Golden Corridor LIVING

Home & Garden Section. . . . . . 34

Florence Historic Home Tour. . . 46

Out & About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

“THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY”

THE

HOME & GARDEN EDITION

The ROX Interview: In Every Edition:

BOB BRUTINEL

Brutinel Plumbing and Electrical

GOLDENCORRIDORLIVING.COM

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©2020 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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Home & Garden Sectio

Florence Historic Home

Out & About . . . .

Tour . . .46

“THE VOICE OF

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

WINTER 2020

Y” THE COMMUNIT

THE

HOME & GARDEN

EDITION

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

The ROX Interview:L

BOB BRUTINE bing

Brutinel Plum and Electrical

• $4.95 Complimentary GOLDENCORR

IDORLIVING.C

OM

LIDG E AND E • COO Y • C A SA GR ARIZ ONA CIT

ENCE • ELOY • FLOR

WINTER 2020

• MAR ICOP A

Central Arizona College

18

Founder, Brutinel Plumbing and Electrical

ATI N

Bob Brutinel

G

E TH

PAST, INSPIRIN G

T

U RE FU T

Special Insert:

HE

The ROX Interview:

CE L E B R

ion: In Every Edit

YEARS EST.

1969

67

R A L A R I ZO N A C O L L E G E CENT

Proud to Serve Pinal County

Local News:

Special Section:

Around Town:

Pinal County Press

Home & Garden

Out & About

16

34

58

26

58

90

Economy, Finance & Business

Health, Happiness & Education

Travel, Dining & Entertainment

Top 10 Reasons People Love Living In Casa Grande Year-Round. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Having Two Places to Call Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Cape of Good Hope and Good Wine Along the Way. . . . . . 90

Keeping Your Loved Ones Out of Harm’s Way at Home. . . . 86

Spring Flings Abound at the Pinal Fairgrounds. . . . 92

Help Save Lives with the #BeBrave Race . . . . . . . 88

Have You Hugged an Artist Today? . . . . . . . . . . 94

Coolidge Cotton Days. . . . . . 27

G OLDENCORRIDORLIVING .COM

Letter from the Editor

Building Community in 2020, One Home, Park, Factory at a Time

I Bea Lueck

t’s 2020, and Golden Corridor LIVING is looking forward to a lot of new starts in Pinal County, which will reshape it in ways large and small.

From the kickoff of construction on Lucid Motors’ luxury electric vehicle factory to the home improvement tips in the special Home and Garden section, in this issue we share the ways this already warm and wonderful region is transforming itself for the new decade.

Most of the projects we report on here fall on the scale somewhere between these examples, but all will in some way move the needle on how residents, visitors and outside interests see our region and what it offers.

This issue our featured interview is Bob Brutinel. The 95-year-old founder of Brutinel Plumbing and Electric can usually be found at the company he sold and technically retired from

decades ago. I hope you enjoy reading his history as much as I enjoyed speaking with him. Bob is one of the community icons!

Homeowners are always looking for ways to increase their property’s value, for their own comfort as well as an investment. The start of a new decade is as good a time as any to start the process. But whatever your reasons are, doing it right is the key.

Regular maintenance and addressing issues quickly is critical for keeping costs down so you can put more money into upgrading everything from the roof down during a remodel. Similarly, the soil from which trees and gardens come from must be tended to, especially in deserts like our own.

Desert Sun Heating, Cooling and Refrigeration reminds us we may want to start setting some money aside for a new A/C system, since production

of Freon, the environmentally damaging refrigerant found in most units not installed within the last eight years or so, has been outlawed.

Once the basics are addressed, the biggest new home design trends for 2020, according to Pinterest, are also here for your perusal. If you’ve ever wanted to put a bar in your backyard, this list might just be the good excuse you needed. Outdoor kitchens, fire pits and even pizza ovens are still favorite outdoor living upgrades.

The Pinal County Press news section has updates on three more community projects at various stages of development. plus the county’s robust population growth.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is working with locals to transform its picnic area into a pollinator garden with ample seating within view of the Golden Corridor’s biggest surviving project from prehistory.

Coolidge has unveiled its revamped and well-lit water tower, while Eloy considers following suit.

Meanwhile, Danrick Builders of Chandler are getting final County approval for the first motorsports racetrack at Arizona International Raceway southwest of Casa Grande.

This is the first building block for the 2,300-acre, one-of-a-kind planned multiuse community Attesa.

There’s a lot of community building going on here, to gild the lily of the Golden Corridor we already have.

–Bea 8

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

G OLDENCORRIDORLIVING .COM PUBLISHER Elaine Earle, CPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bea Lueck DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Laurie Fisher ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Jamie Brashier Scott Metteauer COPY EDITOR/WRITER Blake Herzog CREATIVE DIRECTOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tim Clarke GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Rebecca Bowen Shannon Price CUSTOMER SERVICE/AD TRAFFIC MANAGER Jamie Brashier PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER Julie Turetzky COMMENTS & IDEAS editor@roxco.com CALENDAR INQUIRIES calendar@roxco.com • goldencorridorliving.com/calendar

VOICES Angela Askey Executive Director, Public Relations and Marketing, Central Arizona College Angela is the Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Central Arizona College. Prior to her arrival at CAC, Angela served as the Media Relations Coordinator at Mesa Community College and the Community Relations Coordinator at Idaho State University College of Technology.

Joel Belloc Mayor, City of Eloy Mayor Belloc was elected as mayor of the City of Eloy in November 2014. He has also served as a member of the Eloy City Council from 2002-2012 and as Vice Mayor from 2012-2014. He graduated from Central Arizona College with an AAS degree in drafting/ design, attended Pima College and the University of Arizona, where he enrolled in landscape architecture. He currently manages his family’s farming business Belloc Inc. Mayor Belloc is a longtime resident of Eloy and has been married to his wife Cecilia for over 40 years. Together they have three children, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mila Besich Mayor, Town of Superior Mila Besich, a fourth-generation resident of Superior, was elected as the Town’s Mayor in 2016. She wears many hats in her community and region, serving as Executive Director of the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition and Advertising Director for Copper Area News Publishers.

SUBSCRIPTIONS info@roxco.com • goldencorridorliving.com/copies ADVERTISING INQUIRIES info@roxco.com • goldencorridorliving.com/advertise (520) 426-2074 442 W. Kortsen Rd, Ste 101 Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Tiffanie Grady-Gillespie Certified Physical Trainer, CPT, Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, WickedFiTT Tiffanie is the owner of WickedFiTT in Casa Grande, AZ. She is a well-known personal trainer, group fitness instructor and allaround fitness junkie. Tiffanie specializes in weight loss, strength and conditioning and general fitness.

Tim Kanavel Golden Corridor LIVING is published by Raxx Direct Marketing. Editorial content is provided by affiliates of Raxx Direct Marketing, community members and local organizations. © 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this publication, including but not limited to editorial content, illustrations, graphics and photographic images, may be republished, reproduced or reprinted without the prior express written consent of the publisher.

The publishers of Golden Corridor LIVING assume no responsibility for errors or omissions of any advertisement beyond the actual cost of the advertisement. In no event shall the publishers be liable for any consequential damages in excess of the cost of the advertisement. Golden Corridor LIVING shall not be liable for inaccuracies, errors, omissions, or damages from the use of information contained herein. Submitted articles do not reflect the opinions of the owners or management of Golden Corridor LIVING Information contained within submitted articles had not been verified for accuracy and readers are responsible for CORRID LI V ING 10 GOLDEN forming their own opinions.OR Real estate information is as of 1-1-20 and is subject to current availability and pricing.

Economic Development Program Manager, Pinal County Tim graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in regional development. His career in Arizona has taken him from the former Greater Tucson Economic Council to the Arizona Department of Commerce, to private enterprise at the Tucson Airport, to president/CEO of the Wickenburg Regional Economic Development Partnership, and to his present position as the economic development program manager for Pinal County.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

of the

Community

Renée Louzon-Benn

Christian Price

President, Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce Renée became President of the Chamber in May, 2019. She has had 22 years of involvement with the local business community and the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce. Renée and her husband enjoy “living local,” dining at local eateries, walking the downtown area and hiking Casa Grande Mountain.

Mayor, City of Maricopa Mayor Price is serving in his third term as Mayor. Mayor Price is an entrepreneur and small-business owner and is a partner of the Sierra West Group, a financial advisory firm. Raised in Tucson and a graduate of Northern Arizona University, he participates in numerous regional and national coalitions including serving as the Treasurer on the Executive Committee of the Arizona League of Cities and Towns.

Donna McBride

Rina Rien

Councilwoman, City of Casa Grande Donna is the Program Administrator/Public Information Officer and Supervisor for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Unit for Pinal County Juvenile Court. She is actively involved as a Board Member for Casa Grande Alliance, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, BlackBox Foundation, Mayor’s Reading Program, Pinal County Town Hall Vice Chair, Parks and Block Watch Captain for the Casa Grande Police Department. She is a current member of the Casa Grande City Council.

Director, Casa Grande Main Street As Executive Director of Casa Grande Main Street since 2012, Rina fosters a collaborative approach toward building a vibrant downtown community. Rina enjoys partnering with highly creative people who share a passion for promoting Historic Downtown and preserving its rich history.

Craig McFarland

Bob Shogren

Mayor, City of Casa Grande Born and raised in California, Mayor McFarland has lived in Casa Grande since 2005. He is a graduate of California State University, Fresno and retired from Golden Eagle Distributors in January 2015 as VP of Sales after a 10-year run with the company. He has spent 36 years in beverage business-sales management, marketing and operations. McFarland began his first term as Mayor in December 2016.

Director, Casa Grande Alliance Bob is a longtime resident of Pinal County. He has been an educator, school district administrator, community organizer and nonprofit board member. He also served for many years at the state and national level, working with AmeriCorps and other volunteer programs.

Gigi McWhirter

Jon Thompson

Resident Animal Whisperer Conceived in a plane behind the Airport Tavern, Gigi is living proof that it takes a village to raise a kid properly. Married to the best man and we live in what I call the “Best Dog House in Casa Grande” shared with a bunch of dogs, two parakeets and a finch called “Rusty”. Lived in Alaska, drove on the Arctic Ocean, walked on the Great Wall of China and drank Guinness in Ireland. But none of this compares to my profound love of animals and Flying Leap wines!

Mayor, City of Coolidge Mayor Thompson graduated from NAU in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was first elected to the Coolidge City Council in 2002 and served as Vice Mayor from 2006 to 2010.

He gave up his council seat to run for Mayor and since being elected has retired as Division Director for the Pinal County Adult Probation Department after 30 years.

John Nixon, CPRP

Tori Ward

Recreation Superintendent, Town of Florence Community Services Department John is recreation superintendent for the Florence Community Services Department. He is in his 33rd year in the parks and recreation field. An Arizona native, John and wife Sue have two grown sons; Jacob, a behavioral health administrator and Keith, a police officer.

Cruise and Resort Specialist, ROX Travel Victoria “Tori” is a cruise and resort specialist with a master’s degree in political science. She has completed more than 30 certification courses with the cruise and tour industry including the most advanced certification, Commodore, from Princess Cruise Lines. Tori is a member of the Cruise Lines International Association.

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

11

Submit your event online at GoldenCorridorLiving.com/calendar JANUARY

18

18-19

18

21

MARICOPA FAMILY FISHING DAY - 8:00 AM-12:00 PM - Copper Sky Regional Park: Registration for the 15th Annual Maricopa Family Fishing Day FREE CONCERT FEATURING NINA SPEAKING - 5:00 PM-8:00 PM - The Promenade at Casa Grande will have a bunch of great food trucks to choose from and will be running FREE raffles throughout the evening for some pretty hefty prizes! This is a family friendly event, so bring your friends and kids for a free night of music and fun! Be sure to bring a chair as seating is not provided.

20th ANNUAL STREET FAIR & CAR SHOW - 9:00 AM-5:00 PM - Saturday car show attracts hundreds of competitors. Arts & crafts vendors from across the US. Food, entertainment

TOWNIE TUESDAY - DOWNTOWN CASA GRANDE / FLORENCE ST. - 5:00 PM-9:00 PM - Local Fun For Everyone. Food & Merchandise Vendors, Beer Garden, Live Music, Kids Zone, Activities, Games & Prizes. An event for locals featuring area artists, businesses and entertainment every 3rd Tuesday of the month.

23

NEW SHANGHAI CIRCUS PREMIER @ CAC - 7:00 PM-9:30 PM - The “Acrobats of China” bring an amazing new troupe of daring acrobats to perform a new show. Colorful costuming, daring feats, and breathtaking renditions of classic Chinese dance and human performance art, Tickets $22 at events@centralaz. edu 520-474-7469

FEBRUARY

HOME Find. Buy. Protect.

Protecting Your Protecting Your Property Rights Property Rights Title & Escrow Services

Commercial Service 1031 Exchange

• • • • •

Direct Title Services

Account Servicing

Title Insurance & Escrow Services Land Development/Trust Commercial Service E. Services Cottonwood Lane Direct421 Title 1031 Exchange CasaServicing Grande, AZ 85122 Account

Office: I Fax: 520.426.4699 Land 520.426.4600 Development/Trust Email: latisha.sopha@titlesecurity.com

421 East Cottonwood Lane Casawww.titlesecurity.com Grande, Arizona 85122 Office: 520-426-4600 | Fax: 520-426-4699

www.titlesecurity.com

12

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

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17th Annual Pinal County Geneology Workshop - 9:00 AM-3:30 PM - Genealogy workshop on a variety of subjects from beginner to advanced topics. $20 Advanced registration (postmarked by Jan 11) includes lunch. After January 11, registration goes up to $25. Registration forms and more information available on our website www.pinalctyazgen.com. Walk-ins welcome.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1555 N. Colorado Streetm CG. 480-818-3451

25-26

AGRI-COUNTRY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL - 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Pinal County Fairgrounds: National, local & regional Bluegrass Bands, Quilts Wild & Wonderful Show, Food, Shopping, Arts and Crafts, RV Camping and more. Admission: Day Pass $15 Two Day Pass $25 Kids 12 and under are Free

31

Bunco & Poker Night - Boys & Girls Clubs of the Casa Grande Valley - 5:30 PM-10:00 PM - Bunco & Poker Night Fundraising Event, The Property Conference Center. Call 520.876.5437 for more information.

1

12

7-9

13

Promenade at Casa Grande Free Concert featuring Sandra Basset - 5:00 PM-8:00 PM The Promenade at Casa Grande will have a bunch of great food trucks to choose from and will be running FREE raffles throughout the evening. This is a family friendly event, so bring your friends and kids for a free night of music and fun! Be sure to bring a chair as seating is not provided.

Wuertz Farm - 17th Annual Gourd Festival - 9:00 AM-5:00 PM - Wuerts Farm’s 17th Annual “Running of the Gourds” Festival. Feb. 7 & 8 from 9 AM to 5 PM and Feb. 9 from 10 AM to 3 PM. Features over 100 gourd artists/vendors, reserved classes, AZGS judged show, Kindergourden, the Sonoran Desert in gourds, Mini Gourdster races, non-stop live entertainment like mariachis, Native American and Country Western performers. It features a wide variety of food vendors and a gourd-zillion dried gourds for sale. “Running of the Gourds” attracts thousands of people from every state and even other countries. The festival takes place at the Pinal Fairgrounds and Events Center. Phone: 520-723-4432. Website: https://www.wuertzfarm. com/festival.html

Central Arizona College Alumni Concert 7:00 PM-9:00 PM - Part of the CAC 50th Anniversary Celebration. CAC alumni will perform a concert of band and choir music from years past.

Guest conductors will also be welcomed back to CAC. All ages welcome. Held at Central Arizona College, Signal Peak Campus - Pence Center.

Pinal County Senior Symposium - 9:00 AM-12:00 PM - Pinal County Senior Symposium at Robson Ranch in Eloy. This free event is open to the public. Forty vendors will be present to discuss healthcare, financial and senior services.

15

Seeds of Hope Annual Dinner & Silent Auction - 5:00 PM-9:00 PM - Benefiting programs that improve lives in our community, including Hot Lunch, Afterschool, Los Angeles de Esperanza, Community Garden, Medical Clinics, and Workforce Development. Silent Auction at 5 PM, dinner at 6 PM.Tickets available online and by phone. Tickets are $50/each or $450/Table of 10.

520-836-6335. https://www.seedsofhopeaz.com

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

BUSINESS INDEX Absolute Homes / Vivid Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Al & Riley’s A/C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Annie-Mac Home Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Arizona Renaissance Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

January – March 2020

Avocado Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Banner Casa Grande Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Brutinel Plumbing & Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

FEBRUARY (continued)

Capital R Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

15

featuring area artists, businesses and entertainment every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Free - all ages welcome.

Casa Grande Art Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

20

Casa Grande Main St . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Free Concert: Tick Tick Boom at the Promenade - 5:00 PM8:00 PM - Free concert featuring Tick Tick Boom. The Promenade at Casa Grande will have food trucks to choose from and will be running free raffles throughout the evening. This is a family friendly event, so bring your friends and kids for a free night of music and fun! Be sure to bring a chair as seating is not provided. All ages welcome.

18

Townie Tuesday - 5:00 PM-9:00 PM - Held at C.G.Q. House, 105 W. Florence Blvd. in Casa Grande. Local Fun For Everyone. Food & Merchandise Vendors, Beer Garden, Live Music, Kids Zone, Activities, Games & Prizes. An event for locals

History Speaks! - 1:00 PM2:30 PM - The Colorful History of Arizona Highways Magazine, with speaker Win Holden. Dorothy Powell Senior Center, 405 E 6th Street, Casa Grande. Free admission.

22

Paperback Writer: The Beatles Experience - 7:00 PM-9:30 PM - The Beatles Experience takes its audience on a trip through the musical years of the world’s most popular rock group of all time! Central Arizona College, Signal Peak Campus, Pence Center. Email: events@centralaz.edu.

Phone: 520-477-7469.

15

O’Odham Tash Parade 10:00 AM - Downtown Casa Grande

15-23

O’Odham Tash Rodeo - 1:00 PM - Casa Grande Rodeo Grounds.

Admission: Adults $15, Children 12 and under FREE

15-16

20-21

15-23

22-23

Casa Grande Cowboy Days and O’Odham Tash - See website for full schedule: www. casagrandecowboydays.com

Carnival - Casa Grande Rodeo Grounds. Times vary.

Mike Cervi Memorial Roping - Tuesday begins at Noon, free admission, Wednesday begins at 9 AM admission is $15. Times vary.

Ranch Rodeo 1:00 PM - Casa Grande Rodeo Grounds. Admission: Adults $10, Children 12 and under FREE

6-7

Casa Grande Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 Central Arizona College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Chris Buys AZ Houses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Classic Airplane Association of Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Coldwell Banker ROX - Property Management . . . . . . 4 Coldwell Banker ROX Realty - Shelby Smith . . . . . . . . 51 Coldwell Banker ROX Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . 43, 57, 65, 89 Coolidge Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Cypress Point Retirement Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Desert Sun Heating, Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 DM Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Dreamstyle Remodeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 37 Fitzgibbons Law Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Francisco Grande . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Gallo Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Grande Innovation Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Iron City Polaris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Jenkins Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Mankel Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Mitchell & Crosby Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Norris RV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Pinal County Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

MARCH 62nd Annual Cactus Fly-In - 9:00 AM-5:00 PM - Casa Grande Municipal Airport. $5 donation request per person.

Casa Grande Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Pinal County Fairgrounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

7

Free Concert: Latinum Band at the Promenade - 5:00 PM-8:00 PM - Free concert at the Promenade at Casa Grande featuring Latinum Band. Food trucks, free raffles and prizes. Family friendly event. Please bring a chair for this outdoor event.

