The Chandler Arizonan - 03.21.2021 by Times Media Group

SUICIDE BILL BECOMES LAW

REAL ESTATE SECTION

PAGE 13

PAGE 23

From Uptown to Downtown, covering Chandler like the sun.

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

Legacy Chandler family celebrates milestone.

BUSINESS ..................

Chandler salon owner realizes long-sought dream.

March 21, 2021

Waymo: we could have prevented Chandler fatals BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

COMMUNITY ........... 31

FREE | chandlernews.com

aymo claims it has data proving its autonomous-driving vehicles could have prevented most of Chandler’s fatal collisions over the last decade. According to a study it released this month, Waymo said its researchers virtually reconstructed 72 deadly car crashes reported throughout Chandler since 2008 and conducted a simulation that inserted one of its vehicles into the scenarios. In simulations where the Waymo car re-

placed the vehicle that initiated the accident, the study found Waymo technology was able to avoid a collision every time. In scenarios where Waymo replaced the vehicle that was struck, 82 percent of the simulations avoided a collision and 10 percent resulted in an accident less severe than the actual one. The remaining simulations had similar outcomes to the real events. “These results demonstrate the potential of fully automated driving systems to improve traffic safety compared to the performance of the humans originally involved in the collisions,” the study states.

Chandler movie houses reel from pandemic, other woes

Although the study examined only Chandler accidents, Waymo’s findings could become a major contribution to the ongoing study of widespread autonomous technology on America’s roads. Waymo operates both driverless and driver-accompanied vehicles within a 50-mile radius of its downtown Chandler headquarters. The study also should tamp down any remaining distrust of its technology – which three years ago prompted some people to toss rocks at the vehicles.

�ee WAYMO page 6

High steppin'

BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

SPORTS .......................

Young Chandler duffers thrive on the links. NEWS ....................................... 3 REAL ESTATE .........................23 COMMUNITY ....................... 31 BUSINESS ............................. 39 SPORTS ................................ 44 GET OUT ...............................45 CLASSIFIEDS ........................ 48

he pandemic has created hard times and an uncertain future for two of Chandler’s movie theaters. Slammed by the pandemic like many of its counterparts worldwide, Alamo Drafthouse Chandler and its sister venues in Gilbert and Tempe are in a dogfight in bankruptcy court over an attempt to break from the national theater franchise. Meanwhile, Flix Brewhouse – the dine-in movie house once heralded as an economic engine in downtown Chandler’s revival – remains closed amid social media reports that it is permanently closed and is looking to lease its space. The restaurant blog Mouth by Southwest reported that Flix Brewhouse’s parent called those reports inaccurate.

�ee ALAMO page 8

These Galveston Elementary students have new sneaks – and so do all their classmates – thanks to Hamilton High junior Sam Bregman. See why on page 3. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

(480) 531-1000

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

The Joy of Connection O U R F A M I LY S E R V I N G Y O U R S

Enriching Life

Extending Dignity

With Purpose

Every person served in our community is treated as one of our own—a part of the family.

We’re changing the stigmas of Alzheimer’s and dementia care through industry-leading philosophies and techniques.

Our purpose built community and dedicated team of specialists have one focus—to serve those in need of memory care.

(480) 779-0981

coppercreekinnarizona.com / 2200 W Fairview St / Chandler, AZ

Call our trusted specialists today.

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Chandler teen gets shoes for a whole school ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

The Chandler Arizonan is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Chandler. To ﬁnd out where you can pick up a free copy of The Chandler Arizonan, please visit www.ChandlerNews.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION Main number 480-898-6500 | Advertising 480-898-5624 Circulation service 480-898-5641 Chandler Arizonan 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219 Tempe, Arizona 85282 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising 480-898-6309

Classiﬁeds/Inside Sales Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@chandlernews.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@chandlernews.com Advertising Ofﬁce Manager Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@chandlernews.com Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@chandlernews.com

NEWS DEPARTMENT

am Bregman did it. The 16-year-old Chandler resident raised enough funds to purchase a pair of shoes for every student enrolled at Galveston Elementary School. The Hamilton High junior began collecting donations for his service project in October and spent the following months raising up to $15,000. On March 10, Sam delivered more than 450 boxes of tennis shoes and 2,000 pairs of socks to Galveston pupils. Kids spent the entire morning lining up on the school’s playground to await their turn picking out a new pair of sneakers. “I’m super excited,” Sam said, “and I would love to keep the momentum going and try to help a second school.” Sam included a personal note in each shoebox, telling each student he hopes they enjoy the gift and wishing them happiness. Sam said he is already raising funds to buy shoes for another Chandler school and hopes to continue his philanthropy as long as possible. He said he was inspired to launch the project after finding out that many of Galveston’s students walk to school and some can’t afford new shoes. Galveston is one of Chandler Unified School District’s Title I schools – meaning it qualifies for federal aid due to a high prevalence of students coming from low-income families.

Lailani Trujillo, 5, shows her new sneakers to Galveston Elementary kindergarten teacher Genesia Jeffries. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff Photographer) To help get the job done, Sam partnered with Shoes That Fit, a national nonprofit that’s provided two million pairs of shoes to American children, to ensure every Galveston student was fitted with shoes specific to their size and supplied with several pairs of socks. According to data collected by Shoes That Fit, new shoes have been found to raise a child’s self-esteem by 87 percent and their physical activity by 70 percent.

Production Coordinator Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 | production@chandlernews.com Circulation Director Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@chandlernews.com

The Chandler Arizonan is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, and for subscription information, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@ azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegatedmedia.com.

Hamilton High junior Sam Bregman handed out sneakers to the entire student body at Galveston Elementary, including Lailani Trujillo. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Photographer)

Sam said a fresh pair of sneakers can have a powerful impact on how a young person feels about themselves and could change how they behave in school. “When you put those sneakers on for the first time, you stand up tall (and) you feel very confident,” he said when he started the project. “I think it will improve physical activity, attendance, and behavior.” Sam also said he sincerely appreciates the many donors who contributed money to help the teenager accomplish his goal. And many of them have expressed their gratitude to him for bringing some positivity to the Chandler community. “Thank you for reminding us that the world is a much better place when we serve others and not ourselves,” one donor wrote. As Sam worked to raise funds this last year, the teenager was simultaneously suffering from a medical ailment that caused him to experience bouts of severe dizziness. He said he no longer takes his health for granted and his recent medical problems have motivated him to be more generous with his time. “I want to make good things happen and give back to other people,” Sam added. Monetary donations can still be submitted online by visiting Sam’s page on connect.clickandpledge.com.

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Community rallies around boy, 13, shot in Chandler park BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

eighbors and friends of a 13-yearold boy shot by unknown assailants at a Chandler park are coming together to support the wounded victim, determine not let the violent event tarnish their peaceful community. Everett Watson Jr. is still recovering from a severe gunshot wound sustained in his left leg after he and his brothers were ambushed by a group of young men on Feb. 21 at San Tan Park E. Frye Road. The teenagers had been playing basketball when they were approached by three strangers who suddenly pulled out a firearm and began shooting. The suspects then fled on foot and were last seen near Cottonwood Street and Pecos Road. Chandler police have limited information on the suspects and investigators have spent the last two weeks trying to get more witnesses to come forward with new leads to pursue. As of March 17, investigators have not identified the suspects and didn’t have any update on

Left: Everett Watson Jr., 13, seen here after he was shot Feb. 21, is recovering but has endured excruciating surgeries as doctors tried to save his leg. (Special to the Arizonan) Right: Days after the shooting, neighbors consoled each other. (Special to the Arizonan)

the status of their case. The teen’s friends are now planning to offer a $10,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to the apprehension of the shooters. Jenee Komso, the teenager’s neighbor, has been organizing fundraisers to raise the re-

ward money and is trying to do everything possible to help find the assailants. The incident was such a random act of violence, Komso said, so the community feels compelled to do anything it can to prevent another shooting. Somebody out there knows some-

thing, she added, and the reward money will hopefully incentivize someone to reveal the shooters’ identities. “We don’t know if they’re from our neighborhood, we don’t know if they’re

�ee PARK page 12

Steiner’s Amish Furniture builds your custom sofa or sectional with style and quality. Built by our Amish builders for you. Select Your Style

Select Your Nail Heads If You Want That Look

Select Your Wood and Stain Choice

SAFAZ.NET

623.974.1745 10722 NW Grand Ave., Sun City 4955 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler

• Available in fabric, leathers, and combinations of both • Features power with the soft touch release & matching recliner chairs • Consoles feature state-of-the-art charging stations, plastic storage trays, and pull out storage drawer

10% OFF

All Sofa/ Sectionals, Loveseat, and Recliner Chairs

L U X U R Y, R E S O R T- S T Y L E L I V I N G

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

The Suite Life

Culinary Delicacies

All The Fun None Of The Chores

Remarkable Experiences

Regionally inspired, chefprepared dishes sure to satisfy every tastebud.

Let us handle the day-today obligations while you enjoy life!

Laugh with friends, shop ‘til you drop, or travel the world, it’s all up to you.

(480) 531-1000

theparkatcoppercreek.com / 901 S 94th St / Chandler, AZ

Reserve your suite today.

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

WAYMO from page 1

A 69-year-old Chandler man was arrested in 2018, for example, for pointing a gun at a Waymo vehicle because he “hated” them. Waymo has repeatedly tried to assure the public that its vehicles are safe and its latest study buttresses that contention. “This is the first time an autonomous technology company has shared its evaluation for how the system might perform in real-world fatal crash scenarios,” Waymo said in a release. Waymo’s study reconstructed six different types of car accidents: head-on collisions, intersection, cyclists, pedestrians, front-to-rear, and single-vehicle crashes. Intersection crashes were the most common type studied and a majority of simulations resulted in the Waymo car avoiding collision. “Even when a human driver did something to initiate a crash, such as running a red light, the simulated Waymo driver avoided or mitigated the vast majority of these fatal crashes,” the company noted. In a scenario where the Waymo car was driving straight through an intersection and another motorist made an illegal left turn, the autonomous vehicle

Waymo said its study of Chandler fatal accidents shows its ubiquitous minivans could have avoided most of them. (Arizonan file photo)

avoided a crash 57 percent of the time. The study found Waymo cars were least successful at mitigating front-to-rear crashes when they were hit from behind. But researchers believe the Waymo vehicle couldn’t have done much to avoid getting hit since it was sitting at a stop light in most of these simulations. “In all of these scenarios, the Waymo driver behaved similarly to the original human driver,” researchers wrote. Out of the 16 scenarios involving pedestrians getting struck by motorists, the Waymo car managed to successfully

REDUCE INCOME TAX TO $0! RECOVER PREVIOUS TAX PAID!

avoid a collision during the simulation. In one of these simulations, the Waymo car even knew how to avoid a skateboarder who had secretly held onto the back of a moving vehicle. “The Waymo driver avoided this scenario by not proceeding in the presence of the pedestrian,” the researchers wrote. Researchers further examined how much mitigation Waymo’s cars had to deploy in order to avoid a collision during the simulations. More than 60 percent of the simulations where a Waymo vehicle avoided getting hit occurred without any urgent

actions like slamming on the brakes. Other simulations were successful simply because the Waymo vehicle followed local laws by maintaining safe distances between other motorists. “The simulated driving performance of the Waymo driver in this study suggests that mitigation is possible in many realworld collisions in response to human driving deviations and errors,” the study states. Waymo noted its simulations contain some level of uncertainty since it is difficult reconstructing collisions based on information extracted from police reports. The study’s findings were further limited by the fact that cars manufactured 10 years ago did not have automatic brake systems like the newer cars today. But the study’s authors seemed satisfied with their findings and believe their research is a pivotal step in legitimizing the value of autonomous vehicles. “Although future methodological improvements and sensitivity studies may serve to enhance the precision and accuracy of the safety benefit estimates,” the study concluded, “the simulated results of the current study show potential for (autonomous systems) to improve traffic safety outcomes.”

NO WEEKEND OR AFTER HOUR FEES Sales • Service • Repair • Installation One Hour Emergency Service Avaibale! Family Owned

FREE Service Call

We Service All Makes & Models

FREE 2nd Opinion

with any repair

on Unit Replacement or Compressor Change out

CASH 00

If I Can’t Reduce Your Taxes by

50%+

CASH 00

I WILL PAY Y YOU $300 after your FREE live strategy session.

480.706.0177 BOOK NOW! DR. HAROLD WONG

• Guest Expert on 400+ TV/radio programs

NO COMM T ISSION BASE D

IP NO TRGE R A CH

CALL TODAY

480.671.0833

ROC#247803 Bonded • Insured

Serving Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gold Canyon, Tempe

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Space is limited,

search shows that even a mild cline in hearing can lead to cial isolation, anxiety or, worse, mentia1. Treating hearing loss with aring aids has been shown to help.

Are you ready to “Finally having the volume start living better?on the TV normal for my

Advanced invisible* t is now available!

Our latest Miniscopic™ hearing aids are desig wife is pretty cool. And e good news? Studies also to stream the TV sound • Give you an invisible nclude that treating hearing loss wirelessly, IfResearch hearing loss has made you feel without having a • Deliver pristine audio shows that even a mild n combat or delay many of these cord hanging over me, feels decline inisolated hearing canand lead toanxious more these exceptional listening gative consequences — and social isolation, anxiety or, worse, “Finally havingnatural the volume very free and to me.” past few . months, we’re here to help! Treating hearing loss with dementia • Provide effortless tra on the TV normal for my ad to improved relationships, hearing aids has been shown to help. wife is pretty cool. And nfidence quality of life. a FREE, SAFE HEARING youliving go about Calland today to schedule SCREENING and start fully again!your da The good news? Studies also 1

that treating hearing loss th everythingconclude we know, there’s can combat or delay many of these reason to letnegative hearing loss go consequences — and treated anymore. lead to improved relationships, confidence and quality of life.

When you’re ready, e can help! When you’re ready,

With everything we know, there’s no reason to let hearing loss go untreated anymore.

all us today to schedule we can help! free consultation. Call us today to schedule

to stream the TV sound wirelessly, without having a cord hanging over me, feels very free and natural to me.”

Up to $400 OFF Up to $400 OFF

MOST INSURANCES ACC

CALL (480) 96

MSRP on NuEar® Premier level hearing aids ® MSRP on NuEar Premier level hearing aids

Call (480) 964-2386 to schedule your ST INSURANCES ACCEPTED 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE HOME VISITS AT NO CHARGE Dawn Sanchez MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE HOME VISITS AT NO CHARGEFREE hearing screening! (480)964-2386 964-2386 today! CallCall (480) today! ABC Hearing Centers – Mesa

VING • TH SER EH

YEARS

E ST . 1 98 5

www.abchearingaids.com

32 • YEARS

Insurances Accepted

G IMPAIRE D RIN • EA

VING • TH SER EH

G IMPAIRE D RIN • EA

32 YEARS

E ST . 1985

32 • YEARS

(East of Power on University at Baywood www.abchearingaids.com Professional Most Square. Look for the WHITE 32 Flags!)

*Individual results may vary. Invisibility may R• FO

Dawn Sanchez Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist

ABC Hearing Centers – Mesa 7165 E. University Dr. Bldg. 17, Suite 167 Mesa, Dr. AZ 85207 7165 E. University Bldg. 17, Suite 167 (East of Power on University at Baywood AZ for 85207 ProfessionalMesa, Square. Look the WHITE Flags!) R• FO

awn Sanchez Certified Hearing ument Specialist

a free consultation.

CITY NEWS

ALAMO from page 1

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Owners of the Alamo Drafthouse Chandler, as well as its venues in Tempe and Gilbert, want to rebrand their properties by severing their ties with Austinbased Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas and partnering with Blank Ink Development Holdings, a Texas investment firm. Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas and the Arizona theaters have filed separate requests in federal bankruptcy court to reorganize. Both cited the impact of pandemic-related theater closures and reduced occupancy regulations, among other factors. In a statement following its bankruptcy filing March 10, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas said, “The transaction will provide the company with much-needed incremental financing to stabilize the business during the pandemic, which has had an unprecedented and outsized impact upon the movie theater and dining industries. “More importantly, it will position Alamo Drafthouse to return to growth and continue executing on its long-term strategic vision.” The Arizona Alamo theaters’ bank-

In recent court filings, Paschich said the Alamo brand has “marginal value” in Arizona and wants to end his agreement with the franchise. The East Valley theaters also are burOwners of the Alamo Drafthouse Chandler on 4955 S. Arizona Ave. dened by “exwant to break away from the franchise. orbitant” fran(Special to the Arizonan) chise fees paid to the Alamo ruptcy triggered a nasty response from parent, his attorney said in court. the parent company. “The debtors believe that rejection of The franchise, which has 40 venues the franchise agreements, and the entry across the country, originally signed into a partnership with another cinema a deal with Craig Paschich in 2016 to company, will have a significant and open the Chandler Alamo near Chandler positive net effect on the debtors’ cash Heights Road and Arizona Avenue. Two more Alamo theaters in Tempe and Gil- flow,” Paschich’s lawyers wrote in court records on March 10. bert quickly followed. That conflicts with what the 23-yearInitially, Paschich had hoped to locate old parent firm said in federal bankruptthe theater in downtown Chandler, leadcy papers in December. ing to hopes it would help create an enIt is challenging Paschich’s agreement tertainment district. That deal fell apart.

with Ernest Cunningham and Black Ink Development Holdings to provide $1.2 million to the Shoppes at Chandler Heights for rent and unspecified assistance for the Tempe and Gilbert theaters. It said its satisfaction surveys of patrons showed the Arizona theaters had a higher rate of satisfaction than many of its venues in other states. And it alleged Paschich’s plan “fails to present any viable business” after reorganizing, contending he “cannot operate theaters” because he would be violating a non-compete clause he signed initially with Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. “Continuing to operate as theaters under competing flags or no flag at all does not demonstrate that the plan has a reasonable probability of success when those operations violate the franchise agreement’s non-competition covenants, which ADC intends to enforce,” the parent firm’s attorney stated. It also accused Paschich of violating a confidentiality agreement and acting in bad faith by “using specialized knowledge gained over the years through their relationships with ADC to operate com-

�ee ALAMO page 9

AFTER

Kathleen A. Nielsen Attorney at Law

Serving Ahwatukee for 30 Years! Trusts • Wills • Probate

BEFORE

Is Your Pool In Need of a Makeover? We’re the Pool Resurfacing Experts!

Let us help you create the pool of your dreams!

Expires March 31, 2021

BRING IN A WATER SAMPLE FOR A FREE ANALYSIS

Divorce • Premarital

Southwest Business Center

480.730.6469

kathleen@kathleennielsenlaw.com

OFF

Tile Cleaning

Living Wills • Medical Power of Attorney

4500 S. Lakeshore Dr. Ste 300 Tempe, AZ 85282 (SE Rural & Lakeshore)

SEE STORE FOR DETAILS

Pool Resurfacing Experts Specializing in POOL SERVICE, MAINTENANCE & REPAIR

602-546-POOL (7665)

www.barefootpoolman.com Ahwatukee!

Ahwatukee!

1241 E. Chandler Blvd., Ste. 124, Phoenix, AZ 85048

(SW corner of Desert Foothills Parkway & Chandler Blvd.)

Thank you for voting us an Ahwatukee’s “Best Of” Pool Service Company 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018!

