contact Deborah Burkett, recreation coordinator at the City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment Office at 480-782-3244 or visit chandlerlibrary.org/volunteeryour-time.html.

It is expected to start Sept. 10 and run through the school year.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

45

NEIGHBORS 46

DADSBAND

from page 42

Rex, Burch, Linder and Hoch wrote all the songs together for “Crunch, Crash, Boom.”

The CD is named after the band members’ alter egos. “Crash” is Burch’s nickname because he plays drums, “Crunch” is Linder’s as his guitar sounds like it is crunching and Hoch is called “Boom” because he plays bass.

The band practices together in a studio off Burch’s house in Chandler. Like many local rock bands, the members have day jobs, other than Rex, who is retired.

Burch juggles his career in software and hardware sales at Insight with raising his son, Jaden, 11, and daughter, Ally, 9, with his wife, Paula Burch.

Guitarist Linder, 43, of Mesa, works at an AJ’s Fine Foods store in Scottsdale.

Bass player Hoch, 57, a fire protection contractor, lives in Peoria but often makes the drive to Chandler and other parts of the East Valley for the band’s practices and gigs.

Like Rex, Hoch is a rockin’ granddad.

He has two adult children with his wife, Terri, and two adult stepchildren and he is also a grandfather to his stepdaughter’s two children.

“I think people get a kick out of that,” Rex said of the band members’ roles as fathers and grandfathers. “You’re never too old” to rock, he added.

Burch said most of the dads they know are “envious” of the foursome for playing in a rock band.

“They see the value,” he said. “They see how awesome it is.”

STEREO REX plays about two shows a month and Burch described their style as “desert brand rock” because it is “dry, but hot; it’s got soul.”

He said he has also heard the group’s style compared to a blend of the bands the Gin Blossoms and Buckcherry.

STEREO REX’s CD has hard rock and ballad songs that are “so different from each other,” Burch added. The band also likes to play their own version of other groups’ songs sometimes, including Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” and a bluesy take on Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.”

“Some dads, they’re into going to watch the big game,” Burch said. “They’ll go tailgating. We just do (music) just for the love of it. There’s something forever’s gonna be there. It’s more meaningful; it matters.”

The four members of STEREO REX are experienced musicians.

Burch and Rex grew up in New Mexico

Above: The rock band STEREO REX practices in the man cave/studio at drummer Paul Burch’s home. The other members are Bryan Linder on guitar, Rex Van Dine lead singer and guitarist, RIGHT, and Brian Hoch, bass player. Right: Paul Burch pounds out a beat on the drums during rehearsal.

though they did not meet each other until they were both living in the Valley.

Burch, who has lived in Chandler for eight years, started playing drums at age 13 and played in marching band in high school in New Mexico.

He also spent a short time studying film at Scottsdale Community College after moving to the Valley.

Rex moved around often as a child and graduated from Chandler High School in 1982.

“I love to sing,” he said. “I play a little guitar.”

His two brothers sang and played guitar and Rex sang in choir in school growing up, saying his eighth-grade choir teacher influenced and encouraged him.

Hoch has played in several other rock bands and taught himself how to play bass about 18 years ago.

He grew up in California and moved to Arizona, going to high school in Tucson, before joining the Navy and being stationed in California, Hawaii and Washington states. Hoch moved to the Valley more than 10 years ago and answered a humorous Craigslist ad Burch and Rex posted seeking a bass player for STEREO REX. “We have a fun little thing going here,” he said. “We’re all dads; a couple of us are

grandpas. We have day jobs. A lot of this revolves around family. My grandkids just love our music. Anytime we put on one of the videos, they just dance around. It’s very family-friendly.”

Hoch said he was not the only bass player who vied for a spot in STEREO REX. While playing with the band at a gig, the other band members decided they wanted him to join the group.

“We had a lot of fun,” Hoch said. “At the end of the set, Rex actually proposed to me, got down on his knee, asked if I’d be their bass player.”

Linder has been playing the guitar since he was about 13 and his father was a drummer.

This is the first band he has been in.

“Just the chemistry is good,” Linder said. “We all get along. It is a nice outlet.”

STEREO REX has been together since 2014.

“He is a sensational songwriter,” Burch said of Rex. “Rex is really good about just telling a story. He’s that good.”

Laura Lyon, of Phoenix, is a big STEREO REX fan and her best friend’s aunt is bass player Hoch’s wife, Terri.

“All four of them are just extremely

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

talented,” Lyon said. “Everything they do just blows me away. I love their covers so much now. I would rather hear the STEREO REX version.”

One cover song she loves hearing STEREO REX play is Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.” Lyon has also heard STEREO REX’s version of Micahel Jackson’s “Bad” and A Flock of Seagulls’ “I Ran.” “This is how diverse they are,” she said.

“Rex is the most amazing person you will ever meet. He will give you the shirt off his back. I think he’s really the glue to the band. He’s very diplomatic.”

A legal secretary, Lyon said she is a “rocker at heart.”

“What I love about them is they’re fun,” she said. “Their lead guitarist, he can shred.

He is so amazing. They get people dancing.

They invite people to sing with them.”

Lyon praised STEREO REX for writing and performing songs about Rex losing Tawni.

“I think it’s a wonderful tribute and it’s healthy for Rex,” she said.

Burch said when he first heard Rex playing a melody that later was used in one of the songs about Tawni on his guitar at a mutual friend’s party he knew something special was there.

“I heard him strumming and singing and said, ‘We really should try to put something together,’” Burch said.

While the band members enjoy playing for the fun of it and are not expecting to become famous, they have had some encounters with fame.

STEREO REX was chosen to play with Eddie Money at a charity event in Scottsdale for the last two years.

“All of the coolest things seem to be happening,” Burch said.

Hoch and the other band members were also thrilled to play Money’s songs while the legendary rocker sang.

“He is a riot,” Hoch said. “He is so funny. He grew up in New York. My wife’s from Brooklyn so they hit it off really well when they met.”

Hoch said he would love for STEREO REX to perform as an opening band for nationally known bands when they hit the stage at festivals in Arizona.

Rex would like the band to play a show to help a Christian rehabilitation center that treats people trying to overcome addictions.

To learn more about STEREO REX, visit its Facebook page at facebook. com/stereorex. More details about the band and their videos are also on the group’s website at stereorex.com.

“Crunch, Crash, Boom” can be purchased on amazon.com. Their music can also be found on iTunes and YouTube.

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47

Moms in Prayer gathering will focus on children

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

Two Valley women are among the organizers and guest speakers for the “Unshaken Arizona” conference organized

by Moms in Prayer International.

Moms in Prayer International, whose tagline is “Praying for Children & Schools,” encourages mass prayer for children, grandchildren and the schools they attend around the world.

Kay West and Michelle Keso have been involved with the organization for many years and are on the expansive planning team that has put together this two-day event.

West is among the speakers and Keso is event coordinator and master of ceremonies. Among the many speakers is actress/director Karen Abercrombie, who starred as Miss Clara in the 2015 film “War Room” among other films and television productions.

The two-day conference will run 7-9 p.m. Sept. 7 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 8 at the First Baptist Church of Tempe, 4525 S. McClintock Drive. A $40 fee includes materials and lunch Saturday.

Keso, an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University, her alma mater, said space remains available.

“Moms in Prayer is an interdenominational organization. We love Jesus and that is what matters,” said Keso. “Our dream to have a diverse audience of age, ethnicity and denominations.”

Keso, an Ahwatukee resident since 1990, said the planning team of 14 committees has worked on the event for 18 months.

“It takes a long time,” she said. “I will never walk into a big event again without realizing how much work is involved.”

Kay Cassidy West is MIPI’s international leadership director for Southern Africa, encompassing Angola, Botswana, The Union of the Comoros, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

After selling their Ahwatukee home and all possessions, she and her husband of 31 years, John West, spent nearly seven years as missionaries in Swaziland, and then South Africa, before returning to Ahwatukee in January 2017.

She is co-founder of Swaziserve, Inc. and serves as current president. She also is the author of “Refiner’s Fire,” a

First MIPI Arizona State Coordinator Rhonda VanderPloeg of East Mesa has been a part of the organization since 1995, when, as a young mother in Holland, Michigan, she joined a prayer group.

When she, her husband and five children moved to Mesa in 2003, she looked to connect with a local group, and discovered there were none.

She started one, serving as a group leader before advancing to area coordinator and then first state coordinator, an office she held for seven years.

“That burning passion for schools and teachers to be bathed in prayer never left my gut,” said VanderPloeg, who still hosts two prayer groups in her home.

“Every single school needs to be prayed for like this. Our teachers spend about seven hours a day pouring into our kids. They deserve to have us support them in prayer. And our children and grandchildren never stop needing our Special to the San Tan Sun News Kay West, who spent seven years in Swaziland helping villagers, is a speaker at the event planned prayers.”

by Mons in Prayer International.

Chandler resident Minnie Salcido said Moms in Prayer has been a part of her life 2016 about her experience in Swaziland 12 other ministry partners and vendors for 23 years.

– which recently has been renamed by offering information and products to “I’ve been hosting a Moms in Prayer the king of Swaziland as the Kingdom of attendees. group in Arizona for over 15 years,” eSwatini. said Salcido, who currently hosts a West is at work on a second book about grandchildren prayer group in her her experiences in South Africa. home, and is volunteering at the She said her 16-year involvement with event . “I’ve learned to pray for my Moms in Prayer has had a profound children and the children of my influence on her. “Moms in Prayer Moms in Prayer prayer partners.”

International has been life-changing for She encourages area mothers to me. I hope many women will walk away attend. equipped and encouraged to powerfully “It will be a life-changing pray for their children and grandchildren, event where they’ll be inspired and their schools, as well as to pray for to pray for their children, their our sisters worldwide,” said West. schools and their teachers,” she West, who also serves as the said. “Instead of being worrying organization’s global prison ministry mothers, they’ll become praying liaison, is active with her Ahwatukee Special to the San Tan Sun News moms.” church, Bridgeway Community Church.

Michelle Leso is helping to corrdinate and plan the mass VanderPloeg expressed Other speakers scattered throughout prayer gathering. excitement this extensive event is the event – along with videos and being held locally. musical entertainment – include Moms “Whatever season of life you’re in, there’s Many of us have traveled great in Prayer President Sally Burke and Fern a group for you,” said Keso, describing distances to attend similar events in Nichols, who founded the group in 1984 MIPI’s various prayer groups encompassing other states; now we have it right here,” after being concerned when her two college-age parents, grandparents and for she said. oldest children entered middle school. moms with children in elementary, middle Unshaken Arizona is one of three MIPI “Moms in Prayer is an hour of hope,” she school and high school. is hosting through this summer and fall. said of the prayer groups that meet locally “As to what Moms in Prayer has meant The other two are in Minnesota and in members’ homes. “Moms are discovering to me personally, it has forever impacted North Carolina. Keso said they have prethat being a part of the Moms in Prayer how I prayed for my children and others. registrations from women throughout community is turning their fears to faith.”

And the sisterhood is wonderful – that Arizona, Oregon, California, Minnesota Co-sponsoring Unshaken Arizona first group I had in my home when my and North Carolina, and registration are Operation Christmas Child and children were young all are coming to remains open.

Compassion International. Both will join Unshaken,” Keso added.

Information: monsinprayer.org.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

4 cats, 4 dogs eager to find homes in Chandler SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler residents looking for a pet might want to consider the four dogs and four cats looking for homes at two rescue shelters in the area.

