Ahwatukee Foothills News - Jan. 11, 2017 by Times Media Group

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS Wednesday, January 11, 2017

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Ahwatukee professor honored for his work on behalf of diversity

BEST AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS of

2016 Ahwatukee Foothills News

st COVER STORY 1 PLACE

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

BEST of eal Lester became more politically aware of 2016 the reality of being an African‑American

Ahwatukee

long Foothills after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. News

died. It was 1981 and the Ahwatukee man, a Georgia native, was studying for his doctorate at largely white Vanderbilt University. “I saw an entitlement I had not seen before,” the Arizona State University English and Humanities professor recalled. “There was something going on with race and class.” It wasn’t just the fact he was to become the first African‑American to earn a doctorate in English from Vanderbilt. Or the fact that the female faculty members who helped him get that degree could not get tenure. Or even that a professor asked him to recite the words to “Dixie.” Those and other factors led him to dedicate his life to trying to change people’s unconscious as well as conscious attitudes toward race and class by looking inward and discovering how a sense of privilege “may inform our decisions and control our actions.” Lester’s work in class, eight books, lectures and the community earned him the 2017 MLK Diversity Award from the Tempe Human Relations Commission. It will be awarded at 8 a.m. Monday

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS DEPRESSING WWW.AHWATUKEE.COM

NEWS

SM Freeway unlike nearly half of area’ highways

COMMUNITY

GARAGE SALE STAR

(Larry Mangino/AFN Staff Photographer)

Arizona State University humanities professor Neal Lester of Ahwatukee will be honored by the Tempe Human Relations Commission for his work in and out of the classroom on behalf of diversity. The “mini me” doll by artist Rebecca Akins was given to him in appreciation for his six years of service on the board of Arizona Humanities, which he chaired for two years.

at a breakfast ceremony and his portrait will hang permanently in the Tempe Historical Museum. “Dr. Lester’s work in race relations,

empathy and workplace training creates a more welcoming and inclusive See

PROFESSOR on page 12

3 HOA boards join fray over Ahwatukee Farms, open space BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS Ahwatukee Chamber raising young CEOs

.34

he fight over whether Ahwatukee Farms threatens Ahwatukee’s open space intensified last week as representatives of three homeowners association boards condemned the plan and the developer said it “subscribes to their vision” for the community. “We oppose the current development plan

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for the Lakes. We believe the homeowners immediately surrounding the Lakes, who are members of the Save the Lakes organization, have a right to preserve their open space,” the three HOA board members said in a letter. Stating they represent 35,000 citizens and that “we are committed to preserving our high‑quality lifestyle,” the letter is signed by Michael Hinz, Foothills Club West HOA board secretary and a member of

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the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee; Bill Faustch, president of The Foothills HOA board; and Galen Schliem, president of the Foothills Reserve Master HOA board. Meanwhile Aidan Barry, senior vice president of development for The True Life Companies said the three HOA officials’ vision “values preserving open space, See

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS UKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS TUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS The Ahwatukee Foothills News is published every AHWATUKEE NEWS Wednesday and distributed free FOOTHILLS of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Ahwatukee Foothills. UKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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(Special to AFN)

Xavier College Preparatory juniors Gillian Vaughn, left, and Skylar Smith have been awarded “Aspirations in Computing” national honorable mention accolades by the National Center for Women and Information Technology. Skylar is from Ahwatukee.

Women’s computer group cites Skylar Smith of Xavier College Prep

Aaron Kolodny 480-898-5641, aaron@azintegratedmedia.com

AFN NEWS STAFF

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kylar Smith of Ahwatukee has earned a national honorable mention from the National Center for Women and Information Technology organization’s “Aspirations in Computing” program. A junior at Xavier College Preparatory, Skylar and classmate Gillian Vaughn were cited for “demonstrated interest and achievements in computing, proven leadership ability, academic performance, and plans for post‑secondary education.” The daughter of Rhonda and Clark Smith, Skylar is an honors and AP student at Xavier, and maintains a 4.5 weighted (4.0 unweighted) great point average. She is involved in numerous campus groups, including the student newspaper (X-Press), yearbook (Xavierian), Key Club, mock trial team, and robotics club. She also volunteers in the neurological unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital and recently won a Scholastic Art and Writing Award. NCWIT is a community of more than 850 prominent corporations, academic institutions, government agencies and non-profits working to increase girls’ and women’s participation in technology and computing. Skylar said she is “ecstatic” over the honor and that “I now feel more empowered to continue expanding computing in my community and hope to explore various science and technology projects.”

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Ahwatukee students make dean’s lists

Two Ahwatukee residents made their respective college and university dean’s lists for academic performance during the fall semester. Junior Max Fathauer was named to the dean’s list at Bucknell University, Pennsylvania, where the recognition is given students with a 3.5 grade point average. At Belmont University in Tennessee, Michaela Soha, made the dean’s list for her grades, putting her among the 30 percent of the school’s 7,700 students to earn the honor.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

Norgaard finds SM Freeway depressingly different in loop system BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

omeowners near the path of the South Mountain Freeway may be depressed by state Rep. Jill Norgaard’s discovery. While 48.3 percent of the state freeway system in Maricopa County is depressed, not an inch of the 22-mile South Mountain Freeway will be below grade level. Of the 211 miles of freeway in the county, 102 miles are below grade, according to a map Norgaard obtained from the Arizona Department of Transportation. The below-grade portions include most of the Loop 202 through the East Valley as well as the Loop 101 from north Tempe through most of Chandler. The discovery prompted Norgaard to write to ADOT director William Halikowski about her concern for the health or safety of communities along the freeway’s path. “My primary concern is to assure that all measures have been taken to minimize the visibility of, and the noise/ pollution generated by the freeway… for the full length of the Pecos segment,” the Ahwatukee legislator wrote, asking: “Why have the South Mountain communities not received the same mitigation measures as so many of the other areas? “Depressing the freeway would go a long way in maintaining the character of our community.” She also demanded that Halikowski list “the determining factors” that put the freeway at or above grade level and tell her the “avenues that we have to implement a change.” Halikowski basically replied there are

(Special to AFN)

The shaded portions on this map of the state freeway network in Maricopa County illustrate the 48.3 percent of the system built below grade level. State Rep. Jill Norgaard obtained the map from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

no avenues. “Any substantial design modification, such as redesigning and constructing the freeway below-grade would require ADOT to cancel the existing contract” it made with a public-private partnership in 2015, Halikowski wrote to Norgaard.

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Stating ADOT would have to “completely restart the procurement process,” he also told her, “These project delays would not only cost taxpayers millions of dollars, but would substantially delay the delivery of a critically needed transportation facility

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Pecos Road widening, construction hassles slated to start next week AFN NEWS STAFF

icyclists will lose their lanes and motorists can expect every‑day hassles as the Arizona Department of Transportation begins major work along Pecos Road next week in preparation for the South Mountain Freeway constriction. Work starting Monday will focus on widening the eastbound lanes of Pecos Road to create two additional lanes that will allow for continuous traffic in both directions along Pecos Road while the freeway is being built. Pecos Road originally was planned to be shut down during freeway construction. The new move likely will reduce at least some of the additional traffic that has been expected on Chandler Boulevard and Ray Road during freeway work. ADOT said it hopes to complete the widening by March, but in the meantime people can expect: • Closing of shoulders and bike lanes; • Relocating of street lights and the

installation of temporary traffic signals; • Closing the Pecos Road entrance to the 40th Street/Pecos Road Park‑and‑ Ride (access will be maintained from 40th Street); • Paving the existing median. “During construction of the interim roadway, Pecos Road may be narrowed to one lane in each direction on weekdays, and several weekend closures will be necessary to relocate utilities, install temporary traffic signals, restripe the roadway and place barricades,” ADOT spokesman Dustin Krugel said. The speed limit on the interim roadway will be reduced to 40 mph, he added, and there will be no shoulders. Lane restrictions and periodic closures of Pecos Road will still be necessary at times during freeway construction. Krugel said. Once freeway construction is complete in the Pecos Segment, traffic using the interim road will be moved to freeway lanes in the final stages of construction.

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Gila Community lashes out at freeway planning agencies’ unfair’ claims AFN NEWS STAFF

he lawyer for the Gila River Indian Community last week filed a harshly worded response in federal appeals court over two highway planning agencies’ “unfair accusations and mischaracterizations” of its request to temporarily stop work on the South Mountain Freeway. The Federal Highway Administration and Arizona Department of Transportation two weeks ago urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth District to reject the request, disputing the community’s assertion that work so far had disturbed 20 Native American graves and accusing the community of shopping for a favorable judicial panel. Attorney Jeffrey Molinar lashed out at both agencies, telling the court further work on the freeway before the appeal is resolved “would cause irreparable harm to resources that are vitally important to the Community’s culture, traditions, and religious beliefs.” The Gila Community, as well as Ahwatukee-based Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children, are appealing a federal judge’s refusal last August to stop freeway work and on the grounds that ADOT and the FHWA conducted faulty environmental and economic studies to justify its need and safety. In asking the appeals court to allow work to continue while it is considering the case, the highway agencies warned that even a temporary delay would cost taxpayers more than $60 million. The 22-mile connector freeway between West Phoenix and Chandler is projected to cost $1.77 billion, making it the most expensive highway project in Arizona history. “The benefit of preserving South

Mountain and other protected areas far outweighs any harm from lost time or money and serves the greater public interest,” Molinar told the court, adding that his client’s request for an injunction differs from the one PARC filed and lost a month ago. “The Community is a distinct party, in a separate appeal, with unique harms,” Molinar wrote. “The agencies’ assertions of gamesmanship do not make them true,” he added. “Those assertions belittle the Community’s sovereign interests and are as offensive as they are wrong.” Stating the state’s plan to cut through three (Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer) South Mountain ridges Residents of the Gila River Indian Community last Aug. 22 protested the South Mountain Freeway during a presentation by “would be a devastating the Arizona Department of Transportation to the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee. and irreversible loss” to Native Americans, Molinar accused is not an agreement that any harm mountain” and said ADOT and the ADOT and the FHWA of being “unable should occur,” he said. “If the bulldozers FHWA” “inappropriately dismiss meaningfully to challenge the harm come, as they might if this appeal fails, it the Community’s concern over the to the Community and need for an is better to re-bury ancestors than leave continuing disturbance of ancestral injunction.” them in the trash pile.” graves.” “The Community has unique interests “Although the Community necessarily “The declaration does not address the in preserving South Mountain, which is engaged in discussions regarding archaeological sites that the Community one of its most sacred natural resources, mitigation—attempting to salvage as and ADOT have previously discussed, and in saving other areas and artifacts best it could its culture and resources ...but rather specific human remains that of vital importance to its culture,” he should the project ultimately proceed— neither the Community nor the agencies wrote. it consistently objected to the Freeway had known would be discovered,” He also criticized the agencies for and never consented to the agencies’ Molinar added. arguing that the Gila Community decision,” Molinar wrote. He also said ADOT and the FHWA had been working with them to avoid Molinar said further “construction were inflating the projected taxpayer harming any ancestral remains. also would disrupt trails, shrines, cost of a work delay while the appeal is “Helping to mitigate—reduce harm— and other artifacts on or near the decided.

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from page 4

the south of the freeway. “ADOT previously estimated it would have to acquire approximately 326 additional residential properties, which would increase right-of-way and construction costs by approximately $433 million,” he added. Norgaard suggested that Halikowski’s response may not leave any options. “The contract would have to be renegotiated and put the project back a year or so,” she told AFN. “I will be contacting the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) to see what options, if any, remain.” Norgaard’s research revived accusations that after planning the 22mile connection between West Phoenix and the Chandler exchange on the I-10 for 30 years, the state settled on a cheap design at the expense of Ahwatukee and the Gila River Indian Community. Chad Blostone, chairman of the Ahwatukee Village Planning Committee, said, “In my opinion, many who support the freeway now, won’t once it’s built. That’s because many expect it will look like the San Tan Freeway, the one they drive to the mall and other points in the

East Valley. “The current South Mountain Freeway design is not that,” he added. “My opinion, the primary reason we don’t get below grade is because it adds cost to the project. I’ve always said I believe the community is bearing a disproportionate amount of the project’s impact. It is expensive to build a freeway along Pecos Road.” To reduce traffic noise along the Pecos Road, stretch of the freeway, ADOT is planning to erect sound-suppressant walls that will be as high as 25 feet. Blostone asserted Ahwatukee is bearing the brunt of highway planners’ efforts to “lessen the financial impact to the Regional Transportation Plan at the expense of our community.” “Below grade is more expensive to build than the above grade design everywhere, not just here,” he said. “That hasn’t stopped the designers from building below grade in the majority of residential areas throughout the regional freeway system, though. Either the community or region pay the added expense to building a freeway along Pecos Road,” Blostone added. “The community pays in the form of a high-physical-impact product while the region benefits with lower cost.”

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

DiCiccio rips city’s fiscal strategy, citing public safety threat AFN NEWS STAFF

ity Councilman Sal DiCiccio said a budget forecast released last week by the Phoenix city manager’s office shows a need for a “real strategic plan” to resolve a structural deficit and control pensions costs. DiCiccio, whose district includes Ahwatukee, made the remarks in a letter to his constituents after the city manager released a forecast that showed some revenue increases during the remainder of the current fiscal year as well as some troubling signals. One of the most troubling signals involved public safety, where the city manager suggested rising pension costs may impact the number of police officers the city will be able to hire. “The increasing public safety pension costs will add significant pressure to the general fund budget going forward,” the report said. “Additionally, these increases also are expected to impact the number of sworn police officers and firefighters that can be sustained with existing resources.”

Additionally, it said, “the accelerated “Even though Phoenix is experiencing hiring in Police and Fire are also placing increased revenues due to a growing a significant burden on both department’s economy and higher taxes, we will aging vehicle fleet. Funding will be continue to see shortfalls in our budget needed to replace aging patrol cars and fire until we fix this structural deficit,” he apparatus over the next few fiscal years.” added. The report also stated that now that The problems are not the sole result the state is collecting all of soaring pension costs sales taxes and then giving “even after city leaders municipalities their share, promised you the pension cities are getting less than problem was ‘solved,’” when they collecting the DiCiccio said. levy themselves. He asserted that the DiCiccio said the report only way Phoenix can underscored his long‑time dig itself out a recurring criticism about “the poor deficit is by “prioritizing financial state of the city the functions and services due to its structural that are important to (Special to AFN) deficit.” you and your family.” Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCic“The report will He castigated the cio criticized the city’s lack of a only skim the surface millions of dollars spent solid ﬁscal strategy. of the major budget on lobbyists and public problems that we face,” he said in a relations. prepared statement. “While other cities “Even more alarming examples of and governments have been seeing wasteful spending exist,” he continued, balanced budgets, Phoenix has seen stating ‘Phoenix paid $9.875 million forecasted deficits repeatedly requiring dollars to an out‑of‑state company to talk ‘corrections.’” to you and your family about recycling.”

“No joke,” he added, “$9.875 million of your hard earned tax dollars to ‘talk’ about recycling.” DiCiccio noted that the ominous warnings about public safety costs come at a time when Phoenix is reallocating officers to the streets. “Public safety is a core function of our city, and I commend Chief Williams for having a strategic plan that strengthens our core missions, but this reallocation would never have been necessary if Phoenix did not allow the police shortage to get to record levels due to lack of funding,” he said. “Even a simple small business would have a strategic plan to keep them focused on their core missions.” The councilman said city officials “chose not to do a simple strategic plan” and only focus on growing revenue. “This model is a proven failure,” he said, adding: “Until we reign in our spending on these unnecessary projects and complete a true strategic plan, Phoenix will continue to deal with deficits, tax increases and reductions in services.”

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Beautifully updated single level, split master floor plan home! 1,089 sf, 3bedrooms/2bathrooms. Kitchen boasts custom painted gray-finish cabinetry with crown molding and trendy brush nickel hardware. Eat-in kitchen nook. Open kitchen-great room floor plan. Upgraded stainless steel appliances. Refrigerator conveys! Master suite has double sinks, skylight and his/hers closets. Upgraded light fixtures throughout. 2016 exterior and interior paint. Pool size backyard! Extra pad for a gazebo or hot tub in back yard. 2016 patio cover/structure. Low maintenance front and back yard landscaping.

Foothills LISTED FOR

$349,900

1,880 sf single level 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with 3 car garage and pebble tec pool! Kitchen boasts a large center island/breakfast bar, pantry, stainless steel appliances, and eat-in dining nook. Cozy wood burning ﬁreplace in family room with stone surrounds. 20" porcelain tile. 2016 interior paint. Designer paint colors throughout. 2016 air handler, 2015 water softener, 2015 water heater. Master bathroom has dual sinks, separate shower and Roman tub. Travertine surrounds at Roman tub. Resort-like backyard! Covered patio with two ceiling fans, sparkling pebble tec pool with jets, Baha bench, water feature and umbrella sleeves. Plush, tropical landscaping with multiple citrus trees including lemon, lime, grapefruit and orange. Back wall has stucco surface with stone accents at pilasters

Foothills Listed for

$335,000

2,169 sf, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home with three car garage and sparkling pool! Open kitchen-family room floor plan. Kitchen and bathrooms upgraded in 2016 with granite counters, upgraded sinks/faucets and new toilets. Large backyard with grass area and mature landscape. 2016 AC, 2015 variable speed pool pump! 2016 garage door and garage opener, 2016 sprinklers and drip lines, and 2015 water heater. Interior and exterior painted in 2016. Carpet in only two secondary bedrooms (new!) 20" porcelain tile in family room, formal living/dining rooms and laminate wood flooring on stair case, upper level traffic area, master suite and largest secondary bedroom.

Tierra Dobson Listed for

$295,000

2,040 sf single level 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home on nearly a ¼ acre lot. Cul de sac location! Large backyard with sparkling, recently replastered pool and reﬁnished kool deck. RV Gate and large side yard for extra parking. Spacious 2.5 car garage with a workshop. Kitchen remodeled with granite counter tops, custom reﬁnished white cabinets and new stainless steel appliances. Plush landscape in back and low maintenance desert landscape in front.

Highland Estates LISTED FOR

$385,000

1,763 sf 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home in the Biltmore area! Remarkable remodel! Kitchen boasts new white shaker cabinets with trendy hardware, quartz counter tops, breakfast bar, eat-in kitchen area with upgraded crystal chandelier, pantry, and stainless steel Whirlpool appliances. New dual pane vinyl windows throughout. New Arcadia door in family room. New wood look tile ﬂooring throughout with carpet only in bedrooms. Bathrooms completely remodeled with new cabinets, quartz vanity tops, new toilets, sinks, faucets, mirrors and light ﬁxtures. New 4 ¼" baseboards throughout. New water heater, exterior/ interior paint, and exterior stucco. Large inside laundry room with new hook up. Newer roof and AC. 1 car garage, 1 car carport and 4 car slab parking.

The difference between ordinary and etxraordinary is that little extra!

(Special to AFN)

Phoenix uses a specially equipped van that roams the city’s 5,000 miles of streets to detect which thoroughfares need repaving.

Two Ahwatukee neighborhoods discouraged by city response to complaints of street conditions BY PAUL MARYNIAK

esidents in two nearly adjacent Ahwatukee neighborhoods have learned that when it comes to Phoenix City Hall, the squeaky wheel sometimes gets only partially greased. Residents around Ray Road and Ranch Circle North and homeowners in two developments less than a mile west say that even when the city Street Transportation Department responded to their complaints about the condition of their streets, crews ended up doing a shoddy job. “I went from being highly encouraged to discouraged,” said Julie Freemole, who last fall took Mayor Greg Stanton at his word during his appearance Sept. 30 at a breakfast sponsored by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce. During his speech, Stanton talked of the estimated $3 billion the city would raise over the next 30 years for street repairs as the result of a sales tax voters approved when they voted for Proposition 104 in 2015. Encouraging residents to complain if they run into rugged stretches of streets in Ahwatukee, he said: “If you know of a particular pothole, let me

and Councilman (Sal) DiCiccio know, because you did vote for Proposition 104.” Freemole wrote to both officials, expressing her unhappiness with the condition of Ray Road in her neighborhood. There, the three westbound lanes of Ray Road are pitted and potholed, giving motorists a rugged ride. “There’s hardly anything left to the road itself,” complained Freemole, whose only option to reaching I-10 is Ray Road. “There are a lot of potholes and the middle lane is the worst.” Making driving even more uncomfortable and potentially dangerous is the fact that stretch of Ray Road “has real tight three lanes,” she noted. Freemole, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 20 years, said that when she read Stanton’s estimated of $3 billion, she thought to herself, “Hey, that’s a lot of money.” But when she saw what crews ended up not doing, she was dismayed. “There was a little work done along the curbs, but almost nothing else, certainly not on See

DISCOURAGED on page 16

NEWS

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

FRAY

from page 1

enhancing close‑knit communities and bettering Ahwatukee’s high quality lifestyle” and that “Ahwatukee Farms is a beautiful representation of what Ahwatukee residents value.” True Life is trying to win the approval of 51 percent of the Lakes’ approximate 5,400 homeowners for a change in the conditions, covenants and restrictions (CC&Rs) governing the site’s use. It wants to build about 280 homes, a five‑acre farm, a private school, café and other amenities. In their letter, the HOA board members said, “As Ahwatukee leaders, we value our close‑knit community, cul‑ de‑sac lifestyle, beautiful mountains, landscaped streets, close access to trails, outdoor amenities and open spaces.” Citing Save The Lakes members’ fight to return the 101‑acre site to a golf course, the letter went on: “As a community, we respect and commit to preserving their rights as a neighborhood and as an association of neighbors. We also believe that what happens in one corner of our community affects all of us. For that reason, we are working together to preserve all of our

open spaces in Ahwatukee, whether they are our neighborhood parks, natural preserves, golf courses or lakes.” Noting that none of the three HOAs are within the Ahwatukee Board of Management, Barry said “what we find most interesting” is “how much our unique project subscribes to their vision for Ahwatukee.” “We purchased the closed and abandoned former Lakes Golf Course a year and half ago because of our belief that we can create a project that benefits all of Ahwatukee Foothills by maintaining a high quality of life that fits the community,” Barry added. “Our vision includes respecting the homeowners who live around the Farms project and providing real benefits to the community.” Barry said his company “at our core” is a community builder and that “we strive to create special places that go above and beyond.” He cited the company’s “self‑imposed commitment to protect a minimum of 30 acres of open space on the property, including lakes, trails and parks for all homeowners and residents to enjoy” and said that they would “provide quality amenities not currently available to all residents of the community.”

