The View - June 2016

Ava Robinson explores all the construction zone has to offer at the i.d.e.a. Museum

Mesa honors good Samaritans for dramatic rescue

By Jared McDonald

City officials honored three men who rescued a disabled veteran from his burning home near Brown and Higley roads in mid-April.

Topper Johnson, Jon Hank and Joseph Spencer were hailed for risking their lives to save Sly Lewis, a double amputee.

“I noticed the fire because his house is right behind mine,” said Hank. “I knew he was living there by himself and that he was an amputee, so I knew he was going to need some help.”

Hank teamed with Johnson, who lives next door to Lewis. e two neighbors then flagged down Spencer, a DirecTV employee driving home from work.

Red Mountain grads defy odds, get dual degrees

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Recent Red Mountain High School graduates Chenoa and Tanyka Begaye could have very easily become statistics.

“ e adrenaline kicked in, we didn’t even think about it,” said Johnson.

“We had to save him.”

e group broke windows throughout the house and yelled inside, trying to locate Lewis. Spencer

...continues on page 6

e girls grew up in abusive households. ey say their parents were alcoholics, drug addicts and just not emotionally present.

But, while many high school seniors were eagerly awaiting graduation last month, the Begaye sisters prepared for additional academic milestones—college graduation.

In May, the sisters earned their associate degrees from ChandlerGilbert Community College (CGCC) and their high school diplomas.

Chenoa and Tanyka, members of the Navajo tribe, participated in CGCC’s ...continues on page 9

The news around our neighborhood!

Mailed to homes in Las Sendas, Red Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Boulder Mountain, Mountain Bridge and surrounding neighborhoods.

Three good Samaritans were honored by Mesa Fire and Medical Department, from left, Fire Chief Harry Beck, John Hank, Topper Johnson, Joseph Spencer and Deputy Chief Forrest Smith.

Chenoa and Tanyka Begaye both earned high school diplomas and associate degrees.

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eventually heard Lewis from inside the house and faced the flames to save him.

“I heard someone yelling that they were dying,” said Spencer. “I broke the sliding window open, got on my hands and knees, crawled over and found Sly.”

Spencer pulled Lewis back to the broken window, and Johnson pulled Lewis out of the smoke-filled house. Spencer and Lewis were transported to a hospital for smoke inhalation.

“It was terrifying,” said Spencer. “At the time, my adrenaline kicked in.”

e Mesa Fire and Medical Department honored the men Wednesday, May 25, at the Mesa

Volunteers needed for Republic Services Arizona Celebration of Freedom

TIM SEALY

Public Safety Training Facility with certificates for saving Lewis, who, at the time, was still recovering in the hospital. e victim’s daughter, Summer Cole, was there on his behalf.

“ is is representative of the kind of community we have,” said Councilman David Luna, who spoke at the event. “We have a very caring community; the kind that will help others when there is danger. We’re very proud of these men.”

Spencer said it was an honor to be recognized.

“ is safety thing isn’t just about fire or police,” said Mesa Fire Chief Harry Beck. “It’s about the community.”

Volunteers are needed for the 2016 Republic Services Arizona Celebration of Freedom, the state’s “coolest independence festival,” on Monday, July 4.

Volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts and activities, including event tear down and clean up, entertainment stages, the Naturalization Ceremony and more. Shifts are between two and four hours from 4 p.m. to midnight. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or 14 if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

All volunteers will be given a commemorative T-shirt while supplies last, snacks and plenty of cool drinks during their volunteer shifts. is year, volunteers will have a chance to win gift cards, goodies or the grand prize of an iPod Touch.

For more information, visit www. azcelebrationoffreedom.org, click on “Volunteer” and follow the link to

sign up; or contact Mesa Citywide Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Alvis-White at (480) 644-3705 or michelle.alvis@mesaaz.gov. e Republic Services Arizona Celebration of Freedom will feature entertainment, live music, patriotic displays, a naturalization ceremony, family fun, fireworks and more on July 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Mesa Amphitheatre and Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., and along Center Street between First Street and University Drive.

Summer Cole, at right in pink dress, stands with the men who saved her father from his burning home, along with their families.

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Mountain View senior celebrates scouting feat

By Jared McDonald

Mountain View High School senior

Clark Larsen has reached a scouting pinnacle.

e 18-year-old recently earned his seventh eagle palm, a rare feat in scouting.

“It helped me be who I am today,” Larsen said. “Being an Eagle Scout gives you a higher potential and no young man would reject that.”

Eagle Scouts can earn palms by being active in their troop and patrol for at least three months after they become Eagle Scouts or after the award of last palm; by demonstrating scout spirit by living the oath and law; making a satisfactory effort to develop and demonstrate leadership ability; earning five additional merit badges; participating in a scoutmaster conference; and successfully completing their board of review.

Once a boy scout has reached eagle rank, the highest rank in boy scouting, he can continue earning eagle palms until his 18th birthday. Larsen has seven eagle palms as well as 56 merit

badges, 35 more than the 21 required to reach eagle rank.

“It’s always a goal for kids to get to eagle, but I feel I have more time

and potential to get more than eagle,” Larsen said. “So I filled my time with extra stuff, I didn’t just stop when I got eagle.”

Larsen’s scoutmaster is impressed with Larsen’s accomplishments.

“I’ve never heard of someone getting more than two or three eagle palms,” Kim McKinnon said. “In fact, most of those being awarded the eagle rank do not continue on to get any palms. It’s very rare.”

Larsen was inspired to join the Boy Scouts after watching his brother participate in the organization. Clark joined when he was 11.

“Clark and his family are committed to scouting and its values,” McKinnon said. “Clark has a strong desire to live a good and full life.” anks to his eagle scout work, Larsen has decided to study biomechanics and exercise science after graduation. He hopes to become a scoutmaster, too.

“You get to go on camping trips with the youth, be a mentor and have a lot of fun,” Larsen said.

Clark Larsen earned a rare seventh eagle palm as a boy scout.

Hoop of Learning program, a dualenrollment bridge program to benefit Native American students.

e program lets students earn lowerdivision credit during their regular high school classes. e credits are treated the same as regular college credits and can be transferred to other Maricopa Community Colleges, Arizona’s state universities and even some out-of-state colleges.

“It took a lot of time management skills,” Tanyka said. “Every day we came home, sat down at this table and did homework. We had to stay up past midnight.”

e sisters, who share a father, were determined to earn both degrees because their parents only finished high school. Plus, they wanted be positive role models for their younger siblings. ey couldn’t have done it without family members, particularly an aunt who took them in.

“ ey’re there for us whenever we need anything, whether it’s help for school or for college,” Tanyka said. “ ey’re there to listen to us. ey’re our biggest supporters.”

Fitch upgrades Thrivent Financial to AA+ rating

e girls have high aspirations. Both want to earn doctorates; Tanyka in teaching, and Chenoa in veterinary science. ey’re unsure where they’re going for college, though.

“Once you have a degree, nobody can take it from you,” Tanyka said.

“We didn’t want to use our history and background as an excuse for not finishing.

“I still don’t have a relationship with my mom. My mom and I don’t understand each other. We fight and don’t get along at all. I just can’t give the power to stop me from doing what I’m doing. I’m glad we’re here and got to this point.”

Fitch Ratings has upgraded rivent Financial’s Insurer Financial Strength rating to AA+ (Very Strong), the second-highest of Fitch’s 19 categories, and given the organization a stable outlook.

Fitch cited rivent’s extremely strong level of capitalization, which was enhanced by the material growth of surplus in recent years.

e organization is committed to maintaining statutory capital levels in excess of rating guidelines. As part of the upgrade, rivent was also recognized for its consistently solid profitability and favorable position within the Lutheran market as well as its growing franchise within the broader Christian community.

“As a membership organization, we know that our members count on

us to fulfill our promises, allowing them to be wise with money and live generously,” said Randy Boushek, chief financial officer for rivent Financial. “ is ratings upgrade from Fitch recognizes our commitment to serving our members from a position of strength and stability.”

ese ratings reflect rivent Financial’s overall financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to the investment performance of investment products. e ratings were affirmed May 6.