Three of the dogs and three cats are now at Friends for Life Animal Shelter. People can inquire about the cats by emailing FFLcats@azfriends. org and the dogs at FFLdogs@azfriends. org. The phone number is the same for either, 480-497-8296 and the website is azfriends.org.

Spokeswoman Jannelle Cosgriff said Laney “might be tiny but she has tons of love to share.” The dog is currently being fostered with two other dogs, with whom she gets along, Cosgriff said.

“She is an active dog that likes to play a lot with the other dogs and has a nice play style,” she added. “Laney walks well on a leash and is house trained and doggy door trained. She knows basic commands of sit, stay, and lay down. Laney is kennel trained and does well left alone in the house. Laney spends her week with her foster family but is brought to Friends for Life’s adoption center on Saturdays where you can find her patiently waiting to be adopted.”

Laney is spayed, up to date on all shots, micro chipped, licensed and heart worm negative. Her adoption fee is $195.

Stash is a male, domestic short-haired cat about 3 years old. “He is a gentle boy that likes his human’s attention,” said Cosgriff, adding, “He gets along fine with his kitty roommate at the adoption center but does expect to be the center

Sid The Kid

Jefferson

Laney

Harry

Margo

Malibu

Stash

Missy

of attention and if not, he’ll surely tell you about it with a few ‘meows.’” He has, however, learned to be somewhat patient when sharing the affections of his humans. Stash loves to play with small, plush toys.”

Like all cats at Friends for Life, Laney is altered, dewormed, tested for FELV/ FIV, microchipped and vaccinated. His adoption fee is $95.

Cosgriff also spoke of Jefferson, a 7-yearold border collie/cattle dog that “loves to hang out and enjoys a good play session. He seems to do best with dogs his own size. Volunteers at the adoption center believe he would not do well in a home with cats.” His fee is $95.

Margo, a 5-year-old cat, is a big hit with volunteers, Cosgriff said, because

“she is a fun-loving, all-around great cat that also has extra toes. Margo likes to play, likes to talk and likes affection from her people. Her favorite place is by your side. She may be good with other cats but might prefer to be alone. She has lived with small dogs and children in the past.”

Her adoption fee is $5.

Sid the Kid is a year-old mixed-breed dog “will make a great hiking/jogging/ walking buddy once the heat subsides,” Cosgriff said. “Sid will need an active home as he still has got some puppy playfulness left in him. He learns new commands quickly and easily, and would love to show off for you.” His adoption fee is $195.

Another cat at the shelter is Malibu, a mixed domestic short-haired Lilac Lynx Point about 5 years old. “If you’re looking

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for a handsome, laid-back cat to hang out with then Malibu might be your guy,” Cosgriff said. “This handsome fellow is easy going and enjoys the company of people.”

Although Malibu tested positive for FIV, Berry said “he is otherwise very healthy. He can go on to live a long, healthy and happy life with this diagnosis.” His adoption fee also is $95.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Berry at Arizona Rescue said Missy “is a sweet, dainty girl with gorgeous yellow-green eyes that seem to stare right into the depth of your soul. Shy at first, it doesn’t take long for her to stroll over to greet you and request some affection.

“Missy loves attention from her people and is quite content to fill the vacant spot in your lap where she would be very happy to let you pet her all day long,” she added. “Missy seems fine with other friendly kitties.”

Arizona Rescue also is hoping to find a home for Harry, “an adorable young, active boy looking for a home to call his own. He knows basic commands, loves going for walks or runs and he plays a great game of catch too. Harry is a cuddlebug and never met a belly rub that he would say no to.”

“Harry is still a young dog,” Berry added.

“He will need daily morning runs/long walks to help burn off some of his energy.

He doesn’t appear to have had much socialization as he seems unfamiliar with certain noises and didn’t realize that end tables are not perches to stand on. The good news is that he is a great student.”

Information: azrescue.org.

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ASU prof’s Project Humanities rolls out programs for fall SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

If you happened to pass near a downtown Phoenix coffee house on an evening back in April of this year, you may have heard the voices of an impassioned discussion about the future of technology and society.

Another night, if you happened to be walking by a particular church also in downtown Phoenix, you may have seen a stream of people leave the building, all seemingly enlightened and still chattering away with others about the discussion they had just participated in about how we raise boys in our society.

On a Saturday early morning, if you happened to be near the 12th Avenue sidewalk between Jefferson and Madison Streets, you may have seen several tables, a trailer hitched to a truck, two long lines of people, and other individuals folding clothing, then guiding, one by one, the lines of people through the clothes, shoes, blankets, toiletries, and bags – all for free.

This is the work of ASU Project Humanities, an award-winning university initiative that, for the past eight years founded by East Valley professor Neal A. Lester.

His organization has created opportunities for provocative, relevant, balanced, and quality discussions and events that reach across disciplines, communities, and generations to engage in “talking, listening, and connecting.”

Lester, foundation professor of English at ASU, said, “To witness the excitement

audiences, Lester said.

For instance, the upcoming “Dispelling the Myths: Drag Queens and Drag Kings” showcases local drag performers.

In “Vital Voices: Social Justice Pearls and Gems,” attendees share their favorite passage, song, photograph, personal story, performance, poem, artifact, or the lick that connects them personally with social justice.

“The opportunity to offer diverse programs allows us to engage different audiences and in different venues across the Valley,” Lester continues.

Connecting with Project Humanities’ ongoing bimonthly Service Saturday homeless outreach, a film screening of “Angels of Our Better Nature” will be followed by a conversation with the film director Douglas Proce and other local organizations supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.

File photo The organization’s annual Hacks Neal Lester, Foundation Professor of English at ASU, also founded and directs Project Humanities on the for Humanity hackathon for social university campus. good is expected to draw several hundred individuals Oct. 6-7. realities and complexities of genderof this initiative from others is so It brings together coders, gratifying. When we have our enthusiasts, based violence, considering different entrepreneurs, humanists, designers, volunteers, and supporters coming to perspectives through table discussions artists, students, faculty, professionals us to collaborate, that means that we and knowledgeable facilitators. and others “to network, innovate, create are doing some good work that is both Other events this fall include “The and have fun building technologies that important and visible.”

Bell that Tolls: A Conversation on Death improve and support the quality of Project Humanities’ fall 2018 events and Dying” and “Dispelling the Myths: human life.” kick off with a world café titled Living with Trauma and PTSD.” Information: projecthumanities.asu.

“Conversations on Gender and Violence: The format of Project Humanities edu/events or 480-727-7030.

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Perry High band strikes it up Perry High School’s marching band, The Puma Regiment, spends hundreds of hours during the fall with full field productions under the direction of Brandon Kiesgen, as student musicians prepare for home football games, parades, community events and competitions on both a regional and state level. During a recent rehearsal, 1) Among the band members who took to the field were, from left, Erica Neaves, Nathan Batronis, Cole Richards, Gabby Ortiz-Luna and Jon Henderson; 2) Brody Richards played the sax; 3) Ian Matthews got all his notes right; Estefania Coracides handled a horn; 5) hitting the drums were, fromt left, Brent Robenalt, Frankie Lopez, Nick MacDonald, Cameron Smith and Trevor Schlorie; 6) Lindsey Crouse made sure the horn section was pitch-perfect; 7) Brennan Acevedo, left, and Aidan Powers waited for their turn to hit the drums; 8) Cat Walker was absorbed in practice; 9) Nick Mortorano struck up the drum corps; and 10) Andon Bibbey played his heart out – as all his fellow musicians did.

All photographs by Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

With no police powers, Arizona Rangers still protect and serve

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff

While Arizona was a territory, a company of men rode its untamed terrain on horseback, chasing down rustlers, murderers and other scofflaws.

The Arizona Rangers combated lawlessness for nearly eighty years until the Legislature disbanded it in 1909 – three years before the territory came into the Union as the 48th state.

“They are very closely tied to the culture and history of the state,” said Anthony Ramirez, a member of the Arizona Rangers, which was re-formed in 1957 by a few of the original surviving members. “It was founded to clean up the Arizona territory in preparation for statehood. Arizona is very much a state because of the Arizona Rangers.”

Today’s Arizona Rangers is an all-volunteer citizen auxiliary of men and women who wear a uniform and a badge and carry a gun. Its mission under Arizona Revised Statute 41-4201 is to provide additional manpower at the request of any law enforcement authority.

Rangers have no law enforcement or investigative power and have no more authority than a resident of Arizona.

But, Ramirez pointed out, “a police officer isn’t going to come to you and say, ‘hey, come help us.’ But Arizona Rangers are men and women who are trained for that.”

Initial training is a basic 24-hour academy, followed by an hour or two hours of training monthly, according to Hugh Fox, a member of the Ranger’s East Valley Company.

There are 19 companies located throughout Arizona, with a membership roster numbering around 300. East Valley Company is one of the larger posts with 19 active members.

Rangers are certified to carry collapsible batons and OC spray, and must meet Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board qualification standards in firearms. They also receive Arizona POST training in handcuffing and defensive tactics, according to Fox, a 28-year retired New Jersey cop who joined the Rangers in January 2017.

“It was a way for me to incorporate helping the community with doing something associated with law-enforcement-support activity,” he said.

All rangers must first undergo a state and national background checks and

W NO

Special to the San Tan Sun News

Though they have no arrest powers, Arizona Rangers are sworn to uphold the law and help local police in any way requested of them.

investigation and hold a current Arizona Concealed Weapon Permit. They also must be 21 or older and live in Arizona at least six months out of the year.

Joining the Rangers costs not only time but money.

Rangers pay for their own uniform and equipment, including a duty belt, body armor, weapons and ammunition – which, altogether, can average $2,500, Ramirez said.

Many rangers have previous law enforcement or military experience but they come from all walks of life, Fox said.

Although rangers have helped law enforcement agencies with services such as foot patrols, bailiff duty, prisoner transport and traffic control, most of what the East Valley Company does nowadays is provide security detail.

That includes helping the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department with the annual County Thunder concert event outside of Florence.

“We help out youth organizations like Sunshine Acres, a group home for kids,” Fox said. “We provide security for them annually but other areas we provide security is at MADD classes. We do that on an almost weekly basis. And some of the food banks need security. One of them is not in the best area.”

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Because the East Valley Company is located in metropolitan Phoenix, which is populated by large law-enforcement agencies, ranger services are rarely re-

Ramirez said.

“If you go to Tombstone on any weekend, Arizona Rangers are patrolling down there and also in Sedona,” he said.

“They are walking a foot beat and are very much a help because of manpower issues. It’s a very unique type of volunteer work they do that puts them in situations where they can get hurt.”

“These guys volunteering to help law enforcement in the state are just in as much risk,” Ramirez said. “People think these men who volunteer are crazy but it’s a calling. They do it to help the state.”

Ramirez, a former Washington, D.C. cop who is now a Mesa attorney, said he never heard of the Arizona Rangers until 2013, while working as a private investigator and insurance adjuster.

“One of my clients called me,” he recalled. “And said, ‘hey, we got an unusual case. This guy said he was burglarized and they took things out of his house but I’m confused because he said he had body armor, a duty belt and all this law-enforcement-related equipment.

We think police officers are usually given that by the department and we don’t think we have to pay for it.’ And as a former cop, I agreed.”

So, Ramirez met with the man to find

Special to the San Tan Sun News

Because Valley police agencies are so numerous and large, they rarely cal on the Arizona Rangers.