Submit your event online at GoldenCorridorLiving.com/calendar WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

ROX Casa Grande Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 ROX Travel Casa Grande . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Seeds of Hope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Star Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Sun Life Family Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30, 85 Theta Wellness Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Title Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Yang and Horsley Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

13

We’re

Julie Turetzky

Elaine Earle

Public Relations & Marketing Manager

Publisher

Bea Lueck General Manager & Managing Editor

Tim Clarke Creative Director

Jamie WagnerBrashier Sr. Account Executive

Rebecca Bowen

G

Scott Metteauer Sr. Account Executive

Graphic Designer

olden Corridor LIVING Magazine is brought to you by ROX Media Group, a multimedia organization providing an annual portfolio of 3.6 million print copies of community, custom and travel publications throughout Arizona and in neighboring states. Our publications collectively reach millions of consumers who reside in or travel to Arizona every year and bring engaging local content to the communities and marketing partners we serve.

Since our founding in 2011, we have earned the respect of our readers and market-

ROX Team Members Not Pictured Above:

Shannon Price Graphic Designer

ing partners through our dedication to high quality, local content and our understanding of the key informational needs that drive media consumption, messaging and interaction.

Some of our additional offerings include: • A full suite of creative services for any project • Custom publications created, designed, edited, printed and distributed • Digital media marketing services and website creation • Project management services

In addition to Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine, our other products you may have seen in the region include Golden Corridor Smart Shopper and the annual Winter Visitors Guide.

Although you can find our work throughout our state, we are proud to be headquartered right here in Casa Grande.

You can visit us any time at our office, located at 442 W. Kortsen Rd., Suite 101 or call us at 520-426-2074.

Laurie Fisher

Georgie Myers

Julie Kahn

Terry Scheib

Al Lacroix

Director of Sales & Marketing Prescott

Regional Account Manager Prescott

Sales Assistant / Account Executive Prescott

Northern Arizona Distribution Lead Prescott

Central Arizona Distribution Lead Casa Grande

ROXMediaGroup.net

T H E

H E A R T

O F

H I S T O R I C

D O W N T O W N

20 th A nnuAl CAsA G rAnde M Ain s treet

Street Fair/Car & Bike Show STREET FAIR

Saturday, January 18 10 am - 5 pm Sunday, January 19 10 am - 4 pm

CAR & BIKE SHOW Saturday, January 18 10 am - 3 pm

Sa ca to n

Flo re nc M eS ar sh tre all et St re et d 2n

Over 100 Exhibitors

t ree St

110 W. 2nd St. Casa Grande, AZ (520) 836-8744 cgmainstreet.org

PLEASE RESPECT OUR CONCERN FOR PUBLIC SAFETY: No pets, bicycles, skateboards or solicitation at this sanctioned event.

St re et

Florence Boulevard

Including Southwestern Artists featuring Metal Sculptures, Fine Art & Custom Jewelry • Food Trucks • Beer Garden • Live Entertainment • Kids Zone

Sponsors

PINAL COUNTY

by Blake Herzog

• A RIZONA CIT Y • CASA GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • M A RICOPA • A RIZONA CIT Y • CASA GR ANDE • COOL

Legal Battles Continue Between Town Of Florence, Copper Mining Company

T

nies to help them succeed.”

Lucid chose the location at Peters and Thornton roads for its factory after an extensive search across more than 60 sites, according to the governor’s office. Lucid selected Arizona based upon numerous positive factors, including business climate, infrastructure, talent, geographic location and the automotive supply chain in the Arizona-Sonora region.

The site selection was originally announced in November 2016 with production scheduled to start a year later, before Lucid Motors ran into financing issues. Grading began on the site in September 2019, the same month the startup signed a more than $1 billion

he Town of Florence called on its residents in December to pressure a copper mining company operating within its limits to resolve its decadelong dispute with the Town.

“We believe people should be asking Florence Copper exactly what it wants from the Town to end the litigation,” Assistant Town Manager Benjamin Bitter said in a statement, which also outlined a settlement offer the Town made to the mining company over the summer.

The Town’s statement was an apparent response to a Nov. 27 post on Florence Copper’s Facebook page attributed to Stacy Gramazio, manager of communications and public affairs. It acknowledged the Town making the offer and some initial discussions about it.

“Regrettably, since then there has been no expression of interest by the Town to come to a resolution of our disputes. It seems clear they have no intention of stopping their legal attacks against us,” Gramazio said. She did not specify when or why the talks ended.

On Dec. 2, the Town filed an amended opening brief in its appeal of a June 2019 decision by the Maricopa County Superior Court, which ruled Florence Copper has the right to mine about 1,200 acres it owns within the town

Continued on page 32...

Continued on page 33...

PHOTO BY CRAIG MCFARLAND

Lucid Motors Starts Building Casa Grande Electric Vehicle Factory

L

ucid Motors marked the official start of construction for its Casa Grande electric vehicle manufacturing facility Dec. 2, with a ceremony attended by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and other state and local officials, along with a prototype of a very special car.

Lucid dubbed the event a “ground-building” to symbolize its long-term commitment to the Cit y and surrounding region and incorporated the planting of a tree at the site where the factory is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2020.

As soon as the $300 million project is finished, the facility will start churning out Lucid Airs, an all-electric luxury sedan with a range of 400 miles per charge.

“The Lucid Air is a cut-

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ting-edge electric vehicle designed, engineered and destined for manufacture entirely in America,” said Lucid Motors CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson.

He added, “We are proud to be moving forward on our commitment to manufacturing the Lucid Air in Casa Grande. With supportive investors, an outstanding team of designers and engineers, and a product strategy that extends well beyond the Air, we expect today to be just the start of a long-standing presence in this dynamic City.”

Ducey said in his remarks at the ceremony, “Attracting a high-tech automotive manufacturer like Lucid Motors to Arizona is a testament to the talent, business environment and geographic location our state has to offer innovative compa-

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

PRESS

Visit GoldenCorridorLiving.com for Up-to-date Local News from Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine

LIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • M A RICOPA • A RIZONA CIT Y • CASA GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • M A RICOPA •

Eloy Considers Revamping Downtown Water Tower T he City of Eloy is kicking around the idea of painting and lighting its historic water tower, with the City Council discussing its options just as Coolidge completed a similar project in time for the holidays.

The idea and some options were presented to the Council at a Dec. 2 work session, where Public Works Director Keith Brown said the structure was built in 1945 and provided water pressure for the town’s system for about 20 years until being replaced by a ground-mounted tank.

Brown researched possibilities for repainting and lighting the tower this fall after residents began expressing interest in having the structure repainted and lighted as Coolidge was doing. Officials there were inspired by the refurbishment of yet another water tower in downtown Gilbert about 10 years ago, which is surrounded by a park and has become a focal

point of the community.

Just repainting the tower will cost about $190,000, he reported. Adding ground-mounted lighting to spotlight the structure from below would be an additional $50,000, and a lighting system on the tower itself, like Coolidge and Gilbert have, would run $100,000.

Council members said they had varying levels of interest in the project during the work session, and the proposal will be included in discussions for the 2020-21 budget.

The tower, where “ELOY” in red capitals is still very visible on the white tank, is on Main Street south of Frontier Street. It is considered a landmark by many locals and can be seen on the City’s website at www.eloyaz.gov.

Repainting the tower and other ideas to enhance the City’s center were also discussed at the Downtown Advisory Commis-

PHOTO BY TINA CATES

sion meeting on Dec. 11.

The City of Coolidge raised $68,000 from public and private sources to pay for the lights on that tower, while Arizona Wa-

ter Company, which still uses it in its water system, covered the cost of repainting the tower and stenciling “COOLIDGE” on the tank’s side.

Construction on First Attesa Racetrack Expected To Start Next Spring

F

inal plans for Arizona International Raceway @ Attesa, envisioned as the anchor for a “unique recreation, commerce and residential destination centered around advanced technology, motorsports and sustainability,” were submitted to Pinal County for approval Dec. 9, according to its developers and county officials.

The first component of the 2,355-acre Attesa development, the initial racetrack at “AIR” will be available for auto and motor-

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

cycle racing enthusiasts. Attesa is taking applications for club memberships, which include access to the initial racetrack and clubhouse, as well as an air park and residential options in the future.

T he pl a n ne d com mun it y southwest of Casa Grande, just off Interstate 8 at the Montgomery Road interchange, will have three racetrack circuits for professional and recreational racers at buildout, along with the air-

Continued on page 66...

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

17

The ROX Interview

Bob Brutinel

Founder, Brutinel Plumbing and Electrical Interview by Bea Lueck

E

laine Earle and I had the pleasure to sit down with Bob Brutinel just before the holidays. He was busy planning the 30-plus rum cakes he was going to make as gifts. He hasn’t let his age stand in the way of most anything. As a long-time resident and business owner in Casa Grande, Bob has seen many changes in the community. Our animated discussion ranged from growing up during the Depression, to serving in WWII, to marrying the love of his life Maxine and raising their children in Casa Grande, to life after her passing. He credits his faith, a bit of good fortune, and his strong work-ethic for his successes. And even though he no longer owns the business, Bob still takes pride in going to work at the company he founded so many decades ago. He speaks fondly about friends and family and with great pride in their accomplishments. I hope you enjoy reading this interview!

GC LIVING: We’re here today with Bob Brutinel, of Brutinel Plumbing and Electrical fame. Let’s start at the very beginning, tell us about yourself - where were you born and raised, a bit about your parents and siblings ...

BOB BRUTINEL: I was born in El Paso, Texas it wasn’t my idea though. My mother was a World War I bride. My dad went back to France to get her when the war was over, and he ended up staying for two years. My sister, Emily, was born in Paris. My mother was expecting me when they moved to the U.S. They stopped at El Paso to see my aunt, and I was born there in 1924.

GC LIVING: Was Arizona their destination?

BOB BRUTINEL: Yes. My dad graduated from Clifton High School. So did I. GC LIVING: Did your family work in the mines in Clifton?

BOB BRUTINEL: No, my dad never mined.

He worked for himself. He took over my grandmother’s three-story hotel and he

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

made it into apartments after the war was over. During the Depression he had a bread and cake route. He also had a contract with the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail to Morenci, about seven miles away. I used to go with him after school.

The train usually came after school, and we’d go to Morenci and take the mail and then take the mail that Morenci had back and the train would be waiting for us to load it on the mail car. Everything came from Lordsburg, New Mexico by train.

GC LIVING: Any other siblings besides Emily?

BOB BRUTINEL: My two brothers were born ten and twelve years later. Don Brutinel, named after my dad, was killed in the Korean War, in the rainforest. And then my brother Maurice Brutinel. His son, Robert Brutinel, is the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.

GC LIVING: Did your parents speak French at home?

BOB BRUTINEL: All the time. My mother got

home sick and dad took her, Emily and I back for four months. I forgot all my English, all I could speak was French. We were in France when Charles Lindbergh landed near Paris. (editor’s note: May, 21, 1927) GC LIVING: When did you leave Clifton?

BOB BRUTINEL: In 1942 when I went in the Marine Corps. I spent most of my time overseas. I had very, very little time in the United States. I was a paratrooper.

My best friend in high school, Ace Perry, wound up in the same outfit with me, even though he joined a year later. We hit three different islands and we came back and trained the Fifth Division. We took the fated Fifth Division to Iwo Jima.

GC LIVING: Now there’s an interesting story of who picked you up in his PT boat.

BOB BRUTINEL: Not me, it was part of my outfit. President John F. Kennedy picked up a group of our Marines in his PT boat, PT 109.

We took this island in a surprise raid.

After we got separated and they were marooned next to the island. Lieutenant Kennedy and his crew were going by and they picked them up and brought them back to where the rest of us were.

GC LIVING: You were wounded in the Battle of Iwo Jima. What hospital did they send you to?

BOB BRUTINEL: I didn’t go to hospital. I went back to the hospital at the base at Suribachi, where the flag was raised. The base doctor patched me up. I waited a time for the operating room. The chaplain asked, “How do you feel? Do you feel well enough to write a V-Mail?” V-Mail was just an open letter, an open piece of paper folded over so if you wrote home

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

19

The ROX Interview (continued) the officers could check it out and make sure you weren’t giving any secret information. He said, “If you don’t, the War Department will write or telephone your mother, and say you’ve been wounded.

Except they won’t say how or what,” and so I said, “Okay.” So my mother got my letter in the morning mail, and the telegram from the War Department in the afternoon. (laugh) GC LIVING: At least she got it in the right order.

BOB BRUTINEL: She’d have gone into orbit! (laugh) GC LIVING: Were you discharged at that

20

OR LI GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR LIV VING ING • THE INTERV IE W

point in time due to your injuries? Or were you sent back to the line?

BOB BRUTINEL: What was left of us were brought back to Hilo, Hawaii. We were training new troops they brought from the states. While we were training, they dropped the bomb on Japan. And like overnight, they loaded us onboard ship and took us to Japan. We sat offshore the island of Kyushu in southern Japan, waiting for them to sign the armistice.

GC LIVING: Do you still have the Japanese flags from Iwo Jima?

BOB BRUTINEL: Yes, ma’am. I still have the Samarai sword too.

GC LIVING: What did you do when you got out of the Marines?

BOB BRUTINEL: I went back to Clifton. A close friend suggested I meet one of her close friends, Maxine Hancock. She wrote me, and I wrote her back. She was living here in Casa Grande, went to school here.

We got married two years later.

GC LIVING: Did you move to Casa Grande or did she moved to Clifton?

BOB BRUTINEL: We were married in the old Presbyterian church, the rock building on Florence Blvd. (editor’s note: note the Casa Grande Historical Society) My wife had three years completed at university (editor’s note: U of A) and had one year to go. So I told her, “Let’s let you finish, and I’ll go to work.”

So I went to Tucson and got into plumbing.

GC LIVING: Is that when you went to work for Don Meems Plumbing?

BOB BRUTINEL: Don Meems, yes I did. Then they had one of those recessions that happen every so often. A good friend, Jay Wilson, had Wilson Motors and he talked me into moving to Casa Grande. There was only about 5,000 people here at that time. So we moved back here. And it was good for me, a good move.

GC LIVING: Where was your first house in Casa Grande?

BOB BRUTINEL: The house where I live right now!

GC LIVING: What year was that?

BOB BRUTINEL: 1949. I paid $250 for the lot and $4800 for the house. The payment was $40 a month for 20 years. (laugh) GC LIVING: Costs you more than that to fill up your car now, doesn’t it? (laugh) BOB BRUTINEL: Yeah!

GC LIVING: So now you’ve moved to Casa Grande and opened your own plumbing business. And along the way came children.

BOB BRUTINEL: Yes. Mark is my oldest. He was born in Tucson before we left. He became a doctor and retired from Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. And then we had three daughters. Patsy Chavarria lives in Wellton, Arizona. Diane lives in Tempe and Beth Kortsen lives here in Casa Grande.

GC LIVING: When did you add electrical to the company services?

BOB BRUTINEL: I think it was 1983. Wes talked Ron into coming down here from Pinetop.

GC LIVING: At first business operated out of

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

your house.

BOB BRUTINEL: Right.

GC LIVING: When did you move to First Street where we are sitting now?

BOB BRUTINEL: First it was across from the downtown Food City. Then I built on Pinal Avenue where Central Arizona Plumbing Supply is now. Wes bought me out almost 40 years ago and the company moved here.

GC LIVING: I’m sure you’ve seen many changes in the scope of business over the years.

BOB BRUTINEL: (laughs) Yes, one of these things right here.

GC LIVING: Yes, computers are in every business now.

BOB BRUTINEL: I’m a dummy when it comes to computers. I let everybody else take care of it. Didn’t have this (cell phone) with me everywhere either.

GC LIVING: For a long time, the big push

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

was for young adults to go to college. Now we’re seeing a swing back towards both tech and trade schools. Do you think this is a good thing?

BOB BRUTINEL: I think hands-on training is the best thing in the world. Start as an apprentice doing all of the grunt work and learn as you go. That’s what I did. It was a union hall and you had school on Mondays and Thursdays. Our teachers were union plumbers. I think hands experience is the best thing to learn.

GC LIVING: Let’s circle back to Maxine. She finished school at the University of Arizona. What did she study?

BOB BRUTINEL: Her degree was journalism.

GC LIVING: The two of you did a bit of traveling when you retired.

BOB BRUTINEL: I remember the day I came home one time and Wes was in the kitchen with Maxine. They both had this big

grin on their face. I said, “What’s up?”

And Maxine said “look”. Wes had bought two tickets to Italy with the Catholic church tour group.

Max and I went to France and Italy.

continued on page 44...

OR LI V ING THE INTERV IE W • GOLDEN GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR VING

21

CITY

SPEAK

LUCID MOTORS WILL IGNITE CASA GRANDE INDUSTRY

by Craig H. McFarland, Mayor, City of Casa Grande

I All this industry is helping to spur additional growth in the City, not to mention new technology training programs and curriculums at our local community colleges and high schools.

was reading an article from the Arizona Commerce Authority about manufacturing in Arizona and what economic impact it has on the state. Additionally, with the recent Lucid Motors “ground-building,” I wanted to get a better handle on what impact our industrial sectors have on our community.

So I solicited the help of one of our partners, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC). Here is the information from that report. It’s quite eye-opening.

Did you know: Annual Industrial Employer Economic Impact to Casa Grande: • Jobs: 3,502 (direct), 3,121 (indirect) with a total 6,623 jobs.

• Personal Income: $199.5 million (direct), $127.6 million (indirect) for a total $327.2 million.

• Tax Revenues: $3.8 million (direct), $2.4 million (indirect) for a total $6.2 million.

• Economic Output: $1.2 billion (direct), $60 million (indirect) with a total $1.8 billion.

• Top 10 out of 27 total contributing industrial employers (including service sector): • Walmart • Hexcel Corporation • Frito Lay • Abbott • Tractor Supply • National Vitamin • Franklin Foods • Daisy Brand • Price Industries • Commonwealth Dairy

Now add in the projected impact of Lucid: • Jobs: 2,200 (direct), 2,600 (indirect) for a total 4,800.

• Capital Investment: $300 million (Phase One), $400 million (Phase Two) for a total $700 million.

• Economic Output: $32 billion (over a 20-year period).

start of production of the company’s first car, the Lucid Air luxury sedan.

“Attracting a high-tech automotive manufacturer like Lucid Motors to Arizona is a testament to the talent, business environment and geographic location this region (Casa Grande) has to offer innovative companies to help them succeed,” said Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey. “I congratulate Lucid Motors, Casa Grande and Pinal County on achieving this milestone and look forward to seeing the first vehicles roll off the production line.”

All this industry is helping to spur additional growth in the City, not to mention new technology training programs and curriculums at our local community colleges and high schools.

This success did not happen overnight. It is the result of years of hard work by many, many people.

Learning from the past is the best way to prepare for the future. Always remember where you’ve been.

Looking forward to a great new year!

On Dec. 2, 2019, we celebrated the beginning of Phase One construction to Lucid’s facility, representing an investment of over $300 million with scheduled completion in late 2020. This is in preparation for the

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THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

PINAL COUNTY

AT A G L A N C E Poverty Level Arizona 14.9%

Pinal County 12.6% THE LOWEST IN THE STATE!

Mean Commute Time:

465,000 2010 Census 375,768 INCREASE of over 15% since 2010

31 Minutes

Land Area: 5,635 square miles

(Connecticut is 5,543 square miles)

• Severtson’s Screens Mfg. is fully operational in San Tan Valley (movie screens)

51,190

$

Median Household Income

• Lucid Motors will break ground and start Total Workforce: construction by January 1, 2020 • In 2017, Pinal County realized nearly $700 million in tourism dollars spent

188,575

• In 2017, Pinal County realized nearly $2.6 Billion in agricultural related sales and business • In 2017, Pinal County was in the Top 2% of all US counties and county equivalents in agriculture related sales

Education

High School Graduate or Higher

84.9%

Unemployment Rate:

Pinal County 4.6% Pinal County is experiencing a current growth rate of 3.0%, HIGHEST in the State and one of the highest in the nation. Gaining about 13,500 new residents or more each year.