Locally, rivent Financial is represented by Red Mountain Group, which includes Jeff Kolzow, Jeff Rodemeyer and Rick Aussprung at 2941 N. Power Rd., Suite 105, Mesa 85215. Call (480) 396-5333.

Sisters Chenoa and Tanyka often stayed up past midnight to complete their rigorous academic schedule.

Mesa retains its ‘Playful City’ title

By Jared McDonald

Mesa was recognized recently for its dedication to expanding the ways kids play in the community.

e municipality was named a KaBOOM! 2016 Playful City USA for the eighth consecutive year on Wednesday, May 18.

“We are honored that Mesa has been chosen Playful City USA by KaBOOM!,” said Marc Heirshberg, Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community facilities director. “What makes Mesa great and unique are the variety of play options we have at our parks, trails, pools, recreation centers, fields and sports complexes.”

Nationwide, KaBOOM! honored 257 cities, 15 of which are in Arizona.

“We are thrilled to recognize these communities that have invested their time and efforts to put kids first,” said KaBOOM! CEO James Siegal. “Balanced and active play is crucial to the well-being of kids and the communities that they thrive in.”

Mesa worked to increase access to recreational opportunities for residents through free or affordable programming, thanks to investments made by the city and grants awarded by community partners.

“ ere are many opportunities for children and adults to choose from and we are proud to offer that diversity in our community,” said Heirshberg.

The Mesa Arts Center unveiled Mesa Musical Shadows in April, a prime example of an innovative way to play in Mesa. Mesa Musical Shadows is an interactive piece of public art at the center that allows guests to make music with their shadows. Sensors in the piece detect changes in light cast by shadows, and speakers then emit a sound in response.

KaBOOM! encourages cities to develop unique attractions like Mesa Musical Shadows to create innovative ways to play.

KaBOOM! is a nonprofit focused on cultivating opportunities for kids, particularly those in poverty, to play in their communities. Organization officials said they believe play is crucial in children’s formative years. KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, has engaged more than 1 million volunteers and has served 8.1 million kids, according to its website.

KaBOOM! also launched recently the $1 million Play Everywhere Challenge. This national competition will award $1 million in prizes for the best replicable, scalable innovations in city redevelopment and design that help make play easy, available and fun for kids and families.

Playgrounds are ample throughout Mesa.

CITY OF MESA.

Mesa students tackle a Real World Challenge head on

By Steven Solomon

Six seniors from Red Mountain High School recently placed third in the National Real World Design Challenge, a competition open to students in grades 9 through 12.

Under the guidance of Engineering Design and Development instructor Adam Middleton, students Daymon Wilkins, Brandon Woolgar, Garrett Doling-Bregar, Cole Jackson, Daniel Stockwell and Ashwin Limaye entered the Arizona Real World Design Challenge Governor’s Challenge, in which the team placed first to advance to the national competition.

On stage at the National Real World Design

are

Teams were required to design an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of detecting moisture levels in crops significant to this geographical region and economy.

“When we received the challenge, we first brainstormed the set of requirements we initially wanted to have for the system,” Jackson said. “We then researched drone designs that fit the requirements. We divided up the work, based on each member’s skills. As we are also the fourth-year engineering class for Red Mountain High School, we had a hour each day. When the due dates approached, we would stay after school and work.”

In addition to working with industry-grade software, resources and mentors to bring their ideas to life, the team also developed their own flight plans, researched and adhered to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, and developed a business model and proposal for their potential business. ey also produced a 50page engineering notebook and a 15-minute formal presentation.

e team placed first in Arizona, then it was off to the National Real World Design Challenge, an annual competition in Washington, D.C.

“All the software, hardware, and other resources were provided by Mesa Public Schools,” Jackson said.

“We used Autodesk inventor and Google drive. e hardest thing about the project was communication. e reason for this was that the project had

to be very detailed and thought out. is was because we were presenting to experts of aerospace, businesses and directors of government agencies. If one person changed an aspect or a part, we all had to go back to our sections and change the numbers or the parts.”

e team, minus Limaye who was unable to attend, participated in the national competition in April.

According to the rules, teams were expected to “design an unmanned aircraft system that can demonstrate, through analysis, an efficient method to monitor moisture, an effective way to design an air vehicle (light, cost effective, and can still handle the forces of flight), and an end profitability of the business concept.”

e Mesa team placed third, behind Connecticut and Massachusetts. Every member of the first-place Connecticut team received a $50,000 scholarship to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which has campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona. Embry-Riddle Worldwide, part of the university, designs and leads the Real World Design Challenge. Members of its senior administration serve as blueribbon judges.

Mesa Public Schools congratulated the students for their success, posting on its Facebook page: “It was an incredible experience for each of the students involved, allowing them to develop real skills valued by the industry and network with leaders at the forefront of the field.” e team members were scheduled to be

... continues on page 16

Challenge

Jeffrey Coppola, program manager at Real World Design Challenge, Red Mountain team members Garrett Doling-Bregar, Brandon Woolgar, Daymon Wilkins, Cole Jackson, and Daniel Stockwell; Dr. Ken Witcher, dean of aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Worldwide and Dr. Ralph K. Coppola, director and program founder of Real World Design Challenge.

neighborhood hearsay

hearsay meet your neighbor

Water used to be a simple thing. Two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen, 100% thirst-quenching. I was brought up on Arizona groundwater, drawn untreated from a well. It was pure hydration.

Ah, but now...

Now, water has to be monitored for such things as lead and other potential contaminants. To learn what’s really in your Mesa drinking water, there is a report available online in English and Spanish at www.mesaaz.gov/ccr.

The new report gives the results of testing performed last year and looks at sources, treatment and other watery matters. It’s all there to assure you: Mesa’s water meets over 100 state and federal drinking water standards.

Says Mesa’s Water Quality Supervisor Ken Marshall: “The City of Mesa does not have any lead pipes in the distribution system and the EPA’s action levels for lead were not exceeded in any of the samples collected as part of the Lead and Copper Rule study.”

For a hard copy of the report, call (480) 644-6461.

Eating pizza never tasted so right. Flancer’s Gourmet Grub, 1902 N. Higley Rd. (there’s also a Gilbert location) is donating $30,000 raised from its 16th annual pizza-eating contest to three charities: Warfighter Sports, which assists injured veterans (www. disabledsportsusa.org/programs/ warfighter-sports); Sunshine Acres Children’s Home (www.sunshineacres. org) and Jewish Family & Children’s Services (www.jfcsaz.org). Funds will be disbursed evenly among the three. They call charity “sweet.” Maybe they should call it a 16-inch pie with pepperoni, onions and mushrooms.

Here’s the all-time winner for “Most Off-the-Wall Father’s Day Present.”

For the Sunday, June 19, celebration of the Old Man, take him to the Mesa Arts Center to see John Carpenter, director of such creepy movies as “Halloween,” “They Live” and “The Thing.”

What will Carpenter be doing on the Ikeda Theater stage? Displaying and demonstrating his collection of eerie electronic instruments. You see, Carpenter also composed the music

Clint Eastwood (who writes the music for many of his films, as well) stand as double-threat director/composer in today’s Hollywood.

But Carpenter has taken things one step further and launched an album of his atmospheric electronic scores, and the Mesa stopover is part of a tour to publicize the album. The concert of spooky sounds and (probably) equally spooky comments from Carpenter starts at 8 p.m. June 19 (Father’s Day!); tickets are $57. Go to www. mesaartscenter.com.

Benedictine University at Mesa graduated 64 students from its East Valley Institute of Technology in May. That’s one more big step for BenU, as it’s called, since its founding in 2012. It was only the second commencement for that campus.

The commencement address was given by John O. Whiteman,

What’s the buzz in your neighborhood? New babies or grandbabies? Announcements? Engagements? Let us know! Email hearsay@nearbynews.com.

Mesa philanthropist and former CEO of the Caterpillar dealership, Empire Southwest.

