SanTan Sun September 7, 2019

September 7–20, 2019 | www.SanTanSun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler and our neighboring communities

Project coming to last big site near Chandler mall

BY GARY NELSON Contributor

One of the last big empty pieces of land near Chandler Fashion Center may not be empty much longer.

A family-owned company called VanTrust Real Estate LLC is asking the city for permission to build a large mixeduse complex on the southeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and Price Road, just east of the shopping center. The project is called Chandler 101.

The City Council will consider the rezoning request on Sept. 12.

Since the shopping center opened in

2001, adjacent tracts have filled in with offices, apartments, hotels and retail. But the 20-acre, L-shaped former industrial site to the east has remained vacant since 2006, when a defunct industrial plant there was leveled.

The zoning request currently on the table would refine a plan originally approved under different ownership in 2009, during the depths of a recession that hammered the development industry.

The 2009 zoning allowed for up to 820,000 square feet of office space, 24,400 square feet for retail/restaurant use, a hotel and a conference center.

The biggest change under the new

proposal is the addition of 200 apartment units in the southeast corner of the site.

The conference center is no longer being considered and some of the other squarefootage allowances have been tweaked.

The developers envision a clear separation between the commercial and residential areas. Under their proposal, vehicular access to the apartments will be from Coronado Street on the east and south, rather than from Price Road or Chandler Boulevard. A pedestrian path will link the residential and commercial portions.

In a nod to potential developments in the auto industry, the developers asked

the city to allow fewer parking places than normal “due to … the expected long-term impacts of ride-sharing services and the advent of autonomous vehicles.”

And rather than submit a specific site plan, they are asking for entitlements within certain ranges — buildings up to eight stories, for example, and up to 600,000 square feet of office space.

Specifics will come later.

Kevin Mayo, Chandler’s planning director, said the project vibes perfectly with what the city envisions for the area.

“This happens to fall within a growth See

MALL on page 3

CUSD lifting language barriers to ID gifted

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler educators are utilizing a new assessment to identify gifted students who might have been overlooked due to language barriers.

During this school year, the Chandler Unified School District will have

some kindergartners take the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, which uses shapes and symbols to test cognitive skills.

It requires no spoken or written language, making it accessible to hearingimpaired students or English-language learners.

See

GIFTED on page 10

Seton Catholic celebrates Six of Serrano's Mexican Restaurants founders Ernie and Eva Serrano still keep the family business running.

The siblings include, from left: Front row: Billy Serrano, Ric Serrano and Ernie Serrano Jr.; Back row: Lisa SerranoChavez, Stephanie Serrano, Lorraine Serrano, Carolyn Serrano and Theresa Serrano-Keel. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Serrano family marks 100 years as Chandler business

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

As Chandler’s oldest family-owned business, Serrano’s is older than the city itself.

The city did not officially incorporate as a municipality until 1920. By then, Albert Serrano and his brother Luis had already been running their dry goods

store for nearly a year.

And they kept running and expanding their business for the next few decades — paving the way for their descendants to carry on the family name into the 21st century.

While the first 60 years of the business was devoted to clothing and See

SERRANOS on page 4

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Seton Catholic Preparatory High School is marking its 65th anniversary starting this month and former Principal Pat Collins says there's a reason why many are reminding of Phoenix rising from the flames when they think of its history. Find out why on page 8. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

F E AT U R E STO R I E S Chandler chef brings haute cuisine to you. . . . . . . . . . Business. . . . Page 24 Prep volleyball season gets underway . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPORTS . . . . . Page 39 Chandler students' excellent adventures . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . Page 46 Studio mixes art with partying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ART . . . . . . . . . Page 54 The Hidden House isn't hiding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EAT . . . . . . . . . Page 65

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MALL

COMMUNITY NEWS

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from cover

area in our general plan,” he said, “and it furthers that goal by injecting a significant amount of employment into that area.”

“Development of this scale is always significant,” Mayo said. “Any time you have land that is at the intersection of a major arterial like Chandler Boulevard and a freeway, the site is significant.”

Mayo said Chandler expected as far back as two decades ago that the mall would serve as a magnet for development.

“While the exact users that land on specific parcels aren’t foreseen at the time that those growth areas are put in, the overall context of how the area will evolve is.”

This is likely to be one of the last big mixed-use projects adjacent to the mall.

Few other empty nearby tracts remain, and Mayo said vacant land near the mall south of Loop 202 is reserved for large-scale employment uses, with no residential allowed.

Earlier this year, Chandler’s tallest multi-tenant office building opened to complete another complex near the mall.

The six-story Offices at Chandler Viridian tower was the final piece of the complex that sits northwest of the Loop 101 and 202 interchange on W. Frye Road.

The $160-million project signaled a new era for Chandler on the spot of the failed Elevation Chandler development near the Chandler Fashion Center.

At the time of its groundbreaking last year, Chandler City Council member Terry Roe called the plans “completely transforming a key area of our city.”

Tenants have already been settling

This tract of desert, the last large lot of developable land near Chandler Fashion Center, is about to undergo a major transformation.

(Special to the SanTan Sun News)

in that 250,000-square-foot building, including the global engineering firm Stantec and Workuity, a co-working space.

The new office tower features energyefficient glass that allows natural light into the building. It also includes 10-foot tall ceilings, a tenant lounge on the ground floor and a large public plaza. A threestory garage is also part of the complex.

Hines, the firm that co-developed the site, bought the property in the city’s

Price Road Corridor in October 2014 for about $20 million.

It immediately tore down what was built of Elevation Chandler — an uncompleted hotel and residential development that stalled in 2006 before the Great Recession — to make room for the Viridian mixed-use project.

Other parts of the complex include a 138-room Cambria Hotel with a pool, bar and lounge and conference center; the

Broadstone Fashion Center, a high-end apartment complex with 335 units and a pool, clubhouse and fitness center; and nearly 9,000 square feet of restaurant space.

The development also features a pedestrian promenade, a plaza connecting the office building, hotel and restaurants, a wellness trail and even a dog park.

Officials say the office building is expected to bring between 1,250 and 1,500 jobs to Chandler.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SERRANOS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

from cover

other dry goods, Ernie and Eva Serrano 40 years ago confronted a life-or-death business decision.

And Serrano's Mexican Restaurants was born.

September marks two anniversaries for the six of Ernie and Eva Serrano’s eight children who run the five restaurants — the original one in Chandler as well as two in Mesa and one each in Tempe and Queen Creek.

Not only are the Serrano siblings celebrating 40 years in the restaurant business serving authentic Mexican cuisine made from recipes handed down by their parents and grandparents; they also are marking 100 years as an enterprise, making it the oldest continuing family-owned business in Chandler.

“We’re very blessed to have been in business for 100 years,” said Ric Serrano, president and CEO of Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants, which employ about 200 employees at the five locations.

Ernie’s father, Albert, had passed on his department stores down to his sons in 1959 after four decades of doing business.

Albert and Luis Serrano first moved to Chandler from Tucson in 1919 and opened the Popular Store with $10,000 worth of inventory. With the help of their brothers, they opened more locations in Casa Grande, Gilbert and Mesa and sold goods to the region’s many farm families.

“There were times when the crops might not have been good and so credit was extended to the farmers who might have had a bad year and sometimes they would wait up to a year to get paid,” Ernie Serrano Jr. said in an oral history that was recorded in 2005.

By the 1970s, indoor malls started sprouting up around the Valley and the Serranos found it difficult to compete. As their stores started to close, the family thought they could try selling a different type of service.

Mealtime had always been important in the Serrano home, Ric said. He and his seven siblings would spend hours around the dinner table, laughing and joking with

The tightly-knit Serrano siblings and their spouses maintain a strong faith in God, part of their parents' legacy.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

each other.

If they could replicate that family atmosphere in a business setting, then maybe this new venture could work.

So, the Serranos took a chance by opening a restaurant, despite not having any experience in the food industry.

But Eva knew how to cook and Ernie knew how to manage the books. In addition, the Serranos were already known in the community and had developed loyal customers through their department stores.

“The same people that they were selling jeans and shirts and ties and shoes to, came to them to try out their Mexican food,” Ric Serrano said.

They officially opened La Casa Serrano in December 1979.

Ric said his parents worked long

hours in the beginning — sometimes not closing until 1 a.m. and returning to open again at 8 a.m.

When the Serranos decided to open a second location in Tempe, Ric decided to forgo his golfing career and help his parents manage the new restaurant.

The Tempe restaurant experimented by offering a special bean dip alongside the standard chips and salsa. It was a decision that turned out to be a successful one.

“It was such a hit that it became something that we’re known for and people remember us for the bean dip,” Ric Serrano said.

More restaurants would follow, but not all would endure. The family decided to close its breakfast eatery, Brunchies, in 2016 after several years of operation.

very blessed to have been “We’re in business for 100 years. ” – Ric Serrano

Faced with a decline in their 60-year-old dry goods business, Ernie and Eva Serrano made a fateful decision 40 years ago and went into the restaurant business. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Control over the business formally changed hands after Ernie Serrano passed away in 2009 at 79. His wife died in 2017.

Ric said he thinks his parents would be proud to see so many of their children getting along and running the business together. But his father was always the most ambitious member of the family and liked taking risks.

“I think that if he was still around, maybe we’d have more restaurants,” Ric said. “He liked a good deal.”

The Serranos continue to adapt and change to the trends of the restaurant industry. Food can be ordered and delivered through Uber, the restaurants offer catering services and the Serrano family salsa can be bought online.

The times have changed, but Ric Serrano said the business is still rooted in three words: faith, family and food.

They made the uncommon decision

in 2012 to close all its locations on Sunday — one of their busiest days — in order to give employees a break on the weekend.

More recently, the restaurants have begun holding a device-free night on Thursdays, where patrons are encouraged to put down their phones and start a conversation.

To further encourage talking, they leave a booklet of conversation starters at every table.

“People are looking for a reason to put them down,” Ric said. “Everyone just needs a little encouragement to set them down for a little bit.”

In honor of the centennial, the Serranos will be selling a sampler special for $10 throughout September. The dish includes green and red chili beef, shredded chicken, machaca, tortilla, rice and beans.

Throughout the month, all five Serrano’s restaurants are accepting donations of children’s books and teddy bears to benefit the W. Steven Martin 911 Toy Drive.Over 34 years, the drive has generated 6 million gifts which first responders have donated to more than 1 million needy kids.

For every donation made at one of its restaurants, Serranos will give the customer a voucher for a scoop of free fried ice cream at any Serrano’s location.

On Sept. 19, the Chandler Serrano’s at location 141. S. Arizona Ave. will host a fiesta celebration with raffle prizes and activities for children. At that celebration, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke and several other East Valley officials will compete at 7 p.m. in a tacoeating contest for charity.

Specials the week of Sept, 16 are: Sept.

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18, $1 Hump Day Heavenly Bites; Sept. 19, $1 shredded beef or chicken taco, rice and beans entrée; Sept. 20, $1 fried ice cream; Sept. 21, $1 draft Mexican beer.

Information: serranosAZ.com

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Mesa, QC partner on crucial road projects

BY GARY NELSON Contributor

Faced with the prospect of further explosive growth in the Southeast Valley, Mesa and Queen Creek are hustling to build two major roadways that will connect with a future extension to the State Route 24 freeway.

The cities have agreed to design and build Meridian and Signal Butte roads northward from where they now stop in Queen Creek to the freeway, creating two new major north-south routes in the area.

State Route 24 currently exists for only 1 mile between Loop 202 and Ellsworth Road. A 5-mile extension to Ironwood Road is scheduled for completion in late 2022, with construction beginning in the fall of 2020.

SR24 gives drivers from southeast Mesa, Queen Creek and the San Tan Valley area the quickest access to the Valley’s entire freeway system.

But without connections to Signal Butte and Meridian, Ellsworth Road would remain the primary access road — and Ellsworth already operates at what traffic engineers call an “F” level of service, unable to handle the traffic it already has.

Troy White, director of public works in Queen Creek, said new roads are absolutely essential in view of population projections in the region.

Queen Creek’s current population is estimated at 52,000 and nearby areas in Pinal County have about 105,000 residents, he said. “We are estimating that by the

Signs have started to sprout up in Queen Creek and southeast Mesa heralding the future State Route 24, although critics on social media scoffed at these images, noting that a final path for the road hasn’t yet been determined.

(Special to the SanTan Sun News)

year 2024, that population is going to be close to 200,000.”

That adds up to a growth rate of nearly 30 percent in just five years.

“With that much added population we really need to have those additional north-south connections to State Route 24,” White said.

Building the two roads is a cooperative effort not only with Mesa but also with Pinal County and private developers,

White said.

Signal Butte Road currently exists in Queen Creek, but it stops at Queen Creek Road, creating about a 4-mile gap between there and the future freeway.

So, White said, “The town is working with Fulton Homes to get Signal Butte Road punched through from Queen Creek to Germann, and then the (agreement) we have with Mesa is going to take it from Germann and connect to the State Route 24.”

The Signal Butte extension will cost about $12 million. Queen Creek will foot much of the bill initially, with Mesa to reimburse the town no later than 2030.

Meridian Road has even larger gaps.

Northbound in Queen Creek, it stops at Combs Road. Under an agreement with Pinal County, “We are going to do all the missing pieces of Meridian Road from Combs to Germann Road,” White said.

Queen Creek and Pinal County are sharing the $8 million bill to build Meridian Road from Combs northward to SR24.

White said the agreements with Mesa and Pinal County were relatively easy to negotiate because all three governments recognize the needs of the burgeoning region.

Mesa Mayor John Giles agreed.

“When it comes to transportation in the East Valley, jurisdictional boundaries are simply lines on a map,” Giles said. “This area is a hot spot for growth and our transportation system needs to grow as well.”

Queen Creek has other major road projects on the books as it continues its lightning-speed race toward a projected buildout population of 110,000.

“We’re widening Rittenhouse (Road) from two lanes to five lanes from Riggs all the way to Ocotillo. … We want to start construction on that anywhere from late fall to early winter of this year,” White said.

The price: $14 million to $15 million.

The town also plans to widen Chandler Heights Road from Sossaman to Recker, a 2-mile stretch with a price tag of $10 million to $12 million. Construction probably will begin next summer.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Seton students continuing priest’s mission 65th year

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Lisa D’Alessio still remembers a phone call she got 39 years ago, when she was told not to come to school that morning because the campus had burned down.

She was a sophomore at Seton Catholic High School, one of Chandler’s oldest schools. She found out that somebody had intentionally set the school on fire, destroying much of the property.

D’Alessio recalled how devastating the fire was to the Seton community, yet it later became a testament to the resiliency of the staff and students.

“We worked around it, we worked together,” D’Alessio said.

The 1980 fire was an important chapter in the history of Seton, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary this school year.

It forced Seton’s students and teachers to move to a new campus on Dobson Road, where the school has remained ever since. Now known as Seton Catholic Preparatory, the school has continued to grow over the years, adding new facilities and expanding its number of pupils.

“We look forward to our growth over the next 10 years,” said Principal Victor Serna. “Seton is going to make significant improvements to our campus and secure our future for generations to come.”

Seton will be commemorating its anniversary with various celebrations throughout this school year, acknowledging the history that gave the school its foundation.

The school was originally the brainchild of Father Joseph Patterson, who was considered an important figure in Chandler’s Hispanic community.

He was once called “Chandler’s Father Flanagan,” a reference to Edward Flanagan, the priest who founded an orphanage in Nebraska known as Boys Town.

A Texas native, Patterson moved to Arizona with his family in 1918 and enlisted in the U.S. Army before deciding to enroll in a seminary.

He came to Chandler in the 1930s and noticed Hispanic children were not advancing far in public schools.

“In Chandler, the kids had a terrible time getting past the third grade and only four or five would even get to high school,” Patterson told a newspaper in 1985.

Schools were still segregated at this time and Hispanic students had to attend Winn School on Saragosa Street. Former students later reported being punished severely at Winn for speaking Spanish during class.

Patterson sought to create a more welcoming educational environment.

He started by offering summer classes and renovated his church’s basement to serve as a recreation center for local children.

In 1944, Patterson helped build a new elementary school on Chandler Boulevard that could serve 120 pupils. As the students got older, Patterson realized there was a need to build a high school that could accommodate them.

He opened Seton High School in 1954 and named it after Elizabeth Seton, the first American-born woman canonized by the Catholic Church.

When his schools first opened, Patterson noted that about 95 percent of students were Hispanic. The handful

Former Seton Catholic Preparatory High School Principal Pat Collins and current Principal Victor Serna have long upheld the vision of school founder Father Joseph Patterson, who also was an important figure in Chandler's Hispanic history.

(Special to the SanTan Sun News)

of Caucasian students only lasted a day, Patterson recalled.

The demographics changed over time as more students from around the East Valley began enrolling at Seton. Patterson left the school in 1958 after he suffered a stroke and later established a scholarship fund for future students.

Patterson’s former students spoke fondly of him and appreciated his ability to create a community for them in Chandler.

“There’s never been another like him.

He’s a living saint,” said Lupe Robles, a Seton graduate, shortly before Patterson’s death.

Seton’s future was upended on Sept.

12, 1980 when three people started a fire on the school’s campus and caused about $800,000 worth of damage.

Students and parents worked together to salvage whatever lab equipment and textbooks they could find in the rubble.

The staff managed to retrieve a cross that had withered through the fire’s destruction mostly unscathed. They later put it up in the front office of Seton’s new campus, where it remains to this day.

“We’ve always thought of that as our Phoenix rising out of the flames,” said Pat Collins, one of Seton’s former principals.

Seton has grown and changed over the years, Collins said, but the school still encourages students to adopt the values of public service that were important to Patterson.

“They’re always carrying out his mission,” Collins said.

Students make visits to local food banks, assisted-living homes and the Arizona-Mexico border to help the Kino Border Initiative, an organization that provides humanitarian aid to migrants.

Many students have continued giving back to their communities into adulthood.

Dr. Michelle Doroz, who graduated in 1992, has volunteered her medical services to patients in Peru and India. Erin Bellefeuille, a graduate of the class of 2002, has gone on missionary trips to Haiti and Mexico.

Other graduates have served their community by being elected to public office.

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs graduated from Seton in 1988 and said she had a positive experience attending the small school.

“It really felt like a family,” Hobbs said.

“You really had a chance to get to know the people that you went to school with.”

Hobbs, who served several terms in the Arizona Legislature before she was elected to statewide office in 2018, said her Seton

teachers encouraged her to examine things through different perspectives — like how to find modern relevancy in old works of classic literature.

Some graduates enjoyed their Seton experience so much they come back to teach.

Stephen Ryan graduated in 2012 and always appreciated Seton’s communal atmosphere. He decided to return a couple years ago to teach science.

“I did really want to come back here,” Ryan said.

For Lisa D’Alessio, who graduated in 1983 and now lives in California, Seton became a second home for her during adolescence and remains a fond memory.

“There was always that sense of community that was hard to replace,” she said. “That feeling of community became very important to me.”

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

GIFTED

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

from cover

Wendy Nance, an assistant superintendent, said staff noticed a couple of years ago that the district’s 1,200 ELL students were underrepresented in gifted programs.

CUSD gave itself a score of 1 — the lowest score — for the number of ELL students it has enrolled in advanced programs.

Officials researched the Naglieri test and theorized it might be more accommodating to students with undeveloped English-speaking skills.

“We piloted it last year and had great results on identifying students,” Nance said, “so we’re going even bigger with the rollout this year.”

The underrepresentation of ELL students in gifted programs has been researched and studied by education scholars for decades.

A 1995 study estimated that culturallydiverse students were underrepresented in gifted program by at least 30 percent and overrepresented in special education programs by 40 percent.

An analysis done by Education Week in 2017 found Arizona had a 7-percent gap between its population of ELL students and the number participating in gifted programs.

Jack Naglieri, a professor at the University of Virginia, discovered in the late 1990s his nonverbal test might help even the playing field for students from different cultural backgrounds. His 30-minute assessment challenges students

Above: The assessment developed Jack Naglieri, a professor at the University of Virginia, uses symbols rather than words to test for gifted students. (Special to SanTan Sun News) Right: This pie chart by CUSD staffers last year showed the distribution of gifted students based on race and ethnicity.

(Chandler Unified)

to examine patterns without reading or writing.

“Nonverbal tests of intelligence are considered appropriate for a wide variety of people,” Naglieri wrote in 2000, “especially those with limited English language skills and a history of academic failure.”

Some researchers have scrutinized Naglieri’s test, questioning whether it was the best assessment to find underrepresented gifted students, according to a 2013 study published in Gifted Child Quarterly.

CUSD administrators already have another assessment, the Cognitive Abilities Test, it uses to measure giftedness on all second graders. Those who score high enough are invited to enroll in one of the district’s gifted academies.

Amber Stouard, Chandler’s director of

research and assessment, said the Naglieri test will be deployed in addition to the district’s current assessment.

“Our goal in Chandler is really to increase access to those programs and make sure that we’re capitalizing on the talent of our students,” Stouard said.

Chandler Unified wouldn’t be the first district in Arizona to utilize Naglieri’s test for screening students. The Yuma Elementary and Paradise Valley school districts already use Naglieri as one of its assessments.

If the data proves Naglieri to be effective, Stouard said CUSD will consider implementing it district-wide in the future.

Issues of diversity and inclusion in education have gotten more public attention in recent years and CUSD has responded by appointing a director to oversee equity initiatives.

These initiatives include training for

staff and students, hosting equity lectures and developing an advisory board to spot potential diversity gaps in the curriculum.

Nance said the district’s schools can now use “equity dashboards” that allows educators to readily access performance data that can be broken down by demographics.

“It lets them track performance all different ways,” said, “by gender, by NOWNance OPEN! ethnicity, NOW by social-economic status.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Equity policies need to help LGBT students too, board told

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

As the Chandler Unified School District moves ahead with addressing issues of equity and diversity, some community members hope the LGBT students won’t be forgotten.

Adama Sallu, the district’s director of equity and inclusion, recently updated the CUSD Governing Board about the training staff has undergone this last year to better serve students who may feel marginalized.

“Equity done right is a gift to our children,” Sallu said, citing evidence-based training that’s underway to target suicide prevention, various equity committees that have been formed and new reading lists being explored that introduce students to diverse authors.

Every school district has to confront issues of equity, Sallu said, and CUSD is emerging as a leader in Arizona with its approach.

But some community members have expressed concern that not enough attention is being given to LGBT students.

A Bogle Junior School student who identifies as bisexual told the board last month classmates often use offensive language toward bisexuals and gays and wishes more could be done to have their behavior corrected.

As Chandler Unified's director of equity and inclusion, Adama Sallu last month briefed the governing board on the training that district staff have undergone to develop an environment where students feel less marginalized.

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

Community members recently suggested the school board hold study sessions on the complexities of sexuality and gender.

Parent Jennifer Luke said she worries that the district is not creating a safe environment for LGBT students and believes the equity initiatives have gotten “watered down.”

“I feel that I need to know that when my child goes to school, he is feeling safe and he’s feeling safe to express himself,” Luke said.

Sallu said when she first came to the district last year, she met with leaders in the LGBT community to learn what more could be done in Chandler. They’re currently working on plans to implement

infrastructure that will better serve these students, she said.

“It doesn’t happen overnight.” Sallu said.

The district’s counseling department provides resources for LGBT students on its website, including contact information for the Trevor Project, a national hotline that connects LGBT students with trained counselors.

Michael Soto, executive director of Equality Arizona, a LGBT advocacy organization, encouraged CUSD to ensure their students feel seen and represented.

“All students deserve to feel valued,” Soto said during a school board meeting.

“I know that there is far too much misinformation and a lack of information about our community.”

Soto’s organization filed a lawsuit earlier this year against Arizona, challenging the so-called “no promo homo” law that prohibited school curriculum from portraying homosexuality in a positive light.

Lawmakers repealed the law in April.

Soto applauded CUDS for its equity initiatives and reminded administrators that LGBT students face daily challenges that shouldn’t be forgotten about. He still remembers how isolated he felt attending schools in the East Valley and doesn’t want the same for Chandler.