Employment by Sector – September 2019 Total Nonfarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,100 Total Private. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,650 Goods Producing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,900 • Mining and Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,825 • Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,075 Service-Providing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,200 • Trade, Transportation and Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,775 • Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 • Financial Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,450

• • • •

Professional and Business Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,125 Education and Health Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,400 Leisure and Hospitality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,750 Other Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,650

Government. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,450 • Federal Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,525 • State and Local Government. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,925

Sources: Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA), October 17, 2019, US Census, Arizona Regional MLS, laborstats.az.gov

COOLIDGE, ARIZONA COMMUNITY COMMITMENT CREATES NEW ERA FOR ICONIC WATER TOWER

by Jon Thompson, Mayor, City of Coolidge

I Although it seemed that amount would be difficult to raise in a short time, the community stepped up with donations to help create what would become a beacon for Coolidge.

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’d like to take time this month to discuss one of the largest projects the City has taken part in, and one that I’m especially proud of. The Coolidge water tower recently underwent some major restorations including repainting, new lettering and, for the first time in its history, lighting.

The Coolidge water tower has had its roots in the community since 1929, before Coolidge became an incorporated city. One of the unique features of the tower is its continued service to the community. It’s one of only a few working water towers in Arizona and serves about 4,800 Coolidge residents to this day. Arizona Water Company could have discontinued use of the tower but instead chose to keep it in operation. I appreciate the commitment of our water utility to maintain such a structure and a landmark for Coolidge.

Arizona Water enlisted the help of a contractor to repaint the water tower in a white reflective coating and stenciled the words “Coolidge” around the front. The symbol now shows a renewed emphasis on the growing opportunities Coolidge has to offer and a commitment to the community.

Additionally, with the help of the City and various donors throughout the community, lighting was added to the tower. The City visited a similarly built water tower in Gilbert and met with Town officials. Coolidge staff researched what it would take to place and maintain a similar lighting system so the water tower could be seen for miles. After some discussion, the City estimated it would cost approximately $68,000 for a complete system.

Although it seemed that amount would be difficult to raise in a short time, the community stepped up with donations to help create what would become a beacon for Coolidge.

Once again, it’s our local businesses like Arizona Water Company and our many members of the community who committed to help support this large project. The water tower is one of the best-known symbols of Coolidge and lighting it for the first time showed the community that we are united to help make Coolidge a better place for everyone. I thank our many contributors who saw the project as one they could be a part of and proud of.

I invite the public to visit Coolidge and the newly restored water tower. It’s this spirit that makes Coolidge a great place to live, work and play.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

25

Economy • Finance • Business

Top 10 Reasons People Love Living In Casa Grande Year-Round

by Renée Louzon-Benn, President, Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce

W

elcome to a shiny, new decade – in which so much is possible. We know why many visitors choose Casa Grande in the winter months as their “home base” – great, unique events, friendly residents, a cozy, hometown appeal and fabulous weather. Need I say more?

Probably not, but I will because in this home, health and garden issue I want to give a shout-out to my fellow year-round Casa Grande residents.

Why do we live here? Let’s make a Top 10 list to answer that question: 10. Manageable traffic -- no rat-race desperation or road-rage incidents here.

This may be due to the fact that you can get almost anywhere in Casa Grande within 15 minutes. Although it’s tough to use the “I got stuck in traffic” excuse when you’re late to work, a more relaxed pace makes up for it.

9. More relaxed pace. More relaxed than what? Almost anywhere we’ve lived other than Casa Grande.

8. It’s green. When one imagines Casa Grande, the image is not of a city with many trees and landscaping. In fact, Casa Grande has been named a Tree City USA Community for 11 years now. Just visit some of our public parks, and you’ll see what we mean.

7. As active as you want to be. We mentioned City parks – there are many parks here and something for everyone

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GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

6.

5.

4.

3.

available – pickleball, tennis, playground equipment, ponds, hiking trails and more, including a skateboard feature, splash pad and a dog park. Even if you just want to relax and read a book someplace quiet, you can find just the right park.

Great events – such as the annual Electric Light Parade, Historic Downtown Street Fair, Cowboy Days & O’odham Tash, Bluegrass Festival, Cactus Fly-In, too many more to name.

We care. There are nonprofit organizations and community volunteers as well as area businesses working together to provide programs and help to those in need in Casa Grande.

When people contact the Chamber of Commerce to inquire about services and assistance, we are lucky enough to be able to direct them to one or more sources that may be able to help.

We can wear flip-flops and shorts about 10 months a year, maybe more.

Big wide views and blue sky for miles.

2. We like the rain. I mean, we really like the rain! On those rare occasions when the sky is gray and cloudy rather than blue for miles, we are so happy. The rain washes away the dust and drops the temperature a little, and we just feel like opening all the doors and windows and eating soup.

1. Casa Grande is where the heart is.

That’s right … it’s home.

What is your favorite reason for making Casa Grande your community of choice? Let me know, president@casagrandechamber.org.

Business Opportunity Community THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

Coolidge Chamber of Commerce

39th Annual Cotton Days March 6-8, 2020 San Carlos Park 320 W Central Ave., Coolidge, AZ

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Quilt Show Car Show Corn Hole Tournament Cotton Bale Rolling contest Local talent Beer Garden 10th Pancake breakfast 5 K Run Carnival Food Booths Other Booths Teen Night – Friday Night 1880 Varity Show Mariachi Nueva Era

& Main Band

Fun for the Whole Family Food, Arts & Crafts Booths, and More!

Discount Carnival Tickets on sale at the Coolidge Chamber of Commerce.

351 N Arizona Blvd., Coolidge, AZ 85128

For more information call (520) 723-3009 or visit www.coolidgechamber.org

Happy New Year!

From our family to yours!

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THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

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GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

31

PINAL COUNTY PRESS

CONTINUED…

A R IZONA CIT Y • C A SA GR A NDE • CO OLIDGE • ELOY • F LOR ENCE • M A R ICOPA

Bill Paves Way for Feds to Help Pay for I-11 Environmental Impact Study Recommended Alternative

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Description From Sahuarita to Marana (new corridor)

Central Section Marana to Gila Bend/Buckeye

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• New corridor west of Tucson • Includes a connection to I-10 in Marana

Military Park and Recreation Area

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10,000 Feet

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Purple Alternative Rd

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Tier 1 EIS

Description

Mile

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RR

3

Eleven

Peck

Wilson

Rd Rd Sisler Shires

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From Marana to Casa Grande (new corridor) • Includes measures to minimize impacts on floodplains • New corridor west of I-10 • Consistent with local and county plans • Connects to I-8 and extends north along • Provides access to planned growth areas and serves key Chuichu Road economic centers in Marana, Eloy and Casa Grande • Attracts and diverts traffic from existing roadways, connecting metropolitan areas and markets in the western U.S. through a high-capacity transportation corridor • Provides alternate regional route to I-10, facilitating efficient mobility for emergency evacuation and defense access

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Battag

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Sunsh

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Rd

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Carme

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Shedd

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Eloy

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§ ¨ ¦

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287 B A

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84 B A

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87 B A

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Murph

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Rd

Porter

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Rd

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Meado

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Maricopa Rd

Alamo Par

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Prickle

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Sagua

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84 B A

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LL

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Rd

Rd

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White

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Rd

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Blvd

St

Main

Bonita

Rd

Bartle

Guard

Clayto

Rd

Martin

Pinal

Rd

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MAR

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Arrowh

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387 B A

l Rd

West

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Trekel

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Starr

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Scott

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87 B A

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Rationale for Recommendation

• Avoids unmitigable impacts to historic districts and structures in downtown Tucson • Includes mitigation strategies to address impacts to wildlife connectivity including 7 wildlife crossings within or near the Tucson Mitigation Corridor aligned with existing wildlife crossings of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal • Attracts and diverts traffic from existing roadways, connecting metropolitan areas and markets in the western U.S. through a high-capacity transportation corridor • Provides alternate regional route to I-10, facilitating efficient mobility for emergency evacuation and defense access

Purple Alternative

National Park Service

MO

Tier 1 EIS UN

TA

IN

3

S

42

Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Reclamation

E

National Monument/ Wilderness

River/Canal

US Forest Service

AT

Park and Recreation Area

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2 Miles 10,000 Feet

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Bia415

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Description

Rationale for Recommendation

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Central Section Marana to Gila Bend/Buckeye Recommended Alternative

Rd

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GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

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investment agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, providing the funding to build the facility and commercially launch the Air. Lucid Motors is expected to have a broad economic impact on Pinal County, creating 2,000 direct jobs by the mid-2020s. By

nn Rd

Germa

Tuthill

LUCID MOTORS...cont. from page 16

Estrell

B

ipartisan legislation aiming to drive the proposed Interstate 11, which is slated to run through western Pinal County, was introduced by Arizona members in both chambers of Congress at the end of 2019.

According to a press release from the office of Sen. Martha McSally, R-Arizona, the bills were dropped Dec. 18 and would provide new federal assistance to complete the required Tier 2 Environmental Impact Study for segments of the freeway that would connect Phoenix and the Mexican border to Las Vegas.

Arizona Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is the co-sponsor of the Senate version, while Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Phoenix, is sponsoring the equivalent House bill.

McSally said in the statement, “When this project is completed, the I-11 corridor will provide a direct route from our southern border to Phoenix to Las Vegas. I am glad to work with Sen. Sinema and Rep. Stanton to ensure the project is completed in a timely manner in order to meet the growing need for quality infrastructure in our state.”

“We’re working together on this bipartisan bill to advance a project that could create enormous economic potential in our state,” Stanton said. “I-11 would open up a new transportation corridor in Arizona, leading to new jobs and increased trade with our partners

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in Mexico and Canada.

McSally said I-11 would stimulate growth in travel and tourism, as well as industries like aerospace, distribution and health care. It would also rev up trade between Mexico, Canada and the U.S. even higher. “At the completion of I-11, the region is estimated to generate $24 billion in economic impact and approximately 24,000 jobs,” she said.

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s recommended route for the highway travels along the western edges of Casa Grande and Maricopa, and the mayors of both cities have voiced their support for the legislation, along with Pinal County Supervisor Anthony Smith.

Smith and Maricopa Mayor Christian Price, the two signers of

a letter supporting the legislation written on behalf of the Pinal County 1-11 Coalition, said: “We express our support of the legislation to advance the development of Interstate 11. We are pleased that the legislation includes a requirement that the funds provided to the state for Interstate 11 are to supplement any funds routinely allocated by the United States Department of Transportation to our regional metropolitan planning organizations.”

Their letter of support said local funding alone cannot cover the costs of the study: “To date, the costs to complete the federally required Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) associated with Interstate 11 has been borne by state and local governments. … Without

the financial assistance outlined in the legislation, environmental work on the Interstate 11 EIS will not be able to advance to the Tier 2 level and the nearly completed Tier 1 Study will be shelved awaiting funding.”

Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland wrote in his advocacy for the bill: “On behalf of the City of Casa Grande and my fellow AZ Cities, I offer our thanks and express our full support for the legislation drafted to advance the development of Interstate 11 and bring the resources of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) into the process at such a critical time.”

For more information about the planning process for Interstate 11, see: www.i11study.com.

the end of 2029, it’s projected to create approximately 4,800 direct and indirect jobs.

Lucid will have put $700 million in capital investment into its Casa Grande operations by the mid-2020s, as well as new training programs at local community college campuses. Its overall economic impact is projected to be $32 billion over the next 20 years.

“We are pleased that a company on the cutting edge of technology and innovation such as Lucid chose to build their manufacturing facility in Casa Grande,” said Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland. “Not only will Lucid bring thousands of good-paying jobs to the area, but it also anchors our efforts to attract additional hightech businesses to the region and

develop a highly skilled workforce for advanced manufacturing.”

Lucid Motors is headquartered in Silicon Valley in Newark, California, and held its first “supplier summit” there Dec. 12, with representatives from more than 100 potential vendors attending.

The company is taking reservations for the first Lucid Airs at www.lucidmotors.com.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

PINAL COUNTY PRESS A R IZONA CIT Y • C A SA GR A NDE • CO OLIDGE • ELOY • F LOR ENCE • M A R ICOPA

CONTINUED…

Pollinator garden to attract more visitors to Casa Grande Ruins

T

he National Park Service and local supporters are working to add a pollinator garden to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, to be threaded throughout the park’s picnic area to attract important native animal species, along with humans.

The community-based project will create a habitat to provide pollen for a wide range of pollinating species, including bees, butterflies, moths, birds and bats, according to a Facebook post by the Friends of Casa Grande Ruins, a nonprofit group which is raising funds for the garden through grants and member donations.

“It’s a unique kind of project for this area, the kind of thing that will interest community members but also visitors,” Friends President Doug Craig said.

The group’s roughly two dozen members began looking at how they could spruce up the monument’s picnic area after park

officials suggested upgrading the area not far from the “Big House.”

The Friends won $5,000 in

corporate grants from Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project and Florence Copper. Between that and money raised from the

group’s members, Craig said they should have the $7,500 to $10,000

that Florence Copper did not meet under a development agreement.

erase the mining rights and began work to tap into what it says is a deposit of 2.5 billion pounds of copper. The Town sued Florence Copper in 2013, arguing the mining rights no longer exist and the company’s activity violates its residential zoning Florence Copper, which was purchased by Taseko Mines Ltd. in 2014, has obtained federal and state permits to proceed with in-situ mining, in which a solution composed of water and a small amount of sulfuric acid is injected into bedrock to dissolve copper deposits. It says the process poses no threat to water quality because the bedrock is below the groundwater that sup-

plies the Town.

A test facility for Phase 1 of the mine began in December 2018.

Gramazio said in her Facebook post the company is “pleased” with its performance, in which the main test well is now producing copper in solution at an annualized rate of approximately 700,000 pounds per year.

The company applied for permits to begin full-scale mining less than a year after the test phase began, which the Town says violates its promise it would test for at least two years to prove the safety and sustainability of its operations.

FLORENCE...cont. from page 17 limits. The court ordered the Town to pay $1.7 million in legal fees to the company.

Florence Copper has a lawsuit at the trial level on counterclaims against the Town government.

Bitter described the settlement offer as “substantially more beneficial” to the copper company than the lower court ruling.

In addition to the Town paying Florence Copper’s legal fees and recognizing its right to mine the land, he said provisions include: • Both sides dropping all litigation.

• Relief from specific development requirements

Bitter added, “If, either through settlement or litigation, Florence Copper is permitted to mine the property, the Town will always remain deeply concerned about protecting the quality and usability of its water resources for its citizens.”

In 2009, Florence Copper acquired 1,200 acres of the planned Merrill Ranch community out of foreclosure, after its previous owner asked the Town to extinguish all mining rights on the land in a 2007 development agreement.

The company contended the Town didn’t have the authority to

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

Continued on page 96...

Read more news on page 66...

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

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Special Section:

Do Bath Aficionados Have Leg Up On Resale Values?

by Blake Herzog

A 2017 Houzz survey found 38% of survey respondents chose to upgrade their bathtub while renovating their master bathroom, versus 27% who got rid of it altogether.

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W

ith the momentous-sounding year of 2020 here, some homeowners are looking to the future by planning to update their bathroom(s) with one eye on their own preference and the other on future resale value.

Which brings us to the shower versus bathtub question. While the debate about their respective benefits rages online, it’s generally accepted more showers are taken than baths every day, given the time constraints of drawing a bath.

And today’s trendy walk-in showers, with no barriers on the floor to entry, could have real staying power, feeling at least as indulgent as a bath with multitasking showerheads and comfortable seating. These also make them more accessible than a tub or conventional shower to those with mobility challenges.

Homeowners who rarely or never

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use their bathtubs might wonder why they would even want any at home.

Then they run up against the axiom that bathtubs increase resale values by expanding the market to include buyers with young children or pets who might be easier to wash in a tub, along with those who value taking a good soak as often as they can.

In February 2018, Realtor Magazine quoted Kristie Barnett, a professional stager in Nashville, Tennessee,

as adamant about a tub’s importance for resale.

“There absolutely has to be at least one bathtub in any condo or home.

When you sell, you’re also selling a lifestyle and having no tub will hinder a sale to most buyers,” she says.

However, the same article found the rule of thumb doesn’t necessarily apply to smaller homes such as condominiums, and one developer in the Chicago area, Red Seal Homes, is including floor plans in its newest communities without bathroom tubs because so few customers want one.

Many in the remodeling industry do believe the market for a home without at least one bathtub is limited.

In Casa Grande, Brutinel Plumbing and Electrical plumber Pete Pedroza says, “Far few and between you’ll see a house with just a shower only because if you’re selling your house and it’s only showers, and (prospective buyers) have five or six kids to give

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

Top Bathroom Trends for 2020 • • • them a bath, that’s losing a resale of the house.

“If you have a couple that’s handicapped or elderly, a walk-in shower makes a lot of sense. In case they’re wheelchair-bound, it’s easier to get them in and out, you don’t need the tub. But at the end of the day, if you know you’re going to spend the rest of your life there, then it doesn’t matter.

As far as the tub, you can have that in the guest bathroom,” he added.

The designers of Dreamstyle Remodeling, which has an office in Phoenix and serves Pinal County, agree homeowners shouldn’t go tubless, Marketing Manager Kirsten Bowie says, though showers can be the focus of bathing options.

“We help customers transform their two-bathtub homes into more functional areas for their needs by converting the bathtubs into a new shower.

Determining which bathroom to keep a bathtub in and which to convert to a shower depends on available space (showers take up less space) and who uses the bathroom (young adults and the elderly prefer showers while parents prefer bathtubs for their kids’ bathrooms),” she says via email.

There isn’t much hard data to be found online to either back up or disprove the conventional wisdom.

Remodeling Magazine has estimated that adding a walk-in shower to a bathroom has a return on investment

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

• • • •

Open showers Freestanding bathtubs and sinks Natural elements Terrazzo on walls, counters Nude colors Vintage wood furniture Space-saving solutions

Sources: www.kbrkitchenandbath.com, www.badeloftusa. com, www.baltimorepostexaminer.com

of 70.6% versus 70.1% for a porcelain bathtub, finding any advantage to adding a shower negligible.

A 2017 Houzz survey found 38% of survey respondents chose to upgrade their bathtub while renovating their master bathroom, versus 27% who got rid of it altogether. But of those who did, 78% had a bathtub or shower/bathtub combination elsewhere in the home.

Fifty percent of all respondents said they would consider purchasing a home without a bathtub, again making it a toss-up for homeowners considering going that direction.

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Special Section: Home & Garden

Capital R Realizes Its Dream By Building Trust With Customers

by Rusty Riggs, President, Capital R Construction

A

t the end of 2019, Capital R Construction completed its 16th year of business. I can say that there has been a substantial amount of learning and growing along the way.

Starting and running a small business is not for the faint of heart. According to Forbes, 8 out of 10 small businesses fail in their first 10 years, a statistic I thankfully was not aware of when I started the business.

What is the dream? To make Capital R Construction one of the best commercial general contractors and be the “go-to” contractor in Pinal County. It is not our goal to be the biggest but one of the best. Luckily,

I have a great team that is committed to help make this dream for Capital R Construction a reality.

Our motto is, “Building on Foundations of Trust.” Trust is what we focus on in our pursuit of construction excellence. A customer needs to know they can trust us to be fair in our pricing, trust us to do a quality project, trust us to complete their project on time, and trust us to do the right thing. In 2019 over 90% of our work has come from repeat customers, and we believe this is due to that trust.

