The View February 2019 by Times Media Group

February 2019

Reagan Hazlett, 7, relaxes and waits for a fish to nibble at Red Mountain Park’s Family Fishing Day.

Vaping issue clouds drug numbers for Mesa schools

Mesa to auction prime piece of pristine desert

By Jason Stone

By Jim Walsh

Mesa Public Schools attorney Tom Pickrell discusses drug policy with the governing board during a recent meeting. (Photos courtesy YouTube)

Mesa Public School district administrators and school principals are trying to sort the drug users from the tobacco smokers when it comes to vaping. Administrators all across the country are dealing with today’s unique problem: When a student is caught vaping, how do they know what’s in the electronic pen? That was an issue recently discussed during a presentation about the district’s latest statistics for drug and alcohol offenses. “Sometimes there are illegal substances in the substance being vaped,” said Helen Hollands, a district spokeswoman.

Vaping...continued on page 6

City officials plan to auction 132 acres of pristine desert in Northeast Mesa for what they say could become another Las Sendas. The city bought the large piece of scenic land around Thomas and Recker roads 20 years ago for a district park after voters approved a $4 million bond issue. But the land has sat vacant since 1998, and Mesa City Council recently authorized the administration to auction off the swath of undulating, pristine, saguarostudded land. The move didn’t sit well with former city council candidate and Red Mountain Will long-vacant land become another Las Sendas? (Photo by Jim Walsh)

Auction...continued on page 7

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Kim Vehon works every day to positively impact the thousands of Arizona children in the state’s foster-care system. The Northeast Mesa resident founded Foster Arizona, a Phoenix-based nonprofit focused on educating, encouraging and empowering Arizonans, about five years ago in light of the foster-care crisis. For that, she was recognized as a Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s 2018 Angels in Adoption honoree, joining the ranks of well-known national foster care and adoption champions like Katherine Heigl, Al Roker and Jane Seymour. Vehon, who was nominated by Rep. Andy Biggs for her outstanding commitment to and advocacy for adoption and foster care issues in the state, was one of two Arizonans to receive the

honor. Nominations can only be submitted by active congresspersons. “It honestly was one of those crazy moments,” said Vehon, who, with her husband, has four adopted and three biological children. “There are so many people who do such incredible work in the world of foster care. It’s incredibly humbling to be selected. Advocacy, she said, is something that is near and dear to her heart, as her goal is to “fight and better the foster-care system.” “Being able to meet with legislators and talk to them about some of the ongoing struggles was an empowering thing for me,” she said. “We have to remember we all have a voice and we can speak up and we can fight for the things we know and the change that needs to take place.”

with young children of their own, they could co-parent and help foster kids. Their family immediately became larger as the couple adopted their first placement and took in another two foster kids. “We became a family of six fairly quickly.” Vehon said she started Foster Arizona to fi ll a need. “I saw I could make videos and share stories so other people who are afraid like I was can see behind the curtain and feel empowered to do something. It came from a place to use my gifts to do something.” Kim Vehon of Northeast Mesa-founded Foster Arizona, a Even with the struggles Phoenix-based nonprofit focused on educating, encouragof integrating a family, ing and empowering Arizonans. (Photo courtesy Kim Vehon) Vehon said it’s worth it Initially, Vehon wasn’t sure about fos- and each foster child has had a profound tering children. impact on the family. “The thought of fostering was scary,” “It’s shifted the way they (the biologishe said. cal children) see so many things and Vehon...continues on page 6 But she and her husband decided even

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Vaping...continued from page 1 “That’s a very difficult thing to test for and prove.” But apparently, it’s now possible. The district’s lawyer, Tom Pickrell, told the governing board a $2 swab has been developed to test the liquid portion of the instrument for drugs. “I know that our high schools want to start to use it,” Pickrell said. “That is the best response to vaping. If we do the swabbing, and it’s positive for drugs, we’ll just turn it over to the SRO (school resource officer) and treat it as a potential drug violation.” Schools want to know what’s in the vape pens so they can determine if it’s a tobacco or drug violation. It also determines whether a student receives either a

tobacco or drug citation from the city of Mesa along with the school’s discipline. “I do think we have opportunities to do better about educating students about the impact, and I do have concerns about the number of students using wax pens and vapes,” said Assistant Superintendent Holly Williams. “Our inability to tell what’s in them is an area we need to look at. If we can’t determine whether it’s a drug for sure or the student is not impaired, we treat it as a tobacco violation, and they earn some sort of discipline consequence based on a tobacco violation.” Williams presented the first semester’s drug and alcohol incident reports, which detailed a handful of high schools, junior highs and secondary schools showing

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big improvements and others on pace for a bad year. Among the improving schools, Westwood High School has recorded only 32 violations so far this year after racking up 86 all of last year. Skyline High has cut its incidents from 55 to 18, while Dobson High has totaled 18 so far after stockpiling 51 last year. The smaller Crossroads Focus School has had only one violation this year after amassing six last year. Of the junior highs, Rhodes has been cut from 42 to 11, Carson has dropped from 29 to eight, and Fremont has busted only two students so far this year after 17 all of last year. On the negative side, several schools are on pace to shatter last year’s totals. Red Mountain High already has 29 violations after having only 27 last year. “Red Mountain has noticeably more offenses this year,” Williams said. “But those offenses include vaping numbers.” “In some cases, they may be tied to a different kind of violation if a principal has seen the need for a student to participate in our intervention program, maybe because of trouble with vaping or we even have some parents who request this information for their children because they’re struggling at home,” Williams said. “So maybe they haven’t necessarily had a violation that we caught them

Vehon...continued from page 4

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their view on the world,” Vehon said. “I wouldn’t have changed our decision to foster. I truly would have missed living this life with them. I’m so incredibly proud and grateful to be their mom.” It’s a juggling act with a large family and running a nonprofit, she said. “One of my mentors gave me some good advice: Constantly look at who is needing me most,” Vehon said. “I’m a mom and a wife and then I look at how I work my time around that to make sure I pour into the community I love and make a difference for these kids for whom I’m passionate about making a difference.” Whether its fostering or adopting, Vehon stressed the importance of families willing to help kids. “It’s been such an impactful thing in my life, being a foster/adoptive parent. There’s really nothing easy about choosing to step into trauma. The kids have