But the rangers are welcomed in small towns across the state because they supplement those departments’ tiny forces.

quested.

“Arizona Rangers here in Maricopa County area do not get utilized by law enforcement as much as I think they should,” Ramirez said. “The reason, in my opinion, is they have enough manpower.”

Many Valley agencies have their own volunteer help such as the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Posse and the Phoenix Police Reserve force.

Tucson Police has called upon the Rangers but mostly for security with events, according to police spokesman Ray Smith.

“The assistance they provide is limited but it’s a welcome help for us,” the officer said.

It’s in the smaller communities such as Bisbee, Tombstone, Benson, Sedona and Sierra Vista where the Arizona Rangers play a large role in law enforcement,

out what was going on with the insurance claim.

“I asked him, ‘if you got body armor and a gun and a duty belt, are you police?’” he said.

The man responded he was the captain of the Arizona Rangers’ East Valley Company and all the stolen equipment came out of his own pocket.

After learning more about the Rangers, Ramirez told the man, “Where is the application? Sign me up.”

Ramirez volunteers from 20 to 24 hours a month with the Rangers.

“I do criminal defense, personal injury and civil rights,” he said. “It’s a very fine line and obviously even though I defend people accused of a crime, I support law enforcement. It’s key to keeping my family safe.”

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Arts & Entertainment

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Mexican culture celebrated at Chandler gallery

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

The work of two artists who were born in Mexico is being celebrated at the Gallery at Chandler Center for the Arts in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Ida y Vuelta: There and Back,” an exhibition featuring prints from Diana Calderon and photographs and paintings created by Oliverio Balcells will be on display at the gallery at 250 N. Arizona Ave. through Oct. 6.

A reception for the artists will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, also at the gallery and the public may attend.

National Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, brings awareness of the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrates their culture and heritage.

Balcells, 47, of Tempe, was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, and he said his paintings and photos at the Chandler exhibit use “contrasting bold colors and things like nature and a little bit of history, ancient cultures, symbols.”

“It’s a mix, integration of the images and the colors, the mix of the many cultures that we have in Mexico,” he said.

“I’m from Guadalajara, Jalisco, so I used to paint a lot of agaves.

“It’s the state that produces tequila. I

Daniel Swadener

Diana Calderon

Diana Calderon is a printmaker and performance artist and her prints are available to see at “Ida y Vuelta: There and Back.”

go every other year with my family when I have a chance. I always carry a camera. I love taking photographs of the trips and bring it back and share.”

Balcells moved to the United States in 2000, first to Mesa and then to Tempe.

He is heavily involved with arts in the City of Tempe.

Balcells was previously chosen by the

City of Tempe’s Public Art Program to paint and design a utility box on Mill Avenue.

That image was then converted into a library card for the Tempe Public Library.

Balcells also created a garden mural with Free Arts of Arizona and he was a chosen artist for the IN FLUX – Cycle 6 with the City of Tempe, painting a mural on Apache Boulevard. He also teaches

Artist Oliverio Balcells has created photos and paintings that are on display at an exhibition on display at the Gallery at Chandler Center for the Arts.

children including with Chandler’s Vision Gallery’s VISION KIDZ Programs, Free Arts of Arizona and Childsplay.

“I like teaching,” Balcells said. “I like it because one of the reasons I create art is See

IDAYVUELTA on page 56

Ruby Red

Nervous Macy Gray calls her new album her best work CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff

Macy Gray is nervous.

She’s set to release her 10th studio album, Ruby, on September 21 and the wait always kills her.

“I think people are going to love it once they get ahold of it,” Gray says softly. “It’s just nerve wracking to put something out into the world.”

Ruby has already spawned the single “Sugar Daddy,” one of 12 songs that will also be available on red vinyl. Platinum singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor cowrote the song.

“She’s singing backup,” Gray says.

“She wrote about half the song and she’s playing the piano. She was so cute. She’s so open and wanted to be a part of it.

“It was refreshing. We didn’t have paperwork and stuff. We were in the same studio and she just stopped in.

She said, “I have an idea’ and we did it that night. It’s nice to be open and just not care. We just wanted to make a good song.”

On the forthcoming album, Gray also worked with guitarist Gary Clark Jr. on the song “Buddha” and producers Johan Carlsson (Ariana Grande, Maroon 5), Tommy Brown (Jennifer Lopez, Fifth Harmony) and Tommy Parker (Janet Jackson, Kelly Rowland).

“I hope we can do something together

The recording of Ruby was one of her more difficult projects.

Gray didn’t have a label and was “out in the world looking for people to work with.”

“I was trying to figure out what we needed to do for the album and figure myself out,” she says.

“It was a big phase I went through, making this album. I’m glad I did. It’s paying off.

It definitely my best record. I was blessed with awesome producers who understood me and where I needed to go as an artist.

“My voice has gotten a lot better from me doing shows Special to SanTan Sun News every night. I’m a lot Macy Gray will be performing later this month at the Chandler Center for the Arts. She will be performing some of her more seasoned, and past hits as well as songs from her forthcoming album. there’s a lot more honesty and truth in it than before.”

Gray rose to fame thanks to the 1999 hit “I again,” Gray says about Clark. “I ran into Macy Gray, Chandler Center for the Try” from her multiaward-winning platinum him at Afropunk (Fest in Brooklyn). That’s Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, debut. She has since sold more than 25 when I threw it at him. I said, ‘Let’s do 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org, 7 p.m. million record worldwide, and earned something together.’ He came through.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

55

Gin Blossoms giving fans a ‘reality’ check album “New Miserable Experience,” which spawned four Top 40 hits, including “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You.” They received a Grammy nomination for best performance by a duo or group for its song “As Long as it Matters.”

The band has continued to release albums and perform close to 150 shows a year. The band has sold more than 10 million records collectively, and in 2017 were inducted into the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame.

“We’re entertaining and we have chops, but it really comes down to the songs,” Wilson said. “The reason we’re still here is that we have good songs. When young musicians ask me for advice, what’s the best thing to do to further my career, I always say, ‘Write good songs.’ It always comes down to that.”

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Managing Editor

Gin Blossoms singer Robin Wilson is late for his phone interview.

He immediately apologizes and offers an explanation. Who can blame him?

“I’m at the wonderful Kimpton Amara in Sedona, eating eggs and chorizo for breakfast,” said Wilson, who was born in Detroit, but grew up in the Tempe music scene. He lives in New York.

Wilson, who owns a boat at Saguaro Lake, is in the Grand Canyon State vacationing before hitting the road again in support of Gin Blossoms’ new album “Mixed Reality.”

The tour includes a Saturday, Sept. 8, show with Big Head Todd and the Monsters at The Van Buren in Phoenix.

“I’m pretty psyched to see it,” Wilson said of the venue that opened in August 2017. “It’s definitely must have been a labor of love.

“We haven’t done a show like this in Phoenix in a long time. We have usually, for the last several years, played festivals.

It’s nice to do a hard-ticket date in a real music venue.”

Released in June via Cleopatra Records, the 15-song Mixed Reality was produced

by Don Dixon (The Smithereens, R.E.M.) and features the single “Break.”

Special to the San Tan Sun News

The Gin Blossoms will be performing old hits and cuts from their new album when they appear at The Van Buren Sept. 8.

“It’s an awesome record,” Wilson said.

“As a guy who’s been making records for 30 years, I feel this is the best album I’ve ever been a part of. It has good songs and a cool cover (of the album). It’s a solid piece of work. It’s nice to be able to stand behind something like this.”

The rest of the Gin Blossoms – vocalist/ guitarist Jesse Valenzuela, guitarist Scott Johnson and bassist Bill Leen – are just as

excited.

“Our partnership is strong,” Wilson says.

“Everybody is into supporting the new record. Our career is rebuilt and everything we’re doing right now is a few notches above the things we were doing a few years ago. We’re mercenaries, basically.

We’re getting better jobs and better gigs.”

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ARTS 56

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

IDAYVUELTA

from page 54 to inspire people. I do it because I like to inspire students, young kids through art.

There’s no mistakes in art.

“You just want to be involved in the moment when you are creating. The kids are the perfect example of that because they just jump and do it.”

He received a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Universidad del Valle de Atemajac in Guadalajara. Balcells said he takes workshops and classes to keep current with technology.

He is happy his work will be featured with Calderon’s at the Chandler exhibit.

“It’s an honor for me to have the invitation,” Balcells said. “I think she’s (Diana) a great artist. We complement each other.”

Calderon, 36, of central Phoenix, was born in Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico, and raised in El Paso, Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree of fine arts from Arizona State University and has taken master’s of fine arts level classes in printmaking at the University of Dallas.

Like Balcells, Calderon also likes to give back to the community and help children.

She has taught at Mesa Arts Center and now teaches art at a south Phoenix charter high school and works as an elective curriculum coordinator for the same charter school system. Calderon recently finished an art residency in Guadalajara.

She said her printmaking is “mostly pattern and texture and I get inspired by my Mexican heritage and the pattern and texture that I see in the streets by traveling.”

Chandler Center for the Arts

This piece was created by printmaker and performance artist Diana Calderon.

Chandler Center for the Arts

“Nuestra Tradicion Teuchitlan” is an oil painting by artist Oliverio Balcells.

“It’s been always very easy for me to create anything that was taught to me,” Calderon said. “I was always on to the next challenge.”

She said the prints she has created for the Chandler Center for the Arts exhibit

are a combination of cloth, paper, thread and printmaking.

“I love going to Mexico every chance I get,” Calderon said. “We love our culture.

We love culture and its conversations that Oliverio and I have had. We would

love to take people to Mexico to experience all these wonderful, amazing things that Mexico offers. It’s just so rich in a lot of ways.”

She is also co-coordinating an exhibition called “Migrant Stories: Art Benefit for Kino Border Initiative” on Sept. 20 at The Sagrado, 6437 South Central Ave. in Phoenix.

The group show’s aim is to depict migrant stories in a dignified manner, with the goal of raising money for continued care of deported migrants and refugees.

“I love the community and I love helping people,” Calderon said. “I love using art as a tool.”

The Gallery at the Chandler Center for the Arts is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mondays through Fridays and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free.

Information: chandlercenter.org.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

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Hale presenting swashbuckling musical SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Swashbuckling, romance and a familyfriendly score are all part of the acclaimed musical “The Scarlet Pimpernel” now playing at Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert.

Directed and choreographed by Cambrian James, with musical direction

by Lincoln Wright, “The Scarlet Pimpernel” is based on the novel of the same name by Baroness Orczy.

Producers Dave and Corrin Dietlein said, “Eleven years ago, when we first produced ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel,’ we knew the show was good, but we didn’t know quite what to expect or how audiences would receive it. Opening night came and the audience went wild.

“After a thunderous standing ovation, we decided right then and there that in the future we would have to produce it again.

And so we are.”

James, who helmed the theater’s first production, said “revisiting this show after all these years has been very exciting.

“Upon reviewing that production, I found that some of the original elements held up quite well,” he said. “Looking at that former production with a fresh eye, I’ve found that I only needed minor tweaks Special to the San Tan Sun News

Austin Delp plays Sir Percy Blakeney in the Hale Theatre’s production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

for some sections while others I am completely redesigning. I’ve grown so much as an artist in that time, and I’m thrilled with this latest version. Audiences are going to love it.”

Since it’s Broadway opening in 1998, “Pimpernel” has become a staple of American regional theater.

Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, this TonyAward nominated musical focuses on Sir Percy Blakeney and his band of patriots, the “League of the Scarlet Pimpernel,” use disguises, wit and derring-do to rescue the innocent from the blackmailing Citizen Chauvelin and death by guillotine.

After each daring rescue, Sir Percy taunts Chauvelin by leaving a note with a small red flower drawn on it.

Percy’s wife Marguerite is completely deceived by

K OE L SC H Signature COM M U N I T Y

his elaborate charades. Sir Percy’s feigned dim wits and foppishness allow him to place himself into situations where his true heroism and bravery are revealed.

Orczy’s idea of a daring hero with a secret identity is a popular one. Not long after the writing of her book, other authors saw the popularity of such characters and fictional heroes such as Zorro, Superman, and Batman followed.

The cast features Austin Delp as Sir Percy Blakeney, Rochelle Barton playing Marguerite St. Just and Bryan Stewart as Chauvelin.

Also performing are Sam Cottle (Armand St. Just), Kathleen Richards (Marie Grosholtz), Matthew Harris (Prince of Wales/Robespierre), Nathan Spector (Ozzy, a Bounder/St. Cyr), Cameron Rollins (Dewhurst, a Bounder), Hunter Cuison (Elton, a Bounder), Avery Jones (Farleigh, a Bounder), Danny Karapetian (Hal, a Bounder/Tussaud), Benjamin Harris (Ben, a Bounder), Kyle Webb (Mercier), Ricci Machado-Torres (Coupeau) and Emily Noxon (Mrs. Danvers).

Tickets are $36 for adults and $20 for youth ages 5-17. Tickets can be purchased at HaleTheatreArizona.com, at 480-497-1181 or by visiting the Box Office at 50 West Page Ave. Performances begin Aug. 24 and continue through Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

Queen Creek slates Founders’ Day Festival LAURA LATZKO Contributor

The town of Queen Creek was officially incorporated in 1989, but it has a much deeper history. Native American communities, homesteaders and immigrants made their home in the area that is now Queen Creek, and the town provided ideal conditions for farming and ranching.

Queen Creek’s annual Founders’ Day Festival will celebrate this history on Sept. 22, with activities like relay races, 4-H and FFA areas, eating contests, a children’s zone for kids 5 and younger, lawn games, pig races, a cornhole tournament, food and retail vendors and a sustainability zone.

The Founders’ Day Festival started in 2014 as part of the town’s 25th anniversary.

Queen Creek’s recreation coordinator of special events, Erica Perez, says the event gives a glimpse into what makes the town different.

“When council decided we were going to make this an annual event, we really started to focus in on how we could bring Queen Creek to the event, focusing on our equestrian heritage and our agricultural heritage,” Perez says.

The festival has grown into a communitywide celebration involving residents, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the fire department, businesses and FFA and 4-H clubs.

Public Information Officer Constance Wilson says the event helps foster community pride.

“That’s definitely one of the main goals

Special to SanTan Sun News

Kids as well as adults can have a blast at the various activities Queen Creek has planned for its Founders Day Festival.

of the event, to really have people get excited about the community that they live in,” Wilson says.

At the center of the festival is the Battle of the Badges, a relay-style competition with traditional games such as potato sack races, progressive dress, giant adult tricycle, tug-of-war, threelegged races and the javelin toss.

As part of the contest, community members become representatives for the fire department or the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and earn points for their teams as they complete relays.

Pick 3

The points are marked on punch cards, which they can redeem for raffle tickets.

For the raffle, vendors donated prizes such as gift baskets and cards.

The competition will end with relays between members of the fire department and sheriff’s office.

Perez says the battle allows for greater engagement between residents and first responders.

“We wanted to create an experience where volunteers from our fire department staff, our MCSO officers could be out there with the community,”

Perez says.

Leading up to the event, the fire department and sheriff’s office made videos to try to garner support for their teams.

“It’s all in healthy fun. It’s not in a competitive nature. It’s really about getting the community involved and the community excited to come out to the event and cheer for them,” Wilson says.

During the festival, attendees can try lawn games such as horseshoes, giant jenga and Connect 4 and cornhole.

The event also offers family-friendly activities such as inflatables, a climbing wall, obstacle courses, a joust arena and a train ride.

In the 4-H Zone, families can interact with animals such as chickens, goats and rabbits. The area also has an obstacle course with roping and barrel activities dog agility demonstrations. The local 4-H club chapter will talk about Queen Creek’s equestrian offerings.

Local businesses such as the Queen Creek Olive Mill and Schnepf Farms will offers hands-on activities related to sustainability inside the EnviroZone.

During eating contests, guests will try to outdo each other as they scarf down watermelon, pancakes, cupcakes or pie.

Food vendors will sell festival-style food such as pizza, barbecue, hot dogs, shaved ice and kettle corn.

Queen Creek Founders’ Day Festival, Founders’ Park, 22407 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, 480-358-3000, queencreek.org, 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 22; $10 for relays and inflatables wristband; $40 per team for cornhole tournament.

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Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (800-621-7440; http://hlcommission.org/). Important policy information is available in the University Policy Handbook at https://www.gcu. edu/academics/academic-policies.php 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 February 2018. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu ©2018 Grand Canyon University 18GTR0070

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ARTS 60

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Had it with the heat? Still many options to chill out SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

It’s that time of year in Gilbert. The scorching dog days of summer drag on – they’ve been here forever and it’s a long way to Thanksgiving, when they might end. The kids are back in class, making midweek escapes from the heat impossible. A funk has set in.

Clearly, it’s “Back to Cool” time.

Labor Day Weekend approaches, offering three days for a brief, and perhaps final, respite before the weather breaks. In October. Or November.

Flagstaff and the White Mountains beckon in the north and northeast. Even Mount Lemmon to the south, at nearly 10,000 feet of elevation, is 25 degrees cooler and it’s a short drive from Gilbert.

And historic eclectic Bisbee on the Mexican border is a mile high.

There are many things to see and do at these places, where the climate is something less than a blast furnace. Fish on forest-framed lakes. Chill in caves carved by ancient lava flows. Stroll small towns that have cool temperatures to match their cool cultures.

Here’s a quick look at cool places in the Grand Canyon State to lift you from that hot funk and spark you to make Labor Day Weekend getaway plans.

Northern Arizona

Flagstaff craft-beer scene: It would be easy to spend a week in Flagstaff and surrounding area. Its quirky downtown is filled with unique shops and restaurants.

SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK Lowell Observatory is a place to explore the universe. Arizona Snow Bowl offers spectacular views year-round on its ski lift. Native America culture abounds in the area.

The craft-beer industry downtown also is a draw, no pun intended, and when the High Country beckons Gilbert residents, Trevor Stratmeyer is ready and waiting with a cold one at Lumberyard Brewery, where he is head bartender and floor manager.

“I fell in love with the area and the craft-beer scene,” said Stratmeyer, a transplanted Californian. “I still remember vividly being 22 and trying my first

Arizona craft beers, one from Lumberyard and one for Four Peaks. I set my sights on working at Lumberyard as soon as its opened in 2010, and by 2012, I earned a position. I haven’t looked back.”

Stratmeyer researches the multitude of craft beers to be knowledgeable for his customers.

“Not everyone is into IPAs or ales, so they assume they hate craft beer. But there are so many options out there, from stouts and porters to lagers and pale ales,” he said. “I love opening people’s eyes to it all.

“Up here in Northern Arizona, we are

a tight-knit group. Flagstaff is home to seven craft breweries supporting key economic-development sectors with a commitment to their craft, providing world-class brews locally and throughout the world. The Flagstaff-Grand Canyon region is the craft beer hub of the Southwest with award-winning ales receiving recognition and honors from the world beer championship and Great American Beer Festival. In fact, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey recently joined in the love for us up here, formally proclaiming Flagstaff as a leading craft-beer city with a commendation back in February.“ There even is cider for those who are gluten free.

Nearby, Michael and Alissa Marquess’ full-time jobs were making them miserable. Everything changed during a quiet, evening road trip on a two-lane highway with their sleeping children. The couple decided to do what they love: brew beer.

From it came Flagstaff’s Mother Road Brewing Co., reflecting the lore of Route 66, and a staple for Gilbert visitors seeking relief from the heat.

“We always talk about that road trip,” Alissa said. “We needed to change something to live the way we wanted to live.

Mother Road is about finding joy in the adventure.”

The last year has been exciting for Mother Road. The original, now-experimental Pike Brewery and taproom paved the way for Butler Brewery, which producSee

COOL PLACES on page 61

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BISBEE

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from page 60

es beer and is a tap room. They fall under the Mother Road name but are casually referred to by their locations.

The Pike Brewery is relaxing, with a small library and board games available to guests. Children and families are encouraged to visit inside, or outside on the dog-friendly patio.

The 20-barrel Forgeworks brew house at the Butler Brewery allows patrons to see their beer being made. It, too, has board games, along with complimentary pretzels and small snacks available for purchase. Food trucks are listed on Mother Road’s events page. Mother Road Butler does not allow pets, but trained service animals are welcome.

“It’s incredible what the team managed to crank out in this space,” Michael said.

“We needed the capacity to meet demand, yet have the flexibility to play.”

Lumberyard Brewing, 5 S. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff, 928-779-2739, lumberyardbrewingcompany.com.

Mother Road Butler Brewery, 1300 E. Butler Avenue, Suite 200, Flagstaff, 928.774.0492; Mother Road Pike Brewery, 7 S. Mikes Pike, Flagstaff, 928-774-9139, motherroadbeer.com.

Lava River Cave: About 700,000 years ago, lava flowed through northern Arizona’s Coconino National Forest, forming a mile-long lava tube. Adventurers flock to this Flagstaff cave, open for exploring May through October with $5 day passes.

The cave is dark and the temperature is a constant 42 degrees. Pack warmer clothes and a flashlight.

Slide Rock State Park: Cool off just two hours north of Gilbert in the Sonora-red landscape of Sedona. Spend the afternoon swimming in Oak Creek or

LUMBERYARD

take a slippery ride down the famous 80-foot natural slide. Summer mornings are an ideal time to explore this stunning wonderland by foot. Slide Rock’s summer hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Entrance fees are $20 per vehicle on weekdays and $30 on weekends.

Jerome: The old mile-high mining town of Jerome, perched in Arizona’s Black Hills, is filled with history, art studios and restaurants. Enjoy panoramic views of the Verde Valley, spooky ghost tours and

“We could tell it was a really charming property,” Amber said. “It has the windmill and the doors and the railings, which were so pretty. We thought we could fix this up.”

The Eilers live in Scottsdale with their young girls and work in real estate.

Through their work, they stumbled upon a business listing for the inn.

“It needed a lot of work, and I kind of talked myself out of it,” Carson said. “Then I showed her and there was no way I was going back on it because she fell in love with it.”

A popular destination for dinner in the area is Old County Inn in nearby Pine. Sit on the deck and curl up with a blanket and heaters for a prime view of the elk moseying across the street.

The menu features wood-fired pizzas, craft-beer-infused green Chile beer cheese and the popular cast-iron cookie for dessert.

Just down the street is The Randall House, which serves coffees, teas, hot chocolate, treats and a hearty breakfast.

On your way out of town, stop by Pine

JEROME charming lodging options.