Ahwatukee Owned & Operated Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC# 272001

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

ALAMO from page 8

peting theaters in the same exact locations where the debtor previously operated the ADC branded theaters.” On March 2, the parent entity filed a federal civil suit against Paschich, claiming he owes more than $1 million in franchise fees for his three East Valley theatres. In a letter sent to Alamo’s headquarters in December, Paschich allegedly told executives he intended “to reject the franchise agreement and change the brand to see if (he) can achieve fiscal success in Arizona” as “changing the business is the only way for me to take care of my family and investors,” according to the suit the parent company filed March 2. Both Alamo’s and Flix’s woes date back to the onset of the pandemic a year ago in Arizona, when Gov. Doug Ducey temporarily closed all theaters in the state. Even after the closure was lifted, theaters struggled under regulations that reduced capacity. Hollywood studios further crippled them by holding the release of big-budget films with big box office potential or releasing them on pay-per-view TV channels. Similar restrictions worldwide have cost theaters hundreds of millions of dollars. “These regulatory and supply-chain problems, when coupled with the general fear of public places that COVID-19 has created within the movie-going public, made the debtors’ prior business structure infeasible and necessitated these bankruptcy cases,” Paschich’s lawyers wrote in court papers earlier this month. The three Arizona Alamo theaters filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last May. Flix Brewhouse, a dine-in cinema in downtown Chandler, closed its doors in November and has not yet announced reopening plans. When Flix first opened in 2018, it was perceived as a significant step in the city’s attempt to revitalize its downtown region. The movie house was considered a major draw for attracting consumers who could then patronize the many businesses downtown. Kim Moyers, the city’s cultural development director, said she has not heard whether Flix may reopen anytime soon, but said the theater’s neighbors have begun to adapt without the venue’s foot traffic. “We do not know at this time if Flix Brewhouse will be able to resuming opera-

tions once the pandemic is over,” Moyers noted. “The downtown businesses have made adjustments and continue to offer dining, shopping and diverse entertainment for our residents and visitors.” Other movie chains near Chandler have encountered financial woes. AMC Entertainment, the largest movie house chain in the world, avoided bankruptcy earlier this year with a $917 million cash infusion from investors. But the Regal theater near Warner and Gilbert Roads remains closed after its parent, the world’s second-largest theater chain owner, shut down all 7,000 of its venues worldwide in October. Leaders in the entertainment industry have predicted that theaters won’t recover from the pandemic and have begun to reimagine its distribution models for new content. Disney CEO Bob Chapek has said he did not foresee a return to traditional theatrical releases for feature films once the pandemic has ended. “I’m not sure there’s any going back,” Chapek said during a conference earlier this month. “But we certainly don’t want to do anything like cut the legs off a theatrical exhibition run.” In some cities outside Arizona, developers are trying to find new uses for abandoned movie houses – a challenging task given their size and shape, which make reconfiguring the buildings for other uses difficult. Despite the uncertainty swirling around the theatre industry, some of Chandler’s leaders are optimistic about the future of the city’s cinemas. Micah Miranda, the city’s economic development director, said he still sees a local demand for theatrical releases and believes cinemas will find a way to adapt to a post-pandemic economy. “We’re seeing a lot of strong interest from the community (to) getting back into theaters,” Miranda said. “Movie theaters still have some life in them.” Restaurants and shops have found ways to work around the pandemic’s challenges, he noted, so movie theatres could potentially change their business model to find new ways to generate revenue. “What we’re witnessing is businesses getting creative with how they maximize their value to consumers,” Miranda added. Arizonan Executive Editor Paul Maryniak contributed to this report.

tune up your smile with the doc that rocks! VOTED BEST DENTIST IN CHANDLER AND BEST OF THE BEST! 2020

Chandler • Gilbert • Mesa

, great DENTISTry. that s how we roll. 480.899.4477 chandler, az

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Parents ‘chalk up love’ to TU employees on opening day

She said she added the district bus depot to the list “because we want all Tempe Union employees, including the bus drivers, to know how much we love and appreciate them.” Since the governor closed schools last March 15, Tempe Union students were

able to be in classrooms only two days a week – split into two groups alphabetically – only from mid-October to Thanksgiving weekend. They now will be able to be in classrooms four days a week through the end of the current school year, staying at home for distance learning on Wednesdays so that buildings can be deep-cleaned. Kyrene School Districts opened all its campuses for five-day in-classroom learning on March 16. During a Kyrene Governing Board meeting that night, several members gushed about seeing happy kids’ faces as they returned to district middle and elementary schools. Kyrene projected about 60 percent of its students will be in classrooms while the percentage of the Tempe Union student body expected to be on campus is unknown since the district had not released the results of a survey it took of parents and teachers. Steele said that LD18 Sen. Sean Bowie and Reps. Jennifer Jermaine and Mitzi Epstein joined the parents’ effort after Jermaine heard about it.

Angel, who plans to major in electrical engineering when he enters Arizona State University college later this year, carries a 3.95 GPA and won his medal in the technology segment of the awards. “Angel sees himself as an engineer at heart,” the foundation stated. “He loves math, technology and scientific problem-solving and sees engineering as the ideal union of all three.” To prepare for his future career, he has participated in several ASU programs. Last summer, he competed at the university’s The Challenge 2020, a virtual engineering design competition held by the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. In The Challenge, Angel’s team worked alongside industry leaders to design solutions for reducing COVID-19 spread in schools, mainly cafeterias. Their main solution was to replace lunch lines with an app-based food-pickup system in order to reduce crowding. Angel is also part of the ASU’s National Summer Transportation Institute Schol-

ar’s Program, a 9-month program that engages students in transportation engineering and the various other engineering concentrations that work to plan and maintain Arizona’s systems of transportation. Academically gifted, Angel has taken all engineering classes offered by his school. He has also taken numerous college courses through the ASU Open Scale Program and is taking CLEP exams for these courses to receive proper college credit. This puts him on a path to complete a master’s degree by the time he is 20. He is President of his school’s Spanish Culture Club and was selected by the US Department of State to serve as Youth Ambassador Representative for Costa Rica. Angel left the Philippines for the U.S. with his mother 6. “Together they faced many adversities. How far he has made it and all he has achieved are testaments to his dedication, persistence, and genius,” the foundation said.

ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

everal dozen parents, joined by the LD 18 delegation, left a surprise for Tempe Union teachers and other employees as students were allowed to return to classrooms for more than two days for the first time in a year on March 15. The legislators and parents on the night of March 14 set up banners, posters and chalked greetings and expressions of appreciation in teacher parking lots and entrances at all seven high schools as well as district’s headquarters and bus depot. The event was dubbed “Chalking Up with Love” by parent Amanda Steele of Chandler, who organized it. Each banner began with the name of one of the high schools followed by the words “families appreciate you.” The banners, bearing each individual school’s colors, were made so that the school can keep them for years to come. Steele said she organized the show of support in reaction to a digital billboard erected along I-10 about a month ago that said the district “is failing our kids.” Steele said she wanted teachers and

Amanda Steele of Chandler rallied a few dozen Tempe Union High School District parents and LD18 legislators to make banners and chalk up greetings on the walks around all seven of the district’s high schools, its headquarters and bus depot on March 14 so that when teachers and other district employees returned to reopened campuses March 15, they would see they are appreciated. all district employees to come back to their workplaces for the first time since Thanksgiving and feel appreciated. “We wanted them to know we support them and appreciate them,” Steele said. “This has been a very rough year for everyone, and teachers have worked very hard.”

Chandler teen honored by Hispanic Heritage Foundation ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

Chandler Prep Academy senior has earned an award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation for excelling in his classes and community. Angel Alessandro Lex Caoile received a silver medal in the foundation’s Regional Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards ceremony earlier this month. The 22-year-old program honors Latino high school seniors who excel in various categories, from finance and public service to healthcare and science to others. Awardees receive grants for their education or to fund an idea or community project to encourage “actionable leadership.” Recipients will then be mentored by past award winners as they prepare to attend college and start their careers through the foundation’s Latinos On Fast Track workforce development program. “There is no shortage of Latino talent across the United States and we are grateful to our dedicated sponsors who

Angel Alessandro Lex Caoile understand the importance of investing in the youngest and most dynamic segment of our population,” said foundation President/CEO Antonio Tijerino. “We’re in good hands as a community and as a country with these outstanding young leaders going forward.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

11 CITY NEWS

STRONGER TOGETHER AT ALL LEVELS Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR STRONGER TOGETHER MOVE-IN SPECIAL & WE WILL WAIVE THE COMMUNITY FEE!

2500

$ Cayden Brenes

Esha Marupudi

2 Chandler students in state spell-off ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

Two Chandler youngsters were battling this weekend with 25 other students in grades 3-8 for a chance to represent Arizona in the 2021 Scripps Spelling Bee. Esha Marupudi, 8, a third grader at BASIS Chandler Primary South, and Cayden Brenes, a 10-year-old fifth grader at Jacobson Elementary, came out on top in bees at their school and a regional bee involving students from Chandler, Gilbert, Higley and Queen Creek schools. The state competition was scheduled to be held yesterday, March 20, after the Arizonan’s deadline. The winner will compete with an undetermined number of other state winners for a chance to be among 10 or 12 finalists who will compete in an in-person competition July 8 in Orlando, Florida. That contest for the national winner will be broadcast live on ESPN2. Katie Cox, head of school at BASIS

Chandler Primary-South Campus, said the entire school was excited for Esha, the daughter of Sricharan Marupudi and Shoma Bommena. Cayden’s mom said she “was surprised a bit” by his victory, explaining that while “he is very intelligent,” she didn’t realize “what a great speller he is.” Cayden has loved reading his whole young life and taught himself how to read at age 4. As for the local and county bees where he came out on top, “he has studied here and there, but with lists of thousands of words. “It is impossible to guess what the words will be,” she added. “Spelling is more of a natural ability. He has a ‘rules’ brain, which probably helps.” She said she’s quizzed Cayden on words and “he’s almost never wrong.” And he also has another strength, his mom said. “Surprisingly, Cayden’s greatest strength is quantitative. He’s a numbers guy.”

SAVE

*Available through 3/31/21 on a select number of apartment homes.

• Continuum of care campus • Onsite home health • Caring neighbors look out for one another • Physician and therapist visits STRONGER TOGETHE • Individualized life enrichment activities • All utilities & basic cable • All Meals available • Scheduled transportation • Weekly housekeeping • Emergency call system • Licensed nurse on staff • Housekeeping and laundry services Apartment Homes for 55+! Now is a great time • and more!

• Continuum care campus AZ with85224 onsite home health 2555 N Price Rd. ofChandler, | 480.345.7171 • Staff available 24/7 NorthChandlerPlace.com • Staff informed and prepared with most up-to-date COVID-19 information • Apartment homes disinfected and ready for move-in

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

ICAN partners with Hill Academy, gets $50K grant BY ALEXA TAYLOR Contributor

percentage of youth who qualify for free and reduced lunch is 87 and 84 percent, respectively. The expansion allows the opportunity for ICAN to bring the program directly to youth, at their schools. This also frees up much valued space at ICAN’s main facility to allow more youth to enroll in the highdemand program. The grant from Fiesta Bowl Charities will support this continued and evolving growth strategy, as ICAN has future plans to continue growing. “We are committed to enhancing the lives of Arizonans and by supporting ICAN and their amazing grassroots efforts, we are collectively making a meaningful difference,” said Patrick Barkley, Chair of the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors. “Giving back to the Arizona community has been core to the Fiesta Bowl mission since we were founded 50 years ago, from our Board of Directors to Yellow Jacket Committee, volunteers and staff.” In partnering with the Chief Hill Learning Academy, ICAN said it hopes to reduce the number of students classified as “dropped out” of CUSD in the 85225 ZIP code. ICAN spokeswoman Katie Stringham said her organization is working to boost technology and resources for Hill Academy students, especially during after-school hours. “We accommodated anytime Chandler went online to increase our hours to full

days even though we are normally an after-school program, and we also provided technology resources to students,” she said. Hill Academy offers junior and senior high school classes and Principal Dave Constance says students “have the opportunity to overcome past challenges and start fresh on a path to achieve their goals.” ICAN focuses on drug and substance abuse, gang activity and juvenile delinquency by working with children and teens on social and emotional health strategies. “Our staff sits down and talks the kids through their challenges that they are facing and arm them with skills so that they can handle situations out in the community and in their homes in a better way,” Stringham explained. ICAN has said downtown Chandler is home to nine rival gangs and that 70 percent of families living in the downtown area have household incomes below the poverty line, and that at-risk children are susceptible to drugs, violence and hunger. City Councilman OD Harris said one of those top priorities is gun violence in the city. “Gun-related crimes in Chandler are a top priority of the Chandler Police Department,” Harris said. “With an increase in these incidents, enforcement, outreach, and crime analysis efforts will continue to be imple-

mented by our police department. We all have the same goal – making Chandler a safe place for everyone.” Harris noted that Chandler is ranked as one of the safest cities in the nation, and that it saw a 9 percent year-overyear decrease in crime last year. He said groups like ICAN are a key part of the city’s efforts to steer young people away from trouble. “I am really proud of the opportunities the city, our schools, and sports programs have provided our youth,” Harris said. “From robust arts and cultural programs to STEM groups to title winning sports teams, Chandler fosters an environment where anything is possible. It is our job to work together to ensure those opportunities remain attainable by all.” ICAN was among 44 nonprofit organizations across the state of Arizona that benefitted from Fiesta Bowl Charities grant funding in the 2020-21 season. “The last year has been incredibly challenging for us all and that is why it is very important that the Fiesta Bowl still deliver these necessary funds to ICAN,” said Fiesta Bowl Executive Director Mike Nealy. “The heroes are nonprofits like ICAN across Arizona who use these funds to improve people’s lives, right where they need it. We are part of this community and it’s our mission to give back to the community.”

PARK from page 4

The park shooting has had a devastating impact on the neighborhood, Komso said, and everyone is on high alert for suspicious characters. “Nothing like this has ever happened in our community,” Komso noted. “This is absolutely unheard of.” As the investigation continues, Everett’s parents and five brothers have been trying to keep him comforted during his grueling recovery process. Watson has undergone several surgeries and wound cleanings at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in an attempt to salvage his injured leg. The bullet that pierced his thigh severed one of his arteries, which has slowed down the blood circulation in the rest of his leg. The gunshot resulted in severe tissue damage on Everett’s foot

that cannot be repaired. The teenager recently had to have his toes amputated and doctors are hoping the rest of his leg won’t have to be removed. “It’s all very intense,” Komso said. “We’re still unclear on what his body is going to look like once he gets out of that hospital.” According to a statement from the Watson family, Everett seems to be recovering well from the recent amputation and has already begun to meet with prosthetic specialists. His spirits seem to fluctuate from day to day, the family noted, but the teenager does have some good days. He’s still anxious and traumatized from the shooting, yet Everett has begun to accept his circumstances. Komso has accumulated about $16,000 in donations and plans to keep raising funds for Watson’s long-term rehabilitation.

Any funds not used on the $10,000 reward will be donated to Everett’s family for any medical expenses not covered by insurance. Komso said there’s been a huge outpouring of love and support for the teen over the last couple weeks. Community members have been making meals for Watson’s siblings, crafting greeting cards and dropping off gift baskets at the hospital. The community’s resilience in the aftermath of such extreme violence has been inspiring and uplifting, Komso added. So much so that she has a powerful message for the shooters who disrupted her neighborhood. “This is our community, you are not taking it from us,” she said. Anyone with information on the shooting can contact Chandler Police at 480-7824130 or Silent Witness at 480-948-6377.

handler nonprofit ICAN has been serving the community for over 30 years and is now partnering with Chandler Unified School District to help kids in need. The partnership makes ICAN a satellite of CUSD’s Chief Hill Learning Academy, which is dedicated to providing for the educational needs of at-risk children. And last week Fiesta Bowl Charities gave ICAN a $50,000 grant to support its free afterschool programs for at-risk youth, which have expanded in the midst of the pandemic. “Throughout a year of so much uncertainty, ICAN was able to not only persevere, but to grow and expand services,” stated Shelby Pedersen, ICAN CEO. “ICAN’s dynamic team of dedicated individuals adjusted and changed the program continually throughout the year, adapting to meet the needs of the community. The investment from Fiesta Bowl Charities is helping bring our expansion goals to life.” The pandemic brought about an opportunity to enact ICAN’s expansion goals to serve more youth, as the program is historically on a waitlist for services. ICAN opened sites at Galveston and Hartford elementary schools, where the

maybe from Mesa,” Komso said. “We just want to throw as wide of a net as possible and put paper flyers up everywhere.” Shortly after the incident, friends and neighbors of the Watson family came together to hold an event at San Tan Park and asked police officers how they might prevent violence from happening again in their community. During the event, members of the Watson family got a chance to meet some of the officers who responded to the shooting and helped get the teenager airlifted to the hospital. Unprovoked random shootings are not common in this quiet area of Chandler, which is mostly inhabited by middleclass families and young professionals.

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Air Care Stimulus Package

We’re not the government but we want to give back to the community that has supported us for 18 years.

Watching Gov. Doug Ducey sign the law making it a crime to coax a child into taking his or her life were, from left., Chandler Rep. Jeff Weninger, who pushed for the legislation, and Andrio Romine’s parents, Paola and Kelly Jordan. (Special to the Arizonan)

Bill inspired by Chandler teen’s suicide becomes law BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

egislation inspired by a Chandler teenager’s suicide has been signed by Gov. Doug Ducey into law after passing the Legislature with widespread support. The law amends the state’s manslaughter laws by including efforts to advise, coax or coerce children into committing suicide. Introduced by Chandler Rep. Jeff Weninger, the bill was inspired by the 2019 death of Adrio Romine, a 17-year-old Chandler High School graduate who died by suicide after conversing online with an unknown Reddit user for several days. Adrio was the valedictorian of the Chandler High Class of 2018 and graduated with a near 5.0 GPA. The honors student, who was enrolled at Arizona State University, received specific instructions detailing the best method for killing himself and ended up dying in the way suggested by the online harasser. Arizona law up till now had prohibited adults from supplying the physical means to someone to die by suicide. But it had not accounted for situations where someone manipulates another person into taking their own life. The new law carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

FREE

GIFT CERTIFICATE TOWARD ANY AC SERVICE AIR CARE: 480-977-6916

1 Certificate Per Household. Call or Go Online To Redeem

We Service All Makes & Models • FREE New Unit Estimate • FREE Second Opinion

59 149 299

$ Adrio Romine Ducey signed it into law on March 17 with Adrio’s parents, Paola and Kelly Jordan, and Weninger as witnesses. Ducey said protecting Arizona’s families is his administration’s first priority and the new law is another step in that direction. “I’m hopeful it will help to protect Arizonans who fall victim to horrible people and send a message to predators that this will not be tolerated,” the governor said.

�ee SUICIDE page 18

Reg. $89

Early Bird Pre-Season AC Tune-Up Specials

Reg. $328

BEST VALUE!

Reg. $550

Premium Air Duct Cleaning AC Tune Up Special

Includes Condenser Acid Wash, 39-pt. Inspection, 2 lbs. of Freon, 1 Washable Filter, 1 Electronic Component Upgrade If Needed

Includes Whole House Duct Cleaning Up To 1 Unit, 1 AC Tune Up, 1 Duct Sanitizer

AIR CARE: 480-977-6916 AIR CARE: 480-977-6916

AIR CARE: 480-977-6916

Includes Condenser Acid Wash & 39-Point Inspection With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Some restrictions apply.

With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Some restrictions apply.

480-977-6916 www.aircareaz.com ROC# 197366

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

WINTER IS COMING,

DON’T GET CAUGHT IN THE COLD

State Sen. Sean Bowie, whose district includes northern Chandler, joined the special welcome for Tempe Union workers by visiting his alma mater, Mountain Pointe High in Ahwatukee, on March 14. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Photographer)

**Get up to

3,899

in dealer Rebates

No interest if paid in full within 18 months and on a qualifying trane purchase

Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period.

WINTER TUNE-UP SPECIAL!

REG. $99.

Includes a 16-Point Inspection. LIMITED TIME ONLY RESIDENTIAL ONLY

YOUR HOMETOWN AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALIST

FREE Service Call with repair FREE Second Opinion FREE Estimate SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643

480-725-7303 www.BrewersAC.com **See your independent dealer for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special financing offers valid on qualifying equipment only. Special rebates from $75 to $500. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Void where prohibited. The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 1/1/2020 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. The offer expires 12/31/2021.

Bowie laments ‘toughest’ week in Legislature ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

hwatukee state Sen. Sean Bowie’s weekly communication with constituents last week sounded a particularly glum note over the number of steps his Republican colleagues in the Legislature have taken on voting and several other issues. “Last week was a really tough week,” the Democrat wrote. “As in, it was probably one of the toughest and hardest weeks in my five sessions at the Capitol.” “Tuesday and Wednesday, in particular, were very long and dispiriting days,” he continued. “Wednesday there were around two dozen really concerning and problematic bills having to do with issues like voting rights, a woman’s right to choose, and attacks on the citizen initiative process.” Noting he voted no on bills that “would make it harder to vote, dramatically change our early voting process and directly undermine Proposition 208 that was passed by the voters last year,” Bowie said lamented his party’s inability to stop any of the bills. He said he began thinking “is there any light at the end of the tunnel here? Do I want to keep doing this after the end of next year?” While he noted “these kinds of weeks tend to happen every session,” he said “last week hit me pretty hard.”