“I never felt seen in my entire K-12 experience,” Soto said.

Former CUSD educator to lead equity for state

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A former principal of the Chandler Unified School District has been appointed to serve as the state’s first associate superintendent of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman appointed Erica Maxwell last month to help the Department of Education better serve minority students who are marginalized and underrepresented in Arizona school districts.

Hoffman created the leadership position earlier this year to develop a strategic plan for statewide equity initiatives.

“All of Arizona’s students deserve the chance to succeed and reach their full academic potential, regardless of their background,” Hoffman said in May. Many school districts in Arizona, including Chandler Unified, are grappling with a number of issues involving equitable treatment of students and

equitable service to them.

They have been examining wide disparities in student performance, disciplinary measures and other areas among students of different races and Former CUSD principal Erica ethnicity.

Maxwell will lead the state's Maxwell has equity efforts. (File photo) several years of experience working in primary and higher education.

She’s been a principal at Chandler’s Conley Elementary School, an instructor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and a coach at a charter school on the

Gila River Indian Community for the last three years.

“This work embodies the alignment of my life’s passion and purpose at the highest level through community engagement and advocacy for educational equity in Arizona,” Maxwell said after her appointment.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s East Valley chapter honored Maxwell with an award in 2015 for her advocacy work in the community.

She started a summer reading club in Chandler that introduced children to multicultural literature and promoted acceptance and diversity.

“I don’t really care for the word ‘tolerance,’” Maxwell said during a 2017 interview with Blog Talk Radio, “because I don’t want to be tolerated, I want to be valued and appreciated.”

She’s additionally served on the Opportunities for Youth Educational Momentum Action Team and co-

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founded the annual Arizona Multicultural Education Conference.

“Erica’s experience and commitment to educational equity made her a stand-out candidate for this position,” Hoffman said in a press release.

In 2016, Maxwell co-founded Crayon Box Consulting Firm, which provides workplace training to promote diversity.

Maxwell recently led some training sessions at an equity symposium at Hamilton High School this past summer. She encouraged educators to praise their students publicly and reprimand them privately.

“Students of color feel very offended if they are dissed in front of their peers,” Maxwell told teachers. “They will sometimes hold onto that for the entire year, for their entire school career — and it’s not just students of color.”

Maxwell holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Kent State University.

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City of Chandler Insider

14 SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS

Reclaimed water essential to Chandler’s growth

BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

As Chandler continues to add residents, attract new businesses and expand its economic base, water remains the lifeblood of the community.

Our oasis in the Sonoran Desert cannot thrive if our water resources are taken for granted.

Thankfully, City leaders in recent decades had the foresight and the will to invest in the necessary infrastructure needed to protect our current and future water supplies. This is especially true of Chandler’s vital reclaimed water system that helps conserve water by recycling it.

Generally, more than 50 percent of Chandler water is used outdoors for landscaping, while the rest is used inside homes and businesses. Once water is applied to a landscape it is not recoverable.

However, the water that is used and then goes down the drain as wastewater can be captured, treated and recycled to be used again for certain purposes.

“Here in Chandler we have a saying, ‘use every drop we can twice,’ which we apply to our reclaimed water supply,” said Gregg Capps, water resources manager for the city.

“After the wastewater leaves homes and businesses, it is piped to the City’s three wastewater reclamation facilities, where it is treated through a highly advanced process to remove a wide range of contaminants.”

Tests show that reclaimed water is much cleaner than the water found in

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many rivers and canals.

That reclaimed water is then delivered back into the community, where it is used for agriculture irrigation, green space landscaping irrigation, golf course irrigation, industrial water reuse and aquifer recharge.

“Many communities discharge their wastewater outside their city. We can’t afford to do that,” Capps said. “Having a supply of reclaimed water helps to reduce the demands on our groundwater use, and saves our drinking water supply, so we don’t have to use it for irrigation

purposes on grass and landscaping. It is one of the most significant water conservation tools available to us.”

Capps credits city staff and leaders in the 1980s for having the vision to start Chandler on the path that has built what he believes is one of the most extensive reclaimed water reuse programs in the state.

Before the '80s, much of South Chandler consisted of dairies and farms.

Then, Intel arrived in Chandler along with other high-tech companies and a housing boom followed, spurred by the region’s rapid growth.

When a group of developers wanted to build out the Ocotillo neighborhood and surrounding areas, they asked the city for the needed water, but the supply just wasn’t there. To encourage development without depleting the city’s precious potable water supply, the reclaimed water system was born.

What makes Chandler’s reclaimed water system truly innovative is the way it’s set up in the city code. Chandler has required developments in areas where reclaimed water is accessible (i.e. South Chandler) to install the necessary “purple

pipes” that connect to the reclaimed water supply.

Because Chandler had the foresight to require developers to install reclaimed pipes before they build, the system was able to grow without costly digging or renovations down the road.

Today, Chandler’s city code still requires any development that will include a common area of more than 5 acres and that has access to the reclaimed system to use reclaimed water for approved purposes, such as irrigation, turf management, landscaping and more.

In addition to water conservation, using less expensive reclaimed water also saves money. HOAs that convert to using reclaimed water are saving thousands of dollars annually.

There are currently more than 93 miles of purple pipe delivering reclaimed water to South Chandler neighborhoods, businesses and aquifer recharge wells.

Look for the purple valve boxes, sprinkler heads and signs to know you’re in an area making good use of our precious resource.

Without our wastewater treatment system and reclaimed water system, Chandler would not have the rich quality of life and strong economic development that we have today.

The city’s long-term investments in infrastructure, diverse water supplies, water storage and conservation programs are helping to ensure that water continues to flow where it is needed in the community.

Longtime city employee oversees 3 water facilities

and into the water table, where natural filtering processes over time and distance make the water suitable for pumping out as a drinking water source.

“You shouldn’t drink or swim in reclaimed water, but it’s safe for irrigation and for injecting into our 20 recharge wells, which helps us save and replenish our drinking water supply,” Pinkston added.

In his free time, Pinkston is an avid hiker and bicyclist. Back in 2012, he was hiking an average of nearly 8 miles a day (with an elevation change of 2,200 feet per day), but the treks took a toll on his knees and he switched to bicycling every day.

“I haven’t driven to work in five years,” he said with pride about his daily 20-mile round-trip commute.

BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

Coasting not an option for John Pinkston, Chandler’s wastewater facilities manager during city’s journey towards water self-sufficiency.

Chandler achieved its 100-year “assured water supply” designation from the state by securing water from multiple sources, including the Colorado, Salt and Verde rivers, existing groundwater and by developing an extensive reclaimed water system.

That reclaimed water program has given Chandler the resources and flexibility to serve existing customers, support future growth and enter into groundbreaking agreements, like those with the Gila River Indian Community, that support tribal agricultural development in return for Central Arizona Project water supplies.

The city currently relies on three facilities to treat and reclaim wastewater for additional uses; the Airport Water Reclamation Facility at McQueen and Queen Creek roads, the Ocotillo Water Reclamation Facility at Queen Creek and Old Price roads and the Lone Butte Water Reclamation Facility on the GRIC tribal land south of Ahwatukee.

Pinkston oversees operations at all three sites.

As a 22-year city employee, he has been an important member of the public works and utilities team that over many decades designed and built the reclaimed water system that continues to be crucial to Chandler’s economic success.

“Chandler is a progressive community because we focus on innovation, efficiency and long-term planning. That’s why Chandler is further ahead in the reclaimed water game than most cities,”

Chandler lakes critical

John Pinkston oversees operations at all three Chandler facilities that treat and reclaim wastewater.

(City of Chandler)

Pinkston said, adding: “Very few communities are as committed as we have been in our quest to protect our water resources now and in the future.”

The city treats an average of 30 million gallons of wastewater every day, turning it into Class A-plus reclaimed water — the highest level of quality — that is safe for many uses. Pinkston gets a sense of fulfillment from providing this service to the people of Chandler.

“We’re taking a harmful product — raw wastewater — and turning it into a benefit,

a valuable resource that goes to South Chandler HOAs, parks, schools, golf courses, lakes, industrial customers, GRIC farms and to recharge our aquifers,” Pinkston said.

The treated water that isn’t used every day by the city’s nearly 400 reclaimed water customers is either sent to surface ponds at Veterans Oasis Park — where it provides a habitat for wildlife while slowly percolating into the aquifer — or it is sent to 20 aquifer storage and recovery wells at several locations around the city.

The Class A-plus water is injected several hundred feet below the surface

The man-made lakes in South Chandler, like those at Ocotillo Golf Club, are filled with reclaimed water and actually serve an important function to Chandler’s seasonal reclaimed water distribution system.

In addition to being nice to look at, the lakes serve as short-term storage for reclaimed water to better manage fluctuations in demand for the water.

When customers like HOAs, parks and golf courses have less of a need for reclaimed water, the city stores it in lakes, ponds or water features.

When demand for water increases, reclaimed customers pump water directly from lakes to use for irrigation, rather than depleting our precious potable water supply.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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Ducey: Get suicide prevention funding to schools now

BY JIM WALSH Staff Writer

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey wants to help schools combat the teen suicide epidemic immediately through state grants from a $20 million pot he created to hire additional mental health counselors and school resource officers.

In a press conference lastmonth, Ducey sidestepped how he wants school districts to spend money, saying, “I would leave it to the school districts and the schools to decide what is important.’’

But he said the state Board of Education’s original plan to distribute the grants during the next school year is unacceptable, with the continuing pattern of campus shootings nationally and the spike in teen suicides throughout Arizona.

The board last month voted to speed up the distribution of funds.

Tragically, the East Valley has been a hotspot for teen suicides, with 35 noted in Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek and Mesa since July 2017 Katey McPherson, an education consultant and suicide prevention advocate who lives in Chandler. Another five have occurred in nearby communities, including at least one in Scottsdale in that time period.

Ducey said his office worked with the state Department of Education to develop a grant process that will allow school districts to receive a portion of the funds this fall.

Although Ducey is a Republican and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman is a Democrat, they agree on the need to hire more counselors as soon as possible to help address the mental health needs of students.

“This is just a heartbreaking statistic you share,’’ Ducey said, after a reporter summarized the East Valley suicide cluster. “I know a lot of the media’s attention is on the school shootings, but the discussion has to be on the number of children taking their own lives.’’

Ducey said he views suicide prevention as an element of preventing campus shootings, with both serving as tragic examples of mental health issues afflicting young people that require intervention and treatment.

He said he sees a connection between the two types of tragedies because both involve young people with an “emotional disconnection from our society.’’

Although state officials hope the $20 million will help school districts address the problem, they realize it may be necessary to ask the legislature for additional funds if many grant requests go unfunded from a lack of resources.

“The school shooting makes the news,

but the kids taking their own lives is equally heart-breaking,’’ Ducey said. “I think we need to look inward at what is happening in our society.’’

Stefan Swiat, a spokesman for Hoffman, said she agrees with Ducey that school districts have a pressing need to receive the money as soon as possible.

He said Hoffman was the only person on the state Board of Education to vote against holding back the money until the next funding cycle in 2020.

“She believes there is a social-emotional component that is completely neglected,’’ Swiat said, and that Arizona has a dire need for more counselors who are trained in helping students get the mental health services they need.

He said Arizona has the worst ratio of students to counselors nationally, with one counselor for every 905 students.

“She wants to see the money doled out as soon as possible,’’ Swiat said.

Ducey praised Lorie and Tim Warnock of Tempe, two educators who lost their son Mitch to suicide, for their courageous advocacy in addressing the mental health of young people. Lorie Warnock is a teacher at Mountain Pointe High School.

“This was really the genesis from the Mitch Warnock Act,’’ Ducey said.

The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Sen. Sean Bowie, D-Ahwatukee, and supported by key Republicans such as Chandler Republicans Sen. J.D. Mesnard and Rep. Jeff Weninger, requires that all school employees who interact with students in grades 6-12 receive training within three years in recognizing the early warning signs of teen suicide.

Bowie said the Mitch Warnock Act and

sense of hope for the future.’’

Kontz noted that school districts face a major task in expanding emotional wellness programs.

She said an estimated 108,000 school employees statewide need to be trained on recognizing the early signs of suicide.

McPherson said the grant applications should require that any counselors hired must have training in behavioral health issues and that districts don’t use them for the usual focus on academics.

“The districts need to be creative about how many people they Left: Gov. Doug Ducey told reporters last week that need to do academics and how it is “unacceptable” for any long delays in spending many they need to do behavioral the $20 million approved by the Legislature for school health counseling,’’ she said. districts to hire counselors or school resource officers.

In many school board meetings Above: Mesa state Rep. Michelle Udall wept earlier early this year, students begged for this year during a hearing as parents of teens who took their own life talked about the need for suicide more behavior counselors, noting prevention training. (File photo) that most counselors focus on getting students into college and Ducey’s appropriation for counselors and related activities. school resource officers made their way Because current counselors are in such through the legislature independently, but short supply and have a heavy caseload, both reflect an increasing focus on the they often admit that they have little time emotional wellness of students and how it for behavioral health counseling, McPherson affects campus safety. said.

The plan submitted to the board would “If you talk to any counselor, they will say give districts one week next month to apply ‘I would love to have more time to do onefor funds, but they would have to detail on-one counseling,’’’ she said. how a counseling program would work or McPherson and Kontz both said Ducey is whether SROs would teach a law course. correct about the connection between teen While recipients would be designated suicides and campus shootings.

Oct. 28, they would not be able to start “Most of our school shooters have recruiting until after Dec. 2. School districts been suicidal before they were homicidal,’’ would have a chance to apply again in spring McPherson said.

— if there’s any money left. It is unclear if Kontz said the key is to not allow emothe board will go along with this plan when tional problems to worsen to the point that it meets Monday. someone is willing to take their own life, or Nikki Kontz, clinical director of Teen the lives of others.

Lifeline, said the additional counselors theo“Whatever prevention we do early, we retically will serve as a critical link in getting have less risk for school shootings or somestudents the emotional assistance they one hurting themselves,’’ she said. need. She said a teacher, school bus driver LeAnn Hull, a north Phoenix suicide preor cafeteria worker would report any povention activist who has spoken to students tential early warning signs they have noted in East Valley schools, said it is difficult for to the counselor, who would meet with the Arizona to ignore that its suicide rate is 24 student and refer them to treatment. percent higher than the national average.

“It doesn’t matter how much training we She said she is gratified that Ducey, do. We need to have adults there to support Hoffman and other state leaders are willing them,’’ Kontz said. to address the problem and to overcome She said the $20 million is not enough the stigma that has been attached to mental to fully address the shortage of counselhealth by society for decades. ors statewide, but she appreciates Ducey “I think it will help. Why not do someputting the money in the state budget thing,’’ said Hull, who founded Andy Hull’s and doing everything he can to expedite Sunshine Foundation after her son took his districts receiving it. own life in 2012. “Is it the fix, no.’’

“It’s just the beginning,’’ Kontz said. “It’s Ducey also noted that it isn’t just teen definitely enough to make a dent, but we suicides that need to be addressed, but that still need more. Our goal is that every child rising incidents of suicides among military feels supported and connected, with a veterans and adults also need attention.

March will commemorate Aprende suicide victims SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A Chandler mother has scheduled a walk to distribute suicide-prevention door hangars in the area of Aprende Middle School, from where two alumni and one student have taken their lives over the last five or six years.

The walk will begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 15 in the parking lot of the Chandler Police Department’s Desert Breeze Substation, 251 N. Desert Breeze Blvd., and likely last

two hours, according to Eduarda Shroder, the organizer.

To mark Suicide Prevention Month, Shroder and three other members of Parents for Suicide Prevention — Karianna Ritenour-Blanchard, Suzanne Whitaker and Lorie Warnock — are distributing door hangars that include warning signs of suicidal tendencies, phone numbers to call for help and a basic reminder for kids who feel there’s no way out: “Please reach out…You are not alone.”

People who want to help circulate the door hangers can email kjoyBlanchard@gmail.com.

Shroder’s children, who now are at Arizona State University, attended Aprende and she said that school’s grim legacy is something she will never forget.

Two students — including Warnock’s son Mitch — went on to attend Corona del Sol High School but never lived long enough to graduate. Mitch took his life at home and another student took his

life right on Corona’s campus.

A third student took his life before he even graduated from Aprende.

Anyone is invited to join the march and Shroder is encouraging parents to attend since unaccompanied children are not allowed to walk without adult escorts.

Participants should bring water and a hat.

People who have questions about the march can email eduarda.m.schroder@gmail.com.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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COMMUNITY NEWS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Around Chandler Entrepreneurs invited to start-up gathering here

Entrepreneurs can grow their networks while honing their skills in everything from forecasting and financing to branding and building a team at the second annual Startup Connection, Sept. 20-21, in Chandler.

The free two-day event, hosted by Chandler Innovations, offers a development program that promotes the creation and sustainable growth of startups through ongoing mentorship and tech-focused business development curriculum and events.

Steve Reese, chief information officer for the Phoenix Suns, will kick off the event on Sept. 20 and that will be followed by a “Shark Tank”-style competition at which three companies will pitch their concepts to a panel of judges.

On Sept. 21, a series of interactive workshops, roundtables and panel discussions with startup and small-business experts will be offered.

Chandler Innovations is sponsored by the City of Chandler and powered by Moonshot at NACET, a Flagstaff-based nonprofit.

Chandler Councilman Mark Stewart said the convention “can bring together the resources needed to help local entrepreneurs learn how they can build the next major company right here.”

The city and Fennemore Craig are the event’s featured sponsors. Arizona State University is the facility’s partner and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and other event supporters also are involved.

Register: chandlerinnovations.org.

Rabbi launches public talks with other faiths' leaders

The first in a series of “Conversations with the Rabbi,” a new free public event featuring discussions between Rabbi Michael Beyo, CEO of the East Valley Jewish Community Center in Chandler, and representatives of other faiths will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the center, 908 N. Alma School Road.

The rabbi will speak with Imam Faheem Arshad of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community about being a minority religion in America. They will explore maintaining religious identity, raising children within faith, addressing discrimination and persecution, obligations beyond our communities and more.

“Recognizing the need for dialogue and engagement between faith communities, the East Valley Jewish Community Center is launching Conversations with the Rabbi, a lively and informative discussion series bringing together faith-leaders from across the Valley to discuss the common issues facing our communities while recognizing and respecting our differences,” a spokeswoman said.

Future installments will feature the rabbi talking with a representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Sikh, Lutheran and Baha’i communities.

People must register to attend at evjcc. org/conversation.

Flix Brewhouse film focuses on the issue of suicide

Flix Brewhouse in downtown Chandler will hold a special screening of the split-screen movie “Last Call” at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 and 14.

It will also include live question-and-answer sessions with David Wilkins (creator, writer and actor), Gavin Michael Booth (director and writer) and Sarah Booth (lead

actor).

“Last Call” showcases both ends of a wrong number phone call that has the potential to save one’s life.

The movie follows a suicidal alcoholic on the anniversary of his son’s death — and the woman on the other end of his misdial, a single mother working as a night janitor at a local community college.

The film follows both characters simultaneously as they navigate a life-changing conversation.

Tickets: flixbrewhouse.com/chandler/ last-call-9-13-cha.

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Chandler mayor slates HOA symposium next week

Mayor Kevin Hartke will join Chandler’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee next Tuesday, Sept. 10, in hosting the city’s first HOA Roundtable to educate members of a homeowners association as well as engage residents in conversations about the experiences and challenges they face within their own HOA. The free event will be held at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, 2626 E. Pecos Road, and begins at 5:45 p.m. with a HOA-themed expo.

The Mayor will kick off the event with welcome remarks at 6:20 p.m., followed by a presentation by attorney Beth Mulcahy on how to have a successful association by following the law, being transparent and working together with residents.

In addition, participants will receive a quick overview of the new laws regarding community associations that took effect last month. Staff will facilitate a short brainstorm session after the presentation.

RSVPs are preferred as seating is limited; however, walk-ins will be welcome. To RSVP online: bit.ly/RSVP-HOA-roundtable.

Information: 480-782-4348.

Dinner and dancing series in starts this month in Sun Lakes

Live bands playing music from the 1950s through the '70s, ballroom and line dancing and optional dinners will be featured at the Sun Lakes Cottonwood San Tan Ballroom, 25630 S Brentwood Drive, Sun Lakes, beginning this month and continuing on various dates through March 25.

Scheduled dances are Sept. 22, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 5, Jan. 26 and March 1.

The final dance on March 29 is a formal dance banquet that includes dinner at $50 per person and reservations for that are required.

Tickets to all eight dances combined are available at reduced cost. Information: 480-699-7334 or Tjohnyu@gmail.com.

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Ataxia Support Group to hold fundraiser in Chandler The Arizona Ataxia Support Group, associated with the National Ataxia Foundation, is holding a fundraiser dinner Oct. 5 at The Old Spaghetti Factory, 3155 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.

An estimated 150,000 individuals in the United States have this debilitating condition, a rare and often fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Symptoms include severe problems with coordination, balance and speech.

Altered vision, hearing, sensation and various other medical problems are common. Ataxia is progressive, affecting children and adults. It may be inherited and there is no cure or effective treatment.

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The National Ataxia Foundation was established in 1957 to help ataxia families through research, education and patient services. By raising awareness in the community, we hope to offer support and resources to more people affected by ataxia.

NAF provides research and support to those impacted by ataxia and funds research studies worldwide.

Businesses are sought for sponsorships for the event.

Information: ataxia.org, 480-212-6425 or arizonaataxia@gmail.com

Dragonflies and butterflies on tap at Chandler bash

Chandler’s annual Dragonfly & Butterfly Bash will be offered 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 21 at Veterans Oasis Park.

Families can learn about the mystique of butterflies from Arizona State University ecologists as they trek across Veterans Oasis Park on guided nature walks.

The free festival offers a look at butterflies and dragonflies at all stages of life as well as crafts and games.

There also will be demonstrations and giveaways from Butterfly Wonderland, Desert Botanical Garden and University of Arizona Insect Discovery Lab. “Dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies flutter over the wetland habitats at Veterans Oasis Park during the late summer,” said Daniella Rodriguez, recreation coordinator at the Environmental Education Center.

Visitors are also encouraged to bring

cameras.

The park and Environmental Education Center are at 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road. The EEC will remain open normal business hours during the event so visitors can experience the latest exhibits in the lobby. Guests also can enjoy shopping at the Owl’s Nest Nature Store featuring eco-friendly products and nature-inspired books and toys.

ViaWest Group breaks ground for 2 buildings near airport ViaWest Group has broken ground for two spec industrial buildings located at Willis Road and Hamilton in the Chandler Airport submarket.

The two buildings, totaling 140,372 square feet, will feature 28’ clear heights, sprinklers, a mix of dock-high and grade doors and a 180’ shared concrete gated truck court.

The project will complete Phase II of the AZ 202 Commerce Park; Phase I, a build-to-suit for PODS Moving and Storage, was completed last year.

This project will further diversify the employment base along the Arizona Avenue corridor.

“We are looking forward to delivering modern, Class-A space to a vibrant Chandler market,” said Tom Glissmeyer, of ViaWest Group.

People’s Choice voting is on through Sept. 16

Chandler residents will be able to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award as part

of the annual Mayor’s Neighborhood Excellence Awards program at chandleraz.gov/ MNEA through 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16.

Last month, the City’s Neighborhood Resources Department, in partnership with the Chandler Police Crime Prevention Unit, invited active neighborhood leaders and block watch groups to submit a nomination for the Mayor’s Neighborhood Excellence Awards. There are two award categories available: Mayor’s Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award.

The following neighborhood associations are People’s Choice Award finalists this year: Fox Crossing, Homestead Park, Sun Groves and Willis Ranch.

The winners of the People’s Choice and the Mayor’s Choice awards will be announced at the start of the 2019 G.A.I.N. Kick-Off event at 9 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Chandler Police Department, Main Station, Community Room, 250 E. Chicago St. The awards recognize neighborhoods for their dedication to creating community through their involvement in the annual G.A.I.N. (Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods) events that bring neighbors together and supports public safety. Residents interested in hosting a G.A.I.N. event this year can visit chandleraz.gov/GAIN. Information: Alexis Apodaca at 480782-4354.