Hacienda Children’s Hospital helped by donation

By Ken Abramczyk

Children’s hospitals save lives and assist fragile, ill children with intensive levels of treatment.

Donations, like the $3,000 received by Hacienda Children’s Hospital from Elite Optical earlier this year, help that facility fund everything from medical supplies to books and games.

ese donations are appreciated by hospital administrators.

“Sometimes (patients) don’t have clothing, need quilts or there is something else they need, and we use the gifts to address those needs,” said Nancy Salmon, vice president

of corporate communications for Hacienda Healthcare, which operates Hacienda Children’s Hospital and Los Ninos in Phoenix.

ese two hospitals are the only two free-standing nontertiary care children’s hospitals in the state, according to Hacienda Healthcare. Hacienda Children’s Hospital opened in July 2015.

Hacienda’s patients, between the ages of 0 and 18, have varying needs, their lives characterized by evolving circumstances. e hospital is described on its website as a complementary resource for Valley hospitals in pediatric care for pre-

operative care or stabilization before discharge to go home.

“Many times children, accompanied by their parents, are transported to us because they may have a birth defect, or are injured in traffic accidents or home accidents, or children are hurt in child abuse cases and are hospitalized as the state investigates the case,” Salmon said.

through a donation with funds from the practice’s general operations. ey were impressed with Hacienda and particularly with the passion of the hospital’s president to help the children. “We were impressed with the care and how it helps families,” Miner said. “We decided it would be a good fit.

“It was great to see the kids and that they would get the care they would need that they otherwise would not get.”

All of these children and their families need help and donations help fill that need, Salmon said. “We are extremely excited to find people like Elite Optical to help,” Salmon said. e donations provide funds “above the normal operating expenditures” for medical supplies. Sometimes the money helps buy books or games to help get a patient’s mind off of an illness or medical condition and pass the time, Salmon said.

Lanette Miner of Elite Optical said she and her husband, Dr. Doug Miner, raised $3,000 through an open house and a 10-year anniversary party, and

Flag Day

Tuesday, June 14

What is Flag Day?

Elite Optical donates to several charities, including A New Leaf, an organization that assists families dealing with homelessness and domestic violence; Will’s Hope, which helps families with medically fragile children, and Sunshine Acres, which assists children, separated from their parents, to establish connections with stable parental figures.

“It feels good,” Miner said. “It’s just good to give back to the community to help others.”

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Ingrid Michlin, CTC, MCC, 30+ years experience (480) 268-9322

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the U.S. Flag by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.

2016 Mayor’s Youth Committee graduates from program

e 25-member 2016 Mayor’s Youth Committee graduated from the program that began in September.

MYC is made up of an elect group of juniors and seniors nominated by their school principals and counselors to participate in the competitive application process.

e 2016 Mayor’s Youth Committee graduates are Spencer Beckwith, Jasmine Betancourt, Brendan Bogar, Enrique Marcos Cardenas II, Joseph Wesley Fairbanks, Lindsey Freeman, Jaida Grivet, Cristiana Gutierrez, Evin Harris, Lauren Hawks, David Jaffe, Julia Li, Haley Lorenzen, Antonia Marcheva, Alex Matsukawa, Jimmy Nguyen, Savannah Olofsson, Daniel Pang, Toral Patel, Tulcy Patel, Erika Celina Pinto, Hebellyn Quezada, Uriel Rivera, Sydney Steele and Paulina Verbera.

roughout the program, students learn the ins and outs of city government, research and present solutions to real city issues and participate in community events.

“I am very proud of all these students and the leadership role they have taken,” Mayor John Giles said. “ ey understand the importance of civic participation in governance and

are dedicated to giving back to their community.”

e students interact with the mayor, city councilmembers and city departments such as transportation; economic development; solid waste and parks, recreation and commercial facilities while working on assignments.

is year, MYC was tasked with finding a way to help the city reach its NextMesa. e teams researched city services and looked for ways to improve them or created new a new project, development or initiative complete with timeline, budget and graphics.

e teams presented their ideas to Giles, Vice Mayor Dennis Kavanaugh and Councilman Chris Glover, who then selected a winning team.

e projects ranged from expanding our community gardens and improving our composing program to building our presence on social media and designing an interactive game that engages Millennials.

e game designing team won the competition and were treated to a Spring Training game at Hohokam Stadium.

Two die in plane crash on Greenfield Road

By Jared McDonald

The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate a plane crash that killed the pilot and passenger on Greenfield Road near Falcon Field on Tuesday, May 17. Mesa police spokesman Steve Berry identified the victims as pilot Jesse R. Goodwin, 43, of Gilbert, and Ataberk Besler, 18, of Cannakkale, Turkey.

An NTSB preliminary report says the North American AT-6, N3198G, was destroyed when it crashed shortly after departure from Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), Mesa. The airplane was registered to Wings of Flight Foundation.

Multiple witnesses reported that

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shortly after takeoff they heard “popping” sounds accompanied with a loud “bang” and it appeared that the engine was not producing enough power. As the airplane exited the airport boundary, above a perimeter road, it made a 180-degree turn. Immediately thereafter, it crashed and burst into flames.

Goodwin was a pilot for American Airlines since 2003 and Besler was in the United States as part of the foreign exchange program AFSUSA.

“All of us at American extend our condolences to (Goodwin’s) loved ones,” American Airlines officials said in a statement. They said they were “saddened” by the loss.

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New YMCA president vows to make a difference

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

As the new president and CEO of the Valley of the Sun YMCA, Bryan Madden says he can change the world.

“Every day I go into work and figure out how to make people’s lives better,” Madden said. “ at’s a pretty exciting position to be in.”

He plans to emphasize the importance of swim lessons in Arizona. Having just moved to the Valley from South Carolina, Madden was surprised to hear there is a large number of drownings in the Grand Canyon State.

“How can we be the secondleading state for drowning?” he asked rhetorically. “How does that happen? I have to turn that and make sure there is a change possibility.

“I have heard people say, ‘Only worry about the things you can change.’ I think, in my position, we can change the world. If you only worry about the things you can change, and you say you can change the world, that’s a lot of things to worry about.”

One thing that Madden does not

worry about is maintaining the legacy of the Y. He’s excited about the opportunity to be a part of a change agent organization.

“It’s a 16-branch organization,” he said. “It’s a pretty big Y— one of the largest in the United States.

“My position is the president and CEO. I have the responsibility to set the strategic direction along with the board of directors. We have a great tradition. It’s not that we need to tear it apart and build it back. We need to build upon our base. I always say I’m the guy who sits underneath the trees that someone else planted. We have 124 years of history and now it’s time to continue to grow that tradition.”

on family activities.

“ at’s our area of expertise,” Madden said. “We are the largest provider of child care in the nation.

“I read that 1- to 2-year-old males are most likely to drown and most likely it’ll happen in the backyard. Swim lessons are a big part of how we move forward and change that direction. e Y is uniquely situated to be a part of that discussion.”

But the Y doesn’t just focus on youngsters.

Dubbed the nation’s leading exercise program for active older adults, SilverSneakers is a big part of the Y, as are other wellness programs.

recognized and congratulated by the five-member Mesa Public Schools Governing Board at a board meeting. Jackson, who had time to talk while his teammates Wilkins, Woolgar and Doling-Bregar were participating at the FIRST Robotics World competition, where high school students and mentors work during a six-week period to build game-playing robots that weigh up to 120 pounds, shared that he will be attending Barrett, the Honors College at ASU, this fall, studying aerospace engineering. He hopes to incorporate his interests of history and global security into his studies and eventually work for an aerospace company.

And does this future rocket scientist have any advice?

Besides stressing the importance of swim lessons, Madden wants to make sure that all of the facilities are focused

“We can’t be everything to everybody,” he said. “We offer child care, programs for older adults, wellness programs, swim lessons. ose are programs that help raise families.”

“My advice for students who’d like to work on a project is to be calm and have fun,” he said. “When you aren’t doing those two things, you start to mess up and have to redo the parts over again, and then you start to fall behind schedule.”

