SanTan Sun News - 2.27.2022 by Times Media Group

February 27, 2022 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

Housing crisis threatens us all, economist warns BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

Chandler and the rest of the Phoenix Metro area must build their way out of the current housing deficit or face economic catastrophe down the road, a noted Valley economist is warning local officials. The housing shortage is just not dire in Arizona but throughout the country, economist Elliott Pollack told Gilbert

Town Council as part of a presentation he is giving to a wide group of municipal bodies in the Valley, with Chandler expected to be scheduled soon. “Affordability is falling but it’s about to plummet,” Pollack said. “There’s virtually no vacancy or available units. Supply has not kept paced with demand and our success as a community in attracting jobs and people has not been matched by a sufficient increase in the housing supply for those new

employees and a continued shortage of housing is going to drive up costs and threaten economic development efforts. “Virtually nobody is going to get a free pass on not having to deal with this.” Pollack belongs to Home Arizona, a group comprising former politicians and industry insiders that is trying to get the word out on the supply-demand crisis confronting the region.

The group analyzed housing in 11 Valley municipalities – including Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale – and came up with a series of alarming statistics. “The first decade of this century, we overbuilt in both single-family homes and apartments,” Pollack said. “The second decade of this century we way underbuilt and we are now at See

HOUSING on page 22

Police union rep disputes mayor’s take on Chandler crime Chandler mayor upbeat about the state of the city: Page 8 BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

The president of a group that represents Chandler’s police officers is taking exception to one line in Mayor Kevin Hartke’s State of the City speech.

“Crime rates are the lowest in 35 years thanks to the efforts of our community and police,” Hartke said. “Crime rates this low occurred in the ’80s when Chandler only had 80,000 residents.” “That doesn’t pass the smell test,” said Michael Collins, president of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association. Collins said there are many reasons the mayor can make that claim. First,

the city uses the old FBI standards that allow to count as only one crime in a spree of crimes committed by one felon. Second, the mayor was referring to a period during the COVID-19 pandemic, when, he said, officers did not respond to some calls for service to limit exposure to the coronavirus. And finally, crime has changed from the 1980s: Collins said police respond to

more mental health situations now and have more identity thefts and other computer crimes that were not even tracked 40 years ago. “[It’s] not a complete picture to what’s happening with law enforcement and what’s happening with public safety in our city,” Collins said. See

CRIME on page 5

Budding scientist

The Chandler Ostrich Festival returns after a two-year pandemic hiatus and it’s so much bigger that it will be held on two weekends. Chandler residents can attend on March 17 for free. (Chandler Chamber)ç

Ostrich Fest brings family fun, Grammy winners BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

The Four Tops’ Duke Fakir is up for any musical adventure and, this March, that includes the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival. “We usually play Phoenix, but anywhere else in Arizona is a good, new

adventure,” Fakir said with a laugh. “We should enjoy the festival. Anything that’s different than the normal scenery or even makes it a little more exciting for us.” The Four Tops are among the musical acts at this year’s Chandler Chamber See

OSTRICH on page 4

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Hull Elementary School 6th grader Gabby Curtis adds green food coloring to a bottle ﬁlled with oil and water to create a lava lamp at the Chandler Innovation Fair Feb. 19. For a look at some of the other young scientists, see page 16. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

F E AT U R E D STO R I E S Ocotillo gets new wine-coffee shop. . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . Page 30 Chandler team tops nation in flag football . . . . . .Sports . . . . . . . . .Page 34

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Chandler alumn basks in Super Bowl glory . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . Page 40

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Scottish Games ready to roll nearby. . . . . . . . . . . . .GETOUT . . . . . . . Page 46

More News . . . . . . . . . 1-24 Clip-It . . . . . . . 26-27 Real Estate . . . 28-29 Business . . . . . 30-33 Sports . . . . . . . 34-38 Opinion . . . . . . . . 39 Neighbors . . . 40-44 GetOut. . . . . . 46-50 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Directory . . . . 53-54

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NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

All-city softball tourney involves Chandler BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

The city of Chandler has partnered with the town of Gilbert and city of Scottsdale to put on the first-ever AllCity Softball Tournament for adults in each community. The tournament, which will feature teams from the various recreational leagues already in place in each city, will be a single or double-elimination bracket with games played throughout the day on April 2. Jensen Valenzuela, tournament organizer and recreation coordinator for the city of Chandler, said a tournament of this caliber has been in the works for a few years between communities, but the timing never worked for other cities and their respective leagues and other events happening at parks. Now, however, they are proceeding with their plans. “It’s something cool we’ve been kind of brainstorming for a few years, and we are finally putting it in action to do,” Valenzuela said. “I’ve built relationships with coordinators with those respective cities. It will be a cool tournament to give all the recreation departments a little bragging rights.” The tournament is open to men 18 years and older with a maximum of 15 players per roster. Registration for each team is currently $300 until Feb.

Chandler is partnering with Gilbert and Scottsdale to kick off the inaugural All-City Softball Tournament, which will feature a single or double-elimination bracket for teams in each city made up of men 18 and older. Games will be played at Snedigar Sportsplex in Chandler, Freestone Park in Gilbert and Vista del Camino Recreation Center in Scottsdale. (File Photo)

28. After that, the price will increase to $350 per team. The tournament will feature an opening day ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. April 2. Pool play will then begin and run until about noon. At that time, Valenzuela said teams will take a break for lunch and to prepare to travel from field to

field for the elimination bracket. Games will be played at Snedigar Sportsplex in Chandler, Freestone Park in Gilbert and Vista del Camino Recreation Center in Scottsdale. The top teams from each city will advance to the citywide tournament where a champion will be crowned at Snedigar.

Teams are guaranteed at least three games, regardless of whether they advance to the city-wide tournament. “I’m excited for it,” Valenzuela said. “I know some of the teams in our league are pretty good. So I’m hoping they can win it for Chandler to give us some bragging rights.” While the players have a chance to compete for bragging rights on the field, off of it spectators can expect a host of food trucks, giveaways and music – creating a family-friendly and enjoyable atmosphere for all involved. Valenzuela believes this will be a unique way to bring some of the cities’ recreation sports teams together and open the door for more tournaments in the future. He also hopes other cities across the Valley will become involved, which will allow the tournament to blossom into something even bigger in the near future. “There are some things that we need to get ironed out, which is something we will do when if we run into bumps with this first season,” Velenzuela said. “We’re hoping we can expand it to oth er cities. Mesa was part of the initial discussions and Tempe said they are interested in getting involved next season as well.” For more information about the AllCity Softball Tournament and to register, visit chandleraz.gov/allcitysoftball.

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OSTRICH

NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

from page 1

Ostrich Festival, which features national and regional musicians, attractions, more than 50 carnival rides, food vendors. Ostriches will roam freely in a designated area at the festival. For the first time in 32 years, the festival will take place on two weekends: Friday, March 11, to Sunday, March 13, and Friday, March 17, to Sunday, March 20. “We are thrilled to bring two weekends of Ostrich Festival family fun to our community so guests will have the opportunity for double the fun,” said Terri Kimble, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive officer and president. “We have been working diligently with the city of Chandler and SLE to plan the safest event possible for what is expected to be the best Ostrich Festival ever with our most diverse musical talent lineup to date.” Chandler residents will have a chance to attend the Ostrich Festival for free on St. Patrick’s Day, courtesy of the Chamber. To claim two adult and up to four children’s tickets good only for March 17 – dubbed Chandler Community Day at the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festval – residents must act by March 7. Simply go to March 17 on the “buy tickets” page at ostrichfestival.com, then once you get to the checkout page enter your address and ZIP code.

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The Spazmatiocs, an 80s cover band, will entertain guests on March 17 – dubbed Chandle Community Day. Chandler resident have until March 7 to claim free tickets to the festival good only for March 17. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

legendary The Beach Boys (March 18) and Grammy winning R&B star Nelly (March 19). The 86-year-old Fakir – the lone surviving original Four Tops singer – said he’s slowing down from touring, but he is leaving a legacy with songs like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” “I’m at an age where I’m not going to perform for too much longer,” he said. “I’m way up there and, at my age, very few people are performing. It’s time for me to ease out of the business and ease out with the wonderful story for The Four Tops. “Hopefully the younger Tops will keep this going.” To keep The Four Tops alive, Fakir is working on a memoir for London’s Omnibus Press as well as a Broadway musical, both of which are called “I’ll Be There.” “There’s a story about the Tops and a lot of people don’t know the true story,” he The Four Tops are, from left, Lawrence Payton Jr. (son of original Four Top Lawrence Payton), Alex Morris, Ronnie McNeir said. “It’s very interestand Abdul (Duke) Fakir. (Courtesy of The Four Tops) ing and it will be in the book that’s coming out in May, too. “For the first time we are offering “I want them to know how and why all our Chandler residents a chance to we stayed together all these years; how come see this great family friendly fesit was and what it took for us to do that. tival for free,” Kimble said. “If you live in The life we lived early in our career was Chandler and haven’t had a chance to very different and very exciting. When experience the Ostrich Festival, this is we were young, we all said a book was your chance.” something we would do together. UnThe Four Tops are co-headlining fortunately, we never did that. I have the with fellow Motown legends The Temp- honor of telling the story.” tations on March 20. Fakir anticipates the book and the Additional headliners include musical will be hits. “I’ll Be There,” the Grammy award-winning The Band Perry musical, will be ready by the end of the co-headlining with pop star Uncle year, although it has not been cast yet. Kracker (March 11), Grammy-nominat“I can’t wait for people to read, hear ed country act Walker Hayes (March and go through the life of The Four 12), rapper Flo Rida (March 13), the ’80s Tops,” he said. “The wonderful part is cover band Spazmatics (March 17), the my career is still going. It’s amazing to

me. We have so much fun on stage. The audience makes it fun, too – especially nowadays because they’ve been pent up for so long.” Country rocker Uncle Kracker – known to his family as Matthew Shafer – wishes he could be in town for Motown night, as he’s from suburban Detroit. The former Kid Rock DJ anticipated his set will be primarily hits like “Follow Me,” “In a Little While” and Smile” and his cover of “Drift Away.” “When I do these things, I try not to get all new stuff on everybody,” he said with a laugh. “I want to show up and have fun. I want to please them with stuff they’ve heard. “I want the crowd to participate. After all, everybody needs to help out. If we’re going to be there, we all have to do some lifting.” Later this year, Shafer will start releasing music again, tunes he recorded during the pandemic-induced break from touring. “I go crazy if I’m not in the studio,” said Shafer, who has kids ranging in age from 1 “and some change” to 22. “I get the itch if I’ve been out of it too long. I’ll probably do a tour around an actual album release, instead of one-off dates like this. I just can’t wait for this festival. It will be great to play for families again.”

If you go

WHEN: Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival WHEN: 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 11; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 12; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, March 13; 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, March 17; 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 18; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 19; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, March 20 WHERE: Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler COST: Tickets start at $20 for ages 13 and older; start at $15 for children 4 to 12; free for children younger than 4. Chandler residents qualify for free tickets on March 17. See the website for more information. INFO: ostrichfestival.com

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NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

CRIME

from page 1

And what is happening with law enforcement in Chandler? “Our department hasn’t kept up with the growth of this city,” Collins said. “We’ve been asked to do more with less for almost 13 years now. We’ve kind of reached the breaking point.” The city is standing behind the mayor’s comment. “The Chandler Police Department has used the Uniform Crime Reporting Program methodology for the past 50-plus years,” said Matthew Burdick, the city’s communications director. “The program’s consistent methodology and length of time in use, provides the most accurate summary to compare year-to-year serious crime rates. “Bottom line, the data comparison of crime statistics shows serious crime rates in 2021 are the lowest they have been since the 1980s.” Collins said another issue is that so many officers have had to go on patrol duty because the department doesn’t have enough people. “Our department at this point is almost totally reactive; we have very few pro-active units left,” Collins said. “We’ve had to take from those units, take from those executive divisions, take from our bike officers, take from our motorcycle officers, and we’ve had to cram them into patrol to try and stem the flow for calls for emergency service,” he said. “The best way for us to keep the community safe is to prevent crimes, and we’re not in any way doing that.” Chandler has one of the lowest staffing levels compared to population

starting pay is about $5,000 higher annually. There’s a nationwide shortage of police officers, Collins added and there are complex reasons why. For one thing, officers are scrutinized now more than ever and many times they are criticized for their split-second decisions. In addition, changes made to the state’s This chart shows police staffing levels in seven area cities, according to the Chandler Law Enforcement Association. Chan- pension system mean that instead of dler says it has 345 paid positions and two vacancies. being able to retire in 20 years, new offiof any Valley city, Collins said, stating cers in their 20s will have to work nearly the city has one officer for every 824 40 years to collect on their pensions. residents. He bases this on 335 officers He said it takes a special kind of peron the street. son who is willing to serve their comBut the city says it has 345 paid posimunity in the current environment. tions with only two vacancies. “Our officers are showing up for Collins said the stanard is one officer every single shift, they’re taking overfor every 500 people. time shifts, they’re breaking their backs Of seven Valley cities examined, he to make things work here,” Collins said. said, Tempe had the best mark with one “We want a commensurate and equal officer for every 528 residents. commitment from the city.” Collins said it’s not hard to guess why About 80 current officers are eligible Glendale is doing better filling their positions: That city is offering a $10,000 to retire, Collins said. It takes 18 months bonus for new recruits and experienced from when an applicant is hired to get him or her through the police academy officers who are willing to switch. and fully trained. Chandler offers a $3,500 bonus for Chandler is offering its officers a $2,000 new recruits. That ranks the lowest of citretention bonus. Collins said that’s a start, ies that offer a bonus. Gilbert and Scottsbut it is lower than other Valley cities. dale do not offer a bonus at this time. Last spring, Police Chief Sean Duggan Phoenix offers a $7,500 bonus and Mesa gave a presentation to Council as part hands out $5,000. Tempe has the same of the budget process and called for $3,500 bonus that Chandler does, but its

hiring more officers. A couple of members of the Council expressed surprise that staffing levels have fallen so far. Vice Mayor Terry Roe, expressed unhappiness that he was hearing about it for the first time in a public setting. “They were given a presentation in 2018 where this very issue was laid out to them, including several of the ones who mentioned they didn’t know about it, or didn’t want to have a public conversation,” Collins said. “The fact of the matter is they did know about it, and either chose not to deal with it then or just hoped it would go away.” Burdick said the city has stepped up its efforts to improve pay and benefits for police officers, citing the city’s memorandum of understanding with police. “The MOU provides police officers with up to a 5% merit increase each of the next two years, plus a one-time retention bonus of $2,000 to be paid July 2022,” he said. “The agreement also provides a 5% special assignment pay differential for police officers working in specialty assignments. “Police officers will receive more city contributions into their retirement health savings account and higher allowance toward police uniforms and equipment,” Burdick continued. Collins said the city figured out it’s cheaper to pay officers overtime than it is to hire new employees who will get benefits and be eligible for a pension. “Eventually you’re going to burn that candle out, and we’ve long been burned out,” Collins said. “We’re having trouble finding people who want to come in and work that anymore. It’s not good for people who are making split-second, critical decisions to work 16-hour shifts three days a week. It’s just not.”

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NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Chandler beefs up pay for ﬁrst responders BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

The Chandler City Council is taking aggressive action to both retain and attract first responders, including giving most of them a 5% raise each of the next two years. They are also offering most police officers a one-time bonus of $2,000 to be paid this July. Sergeants will also get the bonus. “We appreciate that the City Council recognizes the difficulties of policing for our current officers, and how competitive the market is for new recruits,” said Michael Collins, president of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association. “Our officers have worked incredibly hard for a very long time, and I’m

glad we are able to find ways to reward them for the excellent job they have done to keep the community safe.” Council approved memorandums of understanding with CLEA, and organizations that represent the city’s firefighters and police lieutenants and sergeants during its meeting Thursday. As part of the deal, the city will try to add 83 officers over the next five years. It has not added any new positions since 2008 and the city has grown by about 50,000 residents since then. One of the issues is that cities all across the country have had open positions in law enforcement that they have been unable to fill because of a lack of applicants. Council is hoping the higher pay and the one-time bonus will help fill those

positions. With the raise, Chandler will become the third-highest paying law enforcement agency in the area, improving one spot from its current fourth. Some police officers and sergeants who work in specific units will also get another 5% raise. Those units are auto theft/property; criminal intelligence; financial crimes; property crimes/arson; public information; professional standards section; and K-9. There is also a 2.25% raise for police officers who meet expectations or better and have been with the department for eight years or is at the top of their pay range. All three of the MOUs say every August the city Human Resources Department will conduct a compensation survey looking at the pay in eight Valley

cities. In addition to Chandler, they are Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. The eight will be ranked based on their compensation, and if Chandler is not in the top three, then salaries will be adjusted to get them into the top three. There are also some increases in the MOU for uniforms and equipment as well as additional contributions to the health savings accounts for employees with five or more years of service with the city. “These sometimes, always have, there was a while as you guys know, they always have bumps and bruises along the way, and I think the bruises and bumps are a little less this time,” Councilmember Matt Orlando said. “I think it’s a very, very good agreement.”