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for, but their parents have said we really want them to participate in the program. So, we make it available for them.” In addition to the vaping issue, Williams told the board it’s hard to make sense of some of the district’s drug numbers. It shows ninth-graders as the age group most likely to get caught. But that could also be because older kids know how to hide it better, she said. “There are significant changes in lifestyle for ninth-graders, if you think about just the transition from a smaller junior high to a large high school that has much more freedom, much more independent time,” Williams said. “There are more opportunities for students to make poor choices. “And often time if you catch one student, you catch four. Because they’ve been somewhere together doing this, and they tend to share names.” Williams told the board it would be worth the district’s time to institute more drug education for eighth- and ninth-graders to drive the point home about drug abuse consequences. Superintendent Ember Conley said even that’s not early enough. “My opinion in there is that it actually needs to start in sixth grade,” Conley said. “That’s what research is saying how far we have to go back down.”

gone through a lot in their lives,” she said. “But it’s such a powerful gift, to show them how love is not bound by DNA. It’s really bound by a commitment and a decision to care for each other. The child is worth it and there are just so many in need.” Vehon is proud of the work she’s accomplished with Foster Arizona and has big plans. The organization is working on extending its housing program with new apartments in West Mesa to provide a community to those enrolled in Mesa Community College and EVIT. “What I’m most proud of when it comes to Foster Arizona is it’s not about what we can do or how great our organization is,” she said. “It’s really about how we’re empowering Arizonans to feel like they can be a part of the impact.” If interested in learning more about fostering a child, visit fosterarizona. org. February 2019

The auction allows the city council to decide if they want to block a sale.

Ranch resident Verl Farnsworth – who accused the city of betraying a promise to residents that the property would become a park someday. He also wondered if the city wasn’t underestimating the parcel’s value. He disputed the city’s appraisal of $15.6 million, claiming he has seen a city document that valued the parcel at $25 million. City officials denied such a document exists. Farnsworth said signs on the property for years have identified it as the site of a future district park. “We have always anticipated that this would be a quality of life improvement to our neighborhood,’’ Farnsworth said. “It’s a beautiful piece of property in the desert. They are doing this without one bit of input.” Mesa Mayor John Giles agreed with Farnsworth about the property’s beauty, saying he envisions a residential development similar to Las Sendas that would accentuate the area’s natural appeal and not a standard tract home development. But Giles reached a different conclusion, saying it is very unlikely the land

(Photo by Jim Walsh)

will ever become a huge park if it has sat vacant for 20 years. “It’s very beautiful desert with rolling hills and saguaros. For all of those reasons, it’s a very valuable piece of property for custom homes,’’ he said. “The beauty of this area is going to be preserved.’’ “Letting this property sit unused is not very responsible,’’ Giles said. Vice Mayor Dave Luna, who defeated Farnsworth in last year’s election, said residents told him that they would prefer a residential community on the property rather than a commercial development.

He said the auction process allows the city council to decide to block a sale if the auction is won by a developer whose goals differ from the city’s. The city posted the land sale on its website on January 16 and will hold the auction March 7. The bidding entrance fee is $250,000. Escrow would open on March 11 and the council would subsequently approve a purchase contract with a successful bidder. Any final plans for development would need to go through the usual zoning process. “We’ve had a variety of developers come to us and ask us about selling the land,” City Manager Chris Brady said. “We’ve held it for 20 years. It’s a very expensive piece of property for a lift station. Here’s an asset of the city that is nonproductive.’’ Brady said it would make sense to

dedicate $4 million from any land sale to park-related purposes, in deference to the original intent of voters. He said the land never made even the short list internally of park sites under consideration. While Northeast Mesa residents enjoy the open space, they would prefer residential development over commercial development, Luna said. “It’s more of a trial to see if there is interest in the development community,” Luna said. “Nothing is set in stone before we have a developer.’’ He said a district park would be very expensive, likely costing about $30 million to build. Giles noted that the Tonto National Forest is located nearby, providing other outdoor recreational options. If the property were to become a park, it would feature open space, such as Maricopa County’s Usery Mountain Regional Park. But Farnsworth said Usery Park is about 12 miles from Red Mountain Ranch, a far less convenient arrangement than the Mesa property located across Recker Road.

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Auction...continued from page 1

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Burglary disturbs Las Sendas’ spa and fitness center

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Las Sendas’ spa and fitness center was burglarized January 3, disrupting the community that prides itself on providing a number of amenities to its residents. According to Mesa Police Department, the suspects broke in between 11:30 p.m. January 2 and 4:30 a.m. January 3, just as employees began to arrive for work. The manager reported the burglary to police. A laptop computer, a key ring and a safe were stolen. According to a Las Sendas resident who attended a recent board meeting, the sum of the losses is $6,400. The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said Las Sendas suspects the perpetrator may have known the security guard’s schedule due to the timing of the incident. Las Sendas has since changed the locks. While Las Sendas does not experience a high level of crime, Mesa Police spokesman Steven Berry said, “to say burglaries are infrequent anywhere is just untrue. They’re happening everywhere 365 days a year.” Berry also emphasized the importance of staying aware of your surroundings. “If you see something unusual, like a person acting out of the ordinary outside a home or business at an odd time, contact your local police department,” he said. Melinda Marino, senior crime prevention officer, said people often fall victim to thinking things like this could never happen in their community. “It’s very easy to get into that mindset

of ‘that would never happen here,’ but criminals don’t discriminate, and crime happens everywhere,” Marino said. Residents, she added, have to serve as the “eyes and ears” of the police department, and encourage their neighbors to communicate with the police department and each other. Marino stressed the important role security cameras can play in a situation like this. “The best thing they could do is have cameras,” Marino said. “The technology is out there for very inexpensive and high-quality cameras. The cameras should have night vision, and one should be located at each entrance. Cameras may not stop a burglary, but they will help provide us evidence of who might have committed the crime.” Marino said many security cameras have the option to speak to the intruder, which is essential because the criminal then knows somebody is watching them. Marino also recommends that businesses use in-ground safes to ensure they cannot be removed from the premises. Mesa PD’s investigation is ongoing, but they have no leads or suspects at this time. “One of the things we always do in a case like this is fingerprint any items the suspect may have touched, which we have done in this case, but there has not been a match yet,” Berry said. Mesa PD encourages Las Sendas residents to call 480-644-2211 with any tips or information regarding the burglary.