Isola Group planning to expand in Chandler

Isola Group has completed an 18,000-square-foot lease to remain in Chandler and relocate its headquarters, R&D and manufacturing operations. The company

will be moving into a newly constructed industrial building at the Lotus Project, near Kyrene Road and the Loop 202 at 6565 West Frye Road.

Isola Group manufactures copper-clad laminates and dielectric prepreg materials used to fabricate advanced multilayer printed circuit boards. The new state-ofthe-art facility will be optimized for the quick-turn PCB market that drives much of the product innovation in North America.

The facility will consolidate Isola’s headquarters, R&D and manufacturing capability and is expected to open in multiple phases starting in October 2019.

“Isola has been one of Chandler’s long-standing technology employers and we are thrilled that their new headquarters and operational facility will remain in our community. It has been a pleasure working with Isola throughout the site selection process and we wish them many more years of success,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke.

Neurology Associates gets accredited in-house MRI

Neurology Associates, a standalone practice treating the holistic needs of patients with brain and spinal conditions and disorders, has an in-house MRI. The practice offers psychiatry, naturopathic medicine, physical therapy and counseling.

“In-house MRI means patients no longer have to make appointments with See

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separate imaging clinics and endure prolonged wait times for results.” A spokesman said. “In many cases, Neurology Associates can make room for patient imaging on the spot, reducing the delay to diagnosis.”

Sale completed for strip mall in Chandler

Cushman & Wakefield completed the sale of Santan Gateway North, a Walmart shadow-anchored shopping center, located at 1005 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler.

Santan Gem, LLC purchased the property from GCCFC 2006-GG7 South Arizona Avenue, LLC for $16.9 million.

Santan Gateway North, at the southeast corner of Pecos Road and Arizona Avenue, is a 123,236-square-foot shopping center on approximately 17.12 acres of land and is currently 77.2 percent leased with tenants such as Goodwill and LA Fitness.

Vehicles sought for 7th annual car show here

The seventh annual Kustom Karz show

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

benefitting Lost Our Home Pet Rescue is Dec. 7 in downtown Ocotillo and organizers say people who want to enter their vehicles should act fast because only 135 vehicles will be allowed, The show, running 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 7, will be held at 2577 W. Queen Creek Road.

The $25 per car or vendor entry fee includes a t-shirt and goodie bag. For visitors, there will be music, raffle prizes, food and 50/50 raffle, a full honor guard and a live performance of the National Anthem and trophy presentations by local celebrities, including Jack Holder, a Pearl Harbor survivor.

Information: Ralph Guariglio, kokonuto@cox.net or 480-241-7622.

Accused robber runs into Chandler officers

A robbery suspect didn’t get too far when he inadvertently ran into police investigating a DUI case near the scene of the crime.

Kpou Sawi Armstrong, 35, is accused of robbing the Circle K at 6969 W. Ray Road.

As the suspect fled in a car, three Chandler officers were investigating a

possible DUI driver across the street in the McDonald’s parking lot at 9955 S. Priest Drive in Tempe. The officers heard a broadcast from Chandler dispatch regarding the Circle K armed robbery just as the suspect’s vehicle entered the parking lot.

Armstrong was immediately taken into custody. Along with evidence to support Armstrong’s role in the armed robbery, officers also located marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Armstrong was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on multiple felonies.

Public relations firm in Chandler wins big award

Ragan’s PR Daily has named Chandler-based Asylum Public Relations the 2019 winner of its Media Relations Awards in the trend pitch or newsjacking category for its operation varsity blues campaign.

The agency also received honiorable mentions for five different ad campaigns.

Chandler apartment complex sold for $71.8M Institutional Property Advisors, a division of Marcus & Millichap, had handle

the sale of Alta San Marcos, a 273-unit apartment complex in Chandler, for $71.75 million, or $262,821 per unit. The community will be renamed Summit at San Marcos.

“This asset is one of just three multifamily communities in Chandler with frontage along the San Marcos Golf Course,” said Steve Gebing, IPA senior managing director.

“Winner of the 2019 Real Estate Development Award for ‘Best Multifamily Project’ in Arizona, the property’s exceptional location and East Coast brownstone-inspired architecture make it an unparalleled investment.”

Gebing and Cliff David, IPA senior managing director, represented the seller, Wood Partners, and procured the buyer, LaSalle Investment Management’s NAV-REIT, JLL Income Property Trust.

Alta San Marcos is just west of the intersection of Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard and within walking distance of Downtown Chandler.

Its amenities include a clubhouse and leasing office with a 13-foot theater-style television, plush seating, a demonstration kitchen and a fitness center. Apartments have nine-foot or higher ceilings and the average unit size is 940 square feet.

Motorist settles claim after hitting zebra in Chandler SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The motorist who struck and killed a zebra that had gotten loose during the Ostrich Festival last year has settled a lawsuit with the event’s organizers.

Nicole Laughing filed suit earlier this year against Hedrick’s Promotions, alleging she had sustained injuries during a traffic accident involving the animal near Tumbleweed Park in Chandler.

According to public records, Laughing was driving south on McQueen Road when her car struck the zebra on the morning of March 7 — the driver’s 23rd birthday.

A couple zebras had somehow gotten loose from the park’s pen and walked out into the street. One was hit by Laughing’s SUV and the others were returned safely back to the holding area.

The driver claims she wasn’t distract-

ed at the time of the collision and had attempted to avoid hitting the zebra by slamming on her breaks. But the animal collided with the front of her vehicle, causing significant damage.

Laughing was transported to the hospital for neck pains and later had to undergo physical therapy.

She filed a civil complaint in February, alleging the event’s organizers had acted negligently.

“Each of them had duties to properly pen and restrain their animals to prevent escapes and prevent causing injuries and damages to innocent others,” the complaint stated.

Court records indicate Laughing reached a settlement last month with the defendants and the case is expected to be dismissed in court.

Laughing’s attorneys declined to discuss the terms of the settlement, citing a

confidentiality agreement. In her original notice of claim filed last year, Laughing’s attorneys asked for $150,000 from the defendants to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs.

Laughing’s attorneys argued the plaintiff was haunted by memories of killing the zebra, which prompted her to seek treatment for depression.

“She could never intentionally harm an animal,” her attorneys wrote in the civil claim. “Having hit the zebra with her car and witnessing its lifeless body lying in the roadway was a traumatic event for Nicole.”

Hedrick’s Promotions, a company that provides exotic animals to events throughout the country, contracted with the event’s organizers to bring the zebras to the Ostrich Festival.

The city of Chandler partners with the Chamber of Commerce and event

organizers to put on the annual festival, which regularly attracts a large number of spectators each spring.

The festival began in 1989 as a tribute to the city’s early history of being a destination for ostrich ranches.

Though the city was listed as one of the defendants in Laughing’s case, the city claims it won’t be liable for paying any portion of a settlement.

“The city has had no involvement in the claim and paid nothing to defend or settle this lawsuit,” Matthew Burdick, a city spokesperson, wrote in a statement.

Animal-rights activists have routinely protested the Ostrich Festival over the years, objecting to how the birds are used for entertainment purposes.

The zebra incident in 2018 reignited interest from activists, some of whom staged a protest outside the festival.

Chandler carjack leads to kidnapping indictment SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A Chandler man with a long history of arrests is facing kidnapping charges after he allegedly stole a moving truck that had some unexpected cargo inside.

Marvin Smith Jr., 28, was indicted by a Maricopa County grand jury on Aug. 22 for kidnapping an 85-year-old man outside an assisted-living facility.

Smith allegedly stole truck parked outside Brookdale Chandler Regional on South Pennington Drive on Aug. 14.

t? o G ws Ne

Marvin Smith Jr. of Chandler faces kidnapping charges in wake of truck-jacking.

An elderly resident was sitting in the front passenger seat when Smith took off with it, according to the Chandler Police Department.

Smith allegedly drove the truck to Price and Frye

roads and came to a stop. The 85-year-old man asked Smith to help call the man’s son on his cellphone. Smith allegedly responded by snatching the man’s phone and running away.

Investigators established a perimeter and later located Smith in the 2500 block of West Chandler Boulevard.

He was found with the victim’s cellphone and a syringe, according to a probable-cause statement.

Smith allegedly told Chandler Police he’s previously abused cocaine, heroin and

bath salts.

Public records indicate Smith’s been arrested 21 times in Chandler. He was released from the Arizona Department of Corrections last September after serving a one-year sentence for endangerment.

Smith pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping and theft charges and will appear in court again on Oct. 14. One count of kidnapping carries a presumptive prison sentence of 15 years for a defendant with prior felony convictions.

Contact Contact Paul Paul Maryniak Maryniak at at 480-898-5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications.com

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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Newcomer steers race school’s comeback

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

Bruce Belser will tell you it’s not exactly a need for speed that made him one of Ahwatukee’s newer residents.

But fast cars sure did.

The former Air Force fighter jet and Delta Air Lines pilot in May took on the day-to-day responsibilities of stabilizing — then growing — one of the auto racing world’s most famous schools.

Belser transplanted his home from Florida to Ahwatukee as the CEO of the Bob Bondurant School of Performance Driving on the Gila River Indian Community reservation.

He and two longtime friends and fellow Bondurant graduates, Jeff Hunter of Georgia and Pat Velasco of Florida, shelled out $1.6 million as the winning bidders in an auction before a federal bankruptcy judge in Phoenix.

The auction marked the end of a turbulent nine-month legal effort by founders Bob and Patricia Bondurant to pull the school out of $3.5 million in debt after running it for 50 years.

Belser and his two partners formed a partnership called Stig Investments — named after an anonymous figure who set lap times for cars tested on a British motoring show.

As the new CEO and co-owner of the Bob Bondurant School of Performance Driving, Bruce Belser of Ahwatukee is leading the famed school’s comeback from a protracted bankruptcy litigation. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

Now, they are putting the protracted bankruptcy battle behind them and focusing on keeping the school a multifaceted venue revolving around fast cars.

The school has trained thousands of beginners in driving and accident-avoidance, thrilled just as many performance car enthusiasts who just wanted the rush

of zooming along a racetrack, helped countless military and law enforcement See

BONDURANT on page 28

Chandler chef brings haute cuisine to homes

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributing Writer

There was a time when only the wealthy employed housekeepers or landscapers, yet now they’re the mainstay for many working families.

Chef Noon, of Chandler-based Chef Noon Culinary Services, believes that having a personal chef is a new trend joining those services once considered the province of the well-heeled.

“We’ve set our prices so families can afford to have a personal chef,” said Chef Noon, an Army veteran who saw action in Iraq before mustering out in 2010.

The Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts graduate, whose given name is Rafael Colon — “Noon” is a childhood nickname — has been in the personal chef business for three years. He and his wife Jenny Colon, co-owners of Chef Noon Culinary Services, reside in Chandler with their 9-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son.

The couple believes busy families who eat out several times a week can probably spend less procuring a personal chef.

And there’s the additional benefit, they say, of eating nutritious meals based on their tastes and dietary needs and made with quality ingredients.

Moreover, the personal chef does the shopping for all ingredients needed for that week, and then prepares the dishes in the client’s home — and even cleans up.

Besides the convenience, it’s the nutritional and taste-packed varied meals that

Rafael “Chef Noon” Colon takes all the drudgery out of making dinners by visiting homes and making them himself. (Pablo obles/Staff Photographer)

are most valued by their clients, many of whom require special diets like gluten-free or dairy-free.

“We customize menus for our various clients’ wants and needs; we even have paleo or keto (ketogenic) clients. And if anyone in the family has allergies, we prepare meals to keep them safe,” explained Colon.

“We see that more and more people are discovering food is fuel for the body, and they want to eat mindfully. All our foods are made from fresh ingredients,

there are no additives,” he added.

One of the unique aspects of his company is their partnering with other personal chefs, said Colon.

“We’re definitely an anomaly in the personal chef business because we partner with other chefs who may want to be in the business, but don’t want to own their own business,” she said.

But they don’t come aboard just because they want to join Chef Noon Culinary Services.

“We have a proven process in selecting

our chefs,” Colon said. “This consists of us inviting potential candidates to cook for us — a chef tryout. We give them a menu and production list which is made up of a basic service, and then have them cook for us in a home kitchen.”

The candidates prepare a chicken dish, seafood dish and one with red meat, all of which cover the various menu items provided by the Chef Noon Culinary Service.

“This gives us the opportunity to work together and get to know the chefs better. It gives us a view of their knowledge of food safety and handling, timing and efficiency and of course, the overall food quality, taste and presentation,” he said.

His three current chefs — Chef Katarina (Kat) O’Shaughnessy, Chef Dean Artman and Chef Mark Hughes — are, like Colon, members of the United States Professional Chef Association and are covered by a liability insurance policy.

“This offers our clients peace of mind that they’re inviting a trained professional into their home,” said Colon.

The culinary service begins with meal planning, one that involves Ahwatukee resident Kasey Croxton, client relations manager for the company.

She assists the chefs in customizing the menus to meet the client’s dietary needs and preferences.

Croxton is a mother of three who formerly was rentals manager for Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

See

NOON on page 30

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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BUSINESS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Chandler ‘micro-hospital’ looking to shake up medicine

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Dr. Ronald Genova has a specific way of describing the type of patient that should come to his emergency room.

“You’re sick, but you’re not that sick.

You don’t need to be in the major hospital,” he said.

Chest pains, fractures and sprains are the types of ailments he can easily treat at Phoenix ER and Medical Hospital.

But the highway accident victims with serious trauma should probably go to the bigger hospitals.

It’s a niche market Genova and his colleagues are attempting to target with their free-standing emergency room, located on the corner of Dobson and Queen Creek roads.

They can offer more services than an urgent care center, but they’re not quite on the same level as a Banner Health hospital.

Phoenix ER is somewhere in the middle — an area Genova thinks lets them still treat most health care needs.

“We do 80 percent of what a major hospital does,” Genova said. “We’re here to treat the low-to-moderate common things that happen in the community.”

Unlike the bigger facilities, Phoenix ER is independently owned by the doctors who work there — making Genova not only a care provider, but the hospital’s CEO. It’s a business model that Genova hopes could potentially shake up the

Dr. Ronald Genova is not only a physician at the new Phoenix ER and Medical Hospital but also its CEO. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

entire health care industry.

“We’re looking to change the face of medicine,” he said.

Free-standing emergency rooms were developed in the 1970s as a solution for improving access to health care in rural areas.

The idea was to have a full-service

emergency room operate in a location separate from a large hospital. They could be independently-owned, like Phoenix ER, or run by a bigger health care corporation.

These facilities have grown in popularity over the last decade, popping up more rapidly in Texas and Colorado. According to the American Journal of Emergency

Medicine, the number of free-standing emergency rooms grew by 62 percent between 2009 and 2015.

As crowding in traditional emergency rooms has long been an issue in the health care world, a stand-alone facility was conSee

HOSPITAL on page 28

Chandler firefighter starts junky side business SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Cade Swallows spends a lot time riding around in a big, red truck.

The Chandler resident is a firefighter by trade for the City of Phoenix.

But on his days off, Swallows is riding around the East Valley in his own red truck, picking up unwanted junk.

Swallows started his removal business earlier this year at the urging of his wife.

“She said ‘Start a business,’ and I said ‘Okay,’” he recalled.

initiate “lights and sirens” for an emergency call.

He’s capable of picking up most items, excluding hazardous or solvent materials.

One of his specialties is breaking down and hauling away old hot tubs.

The company’s rates vary depending on how much junk has to be hauled away, but prices will generally range from $85 to $500.

Swallows is often called out to apartment complexes to pick up couches or mattresses left sitting next to a dumpster.

A lot of people don’t have trailers or trucks and the ability to move “ things here,” Swallows said. “We’re all living in a subdivision somewhere. ” – Cade Swallows It’s not unusual for local firefighters to start side businesses due to the large gaps of time that are common in their work schedules.

Some Valley firefighters are landscapers, others build pools — one in Phoenix exterminates bed bugs.

Swallows decided removing old furniture and appliances would be right for him.

It made sense to offer this service in the East Valley, he said, because so many people are moving in and out of this area.

“A lot of people don’t have trailers or trucks and the ability to move things here,” Swallows said. “We’re all living in a subdivision somewhere.”

Swallows named his business Code 3, a term that’s often used by firefighters to

It’s considered illegal to dump items like this, he said, and the violators get out of paying a dumping fee that Swallows has to pay.

Code 3 will try to donate salvageable junk to the Salvation Army. If they won’t take it, then Swallows will try a recycling center before dumping items at a transfer station.

Before he started putting out fires in Phoenix, Swallows was a teacher in the Washington Elementary School District in the West Valley. He made a career change about 14 years ago and hasn’t regretted it so far.

He said a portion of proceeds he earns through Code 3 will be donated to the 100 Club of Arizona, an organization that provides financial assistance for injured first-responders.

Chandler resident Cade Swallows, who is a City of Phoenix firefighter, has started his own side business as well, collecting and disposing people’s junk. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Running Code 3 gives Swallows a certain freedom he can’t get being firefighter, he said, so he’s excited to get out and

serve the community in a different way.

“We’re gonna grow the business,” he said. “It’s just a good business model.”

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BONDURANT

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

from page 24

personnel refine their chase and evasion skills and served as a venue for corporate gatherings and private parties whose hosts wanted a unique setting.

Now, Belser and his partners wanted to not only continue that legacy, but extend it as they rebuild the multi-million-dollar business that sits on a 100-acre piece of Gila River Indian Community land.

Stig salvaged from the ruins of the bankruptcy case a long-term contract with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles so the school could continue as “The Official Performance Driving School of Dodge// SRT.” That helped the partners keep a fleet of 100 high-performance vehicles patrons use to tear along Bondurant’s the 3-mile, 26-turn and 11-multi-configuration track.

“Basically, other than the ownership changing, life is going on as usual here,” said Belser, who not only has had the task of moving his wife and household here from the Florida Panhandle but also has to find a place for his private plane and collection of vintage automobiles.

“The curriculum is great and the instructors are great,” he said. “All the instructors have been here for years and years. So that portion of the business is solid. There’s no reason to mess with something that’s working so well — other than to increase the capacity.”

A spokesman for Dodge//SRT hailed Stig’s efforts, declaring, “Together, we have the perfect setting for a fully immersive driving experience like no other.”

But a cloud looms over Stig Investment’s sunny horizon and will play out in Maricopa County Superior Court this month.

HOSPITAL

The issue is whether Stig can keep calling the school after the Paradise Valley racing legend who named it.

Shortly before the forced bankruptcy sale, the Bondurants revoked the inclusion of Bob Bondurant’s name in an apparent effort to stop the auction in a desperate effort to keep the school.

The couple said any buyer would have to negotiate a separate agreement for the use of Bob Bondurant’s name as well as continued use of a museum on the site that houses a number of vintage racing cars they claimed as their personal property.

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

After the bankruptcy judge basically refused to settle a fight over intellectual property, Stig Investments asked Superior Court to give it full use of Bob Bondurant’s name.

Stig claimed that the school listed, among its assets in the bankruptcy filing, 13 federally registered trademarks that covered not just instruction and vehicles, but clothing, travel bags and other accessories.

Since those trademarks belonged to the school, the partners assert, they now belong to the school’s new owner.

While Belser would only say that the name comes with the school and that he and his partners bought both, Stig said in a court filing that “the Bondurant School

lives under a continuing threat of litigation from the Bondurants.”

“The Bondurant School desires to move forward and growing the Bondurant Racing School, but finds itself hampered by the Bondurants’ continued threats of litigation,” Stig’s filing states.

The Bob Bondurant name became a legend for racing enthusiasts during the 1960s as he became one of the world’s top race car drivers of Corvettes, Shelby Cobras and Daytonas.

In response to the Stig suit, the Bondurants have asked the judge to throw it out, arguing that they have sole right to decide how the name can be used.

“Any rights that the school may have had to use the Bondurant marks were contingent upon Bob Bondurant’s continued consent to use his name and likeness, which he revoked,” they state. “Even if Bondurant had not revoked his consent, as a matter of law, the consent is not assignable without his permission.”

While the parties prepare for a hearing Sept. 16, Belser is making sure the school does what it has done for more than five decades.

Classroom instruction is part of the curriculum. But the centerpiece of its programs involves sliding behind the wheel and putting the pedal to the metal in Dodge Hellcats or a tamer go-kart — though even the go-karts can hit speeds of 50 mph.

In some cases, the students own Hellcats just like those in the Bondurant School’s fleet.

“The majority of the people are just normal owners that appreciate what their car can do,” Belser said. “Very few of them really have any intention of doing any drag racing or racing at all. They just come for the experience. The majority of our customers are people that don’t have any

aspirations of racing.”

There are some who do come for accreditation so they can take to the racing circuit, added Belser, who has been through the school twice as a student, most recently in May 2018 with his wife.

“It was a thrilling experience,” said Belser.

In large part, though, Belser’s days are far removed from driving and more closely focused on operating the school.

In his first few months, he had to tend to all the things that confront any business owner — setting up the internal nuts and bolts of the operation.

“The worst part is there’s no real administrative staff,” he said. “I don’t have someone that I just can say, ‘Go do that.’”

But Belser said he’s thankful that most of the school’s cadre of mechanics and instructors stood fast through the turmoil of the bankruptcy litigation, including Chief Instructor Michael McGovern, who has been at the school for more than 30 years.

Belser, who also is responsible to a board of directors, hopes to broaden the school’s government training program.

The loss of some of military contracts several years ago helped push the Bondurants into bankruptcy, according to court filings.

Belser said that shortly after Stig Investments took over, one government agency brought its own bullet-proof vehicles.

Belser said his main task now is more marketing than anything else — getting the word out that the Bondurant School is securely in the fast lane.

“The bankruptcy kind of presented an opportunity,” he reflected, “because we can tell people we’re out of bankruptcy, we’re going on, we’re going forward and strong. We’re excited and that’s all true.”

from page 26

sidered a strategy to divert patients away from the big hospitals.

Genova said his facility can offer a more enjoyable and efficient experience than the bigger emergency rooms.

“No one wants to sit in an emergency department for eight hours, getting coughed on and getting the flu,” the doctor said. “You want to be seen timely. You want your tests done reasonably.”

Phoenix ER is designed to look almost like a “micro-hospital.” It’s got patient beds and x-ray rooms like their competitors, except just on a smaller scale.

Genova said they can typically serve up to eight patients in their emergency room and admit a couple patients overnight.

They have staff on-site 24/7, available to administer a variety of tests and treatments.

Though the facility has an ambulance bay, Phoenix ER is not considered a destination hospital for emergency transports.

Because they’re independently owned, Phoenix ER is presently not able to accept government-funded insurance like Medicaid and Medicare.

Arizona law obligates private insurers to cover emergency medical treatment, regardless of providers being in or outof-network. Phoenix ER will still treat patients who don’t have insurance.

The rules, regulations and bureaucracy that surround modern health care were part of what motivated Genova and a

Phoenix ER and Medical Hospital in south Chandler aims for those patients who are too sick for an urgi-care but who don’t need treatment in a big hospital. (Kimberly Carrillo/ Staff Photographer)

group of other doctors to open their facility.

Doctors are made to feel like numbers in the current system, he said, and they don’t have as much autonomy with how they treat patients.

“We’re the ultimate patient advocates,” Genova said. “The problem is, the system

doesn’t like it when we advocate for patients because it costs the system money.”

Genova and his partners decided to invest their own money to create their own system, despite the risk starting a business inherently brings.

“Everything we have personally is on the line here,” he added.

They examined up to 10 locations throughout the Valley before deciding Chandler would be the best fit. The doctors opened the hospital in March with a staff of about 70 and hope to expand in the near future.

More information about Phoenix ER can be found at phoenixerhospital.com.

BUSINESS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

29

Teacher’s tiny tents draw raves from kids and moms

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

Mothers around the East Valley looking for a novel way to host a sleepover for their children are finding it with an Ahwatukee-based slumber party tent rental company.