Capital R Construction had the great opportunity to be trusted with projects this year from many clients in Casa Grande,

including Hexcel, Abbott, Franklin Foods, Helena, SRP, and the City of Casa Grande. We appreciate local business choosing local contractors. Projects include new construction, metal buildings, tenant improvements and remodels. We can work with you from design to completion.

If you have a commercial project you want to build, I hope you reach out to us through www.capitalrinc.com and give us an opportunity to be your contractor. We hope you trust Capital R Construction to help you build your dreams.

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Special Section: Home & Garden

Law Means the End of Environmentally Damaging Freon — And Maybe Your A/C System — Is Near

by Jonathan Martinez, Owner, Desert Sun Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration, Inc.

T

here has been a lot of talk about the upcoming legal changes that will be taking effect in the new year that may pertain to your air conditioning system. This change will end manufacturing of R-22 refrigerant.

R-22 is a refrigerant currently used in most systems. If you have a system that is approximately eight years or older, chances are that it has R-22 Freon in it. The problem with R-22 is that when it leaks out into the atmosphere it starts to, little by little, create holes in the ozone layer. Due to this environmental hazard, the transition away from R-22 had to take place.

Any new system that you buy will be designed for use with R-410a refrigerant. This is different than R-22 in that it doesn’t do

damage to the ozone layer. It also can affect the performance of a system, as usually the same size A/C will produce slightly less output in BTUs than R-22 systems.

Now what does this all mean? With the changes on no longer manufacturing R-22 this coming year, the only R-22 that will be available is whatever is left in stock or what is reclaimed/recycled. Eventually R-22 is going to get really expensive (more than it already is). The price change won’t be instant but a gradual incline.

This will incentivize homeowners to change out their air conditioning system to the new R-410a. It should be noted that this new law will NOT “force” homeowners to change their systems right away, but more of a long-term transition over several years.

It is recommended if you have a major repair such as a compressor or coil leak, you should be replacing your system.

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COMING SUMMER 2020

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Home & Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

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ELOY, ARIZONA CITY, HOMEOWNERS, GARDENERS CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE ELOY SHINE

by Joel Belloc, Mayor, City of Eloy

O For the most beautiful flowers or the freshest vegetables, consider growing a garden or participating in one of several Eloy community gardens.

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n behalf of Eloy, let me wish you all a Happy 2020. Now that we have the holidays behind us, it is time to think about spring cleaning, home improvement and, for the really energetic, planting a garden for flowers or even fruits and vegetables.

Spring works so well for many of these efforts because the weather is typically cool and clear, home shows are abundant, sales abound at home improvement and furniture stores, and there are sales for virtually everything in and around the home.

For the most beautiful flowers or the freshest vegetables, consider growing a garden or participating in one of several Eloy community gardens. One community garden is located at the Methodist Church at the northeast corner of Phoenix and Santa Cruz avenues, and another is a veterans’ project on the east side of Main Street north of Third Street in Downtown Eloy.

Pastor Bauta at the Methodist Church says all are welcome to participate, and it’s not too late to contact him to join the work on the 2020 garden. For more information, call 520-466-3445.

If you prefer to grow your own garden, one of the best resources is the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service. On its website, you will find information on a wide variety of topics including healthy lifestyle programs and the Pinal Master Gardener programs. You may also sign up for the very popular Cooperative Extension newsletter that features helpful and informative articles on all of the programs offered. Please visit the website, www.extension.arizona.edu/pinal.

The City has also taken a proactive approach to community beautification by reinforcing its code compliance program as part of the Community Development Division. All communities have similar programs, which are responsible for administering city ordinances to protect community health, promote public safety and enhance quality of life.

Eloy’s code compliance staff responds to potential violations such as junk and debris on private property, weeds, on-site recreational vehicle parking and storage, inoperative vehicles, building regulations,

Eloy’s code compliance team Francisco Lujan and Lydia Acuna

illegal signage and unauthorized home occupations.

The goal is to work with residents and property owners to achieve voluntary compliance, making Eloy better for everyone.

Eloy has always had a strong sense of community pride and a rich history, much of which relates to the land and being proper stewards. By maintaining and improving your home, business or property, you will perpetuate that community pride, keep our neighborhoods clean and safe and add value to our community. By getting back to the land, growing and sharing in the pleasure and bounty of fresh produce, you are not only respecting our agricultural heritage but also setting an example for Eloy’s future generations.

Before I forget, please fill out your 2020 U.S. Census forms -- keep your eye out for them in mid-March. A complete count of all of our citizens, including adults, teens and kids is a goal shared by all of our towns, cities and Pinal County.

From my family to yours, here is to a wonderful and prosperous new year!

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

Special Section: Home & Garden

Put Your Needs, Wants First When You Remodel Your Bathrooms

by Paula Leslie, Managing Partner, Mankel Mechanical and Two Brothers Plumbing

M

y company recently remodeled my mother’s master bathroom. We made it mostly accessible for “aging in place.” We installed a no-barrier shower complete with grab bars and a fold-down seat and a comfort-height, elongated bowl toilet. She repurposed a sewing machine table as her vanity.

Not completely by ADA standards, but if she were wheelchair-bound, she could reach the faucet and sink easily.

Now, she’s decided to remodel the guest bath, which has a tub-shower combo. She was thinking about installing

a freestanding tub, which is a great fixture for a bathroom, but not so great when you are an aging woman who recently had a partial hip replacement. I tried to (gently) persuade her to look into getting a walk-in tub.

I’ll be the first to say that walk-in tubs are not the prettiest fixture, but a bathroom should also be functional.

My mom’s next concern was the resale-value argument. I asked her when she planned to sell. The answer was, she wasn’t planning to sell and that she would live in the house until she could no longer. So we’re evaluating walk-in tubs. She’s chosen

nicer faucets with updated finishes and a sink that isn’t the standard oval drop-in. Her master bath has this beautiful copper bowl vessel sink that sits atop the repurposed sewing table. It adds charm and individuality. I think we will be able to achieve the same in the guest bath.

My mom’s bathroom may not be your cup of tea, and that’s OK because you should have a bathroom that suits your needs and wants and reflects your personality. Although I don’t like to admit it, I’m aging too, so when I remodeled my master bath and bedroom I removed the tub and built a walk-in cave-like room

with a seat. You may not like it, but I absolutely love it.

Stepping out of the box and into a cave, or a walk-in tub, isn’t all that difficult.

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The ROX Interview (continued) ...continued from page 21 When Max passed away, I took the three girls and we went to France and Italy. Wes went with us. I’m glad he did. He was the chaperone the whole route.

GC LIVING: The town of Brutinel, France - is it named for your family in some way?

BOB BRUTINEL: I’ve been there a couple of times. If you blink your eyes, you’ll miss it. It’s a small community that they main deal with escargot, snails.

It’s right at the foot of the French Alps and they take excursion trips into the Alps. The clouds sit right on top of the mountains. And work down until they disappear and the new ones would come up. It was so pretty.

GC LIVING: What do you remember most about the early days of Casa Grande?

BOB BRUTINEL: Hmmm ... the makeup of the town. There used to be a fig farm out where Home Depot is... and the Gilbert brothers owned both sides of Trekell Road clear up to the Santa Cruz wash. And the way everything developed.

GC LIVING: Were you part of when Harlyn

Griffiths developed Rancho Grande?

BOB BRUTINEL: Yep, I did most of the houses up there.

GC LIVING: Did you ever think Casa Grande would get to be as big as it is now?

BOB BRUTINEL: No. (laughs) Somebody said why didn’t you buy some land, look how rich you’d be now. I said, “yeah with what?”. I had to raise a family... I couldn’t raise thousands of dollars and buy land.

GC LIVING: Do you remember back in the late 60s, early 70s, the Los Conquistadors?

BOB BRUTINEL: Oh, yes. I can name almost all of them.

GC LIVING: So what did you guys do? Besides, take your Jeeps out in the desert and have fun.

BOB BRUTINEL: Very seldom was it a family outing, just the men went out. We’d go fishing on the weekend up in the White Mountains or go to Mount Lemmon. We’d bring home Christmas trees. I wasn’t much of a drinker, but we would go out pulling a trailer and drink beer and such in the desert. Just hang out.

GC LIVING: How old are you right now?

BOB BRUTINEL: 95. And counting.

GC LIVING: Okay. That’s the chronological.

How old do you feel mentally?

BOB BRUTINEL: (laughs) Well I don’t feel 95.

GC LIVING: How long were you and Maxine married?

BOB BRUTINEL: 58 years. She was a good one, great mother. She was so smart, intelligent. She used to make the kids Halloween costumes and they had closets full of them. Kids in the neighborhood asked my kids, “Do you think your mother has any extra”? She was a wonderful cook.

GC LIVING: What was your favorite thing she’d make you?

BOB BRUTINEL: (laughs) Her chicken and dumplings.

GC LIVING: You still miss her, I can tell.

BOB BRUTINEL: Yeah, every day.

GC LIVING: Do you still have her recipe book for that?

BOB BRUTINEL: I have my own recipe.

GC LIVING: Is it any good? (laughs). I hear you are quite the baker.

BOB BRUTINEL: I make 30 rum cakes for Christmas GC LIVING: Nice! How do I get on your Christmas list?

When I say Casa Grande, Arizona, what’s the first thing you think of?

BOB BRUTINEL: Geez, this is hard. It’s hard to say. You know where Cuco’s is on Main Street? That used to be True’s Trading Post. That was the first building I was in in Casa Grande.

They made B-24s in San Diego and would fly to Phoenix to put the armor and stuff on them. If you were in the service, you go down there and hitch a ride. My sister was going to university in Tucson, so I caught one going out and went to Tucson for a weekend. I took a Greyhound Bus back to San Diego and it stopped in front of True’s Trading Post and I got out to stretch and I thought, “who in the hell would love a place like this.”

GC LIVING: And fast forward a few years and you’re living here.

BOB BRUTINEL: Yeah.

GC LIVING: You still go to work every day, don’t you? So what kind of things do you do when they put you to work here? I know you’re not on the computer in the corner.

continued on page 93...

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THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

Special Section: Home & Garden

Tending to Your Soil

by Blake Herzog

T

here may not be a lot going on in your garden at the start of the new year, but this can make it a good time to concentrate on soil health and adding beneficial organic matter to it, according to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for Pinal County.

Southern Arizona soil has a way of collapsing into hard layers that make it difficult to impossible to get enough nutrients to your plants, even if it’s been well-prepped beforehand.

A good way to counter this is to frequently add compost, decomposed manure, forest mulch or other types of well-rotted plant or animal matter, UA Extension Agent Richard Gibson wrote in its January 2018 newsletter.

When soil particles are crunched together with little space in between, it’s difficult for water, air and nutrients to penetrate, and plants can be starved of them. When organic matter is added and continues to decompose in the soil, it provides the space necessary for the good stuff to be absorbed, while creating channels which will aid the process in the future. This can also helps improve other soil problems like pH, low nitrogen fertility, poor microorganism activity and even caliche.

Desert soils tend to be low on

organic matter simply because there isn’t enough rainfall to support many trees, shrubs or grasses to provide it naturally, so if you’re not sure whether your garden needs more you might as well go ahead and add some.

Gibson said flower and vegetable beds should be given a good helping of well-rotted matter every two to three years, at least 2 or 3 inches mixed into the top 6 to 9 inches of soil. Since this can be an ordeal to accomplish, he suggests integrating organic matter throughout the gardening process.

Some gardeners work compost into the soil, under the plant, and after the new plants have emerged, then come back in and lay a mulch of organic matter on the beds and furrows to cool the soil and prevent evaporation.

At the end of the growing cycle, the plants and any remaining mulch can be tilled into the soil, then they reseed and lay down a new mulch layer.

So what kind of materials work best, especially for the desert?

The experts at www.wateruseitwisely.com posted an article a year ago pointing out mulching is essential for water conservation as it reduces evaporation by providing a buffer between the soil and the bone-dry

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

atmosphere. It also insulates the earth from low temperatures in winter, as well as high ones in summer.

Wood chips are a popular organic mulch around trees and shrubs in Arizona, because it’s relatively heavy and not as easily dispersed by wind or landscaping activity.

For vegetable and fruit gardens, composted mulch is a good option, having gone partway through the decomposition process so it can jump-start it when added to soil.

Fully finished compost is richer in nutrients and can act as a mulch as well as a soil additive. Both are more likely to get blown away than wood chips, however.

You don’t necessarily have to go to the store to get this type of organic matter, the website says; leftover leaves, grass clippings or straw from the yard works fine, as long as it’s free of pesticides and chemicals if you’re sticking to an organic regimen. Alfalfa is also an excellent mulch and adds nitrogen to the soil.

Most any type of material can also be purchased at garden or home improvement stores. Remember, however, that manure usually isn’t a good option if you’re living in an urban or suburban-type neighborhood.

Southern Arizona soil has a way of collapsing into hard layers that make it difficult to impossible to get enough nutrients to your plants, even if it’s been wellprepped beforehand.

OR LI V ING SPECI A L SEC TION • GOLDEN GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR VING

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Special Section: Home & Garden

35th-Annual Florence Historic Home Tour “2020: Vision of Past and Present”

by John Nixon, CPRP, Recreation Superintendent, Town of Florence Community Services Department

A

fter settlers began arriving in Florence, Arizona, the community was soon driven by the discovery of silver and supported by a strong agricultur-

46

Florence Justice of the Peace, Peter Collier Warner, resided in this home until his death in 1908. Considered a “gringo” from Chittenango, New York, his travels through the west began as one of the original California forty-niners. He moved from California to Guaymas, Sonora to establish a pharmacy and then to Globe to help build a smelter. He came to Florence with a woman from Sonora, Mexico who helped in the pharmacy. They had a daughter, Kate Warner, who later had three children.

Warner was involved in many popular court cases in the Florence area that exhibits the hardships during the pioneer days, such as the stealing of cattle and its prominence as a viable business. Today this house remains in its original Sonoran adobe form.

al base. The resulting economic opportunities, born of a growing town, attracted a diverse population, which is reflected in many of today’s Florence homes and other structures.

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Those architectural styles of historic homes reflect more than adobe and brick foundations.

Archaeologists and sociologists use a variety of methods to learn about past societies and communities. Historic homes and buildings speak volumes about the lives of this community’s earliest inhabitants. Archaeologists narrow their study of past cultures through a variety of methods including architectural studies. These professionals know that older homes and buildings contain clues about the lives of its earlier inhabitants.

Visitors to the 35th Annual Historic Florence Home Tour on Saturday, Feb. 8, can view 17 homes and historical structures, each with unique architectural styles. The tour begins in downtown Florence. Day-of ticket sales begin at 9:30 a.m.at Jaques Square, 291 N. Main Street; the tour is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Visitors may walk the tour route or ride in one trolley or two openair trolley wagons to the outlying historical structures.

The theme for the Home Tour, “2020: Vision of Past and Present,” highlights the history and architecture dating back to the territorial days.

In addition to the home tour, the Florence Arts and Culture Commission will present its fourth-annual Quick Draw Artist Contest beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Artists have 90 minutes to begin and complete a portrait or landscape scene. The finished pieces will be auctioned off at the end of the contest. Spectators are welcome to watch as talented artists, create impressive works of art.

The contest is at the Jacob Suter House located at 270 N. Pinal St. The Pinal County Historical Museum will present a fascinating display of antique toys from 10 am.-4 p.m.

Home Tour tickets are $20 for adults the day of the event or $15 in advance. Children 17 and under are free. Advance tickets are available at the Pinal County Historical Society and Museum, Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce,and the Florence Library and Community Center.

Tickets may also be purchased online at: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4324397.

For questions or more information, please call the Florence Community Services Department at (520) 868-7589 or go to www. florenceaz.gov/hometour.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

Special Section: Home & Garden

Avocado Nursery Owners Bring Plants, Much More to Community

by Sharon Boyd & Mandy Alexander, Director, Coolidge Youth Coalition

I

n 1982, Julie and Phil Bond saw an opportunity, a chance to realize a dream called The Distinctive Earthscapes at The Avocado Nursery.

With Julie teaching at Central Arizona College, it was the perfect time to turn 10 acres in the Sonoran Desert south of the campus into the premier nursery in Pinal County and Arizona.

After teaching vocational agriculture for over 30 years, Phil, an Arizona native and master gardener, was ready to put his vast skills to use in desert greenhouses, drip irrigation, propagation of plants and wholesale growing.

With Julie’s expertise in business, The Avocado Nursery was up and running.

Phil and Julie poured the footing for their unique Frank Lloyd Wright-style un-

derground house in the brutal July heat of 1982. With a distinctive avocado tree in the yard, it became known around these parts to “go ask the man with the avocado tree” any nursery questions.

This nursery at 6855 N. Overfield Road is historic and unique, from the original wood beams from mines in Douglas, Bisbee and Superior to a wooden wall with buckshot lodged in it from Tombstone, which graces Phil’s office and warehouse. The Bonds also own property in Douglas where many of the nursery’s harder-to-find desert plants come from, such as the ocotillo and rainbow barrel cactus. These give The Avocado its niche as the nursery to find rare and indigenous Sonoran landscape plants. Public tours of this

iconic nursery are available.

For more than three decades, Phil and Julie “paid it forward” and gave back to the Pinal County community through 4-H, FFA, the Julie Bond Scholarship Fund, workshops for youth and by opening their doors to anyone and everyone with an interest and love for our beautiful Sonoran Desert.

Phil is currently teaching a master horticulture class at CAC for the University of Arizona, with its primary function being the construction and landscaping of a desert arboretum on Signal Peak behind the campus.

Phil and Julie Bond have given their teaching careers and hearts to Pinal County, our youth and our families.

Sadly, Julie passed away in 2013.

For more than three decades, Phil and Julie “paid it forward” and gave back to the Pinal County community...

Sonoran Plant Nursery

Founded in 1982 by Julie & Phil Bond.

Visit us and enjoy the OASIS in the Desert!

6855 N. Overfield Road Casa Grande 520-723-4480 • pinalphil@outlook.com distinctiveearthscapesattheavocado.com WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

OR LI V ING SPECI A L SEC TION • GOLDEN GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR VING

47

SUPERIOR, ARIZONA THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME OR THE PLACES THAT FEEL LIKE HOME

by Mila Besich, Mayor, Town of Superior

I Visit the Superior Chamber of Commerce Home Tour and Antique Show on Jan. 25-26, one of the most interesting and quirky home tours in the state!

often hear from residents and Superiorites that “Superior is God’s country.” This phrase is commonly used throughout our community to share one’s affection for their hometown or favorite place.

During my early adulthood, I had the opportunity to live on both the East and West coasts and found you truly do not realize how special your hometown is until you leave. The people, events, unique traditions and, of course, the extraordinary beauty of our natural environment is what makes Superior home.

Recently, Sunset Magazine named Superior the “Mayberry of the Southwest” because of its quaint downtown, small-town feeling, outdoor adventures and its friendly people. I could not think of a more humbling description because Superior truly is a place everyone can call home.

Throughout the course of each day, I meet many people who tell me they have moved to Superior or chose to move back to Superior because of the strong sense of friendliness and neighborly values of our residents.

For these new residents as well as for those who have lived here their entire lives, there is an instant connection to the people and community traditions, but they also are infused with a great and inspiring sense of place. Part of this undoubtedly is due to the

fact the entire town is nestled between the majestic Apache Leap and Picket Post mountains, which immediately provide a welcoming embrace when you arrive.

If you have not visited Superior in a while, I encourage you to make the day trip. Enjoy a nature walk at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, take a hike or mountain bike ride on the Legends of Superior Trails or any of the trails in the Tonto National Forest. Bring your ATVs and 4x4s for some of the best four-wheel drive trails in Arizona.

Our town is quickly filling with unique, locally owned shops, boutiques and restaurants that will add to your experience.