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Fun times in early Mesa Cellphone, computer games, television and movies are popular ways to pass the time, but how did Mesa residents recreate a century ago? At the turn of the century, Mesa residents had free time, thanks to technologies that made chores easier and quicker. Some of these “labor-saving” appliances included the carpet sweeper, electric iron, automatic washing machine, refrigerator and running water. So, what did locals do with their newfound free time? Picnics became a popular pastime and often became a townwide affair. Dances were quite common, and many were held above the Zeno’s co-op store near Main

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Above: A family picnics in the desert around the turn of the century. Below: Five girls – Nellie, Gladys, Jean, Amy and Ida – cool off in the Salt River in 1915. (Photos courtesy Mesa Historical Museum)

Street and Macdonald. Mesa residents also formed reading societies and drama groups. Trains arrived in Mesa in 1895, making it easy to travel to Phoenix. One of the most popular pastimes, though, was swimming in the Salt River to beat the Arizona heat. To learn more about historic Mesa and the technologies that shaped the city, check out the Mesa Historical Museum’s new exhibit, Gizmos, Gadgets and Greatness, which opens on Saturday, February 9, at the museum, 2345 N. Horne. For more information, call 480-835-2286.

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February 2019

COMMUNITY

Long-missing Mesa winter visitor’s remains found By Jim Walsh Mesa police knew they were unlikely to find an 85-year-old man alive eight years after he disappeared. Hugh Turner’s family knew the same thing. All they wanted was an answer of what happened to him when he disappeared with little or no warning on December 24, 2010. The sad but definitive answer finally arrived on January 10 when the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that remains found by a hiker on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community five days earlier belonged to Turner. The remains were found near Red Mountain, about 4 miles north of Turner’s home, in an area considered sacred by the tribe. Turner was a Canadian who spent winters at his home in Red Mountain Ranch. An exhaustive search was conducted after Turner was reported missing, but Turner remained elusive. “This information, although sad, will

hopefully provide some closure to the family and friends,” Detective Steve Berry, a Mesa police spokesman, wrote in a press release. “We again want to thank the many family, friends, other agencies and volunteers who searched for Mr. Turner nearly a decade ago.” Steve Turner, Hugh Turner’s son, said in 2017 one of the hardest aspects of his father’s disappearance was having no idea of what might have happened to him. “Everyone pictures their parents passing away at some time,” he said. “You might think you would have some last conversation with them and say goodbye. It’s just not a normal life cycle. It leaves a bit of an empty space.” He described how his mother, Joyce, Hugh Turner’s wife of 50 years, would agonizingly ask him to explain what happened to his father, and that there was never even a shred of an answer. Laura Colon, a Mesa police missing

persons investigator who worked tirelessly on the case, said dental records made for a relatively quick positive identification. “They were so gracious and so thankful for all the work Salt River did,” Colon said. “They have some remains to bury.” Turner was a fit man for his age who was still playing golf and enjoyed going for walks in his neighborhood. Family members always said he would have been capable of walking a considerable distance but no one knew where he might have gone. Overall, Turner also was described as mentally alert, but police received one report that he seemed a bit disoriented at a Christmas party earlier that day, asking someone, “Where am I?” Berry said there was no obvious cause of death was noted by the Medical Examiner’s Office and that no evidence of foul play was suspected.

There is no evidence of foul play in Hugh Turner’s death, according to the Mesa Police Department. (Photo courtesy Mesa Police Department)

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Free Family Fishing Day hearsay

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Mesa’s Parks and Recreation and the Arizona Game & Fish departments hosted a free morning of fishing at Red Mountain Park. Equipment, bait and leadership will be provided. Fishing licenses were not required during the event for those who register at the event booth. looking back

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1. Mesa’s park rangers and volunteers man a booth that offered equipment and help. 2. Park Ranger Wyatt Manis gives fishing instructions. 3. Ericka SisnerosRazo, 9, enjoys the weather while she fishes. 4. Arizona Game and Fish volunteer Bob Harrison prepares bait, while helping adults and kids. 5. Volunteer Louie Juers shows Ella Ramos, 7, how to cast a line before she heads out to the lake. 6. Participants line the lake at Red Mountain Park in the hopes of scoring fish. 7. Bob Harrison shows Jenny Marziano a thing or two about fishing.