Tiny TeepeeZzz was launched by Jennifer Soltis, a former math teacher at Kyrene Akimel A-al and Chandler’s Basha High School.

After opting to stay at home for her children, ages 3 and 1, she found a way to start a business that would let her make good use of a strong creative bent.

Several moms already have raved about the business.

When Ahwatukee mom Heidie Stolowski acquiesced to her 8-year-old daughter Cora’s pleas for a slumber party for her friends, she realized she needed help.

“I was hesitant because they’re all 7 and 8 years old, and I wasn’t sure how the girls would do overnight at someone else’s house,” she said.

“That’s when I came across Tiny TeepeeZzz and thought this would be an excellent distraction for them,” Stolowski added. “And we had an amazing summer celebration slumber party with Tiny TeepeeZzz.” Terah Lake of Gilbert also called on the company when hosting a party for her 8-year-old daughter and three of her friends for a “end of summer bash.”

Jennifer Soltis, a former math teacher at Akimel A-al Middle School and Basha High School, says the Tiny TeepeeZzz make for a fun business that also allows her to stay at home with her two little children. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

It is a party she plans to repeat.

“This was by far the easiest kids’ slumber party I’ve ever thrown,” the mom of two enthused. “One of the biggest issues I run into with hosting a slumber party at my house is where to put all the kids once it’s time to go to sleep.

“Tiny TeepeeZzz took all the guesswork out of putting together a fun,

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themed slumber party,” Lake said. “They came to my house and brought all the supplies I needed, from comfy beds and linens, to adorable night lights for each kid’s teepee bed.

“They really had every detail covered from top to bottom and it looked amazing!”

Soltis said the business was a natural fit

TION A T L SU

for her interests.

“I’ve always loved creating Pinterest-perfect parties,” she said, “and one night I was on Pinterest and saw these adorable slumber tents. My wheels immediately started turning and I realized I could turn this into a business.”

Her husband Ryan, her parents and in-laws “jumped on board and helped me create the tents and start my vision,” she added, and remain supportive of her endeavor.

“For now, we’re a small side business but we hope to grow with more tents, more themes and personalized add-ons and crafts,” said Soltis an online math teacher with the Scottsdale School District.

And Soltis readily admits it wasn’t for lack of things to keep her busy, but the need to express herself that led her to found Tiny TeepeeZzz. “I’ve wanted to do something for myself and my creative side,” she stated.

“I knew this would be something unique that all children would love.

“And yes, I’m a hard-working stay-athome mom with a full-time job, but have also had a drive to do more, and I thought this business would be a great way to show my passion, and connect with my community.”

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We Offer Federal Travel Identifications • Vehicle Registration • Title Transfer / Bond Title • Duplicate registration / iitle • Replacement Plate Or TAB • Permit 3, 30, 90 day • Level One Inspection: Abandoned title inspection • Mobile home • Handicap placard / plate • MVR / Driver license record • Fleet registration

TSI Title & Registration

The Game Plan

Authorized Third Party Provider for Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT/MVD)

There are many resources in the Healthcare System.

1900 W. Germann Rd. # 9

Do you have a Game Plan should you or a loved one need these resources?

CHANDLER (near Oregano’s Pizza) N.E. corner of Germann & Dobson Rd.

480-855-1638 HOURS:

Title & Registration

Driver License

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MondayFriday

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9:00am 4:00pm

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FULL SERVICE DRIVERS LICENSES • Written Test• Road Test (by appointment) • Permits • Duplicate • Updated • State ID • Renewals • Reinstatements

You may have questions like: • What is a Skilled Nursing Facility?

• What is Home Health?

• What is Home Care?

• What does Medicare cover?

• When do we use these resources?

Fax: 480-855-1639

Closed Sundays

tsititleaz.com

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Learn how to create a Game Plan on September 16 at 2 PM. The Enclave at Gilbert 4949 S. Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85298 *No RSVP Required

BUSINESS

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TEEPEEZ

from page 29

theme. A spa bag filled with glamour goodies is available as an add-on. A MineCraft theme is in the works.

Adults sleepover themes and tents are also in the prep stage, said Soltis.

“Our adult lace teepees will be perfect for bachelorette parties, girls’ night in, moms’ night out, the night before the wedding with the bridesmaids, birthdays, or even when friends are in town,” she said.

“They’re also perfect for Sweet 16 and teen parties! As our business grows, we hope to add more themes like sports, llamas, dinosaurs, winter wonderland, superheroes, boho and more.”

Current themes are Make A Wish, complete with unicorn décor; Scales ‘N Tales with mermaid sequined blankets and plush dolls; Sun ‘N Fun teepees, which has a large flamingo or plush camping fireplace; and Into the Woods, with plush camping fireplace, moon and star LED lights and camping signs.

All the themes include fitting party favors and sleep masks, with a plethora of themed add-ons available.

Each standard Tiny TeepeeZzz package includes four teepees, with more available at an additional cost.

Besides delivery, set up and styling, take down and laundering of linens, the package includes the tent frames and themed fabric, twin mattress, sheet and pad cover, throw blanket and decor pillows, lanterns and LED votives, tray table, chalkboard, tent lights, lightbox sign and

NOON

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

from page 24

The client’s preferences are paramount, she said, and a menu is sent for review and approval a few days prior to the in-home preparation. Seasonal items and fresh ingredients are used in the planning process.

The personal chef then arrives every week on the day and time agreed upon, bringing all ingredients needed — and for which they shopped for.

Each of the meals are prepared in disposable cookware and can be packaged family-style or by individual servings.

Heating instructions are included.

“We reserve the same day and time each week, as well as the same chef, for our clients,” said Colon “We don’t have

Tiny TeepeeZzz packages come with a variety of accessories, some of them at additional cost.

(Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

theme-appropriate garland outlining the A-frames.

Each indoor-only tent is approximately four-foot wide.

Guests are invited to bring their own pillows for hygiene purposes.

Should a party require another special theme then what’s currently offered, Tiny TeepeeZzz will attempt to accommodate, said Soltis.

Currently the business delivers within 25 miles of Ahwatukee zip code 85048.

“Anything outside of 25 miles will have an additional travel fee, and people can

contact us for details,” said Soltis.

As Heidie Stolowski attests, Tiny TeepeeZzz helps make the sleepover party fun for the kids, and easy on the parents.

She selected the Make A Wish/Unicorn theme with craft add-ons to glamorize hair brushes and another to design and personalize take-home pillow cases.

Her daughter Cora is a Kyrene de la Sierra third-grader.

“These tents were set up so beautifully and came with air mattresses. The kids had a blast and were more than comfortable,” she said. “The next morning, I had to

contracts, yet we keep that day and time reserved until we’re told otherwise.”

Ahwatukee clients Andrew and Jessica Gattuso are well satisfied with their weekly service by Chef Noon Culinary Services.

“Andrew and I have lived in Ahwatukee for 17 years and both have full-time careers as a lawyer and an engineer,” said Jessica Gattuso. “We’ve been using Chef Noon for six months, and with two kids, ages 7 and 9, the service has allowed us as parents to spend more quality time with our kids.

“We no longer have to spend the weekend meal planning and prepping. And during the week we have more quality time as a family.”

The Colons empathize with the value of spending more time with family.

After three years in the U.S. Army and

four in the Army Reserve, Chef Noon said he was ready for quality time with his family, and a career allowing him freedom to choose when and where to work.

It was the same for his wife, who had spent 18 years in the high-pressure marketing field, working for big name corporations headquartered in Chicago, where the two met.

When Noon was deployed to El Paso before heading for Iraq, Colon relocated to be with him. Their daughter was born two weeks before he shipped out.

Being together and working together their priority upon moving to Arizona in 2012, when they started a business producing all-natural dog and cat treats that they sold at area farmer’s markets and festivals.

It was successful, but they wanted a

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After Noon graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, the couple knew they were ready to launch their own personal chef business.

Besides the in-home personal meal prep, Chef Noon Culinary Services also hosts private in-home dinners, either family-style, or fancy, multicourse seated dinners for two to 10 people that also includes servers.

“We also offer gift cards,” Colon smiled. “It’s a perfect gift for the person who has everything.”

Chef Noon Culinary Services currently serves all of the East County and much of Greater Phoenix.

Information: ChefNoonCS.com, or find them on Facebook.

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wake all the children up so that they could have donuts before their parents started to arrive. We chose the donut board addon and it was so perfect.”

The donut board, with nine donuts (not provided) perched on a hanging rainbow board, is one of several add-ons available for the various themes.

“It was by far the easiest party I’ve ever hosted. Not only did Jen come and set it all up, she showed up the next day and took it all down. The only thing I had to deal with were extra giggles all night,” said Stolowski. “We can’t wait to host the next sleepover,” Lake also selected the Make A Wish/ Unicorn Theme.

“What would’ve have taken me probably weeks to plan out, Jen set up the most adorable themed slumber party in just under an hour! My daughter and her friends were so ecstatic when they saw the whole set up and all the decorations, they said they felt like they were in a special little girls’ hotel,” said Lake.

“One of the best parts was that all the arts and crafts that came with my party were super easy to do with each kid and required zero cleanup! Total score for a busy mom like me! I’m already looking forward to doing this again for our next big occasion,” she added.

Information: tinyteepeezzz.com, or Facebook.com/TinyTeepeeZzz/or on Instagram @tinyteepeezzz.

(ED: No caps on Instagram) TinyteepeesZzz can also be reached at 518-744-2982, a New York area code Soltis has maintained through her 12 years living in Ahwatukee.

Look for our Pizza Muffin Truck!

Please present coupon at time of order. One coupon per visit. Alcohol purchases not included. Not valid with any other specials. Offer expires 10-5-2019.

PIZZA, PASTA & WINE

590 North Alma School Road • Located in the Granada Plaza

www.Floridinos.net

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

31

Pueblo Grande Museum a worthwhile visit enough, ancient life can be seen in ruins on the museum grounds. Visitors are treated to an indoor and outdoor experience, which impacts museum enjoyment in the sizzling days of summer.

An umbrella helps walkers on the self-guided trail, which winds its way in a loop around the grounds.

The museum’s marquee item is a platform mound; only one of two remaining earthen mounds built by the Hohokam, the other being at Casa Grande. Covering 3.3 acres, the mound is thought to have had several purposes.

Originally filled with trash, it was topped with caliche providing a base on which other structures were built. Many believe it was used as an observation platform that provided perfect views of games played on nearby large ball courts.

One of the courts is on view. Visitors can follow the path to top of the dirt

September 2019

BY KATE BACON Contributor

Some 1,500-plus years ago, at the intersection of the complex canal systems that supported their ancient agricultural-based society on the Salt River, the Hohokam established a pre-Columbian village where families lived and flourished. Population estimates range from 24,000 to 50,000 people.

On the southeast corner of 44th and Washington streets sits the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park, the oldest museum in Phoenix. For 90 years, it has safeguarded, preserved and taught about the earliest Valley of the Sun inhabitants.

“Imagine a large town approximately 1-mile wide and 1-mile long,” explained Lary A. Martin, president elect of the museum’s auxiliary, which raises money and recruits volunteers for the city-owned museum. He’s been a volunteer for 10 years.

“When I conduct a tour, I try to paint a picture of what life was like.”

An introduction video inside the main building serves as an exemplary way to learn the basics. Inside exhibits offer air-conditioned comfort as well as a children’s hands-on area.

Special events range from Arizona Authors Storytelling and Craft Saturdays, to scientific lectures to the popular Indian

Artifact cart is a hands-on experience for guests.

(Special to the San Tan Sun News)

Market on Dec. 15-16, and the 13th annual Navajo Rug Sale on Nov. 2.

If hearing about the Hohokam isn’t

PUEBLO on page 32

Museum offers free programs this month SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Chandler Museum is offering a number of free programs and activities for people of all ages this month. The museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Information: 480782-2717 or chandlermuseum.org. Unless otherwise noted, the programs require no reservations in advance.

C-Town Suitcase Club

10-11 a.m. Sept. 17, ages 3-5 This free program explores everyday objects from the past and how they compare to today. The group “travels” through time enjoying musical, hands-on and theme-based activities.

Preschoolers will learn how rugs were cleaned long ago, enjoy weaving activities and explore how technology has advanced through the ages in our home life.

History Detectives

11 a.m.-2 p.m. today, Sept. 7 (drop-in), ages 6-12 Use clues from local primary resources to solve a history mystery.

“Weighing the evidence” involves how to sort through the primary sources including photographs and oral history quotes to determine the effects of segregation in Chandler schools, businesses and communities.

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

See

STEM Saturday

Free demonstrations and lectures are offered monthly at the Chandler Museum. (Chandler Museum)

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 14 (drop in) Ages 5-12 Join the Chandler museum and the Museum of Science and Sustainability for investigations into

science topics.

“Electricity: May the Spark Be With You” will enable participants to experience electricity and see how science progressed from static to circuits, and make some sparks of your own. Harness the humble electron to create light, magnets and motors.

Demonstration Day

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 21 (drop in) Experience a historical craft, demonstration or performance with special guests.

Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month as dancers will show and teach traditional folklorico dances. Attendees can try on traditional skirts and headpieces and make a paper flower or papel picado to take home.

Step In Their Shoes

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 28 Walking in the lives of those who make up and impact our community using interactive and engaging activities, this program focuses on Latinos in early Chandler. Learn the history of Chandler’s Latino community through a pop-up exhibit. Hands-on activities include using a tortilla press, creating art and exploring folktales

EXHIBITS

“Gaman: Enduring Japanese American Internment at Gila River” December 8- April 19, 2020 During World War II over 16,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from the west coast to Gila River Internment Camp, near Chandler, simply because they looked like the enemy.

See

MUSEUM on page 32

September 2019

32

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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• Arizona Railway Museum • “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” • Phoenix Mercury Game

• Arizona Railway Museum • “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” • D-backs vs. Reds

• Arizona Railway Museum • 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 • “ The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”

• Arizona Railway Museum • “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” • D-backs vs. Padres

• Lap-sit Babytime • Read & Play Group • Read to a Dog

• Lap-sit Babytim • Read & Play Group • D-backs vs. Marlins

• Lap-sit Babytime • Read & Play Group

• • • • • •

Toddlertime Lap-sit Babytime Lego Club Family Storytime STEAM Club Toddlertime

• • • • • •

• • • • • •

Toddlertime Lap-sit Babytime Lego Club Family Storytime STEAM Club D-backs vs. Marlins

Toddlertime Lap-sit Babytime Lego Club Family Storytime STEAM Club D-backs vs. Cardinals

• Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Lap-sit Babytime

• Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Lap-sit Babytime • D-backs vs. Marlins

• Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Lap-sit Babytime • D-backs vs. Cardinals

• Toddlertime • Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Toddlertime • Ready, Set, Preschool!

• Toddlertime • Ready, Set, Preschool!

• ImprovMANIA • D-backs vs. Reds

• Arizona Railway Museum • ImprovMANIA • “ The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” • D-backs vs. Reds • Rockin’ Taco Festival

• ImprovMANIA

• ImprovMANIA • SanTan Brewing Oktoberfest • D-backs vs. Padres

• Arizona Railway Museum • ImprovMANIA • “ The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” • Read to a Dog

• Lap-sit Babytime ˆ Read & Play Group

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

PUEBLO

from page 31

wall to look into history.

In addition to the ball courts, ancient houses are recreated as part of the 3/4mile walk. Remnants of earliest Sonoran life include pit houses, aptly named because they are partly dug into the ground then were covered with roofs.

A garden growing native plants like corn, amaranth and squash mimics original plantings.

Crops thrived because water played a vital role for Sonoran Desert inhabitants.

The museum and park are at the headwaters of major canal systems that drew water from the Salt and Gila rivers.

Planes landing at neighboring Phoe-

MUSEUM

• Arizona Railway Museum • ImprovMANIA • “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” • SanTan Brewing Oktoberfest • D-backs vs. Padres

from page 31

This poignant exhibit demonstrates how the Japanese value gaman, enduring the seemingly impossible with patience and dignity, guided these American citizens, through loss and incarceration in the Arizona desert. See the photos, hear the stories, read the names of incarcerees

CALENDAR

nix Sky Harbor International Airport get bird’s-eye views of Pueblo Grande’s layout and water system.

Work is nearly complete on a bridge and gate at the canal, expanding the museum’s outdoor exhibits.

“Our Portal to the Past will attract pedestrian traffic along the Canal Scape to cross over physically and metaphorically and to walk in the footsteps of the Ancient Sonoran Desert People,” said artist Zarco Guerrero.

His gate creation is “first in a series of art events to attract new audiences and supporters to the museum, while educating them on the vital importance of water usage.”

Unveiling is set for October with the official museum birthday celebration.

Operated under Phoenix’s Parks and

Recreation Department, Pueblo Grande is also home to the city archaeologist, Laurene Montero. She is tasked with safeguarding remains and artifacts across the Valley. She works with construction crews of all sizes to ensure age-old items are given proper treatment. The museum is home to a large repository of archaeological discoveries. Pottery shards, tools, jewelry and even remains can be found by area builders.

Should any human remains be uncovered, the museum follows the guidelines of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Since 1990, all remains found are repatriated directly to affiliated tribes.

“We are currently in consultation under NAGPRA for several of our human remains,” explained Nicole Armstrong-Best,

museum director. see page 31 A wide variety of lectures, hands-on crafts for all ages, and other special events are on the museum’s calendar. Check to see what is happening before you go.

and view the community contributed paper cranes in this transformative exhibition.

Museum artifact collection.

The exhibit considers memory, continuity and change over time through art works that explore the connections between people and objects.

This is a collaborative exhibition with city of Chandler’s Vision Gallery.

the architectural and artistic components of the museum campus as well as details about Chandler’s history.

Each Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sunday 1-4 p.m.

Inspired by History

July 30- Oct. 13 Our everyday objects may not be so ordinary when seen through the eyes of an artist. Using abstraction, manipulation and interpretation, local emerging and mid-career artists created works in response to objects from the Chandler

Docent Tours

Free 45-minute tours led by volunteer docents. The tour will give insights into

IF YOU GO

What: Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park Where: 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix.

Open: 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Admission: $5 seniors, $3 children ages 6 to 17. Children younger than 5 and museum members are admitted free.

Info: pueblogrande.org

East Valley History Center

Open weekly to researchers. The museum’s archival materials are available through the help of a research assistant.

Thursdays 2-5 p.m.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

CALENDAR

from page 30

7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 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.

7 Leap into Science: Balance, 10:15 a.m. Kids can explore how objects balance using toys.

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

7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 ImprovMANIA, 7 p.m. Join ImprovMANIA every Friday and Saturday night for a family-friendly comedy show. ImprovMANIA’s improv comedy shows are fast-paced, live comedy shows made up on the spot based on audience suggestions like the show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Prepare for a night of laughter in Downtown Chandler.

ImprovMANIA, 250 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. $10.

480-699-4598, improvmania.net.

8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” times vary. Follow Edward Tulane, a beloved rabbit toy, as he tries to find his way home to Abilene.

Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, $12 to $35, 602-252-8497, herbergertheater.org.

8 Phoenix Mercury Game, 1 p.m. Watch the Phoenix Mercury women’s basketball team take on the Las Vegas Aces at the Talking Stick Resort Arena.

The all-you-can-eat value pack ticket includes unlimited hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and soda.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $35. 602-379-2000, talkingstickresortarena.com.

9, 16, 23, 30 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.

9, 16, 23, 30 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.

9, 21 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.

10, 17, 24 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.

10, 17, 24 Lapsit Babytime, 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.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.

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

10, 17, 24 Lego Club, 4 p.m. Meet new friends and have fun building with Lego, which are supplied.

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

10, 17, 24 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.

10, 17, 24 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.

33

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

10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 Toddlertime, 11 a.m. Songs and puppets engage toddlers during this 30-minute event.

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

11, 18, 25 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.

11, 18, 25 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.

12, 19, 26 Toddlertime, 9:15 a.m. to 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.

12, 19, 26 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.

13, 14, 15 D-backs vs. Reds, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Cincinnati Reds at Chase Field. On Friday, there will be postgame fireworks. Hispanic Heritage Day will be celebrated on Saturday.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $13 to $155, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

14 Rockin’ Taco Festival, noon to 9 p.m. Held in Downtown Chandler, the festival is a food,

music and cultural celebration featuring creative tacos including fish, shrimp, chicken, carnitas, carne asada, veggie and more from a dozen local restaurants. Additional event highlights include live entertainment, a low-rider car show, taco-eating competitions, a salsa competition, ballet folklorico dancing, niños play zone and a piñata party.

Downtown Chandler, $12 in advance online, $20 at the gate. Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a paid adult admission. rockintacoaz.com.

16, 17, 18 D-backs vs. Marlins, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Miami Marlins at Chase Field. The Tuesday game will celebrate Irish Heritage Day. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $15 to $155, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

23, 24, 25 D-backs vs. Cardinals, times vary. Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the St. Louis Cardinals and Paul Goldschmidt at Chase Field.

The Diamondbacks will be celebrating Italian Heritage Night on Tuesday.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, $19 to $190, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

27, 28 SanTan Brewing Oktoberfest, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday. The 12th annual SanTan Brewing Oktoberfest kicks off the autumn season with bratwurst, pretzels and SanTan’s Oktoberfest Lager. Guests can expect national headliners like the Gin Blossoms, polka music, brat-eating contests, keg-stacking competitions, wiener dog races, carnival rides and all-day entertainment. General admission does not include food or beverages.

Tickets for the Chapman Automotive VIP Lounge are available online, starting at $50. These include four beverages, catered dinner, private restrooms, front stage access and private seating.

Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler, adult general admission starts at $10 for Friday and $15 for Saturday, children ages 12 and younger are free for general admission, santanoktoberfest.com.

27, 28, 29 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, $19 to $190, 602-462-6500, mlb.com/dbacks.

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FALL into FUN with

Chandler Parks & Recreation!

It’s official, the end of summer is upon us and school is in full swing, but that 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 play ball at one of our Drop-in Programs, 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 the Break Time Recreation Guide at Chandler facilities,

visit chandleraz.gov/breaktime or call 480-782-2727.

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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 over 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.  chanderaz.gov/camps.

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Unleash your child’s excess energy in a constructive environment that features bouncy balls of all sizes.

Maximum of four children per adult.

Preschool  chanderaz.gov/trc.

Drop-in

SAT., SEPT. 21 | 9–noon Veterans Oasis Park

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 Veterans Oasis Park for a fun-filled morning among hundreds of freeflying insects. Enjoy guided nature walks, hands -on crafts, presentations and more. Walks are approximately 15-mintues in duration over easy terrain.  chanderaz.gov/eec.

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The Cougar Den After School Program OCT. 11-NOV.27 Community Center

On the hunt for after school fun; look no further than The Cougar Den. Equal parts adventure and self-discovery, the City’s newest activity-based after school group for individuals with disabilities, provides engaging and meaningful extracurricular programs.

Take a walk on the wild side and enjoy games in the gym, homework help, thrilling field trips and snack time socials.  chanderaz.gov/registration.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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39

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Louisville “felt like home” for Chubba Purdy

BY BRITTANY BOWYER Contributing Writer

Growing up in a house full of athletes, hard work and dedication was nothing out of the ordinary for Chubba Purdy.

The senior, a 4-star dual threat quarterback at Perry High School, watched both his older sister, Whittney and his older brother, Brock, excel at their respective sports. He watched them go through the college recruiting process, anxiously waiting for his time to come.

Brock, who currently plays for Iowa State University, went through the process two years ago. He didn’t receive a Division I offer until after his senior season had concluded. Chubba’s is different, however, as he had several offers before he began his senior campaign.

Though their recruitment was different, Brock still served as a voice of guidance for Chubba through it all.

“My brother just told me to be patient, because after the season I wasn’t getting anything,” Chubba Purdy said. “He said, ‘it will come, just wait.’”

When his first D1 offer came in on Jan. 15 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he was ready to begin the process.

By summer, Purdy had gathered offers from nearly two-dozen schools, including Arizona State, Central Florida, Louisville, Michigan State and Yale.

After visiting a couple of schools, he ultimately decided on Louisville.