4 nabbed in rash of vandalism to vehicles in Chandler SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler police have arrested an adult and three juveniles in connection with a dozen of some 67 acts of vandalism to vehicles totaling more than $75,000 in Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa that occurred between Feb. 1-17. Arrested on Feb. 17 following an intensive investigation was Davion Lacy Lacour, 19, of Chandler. He was booked into the County Jail on 12 counts of criminal damage while the three juveniles were booked into the Durango Juvenile Detention Facility. Police said the four suspects drove

around residential neighborhoods in the three municipalities, breaking windows and slashing tires on parked vehicles. The most recent series of incidents occurred shortly before their arrest a little after midnight Feb. 17 at Alma School Road and Mesquite Street as police went to investigate damage done to 12 vehicles in the area. Police heard windows being broken and saw Davion’s vehicle leaving at a high rate of speed, according to a release. Witnesses to various acts of vandalism described seeing a car with a missing hub cap and police put out a bulletin about the suspect vehicle.

Police began zeroing in on the culprits on Valentine’s Day, when they had stopped Lacour’s car and saw that it had a hub cap missing on the same wheel as described by witnesses. They also noticed a hammer and flashlight in the car, but apparently did not have enough evidence to detain Lacour at the time. But subsequent investigation also showed that clusters of the incidents occurred near some of the suspects’ homes. Police began following Lacour and stopped him after the latest round of incidents. According to the arresting officers,

police found a hammer, tire iron, two knives and a pole inside the car. Police said that Lacour admitted they were out damaging vehicles and had done so on about a half dozen occasions the past few weeks. “Davion said he mostly just drove the other subjects around, but he did damage about five vehicles on his own and knew what the other subjects were doing,” a police report stated. Police are continuing to study video tape of other incidents to identify the suspects and are asking anyone who has not reported any vandalism to their vehicle to call 480-782-4130 and file a report.

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NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Hartke upbeat about Chandler in annual address BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke Feb. 17 touted the city’s overall economic numbers in an upbeat State of the City address. He said more than 740,000 square feet of industrial office space was added last year and another 1.8 million square feet is currently under construction. The mayor’s speech at Chandler Center for the Arts was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd that dined on local food items prior to his address and later listened to the band QVLN. “These investments by developers and the support of brokers are creating space for companies to expand and produce jobs,” Hartke said. The mayor added that in addition to the nearly $20 billion Intel is investing in the city, another $245 million is planned in capital investments by other businesses over the next three years. “We get compliments all the time about the ease and speed of our development process. We do our part to help Chandler businesses succeed,” Hartke said. Hartke said a building boom continues, with the city surpassing $1 billion in the combined value of building permits for the second straight year. “Chandler is a great place to live and work. Growth of Chandler-based jobs has increased our ratio to 1.23 jobs per

Left: Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke delivered an optimistic State of the City address Feb. 17. Right: Five City Council members yukked it up early this month to promote the State of the City address by pretending to be part of a band. (City of Chandler)

household,” he said. The mayor highlighted the city’s employment areas and the success they have had in bringing jobs to Chandler. He called the zone around Chandler Municipal Airport “the last frontier” and said that the city is working on bringing more jobs to that area. The city saw an uptick in tourism as more people feel comfortable traveling despite the pandemic. “Hotel room demand was up 35% in 2021, which is 5% higher than pre-pandemic levels,” Hartke said. The mayor also introduced a new program called Chandler Changemak-

ers, which will highlight inspiring young residents over the coming year. He introduced some of them in a short video. “As the saying goes – children are our future and with these kids, I think our future is in great hands,” the mayor said. Young people occupied a portion of the mayor’s address in two ways. Interviewed on an accompanying video were members of the Hamilton High School girls volleyball team: Jordan Middleton, Micah Gryniewicz, Tatum Thomas and Ella Butler. The Chandler Changemakers were asked to stand, and they will be the

subject of special monthly features throughout the year. They are: Milayna Jones, Anshul Verma, Prisha Shroff, Hamilton High School girls volleyball team members Jordan Middleton, Micah Gryniewicz, Tatum Thomas and Ella Butler; Gwyn Satterlee, Fernando Sandoval, Ella Wang, Sam Bregman and robotics team members Rohan Vallamshetla, Sidharth Kanderi, Ari Kanderi and Karan Vallamshetla. Also, winners of the city art contest were announced. Winners in the 6-9 age bracket are See

MAYOR on page 9

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that does not have a non-discrimination ordinance to protect LGBTQ residents. “And we are engaging community

from page 8

Kaiwen Yao, Sahana Karthik and Olivia Brooks. The 10-13-year-old winners are Chetan Sai Vudaru, Emma Robertson and Violet Welch. In the 14-18 bracket, winners are Payton Harvey, Noura Ibrahim and Alyssa Gamby. And the Mayor’s Choice Award went to Kimberlie Martinzes-Wolf. Hartke briefly touched on one controversial subject that the Council will be dealing with later this year, protecting traditionally marginalized people. Last year the Council rejected creating a non-discrimination ordinance on a 5-2 vote. Council has since brought in a consultant to evaluate the city’s need for such an ordinance. Chandler is the largest city in Arizona

Hartke said the city added 700 single-family homes and 300 multi-family buildings in the past year. He said

State of our City is strong and focused on “theThefuture, while honoring our community’s rich

heritage and culture, Hartke said. Our ﬁnancial security is great. Our water supply is secure. Our city is safe. Our downtown is kicking it.

”

– Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke

stakeholders in the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Assessment to help us create a roadmap for future DEI programs,” he said.

construction on 167 affordable housing units is planned for this year through a public-private partnership. The mayor said the city has been

pro-active in dealing with homelessness, preventing 71 evictions by connecting residents with resources. Hartke said the city’s crime rate is lowest it has been in 35 years, and thanked both the police and community for working together. “Crime rates this low occurred in the ’80s when Chandler only had 80,000 residents,” Hartke said. “The State of our City is strong and focused on the future, while honoring our community’s rich heritage and culture,” Hartke said. “Our financial security is great. Our water supply is secure. Our city is safe. Our downtown is kicking it. “We have never had more jobs or corporate headquarters located in Chandler, all over Chandler. Our future is bright.”

Chandler’s Changemakers During his State of the City speech, Mayor Kevin Hartke featured Chandler youth who he dubbed Changemakers. Here are the people featured in the video: Sam Bregman: The Hamilton High teen raised more than $15,000 to buy every student at Galveston and San Marcos Elementary School shoes and socks. Hamilton High Girls Volleyball Team: The Huskies won back-to-back state titles in the fall and were selected by ESPN to play the No. 1 team in the nation for its first high school girls

volleyball broadcast. Milayna Jones: The 15-year-old Hamilton High student put together a business plan and convinced her parents to fund her opening up a business, selling shaved ice. She repaid her parents and made a profit. Overdrive 1696Z: The middle school robotics team comprised of students from Arizona College Prep and Basha Accelerated middle schools won the Vex world championship, building their own robots to complete

tasks within time limits. Gwyn Satterlee and Fernando Sandoval: The youngest pair were selected after they convinced classmates at their school to donate toys to give to children with cancer who are being treated in hospitals. Both of them are cancer survivors. Prisha Shroff: Hamilton High student won the Lemelson Award for inventing an artificial intelligence program that can predict where wildfires might break out. Anshul Verma: The Hamilton High

student started his own nonprofit, Phones for Charity. He takes older phones, repairs them if needed, and then resells them. The money he raises is then donated to United Food Bank, or Clothes Cabin. Ella Wang: The BASIS student and cancer survivor invented a way to turn a smartphone into a microsoft to help people check their blood for possible diseases. It earned her first place by the Arizona Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.

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Chandler Council OKs ﬁreworks use on streets BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

An inadvertent change to the Chandler’s fire code to allow fireworks to be set off on residential streets is now being embraced by City Council – even though their attorney warned it opens them up to possible lawsuits. Meanwhile, the State House has signed off on a bill, which now goes to the Senate, that would ban the use of fireworks between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. on days they’re allowed. The only exception would be New Year’s Eve and July 4, when fireworks could be used between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. The 2014 Chandler Fire Code banned legal fireworks from being set off on residential streets and sidewalks without a permit. The fire code is updated every few years based on recommendations by the International Code Council and National Fire Protection Association. In 2018, that part of the code that banned fireworks from being set off on residential streets and sidewalks was inadvertently left off when the Council approved it. This year Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins urged putting the language back into the code. “This language, right now, if you look at our website, and if you look at a lot of the things that we push out to the business community and our citizens, it already says this right now, that it is prohibited in these areas. So, we’re just trying to make sure that we are in alignment with what we’re pushing out to the community and put it back into the ordinance.” However, Councilmember Mark Stewart objected. “I don’t want to be on a Council that tells kids they can’t shoot off fireworks in front of their house,” Stewart said. Stewart said he considers forcing citizens to set fireworks off on their property riskier because they would be closer to their homes or trees that could catch on fire. He said setting them off in a cul-desac is relatively low risk. However, City Attorney Kelley

Schwab urged caution. “Generally, we prohibit anything on the road other than driving for safety reasons,” she said. “As the city attorney, and risk manager, I have to express some concern about allowing people to go onto the streets to set off fireworks or engage in other activity that may not be complimentary to cars driving on it. If somebody wanted to have a party, there’s ways to do that, and do it safely.” Councilmember Matt Orlando said he would oppose the change that would remove residential streets and sidewalks because of that liability risk. “I just don’t want to put the burden back on the taxpayers on this one,” Orlando said. He asked Schwab if passing the fire code without banning the fireworks from residential streets puts the city at risk. “If there’s an injury, somehow, and someone is hurt or their property is damaged, the person who lit off the fireworks is very likely to be sued and the city will probably be dragged into that lawsuit,” she said. “From a safety and risk perspective, our best recommendation is to allow traffic-related activities in the street.” Stewart stressed these would be only legal fireworks set off during the four periods allowed by the state. Any illegal fireworks, including all of them that explode in the sky, would still be banned. Councilmember OD Harris said that setting off legal fireworks in the streets has been legal since that inadvertent change in 2018, and that so far, there have been no ill-effects or lawsuits because of it. Schwab pointed out that change was never publicized and most people did not know about it. In fact, as Dwiggins said, city materials said it was banned even if the code did not. However, Harris said he would support the amendment removing streets and sidewalks. He did say that it may be something to look at later if it becomes a problem and they could put it back in at that time. Council voted 6-1 to remove residential streets and sidewalks from the fire code with only Orlando voting against.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Hartford Elementary gets A+ designation BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School Principal Heather Anguiano says you know you’ve done something special when even a kindergarten student realizes it’s a big day. “I was at lunch duty … and a little kindergartener came up to me and he said, ‘I can just imagine how you felt yesterday because it was the best day of my life.” The Chandler school was recognized the day before as one of only 21 in Arizona to receive an A+ grade by the Arizona Education Foundation. “Just that a kindergartener realizes that A+ is a great big deal, and he’s so proud to be at an A+ school,” Anguiano said. “We really try to make it about the kids.” To qualify for the A+ grade, a school must have a letter grade of B or better from the state Department of Education and have had the same principal for at least three years. Any pre-K-12 school can apply if they meet those conditions. Then, the real work starts. “It’s a ton of work,” Anguiano said. “It’s a grueling process. And this year, they changed the deadlines.” Typically, the applications are due in January, but because of staffing issues the AEF moved it up to August. That’s also when schools were busy preparing to reopen and

continue to reapply and hopefully we’ll continue to get it.” She said one thing that may keep some schools from applying is the fear of not getting it. Anguiano said it’s no secret when you apply, people hear about it. So, if you apply and don’t get it, that can have a negative effect. “I would never want to go for A+ and put ourselves out there if the staff didn’t feel we were A+,” she said. Hartford is a Title I school, which means it receives federal funding because it at least 40 percent of its student enrollment is considered below federal poverty thresholds. “I am really proud that we’re a Title I school, and that we received Kids at Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School were joyful after the announcement of its A+ an A+, because there are so many designation. (Special to the Arizonan) misconceptions out there about Title schools and Title populaor this year. The awards are made every dealing with new COVID protocols. tions,” Anguiano said. four years, so Hartford will be able to hang The school’s officials must fill out As for any advice she would give to that A+ banner through at least 2025. the application and then AEF officials go other principals who want to earn an A+ Anguiano anticipates reapplying for through it. For the schools that they think in the future, she offered some suggesmight receive an A+ grade, the foundation the designation then. tions. “I feel like I owe it to my school comsends between four and six inspectors to “Surround yourself with great peospend two days making sure everything in munity and my students to apply every ple, be transparent, build those relafour years, just because we truly are the application is accurate. tionships, determine what your leadan A+ school and we do great things,” AEF started its A+ program in 1983. ership style is, and really stick to that,” Anguiano said. “I truly feel like I owe it Hartford received its first A+ grade in 2017. Anguiano said. “Every single decision we It is the only CUSD school to earn the hon- to my students, my staff, my families, to make, better be about kids.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Opportunity Program helps unruly CUSD students BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

One measure of the success of Chandler Unified School District’s Opportunity Program is how few students are in it. Only 13 are enrolled in the program this year, though that number is higher than prior years, probably because of COVID-related issues. The Opportunity Program is the district’s approach to dealing with unruly students. Students who misbehave and are causing distractions in the classroom that is preventing other students from learning are candidates for the program. So why so few in a district with more than 19,000 elementary school students? “I would tell you it’s a credit to our teachers, to our classrooms, plus to our district behavioral support that goes in,” said Leo Schlueter, the district’s director of elementary education. “We have a really good process in place that provides that foundation at the district level to say, ‘You’re having challenges with a student, before we wait until it gets to the point that it has to go to a referral, let me have a behavioral specialist come in and work with the student, work with you and the classroom.’” Only K-6 students are eligible for the program. If a student is referred, they will attend classes at either Fulton (K-Grade 2) or Shumway (Grades 3-6) elementary schools. They will be put on a behavior support plan, study in a small group and receive positive reinforce-

This chart shows the number of students in Chandler Uniﬁed’s Opportunity Program, which school officials point to as a sign of success because the numbers are so low. (Chandler Uniﬁed School District)

ment for up to 18 months. Schlueter said teachers are constantly advised not to wait until they reach the point where they have to refer a student. Of those students who are placed inside the program, about a third graduate out of it and are either returned to their original school or can choose to stay at either Fulton or Shumway. Another third can return to their origi-

nal classrooms, but are given additional behavioral support. The final third leaves the district altogether by their own choice and for a variety of reasons. “As to be expected, a little bit, as we come out of COVID, we saw the erratic routines, and the schedules, it played a little impact,” Schlueter said. Fulton Elementary Principal Dr. Shan-

non Hannon said she has six of the 13 students at her school. “One thing that I think that was, maybe, not mentioned that is very important to the program is the relationship that we build with the kids and families as they transition to a new school,” Hannon said. See

OPPORTUNITY on page 16

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Around Chandler Sun Lakes Republicans slate special speaker March 9

The Sun Lakes Republican Club will feature special guest speaker Jonathan T. Gilliam, author of Sheep No More: The Art of Awareness and Attack Survival, at 6:30 p.m. March 9 in the Navajo Room of the Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 S. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes. Also speaking will be two the U.S. Senate candidates, General Mick McGuire and Corporation Commissioner member Justin Olson. The public is invited. Gilliam is a former U.S. Navy Seal, federal air marshal, security contractor and FBI special agent. Currently, Gilliam is the chief marketing officer of ConnectZing Media, a partner at Campaign Strategy and Consulting and a network news contributor whop has made over 1,000 appearances on various news networks. Information: slgop.org or Mike Tennant at 262-880-4620.

Chandler Police targeting seat belt, child seat violations The Chandler Police Department Traffic Unit is in the middle of a two-week

t? o G ws Ne

seat belt education and enforcement campaign under the Occupation Protection Grant provided by the Arizona Governor’s Officer of Highway Safety. “This campaign will aim to reduce highway deaths and injuries resulting from individuals riding unrestrained or not properly restrained in motor vehicles. Seat belts and proper child restraint systems are effective ways to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes,” a department spokesman said. Child safety seat laws are primary offenses and law enforcement can solely stop a vehicle for this violation. Additionally, regular seat belt violations are enforceable as a secondary violation stop. “This enforcement campaign is designed to educate the public through high visibility and zero tolerance,” the spokesman added

Chandler Senior Expo returns on March 9

The Chandler Community Services' Recreation Division is bringing back the Senior Expoe at 9 a.m. March 9 at eturns to the Chandler Community Center, 125 E. Commonwealth Ave. with

60-plus exhibitors offering information on everything from healthcare and cool new products to financial planning and legal advice. Trevor Groth, event organizer, said the expo . “boasts a morning of health, wellness, recreation, and local resource information to help seniors design a happy, healthy and secure lifestyle.” For more information, call the Senior Center at 480-782-2720.

GM to expand its Price Road Corridor operations

General Motors announced it will hire several hundred more employees for its Arizona Information Technology Innovation Center this year. More than 1,000 people already work at the Price Road Corridor facility. It is one of four technology hubs the company has around the nation. The new hires are expected to be for software-based positions. GM opened the facility in Chandler in 2014.

New luxury apartments opening with 400 units

Zaterra Luxury Apartments hopes to open in March. It’s located near the corner of Arizona Avenue and Germann Road and has nearly 400 units. They range from one to three bedrooms.

City names new community services director

Chandler City Manager Josh Wright has selected John Sefton to oversee the city’s libraries, and parks and recreation facilities. As community services director, he will manage more than 60 parks and a dozen recreation and aquatics facilities as well as the library. Sefton was the community facilities manager for the City of Peoria since 2012.

