Santan Sun News - 03.28.2021 by Times Media Group

March 28, 2021 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

Intel’s $20B investment bringing thousands of jobs BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

In a move that will have major implications for virtually every facet of Chandler’s and the Valley’s economy, Intel last week unveiled plans to invest $20 billion for the construction of two new fabrication facilities at its Ocotillo campus over the next three years. “As I hope you’ve gathered, Intel is back,” Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said at a press conference March 23 announcing the tech giant’s plans. “This is the old Intel. It’s now the new Intel as we look to the future.” That future includes 3,000 permanent high-tech, highwage jobs; over 3,000 construction jobs; and approximately 15,000 local long-term jobs in support companies. Intel’s investment is part of its “IDM 2.0” Initiative – a major evolution of an “integrated device manufacturing” model that Gelsinger said makes Intel “the only company with the depth and breadth of software, silicon and platSee

INTEL on page 2

Intel's massive Ocotillo campus will be getting bigger over the next three years as the tech giant builds two more fabrication facilities. (Courtesy of Intel)

Waymo: we could have Sign of the times prevented Chandler fatals BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Waymo 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 replaced 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. See

WAYMO on page 4

Chandler movie houses reel from pandemic, other woes BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The 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 perma-

nently closed and is looking to lease its space. The restaurant blog Mouth by Southwest reported that Flix Brewhouse’s parent called those reports inaccurate. 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 Austin-based 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. See

ALAMO on page 6

Rising numbers of hate crimes against Asian Americans prompted a former Chandler City Council member to organize a demonstration in downtown Chandler March 31. For the story, see page 9. (Kevin Reagan/SanTan Sun News Staff)

F E AT U R E STO R I E S Science helps Tarwater kids master Mandarin. . . . COMMUNITY . . . . Page 22 Bondurant school is history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . Page 33 Chandler teen pianists win big honor . . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . Page 40 Limelight Theater readies in-person plays. . . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . Page 43 Couple expands taco restaurant chain . . . . . . . . . . . EAT . . . . . . . . . . . Page 50

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INTEL

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

from page 1

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

forms, packaging, and process with at-scale manufacturing customers can depend on for their next-generation innovations.” “IDM 2.0 is an elegant strategy that only Intel can deliver – and it’s a winning formula,” he said. “We will use it to design the best products and manufacture them in the best way possible for every category we compete in.” Assisted by unspecified federal incentives from the newly passed CHIPS for America Act, which is designed to grow

IDM 2.0 is an elegant “strategy that only Intel can deliver – and it’s a winning formula. ”

– Pat Gelsinger

domestic semiconductor manufacturing, Intel’s expansion aims for an even bigger global market share in the fiercely competitive semiconductor industry. It also comes at a time when the Biden Administration is encouraging domestic manufacturing growth in an industry beset by a worldwide semiconductor shortage. Automakers and medical device manufacturers, among others, have been pressing for federal investment in

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Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger holds one of the chips that the tech giant manufacturers as it plans the next generation of semiconductor manufacturing at its Ocotillo campus. (Intel)

domestic semiconductor production. Chip shortages are disrupting digital manufacturing, from electronics to medical devices to technology and networking equipment, according to the Harvard Business Review and other sources. Particularly hard hit is the automobile industry, the Review said, reporting that “automakers were slow to order more semiconductors and then lost out to more nimble electronics manufacturers.” “The automotive industry is experiencing another critical market shift that

has important supply chain implications: As carmakers increasingly prioritize electric vehicles, cars are becoming electronic devices,” it continued. "This means the automotive industry now must face the competing demands of all other industries, including those in electronics and those adding internet connectivity to their products.” The strategy Gelsinger unveiled showed Intel’s determination to come to the rescue before competitors like Samsung Electronics and AMD can beat it to the punch. “Overall, there are strong winds that are forming for expanding, accelerating and seeing the critical role that semiconductors play for the entire tech industry and, frankly, for the world as everything is becoming more digital,” Gelsinger said. “And we are saying Intel is stepping into that gap aggressively to help provide the capacity that’s needed – U.S., Europe and worldwide.” The plan outlined by Gelsinger includes a research partnership with IBM, which the corporation said in a release “will help unleash the potential of data and advanced computation to create immense economic value.” Gelsinger also announced the creation of Intel Foundry Services at the Ocotillo campus to support commercial customers as well as address unique government and security requirements in the U.S. He also stressed Intel’s commitment to accelerating semiconductor manufacturing innovation to enhance U.S. competitiveness in the global chip industry. Gov. Doug Ducey and U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly – as well as Chandler city leaders – hailed the announcement. Calling Intel’s move “the largest private sector investment in state history,” Ducey noted that Arizona is already a top-five state for semiconductor production, with other industry leaders choosing to start, expand or relocate operations here. Micah Miranda, Chandler’s economic development director, noted that Intel’s investment has significant supply chain See