Go.coolplaces-jerome photo in folder Watson Lake: Watson Lake’s rocky landscape and location within the Prescott National Forest make it a picturesque place to cool down and unplug. Four miles from downtown Prescott, this is a quiet place to relax and kick back with friends and family. Activities include canoeing, hiking, rock climbing and camping.

Northeastern Arizona

Payson/Strawberry/Pine: Strawberry is dreamy. From the towering pine trees, brisk air and quaint living, it’s hard to believe this travel destination is just two hours north of Gilbert. The drive is simply stunning as you watch the mountains morph to lush pines. With a relaxing pace, delicious food and cozy accommodations, Strawberry, just north of Payson, is a perfect spot to relax.

The Strawberry Inn is a self-hosted, eight-bedroom hotel. The stylish, luxury lodge is stunning, but holds the same genuine charm and quaint feel of the town. The navy and red exterior features a clock tower, deck with porch swings and rocking chairs, and a windmill. The interior is farmhouse chic with shiplap, woodsy inspiration from the inn’s surroundings.

Everything about this inn, inside and out, is crazy photogenic.

It wasn’t always that way. Carson and Amber Eilers rolled up their sleeves and brought back the once-rustic inn.

Creek Fudge Ice Cream and Espresso.

Not far south of Strawberry is Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. The view driving down to the park is incredible, but the road is steep and curvy. Make sure you take a reliable, strong vehicle. Entrance to the park is $7 per an adult.

The Strawberry Inn, 5073 AZ-87, Strawberry, 928-202-7790, thestrawberryinn. com. Rooms average $85 Sunday to Thursday, and $150-$175 weekends and holidays. Rooms are best suited for adults, but there are rooms with single-size sofa sleepers for kids.

Fossil Creek: Fossil Creek near Payson is known for its crystal-clear waters, waterfalls and trails. It is a two-hour scenic drive northeast from Gilbert. Make time for the one-mile waterfall trail. Permits go on sale one month in advance and are required to park a vehicle within the Fossil Creek area April 1 through October 1.

Reservation Lake: This beautiful lake in the White Mountains, an hour south of Greer, is a playground for fishing, swimming and hiking. Spend the night under the stars at Reservation Lake Campground, gawk at some of the tallest mountains in Arizona, and don’t be surprised if you spot an elk or two.

Southern Arizona

Mount Lemmon/Summerhaven/Ski Valley: Because it is an easy drive, Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalinas northeast of Tucson beckons Gilbert residents look-

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STRAWBERRY INN ing for heat relief.

Summerhaven, a quaint town at the summit, is 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor.

The Catalina Highway, surrounded by the Coronado National Forest, is curvy and sometimes a bit congested but the scenery is breathtaking.

There are pullouts along the road as well as designated scenic stops where it is easy to park, stretch your legs and take in the view. Among the most-popular is Windy Point.

You’ll pass Rose Canyon, with a campground and lake perfect for fishing.

Hikes include the Butterfly Trail near the Palisades Visitor Center.

At Summerhaven (mtlemmon.com/ summerhaven), stop at the Mount Lemmon General Store & Gift Shop for snacks, water, souvenirs and, the best part, homemade fudge in more than a dozen mouthwatering flavors.

The Living Rainbow (thelivingrainbow. com) gift shop is another worthy spot.

The Sawmill Run Restaurant (sawmillrun.com) in Summerhaven has a cozy cabin vibe that pairs well with its soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and “smokehouse favorites,” such as baby back ribs and sausage.

The Cookie Cabin (thecookiecabin.org) in Summerhaven, a family-owned restaurant, serves giant homemade cookies, some topped with six scoops of ice cream.

Its website said that one cookie can feed “four people, two raccoons or one hungry cyclist.” The Cookie Cabin also serves lunch, including pizza and hot dogs.

Nearby at Ski Valley (skithelemmon. com), the lift operates year-round. At the top is the University of Arizona’s SkyCenter (skycenter.arizona.edu). The observatory features SkyNights, with public telescopes.

The Iron Door Restaurant (skithelemmon.com/page3.html) at Ski Valley serves breakfast and lunch with nine sandwich options, homemade soups and chili, appetizers and homemade pies.

There are three campgrounds at Mount Lemmon. Cabins (mtlemmoncabins.com) also are available and they’re as cozy as they look. Other activities include horseback riding, rock climbing, wildlife viewing and birding. Picnic tables are abundant.

Bisbee: Situated in the mountains at an elevation of 5,500 feet, Bisbee is home to cool temps and a quirky arts-and-culture scene. Head to the Copper Queen Mine to explore Bisbee’s mining past or stroll the town’s shop-filled streets.

Enjoy wine tasting, pub crawls and even a ghost tour. The historic Copper Queen Hotel and several bed and breakfasts host overnight visitors.

Tribune reporters Niki D’Andrea, Christina Fuoko Karasinski and Lee Shappell contributed to this report, with contributing writers Alison Bailin Batz, Catherine Hathaway and Gloria Knott, and the Arizona Department of Tourism.

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For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

The significance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

BY RABBI DR. IRWIN WIENER Guest Writer

The days set aside for introspection have finally arrived – a time of challenges. This time is a reminder of how our life flashes before us – the time we are put to the test.

Imagine – such awesome things to think about. What are the challenges? How do we meet the test? How do we contemplate our life, its past and future? These questions and their answers hold the key to a successful life, the essence of our worth.

At this time of the year, Jews from all over the world will gather to remember and to contemplate. What makes this exercise so difficult is that it requires us to look inward and understand how it affects us outwardly.

The act of concentrating on the past includes many sacrifices for our loved ones; the location – our minds and hearts responding to needs; the players – all of us, blending together to reach for our destiny, our purpose and value.

The act of submission such as did Abraham, is a lesson in humility. The location of our deeds, such as Mt. Moriah, indicates the part our souls play in guiding us to a higher plane. And we, the players in this dramatic rendition of God’s purpose, are connected by the frailties of our mortality.

We have the ability to be masters of

our fate and servants to our conscience.

The sum total of who we are can be found in a kiss, a smile, a touch, a prayer.

We can and should represent all that is good in the universe.

We are a kind deed, a kind word. We can and should bring order to chaos, trying to make sense out of all that is. It is so easy to become discouraged – to look at life with despair.

The difficulty of living is that sometimes we cannot act- we cannot find a place for ourselves and, more often than not, we forget that there are others around us who cry and laugh and are traveling life’s road with us.

The lessons of these sacred days are that we can and should rekindle the passion in our relationships that will in of itself lead to peace with God. And just as important is that we can find comfort in

each other.

Sometimes we have to step back to be able to move forward. We have to learn to make our moments last because, as the saying goes, “the best of times is now.”

We utter familiar words – to help us fashion good from bad, to take reality into the sublime, to shape a blessing from a single touch, to sympathize, to eliminate hopelessness, to remove nothingness and replace it with purpose, to gain insight so that we can visualize the signs that are right in front of us, to be able to live our lives as they were meant to be lived – with trust and hope and caring.

God doesn’t need crowns crested with jewels. God doesn’t need another song or another poem. What we bring before God are broken promises, empty words, broken hearts, a world in turmoil filled with hate and destruction.

Rosh Hashanah gives us the opportunity to begin to right the wrongs.

Rosh Hashanah affords us the chance to act responsibly. Rosh Hashanah presents us a place in time to make sense of everything. Rosh Hashanah opens the door to connect with one another.

Yom Kippur, on the other hand, enables us to reflect on these things and more. How we can become better in determining our future.

It enables us to look inside our beings to understand that through effort we can achieve peace and harmony. We can, and should, remind ourselves that goodness and mercy will create an atmosphere conducive to tranquility.

Life is what we make of it and all the trials and tribulations are the steps to a better life. And the High Holidays can help us understand that all this is a necessary aspect of the journey we embarked upon at the very beginning of time.

Shanah Tovah – a blessed year. May we all witness a year filled with life, a meaningful life, together with family and friends.

And may God find favor in our acts because the prophets knew what it meant to proclaim that God wants us to be good and merciful and deal justly with each other more than anything else we can do or say.

Dr. Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D. is National Chaplain of Jewish War Veterans-USA and he is with Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?

BY REV. SUSAN WILMOT Guest Writer

Facing life’s challenges can feel overwhelming and terrifying. As well as being part of a loving and healthy worship community, there are also practical spiritual disciplines that can help us to stay grounded when life throws us curve balls.

This month we’re going to use a Scriptural story of victory and a visioning prayer to help us, especially if we feel helpless or hopeless, or unable to climb over the obstacle in our life, or knock down the wall. We’re looking to experience Christ’s way to keep moving forward, either around or despite the obstacle or challenge we’re facing.

The fundamental principle here is that “we can, with God’s help”, which implicitly means that we’ll fail to make progress if we’re trying to do this in our own strength, or through our own ingenuity or guile. One of the hardest lessons we all learn in our lives of faith is to trust God and become ever more dependent on God for all our needs.

Prayer is central to opening ourselves to

receive God’s help and direction. I know this is a powerful approach to spiritual growth and healing, but please don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself!

As a basis for seeing the power of prayer in action we’re going to take a close look at the story of the fall of Jericho found in Joshua 5:13-6:20.

While Joshua exceeds the Lord’s specific mandate in capturing the city, the story forms a useful basis for imagining or visioning the walls, obstacles or challenges that we all face in life.

Those challenges can be health, relationship, work, and family, financial, spiritual or emotional issues. Or these might be areas of our lives which we’ve walled off, or decided to retain control of for ourselves. They are the dark rooms of our hearts with locked doors. They are immovable or rigid ways of thinking.

They may be memories we’re trying to bury, secrets we’re ashamed of, or anything we’ve marked as “out of bounds” to God’s healing love, forgiveness, grace and mercy.

It took seven days (a powerful divine number of wholeness or completion) for the walls of Jericho to come tumbling down. It took persistence, courage and obedience on the part of Joshua and the Israelite army to resist the temptation to

conquer Jericho their own way.

Take at least seven days to envision your challenge, wall or obstacle. Place that picture firmly in your mind’s eye and then during your daily prayers for six days silently walk around that image. As Elijah and all God’s faithful people can attest (see 1 Kings 19:11-13) God is most present to us in silence, which is why centering prayer, meditation and silence are so important to our spiritual well-being.

Just as Joshua followed God’s command, on the seventh day, see yourself walking around the image of your challenge, wall or obstacle seven times, and then shout to the Lord. Your cries are a prayer to the One who has the power to change our lives, to heal us, and to help us according to our true needs, as only God knows our hearts and minds.

As you pray each day, don’t be disturbed if the image changes. Just follow God’s lead, because sometimes what we think is our biggest challenge or obstacle is only a symptom of a deeper underlying issue.

As in all things, God’s timing is perfect.

If there appears to be no resolution or answer to your prayers in seven days, then the real lesson may be to demonstrate your trust, faith and obedience to the Lord

by continuing your prayers and visioning.

Only God knows when we’re ready to receive the gift of healing and mercy. Only God knows when we’re ready to set aside our wants and desires, and accept God’s will for our lives. Only God can put in place all the necessary elements for our wholeness, spiritual growth and well-being.

That’s why God’s timing is perfect.

When all’s said and done, this is just one practical way to pray. If God seems to be sending you in a different direction or form of prayer, then go with it! While each of our stories will be unique, this experience of openness and vulnerability, of trust, faith and obedience to God will undoubtedly bless us in a multitude of ways, including an amazing story of faith in Christ to share with others.