Barry also said Ahwatukee Farms would “significantly raise property values across Ahwatukee, a sure improvement from the unsustainable status quo.” He cited several Lakes homeowners— John Johnson and Dave and Tammie Kissman—as supporters who “believe our vision is the only viable option to bring life back into the area.” “While we respect the opinions of all Ahwatukee Foothills neighbors, we believe strongly that the future of Ahwatukee Farms should be decided by the property owners who have invested their time and money within the ABM community,” Barry said. “As members of the Ahwatukee community, we would be honored to be a part of the larger discussion, roll up our sleeves and work towards viable solutions,” he added, stressing True Life “will continue to work with the

entire community to make our vision of Ahwatukee Farms a reality.” Meanwhile, Barry also commented on True Life’s latest filings in a court fight with Maricopa County over an assessor’s decision to levy about $1.3 million on the company because the site is no longer a golf course. Golf courses are assessed at a lower rate but once they are no longer used for golf, the county can go back 10 years and ask for the additional taxes that would have been paid on the property had it not been taxed at the lower rate. Barry said he would “gladly” pay the county the money if and when the CC&Rs are changed to allow for the development of the course for other uses. He said the company’s position currently is that the CC&Rs that are in place still limit the land’s use to golf and therefore the company is not obligated to pay a higher rate.

Share Your Thoughts Send your letters on local issues to pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

PROFESSOR

also is the founder and director of ASU’s Project Humanities, a multi‑ dimensional approach to broadening perspectives on the interconnectedness of people “to create positive change in people and communities across political, socioeconomic, geographic and cultural boundaries, and in our daily lives.” Using film, books and pop‑ culture icons, Lester aims to increase understanding and acceptance through “talking, listening and connecting.” His efforts have taken him to a variety of workplaces and other venues, from churches to even the Pomegranate Café

Department. “They assumed I was going to start from page 1 talking about how racist they are, environment, not only at ASU but but that’s not my approach,” Lester throughout our Tempe community. His explained. “I talked about how they belief that culture and difference should demonstrate a sense of privilege—not be acknowledged, valued and celebrated from what they have done but from is a shared vision with our city,” said what they have.” Ginny Belousek, City of Tempe diversity That sense of privilege or entitlement manager, in announcing the honor. often conditions people unconsciously to Lester in recent years has been make choices that either ignore different showered with honors and special races, cultures or ethnic heritages—or recognition for his work inside and act disrespectfully, even hatefully— outside the classroom. toward them, he said. A resident of Ahwatukee since Lester recalled an illustration for a 1997, he has been dean of blood drive on Facebook, for the humanities and English example, that showed two Social media has emboldened Department chair as well as white arms stretched out and vice president of humanities people and allowed people to be less prepared for a needle. and arts at ASU. “Why two white arms? It self-censoring. He has taught courses on makes me wonder what went an array of subjects, including —Neal Lester into the decision consciously African‑American women or unconsciously,” he said. writers, children’s books, the Disney in Ahwatukee. This is not a matter of political representations of women, the N‑word For example, after the deadly 2014 correctness, Lester asserted, but a matter and even the racial and gender politics police shooting of a juvenile in Ferguson, of learning to respect and acknowledge of hair. Missouri, he led 19 workshops for another person’s identity. A lecturer around the world, Lester all 400 members of the Tempe Police With the Tempe police, as he does with other groups as well as his ASU students, Lester said he tried to get them “to peel the layers” of their actions and attitudes to explore how they are influenced by privilege. AFN NEWS STAFF She added that the program He urges listeners to explore “the “demonstrates the possibility of unseen stuff you have that you didn’t do wo assistant principals in love and connection through the anything to earn.” Ahwatukee also will be celebration of diversity, truth, and full It’s a more complex issue than many honored next week by the self‑expression.” people understand, he added, because Tempe Human Relations Commission She said Banks and Dominguez people are not just a race, a gender or a for promoting diversity. helped to positively impact scores of sexual orientation. Tomika Banks of Desert Vista High students by “selecting the students, “We’re a bundle of things,” he said. and Joe Dominguez of Mountain ensuring the facilities were ready, The racial and other conflict in society Pointe coordinated Challenge Day in informing parents and guardians, today, he said, isn’t much different from their respective schools. working with faculty, community what it was in Martin Luther King’s day. “The Challenge Day vision is that members and the City of Tempe However, he said, “social media has every child lives in a world where they to have the right number of adult emboldened people and allowed people feel safe, loved, and celebrated,” said volunteers ready, and setting the tone to be less self‑censoring. Ginny Belousek, Tempe’s diversity and conditions for an effective and “But I don’t want to make this a matter manager, fulfilling Challenge Day. “ of technology,” he added. “Technology

also has connected people in new and different ways.” Lester is particularly fond of using literature to enable people to explore their attitudes toward those who are different from them. For example, he said, “Children’s literature is assumed to be apolitical, but it isn’t.” And because “we were always exposed to it” as youngsters, he uses it as a springboard for self‑examination, urging people to explore how their attitudes have been shaped since they were young. “My approach allows people to walk into this a little less defensively,” he said. He maintains his philosophical perspective when asked about America today and last year’s brutal election cycle. “We’ve always been in a moment when we have to reconcile best of times and the worst of times,” he said. “Just when we think we have made progress at one level, we take two steps back on another level.” When six Desert Vista High School girls caused a scandal two years ago by posting a photo of themselves wearing a shirt with letters that spelled the N‑word, Lester was called in to help students and adults sort through the whys and the consequences of their actions. “The lesson here must be about the importance of words, self‑reflection, personal responsibility, and social accountability,” he wrote in the Ahwatukee Foothills News. “Poet Maya Angelou offers warning and wisdom in this regard: ‘Words are things. You must be careful, careful about calling people out of their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives and all that ignorance. Don’t do that. Someday we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes and finally into you.’”

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DUI arrests still dropping in the Ahwatukee region BY JIM WALSH AFN Staff Writer

ber, Lyft and a cultural change toward less tolerance for driving under the influence all are cited as contributing factors in a significant decline in DUI arrests in Ahwatukee and the East Valley in the last two years. Although Ahwatukee was not specifically targeted during the most recent task force on New Year’s Eve weekend, “my officers have made arrests in Ahwatukee,” said Phoenix Police Lt. Benjamin Moore. Moore, who supervises the Phoenix traffic unit, said city police are making due with fewer officers than a decade ago, but he said officers are not backing off from traffic enforcement in Ahwatukee or anywhere else. “They are getting full‑time converge, both DUI and regular street enforcement,” Moore said. “These guys are out on the street, pushing it as hard as ever.” He said Pecos Road is Ahwatukee’s worst hot spot for all kinds of traffic violations, for obvious reasons—“It’s wide open and straight.” DUI arrests during the annual East Valley Task Force dropped 25 percent from 2014 to 2016, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety,

which coordinates and finances holiday DUI task forces. Statewide DUI figures had a smaller dip, with a 14 percent drop in the same period. Although the trend is somewhat promising, authorities say there are other ominous statistics that continue to underscore the chronic nature of driving under the influence. No one is declaring victory in the battle to eliminate roadside carnage. Evidence that the battle still rages includes the number of DUI‑related fatalities statewide and an increasing number of underaged drivers getting arrested on suspicion of DUI in the East Valley and statewide. In the East Valley, 54 drivers younger than 21 years old were arrested on suspicion of DUI during the 2016, a 93 percent increase from the 28 arrested in 2015. Statewide, that ominous number rose to 110 from 78 the year before. In the East Valley and throughout Arizona, the average blood alcohol content of suspects arrested was 0.15 percent or more—the threshold for an extreme DUI, which requires mandatory jail time. Arizona drivers are considered impaired at a level of 0.08 percent, which usually See

DUI on page 15

NEWS

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

DUI

from page141

results in a misdemeanor charge. The East Valley DUI task force can include 100 or more officers from a variety of agencies that target a specific area with saturation patrols between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. The participating agencies include the Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Phoenix, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Salt River and Gila River police departments. “They are all passionate about it,” said Phoenix Police Sgt. Mark Smith, a longtime motorcycle officer who helped supervise officers participating in the East Valley Task Force. “They are passionate about getting impaired drivers off the streets.” Arizona Crash Facts, a publication of the Arizona Department of Transportation that tracks statewide statistics, recorded 4,941 alcohol-related crashes in 2015, the latest year available. Those crashes left 295 people dead and another 3,205 injured. A profile of drivers involved in some manner in alcohol-related crashes also emerges, with more than 73 percent males and the largest percentage 25 to 34 years old.

Perhaps the most discouraging statistic is that about one-third of all fatal crashes in Arizona during 2015, 32.9 percent, were alcohol-related in 2015. Comparisons with past years in Crash Facts shows there has been little or no improvement in that measurement dating back 20 to 25 years, with 26.2 percent of fatal crashes alcohol-related in 1997 and 32.3 percent in 1992. “I would like to see our fatality rate go down,” said Chandler police Lt. Scott Veach, who supervises traffic enforcement. “When you are changing a culture and a way of thinking, it takes a long time.” Still, Veach welcomes the drop in DUI arrests as a sign of progress and said he is encouraged by the popularity of ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. He said more people are taking the oftrepeated advice of police to plan ahead when they know they will be drinking. “We are finally starting to see a turn in culture in formulating a plan better,” he said. “Just talking to people who come to downtown Chandler, it’s very convenient. There are Uber cars making laps.” Police see drivers picking up customers regularly. People who agree to voluntary breath tests administered through the

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The Tempe Late Night DUI unit and volunteer driver Ed Wells wait to begin processing motorists suspected of drunken driving.

Know Your Limit educational campaign at various special events tell officers, “I had no intention of driving, I’m going to take Uber,” Veach said. Moore, who supervises the Phoenix traffic unit, agreed that the ride-sharing services are helpful. “It is a positive thing they are calling the ride services. It doesn’t solve my problem, but it’s good,” he said. Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety,

welcomes any reduction in DUI arrests as a sign of progress, but he regrets that some people seem oblivious to the onslaught of safety messages, tough DUI laws, and even the better options for getting home safely. “It’s horrendous for the families, the people who are hurt,” he said. “It bothers me. We try to prevent it.” Gutier has dedicated 16 years of his long professional life to fighting DUI and all other sorts of fatalities.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

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DISCOURAGED

from page 10

the road itself,” she said. Street Department spokeswoman Monica Hernandez last month said “a rapid responder from our street maintenance division was dispatched to this location to inspect the area for potholes on Dec. 20” and that the department “has received and completed 12 work requests” for 41 potholes and five cracks for repairs in the area of Ray Road from Ranch Circle North to Ranch Circle South throughout 2016. “Ray Road received a micro-seal treatment in 2003,” she said, adding “Ray Road from Ranch Circle N to Ranch Circle South is currently scheduled for milling and overlay” by the end of June. Karen Lupine, Mark Steele and a bunch of their neighbors down the road have contended with any even more frustrating—and wider-spread—than Freemole has encountered. Months before Stanton’s speech, neighbors in the Highlands II and the Crown neighborhoods in Mountain Park Ranch, roughly around 32nd Street near Ray, petitioned the city to do something about the cracks that spider throughout the streets of their neighborhood. They noted that at least 30 years had passed since the streets were first installed and as far as homeowners who have been there just as long can remember, the streets have never been repaved. In December—six months after they sent in their petition—Viasun Corp., the city’s contractor, showed up for what neighbors thought was an answer to their prayers. Instead, they got half an answer. “They put tar in biggest cracks,” said Steele, a 30-year resident of the area. “What I thought they were going to do is put a coating of asphalt across the entire street and seal the little cracks. But all they did was seal the big ones. Now the streets have all these black lines squiggling across them. “It looks worse than it did before,” he added. “At least they sealed worst cracks, but they didn’t finish the job. They needed a top coat of sealant that would penetrate the small cracks and keep them from becoming big. Now you’ve got this gray street with all these little lines like a drunk zebra.” Lupine, who actually was in charge of organizing repairs on the privately owned streets of the HOA she managed for 25 years before retiring, said she is shocked by the city’s approach. “If you don’t keep on top of it, things get worst and you ended up having a

more expensive job,” Lupine said. She noted that the pavement is still crumbled along some curbs, creating a dangerous situation for bicyclists and little children who run around the neighborhood. “I don’t think the city even inspects this work because if they do, they’re blind,” Lupine said. Asked again about both neighborhoods, Hernandez said Tuesday that both Ray Road between 43rd and 36nd streets and the Highland II neighborhood likely will be improved by June 30. Crack sealing preceeds all resurfacing work, she noted. The streets in the Mountain Park Ranch neighborhood northwest of Ray are scheduled for crack sealing in the fall of 2018, she added. All that could change, she warned, “due to changes in budgets, funding levels, the condition of the pavement after the next data collection cycle as opposed to similar roads in the network.” Hernandez also said that until recently, “Due to limited funding, we were not able to properly maintain our entire roadway network.” After she submitted the petition in June, Lupine received a certified letter from Mark Glock, deputy Street Transportation director and an official in the street maintenance division. He told Lupine her streets were scheduled for slurry seal in the fall of 2018, but that there were crews “dedicated to responding to conditions which require immediate repairs, including potholes.” Noting the city fills 2,743 potholes a month in its 5,000 miles of streets, Glock said such calls are answered within 72 hours. “We appreciate citizens as yourself that go above and beyond in bringing concerns as these to our attention,” Glock wrote. “We take the concerns and all the others we receive very seriously and strive to not only address these concerns but go above and beyond what is prudent to meet and exceed the citizens, as well as our own, high standards pertaining to roadway conditions,” he added. Lupine is less than convinced. “It’s discouraging to see this,” she said. “I think there’s a lack of oversight and a lack of planning.” Steele wryly noted one sliver of comfort in the situation. “All I can say is the city doesn’t discriminate against Ahwatukee in this regard,” he said. “A while ago I was on Camelback Road and it was a mess too.”

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JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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Ahwatukee woman relishes her role in Arizona Senior Olympics BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

loria Tolaro’s swimming pool regimen might put many a younger person to shame. The Ahwatukee woman does 50yard sprints in freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke, as well as 100, 200 and 500-meter freestyle and relays. She’s 86 years old. Tolaro also is the swimming commissioner for the Arizona Senior Olympics, which kicks off next month with a variety of competitive sports for people over 50 years of age throughout the Valley. The Illinois native, who spent most of her life in Washington State with her husband of 62 years before moving to Ahwatukee in 2012, has taken to water ever since she was in high school, where she had to pass a swimming test required for graduation. A mother of two and grandmother to three, Tolaro spent her youthful summers as a life guard and swam competitively in college before joining the Army for a while and then becoming an occupational therapist for 32 years. She liked to run and play soccer goalie until her knees gave out in 62. And that’s when she rediscovered swimming and discovered a new passion, the Senior Olympics. “At that time, Washington was forming a Senior Olympics program with the YMCA leading the way,” said Tolaro, who had been working for the Y in Bellevue, Washington, after her retirement. She picked up with swimming, the Y and the Senior Olympics when she moved here, and not only belongs to the Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA but also works as a volunteer for its Outreach Program for Ahwatukee Seniors (Y OPAS). “I am a member of the Saddlebrook Swim Club and compete with them at Arizona Master’s local and state events and the Senior Games,” said the six-time

National Senior Games competitor. She talks with passion about the Arizona Senior Olympics, a nationally affiliated program. “The Senior Games have grown exponentially over the years,” she said. “Nationals are held every two years and attendance often exceeds that of the Olympics. The Arizona Games started with just 150 people and by 2007, had just under 5,000 senior participating. “The recession caused a decline for several years, but the games continue to grow each year and are currently exceeding 3,000 participants.” As a member of the games’ management team, Tolaro helps plan and coordinate the many competitive events and acts as a liaison between the staff and the event commissioners. Her official title is Coordinator of Cycling, Road Races (5Kand 10K) and the Generations Fun Walk. “We assist with the details of each event, secure volunteers, ensure that the awards presentations are in ceremonious style, ensure the safety of the site and much more,” Tolaro said. She also is a missionary for the Senior Olympics, and said, “Seniors should sign up because there is something for everyone, from a fun-walk to a triathlon. “There are statistics that show that those over 50 who are physical active benefit not only physically, but mentally and socially, have lower medical bills and fewer falls. Besides that, it is fun. “We often hear the reason for not entering is ‘I am not competitive.’ It’s great to win, but the camaraderie of the events is great fun, too,” Tolaro added. “And sometimes you win just by showing up. The goal is the provide an incentive to seniors to get active and stay active. Participation in the games inspires training, and training keeps seniors active and healthy.” Arizona Senior Olympics. Director Irene Stillwell said that throughout the year, the Arizona Senior Olympics organization serves more than 10,000 people in the state annually.

(Special to AFN)

Gloria Talero of Ahwatukee is a competitor in, and an organizer of, the Arizona Senior Olympics.

“The sports we offer are meant to motivate seniors to train,” Stillwell said. “The camaraderie of sports encourages friendship and socialization which is so

important to many isolated seniors and many Senior Olympians develop lifelong friendships as the result of being a part of this important program.”

Senior Games offer something for everyone over 50 Ahwatukee residents between 50 and 100-plus can visit seniorgames.org and register for one or more of the 30 competitive sports to be held at venues in the Valley starting on Feb. 18. Gloria Tolaro, a member of the Arizona Senior Games Management Committee and a Senior Games athlete, said the website offers an array of sports and said participants will “enjoy the competition and comradery of the games.” The Arizona Senior Games, also known as the Arizona Senior Olympics, is a program of the Lifetime Fitness Foundation, an Arizona non-profits now in its 36th year of providing programs and activities to keep seniors physically, mentally and socially active and fit. “Whether you enjoy cycling, TaiChi, swimming, volleyball or bocce ball, to name a few of the sports available, there is something for you,” Tolero said. Thirty-two sports are offered, including track and field, tennis, golf, swimming, powerlifting, aerobic dance and cycling. Participants prepare through a series of sports competitions, workshops and clinics sponsored by recreation agencies throughout the state. Arizona residency is not required. The games run through March 26, with 145 events for men and women in 11 age groups: 5054, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99 and 100 and over. Medals are awarded to the three top finishers for each event in each age group. Information: 602-274-7742.

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

(Dale Kesel/Special to AFN)

Ahwatukee photographer Dale Kesel, below, shot this picture of wild mustangs from an ultra-light plane as they galloped across the desert floor. The shoot got a little hairy when the plane touched the tops of some palo verde trees. It forced a landing in the desert so he and the pilot could clean out branches around the plane's wheels.

Ahwatukee photographer has a story behind every image BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

here’s a story behind almost every picture that Ahwatukee photographer Dale Kesel shoots. Of one titled “The Wave at Coyote Buttes,” he said, “I had to hike eight miles in 107-degree heat in late July” so that he could capture an image that leaves the viewer “experiencing the uncanny wavelike patterns of this absolutely unique land formation.” His “Wild Mustangs” was shot from an ultra-light plane as “they galloped across the desert floor, kicking up dust and creating a very special and memorable image” that has been his best-selling photograph. His third picture, of a sparsely decorated room, is aptly named “Table, Cup & Chair” and was created at Vulture Mine, near Wickenburg.

“Vulture Mine is a gold mine that had its heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s,” he explained. “When I came across this room, I imagined what it was like when the government shut the mine down at the start of World War II. I spent 2 ½ hours cleaning up the room and rearranging the furniture to create this composition....Numerous people have told me that it reminds them of Andrew Wyeth’s paintings." A resident of Ahwatukee since 1991, when he moved from New York City after a 20-year career working for some of the world’s largest ad agencies, the Wisconsin native came here “to pursue my passion for photography.” His passion has paid off in awards and acclaim even though he majored in commercial art and took only one formal photography course for a semester at the University of Illinois. Instead, he developed his craft largely

on his own, influenced by a couple of professors as well as two giants of his art, Ansel Adams and Annie Liebovitz. He said Adams was his primary inspiration for landscape photography, and that “his magnificent mastery of light and composition always run through my mind whenever I am out in the field photographing the spectacular beauty of the Southwest.” “Leibovitz was the primary influence over my portrait and commercial photography, inspiring me to choose a candid and ‘real’ style of portraiture that truly rendered people as they are,” he said. He dates his interest in photography at age 6. “In our family, I was almost always the photographic recorder of family events. This is probably why… I was not in as many of the photos as my parents and my siblings—I was behind the camera.”