“I’m continuing to work with my colleagues on the Republican side to convince them that some of these ideas are bad bills for the state, and while we will not be able to stop everything, I will continue doing the best job that I can to ensure that some of the bills going after our voting rights and the initiative process do not move forward.” Bowie said that while he hasn’t explained his vote on a bill in almost two years, he did speak about his opposition to SB 1713. That bill requires early voters to complete a separate affidavit and include a driver’s license number or photocopy of a utility bill or some other proof of address instead of just signing the outside of the envelope., He said he is concerned that voters could easily forget or misplace that additional piece of paper. “They could have every intention of voting correctly, but if they accidentally throw that piece of paper away or misplace it, their vote would not count. “I worry this bill will have unintended consequences, and lead to hundreds or thousands of votes not being counted from voters who are trying to follow the instructions. That’s a big problem for me,” he said. Bowie saw one ray of hope in that “almost all of the bills waiting for floor

�ee BOWIE page 15

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

15 CITY NEWS

GOP lawmakers setting up early voting roadblocks BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

epublican state lawmakers are moving on multiple fronts to erect new hurdles for early voters. On a party-line vote, GOP senators decided to scrap existing laws that determine the validity of early ballots based solely on county election workers matching their signatures on the envelopes with what’s on file. Instead, they would need to provide an affidavit with their date of birth and the number of a state driver’s license, identification card or tribal enrollment card. State lawmakers also are one step away from removing the concept of “permanent’’ from the state’s permanent early voting list. The House Committee on Government and Elections approved a measure that would require counties to stop sending out an early ballot to anyone who has not used it in either of the last two statewide or federal elections. Even at that, the proposal by Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, would require county recorders to send a notice to people informing them of the pending removal from the list. Then, if the voter responded, he or she would remain on the list and continue to get ballots in the mail. Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said the measure, which already has been approved by the Senate and now awaits a House vote, is just another attempt to make voting more difficult. She said the evidence shows that it would more likely affect minorities. What makes all that important is that Rep. Raquel Teran, D-Phoenix, said data from the 2020 election shows there were about 126,000 people who cast a ballot in that record-breaking year but had not, for whatever reason, used their early ballots in 2016 or 2018. Had this measure been in effect, she said, none

BOWIE from page 14

action that I would consider bad for the state will likely not move forward, so our attention will soon go to House bills that make their way through committee hearings and come to the full Senate for

J.D. Mesnard

Athena Salman

of those people would have gotten early ballots last year. And Salman said that, given the propensity of minority votes to skew Democrat, eliminating those votes would have allowed Donald Trump to win in Arizona. She wasn’t the only one to link the 2020 victory of Joe Biden to SB 1485. Sandy Bahr, chapter director of the Sierra Club, also suggested a direct link between the measure and the 2020 election. “Is it because more and more Arizonans are using early ballots to vote?’’ she asked of the motives behind the bill. About 80 percent of Arizonans voted early in November. “Or is it because the election results were different than certain people would have liked?’’ Bahr asked. Backers have another argument. “This will reduce the opportunity for ballots to be sent out to people who are no longer voting,’’ Ugenti-Rita said, ballots that may then be picked up by someone else and voted. Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said that would be easy to do. He said the only check now on validity of

early ballots is a comparison of signatures on the envelope by election workers with those on file. But Kavanagh said it would be easy for someone to get another person’s signature, perhaps off of publicly filed documents, and simply trace it. Anyway, he said, it’s not like county election workers are trained to be forensic signature experts. Salman said there are good reasons for suspicions of sinister motives by Republicans and why, in her words, SB 1485 should be seen as a “voter suppression bill.’’ She pointed to arguments made a week ago at the U.S. Supreme Court by Michael Carvin, an attorney for the Arizona Republican Party. He is defending a 2016 law which makes it a crime for anyone to take someone else’s early ballot to the polls in situations where the voter forgets to get it in the mail on time to arrive before 7 p.m. Election Day. Asked why the GOP is a party in the case, Carvin was clear. “It puts us at a competitive disadvantage relative to Democrats,’’ he said. “Politics is a zero-sum game,’’ Carvin

consideration.” Some of those House bills provide for similar changes in early voting. Bowie also was encouraged that the House Education Committee voted in favor of SB 1097, which would clarify that mental health days count as an excused

absence in K-12 schools, and SB 1376, which would require school health curriculums to include instruction in social emotional learning and mental health support. Both bills now head to the Rules committee and then the House floor. Another bill Bowie had hoped would

continued. “And every extra vote they get through unlawful interpretations of Section 2 hurts us. It’s the difference between winning an election 50 to 49 and losing an election.’’ The Senate bill would require voters without a driver’s license to send a copy of any other federal state or locally issued ID card. The proposal by Sen. J.D. Mesnard, RChandler, gets more complicated. First, there’s the need for someone’s voter registration number. “Raise your hand if you know your voter registration number,’’ said Sen. Sean Bowie, D-Tempe. Then they have to enclose an actual physical copy of something with their actual address like a utility bill dated within the past 90 days. Right now, any ballot delivered by the post office by 7 p.m. on Election Day gets counted. SB 1593 says any ballot not actually postmarked by the prior Thursday is discarded even if it shows up before close of business on Election Day. Nothing the bill precludes a voter from taking that early ballot to a polling place on Election Day, turning it in and instead getting a regular ballot. Ugenti-Rita said criticism of the GOP measures amounts to saying that Republicans are racists. She said the new forms of ID don’t disenfranchise anyone and that nothing in legislation applies solely to one group. But Sen. Kirsten Engel, D-Tucson, pointed out that courts have voided otherwise “facially neutral’’ law if they have a disproportionate impact on minorities. Mesnard said he sees nothing wrong with providing some extra security to ensure that the votes received come from the people who were supposed to get those ballots. Still, Mesnard said he will make some further changes when the bill now goes to the House to ease some of those requirements.

start making its way through the House after Senate passage was SB 1174, which provides $2 million for STEM internships for young people throughout the state. The House Education Committee, however, held that bill and it is unclear whether it will get a hearing.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Paid for by Opportunity Arizona. opportunityarizona.org

PROTECT OUR FREEDOM TO VOTE Senator Mesnard and Representative Weninger:

Do the right thing for Arizonans. KEEP ACCESS TO EARLY VOTING BY MAIL.

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

UPS salutes Chandler driver's safe record ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

hen you’ve logged 338,000 miles on the odometer in 26 years without an accident, you’re a special driver. And that’s what UPS thinks of Chandler resident and employee Aaron Bourne, whom the company dubbed one of its 32 “elite drivers” in Arizona who are among 1,412 newly inducted worldwide into its Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving. Arizona boasts 147 Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 4,276 years of accident-free driving. Mark Woolston of Glendale is the state’s senior-most safe driver, with 45 years of accident-free driving under his belt. There are 2,255 total full-time UPS drivers in Arizona. A Chandler native, Bourne services an area around Val Vista Drive and Elliot Road in Gilbert, where he has spent 16 of his 26 years as a UPS drive. He joined the company in 1992 and

worked about two-and-a-half years part-time before taking on a full-time driving position, primarily because “it’s been a great company to work for.” “You know what your job is and they let you do it,” he explained. His biggest challenge every day involves “the other idiot drivers out here” – a frequent complaint by other drivers, who talk of increased distracted driving as one of the biggest problems they see on East Valley roads. So what’s his secret to avoid colliding with any of them? “Be aware of your surroundings and expect the unexpected,” Bourne said. While he has logged so many miles at work, he doesn’t mind driving to his job, explaining “it hasn’t changed me.” To get away from the distracted drivers, he enjoys camping with his family. Bourne plans to retire in June and he is thankful he’s managed to execute his job without an accident. “I wasn’t sure I was going to achieve my 25 years safe driving before retirement,” he said.

If you love jewelry, you’ll love us! Always the Perfect Choice

Whether your style is casually cool or classically elegant, you can never go wrong with beautiful black spinel set in sterling silver.

Aaron Bourne of Chandler was saluted by his employer, UPS, for driving 338,000 miles in 26 years without an accident. (Courtesy of UPS)

Best Dentist at Affordable Prices! FREE Exam & X-Rays Missing Teeth? Embarrassed to Smile? Tooth Pain? Loose Dentures? We Can Help, Call Us NOW!

SUPREME DENTURES starting at

EXPIRES 3-31-2021

999

PORCELAIN CROWNS $

699

EXPIRES 3-31-2021

13.32ctw oval black spinel tennis bracelet in sterling silver with hidden-box clasp. 7.25” and 8” available. Enlarged to show detail.

JTV Item: HNC016

from

799

each EXPIRES 3-31-2021

SNAP ON LOWER DENTURE

Before

With Two Implants

3,999 ALL ON 4 / ALL ON 6

from

Plus Free Standard Shipping

IMPLANTS

from

After

EXPIRES 3-31-2021

Starting at only (Permament Teeth You Don’t Remove)

$14,995

*All offers for New patients without insurance only.

We Accept Most Major Insurances • Interest FREE Financing with Low Monthly Payments Emergencies Welcome & Same Day Appointments Available

To receive this special off er, use code BOLDSPINEL 888.515.0202 or visit jtv.com/cool To fi nd JTV in your area, visit jtv.com/tv.

1722 E University, Mesa

jtv.com • #JTVjewelrylove One coupon code per customer; one coupon code per order. Offer valid through April 18, 2021 at 11:59p ET. While supplies last.

(W of Gilbert on N side of University)

480.833.9942

www.TRUVALUEDENTAL.com

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Kids taxi service ramping up again, seeks drivers ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

s the pandemic eases and more kids are back in classrooms, a Gilbert company that provided transportation to East Valley schools is coming back on line after being out of service for a year. And to do that, Gigi’s World Kids Taxi at 1525 S. Higley Road, needs drivers, so owner Gigi Buentipo of Ahwatukee is putting out the call. “We are seeking to hire five to 10 drivers to transport children to school and various places,” she said. The requirements for the job make Gigi selective about whom she hires. Applicants must pass a background check, drug test, clean motor vehicle record, be CPR and first aid certified, have a valid driver’s license and a fingerprint card – and own a reliable vehicle no older than 10 years. “We need to cover, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Tempe and Ahwatukee,” said Buentipo. “We offer a flexible schedule, competitive wages, 100 percent of your tips and monthly bonuses. We have a five-star rating so we’re looking for candidates that can be reliable and have experience working with children ages 5-17.” The pandemic brought school closings and lingering social distancing requirements that Buentipo said made it impossible for her to operate. She still requires drivers to maintain safety protocols, but said she feels more comfortable reigniting her service.

SUICIDE from page 13

The Senate unanimously passed HB 2459 on March 10, followed by the House on March 11. Only Tucson’s Rep. Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, declined to cast a vote. Paolla Jordan, Romine’s mother, said she is grateful the bill passed with bipartisan support. “It’s been a long time coming,” she said. “Today is a brand-new day and this is just the start.” Jordan plans to get the laws changes in other states until it becomes illegal nationwide for adults to coerce children into harming themselves. So many people are shocked to find

Gigi Buentipo, who owns a taxi service for kids, is looking for some good drivers with state clearance to be with children. (Arizonan file photo)

“In my world, kids are valued, they have a right to be heard and be respected,” Buentipo said. Her love for children motivated Buentipo to start the business in April 2019 by opening an office on Chandler Boulevard. Six months later, Buentipo estimates her drivers are providing about 20 rides each day. “We don’t just give rides, we build rela-

tionships,” the owner added, emphasizing the fact she’s not worried about the handful of competitors who have come to the Valley since she opened. Buentipo said she wants her clients to feel like family and not just a piece of cargo being shuttled around. Her riders are greeted with water and snacks once they enter a vehicle and drivers are encouraged to ask them questions about

out it’s been legal for adults to behave this way online, Jordan added, and that there wasn’t a remedy for stopping the predators. Weninger and the Romine family attempted to get the manslaughter laws changed last year, but the pandemic thwarted their efforts when the legislature abruptly ended the 2020 session early. Once the bill was reintroduced this year, it was quickly welcomed by lawmakers who were disturbed by the messages that exchanged between Adrio and his online bully. The Reddit user gave Adrio detailed descriptions on what type of guns he should use and the best angles to shoot from.

To celebrate the bill’s passage, Jordan got a new tattoo to commemorate her son’s memory and the lasting impact he’ll have on other teens struggling with depression. Since the mother and son were avid Scrabble players, Jordan had an artist ink a set of Scrabble tiles on her arm that spell out Adrio’s name. Each Scrabble tile additionally has a number which collectively corresponds with the bill’s number: 2459. Jordan said the bill’s passage is not only a victory for her family, but it’s a victory for all the parents who worry about the online activities of their children. “This bill is not just my voice,” she said, “it’s the voice of my community.”

their day at school. Parents also are able to track their child through a mobile app and they get notified once the child makes it to their destination. The driver further ensures children safely enter their destination by waiting for the child to wave back at them before departing. “Safety is first to me,” Buentipo said. And Buentipo doesn’t refer to her employees as drivers – she calls them transportation specialists. With a parent’s permission, these specialists may conduct random acts of kindness by treating kids to some ice cream or a slushee before dropping them off. The company’s rates vary depending on how far kids need to be driven and how many will be riding along. Buentipo had been working at call centers before realizing she needed to find a more fulfilling career. “I just felt like I was empty inside,” she recalled. She had a spiritual vision of families needing help managing their demanding schedules and understood she could offer a service that would benefit the community. She said she never wants a parent to feel like they need to choose between their child and their career. Even though the business sometimes keeps her working until midnight, Buentipo said its worth it because she feels like she’s making a difference. “It’s a passion, it’s not a job,” she said. Information: gigiskidstaxi.com or 480565-4370. Job applicants will be able to fill out an application on their website. Shortly after her son’s death, Jordan created the Laloboy Foundation and started raising funds for families who can’t afford counseling services. Jordan said she’s currently in the process of communicating with East Valley schools so her foundation can eventually hand out stipends for students in need of therapy. Even though Jordan won’t ever be able to get justice for her son’s death, the mother said she’s found solace in helping other families who don’t know how to protect their children. “If we can change things for future families,” Jordan said, “that’s the big push for why we did this.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

#1 Rated Shop in the East Valley

Thank You for voting us

BEST AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

Your Trusted European Car Specialists

We at Huffs Automotive are specialists in: Se Habla • BMW • Land Rover • Mini Cooper Español • Jaguar • Volkswagen • Audi • Mercedes Benz • Porsche

CALL NOW!

FREE

FULL VEHICLE INSPECTION $150 Value! Must mention ad when making appointment.

NOW HIRING

AUTO TECHNICIANS & MECHANICS

Experienced & Entry-Level Call 480-726-8900 Or Submit Resume at huffsautomotive@yahoo.com

Serving Chandler & the East Valley for over 10 Years • Family Owned and Operated

95 N. Dobson Rd. • Chandler, AZ 85224 480-726-8900 • huffsautomotive.com info@huffsautomotive.com

Call For An Appointment!

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

2021

COIN SHORTAGE ZIP CODE DISTRIBUTION NOTICE

■ ARIZONA AREA RESIDENTS CASH IN: Pictured above and watched closely by guards are protected U.S. Coin Packages containing the valuable unsearched Vault Bags that everyone will be trying to get. It’s hard to tell how much these unsearched bags loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued coins could be worth someday. That’s because each Vault Bag is known to contain nearly 3 pounds of U.S. Gov’t issued coins some dating back to the early 1800’s, so you better believe at just $980 these Unsearched Vault Bags are a real steal.

Decision puts valuable United States coins back in circulation – zip codes determine who gets them

Unsearched Vault Bags loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued coins some dating back to the 1800’s and worth up to 50 times their face value are actually being handed over to residents who find their zip code on the Distribution List below and beat the 48 hour order deadline

Who gets the U.S. Gov’t issued coins: Only U.S. residents who find their zip code listed on the Distribution List below are getting the U.S. Gov’t issued coins. If you find your zip code listed below call: 1-800-868-9527 UV3648 “The vaults at Federated Mint are going empty,” said Mary Ellen Withrow, the emeritus 40th Treasurer of the United States of America. That’s because a decision by Federated Mint to put rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued coins, some worth up to 50 times their face value, back in circulation means unsearched Vault Bags loaded with U. S. Gov’t issued coins dating back to the 1800’s are now being handed over to U.S. residents who find their zip code listed in today’s publication. “These are not ordinary coins you find in your pocket change. These are rarely seen silver, scarce, collectible and non-circulating

U.S. coins dating back to the 1800’s so we won’t be surprised if thousands of U.S. residents claim as many as they can get their hands on. That’s because after the bags were loaded with nearly 3 pounds of U.S. Gov’t issued coins the dates were never searched and the bags were securely sealed. That means there’s no telling what you’ll find until you search all the coins,” said Withrow. “But don’t thank the Government. As Executive Advisor to Federated Mint, I get paid to inform and educate the general public regarding U.S. coins. Ever since the decision by Federated Mint to put rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued coins back

in circulation, I’m being asked how much are the unsearched Vault Bags worth? The answer is, there’s no way to tell. Coin values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees, but we do know this. Each unsearched bag weighs nearly 3 pounds and is known to contain rarely seen Morgan Silver Dollars and these coins alone could be worth $40 - $325 in collector value each according to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins. So there’s no telling what you’ll find until you search through all the coins. But you better believe at just $980 these unsearched Vault Bags are a steal, “said Withrow. The only thing U.S. residents who find

their zip code printed in today’s publication need to do is call the National Toll-Free Hotline before the 48-hour deadline ends. This is very important. The Vault Bag fee has been set for $1,500 for residents who miss the 48-hour deadline, but for those U.S. residents who beat the 48-hour deadline the Vault Bag fee is just $980 as long as they call the National Toll-Free Hotline before the deadline ends. “ Remember this, we cannot stop collectors from buying up all the unsearched bags of coins they can get in this special advertising announcement. And you better R1021

(Continued on next page)

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

21 SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

(Continued from previous page) believe with each bag being loaded with nearly 3 pounds of U.S. Gov’t issued coins we’re guessing they’re going to go quick,” said Withrow. The phone lines will be ringing off the hook beginning at precisely 8:30am this morning. That’s because each unsearched Vault Bag is loaded with over 100 highly sought after collector coins dating clear back to the 1800’s including iconic Morgan Silver Dollars, a historic Peace Silver Dollar, stunning Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars, the collectible Silver Eisenhower Dollars, spectacular Silver Liberty Head Half and Quarter Dollars, rarely seen Silver Franklin Half Dollars, high demand President Kennedy Silver Half Dollars, beautiful Silver Standing Liberty Quarter Dollars, American Bicentennial Quarters, rare Liberty V Nickels, one cent Historic Wheat Coins including 1943 “Steel Cents”, one of the beautiful Winged Liberty Head Dimes, scarce Indian Head one cent U.S. coins and the last ever minted Buffalo Nickels. “With all these collectible U.S Gov’t Issued coins up for grabs we’re doing all we can to answer all the calls,” said Withrow. Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to claim the valuable U.S. Gov’t issued coins. That means U.S. residents who find their zip code listed in today’s publication can claim the unsearched bags of money for themselves and keep all the U.S. Gov’t issued coins found inside. Just be sure to call before the deadline ends 48 hours from today’s publication date. ■

AZ RESIDENTS: IF YOU FIND YOUR ZIP CODE BELOW. CALL: 1-800-868-9527 UV3648 8 5 0 07 85008 8 5 018 8 5 028 8 5 0 32

85034 85040 8 5 0 42 85044 85045

85048 8 5 05 0 8 5201 8 5202 8 520 3

8 520 4 8 5205 8 520 6 8 5207 8 520 8

8 520 9 8 5210 8 5212 8 5213 8 5215

8 52 24 8 52 25 8 52 26 8 523 3 8 523 4

8 523 6 8 524 8 8 5249 8 525 0 8 5251

8 525 3 8 525 4 8 525 5 8 5257 8 525 8

8 5259 8 526 0 8 5262 8 526 8 8 5281

8 5282 8 528 3 8 528 4 8 52 9 6 8 52 97

8 5 3 31 85335 85345 8 5 3 51 85363

8 5 373 8 5 374 8 5 375 8 5 37 7 8 5 3 81

8 5 3 82 8 5 3 87 8 5 5 01 8 5 5 39 8 5 5 41

Alaska & Hawaii are part of the San Francisco Zone

4 Minneapolis Zone

1 San Francisco Zone

Boston Zone New York Zone

5 8

Chicago Zone

2 Kansas City Zone

11 10

Cleveland Zone

St. Louis Zone

Richmond Zone

Philadelphia Zone

7 3

Atlanta Zone

Dallas Zone

The National Toll-Free Hotlines open at precisely 8:30am this morning for Arizona residents only. If lines are busy keep trying, all calls will be answered. If you miss the deadline you will be turned away from this offer and forced to wait for future announcements in this publication or others, if any. The only thing residents need to do is find their zip code on the Distribution List above and beat the 48-hour deadline. The Vault Bag fee has been set for $1,500 for residents who miss the 48-hour deadline, but for those U.S. residents who beat the 48-hour deadline the Vault Bag fee is just $980 as long as they call the National Toll-Free Hotline before the deadline ends.

Sealed Unsearched Vault Bags contain nearly 3 pounds of U.S. Gov’t issued coins

■ UNSEARCHED: Pictured above are the unsearched Vault Bags loaded with nearly 3 pounds of U.S. Gov’t issued coins some dating back to the 1800’s being handed over to Arizona residents by Federated Mint.

Silver Morgan Dollar 1878-1904

Silver Liberty Head 1892-1915

Silver Peace Dollar 1921-1935

Silver Walking Liberty 1916-1947

Silver Ben Franklin 1948-1963

Silver Eisenhower Dollar 1971-1978 R1021

FEDERATED MINT, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. FEDERATED MINT, PO BOX 1200, MASSILLON, OH 44647 ©2021 FEDERATED MINT

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Chandler Gilbert College gearing up ‘boot camp’ for existing jobs

A-1 Golf Carts

SUN LAKES, AZ

WE HAVE LOWERED THE PRICE ON BATTERIES!

CHECK OUT THE NEW E-Z-GO’S! ASK ABOUT THE NEW E-Z-GO ‘LITHIUM’ POWERED CART 2021 TXT 2021 RXV Lithium

6 Passenger RXV

FINANCING AVAILABLE

ot two weeks to prepare for a good job? A new composites “boot camp” at Chandler-Gilbert Community College will prepare individuals for in-demand careers in the aerospace and other industries. The two-week program starts in April. Is it really possible to prepare for a career with starting salaries north of $20 per hour in just half a month? “I know, it seems too good to be true — but it is true,” said Ángel G. Fuentes, CGCC Interim Associate Dean of Workforce Programs. He said the boot camp is like a matchmaking service, joining companies in need of qualified workers and people out of work or looking for a quick transition to a new career. “There’s a need for the community of

MENDOZA Cleaning & Sanitazation General Cleaning, Laundry & More 1 time • weekly bi-weekly • monthly

When you purchase a NEW E-Z-GO!*

Finance offers only available at participating E-Z-GO dealers. Approval, rates, applicable fees, and terms provided are based on credit worthiness. Offers only available in 50 U.S. states and District Columbia. Financing offers void where prohibited. Finance terms are also available for pre-owned E-Z-GO products. Please see your local E-Z-GO Authorized Dealer for details.

