volume 14, issue 10 • october 2012
www.northcentralnews.net
Sinema, Parker face off Nov. 6 By Teri Carnicelli Phoenix residents will have the unique opportunity on Nov. 6 to elect a candidate to represent them in Washington, D.C., as part of a brand-new district formed in Arizona just this year. Arizona’s Congressional District 9 is a new district that comprises the Phoenix neighborhoods of Sunnyslope, the Biltmore and Arcadia as well as Ahwatukee, all of Tempe and parts of Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler and Paradise Valley. Democrat Kyrsten Sinema will face off against Republican Vernon Parker for the honor of being the first to representative this new district. Both have similar personal backgrounds yet widely different views on the issues facing the state and the country. To read their full platforms and positions, visit their campaign websites, which are listed later in this article. In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of who they are and what they hope to accomplish if elected.
Jo Ann Bauer (in purple shirt, facing right), a Master Holy Yoga instructor, teaches a class Saturday mornings at Living Streams Church in Phoenix (photo by Teri Carnicelli).
These are not your usual yoga classes
Kyrsten Sinema
By Teri Carnicelli
Kyrsten Sinema, 36, was born and raised in Tucson. She has lived in Central Phoenix since 1999. She has served as State Senator for Legislative District 15 (2011-2012), State Representative for Dist. 15 (2005-2010), and Assistant Minority Leader for the Arizona House of Representatives (2009-2010). She
Jo Ann Bauer prepares for her students each Saturday morning by making sure her music is ready, her laptop is ready … and her Bible is close at hand. Bauer, a former TV news anchor from Wisconsin, took a dramatic change in her life a few years ago, first by moving to the Phoenix area and second by leaving the frantic pace of television news behind and becoming a Master Holy Yoga instructor instead. While she admits that financially it has been a struggle, she says the benefits that she has gained emotionally, physical and spiritually are immeasurable. Bauer teaches a Holy Yoga class at Living Streams Church, 7000 N. Central Ave., each Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. The class is free but donations are welcome. You don’t have to be a member of the congregation to attend; in fact, you don’t even have to be a Christian. “I’ve had Buddhists, I’ve had people of the Jewish faith, and I’ve even had people who aren’t sure they believe in God,” Bauer says. “We get that it’s not going to be for everyone but all are still welcome.” Don’t imagine that this yoga class is more prayer
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please see DISTRICT 9 on page 11
and less of workout. Students often leave sweating after the hour-long class. “When we practice, we focus on the word of God,” Bauer explains. “It’s like Bible study but with strenuous movement.” Bauer tries to pick a theme for each class, reading from the Bible or from notes on her laptop, and often sharing personal anecdotes related to the theme. She’s also in the mix, doing the stretches and poses along with her students. Many times the room goes quiet except for the contemporary Christian music being piped over the sound system. please see YOGA on page 10
in this issue WESD seeks capital override, page 3 District 28 candidate forums set, page 5 Grocery chain to support schools, page 28 Fall festivals and arts events abound, page 37 Find favorites at long-time local deli, page 42