INTEL on page 3

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INTEL

from page 2

implications for local businesses since it annually spends about $1.5 billion with Chandler-based suppliers and another $3 billion with other Arizona-based suppliers. “Existing and prospective Intel suppliers can connect with our economic development team for assistance with office and industrial space site selection in Chandler,” said Miranda. Miranda also noted that the economic ripple effect from the jobs Intel’s expansion will generate well beyond city boundaries and impact scores of industries that may not necessarily support chip manufacturing – but will support the people who make them. That means everything from restaurants to retail could benefit. The expansion also poses major challenges – particularly in the Valley’s housing market, where there already is a critical shortage of inventory for both resale and new homes. As real estate experts have repeatedly pointed out in recent months, much of the developable land in East Valley has already disappeared. Chandler and Gilbert quickly are approaching buildout and only large tracts of state land in far east Mesa are ripe for major residential construction in the region. . Yet, with the ongoing widening of I-10 between Chandler and Casa Grande as well as the completion a year ago of the South Mountain Freeway, Intel’s proximity to the Loop 202 likely fore-

The two new fab plants Intel will begin building in Ocotillo later this year follow last year's completion of the Fab 42 plant on the sprawling campus. (Courtesy of Intel)

shadows more housing growth in the West Valley and Pinal County. Closer to home, however, the employment surge also could continue the relentless uptick in home prices and rents. Schools also stand to benefit too. Chandler Unified School District,

currently struggling with an unprecedented dip in enrollment after years of steady growth, might see some resurgence in student population just as it prepares to open a new high school this year in Gilbert. Intel celebrated 40 years in Chandler

last year and it opened Fab 42, a $7 billion investment that created the most advanced manufacturing facility in the world, Miranda noted, stating that once the two new fabs come online, more than 15,000 Intel employees will be working in Chandler.

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WAYMO

from page 1

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. 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

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

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 real-world collisions in response to human driving deviations Waymo said its study of Chandler fatal accidents shows its ubiquitous minivans could have avoided most of and errors,” the study states. them. (SanTan Sun News file photo) Waymo noted its simulations contain human driver,” researchers wrote. something to initiate a crash, such as some level of uncertainty since it is Out of the 16 scenarios involving running a red light, the simulated Waydifficult reconstructing collisions based mo driver avoided or mitigated the vast pedestrians getting struck by motorists, on information extracted from police the Waymo car managed to successfully reports. majority of these fatal crashes,” the avoid a collision during the simulation. company noted. The study’s findings were further limIn one of these simulations, the In a scenario where the Waymo car ited by the fact that cars manufactured Waymo car even knew how to avoid was driving straight through an inter10 years ago did not have automatic a skateboarder who had secretly held section and another motorist made an brake systems like the newer cars today. illegal left turn, the autonomous vehicle onto the back of a moving vehicle. But the study’s authors seemed satis“The Waymo driver avoided this sceavoided a crash 57 percent of the time. fied with their findings and believe their nario by not proceeding in the presence The study found Waymo cars were research is a pivotal step in legitimizing of the pedestrian,” the researchers wrote. the value of autonomous vehicles. least successful at mitigating front-toResearchers further examined how rear crashes when they were hit from “Although future methodological immuch mitigation Waymo’s cars had behind. provements and sensitivity studies may to deploy in order to avoid a collision But researchers believe the Waymo serve to enhance the precision and acduring the simulations. vehicle couldn’t have done much to curacy of the safety benefit estimates,” More than 60 percent of the simula- the study concluded, “the simulated avoid getting hit since it was sitting at a tions where a Waymo vehicle avoided stop light in most of these simulations. results of the current study show “In all of these scenarios, the Waymo getting hit occurred without any urgent potential for (autonomous systems) to actions like slamming on the brakes. driver behaved similarly to the original improve traffic safety outcomes.”

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ALAMO

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

from page 1

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’ bankruptcy triggered a nasty response from the parent company. The franchise, which has 40 venues across the country, originally signed a deal with Craig Paschich in 2016 to open the Chandler Alamo near Chandler Heights Road and Arizona Avenue. Two more Alamo theaters in Tempe and Gilbert quickly followed. Initially, Paschich had hoped to locate the theater in downtown Chandler, leading to hopes it would help create an entertainment district. That deal fell apart. 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 bur-

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 Owners of the Alamo Drafthouse Chandler on 4955 or no flag at all does S. Arizona Ave. want to break away from the franchise. not demonstrate that (Special to the SanTan Sun News) the plan has a reasonable probability of dened by “exorbitant” franchise fees success when those operations violate paid to the Alamo parent, his attorney the franchise agreement’s non-comsaid in court. petition covenants, which ADC intends “The debtors believe that rejection to enforce,” the parent firm’s attorney of the franchise agreements, and the stated. entry into a partnership with another It also accused Paschich of violating cinema company, will have a significant a confidentiality agreement and acting and positive net effect on the debtors’ in bad faith by “using specialized knowlcash flow,” Paschich’s lawyers wrote in edge gained over the years through court records on March 10. That conflicts with what the 23-year- their relationships with ADC to operate competing theaters in the same exact old parent firm said in federal banklocations where the debtor previously ruptcy papers in December. operated the ADC branded theaters.” It is challenging Paschich’s agreement On March 2, the parent entity filed a with Ernest Cunningham and Black Ink federal civil suit against Paschich, claiming Development Holdings to provide $1.2 he owes more than $1 million in franchise million to the Shoppes at Chandler fees for his three East Valley theatres. Heights for rent and unspecified assisIn a letter sent to Alamo’s headquartance for the Tempe and Gilbert theaters. ters in December, Paschich allegedly It said its satisfaction surveys of patold executives he intended “to reject trons showed the Arizona theaters had the franchise agreement and change a higher rate of satisfaction than many the brand to see if (he) can achieve of its venues in other states. fiscal success in Arizona” as “changing And it alleged Paschich’s plan “fails the business is the only way for me to

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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 See

ALAMO on page 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

ALAMO

from page 6

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 resume operations 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.