Every month, you will find a community activity or festival to enjoy, and if you have not visited the Superior Chamber of Commerce Home Tour and Antique Show, which will be Jan. 25-26 this year, you are truly missing out on one of the most interesting and quirky home tours in the state.

You can learn more about our events by visiting the Superior Arizona Chamber website at: www.superiorarizonachamber.org/events.

I hope during your visit you will join us in experiencing the distinct feeling of being home in a place where you find your connection to nature, adventure and friendship.

Wishing you a very uplifting holiday season and the very best in 2020.

PHOTOS BY CAT BROWN

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THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

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Special Section: Home & Garden

Development Services Department Transforming to Promote Economic Development

by Adam Wolfe, Public Information Officer, Department of Administrative Services, City of Maricopa

Every project, every new road constructed, every new building built, every new housing community; every project presents economic realities and economic opportunities...

50

T

he City of Maricopa Development Services Department has been transformed into Economic and Community Development, further increasing the City’s effort to support economic development throughout the community.

“Our message to developers is, ‘not only are we open for business, but there is no better community in Arizona for business,’” City Manager Rick Horst said.

As part of this reorganization, the City will launch several new initiatives, with the goal of improving the permitting experience for customers. One of these initiatives will be a project liaison program, in which a single staff manager will be assigned to all development projects.

This person will coordinate staff processes, eliminating the need for applicants to go to multiple departments and speak with multiple staff regarding

CORRID OR LI LIVING V ING • SPECI A L SEC TION GOLDEN CORRIDOR

various aspects of their project. This program, among others, will streamline the process and ensure that all aspects of community development are addressed during the planning process – from building safety to the economic impact on the community.

“Every project, every new road constructed, every new building built, every new housing community; every project presents economic realities and economic opportunities,” Horst said. “We have to engage earlier in the community development (project) process to leverage these opportunities to create community wealth. This change will put a renewed focus on economic development via the community development process, in lieu of a stand-alone effort.”

The added emphasis on economic development will build on a successful 2019 that saw the City of Maricopa break ground on its first hotel

within city limits, open the overpass on State Route 347 and approve 943 housing permits.

Former Assistant to the City Manager Nathan Steele has stepped in as the director of economic and community development. He has previously served in several communities in three different states, most recently as the planning manager for the Town of Yountville, California.

Jennifer Bostian, previously an economic development specialist for the City, has become the economic development manager, tasked with emphasizing community input and product development via the community development process.

“Our future includes continued growth and increased opportunity,” Horst said. “Opportunity is not always realized unless we are prepared, from the foundation up, to seize that opportunity and make it a reality.”

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

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51

Special Section: Home & Garden

8

Insurance-cost Saving Tips for New Year

by Staff Reports

A

s 2020 gets underway, now is a good time to review your home safety and insurance plans for the year.

Make sure this year that you make your home safety a priority, and also ensure that you get the most bang for the buck with your insurance coverage. You can follow these tips: Home security system If you don’t have a home security system, you should seriously consider getting one to protect your hard-earned assets and home investment. The good news is that if you get one that is monitored by a central station, or that is tied directly to a local police station, you don’t only protect your home, as you may also receive a discount on your homeowner’s insurance premium.

Install additional smoke alarms As with a home security system, you can also reduce your insurance premium by installing smoke alarms, not to mention saving your life in case of a fire. Installing them in older homes can shave 10% or more from your premiums.

Some insurance companies will also give further discounts if you install additional smoke detectors.

Raise your deductible You can reduce your insurance premium by raising your deductible if you are confident you can absorb the cost of paying that outof-pocket expense if you incur a claim.

Multiple policy discounts Many insurance companies will extend a discount of 10% or more to policyholders that have multiple policies with the insurer (such as auto and homeowner’s). Ask us for a quote for other types of insurance from the company that writes your homeowner’s policy.

Plan wisely for expansion If you plan to build an addition to the home or a structure adjacent to the home, like a gazebo, know that you’ll pay more for your insurance, depending on how it’s built.

Wood-framed structures cost more to insure because they are flammable. If you go with cement or steel-framing, you’ll pay less since they are less susceptible to damage from fire and bad weather.

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Costly fun Pools and trampolines can have a significant impact on your insurance costs and add 10% or more to your premium.

Consider coverage type If you purchase “guaranteed replacement value” homeowner’s insurance, your insurance will cover the entire cost of rebuilding your home after a covered calamity. Coverage limits on such a policy increase as the cost of construction and materials rises.

Make or update a home inventory A comprehensive home inventory catalogue allows your home and belongings to be recovered, rebuilt and replaced after a loss. While this won’t help you save on your premium, it will prepare you in case you have to file a claim. With a home inventory, you’ll know exactly what you have lost in a fire, for example.

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Special Section: Home & Garden

The Drill on Home Maintenance D

eferring home maintenance is a bad idea, but slipping into that mode can be very easy to do. If time or money is tight, it’s tempting to just stick a bucket under that slight leak which only appears after the rare heavy desert thunderstorm, or ignore that reminder on your phone to change the A/C filter.

But this can only work for so long, especially as your house ages. So budgeting ahead for minor and major expenses can be an effective way to avoid putting repairs off until problems have deteriorated to the point you have a money pit on your hands.

A widely used rule of thumb is to set at least 1% of your home’s value aside every year to pay for routine and not-so-routine repairs. The costs probably won’t be distributed evenly throughout the year, but putting a set amount aside per month can be a good way to prepare for the inevitable.

And keep the “at least” part of that in mind. The 1% should be enough for a younger structure, up to about 5 years, but anything older than that might require a bigger set-aside, depending on how things are going. If your home is at least 25 years old, you should expect to need to at least 4% of its value annually to keep on top of maintenance.

Nobody is infallible at this, but not taking care of preventive maintenance or repairing issues when they’re still small can have big consequences – premature failure of appliances

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by Blake Herzog

and HVAC systems, breaks in pipes or supply lines which conceivably flood floors and cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, higher heater/cooling and water bills and being at the mercy of whichever contractor can respond in an emergency.

So doing regular checkups on your home, or having someone else do them, can be a huge moneysaver in the end.

Most suggested home maintenance schedules are far too long to reproduce in full here, but for a regionally appropriate seasonal checklist, one from the City of Phoenix can be found within its Home Maintenance Guide at www.phoenix.gov/ nsd/programs/housing-repair-programs.

Some checklist items it says should be addressed at least twice a year include: • Replace HVAC filters every 30-60 days.

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing batteries once a year.

• Look for peeling paint.

• Check operation of all windows and doors.

• Eliminate all tripping, falling, sharp edge hazards.

• Examine roof for loose, cracked or missing shingles or tiles.

• Clean dryer vent duct and damper to remove lint.

• Clean aerators on shower heads and faucets.

• Check irrigation systems/ timers.

• Dust or vacuum ceiling fan blades.

• Check for signs of rodents, bats, termites and roaches.

• Lubricate garage door roller shafts and tighten bolts.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

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Special Section: Home & Garden

Pinning Down 2020 Trends

Japanese tub

by Blake Herzog

W

hat are homes going to look like in 2020?

That year’s really here, believe it or not, and the Pinterest 100 list for this year has just been released with its predictions on which lifestyle trends will be taking over, based on global search trends between 2018-2019 and topics with significant search volumes and consistent growth.

The list grouped the emerging trends into 10 “cultural shift” categories. And while the lion’s share of the home design-involved fashions were in the “Home Hub” grouping, driven by working from home and cocooning, others were scattered throughout the other lists, such as “Re-wilding,” “Internationally Inspired” and “Pampered Pets.”

The home design-related trends which Pinterest says are seeing the biggest surges in interest right now are: • Outdoor bars: “Belly up to the bar, right in your own backyard. Sink, stove and meat spit included.” (Outdoor kitchen bars, +2795%) • Indian living rooms: “Liven up your living space with oversized sculptures, shining brass and bright colors.”

Extra big in: US, UK (Indian living rooms, +2080%) • Indoor water fountains: “Soothe yourself with the gentle burblings of your own indoor pond, fountain or waterfall.” (Indoor water fountains, +917%) • Audio rooms: “Listen up: The ultimate surround-sound listening experience is calling your name.” (Audio room +803%) • Australian landscaping: “Give Australian gardening a go with drought-tolerant grasses and kangaroo paw ferns.” Extra big in: South Africa, Canada (Australian garden landscaping, +781%)

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Soothe yourself with the gentle burblings of your own indoor pond, fountain or waterfall.

• • • •

• •

Spanish baños are steaming up—from the distinct archways down to the decorative tile.

• • • •

Coffee stations: “Clear out some space on your counter for your very own high-end altar to caffeine.” (Home coffee stations, +751%) Japanese tubs: “Soak in the still, deep waters of your very own Japanese soaking tub.” Extra big in: Australia, New Zealand (Japanese soaking tubs, +563%) Outdoor play areas: “Tell the kids to go play (and dig, splash, slide) outside.” (Outdoor play areas, +550%) Unisex nurseries: “Maybe you’re waiting to find out your baby’s gender. Or maybe you want to avoid gender-conforming stereotypes. Either way!” (Unisex nursery gender neutral, +527%) Outdoor cat playgrounds: “Create custom structures for your cat to claw, climb and silently judge you from.”

(Cat playground outdoor, +512%) Solar light crafts: “Light up your garden with these whimsical, energy-efficient designs.” (Solar light crafts, +427%) Homebrewing: “All you need is the right beer gear and you’re ready to start crafting your own cold ones.”

(Brewing equipment , +411%) French antiques: “Say “oui” to antique French accents—think patinated mirrors and farm linens.” Extra big in: Iran, Egypt (French antiques, +384%) Home theaters: “Popcorn? Check. Drinks? Check.

Multi-tiered recliner bleacher seating for ten? Check!”

(Home theater design, +368%) Spanish bathrooms: “Spanish baños are steaming up—from the distinct archways down to the decorative tile.” Extra big in: India, Philippines (Spanish style bathrooms, +309%)

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

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Having Two Places to Call Home

by Donna McBride, Council Member, City of Casa Grande

T

here’s an old saying, “You can never go home again.”

I have lived in Arizona for over four decades now, but I still consider West Virginia home. I wrestle with that often, wondering if I am not being fair to Arizona and my family.

Growing up there had its challenges and barriers, but with that came values and traditions that will stay embedded in me.

Looking back, I remember my Mama Tess sharing stories of her own childhood. Even after the dementia set in, she could still travel back to that era.

She grew up in the hills of Calhoun County, West Virginia.

Her eight brothers and sisters truly lived on the side of a mountain down a one-lane holler.

She walked uphill in the snow for miles to catch the school bus in a dress often made of burlap potato sacks. And her beauty was just as vibrant as the rolling hills of green grass, trees and ponds where they caught minnows and frogs.

When I moved to Arizona, she

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soon followed me out here after enjoying several years as a winter visitor. The beauty of Arizona called to her much like it did me.

She and I both found our way here for different reasons. We both stayed for the same. We had found a “new home.”

Life often catches us up in a tornado of work obligations, raising families, etc. Sometimes we need to slow down and backtrack where we’ve come from – to appreciate where we are.

With Mama Tess being ill for so long, it just wasn’t possible to take her back to West Virginia to visit. She’s been my guardian angel for nearly three years, and I realized there was no excuse for me now. I made my first trip “home” in 16 years.

It was a trip of many “firsts” for me. It was the first time in my life she wasn’t with me. It was the first time my brother (Don), sister (Dotty) and I were together without her. We had such a good time remembering some of the things Mama Tess did and

our own secrets we thought she never knew about. We enjoyed each other in a new, profound way – without her. No doubt she was there in spirit, laughing over our stories and knowing we didn’t fool her after all.

I drove past our old neighborhoods, wondering who took over my room, visualizing all the nooks and hiding places we had as kids. I saw the homeowner walking up to the front door after a day at work.

(I am sure he was wondering who the crazies were in the car across the road.) I wanted to ask permission to slip in to get a look at the place I so vividly remember.

But I stopped myself. I didn’t want those screenshots in my mind to change. I didn’t want to see other people’s stuff in my house.

It was heartwarming to see a childhood friend after 40 years and visit my only surviving aunt and uncle knowing it might be the last time. We drove past the old family farm, stopping on the onelane bridge and walking in the woods that were as familiar to me as my daily commute to work.

It was also bittersweet making that steep drive up the mountain to our private family cemetery, where I would see Mama Tess’s memory bench for the first time.

West Virginia will forever be my childhood home, filled with memories I need to have. They have helped shape me into who I am today. And my beautiful Arizona home is where my values, my character, my family and new life have kept me moving in the right direction. I have two families. Both so incredibly unique, thousands of miles apart but centered in one place – my heart.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

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61

We Have To Cut Down On The Excuses Before Cutting Our Weight

by Tiffanie Grady-Gillespie, Certified Physical Trainer, Certified Corporate Wellness Coach, WickedFiTT

W

hile the “rules” of fat loss and crushing calories are not overly complicated, there’s a reason why the number of overweight Americans continues to rise. It’s the same reason you struggle to lose the first 20 pounds — or the last 10 sitting between you and your abs.

It’s not fair, but that doesn’t mean it’s an impossible battle. Most people never take the time to understand why the pounds don’t come off. You just understand your reality — you don’t look different and neither does the stupid scale.

I know, I know .... We’ve all been here before. The place where we’re told weight gain isn’t our fault. That there’s a new (keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, carb-free, super-duper

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magic) approach that will be the solution to all your problems. And of course this time will be different.

It gets so old and frustrating. So maybe it’s time you try something new. It’s not popular, and nobody really wants to hear it, but part of the problem is a lack of patience; fat loss isn’t magic. You didn’t put the weight on overnight. And fat loss is an even slower process.

At some point we all start making excuses because of constant roadblocks: bad genetics, a crazy work schedule, kid food, weekends and so on. The reality? The excuses are a bunch of BS. But the real problem is that you’ve been fed a steady supply of misinformation. Let me be super clear: Radical, dramatic, dangerous steps are the last things your body needs. You need something more stable and sustainable.

So, what is more important? Exercise or diet?

You have heard it a million times, you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. That’s the most important rule of any successful plan.

But a great diet without an exercise plan is incomplete. Exercise and diet work, so there’s no need to try and create some crazy formula that determines what amount of which will get the best results. Claims that it’s one or the other are more wishful thinking than reality.

But change starts by realizing extreme behaviors are not the solution. After all, that’s where this whole thing went wrong in the first place.

I can’t believe I am saying this, but you don’t need to exercise to lose fat. You can lose weight without exercise, but if you don’t retain or build muscle, your metabolism won’t be as efficient, which means you’ll have to eat even less food to see the same results.

A sensible exercise program will help stoke your metabolism, which will help you burn more fat. It’s also good for your bone health and cardiovascular health, as well.

Bottom line: Starving yourself on 1,000 calories or being a slave to diet and exercise won’t make the difference. In fact, it’s that obsessiveness that leads you down that vicious cycle.

The key is consistency. If you’re only doing it once in a while, it’s not going to make much of a difference. But if you do it consistently, it’s going to add up. Don’t give up. Take those baby steps.

Stay the course, and you will see the changes. And you will have a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.

Interested in learning more? Feel free to visit us at www.wickedfitt.com or on Facebook. We are happy to answer your questions.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

Central Arizona College Food Pantries Now Open to Assist Students

by Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing, Central Arizona College

C

E TH

G

CE L E B R

All CAC libraries accept donations from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Library locations are: Aravaipa Campus 80440 E. Aravaipa Road Winkelman, AZ 85192 Maricopa Campus 17945 N. Regent Drive Maricopa, AZ 85138 San Tan Campus 3736 E. Bella Vista Road San Tan Valley, AZ 85143

PAST, INSPIRIN G

YEARS

T.

ES C

T

U RE FU T

may visit any library location and ask an employee for access to the CAC Food Pantry. No identification or personal information will be required to receive goods.

HE

ATI N

entral Arizona College recognizes the reality of food insecurity among its student population and the extent to which hunger affects communities.

In the United States, an estimated 40 million people, including 12 million children, struggle with hunger. In Pinal County alone, nearly 60,000 people struggle with food insecurity on a regular basis.

The CAC Food Pantry is part of a larger initiative intended to improve student success and increase upward mobility by combating the negative effects of hunger.

CAC Food Pantry locations are now open at all Central Arizona College library locations.

To receive assistance, individuals

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L A R I ZO N A C O L L E G ENTR A E

Superstition Mountain Campus 805 S. Idaho Road Apache Junction, AZ 85119 CAC Food Pantry locations are continually being restocked.

Those in need are invited to visit and take items as needed.

For those interested in helping to support the CAC Food Pantries, canned or nonperishable items can be dropped off to any CAC library.

The most requested items include peanut butter and other nut butters, dry pasta, pasta sauce, ramen cups, canned meat/fish, granola bars, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables,

and toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste).

Monetary donations may be made through the CAC Foundation at www.centralaz. edu/community/foundation/ giving/donation. Select “Other� under “Please direct my donation to:� and note CAC Food Pantry in “Additional Information.�

For additional information, please visit www.centralaz.edu/food-pantry.

Upcoming 50th Anniversary Events

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GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI V ING YOU! • GOLDEN

63

What the Duck?!?

One Duck’s Ordeal Is Symptom of Carelessness Some Have Toward Animals

by Gigi McWhirter

I

t was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. It was a Saturday. Casa Grande Animal Control received a call about a duck in the middle of the pond at Dave White Park, which was obviously struggling. That is when Animal Control Supervisor Julie Stocke headed over to the pond, dove in and brought the duck to the shore. The duck was caught up in fishing line with the hook and lure caught in its beak.

It was taken to Casa Grande Animal Hospital, where one of the doctors was able to remove the foreign bodies. Thankfully, there was no serious damage to the duck. According to Stocke, the line was tangled on the fountain in the middle of the pond, which made it impossible for the bird to free itself.

A bystander witnessed the person who “caught” the duck with his fishing line. The fisherman cut the line and took off rather than seeking help for the duck. Once the duck was healed, it was adopted and is living with a great family.

Stocke said, “The fishing line being tossed on the ground

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GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • YOU!

and in the pond is also a huge problem there.” Shelter workers have nursed at least half a dozen ducks back to health. One duck’s leg was so entangled in the line it almost severed the leg.

Contrary to popular belief, domesticated animals do not have the same survival instincts as wild animals do. They do not fare well on their own and often die a miserable death either by starvation, drowning, dehydration or accidents.

More that two dozen ducks were dumped at the park over the past year. Not only are ducks being dumped, people are abandoning rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, snakes, turtles, fish, tortoises, even an iguana, and of course dogs and cats.

It is illegal to abandon any animal, with the offense considered animal cruelty and punishable by law. Shooting pigeons or any animal at the park is illegal, too.

If you or someone you know can no longer keep an animal, please contact animal control and search for a rescue organization to help you. With a little research you will quickly find there

is a rescue group for almost every animal and even breed.

Remember to choose your pet wisely. Read about the personality traits, care, health issues, etc., before you adopt. Make sure you have a backup plan should you need to rehome your pet.

A lot of people have a misconception about animal control shelters. Shelters are designed to offer safe harbor for lost and wounded animals until their owners can be found. Workers there provide compassion, food, water and work tirelessly to try and make sure animals end up in a loving home, often their own.

Make an animal happy by contacting a shelter or rescue to find out how you can volunteer or donate. For more information about Casa Grande Animal Control call 520-426-9300 or visit www.casagrandeaz.gov/police/ animal-care-and-control.

Happy Tails to you!

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

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1919 N. TREKELL RD. CASA GRANDE ©2020 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

PINAL COUNTY PRESS A R IZONA CIT Y • C A SA GR A NDE • CO OLIDGE • ELOY • F LOR ENCE • M A R ICOPA

CONTINUED…

Maricopa Leads Pinal County Growth, Close To Overtaking CG As Biggest City

N

ew population estimates show the City of Maricopa is continuing to set the pace for growth among cities in Pinal County and could soon unseat Casa Grande as its largest municipality, according to the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity.