City offers free tax preparation services

The City of Chandler and the Mesa United Way are teaming up to offer free tax preparation for residents who earned less than $58,000 last year. There are seven sites in Chandler where residents can get assistance. To make an appointment, visit chandleraz. gov/VITA or call 480-834-2122.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

A gathering of innovators The City of Chandler and Chandler Unified School District held their annual Innovation Fair Feb. 19, to inspire young people to consider career in science, technology, engineering, math and innovation. The Chandler Innovation Fair is part of the Arizona SciTech Festival and sponsors included Northrop Grumman, Intel, Waste Management and First Things First. 1) Leona Ho and Riley Mora get help with their eggshell planters from Rice Elementary School fourth grade teacher Lisa Romero, 2) Basha High School senior Taylar Cook sprinkles rocks into the hands of Allison Tran and Sanjana Tripuraneni that will become fluorescent under UV light. 3) Santan Elementary School fourth grade teacher Danica Schroeder shows 3-yearold Alena Brown how to play a keyboard made of bananas. 4) Decorated eggshells are used as planters.

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OPPORTUNITY

from page 12

She said she was part of the program about 10 years ago when it changed its name from TLC to Opportunity and said the difference now is night and day. Shumway Principal Dr. Korry Brenner

said one factor in the program’s success is that first meeting. “I want to underscore that relationship building that starts with that first transition meeting, and setting goals with their parents,” Brenner said. She said they make a big deal when one of the students is ready to grad-

uate out of the program. A couple of the students who graduated chose to remain at Shumway. Schleuter said they want to be pro-active at all 31 district elementary schools in identifying behavioral issues so that they can get to the point that the Opportunity Program is not needed.

“I do think that speaks volumes to the amount of support and the great things at each one of 31 sites are doing pro-actively in their K-6 setting to manage behavior, to develop positive peer-to-peer relationships, be pro-active in their roles before it gets to an Opportunity assignment.” SCAN FOR

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Chandler Uniﬁed dodges $54M budget bullet BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Chandler Unified School District dodged a $54 million budget bullet after the state Legislature waived the voterapproved constitutional cap on K-12 spending. The move, which is good for just the balance of this school year, will prevent cuts estimated at more than $1.1 billion between now and June 30, or about 16 percent of each school district’s current spending. That included a projected $54 million cut by CUSD. The Feb. 21 Senate vote just days before the March 1 deadline for lawmakers to act. The House had previously approved waiving the cap last week on a 45-14 margin; The Senate voted 23-6 to approve. The measure, now having gotten the necessary two-thirds vote of each chamber, takes effect immediately, as Gov. Doug Ducey gets no say in the matter and deflected all questions about what he thought of the move. Senate President Karen Fann, R-Prescott, chided unnamed individuals who “were basically bullying and threatening some of our members. “This is not acceptable,’’ she said. “This is not the way we do things here.’’ And Fann insisted, despite being just days ahead of the deadline, that it had always been the intention to act – and to get the necessary votes. “Our job is to make sure the kids

stay in school,’’ she continued. “They’ve lost enough education already by being withheld because of COVID and other things.’’ But while all 14 Senate Democrats voted for the measure, Fann was unable to corral the votes of just seven of the 16 Republicans. Six showed up to vote against it while Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Apache Junction, who already had said

Parents all of a sudden started recognizing what “ was being taught to their children,’’ he said. “And I don’t know what was more problematic: the fact that they weren’t in school or they were being taught. ’’

– Sen. Vince Leach

she was opposed, missed Monday’s vote. At issue is a 1980 voter-approved constitutional amendment which capped spending at then-current levels, with annual adjustments for inflation and student growth. The Arizona Constitution does allow lawmakers to approve waivers. And they have done that twice in the past. This year, the failure of lawmakers to exempt some other previously voterapproved K-12 spending from the cap, coupled with a decline in last year’s enrollment due to COVID, put the limit at more than $1.1 billion in excess of the budgets already approved by lawmakers. Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson, said he

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actually attempted to get a permanent fix for the cap two years ago. But that, he said, was sidelined by the COVID outbreak. Since then, he said, the political climate has changed, at least in part because parents had to deal with schools that closed during the pandemic. But that, Leach said, is not all. “Parents all of a sudden started recognizing what was being taught to

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their children,’’ he said. “And I don’t know what was more problematic: the fact that they weren’t in school or they were being taught.’’ Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, had her own similar objections to waiving the cap and allowing schools to spend the money. “They have injected our kids with fear and anxiety,’’ she said, accusing schools of politicizing COVID. But Ugenti-Rita said all schools want to talk about is the need for more money. “Money isn’t going to fix it because money’s not the problem,’’ she said. “We’re capitulating to educational extremists who are holding our kids hostage.”

Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, said his big concern is a still-pending lawsuit over the legality of Proposition 208. That 2020 voter-approved measure sought to impose a 3.5% surcharge on the taxable income of individuals above $250,000 to raise more than $800 million for K-12 education. Only thing is, the Arizona Supreme Court said the levy cannot be imposed if the revenues would cause the state to exceed the spending cap – the very same cap at issue here. So the justices sent the case to Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah to rule whether there was a legal way to raise and spend the money. Hannah has yet to rule. And Mesnard, who opposed Prop 208, said he feared that if lawmakers set a precedent this year. the judge would use that to conclude that shows it is possible to collect the additional revenues. What changed his mind, Mesnard said, was assurances that Monday’s vote dealt only with the spending cap for the current school year. The issue before Hannah is what happens in the 20222023 budget year. Fann, who is leaving the Senate at the end of this year, agreed that there needs to be something more permanent. “When this was set in 1980, we didn’t have Chrome tablets or whiteboards or any of the stuff we have now that teaches our kids,’’ Fann said. “We had school books and chalkboards and all kinds of things that didn’t cost near as much.’’

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PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN WARNING! Our clinic is taking every precaution and we follow strict CDC guidelines to ensure that our patients, clinic and staff are SAFE! Mesa, AZ — The most common method your doctor will recommend to treat your chronic pain and/or neuropathy is with prescription drugs that may temporarily reduce your symptoms. These drugs have names such as Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin, and are primarily antidepressant or anti-seizure drugs. These drugs may cause you to feel uncomfortable and have a variety of harmful side effects. Chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most debilitating balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet which causes the nerves to begin to degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow.

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treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined. 1) What is the underlying cause? 2) How much nerve damage has been sustained. NOTE: Once you have sustained 95% nerve loss, there is likely nothing that we can do for you. 3) How much treatment will your condition require? The treatment that is provided at Aspen Medical has three main goals.

The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. As long as you have not sustained at least 95% nerve damage there is hope! Aspen Medical will do a chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination to determine the extent of the nerve damage as a public service to you and/or your family and friends. This neuropathy/pain severity examination will consist of a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and a detailed analysis of the findings of your neuropathy.

1) Increase blood flow 2) Stimulate and increase small fiber nerves 3) Decrease brain-based pain

As you can see in Figure 2, as the blood vessels that surround the nerves become diseased they shrivel up which causes the nerves to not get the nutrients to continue to survive. When these nerves begin to “die” they cause you to have balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and many additional symptoms. The main problem is that your doctor has told you to just live with the problem or try the drugs which you don’t like taking because they make you feel uncomfortable. There is now a facility right here in Mesa that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects. (See the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article) In order to effectively

The treatment to increase blood flow, stimulate small nerve fibers and get you back to health is our new $50,000.00 SANEXAS UNIT! In addition, we use a stateof-the-art diagnostics like the TM Flow diagnostic unit to accurately determine the increase in blood flow and a small skin biopsy to accurately determine the increase in small nerve fibers! The Sanexas electric cell signaling system delivers energy to the affected area of your body at varying wavelengths, including both low-frequency and middlefrequency signals. It also uses amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) signaling. During a treatment session, the Sanexas system automatically changes to simultaneously deliver AM and FM electric cell signal energy. THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT SANEXAS IS COVERED BY MEDICARE AND MOST INSURANCE! Depending

Aspen Medical will be offering this chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination from now until March 31, 2022. Call 480-274-3157 to make an appointment to determine if your chronic pain and peripheral neuropathy can be successfully treated. Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this FREE consultation offer to the first 15 callers. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL Call 480-274-3157 … NOW! We are extremely busy and if your call goes to our voicemail, please leave a message and we will get back to you asap.

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NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

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WASHINGTON – Violent crime rates in Arizona rose faster and remained higher than the national rate in recent years, according to the latest data from the FBI. Violent crime – which includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault – rose 4.6% in the U.S. between 2019 and 2020, to a rate of 398.5 crimes per 100,000 people in 2020. The rate in Arizona climbed 8.6% to 484.8 per 100,000 in the same period, according to data from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer. To address that surge, lawmakers on Wednesday called for action on a bipartisan bill that would allocate $100 million a year for the next decade to support police agencies and increase assistance to victims and their families, which Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Sedona, called a “step in the right direction.” “We cannot afford to disinvest, we have to continue to invest in our officers in our society,” said O’Halleran, a former Chicago police officer. “Because when we invest in training, and support of our officers, we invest in the community and the safety of those within our community.” O’Halleran joined other House members and representatives of police organizations on Capitol Hill to push for the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods ACT, which aims to improve clearance rates for homicides and other shootings. The VICTIM Act would require the Justice Department to administer a grant program for local police agencies that would allow departments to hire and retain police officers – particularly homicide detectives – provide training and equipment. It calls for officers to be trained to address the needs of victims and their families, and it requires sufficient funding and staffing for victim services, including relocation, counseling, funeral expenses, lost wages and more. Andy Edmiston, director of government affairs for the National Association of Police Organizations, said the funding is needed to help underfunded departments battle the surge in violent crime. “Homicide rates has jumped nearly

40%,” Edmiston said. “Police departments across the country are fighting to contain this increase in violent crime but they are understaffed, under-resourced and struggling to hire and retain good, qualified officers.” Sgt. Hector Encinas, spokesperson for the Tempe Police Department, said he is not familiar with specifics of the bill, but that “any type of support, financially or otherwise is good, it helps us do our job.” “What’s today’s issues may not be next year’s issues, but if there’s money and training available … we can respond much more effectively,” Encinas said. The FBI data has drawbacks: Not

When we talk to “ communities, particularly those in some of the most high-crime areas, they will say, ‘No, we don’t want to defund the police, we want to fund the police.

”

– Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla.

every police department in the country – or the state – provides information to the voluntary Uniform Crime Reporting system, and the FBI attempts to fill in blanks for those which do not. But the report has the advantage of building on decades of data from across the country. According to the FBI, the national rate of 398.5 violent crimes for every 100,000 Americans in 2020 was the most since 2010, when the rate stood at 404.5. Arizona’s 2020 rate of 484.8 violent crimes per 100,000 was the second-highest for the state in that decade, exceeded only by 2017’s rate of 505.7 crimes. 2020 was the last full year for which data are available from the FBI. The bipartisan bill has 30 co-sponsors, including O’Halleran and Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Phoenix. Its backers bristled when asked whether the bill clashes See

VIOLENT on page 23

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NEWS

HOUSING

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

from page 1

a situation where the vacancy rates for both single-family housing and for apartments are as low as they have ever been.” For the first decade, the Greater Phoenix area saw 487,000 new housing units while that number fell to 240,000 units in the second decade of this century. At the same time, 880,000 new residents will be moving here this decade. “Phoenix employment is growing rapidly not only as we re-employ people who were laid off during the pandemic but all the economic development agencies in the Valley have done an extremely good job and there are lot of very large manufacturers and home offices and the number of companies relocating here is essentially greater than I’ve ever seen,” Pollack said. “So, employment growth is going to be high and that’s going to bring a lot of new employees. Population growth will be just under 20 percent but that is close to 90,000 new people a year.” And, demographically the largest adult cohort worldwide is millennials, 27-32 years old, who are now in their prime home-buying age, Pollack said. “On top of that there is a lot of other pent-up demand,” Pollack said. “Oddly enough there are more people living with mommy and daddy who are 18-29 – literally more than any other time than the end of the Great Depression in 1940.

Economist Elliott Pollack and his team analyzed 11 Valley cities' average home prices and rents to show what groups of employees could afford in 2020 and 2021. Fewer groups could afford those average prices last year and Pollack said it will be worse this year. (Courtesy Elliott D. Pollack)

“Sooner or later their parents are going to kick them out of the house and they are going to have to basically create their own housing unit. That is even more demand on top of everything else.” The housing supply can’t keep up with the demand. “You are down to about a 23-day

supply,” Pollack said. “If any of you have friends or kids who are out buying a house, you know what it’s like. That is down from a 70-day supply normally.” And, if buyers are looking for a house priced $350,000 and lower, there’s only a 10-day supply, according to Pollack. “In addition, you know most homebuilders, when they build a subdivision have homes that people can move into right away,” he said. “Well, 18 months ago there were 1,600 of those. You are now down to 500 of those, so there is essentially very little supply.” He said shrinking affordability threatens to price once-secure wage earners priced out of homes and apartments. “They’ll buy less expensive smaller homes,” Pollack said. “At some point, they will have to stay in rental units and that keeps on going down. And then people on the bottom really have nowhere to go and that’s going to be a big issue.” He pointed out that in 2015, 73% of the families in the Phoenix area could afford a median-priced home. Today, that affordability has dropped to 51% and “it’s going to be somewhere at 45% by the end of this year.” That assumes average mortgage interest rates won’t rise above 3.5%. Affordability will shrink further still if the rate increases to 4%, Pollack said. He said based on data crunched out to 2025, less than 30% of people would be able to afford a median-price home. “That is something that Phoenix has never faced before because it has always been an affordable market relative to our competition,” he said. “Housing prices since 2000 has gone up roughly 188% in Phoenix.” For those renting, the apartment inventory also is low and becoming less affordable. “If you want to basically dig your way out of the hole, a shortage, to get vacancy rate in apartments back to the historic norm you need an additional 15,000 apartments on top of what you

need for your annual population flows,” Pollack said. “So, you’ll need probably about 16,000 apartment units for the next five years to get things back to normal.” Right now, there will probably be about 14,000 new apartment units opening this year, he said. “There’s more than that in the pipeline but we don’t have the labor to build them,” he added. “So, we’re behind the eight ball. We are not getting to the point we need to be at.” Area rents have shot up 29.5% over last year and single-family resales increased by 28.5%, according to Pollack. A person will need to earn $72,680 a year to afford a median-priced apartment rental by the end of 2025, Pollack predicted. “If you keep on getting these rapid rate increases because of the supply-demand imbalance, you are going to need $90,000,” he said. “It’s going to be a real problem.” And that leads to the question of where will the people needed to run a community live – nurses, cops, firefighters, teachers, chefs, the guy who works for Circle K, according to Pollack. He presented a chart that showed none of those groups of workers could even afford to buy a home in Gilbert in 2020 and those on a nursing or police salary could only afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment in town while firefighters, high-school teachers and chefs can only afford a one-bedroom apartment. The others such as middle-school and elementary-school teachers, construction workers and retail workers could afford neither in Gilbert. Move forward a year to 2021 and the picture is bleaker: only nurses and police officers able to afford to rent a two-bedroom and all the others priced out of living in Gilbert. “Your essential workers along with people coming in earning those salaries See

HOUSING on page 23

NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

HOUSING

from page 22

in other jobs and private-sector jobs are just going to have difficulties,” he said. “And this is a reality you are going to have to face over the next several years.” Pollack emphasized that in the current shortage, all types of housing in all price levels and all income levels are needed. “We are at the bottom of the norm of affordability at the moment,” Pollack said. “We’re about to fall off a cliff in terms of affordability. It becomes very difficult especially as interest rates go up. “There is not a group that is being spared difficulty right now. Obviously, it hurts worst at the bottom because you have fewer and fewer choices.” If housing stock remains low, Pollack said municipalities can expect to see families doubling up, millennials and Gen Z generations trying to live with their parents or face homelessness. “And, it’s a very bad economic-development picture because affordable housing is one of the things that’s

VIOLENT

from page 20

with the belief by some that Democrats are more interested in defunding the police than directing funds their way. “When we talk to communities, particularly those in some of the most high-crime areas, they will say, ‘No, we don’t want to defund the police, we

always made us a draw,” Pollack said. “There’s going to be upward pressure on wages and city budgets and slower growth for the economy as a whole – which means less real-income growth and that’s what bothers me most.” He reiterated what municipalities such as Gilbert could do to address the problem – build more housing units of all types across all ranges of income. “Normally you’d need 20,000 to 25,000 for-sale units and about 15,000 rental units, you’d need another 2,000 to 25,000 new home invent ory and you need some replacements,” he said. “But, basically we have to build in total to get out of this thing over the next five years almost 42,000 housing units a year that’s total housing units.” He said meeting that need is made more difficult with labor shortages and supply chain issues. “I know the Gilbert team makes every effort as shorthanded as they are to work with our developers and have encouraged higher density in commercial

areas,” Mayor Brigette Peterson said. “And we allow for accessory dwelling units and other factors.” She added that the Town a few years ago created a new zoning category called multifamily high to allow for additional height and density for multifamily projects. “We have seen multifamily developments coming to our community with about 5,000 multifamily units planned that are not yet developed,” she said. Vice Mayor Aimee Yentes asked how to frame the issue to residents in the community who don’t believe that it’s an issue. “How would you explain it in a way that makes them want to care and I say it like that because the other side of the coin is people have a motivation to protect the values of their home,” Yentes said. “And so they see kind of the ability to close as…a good thing.” Housing developments and especially apartment projects in town often attract opponents who complain about density, traffic and potential impact to

their property values. It’s a difficult situation because those people who are anti growth make a lot of noise, Pollack responded. “The question is are there people on the other end who don’t make noise who will now start to make noise to help you understand that most people don’t want their city to have reduced levels of real income,” he said. “They want jobs, they want places for their kids to live and you are not going to get any of that unless you do some things that maybe in a perfect world you would not do but the world is not prefect. "The reality is not everybody is up here in income and even those people are going to be living down here because it’s so expensive for a house that they used to afford and if you wait for the trouble to occur, if you wait for the homelessness, if you wait for companies not locating here because housing was too expensive that time it’s too late. Take a look at California.”

want to fund the police,’” said Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., and lead sponsor of the bill. “We don’t want to see less police, we want to see more police.” That was echoed by Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., who said that if “you take a survey among the Democratic Congress members, most people are not saying defund the police.” The bill has not moved since being

introduced in October and assigned to the Judiciary Committee. But Demings said she is confident, as the bill’s sponsors are “laser-focused” on getting it passed. “This bill has bipartisan support and you better believe we’re going to work with leadership and everybody that we can to get this bill … signed into law,” she said.