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Laser maker opens Chandler facility SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A new company that makes laser machines used to engrave hard surfaces has opened its doors in Chandler. Laser Marking Technologies, which has facilities in Michigan and Florida, opened in the Eastpoint Business Park at 165 E, Chilton Drive to be closer to markets in the Southwest. Noting that the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors are migrating to this part of the country, Rick Weisbarth, Laser Marking Technology’s president of sales and industrial development, said his company “wants to continue our partnership with these companies and emerging technologies.” LMT already has a myriad of clients, including Orange County Choppers, a California motorcycle manufacturer, and the paint company Pratt & Miller. The Chandler facility will support electric vehicle applications that require battery welding, battery ablation, and ablation processes. Solar applications that require welding, edge deletion, and conductive layer ablation can also find support at this location. “We feel that a local presence is required to help advance these emerging technologies to the next level,” Weisbarth said, adding that his company is “the first major fiber laser company to enter this region and we’re proud to be first on the ground.” The Chandler location includes an

applications laboratory to help customers select the proper laser marking, laser ablating, laser welding and a new 3D laser. “With the matrix of technologies they have designed and built, they can always find a way to help their customers find the right machine at the right price,” Weisbarth said of LMT’s customers. A spokesman also said LMT might expand the Chandler facility. President/CEO Sam Palmeter said, “As an American owned and operated company, it is paramount that we are there to assist our North American manufacturers to not only elevate their processes, but also to make them as efficient and profitable as possible so they can compete on a global level.” LMT also is partnering with Arizona State University and SunFlex Solar to develop what a spokesman called “the next wave of solar manufacturing initiatives.” SunFlex Solar was founded by ASU Research Assistant Technologist Kate Fisher, Associate Professor Zachary Holman, Assistant Research Professor Zhengshan “Jason” Yu, and Doctoral Student Barry Hartweg. Fisher wants to increase the efficiency of solar panels so their size can be reduced. “And when she does, LMT will be prepared to move the resulting product into the market,” the spokesman said.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Chandler teen gets shoes for a whole school SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Sam 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

Left: Lailani Trujillo, 5, shows her new sneakers to Galveston Elementary kindergarten teacher Genesia Jeffries. Right: Hamilton High junior Sam Bregman handed out sneakers to the entire student body at Galveston Elementary, including Lailani Trujillo. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

a high prevalence of students coming from low-income families. 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. 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.

Chandler Gilbert College gearing up ‘boot camp’ for existing jobs BY TOM SCANLON Arizonan Staff Writer

Got 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 compa-

nies 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 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-technician-boot-camp.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Hundreds protest Asian discrimination in Chandler BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Hundreds of residents gathered outside Chandler City Hall March 21 to protest discrimination against Asian-Americans as the nation was reeled from a deadly shooting in Georgia where six of the eight slain victims were Asian. Chandler has one of Arizona’s largest Asian-American populations and former city Councilman Sam Huang helped organize the rally to emphasize that point. Protesters marched around downtown carrying signs that advertised slogans like “Stop Asian Hate” and “Hate = Virus.” “We want just to have more community harmony,” Huang said. “We need more education. We need more connections between different cultures.” Huang, a native of Taiwan, said Asian communities have traditionally chosen to remain silent on most social issues but that Asian-Americans must speak out and not be afraid to participate in local activism. “It’s not other people’s business. It’s everybody’s business,” Huang added. “If you treat yourself like a foreigner, you will be treated like a foreigner.” Sunday’s rally took place less than a week after 21-year-old Robert Long was arrested in Atlanta for the spree that targeted several massage spas. Long claims his “sexual addiction” prompted him to attack the massage parlors. He has not been charged with a hate crime, though many public figures believe the murders were racially moti-

Chandler has one of the largest Asian-American populations among Arizona municipalities and demonstrators on March 21 in downtown Chandler stressed that hate crimes against them cannot be tolerated. (Kevin Reagan/Staff)

vated since so many of the victims were of Asian descent. The Chandler rally also was motivated by an uptick nationwide in hate crimes and discrimination that have victimized Asian-Americans during the pandemic. Because COVID-19 was first detected in China, haters blame Asians for causing the global pandemic – an assertion that scientists call ludicrous. Stop AAPI Hate said it received

more than 2,800 first-hand accounts of anti-Asian discrimination between March and December of 2020. Stop AAPI Hate has collected anecdotes detailing incidents where strangers have spit at Asian-American citizens and shouted at them to “go back to China.” “These violent assaults have a devastating impact on our community as they are part of an alarming rise in anti-Asian American hate during the

COVID-19 pandemic,” Stop AAPI Hate stated. “Urgent action must be taken to protect our AAPI community from hate, discrimination and violence.” More than 10 percent of Chandler’s population is Asian – which in whole numbers is twice the number of Asian Americans statewide. Mayor Kevin Hartke and Councilman See