There were 54,791 people living in Maricopa as of June 30, 2019, the state said, which is a 5.1% increase from the previous year’s estimate, the fastest percentage growth in the County and the third-highest statewide.

Maricopa Mayor Christian Price told Golden Corridor LIVING: “The City of Maricopa, and Pinal County as a whole, have seen tremendous growth in both population and industry.

We are constantly building new infrastructure, attracting new businesses and developing our

ATTESA...cont. from page 17 strip and residential choices including an RV park, apartments, townhouses and single-family homes, Director of Marketing Bill Tybur said. Plans also call for commercial, retail and entertainment destinations and a luxury hotel, he added.

According to an economic impact study commissioned by the project’s backers from Scottsdale’s Elliott D. Pollack & Company, Attesa is projected at buildout to generate more than 13,300 full- and part-time jobs plus an additional 1,722 indirect and induced (created by direct and indirect employee spending) jobs in Pinal County upon completion. Total economic impact would average $1.8 billion per year.

But first comes Phase 1 of the

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GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

future in a planned, responsible and sustainable way. This continued growth showcases our unceasing long-term efforts and further illustrates that people are extremely desirous to experience our charming high qual-

ity of life.”

Maricopa has grown by 26% over its 2010 U.S. Census population of 43,482, according to the OEO, which releases estimates every December for the year ending June 30. It uses the most recent U.S. Census count plus data about births and deaths, residential building permits, annexations and other factors.

Casa Grande remains Pinal County’s largest city by an estimated 2,171 people at 56,962, which is 2.1% higher than its 2018 estimate. It has grown 17.2% since the 2010 census.

Richard Wilkie, economic development director for that city, said recent developments point to sustained growth for Casa Grande, and it is projected the city will have more than 92,000 residents by 2040.

“With the recent Lucid Mo-

tors ground-building event officially launching construction of its Casa Grande manufacturing facility, along with Attesa’s announcement of having formally submitted their first racetrack site plan to Pinal County for review, and the great interest by other companies we continue to receive – Casa Grande is poised to experience significant growth over the next five to 10 years ensuring that our City will remain the industrial, retail and health-care hub of Pinal County,” Wilkie said.

Queen Creek, population 53,138, was the state’s fastest growing municipality in 2019 with a 7.8% growth rate. It has doubled in size since the last census. In 2018, Queen Creek population in Pinal County bal-

first track, which Danrick Builders Managing Partner Dan Erickson said “will be 16-turns and 2.65 miles long, built to Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) standards with multiple configurations and significant elevation changes.”

He added, “Phase 2 will expand the pro circuit to 4.25 miles and add a high-performance driving school and skid pad, closed-course off-road track plus testing facilities for manufacturers, racing teams and aftermarket suppliers.”

Danrick’s other member/ manager, Patrick Johnson, is the former co-owner of Phoenix International Raceway, now known as ISM Raceway.

Erickson said construction will begin as soon as the site

plan gets final approval from the county, which he expects in spring 2020. The developers began the entitlement process with the county in 2016 and completed it in January 2019, obtaining permanent zoning that should prevent the track from ever being shut down due to noise complaints or other issues.

But the groundbreaking was delayed due to a moratorium placed by the state Department of Water Resources on approvals for new subdivisions in Pinal County, after it issued a report finding it would not have enough groundwater to meet demand from developments not already built or approved by the state.

Pinal County Supervisor Steve Miller, whose District 3 includes the Attesa site, said, “I’m supporting it. Pinal County is open for business,” despite some hur-

dles that remain with water supply and the formation of a community facilities district to pay for infrastructure.

“We don’t have a lot of tools in the toolbox, but there are some tools available, and we’re willing to work with anyone who is interested,” he said.

Miller said he thinks Attesa’s first racetrack and clubhouse will be able to obtain DWR approval as long as the land isn’t subdivided. The application with the state for an analysis of an assured 100-year water supply for the entire property has been pending for years, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, Miller will be leading a group of County stakeholders and residents over the next year to look for solutions to the water shortage being predicted by the state.

Maricopa Mayor Christian Price

Continued on page 96...

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

ATI N CE L E B R

U RE FU T

YEARS EST.

T

HE

G

ST, INSPIRI A P NG E H T

1969

R I ZO N A C O L L E G A L A R T E CEN

Proud to Serve Pinal County

A Message from the President This year marks the 50th anniversary of Central Arizona College. Since September of 1969, CAC has provided high quality and affordable educational opportunities for thousands of students and residents of Pinal County.

I am fortunate to serve as president, as this remarkable milestone gives me even more reason to express my pride in the team of dedicated employees and community members who have and continue to lay the groundwork for new and innovative methods of distinguishing CAC as Central Arizona’s premier choice in education and career excellence.

CAC is dedicated to providing a TRUE Learning community by empowering our students and staff to succeed. Our history of providing quality education and supporting student’s goals of achieving a certificate or two-year degree, transferring to a four-year institution, entering the career of their choice, or completing courses for personal enhancement remains our primary focus.

Over the past 50 years, CAC has transformed the lives of over 21,000 graduates and has impacted hundreds of thousands of others through its educational, cultural, and community outreach programs and events.

Our legacy is distinguished by the impact we have achieved on the citizens of Pinal County and beyond. I am confident that as we enter this next era, CAC will not only further establish the College as a driver in workforce and economic development for the communities we serve but also inspire others to meet their full potential.

Thank you Pinal County for 50 years of support and making Central Arizona College, Your Community College!

Sincerely,

Jackie Elliot President/CEO Central Arizona College

2

Vision

Central Arizona’s premier choice in education and career excellence.

Mission

Central Arizona College serves as a TRUE Learning community by empowering our students and staff to succeed.

Teaching. Reaching. Understanding. Empowering. Learning.

Values

1. Accountability 2. Communities 3. Trust

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

A Brief History of Central Arizona College – Pinal County’s Community College

Central Arizona College Presidents

T

Dr. Don P. Pence Founding President 1967-1973

he process to establish a community college in Pinal County began July 1, 1961, when the Arizona Legislature passed a bill permitting counties with the necessary assessed valuation and potential numbers of students to form junior college districts. Pinal County voted in favor of organizing a district on Dec. 17, 1961.

County Superintendent of Schools, Mary C. O’Brien, appointed five citizens to make up the original Pinal County Junior College District Governing Board.

The group held their first meeting on Jan. 16, 1962.

For the first six years, the board worked diligently to find a suitable location for the campus while simultaneously preparing for a bond election to actually build the Signal Peak Campus.

In 1968, Dr. Ronald F. Schoen of Casa Grande was elected president of the Central Arizona College Foundation, an organization designed to help raise funds for the institution. The presidential board of the organization also consisted of first vice-president Ivor G. Pickering of Kearny; second vice-president Robert Bean of Coolidge; and secretary-treasurer Mona Collerette of Casa Grande.

The governing board determined that a modern Spanish-Indian motif would be utilized in the construction of the college buildings to align with the history and diversity of the region.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at Signal Peak on Nov. 8, 1968, and Central Arizona College opened its doors on Sept. 22, 1969, near the base of Signal Peak Mountain. Approximately 1,000 full-and part-time students registered for classes at the new campus.

CAC began extending its accessibility throughout Pinal County, becoming an important economic partner.

During the 1972-73 academic year, the state board for community colleges approved preliminary construction plans for the Arizona College of Technology, now known as the Aravaipa Campus.

The date of May 16, 1975, marked the first graduation and dedication at the Arizona College of Technology.

In 1979, the Governing Board approved the recommendation to develop a college with the name Central Arizona College

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

with multiple campuses. Location names changed from CAC to Signal Peak Campus and Arizona College of Technology to Aravaipa Campus.

In 1982, CAC began offering classes in Apache Junction, using portables at Apache Junction High School. From 1985-1987 CAC held classes for students from the east valley at the Grand Hotel, which housed an administrative office and four classrooms. During the summer of 1987, the Superstition Mountain Campus opened at its current location, and by 1992 an additional 28.5 acres were purchased to expand the growing campus from one building to four buildings.

On Aug. 10, 2006, a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opened the new Maricopa Center located in the heart of this thriving community. A year later, CAC’s new location – the Corporate Center – located at the former Palm Center Outlet Mall just off the Florence Boulevard exit of I-10 – opened.

In Nov. 2008, voters of Pinal County authorized the college to expand educational opportunities and accessibility throughout the county by approving a nearly $99 million general obligation bond.

This stamp of approval allowed CAC to build new campuses in the San Tan Valley area and in the city of Maricopa, while also upgrading some of the facilities at the Signal Peak, Superstition Mountain and Aravaipa campuses as well as the Casa Grande Center.

Central Arizona College’s San Tan Center in The Shops at Copper Basin opened for business along the Hunt Highway Corridor in 2009.

Two years later, CAC conducted the groundbreaking ceremonies for its new campus in Maricopa, giving the college the ability to extend services to the growing community. With the first phase of the campus complete, the Maricopa Campus opened for business on Jan. 2, 2013.

More than 200 community members from the City of Maricopa, the Ak-Chin Indian Community and Pinal County gathered on Sept. 17, 2013 for the official ribbon cutting and opening of the campus.

CAC’s newest campus in the San Tan Valley was celebrated during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 5, 2013 and opened for business in Jan. 2014.

Dr. Mel A. Everingham 1973-1984 Dr. James Kraby 1984-1985 Dr. Kathleen Arns 1986-1990 Dr. John J. Klein 1990-2003 Dr. Terry Calaway 2003-2007 Dennis A. Jenkins 2007-2011 Dr. Doris Helmich 2012-2016 Dr. Jacquelyn Elliott 2016-Present

Original Board of Governors, Appointed 1961 Claude C. Compton C. Leroy Hoyt Paul Pearce Dr. Leslie A. Wakefield Dr. G.H. Walker Lee BeDillon, State Board Representative

Board of Governors, Elected 1962 Claude C. Compton Dr. James T. O’Neil Paul Pearce Dr. Leslie A. Wakefield Dr. G.H. Walker

Organizational Staff, 1967 Dr. Don P. Pence William “Bill” Hudson Homer Koliba Guy Acuff Dale Gibson William Flores Robert Austin Bettie Clemans Corina Yucupicio CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

3

1969 TO 2019

Central Arizona College 1969

X CAC Opened its doors with approximately 1,000 full- and part-time students registered for classes at the new Signal Peak Campus on Sept. 22.

X The college started its second year of teaching at the Arizona State Prison.

During its first year, 100 inmates registered for the program.

Since then, CAC has educated thousands of inmates.

X The Associated Students held their first election of officers on Nov. 26, 1969.

The following students were elected: Rick Gibson, president; Marion Stewart, vice president; Debbie Millspaugh, secretary; Joanne Hoefler, treasurer; Cynthia Aspinall, Larry Herrera, Ryan Fulk and Ron Probasco, sophomore senators; and Karen Boyd, Terry Boyle, Bill Hawkins and Jolynn McNeil, freshman senators.

1970

X The Central Arizona College Dedication Ceremony was held on Sunday, Jan. 11, 1970.

X Additional dorm units were completed to accommodate the growing student population.

X The CAC board approved a seal for the college, designed by William Hudson, dean of student’s affairs for

4

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

the college. The center of the gold seal contains the seal of Pinal County which represents mining. Below a saguaro cactus and a cotton plant are depicted.

The entire design is surrounded by the Pima sun symbol. The gold center rests on a green background, representative of the school colors. The college seal was drawn and produced by the late Don Ratz who was as CAC art instructor.

1971

X A veteran’s club was formed at Central Arizona College.

X The CACtus, CAC’s student run newspaper published its inaugural edition.

X The popular Spanish instrumental group, Los Vaqueros del Colegio, and the Jazz Choir received a special invitation to perform at the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 27, 1971 in Tempe. The game featured Arizona State University vs.

Florida State University.

X In September of 1970, CAC finished its $1 million Career Center on the Gila River Indian Reservation. Nearly 300 students who were Pima and Maricopa Native Americans signed up for classes. CAC operated the Center for 20 years.

X First class of nursing students graduated on May 22, 1970.

X CAC’s first commencement exercises were held on May 31, 1970. Associate degrees were conferred on 25 charter graduates.

1972

X CAC head coach, George Young qualified for the Olympics in Mexico City, his fourth Olympiad.

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

Historical Timeline 1973

X The state board for community colleges authorized a 48-bed addition to dormitories at CAC, and approved preliminary construction plans for the Aravaipa Campus.

X David Callahan, a CAC art student from Arizona City, was commissioned to paint a 30-foot modernistic mural of a Vaquero on a black horse to decorate the water tower at the Signal Peak Campus.

X The Central Arizona Regional Law Enforcement Officer’s Academy (CARLOTA) held its first graduation ceremony on March 4, 1974, following a seven-week session.

1975

X The first graduation and dedication at the Arizona College of Technology was held May 16, 1975.

X A groundbreaking ceremony for the new fine arts building was held on April 23, 1973.

X Registration for classes at Arizona College of Technology at the Aravaipa Campus, was held and classes started on Sept. 23.

X The Governing Board approved a resolution naming the new fine arts center the Don P. Pence Center for Visual and Performing Arts

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

X Students from San Manuel High School participated in the first Central Arizona College High School Math Contest.

X Prompted by the needs of Apache Junction and Superior residents, the recommendation is presented to the Governing Board to purchase land for an eventual campus in Apache Junction.

1979

X In October, plans for the development of a law enforcement academy at CAC to serve Pinal and Gila counties was announced.

1974

1978

1976

X CAC officials partner with the Pinal County Fine Arts Council to begin offering a cultural events series in the Pence Center for the Visual and Performing Arts.

1977

X George Young, Athletic Director and Track Coach is inducted into the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame for his four-time participation in the Olympic Games, an achievement accomplished by only one other individual. The Governing Board votes to officially dedicate the Signal Peak Gymnasium as the George Young Activity Center.

X The Governing Board approved Dr. Mel A. Everingham’s recommendations to develop a college with the name Central Arizona College with multiple campuses, changing location names to Signal Peak Campus, and Arizona College of Technology to Aravaipa Campus.

X For the 10th year in a row, the CAC Parli-Pro team finished in the top five nationally.

1980

X Dr. Everingham led the fight locally against Proposition 106, which would have reduced community college funding statewide. The proposition was defeated in November.

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

5

Historical Timeline Continued

1981

X Fourteen fire department and ambulance company employees received certificates at the first graduation ceremonies for a community college paramedic training course.

X Seven students graduated from CAC’s building trades apprenticeship program at the Gila River Career Center in Sacaton.

1982

X CAC began offering classes in Apache Junction, using portables at Apache Junction High School.

X The moon in the first quarter phase highlighted Central Arizona College’s first public viewing night at the Schmidt Observatory on the Signal PeaK Campus.

1983

X Student competitors in speech, journalism, drama and business excel in various competitions.

1984

X The first College for Kids summer program was conducted at the Signal Peak Campus. The program was for children in third through sixth grade.

X Dozens of students from 10 high schools across Arizona participated in Central Arizona College’s annual High School Welding Contest at the Signal Peak Campus.

X The Gila River Career Center, a skill center operated by CAC, offered evening college, featuring more than 30 courses.

6

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

1985

X The CAC Governing Board approves a two-year agreement to lease the Grand Hotel in Apache Junction and the college begins offering classes for students at this new site.

1986

X CAC became the first community college in Arizona to require drug testing for student athletes.

1987

X A new tuition and fee schedule for 1987-88 that includes a two for-one savings for students taking up to six credit hours was approved by the CAC Governing Board.

1990

X A unique cooperative venture between Central Arizona College and the Ak-Chin Indian Community resulted in a specialized education program for workers at the nation’s first formal Eco Museum. An environmental study for the Central Arizona Project uncovered more than 700 artifacts and several archaeological sites in the path of the CAP on the Ak-Chin Indian Community, located south of Phoenix near the community of Maricopa.

X During the summer of 1987 the Superstition Mountain Campus opened at its current location.

1988

X Central Arizona College’s Recreational Vehicle Maintenance and Repair program, one of only two such training programs in the country, graduated its first class of trained technicians at the Apache Junction Campus.

X Central Arizona College reached a new Full-Time Student Equivalency record of 3,000.

X The first Auto and Diesel Mechanics Contest is held at the Signal Peak Campus.

X CAC’s Apache Junction Campus offers College for Kids for children entering third grade through those exiting the fifth grade.

1991

1989

X CAC student athletes finish a record year with three national championships – men’s cross country, women’s basketball, and women’s softball – and a second place national finish in men’s track and field.

X The first phase of major renovations at the Superstition Mountain Campus of Central Arizona College was completed with completion of the second phase set for January of 1993.

X The Manufacturing Engineering Technology program at the Signal Peak Campus became the third such program in Arizona awarded accreditation by the national Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

1992

X Redistricting of the Pinal County Community College precincts is required by law because of the new population figures established by the 1990 census. The CAC Governing Board approved new district boundaries. The physical boundaries shrank in the districts that encompass Casa Grande and Apache Junction because of population growth in those areas.

X An additional 28.5 acres were purchased to expand the growing Superstition Mountain Campus from one building to four buildings.

1993

X Working in New Directions, Central Arizona College’s program aimed at easing the transition to a vocational program for students returning to college has grown from 35 participants in 1991 to 150 at the Aravaipa, Signal and Superstition Mountain campuses. W.I.N.D. provides reentry students with an opportunity to meet, share ideas and concerns and provide help to other students and their families.

X CAC celebrated the completion of another construction phase at the Superstition Mountain Campus.

X A new computer-based catalog system that provides access to public libraries throughout Pinal County began in the Learning Resource Center, or library, at the Signal Peak Campus.

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

1994

X More than 60 CAC employees from the Aravaipa, Signal Peak and Superstition Mountain campuses volunteered to be mentors in CAC’s Student Academic Mentoring program.

1995

X The CAC Governing Board received the inaugural David Pierce Quality Organizational Leadership Award by the National Initiative for Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness and North Carolina State University. CAC was the only Arizona community college and one of only 15 nationwide to receive the honor.

X The Graphic Arts Technology class at the Arizona State Prison Center won nine Gutenberg Awards in the Student Graphic Arts contest.

1997

X CAC’s training partnership with Caterpillar and Empire Southwest continues to set new standards.

1998

X CAC’s 20th Annual High School Math Contest is held at the Signal Peak Campus.

X CAC President Dr. John J. Klein announced plans to open a Casa Grande Adult Education Center in early 1998. The college leased two suites totaling approximately 3,300 square feet in the Casa Grande Clinic Plaza at the comer of Florence Boulevard and Trekell Road. The facility initially housed a computer lab and classroom for ABE/GED/ ESL classes, and provided facilities for the college’s Small Business Development Center.

(Known today as the Casa Grande Center.)

1999

1996

X The CAC Governing Board held a joint work session with the Pinal County University Foundation Organizing Committee. The two groups reviewed progress of the university foundation’s efforts to raise money for a Northern Arizona University building at Signal Peak and discussed the possible location for the building.

X The U.S. Department of Education awarded CAC a three-year, Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology, grant totaling nearly $1 million to assist in preparing 350 kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers to use computerbased technology in their classrooms.

2000

X Central Arizona College was one of 69 institutions throughout the country to receive a five-year Title V development Grant to serve Hispanic and high-risk students. Only three Arizona institutions were chosen for the grant designed to enhance academic offerings, program quality and institutional stability.

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

7

2001

X The CAC Foundation launched Project Early Start, a scholarship program that potentially could provide a two-year college degree to any Pinal County high school graduate. The program is aimed at eighth-grade students who sign a contract and commit to complete high school with a 2.75 or better grade point average. Upon graduation, the student must enroll in at least 12 credit hours at CAC and maintain a minimum 2.75 grade point average. The Project Early Start Scholarship covers tuition for four semesters.