1230 West Southern Ste. 103 Tempe, AZ 85282

http://www.granitetransformations.com/phoenix/

Bryan Madden

What’s Missing?

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Arizona Zipline Adventures

View lofty heights at new venue in Oracle

Story and photos by Kimberly Hosey

Above the 30-foot tower—where, in less than two hours, we would step off a ledge to fly 1,500 feet over a canyon—vultures circled.

It’s a testament to my and my son’s humor, not to mention our affinity for birds, that we considered this a good sign.

After my son became a teenager, he was bitten by the thrill-seeker bug. Because he’s still a bit cautious—and because I don’t want to toss my kid out of any airplanes just yet—we’d been looking for an adrenaline rush that was, and felt, safe.

We found that safe rush at Peppersauce Station on the backside of Mount Lemmon in Oracle, at the new Arizona Zipline Adventures.

Arizona Zipline Adventures, the first eco-zipline tour in Arizona, opened Jan. 30 this year, and boasts the longest zip line in the state: that final flight we’d be braving from the vulturebesieged tower.

First, we built up our courage.

After arriving at AZA we signed waivers, stowed our belongings in free lockers, and learned the ropes—literally. Our guide led us through the techniques of fitting helmets and harnesses and provided a primer on our harnesses, carabiners, trolleys and ropes. She covered braking techniques (pull your rope perpendicular to the zip line, and watch for the guide’s cues) and proper landing posture (push everything away from your face), and more; ensuring we were all reasonably comfortable before we began.

hold onto the trolleys.

Our first line was pretty short, but still: We were stepping off a ledge to zoom over a canyon, our feet dangling in empty air. It looked pretty intimidating.

e guides have it covered. ey do pretty much everything but sit in the harness: hooking trolleys to lines, checking harnesses and making sure riders feel safe and comfortable. All you have to do is step out into empty space. Easy, right?

Only riders weighing between 50 and 250 pounds are permitted, and kids 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. AZA accommodates the visually impaired, using vocal rather than hand signals. Participants must be able to hike for short distances and

After coaching and coaxing, our first rider flew along the line to the other side of the small canyon, to cheers from our group. My son watched, ascertained that the rider was still alive at the end of the line, and decided that he would probably be OK.

If you’re looking for a good way to teach your kids to pay attention to

instructions, this is it. As the guide prepared my son for his first ride, he listened with more focus than I’ve ever seen outside of a video game marathon. I guess having your life on the (albeit extremely safe) line will demand attention. Still, the predominant emotion on his face was excitement. He was stoked.

She finished the instructions, counted him down, and he was over the side. I quelled my mother-freakout instincts long enough to snap a few photos, then stopped to revel in his joy. He landed safely at the other side and hung for a few moments as he dismounts with the help of a ladder. is was followed, of course, by a second round of joy for him as he got to watch his ungainly mother make the same trip. As I crashed into place (they have backup brakes, but it’s a rough landing if you don’t pull hard when instructed), he giggled and bragged about how his landing was so much smoother.

at’s fine. I got the thrill of exhilaration from my own ride, cool wind in my hair and desert rushing below my feet—and maximum coolparent points besides. I’ll take it.

After a short ride and walk to the next station we zipped over the canyon a few more times on slightly longer lines, hiking short distances in between. e area’s high-desert beauty is enough to recommend a trip: We saw a snake, deer in the distance on the mountainside and

sweeping views of mountains covered in blooming ocotillos.

Finally, it was time to take our fifth and final trip. We’d built up some courage, not to mention rudimentary zip lining skills (I was a bit better at braking by now). Still, the climb to the launch point felt much higher than 30 feet. e vultures were gone, but that was probably just because of the shrieking of the preceding groups. e line is the only tandem flight on the tour, so it’s usually a bit of a race. ey counted us down. We launched.

I crashed into the station moments before my son, so I was unhooked and had my camera out just in time to catch an enthusiastic thumbs-up. He was already bragging before they even let him off the line.

“I’m telling all my friends about this! I can’t wait to do this again. When can we come back?”

If you have adventure seekers in your family, and want to generate this kind of enthusiasm from a teen (with his mom, no less), you may want to try these thrll rides from Arizona Ziplines Adventures. Cost is $79 for general admission and $69 for 15 and under, military and seniors over 65.

Once adventurers take the leap, they are rewarded by an exhilarating flight over canyons filled with scrub and cactus at the new Arizona Zipline Adventures in Oracle.

David Hosey gives a thumbs-up at the end of his zipline adventure.

top 10 family events

June 2016

1 Circus XTREME

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey present a circus that combines time-honored tricks with an extreme twist. Every ticket includes access to a preshow meet and greet.

WHEN: Thursday, June 23, to Sunday, June 26, various times

WHERE: Talking Stick Resort Arena, 210 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix COST: Starting at $12.50 INFO: (800) 745-3000 or talkingstickresortarena.com

2 Expedition Norway Vacation Bible School

The VBS features music, science experiments, characters, Bible study, games, dinner and more.

WHEN: Monday, June 20, to Thursday, June 23, from 5:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, 161 N. Mesa Dr., Mesa

COST: $15 per person or $45 for the family

INFO: (480) 964-8606 or www.fpcmesa.org

3 The World of Giant Insects

See some of the world’s coolest insects constructed larger than life at the Arizona Science Center.

WHEN: Daily in June, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix

COST: General admission plus $6 INFO: (602) 716-2000 or azscience.org

4 Uptown Farmers Market

Families can sample food from more than 60 vendors and learn how to grow food and garden at the Growers Market.

WHEN: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon

WHERE: North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix COST: Free admission INFO: www.uptownmarketaz.com

5 Desert Botanical Garden Flashlight Tours

Bring a flashlight to the Desert Botanical Garden and experience the wonders of nature at night. More than 10 discovery stations are scattered throughout the garden for patrons to explore.

WHEN: Thursdays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

WHERE: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, COST: Included with membership or paid garden admission INFO: (480) 941-1225 or www.dbg.org

6 Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Follow Ariel under the sea through this coming-of-age story about a girl trying to find her own path.

WHEN: Friday, June 10, to Sunday, June 12; Thursday, June 16, to Sunday, June 19; and Thursday, June 23, to Sunday, June 26; various times WHERE: Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix COST: $16.50 to $34.50 INFO: (602) 254-7399 or herbergertheater.org

7 Mighty Mud Mania

Play in mud and run through challenging obstacles while cooling off this summer. Mighty Mud Mania has a variety of challenges for every age group.

WHEN: Saturday, June 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, COST: Free, $10 for extreme course INFO: (480) 312-0205

8 Prowl and Play at the Phoenix Zoo

Grab a swimsuit and head on over to the Phoenix Zoo for a day full of splashes and fun. Activities include water slides, Splash Zone and hula lessons.

WHEN: Saturday, June 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix

COST: $8, Children 2 and younger are free INFO: (602) 286-3800 or www.phoenixzoo.org

9 Snow White and Rose Red

This play is a creative twist on the classic Brothers Grimm stories. Instead of being damsels in distress, Snow White and Rose Red take fate into their own hands.

WHEN: Thursday, June 16, through Saturday, June 25, various times

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa, COST: Starting at $11 INFO: (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com

10 Family Drumming Workshop for Dads and Kids—and Moms, Too!

Learn the rhythms of multicultural hand drumming with instructor Frank Thompson.

WHEN: Sunday, June 19, from 11 a.m.

WHERE: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix

INFO: (480) 245-6919 or mim.org

HAPPY HOUR Monday-Friday: 11am - 5pm Saturday & Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

slices of life

By Jill Pertler

Writers research, procrastinate and look for happy endings

e combination of a blank page and a column deadline should be motivating.

I’ve also heard this duo can provoke a person to employ any number of creative time-wasters, hardly any of which include putting actual words on paper. But I wouldn’t know firsthand. I’m only imagining, because that’s what writers do best. Well, that and write, I suppose, but I’m getting sidetracked and wouldn’t want to do that. It would be a waste of time.

Here’s the rub: writing isn’t just writing. It involves research and procrastination and often some overlap between where one ends and the other begins.