Page 12

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February 2019

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February 2019

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FAMILY TIME

Familytime

High School Improv League fosters a love of the craft

By Kimberly Hosey Improvisational theater, or improv, they weren’t doing before. One of the is more popular than ever these days, teachers has said they had a lot of the and teenagers might seem particularjock kids doing improv. Their friends ly suited to the style. But there is an art come see them, their friends are com– and a lot of work – involved. When ing to the plays now, and they’re audithey need a little direction, they can tioning for the plays.” turn to experts at National Comedy As younger players are helping proTheatre in Phoenix (NCT). mote improv to a new generation, For a little over a decade, veteran they’re learning lessons ranging from performers with National Comedy creativity to learning from failure. Theatre’s High School Improv League “It’s popular, it’s fun, and it’s immehave been offering their expertise and diate and in-the-moment. But I think talents to high schools, in a program Teams like Agua Fria High School’s Cold Water Comedy, Campo Verde High School’s Copperpoca- it also teaches a lot of life lessons that designed to support and supplement lypse, Perry High School’s Perry Perrywinkles and more come together at the end of the school year teens are at just the right moment in compete in an improv tournament. Champions go on to perform with NCT’s professional team. school’s own drama programs – or to their lives to take in,” Lenz added. (Photo by Krissy Lenz) even to start a program from scratch. They’re often nurturing a lifelong love of support classes and workshops. improv shows, which bring in funds for A passion for life Lenz is joined by her husband Dorian the school’s fine arts programs. For some students, the passion for imthe craft in many teens, said High School prov never really leaves. Lenz said some of Improv League administrator and head Lenz, Mathew Huss, and Nate McWhortor as coaches for the league. All coaches Teens and improv comedy: her favorite perks of the job are students coach Krissy Lenz. who become colleagues, as they go on to “We come to the school, so it’s really are cast members of National Comedy an ideal fit This is the perfect time for improv com- do improv at college and professionally. convenient and easy. And we travel every- Theatre and professional improv players, Lenz and her husband, who also ran a where across the Valley,” Lenz said. “No and all have fingerprint clearance cards edy, Lenz said – and teens are an ideal fit high school improv league in San Diego, matter where you are, we make sure we and experience working with kids and for the artform in many ways. “It’s fun, it’s no pressure – and it’s all have watched teenage students grow into have a coach who we can send out, so it’s teens. Teams from eight schools participate in the program, though the league about all of the important life skills of adults – and friends and colleagues. One accessible to everyone.” To get involved, a school – usually a started with two teams and has had up listening, trusting the people who you’re couple started as teenagers in different imworking with, knowing they will listen prov teams, joined the professional improv drama teacher, but sometimes a student to 14. In addition to lessons throughout the to you, building self-confidence, know- team, and met and married, including or parent – will contact Lenz, who gets the ball rolling and works with the school year, the league caps off each year with ing that your team is going to be there for Krissy and Dorian Lenz. They’re expectto determine what will most help the stu- a tournament, usually held the second you to support you. All those important ing their first “improv baby,” Lenz said. Five current performing players at NCT dents there. The basic program provides weekend in May. Teams present two sets, lessons that just make teens feel good. And five two-hour classes throughout the one competitive improv and one show- then they get to be funny and they get to started in the high school improv league, Lenz said. school year, or 10 hours of improv, “how- case of their own choosing, after which a (have an) audience,” she said. Improv has risen in popularity over the panel of adjudicators gives feedback and “A lot of students; if they don’t leave the ever they want to slice it up,” Lenz said. The league offers “a la carte” options for a champion is crowned. Champions get past several years, so the artform is also Valley to pursue improv in New York or students and programs who want spe- their names on the wall at NCT, and also a boost to fine arts visibility and a great Chicago or one of the bigger markets, join cialized or additional guidance, or groups perform with a professional team at one entrance into acting or theater in general our improv team, and that’s just lovely, bewho can’t commit to the full program. of NCT’s Friday or Saturday night shows. for many students, Lenz added. cause I really get to know them in a difThe base fee to enroll in the basic pro- Past winners have included Horizon High “We’ll have a lot of kids who were on the ferent way.” gram is $650, which includes 10 hours School in Scottsdale, Perry High School in various sports teams, that you wouldn’t To learn more about the National Comof training under a professional coach Gilbert and Basha High School in Chan- ordinarily see in theater, but they come edy Theatre High School Improv League, who will come to their school, as well dler. in with the improv teams and they branch visit nctphoenix.com. Contact Krissy as ongoing support. Teams are required Schools that take the fullest advantage out into other theater and start doing Lenz, league administrator and head to have a supervisory teacher, who will of the program often use the skills and plays,” she said. coach, at 602-374-5638 or info@nctphoebe present when an NCT coach is not to organization provided by NCT to host “They’ll try out for musicals, stuff that nix.com. Page 14

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February 2019

FAMILY TIME

All-girls robotics team embraces teamwork and innovation Story and photos by Laurie Struna Mesa Public Schools NASA and SAP Hybris, the students learned that astronauts require two hours of daily exercise to maintain bone density and muscle strength in a microgravity environment. Infusing their exercise time with a virtual reality experience would add variety to their schedule, helping astronauts stay mentally healthy and happy. “Astronauts have limited space to move around, and the glasses are designed to enhance their treadmill and stationary bike experiences,” Lopez added.

The team added earbuds to the glasses, providing sounds of the real world, which elevates the experience. “Now they can run on the beach, bike in the woods or play a game of tennis or golf,” Covarrubias shared. The team qualified for state after competing in the regional tournament. At regionals, Girls Out Loud received the Project Award for fully embracing their core values, while achieving excellence and innovation in the robot game and project.

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The Fremont Junior High Girls Out Loud robotics team is, from left, Kassidy Lopez, Sofia Carroll Covarrubias, Lucy Boyer and Payton Maguire.

At Fremont Junior High School, the Girls Out Loud robotics team is blazing a trail for future generations. Seventh-graders Lucy Boyer, Sofia Carroll Covarrubias, Kassidy Lopez and Payton Maguire have been friends since kindergarten. In fifth grade, they realized their different schedules and interests made it challenging to stay connected. The friends looked for a learning opportunity to allow them bonding time and, most importantly, have fun. Robotics fit the bill. Zaharis Elementary gifted and talented teacher Patrick Carroll came on board as coach. At the time, the girls never dreamed that their hard work would take them to the state competition at ASU in January. The Girls Out Loud team motto is “If you had fun, you won.” It’s easy to understand the students’ enthusiasm for robotics. “Robotics is so much fun!” Boyer shared. “When we started, we didn’t know how to program robots, or what February 2019

we were doing. We just knew we were having a blast, and now we focus on the experience, our teamwork and improving our scores.”

Space exploration First Lego League is celebrating its 30th season of challenging students to think like scientists and engineers through problem-solving and teamwork. Th is year’s theme transports students into space to solve a problem astronauts can experience. Girls Out Loud chose to address the unique social and confinement issues astronauts face on their long voyages in space, by using virtual reality technology. In September, the team began working on a prototype of red and black virtual reality glasses. The goal is to provide astronauts with a VR experience to help them feel connected to earth. “We knew we wanted to make the glasses sleek and build the computer into the lenses,” Maguire said. After speaking with experts from

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FAMILY TIME

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February 2019 mom section

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Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts biz spotlight

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Bring the family to the festival featuring local artists and their work, music, food, and arts and crafts. When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays February 2 and February 16 Where: Downtown Mesa, 1 N. Macdonald Cost: Free admission Info: info@dtmesafest.com, dtmesafest.com financially speaking