ASIAN on page 14

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Slain teen’s family wants Chandler officer ﬁred BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Friends and family members of a 17-year-old Chandler boy killed in January during a traffic stop are asking authorities to take action against the police officer who shot him twice in the back. Speaking outside a county courthouse in Phoenix on March 20, activists called upon the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to hold Officer Chase Bebak-Miller accountable for the death of Anthony Cano. The teenager was shot by Bebak-Miller on Jan. 2 while running from the officer through a Chandler park and died a couple weeks later. The officer said he felt compelled to use lethal force after he noticed Cano was carrying a firearm. Bebak-Miller “thought he was going to get killed and that (shooting) was the way he could be safe and protect himself,” a police report states. But Cano’s family insist the teenager wasn’t intending to fire the gun and that body-camera footage of the incident seems to show Cano trying to throw the weapon away after pulling it from around his waist. “He was throwing the gun so he wouldn’t get shot,” said Eva Cano, the teenager’s aunt. “He stated his name clearly and asked them to call his mom.” Bebak-Miller initially attempted to

Eva Cano, the aunt of slain Anthony Cano, speaks at a press conference March 20 while the teen's cousin Marcus stands by her side. (Kevin Reagan)

detain Cano after spotting him riding a bicycle that didn’t have a reflective light and weaving through traffic. Cano fled from the officer and Bebak-Miller proceeded to chase him until the deadly confrontation. Cano’s family believes the officer’s actions on Jan. 2 should result in his termination and possible criminal charges. “The shooting, the way it occurred – that second shot particularly – was not warranted. Not one bit,” Eva Cano added. The family said it has filed complaints with the city about the Police Department’s handling of the case and how it interacted with Cano’s relatives

after the shooting. Friends and family have been staging protests in Chandler over the last few weeks and appeared before City Council to demand accountability from elected leaders. “I don’t want people to sit here in silence like nothing is wrong,” said Marcus Cano, Anthony’s cousin, during the March 20 press conference. Marcus said he and Anthony were raised to respect law enforcement and to handle weapons responsibly. Not every police officer is bad, the cousin added, but the bad apples need to be weeded out in order to prevent another teenager from getting shot.

He also said there was no need to fire a second shot. “To me, I don’t get how people see that video and aren’t upset with how this officer was still yelling at the kid,” Marcus said. After shooting Cano, the officer can reportedly be heard calling the teenager’s actions “stupid” as Cano tried explaining himself. Police reports show the gun found on the ground near Cano was reported stolen by its owner. It’s not clear how the teenager came in possession of the weapon. Investigators at the scene noted how the gun “appeared as though the magazine to the handgun was loose from the magazine well.” Chandler Police have submitted their reports on Cano’s death to prosecutors, who will decide whether to criminally charge Bebak-Miller. Maricopa County’s prosecutors rarely ever indict police officers for shooting citizens. Out of the 42 officer-involved shootings reviewed by MCAO in 2019, the agency filed charges only once for a case that was later dismissed in court. The County Attorney has a special committee that reviews the findings of investigators tasked with probing officer-involved shootings. If the committee believes charges See

CANO on page 12

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Chandler teen honored by Hispanic Heritage Foundation

in the youngest and most dynamic segment of our population,” said founda-

tion President/CEO Antonio Tijerino. “We’re in good hands as a community and as a country with these outstanding young leaders going forward.” 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 Scholar’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.

for Bebak-Miller since the agency has still not resolved other cases that were submitted more than a year ago. Local activists have already made their opinion clear in how they think MCAO should close Cano’s case. Kenneth Smith, a representative of the West Valley NAACP, said Cano’s

death could have been avoided and believes the officer’s actions warrant criminal prosecution. “This is wrong,” Smith said. “The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office needs to use their power to put this officer in jail immediately, file charges, indict, and convict.”

Cano’s death should not be forgotten or get lost with all the other young men shot at by police, Smith said, and prosecutors have an opportunity to offer justice for the deceased’s family. “This needs to be the last Black or Brown body to die in this movement,” he added.

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A 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 understand the importance of investing

CANO

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

UPS salutes Chandler driver's safe record SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

When 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 driver. He joined the company in 1992 and

ASIAN

from page 9

OD Harris attended the rally and spoke in support of Chandler’s Asian communities. “We are not going to allow other people to leave the Asian community out of Chandler,” Harris told the demonstrators. “We’re going to let the

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.

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

nation know Asian-Americans are here and they are a part of America.” Harris said the City Council has recently discussed possibly drafting a non-discrimination ordinance that could better protect racial and ethnic minorities. The ordinance could be similar to the one ratified by the Mesa City Council earlier this month. It prohibits discrimination in public places on the basis of race,

gender, religion or sexual orientation. Huang said he has experienced instances throughout his political career where he felt targeted or shamed for his Taiwanese ancestry. During his congressional campaign last summer, he called attention to the fact that only his political posters around Chandler were defaced. Huang said he’s tried to ignore these “unfriendly incidents,” but that today’s

social climate has compelled him to be more outspoken. The former councilman is planning to organize more rallies across the Valley in the coming weeks and hopes they will spur more civic participation from the Asian community. “When you feel you are part of this society, you will not be afraid to be verbal,” Huang added.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Chandler exhibits celebrate play, playgrounds SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Two Chandler arts and culture spaces will feature exhibits in April and May that honor childhood artifacts and play. A traveling exhibition titled “Once Upon a Playground” will be on display at Chandler Museum April 6- May 25, “celebrating the heritage of the classic metal and wood structures that populated playgrounds for most of the 20th century, the city said in a release. The exhibit focuses on the metal slides, jungle gyms, merry-go-rounds, seesaws and similar artifacts that many Americans over 30 likely remember. “The exhibit examines the cultural and industrial design heritage by combining recent photographs of classic equipment and vintage images of playground scenes from the Library of Congress,” the city said. Another exhibit titled “Play Hard” at Vision Gallery April 3-May 8 features the work of artists Melissa Sclafani and Ellie Richards with both examining the idea of play through different lenses. “Sclafani’s political sculptures use the aesthetics of the playground to examine systemic racial and economic inequalities in communal outdoor areas, while Richards’ artistic readymades and assemblages seek to address the distinct psychological shifts between objects and behaviors associated with childhood memory, labor and learning,” the city said.