Liebovitz was particularly influential when he opened his studio, Spectrum Photography,” in Ahwatukee in 1991. “I needed to break the mold of other portrait studio’s and photographers. My study of Annie’s work led me to pursue the idea of capturing people being themselves every time I conducted a photography session involving people whether they be children, families or business professionals,” he explained. Kesel operated the studio through the transition from film to digital photography and closed the physical site in 2001. He continued to operate the studio out of his home through 2015. “I still do portrait photography on location, but no longer offer studio services,” he said. While it was around, however, “Spectrum Photography became See

KESEL on page 21

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JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

(Dale Kesel/Special to AFN)

Kesel took the photo on the left at an abandoned gold mine near Wickenburg, and spent more than two hours cleaning the room to get the image he wanted. Above, his photo of the Coyote Buttes required an eight-hour trek during a 107-degree day in Northern Arizona.

KESEL

from page 20

synonymous with portrait photography that captures one’s true character,” Kesel said. “People did not want the same old props and poses they had been seeing for years. "People wanted a photographer who would interact with them in a personalized way, a photographer who could see the person inside them, bring that to the surface and create an image that was truly representative of who they are.” “As I transitioned toward fine art photography and changed my company name to Images By Kesel, I modified the positioning idea and found a new way to express how I wanted people to see and feel my photographic work: ‘Images By Kesel—Images that move you,’” he added.

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In 1998, South Mountain Community College asked him to develop a photography curriculum targeted toward young and middle-aged adults to be offered through the Ahwatukee branch of SMCC located at the Horizon School at 48th Street and Pecos Road. “This started nine years of teaching others the principles and techniques I had been using in my photography business to others to allow them to create and enjoy more powerful and compelling images via their own photography. “This teaching effort and experience was very rewarding,” he added. “It forced me to articulate and demonstrate how I envisioned, pursued and created photography of people, landscapes and a multitude of other subjects, in ways that produced unexpected and attentioncommanding photographic images. Now he continues operating Images by Kesel” out of his home, offering four workshops of 10 students each annually.

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“I also make several treks per year with fellow photographers to explore new areas, create new work for shows and determine new destinations for future workshops,” he added Kesel sees both good and bad in the arrival of digital technology. “Driven by digital technology in the form of digital cameras and cell phones with cameras, people believe they can do an adequate job themselves,” he said. “A professional photographer is no longer necessary. This sense is intensified by the lack of time people have.” He laments the fact that people no longer think of finding a photographer “who will create a truly compelling and memorable image that captures the true essence of the person, family or executive being photographed.” I cannot tell you how many people I come across who just keep buying bigger SD cards for their cameras and never get around to downloading

them to their computer and organizing them, so that they can find them when they want to make prints later,” he said. “This is a big part of why I have moved further away from portrait and commercial photography and toward fine art photography and photography workshops.” Nevertheless, because the quality has improved, Kesel added, “I have embraced digital photography.” And regardless of what kind of camera he uses, Kesel still loves chasing “the unmatched beauty of the landscapes of the Southwest or capturing and preserving the history of our part of the country.” Information: 480-216-7904, dkesel@keselimages.com, keselimages.com, facebook.com/ ImagesByKesel

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

Patty the Heeler has become a hit at Ahwatukee garage sales BY KELLY ATHENA AFN Contributing Writer

ho wears a lei and sunglasses every Saturday to Ahwatukee events? Who brings her own therapeutic and entertaining show to these events, dancing with her partner, giving kisses and high fives and even praying for the neighborhood before she waves good bye and is whisked off into her handler’s car to the next event? She is known by at least 200 families in our community, and has another 1,000 Ahwatukee followers who have seen her at events for the past 12 years. When people see her, the most frequently heard comments are: “She made my week!” “She made my month!” or “She made my year!” Also, “Could I have your paw-ograph?” “ Our local star is Patty, a 13-year-old blue heeler, also known as a Queensland Heeler or Australian Cattle Dog. This breed has grey, black, white and tan fur with a white star on the head. Patty weighs 35 pounds. Her owner, May Beth Williamson, was an adjunct architecture professor at Arizona State University when she decided to resign and pursue other activities, such as airplane building, designing jewelry and being a full-time doggy mom. When Patty was 2 years old, Williamson Beth thought she’d try to teach Patty some tricks, using Patty’s extreme desire for constant food and intelligence as the motivators. Plus, Patty likes the energy of a crowd watching her perform. I met Williamson and Patty at garage sales nine years ago, when I moved from Gilbert to Ahwatukee. We have each

(Kelly Athena/Special to AFN) (Kelly Athena/Special to AFN)

Patty, a Queensland Heeler, likes to show off at garage sales.

other on speed dial and call with the cross streets if there’s a great sale with good items for 25 cents, or free toward the end. We also look out for certain items the other wants, like pool supplies, clothes, shoes, games, art canvases, dog food, cat food and vintage items I like to collect. Williamson said Patty’s best skill by far is stopping at every road she comes to. Even if someone has thrown her a frisbee into the street or she’s chasing a cat and the cat crosses the street and no cars are coming, she won’t proceed until May Beth gives her the go-ahead. Patty is known by all the Ahwatukee residents who hold annual garage sales. When any of them see her, Williamson hears statements such as: “Can I take

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her picture?” “Can I take a video of her? I’ve GOT to show her to my daughter in Michigan. Could I put the video on Facebook?” “Sure, anything you’d like,” Williamson replies. Williamson said that if you’re single and looking for a date, just get a convertible and a dog. She met her husband, Scott, 30 years ago walking a dog. Now she drives a small Honda that brings Patty to several garage sales every Saturday, and visits local care centers to cheer up the seniors. She and her husband have lived in Ahwatukee for 29 years and love it here. Like William son, I’ve discovered great bargains at Ahwatukee garage sales. Not only did I pick up some cool

May Beth Williamson brings her dog Patty to Ahwatukee garage sales when she's not entertaining seniors with her.

shirts, shorts, pants, and sweaters for 25 cents each; I walked away with a 1947 first edition John Steinbeck book for 50 cents. Happy surprises follow you around at garage sales. You get to know your neighbors, spread around a little good will, and get some good deals yourself. If you have any upcoming charity sales or a neighborhood sale coming up, let me know at garagesalegirl@kellyathena. com. Happy “Sale-ing!” Just follow the signs around your neighborhood from 7-11 a.m. Saturdays if you’d like to join what I call “Christmas every weekend.” -Kelly Athena is an Ahwatukee author and artist. Information: kellyathena.com

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TUESDAY, JAN. 17

Medicare seminar slated

Ahwatukee insurance agent Gregory J. Geryak of Next Step Advisors, plans two seminars on “Understanding Medicare,” which will cover all four parts of Medicare, people’s rights and options, enrollment and coverage. DETAILS>>4 -5 p.m., repeats at same time Jan. 24. Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. RSVP/information: 480-797-5615.

THURSDAY, JAN. 19

DETAILS>> 2:30-5 Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays at Hobby Lobby, 46th Street and Ray Road, Ahwatukee. Cost: $25 per class, $80 for four classes. Registration required: jlokits@yahoo.com or 480-471-8505.

Montessori holds open house

Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori is holds an open house weekly. It includes a short talk about Montessori education, followed by a tour of its campus. DETAILS>> 4 p.m. Wednesdays, 3221 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. Information: 480-759-3810

Class teaches soap making

Grief support is free

TUESDAY, JAN. 24

Foothills Women meet

Learn how to make your own soap. Includes a live demonstration with an emphasis on lye safety. DETAILS>> 6-7:30 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333.E. Chandler Blvd. No registration required. 16+ only. Free.

Jeff Scanlan: Think Inside the Bottle

Learn strategies to reach your goals, use your creativity to solve problems, and utilize tools immediately to improve your life with “America’s Sports Magician,” Jeff Scanlan. DETAILS>> 6:30-7:30 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd. Register in the calendar section at phxlib.org. Free.

Hospice of the Valley offers a free ongoing grief support group for adults and is open to any adult who has experienced a loss through death. No registration required. DETAILS>> 6-7 p.m. first and third Wednesdays, Pecos Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St. 602-636-5390 or HOV.org. An informal, relaxed social organization of about 90 women living in the Ahwatukee Foothills/Club West area. The gathering offers a way to escape once a month to have fun and meet with other ladies in the area. Guest speaker or entertainment featured. DETAILS>> 7 p.m. second Wednesday of the month, Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E. Clubhouse Drive. Contact jstowe2@cox.net or FoothillsWomensClub.org.

SATURDAY, FEB. 25

Parents can ‘drop in’

God’s Garden Preschool at Horizon Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Transportation Day, featuring more than 40 vehicles of all descriptions, from garbage and fire trucks to go-karts. Live entertainment, carnival games and other activities for young and old. Vendors and sponsors are being sought now. DETAILS>> 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1401 E. Liberty Lane, Ahwatukee. Information/vendor registration: Michelle Rhodes at 480-4600081, directorgodsgarden@horizonchurch.com or godsgarden. com.

Get with Democrats

Transportation Day scheduled

ONGOING

Parents are invited to join a drop-in group to ask questions, share ideas or just listen to what’s going on with today’s teenagers. DETAILS>> 5:30-7 p.m. second Wednesday of each month. Maricopa Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix. Free. RSVP at 602-827-8200, ext. 348, or rcarter@cals.arizona.edu. DETAILS>> Free and open to the public 7:30-9 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month at Biscuits Restaurant, 4623 E. Elliot Road. RSVP: marie9@q.com or 480-592-0052.

LD 18 Dems meet in Tempe

Congregation NefeshSoul is planning a tour of Israel June 10-20, 2017. Explore historical sites along with the beauty and rich culture of Israel. DETAILS>> Rabbi Susan Schanerman at rabbi@nefeshsoul.org.

The Legislative District 18 Democrats have changed their monthly meeting to their new campaign office at 1867 E. Baseline Road, Tempe. DETAILS>> 6:30 p.m. social time, 7-8:30 p.m. meeting time on the second Monday of each month. Information: ld18demsinfo@gmail. com. Free and open to the public.

MONDAYS

THURSDAYS

This group addresses the informational, emotional and social support needs of the MS community. People with MS, care partners and spouses are welcome. The group mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges people affected by MS. DETAILS>> 10 a.m.-noon, third Monday of each month, Dignity Health Urgent Care Ahwatukee, conference room, 4545 E. Chandler Blvd. Free. Information: Lynn Grant at lgrant3567@yahoo. com or 480-414-7172.

The Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee meets every Thursday and welcomes newcomers. Speakers lined up over the next few weeks include: Thursday, Dave Bittner, Ahwatukee Little League; Feb. 9, Caroline Lautt-Owens, Arizona Supreme Court, Dependent Children Service. Also, Feb. 16, Brad Jarret, personal trainer; and Feb. 23, Jim Wilkerson, Habitat For Humanity. The club also is making plans for its annual Easter Parade and Spring Fling and always needs volunteers. DETAILS>>7:30 a.m. Biscuits Restaurant, 4623 E. Elliot Road, Ahwatukee. Information: mike.maloney2003@gmail.com.

Congregation plans Israel trip

Group aids MS sufferers

TUESDAYS

Chamberoffers networking

WEDNESDAYS

Moms of pre-schoolers meet

Watercolor classes available

Watercolor classes that teach both bold and beautiful as well as soft and subtle approaches to the art are available twice a week for beginners and intermediate students who are at least 15 years old. Step-by-step instruction and personal help are provided.

It’s not to say that dementia isn’t an emotional and challenging disease. It’s just that when you see the human instead of the disease you don’t see sadness. You see life. You see history. You see achievements. You see family. You see love. And that’s how we see it at Hawthorn Court. We can help you with the challenges you’re facing. Please join us for a personal tour. Call 480.359.2898 to schedule.

Little League at Kiwanis Club

Toastmasters sharpen skills

Improve your speaking skills and meet interesting people at Ahwatukee Toastmasters meetings DETAILS>> 6:45-8 a.m at the Dignity Health Community Room, 4545 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee.

This is what memory care is all about.

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BRUNCH & LEARN!

Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce networking and leads group offers business owners as chance to get involved and network. Open to chamber members and nonmembers. DETAILS>> 8 a.m. Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, 4435 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 140. Shannon Kinsman, 480-753-7676.

Join us to learn about the specialty On Call assistance services for your loved one with dementia available at Hawthorn Court or anywhere you call home.

Free child care for ages 0 to 5. DETAILS>> 9 a.m. second and fourth Thursday, Foothills Baptist Church, 15450 S. 21st St. Call Kim at 480-759-2118, ext. 218.

Saturday, January 21st • 10am Please RSVP to 480.359.2898

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

Pet adoption center celebrates 5,000th family found BY ADRIANA BECERRA AFN Contributing Writer

Chandler animal shelter is celebrating its 5,000th pet adoption. PetMatch Adoption Center opened just four years ago in Chandler Fashion Center, but is already proving to be a success, said Marketing and Communications Manager Michael Morefield. Morefield said the PetMatch Adoption Center used to be a “puppy mill,” but now shelters dogs and cats for typically about a week before they get adopted,including by Ahwatukee families. The no-kill center is hoping to change the way people look at shelter animals. “Shelters are scary or loud or depressing, but that’s not always true. People think of shelter animals as sad and broken animals in cages,” said Morefield. “We get to show them that’s not true.” PetMatch Adoption Center is an extension of the Arizona Animal Welfare

League & SPCA. Morefield hopes people consider adopting rescue animals because it saves two lives—the rescue animal and the animal that now gets to fill that place in the shelter. “You can rescue and still get that happy puppy or older dog you’re looking for, giving that dog a second chance,” Morefield said. The PetMatch Adoption Center is showing the public that rescue shelters can be a bright, loving place for animals. Morefield said he hopes encouraging the adoption of rescue animals can help end pet stores. “We’re trying to try to stop the influx of puppy mill dogs because of the terrible condition they’re raised in,” Morefield said. The Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA will continue to house and care for shelter cats and dogs until they find See

PET ADOPTIONS on page 26

(Special to AFN)

Nicolas Powell and his mom is Leah celebrate the adoption of Isaiah, the 5,000th pet adopted at the PetMatch Adoption Center in Chandler Fashion Center.

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JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Mountain Park Church slates grief support program

Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road, Ahwatukee, is starting a grief support program on Tuesdays, beginning next week 6:30-8 p.m. Called GriefShare, the program helps those who have lost a loved one deal with the deep pain and hurt they feel during a confusing time when they feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before, organizers said. To register: mountainpark.org and click on Launch. Information: Alex at 480-759-6200

Tukee Sisters in Business plan second expo next month

Tukee Sisters in Business, a network of local businesses owned by women, will hold its second expo 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Four Points Sheraton South Mountain, 10831 S. 51st St., Ahwatukee. It will include a fashion show to promote “kindness for the kind campaign,” guest speakers, 60 vendors, food trucks, raﬄe prizes and live entertainment. It is being developed as a free family event. For more information or to secure space early: tukeesistersinbusiness@gmail. com, 602-516-8077, or m.facebook.com/ TukeeSistersInBusinessFanPage.

Mountain Pointe High student-art show open to the public Thursday

The Mountain Pointe High School Visual Arts Department will hold an art show for the 24th consecutive year 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the school, 4201 E. Knox Road, Ahwatukee. The works—drawings, paintings, photography, graphic design and ceramics— are all done by students. The faculty has a separate show in August. Both are held in the G-Wing lobby.

Finance advisor Joseph Ortiz hosting coffee club on Friday

Joseph Ortiz, an Ahwatukee Edward Jones financial advisor, will host a coffee club at 8:30 a.m. Friday at Trattoria D’Amico, 4902 E. Warner Road, Ahwatukee. Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company, provides financial services for individual investors. Information: edwardjones.com.

Inspire Kids Montessori to hold Read Aloud Day, host author

Author and reading specialist Kristin Cetone and her character, Buckaroo Buckeye, will hold a reading of her awardwinning children’s book, “Buckaroo

Buckeye—A Little Nut with Big Dreams,” on World Read Aloud Day at Inspire Kids Montessori, 4025 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, 10-11 a.m. Feb. 16. The book is a tale of a buckeye nut that falls from his tree in Ohio to embark on a magical journey to find his self-worth and place in the world. The book includes positive messaging about self-esteem and how to ignore bullies for children ages 4-8. Free, but space is limited. RSVP: 480-659-9402 or info@ inspirekidsmontessori.com.

Ahwatukee gym spicing up weight-loss resolutions

The Body Firm, 3636 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee, is sweetening the goal for people who have resolved to lose weight in the new year. It’s pairing people into teams who will be trying to lose the most weight between Monday and Feb. 27 for a chance to win $1,000. There will be second and third place cash prizes as well. Participants who do not have their own partner will be paired with someone and the challenge includes an initial private session, two semi-private sessions a week, a seven-day meal plan, unlimited cardio membership and weekly weigh-ins to measure progress. Entry cost is $20 for current clients and $349 for new members. Information: thebodyfirmaz.com or 480-787-0826.

God’s Garden seeks help, vendors for annual Transportation Day

God’s Garden Preschool at Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane, Ahwatukee, isn’t wasting any time ramping up for its popular Transportation Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 25. Thousands of kids and their parents descend on the school’s parking lot, where more than 40 vehicles, ranging from go-karts to firetrucks, are on display for them to explore. Over the years, it has grown to include activities for kids of all ages, including live entertainment, inflatable bouncers and carnival games, raﬄe baskets, and boutique and food vendors. There is no price for admission, but a portion of all the funds collected support the school’s students and education program. More than 4,000 people attended last year. The school is currently signing up vendors and looking for sponsors as well as donations for a silent auction and basket raﬄes. The vendor registration fee is $100. Sponsorships range from $50 to $2,500. See

AROUND on page 26

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

Prancer, Lionel are homeless snugglers and fetchers

ionel and Prancer are two lonely dogs hoping to have new owners soon. Jenny Bernot of Arizona Rescue said 5-year-old Lionel, a Dachshund mix “who loves to alternate between snuggling with his people and playing a

good game of fetch,” is a “friendly guy.” “He is super affectionate and loves nothing more than crawling into your lap where you can pamper him with kisses, petting, and ear and neck scratches before finally moving on to the all-important belly rubs,” Bernot said. “This sweet guy enjoys being picked up and cuddled close as well,” she added. “He also enjoys hanging out with other dogs, happy to wait his turn for snuggles and treats. Lionel is always excited to go for his walks and does very well on a leash and riding in the car. Nothing compares to the joy that courses through his little body when he sees a tennis ball.”

PET ADOPTIONS

“In fact, if you don’t pick the ball up fast enough, he will nudge it with his nose to give you a little bit of extra encouragement. He will play fetch until you no longer have the arm strength to pick up the ball and throw it even one more time.” Apply: azrescue.org. Shauna Michael of the Arizona Animal Welfare League, 25 N. 40th St., Phoenix, said Prancer, a 9-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier/Boxer mix, “adores snuggling with every person she meets and her tail never stops wagging.” “This happy-go-lucky girl loves treats of any kind and is always up for a good game of fetch,” Michael said. “When

she isn’t cuddling, Prancer enjoys playing with puzzle toys and learning new commands to keep her brain just as active as her body.” Information: 602-273-6852 ext.116.

their forever home. Isaiah was the 5,000th animal to find his forever home. The pup spent some time in the main shelter for medical care before heading to the PetMatch Adoption Center. Within a week, he was adopted by Leah Powell. “He gets along very well with our other dogs,” Powell said, “He fits along

nicely with our family.” Powell said she found out about Isaiah on Love Pups Pet Rescue, an organization that promotes shelter dogs. She was searching for a dog for her son, Nicolas. “They’re very much bonded already,” Powell said. The Powell family has been adopting rescue animals for the last 20 years. “It’s unfortunate because these dogs are not unwanted but they’re caught in unfortunate circumstances,” Powell said.

The Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA is run solely on grants and donations, with 88 percent of that going toward the animals, said Morefield. The Chandler center sees around 450 volunteers a year. Morefield said the shelter is always looking for help, whether people want to walk dogs, help in puppy classes or simply spend time with the animals. “Get involved in rescue,” said Powell, “There’s so many dogs out there that need a second chance on life.”

AROUND

Line-dancing expert’s classes offer cardio workout here

No partner or experience is necessary. The 18-week sessions are being held at 5:30 on Tuesdays and 11:15 and 12:15 p.m. Thursdays at Pecos Community center in Ahwatukee. Information: 480-221-9090, cmcneish@ cox.net, or dancemeetsfitness.net.

from page 24

from page 25

Information/registration: Michelle Rhodes at 480-460-0081, directorgodsgarden@ horizonchurch.com or godsgarden.com.

Award winning Ahwatukee instructor Carrie McNeish is offering line-dancing beginner, intermediate and advanced classes for cardio fitness.