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Walking into this large-scale work of art is like perusing stained glass. Designed by British artist Alan Parkinson, this labyrinth is a sight to see. Shoes are not allowed inside the artwork; bring socks. When: Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, February 9, to Sunday, February 17 Where: Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main Street, Mesa Cost: $7; free for children 2 and younger Info: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter. com/air biz box

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Standing at Water’s Edge: A National Geographic Special

This Nat Geo Live! Special features top magazine photographer Cristina Mittermeier sharing behind-the-scenes stories about her experiences. When: Wednesday, February 20 Where: Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 1 E. Main Street Cost: $27 to $41 Info: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter. com

I Love Science Day

Join the Arizona Museum of Natural History with hands-on activities and live demos. Observe ongoing scientific experiments and participate in sciencebased activities and fun crafts. Kids can brainstorm science fair project ideas and meet scientists in the field. When: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 9 Where: Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa Cost: $7 at the door Info: arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory. org

Junkyard Jungle

Junkyard Jungle features 45 pieces of art by 13 U.K. and U.S. artists. Works include repurposed discarded materials incorporated into paintings, photographs, sculptures and collages. Enjoy crafts and educational activities aligned with how to live a green lifestyle. When: Various times Friday, February 8, through Sunday, May 26 Where: the i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa Cost: $9; free for those 1 and younger Info: 480-644-2468 or ideamuseum. org

Page 16

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Local Author Book Fair

All genres will be available for sale during this event that’s a favorite among Mesa residents. Local authors will be on hand to sign books. When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 23 Where: Red Mountain Branch Library lobby, 636 N. Power Road, Mesa Cost: Free Info: mesalibrary.org

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

The Mesa Arts Center hosts this revue of vignettes and songs by Sally, Charlie, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and Snoopy. Two new songs, “Beethoven Day” and “My New Philosophy,” have been added to the 12 numbers from the original version, which include “My Blanket and Me,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime” and “Happiness.” When: Various times Thursday, February 7, to Sunday, February 10 Where: Mesa Arts Center’s Nesbitt/ Elliott Playhouse, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students with ID, free for children 2 and younger Info: mesaartscenter.com

Carnival of Illusion

Bring the family out to a top-rated carnival and experience “Old-World Magic.” The duo of Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed revitalize magic with their internationally themed show. Appropriate for those teenage and older, When: Various times, Thursday, February 14, to Saturday, February 16 Where: Mesa Arts Center’s Farnsworth Theater, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa Cost: $56 Info: mesaartscenter.com, carnivalofillusion.com

Young Makers Night

Welcome to a free-form workshop night for passionate kids and their parents. HeatSync Labs works with driven young people to empower them to turn their ideas into reality. When: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, February 15 Where: HeatSync Labs, 140 W. Main Street, Mesa Cost: Free Info: heatsynclabs.org/events

Preschool Storytime Presents: J is for Jazz

Join the group for preschool storytime in honor of Black History Month. Kids can experience jazz through jazz through lyrical stories and the music of classic artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Appropriate for kids ages 3 to 5. When: 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 19 Where: Red Mountain Branch Library, 636 N. Power Road, Mesa Cost: Free Info: mesalibrary.org

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FAMILY TIME

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FOOD & DRINK

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Visit MVPita for true Lebanese dishes comm. spotlight

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Siblings Christian Warde and Michelle Warde are paying tribute to their mom the best way they know how: through food. MVPita – at the southwest corner of Power and Brown roads – serves fresh Mediterranean food like salads, hummus and, of course, pitas, The MVPita Sampler comes with hummus, gyro, chicken shwarma using their mother’s and falafel. (Photos by Kimberly Carrillo) recipes. “Our mom has always wanted to own sides in Illinois, from where the siblings a restaurant,” Christian said. “This is au- moved three years ago. thentic Lebanese cuisine all from our “She’s trying to move out here,” he mom’s recipes.” said. “We just want to set this up and Their mother, Tania Warde, still re- get everybody on their feet. Tears come classifieds

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to her eyes when we talk about her restaurant. “See, our mom was the main person in the kitchen at home. My favorite part was the dolmas.” Dolmas have ingredients like meat and spiced rice wrapped in vine or cabbage leaves. “She used to stuff them with meat, rice and spice,” Christian continued. “Over here, they’re vegetarian style. Lyndsey Hendrix, Christian Warde and Michelle Warde are behind MVPita. It was my favorite thing growing up. Everybody loves to cook people trying to save money,” he said. and eat in our family. Unfortunately, “We’re trying to become the $5 gyro we opened the restaurant away from spot every day. Our prices are probably the family.” the best prices in town. They’re very reaOne of MVPita’s top sellers is the gyro sonable. You get a lot of bang for fresh, pita, a shaved mixture of lamb and beef quality food.” cooked on a rotisserie ($6.49). MVPita “Everything is good here,” Christian 1066 N. Power Road, Suite 103, Mesa quickly added about MVPita. “Custom480-247-9399, mvpita.com ers can pick multiple proteins instead of just one. It’s tough on the kitchen, but the kitchen is hard working and we like to work together to knock out orders.” Christian and Michelle are 28 and 24, respectively. Christian refers to them as a “young family who’s looking to strive.” “We thought if the food was food, the people would come,” he said. “That’s how we looked at it. We started a new chapter in life moving to Arizona.” The food at MVPita isn’t just about Lebanese food. Its cheeseburger – a burger topped with gyro meat, both marinated in-house – has won numerous awards. But Lebanese food is what it’s at, he said. “We have gyros for $3.99 Mondays and Tuesdays, which is a sweet deal for Top: The House Salad is one of five selections to choose from. Middle: The MVP Veggie Sampler has hummus, baba, tabouleh salad, dolma and falafel, and is served with two Arabic pitas. Bottom: At MVPita, guests can dine on chicken or steak kabobs.