O’Halleran said he is optimistic, even though the bill is not an “end-fix” to Arizona’s increasing violent crime rate. “Our citizens need to be protected. Our officers need to be protected,” he said. “That goes with training, picking out the right officers, making sure we have follow-through and the investment in our society that this Congress should be doing.”

NEWS

CITY OF CHANDLER INSIDER

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Chandler Family Bike Ride returns in-person BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

April is Valley Bike Month, and all throughout the region, valley cities celebrate. Can there be a better place to enjoy moderate temperatures, beautiful scenery, and friends and neighbors bonding and sharing their great cycling experiences in our community? Chandler began its Bike Month celebration 14 years ago with its annual Chandler Family Bike Ride. It has gone through some changes over the years, especially during the pandemic, but planners are excited for the 2022 event. This year riders can join an in-person group ride April 9 that will kick off a week-long event from April 9-17. Nancy Jackson works in the city Transportation Policy Division as a transportation planning coordinator and looks forward to helping organize and plan the Family Bike Ride. “I have a background in recreation,” she says, “so it’s fun to put together an event that is personal to me, where people can really have fun and I can put my own spin on it.” The past two years, the event was virtual with participants riding on their own at least once during the virtual event and logging on to social media to share their fun photos and posts. This year’s event will be a combination of both, a group ride and event on April 9, as well as an option to ride on your own from April 9-17.

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$3Family AduBike ltsRides that they have attended Left: The Oakeson family members wear an assortment of t-shirts from a handful of the previously. Right: Nancy Jackson is a transportation planning coordinator for the City of Chandler. (City of Chandler)

Jackson said, “We heard from people who liked the virtual option, especially those with large families. It’s not always easy to transport multiple bicycles and riders to the in-person event, so they asked us to keep a virtual component so they can still participate closer to home.”

FREE to Children under 12 kyliown ne Hneighborhood S Studentsor park, grab Many people are also excited to see & Syour the in-person event return on April wityour h IDfamily and neighbors and ride anytime during the weeklong event, April 9. The event begins at 7:30 a.m., with

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Legislature moving to protect condo owners This, right here, takes existing housing, where “ people are living in it for sometimes a modest amount

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Led by a Chandler legislator, state lawmakers are moving to ensure that if you like your condo you can keep your condo. Without debate, the House recently voted to repeal laws that allow any investor who acquires 80% of the units in any condominium to then force the owners of the other 20% to sell. HB 2275 now requires a final roll-call vote before going to the Senate. At issue are longstanding laws that deal with the formation of condos. These are real estate development where areas are designated for individual ownership, with the balance considered common ownership. Those laws also set up procedures to dissolve condo agreements, including saying that can be done with the consent of at least 80% of the owners. There are provisions for appraisals of the units of those who do not want to sell as well as relocation costs. But Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler, said that still isn’t fair.

of money, and in a market that is going straight up, allows a developer, not from this state, from Chicago, from other places, to come into this state, and force these people to sell them their condos.

’’

– Rep. Jeff Weninger

What happens, he said, is developers come in, make offers that 80% of owners are willing to accept, and then find themselves in a position of being to force out everyone else. “I just think it’s a practice that should be eliminated completely,’’ Weninger said. And he said that anyone who cares about the lack of affordable housing would want to repeal what is now on the books. “This, right here, takes existing housing, where people are living in it for sometimes a modest amount of money, and in

a market that is going straight up, allows a developer, not from this state, from Chicago, from other places, to come into this state, and force these people to sell them their condos,’’ Weninger said. “And what do they do right away?’’ he continued. “They double the price.’’ The measure drew support from Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix. “When you buy a home, a condo, it’s yours,’’ she said. “It should be yours for as long as you choose to live there,’’ Longdon said.

“The idea that someone can see a bigger profit and come in and take it from you is ridiculous.’’ She said there have been real victims. “A woman with a significant disability bought her condo specifically because it was close to what was important to her,’’ Longdon said, things like shopping, transportation and her doctor. What happened, she said, is the value of the condo rose and a developer got the owners of other units to sell. “They tried to force her out,’’ Longdon said, offering her a lot less than she would have needed to take care of herself and her adult son. The only thing that saved her, she said, was negative publicity that forced the developer to back off. But Longdon said that this woman’s victory in this one case isn’t a real solution to the problem. “We shouldn’t be forcing people into poverty because a developer has found more profit in their unit than they do,’’ she said.

Crypto currency a challenge for mortgage lenders BY MARK SANDISON Guest Writer

With the rise in popularity of cryptocurrency investing and trading, many people have a significant portion of their wealth held in a cryptocurrency. While cryptocurrency presents exciting opportunities for investors to take advantage of a new technology and diversify their portfolio, this technology is so new that traditional financial institutions are mostly uncertain how to deal with these assets. Consequently, if you are wanting to apply for a mortgage and have a significant amount of your wealth held in cryptocurrencies or receive a significant portion of your income in the form of cryptocurrencies, qualifying for a mortgage can quickly become a tricky endeavor. The most common questions that people often ask who hold cryptocurrency and want to apply for a mortgage are: Can I pay my mortgage with crypto? Does crypto count as income? Can cryptocurrencies be counted in asset calculations as a basis for repayment obligations? While every lender can set their own guidelines, given the novelty of cryptocurrency and uncertainty of financial regulations surrounding cryptocurrency, so far virtually all major lenders will not accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment or consider it for mortgage qualification calculations. Fortunately, though, if you have a significant amount of your wealth or income in the form of cryptocurrency,

there are strategies that you can employ to use crypto wealth or income to help you qualify for a mortgage. Freddie Mac, one of the largest mortgage lenders in the US, recently released guidelines on how it will deal with cryptocurrency assets. The main points were: Income paid to the borrower in cryptocurrency may not be used to qualify for the mortgage; For income types that require evidence of sufficient remaining assets to establish likely continuance (e.g., retirement account distributions, trust income and dividend and interest income, etc.), those assets may not be in the form of cryptocurrency; Cryptocurrency may not be included in the calculation of assets as a basis for repayment of obligations; Monthly payments on debts secured by cryptocurrency must be included in the borrower’s debt payment-to-income ratio and are not subject to the Guide provisions regarding installment debts secured by financial assets; Cryptocurrency must be exchanged for U.S. dollars if it will be needed for the mortgage transaction (i.e., any funds required to be paid by the borrower and borrower reserves). United Wholesale Mortgage, the second largest lender in the U.S., recently decided against moving forward with its plan to accept Bitcoin as payment for mortgages. United Wholesale Mortgage said not only would they incur additional costs by accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment, but the regulatory uncertainties surrounding cryptocurrency and the lack of demand of customers wanting to pay in Bitcoin caused them to scrap the project.

Because of its constantly changing valuation, lenders are hesitant to consider crypto income when calculating your income. Additionally, unlike other securities such as stocks, lenders will not consider the valuation of your crypto holdings when determining your basis for repayment obligations, because of the volatile changes in valuation There is good news, though, if you store a significant amount of your wealth or receive a significant portion of your income in crypto. Fortunately, you can use your crypto wealth to help you qualify for a mortgage. The main reason that lenders don’t look at crypto is because it’s hard for them to gauge what it will be worth in the future. Because of this, you will

need to convert your crypto to cash in order to apply it towards mortgage qualification calculations. If you are primarily paid in crypto, this means you will likely need to regularly convert a certain amount into cash to satisfy the income requirements for the loan. If you are thinking about applying for a mortgage and hold a substantial amount of your wealth in cryptocurrencies and/or receive a substantial amount of your income in cryptocurrency, our real estate experts can help you qualify for the mortgage. Mark Sandison is with MacQueen & Gottlieb, one of Arizona’s top real estate law firms. They can be reached at 602-562-7218.

Ocotillo splendor

This 5m479-square-foot house in Ocotillo recently sold for $1.8 million. The four-bedroom, 3 ½-bath, two-story home was built in 2003 and includes a private guest wing with two additional bedrooms. It also boasted a number of upgrades in addition to a four-car garage, including hand-scraped wood floors, a spacious basement with custom-built entertainment area and a large “resort-like” backyard. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

REAL ESTATE

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Soaring lumber prices affect buyers and renters SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The price of a key building material is more unpredictable today than it has been since the end of World War II. And that should worry home buyers and renters alike. A recent analysis from the National Association of Home Builders examined the recent uptick in the cost of building materials, which climbed 1.5% in December per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overall increase was driven largely by the rising cost of lumber. The price of softwood lumber has increased nearly 45% since September, according to the data from the federal government. Other data suggests that the price mills are charging for lumber used to frame homes has tripled since August. Rising prices are one problem, but volatility is another. Over the course of the pandemic, lumber prices have fluctuated dramatically. Between 1947 and 2019, the monthly change in the price of softwood lumber averaged 0.3%. Since January 2020, though, it has averaged 12%. Not only is that the highest average monthly change over a two-year span since this data first started being

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collected in 1947, but it is nearly three times the previous record, according to the report. “The cost volatility you see in the construction space is in part responsible for some of the price gains in the overall housing market,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders That volatility is producing ripple effects throughout the housing market, which already is struggling due to the record-low inventory of homes for sale. “When you introduce the cost volatility that you see in major products like lumber, it just makes it that much more difficult for builders to expand their level of home construction, which in turn, reduces the available inventory in the market,” said Dietz. It’s difficult to undersell the importance of lumber to home builders. All told, 90% of the single-family homes built in this country are wood-framed, Dietz said. Comparatively, just 9% are concrete-framed, while the rest are steel-framed. “As goes the lumber industry, so goes pacing and pricing of single-family home-building,” Dietz said.

In the most direct sense, the volatility in lumber prices has contributed to the higher cost of newly-built homes. The median price on these homes was up 19% year-over-year as of November, the most recent month for which data is available. “Higher costs for lumber and other building materials are often passed on to the buyer in the form of higher new-home prices,” said Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist at First American Financial Corp. “The challenge for builders is how they deal with higher material costs, while keeping new house prices within reach for buyers, particularly in a rising-rate environment.” The uncertainty in material pricing has the most adverse effect on entry-level housing, Dietz said, because these buyers are more price-sensitive. And to a degree, the volatility could sway builders toward constructing higher-end homes, since the additional costs are more easily absorbed. Of course, lumber isn’t just used to build single-family homes. It’s also used to remodel existing homes and to frame individual apartments in multifamily buildings. So, to the extent that

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those activities are also slower or more expensive because of the availability and pricing of wood, it will have ripple effects into the rental market, too. The defining feature of today’s housing market, whether you’re a home buyer or a renter, is it’s hard to come by affordable options. It’s a reflection of how undersupplied the housing market is. According to Realtor.com, the nation is short some 5.2 million housing units. “This housing shortage results from the fact that we have seen more new households than new homes over the last decade, and even in the absence of supply-chain challenges and input-price volatility that shortage has stressed the housing market,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. Given how important home-building is in that context, anything that gets in the way of construction will have an outsized impact on households across the country. “Consumers in the market for a new home should be prepared to wait, and with price volatility and other challenges contributing to delays, the wait is likely to be longer than usual,” Hale said.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

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New coffee-wine spot opens in Ocotillo SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Bottle & Bean, a new coffee house and wine bar, opened last week in downtown Ocotillo. The restaurant, 2577 W. Queen Creek Road, was created by Spike Lawrence, a seasoned real estate developer with strong ties to the East Valley, as well Tom Kaufmann, a longtime restaurateur. The establishment serves a complete line-up of morning and evening offerings, including full breakfast and lunch menus, as well as a coffee bar featuring espresso beverages made with beans by the local roastery Infusion Bottle & Bean also features a vast line-up of beer and wine, including retail wine to-go and wine-centric merchandise and gifts. Bottle & Bean has a private dining space, as well as patio dining and an outdoor lawn. Lawrence of Spike Lawrence Ventures and Kaufmann are behind several successful restaurants in Ocotillo, including The Living Room, Rock Lobster, CHoP Chandler, and Sea & Smoke. “Bottle & Bean rounds out these establishments, offering the community a versatile place for a business meeting, social gathering, or a quick grab-and-go option,” a spokeswoman said. She added that “Kaufman’s love of wine and expertise as a certified sommelier was the impetus for adding

Bottle & Bean has opened for business in downtown Ocotillo. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

a wine bar and retail shop component to Bottle & Bean, which includes a climate-controlled wine room.” “At Bottle & Bean, we showcase a variety of wines from around the world, including many of my favorites,” Kaufman said. “For our bottle-to-go of-

ferings, we’re staying competitive with major retailers and passing along great value to wine enthusiasts.” Bottle & Bean is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., serving scratch-made breakfast and lunch menus created by Corporate Chef, Chris George. For

breakfast, guests can choose from a variety of sandwiches, burritos, avocado toasts, and cast-iron frittatas. A sampling includes a quinoa breakfast burrito ($9) with fire roasted corn, See

WINE on page 31

1st of 3 eateries opens in downtown Chandler BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Chris Field says he has a hard time saying no. That might explain why he’s on the verge of opening up three different restaurants in Downtown Chandler. The first, Recreo, just opened at 28. S. San Marcos Square. They hope to get the other two, The Uncommon and the Tipsy Egg, open within a month or so. Each has a different concept, one the owner says brings something new to the Downtown area. “I was down here in 2007-2009, … and really fell in love,” Field said or his previous job managing Murphy’s Law. “When we think about Arizona, and we think heritage, like when I bought a new house, I wanted an old house. I wanted something that had history, that you could touch, … you could ask questions and stories. “Finding truly unique things that have historical character, there’s only a handful of places in the state where you can do that,” Field said. “And Downtown Chandler is authentically, exactly that.” Recreo is a restaurant first with a recreation theme, but it does include a

Chris Field and PJ Baron of Recreo have opened Recreo, a new restaurant in downtown Chandler. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

bar. You can play ping pong, cornhole or even with a giant Connect Four game on the patio. The outside bar has swings patrons can sit on while sipping their drink. Recreo also offers live entertainment. The Tipsy Egg is a brunch place for

people who want to brunch on a day other than Saturday. And The Uncommon is a bar first that will also offer live entertainment as well as serve food. Recreo is on the west side of the square. The Uncommon and Tipsy Egg

are next to each other on the southeast corner of Boston and Arizona Avenue. The ownership group also owns another well-known Arizona restaurant, Tortilla Flats. PJ Baron, the bar director, said they came up with the theme for Recreo based off the menu by chef Jason Bray. He wanted to incorporate fresh herbs and fruits and vegetables, so the garden patio became a key element of the restaurant. They grow thyme and rosemary, as well as blood red oranges on the patio. “The bartenders every day come out and cut their own herbs, and they look forward to that,” Baron said. “It’s not a chore, it’s like there little Zen moment.” All four of their restaurants will be in buildings that are more than 100 years old. The restaurants have been three years in the making. The sign for Tipsy Egg says it was estabilished in 2019, which it was even though it has yet to open. The first issue the owners faced was the loss of one of their financial backers. When they finally got new backing, it was March 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic was shutting down the world. See

RECREO on page 33

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Couple eyeing infrared sauna studio in Chandler SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

It’s no secret that the pandemic posed nearly crushing hardship on local businesses while creating an opportunity for others. It did both for Gilbert residents Steve and Dodie Bell. Homing in on their 36th wedding anniversary, the Bells’ brand management company, called TAG MEDIA & INK for 27 years, took a major hit during the pandemic and they saw business shrink to a trickle. “Not only did we have no business for a week straight, once it was clear that COVID was here for a while, we started to have clients cancel orders that were already in production,” Steve recalled. “It was a scary time…we had weathered all of the other ups and downs of the economy but we knew this was different. We waited a bit before cutting staff along with every expense we could think of to save money but we were drowning in red ink.” The did more than survive the pandemic, however: they discovered a franchise opportunity they believe will appeal to people as the pandemic has made many become more health conscious. Last week, the Bells will be opening Perspire Sauna Studio at 4865 Higley Road, Gilbert – an infrared sauna studio that boasts its red-light therapy and infrared technology “combine to detox the body, burn calories, improve sleep, ease pain and more.” With plans to open five more saunas – including Chandler, Tempe and Ahwatukee – the Bells believe they’re on the ground floor of a promising business. Considering they had never been in a sauna before, they’re speaking from experience. When first introduced to the franchise about a year ago, Steve said, “We didn’t understand it and had never ‘saunaed’ before. We had to try the infrared sauna first to see if we liked it and felt we benefited from it. We tried it three more times and loved how we felt after each 40-minute session. “Neither of us sleep well. We go to bed tired and wake up tired but after each sauna session we slept through the night and woke up refreshed and

WINE

from page 30

black beans, tomato, and egg; beefsteak tomato toast ($14) topped with avocado smash, buffalo mozzarella and fried egg; or a southwest chicken sausage frittata ($14) with new potatoes, peppers, house bacon, and cheddar cheese. The lunch menu features a selection of salads, bowls and sandwiches, such as the roasted asian chicken salad ($18) tossed with Napa cabbage, bean

Perspire Sauna “ Studio offers various

health beneﬁts through infrared sauna therapy, but in addition to that, we are also all about giving guest’s the best experience possible, for every person that walks through the door, we will make sure that they are known, cared for and able to relax in an upscale, non-intimidating environment.