Perhaps your story will save or change someone else’s life for the better. One thing is for sure, our faith and our prayers make a difference. Here’s a final thought from Corrie ten Boom: “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”

-The Rev. Susan E. Wilmot is Vicar at St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church & Preschool, 975 E. Warner Rd., Tempe. Susan can be reached at rector@stjamestempe. org or at 480-345-2686. Check out our website at stjamestempe.org.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

FAITH

63

Draw comfort in the fact that God is not password-protected

BY REV JEAN NEWELL Guest Writer

Passwords! Have you noticed that without a password, not just any password, mind you – but without the correct password, much of the world around us is inaccessible?

For example, I need a password to access both my computer at the church and my computer at home, to access email, to check my online bank accounts and credit card expenses, and to find out the latest about my retirement accounts. I even need “Christianity 101” that’s how the Alpha course has been described.

Video presentations about a variety of faith issues are followed by a time of discussion in which participants have the opportunity to ask questions that they’ve

a password to be able to use my phone!

Creating a password can be a challenge, can it not? Many times you are told a password needs 8 to 32 characters which is easy enough to do, but then it gets trickier when you also have to include one upper case letter, one lower case letter, and one number.

Sometimes passwords also require a special character like an exclamation point or the number symbol. Sometimes a password is case sensitive, and sometimes not. Sometimes it works to use short phrases such as “Dogsrunhome” or AZtallcactus.”

Whatever you use for a password, it is strongly recommended you not use

one password for every account you need to access because if, unbeknownst to you, someone else ever identifies that password, your whole life is open to view.

However, if you have different passwords for every account, now you have a whole list of random words and characters to remember.

Woe be it when something happens, and you have to change a password! I’ve had to do that, and in the process, have been told I can’t reuse a password I’ve used before; the new password has to be NEW! Reluctantly, I’ve changed passwords and then hoped I would remember the change. Unfortunately, I don’t always

remember, and that lapse in memory causes a whole new set of problems. I understand the need for security these days, but sometimes the need to use a password and challenge questions, meant to ascertain you really are who you say you are, requires more time than I have, so I don’t do anything.

How thankful I am that our access to God is not password protected! Even those times when we are sick or tired or overwhelmed and our voices fail us, God is with us for Jesus promised, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” - Matthew 28:20b. Access is ours, forever and always. Thanks be to God!

always wanted to ask but never had the chance to do so.

Originally intended for non-believers, it soon became apparent the Alpha course was an excellent review for those who were life-long Christians.

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church is hosting the introductory session of Alpha on Tuesday, Sept. 11 1:30-3 p.m., Room 4 in the education building.

The 10-week course (no registration fee) will start Sept. 18 and run through

Nov. 20. For more information, contact the church office at 480-802-8766. The church is located at 9248 E. Riggs Road, west of Robson Library.

-Rev. Jean Newell is associate pastor of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

Desert Springs Church 19620 S. McQueen Road, Room 106, Chandler hope4all@comcast.net, helpovercomingpainfulexperiences.org

Twelve-step program for families and friends of addicts. Faith Community Church 1125 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, nar-anon.org

Shalom Chapter of Hadassah 11:30 a.m. second Tuesday of each month Iron Oaks (Oakwood) Clubhouse 24218 S. Oakwood Boulevard, Sun Lakes Cyril, 480-802-0243; Kathy, 480-895-5194; Shirley, 480-883-9159; or Joyce, 480-802-4902.

Panic Healing 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday Receive a 15-minute energetic tuneup.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Spiritual Connections

Call ahead to confirm as details occasionally change after print.

If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting to list in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to news@santansun.com.

SUNDAYS

Celebration Service 10:30 a.m. Sundays All with peaceful beliefs are welcome to this inclusive, loving, thriving UNITY Community.

Join the group at 10 a.m., preceding the service, for fellowship. Youth and toddlers meet during service. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa, 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org Kids’ Sunday School 10 to 11 a.m. Sundays Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Lift Your Spirit 10 a.m. Sundays Hear inspirational messages and music.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Traditional and Contemporary Services 7:30 a.m. daybreak contemplative worship, 9 a.m. traditional worship and choral music, 11 a.m. contemporary worship with live Christian rock band. There is also a service at 12 p.m. Wednesdays St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W. Erie Street, Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

MONDAYS

The Art of Parenting 7:30 p.m. Mondays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99.

Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler 480-855-4333, rabbi@chabadcenter.com

TUESDAYS

Silva Class and Meditation 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays Learn the Silva method with Lois Britland.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Career Connectors 8:30 a.m. to noon, fourth Tuesday of month Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to highquality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits.

Central Christian Church, Gilbert Campus/ Student Center, 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert 480-442-5806, careerconnectors.org Christian Business Networking Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

Crackers and Co. Café, 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:45 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays each month Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.

Chandler Christian Church, Building B, Room 202 1825 S. Alma School Road, Chandler Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com HOPE—Help Overcoming Painful Experiences 7 p.m. Tuesdays Free weekly small-group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free child care for children ages 10 and younger.

Monthly Women’s Fellowship 6:15 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month The monthly fellowship Bible study with the East Valley Chapter of Christian Women’s Devotional Alliance “ministers to women’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs.”

Best Western-Mezona, 250 W. Main Street, Mesa. 480-232-3773 Narcotics Anonymous (Nar-Anon), Chandler Chapter 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

WEDNESDAYS

“A Course in Miracles” with the Rev. Julianne Lewis 1 to 2:15 p.m. Wednesdays The weekly group is an interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for course beginners, as well as longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org.

Chandler United Methodist Church Making and Deploying Disciples for over 100 Years.

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

NEW SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES

SUNDAY SCHOOL for children

Worship at 8:30 am & 10:00 am

9 am & 10:30 am

9:10 am & 10:40 am

Beginning October 7, 2018

Children’s Sunday School at 8:40 am & 10:10 am

480-963-3360 | www.chandlermethodist.org | 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.

Come, Worship the Lord

Praise Him

Glorify His Name

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DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY ANNOUNCEMENTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

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BUSINESS BUSINESS SERVICES SERVICES

A group of local business representatives and owners committed to development of local businesses in the Greater Chandler Area. Providing a forum for local businesses to promote themselves. We also work with and promote several non-profit organizations. Each member is required to assist or fund a non-profit organization as a show of support to our community.

CLEANING SERVICES

Dan Mullaney

Concrete Work • Patios • Sidewalks • Driveways • 30 years experience • Free Estimates

480-516-8920 HOME IMPROVEMENTS

PET SERVICES PET SITTING

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PAVERS, WATER FEATURES, FLAGSTONE, FIREPLACE, SOD, BBQ, CURBING, ROCK AND IRRIGATION

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BUSINESS BUSINESS SERVICES

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Customized For Seniors, Businesses & Veterans 888.657.2280, ext 1

• Navigating your computer • Internet understanding uses (research, travel, organize) & security • Computer diagnostics/maintenance/ security; MS products & Apps • iPad®, Tablets & Smartphones • Digital Cameras & much more

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Check in with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce for help.

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Planning a new business in Chandler?

CONCRETE &

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LANDSCAPING

PAINTING

PAINT SERVICES

Serving the East Valley Since 1980

East Valley PAINTERS

Frederick & Sons PLUMBING AND A/C SPECIALISTS

Voted #1 Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

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24 Hour Service!

480-332-6589

www.plumbingprosaz.com ROC: 241512, 245339

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

DIRECTORY PLUMBING PLUMBING PLUMBING

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SanTan Sun News Classified Ads Each ad starts at $22 plus Chandler tax per issue. Special: Buy 3 get 4th for free for only $66. You get up to 50 words more than other classifieds.

*All Competitor’s Coupons Accepted ABC PLUMBING & ROOTER

To Place Your Classified Ad Call 480-898-6465 or Email: Classifieds@SanTanSun.com

A+ Rating

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SINCE 1968

CARPET CLEANING

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SEWER & DRAIN SEWER AND DRAIN

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL REPAIRS AND REROOFING Tile, Shingles, Flat, Walk-Decks

480-284-7338

www.TheRoofMedics.com ROC#256001, K-42, Licensed, Bonded, Insured

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Sewer Replacements Water Heaters Repipes Watermains Licensed/Bonded/Insured

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John’s Window Cleaning We Reach Your Target Market!

Distributed to: 85248, 85249, 85286, 85225 (partial) To Place Your Classified Ad Call 480-898-6465 or Email:

Classifieds@SanTanSun.com

BIG JOHN'S CARPET CLEANING Our truck-mounted steam cleaning system will deep clean your carpets, ridding them of unwanted dirt, bacteria, fungus and chemical residues.

Upholstery cleaning also available.

Tile and grout cleaning.

For a clean and healthy carpet, call 480-786-6610 or 602-989-8311 John Downs, Owner/Operator, Ocotillo Resident.

Call for monthly specials.

MUSTANG CARPET & TILE CLEANING Carpet, Tile & Grout, and Upholstery Cleaning. Family owned, truck-mounted steam cleaning. We off 1/2-hour appointment time frames, so no waiting around. We include pre-spraying, mild deodorizer and degreasers for high traffic areas at no charge.

Member BBB with A+ Rating!

"We clean like it's our own!"

480-688-3003

CLEANING SERVICES

WINDOWS/ CLEANING

The Owner Cleans Your Windows!

1-Story $135 2-Story $155 Inside & Out Up To 30 Panes

Screens Cleaned $2.50 Per Pane Additional Panes $2 each

Power Washing Available

480.201.6471

65

CLASSIFIEDS

1 HOUR RESPONSE

480-726-1600

DIRECTORY

CLEANING BY MELISSA Flexible routine scheduling available. Also available for one time cleaning jobs. All supplies and equipment provided. Serving Chandler/Gilbert area.

Call Melissa 720-432-0025 FINISHING TOUCH CLEANING SERVICE...19 years in Chandler and Gilbert areas. Mother/Daughter Team with excellent long-term client references. METICULOUS w/an EYE 4 DETAIL!!

Looking for Steady Clientele that want Consistent Quality Service with EVERY cleaning.

Competitive rates.

Exceptional Service!! We Love Pets!! Free in home estimate.

Call Rita -480-250-9744

CLEANING SERVICES HOUSE CLEANING The lowest prices in the Valley! We provide all cleaning supplies.

20 years experience Trustworthy and dependable We pay attention to details Excellent References Call Vicky 480-227-1890 HOUSECLEANING Weekly/Bi-Weekly/Monthly And one time cleaning Reasonable Rates Great References 20+ yrs. Experience Call Angie 480-980-1498 SIMPLY GRAND CLEANING SERVICE House cleaning specialists offering weekly, biweekly, monthly, or one-time cleanings. Also, providing move-in/out cleaning service, windows and patios. We use GREEN environmentally friendly products. High quality services at a great price. Very dependable, insured and with excellent references. $10 off first service with mention of this ad.

Call Dennis for a free estimate 480-802-1992 or Email: contact@simplygrandcleaningaz.com

ELECTRICAL E. Z. ELECTRIC SERVICE RETIRED ELECTRICIAN. SMALL JOBS WANTED. I ALSO FIX LOW VOLTAGE OUTDOOR LIGHTING. ALL WORK TO CODE. I SHOW UP! 480-406-3610

EMPLOYMENT RECEPTIONIST To help manage operations in the branch office of the world's largest independent brokerage firm. Please contact today for details. Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Located at Alma School and Ocotillo. 3910 S Alma School Rd. Ste. 8 Chandler, AZ 85248.