Milenio Elementary School still collecting shoes

Please recycle me.

The Milenio Elementary PTO is collecting new and gently worn used shoes to raise money for student classrooms and learning materials. The shoes are sold to “micro-enterprise vendors, small businesses in developing nations that are typically owned by individuals or families. The drive runs through Jan. 30. Shoes can be dropped off at the front office, 4630 E. Frye Road, Ahwatukee.

OPINION

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Opinion

@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

www.ahwatukee.com

How did ‘showing up’ become a problem for small businesses? BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Sandra Marshall ﬂitted around her 90 or so guests like a hummingbird Friday night, hugging them and talking with them as they filled her Be An Artist studio in Ahwatukee. She was about to begin her long good bye to the strip-mall storefront she had maintained for two years, hosting parties and classes for cooking and creating art. She was hosting the last or second last of her monthly comedy nights to a soldout crowd of about 90, but there was no sadness as she took the stage to greet the audience. “It’s been a great two-year ride,” said Marshall, who expressed her gratitude to her husband, mother and the audience., Most everyone was a friend she made from their past visits to the studio. She is grateful to her landlords, because they had understood the challenges she faced as a small-business owner and allowed her to remain on a month-tomonth basis while she decided what to

do about the studio. She is grateful to her editor for his help in fashioning her new book, “One Hot Night at the Veggie Bar,” in which she wrote funny, double-entendre stories to accompany amusing sculptures she made out of fruits, vegetables and breads. Marshall is moving her operation to her home studio and contemplating a transformation of her business into more of a mobile operation. Instead of hosting art parties, she’ll bring them to places. Along the way, she also envisions giant “be an artist” gigs in large venues, even the Phoenix Convention Center. She figures she will leave at the end of next month, but doesn’t say that with absolute certainty. It’s clear she has mixed feelings about closing the shop that her kids two years ago identified as the home for her business, when they were walking around the plaza at Chandler Boulevard and 40th Street. Simultaneously, Marshall doesn’t feel like she has a choice but to leave. She needs to make about $7,000 a month to keep the business aﬂoat, and she’s having trouble doing that.

But her challenge does not stem from the normal reasons that small businesses in Ahwatukee and elsewhere struggle with every day—things like online stores, big-box retailers and the like. She can’t find reliable help. “I train them and everything is going ok for a while and then they start making excuses for not being able to come in,” she told me, adding that other smallbusiness owners have told her they have the same complaint. I was more than a little stunned. This isn’t a job in a steel mill or a coal mine. This doesn’t involve back-breaking effort until your body screams in agony or monotonous desk duty that induces a quiet desperation. But this job did require one thing: showing up. That seeming no-brainer job requirement—and the problem small business owners are having with it— made me wonder why it seems to have become such an issue. In the wake of Common Core, No Child Left Behind and other education

initiatives du jour, have schools overlooked teaching kids they have to show up for a job? Is it because too many parents are so focused on showing up for their own jobs that they automatically assume their kids will somehow absorb this without being told? Or has some kind of life-is-a-party malaise overcome a large portion of society? Beats me, frankly. But it is a disconcerting development. Meanwhile, you can still meet Marshall and enjoy the engaging atmosphere of her perhaps-soon-to-be-vacant studio in two ways. She has a book signing from 6 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the studio, 4025 E. Chandler Blvd. She’s also throwing a murder mystery dinner catered by Buca di Beppo Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 4. Tickets are $58 for that event, and you can learn more about it at beanartist.com or 602-369-4555. Be advised of one thing about both engagements, though. You have to show up.

Economic, not education policy promotes job creation BY FRANK SCHMUCK AFN GUEST WRITER

asayoshi Son, a billionaire who controls the Sprint Corporation, announced that he will invest $50 billion and create 50,000 new jobs in the United States. Which begs this question: does education or tax policy create jobs? If education policy creates jobs, then what education policy prompted this announcement to create 50,000 jobs (many in startup companies) to the United States? Did America suddenly become better educated thus the Japanese billionaire decided now is time to invest in jobs here? Of course not.

The Wall Street Journal reported “Mr. Son planned to tell…how he had wanted to invest in the U.S. but the regulatory climate was too harsh so he invested outside the U.S. instead,” Education policy is what we were told creates jobs during this last election cycle by local Legislative District 18 candidates now headed to the state legislature. Voters were told over and over again “We need to restore education funding.” If that is the case, how will that help Arizona graduates from our public universities find work in Arizona? Without jobs here in Arizona, there isn’t the revenue stream to fund all these subsidized educations. Research data indicates that nearly onein-two Arizona college graduates (each receiving a subsidized education from the hard-working taxpayers of Arizona)

have to leave our state and go find work elsewhere because it simply does not exist here. Think about that! What organization or business would train or educate someone to do a specific skill only to have them go and work for their competitor? Not many who want to stay in business. Why? It equates to a negative return on the investment and it’s not good for business or our state, because when they live, work and play in another state, Arizona loses out on revenue. Instead, Arizona needs to create a tax environment that is more conducive for our residents to start a business or grow their existing business. The Wall Street Journal also reported, “AT&T Inc. Chief Executive Randall Stephenson also spoke positively of the economic benefits…largely because

of lower taxes and less government oversight.” This was the case when Tesla and Panasonic were looking at Arizona and Nevada for a place to build their joint use battery plant for homes and automobiles. They settled on an area just outside of Reno, Nevada, not because their work force was more educated, but because of tax and business reasons. The education in the area improved after the business came, and then universities benefitted because it came in droves. This became known as the Tesla effect. Tax and regulation policy that is fair to everyone and inspires more to want to practice their art, craft or trade actually is what creates jobs. The philosophy of See

SCHMUCK on page 30

OPINION

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

LETTERS

Ahwatukee Farms plan lacks a legally binding document

The Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course has become a blighted landscape for the last three years since it has not been taken care of as a golf course after a change of ownership in May 2013. During those last few months, I obtained information regarding the Ahwatukee Farms. The most recent information was mailed to me in the form of a booklet labeled "Ahwatukee Farms Information Packet," with a one-page insert titled "Consent," containing the proposed amendments to the CC&Rs of Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course. From all this information, I have mixed thoughts and feelings. The biggest thought and feeling is about my decision to sign or not sign the consent. I believe I need firmer grounds to make that decision. Some grounds are there, others are still missing. At the fundamental level, the reason given to change the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course CC&Rs is that using it as a golf course is financially unviable. If it is indeed financially unviable,

another company that might buy the real property in the future will be faced with the same problem: to determine whether using the said real property as a golf course is financially viable. I am not a developer, but to me it is clear that developing it as a 300 singlefamily-home community is not only viable but a much more profitable and entrepreneur-wise a much easier project than using it as a golf course. This means that from the standpoint of any developer, using the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course as a golf course is daydreaming. To make a decent profit, a part of the real property is to be developed to build single family homes. This entails a certain consequence of much less open space and increased traffic that depends of how many homes will be built. I made these statements not to favor or disagree with The True Life Companies because I have no TTLC stock. Rather it is to help myself (and maybe my fellow Ahwatukee residents) to do organized reasoning and make a well-informed decision in my current condition of mixed thoughts and feelings.

enrolL IN your child’s future

The consent I am asked to sign is to be a "well informed" consent based on knowledge of the potential consequences of my action of signing. The consent form contains six specific CC&Rs that are general statements. However, by themselves they are inadequate to reasonably and practically know the potential consequences of my signed consent. In the packet from True Life, pages 2-3 say, "Ahwatukee Farms is a new urbanist farm-to-table community intended to provide a variety of singlefamily residential homes limited to one or two-stories with a maximum of 300 homes. The problem I have is that 300 homes do not leave room for so many other "vision" projects on the real property, such as a minimum 30 acres of open space, two-plus miles of meandering trails, Desert Garden Montessori. Does this include parking lot for its employees? I need a legally binding actual plan or project, conditional on approval by the City of Phoenix, to know the consequences of the consent that True Life asks me to sign. The only legally

binding document in the packet is a letter on an unnumbered page with a letterhead "Ahwatukee Farms" signed by three high-ranking officers on behalf of The True Life Companies. In the context of what TTLC is going to do with the said real property, this letter only states, "It is our pleasure to present you a comprehensive information packet regarding our project, Ahwatukee Farms. Ahwatukee Farms is a passion-filled vision for the property formerly known as the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course.” The Ahwatukee Farms that is portrayed in packet is more a vision rather than a legally binding project of True Life. We should consider other possible scenarios. One scenario in many development projects is miscalculation of the cost of development, despite the best thorough analysis and estimates. I am sure True Life, as an experienced developer, has considered this scenario and is prepared to financially cover that miscalculation. The problem is that despite this financial precaution, development See

LETTERS on page 29

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OPINION

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

LETTERS

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budget deficits are so much more beyond expectations and the financial precaution is often far from adequate. Any agreement between two good responsible legal entities starts "in good faith." However, humans cannot make perfect predictions, so the prudent stance is "hope for the best scenario," be prepared for the worst scenario. We cannot be fully prepared for the worst scenario, but legal documents are wise means to minimize the worst.

-John Nurman

We've forgotten the Founding Fathers’ fundamentals

The best athletic teams follow the fundamentals of their sport. The coaches are always saying "remember the fundamentals." And so it should be in the maintenance of our national fundamentals. Those fundamental principles define the character and values of our national way of life. Since 1950, I've watched our nation fade into something our Founding Fathers probably wouldn't recognize. We've forgotten the fundamentals upon which our nation was established. Established by such men as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin. There were many others, but these gentlemen were the leaders, the believers and the authors of the documents proclaiming our freedom and liberty. They wrote the Declaration of Independence, fought the Revolutionary War, wrote the Constitution of the United States, the “Federalist Papers,” “Common Sense” and “The American Crisis.” As an aside, if your read “Common Sense” and “The American Crisis,” all written in the late 1770s and early 1780s by Thomas Paine, you'll be amazed at the similarity in the political

circumstances of our beginning and those of today. It seems the politics never change—only the names of the leaders change. Probably has something to do with human nature, don't you think? Thousands of words have been written about our founding fundamentals. Some authors say there are 28. Others refer to the Constitution for the fundamentals while others say there are only five Founding Principles. When you refer to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and stay only with those two documents, you may find there are about 17 when using a fairly strict interpretation of the Declaration and the Constitution. Such is my hypothesis. Starting with the Declaration of Independence, we find five of our fundamental principles. The first paragraph of the Declaration refers to Nature's God and the Laws of Nature's God. The second paragraph says our Creator gave us the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That's five of the fundamentals. Now, let's go to the Preamble of the Constitution where it speaks of national unity, justice, domestic tranquility, the national defense, the general welfare and the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. Add these to the first five and you have eleven fundamental principles. As if that isn't enough, consider the First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, assembly and the right to petition the government) and the Second Amendment (the right to a militia and the right of the citizenry to keep and bear arms) to the Constitution. This gives us 17 basic fundamentals upon which our nation was founded. When you examine these fundamentals, you can see why the rest of the world is envious. Reason being, the rest of the world has known only anarchies, monarchies, dictatorships and oligarchies from the beginning of recorded history. We’re better than that.

Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com

Please recycle me.

-Don Kennedy

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OPINION

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

New hope on horizon for treating rare form of severe epilepsy

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aising a child is one of the most rewarding experiences for parents. But for parents of children with epilepsy, it can be heart wrenching watching their children suffer from something they’re unable to help control. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, 3 million people in the U.S. have epilepsy, and one-third of those are living with uncontrolled seizures because no available treatment works for them. One particular form, Dravet syndrome, is a rare, catastrophic type of epilepsy that develops in infancy. Within their first years of life, children with Dravet syndrome can experience multiple seizures a day, which are often prolonged—meaning they can last for more than five minutes at a time. Children with Dravet syndrome are also at a high risk for SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy), with 15-20 percent chance of dying by age 20. To make matters worse, there is no cure for Dravet syndrome, and there are no currently available treatment options that provide sustainable and effective relief from seizures. This leaves families to carry a tremendous burden in their day-today lives, unable to predict when their loved one with Dravet syndrome might experience their next seizure. Fortunately, there is hope for families of children with Dravet syndrome in

SCHMUCK

from page 27

educating our way into jobs seems like the rhetoric we were told concerning the Affordable Health Care Act, which, Arizonans learned late in the last election cycle, turned out to be not so affordable after all. We shall see how affordable education

the form a new potential treatment option called ZX008. ZX008, low-dose fenﬂuramine, is being studied under the FAiRE (Fenﬂuramine Assessment in Rare Epilepsy) program at centers across the country. Children between 2 and 18 years of age who experienced their first seizure before their first birthday and who continue to experience uncontrolled seizures despite current medications may be eligible to participate. There is no cost to participate in the trial, and travel assistance is available for those who need it. Readers can learn more about the study at FAiREDS.com or by contacting the research department at the Center for Neurosciences by phone at 520-320-2147 or at neurotucscon.com. I have specialized in pediatric neurology for over 25 years and know all too well the burden that patients and families with Dravet syndrome face. I encourage anyone who knows someone or who thinks that their child might have Dravet syndrome to contact the Center for Neurosciences to see whether they might be a good fit for this study. Children and families affected by Dravet syndrome need new treatments so direly, and I am extremely hopeful that we might soon be able to offer a new option through ZX008. Dr. Dinesh Talwar, is clinical associate professor at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center.

really will be over the next few years. But if it’s anything like what we’ve seen in the last few years, don’t hold your breath. It will take real leaders who know and understand economic policy not education policy to get Arizona productive and affordable again. The author was the Republican candidate for State Senate in Legislative District 18, which includes Ahwatukee.

WANT MORE? There’s always more ways to Get Out on our website: www.Ahwatukee.com

OPINION

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Amid the celebrity grief, let’s remember someone worthy of it BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ AFN GUEST WRITER

s the news goodbyes and Facebook grief over the loss of Carrie Fisher stretched into the new year, my mind kept returning to a single image, a photograph of a square-jawed soldier, a 30-year-old Arizona man I learned about only after he died. Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe grew up on Tucson’s north side. As a youngster, he loved playing with Legos and hanging out with the best pals he made at Espero Middle School in the Catalina Foothills. Later, McEnroe loved strumming his guitar, cooking dinner and dressing to look sharp. He loved languages, which helped him learn to speak Arabic and Russian. And Kevin McEnroe loved his country, enough to spend a decade in the United States Army, with eight of those years serving as a Green Beret. His military service took McEnroe on five deployments around the world, the last in Jordan, where, according to military officials, he was working to

help the Central Intelligence Agency Soldiers from McEnroe’s Green Beret train Syrian rebels. unit were there to pay their respects as While accounts of McEnroe’s final well, before walking a few rows over to few minutes vary, what is certain is bury James Moriarty, who died at just that on Nov. 4, 2016, he was involved 27 years old. in an intense exchange of gunfire with McEnroe’s funeral was one month a Jordanian soldier at a checkpoint ago. Since then, there have been a outside King Faisal few score column airbase in the southern inches recording the desert. staff sergeant’s life, a When the last bullets paltry handful of news echoed away and efforts reports. to save the injured Of course, in contrast proved futile, Kevin to a celebrity like the McEnroe lay dead along actress who memorably with two of his brothers played Princess Leia, from the 5th Special the only pictures Kevin Forces Group, Staff McEnroe ever starred Sgt. Matthew Lewellen in are the still images and Staff Sgt. James associated with his Moriarty. death. (Army Times/Special to AFN) Kevin McEnroe These are the was buried on a chilly Staff Sgt Kevin J. McEntroe photographs you stare Virginia afternoon in at while pondering December 2016, in Arlington National what it all means—why we grieve as a Cemetery. His father, Brian McEnroe, nation when Carrie Fisher passes on, or is captured in one photograph kneeling Debbie Reynolds, or George Michael, to kiss his son’s wooden casket while or fill in the blank. clutching two perfect red roses. But we lower the state’s ﬂags to half-

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staff and go about our business without a tear when a Green Beret like Kevin McEnroe earns a burial plot among the many, many square miles of Arlington National. Some would say it’s a case of a culture fallen prey to misplaced priorities, that we value celebrity far more than we value service. Others might argue for a sort of “grief fatigue,” that with more than 5,300 American soldiers KIA since 2001, it’s simply not possible to give front-page coverage to each and every military death. Me, I think there’s truth to both of those explanations, though I might add a third hypothesis. Celebrities remind of us the days when we were young, when a dark movie theater unfurled dreams. Lost soldiers like Staff Sgt. Kevin McEnroe, that strong, smart, handsome Arizona Green Beret, a rugged blond man staring intently back at a camera, reminds us of the amazing sacrifice we will never have the courage to make. Godspeed, soldier. You were in fact— and in deed—the very best of us. – Reach David Leibowitz at david@ leibowitzsolo.com.

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OPINION

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

OPINION

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

PAID ADVERT ISE ME NT

PAID ADVERTISE MENT

Your Neighbors Are Supporting “WE TRUST TRUE LIFE TO CREATE AHWATUKEE FARMS ACCORDING TO THEIR MISSION”

Ahwatukee Farms “T

he scenic view of Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course was the main reason we built our home on Lakeside Blvd 25 years ago. We are golfers and have witnessed first hand the decline in golf throughout the Valley, so we were not surprised when Ahwatukee Lakes closed 3 years ago.

“THE

create a healthy, positive environment for all of us, and especially the young families that are the lifeblood of our community.

The True Life Companies has an excellent reputation and their representatives have responded to all of our questions and concerns. We trust True Life to create Ahwatukee Farms CONDITIONS according to their mission.

With five golf courses WE'RE LIVING within a 10 mile radius, it If we don't partner with was almost inevitable. The WITH NOW WILL The True Life Companies, blight that was once the conditions we're living BE OUR REALITY Ahwatukee Lakes will be with now will be our reality our back yard for many FOR YEARS” for years and may drive us more years unless we take to settle for much less in charge of the future of our community and partner with The True Life Companies to the end. Let's support a company that truly wants to improve our neighborhood pave the way for Ahwatukee Farms. and help us build a community we'll be Ahwatukee Farms is a family friendly plan proud of.” that provides something for everyone. Walking trails, lakes, a school and farm will

- John Johnson, Lakes Golf Course Homeowner

Join John and your fellow neighbors in supporting Ahwatukee Farms: the only plan that creates open space and will increase your property values.

Sign your consent form today!

www.AhwatukeeFarms.com

Real Estate Guide Modular, 3-D printed homes among housing trends forecast for 2017 AFN News Services

t’s been said that the only constant in life is change itself. Democrats give way to Republicans; hoverboards give way to Hatchables; the iPhone 6 gives way to the Note 7, which explodes and then ultimately paves the way for an iPhone 8. Even housing trends—a category in which changes were once so glacial they were barely perceptible to the naked eye—are now undergoing profound and rapid transformation too. As real estate markets across the nation continue their unprecedented boom, the

form and function of homes and living styles are changing rapidly to meet the new realities of American life. Small is the new big. Modular is the new custombuilt. Three-dimensional printers are the new homebuilders. Communal living is the new grown-up, upscale obsession. Even yurts, the dwellings favored by Mongolian herders, are back, according to Realtor.com. Here are some of the trends that the Realtors website foresees in 2017 that it said have the potential to redefine, even transform, the housing market. See

HOUSING TRENDS on page RE2

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re2

REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

HOUSING TRENDS

(some only three or six months) as well as housekeeping services to minimize from page RE1 disputes. School buses as houses. The tinyMicro-apartments. The apartments house craze isn’t exactly new. With are tinier than tiny houses—measuring a half-dozen or so reality TV shows a quarter to a third the size of the and a devoted following, the trend of median apartment in a newly completed downsizing into just a few hundred building with five or more units in 2013, square feet is familiar to just about according to the U.S. Census Bureau. everyone. More and more of these miniature A combination of the DIY movement dwellings are cropping up in big cities and the smaller-is-better craze has given like New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles. rise to homes made from all sorts of They’re even spreading to smaller metros vehicles, said Aaron Lane, a design like Providence, Rhode Island. engineer at Creative Mobile Interiors in What they lack in size, microapartments Grove City, Ohio. make up for in lower costs—usually. A German couple bought a 1996 But residents may wind up paying a school bus for $10,000. With a little little extra for the luxury amenities help, some YouTube tutorials, and a lot that many come with, such as Wi-Fi, of elbow grease—as well as an additional weekly housekeeping service and even $50,000—they turned the clunker into communal activities such as whitewater a 200-square-foot loft with a wooden rafting trips and happy hours. floor, a compost toilet and a hot-water Co-living. The days of finding shower powered by solar panels. roommates on Craigslist and then Yurts. With rents and home prices praying for the best may be numbered. zooming ever higher, affordable housing Co-living, a movement in which young seems like a fantasy. That’s where yurts professionals have their next housemates come in. carefully screened and live together in These circular homes, which have upscale, highly planned harmony, is sheltered Mongolian nomads for making an impact across the U.S. thousands of years, can cost quite a bit The real draw is the communal less than more traditional homes. environment, where residents pay a A roughly 700-square-foot model with little extra to mix and mingle with one a wooden frame and vinyl walls could go another at Sunday artisanal potluck for around $20,000. That doesn’t include dinners, weekend art workshops or the foundation and utilities hookups. various common spaces in the building. That’s a prime reason why over the past Other perks include shorter leases few years, sales of the structures have

Best Seller

(Special to AFN)

This home on S. Presario Trail appears to be the top seller in Ahwatukee in 2016 with a sold price of $2.4 million. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom, 5,00-square-foot home, built in 2008, is set against South Mountain and features a 1,500-square-foot circular great room. Besides a completely equipped guest home, the house also has a $300,000, 50-foot negative-edge swimming pool that. One Realtor called the backyard, complete with a full patio kitchen, “an entertainer’s dream.”

grown by about 10 percent annually at the Colorado Yurt Co., said Ivy Fife, the company’s marketing manager. “We’ve seen quite a few retirees buy a piece of ground and put a yurt on it and get out of debt and have a little bit more freedom,” she said. “It’s young people, too… They don’t want to get into a big mortgage that’s going to make it hard for them to meet.” Wellness buildings. More than 50 condo and apartment buildings around the world are now applying for the new Well Being Standard. Similar to LEED certification for eco-friendliness, the designation is administered by a group called the International Well Being Institute. To qualify, a building’s design needs to incorporate healthy elements like air and water quality, natural light, and fitness. This can mean giving stairwells more prominent placement to encourage residents to walk more, adding gyms and doctors’ offices to the ground floor and remediating any stress-inducing odors and loud noise. Since it’s a new process, no finished buildings have been certified just yet. Modular homes. Manufactured houses are no longer just rolling off factory assembly lines and into trailer parks. Upscale modular homes are beginning to enjoy their moment in the spotlight with the world’s tallest modular tower opening recently in Brooklyn, New York. The 32-story rental building is

expected to inspire other big developers to use modular construction. Prefabricated housing is often of higher quality (because it’s built indoors, sheltered from the elements), costs a little less (less material wasted), and can go up a lot faster than traditionally built homes. “This will speed up the development time at a time when we’re really short of housing,” said Steve Weikal, an urban design professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Real Estate. 3-D printer homes. Homes created by a 3-D printer are expected to be cheaper than traditionally built residences. They don’t require as many construction workers and they produce less waste as the machines use only as much material as is needed. New homes could be designed by ordinary folks and printed in days. The technology is still evolving, but rudimentary buildings, mostly made of concrete, are already being printed around the world. A two-story, 4,305-square-foot building was printed recently in China in just 45 days. “You can have high design on a budget,” said architect Christopher Hurst, of WATG Urban Architecture Studio in Chicago. “Now you can go to a contractor, and you have a highly customizable house that’s indicative of you—and that way you can express yourself in how you live,” he said.