“They just really showed me the most love from the get-go. I just really created

Perry High senior quarterback Chubba Purdy, a 4-star dual-threat quarterback, found comfort at Louisville during his visit, which ultimately led to his commitment. (Kimberly Carrillo/STSN Staff)

a great relationship with coach Ponce, the quarterback coach, and we kept in touch after he offered me. I talked to him every single day,” Purdy said. “I just had a great time with all the other players there and they really wanted me there, as well.”

Purdy said besides his relationship with the coaching staff, he was really fond of the city of Louisville and all it had to offer. When he took his official visit to the school, he felt it was the perfect fit.

“I love the city. We went around and ate, and I just really felt that I could see

myself there,” Purdy said. “I just really felt the love and I felt at home when I was there.”

While on his visit, he talked about the Cardinals’ offense with the players and coaches. Their style of play is something that he was on board with and felt he could contribute to, which also was a big factor in his decision.

Purdy knows that he will have some competition in his future quest to be named the starting quarterback. There are currently two juniors on Louisville’s roster

as well as a freshman. He knows, though, that anything can happen, and he is eager to accept the challenge.

“I’m just going to have to work my butt off and see what happens,” he said.

No matter what, Purdy said he remains grateful every single day for the athletic abilities that he and his siblings have, as well as his family.

“It’s amazing. We’re just really, truly blessed for God giving us these talents.

And to our parents, as well,” Purdy said.

“They do nothing but support us, and I just don’t know how they do it.”

Even now that Purdy is verbally committed, Brock is still helping by providing advice.

“Now, he just said to focus on my senior year and let things roll,” Purdy said.

And that’s exactly what he’s doing.

Purdy steps on the field for Perry each and every day as a leader, and continuously looks to help improve the team by working toward sharpening his skills.

Purdy’s attitude and leadership are characteristics that don’t go unnoticed by Perry coach Preston Jones.

Just as Purdy is focusing on this season, so is Jones, who is thankful he gets to have Purdy playing as the quarterback for a little bit longer.

“He’s a really, really good athlete,” Jones said. “He’s a good, strong, big kid that’s got so much potential.

“We are happy we have him for the rest of the season and we hate to lose him for next year.”

‘No regrets’ for Hamilton as volleyball begins

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Hamilton High School’s volleyball program has long endured success under coach Sharon Vanis.

Vanis took over the program ahead of the 2005 season and has since coached the Huskies to the playoffs every season, including seven appearances in the semifinals. Hamilton has been the runner-up in the state’s toughest conference three times.

Her experience at the collegiate level transformed the Hamilton program, and it has allowed several players to move on to play Division I volleyball. It’s her reputation that has allowed Hamilton to become a breeding ground for some of the top volleyball talent in the state in recent years.

“Coach (Vanis) is the driving force for everything,” senior captain Bailey Williams said. “Anything she says, any drill she throws at us, we all want to learn from her.

We don’t know when she is going to retire, but when she does this program won’t be the same without her.”

Hamilton’s reputation as one of the top programs in the state comes while playing in one of the toughest regions, the Premier. Along with the Huskies, the Premier Region includes Chandler High, Basha High, Perry High and Xavier Prep — which

has won eight of the last 13 state titles.

Outside of region play this season, Hamilton’s schedule doesn’t get any easier.

The Huskies will play in the Tournament of Champions on Sept. 13 at Westwood High School, as well as the Nike Tournament of Champions on Oct. 4. A trip out west to San Diego on Oct. 11-12 will pin the

We are going to work hard in “ every practice, every game, every match to get to our goal. ” – Reilly Babcock Huskies against some of the top teams in California.

The brutal schedule will challenge Hamilton on a nightly basis, giving little room for error if the Huskies want to claim a top seed in the postseason tournament for a deep playoff run.

“We plan to be competitive every time we step out onto the floor,” Vanis said.

“Our motto this season is to ‘fight to the finish.’

“We are going to go out there with no regrets and leave everything on the floor.”

Hamilton will be led this season by its two senior captains, setter Reilly Babcock and outside hitter Bailey Williams.

See

HAMILTON on page 41

left: Hamilton senior captain Reilly Babcock is one of six seniors on this year’s volleyball team that have played together since a young age. right: Hamilton senior captain Bailey Williams recognizes that each member of the team this season has the talent and work ethic to make an impact for the Huskies on the floor this season.

(Zach Alvira)

40

SPORTS & RECREATION

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Kyrene debuting an esports league next month SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Young video game enthusiasts who are students in Kyrene School District will now have intramural competition to satisfy their competitive desires.

Kyrene School District is hosting an esports league starting in mid-September through a partnership with Bravous Esports, using Aprende Middle School in Chandler as the game venue.

Esports, or competitive gaming, continues to grow in popularity and scale, with the industry generating $900 million in revenue and an audience of 395 million in 2018, according to gaming analytics firm Newzoo.

The Overwatch League’s Grand Finals even received coverage on ESPN last summer.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association, the governing body of high school sports in the state, has already sanctioned it as a legitimate sporting activity, with state titles in two games.

The first is Overwatch, a first-person shooter game from Blizzard in which two teams of six players each take control of characters with diverse abilities and strategize to control or complete objectives.

The second will be in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, the most recent iteration of Nintendo’s fighting game series.

East Valley high schools could field teams starting in the fall. Horizon Honors High School in Ahwatukee currently has a Gamers Club that includes video games alongside card and tabletop games as its focus of interest.

Kyrene students who sign up for the Bravous program will also be competing in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate.

Kyrene students who sign up for the district’s first esports league next month will get to work with experienced gamers from Bravous Esports to improve their skills for an intramural tournament. (Special to the San Tan Sun News)

The Bravous program is organized like any other recreational sports league. Players form teams, work with coaches and get one practice and one game a week.

The season lasts eight weeks and cul-

minates in an end of season tournament complete with trophies. All equipment is provided for the $199 registration fee, and an early-registration discount is available at the company’s website, bravous.com.

“All the kids need to do is show up,” says Bravous founder Scott Novis. “Esports is competitive video gaming and covers See

ESPORTS on page 41

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019 SPORTS & RECREATION

ESPORTS

from page 40

many games. We focus on Super Smash Brothers Ultimate.”

A former Walt Disney executive and founder of the nation’s largest video game party franchise, GameTruck, Novis “is passionate about healthy video gaming for kids,” a company spokesman said.

Karen Mendoza, a former Nintendo executive who joined the Bravous management team earlier this year, also is directing the Bravous program.

“We used our combined 30-plus years of experience providing wholesome, family — friendly entertainment to imagine a new esports experience. Kids come together, work with coaches to improve

HAMILTON

from page 39

Four other seniors, middle blocker India Rhodes, middle hitter Kyra McCain, outside hitter Kaia Gosh and libero Bella Zapata, make up an extremely close-knit 2020 class.

“We’ve played together since we (were) 8 years old,” Babcock said. “Each person is different. But being together for so long, you learn what buttons to push to try and

6A Chandler

Chandler High coach Bobby Robson is coming off a state title with the boys’ volleyball program last spring.

The girls finished 19-21 last season, falling to Desert Ridge in the 6A play-in tournament. The Wolves were young last season with several sophomores on the varsity roster. Junior Kaylie Ray figures to be a key contributor for the Wolves once again this season, as she is coming off a sophomore campaign in which she had 310 kills.

Basha

Basha High advanced to the quarterfinals of the 6A tournament last season before falling to eventual runner-up Corona del Sol. The Bears return seniors Samantha Drewry, Lindsey Otero and Lizzie Hall, who were among the leaders in kills last season. Several other underclassmen return to the team this season, putting the Bears in position to make yet another run to the postseason.

their gaming skills, learn life skills and make some friends,” said Mendoza. “It’s not a party, but we have a lot of fun.”

The Kyrene league is open to students in third through eighth grade — as well as the general public.

Bravous isn’t in any other school districts in Arizona but it is running its fourth session in North Scottsdale at the Dave and Busters at Desert Ridge Marketplace.

The City of Maricopa is rolling out its own recreational esports league, with the youth element implementing the Bravous system.

A Bravous spokesman said that during practices, players will play on individual units “but during games we will bring out monitors for matches.”

The end-of-season tournament will offer an opportunity for spectators who can watch matches on large-format pro-

jectors.

The greatest demand has been for the Smash Brothers Ultimate game, so the league is focusing on that title.

“Bravous is special because there is no bench,” added Novis. “It is different than traditional sports and some ways better because the competition is not focused on one ball that only a few kids get to touch. Everyone plays. Everyone contributes. Everyone competes.”

Instruction is “built upon a rich library of drills to help players learn advanced techniques,” he added.

Mendoza said competition at a high level “takes great coaching and we deliver that.

“Our coaches are not only great Smash players, but they are also background checked, and trained to work with kids,”

help them succeed and do their best.”

Three juniors, a talented class of sophomores and freshman outside hitter Neomi Beach make up the rest of Hamilton’s team this season.

All of them are willing to learn from the senior class. They recognize that with their guidance, it can help lead them to success beyond this season.

“We really are 17 strong,” Williams said.

“We are all confident in one another and know each one of us can get the job done

on the floor.”

Williams, Reilly and the rest of the team are focused on a state title this season.

They are confident in their ability to compete but know it will take execution on the court during every match.

“We look really good, that’s all I can say,” Babcock said. “Winning the state championship is always the goal in our mind.

“We are going to work hard in every practice, every game, every match to get to our goal.”

5A Casteel

It was a tough season for a young Casteel High team last season, as the Colts went 12-26 and missed the postseason. But with only two seniors lost to graduation last year, Casteel returns an experienced group poised to make a run. Kendall Varney and Tatum Sanders led the team in kills last season with 384 combined.

4A Seton Catholic

Seton Catholic Prep’s volleyball program endured success last season, finishing 30-8 on the year and advancing to the 4A quarterfinals. The Sentinels went undefeated in the 4A Desert Sky Region and aim to repeat the same type of success this season. However, they will do it with several new faces as they graduated 12 seniors.

3A Arizona College Prep

Arizona College Prep finished as the

844-872-2820

runner-up in the 3A state tournament last season, losing to Northwest Christian in the championship game. The Knights look to repeat that same success and more in 2019, as they return most of their team after graduating only two seniors. Krista Rowan, Tendall Weigand, Hailey Blixt and Kelsey Burns look to build off a strong junior campaign, in which all four had more than 140 kills.

Valley Christian

Valley Christian’s playoff run ended last season after the Trojans ran into a hot Arizona College Prep team in the quarterfinals. But the Trojans may have been one of the few teams in the state without a single senior on its roster. Sophomore Cara Braun led the team in kills as a freshman with 318, while junior Emma Richardson recorded 214 herself. Valley Christian is a team filled with seasoned veterans and makes a strong case as a top 3A contender.

41

she added.

“We wanted to deliver an esports experience that was social, competitive and helped players meet other kids who shared their interests,” added Mendoza, noting: “In Bravous Leagues, players compete in person and they work with coaches in person. The social dynamic is totally different than online esports.”

Esports is the fastest the growing professional competition in the world, with more than 80 universities now having esport teams and scholarships.

Space is limited for the Kyrene league and a spokesman said parents should register their children quickly because the company expects a sellout.

Hamilton High girls’ volleyball coach Sharon Vanis has transformed the program into one that breeds Division I talent and success on a yearly basis. (Zach Alvira)

2A Chandler Prep

A 28-11 season led by a pair of sophomores has set up Chandler Prep for another successful year in 2019. Olivia Cadien and Evi Yates combined for 635 kills last season for the Titans, who made it to the first round of the 3A Conference tournament. With an experienced group of girls back this season, Chandler Prep has the talent to make a deep postseason run.

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43

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Don’t expand Chandler Airport, sell the land

BY GUY C. PEPOY Guest Writer

The article on Chandler’s airport was interesting but it did omit a few key points.

In 2007, the latest of three efforts to extend Chandler’s runway occurred. At that time, there were 10 bond items on the ballot. Nine of the proposed bonds passed.

One failed — the bond supporting the proposed runway extension. The runway bond was supported by Chandler’s City Council, Chandler’s Chamber of Commerce and local corporate heavy hitters (Intel and Bashas).

The pro-extension effort spent $15.00 for every dollar citizen opposition spent. The pro-extension group had everything going for it — except the support of the voting community.

Chandler’s voters very clearly and emphatically stated they did not want

additional, intrusive noise from corporate jet traffic.

Why is this new proposal so offensive?

First, Phoenix Williams Gateway Airport is just a few minutes from our facility. Their airport is designed for jet traffic. You can land Air Force One, a Boeing 747, on their runway and this airport is underused.

Second, jet noise decreases property values and degrades the residential quality of life. Third, jet aircraft are known super polluters. A small single engine aircraft burns about 45 gallons of fuel per hour. A corporate jet burns 300 to 800 gallons of fuel per hour.

On take-off a jet is at full throttle with noxious fumes blasting out the exhaust.

A few years ago, the city was concerned about the pollution from weed wackers and leaf blowers. Good Grief. One jet = 23,500 weed wackers.

The per-person pollution rate is estimated to be 10 times greater for a corporate jet than a commercial jet aircraft.

Yes, airport operations are increasing, even approaching pre-recession levels. However, even during the facility’s highest utilization, Chandler’s airport was subsidized, for many years, through the city’s general revenue.

Yes, we had a tax-supported airport. Why pay for police, fire protection and social services when we can support the airport?

Since 2007 the land surrounding the airport has seen intensive development.

Some of this has been commercial industrial development.

However, Chandler has allowed many hundreds of high-density apartments and homes to be built next to and surrounding this facility. The city has made the potential for jet noise intrusion worse than it was in 2007.

Please recall what recently happened

when the FAA and Sky Harbor Airport decided to alter their existing flight paths.

The impact upon voters was substantial.

The FAA and Sky Harbor Airport degraded their quality of life with intrusive jet noise. It did not work out well for the FAA. They lost in court and had to return to the original flight patterns. People can get grumpy when you rudely intrude into their lives. They become highly motivated to make noise and vote.

Last and most controversial, it you really want to ”turbo charge” the local economy, close the airport and use the vacant land for commercial development.

This large vacant parcel would become the most valuable property in the state. The hundreds of new businesses would generate enormous sales and tax revenue. There would be job creation that would far exceed anything the airport could dream of producing.

County attacking homelessness on many levels

BY JACK SELLERS Guest Writer

Maricopa County’s explosive growth brings with it some challenges, including a shortage of affordable housing that contributes to an increase in homelessness in our region.

This is not just a downtown Phoenix issue; we see its presence and impact in communities in the East Valley as well.

County government can’t solve the homelessness challenge alone, but we do have many critical pieces of the puzzle.

Thanks to the efforts of our Human Services Department, trusted community partners, and dedicated leaders across the region, we are providing strong support and new funding to proven approaches that can have a lasting impact.

In June, the Board of Supervisors approved $2 million in federal and county dollars to fund several programs and initiatives with proven success reducing homelessness, unemployment and recidivism.

This 11 percent increase in funding from the previous year includes: • Investing in diversion strategies that help those experiencing a housing crisis find alternate housing that is safe and appropriate • Partnering with nonprofit housing providers to give individuals a “quick exit” from homelessness into more permanent housing tailored to individual needs • Partnering with regional shelter partners to assist individuals with emergency shelter and essential services • Leading the “Hand in Hand” project which connects those in the justice system who have experienced homelessness with supportive housing, physical/mental health and

navigation services while in jail as well as community services upon release — all with the goal of reducing the chances they will return to jail and ending their homelessness We’ve also made permanent a full-time homelessness program manager to ensure these proven programs and initiatives are carried out thoughtfully, collaboratively and successfully.

In addition, we’ve created a workforce development coordinator position to assist recently-housed individuals in finding and obtaining a job so they don’t become homeless again.

In July, the Board approved an East Valley resolution authorizing data sharing and collaboration on the issue of homelessness between Maricopa County; the cities of Apache Junction, Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe; the Town of Gilbert; and the Maricopa Regional

Continuum of Care Governing Board.

I am grateful to mayors, town and city council members, and other staff for their commitment to finding regional solutions.

Homelessness is a complicated issue, and resources are finite. That’s why working together is so important. By partnering with cities and towns that are also making large investments in homelessness, we can make our dollars stretch further and increase our impact.

Getting people off the streets — providing them some stability, a roof over the heads and a job that pays the bills — makes our communities safer, healthier and more economically vibrant. Maricopa County is a regional leader and active partner on this issue. I hope you will support our efforts.

- Jack Sellers is a Chandler resident and a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Students finally will receive financial education

BY KIMBERLY YEE Guest Writer

As school is back in session, it is encouraging to think about all that our children will learn in this new

academic school year.

This school year, Arizonans have something new to smile about as all our high school students will be taught financial literacy during their economics class as a requirement before they graduate.

For News Tips, Editorial Articles, Opinion or Classifieds, email is preferred.

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This change is due to legislation I advanced during my first weeks in office as the Arizona State Treasurer.

Senate bill 1184 passed through both the Arizona Senate and the Arizona House of Representatives with wide, bipartisan support and was signed by Governor

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The importance of Arizonans knowing the basics of personal money management being taught in schools became obvious 12 years ago, when See

YEE on page 44

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YEE

OPINION

from page 43

I spoke at a student orientation for freshmen being introduced to college life.

As I walked to the ballroom where I was to give a speech, I saw a group of credit card companies lined up table after table, ready to register hundreds of young students as new carriers of credit cards.

During the forum, I asked the college students in the audience, “How many of you just signed up for your first credit card?” Dozens of hands went up. Then I asked, “How many of you have ever taken a financial education class in your high school?” Not one hand went up.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

This eye-opening experience occurred more than a decade ago. And the situation has not improved. Consider the following statistics: Outstanding student loan debt stands at $1.6 trillion, up from $1.52 trillion the previous year.

Only 41 percent of adults in the United States have a budget and keep track of their spending.

Of millennials ages 18-34, one in eight individuals have debts in collections.

39 percent of millennial women don’t pay their bills on time and are twice as likely than millennial men to take out a high interest loan to cover a $2,000 emergency.

A record 7 million Americans are three months behind in their car payments.

As state treasurer, it was important for me to continue my advocacy of financial education and make this important issue a cornerstone of my administration.

My financial literacy bill was just the start. In June, I appointed Arizona’s firstever Task Force on Financial Literacy, aimed at making sure all Arizonans will have the opportunity to attain proficiency in basic money management.

This 17-member task force is already taking the next steps to bring resources to students, seniors, military veterans and vulnerable populations who need help with managing their money across our great state.

While the task force is hard at work, our high school students will be starting the new school year with learning the

basics about personal finances. This is a critical life skill.

Finally, Arizona students will be prepared to manage their money before going out into the world as adults. They will be taught the basic skills of balancing their checkbook and understanding the consequences of not paying off credit card debt month-to-month.

Financial education empowers young people to achieve financial freedom so they can attain their personal and professional goals. With that freedom, our young people can achieve anything.

- Kimberly Yee is the State Treasurer of Arizona. She oversees the cash management of Arizona’s $40 billion state budget and manages $16 billion in assets.

ICAN focuses on growing, learning through play

BY SHELBY PEDERSEN Guest Writer

Now that school is back in session, we are back to afternoons of children pouring through our doors.

They all receive a healthy snack, and the first thing they want to do is have some free time to play.

That’s how we start our day at ICAN — with an hour or so of free play, free choices where youth can do what they want.

The power of play is a critical component of childhood development. Play creates opportunities for children to explore, connect, learn and grow.

It’s difficult to find a clear-cut definition of play — but the growing consensus is that play is any activity that entails active engagement, resulting in joyful discovery.

Free play and exploration provide a means to allow children to learn to solve their own problems, control their own lives, figure out what interests them and how to pursue those interests.

It helps them develop their own “sense of

self” — promoting the social-emotional, cognitive, language and self-regulation skills that build executive function (the process of learning, rather than the content) and a prosocial brain.

Play can also be integrated into structured group activities and a learning environment. Play supports the formation of the safe, stable and nurturing relationships youth develop with caregivers.

This is incredibly important here at ICAN. Many of our youth come from unstable home environments and it is critical that our staff connect with youth and make sure that they are seen as trusted, supportive roles in that child’s life.

Play is a great way to make those connections. All of our staff have been trained by Playworks, a partner organization that focuses solely on the power of play.

Their games and activities are inclusive, simple and fun. Our staff facilitate games with the youth that incorporate respect and inclusion, fostering a healthy community through play.

Staff even uses the “play” tools in getting the kids attention and transitioning from one activity to another. These tools can easily be used in the home.

Simple, structured, fun instructions get youths’ attention and keep them focused.

An example would be “when I say ‘yellow’ you are going to stand up, touch your toes, turn in a circle, touch something yellow and then line up at the door.”

The staff member would then have the whole group repeat the “game” or “instructions” out loud. Youth become engaged in the activity, pay attention and get moving to the next activity in a fun way.

The games our staff have learned from Playworks are also a great tool out on the playground as a way to include all youth, especially the ones that are having trouble fitting in, creating an inclusive environment.

ICAN kids come from many different schools, so it’s an excellent way for them to get to know each other.

Youth are also taught how to solve their own disputes — “rock, paper, scissors” is an easy way for youth to solve an issue quickly and on their own. It is a

tool we use all the time.

Youth have become so overwhelming busy with competitive activities and increased pressure to perform academically, increasing their level of stress.

Free play improves self-regulation, problem solving and mental flexibility — which aides youth in their academic endeavors. Play also decreases stress — not only for kids, but their parents as well.

Studies have show that the mutual joy and emotional connection parents and kids experience through play downregulates the body’s stress response. If you are interested in some games that increase executive function, there is a great resource from Harvard University (developingchild. harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ Enhancing-and-Practicing-ExecutiveFunction-Skills-with-Children-from-Infancyto-Adolescence-1.pdf).

Playworks also makes available their games and tools at playworks.org for groups of all sizes.

Shelby Pedersen is CEO of ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth.

An open letter to all veterans and their families

BY RABBI DR. IRWIN WEINER Guest Writer

On Sunday, Sept. 8, the 54th annual Massing of the Colors and Service of Remembrance will be held at the B.P.O.E. Phoenix Elks Club 335, 14424 N 32nd St., Phoenix.

It is a moving and stirring event and is sponsored by the Military Order of The World Wars, a veteran’s organization consisting of Commissioned Officers who served on active duty in any of the Uniformed Services.

Over 23 organizations participate in this annual event together with the Arizona Army National Guard, clergy and dignitaries.

Perhaps this will remind us that patriotism begins with human allegiance as described

by Norman Cousins, political journalist.

Sometimes we feel as though we, as a nation, are no longer interested in the sentiment of sacrifice and dedication. Heinrich Heine, essayist, wrote in describing a veteran: “I doubt that I deserve the laurel wreath, for poetry has always been merely

an instrument with me, a sort of divine plaything. If you would honor me, lay a sword rather than a wreath upon my coffin, for I was, above all else, a soldier in the war for the liberation of mankind.”

Reading these words should give us pause to think about the bravery and sacrifices the men and women of our Armed Forces make every day.

We read tales of their courage on distant shores trying to fulfill their commitment to their country. There is the ever-present danger of suicide bombers and terrorists attempting to destroy the very fabric of human existence. The numbers of dead keep increasing with each passing day.

There was a time, early in our struggles to eradicate the menace to our society and that of the free world, when the count of the dead and the wounded were repeated on a daily basis.

There have been over 5,000 members of our Armed Forces who have died between Iraq and Afghanistan and over 30,000 of them wounded, some seriously.

The war is no longer on the front pages.

The men and women in the front lines are no longer headlines.

And we sit here, in the comfort of our

homes, and neglect to appreciate the duty and honor with which they serve.

It is a dramatic reminder that we have become so complacent. How can we memorialize the innocent people murdered daily and not pay honor to the valiant efforts of our fighting men and women?

Where is the patriotism of generations past? They were times when gold or blue stars would appear in the windows of families who had relatives fighting on distant shores; a time when thousands would pour onto the streets watching our troops parade and cheering them on; a time when songs of valor and encouragement were heard throughout the land and beyond — “Over there….” We were so proud of our country and our flag.