When faced with a deadline, a writer might find herself scrolling on social media, clicking on link after

link sifting through a considerable amount of whatevers and whatnots engaging in activity loosely referred to as “research.” e serious investigative inquiry required by a serious columnist (much like myself) is critical to the writing process and, like a deadline, is nearly impossible to avoid.

I’ve found a certain amount of research—otherwise known as uncontrolled scrolling—is inevitable, albeit not always required.

e result of this research most often falls into one of three categories: significant, insignificant and beyond insignificant. One is useful; the other two may be, depending on the writer’s talent, creativity, proximity to deadline and overall desperation. Furthermore, separating the wheat from the chafe requires diligence,

concentration, perseverance and the ability to click on link after link while waiting patiently for pages to load.

Today I conducted considerable research, which included:

An enticing invitation to “Click here to see jaw-dropping historic photos of amazing people!” (Most I didn’t recognize.) ere was Goldie Hawn eating a hamburger and Clint Eastwood skateboarding—both in 1964 but not together.

Cleaning hacks, home improvement hacks, gardening hacks, cooking hacks, decorating hacks and laundry hacks. e internet is full of hacks, and one can basically conclude that anything containing a hack is anything but. In a word: I love hacks.

e same can be said of animal rescue stories. I watched a few (OK, maybe half a dozen) but one about a pup named Xena the Warrior Princess and a boy with autism tugged at the heartstrings. I hate animal cruelty, but enjoy happy endings. Xena the Warrior Princess has a happy ending. Research can take you in many directions. A person might find herself

inexplicably Googling descriptions of movies she’s never watched to see if she might want to sometime—even though she rarely watches movies. I didn’t click on every link I encountered. at wouldn’t be prudent or professional (or discerning). I avoided an article outlining the history of the cell phone because I’ve lived out that journey in person. Perhaps I’ll write about it someday. Also took a pass on an image of what Xena the Warrior Princess looks like now. ere was no need. I am not and wasn’t ever aware of what Xena the Warrior Princess (in the human form) looked like then, so I wouldn’t even know the difference.

Not that I’d need to. I’ve already seen the puppy story and in my world Xena will forever walk on four legs. Like I said, I love happy endings.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

navigating parenthood

By Eva Dwight, B.A. MaEd.

Is self-discipline in

your child’s toolbox?

If you open your child’s toolbox of life skills, will you find self-discipline? Raise your hand if you can even define that word. Don’t feel bad if you can’t. It’s one of those words we throw around but when someone asks us to define it, we pause and exclaim, “Well, you know, self-discipline!” (If you say the second half of the word louder, it apparently defines itself.)

Here is a four-part definition that is specific enough to help parents see self-discipline in action. Does your child:

• balance “need to” with “want to?”

• do what needs to be done when it needs to be done?

• stick with something, even when it’s hard?

• make short-term sacrifices for a long-term gain?

If you’re seeing gaps in your child’s mastery of self-discipline, here are ways to grow these essential skills.

• Your child wants to watch television, play with friends or spend time on social media. He needs to clean the bathroom, do his homework, set the table, or complete other chores Sit down with him and create a schedule that includes wants and needs, with approximate time requirements for each activity. When it’s on paper (or a white board calendar), he will be able to see that, with careful planning, there is room for both.

• In this same conversation about scheduling, establish deadlines for those that are needed, and put in place some consequences for not meeting the deadlines. For example: if the bathroom needs

to be cleaned by Saturday at 5, then your child will not be able to have fun Saturday night until the bathroom is clean. Or, if homework needs to be complete (and shown to you) before the television goes on at night, create a process—together— that holds her accountable for that daily deadline.

• Kids don’t always have persistence and sometimes want to give up when the going gets tough. Don’t let them! Help them come up with ways to get the information they need and finish the project. If what they finish isn’t of acceptable quality, acknowledge them for having completed it and then discuss what they could do differently next time to improve their work. If the situation allows for it, have them redo the work until it meets expectations.

• When you teach self-discipline, you are likely to be met with eye rolling, groans and even tears. Tell your child (once) that the relatively short amount of time they spend

getting something done, and doing it right, will pay off in improved skills. (Telling them twice officially makes it a lecture, which is a no-no.)

Tolerate the attitude and encourage them through the process, but don’t let them give up.

Self-discipline develops in small increments over time, and it really is an essential life skill. So next time you are tempted to give in, procrastinate, or let your child off the hook (because it really is tempting sometimes!), ask: “What tool does she need in her toolbox?”

Eva Dwight is a parent, family and personal coach. For more information, go to www. creativecoachingconversations.com.

By Erica Odello

Make a Father’s Day picture frame

Have you ever seen an item in a store that looked amazing, but the price point was just too high? is project is borne out of a similar experience. While I was out shopping for Father’s Day gifts, a raw wood picture frame caught my eye. After recovering from sticker shock, I looked at the frame and realized that I could do it myself for a fraction of the price.

You will need: 4-inch by 6-inch acrylic box picture frame, scrap wood, wood glue, hot glue gun and frame hangers. Optional: popsicle sticks

Step 1

Whether you have a scrap wood pile in your yard or you’re picking something from a home improvement store’s discount bin, you’ll want to choose wood that is between 1/2- to 1-inch thick. ere needs to be enough room for 2 or more inches of overhang on each side of the acrylic picture frame. If you don’t have a saw, home improvement stores will cut the wood for free. (Note: Leftover pallet slats are great for this project.)

Step 2

Spread a thin line of wood glue across the longer side of one of the pieces. Match a second piece of wood to the glued side and press together from front to back, pushing the excess glue away from the face-up side. If it still oozes through, use your finger to wipe away. Keep the wood pieces stacked and set aside until they dry.

Step 3

Once the wood glue has dried, apply the frame hanger to the back of the frame, then flip right-side up. Take the paper backing out of the acrylic frame and center within the glued-together wood. Use hot glue to affix the paper backing to the wood. If you opted out of the acrylic picture frame, affix the photo directly to the wood with hot glue, then line with popsicle sticks.

Variations: If the raw-wood look seems just too bland, there are a number of options: Wood stain comes in many different shades and colors, or a simple sealant will add a more golden hue to the wood. Have your kids paint designs or words on the wood with acrylic paint, or they could glue different objects to the frame such as screws and washers, sea shells, twine, Lego pieces, or whatever would please the gift recipient.

Nine schools designated A+ Schools of Excellence

By Laurie Struna

For the second year in a row, Mesa Public Schools has nine schools among Arizona’s best K-12 public schools. Brinton, Las Sendas, Taft and Whitman elementary Schools, and Summit Academy, Shepherd and Smith junior high schools and Mountain View and Westwood high schools received the A+ School of Excellence award from the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF).

To earn an A+ award, schools must show high achievement or significant improvement. Top schools identify and meet the needs of their students. Schools hold their title for three and a half years. Mesa has 23 A+ Schools of Excellence.

“Schools that earn the A+ designation go above and beyond expectations when it comes to the needs of students, staff and the entire community,” said Bobbie O’Boyle, AEF executive director. “ ey demonstrate overall excellence through a written application and rigorous site visit by a team of school leaders from across Arizona.”

e road to excellence e application process is lengthy and encompasses a detailed description of daily instruction and activities. Pat Estes, principal at Brinton Elementary School, said her school submitted a 58-page final document, which was reviewed by AEF and found to be of high quality, allowing Brinton to move on to a site visit.

“Reflecting on the writing and submitting of the A+ application, the Brinton community has been reminded of how we are rewarded every day by what we do for our students,” Estes said. “We come to school and work exceptionally hard to meet the challenges of educating our students. A sense of optimism and joy is important when you deal with children’s futures, and this award is a wonderful validation of what we do.”

For two days, a panel of three judges from AEF observed all classrooms and spoke with a variety of stakeholders, including parents, teachers, administration, staff members and

volunteers. e visit helps AEF get to know each school and confirm the application’s accuracy. is information is reviewed and AEF determines if a school is deemed excellent.