REAL ESTATE

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Being in escrow requires attention to dos and don’ts BY STACEY LYKINS AFN Guest Writer

f you are “in escrow,” you are probably no more than 30 days Stacie Lykins from closing on your new home. Here is a simple guide on what to do and not do during this period. Stay close to home. Be available. Going on vacation or changing phone numbers is not a good idea. You need to be available to your lending, real estate agent and title company during this home stretch. Sometimes last-minute items surface and time is always of the essence prior to closing. Most of your real estate transaction is time sensitive. If items are not addressed or completed within the time frames outlined, you could put your earnest money at risk. Do not change jobs. Stability and consistency a give lenders a warm and fuzzy feeling. You really do not want to do anything during this 30-day period to put your earning capacity in doubt. Do not decide to become selfemployed. Once your transaction is closed you can move on and make a career change or pursue a new job. Just do not do it while you are in escrow. Hold off on a new car. You are about to get a new house, so why not buy a new washer/dryer, dishwasher and refrigerator or new car? Any big purchases will throw off your “debt-to-income ratio,” which measures how much of your monthly income goes toward debt obligations. This is a ratio lenders consider when evaluating a loan application. You do not want to end up buying items for a home you don’t have

yet or worse, one that you lose because you increased your debt load. You might even run into trouble if you pay for these items with cash, because lenders look at how much cash reserves you have when approving a mortgage. Instead, try to keep the balances on your credit cards low and don’t take on new debt, which includes co-signing on a loan until after you close on your home. Pay bills on time. Make sure to keep all your accounts current. Any late payment can jeopardize your credit score, which could cause you to not qualify. If you take on additional debt or negatively affect your credit, you could not only put the loan in jeopardy. You could put your earnest money in jeopardy as well. Keep credit cards unchanged. Keep everything status quo during this 30-day escrow period. You can make changes with your credit cards after you close on your new home. Don’t move money. Don’t move large amounts of money around. Keep everything status quo. Its only 30-45 days, so keep everything stable. You do not want to raise any flags or create questions, while in escrow. During escrow, it is important to keep consistency in your financial life. Any changes can cause lenders to question your loan and qualifications. It is only a 30-45 time period, so it should be easy to keep things consistent. -To ﬁnd out more about purchasing or selling your home any other real estate related questions, contact Ahwatukee resident and Associate Broker Stacey Lykins, West USA, 602-616-9971 or at S.Lykins@ LykinsProperties.com or visit her website at www.LykinsProperties.com.

The Tompkins Team

Bill Watson

Gets Results. Top 1% of Agents in Arizona.

THE Hardest Working Real Estate Professional.

I CAN SELL YOURS TOO! Fox Crossing

$349,900

Villas at Desert Park Village

$415,000

The Foothills

$464,900

Thunder Mountain

$699,000

Here it is! Single level, 4 bedroom, split floor plan, pool and 3 car garage sitting on an North-South lot just steps away from park! Light and bright with separate living and family room. Large eat-in kitchen with breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances, built-in microwave. Tile floors, plantation shutters, neutral colors. Large master bedroom and bathroom with separate shower/tub and huge walk in closet. Nice covered patio facing North overlooking cute play pool. Over sized secondary bedrooms, inside laundry and cabinets in the garage and beautiful landscaping. Steps away Basha elementary. Don’t miss this home! If you show it, you will sell it!

www.TompkinsAZHomes.com

Each office is independently owned and operated.

480.706.7259

Your invitation has arrived! Pristine mountain views surround this beautiful DC Ranch townhome in a gated community! Wonderful open floor plan with 2 bedrooms + den is an interior lot end unit! Masterfully upgraded kitchen offers stainless steel appliances, granite counters & backsplash, custom cabinets and a raised breakfast bar where guests can easily chat with the chef! Grand staircase with handsome wood and wrought iron railing leads to the master suite with sitting area, walk in closet, relaxing spa like bath and an exit to the private balcony with spectacular views. Plenty of community amenities in this well maintained subdivision! 38 homes in the Villas share a heated community pool and the Desert Camp Community Center with lap pool, fitness center, tennis courts and play ground.

Wow! Don’t miss this 3311 square foot 4 bedroom plus game room and bonus room that can easily be 5th bedroom downstairs with 3.5 Bathrooms! Sitting in a cul-de-sac! New kitchen remodel 2012 with upgraded raised cabinets, granite counters and stainless steel appliances! Slate floors, upgraded custom paint. Large open kitchen area to family room has 20 foot ceilings, two way fireplace to huge game room. Large master upstairs with walk out deck to amazing mountain and city light views. More mountain preserve across the street from the home! Backyard oasis with built-in bbq, out door custom fireplace and spa. Wood blinds and sunscreens throughout. 2 15 Seer a/c units installed 12/14. This home is a 10! If you show it, you will sell it!

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

Riley, Coleen, Ron and Drew

YOUR HOME... OUR EXPERTISE.

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**CHECK OUT THE VIRTUAL TOUR** Outstanding Home in the Gated Community of Thunder Mountain Estates! Nestled on over an acre of land with private courtyard entry. Dramatic soaring beamed ceilings, soothing interior palette, two story stone fireplace, built-in entertainment wall, upgraded lighting, and beautiful tile floor. French doors to patio and plush carpet in all the right places. Stunning granite counters, breakfast bar, SS/black appliances, and plethora of wood cabinetry in gourmet kitchen. Private Den and amazing loft area with endless possibilities. Romantic fireplace in master retreat with patio access, walk-in closet, and spa-like en suite. Bonus Sauna Room! Enjoy the backyard sparkling pool with fountain, spa, majestic Saguaros, covered patio, and natural desert views.

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

www.TheBillWatsonGroup.com

480.706.7211 • 602.469.0388 Professionalism • Integrity • Communication

Each office is independently owned and operated.

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

Ahwatukee homes sold 85044 $183,000 $184,000 $192,000 $215,000 $230,000 $233,000 $250,000 $254,000 $255,000 $275,000 $295,000 $319,000 $340,000 $362,000 $375,000 $475,000

85045 $362,500 $410,000 $534,000 $617,000

4828 E. Lake Point Circle 12063 S. Paiute St. 12834 S. 50th Way 14437 S. 41st Place 4201 E. Hano St. 12844 S. Kosh St. 4456 E. Verbena Drive 14845 S. 41st St. 13423 S. 47th Way 4622 E. Thistle Landing Drive 3831 E. Coconino St. 4216 E. San Gabriel Ave. 3634 E. Mountain Sky Ave. 3445 E. Manso St. 4901 E. La Mirada Way 14020 S. 36th Place 16209 S. 14th Drive 717 W. Amberwood Drive 244 W. Desert Flower Lane 1552 W. Saltsage Drive

85048 225,000 $231,500 $232,000 $251,000 $251,000 $280,000 $288,000 $288,000 $289,900 $314,900 $324,000 $344,000 $360,000 $410,500 $460,000 $505,000 $515,000 $665,000

Breaking these bad habits can help save your house AFN NEWS SERVICES

new year means it is time to break those deplorable habits that are hurting your home. The damage it sustains—scratches on the hardwood floors, a neglected leaky spot on the ceiling—will one day come back and take a bite out of your finances in the guise of costly repairs. “It’s tempting for homeowners to get caught up in dreaming about the cool stuff they plan to do—the kitchen makeover with the big, six-burner commercial-grade stove, or the dinner parties on the yet-tobe-built backyard deck,” said remodeling expert John Riha. “But good homeownership is in the details, like doing regular maintenance and smaller routine projects that can head off major repair bills,” he told Realtor.com People can save time and money by breaking a few bad home-owning habits like the ones below. Thinking “If it’s not broke, don’t ﬁx it.” Wrong! Appliances, furnaces, paint jobs, and hardwood floors all need regular maintenance, whether they look as if they need it or not. Home exteriors need to be

4049 E. Woodland Drive 4310 E. Frye Road 1024 E. Frye Road 15436 S. 14th Place 4410 E. Glenhaven Drive 16009 S. 34th Way 901 E. Verbena Drive 16408 S. 39th St. 15810 S. 28th Place 16610 S. 41st St. 15432 S. 23rd Place 16601 S. 37th Way 16631 S. 36th St. 15841 S. 12th Way 2459 E. Silverwood Drive 15244 S. 16th Place 14815 S. 14th Place 528 E. Mountain Sage Drive

BONNY HOLLAND

Instead, use a little elbow grease and scrub with a brush, or use a flush-by-flush product that is attached to the bowl, not the tank.

(Special to AFN)

Ignoring minor problems in your house can lead to major headaches in the future.

Packing stuﬀ under the deck. It’s alright to store some, say, patio furniture under a deck. But if you pack that storage space with everything, you’ll trap moisture that can warp decking. Always keep at least one foot of space between stuff and the joists. Smoking inside. Even if you don’t care about your health, care about the health of your investment when cigarette smoke seeps into walls and floors. “Stop smoking in the house. When it

CANYON RESERVE

HORIZON HEIGHTS

SUMMERHILL

3701 E Nowata Drive

14428 S Canyon Drive

14613 S 1st Street

16232 S 1st Street

SOLD!

FEATURED LISTING!

SALE PENDING!

2,729sqft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom. Stunning tri-level custom home nestled on an oversized lot in the prestigious Ahwatukee community of Equestrian Estates.

$600,000

3,100sqft, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom. Beautiful estate on .93 acre private lot with Guest House in the luxurious gated community of Canyon Reserve.

$899,000

TAPESTRY CANYON

BLACK ROCK CANYON

5,164sqft, 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom. Magnificent hillside custom estate nestled in the pristine South Mountain gated community of Summerhill.

THE FOOTHILLS

$1,349,000

2,401sqft, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom. Beautiful single level with front to back mountain views in the highly sought neighborhood of Horizon Heights in the Foothills Club West.

AHWATUKEE CUSTOM ESTATES

$399,900

NEW LISTING!

3,229sqft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom. Stunning hillside custom home in the secluded golf course gated community of Canyon Verde.

$799,900

Each Keller Williams Office is Independently Owned and Operated

15003 S 7th Street

1802 E Desert Willow Drive

NEW LISTING!

FEATURED LISTING!

3,074sqft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom. Gorgeous hillside custom home in the pristine gated community of Black Rock Canyon.

$749,900

5,090sqft, 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom. Incredible hillside custom estate with Guest House on huge .78 acre lot in the luxurious mountainside gated community of Tapestry Canyon.

$1,349,000

1318 E Cathedral Rock Drive

FEATURED LISTING!

2,236sqft, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom. Beautiful single family home with panoramic mountain views.

$299,900

B onny@LeadingLuxur yExper ts.com • w w w.LeadingLuxur yE xper ts.com • 602.369.1085

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comes time to sell, you’ll be glad you did,” said Realtor Lee Williams. If you must smoke, do it outside, away from windows and doors that could allow smoke to seep in. Using closets to hide clutter. Clutter makes a home look messy, small, and uncared for. Stop letting mail accumulate, keeping clothes you don’t wear, books you won’t reread, and dishes you’ll never use. You don’t have to declutter in a weeklong sweep; you can do it little by little. Every day, find one or two things you don’t use, put them in a bag or box, then donate, gift, or sell them when the container is full. Ignoring small problems. It’s easy to ignore a small wet spot on the ceiling, or a slight musty smell in the basement. But you disregard these small problems at your peril. A wet spot on your ceiling can mean anything from cracks around roof vent collars to missing or failing roof shingles. A persistent musty smell could mean mold is growing. These conditions are easy to fix at the beginning. But if you wait, you’ll spend more repairing small problems that have become big problems.

Ahwatukee Resident Since 1992 EQUESTRIAN ESTATES

16221 S Mountain Stone Trail

repainted every four or five years, before you see peel or rot. HVAC filters should be cleaned or replaced every month. Granite should be sealed every year before stains form. So try this new habit: When you buy or install something, read and obey maintenance instructions, which will keep your home working well and looking good longer. Wearing shoes inside. Shoes scuff floors, stain carpets, and deliver dust, dander, and disease into your home. A University of Houston study found that 39 percent of shoes contained Clostridium difficile, aka C. diff, which causes bad diarrhea and is increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Realtor.com advises that people leave comfy socks or slippers at the entry door and slip into them when they or guests enter a home. Foot coverings are better than going barefoot. Skin produces oil and sweat, which isn’t good for flooring, either. Tossing cleaning tablets in toilet tanks. Sure, they’re an easy way to clean your toilet. But eventually the chemicals will corrode the plastic parts that keep a toilet flushing.

Top Producer in Ahwatukee 2016

Leading Luxury Home Experts CANYON VERDE

REAL ESTATE

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

11832 S Warpaint Drive

FEATURED LISTING!

4,410sqft, 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom. Spectacular custom, split level home in the desirable Ahwatukee Custom Estates.

$699,900

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

SPOTLIGHT TLIGHT home

15003 S 7th Street

Gorgeous hillside custom home in the pristine gated community of Black Rock Canyon. Elegant finishes include wood cased windows, travertine and wood floors. Mountain views in all directions! Beautiful front entry leads to custom iron front door. Foyer opens to spacious formal living room with fire place and mountain views. Formal dining room adjacent to full wet bar with granite counters, custom cabinetry and wine rack. Beautiful family room with entertainment niches and stoned fire place. Gorgeous gourmet kitchen with granite counters, custom cabinetry, kitchen island and breakfast room with granite built-in desk and cabinets. Huge master bedroom suite with sitting room, private patio access and fire place. Stunning master bathroom with granite counters, dual sinks, custom stone spa-like tub with jets, stone walk-in shower and walk-in closet with built-in cabinets and shoe rack. Private hillside backyard with covered patio, outdoor dining area, custom play pool with rock waterfall, elevated spa and grass area all surrounded by mature luscious landscape and private mountain views. 3 spacious guest bedroom, custom guest bathroom, powder room and inside laundry room with granite counters and cabinetry. 3-car garage. This home has it all! Fabulous curb appeal. Excellent Kyrene Schools. Great Ahwatukee Location!

Listed for $749,900

kw® SONORAN LIVING Bonny Holland KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY 602.369.1085 www.LeadingLuxuryExperts.com Equestrian Estates Inviting territorial single-level custom home with circular drive, front courtyard and side-entry garage. 4 br, 2.5 ba with 2,955 sq. ft. Updated kitchen features granite countertops, large island, pull-out cabinetry, wine cooler and bar sink. Beautiful hardwood flooring plus stackedstone fireplace. Spacious master suite boasts sitting area, walk-in closet with custom oak cabinetry, crown molding, travertine flooring plus walk-in shower in remodeled bathroom. Anderson windows and doors with wood blinds and Plantation shutters. A/C and roof 2012. Exterior paint 2015. Outdoor lighting 2016. Private backyard with lush tropical landscaping, outdoor kitchen with island, mountain-view deck and custom play pool with sheer water descent and spa. Listed for $675,000

Stunning single-level estate located in prestigious Ahwatukee Custom Estates. Almost 4000 sq. ft., 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath plus executive office. Perfect floorplan. Gated courtyard entry. Great room w/ fireplace. Formal dining room. Kitchen includes S/S appliances, custom cabinets, cooktop, large island, skylight & walk-in pantry. Breakfast room overlooking front courtyard. Large master suite, master bath with dual vanities, Jacuzzi tub, snail shower & his/her closets. Secondary bedrooms w/walk-in closets, guest quarters, teen suite, 2nd master on the opposite end of house, perfect for multi-generational families & teens. Tranquil backyard w/pebble sheen pool, rock waterfall, firepit, covered patio, palm trees, mature landscaping & observation deck w/South Mountain views. A truly special home, the possibilities are endless!

Listed for $698,000

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

Geno Ross 602.751.2121 • www.GenoRoss.com

Mike Mendoza

480.706.7234 • www.MendozaTeam.com

REAL ESTATE

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

WI-FI home security systems not impressing home insurers AFN NEWS SERVICES

mericans are snapping up millions of new security cameras and smoke detectors connected to their Wi-Fi networks. But insurers apparently aren’t yet persuaded the devices will make homes any safer. The average cost of insuring a home was expected to rise this year despite the gadgets that pledge to prevent billions of dollars in damage, said Realtor.com. “The $84.9 billion U.S. homeinsurance industry is resisting widespread price reductions because insurers say little data exists to show the devices can improve security or prompt homeowners to be more active in securing their homes,” it reported. However, the website said the homeinsurance industry could see billions in revenue evaporate if the new technology dramatically improves home safety over time. Some consumers say internetconnected devices make them feel more safe and that insurance companies should encourage their use. “The insurance companies should provide an incentive,” said Tony Bacon, who outfitted his four-bedroom home with internet-connected security cameras, thermostats and lights. Only his security-alarm system qualifies for an insurance reduction. For some years, insurance companies have lowered home premiums for homeowners that use basic security devices. The question is whether the internet-connected versions of this equipment will be even more effective than their analog counterparts. Internet-connected devices include those that alert homeowners when their smoke-detector batteries run low, route doorbell-mounted video to their phones, and detect leaky water pipes. Technology research firm ABI Research expects 360 million shipments of socalled smart-home devices in 2020, up from 79 million shipments this year and 40 million last year. Some home insurers are offering small discounts for such devices while they test their effectiveness, but the reductions aren’t yet big enough to reduce average premiums. The average U.S. home premium is forecast to rise to $1,293 this year, up 5.5 percent from 2015 and up 61 percent from 2006, according

to trade group Insurance Information Institute. A 2014 study from Morgan Stanley and Boston Consulting Group estimated that smart-home devices could cut potential losses by more than half and reduce premiums globally by between $32 billion to $47 billion over the next 10 years. Global home-insurance premiums were $160.8 billion in 2013, the study estimates. Connected-home technology “changes the underlying need to have insurance,” said Sean O’Neill, a partner at consultant Bain & Co. “If you take down severity and frequency of losses, that’s basically what premium dollars support. So, the question is, at some point do premium dollars fall significantly?” Analysts say home insurance can’t be replaced completely because houses are still vulnerable to hurricanes and other disasters. One in every 30 insured homes has a property-damage claim due to wind or hail each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The push to gather more data from homeowners follows similar efforts by auto-insurance providers. For about a decade, auto insurers have been installing devices to monitor how far people drive and how often they slam on the brakes—and using that information to adjust pricing. Drivers can get discounts of as much as 30 percent if they agree to use the tools. Experts say it could take years to amass enough data about smart-home devices to offer equivalent home-insurance savings. State Farm, the nation’s largest home insurer, provides a 15 percent reduction for certain internet-connected home security systems, said Dar Hakimi, the company’s director of innovation. Hakimi said such devices are preferable to traditional smoke detectors or security systems because it is easier to verify that they are installed and working properly. Other insurers say they are encouraging consumers to buy connected-home products, especially if the homeowners agree to share data with insurance companies. Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance offers discounts in 38 states for customers that use connected security devices or smoke alarms. If the customers allow Liberty Mutual to verify that the devices are working correctly, they can get a larger price cut.