Now we are faced with questions regarding the displaying of our flag or the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, or even the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, the anthem of our heritage and the significance of our purpose.

Our young go into battle to protect or lives and we cannot even signify this heroism by being proud of who we are.

We should be asking God to tenderly kiss the souls of each and every man and woman

wearing the uniform of this great country because they understand duty, honor and country, as He leads them to their eternal reward.

We should be asking God to watch over our brave defenders as they continue to march into harm’s way.

Above all, we should pray that God’s open arms would embrace the tortured bodies of our wounded and dying, and bring comfort to their families.

This is remembrance. These are fitting tributes. This is what America was and should still be. This is how we acknowledge our debt. These are the reasons we should all participate in the Massing of the Colors.

True, there are several opportunities on our calendar, but all of them are important. All deserve our attention and participation.

As a veteran, I urge all to pay homage to the past and tribute to the present. We, who serve and have served, understand the need to celebrate, commemorate, and continually remember.

Rabbi Dr. Irwin Wiener is National Chaplain, Jewish War Veterans of the United States and spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish ongregation/

Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

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Rookie robotics team excels in tourney

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

An East Valley all-female robotics team scored better than any other American team at a recent international competition in San Diego.

Arizona State University’s Desert Women’s Autonomous Vehicle Engineering club came in third place last month in a contest that tested the abilities of its underwater submarine.

Desert WAVE went up against collegiate teams from Thailand, Turkey, Brazil, Canada and several American universities in a competition hosted by Robonation.

The ASU team was only outdone by Russia’s Far Eastern Federal University and China’s Harbin Engineering University.

Whitney Foster, the team’s president and a Chandler native, said the group of rookie engineers spent the last year preparing for the competition and were pleasantly surprised by how well they performed.

“We exceeded everybody’s expectations, as well as our own,” Foster said. “It was important for us to see that we’re better competitors than we thought we were.”

The group’s robot, Phoenix, had to

Arizona State University’s Desert WAVE robotics team imembers with supporter Shebbie Jacques (front center) include, from left: Back row: Samantha Ehrle, Rebekah Wagen, Whitney Foster of Chandler (club president), Bridget Koehl and Maria Espinoza; front: Samantha Nieto, Paulina Garibay, Jacues, Diana Lee Guzman and Andrea Schoonover. The all-female robotics team placed third in an international competition. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

go through several runs of underwater courses, completing a number of obstacles and challenges.

Foster said her teammates were able to equip the Phoenix with many high-tech features that were donated from another

robotics team at Carl Hayden High School.

This recycling of parts influenced the See

DESERT WAVE on page 50

Chandler teens take expeditions overseas

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Isabelle Kelsey really wanted to get out of her comfort zone this past summer.

She was about to enter her senior year at Chandler Preparatory Academy and wanted to gain some real-world experience.

She sought out an adventure that would be exciting, educational, and philanthropic. Kelsey found what she was looking for in an 18-day expedition to Thailand.

Despite never traveling that far from home before, she booked a flight to Bangkok.

“I was terrified at first,” Kelsey recalled.

“I’d never been out of the country by myself before.”

When she landed, Kelsey met up with a group of other volunteers and traveled around various animal sanctuaries. Their mission was to help preserve habitats for the country’s elephant population.

They planted trees, collected water resources and tried to keep elephants from wandering onto farmland.

“A lot of the trip was focused around creating a peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants,” Kelsey said.

The trip was organized by Walking Tree Travel, a group that partners with the Smithsonian Institution to develop educational immersion programs.

Kelsey said she learned much about the harm deforestation has on Thailand’s wildlife. She discovered dozens of

forestland are being destroyed each day, which severely erodes the elephant’s domain.

Preserving nature is a communal effort, she noted, that requires everybodys involvement to protect these animals.

“I just learned about the importance of community and the role it plays in conservation,” she said.

Kelsey was not the only Chandler Preparatory student to travel the world this past summer.

Marin Scoggin, another senior, spent about two weeks educating young children in South Africa.

She traveled with a group from Save Volunteering, a nonprofit organization based out of Cape Town, to help teach a class of toddlers in the township of Dunoon.

The school was run by a woman in her house, where she welcomed up to 60 kids.

Scoggin said the work could be overwhelming because the students had so much energy and yearned for attention.

“They don’t really have toys so you’re kind of their only form of entertainment,” Scoggin said. “It definitely was very draining at times.”

It was an eye-opening experience, she added, seeing how the local families lived and how few opportunities existed to improve their economic situation.

Scoggin said she was most surprised by the fact that young people in the See

ADVENTURES on page 50

Marin Scoggin of Chandler traveled to Cape Town, where she taught toddlers and got to visit with animals that in America are found only in zoos. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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Chandler music teacher wins flute competition SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Hundreds of people vied for to be the best in the National Flute Association’s Piccolo Orchestral Audition Masterclass Competition this summer, but it was Abby Simpson Puckett who took the prize.

The Missouri native, who moved to Chandler three years ago when she was getting her masters in music degree from Arizona State University, won in a stiff competition that was built around the theme of “Transforming Artistry.”

The competition climaxed with a presentation by Puckett and the two semifinalists at the National Flute Association’s convention, which celebrated “the skill and beauty found in high-level performance, honor the legacy of artistry passed to us from our teachers,” a spokeswoman said.

Puckett has been perfecting her artistry for more than a decade after starting her lessons in the flute at age 12.

Within a year, she was invited to begin private studies at Southeast Missouri State University, where she developed her skill to a point where she competed in local and state competitions.

As a freshman at Belmont University School of Music, Puckett earned the principal position of the school’s wind ensemble and a eventually the same for its symphony university.

Today, Puckett teaches private lessons and offers audition preparation at Music Maker Workshops at 32nd Street and Chandler Boulevard in

She was drawn to the flute as a child because “it kind of mimics the human voice in a way — it’s capable of portraying emotion with its melodic capabilities.”

Music Makers reached out to her almost as soon as she had settled in Chandler with her husband.

And she’s found “there’s no shortage of music students” — including those who want to learn the flute.

She has a relatively straightforward attitude toward what makes a good music teacher.

“Just being energetic and kind and straightforward about your expectations as a teacher are helpful for attracting students who really care about music and want to do their best as opposed to somebody who’s just maybe trying it out Abby Simpson Puckett of Chandler, right, was congratulated by a hobby for a month and for Lillian Burkart, founder of Burkhart Flute and Piccolo, after her then is going to move onto competition victory. (Special to SanTan Sun News) the next cool thing,” Puckett Ahwatukee. She plays with the Symphony explained. of the Southwest Orchestra and also The challenge, she said is “just is a substitute player in the Phoenix attracting the music students that fit with Symphony. your personality as a teacher.”

“Technically, I’m a freelance musician On her website, she elaborates on the and teacher, so I spend a lot of my time importance of music lessons. at Music Makers teaching,” said Puckett, “Music lessons aren’t just for ‘smart’ who plays the flute, oboe and piano and people who already understand music, or teaches the flute, piccolo and piano. ‘rich’ people who can afford lessons,” she

states. “Music lessons are for everyone because music is for everyone.”

As for the oft-repeated suggestion that music lessons make people smarter,” Puckett says that while they won’t lead to higher grades in match, they “teach skills that support other academic skills, such as reading, math, history.

“But music teaches skills beyond academic support,” she adds. “Music teaches students about creativity, discipline, responsibility, timemanagement, goal-setting and communication. Music gives students the opportunity to express themselves in a way that is unique and melodic, and that can go beyond the expression of words.

“Music provides all students with opportunities for learning, growth and exploration that other activities cannot — and on top of it all, music is fun!”

As for the competition, Puckett was grateful just to be there.

“It’s really an incredible honor just to play, but it’s also kind of nerve wracking,” she said, explaining that she thought of all the people who had applied and didn’t make the cut to appear on the stage live and play in the final round for a live audience.

“When you’re a musician, you don’t want other people who might’ve applied who are listening in the audience thinking ‘Wow, that’s the person who made it to the final round.’ But I was able to take a step back from that.”

Information: mmwaz.com or abigailmsimpson@gmail.com

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Mothers and their daughters in the San Tan Chapter of the National Charity League were honored recently for their charitable endeavors. The chapter draws members from Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek and the San Tan Valley. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

San Tan Charity League Chapter honors contributions SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

At its annual convention in April, the National Charity League set as its theme “Volunteering with Vision.”

That’s something that women and their daughters who belong to the league’s San Tan chapter have been doing for years, like their counterparts in chapters across the country.

And the unique part of those efforts is that mothers and daughters give back together for the most part, working side by side and shoulder to shoulder on activities that benefit dozens of charities in the region.

Last month, the San Tan Chapter of the National League honored some of those volunteers, particularly the young women who had joined their moms in their philanthropic activities.

The National Charity League is a nonprofit that has its roots in Los Angeles, where a group of women founded the organization in 1925 to support the American Red Cross by making layettes and assembling food baskets for the hungry during the holidays.

The women engaged their daughters and by 1938, the daughters formed their own group. In 1947, all groups united to become the nation’s first motherdaughter charity.

The league subsequently expanded its program beyond philanthropic work to include educational and cultural activities.

The San Tan Chapter was formed in 2004 and serves 25 philanthropies in the region.

Drawing members mainly from Chandler, Gilbert and Pinal County, the 155-member chapter normally sees girls joining in seventh grade and continuing through high school.

The girls, who come from different schools and backgrounds, contributed nearly 3,000 hours of service last year.

“National Charity League provides a unique opportunity to serve our community in such a positive way through hands on volunteer experiences with so many fantastic organizations throughout the valley,” Lynnette

Above: The Class of 2023 in the San Tan Chapter of the National Charity League received the Hand 2 Hand Award, given to the class that best exemplifies the organization’s pillars of leadership, Community and culture. Right: Honored for the most philanthropy hours by a mother/daughter team were, from left, Amy and Kyra McDonald, Melody and Madeleine Johnson and Christine and Brooke Comune. (National Charity League San Tan Chapter)

Deogracias, membership vice president.

“Serving side by side, mothers and daughters are bound to create special memories during such a fast-paced time in their lives,” she added. “There are many great organizations that we partner with who need our hands-on help for daily, monthly or special annual events.”

Deogracias said the chapter follows the national organization’s three pillars of philanthropy, leadership and cultural experience — “all while enhancing a mother-daughter relationship.”

Its goal is to develop strong female leaders to serve communities now and in the future.

See

CHARITY on page 50

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

ADVENTURES

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from page 46

township likely won’t achieve any postsecondary education.

“I would see that and it would make me upset,” Scoggin said.

Yet the children she was around were just happy and playful — they didn’t think of themselves as disadvantaged or their living environment as abnormal.

It wasn’t all work and no play for Scoggin. During her down time, she got to go on safaris, take surfing lessons and tour around Cape Town.

Both Scoggin and Kelsey expressed interest in embarking on similar trips in the future. They intend on enrolling in college upon graduation; Scoggin’s considering a career in medicine and Kelsey wants pursue a career involving nature and environmentalism.

“I want to keep working and keep trying to make more of an impact,” Kelsey said.

Isabell;e Kelsey visited Thailand for 18 days to work with the Walking Tree Travel, a group that works with the Smithsonian Institution on immersion programs. The Chandler Preparatory Academy senior. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

She works tirelessly for cancer-stricken families

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

Nancy Houser has a passion for Children’s Cancer Network — one that she has translated into 15 years of service.

With September pegged as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Ahwatukee woman is hoping her years of experience volunteering for the home-grown nonprofit will spark interest in others to join her.

Children’s Cancer Network (CCN) was founded by Steve and Patti Luttrell after their son, Jeff, only 5, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 1993.

The inspiration came from their daughter, Jenny, who organized a fashion show to benefit families of other cancer families after learning that a mother and father didn’t know how they could afford gas to drive home after they tended to their dying daughter in the hospital.

In 2005, the Luttrells founded Children’s Cancer Network, which currently maintains offices in Chandler. Its staff and volunteers regularly visit Phoenix Children’s Hospital, other Arizona hospitals serving cancer families, as well as outpatient clinics like the PCH East Valley Specialty Care Center in Mesa.

Patti Luttrell now serves as CCN Executive Director and Steve as Board President.

Jenny Luttrell Lane currently resides in San Diego and Jeff Luttrell is a multi-time cancer survivor.

The Hauser family also experienced the trauma of childhood cancer when their younger daughter, Kara, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma childhood cancer/stage 4.

She was only 8 months old.

“Chemo, countless surgeries, radiation, many doctors visits and hospital stays, endless tests, and all with a wonderful team of professionals,” recalled Houser of the years of debilitating but ultimately successful treatments.

When Kara was in middle school, Houser attended a Children’s Cancer Network conference and met Patti Luttrell, who told her of the annual spring fashion show events and accompanying live and silent auctions.

“I learned, among many other things, about their annual spring fashion show where the models are the patients and survivors,” said the Minnesota-born Houser, who taught 27 years in four states before retiring in 2010.

“I started making gift baskets, and soon

Nancy Houser of Ahwatukee has helped cancer-stricken children and their families for 15 years through her volunteer work for Chandler-based Children’s Cancer Network. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

was given the name ‘Basket Babe.’ I was hooked,” added Houser, who estimated that she assembles “200 to 250 baskets at least” annually.

She said she soon recruited her husband Ken as a Cancer Network photographer, her older daughter Allison as her assistant and Kara as one of the models.

The family has made Ahwatukee their home for nearly 30 years. Allison Houser, who lives in Portland, and Kara Houser, a Phoenix resident, are now 29 and 26, respectively.

And still, Nancy Houser finds time to donate her time and efforts to Children’s Cancer Network.

“I now create gift baskets for any occasion: the fashion show, our golf tournament, Mother’s Day Tea, holiday pasta baskets, conferences, whatever,” said the former educator, whose last teaching position was 12 years ago at Ahwatukee Preschool.

She said she volunteers with Children’s Cancer Network because she remembers the pain of having a child suffering from cancer.

She knows first-hand the families’ trauma of roller coaster emotions — from initial diagnosis to battling the disease with rounds of chemo, radiation, surgeries — and in some cases, even a bone marrow transplant.

“Children’s Cancer Network is a won-

derful organization with hardworking and talented volunteers helping families throughout Arizona. We realize this cancer journey affects the whole family throughout treatment and afterwards, as well,” she said, adding: “Sometimes it’s the small things that will help them along. It feels so very good to help to put a smile on their faces, if only for a bit. It certainly helped our family.”

Houser does a great deal more than create beautiful gift baskets.

Starting in October, she said she’ll start “working super hard” as she prepares for the annual Tommy Bahama Sunset Classic — a golf tournament-fundraiser for Children’s Cancer Network that will be held Dec. 9, at the Westin Kierland Golf Club.

She is constantly scouring local stores for deals as she puts together event baskets, the various holiday baskets — and looking ahead to the annual fashion show, Inspirations 2020: Desert Blooms, which will be held Feb. 23 at the Camelback Inn and feature patients and survivors as models.

“I also shop for back to school and holiday surprises, helping families in their cancer journey. Cancer hits you emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially, and it affects the whole family,” she said.

Hauser also hits the local grocery stores and retail mega stores for food items

that she delivers to Phoenix Children’s for parents, especially those on extended hospital stays, “so they can have something to nibble on, and maybe brighten their day.”

Along with another volunteer, Hauser hosts the “CCN Café” the third Wednesday of each month — a small support group for parents of children in the oncology ward.

Once again, her personal experience with her own child’s cancer fight allows her further empathy with these parents’ trials.

“We get together to visit, laugh, cry and munch on a delicious goodie. Each family is on a cancer journey and every journey is different. But unless you’ve been there, you really don’t know what the family is going through. It’s tough!

Any cancer is, especially when it affects a child,” she said.

In addition to these efforts for CCN, Hauser also serves as a volunteer for each Wednesday on the Phoenix Children’s Hospital hematology/oncology floor, often making CCN food deliveries there at the same time.

“I pretty much help Children’s Cancer Network where and when I can, wherever and whenever they need me. It’s a tremendous organization,” she said. “I have a strong belief that when a person retires, you must volunteer somewhere.”

“I found my niche.”

Children’s Cancer Network is glad she has.

“Nancy is one of the core members of our organization. Her care, talents and skills impact our cancer fighters and their families, our staff, our volunteers and our donors,” said Patti Luttrell. “Her gifts are many and she makes a difference to so many. We can’t thank Nancy enough for all she does.”

Houser is creating baskets for the network’s CHAMP 5K Run & Walk Sept. 14 at Kiwanis Park in Tempe.

Children’s Cancer Network is one of 20 non-profit organizations collaborating on the event, which raises awareness of childhood cancer causes and “celebrates the childhood cancer community.”

CHAMP, an acronym for Cancer Hope & Awareness Month for Pediatrics, is a non-profit as well. More information is on their website SeptemberCHAMP.org.

For more information on the Children’s Cancer Network: ChildrensCancerNetwork.org.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Desert WAVE President Whitney Foster of Chandler, left, and Rebekkah Wagen, lead the team and their robot to water. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

DESERT WAVE

from page 46

team’s decision in how it would name its robot.

“It came from the ashes of an old robot to a new one,” Foster said.

One challenge the team had to overcome was finding the right time and place to experiment with the Phoenix.

Because the Arizona heat would slow down their computers during the day, the team could only try out the robot late at night — and sometimes in their own backyard pools.

The Si Se Pueda Foundation, a nonprofit based in Chandler, partnered with ASU to create Desert WAVE about a year ago. The club was meant to provide

CHARITY

from page 48

“I would encourage you to take a look at our website to learn more about us. It’s a ton a fun and we would love to share this experience with more mothers and daughters in the East Valley,” chapter President said Amy Lent.

Women can get more information by emailing membershipsantan@nclonline. org.

Among the activities the San Tan Chapter has conduct is helping with the Clothes Cabin for needy families, processing donations, cleaning the kids’ play area and other things.

The San Tan Chapter also has packed backpacks for FANS Across America, run water stations for the 12Ks of Christmas, read with children at ICAN, helped organize food donations for AZCEND. Members also have helped with special Olympics, now called RAD, and helped Live Love House do yard work for the elderly.

an additional opportunity for young women to earn hands-on engineering experience.

Faridodin Lajvardi, the foundation’s vice president of science initiatives, said women in the science and engineering fields are underserved and many don’t feel welcomed by their male-dominated culture.

“We wanted to address the shortage of women in (science) by creating a women’s team that would allow women to build the knowledge base and confidence to compete in male-dominated competitions,” Lajvardi said.

Some team members are fairly new to the robotics world and had never competed on a team before.

Foster, who graduated from Chandler High School, said she originally planned to

Desert WAVE members faced some formidable challengers in an international competition but landed in third place despite the fact they’ve been together for only about a year. (Special to SanTan Sun News.)

study physical therapy before her teachers convinced her to pursue engineering.

Thirteen members of Desert WAVE traveled to San Diego for the competition and came home with a check for $3,000.

The competition consisted of 54 teams from 13 countries vying for points by having their robots complete a series of tasks in pools designed to replicate the ocean.

Algae lined the floors of the underwater course, hindering the visibility of competitors and creating a potential hazard for the submarines.

The competition required submarines to drop small objects into a bin.

Foster said her team feared they would lose their objects in the murky algae. So, they improvised by attaching markers, making the objects easier to retrieve

underwater.

Desert WAVE made it passed the semifinals by ranking in at fifth place — an already impressive accomplishment for the group of freshman scientists.

“We just wanted to prove that we could do well as a rookie team,” Foster said. “We just wanted to perform well, not that well.”

They were only one of a handful teams that got to advance to the final round.

Foster said their victory has spurred more interest in the club and they expect more ASU students to join this year.

They’ve already begun making plans for the 2020 competition and may build a new robot.

“We’re really looking forward to this next year and we can’t wait to see where it goes,” she added.

At last month’s celebration, the Class of 2023 was awarded the Hand 2 Hand Award for being designated the class that most exemplifies the league’s three pillars.

Members of that class include Abigail Bates, Mia Bonfigt, Madison Bougneit, Alexandra Brauer, Alysson Brown, Emma Douglas, Alivia Fisher, Lauren Jarvise, Nicolette Krienert, Olivia Mulford, Kendall Parzych, Hope Pembrook, Abigail Robinson, Dakota Roth, Paige Stanton Scarlet Summers and Skylar Wooten.

Three mother-daughter teams were cited for the most combined service hours: Amy and Kyra McDonald, who logged 104 hours; Melody and Madeleine Johnson, who devoted 122 hours; and Christine and Brook Commune, who donated 194.5 hours.

The Merci Award, recognizing the teen with the most philanthropic hours, went

to Brooke Comune, who had just under 96 hours; Her mother Christine Comune won the Vicki Wetland Award, given to the mom with the most charity hours.

Teams cited for their charitable activities of more than 50 hours included Joy and Alexandra Brauer, Lalena and Savanna Christopherson, Kellie and Ashley Ostransky, Rhonda and Sydney Sands, Amy and Anna Fahlman, Stephanie and Lauren Jarvise, Lisa and Scarlet Summers, Dhwani and Manvi Harde, Kristi and Mia Bonfigt, Jennifer and Emma Douglas, Amy and Alivia Fisher, Christina and Amelia Oliver, Laura and Ashley Paynich, Lissette and Cassandra Lostal and Jill and Samantha Deutsch.

The chapter’s other officers are: Jackie Hurst, president elect; Lindsey Wahlberg, VP provisionals; Lisa Summers, VP Patronesses; Elicia Bivins, VP Ticktockers; Ivana Davis, VP Philanthropy; Jennifer Blunt’ VP Communications; Treasurer Laura Paynich, Secretary Stephanie Jarvise; Parliamentarian Melanie Reyes; and Past President Kristi Bonfigt.

Brooke Comune, left, and her mother Christine Comune won the Merci Award and Vicki Wetland Award, respectively. (National Charity League)

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

NEIGHBORS

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The MusicaNova Orchestra, seen here in front of the Tempe Arts Center, prides itself on bringing “the greatest music you never heard,” Conductor Warren Cohen, front right, will lead its first concert of the year, titled “Beethoven to Tap Shoes,” Oct. 20 at the Musical Instrument Museum. (Chris Loomis/Special to the San Tan Sun News)

MusicaNova delights, inspires young and old alike

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

If you haven’t scheduled orchestral concerts on your fall/winter calendar, you might consider doing so with the Ahwatukee-based MusicaNova.

This is not your usual orchestra, whose motto is “We Play the Greatest Music You Haven’t Heard — Yet.” And they prove it.

Case in point is their opening matinee concert Oct. 20 at Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum.

Titled “Beethoven to Tap Shoes,” it includes a tap dance concerto by Morton Gould performed by Jenefer Miller, a Desert Vista High School teacher and nationally-renowned tap dance performer and instructor.

“MusicaNova Orchestra introduces new, neglected and traditional music, along with some of the finest new artists, giving you the greatest musical experience you’ve never had — yet,” said MNO president/CEO Robert Altizer of Ahwatukee.

Alitzer, a 25-year Ahwatukee resident, said the MusicaNova Orchestra has achieved considerable respect for its unusual choices of music and strong commitment to encouraging young musicians.

Their annual Young Artists Concerts series features valley musicians 18 and younger performing in formal recital settings.

In addition, MNO aligns with area schools, providing visiting musicians and often joining orchestras.

The orchestra also is an artist-inresidence at Tempe High School, working with more than 150 student musicians in the orchestra program, and inviting scores of selected students to join the orchestra for two concert programs.

MusicaNova board member Jill Osbourne and viola player knows well how the orchestra impacts schools.

As the school’s Fine Arts Department head and orchestra director as well as Mariachi de Tempe instructor at Tempe High for nine years, she credits MusicaNova with the phenomenal growth of the school’s orchestral program.

“The program has grown 400 percent, and our success is partially due to the partnership with MusicaNova Orchestra,” Osbourne said. “Students have the opportunity to hear incredible music at two free community concerts each year; and in the second half of the concert, students join the professionals on the stage.”

The first such concert is Oct. 22.