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February 2019

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Stop by for all your Skiing, Snow Board & Cross Country Skiing needs. Located at 777 Highway 260 3 miles AzAz Located at 777 Hisouth ghway 260, of 3 milPinetop, es south of Pinetop, For more information go to Forwww.hon-dah.com more information go to “Hon-Dah.com” 1-800-929-8744 or call 800-Way Up Hi (800-929-8744) 928-369-0299 Page 20

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By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski mom section

R&B/soul revue benefits cancer foundation Roger’s Tom Jones knows how to put on a show. To raise funds for the American Cancer Society, the band is bringing along The Motown Blossoms, Amber Dirks and Nisha Kataria for a gig at the Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Repertory Theater on Sunday, February 10. “We’ve been doing the Tom Jones tribute for a couple of decades,” Roger said. “We had the good fortune of doing performances in Asia, Europe and America. We had a little thing Roger’s Tom Jones and the Motown Blossoms headline the Mesa at the Luxor in Las Vegas not too Arts Center’s Piper Repertory Theater on Sunday, February 10. long ago. “This time, we’ve teamed with (Photo courtesy Roger’s Tom Jones) the Motown Blossoms. They are three she learned how to ladies bringing all those Motown hits, moonwalk. When she was 17, which people like. It’s a nice combination, she visited the Arizona State Fair with if you say.” The Motown Blossoms perform a string her family. As Kataria walked through the of classic Detroit hits by The Marvelettes, parking lot, she sang a short tune, which The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, The was heard by a Michael Jackson acquainShirelles, Martha Reeves and The Van- tance. Her father gave him a live demo and subsequently handed it to Jackson’s dellas. manager. Amber Dirks After singing “I Will Always Love You” A national and international recording for Jackson’s manager, she was introduced artist, Amber Dirks has performed solo to the King of Pop. and occasionally with Sister Sledge. “I skipped school and drove to Califor“I’ve been able to travel the world be- nia to Neverland Ranch and it all felt like a cause still, to this day, Sister Sledge is a dream,” she said. “I went in alone, with my well-respected group,” Dirks said. “We family outside, and Michael hugged me. have sold out many audiences and big He was very warm. We had a nice conevents since 1994.” versation and he asked me to sing to him. Dirks was born in Holland and raised “I stood up and sang ‘I Will Always Love in New York before her family moved to You;’ a good portion of it was a cappella. Phoenix, where she attended Washington He applauded me. He said I had the voice High School. She speaks fluent Dutch. of an angel. Not a lot of people could do At the Piper Repertory Theatre, Dirks what I did – stand up and sing to the king will sing solo hits like “Dominate My of pop.” Love” and “This is My Life,” along with He decided he wanted to make Kataria covers of Gladys Knight songs. “a star.” Jackson moved Kartaria and her “These rehearsals (with Roger’s Tom mother into a guest suite at Neverland. Jones) have been so much fun,” Dirks said. “It was nothing short of a dream,” she “They’ve been phenomenal. I wish I could said. “In between recordings, we would be in the audience and just watch. There’s enjoy Disneyland, life, horseback riding tremendous talent here.” and going to the movies. We recorded a song that is unreleased called ‘Wonderful Nisha Kataria World of Candy.’ I wish I had that track in Nisha Kataria is pop’s unsung hero. my hand. I would be golden.” The Phoenician has been singing since Kataria only knows the masters are in she could walk, she says, but in her teens, Jackson’s house – somewhere. mom cents

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“I don’t know where it could be,” she said. “He wanted the public to see me for the first time next to him. The entire plan was stopped when he went in for the case and was acquitted and then his untimely passing.” After Jackson’s death, Kataria performed in Germany and in the United Kingdom with Westlife. “I was launched overseas, and I was growing a nice following,” she said. She gave it up to return to Phoenix and open a dog grooming boutique called Doggie in the Mirror, a play on Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” in Uptown Phoenix. “Dogs are my favorite creatures on the planet and music is my first love,” said Kataria, who was born in Canada but attended Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix. “Music and doggies go so well together. We have a music video screen, a golden gate that says ‘Doggieland’ instead of ‘Neverland.’ “Michael has blessed me in so many ways. Even to this day I’m still paying homage to him; not only his legacy but our legacy. His legacy is staying alive through my doggie boutique.” Kataria, 32, is slowly returning to music after pausing to open Doggie in the Mirror. “It was something to cherish for the rest of my life,” Kataria said. “I don’t say that lightly.”

IF YOU GO What: Roger’s Tom Jones with special guests When: 3 p.m. Sunday, February 10 Where: Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Repertory Theater, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa Cost: $29 and $40 Info: 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com

February 2019

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February 2019

MARCH 9TH

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Mark Lucas & the Wild Bunch

Mark and the Wild Bunch blend music with a hint of comedy. When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, February 1, and Wednesday, February 20 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa Cost: $36 Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com meet your neighbor

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Malt Shop Oldies - Part I

The Rhythm Cats perform hits from the ’50s and ’60s. When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, February 2, and Wednesday, February 13; 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 16; and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 21, and Wednesday, February 27 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa Cost: $36 Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com

Malt Shop Oldies - Part II

The Rhythm Cats perform in the second rock ‘n’ roll show with hits from the ’50s and ’60s. When: 11:30 a.m. Sunday, February 2, and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, Saturday, February 9, Sunday, February 17, and Friday, February 22 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa Cost: $36 Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com

’70s Rock ‘n’ Roll

The British invasion hits the Silver Star Theater with rock ‘n’ roll hits from 1965 to 1979, with artists like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. When: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, February 3, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 5:30 p.m. Friday, February 15, and Saturday, February 23 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Cost: $36 Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com

Tribute to John Denver

In a role he’s played for more than 10 years, Brad Fitch brings his John Denver tribute to the Silver Star Theater. When: 5:30 p.m. Monday, February 4 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Cost: $36 Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com

Variety Show Spectacular

A versatile group of musicians deliver a range of rock ‘n’ roll to country music. When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, Tuesday, February 12, Saturday, February 16. Tuesday, February 19, Sunday, February 24, and Tuesday, February 26 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Cost: $36

February 2019

Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com

Vegas Jubilee

Experience the classic glitz and glamour of old-school Las Vegas with songs from great artists like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 7, and Saturday, February 23 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Cost: $36 Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com

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Hear the hits and back stories from those who pay tribute to Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Conway Twitty and Patsy Cline. When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, February 8 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Cost: $36 Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com

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The Country Show is just that: Six decades of the genre’s hits by artists like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. When: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, February 10, and Thursday, February 28 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Cost: $36 Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com