BY TOM SCANLON Arizonan Staff Writer

Ask about Windows & Sanitazation Services

480.895.2000 www.A-1GolfCarts.com 25820 S. Arizona Ave. • Sun Lakes, AZ 85248

FREE ESTIMATES Call Mireya Mendoza Now!

480-259-0935

students wanting to reenter the workforce and have a quick return on their investments,” Fuentes said. On the employer end, “Boeing has been a great ally, they have a need for composite technicians.” Composite technicians use a variety of materials, including graphite, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar to assemble, fabricate and repair products from composite parts and materials. Industries employing composite technicians include aerospace, automotive, maritime/ boats and computing. Classes are offered at the Williams Campus across from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport – which helps the college make great connections. “We have a lot of strong partnerships with the aviation industry, places like Boeing and Piper Aircraft,” Fuentes said. “Together with industry patterns and other partners, we started similar classes that have been running for a year. We have another two week boot camp about wiring. They’ve been quite successful.” He said wiring and soldering boot camps led many students to solid employment opportunities. Fuentes noted that, similar to aviation maintenance classes, the boot camp will be in person, with pandemic guidelines followed: “We’re limiting it to 15 students in a really big hangar,” he said. The composites boot camps meet 8 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Mondays through Fridays. The first classes are offered starting April 5, April 19 and May 3, with summer and fall boot camps to be announced. After two weeks, successful students will be eligible to compete for jobs that pay enough to support families. “On average, the industry aerospace composite worker makes $23-24 an hour. It’s a quick return on investment. And students get a very exciting career,” Fuentes said. The cost of the program is $255, but even that is potentially reimbursed upon successful completion, Fuentes noted. For more information about the Composites Boot Camp, visit cgc.edu/ news/2021/composites-technicianboot-camp.

REAL ESTATE

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2020

From Uptown to Downtown, we cover Chandler like the sun

Soaring equity keeping inventory tight, expert says BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

nxious homebuyers hoping to see a deluge of foreclosures springing from the pandemic’s impact on the economy and loading the Valley market with short sales should think again. It’s more than unlikely that the Valley’s housing scene will see a flood of for-sale homes and plummeting prices that some reports in 2011-13 purported, says the Cromford Report, the leading tracker of Valley housing scenes in the Phoenix Metro area. That’s primarily because equity has ballooned, making it less likely owners will simply walk away from homes as they did more than 10 years ago. Noting the inventory of homes this month is 60 percent below March 2020, Cromford did note a downward trend in demand but said “that really does not make much difference when supply is this scarce. “Even if demand dropped well below normal, we would still have multiple offers for most listings,” it continued, “Multiple offers are the mechanism that drives prices up,” it said. One offer per listing represents stability. No offers tend to drive prices down. We would need about seven times the current sup-

This home in Chandler’s Oakwood Hills gated community commanded one of the highest closing prices of the month at $2.6 million. The 7,800-square-foot two-story home, built in 1994, has five bedrooms and five bath, three indoor and one outdoor fireplace, sports court, pool and a host of amenities. (Special to the Arizonan) ply to get back somewhere close to normality.” Cromford also said something most other real estate experts agree on – the end of mortgage assistance by federal pandemic relief money will likely not lead to massive foreclosures and flood the market with resales. “While we can imagine a noticeable increase in supply taking place,” it said, “it is very unlikely to reach the levels that would dramatically change the balance in the Greater Phoenix market.” “There was no significant shadow inventory” in 2011-13, Cromford said, “and there is no huge wave of distressed homes waiting to hit the market now.”

Warning that buyers should “not be taken in by these myths,” Cromford said

the sequence of the housing bubble’s collapse needs to be examined. “Prices started to fall from July 2006 onward due to supply becoming much stronger than demand,” it said. “The fall in prices meant recent buyers had zero or negative equity from 2007 onwards, loosening their motivation to keep up their mortgage payments.” As a result, “a huge wave of bankowned properties hit the market in 2008 and 2009, adding to the supply problem” that was exacerbated by a major increase in new-home construction. “The lack of equity meant many homes listed in 2008 through 2011 were short

see MARKET page 26

Sold in 2 Days at $50,000 over asking!

Welcome Kristen Amen to The RealtorHenry Group Ocotillo Area Specialist Henry Wang

Kristen Amen

480.221.3112

480.231.7051

Let’s Make Home Happen I’m proud to offer a wide array of programs at competitive rates with on-time, no surprise closings.

Contact me for details! Joel Terrill

Located in the Premiere Active Adult Community of Leisure World. Excellence Meets Expertise!

Appropriately listed at $479,900

NMLS #255385

See Page 26

602.430.0835 | joelterrill.com

REAL ESTATE

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2020

Buyers, sellers paying closer attention to appraisals BY BEN GOTTLIEB Arizonan Guest Writer

ne impetus for the housing debacle that triggered the Great Recession over a decade ago was the ease of obtaining financing to purchase a home. It was easy to have an appraiser support the contract price of a home – thereby enabling the buyer to obtain his or her loan needed to purchase the home – with minimal out-of-pocket cash needed to make the purchase. All of that changed after the Great Recession. Among other things, the Home Valuation Code of Conduct enacted rules to make the home appraisal process more neutral and objective for conforming loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – lenders or third-party companies contact and compensate appraisers. In today’s real estate climate, this has resulted in many appraisal reports not

supporting the contract price. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, housing prices in Arizona – and elsewhere – have soared. Most people have likely heard or read by now the reasons provided by housing experts and economists for the rapid ascent: (1) record low interest rates; (2) extremely low inventory; (3) unique conditions caused by the pandemic forcing homeowners to spend more time in their homes; (4) expansive fiscal stimulus; and (5) an overall rising stock market. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has recently stated that he expects housing prices to continue to inflate in the short-term but views any inflation as a temporary condition primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the current real estate climate, a bad appraisal can mean the difference between buying your dream home or staying put. Many housing transactions involve “bidding wars” among various prospective buyers – with some buyers willing

1773 W Mead Pl Chandler AZ 85248

Under Contract in 3 Days, Over Asking Too! Former Toll Brothers Model! Lake front & gated community in the heart of Ocotillo. Four bedrooms, over 3,500 sq. ft. Negative edge pool too!

We are fluent in: • Mandarin • Cantonese • Taiwanese • Malaysain • Indonesian

CALL TODAY!

The

REALTORHENRY Group

Henry Wang 480-221-3112

Irwin Wong 480-826-3808

to offer a “premium” in order to win the contract. In today’s real estate world, appraisers do not care whether there was a bidding war, or whether the buyer – knowingly or unknowingly – offered a premium for the home. Instead, the appraiser will focus on similar recent home sales in close proximity to the subject home. On occasion, the appraiser will introduce a subject element into his or her appraisal report – i.e., the value the appraiser tacks on for a desired view or pool or landscape. Thus, the conditions in today’s housing market are ripe for home transactions that “do not appraise” – meaning, the appraisal comes up short of the contract price. This can present a significant issue for the buyer, as the lender is only willing to lend up to a certain amount based on the appraised value. If the appraised value comes up short, that means the buyer must come out of pocket for the additional funds to compensate for having qualified for a lesser loan amount. Many buyers do not have the extra funds needed to make up the shortfall. Under the standard Arizona Association of Realtors’ purchase contract in Arizona, the buyer has five days after notice of the appraised value to cancel the contract and receive back a refund of

the earnest money. In today’s market, the seller may insist that the buyer waive the contingency provision at the outset. This means that the buyer would forfeit the earnest money if the home did not appraise and the buyer was forced to cancel the contract. It is also worth noting that the buyer and seller may have other options after receiving an appraisal report that the buyer or seller disagrees with. First, the parties can ask the appraiser to reconsider – for instance, perhaps the appraiser missed something important such as an expensive and valuable upgrade or made a mistake on the square footage of the property. Second, the parties can request that the lender obtain a second appraisal. Third, the parties can negotiate a new sales price during the five-day period set forth in the appraisal contingency clause. In all cases, it is important to consult with a qualified real estate professional about your options. Chandler resident Ben Gottlieb and Ahwatukee resident Patrick MacQueen are partners and co-founders of MacQueen and Gottlieb PLC, the state’s top real estate law firm. Reach Ben at 602533-2840 or email him at ben@mandglawgroup.com.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2020

25 REAL ESTATE

In the buy-rent debate, Phoenix in middle

o rent or to buy? That is the question these days in the Valley. And the official website for the nation’s largest Realtors group last week said that Phoenix straddles both sides of the question. “Since the coronavirus pandemic took the shine off expensive (and cramped!) urban living, rents have tanked in some of the nation’s top cities,” Realtor.com reported. “But when it comes to whether it makes more financial sense to buy a home or rent one, it turns out that, in many cases, buying is still your best bet.” In more than 15 of the 50 largest metros, buying a home was as or more affordable than renting in January 2021, according to Realtor.com. That was up from 13 markets before the pandemic. And, on top of that, there are several “borderline” cities where the monthly cost of buying a home is within 5 percent of the cost of the local median rent. And that’s where Phoenix sits in the report. Of nine metro areas, Phoenix’s $455,000 cost of buying a home – including price and related costs – was ahead of Atlanta, Orlando, Washington, D.C., and Birmingham, Alabama, in affordability, but behind Buffalo, Memphis, Las Vegas and Milwaukee. “Even with the historic growth in home prices over the past year, the monthly cost of buying a home in many cities across the United States hasn’t changed – mostly because of incredibly low interest rates that dropped to 2.88 percent in January,” the report noted. But the Cromford Report, the leading tracker of Valley housing prices and trends, doesn’t see a debate between renting and owning – although it foresees a new trend in the future. “For anybody who thinks homes are getting too expensive to buy, I would ask - what are the alternatives?” it said earlier this month. “Rents in Greater Phoenix have risen from an average of $1.01 per sq. ft. per month to $1.22 per sq. ft. per month over the last year. That is a 21 percent rise - the highest we have ever recorded. The third option of being homeless is

not very attractive. So I think we are going to see a large increase in the number of people taking the fourth option - sharing with friends or relatives,” it continued, adding: “This seems to be the only practical solution to keep the cost of shelter down. This will build up latent demand for the longer term, as many of these people will have ambitions to create their own independent household when they can afford to. “For those who are drawing parallels with 2005, I would point out that rents FELL 6 percent between March 2004 and March 2005. This is because there were huge quantities of vacant homes that had been bought by speculators with nobody available to live in them. In those days, the pace of home building had exceeded the rate of population increase – the opposite of the situation today.” The economics team at Realtor.com looked at the 50 largest metros, ranked by the number of households, to put to-

gether the report. It compared the monthly cost of buying a home with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at each city’s median listing price, including taxes and insurance, against the monthly rent for two- to four-bedroom apartments and houses in the area. Then the team ranked those numbers to see how they stacked up to local incomes. Metro areas typically include a city and smaller nearby municipalities. Cities in the Midwest and South tend to offer cheaper homes and a lower cost of living than coastal California and other big tech hubs like Austin, Texas, and Seattle. That’s because land is often cheaper and more abundant, construction is less expensive, zoning regulations are often fewer, plus some cities just don’t have as much demand for housing. “Some of these, they’re Rust Belt markets. Each one of these markets has a net population loss, so that, of course, is going to create an abundance of supply and lower demand than a place that has a net

ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

48" Dual Fuel Range

YOUR LOCAL SHOWROOMS: MESA | SCOTTSDALE Shop online or schedule a personalized appointment from the comfort of your home today at fergusonshowrooms.com.

population gain,” said James Wise, host of HoltonWiseTV. And yet overall, the number of places where it makes more sense to rent is higher. Looking at the 50 largest metros, the monthly cost to purchase a median home in January 2021 was $1,988, compared with the median monthly rent of $1,727. But notoriously expensive California and other West Coast metros lead the list of the highest-priced cities where, financially, it makes more sense to rent because the monthly cost of a mortgage far exceeds the median rent. These places also tend to have incomparable natural beauty and outdoor access and are popular vacation destinations. Two had median list prices over $1 million. These more expensive markets tend to have a higher share of well-paying (often tech) jobs occupied by a high concentration of young professionals who have plenty of cash to spend.

see RENT page 26

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2020

RENT �� page 25

cost toward any kind of roof over their head goes up two times.” But for many of these folks, Rao says, it just feels better to pay $3,500 toward equity than give it to someone else. Throw in the tax savings and potential appreciation, that’s what keeps people buying these pricey places despite the monthly math.

So where are the best places to buy a home, or to rent one? The top 10 metros to buy a home were Cleveland, at $198,000; Chicago, $338,000; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, $245,000; Riverside, California; $485,000; Miami, $400,000; New Orleans, $320,000; Baltimore, $325,000; Tampa, $302,000; Hartford, Connecti-

cut, $303,000; and Detroit, $265,000. Renting is the better option in San Jose, California, $1.2 million; Austin, $460,000; Sacramento, California, $599,000; Seattle, $665,000; San Francisco, $990,000; Los Angeles, $1.2 million; San Diego, $850,000; Portland, $525,000; Oklahoma City, $278,000; and Richmond, Virginia, $388,000.

MARKET �� page 23

cent in just four weeks last month” and sales are up 7.4 percent over a year ago while prices have climbed 23.1 percent. “We expect to see dollar volume hit new records during the second quarter,” it predicted, “along with all of the pricing metrics.” Meanwhile, Realtor.com reported that homebuyers have been dealt another setback – cheap loans apparently are disappearing. Mortgages rates crossed the 3 percent threshold for the first time since July 2020, according to Freddie Mac. “The era of mortgage rates under 3% is likely behind us,” said realtor.com senior economist George Ratiu. “For firsttime buyers, the market is looking a lot

more challenging. The current trajectory of interest rates is putting a damper on their budgets and making it more expensive to afford a home.” Realtor.com said almost 20 percent of first-time buyers spent more than a year shopping for a home due to the high prices and lack of inventory as the coronavirus pandemic and low mortgage rates pushed more would-be buyers into the market. “As a result of the low rates and the pandemic, the number of homes for sale plummeted 49 percent compared with February of last year,” the website said. “That’s particularly bad as the nation was already in the throes of a severe housing shortage a year ago.”

The low supply of homes for sale, coupled with high demand, has resulted in median home list prices rising 14% in February compared with the previous year, according to Realtor.com. “For sellers, the rising mortgage rates can motivate them to list their homes sooner,” Ratiu said. “There are still plenty of buyers in the market and many of these buyers are getting squeezed by rising rates.” But he added that rates are still low even if they have crept above 3 percent. “Home sellers and home buyers have gotten really used to extremely low rates,” he said, saying rates in the 3-3.4 percent range “remain extremely affordable by historical standards.”

“Wherever there are high-paying jobs and employers supporting them, you’re beginning to see higher-end rental complexes that can start at $3,500,” said Ramesh Rao, an agent based in Silicon Valley. “When these people start looking at buying a median price home, their total

sales,” Cromford noted. “Investors pounced on the bank-owned homes and short sales from 2009 onwards, bringing the drop in prices to a complete halt by 2011.” Currently, it said, “We have far too little supply, not far too much. Note that the excess supply in 2006 was the primary problem that burst the bubble. The foreclosures came later and were an effect, not a cause, of the bubble bursting.” Stressing that “foreclosures did not cause the housing crash” and “were a consequence of the excess supply of 2006,” Cromford said this year has opened “a period of extreme appreciation.” It said square-foot prices rose 5 per-

Appropriately listed at $479,900

SOLD

1840 Square feet home. 3 bedroom 2bath

This is an amazing golf course property. It has been totally remodeled with high end finishes. The front covered patio is a wonderful place for coffee in the morning and the back patio is perfect for entertaining and enjoying the beautiful views on the 4th hole of Heron Lakes Golf Course. The home is a split floor plan with an open concept. The kitchen is the focal point of the house, overlooking the formal dining and living room. You even have an office off the dining room area. The rolling shutters allow you to vacation without a worry. All this in the Premiere Active Adult Community of Leisure World with 36 holes of private golf, new tennis complex, pickle ball, swimming pools, library, state of the art fitness center, theater, arts and crafts, billiard room, and much more!

Excellence Meets Expertise! leisureworldareizona.com 480-832-7451 Follow us @RemaxClassicAZ

SEL

E AV S R

! 000 , 8 1 D$

Sold above asking price, multiple offers, sold above appraisal and the seller saved over $18,000. Call me TODAY and let me show you how I save you THOUSANDS, and sell your home fast. You won’t be disappointed! Need to lease back? No problem. Sell on your terms!

Janet Rogers

602-565-0192

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2020

#1 Ocotillo Waterfont/Golf Course Realtor SOLD

SOLD

The

REALTORHENRY Group

Interview The RealtorHenry Group to see how Henry can sell your home for max value, low fees, & allow you to use all your equity to purchase your next home without moving twice!

Since it is a total sellers’ market for a foreseeable future, sale-contingent home offers are usually some of the first offers rejected by sellers right now. A Sale-contingent offer means the buyer needs to sell their current home in order to buy their next home. Most sellers will not work with these types of offers, in this current market. So how do you buy your next home in this super competitive market, when you need the equity from your current home to buy your next home? No, the answer is not a cash out refinance. Nor is the answer is leaving tens of thousands of dollars or more on the table by selling to an iBuyer/cash investor who will instantly re-list your home for a profit.

Henry Wang The RealtorHenry Group Powered by eXp Realty 480-221-3112

Call today to talk with Henry Wang about your options and how Henry can, make your move easier & solve this problem for you, while also maximize the profit on your home. Henry Wang has been one of the Top 10 agents in Chandler for the past 10 years. With thousands of happy clients and closed sales, Henry has the local knowledge & experience to get you the most money for your home. His team of realtors and vendors always makes sure your needs are met and your goals achieved.

REAL ESTATE

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2020

New 162-unit rental complex OK’d near Loop 202

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

handler City Council has approved plans for a 162-unit rental complex along the Loop 202 Santan Freeway on the southeast corner of McQueen Road. Council voted 6-1 to approve Scottsdale developer Snowden McQueen’s preliminary plan for Elux at McQueen, a 13-acre community with duplex-style rental homes, a 3,624-square-foot clubhouse and pickleball court. The developer said other amenities will “create a close community by providing a creative space for families, friends and neighbors to enjoy together” and that “cohesive pedestrian connectivity throughout the development reinforces a desirable lifestyle.” The project will include 108 one-story units and 54 two-story units, each with an enclosed backyard. About 40 percent of the units will be one-bedroom apartments and the rest will comprise two or three bedrooms. Developers say they intentionally designed Elux’s units to resemble singlefamily homes – “which creates a diverse housing market without introducing a development so different as to be inappropriate or incompatible with the existing neighborhoods.” At the same time, the developer said the project’s high density is appropriate to the area, which is “adjacent to employment uses to the west…and is in close proximity to the airport and future transit center at Arizona Avenue and Germann Road. “The development also creates visual interest on the perimeter through an attractive perimeter wall, architectural

The red-bordered area shows where the Elux at McQueen will be built. The 13-acre site will be the home for a unique multifamily complex. (City of Chandler) facades, a creatively designed entryway, and a well-planned open space and amenity area,” the developers said, adding: “These casita-style homes address the needs of modern families. The homes will be built with energy-efficient and sustainable construction technology.” Elux is estimated to generate about $840,000 in tax revenue for the city over a 10-year period. Though Elux appears to conform with the city’s General Plan, some council members were concerned about the project’s design and location. Councilman Terry Roe, who voted against the project, said he had concerns about Elux’s close positioning to a busy freeway and the impact it might have on

traffic patterns. “This piece of land is complex because it’s been cornered and, on some level, that’s because of (previous) planning,” Roe said. A traffic analysis shows Elux would have a smaller impact on the city’s traffic patterns than a 1,000-square-foot commercial building constructed on the same 12-acre parcel. Developers are required to install a traffic signal at the McQueen Road and Armstrong Way intersection. There was no neighborhood opposition to the project and the city Airport Commission saw no impediments to airport operations. “Based on the maximum allowable building heights, the proposed development does not appear to pose a hazard to flight safety or be an aerospace ob-

struction,” a commission memo states. Buildings are to have a maximum height of 30 feet. Vice Mayor Mark Stewart attempted to delay a vote on Elux’s plans after expressing concerns about the project’s number of parking spaces and what he called inadequate open space. “There’s some work that needs to be done here,” said Stewart, who lost his delay effort and voted to approve the development anyway. The construction of new single-family homes has notably been on the decline in Chandler for the last decade, while multi-family housing has been rising continuously since 2013. The arrival of some rental complexes has not been welcomed by some Chandler residents, who feel multi-family housing devalues their neighborhoods and brings in unsavory characters to the community. Last November, residents unsuccessfully tried to stop plans for a multifamily complex near Gilbert and Riggs roads. Snowden McQueen said the angst some Chandler residents have about multifamily housing prompted them to be strategic about Elux. They purposefully placed the development on a parcel of land that was in a relatively central location of Chandler and designed Elux’s units with an aesthetic that should blend in with nearby neighborhoods. “A community with tasteful modern architectural design and themes that complement the surrounding developments, assures that Elux at McQueen will be a valuable asset to the city and immediate area,” developers stated.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO SELL YOUR HOME? And Keep Money In Your Pocket? Our Listing Fee Can Help You Do That!