“The partnership also includes opportunities for students to learn from professionals when they visit the orchestra class and share their expertise during rehearsals. My students are inspired by the incredible musicianship of the orchestra and by the kindness of the musicians,” said Osbourne, an educator for 36 years.

“By encouraging youth to enjoy music we are helping to keep a great musical tradition moving forward,” she added.

MusicaNova also partners with Connolly Middle School, where Chandler resident and school orchestra director Dorene Pool is herself an MNO musician who plays a variety of stringed instruments. She has played viola with MusicaNova for seven years.

A retired Mesa Public Schools orchestra teacher who still substitute teaches in the field, Pool said she is torn when deciding what she values most about MusicaNova.

“It’s difficult to choose just one thing that I most appreciate about MusicaNova,” she explained. “The new and neglected music we perform is certainly an important contribution to our society, but if forced to choose, I’d say bringing music into the lives and schools of young people who might otherwise have no such exposure has an even more profound and long-lasting impact” she said.

“We need organizations like MusicaNova so that our communities may experience the myriad of wonders that music can communicate, and especially so during these turbulent times.”

Peter Carlson, an MusicaNova board member and 17-year Ahwatukee resident, recalled how his early exposure to and love of music affected his life.

“When I was 5 or so, I’d get up early, turn on the record player and ‘conduct’ Tchaikovsky. A few years after my wife

and I moved to Ahwatukee, I had the winning bid at a MusicaNova fundraiser, and got the opportunity to conduct a real orchestra,” he said, adding: “It’s a lot harder than it looks — giving cues to the orchestral groups ahead of their entrance beat with one hand while keeping time, showing volume and shaping the music with the other.”

Carlson praised “our phenomenal music director,” Warren Cohen, also principal conductor.

“He gave me lessons and pointers, we marked up the score together, and I practiced for weeks with a CD. I guess the piece went over well because I was asked to join the board a few weeks later,” Carlson said.

He added that “the classical war horses are great” but likes that MusicaNova plays music other orchestras don’t.

“Experiencing powerful new things keeps us all young,” said Carlson.

Former Tempe High School orchestra member Diana Gomez, now a freshman at ASU, said playing alongside the MusicaNova professional musicians as a student was empowering.

“Working with MusicaNova was such an inspiring experience for me,” Diana said.

“The first time I played in the orchestra, I was intimidated, as I was only a high school student who wasn’t as experienced as the other players.”

Gomez, who earned a full-ride

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NEIGHBORS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Maricopa Audubon Society promotes wildlife

BY REBECCA BALLEW DOCKUM Guest Writer

Binocular and camera-wielding bird counters is the common perception of Audubon members, but the Maricopa Audubon Society is about much more than accumulating a personal list of sightings.

Members are dedicated to the preservation of habitats, care of injured birds and promoting education. Even if they don’t recognize it, all people benefit from the society’s efforts to protect wildlife.

When we spy an unusual bird species, we’ve asked, “What kind of bird is that?”

A society member described the most common birds in our neighborhood as the Gambel’s Quail and the White-winged Doves.

Many of neighbors have hummingbird feeders and two species flits through their yards — the Anna’s Hummingbird with a red crown and throat and the slightly smaller Costa’s Hummingbird with a dark throat and white ear stripe.

Often, new neighbors glimpse one of the Rosy-Faced Lovebirds and wonder if someone’s pet has flown the coop.

Society members know that folks need

not worry about these bright green birds with red faces that fly in small flocks. Said to be descendants of pets that escaped many years ago, these birds thrive in our climate — which is similar to their southwestern Africa origin.

There are many more bird species, too many to mention, that help keep our insect population down. One society member, in the last year, has counted more than 90 different species in Ahwatukee.

Other birds spend either summer or winter here on their migration. Some fly through the area with little notice and some, like the Black Swift, fly too high to see.

Members of the society include those who take part in helping injured birds.

Paul and Gloria Halesworth founded a nonprofit rehabilitation center here in Ahwatukee. The Halesworths are retiring from “Wildwing” to focus on rescues of larger predator birds: hawks and owls.

“Rehabbing isn’t an easy task,” Paul said. “You must deal with state and national licensing, different diets and the temperament of the birds themselves.

We will continue to volunteer and work with Liberty Wildlife, one of the largest organizations in Arizona, which works with

all kinds of animals.”

Liberty’s state-of-the-art hospital is featured in the latest issue of The Cactus Wren·dition magazine.

One of Paul’s main concerns is when rat poison is used carelessly and ultimately kills the owl population. The owl picks up a poisoned rat as food for its young. This has a great impact to our local ecological system.

“I like the Maricopa Audubon Society for not only the bird watching but for their conservation work,” Paul said.

The society weighs in on local and state matters that impact wildlife and the environment. Current issues are the proposed San Pedro River building project with the potential of draining the aquifer, the ecological impact of new mining efforts and the overall health of Arizona’s groundwater.

The society offers fieldtrips throughout the year. Most trips and all society’s meetings are free for non-members, though the society encourages attenders to support the organization by donating or by joining. Information on meetings and a list of future fieldtrips can be found on the society’s Facebook page or at maricopaaudubon.org.

A sunrise trip is planned on Sept.

9 to explore the San Carlos Apache Reservation reservoir with Dave Pearson.

They hope to spot waterfowl, pelicans and migrating shorebirds. Check the society’s website for reservations, costs and items to bring.

Larry Langstaff coordinates fieldtrips for the society and enjoys Pima Canyon to view the seasonal changes.

“Not only do you find wildlife, you find all kinds of interesting vegetation,” he said, “My favorites are the elephant trees and many forms of blooming cactus.”

As an ASU student in 1980, Larry began taking Audubon trips, and more than 30 years later the retired Mesa science teacher is excited to help others learn about area wildlife.

The Maricopa Audubon Society meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month from September through April at Papago Buttes Church of the Brethren, 2450 N. 64th St. To join please visit their website. Annual membership is $20, and as a bonus, you’ll receive the quarterly magazine. The Cactus Wren·dition is packed full of informative articles and colorful photographs. It also features volunteer opportunities, poetry, and a crossword puzzle.

Desert Rivers Audubon Society starts new season SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Bird photographer Jim Ripley will open the new season of monthly meetings of the Desert Rivers Audubon Society.

Ripley will give a talk and slideshow on the birds of Central Arizona 7-9 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Southeast Regional Library, southeast corner of Greenfield and Guadalupe in Gilbert. Admission is free.

Ripley travels widely to capture images of birds, but he is also a regular visitor at the Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch. For a preview of his presentation, see his website at wingsandwonder.com.

Before retiring in 2009, Ripley was a newspaper journalist. He started his career in Ohio, where he covered politics, including the presidential race in 1980 and John Glenn’s first successful run for the U.S. Senate.

He moved to Arizona 26 years ago to join senior newsroom management at the East Valley Tribune when it was a daily, retiring as the newspaper’s

ORCHESTRA

from page 51

scholarship to Arizona State University partly on her musical abilities, recalled: “The more I performed with the orchestra, I became less nervous and realized the amazing talent around me wasn’t something I should be afraid of, but rather it gave me a goal to work toward.”

Siara Habtewolde Lauro, a violinist with the Tempe High orchestra, recounted how MusicaNova put her in touch with new music.

“Although it’s rather hard, it’s also reassuring to have these professional

executive editor.

The monthly speaker series is held on the second Tuesday of the month through April. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. allowing visitors to shop in the Desert Rivers Audubon mobile bookstore, which offers the latest birding guides, accessories and nature books.

The Desert Rivers Audubon Society provides environmental education and conservation opportunities to valley residents, and advocates for our environment.

Information: desertriversaudubon. org.

Other upcoming speakers include: Oct. 8. Landscaping for Birds with Kirti Mathura Kirti Montana will discuss how a carefully planned combination of plants will provide food, shelter and nesting opportunities for year-round bird activity.

Nov. 12. Birds of Arizona with Charles Babbitt.

The state’s most productive and interesting birding spots are the

focus of Babbitt’s new book “Birding Arizona-What to Know, Where to Go.” He will discuss habitats and Arizona bird migration, including the summer influx of birds from the Gulf of California, fall hawk and shorebird migrations, and great places to watch the spring and fall passerine migration.

Dec. 10. Bringing Reluctant Neighbors Together with Birds with David Pearson For 20 years the Gila River Indian Community has opened its land to outsiders once a year to help with their annual winter bird count. This rare opportunity has also opened a door to better understanding between the community members and people living outside the GRIC borders. Pearson is a research professor of biology at Arizona State University.

Jan. 14. Arizona’s Pygmy-Owls with Steve Vaughan Vaughan will discuss the lives of these fascinating creatures. He is an ornithologist and professional

photographer.

Feb. 11. Birding the Tropics with Cindy Marple Marple is a nature photographer whose favorite subject is birds. She teaches an intermediate birding class through the City of Chandler Recreation Department, and presents slide shows at local camera clubs and Audubon Societies.

March 10. Live Raptor Show Bring the kids and grandkids and join for a live raptor presentation by Liberty Wildlife Rehab Foundation.

This is always a special program, visually exciting and enjoyed by all ages. Liberty is an award-winning rehabilitation center located on the Salt River in Central Phoenix, caring for injured, sick and orphaned wildlife.

April 14. Dragonflies – Pierre Deviche Deviche will discuss the history, biology and photography of these insects. He is currently a professor of environmental physiology at Arizona State University.

musicians playing with me and leading me throughout the pieces,” said the high school junior.

“My experience with MusicaNova has been nothing but amazing I am grateful with our partnership with them and being able to participate with people who love playing music like I do,” Siara said.

As a MusicaNova board member since 2011 and board president for the past five years, Altizer is passionate about not only the unique music opportunities the orchestra brings to the public, but the educational aspect of their mission.

“Our artistic success helps us get involved

in the community, and our dedication to young artists is unmatched,” he said.

“Our Young Artist Concerts series in Phoenix spotlights amazingly talented musicians under 18, many from the East Valley,” he added. “And our educational outreach and collaboration program works with local schools and other partners in underserved areas, through campus visits and hands-on workshops.”

He noted that “we frequently invite outstanding student-musicians to play with the professional orchestra at regular performances.”

“We’re educational partners with

many schools, and with Harmony Project-Phoenix, doing outreach visits — assemblies, workshops and collaborative performances,” said Altizer, who became acquainted with MusicaNova when he auditioned and was hired by Director Warren Cohen in 2002 as bass soloist for Handel’s Messiah.

“Then when MNO was formed in 2003, I started attending concerts and occasionally performing with them,” he said.

For more information on the orchestra, their 2019-2020 concerts and their educational outreach see MusicaNovaAZ.com

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Ocotillo studio mixes art with a fun time

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

Nothing beats a beer on the beach, but those that couldn’t make it to the waves can find solace from the heat while putting on extra coats inside.

Uptown Art is taking traditional weeknight and weekend activities outside the lines by offering sip and paint classes, in which customers can transform to their most creative self while sipping on their favorite beverage.

The daily art classes allow even those without any creative inclination to dip their brushes in the world of painting.

Not everyone is a natural-born Van Gogh, but owner Katie Quinn said a little alcohol can go a long way by means of creativity.

“Don’t get me wrong — some paintings you need to have a little faith in, but I feel like no matter what if people have a glass of wine in their hands, things are going to work out for them,” Quinn said.

Like many of the customers that walk through the doors to Uptown Art, after graduating from business school in Florida years ago, an art studio was the last place Quinn thought she would thrive.

However, after working her way up the chain from assistant to manager at a Florida-based Uptown Art location Quinn

As the instructor one recent evening, artist Ned Casey showed the class different strokes for different folks.

(Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

said she developed a love for bridging amateur painters with professional results.

“It was just so the opposite of what I thought I wanted. I literally fell into the position and the world was in color for the first time,” Quinn said, laughing at the realization art-based jokes are now at the core of her humor.

Quinn’s time spent at her dream job was short-lived as she moved to Arizona to be closer to family and be a stay-athome mom for her newborn.

“I absolutely loved staying home and being with my son, but a huge part of me also missed my job and the environment there,” Quinn said, adding:

“I never thought I’d have the chance to work in an environment like that ever again.”

Two years after moving, Quinn got a phone call asking if she’d be willing to adopt a new studio from the franchise in Chandler.

The location, Quinn said, is Arizona’s only Uptown Art studio and has served as a groundbreaking revelation to locals that date night doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

“We try to make it very accessible and keep our prices very low, and the way we do that is by letting people bring their own wine or drinks. Which also means you get to drink your favorite drinks instead of us trying to sell you a wine you don’t like.” said Quinn.

“We’re trying to get people to experience this fun environment without breaking the bank. Making people broke isn’t the point. Art should be accessible to everyone,” she added.

With a blank canvas to work with, Quinn has made the studio a masterpiece of her own.

A towering chalk wall makes posing for a photo with art at the end of the class “instagram-worthy.”

The studio’s walls resemble a proud mother’s fridge — covered in bright art See

UPTOWN on page 57

Artist’s exhibit here celebrates Hispanic culture

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Jose Andres Giron has been making artwork for nearly 50 years and he’s not planning to stop any time soon.

The 73-year-old Phoenix native has about 40 pieces of his artwork on display at the Chandler Center for the Arts in an exhibit that will run through Oct. 10.

Titled “Escenas de Mexico,” or “Scenes of Mexico,” the exhibit embraces various aspects of Hispanic culture — a common subject of Giron’s work.

He’s created paintings of mariachi bands, portraits of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and prints of Cesar Chavez, the civil rights activist.

Giron has recently been fascinated with exploring the heritage of Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday that pays tribute to the loved ones who have passed on to the afterlife.

The artist has painted large portraits of women sporting the famous skeleton makeup that’s often associated with the commemoration.

He’s got a pair of acrylic paintings called “Vida Y Muerte,” or “life and death,” that display two sides of the same woman.

In one of them she’s alive, and a skeleton in the other.

Another painting depicts a group of women making tamales around a kitchen table. They appear happy, jovial and enjoying each other’s company; despite the fact Giron’s painted all of them as boney corpses.

Giron said his Day of the Dead works have gotten quite popular in recent years

Phoenix artist Jose Andres Giron is displaying 40 pieces of his work in an exhibit at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

(Laveen Photography)

— possibly in part because of the Disney film “Coco,” which prominently features the holiday. He hopes his latest exhibition

impresses spectators by showcasing the beauty of Hispanic culture.

“I hope they walk away with positive

thoughts about Latino people and their See

GIRON on page 58

ARTS

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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Squeeze will cover songbook in Chandler show CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

The English pop band Squeeze has a catalog filled with hits like “Hourglass,” “Temped,” “Black Coffee in Bed,” “Cool for Cats” and “Up the Junction.”

They’ll celebrate their 45-plus year career on the Chandler Center for the Arts on Sunday, Sept. 15.

“Fans can expect the unexpected,” said singer Glenn Tilbrook. “We’re a good live band and that’s not changed. What we can do now is augment the live presentation with film. The way technology has gone, it helps us to do what we couldn’t have done back in the day, but we never lost sight that we’re a great live band.”

Squeeze is seeing something of a renaissance, with major festival shows and two critically acclaimed albums in the last three years.

“I feel excited about the tour,” said guitarist Chris Difford. “It’s a great band full of dedicated, hardworking, passionate people and we have a fabulous catalogue of songs to dip in and out of, so I feel completely blessed. I can’t wait to strap on the electric guitar again and sing the songs that got me where I am today.”

Difford and Tilbrook have been compared to Lennon and McCartney since “Take Me I’m Yours,” their first release in 1978, blasted the band into the forefront of the U.K. music scene.

Following hits including Squeeze established themselves as a vital part of the quintessential rock scene. These hits also established Difford and Tilbrook as

Squeeze has been together for more than 45 years and they’ll be playing some of their favorite tunes Sept. 15 at Chandler Center for the Arts. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

two of the most prolific songwriters of their time.

Writing new music, Tilbrook said, is “good for the soul.”

“You have to really push yourself,” he said.

“We’ve done two new albums (recently). I’m immensely proud of those records. There’s a little distance between them now, so I can say they’re great achievements for us as writers.”

Tilbrook is always writing, whether it’s a songwriting session or just jotting things

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down.

“Musically, I record bits and pieces on my phone,” he said. “I deliberately work in a chaotic way, so I don’t know what I have. I don’t like to catalog what I have. I don’t like to be aware of the stuff I have. Whenever I get an idea, I will write it down and pursue it as much or as little as I can.

“I go back at a different point and see what works. Sometimes it takes years to come through that way. No one way is the

best way. Have of writing is how you arrange it. I’ve always believed working with a band, you play to the band’s strengths. That can influence the way you arrange stuff. Part of having a band you love is you want to see where they’ll go with it. It’s a bit of a mystery.”

One thing Tilbrook does know is Squeeze’s music is “relatively upbeat” and fun to play live.

“The band we have is a fantastic band,” adds Tilbrook, who is joined

by Difford, keyboardist Stephen Large, bassist/ vocalist Yolanda Charles, drummer Simon Hanson, Melvin Duffy on pedal steel, and Dirty Vegas’ Steve Smith on percussion, vocals and guitars. “We’re the best Squeeze has ever been. It’s a real honor to play with these people.”

If you go

What: Squeeze: The Squeeze Songbook Tour w/X Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, When: 7 p.m. Sept. 15 Tickets: $48-$78

ARTS

56

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

EV artists to mark Grand Canyon centennial

art collection of the Grand Canyon National Park at the South Rim, To mark the 100th anniversary of the which will host an Grand Canyon National Park, some East open house during the Valley artists are taking their celebrations Celebration of Art on right to the edge.

1-3 p.m. Sept. 13.

They are participating in the Grand “Plein air painting Canyon Celebration of Art, Sept. 7–Jan. 21 is all about painting with seven days of art events and a fourdirectly from life, month exhibition in Kolb Studio on the and in the case of South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. the Grand Canyon, President Woodrow Wilson designated it means setting up the Grand Canyon, then a national my easel right on the monument, a national park on Feb. 26, 1919. edge of the rim,” said Among the 27 artists from across Sterbenz, a native the state participating this year are Arizonan.

Among the artists participating in the Grand Canyon centennial arts festival are Amery Bohling, whose “Grand Canyon Opus” is at right, Matt Sterbenz, Chandler; Linda Glover Sterbenz began and Mesa artist Linda Glover, right. (Special to the SanTan Sun News) Gooch, Mesa; Mick McGinty, Gilbert; and painting oils of the Amery Bohling, a Phoenix resident with Grand Canyon during the beauty of the canyon during its Celebrated artist Ed Mell of Scottsdale a gallery on Main Street in Scottsdale. grade school in Phoenix, attended centennial year and we hope this artwork will be honored during the four-month Hamilton High School in Chandler and inspires everyone to protect this natural exhibition. graduated from Arizona State University, wonder for the next 100 years,” said Mindy Hosted each where he was introduced to creating Riesenberg, spokeswoman for the Grand year by the outdoors.

Canyon Conservancy Grand Canyon “When painting from life, the subject Artists had to submit a studio painting Conservancy, the for the annual catalog and are encouraged matter is always changing and endlessly 11th annual event complex, and at a place like the Grand to bring other Grand Canyon- themed is particularly Canyon there is a whole lot of beauty to works to sell. significant, given Their on-site work Sept. 7-14 is “en plein take in,” he added, noting: the centennial.

“Plein air painting has taught me to go “Grand Canyon air” — that is, they set up their easels and with the flow, appreciate mother nature, spontaneously create on the spot.

Conservancy is work hard and hopefully I’ll get a good All the paintings created during the dedicated to painting out of it.”

Celebration of Art can be purchased in preserving the The opportunity to participate the Kolb Studio, and proceeds will help park for the build a gallery for the art collection of the during this centennial year is “an honor” next generation. for McGinty, a career illustrator who Grand Canyon Conservancy, formerly the With Celebration Grand Canyon Association. of Art, artists Chandler artist Matt Sterbenz draws inspiration from painting at the Grand Canyon. (Matt The new building will also house the will capture See on page 58 Sterbenz/Special to the SanTan Sun News) DAVID M. BROWN Contributor

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

UPTOWN

ARTS

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from page 55

that truly makes the room the heart of the home.

The only difference, however, is that the art in the studio looks professionally painted instead of the perplexed crayon squiggles from her son that Quinn is happy to show off on her fridge at home.

The art is able to look expertly done because instructors walk painters through every step of the painting process, from mixing colors to the technique used for each stroke, for anywhere from $20 to $50.

“Even if they don’t love their painting halfway through, they know by the end it’s going to come around. Though sometimes we do have to nudge them in the right direction if things are getting a little too wild on their canvas,” Quinn said.

A main instructor paints on a stage where projections of step-by-step directions are displayed on two large monitors, and assistants walk around the room ready to step in if someone needs help.

If the instructors walking customers through each piece wasn’t enough, a cheerful, life-sized Bob Ross cutout ensures each painter knows, “we don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”

As nice as it is to have the extra help, the instructors and assistants are only as involved as the painter wants them to be.

Quinn said the experience is truly catered to each individual, and some customers will even paint something entirely on their own while enjoying the company of the class.

Noting that the Arizona market typically likes to keep things as relaxed as possible, she observed: “Here for some reason the people love to have stuff sketched out for them so we sketch out any of the tricky parts beforehand. They focus more on the fun of it rather than, ‘were going to make ourselves super seriously.’”

Amateurs and professionals alike can enjoy Uptown Art in Ocotillo not only for a chance to create but to meet new people and have a good time.

(Kimberly Carrillo/taff Photographer)

“But most people are very surprised with their abilities when they are taken step by step and not left to their own devices,” Quinn added.

Though painters are assisted throughout the classes, Quinn said their creative freedom is not interrupted in the slightest.

Patrons can alter the paintings as they see fit, whether that means changing shapes, adjusting colors or adding glitter — a popular choice.

Creativity truly takes the wheel, however, during Uptown Art’s “paint your pet” night, where customers submit photos of their fur babies and the studio provides a basic sketch for patrons to fill with color and love.

“It’s a great way too, if you’ve lost a pet or had a family member lose a pet,

to commemorate them and celebrate them while doing it more personally and cheaper,” said Quinn.

For those without pets, the studio also offers other themed nights including a “nerd night” to paint scenes from Star Wars, Stranger Things, Game of Thrones and other notorious movies and shows worthy of geeking out about.

Quinn added the “mystery” night has also been a huge hit.

Painters come in unaware of what the image will be, and the instructor uses various techniques like rotating the canvas every other stroke to keep painters guessing what they are making throughout the night.

“There’s something for everyone, and I can promise you won’t get bored. We have so many techniques and styles to

choose from there’s something for every creative eye,” said Quinn.

From birthdays and bachelorette parties to summer camps and date nights, Quinn said the studio is always packed with eager artists ready to learn. She added the classes do fill up quickly and, while sometimes the studio takes walkins, the best way to secure a spot is to register online.

“If anything, people should come and try it just once, they might surprise themselves,” Quinn said, adding, “it doesn’t matter if you’re a complete beginner. We get all the time, ‘I can’t even draw a stick figure’ and you can you just need someone to guide you there.”

Information: 1900 W. Germann Road, Chandler. 408813-8059, uptownart.com/ chandler

Top left: Kelly Douwstra takes time out from her job as a string art instructor at Uptown Art to show how she also knows her way around painting. Bottom left: Miss Ruth of Gilbert is ateacher and likes going to Uptown Art to relieve stress froma hard day of work in the classroom. Right: William Maxson enjoys himself putting brush to easel and creating a work of art.

(Kimberly Carrillo/Styaff Photographer)

ARTS

58

GIRON

from page 54

culture,” Giron said.

Giron said he’s been interested in creating art for as long as he can remember.

“I’ve been around a long time,” he said.

“I’ve been involved with art all my life.”

His family has deep roots in the American Southwest. Giron said his ancestors were some of the first settlers on the Rio Grande River, which stretches from Colorado to southern Texas.

Paying tribute to his ancestral history seems to be important to Giron, as his works often utilize traditional Latino styles and imagery from a bygone era.

Giron enlisted in the military at the age of 18 and was quickly shipped off to Vietnam.