Validating schools’ programs

Since its inception six years ago, Summit Academy has provided exceptional choices for students through the International Baccalaureate and AVID programs. Students performed well on academic assessments, and they have an engaged community. Mark Andrews, principal, explained community support is evident in the school’s enrollment.

rating, outstanding PTO turnouts and extra-curricular events, and the A+ recognition validates everyone’s collective efforts.”

“Summit’s student population is nearly 50 percent open-enrollment, which means half of our students come from outside of our neighborhood boundaries to be a part of our school,” Andrews said. “Parents want their children at Summit Academy because we have a high parent approval

Since 1983, AEF has honored A+ Schools of Excellence to recognize the best Arizona public schools. Each of this year’s 40 award-winning schools receives $500 and an A+ School of Excellence banner. e staff and faculty at winning schools are eligible for partial scholarships from Argosy University/Phoenix.

Mark Andrews, principal at Summit Academy, engages in conversation with students.

around the neighborhood

Children are encouraged to create and learn in interactive and engaging ways at the i.d.e.a. Museum. The museum’s letters highlight the museum’s focus on imagination, design, experience and art. Kids can learn in play areas that double as educational stations, as they fuel their curiosity and sharpen their creative skills in art, science, engineering and design. Open Tuesdays through Sundays, the museum displays art exhibitions, promotes self-discovery and self-expression, and assists in developing children’s cognitive skills. Photos by Tim Sealy

1. Ava Robinson builds a bridge in the construction zone. 2. Annie Berard sits and smiles at the i.d.e.a Museum. 3. Bradley Wadell gets his hands dirty with a little glue and determination. 4. The museum offers interactive stations for kids to play and learn. 5. Milena Rubin gets a little creative guidance from her mom, Megumi. 6. Ashley Laverty reads about sea life during story time. 7. Logan Tepper builds himself a comfy chair in the construction zone. 8. Milena Rubin smiles as she creates and builds items in the construction zone. 9. Mae Broeske gets a day of fun with dad, Mark. 10. Greyson Flocken is hard to miss with her vibrant blue bow.

10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Student Chronicles

Know a Mesa student who’s doing something remarkable? Send items for student chronicles to christina@timespublications.com.

Austin Casillas, of Mesa, was recently initiated into e Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Casillas was initiated at Clark Atlanta University. Casillas is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.

John Heffernon, of Mesa, earned a Master of Arts in industrial/ organizational psychology in early May through Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 15,193 students, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, which comprises 31 state institutions.

Benjamin Compton, of Mesa, was among the 4,800 graduates this spring at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. He earned a master of arts in communication studies.

Alexa Lorentzen, of Mesa, was named to the dean’s list at Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon, for the spring 2016 semester. To qualify, students must be enrolled full-time and achieve a 3.5 or greater grade point average. Learn more at www.warnerpacific.edu.

Dustin Lewis, of Mesa, graduated from Troy University (Alabama) during term four of the 2015/2016 academic year. Lewis attended TROY Online and graduated with

the Master of Science in criminal justice degree from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Jenna Biegel, of Mesa, a member of the class of 2017 at Washington and Lee University, earned dean’s list status for the recently ended winter 2016 term. e school is located in Lexington, Virginia. Dean’s list status at Washington and Lee represents a term grade-point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.00 scale.

Seniors Harmony Nelson and Kaitlin Rosholm were among the 300 students named to the dean’s list at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. e list includes 30 freshmen, 63 sophomores, 62 juniors and 140 seniors. e dean’s list recognizes those Westminster students who have shown high academic performance during the past semester. To be included on the list, a student must have a 3.60 semester grade point average with at least 12 hours completed that semester.

Harlie M. Walker, of Mesa, will receive her Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from Oregon State University during the school’s 147th commencement on Saturday, June 11, in Reser Stadium. OSU is one of the few large universities in the nation to hand out students’ actual diplomas during the commencement ceremony. Commencement is free and open to the public; no tickets are necessary. More information about OSU’s graduation is available online at http://oregonstate.edu/events/ commencement/.

events calendar

El Mac: Aerosol Exalted

Aerosol Exalted features the latest body of work by famed Los Angeles artist El Mac. El Mac, who grew up in central Phoenix, is renowned for his large-scale murals that have become iconic landmarks in the cities across the globe. With his signature rippled line style, El Mac creates photorealistic portraits of ordinary people, often using family, friends and individuals underrepresented in society as models.

WHEN: Through Sunday, Aug. 7, various times

WHERE: Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: Free

INFO: (480) 644-6560 or www.mesaartscenter.com

Journey and Memory

In this exhibition, painter Christopher Jagmin and sculptor Patricia Sannit have joined disciplines to create a dialog between materials, historical vocabularies and societal content. Both Arizona artists, who are known for their vivid line quality, incorporate historically inspired marks and patterns that are representative of human culture. Their collaborative installation serves as a metaphor for the arduous journey mankind has taken to get to this present pointin time.

WHEN: Through Sunday, Aug. 7, various times

WHERE: Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: Free

INFO: (480) 644-6560 or www.mesaartscenter.com

In the Spirit of Dance

Dance 101 presents its annual recital “In the Spirit of Dance.” Enjoy tap, jazz, ballet, urban, and contemporary dances performed by all ages.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 1, at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: $11

INFO: (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com

Ballet Etudes Showcase

Students of Ballet Etudes School of Dance present an evening of ballet and lyrical/contemporary, as they showcase their training.

WHEN: Thursday, June 2, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: $13 to $15

INFO: (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com

Redhill

Redhill is a new American rock band created by Spencer Jones. This show celebrates the release of the band’s self-titled debut album. Audience members will get a free CD with ticket purchase.

WHEN: Saturday, June 4, at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: $14

INFO: (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com

Time Warp

Presenting Studio 3 and Limelight

Performing Arts’ 2016 year-end recital, an evening of musical theater and dance showcasing some of the Valley’s finest talent.

WHEN: Saturday, June 11, at 4 p.m.

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: $15 to $18

INFO: (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com

Snow White and Rose Red

Do not be fooled, Snow White is no sleeping princess-in-waiting and Rose Red has no fear of wolves donning her granny’s nightie. In this spirited Brothers Grimm adaptation, they are sisters who are cast from the opulent palace to survive with their parents in the Dark Forest.

WHEN: Thursday, June 16, through Saturday, June 25, various times

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: $15 for adults, $11 for children INFO: (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com

Once Upon a Time

An evening of dance that will whisk you through your favorite stories

and inspire you to create some new ones. Classic Image Dance presents its annual recital showcasing an abbreviated version of the ballet “Snow White,” and numerous dances in the jazz, tap, contemporary and hiphop genres.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday, June 18, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: $20 to $28

INFO: (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com

Sci-Fi: Fantasy to Reality

Come visit the i.d.e.a. Museum this summer to experience the Sci-Fi: Fantasy to Reality exhibition, which focuses on art that celebrates science fiction stories and the innovations predicted in these stories. Visitors will tap into the depths of their imaginations by engaging in activities that put them in the role of a science fiction writer.

WHEN: Friday, June 17, through Sunday, Sept. 11, various times WHERE: i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Pl., Mesa COST: $8

INFO: (480) 644-2468 or www.ideamuseum.org

Feel the Magic

Dancers ages 2 to 19 perform in all styles of dance, including tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop. Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon or evening of smiles, giggles and talent.

WHEN: Saturday, June 18, at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: $17

INFO: (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com

John Carpenter

John Carpenter will perform a musical retrospective of his work, his first solo record of nonsoundtrack music, “Lost Themes,” plus new compositions. Carpenter has been responsible for much of the horror genre’s most striking soundtrack work in movies that he’s directed and scored, such as “Halloween,” “Escape from New York,” “Big Trouble in Little China” and “Prince of Darkness.”

WHEN: Sunday, June 19, at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa COST: $40 to $60 INFO: (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com

Pierce the Veil

With its highly anticipated new album, “Misadventures,” the band is set to turn the buzz built from its rabid, organic following into a roar.