”

– Steve Bell

Gilbert residents Steve and Dodie Bell opened Perspire Sauna Studio in Gilbert but are eyeing a location in Chandler, convinced its infrared technology will appeal to health-conscious people. (Special to Santan Sun News

with energy for the day. Now our bodies crave the sauna. We feel like melting butter after each session yet refreshed.” “Perspire Sauna Studio offers various health benefits through infrared sauna therapy, but in addition to that, we are also all about giving guest’s the best experience possible,” said Steve. “For every person that walks through the door, we will make sure that they are known, cared for and able to relax in an upscale, non-intimidating environment.” That means, Dodie added, not only are patrons getting a chance to “boost their energy and immunity,” they’re

getting “a completely private oasis where one can ease muscle pain, detox, improve skin conditions, release toxins or relax while watching an episode on Netflix or Hulu.” There are nine private sauna rooms at Perspire with flat screen TVs and premium streaming channels. Sessions last 40 minutes and come with towels, including a eucalyptus towel to swipe down before redressing. And, Steve noted, “With Infrared heat, our bacteria cannot live in that heat so there is no stink or smell after your session with us.” Steve is encouraged by some early signs even before opening the doors.

sprouts, crispy wontons, and sesame shoyu dressing; the Veggie Bowl ($13) is filled with heirloom carrots, quinoa, goat cheese, spinach, and marinated cherry tomatoes; and the Steak Sandwich ($19) is layered with peppercorn seared flank steak, arugula, caramelized onion and garlic aioli. Evening hours can be extended to accommodate private parties up to 50 guests. Prix fixe dinner menus for $50, $70, and $90 per person are available for private dining functions and can

include such appetizers as mini crab cakes, Maine lobster agnolotti, Thai chicken satay, or a meat and cheese board. Entrées include grilled filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, tiger prawn shrimp scampi, slow cooked half chicken, or forty-eight hour short ribs. All dinners include non-alcoholic beverages and a chef’s selection of desserts. Custom menus can also be created. The space for Bottle & Bean underwent extensive renovations and “was designed to create a classically elegant

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He said he’s “surprised at how many people in our community are informed of the benefits of the infrared sauna” as well as the number of people asking him when he’s opening since “not everyone has the space for a dedicated sauna room in their home.” And he’s buoyed by the fact that medical professionals throughout the East Valley “want to refer their patients to us since our saunas and red-light therapy are medical grade.” Perspire accepts health savings account and flexible savings account cards. The parents of two children, the Bells will still be running their brand management business while their son Andrew, also a Gilbert resident, will be managing the studio. Perspire will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Currently, it is offering reduced-priced memberships at $119 a month for unlimited sessions and $49 a month for four sessions per month. Information: 480-596-4555 or southgilbert@perspiresaunastudio.com.

space with modern features,” the spokeswoman said. The 2,200 square foot space features indoor seating for 80, as well as outdoor dining for 50 people. An adjacent lawn offers comfy lounge seating and is a perfect spot for a customized picnic created by Bottle & Bean, complete with wine or bubbly, charcuterie boards and more. Information: bottle-bean.com or 480-265-9996.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Bird owners ﬂocking to this East Valley store BY MELODY BIRKETT Contributor

Canaries, finches, parakeets, budgies, conures, cockatiels, amazons, cockatoos, ringnecks and quakers are among the many breeds people will find the Arizona Bird Store. “We hand-raise babies,” said AZ Bird Store owner Debbie Schweikardt, who owned the former Cage World in Mesa for 19 years before moving to the current location near Dobson and Broadway roads in 2013. “When we get babies in, we run them through a panel of four different tests before we open them up to the public.” She said birds don’t breed in Arizona during the summer because it’s too hot with few food sources so she doesn’t have as many birds at the moment. “But this time of year, the birds know there are going to be fresh flowers and grasses and other food sources to feed their babies,” said Schweikardt, adding that no breeding is done at the store. For anyone who never has had a bird for a pet, Schweikardt said cockatiels are “super cuddly and super friendly. “They’re bred that way,” she added. “If they lay three eggs and three babies hatch, they’re only going to raise one baby. They’re going to let these other two go. They’re going to put all of their focus and attention on this one baby. So, innately, this is an animal that’s

AZ Bird Store owner Debbie Schweikardt poses Kaos, Indigo and Flower, all of whom are trained. (Melody Birkett/Contributor)

going to be very co-dependent – like an only child.” Scheikardt said she takes the babies out of their nest at four weeks and starts hand-feeding them, “getting them super-used to people.” Hand-feeding the babies socializ-

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es the birds and makes them more comfortable with humans, enabling an easier adjustment to a new home. For those who live in apartments, condos or townhouses, Schweikardt said canaries, finches, parakeets and budgies are suitable whole conures and amazons are very loud. “We also wouldn’t recommend a macaw or cockatiel for an apartment, although people do have them,” she said. “Some of the smaller birds can be pretty loud, too. Many times, they call out to each other. Most of the time birds are very active a half-hour before the sun comes up, a half-hour afterward and a half-hour before the sun goes down.”

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She advised that birds make great pets for kids. “They’re very forgiving. They’re very docile and passive. I’m sure every once in a while you’re going to get one that likes to bite and are a little unruly but when we raise little babies, they’re super sweet and have been handled ever since they were four weeks old.” Schweikardt recommends setting boundaries for handling the birds. “We recommend you handle them one hour a day because they’re clingy,” said Schweikardt. “Let’s say you’re talking on the phone, they know you’re talking but it’s not to them and they don’t like that. So they start making a lot of noise, banging their toys around. “The human will try to comfort them, rewarding the animal for acting out and throwing a tantrum. They’re smart. Do that one or two times, they realize they’re getting attention. We try to educate people. Don’t do it. Set some boundaries. You’re in control of this animal.” Owning a bird is relatively inexpensive in comparison to a dog. For little birds, a complete setup with a cage runs $100. Schweikardt said hand-fed parakeets start at $60 and hand-fed cockatiels at $200. Grooming every other month costs $15 but the store has a special: buy four sessions and get two free. “Food is much cheaper than dog food,” added Schweikardt. “The thing is to get good food. We sell it at the store. We don’t encourage people to buy their bird food at Walmart. “These are exotic animals. Some of their diets are going to be a little precise but we always want to give them a good feed with plenty of vitamins, plenty of minerals and plenty of amino

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

RECREO

from page 30

So, once again they lost investors. “Two days before [Gov. Doug] Ducey shut the state down, we had literally said, ‘Sign here, wire there,’” Field said. “We were like, ‘yeah, we did it!’ And then Ducey shuts the state down, and we call our business partners, and they were like, ‘No.’ Reasonable, very, very reasonable.” So they operation was put on hold again. Three weeks after Field and his wife took ownership of Tortilla Flats, it was damaged in a 100-year-flood event. That led to a major remodel of the restaurant that first opened as a stagecoach stop in 1904. “The place is falling apart, we had to do it,” Field said.

BIRDS

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acids. We always suggest feeding them fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes if you don’t do that early enough they won’t take to it later on.” She explained that manufacturers make pellets with grains, fruits, vegetables that have all of the necessary vitamins and minerals birds need. “We recommend that to be 80-percent of their diet and then 20-percent fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Schweikardt, who said it’s OK to feed birds things like French fries and tuna fish – “things you wouldn’t think to feed them but they might totally love.” Birds live a long time so getting one as a pet can sometimes be a life-long commitment. Macaws live 50-60 years, the lifespan for cockatiels is 20-25 years and finches/canaries generally last seven-nine years. A good diet contributes to a longer life. Compared to dogs and cats, Sch-

Swings serve as seating for the outdoor bar on the back patio at Recreo. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

weikardt said birds are lower maintenance but it depends on the owner. “The bigger the bird, the bigger the cage, the bigger the mess. But birds aren’t necessarily anything you have to take out as long as you have them in a cage and got everything they need and it’s big enough.” Employees at the store work with owners who must give up their birds by putting them on consignment. As far as grooming services, Schweikardt said, “We do the wings, trim the beak, microchipping, DNA testing because with a lot of birds, you can’t tell the difference between male and female.” “We recommend grooming every other month such as the wings…We change the shape of the wing so they won’t be able to fly on top of somebody’s house or a tree a half-mile away.” Clipping wings isn’t painful to the bird. “It’s not even like hair because hair is something that continually grows,” explained Schweikardt. “Feathers, when they grow, are basically dead after that.

There’s no blood supply. There are no nerve endings. Twice a year they molt.” She said some people want their birds to fly and not clip their wings but Schweikardt said it’s the equivalent of taking a dog that has never been trained to walk on a leash and letting them go. “It’s out of control. They’re just doing instinctively what they’re going to do,” adding that letting birds fly has resulted in a lot of them getting outside which can be dangerous. “Birds don’t like a lot of temperature changes,” Schweikardt said. “They don’t know how to fend for themselves. They can’t go from a warm temperature during the day to a cold temperature at night. “We also run a lost and found. Ever since this way of thinking started to happen, our lost team is just going crazy. Accidents happen. We totally get it. We understand.” Trimming nails is included in the grooming. “That’s usually what brings people in,” said Schweikardt. “It’s a necessary evil.”

“So I’m running four construction sites, and I’m a restaurant operator, … I pour beer for a living, these are very soft hands,” he said. That’s about $4 million in investments from his ownership group. One thing Field says he likes about running a restaurant and entertainment business in Downtown Chandler is that all of the businesses around the square are independent, and not part of some national chain. He said the owners meet and they genuinely work together so that all of them thrive, saying their businesses are different enough that they really aren’t in competition with one another. “The last 10 years of my operating history, this has been a hole,” Field said. “I miss it.” Information: recreoaz.com. When owners go out of town for a weekend, Schweikardt said to put out an extra bowl of water and food. But a trip lasting longer than a weekend, it’s best to have someone look after your bird or board it. “We offer boarding here,” said Schweikardt. “It’s minimal. $15 a day. Then bird owners feel confident if something were to happen, we’re going to know what to do. With birds, any exotic, if they’re sick, they don’t allow that to be known. “A lot of it is due to survival. In the wild, if you have a flock of birds and one or two are not looking good or feeling good, they’re a liability. They’re going to draw predators to this flock and potentially they get the whole flock sick. So, they’re killed off. They spend an enormous amount of time pretending they’re fine by eating, etc. People who know exotic animals know how to look for warning signs.” Information: azbirdstore.com, 480833-4001.

Popular cream puff bakery opens in Gilbert SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A popular cream puff bakery that has been a global hit has opened its second Arizona location in Gilbert. Beard Papa opened Feb. 26 at 2196 E. Williams Field Road and if its Scottsdale location’s experience is any indication, customers can expect a lot of company looking for the tasty treats. Beard Papa started in 1999 in the small town of Osaka, Japan, where bakery owner Yuji Hirota got that nickname because of his fluffy white beard. But it was his fluffy cream puffs that became a hit and today, there are more than 400 Beard Papa locations in 15 countries. He perfected the art of his pastries by making a double layered puff–choux on the inside, and pie crust on the outside. Then, he proceeded to make the perfect filling, made with a mixture of whipped and vanilla custard cream. Beard Papa’s stores still use the recipe to this day, along with a ton of new recipes. Yasmin Rahimi, who owns the pain management clinics BackFit Health + Spine, was looking for something to do in her “free time.” She is into nutrition and thought, maybe, a boutique yoga or

Yasmin Rahimi and Jeet Mukherjee own a Beard Papa’s bakery in Scottsdale and are now opening their second Arizona location in San Tan Village. (File photo)

fitness studio would work. Different concepts and ideas were presented to Rahimi, but she decided on Beard Papa’s after she and business partner, Jeet Mukherjee, crunched the numbers. The fresh and natural cream puffs chain, founded in Osaka, Japan, in

1999, has grown to 400 locations in 15 countries and territories, while gaining global recognition for their light and airy cream product. “The cream puffs are far from your traditional frozen puff found in the freezer aisle. The recipe is simply addictive. I’ve never met anyone who has tried Beard Papa’s who doesn’t crave it again the days following,” said Tucker Kaufman, a marketing representative for the franchise. The Japanese dessert chain specializes in creating customizable cream puffs in one of six shells like regular, chocolate, green tea, and then one of eight cream fillings, such as chocolate, mango and ice cream. “We have six shells,” he said. “You pick the shells you like and inject them with the different fillings. The common one is the original shell with no frosting and fill it with vanilla custard. Over here, in Arizona, the chocolate and strawberry are popular.” Rahimi added, “People can eat more than one cream puff. The dough is really light. It’s not a typical American dessert. Most people who are dessert connoisseurs, they know this is the best. They know the product isn’t going to be overly sweet.” The menu does, however, extend

beyond just puff pastries with offerings such as chocolate fondant and an exclusive blended drinks menu. Rahimi and Mukherjee have seen up to one-and-a-half-hour lines at their shop. Guests were given chairs to sit outside of their Scottsdale bakery waiting to try the desserts. Lines aren’t that long anymore, they said, but “there is a steady flow during the nice weather months.” As for why they picked Gilbert for their second locale, that’s a no-brainer, they said. “We wanted a family friendly spot that serves the East Valley in a centrally located spot,” they said. “Beard Papa’s has a cult following,” Mukherjee told a reporter after the opened in Scottsdale. “We’re the first Beard Papa’s in Arizona. We have California transplants who are here locally now. They’ve been waiting for this brand to come here.” The cream puffs and custard are made in-house, said Mukherjee, who is a data analyst. “The two ovens in the back are always going,” he said. “Whatever we bake today, we sell today. We bake fresh the next day. Nothing stays overnight.” Information: beardpapas.com.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler Sports Hall of Fame celebrates latest induction class BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

N’Keal Harry’s favorite memory from his time at Chandler High School came in the 2014 state championship game at State Farm Stadium. Knowing the Wolves had the game secured, he stood on his team’s bench with quarterback Bryce Perkins and athlete Chase Lucas. The trio faced the crowd in their Nos. 1, 2 and 3 jerseys and raised their hands in the air. The crowd erupted in the stands. Chandler’s players erupted on the field moments later when the championship was officially theirs. Moments like that made Harry an icon in Chandler and the state. What he went on to do after that cemented his legacy as one of the state’s greats, despite his young age. Another chapter in his legacy was written on Saturday, Feb. 19 at Hamilton High School as the 24-year-old joined six others — Dr. Camille Casteel, Valley Christian’s Greg Haagsma, Hamilton tennis coach Phil Gonzales, Hamilton alum Cole Luke, Perry and Findlay Prep basketball standout Markus Howard and Basha softball great Sierra Rodriguez as the 17th class to be inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame. “Just all the hard work I’ve put in throughout the years – all the blood,

From top left: N’Keal Harry, Mark Tucker, Phil Gonzales, Greg Haagsma, Camille Casteel and Sierra Rodriguez were all part of the 17th induction class or special recognition to the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame Saturday, Feb. 19 at Hamilton High School. Cole Luke and Markus Howard were also inducted. (Dave Minton/Staff)

sweat and tears – to see it all come to fruition, it’s a blessing,” Harry said. “It’s an indescribable feeling.” Harry’s legacy began at Chandler as a junior, where he caught 30 passes for 657 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a senior he was ranked as the top wideout in the country and enrolled at Arizona State. He is currently in the top four alltime for receptions, yards and touchdowns at ASU. He was named a fresh-

man All-American and a three-time All-Pac12 performer. Harry declared for the NFL Draft after his junior year at ASU and was selected in the first round in 2019 by the New England Patriots. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder had always dreamed of not only representing his family, but Chandler and Arizona State. He’s done that well and added another chapter to his legacy by being inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame.