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Ahwatukee’s #1 Team for Over 28 Years

480-706-7234

Mike Mendoza

www.MendozaTeam.com

ThePointeSouthMountain

Ahwatukee

Superbly update townhouse on large corner lot in gated community. 2 br, 1.5 ba with 1,060 sq. ft. Kitchen remodel boasts cherry mahogany cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and 18" Italian porcelain tile flooring. 2014 new A/C. Resort-style amenities including pool/spa, golf, tennis and hiking.

Great updated single level on large corner lot. 3 br, 2 ba with 1,182 sq. ft. Remodeled kitchen features mocha cabinetry, composite sink plus fixtures, butcher block island and custom lighting. 2011 bathroom updates. 18x13 bonus room that is not included in square footage.

The Foothills

Mountain Park Ranch

Listed for $178,500

Listed for $415,000

Listed for $228,500

Listed for $424,900

Mountain Park Ranch

Club West

Hillside lot with privacy of mountain preserve. 5 br, 3 ba with 3,546 sq. ft. Spacious open kitchen with adjacent family and formal dining room. Downstairs master and secondary bedroom. Great backyard amenities including fenced pool and spa, built-in fire pit and grass area.

Recently updated on golf course lot. 5 br plus media room, 3 ba with 3,829 sq. ft. Open kitchen with granite countertops and custom island with gas cooktop. Inviting stone-accented wet bar and fireplace in family room. New carpet, interior and exterior paint. Resort-style backyard features Pebble Tec pool and spa with waterfall, built-in BBQ and lush landscaping.

Listed for $517,500

Listed for $537,500

ST JUSTED LI

Equestrian Estates

Amazing sunset and mountain views from updated single level. 4 br, 3 ba with 3,056 sq. ft. Spacious eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Zebrawood plank tile and wood flooring. Resort-style backyard with retractable door, multiple fire pits with seating, diving pool with waterfall, built-in BBQ with bar, in-ground trampoline and tropical landscaping.

Inviting single level with circular drive, courtyard and side entry garage. 4 br, 2.5 ba with 2,955 sq. ft. Kitchen features granite countertops, pullout cabinetry, wine cooler and bar sink. Private backyard with lush tropical landscaping and custom play pool with sheer descent and spa.

Listed for $649,000

Listed for $675,000

www.MendozaTeam.com Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

Business

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

www.ahwatukee.com

Area businesses sought to help Ahwatukee Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy AFN NEWS STAFF

hwatukee area businesses and community leaders are answering the call to help 11 ambitious and committed students develop their own companies, but more are needed. They are helping participants in the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) to "enhance their ideas with innovative thinking and coaching, and learn every phase that goes into developing a product and putting it on the market," organizers said. The students, or “YEA! CEOs,” range from middle school pupils to a high school senior, and have been developing business plans for potentially profitmaking enterprises that range from a website selling different kinds of

meatballs to a device that can recharge electronics on the go. Mentors will work one-on-one with student CEOs as they prepare their business plans and fundraising pitches to compete before a panel of investors. Committing to spend 90 minutes a week meeting with students during class, the mentors also work with the fledgling entrepreneurs on the phone or through email, said YEA! program manager Pamela Manwaring. “Mentors provide guidance and feedback as students think through all aspects of their business creation, write their business plans, and prepare their investor-panel presentations,” she said. Students also work closely with local business leaders, community leaders See

MENTOR on page 35

(Special to AFN)

Students in the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce's Young Entrepreneurs Academy find inspiration on their first field trip to TechShop Chandler.

Ahwatukee man helps develop home-services directory BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

college friendship and a parent’s problems with finding reliable repair services led an Ahwatukee man and twin brothers to create an online contractor galley they say provides more reliable than more celebrated directories, including Angie’s List. Ahmad Saleem, a 16-year Ahwatukee resident, and brothers Brian and Brad Scruggs, say their company, Great Pros, connects homeowners with home-service contractors who are bonded, licensed, insured. They also have gone through a deeper background check than similar directories. “We have an exclusive partnership with the Better Business Bureau in Phoenix, and have been getting increasingly more traction,” Brad Scruggs said. “In the past month, we have had 100 jobs completed through greatpros.com and almost 200

bureau-accredited professionals sign up.” Add that number of new sign-ups to a list that now includes over 6,000 companies and trades people. The roots of the venture date back to their student days. Saleem and the Scruggs brothers played tennis at Grand Canyon University and became friends. “The three of us have always had a strong passion for entrepreneurship,” Saleem said. “It’s funny, during our classes in college, we would sit in the back of the classroom watching the stock market and research up and coming tech companies. We have always had a great chemistry working together in school so we decided to join forces in building a company.” They’re off to a rapid start. “The idea of Great Pros was conceptualized about eight months ago,” Saleem said. “We were in development See

DIRECTORY on page 36

(Special to AFN)

Flanking Ahwatukee entrepenur Ahmad Saleem are twin brothers Brian Scruggs, left, and Brad Scruggs. The three have launched a new directory of home service contrractors.

BUSINESS

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

MENTOR

from page 34

and educators who use their personal experiences to demonstrate how to develop ideas and objectives, pitch potential investors, obtain funding, register with governmental agencies and establish e-commerce and a web presence. By the end of the program, students own and operate fully-formed and functioning businesses, which they can carry on after their graduation. The mentors’ main responsibilities are to advise students, guide them through the development of a business plan and help them prepare a PowerPoint presentation for potential investors, Manwaring said. “The business mentors are a very important part of the business planwriting process,” Manwaring added, saying they will have to “set objectives and timelines for the students and should critique and edit their work.” So far, mentors include: Kevin Cash, owner of All Good Shutter & Blind; Tom Dougherty, Action Coach owner; Realtor Christie Ellis; Ron Hoagland, who owns Engineering for Kids; Thomas S. Moore of American Homefront

Realty; Elements Massage owners Doug and Janet Schwab; April Towle, a district manager for H&R Block; and Joseph Valdez, formerly with Arizona Commerce Authority and Abbot Technologies. “We see this as a great opportunity to share our years of business experience with young people so that they may better understand how business impacts their lives,” said Doug Schwab, the returning YEA! program lead mentor. “It’s exciting to see the enthusiasm of the students as they begin to connect the dots.” During the course of the 30-week program, dozens of local businesses become involved with YEA! at various levels, teaching the basics of business to inviting students to tour their companies. The three instructors are all Ahwatukee residents: Jason Kveton, an owner of several Culver’s restaurants; attorney Aki Stant; and Malachi Crawford, of the Mass Mutual/Fathers and Family Coalition of America. TechShop Chandler, a local component of a California-based do-it-yourself workshop and fabrication studio that provides access to a vibrant community of creative makers and millions of dollars’ worth of facilities, equipment, tools and software in each to inventors, hosted the

(Special to AFN)

Tevel Oakes, a student at Horizon Community Learning Center, makes a point during a Young Entrepreneurs Academy class.

YEA! class’ first field trip. It also has donated a mentor membership for the YEA! Investor Panel valued at $1,848. The mentor membership will be awarded to one student in the spring and entitled him or her to six months’ access to TechShop’s trainers and equipment. Manwaring said businesses have opportunities to still help, particularly with sponsorships and possible guest speaker engagements. The program also needs graphic designers, roundtable participants and investor panel judges. The judges will examine the viability of

each student’s business and decide how much should be contributed to them for further development of their product or business. Manwaring said sponsorships help identify the businesses “with empowering local students, teaching them to think big, embrace their passions, and live their dreams.” The tax-deductible sponsorships “teach kids how to make a job, not take a job,” Manwaring noted. YEA! hopes to find 10 sponsors and raise $20,000 by March 1. To help: Contact Manwaring at 602515-3800 or yeaahwatukee@gmail.com.

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DIRECTORY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

from page 35

of the platform for about six months, and since then, we have been seeing rapid growth.” The initial idea came, in part, from a problem that Saleem’s parent shad when they wanted to replace their windows. “The process to find a quality service pro to complete the project took over three months,” he explained. “It was very frustrating. When you have everything at the touch of a button these days, why couldn’t I get connected to a highquality service professional immediately? So, I teamed up with Brad and Brian to figure out a better way.” “In terms of innovation, this industry is one that has been behind in many ways and we want to make it a little easier to bring homeowners a peace of mind when it comes to maintaining your home. It starts with high quality service, security and trust,” Saleem added. To some degree, each of the three partners focuses on specific aspects of the business. Saleem focuses on business development, research, financials, sales and networking; Brad mainly leads on marketing, research, and networking;

Brian is in charge of operations, product management, and marketing. “There is always something that needs to be done in a startup, so the three of us really do a little bit of everything,” Saleem added. “As our business grows and we get busier, we are each focusing on our strengths while helping each other with the all of things that constantly need to be done.” Saleem said Great Pros sets itself apart from other directories in several ways. “We are completely free for homeowners, and we have no plans to change that. Angie’s list recently made it free for the homeowners after having homeowners pay for many years,” Saleem noted, adding:. “Also, because of the partnership with the BBB, the professionals on Great Pros are licensed, bonded, background checked and insured. Our vetting process for businesses is much more in depth than Angie’s List, and any of our other competitors, because we want our customers to be connected with the highest quality service pros in Arizona.” But it’s not just homeowners who benefit, he added. Saleem said many of the professionals who have signed up “do not know where to start when it comes to marketing.”

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“Our vision is to be the ultimate marketing solution for these professionals, so that they can focus on what they do best,” he added. “Our company’s current focus is on driving new customer leads, and in the future, we will provide additional software tools to assist with customer management, marketing, and business operations.” Technologically, the service is working like a dream, Saleem said. “Thousands of businesses are set up to receive the job when it is sent out through Great Pros. On numerous occasions, we have seen home owners receive responses for their project within seconds. On average, the home owners hear from at least one professional within the hour,” he said. Getting the word out is critical to the company’s success. “Our team specializes in optimizing paid advertisements, unpaid marketing, and social media marketing,” Saleem said. “We have been seeing early success in getting the word out for our company Great Pros, but we are constantly refining our strategy. It is certainly a challenge when you are in the early stages of a business, but we continue to improve our marketing tactics.” But the technology can’t be neglected,

he added: “Our number one challenge is to be quick with making changes to our software platform. We are constantly getting feedback from users on our software so that we can constantly improve the user experience for our end user. “Sometimes these changes can take some time, so there is the right balance of technicality needed. We really let our users drive the product. If our users desire a set feature that is not on Great Pros, we work with our team to build it into the software as quickly as we can. We always stress simplicity.” The partners’ goal is to become “the ultimate solution for homeowners when it comes to maintaining and improving their homes,” Saleem said. But they also see an opportunity “when the home service professional relies on us for their daily projects.” “Generating leads is important for the home service pros, but there is so much more value that we can bring to really transform the industry,” Saleem said. “We work day and night to constantly bring value for homeowners and contractors. While we have a big vision, we do take it one day at a time and focus on the task at hand each day.”

BUSINESS

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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(Special to AFN)

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votes away from having a growth rate double that,” said Troy Dayton, CEO of the Arcview Group. Had Prop. 205 passed, which would have legalized adult recreational use of marijuana in Arizona, medical and retail marijuana sales likely would have approached $1.2 billion by 2020, noted New Frontier Data founder and CEO Giadha DeCarcer. “Now, they must begin planning for a period of steep price declines, license holder consolidation, and intense competition in the market,” she said. Harvest’s White said he wasn’t all that alarmed by the study. “The report is encouraging and reflects the efficacy of cannabis as medicine,” he said. “But it is simply a prediction—fun to talk about and usually wrong.” “As far as price declines,” said Power of The Giving Tree, “I see it more as stabilizing. The fair market price of low-quality medicine versus highquality medicine is becoming more standardized.” Power said her dispensary is working on a new greenhouse facility in not-sohot Northern Arizona that will increase production. Partner Berman admitted that prices will drop further if Arizona growers start producing on a larger scale, but that hasn’t happened yet. For the near future, Power said, The Giving Tree will focus on providing highquality—and consistent—prescribed medicine for its patients. “It costs more but our patients appreciate it,” she said. “I think we are

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hwatukee-area medical marijuana dispensaries are enjoying a phenomenal growth rate in sales, despite the failure of Proposition 205, but they are also prepping for an inevitable period of price declines, market consolidation and increased competition. “We have already seen price declines and increased competition,” said Steve White, CEO of Harvest of Tempe. “Market consolidation is likely next.” Lilach Power, co-owner with Gina Berman of The Giving Tree Wellness Center in Mesa, agreed. “We have seen a number of licenses consolidating,” she said. “We have seen more dispensaries opening in Maricopa County—some are new licenses, some have moved from other areas of Arizona. But overall it’s a market of small local operators.” The Giving Tree and Harvest comments come in reaction to a recent eye-opening report saying that medical cannabis sales in Arizona—on course to hit $367 million in 2016—will top $681 million by 2020. The study was conducted by Washington, D.C.-based New Frontier Data, a big data cannabis analytics outfit, in partnership with publisher Arcview Market Research. “Almost any business would be thrilled to be in a market with a 17 percent compound annual growth rate, until you consider that they were a few thousand

comparable to the brewery market. There are big ones, but many people turn to small breweries for quality local beer.” Power and White pointed out that the metrics of the Valley’s marijuana market will shift again when Arizona voters approve recreational cannabis use in two or four years, which they are confident will happen. “In four years, when Arizonans see the sky hasn’t fallen in all of the states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and that we are missing out on significant tax revenue, the result will be very different,” White said. “I have no doubt it will pass when it comes around on the ballot again,” Power said. “I am confident that voters will be a lot less fearful of this plant the next time.” Arizona voters very narrowly approved medical marijuana in 2010. The first dispensary opened December 2012. Today, the Department of Health Services has licensed about 90 dispensaries, and more are on the way to accommodate perceived underserved areas. DHS has issued about 100,000 qualified patient cards. To qualify for medical marijuana, patients must see a doctor yearly for a diagnosis of an approved medical condition, then apply online for a card, which costs $150 per year. Chronic pain is the overwhelming reason Arizonans turn to medical cannabis. – Reach Mike Butler at 480-898-5630 or at mbutler@ahwatukee.com

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BUSINESS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

Understand Medicare premiums, co-pays and deductibles BY CATE KORTZEBORN AFN Guest Writer

ot long ago, I had dinner with a group of friends from college. One of the big topics of conversation was Medicare, for which we’ll all be eligible in the next several years. One of the biggest questions about Medicare was, “How much is it going to cost me?” Like private health insurance, Medicare has premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. These costs can—and often do—change from year to year. What you actually pay depends on your work history, income and inflation. Only about 1 percent of people with Medicare pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospitalization, skilled nursing care, and some home health services. That’s because they paid Medicare paycheck deductions for 40 quarters or longer during their working lives. Most people do, however, pay a

monthly premium for Medicare Part B, which covers doctor fees, outpatient treatment, durable medical equipment, and other items. Part B premiums are rising for next year, but for most people, the increase won’t be very much. The law protects most seniors from Part B premium hikes if the cost-ofliving adjustment (COLA) in their Social Security benefit doesn’t go up in a given year. Since the Social Security COLA for 2017 will be .3 percent, about 70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries will pay an average Part B premium of $109 per month in 2017. That’s up from $104.90 for the past four years. The remaining 30 percent of Medicare’s 58 million beneficiaries will pay the standard Part B premium of $134 for 2017, a 10-percent increase over the 2016 premium of $121.80. This smaller group is not protected under the statutory “hold harmless” provision linked to the Social Security COLA. It includes people who don’t receive Social Security benefits; enroll in Part B for the first time in 2017; are directly

billed for their Part B premium; are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and have their premiums paid by a state agency; and pay higher premiums based on their higher incomes. This year, as in the past, the government has worked to lessen projected premium increases for these beneficiaries, while maintaining a prudent level of reserves to protect against unexpected costs. Part B also has an annual deductible, which will rise to $183 in 2017 (compared with $166 in 2016). After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services (including most doctor services while you’re a hospital inpatient), outpatient therapy, and durable medical equipment. The Part A deductible, which you pay when admitted to the hospital, will be $1,316 per benefit period in 2017, up from $1,288 in 2016. This deductible covers your share of costs for the first 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period. People with Medicare pay coinsurance

of $329 per day for the 61st through 90th day of hospitalization ($322 in 2016) in a benefit period, and $658 per day for lifetime reserve days ($644 in in 2016). For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the coinsurance for days 21 through 100 in a benefit period will be $164.50 in 2017 (versus $161 in 2016). Since 2007, higher-income people with Medicare have paid higher Part B premiums. These income-indexed rates affect about five percent of people with Medicare. So, for example, a person with Medicare who files an individual tax return showing an income between $85,000 and $107,000 will pay a Part B premium of $187.50 per month next year. Some people choose to get their benefits through privately-operated Medicare Advantage health plans, or purchase a Medicare Part D plan to help cover their prescription drug costs. Many of these plans carry their own monthly premiums. -Cate Kortzeborn is Medicare’s acting regional administrator for Arizona. Information: medicare. gov, or 1-800-633-4227.

Store has new, high-tech way to save dunked phones BY RACHEL EROH AFN Staff Writer

new technology at Verizon TCC stores is so good, a spokesman says, not only will it save a wet phone, “it’ll blow the customers’ socks off.” Redux, a new drying technology, is featured at all Verizon TCC stores. The Redux machine is the size of a shoebox and uses a vacuum chamber to lower the boiling point of water and safely eliminate all moisture trapped within a phone. In layman’s terms, the machine

revives the phone to its previous glory. Before Redux, James Shrake, the business development manager at TCC, has delivered the bad news about customers’ water-damaged phones. “I’ve had to tell hundreds of customers ‘I’m sorry, your data is gone,’” Shrake said. The Redux machine can save contacts, messages and photos in a process that takes less than one hour. It has even been recovered devices from more than just water damage; the Redux has also saved phones from tomato soup, Windex, sweet tea, red wine and beer.

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“There hasn’t been a liquid yet that we haven’t been able to remove,” Shrake said. Inspiration hit co-founder Joel Trusty when his wife put her phone through a cycle in the washing machine. Instead of employing the trusty bucket of uncooked rice, Trusty knew he could save the phone his own way. He enlisted his friend and neighbor, Reuben Zielinski, for help. Together, they created the Redux machine. The cost for a drying treatment ranges from $50 for a basic phone to $90 for a See

PHONE on page 39

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Cody Bryant displays the device that can save a wet cell phone.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

New county center aims to support women PHONE BY ALICIA MARSEILLE AFN Guest Writer

ore women are starting and succeeding as U.S. small-business owners and entrepreneurs—many in industries once considered unthinkable for them— than men, yet average annual revenues of women-owned businesses are lower than those of their male counterparts. The 2015 State of Women-Owned Business Report (AMEX Open, 2015) estimated that women started 1,200 new businesses every day during the past year, up from an average of 740 a day the year prior. Four out of 10 new firms are now started by women. In Arizona, from 2007 to 2012, the number of women-owned businesses increased by 44,370, or 32.1 percent, to 182,425, according to the National Women’s Business Council. Nationally, there are 23 states (and the District of Columbia) where postrecession woman-owned firm growth has not caught up to pre-recession numbers. This includes six states where postrecession growth of women-owned firms

is still less than half of what it was in the 2002-2007 pre-recession period. Arizona is among those six. Interestingly, the report states: “The real issue at hand is not getting more women to start business, but rather providing support to women who are already in business to enable them to grow their enterprises to the next level. The AMEX Open report recommends that policy and programmatic support target firms with five to nine employees, and those aiming at, but just shy of, the million-dollar mark.” The McKinsey Institute projects that if women business owners achieved the same level of success as their male counterparts, $3.2 trillion in revenues and employ 16 million people. So, how do we help? In Boston, a new city initiative called Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WE BOS) provides skills, technical assistance and networking that women need to launch and grow their business. The Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College in New York City combines the college’s resources “with those of the venture community at Columbia University” to “provide education and training needed by

today’s underrepresented and highly undercapitalized women entrepreneurs,” according to the Barnard website. In 2015, Arizona Women’s Education and Employment (AWEE), in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, launched Maricopa County’s only women’s business center to develop, support and expand womenowned businesses for entrepreneurs and for women facing economic or other barriers to starting a business. Since opening, AWEEc has trained and counseled 3,021 clients. Our clientswe prefer to call them entrepreneurs—have started 75 small businesses that generated $958,268 in revenue in just under two years. And, we provided guidance and assistance in securing $1.3 million in capital formation funding. When you consider the big-picture potential of the growth possibilities, they represent only a very small percentage of what we hope—and expect—to see in the years ahead. Alicia Marseille is director of the Arizona Women’s Education & Entrepreneur Center (AWEEc), a partnership between Arizona Women’s Education & Employment (AWEE) and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Contact her at AliciaMarseille@ awee.org

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smartphone, along with a $10 diagnostic fee. If the phone is beyond repair, the only charge is the diagnostic fee. Redux also offers a membership program to Verizon customers for $29.99, which includes two recoveries of a device for two years. There is also a discount for customers who have insurance on their phone, which cuts the price to $50 for a smartphone and $20 for a basic, plus the diagnostic fee. Jesse Schromen, the sales market manager for TCC, had to use the machine on his own phone three weeks ago. Now it’s working perfectly, he said. “We could sell you a new phone for $800 or we could dry your phone for $50 to $90 and save all your data and pictures,” Schromen said. The machine has even been able to save other electronics such as hearing aids, digital cameras, flash drives, Bluetooth headsets and portable gaming systems. Shrake stressed the proper steps for saving a set phone. First, do not plug it in to an outlet. Turn off the device right away and remove the battery if possible. And let the Redux machine do the hard work.