Attn. Joe Garner (480)722-0202

Roommate needed?

Classifieds can Help!

480-898-6465

66

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS EVENTS FREE LIGHT MEAL

Do you suffer from Shoulder Pain, Knee Pain, Neck Pain, Elbow Pain, Hip Pain, Back Pain, Wrist Pain, Hand Pain, Foot Pain, Ankle Pain?

Let us show you how we can help without surgery with an Innovative New Wellness Solution!

Come have a meal on us at Chandler Downtown Library on Monday 9/10 at 11:30 AM in the Copper Room 22 S. Delaware St. Chandler Or at Chandler Sunset Library Weds at 9/26 at 5:30 PM 4930 W. Ray Rd Chandler Call or Text to RSVP Anytime 480-252-8714

GLASS SERVICES GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors.

If itʼs glass, we can help you.

QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices.

FREE Estimates WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR

Call 480-306-5113 wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

HANDYMAN ALL HONEY-DO LISTS! General Handyman Services.

One Call, We Do It All! Owner does all work.

Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service. Licensed, Bonded, Insured.

ROC 118198.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS QUALITY STUCCO WORK Over 25 years Experience Concrete, Block Fence, Custom Wrought Iron Gates & Other Minor Home Improvements.

Free Estimates ROC#311658 Call Danny 480-479-4833

LANDSCAPING A+ SPRINKLER REPAIR SERVICE Are you tired of fixing drip system leaks?

20 years experience repairing and replacing drip systems, valves, wire troubleshooting & timers. All repairs!

Honest and reliable.

East Valley Native.

Call and compare prices!

602-826-4717 www.AplusSprinklerRepair.com

BERNIE'S LANDSCAPING Mowing, Clean-Ups, Gravel, Winter Grass, Irrigation Repair, Tree Removal & Pruning.

Landscape Maintenance FREE Estimates 480-340-6009 Five Generations Landscape.

Mowing, Clean-Ups, Gravel, Weed Control, Winter Grass, Irrigation Repair & Palm Trimming. Free Estimates. Call 562-739-5088 KUTTINGEDGE LANDSCAPE A Professional and Reliable Maintenance company.

Services include weekly and biweekly maintenance, one time clean ups, weed control, tree work and more.

Call Rick for a free estimate 480-250-6608 or email: Kuttingedgelandscape@cox.net

and Visit:

www.kuttingedgelandscape.com

S&I General Contracting, Inc.

Steve 602-339-4766

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

UNIVERSAL HOME REPAIR Small projects, house maintenance and renovations, house/apartment preparation for new tenants.

Air conditioning repairs.

Call Jack @ 480-213-4005 jacekwrona@cox.net

KILL SCORPIONS! Buy Harris Scorpion Spray.

Odorless, Non-Staining Effective results begin, after spray dries.

Available: Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot.com

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

Call us at 480-898-6465 or email classifieds@santansun.com Proud member of

MOVING

PLUMBING

IN OR OUT MOVERS Professional, hardworking, excellent service. No hidden fees. Whether you are moving in or moving out LEAVE THE LIFTING TO US! Serving the East Valley.

ABC PLUMBING & ROOTER CHANDLER/GILBERT *$79.00 OFF with this ad* 110% Guarantee*/OWNER OPERATED Small & Large REPAIRS 24/7 Slab leak, water main, hot water heaters, & sewer repair specialist.

Water softening specialist, water filters, and reverse osmosis. 100-year warranty on parts & labor. * BBB A+ Rating. BBB Ethics Award Winner. Chandler Chamber of Commerce Employer of Choice Award.

ROC#153202/213288 *Call for details 480-726-1600

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Call Terry at 602-653-5367

PAINTING EAGLE RIDGE PAINTING, LLC Interior repaint specialist, offering in-home color consulting for every job.

Using only quality low VOC paints, brush-n-roll application, two coat coverage. Family owned and operated with over 25 years experience. ROC 296732 Bonded & Insured.

Call Sue 480-825-2122 QUALITY HOUSE PAINTING Affordable Prices Interior/Exterior Special Coatings Free Estimates 480-707-1681 EAST VALLEY PAINTERS Voted #1 Repaint Specialists!

Clean, Friendly Crews.

Interior/Exterior. Drywall Repairs. Textures. Concrete Staining. Pool Deck Coatings.

Garage Floors. Free Estimates. All Credit Cards Accepted. ROC 153131.

480-688-4770

ROOFING Tim KLINE Roofing, LLC The Most Detailed Roofer in the State. Roofs Done Right..The FIRST Time. 15Year Workmanship Warranty on All Complete Roof Systems. FREE Estimate and Written Proposal.

480-357-2463 www.timklineroofing.com R.O.C #156979 K-42 Licensed, Bonded & Insured THE ROOF MEDICS Residential/Commercial Repairs and Reroofing. Tile, Shingles, Flat, Walk-Decks.

Licensed, Bonded, Insured.

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480-284-7338 www.theroofmedics.com

PLUMBING

SEWER & DRAIN

CURE ALL PLUMBING For all your plumbing needs!

Free estimates and Senior Discounts! Water heaters, faucets, toilets, pipe leaks, garbage disposals, slab leaks, repiping, drain cleaning: Clogs, jetting, Camera inspection, locating. Water softeners, Reverse Osmosis systems. Sprinkler and Backflow repairs. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. Member of BBB. ROC#204797 Cure All Plumbing 480-895-9838

ABC PLUMBING & ROOTER 480-705-7772 SERVICE NOW!!

110% Guaranteed/100 Year Warranty.

OWNER Operated (Licensed, Bonded, Insured).

20% OFF Seniors/Military. A+ Rating with BBB, Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, AZ award winning. If it's plumbing, we do it! 24-hour flood restoration services.

Financing approval in minutes with NO MONEY DOWN & ZERO INTEREST. ROC#153202/213278

Hiring? Place your ad in Classifieds

480-898-6465

WINDOWS/ CLEANING JOHN'S WINDOW CLEANING 1-story $135 / 2-story $155 inside and out up to 30 panes (add'l panes $2) Screens cleaned $2.50 per pane. Power Washing and Re-Screening available Same day Service (480) 201-6471

Classified Works!

480-898-6465 DIRTY WINDOWS? Call Fish Window Cleaning @ 480-962-4688 and you will have the cleanest windows and screens on the block.

Below is the list of services we offer: Windows – Interior & Exterior Screens – Sunscreens and Regular Tracks, Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures Power Washing - Your driveway, sidewalks and patios.

Follow us on InstaGram @FISH_WCEASTVALLEYAZ "MOM WAS RIGHT" Appearance Counts!

PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANING Detailed service and tidy inside your home!

1 story-$90 2 story-$130 - up to 30 panes.

Price includes inside and out.

Screens cleaned $3 each.

Pressure washing and fixture cleaning also available.

21 years of accumulated references!

CALL RON at 480-584-1643 A+ Member of BBB Bonded & Insured

Your newspaper.

Your community.

Your planet.

Please recycle me.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

67

Portable Oxygen For The Way You Want to Live The ALL-NEW The Inogen One G4 delivers the independence of a portable oxygen concentrator in one of the smallest, lightest, and quietest packages available to the oxygen user today.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

Where To Eat

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Can’t get to Paris? Visit La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe

BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor

Any French café worth its salt bakes fresh baguettes and pastries on-site each morning.

La Madeleine French Bakery & Café at The Met near Chandler Fashion Center is no exception.

Early morning patrons may be rewarded with the heavenly smell of fresh baking bread or the caramelizing sugar for a crème brulee.

They may buy the long loaf with its characteristic crispy crust, a sweet palmier, croissant or a fresh fruit tart with cozy French flair, or opt for the savory at breakfast with a Spicy Eggs Basque, Quiche Florentine or Potato Galette.

Whether they are here for a quick bite and espresso before rushing off to work or for a lingering meal ending with a cloying dessert, they can be sure that the fare was made just hours ago. (Some pastries are the exception as they may have a two-day shelf life.)

“Most of the pastry, we make six, seven, eight times a day; it’s always fresh,” said Sam Salehin, director of operations, adding that the restaurant doesn’t have a microwave. “We also have hot food; as a

tells me “myEverybody grandma’s food is good; she’s cooking oldfashioned, going to the store, buying whatever she can afford and then cooking day before or same day. Same kind of philosophy here. It’s very reasonable, nothing is super expensive.

”

– Sam Salehin, director of operations Srianthi Perera

La Madeleine’s pastries are delightfully fresh and ample for a satisfying treat.

customer, you can taste the difference.”

Established in Dallas, Texas in 1983, the brand was brought to the Valley by franchisees Paul L. Foster and his wife Alejan-

dro De La Vega of El Paso, Texas, who are known for their philanthropy. Foster is the chairman of Western Refinery and De La Vega owns several Domino’s Pizzas and

more than 200 Del Rio convenience store locations in Juarez, Mexico.

In the Valley, the couple also owns the La Madeleine in Chandler, while another just opened in Phoenix and still another See

MADELIENE on page 70

Taco fest brings food, culture to downtown

BY CONNOR DZIAWURA Staff

Metalachi’s “Master of Trumpets” El Cucuy doesn’t go for any ordinary taco.

A musician with “The World’s First and Only Heavy Metal Mariachi Band,” which appeared on season 10 of America’s Got Talent, El Cucuy has a bit of a sweet tooth, it seems.

“If you get some taco and you put some churros inside with a little bit of chocolate syrup and some ice cream, like an ice cream taco, that would be great, man,” he said, then laughed.

El Cucuy and his bandmates in Metalachi will headline the seventh annual Rockin’ Taco Street Fest in downtown Chandler.

“It’s crazy because I know it’s going to be pretty hot when we get there, and I think an ice cream taco would hit the spot for me,” he added.

The Rockin’ Taco Street Fest will return to the Dr. A.J. Chandler Park from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.

The Rockin’ Taco Street Fest has grown from an understated 200 guests to 10,000 taco-eating fans, according to Jen Pruett, the festival’s spokeswoman.

“The event started seven years ago as a parking lot party at El Palacio restaurant in Chandler and it just kept growing,” Pruett explained, adding: “On year five we decided to move it to the bigger space in downtown Chandler so we could just make it a big full-sized festival because everyone in the southwest loves tacos, right?”

The festival definitely boasts a love

Special to SanTan Sun News

Every one of the 20 vendors at the Rockin’ Taco Street Fest will be using their culinary imagination to whip up unique fare.

of tacos. With 20 vendors – restaurants and food trucks – covering a large variety of taco styles, guests can likely find something to appease their individual taste buds.

Each vendor – from Casa Rey’s to Drive Wood Fired Grill, Nando’s Mexican Café, Z’Tejas, Pokitrition and Taste of Korea – will bring its own flair to the art of the taco. As Pruett puts it, there will be “a pretty good range of really different

types of tacos.”

Food will be plentiful, with other snacks set to include churros, elote, kettle corn, snow cones, ice cream and more. But even with these options available, Pruett clarified, “Tacos are

obviously the main star of the show.”

Affordability is key, so each vendor will have at least one taco priced at $2.

Other food items and beverages range from $2 to $12.

Food isn’t just about appeasing an appetite. Brave guests will use their talents to face off in taco-, burrito- and elote-eating competitions, for which there are $100 cash prizes.

When a thirst arises, adults of age can purchase alcohol to go with their tacos, too.