“Being in a setting like this, I’m getting inducted with some of the guys I grew up with,” Harry said. “It takes you back and it really lets you remember what it took to get to this point.” Harry and Luke were the two football players inducted into the Hall of Fame this class. Luke, who was a standout cornerback at Hamilton, helped lead the Huskies to the 2012 state title. He received several high caliber offers from programs and decided on the University of Notre Dame. In his career for the Irish, Luke became top three alltime in single season passes broken up with 11. He also ranks in the top 10 for most career pass break ups. Drafted in 2017, he signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers and made his NFL debut two years later. He also spent time with the Washington Football Team in his career. Luke and Howard were the two not able to be in attendance for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Howard attended Perry before transferring to Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, where he became a top recruit in basketball. He went on to star at Marquette and was a two-time All-American, set the school’s all-time career scoring record with 2,761 points and averaged a staggering 27.8 points See

HALLOFFAME on page 36

Chandler Raiders win second consecutive flag national title BY DREW SCHOTT Contributing Writer

When the Chandler Raiders arrived in Las Vegas, Caleb Ely and Trey Knox felt like they and their teammates would be lifting a trophy after the NFL Flag National Championships. Since Dec. 2016, the Raiders — led by head coach Harley Ely and assistant coach Percy Knox, the fathers of Caleb and Trey — had numerous reasons to back up the prediction. They have succeeded on multiple levels of flag football by building a team of players similar in age across multiple seasons. They have the pedigree of winning big games, earning a title at the 12-and-under level in the 2020 NFL Flag National Championship game. “I just felt that we had a connection and some of the other teams didn’t,” Trey Knox said. “I just felt like we had this in the bag.” But there was a more nostalgic reason, as well. Harley Ely said the tournament was “probably the end of our flag football run” due to players moving on to high school and aging out. So the Raiders made sure to make a lasting memory in what was likely their final game together, winning the 2022 See

RAIDERS on page 37

From left: Percy Knox, Carter Ochoa, Caleb Ely, Ryder Rapp, Gage Baker, Jayden Giacinto, Dylan Quick, Dash Blake, Trey Knox, Alphonso Gloria, Jack Lewis and coach Harley Ely are all part of the Raiders football program that claimed the 14U national championship this season. (Photo courtesy Harley Ely)

SPORTS & RECREATION

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Casteel wrestlers take home state title BY REECE ANDREWS Contributing Writer

Wrestlers from across the East Valley came to play last weekend at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, as 81 finished as state placers – including 12 first-place winners – expanding across all four divisions from boys and girls. The East Valley nearly doubled their first-place medals from two years ago with big performances in the heavier weight classes in Division I. Had it not been for Sunnyside’s dominance across Division I, taking home eight of 14 possible titles, there could’ve been more success on the East Valley’s side. Division II was dominated by Casteel, earning four golds to go along with its 12 placers. Head coach Bob Callison was extremely proud of his team and explained Casteel’s unique situation. “This group is special because Casteel High School is a seventh through twelfth grade school and I’ve had these seniors since I’ve been there,” Callison said. “I’ve been there six years and so we’ve built this from the ground up. They are the base of our program and I’m really proud of all of their effort and all they’ve put into it.” It was the second straight year Casteel’s boys took home the team title. Desert Ridge and Desert Vista came in third and fourth, respectively in Division I. American Leadership Acad-

Casteel’s wrestling program once again captured the Division II state wrestling team championship last weekend at Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. (Courtesy Chandler Uniﬁed School District)

emy – Gilbert North placed third in Division III. On the girls’ side, Westwood placed second overall with Casteel third. Hamilton, which represented Chandler alongside Casteel, placed fourth in girls thanks to Trinity Howard’s win at 120 pounds. There were no East Valley gold winners in Division III and Seton Catholic Prep’s Lucas Eviston was the only state

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placer in Division IV. He won gold at 132 pounds. Where the East Valley lacked in Division III titles, the girls picked up the slack by taking home five gold medals. Overall, East Valley girl wrestlers accounted for 19 medals. Wrestling is an extreme and physically demanding sport, which makes it all the better when a wrestler ends

his or her high school career as a state champion. For Westwood senior Taliyah Armstrong, it was exactly that. “It just feels like I deserve it,” Armstrong said. “For all the hard work that I put in and for the four years I’ve been wrestling. I feel like I deserve it and it See

WRESTLING on page 38

SPORTS & RECREATION

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Top: N’Keal Harry, a standout wide receiver for Chandler, Arizona State and now the New England Patriots was presented a plaque from Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke and Chandler Museum representative John Vincent for being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Bottom: Sierra Rodriguez, a standout softball player for Basha, Arizona State and the Mexican National Team, said it was an honor to be inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame alongside other great athletes, coaches and Dr. Camille Casteel. (Dave Minton/Staff)

HALLOFFAME

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

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per game as a senior. Howard went undrafted in 2020 but signed with the Denver Nuggets, where he has played for two seasons. Just like his older brother Jordan in 2019, he’s now part of the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame. “When I’m watching basketball, softball or football and they said things like, ‘N’Keal Harry, Chandler, Ariz.,’ it’s just tremendous,” Casteel said. “I’m so glad they are successful and I enjoy every minute of it.” Casteel admitted she was in shock when she was told she would be part of this year’s induction class. She was never an athlete and preferred watching and supporting them rather than joining them in play. But she was and still is an icon in Chandler. And under her direction, schools in the district won 94 state championships. She officially retired as superintendent in 2020 following a 25-year stint in the position and 59 overall in the district, where she began as a teacher. Yet she can still be found on a sideline for several district sporting events. “All of those young students and athletes, what they have accomplished is remarkable,” Casteel said. “It was such a wonderful run and I still enjoy attending the games.” Casteel said she remembers vividly

the accomplishments of Gonzales, who was inducted alongside her last week. He got his start in the district a decade after Casteel, when he was hired to lead the Chandler tennis program in the 1980s. When Hamilton opened in 1998, he moved down Arizona Avenue to build that program from the ground up. He did it with success. Under his direction, Hamilton has competed for two state championships and has been in the semifinals five times. He also coached back-toback doubles champions. Gonzales announced this year would be his last as a coach. Just like Gonzales, Haagsma has also built an impressive resume as a coach at Valley Christian. He began his work at the school coaching girls basketball and baseball. He transitioned to boys basketball and has since become one of the winningest coaches in the state with more than 650 wins under his belt. He’s led the Trojans to six state titles and two runner-up finishes. He also serves as the school’s athletic director and in 2021 was named the 3A Athletic Director of the Year. Valley Christian is currently the top seed in the 3A playoffs and the favorite to win it all, which would give Haagsma his seventh title as coach. Winning a state title is special for any See

HALLOFFAME on page 37

SPORTS & RECREATION

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

RAIDERS

from page 34

14-and-under NFL Flag National Championship 13-12 over the Apex Predators at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. “It was just a great way to go out and reward these boys for all the hard work and preparation they put in,” Harley Ely said. “It’s just great to go out on top.” According to Percy Knox’s calculations, the Raiders — who won back-toback national championships — have been one of the country’s most dominant teams in flag football. Across the last 10 national tournaments, the Raiders have either won the event or lost to its champion, giving the squad a 95 percent rate of making it to the tournament semifinals or farther. This success can be linked to how the Raiders developed their players. For example, when the program

HALLOFFAME

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coach or athlete. For Rodriguez, it is still her favorite from her time at Basha. The standout softball player led the Bears to back-to-back titles in 2008-09 before leading Yavapai and Phoenix College to junior college national championships in back-to-back years. While at PC, she batted .535, which is still top

was at 12-and-under status, Harley Ely and Percy Knox led numerous 11-and12-year-olds so the program would have the veteran experience necessary for a championship chase when the 2019 regionals rolled around. It paid off in 2020 when the Raiders became the first flag football team from the East Valley since 2013 to win the NFL Flag National Championship. “Looking back, it’s amazing what we’ve done,” Percy Knox said. Ahead of the Pro Bowl, the Raiders played in three tournaments. They won the first, a local event called the Hard Count Turkey Bowl, before finishing as runner-ups in the Southwest Showdown a week later to Elite 25. However, the loss didn’t deter the Raiders, who beat Elite 25 in the regional tournament before winning the regional championship to book a trip to Las Vegas. In Nevada, the team would have an

advantage they hadn’t had since the start of the campaign: a full roster playing together. “We had two kids that couldn’t play with us at the regional,” Percy Knox said. “So we went into it with eight (players) and won with eight, and then those two, once they were done with what they were doing, they were able to then come in and practice with us. Literally, our first time together was on (Feb. 4) in the pool play.” The 10 players would lead the Raiders to a 2-1 record in pool play, enough for a berth in the 12-team single-elimination championship tournament. Knocking off New England Flag Football 26-12 and Metro Select — a team the Raiders played last season — 6-0 earned a championship clash with Apex Predators, based out of the Las Vegas Valley. It also gave the Raiders a significant upgrade in their playing environment,

from fields at Heritage Park to Allegiant Stadium, one of the NFL’s newest stadiums with a price tag of $1.9 billion and a seating capacity of 65,000 people. “It’s not every day that you get to go to the Pro Bowl and play in Allegiant Stadium,” Caleb Ely said. But Feb. 6 was one of those days. And it ended in triumph for the Raiders, whose celebratory activities included taking a picture with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. The players also walked through the AFC and NFC’s locker rooms and saw numerous players warming up for the Pro Bowl. Next season will likely be the Raiders’ first operating as a seven-on-seven club organization. Yet no one plans on forgetting the team’s storied run as a flag football squad anytime soon. “We were very successful,” Trey Knox said. “It was great to be able to go through all this and win as much as we did.”

five all-time in program history. Rodriguez went on to star at Arizona State before joining the Mexican National Team and led them to their first Olympic appearance in 2021. She’s accomplished many feats but still vividly remembers the two state titles and representing her hometown on softball’s biggest stage. “It’s amazing to see your name not only in the spotlight but to say, ‘I’m

from Chandler, Ariz.,’” Rodriguez said. “I enjoy representing the city and everyone that comes from it.” The ceremony also honored all six of Valley Christian’s championship basketball teams and Kerry Croswhite, the beloved Chandler swim coach who passed away in 2020 due to complications with COVID-19. Mark Tucker, a former All-American at USC who played in the NFL and has

been a longtime assistant coach at Hamilton and Phoenix firefighter, was also honored. Yet again the event put all the talent Chandler has in its past on display, with many more to come. “It’s an honor to look back at everything I have accomplished and what all of us have,” Rodriguez said. “And there’s no better place to be honored like this than in Chandler.”

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WRESTLING

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from page 35

feels good.” In the state championships, all four divisions and the girls wrestled at the same time at their respective weight classes. So when it came time for the heavyweights (285 pounds), it should have been no different. Except it was. Divisions II through IV and the girls had all concluded their matches by the time Hamilton’s Jonathan Lozano and Desert Ridge’s Nathaniel Meza hit their second period. So, all eyes were on them. “I was thinking, ‘don’t mess up,’” said Lozano. The crowd was silent. Move after move, an eruption. A late escape from Meza brought the match 4-3 with a Lozano advantage but he was hit with a stalling call in the dying second making it 4-4 and sending the match into overtime. “I remembered last season when he (Meza) beat me in the quarterfinals almost in the exact same way as I just won,” said Lozano. Time kept ticking and no moves were hit. Both wrestlers were extremely nervous. One slip up and that could be it. Lozano took advantage.

Hamilton’s Trinity Howard captured gold in her weight class at the state meet, representing the East Valley and Chandler with a slew of other female wrestlers. (Reece Andrews/Contributor)

He slipped by a move from Meza and spun behind for two. The crowd exploded, “TWO!” That was it.

Screams, flexes, thrown headgear, a few griddys and sobs of joy had happened all night, but something was

special about Lozano’s scream into the crowd. He had done it. He ended the night and his high school career atop the wrestling mountain. It was an emotional night all around for the winners, losers and fans. But one last thing to highlight was Arizona wrestling losing one of the most prestigious head coaches in the past 32 years in Mesa’s head coach David DiDomenico. He won seven state titles and was a four-time Arizona Coach of the Year. He was named the 2008 East Valley Tribune Coach of the Year and won 292 career dual meets. He received a huge hug from each of his wrestlers after their seven placements and a moment of honor where he left his clipboard in the middle of the mat and walked off one last time. It was a special moment for all to see, and a perfect way to cap off the 2021-22 season. And it was exactly what DiDomenico had expected in January when thinking about his final state championship meet. Now, he gets to enjoy what he said are his “five Bs.” “Baseball, books, beach, my babe, my wife Pauline, and beverages,” DiDomenico said. “I’m pleased we’ve been able to achieve success.”

Have an interesting sports story? Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.

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Legislature outdoes its usual nonsensical self with sex ed BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Columnist

When I was a kid, the fastest way to get me to read a book was to tell me it was too mature for my young eyes. I passed many nights sneaking peeks at my mom’s Harold Robbins novels to find the sexy parts. And there wasn’t a kid in my middle school who couldn’t recite by heart from Page 85 of Judy Blume’s teen lit classic, “Forever.” You know, the page where Michael introduces Katharine to his manhood, which he has inexplicably named … Ralph. Speaking of members, this brings us to the Arizona Legislature, which may have done more to encourage teen reading than any governmental body in America. Last year, it passed House Bill 2035, a racy little number that made Arizona the fifth state in America to mandate parents opt-in to sex education for their kids. Had the measure stopped

there, I would have been okay with it, but this being our Legislature – where common sense is not so common – they had to go just a bit further. HB 2035 also requires school governing boards to “adopt procedures to notify parents in advance and provide them the opportunity to withdraw their children from any instruction or presentations regarding sexuality” – even outside sex ed class. Which brings us to one local school district’s strenuous efforts to warn parents – about, among other things, kids cooking chicken breasts. Times Media reporter Ken Sain detailed The Great Poultry Alert last week. To comply with the state edict, the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board in December passed a new opt-in policy concerning materials that might be deemed sexual. Sain quoted Chandler High teacher Caroline Sheridan, who last week told the Governing Board: “I teach English and I teach criminal justice,” she explained. “Somehow

I found out I need permission slips before I can teach, “Of Mice and Men,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Othello,” “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I can’t teach about Emmett Till without a permission slip. Of course, this makes no sense.” In January, the Permission Slip Police also sent home an opt-in form to parents of cooking students learning to prepare chicken breasts. District spokesman Terry Locke told Sain this was “a misinterpretation of the legislative statute” which “was corrected and did not apply to the context or content.” Thank goodness the curriculum didn’t include a recipe for sticky buns. Of course, the Legislature is hardly done with the issue. This new session has seen a number of sex education bills, including a measure to change the opt-in requirement back to an opt-out requirement. There’s a bill that will require a parent’s written permission before a student can participate in “any school student group or club involving sexuality, gender or gender identity.” And

there’s a bill – no doubt dead on arrival – that not only would make sex ed an opt-out class, but would also allow teachers to “discuss populations that historically have been more vulnerable to sexual abuse and assault, such as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community and the disability community.” Finally, there’s a bill that would forbid educators, restaurant workers and grocery store employees from “referring to certain foodstuffs and edible materials using language that may be construed to convey a sexual connotation.” Among the terms set to be joining “chicken breasts” as no longer be permissible, as spelled out in statute? Chicken “breasts.” Pork “butt.” Hot dog “buns.” The phrase “finger foods.” And Denny’s has been put on notice that diners will no longer be allowed to order the “Moons Over My Hammy.” Okay, I made that last bill up. But with this group of elected geniuses, it absolutely could have been real. They’re just that … nuts.

Black-owned businesses need your support BY KEASHA BEACH Guest Writer

Black History Month gives Arizonans an avenue to celebrate and pay tribute to Black culture while simultaneously supporting the Black community. Historically, our community has been disproportionately impacted economically and socially. Although we continue to face challenges, we are resilient and support one another. Following the start of the pandemic and the social justice movement that arose after the murder of George Floyd in the summer of 2020, I founded BASE Arizona to urge the community at-large to support our local Black-owned businesses that were facing unprecedented financial challenges. The idea was born out of my participation in several online Facebook groups, including Buy Black Arizona and Black Moms of Arizona. Through social media, the black community was able to organize and connect, espe-

cially during a time when we all felt so distant. Our goal is to create a welcoming, inclusive, supportive and shareable platform for the Black community and other members to connect, collaborate and ultimately prosper together here in Arizona. At first, we launched BASE Arizona to create a way for Black-owned restaurants to connect and collaborate since they were the first businesses forced to close their doors early in the pandemic. What started with just four Blackowned restaurants/food trucks and a social media presence of about 300 followers has now grown to more than 40 Black-owned businesses, including food service as well as retail businesses, in just 18 months. And we now have more than 4,800 combined followers on our social media pages. By focusing on digital marketing, our monthly outdoor Food Truck Fridays, held the last Friday of every month at Founding Fathers Kitchen in Chandler, have continued to grow. With an ad spend of only $30 on Instagram, we’re

able to reach approximately 3,600 local community members and share info on our events. The pandemic exposed just how many Black-owned businesses rely on in-person interactions when many of them were forced to close. Black businesses experienced the most acute decline of active business owners, with a 41% drop. And to worsen matters, the government aid program meant to keep small businesses afloat — the Paycheck Protection Program — only reached 29% of Black-owned business applicants, compared with 60% of white ones. Although these numbers are stark, with the community’s support and investment in Black-owned businesses, we believe the alliance we created is helping East Valley-based, Black-owned businesses recover and keep their doors open. And in addition to that critical goal, we’re also promoting inclusivity and empowerment, all while raising awareness about Black issues. This past summer, we saw our community rally in support of the first-ever June-

teenth celebration in Chandler. Earlier this month we were honored to present a Black History Month series of events to celebrate the contributions and history of the Black community along with our partners the City of Chandler, Chandler4Change, Chandler Men of Action and South Chandler Self-Help. When Black-owned businesses succeed, our community as a whole succeeds. We strongly urge East Valley residents to shop or utilize services provided by our local Black-owned businesses or share their favorite Blackowned business with us on social media @BASEArizona. By uniting together we can ensure that our Black-owned businesses are able to survive and keep their doors open long past this pandemic.

Keasha Beach is an East Valley-based small business owner and founder of BASE Arizona (Black Alliance and Social Empowerment), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Black-owned businesses and voices.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Slams Mesnard for making petitions more difficult

Arizona state legislators take an oath to abide by the Constitution of the United States and that of the state of Arizona. Evidently State Sen. J.D. Mesnard of Chandler does not take that oath seriously. Arizonans have the constitutional right to petition our legislature when we would like to put

something on the ballot for the people to vote on. Over the last few years there has been an effort in our legislature to make initiatives, recalls and referendums much more difficult. Mesnard has been the leader in taking away our rights by making it even harder to gather signatures on these petitions. He seems to have something against democracy.