This space-age looking playground is one of those featured in the Chandler Museum exhibit. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

Peter Bugg, city visual arts coordinator, said that despite the exhibit’s serious theme, “it is presented in a vibrant, playful way that will have visitors engaging with the pieces and examining their concept of play.” Chandler Museum will host a virtual

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Our Stories program at 10:30 a.m. April 17, featuring city Community Services Director Andy Bass and Community Services Planning Manager Mickey Ohland. They will discuss the history of play and recreation as well as current trends

in playground equipment and park design. Registration is required at chandleraz.gov/museum. “We hope both exhibitions will honor these icons of childhood and trigger fond memories for visitors,” said museum Director Jody Crago. “We look forward to the community coming and playing with us at Chandler Museum and Vision Gallery during the run of these shows.” Chandler Museum and Vision Gallery have social distancing reminders throughout their spaces, limit the number of visitors in the exhibit spaces and require face masks for the health and safety of their patrons. The museum, at 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, and is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. It is closed on Monday. Admission is free. For more information call 480-782-2717. Vision Gallery is a city art venue managed by the Chandler Cultural Foundation. Located at 10 E. Chicago St. It is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. “Once Upon a Playground” is organized by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. The exhibition is co-curated by Brenda Biondo, author of “Once Upon a Playground: A Celebration of Classic American Playgrounds, 1920-1975,” and Carol Johnson, former curator of photography at the Library of Congress.

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CITY OF CHANDLER INSIDER

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Helping Chandler’s most vulnerable in need BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

Last year, life as we knew it changed drastically. Between virtual work or school and staying physically distant from one another, it’s all taken a toll. For some, this pandemic was more than an inconvenience — it resulted in the loss of a business, employment, or a loved one. Army veteran Nicholas Anderson reached “the lowest of the low.” Originally from Sacramento, his job brought him to Chandler three years ago. Anderson was laid off due to COVID and for seven months, he was calling different agencies and organizations trying to get assistance. Multiple calls made every month resulted in no assistance. After serving three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he thought he had seen it all, but living off unemployment at $240 a week brought on an overwhelming sense of hopelessness. Without friends or family in Arizona and late payment notices starting to pile up, Anderson was mentally preparing for living on the street. But he knew he couldn’t keep his two fur babies with him and the thought of giving up his cats was too emotional to bear. That’s when he was referred to the Chandler Cares team – or as Anderson calls them, “the angels who saved my life.” City staff from the Cares team work to assist residents who have

ceived seven months of overdue rent payments and utilities – and a food box delivered to his door. The financial assistance gave Anderson a “reason to start over and have a new lease on life.” In late February, he got hired to work remotely for a Midwest IT company. “From the beginning, the Chandler Cares team told me they were here to help me,” Anderson said. “The process was hassle-free and I can’t thank them enough for everything they did.” Anderson is just one of the hundreds of people who have received assistance Celia Cantabrana and Dylan Richmond are two of the members of the Chandler Cares team. from the City of Chan(City of Chandler) dler and its nonprofit partners, AZCEND and Since Anderson didn’t have transporexperienced a loss of income, have the Salvation Army tation and could no longer afford interunexpected expenses or are in need of Chandler Corps. net service, staff dropped off an applicafood, medical, utility, rental or other As the pandemic took hold, federal tion for assistance to his apartment and assistance. and local government, nonprofits and They also were able to make his case returned when it was completed. community advocates combined resourcBy working closely with the City’s a priority as he was on the verge of Cares team and AZCEND, Anderson rebeing evicted. See on page 19

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

INSIDER

from page 18

es to assist Chandler residents in need.

Rental and utility help

Since last July, federal and local funds have been reallocated by the City of Chandler to AZCEND and the Salvation Army Chandler Corps. Both nonprofits were able to distribute a combined $4.3 million in rent/ mortgage assistance and an additional $1.5 million in utility payments to more than 2,100 Chandler households. Another $56,000 went to pay delinquent water bills for 200 residential customers. There are still additional monies that are in the process of being distributed through AZCEND and the Chandler Salvation Army. Recently the federal government launched its Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which provided the City with more than $7 million for rent and utility payments. City Council allocated the majority of the funds to AZCEND, with $275,000 funding the Chandler Cares team. These funds, which became available this month, can be used to pay up to 12 months of rent and utilities. Both AZCEND and the Salvation Army staff are extremely busy talking with residents in need, walking them through the application process and distributing funds to those who qualify. If residents are concerned that they don’t qualify for financial assistance

The staff from our “partner organizations

are doing a great job of making sure they’re working with each individual household to determine what is the best course of action — what funds are available that they can qualify for and setting out a course for them.