X CAC representatives and area law enforcement officers threw the first shovels of dirt to mark the beginning of the Regional Public Safety Training Center.

The ground breaking was held Sept. 18, 2001. Also that afternoon, CAC’s governing board approved a bid for nearly $1 million to construct the first phase of the training center.

2002

X The Arizona Firefighters Foundation and CAC established a scholarship fund for dependents of Arizona firefighters.

2003

X The first Empty Bowls, a unique charity event is held at the Signal Peak Campus.

Guests pay $10 and receive a handmade ceramic stoneware bowl filled with soup. The proceeds are donated to select charities and organizations in Pinal County.

8

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

2004

2005

X Central Arizona College’s dietetic technician program became the first in the state of Arizona to be granted a 10-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE.)

2006

X The CAC Foundation announced a new name for one of the nation’s most innovative programs aimed at combating high school dropout rates Promise for the Future. The program was formerly known as Project Early Start. A major gift of $150,000 from the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation of Phoenix was received.

X Central Arizona College has been named one of the top higher education institutions in the entire nation. Central Arizona College, along with Winona State University of Minnesota, was honored with the Best Practices for the Development of Student Outcomes Award during the Consortium for Assessment and Planning Support/Assessment Network (CAPS/Assess Net) annual international conference.

X Central Arizona College dedicated its Gloria R. Sheldon University Center at the Signal Peak Campus.

X A project to develop student learning outcomes won national recognition from the League for Innovation in the Community College. CAC’s project was among three dozen across the country to receive a 2006 Innovation of the Year Award from the international consortium headquarters in Phoenix.

X A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 10 officially opened the new Maricopa Center in the heart of the thriving community.

2007

X CAC’s Corporate Centerlocated at the former Palm Center Outlet Mall just off the Florence Boulevard exit of I-10 opened. The new location became home to the Weekend College program.

X Barnes & Noble, the nation’s largest bookseller, opened their location at the Signal Peak and Superstition Mountain campuses.

2008

X In November of 2008, Pinal County taxpayers supported CAC’s vision of expanding access to higher education by approving a $99 million general obligation bond to increase

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

accessibility by building two new campuses and increasing educational space at four existing locations.

X The CAC Foundation‘s Promise for the Future Scholarship program received a $1 million boost from the Gila River Indian Community.

X Central Arizona College’s San Tan Center in The Shops at Copper Basin opens for business along the Hunt Highway Corridor.

2009

X The U.S. Department of Education awarded CAC a $1,376,000 two-year grant to help increase educational opportunities for minority and low-income students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

X The U.S. Department of Labor awarded CAC a $1,992.763 five-year grant to help train healthcare workers in Pinal County and the metropolitan areas of Tucson and Phoenix. CAC was one of 68 organizations receiving a total of $123 million in grants as part of the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative.

X Forty inaugural Wall of Success candidates were inducted during the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Signal Peak Campus on Nov. 14, 2009.

2010

X Campus expansions and renovations took place throughout the District as a result of the general obligation bond approval in 2008.

X Aravaipa Campus renovation work on 2-3 buildings, including the cafeteria, the entire building housing ITV, and the library.

X Casa Grande Center purchased adjacent property to complete a square block in the city of Casa Grande that gives Central Arizona College an opportunity to expand services in the heart of the largest city in Pinal County.

X Superstition Mountain Campus - the CAC Governing Board approved the purchase of an additional parcel of land adjacent to the existing property. The college secured an agreement with the city of Apache Junction that included the abandonment of Broadway Avenue between Winchester and Idaho roads. CAC assumed responsibility for the roads. In return, CAC installed a traffic light at the intersection of Winchester Road and Old West Highway.

2011

X Maricopa - the CAC Governing Board approved the purchase of 217 acres of land in the city of Maricopa for the purpose of building a new campus in the western region of Pinal County.

X San Tan Valley - the college worked with local, regional and county officials to identify roughly 200 acres of land that serve as the best possible location for CAC’s campus in the area.

X Signal Peak Campus - the CAC Governing Board approved the purchase of property located adjacent to the public safety training facility for future expansion, while architects developed renovation plans for the Wakefield Building (nursing),

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

Pence Center (to improve handicap accessibility), O’Neil Building (administration), and a new front door to the campus.

Historical Timeline Continued

X The Central Arizona College Board of Governors approved the recommendation by the CAC administration to purchase approximately 208 acres of land in the San Tan Valley for construction of the college’s new campus in the area.

X A grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Central Arizona College Child Care Center took place on Oct. 18, at the Signal Peak Campus.

X Barnes & Noble bookstores implemented a textbook rental option program for students.

2012

X Following a yearlong, multi-million-dollar facelift, Central Arizona College’s Don P. Pence Center for Visual & Performing Arts officially reopened its doors on Saturday, Oct. 27.

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

9

Historical Timeline Continued

2013

2015

X The College Center at Central Arizona College’s Superstition Mountain Campus (SMC) earned an Excellence in Architecture for a New Building Merit award from the Society of College and University Planning (SCUP).

X CAC Implemented a new mobile app.

X The trade publication Metal Architecture selected the Maricopa Campus as a Grand Award Winner during its annual Design Award contest in July.

2016

X With the first phase of the campus complete, the Maricopa Campus opened for business on January 2. The official ribbon cutting was held on September 17.

X A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new San Tan Valley campus was held on December 5.

2014

X Effective March 13, 2015, the Institutional Actions Council of the Higher Learning Commission continued the accreditation status of CAC through 2022-2023.

X The Wall of Success was dedicated in the lobby of the Don P. Pence Center.

X CAC was awarded a $10 million TAACCCT grant and established the Arizona Regional Advanced Manufacturing Professional Upgrade project (AZ RAMP Up).

10

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

X The first annual Young Advanced Technology Academy at the Signal Peak Campus was held in June with two different sessions being offered for students entering seventh through tenth grade.

X As part of a national effort to train 10,000 baby boomers for new jobs in health care, education and social services, CAC joined the Plus 50 Encore Completion Program.

X A MakerLab at the Signal Peak Campus is implemented.

X CAC announced a partnership with Lucid Motors.

X The first annual Vidas Brillantes conference for young women took place at the Signal Peak Campus.

X CAC’s newest campus in the San Tan Valley opened for business in January.

X The Maricopa Campus is recognized as the “Best Education Project” of the past year by the Arizona Commercial Real Estate (AZRE) Magazine.

The publication announced the honor during its Ninth Annual RED Awards reception.

2017

X Enhancements were completed within the resident halls, including free Internet/Wi-Fi access, study areas with onsite tutoring, and new living and learning communities tailored to help students transition to college and maximize their on-campus living experience.

X CAC offered the Air Force Association’s CYBERPATRIOT National Youth Cyber Education Program at both the Signal Peak Campus and Superstition Mountain Campus for high school students who have completed the 9th-12th grade.

X A new workforce development partnership between Central Arizona College and Tempe-based general contractor Sundt Construction, Inc., was celebrated on July 13 when CAC dedicated the new Sundt Training Wall built by Sundt for the college’s Welding Department.

X CAC was awarded a $1.3 million Upward Bound Grant to assist first generation and lowincome students in preparing for a college education.

X The College received a $1,155,515, five-year TRIO Student Support Services grant from the United States Department of Education.

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

Peak Campus on Tuesday, August 21. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at each building.

X A new concrete pad, donated by Sundt Construction, Inc. was dedicated on October 30.

X S.E.E.4VETS pledged $13,960 to assist in funding a new Veterans Center at the Signal Peak Campus. During 2017-2018, CAC served more than 250 veteran and active military students.

X CAC and the BlackBox Foundation established a partnership to offer noncredit theater related workshops along with theatrical performances and two theater productions, one in the fall and one in the spring.

X CAC launched a new, mobile friendly and responsive website.

2018

X CAC, in partnership with Resolution Copper, offers training for current and potential hires.

X The College implemented the CampusNexus CRM in spring 2018.

X Throughout the month of April, Central Arizona College welcomed more than 160 high school students from Casa Grande Union and Vista Grande High Schools during Vaquero Rally Days. Each day served as a high school orientation for freshman students already committed to CAC. X Central Arizona College officially celebrated the opening for the new Science Building and Mel A. Everingham Student Union at the Signal

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

2019

X CAC implemented CampusNexus Finance, HR and Payroll.

X The Weekend College program was redesigned with classes scheduled to begin in Fall 2018. At the completion of the three-year Weekend College program, students will earn an Associate of Arts Degree.

X CAC launched the new CampusNexus Student module in November. The services offered include online admissions forms for academic, community education courses, and residence life; degree audit for student planning; and payment plans and electronic signatures. This change also allows CAC staff and faculty many ways in which to contact and communicate with students.

X The CAC chapter of the National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS) held its inaugural induction and awards ceremony. CAC’s Chapter of the NSLS was established in August.

X Central Arizona College was named a 2019 Gold Circle of Excellence award winner by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for their entry, “Central Arizona College & Sundt Construction: Education at the Speed of Industry.”

X Food Pantry locations open at all Central Arizona College library locations.

X Central Arizona College and Wilson Electric collaborate to offer a Professional Electrician Training program at the Superstition Mountain Campus.

X CAC connect, an educational partnership with Maricopa, Apache Junction, Poston Butte and JO Combs high schools launches.

This new and innovative partnership provides space at each high school where CAC advisors, academic departments and recruiters will meet with students during normal business hours.

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

11

Central Arizona College Athletics T

he men’s athletic programs began in 1969-70. The programs included basketball, baseball, track, wrestling and golf. The very first CAC athletic contest was men’s basketball. They beat Navajo Community College 91-80 in Chinle, AZ. Despite having to travel 20 miles to practice until the gymnasium was completed in January of 1970, the Vaquero basketball team finished with a 19-9 record during the 1969-70 campaign.

The CAC Rodeo Team captured many honors in the fall of 1970, with the women’s team placing first during a competition featuring 15 other teams representing universities and colleges in Arizona and California.

Women’s basketball, volleyball and softball had their start at CAC in 197172, with Lin L. Laursen coaching. Cross country was added to give CAC 11 team sports.

Today, CAC offers baseball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s rodeo, men’s and women’s

cross country, and men’s and women’s track and field.

CAC athletics has perennially ranked in the top ten in the Nation, being awarded the NATYCAA award for overall program

excellence in two-year college athletics.

CAC has had numerous All-Americans and Academic All-American athletes and has celebrated a total of 42 national athletic championships in the past 50 years.

Athletic Highlights:

National Championships by sport and years:

1971-72 ������������ Dr. Chuck Foster becomes CAC’s first National All-American, Cross Country/Track 1976 ���������������� Baseball wins the national title to give CAC its first national championship 1977-79 ������������ Women’s rodeo wins back to back national titles 1984-2005 ������ Softball wins 12 national championships during this period of time 1996-2008 ������ Track and Field wins nine national championships (4 men’s and 5 women’s), with back to back performances by both 2002-2011 �������� CAC captures 16 total national titles during the nine-year period.

2012-Present �� CAC wins six more national titles, bringing their total to 42

Men’s Cross Country ��������� 1988, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2016 & 2018 Women’s Cross Country ��� 2005 & 2009 Women’s Basketball ����������� 1989, 1998, 2005 & 2009 Volleyball ����������������������������� 1983 Baseball ����������������������������� 1976, 2002 & 2019 Softball ������������������������������� 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, & 2005 Men’s Track & Field ����������� 1996, 2005, 2006, & 2007 Women’s Track & Field ����� 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007 & 2008 Women’s Rodeo ����������������� 1978, 1979 & 2014

CAC’s Mascot – The Vaqueros In 1970, Ray Lara, a Coolidge resident and technical drafting student, was the winner in the contest to select an athletic nickname and mascot. This was the beginning of the Central Arizona College Vaqueros.

The process to determine the new look for CAC’s mascot began in 2016.

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CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

Students and employees participated in a survey, voting on the face, custom made chaps and vest for the individual who represents the Vaqueros. Appearances began in Fall 2018.

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

Central Arizona College Library Then

Now

• 1 campus library

• 5 campus libraries

• Largest library in Pinal County

• Connected with all of the public libraries

• 1 library director, 1 librarian assistant, 2 clerical assistants, and 20 student workers

• 1 library director, 6 librarians, 11 library assistants, 5 student workers

• Card catalog system

• Online catalog

• Books

• Access to over 300,000 Books (fiction, non-fiction, young adult, graphic novels)

• Print and bound magazines, and microfilm of magazines • 35 Listening Centers which allowed students to listen to lectures • Group study rooms and typing rooms • Chime system that rang every hour and 10 minutes prior to class

• Over a million eBooks • Digital magazines • 37 databases = millions of academic journal articles • Streaming online videos • DVDs • Audiobooks • Online citation management system • Social media

Still dedicated to serving students, faculty, and staff no matter the changing technology or format of materials.

50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

13

Join CAC in celebrating 50 years at one or more of the events planned this spring!

CAC 50th Anniversary Carnival Mar. 26-27, 2020 See website for times, Parking Lot Black Box “Picnic” Fri, Apr. 3, 2020 7:00 PM, Pence Center Black Box “Picnic” Sat, Apr. 4, 2020 7:00 PM, Pence Center New Shanghai Circus Thurs, Jan. 23, 2020 7:00 PM, Pence Center

Utah Shakespeare Company Wed, Feb. 26, 2020 10:00 AM, Pence Center

Black Box “Picnic” Sun, Apr. 5, 2020 3:00 PM, Pence Center

AZ Puppet Show Tues, Feb. 4, 2020 10:00 AM, Pence Center

Come Back Buddy Sun, Mar. 1, 2020 3:00 PM, Pence Center

Spring Student Art Gallery Opening Tues, Apr. 28, 2020 5:00 PM, Pence Center

Joe Castillo ‘Sand-Art’ Show Sun, Feb. 9, 2020 3:00 PM, Pence Center

Student Art Gallery Opening Wed, Mar. 4, 2020 3:00 PM, N107

CAC Band and Orchestra Tues, Apr. 28, 2020 7:00 PM, Pence Center

CAC Alumni Concert Wed, Feb. 12, 2020 7:00 PM, Pence Center

Black Women Walking Fri, Mar. 6, 2020 7:00 PM, Pence Center

CAC Choir, Handbell Choir Sun, May 3, 2020 3:00 PM, Pence Center

“Paperback Writer” Beatles Tribute Sat, Feb. 22, 2020 7:00 PM, Pence Center Empty Bowls Tues, Feb. 25, 2020 11AM-1PM, N Plaza

Rocktacular Spring Midterm Tues, Mar. 10, 2020 12:00 PM, I Bldg Outdoor Stage

Rocktacular Spring Final Wed, May 6, 2020 7:00 PM, Pence Center

Creative Arts in Concert Thurs, Mar. 12, 2020 7:00 PM, Pence Center

Complete event listings can be found at www.centralaz.edu/50 or EventsAtCAC.com Water Tower Changes In 1973, David Callahan, a CAC art student from Arizona City, was commissioned to paint a 30-foot modernistic mural of a Vaquero on a black horse to decorate the water tower at the Signal Peak Campus. Callahan said the idea, which he and art instructor Don Ratz designed, started with President Dr. Don

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CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

Before Pence. The Vaquero mural was 20 feet wide and 40 feet tall.

In fall of 2016, the Signal Peak Water Tower received a face lift due to needed repairs. The symbolic athletic logo replaced the original design.

After 50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

College Leadership BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Mrs. Gladys Christensen District 1

Dr. David Odiorne District 2

Mr. Richard Gibson District 3

Mr. Dan Miller District 4

Mr. Dave Waldron District 5

COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION Jacquelyn Elliott, Ed.D. President/CEO

Tramaine Rausaw, Ed.D. Dean of Student Life

Chris Wodka, M.B.A., CPA Vice President of Business Affairs Chief Financial Officer

Sherrie Licon, Ed.D. Executive Director Enrollment Services

Mary Kay Gilliland, Ph.D. Vice President of Academic Affairs

Luisa Ott, CPA, CFE, CGMA, M.B.A. Executive Director Accounting Services/Comptroller

Brandi Bain, M.B.A. Vice President of Talent Development/Legal Affairs Jennifer Cardenas, Ed.D. Vice President of Student Services Terri Ackland, Ph.D. Academic Dean Jani Attebery, Ph.D. Academic Dean Tina Berry, Ph.D. Academic Dean Jeff Bunkelmann, Ph.D. Academic Dean 50TH ANNIVERSARY 2020

Angela Askey, MAGR Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing Dustin Maroney, M.A. Executive Director Institutional Effectiveness Margaret Dooley Executive Director Institutional Development Chuck Schnoor, M.Ed. Director of Athletics Cameron Sanders Executive Director Information Technology Services/CIO CENTR AL ARIZONA COLLEGE

15

CentralAZ.edu/50

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2020 Hashbrowns, History and Hiking Events Scheduled

T

he Legends of Superior Trails Inc (LOST). has announced the schedule for their upcoming 2020 Hashbrowns, History and Hiking events.

Each event begins 7:30 a.m. at the Superior Chamber of Commerce, 165 Main Street in Downtown Superior. The event ticket is $25 and includes a hearty breakfast, historic presentation and guided hike.

The first event is scheduled for Jan. 10, and the topic is the history of US 60 and the Apache Trail. The presentation and guided hike will be given by Rick Powers, who is the author of an Images of America book about the Apache Trail and a local transportation historian. The hike will be on the Queen Creek Canyon segment of the LOST, this segment is part of the original US 60 highway which was the first $1 million per mile highway built in America. Seating is limited, so please reserve your seats by registering online at: http://bit.ly/Jan20HHH The second event in the series is scheduled for Feb. 14. Steve Germick, the historian from the Tonto National Forest, will give a presentation on Pinal City. A regional storyteller is tentatively scheduled to provide stories and legends about Mattie Earp. The guided hike will be on the LOST-Pinal City segment. Space is limited for this event too, please reserve your seats by registering online at: http://bit.ly/Feb20HHH. A third Hashbrowns, History and Hiking event is scheduled for March 20th. At press time the history subject has not been finalized but will be released soon.

If you prefer to reserve your seats over the phone please call Mila at 520-827-0676, or you may email LOST at lostinsuperioraz@gmail.com.

The Legends of Superior Trails Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization devoted to building, maintaining, and promoting trails in Superior and the surrounding Tonto National Forest. You can learn more about the LOST on its website: superioraztrails.com or their Facebook page @LOSTInSuperiorAZ.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LEGENDS OF SUPERIOR TRAILS

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THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

Join the Movement.

Every $1 donated is one more dollar towards the betterment of YOUR community as a whole.

Just a few things your donation supports: Early Literacy Program for Young Children Homeless Health Services Clinic

Be A Giver.

SLFHC.ORG

Diabetes Education & Wellness Programs

Together We Will Make A Difference Trade one soda a week to give $1or $52 a year.

Trade one fancy coffee a week to give $5 or $260 a year.

Trade one fast food meal a week to give $10 or $520 a year.

Keeping Your Loved Ones Out of Harm’s Way at Home

by Nicole Youcupicio, Prevention Specialist, Casa Grande Alliance

Talk early and often with your children about drugs and alcohol.

Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs and alcohol are 50% less likely to use drugs...

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O

ne of parents’ biggest concerns is how to keep their children safe -- which includes worrying about them using drugs and alcohol.

It is common to believe youth will get these substances from a friend or at a party, which may be true, but it is also true the No. 1 place youth report getting prescription drugs from is their own homes, at 24.6%, according to a statewide survey. When it comes to alcohol, 18.4% report getting it from home.