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JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Faith

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www.ahwatukee.com

SPIRITUAL SIDE

A birthday thank you to God: ‘I am so blessed’ BY LISA JISA AFN Guest Writer

n the occasion of my birthday, I would like to thank You, my heavenly Father, for loving me every single day of the 50 years You have given me so far. You have always loved me. You knew me before I was born, and You had a plan and purpose for my life right from the start (Jeremiah 29:11). All the days ordained for me have been written in Your book since before I was born (Psalm 139:16). You love me unconditionally. And I am never alone because You promised to never leave me nor forsake me (Joshua 1:5). Even when others let me down, You will always be there with only my best interest in mind. I can look back over my life and see that the times I felt alone were because I forgot to look to You. You have always been there, waiting for me to turn my gaze back to You. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

When I don’t know how I can go on because I haven’t got the strength, You give me Your strength (Isaiah 40:29). In fact, when I am the weakest, You are the strongest—just to prove to me that I cannot do anything without You (2 Corinthians 12:10). And I wouldn’t want to (John 15:5). I can talk to You anytime and You are never too busy for me. All I have to do is call Your name “Jesus!” I don’t need to wait until the perfect time or a certain situation, and often I find myself talking to You throughout my day. It is incredible that You know exactly what is on my heart before I even speak a word (Isaiah 65:24). You desire to speak to me, too. You desire intimate moments with me. When I am still is when I hear You the best (Psalm 46:10). And sometimes just being in Your presence is all that I want—not a word from either one of us, just the joy of basking in Your company. That desire is a difficult thing to understand in our busy and complicated world—and yet the more often I am still before You and

sit at Your feet, the more I crave nothing but that (Luke 10:39). Your instructions are very simple. You are never complicated. I am to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. (Mark 12:30-31). I know that when I start to worry about something, it is because I have taken my focus off of You. (Colossians 3:2) Learning to trust You completely has been a gradual process, and how wonderful to discover that You truly are the one in control so I do not have to be nor pretend to be. You are so gentle as You lead me (Matthew 11:29). There is no harsh reprimand when I mess up, only absolute and total forgiveness when I come to You and confess (1 John 1:9). And then You forget about whatever it was (Psalm 103:10-12). Unlike people, You never bring up the past after I have told You I am sorry, although You may bring me gentle reminders when I am tempted to blow it because You truly desire for me to

be more like You, holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4). You do not change (James 1:17). I never have to question Your motives from one day to the next. You loved me enough to send Your only Son to die for me. In John 3:16 where it says, “God so loved the world...” that includes me! God so loved Lisa...You really want me to be with You forever and have made the way so simple. You have chosen me (John 15:16). You have called me Your own and have placed me like a seal over Your heart (Song of Songs 8:6). How can I help but be totally captivated with that knowledge! You are my God and I belong to You. Even if You never do another thing for me the rest of my life, still I will love You. Just knowing how much You love me is more than enough to sustain me until that day arrives when I have eternity to spend in Your presence. I am so blessed. I am forever grateful. I love You! —Reach Lisa Jisa at lisa.jisa@gmail.com.

Ahwatukee parish women make blankets for foster kids AFN NEWS STAFF

hile many crochet groups come together to socialize and share their love of the craft, the Saint Benedict’s Crochet and Crafts group in Ahwatukee come together for a cause. They crochet individual blankets for children living away from home. The project started when the group met children from Catholic Charities’ unaccompanied minor program (UMP) during a retreat. “We were saddened to learn that there are not enough blankets for the children to keep with them after they leave the program,” said Parishioner Rebecca Stewart. Children in the unaccompanied minor

program stay with foster families until they can be reunited with their birth parents or move into a permanent home. “Often, they have journeyed through many hardships with little consistency or objects that remind them of safe places,” said Catholic Charities spokeswoman Stacey Proctor. Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities provides care for the vulnerable of all faiths in Phoenix and northern Arizona through programs in foster care, early start education, housing, veteran services, refugee relocation and poverty reduction. The Crochet and Crafts group wanted handcraft enough blankets for each child to keep, even after they move on from See

BLANKETS on page 31

(Special to AFN)

Members of St. Benedict Church’s Crochet and Craft Club who make blankets for children living away from home include, from left,: Connie Buroughs , Sharlene Wolf, Maureen Goldhair, Pricilla Gomez and Rebecca Stewart. Not pictured:Sue Schindel.

FAITH

BLANKETS

from page 41

Catholic Charities’ program. UMP is one of several Catholic Charities programs to benefit from the handmade blankets. Saint Benedict also plans to donate a set of blankets to Catholic Charities’ domestic violence shelter, My Sisters’ Place, as well as other programs serving families. The Crochet and Crafts group meets every Tuesday and welcomes new members. “Making the blankets is a great way to join together in serving others by providing a sense of comfort and joy,” Stewart said. Information: Alcira Pastula at apastula@ cc-az.org, catholiccharitiesaz.org.

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

SATURDAY, JAN. 21 CHURCH HELPS WEIGHT LOSS

Unity of Mesa is hosting a weight-loss workshop with Living Lite Hypnosis Centers. During a 3-hour class, instructors teach students how to eat less, eat healthier, move their bodies more and feel their feelings instead of eating them. DETAILS>> Noon- 3 p.m., 2700 E. Southern Ave., Mesa. $49 per person, $75 for two people, $125 for four people. Information: 480-892-2700 or unityofmesa.org.

SUN-SAT, JAN. 29-FEB. 4 LOVE WEEK SLATED

Generation Church will be holding its annual Love Week. Each day will include events to honor and love people in Mesa and the surrounding areas. Some of the events will include appreciation lunches for local teachers, police officers and firefighters, cleaning local parks, hosting a blood drive, and concerts at nearby nursing homes. DETAILS>> Information: 480-986-3149.

FRIDAY, FEB. 3

POSIPALOOZA! CONCERT SET

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Posi (pah-zee) music comes in literally every style from folk to rap. It’s a new genre that is messagebased and meant to empower, unite and transform your life. This concert will feature Posi artists Freebo, Harold Payne and Richard Mekdeci. DETAILS>> 7 p.m., 2700 E. Southern Ave., Mesa. Tickets are $20, at unityofmesa.org or at empowerma.com/ PosiPaloozaTicket.

SUNDAYS

VALOR CHRISTIAN OUTLINES MISSION

Valor Christian Center in Gilbert offers “great praise

FAITH CALENDAR and worship and great messages for today’s living,” according to Pastor Thor Strandholt, associate pastor. “Our mission is evangelize, healing and discipleship through the word of God.” DETAILS>>10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays. 3015 E. Warner Road. Information: valorcc.com.

HORIZON SEEKS YOUNG PEOPLE

High school and middle school students meet to worship and do life together. DETAILS>> 5 p.m. at Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. 480-460-1480 or email joel@ horizonchurch.com.

KIDS CAN LEARN JEWISH LIFE

Children can learn and experience Jewish life. Chabad Hebrew School focuses on Jewish heritage, culture and holidays. DETAILS>> 9:30 a.m. to noon, for children ages 5-13 at Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler. 480-855-4333, info@ chabadcenter.com, or chabadcenter.com.

UNITY OFFERS A PATH

Unity of Mesa says its Sunday service offers “a positive path for spiritual living” through “transformational lessons, empowering music and various spiritual practices with an open-minded and welcoming community.” DETAILS>> 9 a.m. Spiritual discussion group and meditation practices group. 10:15 a.m. service. 2700 E. Southern Ave., Mesa. Child care available at 9 a.m. Nursery for infants through kindergarten at 10:15 a.m. 480-892-2700, unityofmesa.org, joanne@unityofmesa.org.

ALL ARE WELCOME

All on a peaceful spiritual path are welcome and honored in this inclusive, loving, thriving Unity Community. Join us for Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center’s Sunday Celebration Service DETAILS>> 10:30 a.m. Toddlers and children meet during our service. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline, Suite 102, Mesa. Information: info@interfaith-community.org.

MONDAYS

JOIN CHRIST-CENTERED YOGA

This Flow 1-2 class (intermediate) is free and open to the community. DETAILS>> 6-7 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. Greg Battle at 480-7596200 or gbattle@moutainpark.org.

CLASS TARGETS THE GRIEVING

Classes for those grieving over death or divorce. DETAILS>> 6:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. 480-963-4127.

TUESDAYS

DIVORCED CAN FIND COMFORT

People suffering through a divorce or separation can find understanding and caring support to face these challenges. DETAILS>> 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E Pecos Road, Room 117, Ahwatukee, 480759-6200 or mountainpark.org.

FINDING HEALING FOR PAIN

HOPE, an acronym for “Help Overcome Painful Experiences,” offers support for men and women who seek God’s grace and healing. DETAILS>> 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. mountainpark.org.

SENIORS ENJOY ‘TERRIFIC TUESDAYS’

The program is free and includes bagels and coffee and a different speaker or theme each week. Registration not needed. DETAILS>> 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Barness Family East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. evjcc.org or 480-897-0588.

WEDNESDAYS

CELEBRATE RECOVERY MEETS

Celebrate Recovery says it “brings your relationship with the Lord closer to your heart as it heals your hurts, habits and hang-ups.” Participants can discuss issues ranging from feeling left out to addictions. “Nothing is too small or too large.” DETAILS>> 6:20 p.m. at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. mvlutheran.org/ celebraterecovery or email cr@alphamvlc.com.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY OFFERED

Living Word Ahwatukee women’s Bible study and fellowship that offers “a short, low-key time of praise and worship in music and message.” It’s also an opportunity to meet other Christian women in Ahwatukee. DETAILS>> 10-11:30 a.m., Living Word Ahwatukee, 14647 W. 50th St., Suite 165, Ahwatukee. Free child care.

GET A ‘SPIRITUAL SHOWER’

A release calls this “a 15-minute energetic tune up each week” and says the Twin Hearts Meditation “is like taking a spiritual shower: when your aura is clean, you experience a higher level of awareness. You see through things more clearly and good luck increases.” DETAILS>> 7-9 p.m. at Unity of Tempe, 1222 E. Baseline Road, Suite 103, Tempe. 480-792-1800 or unityoftempe. com. Submit your releases to pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com

JANAURY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Sports

@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

www.ahwatukee.com

Practice culture helps Desert Vista wrestlers thrive “I wanted to learn, but at the same time I wanted some matches,” Hornbuckle said. “I just wanted to make myself better.” In some sports sitting behind quality hen a wrestling practice room is working at a high level, it teammates might mean a lack of can create gems that otherwise development, but that wasn’t the case with Tariq, his coach said. might not have been formed. “We knew Tariq was a quality kid, The pressure of competing against toplevel contenders on a daily basis can be maybe even a state qualifier or more, more important than good instincts and but we couldn’t get him in the lineup,” Thunder coach David Gonzales said. athletic ability. “He had two good ones in front of him, Desert Vista High School’s wrestling team has had this foundation in place for but he kept getting better throughout years; individuals with a good pedigree the year and then he put in a lot of time have to bide their time until they can over the summer so we knew he was going to be a big part of what we do this crack the lineup. Tariq Hornbuckle came into the year,” he added. The 113-pound sophomore is now in program as a quality freshman last year and, at most programs, would have slid the lineup after de Rio, who weighs in at 106, and before Martinez at 120. right into the varsity lineup. Hornbuckle finished third at the Instead, he had to wrestle junior varsity for most of the year behind Ernie del Rio Coyote Open at the beginning of the season, and then two weeks ago won and Jordan Martinez. the Moon Valley Invitational, one of the year’s toughest tournaments. It made me want to go work more so I can go win more tournaments,” he said. “That’s way you have to look at it. I won a tournament, but there are always things to brush up on.” Hornbuckle, who is 19-5 on the season, and his colleagues competed in one of the nation’s premier events of the season at the Cheesehead Invitational in Wisconsin over the weekend. The Thunder finished 17th in the 31-team event with two wrestlers (Special to AFN) finishing among the Desert Vista High wrestler Tariq Hornbuckle tips Jacob Riley of top eight. They were Mountain Pointe High. BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Prep Sports Director

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Desert Vista High’s Ernest Del Rio IV tries to pin down Keegan Arthur of Mountain Pointe.

Chad Porter, who finished fourth at 195 pounds, and sophomore heavyweight Brett Johnson, who finished sixth. Porter, who is 25-2 on the season, entered the event undefeated and advanced to the semifinals before he ran into nationally-ranked Patrick Brucki of Illinois and was beaten handily. He came back to finish fourth and got exactly what he was looking for before leaving. “I’m just going to go out there and keep doing to do what I’ve been doing,” the defending state champion said. “There are some kids who will challenge me in Arizona but not like this. I can’t wait to see where I stand with them.” The leap to a state placer contender isn’t limited to Hornbuckle as Johnson (23-7), 220-pounder Jackson Lee (228) and 160-pound Jack Mathers (139) should all be pushing for a spot on the podium at the state tournament in Prescott Valley a month from now. Lee might have made the most progress after going 13-13 a year ago. “I am doing better than I thought I

would,” said Lee, who qualified for state last year as a sophomore. “After I made state last year it really showed me I could it. Working with Chad everyday makes better and I want to see how far I can take it.” The development of some of these wrestlers shows Gonzales the environment they’ve created within the program. The practice room is where it needs to be to keep the Thunder moving toward a top-five finish in the 6A state tournament. They’ll get another chance to prove it this weekend in Tucson for the Flowing Wells Invitational, the state’s toughest event. “That’s what the room is all about,” Gonzales said. “Everyone puts in time and push themselves to this point. That’s where a lot of growth happens, and then they step on the mat that’s where you see it. They develop into state placers. Hopefully it happens for guys like Hornbuckle, Johnson and Lee this year.” - Contact Jason Skoda at 480-898-7915 or jskoda@ahwatukee.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonPSkoda.

SPORTS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANAURY 11, 2017

MP girls hoops developing quickly under Hager’s guidance BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Prep Sports Director

hen Justin Hager took over the Mountain Pointe High School girls basketball team, he had to revert to the basics to get the program to where he felt it can eventually become. “The biggest thing was learning how you need to practice to be successful,” he said. “It went as far as teaching the kids how to warm up properly for pregame warm up and they had never been through a walkthrough. We don’t waste a minute. To a lot of kids it was a shock. We had to start from the bottom and work our way up.” That may be why the Pride is on the upswing after crushing Sunnyside last week and losing on a last-second putback to Highland on Friday. The team sits at 13-6 overall, and 1-1 in 6A Central Region action after playing well in Las Vegas over Christmas break. A couple more wins and Mountain Pointe will have matched last year’s win total (15), when the team was in a bit of disarray under one-year coach James

Nervis. Nervis didn’t coach in the team’s final playoff game last year for various reasons, enabling Hager to step in and help out with practice and the game. “This year is a lot more structured,” senior guard Bailey Osmer said. “We always know what we are supposed to be doing, and for how long, and what is next. Everything is planned out and executed.” While Hager saw a need for structure, the thing he stressed most was competition. “I wanted to get them competing against each other every day,” he said. “We keep score in every drill. Winners don’t have to do something and there are consequences if you don’t win. That’s the game. The competitive stuff raises the energy level a little bit. It’s a work in progress some days, but I think it helps in the games.” The team has competed at a high level with a decent margin of victory of 15.8, thanks to some early-season blowouts. “I’ve always been competitive and trying to win everything,” said Osmer, the Pride’s second-leading scorer at 14.1

points a game. “What we do in practice just shows how important it is to keep that edge when we get into close games.” The offense runs through Osmer, who averages 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals, and senior post Jenise Strover, who averaged 14.2 points, 7.6 points and 2.4 blocks. Sophomore transfer (Horizon) Maye Mason (10.9 in nine games), junior Eve Kulovitz (5.9 points), junior transfer (Verrado) Isela Enriquez, the point guard, and a few others are in the rotation as well. Mountain Pointe is allowing just 36.9 points, grabs 24.5 rebounds and snags 11.8 steals a game. As long as those numbers persist, the Pride should be in the region race until the very end. “Everyone hangs their See

GIRLS HOOPS on page 47

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Mountain Pointe High’s Lexi Evans shoots a free throw.

SPORTS

JANAURY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Emily Crall relishes in cross-country team’s success BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Prep Sports Director

mily Crall had no idea what a small amount of water she used to take in before 125 ounces became the daily routine. “I came to Desert Vista High and it is a program with very high expectations,” she said. “I didn’t know how much went into being a runner at that level. All of sudden, I was expected to drink 125 ounces a day. I didn’t know I was supposed to do that. “There was so much to learn and grow. The learning curve never ends.” Emily, who transferred from Chaparral High, was indoctrinated to the Thunder Way pretty quickly and became one of the state’s elite runners. “Emily never focused upon nor addressed the issue of her individual accomplishments,” Thunder coach Jeff Messer said. “Rather, her defining foci included a range to team goals and aspirations that provided precise direction and tremendous focus for our overall program.” A year after finishing third, Messer re-evaluated a few things of the process and posted one of the best seasons ever seen in Arizona.

The results were pretty impressive for Desert Vista all year long as the Thunder won its third state title in four years, setting a new big-school standard with a winning score of 20 points. Emily, who was named the Tempe City Runner of the Year, finished fourth at the state meet, third on the Thunder, and was the one of the team’s essential leaders in pushing the program to the Nike Cross Nationals, where they finished sixth in the country. “It was pretty special to be part of that,” she said of the trip to Oregon. “You are meeting and socializing with people that have the same goals and aspirations and have the same lifestyle as you do.” A lifestyle that means waking up 4 a.m. every day for 5 a.m. practices, keeping track of how many ounces of water you drink so you are well hydrated, eating to fuel the body and falling asleep by 8 p.m. most days. “You do it all so you can better contribute to your team,” said Emily, who is headed to New Mexico to continue her career. “Most people look at cross country as an individual sport, and it is, but we all love it so we dedicate ourselves and run

because we have a larger purpose.” Other cross-country standouts from Desert Vista included: Baylee Jones, a senior who rebounded after an illness two years ago; junior Haley Wolf, who finished as state runner-up; freshman Brooklyn Christofis, who was ranked top 10 nationally for Class of 2020; and Amanda Davis, a senior and top runner at nearly any other program.

(Special to AFN)

Emily Crall transferred from Chaparral High and quickly learned the Thunder Way to become one of the state’s elite young runners.

SPORTS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANAURY 11, 2017

Club soccer players find way back onto high school rosters BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Prep Sports Director

he Reach 11 Sports Complex has hosted elite-level soccer tournaments ever since the North Phoenix facility was built in the early 2000s, drawing teams from across the country. Late last month, two championship games were held, and if it weren’t for the familiar school colors and team names—Corona del Sol, Hamilton, Desert Vista—the level of play would have suggested that another successful club tournament was finishing up. Instead, it confirmed a cultural shift in the club soccer scene that has led to a higher level of play among high school teams. There was a time when the elite soccer players—such as Dobson High graduate Julie Johnston, who won the World Cup but never played for the Mustangs— were so focused on club they didn’t find the time to play the high school game. But since the 2012-13 season, when the Desert Vista boys made a run to the state finals because five club players

decided to play for the Thunder, more club players are pulling that high school jersey over their heads. “A lot of times, there was a high school teacher coaching and there really was nothing to gain from a development standpoint,” said Campo Verde coach Drew Guarneri, who is also a coach for the Arsenal Soccer Club. “A lot of club coaches started taking over high school teams, and I think we started to sell the kids on the good experience high school soccer can be. Then we walked the talk and really invested everything into the high school and we started to see a lot of elite kids start coming back,” he added. Hamilton High senior Josh Drack is good example of an elite player connecting with his high school team. He retuned to the Huskies last season after competing only for Real Salt Lake Academy. He helped his high school team to a state title. Soon after last year’s season ended, Drack left Hamilton to join the Portland Timbers Academy and now See

SOCCER on page 47

UPGRADE

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(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Desert Vista High’s Jessica Hale, right, battles for possession of the ball with Hamilton’s Jordyn Schulte.