JANET ROGERS

1355 S. Higley Rd., Suite 111, Gilbert, 85295

602-565-0192

Fax: 888-892-6490

janetrogersgroup.com janet@janetrogersgroup.com

R LLE

SAV

! 000 18, $ D

Make The Call and We Will Get You Moving!

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Flat fee listing and You decide buyer compensation 100% representation - not limited service Professional Photos Secure lockbox (no contractor box) Open house kick off Scheduled showing times blocks Sell with certainty Sell with no repairs Sell on YOUR terms Most homes sell higher than asking First peek program for your home Limited showing hours

3,995

Call Today For More Details

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2020

29 REAL ESTATE

Helping buyers purchase homes headache free BY JAMES JUDGE Arizonan Guest Writer

Homes are flying off the market in the Valley, leaving home buyers frustrated as they compete with multiple cash offers that are sometimes $20,000 to $30,000 over the asking price. One tactic that realtors are using to create a stress-free buying and selling process is listing a home as “Coming Soon.” Rather than listing the home on the MLS and receiving many offers, sellers can work with their realtor to find a qualified buyer without the stress of the crazy market. Here are a few things to know when considering this approach. What is a Coming Soon listing? A Coming Soon listing is exactly how it sounds. It’s a formal status within the MLS for a property to let realtors know that it will be available soon. Listing a property as Coming Soon will create a buzz amongst realtors prior

to the property being active. Oftentimes, this status is used when the property is being prepped for the market (touchups, moving, staging, photos, etc.) and it is a great tool to create awareness without actually making the listing active until it is “ready.” How can buyers find them? Buyers will need to rely on their real estate agent to find Coming Soon listings because they are not visibly advertised online. These listings do not show up on the trendy real estate websites until the property goes active, therefore, having a great agent is essential in order to learn about these listings. However, with the property in Coming Soon status, a sign may be placed in the property’s front yard, so buyers are still able to keep an eye out for these listings. This can be a great way for buyers who have been outbid on other homes to get their foot in the door to present a serious offer with a higher chance of it being

accepted. What are the advantages? If the seller is open to allowing showings during Coming Soon status, the listing gives buyers ‘first dibs’ on seeing the property. Buyers can avoid crowds and bidding wars, which can be a huge advantage. However, this can also be beneficial for a seller. If an offer is presented to them during this status, the expectation is that it should be an offer they can’t refuse, for example, full price, no repair requests, maybe a waived appraisal contingency, etc. The Coming Soon status is a great way to gain exposure for a listing, while also receiving any necessary feedback early in the selling process. What’s happening in the market? The Coming Soon status is rather new; therefore, many agents are not very familiar with the process. The status is becoming more and more popular, and realtors continue to see increasingly positive results. The Coming Soon status creates a great

buzz so that when the property does go active, people are already excited about it. This type of listing can result in the property spending less time on the market and provide great advantages and offers. Coming Soon status listings have grown in popularity since their debut over the last year and allows for a property to gain early exposure and feedback. Listing a property under this status is a great advantage for buyers and sellers alike, providing realtors with a way to sell property without the stress of the regular market process. Listing a property under this status can gain more attention and buzz, where buyers and sellers can avoid large crowds and bidding wars all while getting great deals and offers. Consider a Coming Soon listing the next time you are planning on buying or selling property. James Judge is a designer and realtor with HomeSmart. Information: mrjamesjudge.com.

The Most Important Shot in Life is the Next One! Your 55+ Golf Community Experts! • We work Valley Wide • We will help you find the community of your dreams • We provide you with the right information you need to make the best choice on where you want to spend your retirement years!

Mike Ryan

Designated Broker

Dan Callahan

Allison Davis

Dennis Heimpel

Babs Shadoan

Jill Viccy Heimpel

Cherie Lauro

Judy O’Malley

Lisa Taylor

Maximum Exposure

www.Leisureworldarizona.com

480-832-7451

Excellence Meets Expertise!

Mary Jane Burns

Scott Mack

Sheila Popeck

Sue Lorentzen

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2020

Write Your Next Chapter

Let’s Make Home Happen Whether you want to buy, build or refinance your home, I’m here to help you write your story. You can count on me to find the best possible home financing options as you embark on your next chapter. I’m proud to offer a wide array of programs – as well as Bell’s exclusive, individualized options – all with competitive rates and on-time, no surprise closings.

Joel Terrill

Senior Mortgage Lender NMLS # 255385

602.430.0835 Mobile | 480.339.8530 phone jterrill@Bell.Bank | joelterrill.bellbankmortgage.com

t r a t s o t e m t x e t r Call o ! r e t p a h c t x e n r wr iting you 29037

1750 East Northrop Boulevard | Suite 170 Chandler, AZ 85286

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

31 COMMUNITY

Milestone for legacy Chandler family BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

ong-time Chandler resident Joan Saba got a special surprise on March 6 after spending most of the last year isolated from friends and family. She and her twin sister, Jean, were greeted with a parade of cars that drove by her home to wish the sisters Happy 90th Birthday. Presents and flowers were dropped off outside the family’s home as a long line of friends quickly stopped to greet the Saba sisters from a safe distance. It was an unbelievable sight, Joan said, and it was all planned without the sisters ever catching on to the surprise her family had arranged. “This was over the top,” Joan said. “I’ve

Joan Saba, left, and her twin sister Jean got a big surprise from their family as friends, relatives and Chandler Chamber members motored past their Chandler home March 6 to wish them Happy 90th Birthday. (Kevin Hurley/Staff Photographer)

never been so fooled in my life.” To augment the number of well-wishers, Chandler Chamber of Commerce Terri Kimble put out the word to members to join the parade. “Joan Saba sits on our Chamber board as well as our foundation board and remains active through virtual means,” Kimble said. “They both are just delightful, outstanding women. They are truly delightful and have been an important part of Chandler for many years.” Joan said it is a true blessing to reach such a momentous milestone in life that she is thankful she got to spend most of her life in a city she genuinely loves. The Saba family has deep roots in Chandler that date back to the city’s formative years during the 1920s.

see SABA page 33

Chandler boy trying to save brother’s life BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

Chandler boy is hoping he can save his little brother’s life after he donated his bone marrow for a procedure aimed at curing his sibling’s cancer. Josh Ozga, 12, recently underwent a grueling medical procedure that extracted some bone marrow that will eventually be transplanted to his 9-year-old brother Luke later this month at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The transplant could provide a cure for a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that Luke was diagnosed with in December 2019. Heather Ozga, the boys’ mother, said Luke appeared to be in remission from the disease for a while before the lym-

see CANCER page 34

Luke Ozga, 9, left, can thank his older brother Josh, 12, for a bone marrow transplant that he will undergo this month. Their mother Heather Ozga said she was astonished that they beat the odds in having compatible tissue. (Special to the Arizonan)

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Better read this if you are 62 or older and still making mortgage payments. More than 1 million seniors have taken advantage of this “retirement secret.” It’s a well-known fact that for many older Americans, the home is their single biggest asset, often accounting for more than 45% of their total net worth. And with interest rates near alltime lows while home values are still high, this combination creates the perfect dynamic for getting the most out of your built-up equity. But, many aren’t taking advantage of this unprecedented period. According to new statistics from the mortgage industry, senior homeowners in

HOA fees. Today, HECM loans are simply an effective way for homeowners 62 and older to get the extra cash they need to enjoy retirement. Although today’s HECM loans have been improved to provide even greater financial protection for homeowners, there are still many misconceptions. For example, a lot of people mistakenly believe the home must be paid off in full in order

almost any purpose. Other common uses include making home improvements, paying off medical bills or helping other family members. Some people simply need the extra cash for everyday expenses while others are now using it as a safety net for financial emergencies. If you’re a homeowner age 62 or older, you owe it to yourself to learn more so that you can make the best decision - for your financial future.

It’s time to reverse your thinking

We’re here and ready to help. Homeowners who are interested in learning more can request a FREE Reverse Mortgage Information Kit and DVD by calling toll-free at

800-791-5104

Request a FREE Info Kit & DVD Today! Call 800-791-5104 now. the U.S. are now sitting on more than 7.7 trillion dollars* of unused home equity. Not only are people living longer than ever before, but there is also greater uncertainty in the ecomony. With home prices back up again, ignoring this “hidden wealth” may prove to be short sighted when looking for the best long-term outcome. All things considered, it’s not surprising that more than a million homeowners have already used a government-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) loan to turn their home equity into extra cash for retirement. It’s a fact: no monthly mortgage payments are required with a government-insured HECM loan; however the borrowers are still responsible for paying for the maintenance of their home, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and, if required, their

to qualify for a HECM loan, which is not the case. In fact, one key advantage of a HECM is that the proceeds will first be used to pay off any existing liens on the property, which frees up cash flow, a huge blessing for seniors living on a fixed income. Unfortunately, many senior homeowners who might be better off with a HECM loan don’t even bother to get more information because of rumors they’ve heard. In fact, a recent survey by American Advisors Group (AAG), the nation’s number one HECM lender, found that over 98% of their clients are satisfied with their loans. While these special loans are not for everyone, they can be a real lifesaver for senior homeowners - especially in times like these. The cash from a HECM loan can be used for

FREE oved ones

Our new Reverse Mortgage information guides & DVD are now available featuring award-winning actor and paid AAG spokesman, Tom Selleck.

U.S.A.’s #1 Reverse Mortgage Company

As Featured on: ABC, CBS, CNN & Fox News

*Housing Wealth for Homeowners - 62+ Reaches $7.7 Trillion in Q1 2020: NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index (RMMI) Q1 2000 - Q1 2020 Reverse mortgage loan terms include occupying the home as your primary residence, maintaining the home, paying property taxes and homeowners insurance. Although these costs may be substantial, AAG does not establish an escrow account for these payments. However, a set-aside account can be set up for taxes and insurance, and in some cases may be required. Not all interest on a reverse mortgage is tax-deductible and to the extent that it is, such deduction is not available until the loan is partially or fully repaid. AAG charges an origination fee, mortgage insurance premium (where required by HUD), closing costs and servicing fees, rolled into the balance of the loan. AAG charges interest on the balance, which grows over time. When the last borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse dies, sells the home, permanently moves out, or fails to comply with the loan terms, the loan becomes due and payable (and the property may become subject to foreclosure). When this happens, some or all of the equity in the property no longer belongs to the borrowers, who may need to sell the home or otherwise repay the loan balance. V2020.12.22 These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency.

NMLS# 9392 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). American Advisors Group (AAG) is headquartered at 18200 Von Karman Ave, Suite 300, Irvine CA 92612. Licensed in 49 states. Please go to www.aag.com/legal-information for full state license information.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

SABA from page 31

Joan carved out her own path and has been instrumental in modernizing the city’s landscape over the last couple decades. Chandler has always been full of so many genial characters, Joan noted, and it’s an easy place to make lots of good friends. That’s why the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly rough on a social butterfly like Joan, who thrives on the company of others and enjoys a nice stroll around Chandler. “We love being with people. We love doing things,” she said. “It’s not been fun, but we’re not alone.” Joan first moved to Chandler in 1954, when the city’s population was miniscule compared to today and the city limits barely stretched beyond Arizona Avenue. “The downtown square was about all there was when we first moved here,” Joan recalled. Not long after she arrived, she was matched up with David Saba Jr., whose family founded one of Chandler’s most prominent department stores in 1927. An immigrant from Lebanon, David Saba Sr. came to the United States in the 1910s and started off selling groceries in mining towns throughout Arizona. The senior Saba eventually opened his Chandler store on Boston Street and started specializing in Western-style clothes and cotton-picking sacks for the local farmers. Cotton was king in Chandler at this time and most of the city’s landscape was littered with family farms that stretched down to Riggs Road.

nership and has spent years helping the city revitalize its historic neighborhoods. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Joan was part of various groups that helped to redevelop deteriorating parts of Chandler and attract new businesses to fill vacant stores downtown. Joan said it has been exciting to witness the downtown landscape’s evolution over the years into a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant economic hub. “If it wasn’t for COVID, I think it would be even more exciting right now,” she noted. In her spare time, Joan has been an active board member for the Salvation Army, Chandler Service Club, and the Chandler The Saba sisters' driveway was gaily decorated for the birthday parade that rolled by their home Chamber of Commerce. March 6 to celebrate their 90th birthday. (Kevin Hurley/Staff Photographer) She was notably instrumental in developing the Chamber’s scholDespite the large farming market, the jumped at the chance to assist her husarship program for local students lookSaba store endured some years of turmoil band in taking over the family business. ing to gain access into higher education. “It was second-nature to help with the during the Great Depression and World In 2018, her contributions to Chandler War II before finding its footing as the store,” she remembered. were acknowledged with a “Woman of the Saba’s Western Wear has remained a economy started to thrive in the 1950s. Year” award from Positive Paths, an East “On Saturdays, the cotton pickers got popular staple in Chandler for decades Valley organization that provides mentorpaid and they were paid in dollar bills,” and Joan’s son has gone on to take over ing programs for ambitious women. the Sabas recalled in an oral history. running it in recent years. Joan thinks her volunteerism has sigThe store celebrated its 90th anniver“That was what they spent at the Channificantly enriched her decades in Chandler store. So, there were a lot of dollar sary in 2017 and continues to offer a vadler and encourages everyone to get riety of boots, jeans, cowboy hats, belts bills to be counted.” more involved with trying to uplift their The Sabas went on to open several and other apparel traditionally used by neighborhoods. more clothing stores throughout the Val- cowboys and ranchers. It’s worth the effort, she said, and the Outside of retail, Joan’s involved herself ley -- some of which have since closed. friendships one can form along the way David Saba Jr. was given the responsi- in various causes that attempted to make make the work all the more worthwhile. bility of running the family’s Chandler Chandler a more prosperous, booming “You meet people that are anxious to place for residents and new businesses. store in the 1950s. contribute and be part of the community,” She is the founding president of the Since Joan had helped her parents Saba emphasized. “You make friends with manage a retail store back in Oregon, she Downtown Chandler Community Partpeople who are very nice and giving.”

100+ Women Who Care helps Gen Justice BY LEANN LANDBERG AND SUSAN BARLOW Guest Writers

n an average day, 55 children disappear from the U.S. foster care system. Thankfully, due to the efforts of Gen Justice these children have an advocate providing them a voice in the legal system. Founded in 2017, with the purpose of mending the child protection system and bringing a permanent end to innocent

children enduring violence, they have been able to directly assist 766 children and their families, to date, through their legal clinic. Gen Justice opened a one-of-a-kind Children’s Law Clinic in Arizona to provide free counsel for abused children in danger. More than 50 pro bono attorneys across Arizona support this work. The clinic also partners with organizations throughout the state to provide trainings about the rights of foster care

children to relatives, foster families, licensing agencies and front-line workers. Gen Justice has worked with lawmakers to adopt reforms that help to find children’s relatives faster, keep infants and toddlers from being bounced between foster homes, speed up adoptions, improve educational opportunities and give kids fair and legal representation. Darcy Olsen, CEO and founder of Gen Justice, said, “In case after case, I saw how the criminally accused receive more

protection under the law than child victims. Criminals have the constitutional right to an attorney and to a speedy and public trial; children have none of those protections.” The organization helps kids on a childby-child basis. Children represented by attorneys exit the system for families 1.5 times faster than kids who aren’t. The East Valley members of 100+ Wom-

see WOMEN page 37

COMMUNITY

CANCER from page 31

phoma returned a couple months ago -- prompting doctors to find an alternative treatment that could heal the boy’s cancer for good. A bone marrow transplant is utilized by physicians to cure a wide variety of cancerous diseases and family members are often looked to as possible donors for stem cells that can replenish a patient’s damaged marrow. Now that Josh has finished his half of the procedure, Luke has endured a se-

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

ries of tests and treatments in preparation for the bone marrow operation March 25 and will stay for at least eight weeks. A transplant had initially seemed like a long shot after the family was warned the chances of finding a donor who would match with Luke’s antigen tissue weren’t great. There’s about a 25 percent chance that a sibling will be able to donate bone marrow, Ozga said, so the mother wasn’t sure a transplant would even be feasible.

Despite the low odds, Ozga said her older son never thought twice about getting tested and finding out if he could donate some of his bone marrow to help Luke. “He knows it’s going to save his brother’s life,” she noted. Before the family got their test results back, Ozga said she was struck with the feeling that Josh and Luke might be a compatible match. For Christmas, the mother had gotten Luke a cell phone equipped with facial recognition features used to lock and unlock the device. Ozga said she was awed when Josh was able to open up Luke’s new phone by holding it up to his own face. The brothers don’t look exactly alike physically, Ozga explained, so the phone trick suggested to her that Josh and Luke might be a good Luke Ozga has bravely maintained a positive atmatch for the transplant. titude throughout his ordeal with a rare form of “To me, that was the biggest sign,” cancer. (Special to The Arizonan) the mother recalled. having to wear a mask out in public, Once the transplant is complete, Ozga said Luke will essentially undergo Ozga explained, but his concerns quickly a “rebirth” that involves his blood type subsided once everyone started wearing masks. changing to match with Josh’s. Ozga’s parents have been able take The Ozga family have watched in anguish as Luke’s health repeatedly fluctu- care of her finances throughout the orated. Shortly after his diagnosis, the can- deal with the help of community memcer started to spread from Luke’s heart bers, who have stepped up to donate more than $19,000 to the family. to his liver and kidneys. Students at Hull Elementary are showDoctors had considered Luke’s prognosis to be promising in the beginning, ing their support for Josh and Luke by yet the 9-year-old’s illness has still inter- selling t-shirts and donating the profits fered with his studies at Hull Elementary to various charities including Phoenix School and has prevented him from hav- Children’s Hospital. A family friend has been raising extra ing much of a social life outside of home. Just as it seemed like Luke had made funds for the Ozgas by baking desserts it through the cancer’s darkest days, the and selling them through the Facebook family received the devastating news in page, “Peyton’s Pastries.” “I don’t know how I would be able December that the lymphoma had relapsed. Ozga said everyone felt blindsid- to do this without all the help I’ve reed to see the cancer return so soon after ceived,” Ozga said. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Luke had gone into remission. The recovery journey has taken many recently surprised the Ozga brothers sharp detours over the last couple by organizing a little parade outside the months and Ozga said she’s still wonder- family’s home. Luke feels incredibly optimistic about ing how long it will take for Luke to be completely healthy again and get back to his future, Ozga said, and the outpouring of support from the local community has having a normal life. The single mom hasn’t been able to helped to affirm his sunny disposition. “This child has the most positive atwork while Luke has undergone his medical treatments and she said she titude,” the mother added. “You would constantly worries about protecting his never know there was a war going on in weakened immune system from CO- his body.” Family and friends: gofundme.com. VID-19. Luke had been self-conscious about Search “helping Luke beat cancer.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

35 COMMUNITY

Virtual skateboarding academy teaches kids in foster care BY KATY SPRINGER Contributor

he mantra “Falling is not failure” may apply to many areas of life, but it’s particularly apropos for skateboarding. Earlier this month, the skate park at The Bridge in Chandler hosted 27 aspiring skateboarders who were there to learn more than how to ollie, slide or grind. The group was attending orientation for the +swappow PLUS Foundation’s Spring Skateboard Academy, a virtual program that teaches skills and tricks alongside life lessons in resilience, goal setting and self-worth. These lessons are especially meaningful since all of the academy’s students are teens in foster care. Most have experienced adversity and trauma in their short lives, not to mention a diminished sense of self-esteem. +swappow uses skateboarding to make a difference for children and teens in the foster care system. Founded by Joe Dunnigan as a geartrading platform, the organization has since evolved to help kids “swap out” unhelpful patterns and behaviors, learn to manage their emotions and understand that “falling” is a part of the process – of skating and of life. “Skating saved my life growing up,” said Dunnigan. “It was always a positive outlet, even when bad things were happening at home. I’ve seen what it can do for kids, especially those growing up in difficult circumstances.” Michael Shapiro, skater, former teach-

Foster kids are getting a chance to learn the art of skateboarding at The Bridge in Chandler, thanks to a foundation that teaches skills along with life lessons in resilience, self-worth and goal setting. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

er and +swappow’s executive director, couldn’t agree more. “Every time you step onto your board, you’re taking a managed risk,” he said. “Our objective is to give kids who have suffered terrible traumas the courage to take managed risks because that’s how you reach your goals in life.” Shapiro knows something about kids – and skateboarding. He grew up on a board and learned early on the power of the sport to instill confidence. As a young man, he saw that kids who feel like outsiders often gravitate toward skateboarding. And as a teacher in a low-income community, he learned how to connect with youth who had experienced more than their share of adversity. “Skating can be seen as counter-culture and a little bit dangerous, and that’s a huge draw for many kids,” he said. “It’s also accessible. Kids don’t need a field or a court. They can just go outside, step on their boards and immediately experience freedom.” Prior to COVID-19, Dunnigan and Shapiro offered one-day clinics where youth learned basic skateboard+swappow Plus Foundation’s Spring Skateboard Academy ing skills and were outfitted is giving foster kids a chance to learn a sport and a lot with quality boards and helmore. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

mets donated by local partners. More importantly, the clinics reinforced for young participants that they’re capable, that their lives matter, and that someone cares about them. The clinics served roughly 1,500 kids over the course of four years. Amid the pandemic, Shapiro and his wife, Robin, pivoted +swappow’s programming to an online format. His background as a skater and educator, combined with her experience as an instructional designer, resulted in +swappow’s virtual skateboard academy. The 12-week program begins with a COVID-19-safe orientation, when small groups of teens get their new boards and helmets, learn a few skateboarding basics and receive their journal, daily planner and seeds to plant and nurture. From there, the teens meet weekly via Zoom to talk about skateboarding and practice their skills – but also to interact with one another and receive coaching and mentoring from Shapiro. “It’s really amazing the progress these kids make,” he said. “They let their guard down and give themselves permission to think big and plan for the future.” +swappow clearly is doing something right. The Arizona Community Foundation selected the nonprofit for fiscal sponsorship with an initial grant to get the organization started. They also have received considerable support from local

organizations including SMS Financial, Advanced Physical Therapy and White Wave Longboards, enabling them to give away more than $250,000 in skateboards and equipment. In addition, the Arizona Department of Child Safety works with the +swappow to identify teens in foster care who would benefit from the academy. “Partners like +swappow make all the difference for these kids,” said Cynthia Weiss, director of communications for the Arizona Department of Child Safety and volunteer photographer at the March orientation. “They give them a healthy outlet in skateboarding, but the program is so much more than that. The kids set and work toward big goals and begin to relate to themselves as competent and worthy individuals.” The teens are already excited. The day after orientation, one foster parent told Shapiro about the boys in her care, “He told us how comfortable he felt talking with the volunteers and other participants. His brother was so excited about receiving the skateboard, helmet and GoPro Cooler. It was all they talked about Saturday. They were planting their seeds at 11 p.m. last night.” When this cohort wraps up in June, Shapiro will host a commencement ceremony to celebrate the kids’ successes. Each teen will receive a graduation gift: a GoPro camera and accessories. Then, Shapiro will begin anew with a new crop of teens. There are more than 14,000 youth in Arizona’s foster care system. While teens are highly represented within the system, there aren’t enough foster families who are licensed to parent them. Many adults assume that teens in care are beyond help, that their problems are too difficult to manage or that they’re too old to need a family. “This simply isn’t true,” said Weiss. “Like everyone else, these teens need someone to wish them ‘happy birthday’ and a family to spend time with during the holidays. They need safety, love and guidance as they navigate the transition to adulthood.” To learn more about foster care and adoption in Arizona, call 877-543-7633 or visit change2lives.com. For more information about the +swappow Plus Foundation, go to swappowplus.org.