SanTan Brewing Company will be present, and guests can get a little tipsy with a variety of margaritas, Mexican beers and vodka cocktails throughout the festival grounds.

Cool, refreshing nonalcoholic beverages will include frescas, horchata and lemonade.

New this year is the Tequila Tavern, a tequila-tasting area. Entry into this exclusive zone is $30 online and is for guests ages 21 or older.

These tickets won’t be available at the gate, and space is limited, so interested guests should jump on the opportunity early.

This limited-availability ticket grants purchasers entry into the main festival, access to an unlimited chips-and-salsa bar, and 10 half-ounce tequila samples from a variety of brands.

“For some people that maybe floats their boat,” Pruett says. “It’s not a very large area; we’re only going to sell 100 tickets to that, so it’s just kind of more just a different experience for people.”

Throughout the day, guests will stay entertained with Lucha Libre Voz wrestling, a custom lowrider car show See

TACO on page 69

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

WHERE TO EAT

69

New restaurant at Wild Horse serves up comfort food

BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor

Diners looking for sweet and savory, diverse food for a leisurely breakfast, productive business lunch or rich, date night dinner will find they can’t lose if they try their hand at the new Fullhouse Café.

So say officials at the restaurant at Gila River Hotels & Casino-Wild Horse Pass.

They say visitors will find comfort food to meet a variety of taste buds in a cozy and open environment at the new eatery.

It replaced Café 24/7 and is open 24/7 to accommodate late-night partiers, early risers and anyone else who wants to grab a quick, casual bite or linger over a longer, more upscale meal.

“My vision was to create neighborhoods within the restaurant,” Richard Strafella, chief operations officer for Gila River Hotels & Casinos said. “We were thinking about how diverse our customers are. We wanted to make it bright and open and inviting.

“You come in off a casino floor – that’s a little intense. Here I can come in and take a breath. We wanted to try to create everything for everybody. We have locals, tourists, local businessmen.”

The extensive menu features many breakfast items including a breakfast burrito for $8.95 with two scrambled eggs, chorizo, breakfast potatoes and a cheddar jack cheese blend inside a flour tortilla.

The “Eggs Your Way” breakfast at $7.95 is two eggs any style, with a choice of bacon, ham or sausage, along with either breakfast potatoes or hash browns, and customers’ selection of toast.

Dulce de leche pancakes for $7.95 filled with custard with cinnamon churros and caramel sauce on top are a signature dish at Fullhouse Café.

Decadent banana split pancakes also at $7.95 are a sweet treat with whole bananas, strawberries, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Another popular dish is the chicken and waffles for $8.95 created with buttermilk fried chicken, flavored with house-made jalapeno honey. Omelets customized to diners’ tastes are also well-liked breakfast items.

The Chef’s Creation Run Wild Omelet at $14.95 has six eggs, ham, smoked bacon, Polish kielbasa, hash browns and Swiss, American and cheddar cheeses in it.

“The omelets are huge,” Strafella said.

“You can create anything you want. The breakfast burrito is very, very popular. The presentation speaks for itself.”

An all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for

TACO

from page 68

and dancing from Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli. To show off your own vehicle in the lowrider car show, registration is $50 per car or $25 per bike.

A kids’ zone will bring bouncers, piñatas and other games into the mix.

Aside from Metalachi’s headlining performance, other music will include the Santana tribute band Evil Waze marking its third year at the festival.

“Besides all the delicious and good stuff to get you drunk there, we look forward to playing for the people of the Phoenix area again,” El Cucuy says.

“We have a really good following there and it just feels like every time we go there we see a lot of familiar faces and people

Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

Richard Strafella, chief operations officer for Gila River Hotels & Casinos, is proud of the modern, new Fullhouse Café.

Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer

Gila fries with pork green chile, cotija cheese and green onions are one of the starters at Fullhouse Café.

$14, including a drink, is available from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Many breakfast items on the menu can be ordered anytime. The full breakfast menu is offered from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily.

To wash down breakfast, lunch or dinner or just get a caffeine fix, Fullhouse Café offers Starbucks and Seattle’s Best Coffee drinks.

Customers can also pick from the many sandwiches, salads, burgers and starters on the menu at Fullhouse Café.

The Wild Horse Pass salad with diced chicken breast, red seedless grapes, sliced Swiss cheese, candied pecans, mixed greens and poppy seed dressing is one of the lunch and dinner choices.

A kale and quinoa salad includes baby kale, quinoa, dried cranberries and roasted almonds tossed in a chipotle ranch dressing.

Those craving meat can indulge in a guac burger, an all-beef patty covered with house-made guacamole, topped with green chiles and tortilla confetti.

A towering traditional club sandwich offers lots of protein in a triple decker of ham, turkey, smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise in customers’ choice of bread.

“Lunch is very, very important to a lot of folks here,” Strafella said. “We do get extremely busy here at lunchtime.”

Those who want to spice up their lunches or dinners can try the spicy pork chile verde with tomatillos, New Mexico green chiles, diced russet potatoes and

cotija cheese on a plate with fresh corn tortilla chips and flour tortillas. Carne asada, fish, pork belly and shrimp tacos are also available for lunch and dinner.

Fullhouse Café has several Asian dishes including orange chicken, sweet and sour pork and Singapore mei fun, which has marinated pork, shrimp, carrots, red onion, shredded cabbage and rice noodles tossed in a classic Asian sauce.

Vegetarians and vegans also have their pick of flavorful food at the casino restaurant. Fullhouse offers popular stuffed Portobello mushrooms, filled with a quinoa and vegetable filling accompanied by white steamed rice.

Avocado tacos, vegan meatloaf and a vegan burger are also on the menu. A Portobello sandwich is filled with a grilled jumbo Portobello mushroom, Swiss cheese, garlic mayonnaise, tomato, onion and lettuce on a toasted bun.

“The portions are enormous,” Strafella said. “The pricing is reasonable. They get great value. They leave very happy and full. The word is comfort food.”

He said the average bill for customers is about $12.95 to $15.95 per person at the restaurant.

Besides the vast menu, which is more expansive than what had been offered by Café 24/7, the space has a more modern, refreshed feel, Strafella said.

With blue, green and pink furnishings and décor, one area is ideal for meetings

and large groups as it is in a quiet corner of the restaurant, while the main dining room in the center of the café offers tables and booths with plenty of room between them for those using walkers.

In the back of the restaurant, people dining alone can sit at a counter built for 12 customers to sit at a time. Next door to Fullhouse Café is a poker room, where players can order food and drinks without having to leave their games.

Several televisions are situated around the café so customers can watch their favorite sports, casino games or anything else they’re interested in while they eat and socialize.

“We call it a café,” Strafella said. “We feel like it’s upscale.”

Friendly employees work at Fullhouse Café, many of whom have worked at the casino a long time, and they know some customers by name, he said.

Strafella understands what customers are looking for when they visit the hotel and casino as he worked for nearly 40 years at hotels/casinos in Las Vegas, the last 25 years as a senior vice-president. He came to Gila River Hotels & Casinos to work about three years ago.

“Our staff takes so much pride in what they do and how they present themselves,” Strafella said. “They couldn’t wait for opening day. Employees here take things very seriously. Everything we do benefits the community.”

Information: wingilariver.com.

that keep coming back to our shows. I think that’s what we look forward to the most is just how they like to party there.”

El Cucuy says people who see Metalachi live for the first time often leave with a new impression of the group, realizing it’s more than just a funny gimmick.

Their unique twist on the two genres – mariachi and metal – attracts fans from both aisles, too.

They will cover anything from Journey and Bon Jovi to Slayer and Iron Maiden. A crowd favorite, he says, is their interpretation of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

“The first thing I would say is it’s not what you’re going to expect; it’s better than what you’re going to expect to see,” he said.

“And then also just basically get ready to party because that’s what we’re there

for. We’re there for people to dance, to move, to feel good, to sing. It’s wonderful, and for everybody.”

Access to a VIP zone that includes private shaded areas, private restrooms and seating costs $100 during the online presale period. Modern Tortilla will cater the area, and patrons will be allowed six alcoholic beverages with their ticket.

Like the Tequila Tavern, these tickets won’t be available at the gate and the area is limited to patrons ages 21 or older.

To top the festival off, a portion of its proceeds will benefit the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, a nonprofit organization.

“All of the events that we do, we always have a nonprofit community partner,” Pruett explained. “For the events that we do in downtown Chandler, we always benefit the Downtown Chandler

Community Partnership because that money goes right back into helping the downtown Chandler community, businesses, the park, bringing more events to downtown.

“We produce four or five events in downtown Chandler every year, so it’s really important for us to give back to that community where we produce our events.”

IF YOU GO

What: Rockin’ Taco Street Fest Where: Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Avenue, Chandler When: noon-9 Sept. 15 Info: 602-276-2499, rockintacoaz.com Cost: Tickets start at $10, children 12 and younger free.

WHERE TO EAT

70

MADELIENE

SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 1–14

nothing is super expensive.”

Patrons coming in will first pass through the retail display of sauces, fruit spreads, French coffee roast and Madeline’s famous tomato basil soupe, one of its bestsellers.

They would then catch sight of the lighted pastry case with its tempting array of luscious sweets they may remember from a visit to France. Hot food is available cafeteria-style. The bustle of the kitchen is visible.

The warm interior with its rustic beams, fireplace, brick enhancements, wood floor and casual seating attempts to capture the simplicity of a French country café.

One wall carries vintage photos of Madeleine’s venerable founder, Patrick Esquerré, who 35 years ago established a casual French bakery in Dallas because he felt that women in that city needed “good bread” and he himself was missing the finer things from his home country.

Although Esquerré left the company and it was subsequently sold to current owner Louis Le Duff, he returned in 2008 as an ambassador to it.

Today, La Madeleine’s has about 80 outlets dishing out the French culinary delights.

If a trip to France is not in the works anytime soon to visit a boulangerie, maybe a trip to La Madeleine’s could suffice?

“It’s pretty good,” said Salehin.

La Madeleine French Bakery & Café, 2156 E. Williams Field Road, Suite 101, Gilbert; 480-485-8490 and 3605 W. Chandler Blvd, Suite 7, Chandler; 480999-2095. Details: lamadeleine.com.

from page 68

in Gilbert’s San Tan Village. More are being planned.

La Madeleine serves breakfast all day, lunch and dinner.

The 10 main breakfast offerings include Parisien Eggs, which consists of two fried eggs served on a freshly baked butter croissant with ham, bacon and Hollandaise sauce ($9.29). The aforementioned and reportedly popular Spicy Eggs Basque presents two fried eggs over a roasted bell pepper, garlic, white wine and tomato sauce and comes with a toasted baguette ($6.49).

Lighter morning fare, such as crepes, oatmeal and parfait, is also available.

Lunch and dinner entrees include the more predictable seasonal salads, soups and sandwiches, but also specialties such as salmon and fresh lentils; roasted salmon fillet over a light French lentil, kale and vegetable stew.

There’s a children’s menu as well; grilled cheese on wheatberry and chicken pesto pasta are two items from that section.

Not everything’s French, though, there are some typical American offerings such as Cheese Pizza and Caesar Salad with the company’s own Caesar dressing.

An entrée averages at about $10.

“Everybody tells me my grandma’s food is good; she’s cooking old-fashioned, going to the store, buying whatever she can afford and then cooking day before or same day,” Salehin said. “Same kind of philosophy here. It’s very reasonable,

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