”

– Leah Powell

based on income requirements, they still are encouraged to apply. “The staff from our partner organizations are doing a great job of making sure they’re working with each individual household to determine what is the best course of action — what funds are available that they can qualify for and setting out a course for them,” said Neighborhood Resources Director Leah Powell. If residents are still experiencing difficulty connecting with the City’s nonprofit partners, consider contacting the Chandler Cares team as they can assist with pre-screening applicants. Landlords also may apply on behalf

of their residents; however, they are encouraged to recommend their tenants connect with the Chandler Cares team to start the application process. The City and its partners have until the end of September 2022 to use all $7,946,091 from the federal government’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Information: chandleraz.gov/WeCanHelp.

Operation Open Door

The City also approved a third extension to participate in the county’s program to provide temporary housing at hotel rooms for at-risk individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Operation Open Door has provided a safe place for our most vulnerable population. Community navigators that provide resources directly to people experiencing homelessness, along with the Cares team, have assisted 108 individuals, with 10 of them being veterans and 22 families with children. This program is working — 47 of those helped through Operation Open Door have been transitioned to permanent housing from homelessness. “Getting people into this environment where they’re in their own single room helps to reshape the way they’re looking at their lives,” said Powell.

Chandler Gives Week

City staff and the nonprofit community are committed to helping as many people in need as possible. For the second year in a row, the City is celebrating Chandler Gives Week

COMMUNITY NEWS

from April 5-10. For those who are fortunate to be able to give, consider donating to For Our City-Chandler online at secure.givelively.org/donate/ care-inc/for-our-city-chandler. Donations will be shared with all For Our City-Chandler partners, starting with the ones with the most immediate needs. Donations also can be given directly to a local nonprofit of choice. For a list of Chandler nonprofits affiliated with For Our City-Chandler, visit forourcitychandler.org/giving-tuesday. The Chandler Cares team consists of three City employees who are tasked with helping residents apply for assistance with providers. Their work helps Chandler residents who have experienced a loss of income, have unexpected expenses or are in need of food, medical, utility, rental or other assistance. If you have questions related to where to go for help, qualifying for financial assistance, or need help with AZCEND’s screening process, the Chandler Cares team can guide you in the right direction. The Chandler Cares Team has connected with more than 500 Chandler residents and has referred more than 430 residents to nonprofit agencies for assistance. They also are being proactive with educating and monitoring the court calendar for evictions — offering their service to keep as many people in their homes as possible. If you need help or know someone who does, contact the Chandler Cares team at 480-782-4302 or chandler. cares@chandleraz.gov.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

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staff and volunteers grocery shop for older adults who can pay for groceries but can’t go to a store. “The funding from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust enabled us to expand our services to assist older adults who wanted to get COVID vaccines but didn’t have the means and others who were unable or afraid to go to the supermarket. We are deeply grateful for that support,” said Area Agency on Aging President and CEO Mary Lynn Kasunic. “On a broader scale, our staff and volunteers really went the extra mile to ensure that essential needs in the community were covered,” she said. During the last 12 months, the Area Agency on Aging’s 24-hour Senior help line responded to 68,939 calls, 24,500 more than during a typical year and delivered an average 7,197 meals a day – double the pre-pandemic volume. It also said 936 older adults were transported to medical appointments through UberHealth and that 5,790 food bags and boxes were delivered by the Agency’s AmeriCorps Members and new volunteers. In addition, 6,874 meals were delivered to homeless seniors living in hotels through the Central Arizona Shelter Services Project Haven. It also made 2,466 well-check calls a week to isolated older adults. To help homebound seniors celebrate holidays, Kasunic said that food bags with special ingredients and recipes were provided for major holidays. “When the pandemic took hold, we knew that older adults would be particularly affected and our team reacted quickly and strategically to ensure a solid lifeline was established for those who needed our help,” Kasunic said. Individuals needing assistance are encouraged to call the help line at 602264-4357. Since 1974, Area Agency on Aging has been planning, developing, coordinating and delivering critical programs and services to older adults and their caregivers, adults age 18+ with physical disabilities and long-term care needs, adults with HIV, residents in long term care facilities and survivors of late-life domestic violence and elder abuse. Information: aaaphx.org.

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Community college tuition help advancing BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Financial help may be in sight for recent high school grads who find themselves a few bucks short of what they need to go to community college. Without dissent, the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday agreed to set aside $10 million for scholarships designed to provide what it’s sponsor calls the “last dollar’’ needed that will make a difference between post-secondary education and none. But Rep. Aaron Lieberman, D-Paradise Valley, said HB 2638 is about more than just aiding students. He said the COVID-19 outbreak has sharply cut enrollment at community colleges throughout the state. And Lieberman said he figures that can be reversed by getting more students in the classroom. Tuesday’s vote comes as the House Education Committee, without dissent, resurrected legislation designed to allow community colleges to offer some four-year degrees. HB 2523 had cleared the House last month on a 57-3 vote. But to date it has not gotten a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee where it is assigned. The new version seeks to get around that by taking the language and strip-

ping it on to an unrelated measure on school expenditures that already had cleared the Senate. That means if the now-revised SB 1453 is approved by the full House -- and there’s no reason to expect that won’t happen, given the prior vote -- it then goes back to the full Senate for up-or-down review, bypassing the ability of any committee or chairman to kill it. The problem, said Lieberman, starts with data showing that community college attendance statewide is down by about 40,000 from pre-COVID levels. He said this isn’t simply about putting more bodies in seats to generate revenues. Lieberman said fewer community college graduates means fewer people getting the skills that Arizona employers want and need. And that, he said, dampens economic development. HB 2638 is targeted specifically at anyone who graduated from an Arizona high school last year or will graduate this school year who, for the moment, is not going to college anywhere “to find those missing students, get them back enrolled.’’ Most importantly, he said, they would get up to $3,000 toward the total cost of a year of schooling. To be eligible, someone would have to qualify for a federal Pell Grant. These