WHEN: Friday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. WHERE: The Nile Theater, 105 W. Main St., Mesa COST: $26.50 INFO: (480) 559-5859 or www.niletheater.com

Crossroads Gun Show

Crossroads of the West Gun Shows attracted more than half a million guests in the past year. All shows offer hundreds of tables to meet the needs of everyone from the once-a-year hunter to the avid collector.

WHEN: Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m., and Sunday, June 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m.

WHERE: Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., Mesa COST: $12, children 12 and younger free with adult INFO: (801) 544-9125 or www.crossroadsgunshows.com

Aerosol Exalted features El Mac’s latest work at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum through Aug. 7.

Turn your Pinterest dreams into reality

By Casey Blake

Are you spending your precious free time carefully curating and arranging ideas for creative projects on Pinterest? Have you been adding pin after pin but find yourself struggling to make it past the planning phase? Picking up a few handy skills from an arts pro may boost your confidence just enough to take a project from the screen to reality.

Pinterest-lover’s tastes.

Here are a few selections from the wide-ranging list of options:

In downtown Mesa, 14 art studios and a staff of teaching artists at Mesa Arts Center await your DIY enthusiasm. In workshops that range in time commitment from quick-and-dirty half-day to weekend warrior, you’ll be whipping up a new accessory or learning artist secrets in less time than it takes to fill your latest how-to board. ere’s a workshop to fit almost any

• Flameworking: Does the idea of playing with fire spark your imagination? Try a flameworking workshop in the glass hot shop. Choose from learning to make beads or marbles before advancing to creating snails and glass critters.

• Taste of Blacksmithing: Do you find yourself admiring objects that are as functional as they are beautiful? Get a taste of blacksmithing and find yourself making a custom letter opener or wall hook with your own hands.

• Pinhole Camera Workshop: Working on growing your photography skills? Get back to the basics by learning to take pictures using the original photo camera. Make a camera on

the first morning and then watch and learn as your images are exposed on photographic paper and developed in the darkroom.

If performing arts inspires you, try your hand at juggling or learn the basics of belly dancing. Regardless of what it is that piques your interest, you’re encouraged to get out from behind the screen and give it a shot.

Learn about more workshops and ongoing classes in a variety of other art forms at www. MesaArtsCenter.com/ classes.

Learn about implosion marble at the Mesa Arts Center.

on the town

By Kathy Kerby

Pacino’s Italian Restaurant

For three years, Pacino’s Italian Restaurant has melded the finest in Italian food with the personality of the actor who shares the eatery’s name.

Located at Power and McDowell roads, Pacino’s has been embraced by the community and, subsequently, Bronx-born owner Frank Spaccarelli has fallen in love with Northeast Mesa.

He’s planning to thank his staff and the community during the Pacino’s anniversary party from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 4, featuring free food samples, music, pizza-eating contest, classic car displays and prizes.

During our recent visit, Spaccarelli shared stories from his 30-year career in the restaurant business with me and my husband, Lou. He learned the secrets of Italian cooking in his mother’s, grandmother’s and Uncle Tommy’s kitchens. He loves to “wow

his guests as he shares the beauty and harmony in food that is passionately prepared.” Spaccarelli treats his staff and his customers as family and it is obvious that he loves what he does.

e restaurant’s welcoming atmosphere begins with a large dining room that has a well-stocked bar with flat-screen TVs on one side. Garage doors allow people to sit inside and outside around the bar. e cozy patio has a glass fire pit and plenty of tables and chairs. Inside, an industrial vibe blends tables and chairs with maroon leather booths. e walls are accented with movie memorabilia and pictures of New York.

Our waitress, Shannon, brought the five-page menus and we chose our appetizer from the weekend specials list. e Spiedino Di Pollo ($12) gave us our first taste of Chef Lorenzo Bianchi’s talent. e chicken

skewers with peppers and mushrooms were served over mixed greens with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. I walked over to the large open window that looks into the kitchen and asked Bianchi about what inspires him. His reply was simple. “I love to be creative. I want to use seasonal ingredients as I visualize the dish and then create it.”

It is one thing to cook delicious food; it is yet another to serve it so beautifully. Such is the case with the mixed grill ($22), which is a tower consisting of a New York strip steak, chicken breast and sausage over mushroom and truffle risotto. I have never seen such a spectacular meat dish. Lou savored each bite of tender meat and creamy risotto.

My “Taste of Italy” ($19) was a delectable plate of baked lasagna, chicken parmigiana and fettuccine alfredo. Each one was perfectly cooked and I cannot pick a favorite out of the three.

Our meal had been so superb we

couldn’t wait for dessert and the profiteroles ($8) were heavenly. e chocolate cream puffs were served with a mound of ice cream and swirls of chocolate syrup.

e evening was incredible, with the impeccable meal, pleasant music and creative décor. Mesa residents no longer need to drive to Scottsdale for first-class Italian food, you just need to drive to Pacino’s.

2831 N. Power Rd., Suite 104 Mesa 85215 (480) 985-0114

The “Taste of Italy” entrée features baked lasagna, chicken parmagiana and fettucine alfredo.

What’s Cooking?

By Jan D’Atri

Greek Manestra

(Orzo Pasta Gravy)

I made up a batch of one of my favorite comfort foods this week and almost forgot how scrumptious it is. There’s only one word to describe this dish: “Opa!”—that beautiful Greek word meaning to celebrate with exuberance, and that only just begins to express my excitement for this yummy favorite.

You may not have heard of Greek Manestra, but the ingredients and flavors are pure comfort food in all languages. It starts with braised and slowcooked short ribs that create a fantastic red sauce, and you’ll eventually let

Greek Manestra (Orzo Pasta Gravy)

1/8 cup olive oil

2 packages short ribs, bone in (approximately 8-10 pieces or 3 to 3 1/2 pounds)

Salt and pepper

2 bunches mint, stems removed, chopped fine

1 large sweet yellow onion, chopped fine

6 small (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce

1/4 whole cinnamon stick (approximately 1 inch long)

4 whole cloves

1 1-pound package orzo pasta

1 lemon, squeezed

1/2 cube butter, browned

Chicken broth for thinning mixture (optional)

Dutch oven method

Generously sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of short ribs. In a hot skillet with olive oil, brown ribs. When browned, add mint and onion and cook until onions are tender. Add tomato sauce, cinnamon and cloves. Simmer until meat is tender, about 3 hours. When done, remove meat and cut up or shred into bite-sized pieces. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and cloves. Add orzo to sauce, stirring often to avoid sticking. Cook for about 25 minutes.

Add lemon juice. Return meat to

orzo pasta soak up all its goodness.

For this dish, I thank popular Valley musicians and recording artists Thano and Demitri Sahnas, known in Arizona as The Sahnas Brothers and Turning Point.

Mom Kathy Sahnas had a hidden treasure that had been passed down from generation to generation that is so simple and welcoming, I couldn’t wait to try it, and I’m so happy I pulled the recipe out again this week.

Thanks, Sahnas Family. You’ve set the bar really high for great flavor and family tradition. Opa, indeed!

pot. In a small saucepan, cook butter until browned. Stir butter into orzo and meat mixture and serve. Serve with a salad and Feta cheese as a side. Makes approximately 6 to 8 servings.

Jan’s note: If mixture becomes too thick, add chicken broth a little at a time.

Slow cooker method

In a skillet brown the seasoned short ribs in olive oil. Add onions and mint, cooking until onions are tender.

Transfer ribs and onions to slow cooker. Cover meat with tomato sauce, cloves and cinnamon. Cook on high for about 6 hours or until ribs are tender. Remove meat. Cut or shred into bite-sized pieces.

Add orzo to the sauce. Cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the meat back to the cooked orzo. Add the melted butter and lemon. Stir and serve.

ADOPTIONS

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BEAUTY SERVICES

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CLEANING SERVICES

RED MOUNTAIN MAIDS

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Low prices. Serving the East Valley for 10 years! Prompt, courteous service

$14/hr using your supplies or $16/hr w/our cleaning supplies

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If you are not 100% satisfied, we will clean it again for Free!

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DAVE’S DUMPING & HAULING

I haul it all!