The horrors of war were traumatizing

CANYON

from page 56

relocated to the Valley from the Midwest in 2007 with wife Kerry and now joyously paints and golfs in retirement.

Inspired by artists such as Prescott’s Bill Cramer, he is working on transitioning his craft from an illustrator’s detailorientation to creating textures that engage the viewer.

“The canyon never gets old standing on the edge and wondering, ‘How did this ever get formed?’ The park itself offers an experience that our parents and grandparents have also shared, standing in awe,” he added.

“I’m also very grateful to not only be a visitor but a painter,” McGinty said. “What better subject could you find?”

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

Giron tried passing time in the Vietnamese jungle by drawing in a sketch book. But he ended up getting caught in the enemy’s crossfire and sustained a gunshot wound. He said a quick prayer and didn’t expect to make it out alive.

“I really didn’t think I would,” Giron said. “I was so sure I was going to die.”

He persevered and was eventually sent back home with a Purple Heart medal. Giron used his military benefits to enroll in art Jose Andres Giron’s paintings are colorful reflections of his school and embarked on a career Hispanic heritage. (Jose Andres Giron) as a professional artist.

He spent years producing for the young man and left a lasting commercial art, making good money by impact on him. designing logos and graphics for companies.

“Sometimes you try to put that behind But Giron wasn’t satisfied creatively, so he you, but you never can,” Giron said. took a risk by going rogue and making the

type of art he wanted to make.

It’s not easy, he said, making a living as an independent artist. Yet he found a balance by producing work that both pleased his aesthetic and could be sellable to the masses.

And he’s given back to the local community by mentoring up-and-coming artists and helping to found the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix.

Giron presently divides his time between two studios: one in Arizona during the winter, and one in New Mexico during the summer. He’s in the midst of completing a book of his artwork that he hopes to have done by early 2020.

The Gallery at the Chandler Center for the Arts has free admission and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Mesa’s Linda Glover Gooch lives with her husband Joe near Usery Mountain, where she is inspired by the sunsets and desert terrain. For her, plein air painting allows her to move around and see the canyon differently; she’s been painting there since 2005.

“At the canyon this year, I plan to try and find some new locations I haven’t visited, some views that are new to me and paint the best I can,” she said.

An associate pastor at her church, she sees the Grand Canyon artistically, emotionally, sacredly.

“After spending many hours there, you find yourself becoming intimate with space around you,” she explained, adding: “The canyon is like an old friend or going home. It is a spiritual place for me, as my source is the Lord, and I find myself focusing on Him and what He gave us to

The canyon always offers new scenes for artworks.

“Rivers, cliffs, meadows, wranglers, wildlife and waterfalls. You have snow and desert and weather,” she said. “It is dramatic and steeped in geology and history. It’s addictive.”

The Celebration of Art is challenging for the artists and engaging for guests.

“People can get up close to the artists, ask questions, and see how the artwork is created,” Sterbenz said. “I think this public interaction is the most important, because the public gets to experience the park in a unique way and develop a better appreciation for this incredible natural wonder.

“The canyon is an endless source of inspiration for everyone. Each time I paint it, I learn something new.”

Information: grandcanyon.org.

richly enjoy.”

For Bohling, working at the canyon provides her time for centering, creating, socializing and fund-raising for the planned art gallery.

“I am spending my time painting with good friends in my favorite place,” Bohling said. “I do not have to worry about paperwork and emails; I just focus on having this time and living in the moment,” she said.

“And, I am helping to bring attention to the canyon as a place of beauty and art.”

The artistry of well-known Clark Hulings first attracted Bohling to the Grand Canyon — in particular, his painting, “Grand Canyon — Kaibab Trail.”

“I loved it so much that I wanted to locate the location in his painting,” she recalled.

After searching, she found the spot and used it for inspiration for this year’s February “Arizona Highways” cover.

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

59

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Prayer is not a license to incite rancor

BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D.

Guest Writer

At every public gathering a prayer is offered by clergy invoking God’s blessings on the purpose and participants.

Debates have ensued and have included pronouncements from the Supreme Court of the United States. Even today, the dialogue focuses on which denominations and which prayers are acceptable.

I would suggest that even God is amused by the commotion.

The issue rests with the guiding document explaining the code of conduct necessary for civilized societies to exist — the Constitution of the United States of America. It leaves nothing to the imagination in its declaration that government shall make no laws regarding the establishment of religious actions or behaviors.

It was written because our forbearers understood the toll religious fervor

exacted resulting in religious persecution.

However, at most public gatherings, regardless of its purpose, we are asked as clergy to beseech God’s favor on the attendees and the deliberations. It is a simple exercise, and for the most part, forgotten immediately following.

There is rancor and name calling; there is diatribe and mockery, all, I might add, contrary to the intent of the divine admonition of love and mercy. All the blessings seem to rest on deaf ears.

Today, we read and listen to the conversations about who should render prayers and who should not. Our society has become so polarized that we hesitate to express ourselves.

Some take cover in a religious covering, while some ignore the very essence of our upbringing to accommodate feelings that may be sensitive to our utterances.

It is a sad commentary that this nation founded on the principle of free speech, finds it difficult to find the right words that can fit all sensitivities.

It is a sad commentary that this nation, which has devoted its energies, with rare exception, fighting wars for the

privilege of living our lives as we wish, finds it an ordeal to live that life. It is a sad commentary that this nation in its darkest hour heard the immortal words that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and now seems to be involved in actions that seem to contradict these sentiments.

From the very beginning all of us, at one time, have questioned the existence of God. There is war and killing; there is famine and desolation. There is crime and tragedy. There is sickness and despair.

Innocent people die and evil people do not.

And yet, at the same time, it is really not hard to believe. There is the beauty of nature. There is orderliness and seasons.

There is complexity and simplicity. There is the ability to create and enjoy what has been created. There is the capacity to love and be loved.

Faith is not easy. Our inclination is to doubt. Still, we seek God in times of turmoil. Perhaps that is too simple because we never really have seen God. This is why prayer was designed; to help us reach out and grasp purpose and meaning.

If this is so, then why is it so difficult to understand that beginning our deliberations can and should request God’s guidance?

Prayer is both personal and collective.

Our prayers are divided into personal supplications as well as requests for the salvation of all God’s children.

Personally speaking, when I am asked to pray at gatherings, my concentration is directed to those who are with us as well as those no longer able to receive the benefit of our purpose.

It is not entirely the content of the prayer, but rather the intent. For sure, God does not need clichés or slogans, but rather to remember that we were all created in the divine image.

Religious expression is not a license to incite, nor is it a license to wrap ourselves sanctimoniously in a badge of intolerance.

Religious beliefs are the free expressions of people receptive to the idea that love is divine, and disagreements are not contrary to this concept, but civility is needed for respect and progress.

Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Knowing God is the key to trusting him

BY REV. BILLY HOLLAND Guest Writer

The Biblical account of David and Goliath is one of most popular stories from the Bible.

Israel and the Philistines were enemies as this true account finds them preparing for battle, but also in somewhat of a strange standoff.

The two armies were gathered on opposite sides of a large valley. The Philistines had been sending out one of their most intimidating warriors to mock and make fun of the Israel’s army and even God himself.

His name was Goliath and he was truly a giant as some scholars have estimated that he stood between 9 and 10 feet tall. Fully dressed in battle armor, Goliath dared any man from Israel to challenge him. Everyone was terrified and not even the respected king Saul dared to step forward.

It’s recorded in First Samuel chapter 17 where Goliath said, “Choose your best sol-

dier to come out and fight me! If he can kill me, our people will be your slaves. But if I kill him, your people will be our slaves.”

Our hero David heard the giant teasing and taunting the soldiers of Israel and started asking the men about what the giant was saying. David stood boldly and challenged the men and was asking, “how can you allow this to happen, don’t you have any pride?”

His oldest brother overheard David talking and became angry thinking that the young boy was just being negative and stirring up strife. King Saul was told about the young lad and he sent for him as he wanted to speak with him.

When he approached the king David said, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

Saul tried to explain that David did not really understand the situation. David told how he had killed a lion and a bear while watching over his father’s sheep and was

Spiritual Connections

very good with a sling.

As the Lord had helped him be victorious in times of great danger, he was positive that God would also help him kill this giant. Amazingly Saul agreed.

David was offered all types of armor and weapons, but he only wanted his sling.

Goliath was evidently offended that Israel would send a child out to fight against one of the fiercest warriors in the world.

The giant was laughing, but David was focused as he loaded his sling with one of the stones he is quoted as announcing, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”

As David declared that he was representing the name of the Lord Almighty, he placed a stone in his sling and when he let it go, the rock sank deep into the giant’s forehead and he fell on his face like a huge

tree crashing to the ground.

David then picked up Goliath’s sword and cut off his head just like he had promised.

Yes, this is an exciting and inspirational story, but how can we demonstrate courage when we are surrounded by fear and our circumstances seem overwhelming?

The bottom line is that David trusted God because he knew him personally.

You see, faith is a learned behavior and a positive response that is developed from our everyday experiences with the Lord.

The Lord had never failed David and he was filled with confidence that with God nothing was impossible.

The Philistine army ran away in terror because this young boy decided to stop telling God how big his problems were and started telling his problems how big God is.

Today, the good news is that we can do the same.

To read more visit billyhollandministries.com

SUNDAYS

Traditional and Contemporary Services 7:30 a.m. daybreak contemplative worship, 9 a.m. traditional worship and choral music, 11 a.m. contemporary worship with live Christian rock band. There is also a service at 12 p.m. Wednesdays St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W. Erie St., Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

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

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

See

CONNECTIONS on page 60

FAITH

60

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

CONNECTIONS

from page 59

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

Chandler Jewish Community Center 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler 480-855-4333 or rabbi@chabadcenter.com Grief Care 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone.

Epiphany Lutheran Church, South Campus, old church building, 800 W. Ray Road, Room 325, Chandler, griefcareaz@gmail.com Healing Prayer and Meditation Circle 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays Guided prayer, affirmations and visualization for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in their lives. Love offering requested.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Meditation Moments 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday of the month An interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for beginners or longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church 12 p.m. Healing and Eucharist service St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church 901 W. Erie St., Chandler 480-899-7386, saintmatthewschurch.org

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 St., Mesa.

480-232-3773

THURSDAYS Women’s Empowerment & Awakening 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Thursday Release negative beliefs.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Narcotics Anonymous (Nar-Anon), Chandler Chapter 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Twelve-step program for families and friends of addicts. Faith Community Church 1125 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, nar-anon.org

A Course in Miracles 7 p.m. first, second and fourth Thursday Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

WEDNESDAYS

Empower Model for Men 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays The three-class series is taught by author Scott E. Clark and designed to offer practical wisdom and tools to help men shift into their higher consciousness, based on the sevenstep empower model detailed in Clark’s book, “Empower Model for Men.” Cost is $85.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

Panic Healing 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday Receive a 15-minute energetic tuneup.

Unity of Tempe, formerly Unity of Chandler 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800 Gong Meditation and Yoga Nidra 7 to 8:30 p.m. third Wednesday Presented by Will Zecco, gong master. Bring yoga mat, blanket and pillow as desired. Love offerings will be accepted.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org “A Course in Miracles” with the Rev. Julianne Lewis 1 to 2:15 p.m. Wednesdays The weekly group is an interactive time of learning and sharing, appropriate for course beginners, as well as longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org The Art of Parenting 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99.

Real Love Support Group 6:30 p.m. Thursdays For those who have a desire to acquire more “real love” and in the process find great personal happiness and more fulfilling relationships. Love offering requested.

Unity of Tempe, 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe 480-792-1800

SATURDAYS

Spirit Night – Psychic Fair 4 to 8 p.m. third Saturday of each month The “Lightworkers” offer a wide range of services, including Reiki, facials, mediums, drumming, tarot, angel messages and more.

Services range from $20 to $30. Cash only.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa interfaith-community.org heatherposey70@gmail.com Unity Drumming and Healing Circle 6:30 to 8 p.m. fourth Saturday of each month

Chandler United Methodist Church Making and Deploying Disciples for over 100 Years.

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

SUNDAY WORSHIP At 8:30 am & 10:00 am Childcare Provided • All Welcome!

480-963-3360 | www.chandlermethodist.org | 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.

Beginner, expert drummers and observers welcome. Bring snack, appetizer or dessert to share. Love donation accepted.

Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center 952 E. Baseline Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480-593-8798, interfaith-community.org

OTHER GriefShare Support Group GriefShare is a caring group of people who will walk alongside others through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Participants can gain accesss to help them recover from their loss and rebuild their lives through this 13-week program starting Jan. 27.

6:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler 480-963-4127 htlutheran.com Jewish Women International, Avodah Chapter 1581 Monthly luncheon. Social Box Eateries, 1371 N. Alma School Road, Chandler RSVP: 480-802-9304, 480-655-8812 Moms in Prayer International A group of mothers who meet one hour each week to intercede for their children and schools through prayer. Liane Wright, 480-699-7887, momsinprayer.org

Lunches Out (over 55) 11:30 a.m., 4th Fridays All events are at Chandler Presbyterian Church at 1900 S. Arrowhead Drive except for Spirits Willing and lunches. chandlerpres.org Let us help you publicize your church or temple’s events in the Spirituality section by emailing details to news@santansun.com.

Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.

Blessed Always Gift Shop

Bible Study Meets twice a month Members of the Women’s Life Group study the Bible and discuss how the lessons can relate to their lives. Sun Lakes United Church of Christ, Chandler. Jan Olson: 480-802-7457, Joy King 480-588-1882 East Valley Jewish Couples Club Offers once-a-month social activities such as dining, movies and plays for Jewish couples in the 45- to 65-year-old age range. Melissa, 480-785-0744, beadlover@cox.net Chandler Presbyterian Goings On: Sundays: 9:15 a.m. Kids’ Sunday School 9:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study Room 3 10:00 a.m. Walking the Walk (Youth) 10:30 a.m. Sunday Service Noon: Lenten Jesus Bible Study and Food!

3:00 p.m. Kenyan Fellowship/Language Worship Service 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Mondays: 7 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesdays: 10 a.m. Prayer Group (Pastor’s Office) (except 3rd Tuesday of month) 1 p.m. Chandler I Am Project Room 3 Wednesdays: 10 a.m. Peter and Paul Bible Study 6 p.m. Men’s Spiritual Stag 6:15 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7 p.m. Church Chorale Rehearsal 6 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous (Women only) 7:30 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous (Men) Thursdays: 6:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study 7 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous (Men) Every 1st and 3rd Friday...I-HELP @ 6:00 p.m.

Dinner/Showers and a place to sleep for the homeless Regular monthly activities: Lois (Women) Circle: Every 3rd Tuesday 10 a.m. Spirits Willing

St. Steven’s Catholic Church 24827 S. Dobson Road Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 480-895-9266 - Ext 1115

Gift Shop Hours Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 2:00pm

(Closed for lunch 12-12:30pm) Friday 8:00am - 12 noon Sunday 8:30am - 12:30am Closed during Mass times

Public is Welcome!

Come, Worship the Lord

Praise Him

Glorify His Name

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61

Call us at 480-898-6465 or email classifieds@santansun.com

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DIRECTORY / CLASSIFIED Proud member of

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WINDOWS/ CLEANING John’s Window Cleaning

WEEKLY SERVICE CHECKLIST:

• Brush Walls & Benches • Remove all Debris from Surface of Water • Empty all Baskets (skimmer, leaf canister, pump baskets, etc.)

• Inspect Equipment for any Repairs, Leaks, Etc., and Report to Customer if Anything is Needed • Backwash as Needed • Check & Balance Chemicals • Basic Chemicals Included with Monthly Service!

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Read our paper online: www.SanTanSun.com

CARPET CLEANING BIG JOHN'S CARPET CLEANING Our truck-mounted steam cleaning system will deep clean your carpets, ridding them of unwanted dirt, bacteria, fungus and chemical residues.

Upholstery cleaning also available.

Tile and grout cleaning.

For a clean and healthy carpet, call 480-786-6610 or 602-989-8311 John Downs, Owner/Operator, Ocotillo Resident.

Call for monthly specials.

MUSTANG CARPET & TILE CLEANING Carpet, Tile & Grout, and Upholstery Cleaning. Family owned, truck-mounted steam cleaning. We off 1/2-hour appointment time frames, so no waiting around. We include pre-spraying, mild deodorizer and degreasers for high traffic areas at no charge.

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20 years experience Trustworthy and dependable We pay attention to details Excellent References Call Vicky 480-227-1890

MELISSA'S CLEANING SERVICE Make Your House Sparkle & Shine.

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Commercial & Residential services available.

All supplies included. " You've tried the rest, now try the BEST!" Ask for Martha or Annie 480-495-5516 or 480-797-6023

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Stuff for Sale? Your Neighbors are ready to buy!

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

CLASSIFIEDS MOVING

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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.

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Plans by Design AZ LLC Construction drawings for Remodels, Additions and Stand Alone buildings.

Call Rodger Anderson 480-223-3123

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Please recycle me.

WINDOWS/ CLEANING 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.

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CALL RON at 480-584-1643 A+ Member of BBB Bonded & Insured

Join our experienced inside sales team and learn from the best. We have an inside sales position in Tempe (Broadway/Priest area) which includes outbound calls selling advertising all over Phoenix Metro and even Tucson!

Great Team Environment We are accepting applications for an Entry Level Salesperson. This is a full time job with benefits. Must be great with people. Do you get along with just about anyone?

Do you start conversations naturally? Maybe you have worked in customer service, enjoy speaking with people, and solving issues Do you learn quickly and can type, know Gmail, Word, Excel, Internet browsing (duh) and other software programs? You may just be the person we are looking for Experience in sales is a plus, but if not that's ok - we are hiring the RIGHT person for this job and for this team!

Wait, did I mention we are a FUN team?

If you would like the official job description please email Elaine ecota@timespublications.com and/or send me your resume so we can get going!

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63

LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK

Make it a habit: Check the back seat EVERY time you leave your vehicle.

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

65

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Hidden House offers unique fine-dining settings

BY KAYLA RUTLEDGE Staff Writer

A cottage erected in 1939 has been renovated from the ground up into one of Chandler’s hottest new dining scenes.

The house is hugged by a classic white fence; a passerby would never suspect that beyond the humble gate lies one of Chandler’s unique dining experiences.

As guests move through the property, they fluidly move through four different dining settings with a consistent food and beverage menu throughout.

The front patio sets the tone for a quiet and casual evening. An acoustic guitar player, stringed lights, outdoor seating and a bar situated off the front of the house invite guests to enjoy a slightly romantic, but not overwhelming experience.

Moving their way inside the quaint cottage, the entire mood is exalted.

Twinkle lights hang from the home’s original vaulted ceilings like stars in a wooden sky, and white linen tablecloths work cohesively with the lowered mood lighting to create a formal dining experience.

Waiters dressed in button-down shirts and classic black aprons guide each guest’s experience as they serve chilled water from glass vases while a custom surround sound system plays soft music.

Headed out of the back door of the cottage, or around the side from the front patio, customers are brought to another open outdoor space — the grotto.

Enclosed again in lights and plants, the back patio is situated next to an enormous bar, and benefits from the hangar just behind it to create a casual feel.

The hangar, complete with two roll-up garage doors, indoor trees, huge ceiling decorated with casual chandeliers and a massive sliding barn door, collaborates

Hidden House owner/operator Gavin Jacobs wants his new bar-restaurant in Cdowntown Chandler to be a space where people “can feel comfortable and free.” (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

with the grotto space to create an indooroutdoor feel.

At the back of the hangar, a full stage ready to host live performances makes the space a venue for casual experience.

Though off the beaten path, owner and operator Gavin Jacobs, who also runs The Brickyard just a block away, said he had a vision for the cottage years ago, and is happy to see things come to fruition.

“On paper this was a lot smaller than what it is today. The space just kept growing and our vision kept growing and what I was always nervous about is taking space of this magnitude and making it feel small and intimate,” said Jacobs. “But I think we accomplished that.

We made a space where people can feel comfortable and free.”

To create a liberating experience, Jacobs took everything into consideration from the floor plan down to the fabric of each chair.

Each piece of furniture featured in the four dining spaces of the restaurant has been custom-designed

by Jacobs himself, who studied and contemplated each detail including the table to chair height ratios and the feel of each textile.

“The atmosphere Hidden House owner Gavin Jacobs also runs The Brickyard a block away. here is going to give our (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

customers something nice, but our goal is to cater to our community and give them a comfortable escape right here in Chandler,” said Jacobs.

Starting out as a roughly 900-squarefoot home on a dirt lot and transforming it into an 11,000 square foot, fully functioning facility took more time and effort than Jacobs had ever imagined.

The owner said he wanted to deliver more than what was expected of him to Jackie and Elliot Hall, who have owned the property for 35 years and also oversee The Brickyard.

“This was the last historic cottage in downtown Chandler, and I wanted to create something beautiful out of it while respecting its history and the Halls,” Jacobs.

To do so, many of the home’s natural features have been left untouched, but the rest has been restored from being covered in murals and graffiti.

“Thankfully we have such a strong team with a great vision so we’re just trying to take things to the next level. When it comes to food preparation, the plating everything like that it’s going to be a little bit more formal but still with that high energy,” said Jacobs.

Chef-inspired American themed food with a little twist on some Asian flavors

will be featured on a rotating menu, sharing the limelight with a robust drink selection ranging from 40 cocktails with six on tap, 90 wines and eight beers on tap with another 30 in cans.

Similar to The Brickyard, each drink comes with its own history translated by some of Chandler’s most talented bartenders. The cocktails have preprohibition, prohibition, tiki era and new age influences.

Price-wise, Jacobs said, “just because we’re offering something a little more high-caliber here doesn’t mean that’s going to show in the price. I mean price always matters, so we definitely took that into consideration and kept that in mind and we tried to develop the menu so we can cater to everybody.”

Jacobs said his hope is that customers will take in each detail as well as the structure as a whole, and enjoy what new dining experience The Hidden House has to offer.

“There’s so much that’s gone into this the last three years. It’s deep in the heart.

The love and passion that goes into this, it’s a feeling and it has to come from the inside, and I think it shows,” said Jacobs.

The Hidden House is open for lunch and dinner. Information: hiddenhouseaz. com or 480-275-5525.

66

WHERE TO EAT

SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

With JAN D’ATRI Contributor

Follow these tips for tasty, crispy quesadillas

While we enjoy chiles all throughout the year in Arizona, the heart of the Hatch Chile harvest is almost over! To capture the incredible flavor of these famous southwestern sweet and flavorful chiles, make some tasty quesadillas.

Let me share a few tips to making them crisp and not soggy. All you need are flour tortillas and some cheese. Then you can get fancy and add some fixings if you like.

Quesadillas Tips: Get your skillet medium hot, and just brush it lightly with oil. You don’t want soggy quesadillas.

If you love grilled veggies like red onion, chiles and peppers, just slice them all up, place them on a tray and just sprinkle with salt to draw out the moisture. Then roast or grill your veggies until charred. You can add a little olive oil, but the dryer the veggies, the better for non-greasy quesadillas.

Don’t stack your tortillas on top of each

other. Just fill each one with cheese and fixings.

Then fold over. Make another one with cheese on the opposite side, fold it over, and cook them that way.

They’re easier to get into the pan, easier to flip without losing any filling and makes cutting them a breeze.

Ingredients: 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded Jack cheese 4 (10-inch) flour tortillas 2 cups shredded, rotisserie chicken

2-3 large Hatch chiles (green chiles) charred, seeded and diced Optional garnishes: Coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, pico de gallo or salsa, guacamole, sour cream.

Directions: Heat a large frying pan over medium heat until hot, about three minutes.

Place a tortilla in the pan and sprinkle with cheese, chicken and chiles. Fold tortilla over.

Make another one with cheese on the opposite side, fold over in the opposite direction and cook them side by side. Together, the tortillas should look like a full circle. Cook until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make the rest of the quesadillas. Slice into wedges. Top or serve with optional garnishes.

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Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019

LABOR DAY

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BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR! HELD OVER!

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SANTAN SUN NEWS | WWW.SANTANSUN.COM | SEPTEMBER 7–20, 2019