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are available to anyone with family income less than $50,000 but are generally reserved for those below $20,000. Lieberman said these grants, with varying amounts up to about $6,500, can help with tuition. But he said what students ultimately get -- Pell Grants can be less than the maximum -- may not be enough to cover not just tuition but other costs, ranging from books to the cost of getting to and from school. And that, he said, can be the difference between a student going to college or not. Lieberman figures that $10 million is the most he can seek and get approved. But he figures it could help about 3,000 students a year and train them for the jobs Arizona employers need. “It is really desperately needed to help fix that kind of broken pipeline,’’ he said. One thing that is helping build support is that the legislature has curtailed state aid to community colleges. Some of that was strictly to balance the budget. But Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, noted that while there are still some unrestricted dollars flowing to rural community colleges, there has been no such aid to the Pima and Maricopa systems. Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales, D-Tucson, said she knows why. “It all was political,’’ she said.

Gonzales said some Republican lawmakers were peeved because those two community college systems had agreed to let “dreamers’’ pay the same tuition as others who qualify for resident status. That differential existed until the Arizona Supreme Court declared the practice illegal. But even the current budget proposal by Gov. Doug Ducey provides no operating state aid to the two largest systems. Sen. Tyler Pace, R-Mesa, said he likes this idea better. “It’s targeting individuals and helping them better their lives,’’ he said. He said that much of the debate at the Capitol is about funding institutions. “Well, the purpose of funding an institution is to fund the individuals to achieve that educational goal,’’ Pace explained. “And a bill like this specifically approaches that task.’’ Boyer said the legislation could also help those who ultimately want to go on for four-year degrees but, for whatever reason, get their start at a community college. Boyer said he’s an example of that, having done a year at Pima Community College and a year at Paradise Valley Community College before going to Arizona State University. The measure still needs approval of the full Senate.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Tarwater Elementary students Connor Karesky, 6, left, and Nicky Papadantonakis, also 6, strengthen their grasp on Mandarin through science projects in class. (Pablo Robles/SanTan Sun News Photographer )

Tarwater students use science to grasp Mandarin BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chris Yao’s fifth graders are assembling miniature space vehicles out of macaroni noodles in a classroom at Tarwater Elementary. They piece together pieces of rigatoni with hot glue in an attempt to create something resembling the rovers seen exploring Mars. Such a science project could be probably seen in most schools, except Yao’s students have an additional challenge: they must communicate entirely in Mandarin. As one of Chandler’s dual-language schools, Tarwater requires its students to spend at least half of their classroom time learning and speaking in Mandarin, one of the world’s most spoken Chinese languages. To complete his science lesson, Yao asks his students to get up and attempt to explain their project without relying on English. One by one, students stand in front of the class and describe pieces of their vehicle while trying to remember the Mandarin vocabulary. A couple of pupils get caught up trying to remember the right word for “wheels.” Yao writes down the proper translation on a white board for the rest of his We Offer Federal Travel Identifications • Vehicle Registration • Title Transfer / Bond Title • Duplicate registration / iitle • Replacement Plate Or TAB • Permit 3, 30, 90 day • Level One Inspection: Abandoned title inspection • Mobile home • Handicap placard / plate • MVR / Driver license record • Fleet registration

students to memorize. The students will hopefully better remember the new vocabulary, said Principal Diane Hale, because they now have an experience to associate with the language. Over the last few months, Tarwater’s teachers have been utilizing grant funding to introduce more science-themed activities in their Mandarin classrooms.

The person-to-person dialogue has been really “ hindered by COVID-19, so we’re trying to ﬁnd ways to stay further apart but still have that person-to-person dialogue. ”

– Diane Hale

The goal is to use science as a tool for getting students to speak more confidently and casually in their second language. “We wanted some more authentic conversation among kids,” Hale explained. It’s often been a challenge nudging students to use their Mandarin without asking them, the principal added, or to get to them to organically talk to each other. But a science project gives students a unique opportunity to use their

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Mandarin in a creative, collaborative environment. “It kind of forces kids to talk when they’re working in teams,” Hale said. A $5,000 grant from Salt River Project has enabled Tarwater to purchase supplies for various science lessons at each grade level. Kindergartners have been learning how to build bridges. Third graders have