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from page 46

he is back again playing for the Huskies this winter. “I think what makes high school so fun is that you get to be around your teammates day in and day out pretty much the whole day. In club, you train for a couple hours, three times a week,” he said. “Being able to play in front of your classmates is also very cool.” Many other players have found to their liking as well. It has led to a high level of play for area teams. The Hamilton and Corona del Sol finals at the Arizona Soccer Showcase, which was won by the Huskies in a penalty kick shootout, offered a tremendous display of the talent in Arizona. The girls finals featured Desert Vista High School, which is ranked No. 17 in the nation after topping Hamilton 2-1. Both rosters were filled with club players. It’s shaping up to a great year across the board in Ahwatukee and the East Valley as teams like Campo Verde boys, which began the week 17-0 and ranked No. 9 in the nation, and Perry girls, which began the week 14-1 and ranked No. 18 in the nation, have also shown the importance of having team players to go along with the top club players. “We’ve had a lot things go our way,” Guarneri said. “We’ve won some

GIRLS HOOPS

overtime games and played well in the tight matches. It’s a whole group thing. We have a littler older team with juniors and seniors, but even the seniors who don’t get a lot of minutes are leaders. They work hard in practice and make the most of their playing time. We have a good mix of the players and they are all buying into the culture that we’ve developed in my five years.” The Thunder girls, who began the week 13-1, have mixed the club players within the program. They and their coach, Marvin Hypolite, bring a strong club-coaching pedigree in building one of the state’s elite programs. “We all love this game so why not play or coach it as much as possible,” Hypolite said. “They are playing for their school and have pride in that. That’s what we have tried to bring here.” It’s a mentality that has seemingly spread throughout the regionto bring soccer to a new level, and it filters down throughout the program. “I think the most beneficial part about it is helping each other grow as a group,” said Drack, who was the Tribune player of the year last year. “In club, you play with kids the same age as you, but here in high school you have kids in every grade. We as seniors need to set an example so that the legacy of our school can be passed down for years to come.” - Contact Jason Skoda at 480-898-7915 or jskoda@ahwatukee.com. Follow him on Twitter @ JasonPSkoda.

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from page 44

hat on defense,” said Hager, who won nine section titles and made 10 state tournaments in 11 years at Yuma Cibola. “If you watch a practice 75 to 80 percent is focused on defense. It allows us to run our offense. It’s the base of what we do and the style we have to play. We have to get up on people and make them uncomfortable.” It will be a big part of what Mountain Pointe does the rest of the way as the Pride tries to get back to winning 20 games and going deep into the postseason. “It’s my last year and I want to keep playing as long as we can,” Osmer said. “Coach has given us a lot of confidence. We work so hard in practice that the games are easier and fun. I think we can really surprise people if we getting better.” – Contact Jason Skoda at 480-898-7915 or jskoda@ahwatukee.com. Follow him on Twitter @ JasonPSkoda.

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One of the team’s leaders, Mountain Pointe High’s Bailey Osmer shoots for two.

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

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@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

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Cars, celebrities and charity Barrett-Jackson offers excitement while giving back BY MARJORIE RICE AFN Contributing Writer

arrett-Jackson styles itself as The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions. But it’s much more than

that. Upward of 350,000 visitors are expected at the 46th annual Scottsdale auction, Saturday to Jan. 22 at WestWorld. Private jets will jam the tarmac at Scottsdale Airport. And forget reservations at the area’s top restaurants and hotels—they’ll be packed as well. Bidding on more than 1,500 exotic and collectible cars, trucks and other vehicles will be the main event, headlined when Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler roars onto the auction block in his 2012 Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, and when the 1960 Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle (CERV) 1 used by Zora Arkus-Duntov in his advancements of the Corvette in the 1960s goes under the gavel. Tyler is more well known, but ArkusDuntov, known as the “Father of the Corvette,” is a legend in the car world. His CERV “stands as one of the experimental landmarks of GM history,” according to Barrett-Jackson. Collectors also will be drooling over a 1970 Plymouth

Superbird, part of the Charlie Thomas Collection of more than 140 vehicles up for bid. But the action doesn’t stop at the auction block. Not by a long shot. In the last 20 years, CEO Craig Jackson has steered the event to a far broader spectrum of activities, with symposiums on car restoration and collecting, an opening night gala, auction nights dripping with celebrities and mega-bucks, arena polo (yes, horses), automobilia auctions, and “Ride ‘N Drives” and thrill rides presented by Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge. And there’s shopping—acres of it in the massive exhibit space. Memorabilia, cars, motorcycles, boats, jewelry, art, apparel, classic gas station pumps and just about anything else you can imagine are on display. “People come here from all over the world—last year from all 50 states and 14 foreign countries,” Barrett said. “It’s a lot of fun, and that’s what we try to make it.” The auction appeals to the 1 percenters who can drop six or seven figures on a car, and it also appeals to the man—and in growing numbers, the woman—who wants to get into car collecting, Jackson said. “We sell entry-level cars for people who want to buy a car, play with it and learn,” he said. “That’s what a lot of our live stage is about. We have our experts up there to explain the car, trying to educate people and get them into the hobby.”

(Special to the Tribune)

Steven Tyler and Craig Jackson pose in front of Tyler’s 2012 Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, which is expected to fetch north of $1 million on the auction block.

While best known for the cars, Barrett- Tyler and the Youth Villages nonprofit to Jackson also boats a long commitment to help girls who have suffered abuse and neglect. It’s expected to raise more than $1 charitable causes. Most recently, in 2010, Craig Jackson million. In addition to charities, the city and state established the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen after colon cancer benefit from the auction, Jackson said. “It’s like having a claimed the lives of his Super Bowl every year,” father and brother. he said. The auction has A study sponsored raised nearly $2 million Where: WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima by Barrett-Jackson and for that fund, and it Road, Scottsdale. the city of Scottsdale continues to raise When: Saturday to Jan. 22. reports the auction money for several Cost: Tickets start at $10. produces an impact of other charities. Info: 480-421-6694 or $169 million in direct Barrett-Jackson vets barrett-jackson.com. spending every year. the charities and works The event generates with the auction’s automotive sponsors to augment money more than $6 million each year in tax revenue for Arizona, nearly $2 million for raised by the bids. “General Motors has been very helpful, Scottsdale, and nearly 1,500 direct and and so has Ford,” Jackson said. “We’ve come indirect jobs, according to the study. And the auction continues to expand. up with this great formula to sell these charity cars. We sell the cars, and we don’t Today, there are four—in Scottsdale; Las take any fees. Buyers write the checks right Vegas; Palm Beach, Florida; and Mohegan Sun, Connecticut. to the charity.” “I get people flying in from all around Tyler is a case in point. “His car is a monster,” Jackson said. “It’s the world to come here, so if you live the fifth of only 12 Hennessey Venom here locally, you’ve got to come at least GTs ever created and first of the Spyder once and take advantage of what BarrettJackson is,” Jackson said. convertibles. “I was at the 100th anniversary of the In March 2016, it recorded a top speed of 265.6 mph, making it the world’s fastest Indy 500 this year and I can’t tell you how many people told me, ‘You’re on my convertible sports car.” Every dollar of the hammer price will bucket list. I’ve got to make it to Barrettbenefit Janie’s Fund, a partnership with Jackson.’”

IF YOU GO

JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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Famed marathon encourages runners to rock days: a 5K on Saturday and the marathon, half marathon and 10K on Sunday. Arizona’s race also has a bit of history t’s atypical for music to blare beyond to it. the earbuds of runners throughout a “We’ve had a lot of elite runners at the race course. The Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona Arizona race. The half marathon world Marathon is an exception. record was set here,” Kopp says. More than 24,000 racers will not only Saturday’s 5K is entirely in Tempe Beach run to their own tunes, but to those of Park. Marathon runners on Sunday will start local bands throughout the 5K and 10K their half marathon in downtown Phoenix, courses that will wind while 10K runners take off through the Valley on on University Avenue in Saturday and Sunday. Tempe. Where: Tempe Beach Park. Every mile and a half, All races will finish at When: Saturday and Sunday. there is a different Tempe Beach Park, where More info: runrocknroll.com/ performer playing runners and their families Arizona. punk, hip hop, classic will be treated to more rock or pop music. music. On Sunday, Toad “We’re all about having fun,” says Nathan the Wet Sprocket will headline a postrace Kopp, the event manager. “Our company show from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is open to runners of all ages and ability In addition, runners and the public are levels. We are just trying to focus on a fun invited to a free Health & Fitness Expo time for runners.” on Friday and Saturday, where they can Celebrating its 14th year, the marathon find their favorite running gear vendors, has become a “must-run” for local fitness nutrition information and apparel. The fans, their families and out-of-state expo is also where runners will pick up travelers. This year’s event stretches two their bib and materials.

BY CARSON MLNARIK AFN Contributing Writer

IF YOU GO

(Special to AFN)

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon hosts more than 24,000 runners and features local bands blasting music every 1.5 miles.

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JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Home, wedding shows on tap in coming week BY JUSTIN FERRIS GETOUT Editor

Virtuoso Itzahk Perlman to perform Thursday

Behind Merchant Square, 1509 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Cost: Free. 480-792-1919. facebook.com/Highlandyardvintage.

‘Annie’ ends this weekend

Don’t miss the greatest living violin virtuoso in this rare Valley performance. Joining him will be pianist, and Julliard professor, Rohan de Silva. The duo will perform works from Vivaldi, Beethoven, Schumann and Stravinksy. DETAILS>> 7:30 p.m., Thursday. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Tickets: $50$90. 480-644-6500. mesaartscenter.com.

The irrepressibly optimistic red-haired orphan named Annie comes to the Valley bringing favorite songs like “It’s A Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street” and “Tomorrow” in this Tony award-winning production. DETAILS>> Times vary, Friday-Saturday. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Tickets: $35-$75. 480-644-6500. mesaartscenter. com.

Shop Chandler Wedding Walk

Film festival includes shorts and features

Get a jump on your wedding plans with this tour of wedding suppliers, venues and party spots in downtown Chandler. Plus, enter a rafﬂe for a chance to win impressive discounts on venues, dresses, hotel stays and more. DETAILS>> 4-7 p.m., Thursday. SoHo63, 63 E. Boston St., Chandler. Cost: Free, $5 to participate in rafﬂe. downtownchandler.org/ wedding-walk.

Film buffs in Chandler finally get their own event. Attendees can choose from more than 100 shorts and feature-length films. In addition to the films, you can attend a Hollywood-style Red Carpet event, a formal reception with filmmakers and more. DETAILS>> Times vary, Friday-Sunday. SoHo63, 63 E. Boston St., Chandler. Tickets: $125 3-day pass, $39-$59 individual days. chandlerfilmfestival.com.

Highland Yard indoor market slated

Every month, Highland Yard Vintage hosts an indoor market featuring 30 local designers and vendors. This month the theme of the market is “Refresh & Reﬁne.” Show up to shop for unique New Year’s items for your home, closet, pantry and garden. DETAILS>> Times vary, Thursday-Jan. 16.

Natural History Museum looks at galaxy

On the second Friday of the month, join the Arizona Museum of Natural History

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES AND SUDOKU from page 53

for a science-ﬁlled evening. This month, the focus will be “Star Wars: A Galaxy of Discovery.” Participants take part in hands-on experiments and talk to real scientists. DETAILS>> 5:30-8 p.m., Friday. Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa. Tickets: $5 children, $9 adults. arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org.

Shakespeare on stage in Mesa center

Join the Southwest Shakespeare Company as they perform two of the Bard’s greatest works—“Hamlet” and “Much Ado About Nothing”—on select days in January. Whether you like dark tragedy or tear-inducing comedy, there’s something for everyone. DETAILS>> Times vary, Friday and Saturday. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Tickets: $15-$44. 480-644-6500. mesaartscenter.com.

Home & Garden Show brims with ideas

Get plenty of home redecorating ideas for the new year. In addition to wares from local artisans, you can tour the “Tiny Homes Street of Dreams,” which are fully decorated homes of less than 400 square feet. DETAILS>> 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday-Sunday. Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. Tickets: $8 adults, $3 kids 3-13. 602-485-1691. maricopacountyhomeshows. com.

Market offers artisans

This market features a range of artisans that sell everything from homemade soap and signs to pet treats, old books and antiques. In addition, you can visit the UPICK Organic Garden, the Country Store & Bakery or jump on one of the rides like the carousel or train. DETAILS>> 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday. Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. Cost: Free. schnepffarms. com.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

Mining Camp Restaurant a longtime favorite BY SHELLEY GILLESPIE AFN Contributing Writer

freezer at under 20 degrees. The ribs, which he admits to eating daily—quality control, he notes—have been n Thanksgiving Day, Mining Camp a mainstay of Mining Camp Restaurant, at Restaurant served 950 dinners, 6100 E. Mining Camp St. in Apache Junction. filling the long rows of family Over the years, they have served over 600 style tables with heaping platters of million pounds of the popular beef. barbecue beef ribs, turkey dinner and all “Like in the Old West, you help yourself the trimmings made from scratch. to all you can eat,” Fugate said. “We don’t In its 56th year of continuous operation, waste food, though. If one person wants Mining Camp Restaurant owner Vinton more, we provide that.” Fugate was as busy as his 40 servers while “We don’t fool you here, we feed you,” he he baked, washed dishes, bussed tables and said. “tested” his barbecue beef ribs. While dining at the long tables in parties When Fugate began working at the of 2 to 210, each party receives their own restaurant at age 13, he washed dishes for food. two years. He bakes the rolls himself using special “After I was promoted to kitchen staff, I ingredients like green chili and fresh garlic. cooked and baked starting full time in 1967. The 10-ounce burgers nestled in the rolls I still enjoy it, but here I am, still washing are on the menu at The Dutchman’s Hide dishes,” Fugate wryly comments. Out, the 7-year-old addition to Mining As owner, he does “whatever is necessary.” Camp, which seats 90. At Dutchman’s Attention to detail is his strength. He Hide Out, mesquite steaks have won them knows the temperatures for his walk- accolades like “Valley’s Best Steakhouse in warming room, where the barbecue 2015” from ABC15’s A-list. beef ribs stay at over 140 degrees in Dennis Bagnasco, the general manager the hot room for six hours. His cooler and executive chef of Dutchman’s Hide Out, keeps food at under 40 degrees and the serves steaks, burgers and other individual servings for small parties of diners. Fugate explains, “Dutchman’s Hide Out has a new menu with new sauces. Our locals mentioned they wanted something different, and that’s where the idea of building a steak house came from.” Dutchman’s has a (Special to AFN) definite mining camp vibe, with miner’s lamps postcard that h from this old uc m d ge an ch ’t sn ha nt ra hanging from the .” au ed st The re s Allow , “No Spike Boot ceiling and dark wood. reminds patrons

(Shelley Gillespie/AFN Contributor)

Christopher Truitt and Suzanne Case enjoy the family-style dining. “I’ve been eating here for most of my life. The food is great,” Truitt said.

With 60 percent of Mining Camp’s business happening now to Mother’s Day, Fugate and his staff work to lure people outside of the East Valley to Apache Junction. Catering is available for weddings and events in a rustic barn on the premises. During the hot summers, Fugate starts work around 4 a.m. while it’s cool, finishing by 1 p.m. He uses the summertime to fix, upgrade and repair the facilities. Family and many staff are equally devoted to the restaurant as all of Fugate’s children and four of his six grandchildren have joined the staff. One chef has worked 39 years, and Vinton’s wife of 11 years, Deborah, began as staff 26 years ago. As people become more involved with specialized diets, Fugate says they’ve adapted to include gluten free and vegetarian options, and smaller quantities. Even with health concerns, the 10-ounce burgers and fries are popular in Dutchman’s Hide Out.

With everything prepared from scratch using proprietary recipes, including their secret sauce for the ribs, they pride themselves on their quality, which has netted them a “Certificate of Excellence” from Trip Advisor due to consistent high reviews. Even the county health inspector gave them an “E” for excellence. On a recent mid-afternoon in prime holiday shopping season, Christopher Truitt and Suzanne Case were enjoying the family-style dining and taking a break. Truitt said, on his second serving of the BBQ ribs, “I’ve been eating here for most of my life. The food is great.” “This is my first time. Our server is outstanding. The coleslaw, ribs, bread, ham—everything—had great flavor,” said Case. Information: 480-982-3181 or miningcamprestaurant.com, dutchmanshideout.com.

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JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 11, 2017

‘Other’ car auction growing BY JIMMY MAGAHERN AFN Contributing Writer

rew Alcazar admits he’s been on a bit of a spending spree. Getting his classic auto auction, Russo and Steele, ready for its new home at the Salt River Fields stadium complex at Talking Stick has required a little more than the loose change in his pocket. “I’ve been spending money like a drunken sailor,” says Alcazar, the 53-year-old entrepreneur, who, with wife Josephine, runs three auctions a year—in Scottsdale this month and later in California at Newport Beach and Monterey.

“Just trying to make sure that we’ve got the right parking, the right logistics, the right staff, the right concierge people in strategic locations, it’s like moving into a new house. You’ve got no idea where everything is. ‘Where’s the switch that turns the water on?’ You’re just trying to figure out which cupboard to put the dishes in.” Or in this case, which section of the lush 140-acre Bermuda grass field to place the European sports cars on, and which to cushion the American muscle cars. Alcazar’s auction has been built on those two types of cars since its start in 2001. For the avid car collector, Russo and Steele has always been a welcome alternative to

IF YOU GO

Where: 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale When: Wednesday, Jan. 18: Auction preview 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission $30. Thursday, Jan. 19-Sunday, Jan. 22: Gates open at 9 a.m. Auction begins at noon Thursday-Saturday. Auction begins at 11 a.m. Sunday. Cost: General admission $30. General admission $20. Info: russoandsteele.com

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the flashier Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, the main event that attracts collectors from around the world to what’s become known as Scottsdale’s Auto Week in mid January. While the nationallytelevised Barrett-Jackson continues to grow in the direction of an “automotive lifestyle event,” incorporating vendor tie-ins like fashion shows, spa treatments, jewelry expos and champagne tasting, Alcazar—whom for five years was general manager at Barrett-Jackson, See

AUCTION on page 55 (Special to AFN)

Drew and Josephine Alcazar of Russo and Steele are preparing for their annual auction at a better site.

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JANUARY 11, 2017 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

(Special to AFN)

Several classic Mercedes sports cars will be available for bid at the Russo and Steele auction.

(Special to AFN)

This classic Lamborghini will be among the automobiles on the block at the Russo & Steele auction.

AUCTION

from page 54

and where he met his wife—has kept his auction more tightly focused. “Barrett today is 300-plus vendors selling all kinds of tchotchkes and fashion merch,” he says. “It’s become this gargantuan event with all these things going on and it’s like, ‘Oh, by the way, there’s a car auction going on over here.’ I wanted to get back to those core values, where the auction block is still the epicenter and the main focus. We’re like In-N-Out Burger: We keep it simple, and nobody’s been able to knock us off yet.” For most of its 16 years, Russo and Steele has been staged on a state-land parcel just off Loop 101, approaching Barrett-Jackson’s bigger showcase at WestWorld. To the general public, Arizona’s secondlargest collector-car auction always has appeared to be a roadside copycat, siphoning off the headlining event’s audience with promises of smaller crowds

and cheaper ticket prices ($30 per day this year versus up to $75 for Barrett-Jackson’s biggest auction day). That second-best image was solidified in 2010 when a pounding rainstorm blew the 800-foot-long auction tent that Alcazar was using onto Loop 101, disrupting traffic for the more moneyed car enthusiasts on their way to Barrett-Jackson at the next exit. “On our previous site off Scottsdale Road and the 101, I was not allowed to do permanent improvements on it, because I was just a temporary user,” Alcazar says. “Hell, I would have paved the place 15 years ago if I could have. But each year, I’d have to go out there on this dirt patch and throw down $50,000 worth of Astroturf, which ended up in the dumpsters after the event. “And you’d still have to park in the middle of nowhere next to a palo verde tree, and your gal had to waddle in on her high heels across the desert to try to find her way to our auction tent.”

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Russo and Steele’s image became more tarnished as the other auctions and ancillary events surrounding Scottsdale’s Auto Week went more upscale. “This year, Russo and Steele finally moves into a first-class venue more befitting its stature as a serious car collector’s event, and Alcazar is acutely aware of the opportunity. The venue is in the complex where the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community borders Scottsdale. “We have our one chance to make our first impression here,” he says, clearly feeling the pressure. “And we’re doing everything we can to make sure it’s a good one.” A chance meeting in 1995 with Craig Jackson at Barrett-Jackson’s Pebble Beach auction in Monterey took Alcazar in his next direction. Jackson’s brother, Brian, had recently passed away. Craig Jackson already was familiar with Alcazar as a gifted restorer of some of the Shelbys that Barrett-Jackson had auctioned, and Craig was looking for new partners. Alcazar jumped at the chance to help with the Scottsdale auction, and a few months later, after Jackson badly injured himself in a dirt-bike accident, Alcazar

was basically put in charge of running the first Barrett-Jackson auction without Brian Jackson at the helm. Somehow it grossed $12 million— 4 million more than the previous year — and Alcazar was made general manager. That job lasted until 2000. “At some point, Craig and I just weren’t seeing eye-to-eye anymore,” Alcazar says. “It wasn’t so much business differences as much as a difference in tactical style. So I basically said, ‘Craig, you keep doing things your way, and I’m going to do something different.’ “Of course,” he adds, with a laugh, “at the time I had no idea what that ‘something different’ was going to be.” Although Alcazar at times can sound critical of the other Scottsdale auctions, he says they all benefit from each other’s success. “I always say Barrett-Jackson is our best friend,” he said “And the true winners, really, are the enthusiasts. It’s like a smorgasbord, like going to the buffet. Different flavors everywhere. I tell people, ‘Go to Barrett. And after you have your fill of that, come here.’ It’s like apples and oranges. But nobody says you can’t have both.”

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