As an individual with a disability the right for citizens to petition the government is a safeguard meant to ensure that all citizens can have their voices heard. Making it more difficult to petition our government will harm many communities that are directly affected by what the state government does and does not do. As a constituent of J.D. Mesnard, I’m

saddened that he would rather create more bureaucratic red tape than allow his constituents to be able to create an Arizona that works better for them. Call Mesnard and tell him you are against his efforts to end the rights of Arizona voters to petition our government. And in the next election, vote him out of office. -Cody Newcomb

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler alum basks in Super Bowl glory awards we play for but when you start a season you sit down and assess how close you are to winning a Super Bowl. “And for us to do it and when you grab the trophy you realize that you accomplished something a lot of people didn’t in their lifetime. It’s surreal.” Perkins’ journey to becoming a Super Bowl champion is one that was met head on by bouts with adversity. It started when he first stepped foot at Chandler as a freshman. His older brother, Paul, played running back for the Wolves. He eventually went on to UCLA and played in the NFL. With Paul there ahead of him, Perkins knew there was one ultimate goal every year for the Chandler football

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

It took nearly an hour for Los Angeles Rams players to get into the locker room after Super Bowl LVI. Many players stayed on the field to celebrate with family. Once they did get in the locker room, more celebrating took place as the Vince Lombardi Trophy was passed around. When it got to Rams third-string quarterback Bryce Perkins, all he could do was stare and take it all in. Getting a chance to hold that trophy had been a dream of his for as long as he can remember. Now, the Chandler High alum, who accomplished many feats while playing for the Wolves, can call himself a Super Bowl champion. “It was such an amazing experience,” Perkins said. “Everyone was dancing around and celebrating. When I first grabbed (the trophy), I just thought about how hard people work for this moment. There’s a lot of individual

Los Angeles Rams third-string quarterback Bryce Perkins celebrate alongside teammates after their Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Feb. 13. The Chandler High alum, who suffered bouts with adversity throughout his football career, turned his dream into a reality becoming a Super Bowl champion. (Courtesy Bryce Perkins Instagram)

program: beat Hamilton. Chandler lost 17 straight games to the Huskies. But when Perkins was handed the reigns, things changed. Alongside the likes of former Chandler, Arizona State and current New England Patriot wideout N’Keal Harry and future NFL defensive back Chase Lucas, Perkins led the Wolves to a breakthrough victory over Hamilton in 2013. They went on to face the Huskies in the postseason and lost. But the next year after beating Hamilton again in the regular season, Perkins led Chandler to its first title since 1949. That was the start of the dynasty and run of state titles that just recently came to end this past season. Garretson to this day still credits Perkins for helping change the culture of the program and build it into the powerhouse it is now. “He was the one who led the way,” Garretson said. “Teams had no answer for him, and he made things look easy. See

PERKINS on page 42

Chandler native serves aboard floating airport BY PATRICIA RODRIGUEZ Guest Writer

NORFOLK, Va. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Fuller, a native of Chandler, serves the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s largest warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. Fuller joined the Navy 17 years ago. Today, Fuller serves in aviation maintenance administration. “When I was 20, 9/11 happened. I come from a Native American background, and we feel a duty to serve our country when it’s been attacked,” said Fuller. “Two of my cousins and one of my best friends joined the Marines and I went Navy.” Growing up in Chandler, Fuller attended Dobson High School and graduated in 2000. Today, Fuller relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Chandler to succeed in the military. “Knowing that things will go wrong, they will change and you have to learn to adapt and overcome is what I learned from my hometown,” said Fuller. “Nothing goes as planned and it’s okay.” These lessons have helped Fuller while serving in the Navy. Aircraft carriers provide unique capabilities and survivability. They are a powerful exhibition of the American Navy’s legacy of innovation, technological evolution, and maritime dominance, according to Navy officials. USS Gerald R. Ford represents the first major design investment in aircraft carriers since the 1960s. The ship is engineered to support new technologies and a modern air wing essential to deterring and defeating near-peer

Left: Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Fuller, a native of Chandler, serves the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s largest warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. (U.S. Navy) Right: The USS Gerald R. Ford represents the first major design investment in aircraft carriers since the 1960s. The ship is engineered to support new technologies and a modern air wing essential to deterring and defeating near-peer adversaries in a complex maritime environment. (Courtesy U.S. Navy)

adversaries in a complex maritime environment. Ford delivers a significant increase in sortie generation rate, approximately three times more electrical generation capacity, and a $4 billion reduction in total life-cycle cost per ship, when compared to a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Once deployed, the Ford-class will serve as the centerpiece of strike group operations through the 21st century, supporting a host of evolving national strategic objectives. When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 70 attack fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from

and land from a state-of-the-art Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. With nearly 5,000 Sailors serving aboard, Ford is a self-contained mobile airport. Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. Carrier strike groups have the unique advantage of mobility, making them far more strategically advantageous than fixed-site bases. No other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility, and the combat capability of its

air wing. “I could not be more proud of our sailors; this crew displayed a phenomenal amount of resiliency and proficiency during each phase of our operational development,” said Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, Ford’s commanding officer. “ Since USS Langley’s commissioning 100 years ago, the nation’s aircraft carriers, such as Ford, and embarked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide. See

SAILOR on page 41

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

SAILOR

from page 40

Gerald R. Ford represents a generational leap in the aircraft carrier’s capacity to project power on a global scale. “The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy’s centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring maritime presence and influence,” said Rear Arm. James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive Officer (PEO) Aircraft Carriers. “These ships touch every part of our Navy’s mission to project power, ensure sea control, and deter our adversaries.” Serving in the Navy means Fuller is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy. “The Navy is a technical branch of the military, they are not just combat

oriented,” said Fuller. “We are able to carry out missions important to humanity and our planet. We touch land, sea, and space.” With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent

Fuller and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service. “My proudest moment wasn’t an award, medal or coin,” said Fuller. “It

When I was 20, 9/11 happened. I come from a “ Native American background, and we feel a duty to serve our country when it’s been attacked. ”

– Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Fuller

of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

was an invitation to eat in the chief’s mess. During a deployment on USS Lincoln, we had an aircraft that was down due to a malfunctioning window wiper. It didn’t have a part number or a cage, so it was almost impossible to find the book with the schematics to fix it.

“After hours of searching, I found the book of schematics and gave it to the maintainers. It wasn’t until later that I found out there was a very sick chief on board and this aircraft was their only mode of transportation to get better medical care. The chief’s later thanked me for my unrelenting efforts by inviting me to eat with them in the mess. It was great.” As Fuller and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy. “Serving in the Navy means being part of a family,” added Fuller. “It’s being able to defend civilians that we will never know. It’s to take care of the guy on your right and your left and learn leadership so one day we can return to civilian life and become better Americans.” (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Rodriguez is part of the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach)

Walk for autoimmune disease will be virtual SANTAN SUN NEWS

The Sjögren’s Foundation has scheduled a virtual walk at 10:45 a.m. March 12. “I have been a Sjogren’s patient since 2004,” said Maira Davis of Chandler. “I am particularly excited about this year’s event, since people can participate from the comfort of their own home. You can join in an educational Zoom

meeting and/or go out and walk right in your own neighborhood.” Sjögren’s is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the entire body. It is the second most common autoimmune rheumatic disease, affecting as many as 4 million Americans, with upwards of 74,000 people in Arizona alone. Davis said hundreds of Sjögren’s patients, family members, friends, caregiv-

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ers, health care professionals and walk enthusiasts will “gather” virtually for the Southwest Walk for Sjögren’s. The opening ceremony over Zoom will be led by foundation Chairwoman Janet Church. The event features prizes and an “Ask the Doctor” panel of local health care experts who will be on hand to answer questions about the disease. Details can be found at Events.

Sjogrens.org/SWWalk. The Southwest Walk for Sjögren’s is part of a national fundraising program designed to raise awareness and crucial funds to support Sjögren’s research, patient support and education. Donations will be accepted online at Events. Sjogrens.org/SWWalk

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from page 40

He made things look effortless. All of the great NFL players, when you go back and look at what they did in high school, that’s exactly what they do. Bryce took the lead and led us over a hump we couldn’t get over.” Perkins earned a scholarship offer to Arizona State after passing for 5,332 yards, rushing for 1,609 and scoring 97 total touchdowns in his high school career. He redshirted his freshman year for the Sun Devils. While figuring to be in a three-way battle for the starting quarterback position the next season, tragedy struck. Perkins collided with then-Sun Devil safety Deion Guinard. He immediately felt pain in his neck and scans revealed he fractured the C4 and C5 vertebrae. Surgery to fix the injury would have almost certainly ended his career. He chose to get a second opinion and let the injury heal. For months he was unable to lift his hands above his head, and he had to wear a neck brace that limited his mobility altogether. But it healed, and he was given a chance to play football again. But after being asked to change positions, he took a chance on himself and enrolled at Arizona Western College in Yuma. “You truly get to know more about yourself when adversity hits you,” Perkins said. “Everything I’ve done in my life was on purpose and was a big factor into who I am today. All of those experiences, everything I went through, was necessary for me to become the

Bryce Perkins, who led the Chandler Wolves to their first-ever win over rival Hamilton in 2013 and first state title since 1949 as a senior in 2014, went on to ASU where he suffered a broken neck in his second season. He healed, went on to Arizona Western then to Virginia and the NFL, never giving up on his dream. (File Photo)

player people see today. I’m grateful for all of it.” Perkins led the Matadors to the junior college national championship game where they fell short to East Mississippi. He caught the eye of many Division I coaches. But one stood out to him: the University of Virginia. He went on to break school records for the Cavaliers, passing for 3,603 yards and 34 touchdowns in his first season. He followed it up with 3,540 passing yards, 769 rushing and had 33 total touchdowns. He led the Cavaliers

to the ACC title game along the way, further proving doubters wrong. “When people outside of our family didn’t have faith in his ability, he had faith in himself,” Perkins’ father Bruce, who played in the NFL, said. “We knew what type of player, what type of quarterback he is. He’s got the Super Bowl ring now. “It’s really cool to see him considering the path and journey he’s been on.” Perkins declared for the NFL Draft after his second season at Virginia. He went undrafted but was signed by the

Rams as free agent shortly after. All he needed was a chance, and he got it. He opened the eyes of the coaching staff during preseason games and made the Rams’ official roster. He learned from the quarterbacks in front of him, including Matthew Stafford, who he said gave him a wealth of knowledge and how to further understand the game. All of that led to the moment on the night of Feb. 13 in the Rams locker room at SoFi Stadium, where he had the Vince Lombardi trophy in his hands as he posed for pictures. It was something he had dreamed about and despite the adversity that stood in his way, he made it a reality. “I’ve always believed that if your faith and what you believe in is stronger than the doubt, there’s nothing you can’t do,” Perkins said. “I think the only time people’s words and opinions effect you and the outcome of your dream and what you want to do is when you hold any truth to what they’re saying. But if you keep a mindset to what you want and hold that close to your heart, it doesn’t matter what anybody else says.” Perkins credited his current and former coaches, as well as his family, for what he was able to accomplish. They are a close-knit bunch that always put the goals they wanted to accomplish in front of them. For Perkins, that was to win a national championship in youth football, See

PERKINS on page 43

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

Tracy Phillips named Rotary Educator of the Month SANTAN SUN NEWS

The Rotary Cub of Sun Lakes recently named Tracy Phillips, a 7th grade science teacher at Santan Junior High School, its February 2022 Teacher of the Month. The monthly teacher awards are sponsored jointly by Rotary Club of Sun Lakes, Trust Bank and Earnhardt Auto Centers. Meanwhile, the Sun Lakes club began collaborating with Classy Closets to build out and install cabinetry in designated rooms in select Chandler Unified School District schools. The installation of the cabinetry helps the schools to organize storage of supplies, such as, backpacks, uniforms, water, food, snacks, laptops, and other supplies that have been donated/purchased for students and/or families in need. Often, the schools do not have adequate and/or organized storage options for such supplies. A few years ago, Sun Lakes Rotarians did their first “build out” at Hamilton High and since then has completed similar projects at San Marcos and Humphrey elementary schools, Anderson Junior High and Chandler High. “The RCSL extends its gratitude to Classy Closets for sponsoring the installation work, while Club funds the labor and materials,” club spokeswoman Dr. Honora Norton said. Not long after finishing high school, Phillips enlisted in the Navy as a chemist for the nuclear reactors and then earned a chemical engineering degree at Arizona State University. He worked in the chemical coatings and semiconductor industries as both a process engineer and a senior level engineering manager. Teaching became a second career choice and Phillips believes junior high school is a transitional period for kids and encourages kids to take responsibility for their own actions by helping them to gain their independence, learn a positive work ethic and grow into responsible adults. In a statement from Sun Lakes Rotary Club Vice President Maureen Alger, Nelson said he provides engaging lessons with real-world application and draws on his engineering and naval

PERKINS

from page 42

a state title in high school and even more in college and the NFL. He accomplished nearly all those goals, even when told by outsiders he couldn’t. He and his Rams teammates were sized for their championship rings the day after their win over the Bengals. When he gets it, he won’t look at it as his personal accomplishment. It will be

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experience to add relevance to the content. “He is passionate about his subject matter and the students he teaches,” Norton said. “He truly enjoys teaching and is always willing to do the extras for the benefit of his students.” This year Phillips began teaching a pilot honors science course to provide further opportunities for students wanting to accelerate in this area. He established the Santan Junior High Mountain Biking Club, which has grown to over 25 members, including a few special needs students. He is a former competitive cyclist shares his love for the sport. Norton said his classroom “looks like a bike shop with students congregating and discussing the ins and outs of the sport. He spends his time not only after school but also on the weekends taking his students to bike trails all over the Valley. “He has recruited numerous parent volunteers who share his passion for the sport. Tracy has even taken it a step further and helped establish mountain bike clubs at neighboring high schools to ensure his students leaving Santan will have the same opportunity during their high school years.” Norton called Nelson “the epitome of a dedicated educator who always says ‘yes’ when asked to do something for the benefit of students. Information: sunlakesrotary.com.

for everyone who helped him get to that point and supported him, including his parents and older brother. “This is all of us. There’s no me without them,” Perkins said. “They’re happy for me and I’m glad they were there to be a part of it. My father and brother came down to the field after the game. It was amazing to have those guys there. They have been with me through everything.”

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HD SOUTH starting annual Art of Quilting show BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor

HD SOUTH, the Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum, will be unveiling its 17th annual Art of Quilting show March 1. Running through May 30, the show will focus on 25 framed center/medallion quilts from the American Quilt Study Group. Medallion quilts are exceptionally beautiful and of high quality and Kathy Lester, quilt bee volunteer, calls them “works of art.” “They are all amazing and there are no simple ones. They are all very ornate and spectacular,” she said. In addition to the 25 quilts from the traveling show, there will be 75 others, some owned by the members of the quilting bee and many on loan from the community. About 12 quilts are for sale and one red-and-white vintage quilt will be raffled. Framed center/medallion quilts feature a central focus motif surrounded by a series of one or more borders designed to complement and accentuate it and achieve a balanced, formal effect. Those borders may be pieced, appliqued, quilted, embroidered or done with other techniques. The style was most prominent from the late 18th to the early 19th centuries, said Jill Meszaros, current Quilt Study chair and traveling exhibit coordinator of the

American Quilt Study Group. The exhibition quilts were made by 25 members of the group as part of its biennial quilt study on the history of the style. The study challenges members to learn the history of a quilt by selecting one of a specified design, style or time, and then making a small replica or interpretation of it. In an artist statement, participants examine what they learned and evaluate influences on the original quiltmaker’s life, style and technique. Those studied ranged from the very early 19th century to the first half of the 20th century. Among the ones on display are Pamela Roberts Lindsey’s circa 1800 quilt, “The Bird Cage,” that uses some of the chintz palampores found in England in the early days of the medallion style; Leah Zieber’s “Solstice Supernova,” an English mosaic medallion made from hundreds of tiny hexagon fabrics; and Joan Duncan’s “Amelia’s Legacy,” a circa-1820 quilt made by cutting out chintz fabric motifs and appliqueing them to create the center design. “I love the diversity of the quilts in the exhibit and the time frame they represent,” Meszaros said. “I also like how some of the quilts push our initial thoughts on how and what a medallion style quilt should look like.” HD SOUTH quilting bee volunteers have been creating quilts to augment

the traveling show. One of Lester’s quilts features triangles, called “flying geese,” which she machine-quilted, rather than sewed by hand, to save time. Another one, a center medallion with a simple design, highlights fabric pictures of snowmen offset by polar bears. She completed it with Minky fabric that added a luxurious softness and heaviness to the product. Bev Zabkiewicz hand-quilted a medallion highlighting a lace doily at the center and surrounding it with other shapes. The museum’s old-fashioned quilting bee has been in existence since 2002. Volunteers complete unfinished quilt tops for the public with all proceeds going to the nonprofit HD South. They charge $7 per foot to fasten the quilt tops to inner batting and backing and complete the quilt. Orders come from across the country and typically there’s a waiting list. The quilters can complete up to 20 quilts a year. Before the pandemic, they used to work diligently three days a week. During the past two years, however, it had dwindled to just one day a week, but now, they have resumed their normal schedule. “We came no matter what,” Lester said. “It’s therapeutic.” The bee had 20 members previously,

but has lost about six due to the pandemic as well. “We’re always looking for new people,” Lester said. Newcomers of any skill level are welcome to join. They can be assured of assistance to develop sewing skills, a calm environment in which to work and camaraderie. Phyllis Starner is working on completing one such quilt, a large one for which the owner paid $400. She plans to finish it in about three months. “A grandmother probably made it in the 40s or 50s,” Lester noted, adding that it has to be completed by hand because of its antiquity. Starner, who comes in three days a week and has been a member for three years, loves her craft. “It’s just relaxing to just sit in total quiet and just push the needle up and down and move the quilt as you go,” she said. “Once you get a row done, then we roll it in.” “It’s relaxing and productive at the same time,” Lester added. Museum admission is required for one-time access to the quilt exhibit, running from March 1 to May 30. Admission is $6 adult; $5 senior, (ages 60 plus); $3 youth, (ages 5-12). Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Details: 480-926-1577 or hdsouth.org.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Phoenix Scottish Games a feast for the senses BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

For 56 years, thousands of people each March have gathered at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix to celebrate their Scottish Heritage. But starting Friday afternoon, March 4, men in kilts, men and women tossing boulders and stirring marching bands will dominate the landscape of Gilbert Regional Park as the Phoenix Scottish Games come to town for the weekend. Guys like Ian Lundy and Kevin Conquest can’t wait. Lundy spent the first 60 years of his life in Scotland before moving to Chandler, where he set up a business called Scottish Genealogy that works primarily with Americans eager to trace their Scottish roots. Kevin Conquest of Mesa was born and raised in America with Scottish roots on his mother’s side – confessing, “I’m mostly English, but as I like to tell people in the Scottish circles, nobody’s perfect.” Both men have big roles in the games. Lundy will be holed up in the genealogy tent with other professionals

Kevin Conquest, pipe major for the Mesa Caledonian Band, will be leading the Twilight Tattoo that will open the Phoenix Scottish Games. (YouTube)

helping visitors trace their Scottish roots. Conquest will be gloriously attired in his black-feather bonnet, tartan kilt, ornate waistcoat with assorted buckles and badges as he leads bands in a heart-stopping march to the tune of bagpipes and drums. The games standmay be the largest non-town sponsored event yet at the 272-acre park.