Valentine’s Day Celebration

The Rhythm Cats headline a Valentine’s Day event that features a buffet with a prime rib carving station. When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 14 Where: Silver Star Theater, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Cost: $54 Info: 480-288-0300, silverstartheater. com

Stand Up and Improv Comedy Show

This show brings together the best of the Valley’s stand-up comedians with The National Comedy Theater’s improvisers in one show. When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 28 Where: National Comedy Theater, 214 W. Main Street, Mesa Cost: $10 Info: 602-374-5638, nctphoenix.com

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FatCats breaks ground on Northeast Mesa location

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Mesa Mayor John Giles speaks during the groundbreaking of FatCats’ new location at the Loop 202 and North Recker Road. (Photo courtesy FatCats)

After a successful three years in Gilbert, FatCats Fun Center is opening its second Arizona location in Mesa at North Recker Road and the Loop 202 within the year. FatCats is a Utah-based family entertainment center company that offers multiple experiences under one roof. Guests can watch a movie, play a game at the arcade or go bowling. Trevor Cannon, marketing coordinator for FatCats, said the new location will have eight luxury theaters. “Every seat will recline, and food can be eaten at your seat,” Cannon said. “We will have servers available to bring in food before the movie starts.” In addition to the movie theaters, the new FatCats will boast 20 lanes of bowling, an arcade, a grill and a fullservice bar. Cannon hopes the new location will attract adults and kids. “You can host your corporate Christmas party at FatCats and you can even enjoy a nice date night for

60 years of age or older

Celebrating 30 Years! Page 22

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two,” Cannon said. On January 10, FatCats held a groundbreaking ceremony for its Mesa center. Mesa Mayor John Giles participated in the ceremony. “We allowed the mayor to come to the groundbreaking because we truly feel FatCats will succeed if the town of Mesa and its people embrace what we are trying to create,” Cannon said. The Mesa FatCats will be more upscale than the Gilbert center, according to Cannon. Among the differences are new carpet style and paint scheme. “The new Mesa location is built from the ground up,” Cannon said. “The Gilbert location was an existing building that we remodeled.” He hopes FatCats’ “fun energy” will be addictive. “Arizona is the perfect spot for fun all year round,” Cannon said. “The area of Mesa is growing quickly and we want to be a part of something truly special.”

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Page 23

LOCAL BUSINESS

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business spotlight By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski financially speaking

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Art Recovery Technologies rescues precious collectibles on the town

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Maurine Bierle was on vacation when she received a frantic call. Her entire home in East Mesa flooded, damaging artwork including a valuable sculpture and antique lithographs. She looked to Art Recovery Technologies in Tempe to help save her pieces.

all have Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. One has been a sculptor/painter for 30 years and sells items worldwide; the second worked in Phoenix Art Group, a production house; and the youngest member has a background in custom framing. “We specialize in paintings, works on paper, digital photos and sculptures,” Keppel said. “We also work with documentation for, say, doctors and attorneys if their paperwork is water damaged. “We do a full photo inventory while we’re on site and go through every piece and create a detailed estimate. We provide as much information as we can, send it to the adjusters and contractors, package everything and store Scott Keppel co-owns Art Recovery Technologies in Tempe. He it here as long as we resides in Northeast Mesa. (Photos by Kimberly Carrillo) need to. “I heard from Scott (Keppel, owner) “That would be a week to 16 months. right away and he made arrangements Some clients don’t have a home to go to come over here as soon as we got back to. That’s what people usually don’t home,” Bierle said. “I had a lot of an- realize.” tique lithographs and several of them The team of specialists clean the were restored. They fi xed the frames. “nooks and crannies,” he said, and put Some of them I had in a box in the closet the pieces back together. Mold and disand, of course, the box got wet and the coloration are corrected with computlithographs were damaged.” ers. The pieces don’t have to be LouvreKeppel and his wife, Cathy, who live in worthy, either. Northeast Mesa, opened their franchise “I hear, ‘I don’t have Picassos or Chaof Art Recovery Technologies on Febru- galls,’” he recalled. “That’s not our bread ary 1, 2018. The company as a whole has and butter. That’s not what everybody 26 locations nationwide. has at home. When I was looking at this The Keppels work with restoration business, I was told to look at our house, companies and adjusters to determine on our walls. My wife has a ton of autothe best route for recovery. At one time, graphed stuff. Art Recovery Technologies will have be“We have family portraits. That’s tween 100 to 1,000 pieces in its ware- where we get the calls. We get before house. The Keppels’ Art Recovery TechKeppels work with restoration companies nologies has three recovery specialists, The and adjusters to determine the best route for all with different backgrounds, but they recovery. comm. spotlight

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Left, Kelly Long and, right, Damien Saenz help restore precious artwork that has been damaged in a flood or fire. They work for Art Recovery Technologist.

and after pictures so we can have a gallery on our walls. That hits them right away. ‘Oh, this is what you guys do,’” The Keppels’ backgrounds are interesting. Scott worked in corporate for Coldstone Creamery, and Cathy worked in music promotion. “I never expected to be in restoration,” he said. “When my wife and I were looking to buy this business, we wanted to have a positive impact on people’s lives – not that ice cream isn’t. “We had a couple family members who went through fires and floods. We can truly impact people. From an art standpoint, we have a lot of artists in the family.” The key to restoring artwork is to get to know the clients, which can be hard if they’ve just suffered a loss. “It could be a heirloom or a photograph,” said Keppel, whose pricing is based on length of work. “They’re flustered; some lost essentially their whole house and their wheels are spinning.

Nearby News • For News Around Our Neighborhood

We ask, ‘Why is this important to you? What’s the story behind this in terms of value?’ The stories warm up our hearts. “I had someone give me the last picture of her son. She was thrilled with the result. Another client was a gentleman who had connections with prominent families on the East Coast. He inherited a bunch of artwork from his mom. All of them touch the heart a little bit.” Mike Tobian is one of those customers. A flood in his home damaged 30 paintings and prints. “They brought most of them back to life,” said Tobian, who has Peter Max originals. “They couldn’t fix 10 of them because they were so badly damaged. They were great. It was amazing that these guys were a mile away from where I live.”