Yard/construction debris, junk, furniture, appliances, clean-outs, etc., etc., etc.,

Jobs both big & small

I’m a 6th grade Mesa teacher working his 2nd job.

Phone Estimates

Dave 480-360-5865 or 480-360-JUNK

HOME IMPROVEMENT

ALL AMERICAN REMODELING AND HANDYMAN SERVICE

Need some help around the house?

Please call, I do it all!

*Design

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Small projects to full remodels & hydrotherapy tubs

Todd 480-388-5335

HOME REMODELING/REPAIRS

& CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING

Move a wall; turn a door into a window. From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all.

Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more. All trades done by hands-on General Contractor.

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Call Ron Wolfgang

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Wolfgang Construction Inc.

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Specializing in Cabinetry: touch up, repair, modify, roll-out drawers, reface and installs. Upgrade your drawers and glides to get more space and access 100% of the drawer.

Soft close hinges and drawer glides. Create a trash recycle center. Replace the base cabinet shelves with roll out drawers for easier access.

Plumbing, electrical, paint, drywall repairs, lights, fan, etc….

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Mark Griffin 480-980-1445

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LANDSCAPING SERVICES

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PAINTING

POOL SERVICES

AS LOW AS $75/MONTH FOR POOL SERVICE Going on vacation?

We also perform vacation pool service starting at $20/visit. CPO Technician ROC 303766 LIZARDPOOLSLLC 480-489-0713

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PRESCHOOLS

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TRAVEL

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Pet Sitting – Las Sendas Resident Professional, loving pet care services personalized to your specific needs. Daily visits, dog walking, mid-day visits/ potty breaks, pet taxi, and more. Pet CPR/ First Aid Certified. Fully insured with Special Property Coverage. References proudly provided. Please call Kelly Roberts at 480-229-7596 to schedule your complimentary initial meeting or visit www.yourpamperedpetsaz.com

TUTORING SERVICES

law talk

By Joshua R. Boyle

Should you switch to a different attorney?

me whether they should fire their attorney and hire me, in good conscience I can say that quite often I have recommended that clients keep their attorney.

The WORKOUT You’ve Always Wanted!

“Don’t trade horses in midstream.” at was the campaign slogan used by Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt while the United States was at war. In other words, you should keep your president instead of switching to a different one during a war. e same idea may be relevant in considering whether to continue with an attorney’s representation in a case. I often meet with people who may want to hire me, even though they are already represented by an attorney. e most common reason is that these people have lost confidence in their attorney, usually after receiving a negative ruling from the court. I am careful when I talk with these potential clients. I try to get the full story of what happened and why the court issued a negative ruling. Did the client give all the facts to the attorney before the ruling? Did the attorney meet all the deadlines? Was it unlikely that the court would have given a positive ruling even in the best of circumstances? Would there be much that I could even do at this point in the case?

Although it is difficult to be impartial when someone is asking

Other times, though, it is clear that the attorney has made serious errors. I’m a big fan of redemption and, while it is quite possible for an attorney to make a serious error and make up for it, the question of client confidence is critical. If you have lost confidence and your attorney is unable to win it back, then that alone is likely a good reason for finding different representation.

Also, even though Lincoln and Roosevelt spoke strongly about keeping themselves as president in the midst of war, remember that they sometimes made the difficult decision to replace their generals with new ones.

Joshua R. Boyle is a partner at Rowley Chapman & Barney. His practice centers on any family lawrelated issues. Boyle earned his bachelor’s degree from ASU in 2003, and his law degree from the same university in 2008.

business spotlight

By Kenneth LaFave

Klaus Team puts neighborhoods first

It’s not just the house, the price or even the market.

It’s the neighborhood.

“We want to be the neighborhood expert. Not just say it, but truly be it,” said Kenny Klaus, Realtor and head of the Kenny Klaus Team.

For 17 years, the Kenny Klaus Team has served the entire Phoenix area, specializing in the Southeast Valley: Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Apache Junction and Gold Canyon. Within those communities, the Klaus team has agents who aim primarily at certain areas.

“We have agents focused typically on specific ZIP codes, more of a laser-beam approach than a shotgun approach. e agent gets to know the area to make sure they are the expert for the neighborhood,” Klaus said. e laser-beam approach came after a study by the National Association of Realtors showed that it was what buyers were looking for.

“We have to hear what the consumer is telling us, and what they are telling us is that they need an agent who knows the local stores, the local schools, the local restaurants, someone who understands the value of the neighborhood.”

Klaus compares his ZIP code focus to a FedEx or UPS delivery man.

“ e FedEx guy knows where you are, knows the streets around you. But when he goes on vacation and the substitute takes over, he won’t know where anything is.”

selling and buying homes.

It’s not easy, even when the market is up and running better than it was a few years ago.

“We knew the market had to hit bottom at a certain point, and then it would have to go back up some. e question was how far and what would it look like. Turned out it has leveled out nicely and more of a traditional market.”

“Traditional” doesn’t translate into “simple.”

“It takes a lot of work to sell in a traditional market. A home that’s wellprepped will sell, but you can’t just put a sign up and expect to sell your house,” Klaus said.

And that is where the Klaus Team makes its entrance.

“Hiring a professional with resources makes the difference. We’re really in the solution business, offering solutions to the problems of selling a house. We even have our own moving truck.”

More general-focus agencies are like the sub, while Klaus’ agents are the guys with a regular route.

Of course, it’s not only the neighborhood, but the house itself and its price are still factors in the complicated calculus that goes into

Klaus’s assistance goes beyond the sale, too, as the realtor maintains a network of tile layers, electricians, plumbers and other tradesmen.

“A new homeowner doesn’t always know who to trust. We continue to add value by recommending reliable companies.”

e Kenny Klaus Team has averaged the sale of one home per day for the last six years. In addition to knowing the neighborhoods, Klaus’ agents keep in mind that there’s not one housing market, but many.

“Under $250,000 is one market, between $250,000 and $400,000 is another market, $400,000 to $600,000 another, and so on. You can’t put them all in one bucket,” Klaus said.

Yet another factor is a house’s special features. Is it on a large lot? Is it next to a golf course?

Political events, too, affect the market.

“It’s an election year, and while I’m not a political guy, it’s clear that this year’s election is, well, very interesting. Some people are putting off buying until they see what happens. It’s just another thing to be aware of.”

Along the path of his adventure in real estate, Klaus also got into the restaurant business. He owns two in Mesa—the Hub and the Vue at Augusta Ranch—and one in San Diego.

“It’s all a matter of business model. You take a business model and the wrap it around real estate, or you wrap it around a restaurant or any other business.”

Even so, Klaus admits he was “taking a chance of sorts” when he expanded from real estate to restaurants. All three are doing well, and the success of the San Diego restaurant has prompted Klaus to develop a San Diego expansion team for his real estate business.

Klaus also gives back to the

community via his charity, reachable at Facebook as “Klaus Team Cares.” e charity concentrates on being proactive and ready to help in a moment’s notice. When a Phoenix police officer was recently killed in the line of duty, Klaus Team Cares immediately wrote a check to the family.

“When a tragedy occurs, we want to be there to help, to be pro-active, not just reactive,” Klaus said.

What’s in the future for the housing market?

“Indications are we’re going to see a slow steady growth, not continuation of the uptick that we saw. at’s not bad. Steady growth is very helpful in the market,” Klaus said.

“It’s also a very balanced market and will probably continue to be one. Right now we have investors, personal buyers, retirees—not like the madness of 2004 to 2006 when the market was investor-heavy.”

In all, the Kenny Klaus Team is fulfilling the vision Klaus had when he decided to get into real estate:

“It was an opportunity to create growth, but also to be able to help other people. When you can create an opportunity for others, that makes it all worthwhile.”

To reach the Kenny Klaus Team, located at 2919 S. Ellsworth Rd., contact www.klausteam.com or call (480) 354-7344.

The Kenny Klaus Team has agents who concentrate on certain ZIP codes.

Kenny Klaus wanted an opportunity to help others through his business.