COMMUNITY

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

3 Chandler Girl Scouts earn Gold Award ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

hree Chandler Girl Scouts have earned scouting’s highest honor, the Gold Award, for projects aimed at improving lives and their communities. The three Chandler scouts – Robin Bozik, Cayton Hale and Megan Rziha – are among the 19 Valley girls who have earned their Gold Award this year. Considered the most difficult to earn, the award challenges Girl Scouts in grades 9-12 to take action in their communities by tackling an issue they are passionate about and developing sustainable solutions to local, national and global challenges. “Recipients of Girl Scouts’ highest honor are part of an elite group of Girl Scouts who have distinguished themselves as prominent leaders in their communities and as true change-makers,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO for Girl Scouts of America Cactus-Pine Council. According to Woodbury, Gold Award Girl Scouts “are visionary leaders and

Robin Bozik

Cayton Hale

Megan Rziha

this year’s awardees have tackled prominent issues by sharing the importance of bees to our ecosystem, educating the community about climate changes and sustainability, helping eliminate the

stigma around mental health, teaching self-defense to individuals with and without Autism, creating libraries and activity stations for seniors in assisted living, creating a space to properly retire

American Flags, and so much more.” The Scouts develop their collaboration and problem-solving skills while gaining

Cutting Edge Vascular Care PHOENICIAN MEDICAL CENTER PHOENICIAN VEIN AND VASCULAR

FIND OUT! (It’s free)

ps. no waiting

P: 480-346-9522 F: 480-912-7922

• Marc L. Eckhauser, MD brings decades of expertise in clinical and operative vascular surgery to the practice of Phoenician Vein and Vascular. • Dr. Eckhauser graduated from State University of New York Downstate Medical Center and served as Chief Resident, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. He remained on the fulltime surgical faculty for 11 years teaching general/vascular surgery attaining the rank of Associate Professor of Surgery. He then practiced in southern Ohio where he started and endovascular program and organized the Vascular Institute of Northwest Ohio. • He has in the past been Chief of Surgery at three local hospitals. • He maintains Board Certiﬁcation and has recertiﬁed three times.

• Aneurysms • Arterial Dissection • PAD (Peripheral arterial disease)

• Lymphatic & Circulation Disease • Non-Atherosclerotic Vascular Disorders

604 W. Warner Rd., Bldg E., Suite 201, Chandler

2224 W. Nothern Ave., Suite C-212, Phoenix

Sun Life Center for Women 480-307-9477 655 S. Dobson Rd. #201- Chandler

slfhc.org

BE DEBT FREE IN 24–48 MONTHS!

• DVT (deep vein thrombosis) • Carotid Artery Blockages • Venous Insufﬁciency

WWW.PHOENICIANVEIN.CARE

see SCOUTS page 37

If you owe more than $10,000 in credit card or other debt, see how we can help.

Se Habla español 14869 W. Bell Rd., Suite 101, Surprise

WE ACCEPT ALL INSURANCES INCLUDING MEDICARE & AHCCCS

ACCREDITED BUSINESS ®

Call today: 1-866-696-2697

37 COMMUNITY

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

SCOUTS from page 36

confidence and lifelong leadership capabilities as well as leaving a positive impact. “In addition, Gold Award Girl Scouts are proven to show significantly higher success in life reaching their goals in education, career, and volunteer work, compared to non-alums,” says Woodbury. The honored girls can take advantage of unique scholarship opportunities, be entitled to enlist at a higher pay grade when they join the military and distinguish themselves among the competition in the college admissions process and when entering the workforce. To protect the health and safety of this year’s recipients and their families will join the 2021 Gold Award ceremony virtually on March 27. Here’s a look at the Chandler honorees’ projects:

Robin Bozik

Robin Bozik’s project was titled “Stigma Ends Here.” The stigma around mental health has almost always been visible to Robin, as she has close friends with mental illnesses or disabilities. She created a website to address and

WOMEN from page 33

en Who Care Valley of the Sun presented Gen Justice with a donation of $7,600. The donation will help lawmakers stop sex trafficking in foster care, find families for the thousands of children waiting for adoptive homes, and help them exit the system faster by banning the continuances that plague the child welfare courts. “This money will be so helpful because it helps in the court cases of these individual kids. They go into these courtrooms having been abused and without an attorney,” Olsen said, adding: “This donation lets us be there with them, put resources behind them, and keep them safe. I am just so thrilled at how generous you have been. It’s wonderful.” 100+ Women Who Care is a group of like-minded, passionate women who want to connect to one another and to their communities. The ladies are leveraging their resources so their quarterly gifts of $100, per member, add up to a significant do-

educate others about mental health, mental illnesses, locating resources, getting help, or helping others. Her goal was to raise awareness that mental health is nothing to be ashamed of and something every person should monitor closely. Her message and website were shared in an email forum at MIT, reaching students and alumni. Robin shares that the pandemic placed restrictions on meeting others and added stress to the planning. Despite that, she learned how to dig deep and find the motivation within herself and a new love for doing research. She has been a Girl Scout for nine years and is currently attending Clark University. She is studying English and biology with plans to become a genetic counselor.

Cayton Hale

Cayton Hale’s project was titled “Beat the Heat.” Riding horses since she was a kindergartner, Cayton has long been involved in the local equestrian community. Having spent many summers training in the Arizona heat, she wanted to create awareness of the dangers that the high summer temperatures present to riders and horses. She developed a heat safety poster to be shared at her barn and other loca-

tions in the Valley. She shared them on social media and with the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. In addition, Cayton transformed an empty casita space on the property into a cool-down area where horses and riders can safely escape the heat while training. Since then, she’s noticed the space utilized daily during the summer and as a community space throughout the year. “I learned that I really have the ability to be a leader,” said Cayton, a Girl Scout for 13 years who plans to attend college this year.

Megan Rziha

“Camp Field Improvement” was the title of Megan Rziha’s project. When Megan saw the field at GSACPC’s Willow Springs – her summer home away from home – had trip hazards, insufficient grass, and an anthill, she wanted to give back to the camp and future campers by improving the field through her Gold Award. After analyzing the drainage and conducting hours of research, she mobilized a group of volunteers around her corrective action plan. Megan replaced the anthill with a garden play space, cleared the field of major rocks, spread mulch from camp across

the field (to serve as a play-friendly surface and a source of nutrients for the soil), and started a test plot for a drought-resistant, non-allergenic grass seed that would be better suited for the camp field’s uses. Megan realized her strengths of organization and planning could bring about positive change, and this project improved her communication and people skills. Camp helped her grow as a person over the 13 years she was a Girl Scout. She is currently studying landscape architecture at Arizona State University. In partnership with more than 10,000 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves 21,000 girls grades K-12 in more than 90 communities across central and northern Arizona. Since 1936, GSACPC has helped girls develop leadership skills and tools for success in a rapidly changing environment. We know that given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. Girl Scouts helps young women grow courageous and strong through girl-driven programs, ranging from summer camp, to troop activities and product sales. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

This money will be so “helpful because it helps

in the court cases of these individual kids. They go into these courtrooms having been abused and without an attorney.

”

– Darcy Olsen

nation to a local charity. This group of women has learned that giving back is better together. To learn more about Gen Justice visit genjustice.org. 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun’s next giving circle is on April 22 in the East Valley. Visit 100wwcvalleyofthesun.org to register. Guests are welcome.

Attending a check presentation by 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun to Gen Justice were, from left: Phil Giltner, Gen Justice board chair; Darcy Olsen, Gen Justice founder and CEO; Caitlin Lawler, nominating member of 100+ Women Who Care; Women Who Care members Susan Barlow and Leann Landberg; and Michael Olsen. (Special to the Arizonan)

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021 Santan Fwy 202

PRICES VALID SUNDAY, MARCH 21ST THRU SATURDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2021

4.5 cu. ft. capacity washer with Smart Motion® wash technology, Cold clean® cycle and Stay Fresh® option

4.5 cu. ft.

ITEM# 02641362

25% OFF

25.5

25.5-cu. ft.‡ capacity refrigerator with adjustable shelves, full width pantry drawer and gallon-sized door bins

cu. ft.†

ITEM# 04675035

LIMITED TO WAREHOUSE QUANTITIES $

SAVE 590

ﬁngerprint resistant

169999

REG. 2289.99

25% OFF

7737/WK

LEASE PER WEEK

HOME SWEET HOME JUST A CLICK AWAY

7.4 cu. ft. capacity electric dryer with dual sensor drying technology and Wrinkle Guard® option ITEM# 02681362

Gas dryer priced higher LIMITED TO WAREHOUSE QUANTITIES

789

34 /WK

Dr.

VALUE OF THE MIGHTY DOLLAR UP TO

5.3 cu. ft. capacity electric range with FlexHeat™ Dual Radiant Element and Keep Warm Zone setting ITEM# 02285352/ WFE320M0JW

649

WE KNOW THE

25% OFF SELECT APPLIANCES

LEASE PER WEEK

2100 S Gilbert Rd Suite #7 SW Corner of Gilbert & Germann

GREAT PRICES, FINANCING, LEASE-TO-OWN AND A PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE

SAVE $540 ON THE PAIR $ 99 OR 26 * REG. 1059.99 EACH

S. Gilbert Rd.

SHOWROOM

E. Germann Rd.

S. Stearman

HOME APPLIANCE

E. Germann Rd.

2763/WK

LEASE PER WEEK

24-in. built-in dishwasher with 3600 PowerWash X Spray Arm, adjustable racks and Sani Rinse option third rack stainless steel tub

ITEM# 02214305

LIMITED TO WAREHOUSE QUANTITIES

SAVE $80

81999

REG. 899.99

3568/WK

LEASE PER WEEK

SEARSHOMEAPPLIANCESHOWROOM.COM

On all appliances: Colors, connectors, ice maker hook-up and installation extra. ‡Total capacity. (1) Advertised savings range from 5%-25%. Exclusions apply. See The Details section. See store for additional exclusions. Offers good thru 3/27/21. Subject to lease approval, total cost to lease for a 5-mo. lease agreement is $60 due at lease signing plus taxes, followed by 19 weekly payments of the per week amount shown by the item. For your options at the end of the 5-mo. agreement, see the “LEASING DETAILS” below. Lease prices shown are valid on the sale prices shown for the duration of this advertisement. APPLIANCE OFFERS: (1) Bosch®, Whirlpool®, KitchenAid®, Maytag®, Amana®, LG®, Samsung®, Frigidaire and Electrolux appliances limited to 10% off. Offers exclude Hot Buys, Super Hot Buys, Special Purchases GE®, GE Profile™, GE Café™, clearance, closeouts, Home appliance & Floor Care Accessories, Gift Card and Everyday Great Price items. See store for additional exclusions. Offers good thru 3/27/21. LEASING DETAILS: This is a lease transaction. The lease has a 5-month minimum term [“Initial Term”]. Must be at least 18 years old and income requirements apply. Qualifying merchandise of at least $199 is required to enter into a lease at Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC. Excludes non-durable goods. No security deposit required. Lease requires consumer to make first payment at lease signing, plus 19 weekly (offered online only) lease payments, 9 biweekly lease payments or 4 monthly lease payments. After fulfilling the Initial Term, you may: (1) continue to lease by making periodic payments in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement; (2) exercise a purchase option per the terms of the lease agreement (not available in NJ, VT, WI, or WV); or (3) return the leased items to WhyNotLeaseIt. For example, leased item(s) with lease amount of $600 with a weekly lease payment schedule (offered online only) would require $60 first lease payment followed by 19 weekly payments of approximately $25.26 plus tax, or a biweekly lease payment schedule would require $60 first lease payment followed by 9 biweekly payments of approximately $53.33 plus tax, or a monthly lease payment schedule would require $120 first lease payment followed by 4 monthly payments of approximately $105.00 plus tax, with total cost to lease the item(s) for the Initial Term of $540.00 plus tax. TEMPOE, LLC dba WhyNotLeaseIt® is an independent service provider of the LEASE IT program and not an affiliate or licensee of Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC or its affiliates. Sears Home Appliance Showrooms may be independently operated by authorized franchisees of Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, LLC or by authorized dealers of Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC. The SEARS mark is a service mark of Sears Brands, LLC.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

BUSINESS

Chandler business owner achieves her dream BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

aihana Nadem grew up in a place where she wasn’t allowed to pursue her passion for beauty makeup and cosmetology. The 28-year-old Chandler resident was raised in Afghanistan, where she didn’t have the freedom to change her appearance – or make most any other decision for herself. The country’s customs often dictated how Nadem had to dress and behave in public – which never made much sense to her. “If I don’t want to be covered,” she said

of the traditional veil and headdress, Nadem said she grew up observing “there shouldn’t be any problem.” ambitious women attacked by terrorAfghanistan has long had a ists who felt threatened by their troubling reputation for its boldness and whose civil treatment of women as rights were suppressed. the country has endured Although her pardecades of war, turents pushed Nadem moil, and political inand her five sisters stability. to pursue an educaHuman rights orgation, there were some nizations have regufields of study that were still inaccessible larly disparaged the in her country’s patricountry’s track record archal society. on gender equality and “Women being a coshave repeatedly called on metologist, a hairdresser, a the government to make its laws more hospitable to women. Raihana Nadem makeup artist -- that doesn’t

exist,” Nadem said. “If it does, they get targeted all the time… just because they want to make others look more beautiful.” Nadem initially worked as a civil engineer for construction contractors before deciding to switch career paths as she was preparing to immigrate to the United States. She dreamed of working in the beauty industry and opening up a salon in some American town where she’d have the freedom to experiment with a variety of products. But her parents weren’t exactly thrilled about Nadem changing careers

see SALON page 40

Kaleidoscope Juice opens Chandler store DAVID M. BROWN Contributor

aleidoscope Juice has picked downtown Chandler as its sixth Valley location, opening several weeks ago with its line of juices, smoothies, coffees, acai bowls, gluten-free baked goods, grab-and-go salads and other health-conscious items. The store is in the atrium of the renovated Alexander building, 25 South Alexander Place, in the San Marcos neighborhood. Designed and built by Scottsdale-based George Oliver, the contemporary-style Kaleidoscope includes a green wall and its generous seating allows social distancing. “George does incredible work and is focused on renovating spaces in the Valley to maintain history while providing modern workplace amenities,” said Brooke Graves of Gilbert, Kaleidoscope Juice’s chief operating officer and co-owner. “We are delighted to continue our expansion in the East Valley and share our

Brooke Graves of Gilbert is the COO and co-owner of Kaleidoscope Juice. (Special to the Arizonan)

nourishing, high-vibe menu items with more members of our Arizona community,” she said. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to continue to share our passion for healthy foods as we continue to grow the concept.” Recognizing the trend for healthy fast casual food, and a need for organic meals and cold-press juice in particular, Alexandra Maw of Scottsdale won a business grant and started the company from her home in 2008 while she was attending Arizona State University. Maw started by placing her fresh multi-colored juice in glass mason jars. At first, a few loyal customers purchased every week. As the orders grew, the jars accumulated, and she noticed that the different colors resembled the lens of a kaleidoscope. Hence Kaleidoscope Juice. She opened the first shop off 1st Avenue in Old Town Scottsdale in 2013.

see KALEIDOSCOPE page 40

BUSINESS

SALON �� page 39

and immersing herself into a profession that felt foreign to them. “They were not very happy but they are now,” Nadem said. After educating herself in various beauty practices for the last few years, Nadem is preparing to open a new salon in Chandler later this month at 3731 S. Arizona Ave. near Ocotillo Road called Bella Vita Med-Spa. Clients will be able to book appointments for facial and body sculpting treatments designed to make themselves feel more confident about their appearance. Every customer will hopefully walk out of Bella Vita with a smile, Nadem said, and feel comforted by the spa’s welcoming atmosphere. “We treat our clientele like kings and queens,” she said. Bella Vita offers a combination of high-tech

KALEIDOSCOPE �� page 39

Following were a Phoenix CASA store, also designed and built by Oliver; and two more Scottsdale locations, in Gainey

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

services and old-fashion holistic remedies to sculpt a client’s face to their satisfaction. Botox, lip tinting, eyebrow threading, and laser hair removal are some of the modern services Nadem’s currently offering. She also uses some basic, organic products for her selection of anti-aging facials. Nadem said some of her techniques are inspired by the knowledge her mother gave her about how to use natural ingredients for beauty regimens. Afghanistan didn’t offer much of a supply for cosmetics, she noted, so Nadem’s family often had to grind up plants and spices for a homemade cream to clear up acne breakouts. “All I had was herbs and my mom was teaching us how to have flawless skin,” Nadem said. Bella Vita’s treatments range in price from $50 to $1,000 per session and customers can earn a discount by signing up for a membership. Village and Optima Sonoran Village. The Gilbert location, in its booming downtown, opened in February 2020. Still a co-owner, Maw works at home while raising her daughter, Sarah, with

Nadem said her goal is to keep her prices low in order to make them accessible for a wide cross-section of clients. “I want every woman, every man to be able to afford the newest technology or holistic side,” she added. Bella Vita’s won’t be the first business Nadem has started on her own. Shortly after immigrating to the U.S., she and her husband settled down in North Dakota and Nadem decided to open up a barbershop. She managed to attract dozens of customers each day by opening up a bar inside the salon and serving beers to clients as they got their hair trimmed. The unique idea caught on fast and Nadem’s appointment book was swiftly filling up on a daily basis. Success seemed to come quickly, Nadem said, but not all the locals were thrilled to see an immigrant woman with a thriving business in their town.

husband Chris. “Our mission is to nourish everyone who comes in contact with Kaleidoscope Juice with our cold-pressed juices, highvibe food, light bites and uplifting shop-

There were some slight instances of racism and discrimination, she recalled, yet she tried to not let them detour her from achieving her goals. To Nadem, her treatment in America was still far better than the oppression she felt back in Afghanistan. So, she simply tried to ignore the barbs and slurs that competitors threw at her. “Those seem really minor because my skin is way more thick,” Nadem said. “I am enjoying my freedom to a dangerous level. This is a dream.” Living each day in Arizona feels like a vacation compared to where Nadem lived before, she added, and the Valley seems like the perfect place for her spa business to expand in the years to come. “I’m working hard to live as many dreams as I have,” she said. Bella Vita held a soft opening and plans its grand opening April 10. Information: 480356-9179 or bellavitamedspas.com. ping experience to encourage happy and purpose-filled lives,” explained Graves, who is working on a Ph.D. in natural health and holistic nutrition at ASU.

see KALEIDOSCOPE page 41

Premier Tile Roofer! Don’t wait to buy or refinance. Let’s talk today.

aFamily Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! aWe have a “Spencer” on every job

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING 480-855-6287 • WESTERNBANKS.COM 976 W Chandler Blvd • Chandler

ROC#244850 Insured | Bonded

Valley Wide Service FREE Estimates 480-446-7663 Credit Cards

spencer4hireroofing.com

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

KALEIDOSCOPE �� page 40

She graduated from ASU in 2014 with a degree in nutrition dietetics, minoring in sustainability to focus on agricultural development. “My undergraduate and graduate degrees allowed a great base of medical nutrition therapy,” she said. “I wanted to move into a more holistic realm of nutrition focusing on food and product development.” As a customer in 2014, she discovered Kaleidoscope Juice and started working part time while finishing her graduate school coursework. “It was exciting from the start, and I resonated with Alexandra’s mission of serving high-quality, transparent food to the public,” she recalled. They expanded the working relationship to a friendship and then a business partnership in 2018. “She has given me encouragement and freedom to help grow and expand Kaleidoscope Juice with her, which has been the most rewarding job imaginable,” Maw added. The company’s mission is to help improve the health and wellness of the community.