Art Recovery Technologies of Phoenix 1755 W. University Drive, Suites 115-117, Tempe 480-454-1999, art-us.com

February 2019

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business briefcase By Connor Dziawura mom cents

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Hello, readers! Welcome back, and thanks for checking in on the Briefcase. If this is your first time checking in, let me recap. Business Briefcase is a new outlet for us here at Nearby News Mesa to keep you all in tune with great happenings around the city. Whether covering new businesses, closed businesses, construction mysteries, grand openings, or networking-centric events, it’s all relevant here at the Briefcase. This month, there is much to discuss, so I wish to waste no time in getting you all the details. Dentistry, banking, senior care, several unfortunate closings and more abound in Mesa. But what about the specifics? Here’s the scoop! diy

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First, there’s a new dental office in town. Longbow Dental Care, led by Jessica V. Neill and Anthony Reese, is open in Longbow Marketplace. Sound familiar? That’s because we covered this market last month in reference to the opening of a new In-N-Out. You can also check out Sprouts Farmers Market, MOD Pizza and a Verizon Wireless store in the vicinity. But we’re here to discuss the new dental practice. At this location, Neill and February 2019

Reese offer a variety of services, including regular check-ups and professional cleaning, teeth whitening, comfort-related needs, corrective and restorative work and even emergency procedures. “We are excited to be joining the Mesa community to offer high quality dental services to families and individuals of all ages,” Neill said. “Our mission is to provide exceptional experiences to each patient who walks through our doors.” Reese added, “Dental health is vital to overall health, so we want to help our patients make the best decisions for their care. We plan to educate patients on the importance of dental care and encourage them to adopt an ongoing preventative care routine.” Longbow Dental Care is located at 3218 N. Recker Road, or the southwest corner of Recker Road and the 202. For more information, call 480-5687146 or visit longbowdentalcare. Longbow com. Dental Care is open On a future front, at 3218 N. Western State Recker Road, in Longbow Bank is set to open Marketplace a full-service bank at the southwest corner of at 5901 E. McKelRecker Road lips Road, in the and the 202. Falcon View Plaza (Photos courtesy Heartland at the southwest Media and PR) corner of McKellips and Recker roads, sometime in the first quarter of this year. This sixth Arizona location is estimated to hire around four team members. For more information, visit westernbanks.com. “We’re excited to expand our Arizona presence in the state’s third-largest city,” said Brian Houkom, the North Dakotabased bank’s CEO. “Customers appreciate our community bank philosophy, and we’ll bring our proven hometown banking approach to Mesa.”

Rendering of the new Western State Bank coming to Mesa. (Photo courtesy Western State Bank)

The Mesa Chamber of Commerce also has some ribbon-cutting ceremonies approaching. The first, Heritage Village Assisted Living, is from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 13. (The ribbon will be cut at 4:30 p.m.) The facility, which is located at 8035 E. Brown Road, at the southeast corner of 80th Street and Brown Road, opened its first home in January 2014. It recently opened two more homes, with two more planned down the road. A timeline has not yet been confirmed. All in all, the 5-acre Heritage Village has six open homes but, when complete, will consist of eight custom, 6,500-square-foot homes, each with private rooms and bathrooms; and a medical/community center, according to it website. It offers a variety of services in the assisted living and memory care realms. For more information on the facility, including pricing and specifics on services, visit heritagevillageassistedliving.com. Next, Alerus will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 21. (The ribbon will be cut at 4:30 p.m.) A financial services center, it opened last summer, with the company promoting Seth Philbin to relationship manager team lead. The Southeast Valley location is at 1640 S. Stapley Drive, Suite 105, south of U.S. Route 60. For more information on the company, visit alerus.com. The Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s ribbon-cutting events are free to attend for members and nonmembers, and no

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reservations are necessary. For more information, contact Susan Tychman, director of membership sales, at stychman@mesachamber.org. For a bit of different news, Mesa Bagel Nosh appears to have closed without word. I attempted to call the phone number listed on the former eatery’s website and it has been disconnected. An email to the owners did not yield a response. So, at this time, it seems the closure of the family-owned, Northeast Mesa-based café, which had been around since 1991, is a mystery. It was located at 1112 N. Higley Road, Suite 101. No word yet on if anything is planned to take the space. On a similar note, Il Forno, over at 6606 E. McKellips Road, Suite 104, has also closed. The phone number for the former Italian restaurant – which specialized in wood-fired pizza, pasta, seafood and spirits – has also been disconnected. Representatives from the city’s economic development department had no information regarding the closure or potential future plans at the site. That’s all the briefs for this week. Thanks for reading.

Have an item for Business Briefcase? Email Connor Dziawura at cdziawura@timespublications.com

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February 2019

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On the web at www.NearbyNews.com

POOL SERVICES A QUALITY POOL SERVICE THAT IS PRICELESS Does your pool surface need refreshing? CALL US TODAY! CPO Technician ROC 303766 LizardPoolsLLC lizardpools.com 480-489-0713

TUTORING SERVICES PROFESSIONAL TUTORING Individualized, at-home instruction for grades K-12. Multiple subjects including Math, Reading and Writing. Preparation for college entrance tests. Assistance for home-schooling, behavioral, organizational and special education concerns. Call Philip N. Swanson, Ph. D. 480-677-9459 PROFESSIONAL TUTORING Individualized, at-home instruction for grades K-12. Multiple subjects including Math, Reading and Writing. Preparation for college entrance tests. Assistance for home-schooling, behavioral, organizational and special education concerns. Call Philip N. Swanson, Ph. D. 480-677-9459

WINDOWS/ CLEANING DIRTY WINDOWS? Call Fish Window Cleaning @ 480-962-4688 and you will have the cleanest windows and screens on the block. Below is the list of services we offer: Windows-Interior & Exterior Screens-Sunscreens/Regular Tracks, Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures Power Washing Your driveways, sidewalks & patios Follow us on InstaGram @FISH_WCEASTVALLEYAZ REFLECTIONS WINDOW CLEANING Make your home sparkle with the cleanest windows you've ever seen! Instant 10% discount FREE estimates BONDED and INSURED. Member IWCA 480-892-1999

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February 2019