And they will use a good chunk of that real estate as Lundy and Conquest promise a bigger, bolder and more engaging simultaneous series of competitions, entertainment acts and other activities that will more than make up for the loss of the 2021 games to COVID “I do like the park,” said Conquest, the drum major of the Mesa Caledonia Pipe Band. “The layout is more agree-

able to Scottish Highland Games. So, the format that you’re going to see on the field would look very similar to how the Scottish Highland Games will be laid out in Scotland that take place on track-and-field-type arenas, indoor-outdoor tracks and outdoor field. We’re able to lay it out very similar to that. “Another big draw to Gilbert this year was the amphitheater stage that they have at the park, which was a huge win for the entertainment. The sound on that stage is so impressive, having already done a couple of test runs. It’s just amazing. It was an absolute win for us. It’s also a different part of town, so we stand to open up to a new demographic.” Not Scottish? No worries, they stressed. Most everyone and anyone will find something to enjoy. “It’s almost like you’re being immersed in all things Scottish,” Lundy said. “People everywhere are wearing kilts. People are playing the bagpipes. People are dancing. People are competing in various different events. Scottish music is blaring from different clans.” Added Conquest: “A fantastic show See

SCOTTISH on page 48

Longtime Chandler benefactor’s photos on display BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor

Chandler resident Robert J.C. Rice, whose name is on the city’s latest elementary school, is known for his volunteerism but not so much for his photography. Until now. Rice exhibits his work in a show titled “Essence of a Photographer— Fifty Years of Images by Robert Rice” through March 19 at Art Intersection, 207 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. Six bodies of work are shown, comprising more than 100 pieces, mostly monochrome. “This represents 50 years of taking pictures and trying to find something that is meaningful and that meant something to me and hopefully meant something to someone else,” Rice said. His creativity can be seen in the diverse range of images – from simple daily life to beautiful, striking landscapes as well as portraits commemorating personal events and relationships. “Roberts’ photography shows us not only his imagination and heart, but the successful transition between the abstract and reality,” said Alan Fitzgerald, owner of Art Intersection. Rice expresses his life’s journey with his work on show. “From the memorialized images

Robert J.C. Rice of Chandler presents 50-years of his photography at Art Intersection in Gilbert. (Srianthi Perera/SanTan Sun News Contributor)

of Roz, his close college friend, to his heartfelt poetry from Alone After Midnight, then his majestic portfolio, The Field, about the cycle of life, and enticing collections of travel and landscape photographs, and finally, his Opus 99 portfolio of still life, architecture, and landscape images, we feel Robert in every stage and chapter” wrote Fitzgerald. Rice, who has lived in Chandler since 1980, was a U.S. Air Force officer and

a senior manager of manufacturing at Intel. He has been an active volunteer: at the board of the Chandler Unified School District and the Valley of the Sun YMCA, at the Rotary Club and Read on Chandler, among others. In 2020, Chandler Unified School District’s Robert J. C. Rice Elementary was named for him – an honor he called “very humbling.” He also served on the school board for 16 years and devel-

oped long-range plans and goals that helped transform the district. Rice grew up in Jackson, Ohio and has dabbled in photography since high school. He used a Polaroid Swinger camera at first and bought a more sophisticated one when in college. In the mid-1970s, he moved to Arizona and set up a dark room in his walk-in closet at home. He moved to Chandler to work for Intel, which he did for 23 years. There wasn’t too much time for photography during that period, but after retirement in 2001, he took it up again extensively. He also traveled, and the color photographs in the show were taken during trips in Iceland, Morocco, Italy and Ireland, among other countries. “Mainly, I like to photograph the things that are of interesting design, still life that has a nice kind of elegant design or flow to it,” he said. One particular horizontal image of a piazza in Venice catches the eye because he captured it in five separate images together. A software program helped stitch them together, align digitally and balance the final version. “It is a 180-degree picture. Optically, it does not look quite like that, but that’s what it is,” he said, adding “A few pictures come out of the camera that See

RICE on page 50

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Dust Bowl exhibition to open at Chandler Museum through an archway of giant metal flowers, or snap a selfie next to a mural that radiates color. What do these diverse creations have in common? Since 1983, Chandler has developed innovative, sustainable ways to fund and acquire artworks that are relevant to neighborhoods and accessible to everyone. Peter Bugg, city visual arts coordinator, will discuss the city’s program. Guarantee a seat at: eventbrite. com/e/history-bites-community-and-creativity-a-history-of-public-art-in-chandler-tickets-239492236727

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Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler is offering a variety of free programs next month as well as a new exhibit. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Mondays. Information: 480-7822717 or chandlermuseum.org.Exhibits “Picturing Home: Dust Bowl Migrants in Chandler” is the new exhibit, running March 8- August 13, portrays the influx of Dust Bowl migrants into Chandler in the late 1930s. Government photographers Dorothea Lange and Russell Lee documented unique stories showing these migrants and their dwellings, which were often temporary. This exhibition is a history of Dust Bowl Chandler through unique black and white photographs. It examines what home looked like and makes connections between 1930s Chandler and Chandler today. It includes themes of housing, migration, agriculture, technology, self-sufficiency, and empathy. People are welcomed to stop by March 12 and March 13 for hands-on activities inspired by this exhibition. Explore cameras, create a story using photographs, and make your own milk bottle label. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 12, the musical duo Side by Side will perform. Public Objects: Artwork from the City’s Permanent Collection through March 27.

Government photographers shot photos of Dust Bowl migrants in Chandler in the 1930s and their work is on display at Chandler Museum. (Courtesy of Chandler Museum)

Since the public art ordinance was established in 1983, the City of Chandler has steadily collected or commissioned artwork from local, regional, and national artists. While many people have seen the monuments, murals, and sculptures on public view throughout Chandler, this exhibition aims to highlight the gallery pieces the city has acquired

through the years. From paintings and photography to ceramics and quilts, the City’s collection is as diverse as its population. Programs Noon-12:30 March 1: A History of Public Art in Chandler When you’re out and about in Chandler you might spy a utility box adorned with cactus wrens and quail, walk

11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 19: Games of the Dust Bowl Era What did kids play with during the dust bowl era? Purchased or homemade, this selection will highlight the history of the 1930s. Bring your family and toy with classic games and toys. Brush up on the classics or explore something new! Each month features a different set of games and toys. Outdoor games and activities will be available in the courtyard weather permitting. 10:30-11:15 a.m. March 2 and 16: Cotton From sprout to boll, spring in as we uncover what has been taking root in Chandler. Flourish with cotton farming themed sensory bins and crafts. These 45-minute programs are led See

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Left: Men and women compete in “heavy athletics competition” at the Scottish Games March 5-6, hurling large rocks and engaging in tug of war and other feats of strength. (Phoenix Scottish Games) Right: The games also include plenty of dance contests and performances as well as a variety of musical acts. (Facebook)

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starts off Friday night, also on Saturday and Sunda. You have nonstop entertainment going on all day. …But also you have athletic competitions going on. On the northwest side of the field will be the Highland dancing. People who come to the games, they certainly won’t be bored. there will be something from the minute the gates open to the gate close, and there’s plenty to see and do there. “I think we have about seven differ-

ent entertainment acts this year happening on the stage in addition to the five-minute drumming competition on the stage, so that’s going to be pretty exciting.” For the first time in the Phoenix Scottish Games’ history, a 90-minute “Twilight Tattoo” concert will open the weekend on Friday night. In this case, we’re not talking about ink on skin. A tattoo concert is a tradition dating back to Europe in the 17th century, when Dutch innkeepers would shout, “doe den tap toe” or “turn off the taps” to alert soldiers on

leave that it was time to return to their barracks. Over time, that phrase was shortened to “tap toe” and anglicized to “tattoo.” “As the centuries moved on, the tradition evolved into a what is now an evening pageant of music and marching,” said games spokesman Darryl Toupkin. “These entertaining shows can be found in countries all over the world with the Scots perhaps having perfected the artform.” Gates will open March 4 at 5 p.m. with Celtic folk music by The Noble

McCoys, followed by Traveler with Scott Jeffers taking the audience through a tour of world music. At 7 p.m., Tattoo Drum Major Conquest will strike up The 103rd Arizona Regimental Band, The Los Angeles Fifes & Drums, The Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band, vocalist Erica Lue and the Twilight Tattoo Highland Dancers for a 90-minute show. Over the following two days, guests can wander among the tents each of the 30 Scottish clans will have set up. See

SCOTTISH on page 50

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SCOTTISH

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Or they can watch spectacular tests of strength in the Caber Toss, Sheaf Toss, Hammer Throw and “Putting the Stone” with male and female competitors of all ages from across North America. Along with interactive displays, the event hosts the Highland Dance Championship and the Desert Southwest Pipe Band Championship. Then there are performances of traditional folk and bluegrass music with roots in the lowlands and highlands, plus The Wicked Tinkers, Stoney Bank and Christopher Yates in one of the

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are just perfect. Any photographer is going to do something to enhance or highlight the area they want to.” Is there a reason why he stuck so long with photography? “It’s just one of the things that resonate with me from a creative end,” he said. “I like to look at pictures and when

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by our friendly educators who compare everyday items, then and now. With new themes each month, program participants will begin together with a central topic and then break off into family groups to engage in several activity stations. Geared toward ages 3-5.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 27, 2022

many Four Peaks beer gardens located throughout the festival. The Celtic Village will offer more than 30 merchants with clothing, music instruments, jewelry, baked goods and other traditional culinary treats such as traditional shortbread cookies and Highland beef dishes. And what would games called “Scottish” be without Scotch whisky tastings. Even car lovers will find something to gawk at as they vote for their favorite vintage vehicle at the British Car Display and Show while equine enthusiasts can enjoy a Clydesdale horse exhibit. Organizers have even arranged a visit from the Highland Royal Court, led by Mary Queen of Scots. Toupkin said Arizona is home to

more than 175,000 Scots. “Everywhere you look you can see deep ties between Arizona and Scotland,” he said. “Douglas, Arizona was named for a Canadian-Scotsman and the Rose Tree Museum in Tombstone features a rose tree grown from a cutting shipped to a young Scottish bride from her family in Scotland in 1885. The Phoenix Scottish Games are produced by the Caledonian Society of Arizona, the largest Celtic organization in the state, promoting Scottish culture through art, education and athletics. Funds raised at the event supports scholarships to aspiring and professional Highland athletes, musicians and dancers and/or other individuals or

organizations whose mission, project or program promotes Scottish heritage.

I make one, I like to make one that I really like and that gives me happiness and if someone else likes it too, that’s even better.” Fitzgerald, who has known Rice for more than a decade, said, “His work is very unique. He has good eye for composition, and beyond the composition, his technical ability in his printing is absolutely superb. It is a characteristic

that’s hard to fine-tune and all good photographers have this ability to see, to capture an image and then print it. I’m surprised his work is not further out in the world.” Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier Bresson, Edward Weston, and Michael Kenna influenced Rice’s photography. He studied with Ansel Adams in the mid-1970s in Yosemite and Tom Mallonee in the

early 2000s. Rice surrounds himself in photographic works from acknowledged masters in the field to unknown, energetic, early career photographers. Characteristically, any proceeds that he earns from the current show are to be donated to the Chandler-Gilbert YMCA. Information: artintersection.com

10:30-11:15 a.m. March 30: Museum Helpers Become a museum helper, learn what people at the museum do, and create your own exhibit idea. These 45-minute programs are led by our friendly educators who compare everyday items, then and now. With new themes each month, program participants will begin together with a central topic and then break off into

family groups to engage in several activity stations. Geared toward ages 3-5.

Come for a 45-minute program led by our friendly educators that is an age-appropriate introduction to different art styles and concepts. With new themes each month, program participants will begin together with a central topic and then break off into family groups to engage in several art-centered activity stations. Geared toward ages 3-5.

10:30-11:15 a.m. March 9 and 13: Art Tots Pitch in to create a community-based work of art at the museum and take a small painting with you to share with your neighborhood. Want to make art with your little one but don’t want to clean the mess?

If you go What: Phoenix Scottish Games When: 5-8 p.m. March 4 for the Twilight Tattoo, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. March 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 6. Where: Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert. Tickets: $15 Friday, $25 single-day admission Saturday or Sunday, special packages also available. Information: phoenixscottishgames.com.

What’s next Serving Arizonans in all forms of learning at all stages of life Ambition, curiosity, creativity and passion don’t fit in any one box. No matter who you are or how you learn, ASU is here to help you and your family. Our learning options are growing every day. Visit ASU for You to travel the world through virtual field trips, access research learning tools through the library; conduct experiments with K–college science labs; and enhance your professional skills with badge and certificate programs.

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Faith washes away the darkness of passing time BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER Columnist

How many times have we gazed out into space without remembering the reason for our hesitation? I would guess, more times than we care to remember. It can be scary because we do not know if we are forgetting everything or just having a temporary memory lapse. Some people I know will purposely leave their keys or some such object in a non-familiar place to see if they are losing their memory. It is an exercise that can be frightening. Perhaps even listening to stories about such episodes can, in most instances cause us angst. I recently watched a movie titled, “Still Alice.” I was glued to the screen, not only because of the superb acting but also because I see so many instances of what was depicted. There was a sing written many years ago, “Memories,” in which can be found the lyrics: “I can smile at the old days. I

t? o G ws Ne

was beautiful then. I remember a time when happiness was….” Just think: the past is recalled, but the present fades from view. People abandon us; families find it an endless journey into a darkness that sees no light. And we are left with emptiness because we do not know who we are, or who we were. Do we remember spring? Do we understand what is happening? Can we function normally? Can we find the place we want to be? Who are you? Where are we? Rational people of sound mind will ask all these questions. Not us. We can’t even express our feelings, let alone ask sensible questions. We try. We search. We endeavor to hold onto the last remnant of our memory. If that is not darkness, then perhaps I do not know what darkness is. And as the memories fade, the darkness gets darker, until there is no day, just an endless night. Now I cannot remember the smile of old days, or how beautiful I was, or a time when happiness was. I cannot func-

tion as an adult person. I am once again a child, dependent on others, back in the womb of time. I cannot even reach out to ask for help, because I do not understand what that means either. How about those who watch this once vibrant life ebb until there is no more? How do those closest to this journey of nothingness deal with the reality of a disease so daunting that we would like to also disappear into the abyss? Who will console the caregivers? Who will offer the comfort and solace needed to accept the inevitable? The questions are endless, and the answers are few. Sure, there are support groups and the usual sympathizers, but then alone there is the realization that no one will be there except those who truly care. I suggest that help is found in Scripture. The Psalmist explains that the Lord will help us lie down in green pastures; God will restore our souls; God will be with us; God will shepherd us so that we will have no need or worries (Psalm 23). The lesson is that things happen,

some of which we have no control or understanding. God’s role is not in preventing suffering or despair, but rather to help us bear the burden and gain the strength to endure. And, for sure, those dedicated to enhancing our lives through their example and teaching, will always be there. Perhaps remembering the good times, as well as the bad, will give us a better insight into the journey we all embarked upon when the breath of life was breathed into us. Perhaps recalling the experiences will enable us to appreciate that which we had and that which is yet to be. Perhaps the love we display in the care and concern we show those afflicted will help us realize that through love can we forgive and be forgiven. “Still Alice,” can be an instrument in learning the greatest lesson of all: There is no darkness in the light offered by God. It is called faith! Rabbi Wiener D.D. is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Contact Paul C Contact Paul P l Maryniak Maryniak M y i k at at 480-898-5647 480 898 5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com p pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications y i k@ i p bli i com

Interested in serving on a Board or Commission? Resident input and participation is a valuable asset to any government organization, and assists the Chandler City Council with their goals and decision-making, thereby benefiting the community as a whole. If you are interested in serving on a Board or Commission, complete the online application at chandleraz.gov/boards.

SanTan Sun News - 2.27.2022

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