Kaleidoscope Juice picked the swank lobby of the recently renovated downtown Chandler Alexander building. (Special to the Arizonan) “It is proud to source the best organic ingredients, locally when we are able, to offer healthy food fast,” Graves said. Kaleidoscope emphasizes freshness and quality, she added, noting that “our brand is representative of the care and intense ingredient control we hold near

to our hearts.” Among the many favorites are the Walk-In juice, Avo-Smash toast, Red Eye Smoothie and gluten-free protein cookies. She explained that, moving forward, the company will shift into more therapeutic blends and innovative ingredients.

“We do not believe food is a trend; we believe food is medicine and with that you can truly change people’s lives. We plan to continue devoting our brand to the constant evolution of medical nutrition research while still holding to our roots of making health food delicious.” Juice is not a means for weight loss, cleansing or detoxing. “We view juice as a more bio-available means to enhance the consumption of quality organic fruits and vegetables,” Graves said. Food should not restrict or punish, she added, but “it should be a way of introducing healing ingredients to your everyday life. “Our juice, smoothie and tonic blends all serve a higher purpose to not only fulfill hunger but enhance cognitive function and promote healthy digestion,” she added. “With Kaleidoscope Juice, you’re eating to serve your soul, creating not only a healthy relationship with food but maintaining a true form of self-care.” The Chandler Kaleidoscope is open every day, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and menus, visit Kaleidoscope. love or follow on Facebook and Instagram @KaleidoscopeJuice.

Google’s #1 rated window & door company in Phoenix!

Offers Expire Mar. 31, 2021

Buy 1 Window or Door, Get the 2nd

% OFF

PLUS

YES** 0 INTEREST FOR 12 MONTHS

YES** 0 PAYMENTS FOR 12 MONTHS

3837 E. Wier Ave., Suite 4 Phoenix, AZ 85040 ROC#323748

Installation Required ** OAC minimum purchase required

CALL TODAY AND SAVE 480.382.2025 OR www.SIPHOENIX.com

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

WE BLANKET THE AREA.

Kevin MacDonald, managing director of Innonix Technologies USA LLC, wears the Respokare Anti-Viral Mask, the first FDA-cleared anti-viral face mask that destroys coronavirus. (Jennifer Sturgeon)

Chandler facility used to house new kind of mask BY KRISTINE CANNON Staff Writer

What’s more comforting than having one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation nearby? Knowing Phoenix Children’s is close to where you live, blanketing the area with a network of more than 1,100 expert primary care doctors and specialists in over two dozen convenient locations. So if you’re looking for top-notch care right in your community, you can rest easy.

Visit us at phoenixchildrens.org or call 602-933-KIDS (5437)

nnonix Technologies earlier this month used its Chandler facility to unveil the first FDA-cleared anti-viral mask for children. The mask, which is part of the RespoKare line of face masks, quickly destroys 99.99 percent of human coronavirus, as well as influenza and other viruses, within minutes of contact. “As the more dangerous COVID-19 variants are quietly spreading, Arizona has seen record infection numbers. While most Americans protect themselves by wearing masks as a physical barrier from the virus, RespoKare steps further by destroying viruses on contact,” said Kevin MacDonald, managing director of Innonix Technologies USA LLC, which is headquartered in Scottsdale. Other masks in the RespoKare line include a surgical grade flat mask and a N95 respirator model. All masks use the same lab-tested, patented technology that features an anti-

viral layer of rayon material coated with concentrations of copper and zinc ions. The copper and zinc ions destroy viruses within minutes once they hit the mask’s surface. The four-layer design of the mask includes: the outer layer, which traps contaminated droplets; the patented antiviral layer, which destroys pathogens with the use of copper and zinc ions; the filter layer, which traps fine particles; and the liquid-resistant inner layer, which provides further protection. The mask achieves a 99.9 percent inactivation of viral particles within one minute; and when tested against 15 different strains of influenza, it achieves a 99.9 percent inactivation in less than five minutes. “We are creating awareness of our premium masks and offering them to people who are looking for a quality mask with added anti-viral technology. We hope to play a role in mitigating Arizona’s pandemic,” MacDonald said. The RespoKare line of masks is currently in stock in Arizona at Walgreens

see MASK page 43

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

MASK �� page 42

and Walmart. The RespoKare Anti-Viral Mask and the RespoKare N95 Respirator Plus also available for sale through three authorized resellers, including Protectly, Peel

“We believe it’s a fair price for a better product,” MacDonald said. While more than 633,000 Maricopa County adult residents have been vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the county’s website, MacDonald believes the demand for

As the more dangerous COVID-19 variants are “quietly spreading, Arizona has seen record infec-

Innonix Technologies’ facility in Chandler is currently stocked with 1.8 million masks, 30,000 of which will be donated to low-income senior citizen facilities, in-class elementary teachers, and police officers. The Phoenix Police Foundation received 8,000 masks and allocated them to the Phoenix Police

tion numbers. While most Americans protect themselves by wearing masks as a physical barrier from the virus, RespoKare steps further by destroying viruses on contact.

”

Away Labs, and Wellbefore. The masks are affordable, too. The ASTM level 3 surgical grade masks in adult and child sizes are $2.49 each and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved N95 Respirator Plus, which is available in medium and large sizes, is $4.99 each.

– Kevin MacDonald

masks won’t go away. “A year and a half ago, most of our clientele were Asian Americans [who] traditionally wear masks when they’re sick. So now, what we found is that postpandemic the demand for masks probably won’t go away. These can be used in operating rooms,” MacDonald said.

Department. “The significance of this is, one, we’re providing additional coverage for our patrol officers to use,” said Timothy Thomas, President of the Phoenix Police Foundation. “When they’re out there, they have a

Adam Lowe, MD, FACG

lot of encounters with our citizens, and they also frequently encounter citizens that may not have a mask,” Thomas continued. “They might not have a quality mask; so, having these 8,000 masks provides an opportunity for some positive engagement with our officers.” Scottsdale Unified School District was also a recipient of the masks, and Tavan Elementary School, specifically, received theirs on Feb. 25. “These masks complement the district’s ongoing virus-mitigation strategies that have allowed us to offer in-person instruction to Scottsdale students since last fall,” said SUSD Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel. “Home-grown solutions to a global issue say a lot about the people we call our neighbors,” Menzel added. Information: respokare.com

Rajan Khosla, MD

We are pleased to announce the opening

of SONORAN GASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATES Dr. Adam Lowe and Dr. Rajan Khosla welcome all patients to their new practice.

• Board Certified Gastroenterologists • Specializing in all gastrointestinal, liver biliary tract, pancreas diseases and related malignancies • Offering colon cancer screening and open access colonoscopy

• In-Office and telemedicine appointments available as well as online scheduling and online referrals. • Same day urgent appointments available • Serving the East Valley and Phoenix communities for over 15 years

Chandler Office 3930 South Alma School Road Suite 5, Chandler, Arizona, 85248 Sonoran Gastroenterology Associates is a division of AGA

Phone: (480) 542-7000 Fax: (480) 542-7500

www.sonorangastro.com

SPORTS

Sports

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

EV golfers take part in Dustin Johnson junior championships BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor

pair of East Valley golfers recently had the opportunity to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages at the junior level. Chandler resident Johnny Walker and Gilbert resident Anawin Pikulthong, who both attend Hamilton High School, were among golfers invited to compete in the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championships over the weekend of March 5-7 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hosted by the top-ranked golfer in the world, the two Hamilton studentathletes competed against some of the top junior golfers in the country and represented Arizona along the way. “It was definitely a good learning experience,” Walker said. “It was probably one of the strongest fields I’ve ever played in and one of the toughest courses I’ve ever had to play. It was just a good experience to represent Arizona across the country.” The tournament was yet another milestone in Walker’s young career. As a senior this year, he helped lead Hamilton to its second straight Division I golf championship in the fall. As a junior, he captured the individual state title. Walker first picked up a club when he was just 7 years old. At the time, he also competed in both baseball and basketball. But as he grew older and began to take golf more seriously than the rest, he decided to focus solely on golf in his high school career. Walker first played in the championship round for Hamilton as a sophomore, finishing two over par and 15th overall in the field. He helped lead the Huskies to a second-place finish in the tournament in 2018. But he dominated the field as a junior, finishing the championship tournament 10-under to win the individual state title while Hamilton won the team championship. He followed up a strong junior performance with a seventh-place finish as a senior and yet another team title.

Left: Johnny Walker, a Chandler resident and senior at Hamilton High School, was one of the top junior golfers invited to compete in the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship on March 5-7 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Right: Anawin Pikulthong, a Gilbert resident and sophomore at Hamilton High School, also competed in the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship, as he and Walker represented the Huskies and all of Arizona on a national stage. (Courtesy Chris King) “Playing for Hamilton was a fun experience,” said Walker, who signed to continue his golf career at the University of Arizona. “We were really competitive within our team and all of us had to fight for a spot in the starting lineup. I think that will help me when I move on to college because not everyone has to compete like that in high school.” Capping off his high school career by competing in the Dustin Johnson tournament was surreal for Walker, who is currently ranked 107th overall in the country for golfers in his graduating class. And to share the moment with Pikulthong and represent the state and Hamilton together made it more special. “It was definitely a good bonding moment

for us,” Walker said. “We usually only play local stuff together. So, to travel outside of the state to play an individual tournament together was a pretty cool experience.” Pikulthong, just a sophomore, has already begun to follow in the footsteps of Walker during his Hamilton career. He finished tied for 12th overall as a freshman at the state golf championships in 2020 and followed it up with a third place finish this past fall as a sophomore behind only Max Lyons of Sandra Day O’Connor and Mahanth Chirravuri, his teammate and individual champion for the 2021 season. Pikulthong finished 11th overall at the Dustin Johnson event and while he admits it wasn’t his best performance, competing against some of the other top

junior golfers has allowed him to see where he can improve ahead of his junior season at Hamilton. “It was an extremely well-run tournament,” Pikulthong said. “I didn’t play as good as I wanted to but I’m going to take the positives from the event and improve and hope to win it next year.” Like Walker, Pikulthong began golfing at an early age. He was just 3 years old when he became captivated by watching his father play the game. He enrolled in his first tournament a few years later at a local East Valley course. His love for the game grew from there as he continued watching and playing with his father. The game came somewhat naturally to Pikulthong, who has won several tournaments and is one of the top golfers in the country and world. He’s currently No. 1 in Arizona for the 2023 class and No. 5 in the world. “I never thought I was really that good,” Pikulthong said. “I always compared myself to something bigger and set goals for something bigger. My dad always told me to shoot for the stars but if I fail, I can land on the moon. “If you set really high goals and don’t accomplish them you can still be successful.” His accolades early on helped him earn a scholarship offer to Arizona State University, where he verbally committed. Both Pikulthong and Walker, staying in-state to play golf at the next level, have dreamed of walking onto hole No. 16 at TPC Scottsdale during the Waste Management Phoenix Open to roaring crowds of Sun Devil and Wildcat supporters. In many ways, they want to have the same exhilarating welcome Arizona State alums Phil Mickelson, Chez Reavie and Jon Rahm have received in year’s past at one of the most famous holes on the PGA Tour. “That’s definitely a tournament I want to play in,” Pikulthong said. “I think it would be unreal. It would be the highlight of my life. I just need to continue working hard and I believe I can get to that point.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

GET OUT 45

AZ Creates! offers big lineup this month ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

handler author-artist Laurie Fagen has a fresh lineup of talent for her March segments of her YouTube television show, AZ Creates! Fagen hosts and produces the show, which debuts two segments each month that are archived for viewing if you can’t see them right away. In Episode 11, which launched last week, metal sculptor and 3D printer artist Kevin Caron of Phoenix talks about working with various types of metal for outdoor sculptures. He also will discuss his work with resin for the three 3D printers he owns. “My first love was for machinery,” Caron says on his website. “Its immaculate steel composition and constructed perfection afforded orchestrated movement, couched in the joy of solitude. “My education as an artist is synonymously tied to the roads I have consumed on a motorcycle and behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound semitruck,” he adds. “I spent more than 30 years meditating and molding shapes in my mind, so when an opportunity to sculpt my first piece presented itself, the transition from mental manipulation to the creation of physical structures was seamless and effortless.”

The show also features Margaret Ann Spence of Tempe, who talks about her new women’s fiction book, “Joyous Lies.” The book is the Australian and former Boston resident’s second novel. Her first novel, “Lipstick on the Strawberry,” published by The Wild Rose Press in 2017, won the Romantic Elements Category in the First Coast Romance Writers 2015 Beacon Contest. It

as her lidded vessel series. The latter was published in Lark Craft’s “500 Raku,” juried into various shows and purchased by public and private institutions. She says she draws inspiration from architectural and interior design elements, like those from the Bauhaus movement, Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry. She obtained her bachelors of fine arts degree from Florida Atlantic University

My first love was for machinery, its immaculate steel “composition and constructed perfection afforded orchestrated movement, couched in the joy of solitude. ”

– Kevin Caron

also was a finalist for the 2019 Eric Hoffer Book Award and in the 2019 Next Generation Indie Awards. In AZ Creates’ Episode 12, which premieres March 25, the Creative Connection artist is ceramicist Sandy Ashbaugh of Chandler and director of the Ocotillo Artists Group. Ashbaugh has been working in clay for over 30 years and uses a traditional hand building method of slab construction and sgraffito to achieve a modern aesthetic. Among her best-known pieces are those from her uniquely designed and handcrafted sake set collection, as well

and has worked in clay ever since. She also describes herself as passionate about art education and has been involved with local schools and communities, teaching art as well as coordinating art programs and shows since 2004. Also on that program is Timothy Moore of Phoenix, whose book “Mirandized Nation” tells the inside story from the Phoenix Police Department about the arrest and case that led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that gave criminal defendants their Miranda Rights. In the program’s regular arts events segment, called “Something to Look For-

ward To,” co-host and graphic designer Cathy Beard of Clemente Ranch will discuss art happenings from around the state on March 25. The featured nonprofit for Episode 11 was the Alliance of Literary Writers, Authors and Yabbering Scribes. On Episode 12, the Ocotillo Artist Group, a collective of Chandler fine artists, will be highlighted. The programs all close with a “Creative Quote of the Day.” AZ Creates! is a half-hour web series to highlight artists, writers, dancers, musicians, film, theatre and TV creatives, and other artistic people in Arizona. Fagen, former publisher of SanTan Sun News, an artist and crime fiction novel writer, designed the program to connect art patrons with artists, and to work on a positive project during the COVID-19 pandemic. All episodes are available on the AZ Creates! YouTube channel at any time, along with other video content. Sponsorships are available with introductory rates and discounts for multishow commitments. Sponsors for the show include Times Media, Sibley’s West, an Arizona and Chandler Gift Shop and Mary Contreras State Farm Insurance. Subscribe to the AZ Creates channel on Youtube.com at is.gd/AZCreates. Information: AZCreates.ArtOnlineAZ@ gmail.com.

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Call now to get your ADT security system starting at $19.99/mo.* Plus get $100 off installation† when you call today! *Requires 36-month monitoring contract for intrusion only with a minimum charge of $28.99 after the 12 month term. Equipment shown requires ADT Secure or higher. Early term. and installation fees apply. Taxes addt’l. For full terms and pricing see below. † Requires minimum purchase of $449.

Life safety

Obituaries Joyce McClelland

Let us help you stay CO, protected from fire, floods & more!

February 1944 – January 4, 2021 of Edina, MN (formerly also Mesa, AZ, New London, MN, and Burnside, IA) passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a long courageous battle with cancer. Celebration of life service pending.

Cameras

outdoor & Choose from indoor, can keep doorbell cams so you you aren’t watch even when e to ADT Video. there with upgrad

$100 off installation

Obituaries

een panel and smart Upgrade to a touchscr e stick with basic hom home equipment or , you’ll save $100! security. Either way

Marvin Belik 1-833-986-0324

Redemption code: DF-CD-NP-Q121

Reply by: April 15, 2021

Get protected by America’s #1 home security provider

Theft Protection Guarantee**

24/7 ADT Monitoring

#1 Smart Home Security provider

Certain restrictions apply

ADT 6-Month Money-Back Guarantee‡ Certain restrictions apply

YO U R E XC LU S I V E S AV I N G S CO U P O N STARTING AT

99 /mo

BONUS $100 off installation

Call now to redeem your exclusive offer!

1-833-986-0324 Redemption code:

Reply by:

DF-CD-NP-Q121

April 15, 2021

We’re available 24/7. See if you qualify for same-day service!

*$19.99/month + †$100 off Installation: Requires 36-month monitoring contract with a minimum charge of $28.99/mo. (before instant savings) (24-month monitoring contract in California, total fees from $695.76 (before instant savings) and enrollment in Easy Pay. Service and installation charges vary depending on system configuration, equipment and services selected. Offer includes (i) $9.00 instant savings per month applicable only towards monthly monitoring charge for the first 12 months of initial contract term (total value of $108.00) and (ii) $100 instant savings on installation with minimum purchase of $449 after promotion is applied. Traditional Service Level requires landline phone. Excludes ADT’s Extended Limited Warranty. Upon early termination by Customer, ADT may charge 75% of the remaining monthly service charges for the balance of the initial contract term. Limit one offer per new ADT customer contract. Not valid on purchases from ADT Authorized Dealers. Expires 4/15/2021. **Theft Protection Guarantee: Customer may receive reimbursement of up to five hundred dollars ($500) of Customer’s homeowner’s insurance deductible (if any) if, and only if, ALL requirements for Theft Protection Guarantee are met to ADT’s reasonable satisfaction. Customer must request reimbursment within 60 days of property loss. Request must be mailed to ADT and include: Theft Protection Guarantee certificate signed by Customer, a letter from Customer requesting reimbursement, a copy of the police report, and a copy of the accepted insurance claim. ADT reserves the right to reject any application for reimbursement that does not comply with all of the requirements. ‡ADT Money-Back Guarantee: Money back guarantee only applies after ADT has made attempts to resolve a system related issue and has not been able to resolve that issue within the first 6 months of your contract. Equipment must be fully removed before a refund will be processed. Conditions preventing normal system operation cannot be caused by the customer. Interactive Services: ADT Command Interactive Solutions Services (“ADT Command”) helps you manage your home environment and family lifestyle. Requires purchase of an ADT alarm system with 36 month monitoring contract ranging $45.99-$57.99/mo with QSP (24-month monitoring contract in California, total fees ranging $1,103.76-$1,391.76), enrollment in ADT Easy Pay, and a compatible device with Internet and email access. These interactive services do not cover the operation or maintenance of any household equipment/systems that are connected to the ADT Command equipment. All ADT Command services are not available with all interactive service levels. All ADT Command services may not be available in all geographic areas. You may be required to pay additional charges to purchase equipment required to utilize the interactive service features you desire. General: Additional charges may apply in areas that require guard response service for municipal alarm verification. System remains property of ADT. Local permit fees may be required. Prices and offers subject to change and may vary by market. Additional taxes and fees may apply. Satisfactory credit required. A security deposit may be required. Simulated screen images and photos are for illustrative purposes only. ©2021 ADT LLC dba ADT Security Services. All rights reserved. ADT, the ADT logo, 800.ADT.ASAP and the product/service names listed in this document are marks and/or registered marks. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. Third-party marks are the property of their respective owners. License information available at www.ADT.com or by calling 800.ADT.ASAP. CA ACO7155, 974443, PPO120288; FL EF0001121; LA F1639, F1640, F1643, F1654, F1655; MA 172C; NC Licensed by the Alarm Systems Licensing Board of the State of North Carolina, 7535P2, 7561P2, 7562P10, 7563P7, 7565P1, 7566P9, 7564P4; NY 12000305615; PA 090797 DF-CD-NP-Q121

Need help writing an obituary? We have articles that will help guide you through the process. Deadline for obituaries is Wednesday at 5pm for Sunday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays.

Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 if you have questions.

Marvin Ernest Belik, 79, died February 3, 2021, at his home in Mesa, Ariz.

Visit: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

Marvin was born December 1, 1941, in Omaha, NE, to Ernest and Rose (Chmelka) Belik. He was raised in Prague, NE with his two brothers, Robert and Ernest. Marvin graduated from Prague High School in 1960. He served in the United States Army, then moved to Omaha, NE where he met his former wife and started a family.

Obituaries H E A D STO N E S

In 1971, Marvin returned to Prague with his family and started a business operating an auto repair shop. He served as Fire Chief for the Prague Volunteer Fire Department for many years. As part of the centennial celebration for Prague, Marvin was part of a team that baked the 'World's Largest Kolache'. Marvin moved to Mesa, Ariz. in 1995. He became a part of the local community and spent his time walking the nature trails near his home, riding his bike and spending time with friends. Marvin is survived by his daughters, Brenda Belik Ristea and Rebecca Belik; his grandchildren, Rose Ristea and Ryan Ristea; his brother Ernest Belik, Jr; many family members and close friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Rose Belik; and his brother, Robert Belik. Marvin has been interred at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Veterans charity. Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

EVERLASTING MONUMENT Co.

“Memories cut in Stone” • MONUMENTS • GRANITE & BRONZE • CEMETERY LETTERING • CUSTOM DESIGNS

480-969-0788 75 W. Baseline Rd. Ste. A-8 Gilbert, AZ 85233

www.everlastingmonumentco.com info@everlastingmonument.phxcoxmail.com

Make your choice Everlasting Your newspaper. Your community. Your planet. Please recycle me.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

47 CLASSIFIEDS

The Chandler Arizonan

1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #219 • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@timespublications.com

Deadlines

Classifieds: Thursday 11am for Sunday Life Events: Thursday 10am for Sunday

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | ChandlerNews.com

Employ ment Employment General Chef Chinese Food, FT, plan menu & cook Chinese food. Req. 2 yr exp. Apply at Big Heng 7530 W. Peoria Av. Peoria, AZ 85345 yanmingsitu @gmail.com Chef Chinese Food(2 openings), FT, plan menu & cook Chinese food. Req. 2 yr exp. Apply at R&P Enterprise, Phoenix Palace 2075 N. Dobson Rd. Chandler, AZ 85224 lijuanz84@gmail.com

Employment General

Chef Chinese Food, FT, plan menu & cook Chinese food. Req. 2 yr exp. Apply at Shanghai Club 3434 W. Anthem Wy #166, Anthem AZ 85086 jtfeng21@yahoo.com

Inspector, FT, req. 2 yr exp. Inspect/test auto components. Apply at Catalina Components 4015 W. Milky Wy Chandler, AZ 85226 nicole@catalinacomponents.com

OUR JOB BOARD HAS THE TALENT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.

MetaSoftTech Solutions has openings for Software Engineers in Chandler, AZ area. Reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in Java/Salesforce/HTML/ Oracle/SQL to analyze/design/develop/ implement/test systems & applications. Email resume to applymst@gmail.com with ref # 2021-19 & ref EVT ad

WE WANT YOU!

JOB FAIR

AT WE-KO-PA GOLF CLUB

VISIT US AT

WE-KO-PA GOLF CLUB

18200 E WeKoPa Way Fort McDowell, AZ 85264 Just Off Hwy 87 & Fort McDowell Road WED, MARCH 31, 2021 9AM - 3PM

Now hiring for parttime and full-time janitorial positions in Mesa and Phoenix For further information apply in person at 7020 N 55th Ave Glendale AZ 85301 or call 623-937-3727

FIND THE BEST TALENT. EASILY POST JOBS. COMPETITIVE PRICING AND EXPOSURE

Chef Chinese Food, FT, plan menu & cook Chinese food. Req. 2 yr exp. Apply at Kawaii Japanese & Asian Cuisine 6530 W. Happy Valley Rd #112, Glendale, AZ 85310 joeyselamat456 @gmail.com

More info: 480-898-6465 or email jobposting@evtrib.com

J BS. EASTVALLEY TRIBUNE.COM

Most jobs also appear on Indeed.com

Announcements

Wanted to Buy

Prayer Announcements

Diabetic Test Strips by the box, unused. Any type or brand. Will pay top dollar. Call Pat 480-323-8846

O Holy St Jude! Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor for all who invoke you, special patron in time of need; to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart, and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance; help me now in my urgent need and grant my earnest petition. I will never forget thy graces and favors you obtain for me and I will do my utmost to spread devotion to you. Amen. St. Jude, pray for us and all who honor thee and invoke thy aid. (Say 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Maryʼs, and 3 Glory Be’s after this.)

Employment General Microsoft Corporation currently has the following openings in Tempe, AZ (job opportunities available at all levels, e.g., Principal, Senior and Lead levels). Commercial Executive: Design & implement licensing solutions to monetize MSFT's commercially available prod(s) & solutions. Req dom & intl travel up to 25%. Telecommuting permitted. https://jobs-microsoft.icims.com/jobs/22772/go/job

Auto - All Makes 2021 BMW 230i Convertible, low mi, 4cy turbo eng., red leather interior, white w/ blk top. $46,000. Mr. King 480-600-7016

Merch andise

Wanted to Buy WANTED BY COLLECTOR OLDER MODEL AMERICAN MADE GUNS IN NICE CONDITION CONSIDER OTHERS I DO NOT SELL GUNS. CALL WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. LEE 602-448-6487

Garage Sales/ Bazaars

Gilbert: Seville Golf & Country Club Huge Community Wide Garage Sale btwn Riggs/ N & S. of Chandler Heights. W. of Power & E. & W. of Higley. Sat April 10th & Sunday April 11th. 8am-?

Car for Sale?

Advertise It Here!

Call 480.898.6465

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

Multiple positions available. To view detailed job descriptions and minimum requirements, and to apply, visit the website address listed. EOE.

MAAX Spas is hiring

Correctional Education Site Director, Arizona State Prison Complex - Florence, Central Unit

Manufactured Homes

Full Time

The Correctional Education Program at Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) invites applications for full-time Site Director at the Arizona State Prison Complex - Florence, Central Unit, located in Florence, AZ. For requirements and qualifications and to apply online, go to https://www.ashland.edu/administration/human-resources

THE LINKS ESTATES

Generous Pay v

Benefits v

Paid Vacation v

Paid Sick Time v

401K Apply online at maaxspas.com or call 480-895-4575

Ashland University meets fully its obligation of nondiscrimination under federal and state laws and is actively committed to diversity in its workplace. Employment will require a criminal background check.

Meetings/Events?

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Why Rent The Lot When

YOU CAN OWN THE LAND And Own Your New Home

FROM THE UPPER 100’S

ASK US HOW YOUR $105,000 CASH INVESTMENT AND OUR SENIOR LOAN PROGRAM ENABLES QUALIFIED 62+ SENIORS MAKING THE LINKS THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE HAVE NO MORTGAGE PAYMENT & NO LOT RENT AS LONG AS YOU LIVE IN HOME.

Gawthorp & Associates Realty 40667 N Wedge Dr • San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

602-402-2213

www.linksestates.net

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Air Conditioning/Heating

Real Estate

For Rent Manufactured Homes

55+ Mobile Home Park in Great Chandler Loc. Call Kim 480-233-2035

Crismon/Apache Trl Cottage Cozy 1br 1ba Bad Credit ok. $750 No Deposit. Water/trash incl'd (602) 339-1555

Repairs • Installations •Tune-Ups

0% Easy Financing • Free Estimates New Units as low as $39/mo.

480-977-6916 aircareaz.com

Trusted Service for 18 Years • A+ Rated BBB • Complaint-Free Record

Family Owned & Operated

Three Phase Mechanical

480-671-0833

www.3phasemech.com

Air Conditioning/Heating

QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!

Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship Furnace / AC Tune Up - $69 New 3-Ton AC Units - now $3,995 New Trane Air Conditioners NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 MONTHS!

‘A’ RATED AC REPAIR FREE ESTIMATE SAME DAY SERVICE

Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252

480-405-7588

ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY STEAM CLEANING

AC/Heat Tune-Up Special ROC# 197366

BRAND NEW NEVER LIVED IN 2 BED / 2 BATH HOMES $58,900 Financing Available

Apartments

Carpet Cleaning

Sales, Service & Installation NO TRIP CHARGE • NOT COMMISSION BASED ROC# 247803 Bonded • Insured

ACCREDITED BUSINESS

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

furniture moving pre-spotting deodOrizer

FREE

39 2freerooms hall

$ $

79 5FREErooms HALL

89 Free chair sofa & loveseAT

No hidden charges. Senior and veteran discounts.

FREE ESTIMATES

480.773.4700

Appliance Repairs

Cleaning Services

Glass/Mirror

SPARKLE & SHINE CLEANING SERVICE Immaculate, Dependable Service. Affordable Rates. Commercial & Residential services All supplies included. Sanitized & masks worn You've tried the rest, now try the BEST!" Ask for Martha or Annie 480-495-5516 or 480-797-6023

GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

Garage/Doors GARAGE DOOR SERVICE East Valley/ Ahwatukee

Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices. FREE Estimates

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Call 480-306-5113

Broken Springs Replaced Nights/Weekends Bonded/Insured 480-251-8610

Not a licensed contractor

Sell Your Stuff! Call Classifieds Today!

480.898.6465

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!! Classifieds 480-898-6465

Appliance Repair Now

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

We Also Buy, Sell & Trade Used Appliances Working or Not

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured

HOME REMODELING REPAIRS & CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING Move a wall; turn a door into a window. From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all. Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more. All trades done by hands-on General Contractor. Friendly, artistic, intelligent, honest and affordable. 40 years' experience. Call Ron Wolfgang Pleas text or leave message Cell 602-628-9653 Wolfgang Construction Inc. Licensed & Bonded ROC 124934

Fire/Water Damage/Restoration

If It’s Broken, We Can Fix It! • Same Day Service • On-Site Repairs • Servicing All Major Brands • Quality Guaranteed

Home Improvement

ACTION CONTRACTING INC.

Concrete & Masonry

Block Fence * Gates

602-789-6929 Roc #057163 Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp Serving Entire Valley

YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST!

WE DO IT ALL! WATER AND FIRE DAMAGE - 24 hour Services

Restore your home or business back to normal before damages occurred. Drywall & Stucco Repairs • Painting • Bath & Kitchen Remodels Carport to Garage Conversion • Plumbing • Electrical • Doors • Cabinets Block Fences & Gates • Complete Remodeling for your home or office.

Call Today

480-430-7737 - Cell 480-833-7353 - Office A+

-S

E NC

LIC/BONDED/INSURED Res/Comm’l ROC#218802

aaaActionContractingInc.com Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! Painting • Flooring • Electrical Handyman Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Decks • Tile • More!

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting Flooring • Electrical “No Job Too ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Man!” Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More! CONCRETE & MASONRY Quality Work Since 1999 Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 BLOCKWALL CONCRETE 2012, 2013, 2014 ✔ Drywall Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 RETAINING WALL FOUNDATION Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job ✔ Carpentry BLOCK FENCE DRIVEWAY Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks PLANTER SIDEWALK Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry

DESERT ROCK

BBQ

PATIO

Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens

PAVER • CONCRETE REMOVAL • HARDSCAPE rk Since 1999 Affordable, Quality Wo ✔ Bathrooms 2010, 2011 BONDED & INSURED • ROC#321648 1999 rk SinceBSMALLMAN@Q.COM Wo y alit Qu e, abl 2012, “No 2013, Job Too ord Aff And More! 2010, 2011 Small Man!” SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! 2014 Call Bruce at 2012, 2013, FREE ESTIMATES • 16 YEARS EXPERIENCE 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee / References Work ty Affordable, Quali 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, RESIDENTIAL CALL JOHN:Ahwatukee 480.797.2985 COMMERCIAL Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Insured / Not aContractor Licensed Contractor 2014

602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

49 CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Landscape/ Maintenance LLC

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

All Estimates are Free • Call:

520.508.1420

www.husbands2go.com

Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC#317949 Ask me about FREE water testing!

Hauling

• Furniture • Appliances • Mattresses • Televisions • Garage Clean-Out • Construction Debris

• Old Paint & Chems. • Yard Waste • Concrete Slab

Juan Hernandez

TREE

TRIMMING 25 Years exp (480) 720-3840

Landscape/ Maintenance

SPRINKLER Drip/Install/Repair & Tune ups! Not a licensed contractor

25 years exp. Call Now (480) 720-3840

Home Improvement

No Job Too Small! Senior Discounts!

David Hernandez (602) 802 3600

Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

ROC# 256752

daveshomerepair@yahoo.com • Se Habla Español

Irrigation

Irrigation Repair Services Inc.

Call Lance White

Home Remodeling • BASE BOARDS • DRYWALL • ELECTRICAL • PAINTING • PLUMBING • BATHROOMS • WOOD FLOORING • FRAMING WALLS • FREE ESTIMATES • GRANITE FABRICATION & INSTALLATION • CARPET INSTALLATION • LANDSCAPING

Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

ALL Pro

T R E E

Repairs • Modifications • Installs

Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.

LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential

NTY 5-YEAR WARRA

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

East Valley PAINTERS

10% OFF

• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

ROC#309706

Plumbing

HYDROJETTING

480-477-8842

SEWER CABLE COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM 20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED ROC 3297740

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH! Beat Any Price By 10% • Lifetime Warranty Water Heaters Installed - $799 Unclog Drains - $49 FREE RO UNIT w/Any WATER SOFTENER INSTALL NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 Months!! ‘A’ RATED PLUMBING REPAIR Free Estimates • Same Day Service

Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

Irrigation

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

Painting

Voted #1

Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service!

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

L L C

480-354-5802

Sprinkler & Drip Systems

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

Prepare for Spring Season!

General Contacting, Inc. One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766

S E R V I C E

PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

Home Improvement

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

Painting

Juan Hernandez

• Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

Landscape/Maintenance

NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

Handyman

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality Free Estimates! Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com See MORE Ads Online!

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

www.ChandlerNews.com

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

Roofing

Pool Service / Repair

Public Notices

Window Cleaning

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR

Window Cleaning

Professional service since 1995

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

$120 - One Story $160 - Two Story

showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

Roofing

Window Cleaning

480-706-1453

Attention to detail and tidy in your home.

(480) 584-1643

Bonded & Insured

LLC

Call Juan at

Includes in & out up to 30 Panes Sun Screens Cleaned $3 each

COUNTS

Juan Hernandez

APPEARANCE

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

Keith Schram

keith@windowsrc.biz

Professional Window Cleaner

Hot water pressure washing, 3000 PSI

480-306-8543

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com

azvalleywindowcleaning.com

Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

Roofing

aOver 30 Years of Experience

aFamily Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

Public Notices TO: Brian James Stebbings 15801 S 48th St., Apt 1127 Phoenix, AZ 85048-0843 The State Medical Board of Ohio 30 E. Broad Street, 3 rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127

The State Medical Board of Ohio 30 E. Broad Street, 3rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127

In the Matter of: Brian James Stebbings Case No. 21-CRF-0018

In the Matter of: Stephens Triplett, DO 20-CRF-092 On January 14, 2021 the State Medical Board of Ohio mailed an Order of Revocation to Stephens Triplett, DO. The order was sent to Dr. Triplett via certified mail, return receipt requested, at his last known address of record, 1034 S. 105th Place, Apt. 1091, Mesa, AZ 85209. The Order was returned to the Board from the postal service marked “Return to Sender, Not Deliverable as Address, Unable to Forward”. Dr. Triplett may be entitled to an appeal. Such an appeal must be commenced by the filing of a Notice of Appeal with the State Medical Board and the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The Notice of Appeal must set forth the Order appealed from and state that the State Medical Board’s Order is not supported by reliable, probative, and substantive evidence and is not in accordance with law. The Notice of Appeal may, but is not required to, set forth the specific grounds of the appeal. Any such appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) days after the last date of publication in accordance with the requirements of Section 119.12, Ohio Revised Code. Please contact the undersigned to ascertain the last date of publication. Any questions or correspondence should be addressed to:

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING Valley Wide Service

480-446-7663 FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

Add a Background Color to Your Ad! Classifieds 480-898-6465

Public Notices TO: Stephens Triplett, DO 1034 S. 105th Place, Apt. 1091 Mesa, AZ 85209

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

NOTICE TO CREDITORS: In the Matter of the ESTATE OF LOUISE MILLER, Deceased ... NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed as the Personal Representative of this Estate. All persons having claims against the Estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months, after the date of the first publication of this Notice or the claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented by delivering or mailing a written statement of the claim to undersigned Personal Representative at 1510 South 171 st Street, New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151. Ronald Gadberry, /s/ Ronald Gadberry. DATED this 4th day of March, 2021. Published: East Valley Tribune, Mar. 14, 21, 28, 2021. / 36967

Jackie Moore Case Control Office 30 E. Broad Street, 3rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 Jackie.moore@med.ohio.gov Published: East Valley Tribune, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 2021 / 36894

On February 21, 2021, the Ohio Medical Board mailed a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing to Brian James Stebbings via certified mail, return receipt requested, at his last known address of record, 15801 S 48th St., Apt 1127, Phoenix, AZ 85048-0843. The Notice was returned to the Board from the postal service marked “return to sender, not deliverable as addressed, unable to forward.” The notice states that the Ohio Medical Board intends to consider denying his application to practice respiratory care in the state of Ohio. Mr. Stebbings is entitled to a hearing in this matter if such hearing is requested within thirty (30) days of the last date of publication of this notice. Mr. Stebbings may appear at such hearing in person, by his attorney, or by such other representative permitted to practice before this agency, or he may present his position, arguments or contentions in writing. At the hearing, Mr. Stebbings may present evidence and examine witnesses appearing for or against him. Please contact the undersigned to ascertain the last date of publication. Any questions or correspondence should be addressed to: Jackie Moore Case Control Office 30 E. Broad Street, 3 rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 Jackie.Moore@med.ohio.gov Published: East Valley Tribune, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 2021 / 36904

SHARE WITH THE WORLD! Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today! Call us for details.

From Uptown to Downtown, we cover Chandler like the sun

class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021 51

FIND YOUR PURPOSE Keeping College Affordable GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIPS

GCU traditional campus students received over 157 million dollars in scholarships in 2020. Find out what scholarships you qualify for by uploading your unofficial high school transcripts to gcu.edu/myoffer.

AFFORDABLE TO ATTEND

Students pay an average of $8,600 for tuition.*

GRADUATE WITH LESS DEBT

GCU students graduate with less debt than the national average.**

INCOMING TRADITIONAL STUDENT GPA OF 3.55 Fall 2019 incoming students.

#19 BEST COLLEGE CAMPUS IN AMERICA IN 2021 Rated by Niche.com.

VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON TOURING OPTIONS

Campus is open for individual tours or you can participate in a virtual GCU LIVE Tour from your home. Visit gcu.edu/TOUR for more information.

APPLY FOR FREE TODAY!

apply.gcu.edu | 855-428-7884

*Average tuition after scholarships is approximately $8,600. Scholarships may be awarded based on 6th semester transcripts. At the time in which final, official transcripts are received, GCU reserves the right to rescind or modify the scholarship if it is determined that eligibility was not achieved. GCU reserves the right to decline scholarship awards for any reason. If a student does not meet the minimum renewal criteria, their scholarship will be forfeited. GCU reserves the right to change scholarship awards at any time without notice. If a student does not meet the minimum renewal criteria, their scholarship will be forfeited. Prices based on 2019-20 rate and are subject to change. **GCU students graduate with less debt on average ($18,750 according to College Scorecard) than the average at public and private nonprofit universities ($28,650 according to 2017 data from the Institute for College Access and Success). Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (800-621-7440; http://hlcommission.org/). Pre-licensure nursing students who begin or resume attendance in Fall 2020 and beyond will be ineligible to utilize most GCU institutional aid/scholarships for tuition and fees once accepted into the clinical portion of the program. Important policy information is available in the University Policy Handbook at https://www.gcu.edu/academics/ academic-policies.php. The information printed in this material is accurate as of FEBRUARY 2021. For the most upto-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. ©2021 Grand Canyon University 21GTR0041

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MARCH 21, 2021

palmabrisa.com

NOW SELLING

A new gated resort community is now selling in the Ahwatukee Foothills with a dramatically different style. It feels exclusive, but also lively and exciting — and it's called Palma Brisa. • Modern resort-style gated community with stately palms

• Diverse architecture: Modern Bungalow, Urban Farmhouse, Italian Cottage, Andalusian, Modern Craftsman, French Country, and Spanish Mission • Four amenity areas connected by expansive lawns

• Homes from 1,700 sq. ft. to 4,000 sq. ft. from the $500’s

ERIC WILLIAMS

480-641-1800

TERRY LENTS

© Copyright 2021 Blandford Homes, LLC. No offer to sell or lease may be made prior to issuance of Final Arizona Subdivision Public Report. Offer, terms, and availability subject to change without prior notice. Renderings are artist’s conceptions and remain subject to modification without notice.