Keeping alcohol and prescription drugs in a locked cabinet or drawer can effectively deter misuse. Combination locks for prescription, liquor and wine bottles can also prevent misuse and are sold online. Another way to prevent prescription drug abuse is by disposing of unused or expired medications by taking them to a medication drop box. To find the nearest medication drop box location, visit www. azdhs.gov/gis/rx-drop-off-locations/index.php.

Some other things parents can do to prevent substance abuse at home are: • Teach your children peer resistance skills. By teaching kids ways to combat peer pressure before being met with it, they will be more likely to stand their ground.

Here are four tools that you can give your children on how to do this: • Ask questions – Finding out more about what they’re being asked to do, if it’s not clear.

• Name the problem - Telling their peers, “That’s shoplifting” or “that’s vandalism.” This gives a clear message that what the peer is suggesting is wrong.

• Tell what could happen – Naming one or two of the consequences associated with choosing to do the questionable act.

• Suggest another route – Suggesting something better to do or another alternative, such as, “Let’s go get something to eat instead.”

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • YOU!

•

Monitor your child’s activities. Ask your child who, what, where and when every time your child wants to go out and do something. Who will you be with? What will you be doing? Where will you be? When will you be back? Always know where your child is and who they are with, and limit the amount of time your child spends unsupervised, even at home. The City of Casa Grande has a Social Hosting & Unruly Party Ordinance (Ordinance No. 1397.09.05) that states it is against the law to have underage drinking at your home, whether you knowingly supplied the alcohol or not.

•

Do not allow your child to drink at home. Over half of high school teens who report their parents allow them to drink at home (even just once in a while) report they also drink elsewhere with their friends, a study

by Students Against Destructive Decisions found. In 2018, 23.3% of Casa Grande youth reported obtaining alcohol from a parent or guardian, which has increased approximately 247% since 2014.

•

Set clear rules and consequences. Set and enforce a “zero tolerance” policy that clearly states there is to be no underage drinking or drug use in your home.

Enforce these rules with consistency and appropriate consequences.

•

Talk early and often with your children about drugs and alcohol. Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs and alcohol are 50% less likely to use drugs, yet less than 48% of Casa Grande teens report having these conversations with their parents.

If you would like more information on how to talk with your child about drugs and alcohol, or how to safely store or dispose of alcohol or prescription drugs, call 520-836-5022 or go to www.CasaGrandeAlliance.org.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

FIND THE HIDDEN OBJECTS

Can you find the 8 hidden objects that kids can use to get high?

Answers (location): - Wine (shelf ) - Beer (fridge) - Prescription Medicine (shelf ) - Cough Medicine (counter)

- Allergy Medicine (shelf ) - Aerosol Can/ Compressed Gas (under sink) - Glue (drawer) - Air Freshener (on top of fridge)

Drug Misuse Prevention and Treatment Referrals

280 W. McMurray Blvd.

Casa Grande, Arizona 85122 520-836-5022 www.CasaGrandeAlliance.org Facebook: CGAlliance | Twitter: @CG_Alliance

Help Save Lives with the #BeBrave Race

by Kaitee Doll-Bell, Executive Director of Foundation & Volunteer Services, Casa Grande Community Hospital Foundation

L

ace up those jogging shoes and run or walk for a great cause! Casa Grande Community Hospital Foundation (CGCHF) invites the public to participate in its 7th annual #BeBrave 5K, half marathon and 1-mile walk. This event will be Feb. 1 at Central Arizona College, 8470 N. Overfield Road in Coolidge. Times are:

• Half marathon – begins at 7:30 a.m.

• 5K run – begins at 7:45 a.m.

• 1-mile walk – begins at 8 a.m.

Proceeds will support uninsured and underinsured mammogram patients who seek treatment at Banner Casa Grande Imaging Breast Center. The center provides a compassionate environment that coordinates, educates and manages all breast-related health issues. In addition, the center uses state-of-the-art medical equipment to help in detecting the disease, including 3D tomosynthesis, which greatly improves physician diagnostic accuracy as well as patient convenience and comfort.

We are asking for help from our generous communities so sign up, sponsor or stay in bed and register as a “dreaming for charity” participant.

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GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • YOU!

“We’re excited and honored that we can help so many women in our local communities,” said Colleen Bechtel, Committee Chairperson. “We encourage people of all ages, children included, to come out, have fun and help people in need.”

On event day, there will be a vendor fair, photo booth, 4-foot marquee letters, a merchandise tent with #BeBrave items, and a warrior wall to honor survivors and remember those who are no longer with us.

This is a flat and fast course that winds through the beautiful desert landscape. All 5k and half-marathon finishers will receive a limited-edition race shirt, goodie bag and the second-year medal of our four-year series. If you missed last year, you can register for the year-one virtual race to get your medal.

Registration is now open, and we still have sponsorships available. If you or someone you know is interested in this incredible experience please encourage them to register at www.casagrandehalfmarathon.com. Sponsors, please contact Kaitee Doll-Bell for more information at 520-3816541 or Kaitee.Doll-Bell@bannerhealth.com.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

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Cape of Good Hope and Good Wine Along the Way

by Tori Ward, Cruise and Resort Specialist, ROX Travel Each experience was diverse and filled with historical and eyewitness accounts of the development of Cape Town supplied by Daniel, our guide.

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ollowing our Botswana safari with friends this summer, we explored two other countries on the continent of Africa. First Zimbabwe for a quick trip to Victoria Falls. And since the water shortage in Cape Town has improved, it was a great place to decompress and conclude our incredible African adventure.

Cape Town, South Africa was a new experience for us. We had arranged a three-day tour with a local guide that included all the highlights. Each experience was diverse and filled with historical and eyewitness accounts of the development of Cape Town supplied by Daniel, our guide.

Our accommodations, The Villa Zest Boutique Hotel, were on a quiet side street. Still, just a couple of blocks from one of the main avenues in the city center, it was a great location to

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

walk to nearby restaurants or grab a quick Uber to the riverfront. The delicious made-to-order breakfast in this charming spot was relaxing and accompanied by a wide selection of specialized coffees or teas. With the refreshments laid out in the afternoon in the common area, it reminded me more of a B&B than a hotel.

Daniel collected us at the appointed time each morning and provided a quick summary of the areas we would visit. Table Mountain above the urban area of the city, the wine region and a trip to Cape of Good Hope were all on the agenda. We agreed we should let the weather determine our visit to the mountain. Although it was visible from town, the low cloud cover could prevent us from being able to take in the views of the bay and surrounding area, so we decided to visit the wine

regions first.

Cape Town’s wine history dates back to the 1600s and the Dutch navigator who established Cape Town, Jan van Riebeeck. There are six major wine regions, and we visited three of these, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, with ample tastings at wineries in each region.

Our stop in Stellenbosch included tours of the historic buildings, including residences of the first settlers to the area. The busy and pedestrian-friendly streets encircle a university, and with so much Dutch-influenced architecture and bicycle traffic, you could easily mistake the town for Amsterdam. The garden route, with vineyards lining the road on each side, feels both Dutch/Germanic and French. You can guess the ancestry of the owner, depending on the name

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

Traveling • Dining • Entertainment

of the winery. It got tricky when we arrived at our favorite, the Rickety Bridge Winery, though.

With good wine and lunch, we returned to our hotel with reservations at a restaurant at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The riverfront complex was alive with activity, and

we paused to listen to an a cappella gospel choir perform before finding our seafood restaurant for dinner.

The following day again proved to be incompatible for a trip up the mountain. Our day would include a trip to the Cape of Good Hope with stops at Fish Hoek for lunch and seal watching and Boulders Penguin Colony to visit the endangered African penguins.

At Foxy Beach, we wandered along the boardwalk to watch the clumsy penguins waddle Charlie Chaplin-like to dive into the water, where they suddenly become water acrobats. They are tiny, about 24 inches tall, and weigh about 5-7 pounds, but they have sharp beaks, so don’t be fooled into thinking petting is a good idea. It’s prohibited.

The highlight of the day, of course, was arriving at Cape Point, just a few miles from where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. The chilly wind, dark pounding surf, and swirling low mist created a mysterious and wild dynamic.

Our final day proved excellent for the delayed trip to Table Mountain.

We started early to avoid having to stand in a long line for the cableway that transports you 991 feet above sea level to the plateau. From this vantage point, you can see Signal Hill, Robben Island, Table Bay and the city center.

The remainder of our day was spent visiting a local garden so we could do some walking and enjoy the pleasant weather.

Daniel was a fabulous guide for each day of our Cape Town adventure, and as we were packing to leave for home the following morning, he returned to the hotel to bring me a box of tea I had forgotten and left behind in his car.

If you’d like to learn more about planning a trip to Cape Town and to hire a guide to make sure you get the most from your visit, give me a call at 928-254-9968 or email me at tori@roxtravel.com.

Expert Tips: • • •

• •

•

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

Traffic circulates to the left, so if you have little experience driving on the left side, it’s best to take public transportation or hire a guide.

The town of Cape Town is clean, but stay within well-lighted commercial areas and be mindful of your possessions.

Although the water restrictions were lifted when we were there, the town is very conscious of this resource and implements many water-saving practices. Don’t assume you will receive a glass of water with your meal and if you do, it will probably be at a cost. Fill your water bottle at your hotel each morning.

If you plan a visit to the Cape of Good Hope or Table Mountain, take outerwear as both can be quite chilly even in warm weather.

To visit Table Mountain, check for opening times and arrive early. The lines waiting for the cableway are long. However, for the fit with time on their hands, there is a walking path up the mountain.

South Africa has rigorous driving-under-theinfluence laws. The limit is 0.05%, so if visiting wineries is on your agenda, choose a designated driver if your party is going to sample.

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Spring Flings Abound at the Pinal Fairgrounds

by Karen Searle, Executive Director, Pinal Fairgrounds and Event Center

S

everal annual events are coming up for the whole family at the Pinal Fairgrounds and Event Center, so mark your calendars!

January brings the popular Agri-Country Bluegrass Festival. Two days of nonstop music is sure to get everyone’s toes tapping. National touring acts include Laurie Lewis and the Right

Hands and Bluegrass Etc. Also on hand will be Incidental Bluegrass, Old Blue Band, Back Porch Bandits and local favorites Arizona Wildflowers and Jam Pak. Don’t miss the classic car show on Saturday, and an incredible quilt show will happen both days of the event. Of course there will be fantastic food and great shopping as well. Cook’s Racing Pigs will perform daily. This year’s Bluegrass Festival will take place on Jan. 25-26 at the Pinal Fairgrounds and Event Center. Adult admission is just $15.

Feb. 7-9 will see the incredible Wuertz Gourd Festival. Truly a

unique and fun event, you’ll find gourds of all shapes and sizes.

Some have been turned into amazing works of art, and some will be raw and ready for you to make your own artwork. Food, music, games and more await you at this family-friendly event.

March is all about the fair. The annual Pinal County Fair will be held March 18-22. Thrilling carnival rides, fabulous food, exciting exhibits, amazing animals and family entertainment everyone

will enjoy are just some of the things you’ll experience.

Don’t forget to participate, because the whole family can enter an exhibit – visit the website for more details on becoming a part of this annual tradition. Check the website for updates on entertainment. Visit www.pinalfairgrounds.com for information.

The Pinal Fairgrounds are at 512 S. Eleven Mile Corner Road, south of Coolidge and east of Casa Grande.

Jan. 25 & 26 2020 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM RAIN OR SHINE

LAURIE LEWIS & THE RIGHT HANDS BLUEGRASS ETC. OLD BLUE BAND

BACK PORCH BANDITS AND MORE! SHOPPING CRAFTS

MODEL TRAINS

ANTIQUE TRACTORS FUN!

PINAL FAIRGROUNDS | www.PinalFairgrounds.com | 520-723-7881 512 Eleven Mile Corner Rd., Casa Grande, AZ 92

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • FUN!

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

The ROX Interview (continued)

...continued from page 44 BOB BRUTINEL: Nope. I’m not on the computer. No, I mostly run the supplies to guys. And if we are short someone I work the backhoe.

GC LIVING: So what’s your favorite place to eat in Casa Grande?

BOB BRUTINEL: Well, I like Ricardo’s because of the waitresses. I like getting hugs. (laughs) GC LIVING: You went to what is now called Arizona State University (editor’s note: formerly Tempe Normal School and then Tempe State Teachers College) and Max went to the U of A. Do you have a favorite between the two - are you a Sun Devil or a Wildcat?

BOB BRUTINEL: Well naturally (laughs). But when I went there it wasn’t the Sun Devils, it was the Bulldogs. 

WINTER 2020 • THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION

OR LI V ING THE INTERV IE W • GOLDEN GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR VING

93

HAVE YOU HUGGED AN ARTIST TODAY?

S

ave the dates for the 8th Studio Tour of the Casa Grande Art Association (CGAA) Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Their 8th Studio Tour will prove to be a unique art viewing experience inviting the public into the homes and studios of working artists throughout the

Casa Grande area.

Each studio includes a market place with additional regional fine artists showing and selling their artwork. You can expect to see fine art in oil and acrylic paintings, micropen and watercolor, pastels and encaustics, stained glass, fused glass, carved glass, beading of all varieties,

Local Art Event!

Free Admission

Saturday & Sunday, March 7 & 8 9AM – 4PM

MEET LOCAL ARTISTS IN THEIR STUDIOS! SHOP FOR UNIQUE TREASURES! MAP & DETAILS:

WWW.CASAGRANDEARTASSOCIATION.ORG

94

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • FUN!

textiles, pottery, ceramics and ceramic sculptures, pens and band boxes, wind chimes and tin can flowers.

The Casa Grande Urban Sketchers group will provide additional entertainment with their “real time” art in progress.

You will find sketchers at various times and locations throughout the tour.

The Studio Tour is a novel way to explore the city as the map weaves you in and around historic downtown and interesting residential areas. Brochures with maps will be available at each location or you can go to casagrandeartassociation.org for more information and to print your map and brochure.

This is a free event and many of the studios provide refreshments for visitors, so why not check it out? On March 7 and 8, look for signs around town with the colorful Casa Grande Art Association logo directing traffic to each studio, and you will be astonished by the talent and creativity in our community.

The CGAA advocates for all forms of fine art in the Casa Grande area. Members include amateur and professional artists as well as non-artists with a passion for art. Over the years, it has grown into an active organization that hosts events and activities.

This is an inclusive group that provides opportunities to volunteer with others who support the arts in Casa Grande.

Find out how to attend meetings or drawing groups on the website casagrandeartassociation.org where you can also learn more about the wonderful things the group does for the community. In particular, you may enjoy reading about their committees, focus and passion.

The first location on the Studio Tour brochure is the Casa Grande Art Museum. If you have not been to the museum in a while, you will be astonished by all the renovations that have taken place in the last year, thanks in part to the fundraising and volunteer efforts of CGAA. The CGAA has helped make the museum an intrinsic part of the arts and culture of our historic downtown.

CGAA is a great organization to meet like-minded people sharing common interests and working together to make creative things happen in Casa Grande.

The group meets at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport, 3225 N Lear Avenue on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. September through May.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

Tori Ward 928-254-9968

drinks+, wi-fi+ & + included gratuities with Sample just a few of the destinations on sale

Sales dates: 12/11/19-2/29/20 Sailing April 2020 and beyond

Available through: Tori Ward, ROX Travel: 928-254-9968 or tori@roxtravel.com +Certain terms, conditions and limitations apply. See princess.com or speak with your travel agent for full details and disclosure.Offer valid December 11, 2019 to February 29, 2020 on selected cruises only, subject to availability. Changes or refunds may not be permitted.

PINAL COUNTY PRESS A R IZONA CIT Y • C A SA GR A NDE • CO OLIDGE • ELOY • F LOR ENCE • M A R ICOPA

CONTINUED…

POLLINATOR...cont. from page 33 needed to get the pollinator garden in and off the ground.

Dave Carney, chief of interpretation for the national monument in Coolidge at 1100 W. Ruins Drive, said planting will start this year, but will depend on when the federal government releases funding to replace the picnic area’s drip irrigation line, plus the time required to install the new one.

“It’s been chewed on by animals over the years, and if you turned it on, it would water where there are breaks and that’s about it,” he said.

Carianne Campbell, a natural resources planner from Tucson who designs and implements science-based restoration projects, is working with the park service on the garden and has given public presentations at the Casa Grande Ruins about the project and conservation of native bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other important pollinators.

The garden will incorporate a range of flower types known to naturally occur in or around the monument and provide nectar or pollen to attract pollinators, which make it possible for most plants to set fruit and reproduce.

Craig said Campbell is reaching out to the community for help to plant the garden, especially schools, which can incorporate the activity into science or other curriculums.

POPULATION...cont. from page 66 looned from about 500 to more than 6,000 due to annexations in the San Tan Valley.

That region between Queen Creek and Florence has continued to add to the county’s unincorporated populace, which is now at 228,648, or 50% of the

96

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

“The kids will make these little seed balls out of clay, and then they’ll be planted in the ground and watered,” he said.

Many pollinating animals already are established at the monument, according to its website, including Anna’s hum-

county’s total 455,210. That number has grown 22% since 2010.

The 2019 estimated populations and growth rates of Pinal County’s other municipalities are: • Apache Junction – 41,388 (including 322 in Maricopa County), 1.9% growth over 2018 and 16.4% since 2010 census.

mingbirds, bats and insects, many of which nest in the “Great House,” the remains of a prehistoric tribal structure which is the focus of the park.

The Friends of Casa Grande Ruins are continuing to seek new members and raise fund-

•

•

•

Florence – 27,980, 1.7% growth over 2018 and 9.6% since 2010 census (includes state prison inmates).

Eloy – 19,438, 3.7% growth over 2018 and 17% since 2010 census.

Coolidge – 12,734, 1.1% growth over 2018 and

ing for further improvements to the picnic area, including a revamped dog exercise area and a new people- and pet-friendly water fountain. For more information visit the group’s Facebook page or www.friendsofcasagranderuins.org.

•

•

•

7.7% since 2010 census.

Superior – 3,063, 0.9% growth over 2018 and 8% since 2010 census.

Kearny – 2,115, 0.9% growth over 2018 and 8.5% since 2010 census.

Mammoth – 1,546, 0.9% growth over 2018 and 8.4% since 2010 census.

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

G O L D E N C O R R I D O R L I V I N G.C O M

COMING MAY 2020

The TRAVEL &

EDUCATION Edition Don’t miss this opportunity to promote your business!

For more information on how your business can be featured, please call 520-426-2074 or email info@roxco.com

Library Creative Writing Contest

Casa Grande Public Library

CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST WINNER

T

he Vista Grande Public Library Creative Writing Contest is an ongoing monthly contest where children write stories at the library’s Creative Writing Station.

Each monthly winner gets his or her picture taken and placed on the Creative Writing Hall of Fame, receives a free book of his or her choosing from the creative writing cart and gets the winning story published in Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine.

Youth can also write stories

at home and submit them to the library. Winners are selected by library staff members, who read through monthly submissions and choose the one that stands out, based on creative merit.

Vista Grande Public Library has hosted this contest since 2013, and receives hundreds of submissions every year. The Creative Writing Station is a fun way to get kids involved in writing and storytelling by allowing them to write about whatever they want and making it a fun experience.

Have your child stop by the Vista Grande Library in Casa Grande to enter the Golden Corridor LIVING essay contest!

This Issue’s Winner

k o o B g in it r W e th d The Cat an

T

by Sadie Ellis

here once was a cat and a writing book.

“What do I do with this?” the cat asked the human.

“You write in it,” replied the human.

So the cat picked up a pencil and tried to write in the writing book, but his paws were too small. So the cat did what any other cat would do. He stuck the pencil in the only possible place he could think of, up his nose. Now the cat could finally write, and he wrote this story.

The End 98

GOLDEN CORRID CORRIDOR OR LI LIVVING ING • FUN!

THE HOME & GARDEN EDITION • WINTER 2020

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