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been studying lights and sounds by constructing shadow puppets. The school’s fourth graders have been learning about magnetism and using their knowledge to create electric gameboards. A sixth-grade teacher had her students pretend to be tech entrepreneurs and make a business pitch for a new invention in Mandarin. Hale said these activities allow the students to apply their Mandarin vocabulary in scenarios that aren’t always common in a regular classroom setting. Young students can’t really absorb the language by reading a textbook, she said, and they need an engaging task that pushes them to put words together on their own. “Whatever that can give them an opportunity to do something where they touch an object and have to describe it,” Hale added. The school’s recent emphasis on science topics will also tie into a special event that Tarwater plans for later this year: put students in radio contact with the International Space Station. Tarwater students will have the chance to communicate with astronauts and ask them questions about space travel. The students exhibit a relentless curiosity about the world and other cultures, Hale said. She belies that is

the result having spent so much time learning a foreign language. Tarwater is one of a handful of schools in the Chandler Unified School District to offer a dual-language program and one of the first to focus on Mandarin. In addition to having teachers instruct in dual languages, the school hosts several extracurricular activities that celebrate China’s history and cultural traditions. The program has been popular since its inception seven years ago and CUSD is planning to offer dual-language courses in junior and high schools for the Tarwater students. The elementary school is also expected to expand its program for preschool students in the coming years. For all of the program’s successes, the COVID-19 pandemic has still made learning a second language increasingly difficult this past year for Tarwater’s students. The school’s health guidelines have forced students to keep a safe distance from each other, stifling their ability to have spontaneous conversations. Students aren’t allowed to sit faceto-face with each other and their face masks can sometimes muddle their pronunciations. Some of Tarwater’s teachers have resorted to teaching with a small microphone strapped to the front of their mask so students can hear the Mandarin more clearly. “The person-to-person dialogue has been really hindered by COVID-19,” Hale said. “So we’re trying to find ways to stay further apart but still have that person-to-person dialogue.” Tarwater’s science curriculum has been particularly helpful in offering more opportunities for dialogue practice during the pandemic, she added. The school’s emphasis on language appears to be impacting its overall academic performance in other subjects. According to the school’s standardized testing results from 2019, Tarwater’s students have collectively scored higher in math, science and English composition than the district’s averages. “Our data shows they’re gaining because that’s how the brain works,” Hale added.

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Fund drive fuels scholarships for Chandler women SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Southeast Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women kicks off its local scholarship fundraising drive next month as part of the group’s mission to advance equity for women and girls through scholarships for Chandler residents. AAUW members will be selling $5 raffle tickets for gift certificates, gift baskets and a $100 Visa gift card from

11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. April 24 at JudyWear Boutique, 950 E. Riggs Road. The boutique also will donate 10 percent of its sales that day to the scholarship fund. Raffle sales for the scholarship fund also will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 9-10 at Oakwood Country Club, 24218 S. Oakwood Dr., and Ironwood Golf Club, 550 W. Champagne. In the past 10 years, the Southeast

Valley Branch of AAUW has raised nearly $20,000 to fund 17 need-based scholarships that have helped young women in Chandler pursue college degrees. “We’re all about women supporting women,” said Mary Humecke, Branch Co-President. “So, this year we’re expanding our scholarship outreach beyond Chandler high schools to include those attending community college or returning to school later in life.”

Active since 1989, the Southeast Valley Branch of AAUW has nearly 100 members from Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Sun Lakes, Queen Creek and San Tan Valley. Membership is open to all with an associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university. For more information about donating to the scholarship fund, buying raffle tickets or joining AAUW, email AAUW.SEV.AZ@gmail.com.

Chandler man charged with $5-million investment scam SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Authorities in California have filed criminal charges against a Chandler man accused of scamming senior citizens into buying $5 million-worth of fraudulent securities. Sheldon J. Katz, 79, is facing 146 counts of theft and fraud after he allegedly failed to pay back several investors who contributed to phony tax liens. According to the Riverside District County Attorney’s Office, Katz alleged-

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ly targeted more than 40 senior citizens by inviting them to dinner seminars at upscale restaurants and pitched them a lucrative investment opportunity. The defendant would highlight his purportedly successful business career investing in government-issued tax liens and would assure investors their money would be safe. Katz would issue secured promissory notes to investors and promise them their investments were “fully guaranteed.” “The investigation revealed that Katz

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investments that were made in Katz’s alleged scheme, which were valued at more than $5.5 million. On March 17, authorities partnered with the Chandler Police Department to search Katz’s home and seize evidence related to the ongoing investigation. A warrant for Katz’s arrest has been filed and authorities are requesting a bail amount of $5 million. Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to the investment scheme can call the DA’s Office at 951-955-7439.

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did not have a successful background of investing in tax liens and deeds,” Riverside’s prosecutors wrote in a statement. “Investigators also found that Katz fraudulently used the money he received from the victims to maintain his scheme.” Katz allegedly spent his profits on real estate activities and maintaining the defendant’s sushi restaurants. The California Department of Insurance opened an investigation into Katz two years ago and identified up to 70

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

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

Anxious 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

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)

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 supply 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 See

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REAL ESTATE

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

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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 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 percent 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. Mortgage 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 first-time 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.”

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

One 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 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 contin-

gency 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 602-533-2840 or email him at ben@ mandglawgroup.com.

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REAL ESTATE

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Container homes debut in Tempe

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A development comprising shipping containers turned into homes debuted earlier this month in Tempe near the main Arizona State University campus. FREIGHT Tempe is billed as “a modern, sustainable multifamily project” with one-bedroom and studio units that is the first of its kind in the city. “I have always loved great design, and the ability to partner with Local Studio and build something cutting edge has been a dream,” said Jeff Berghoff, one of the developers of the project. Tempe Mayor Corey Woods called the project “on the cutting edge of innovation, sustainability and design. “It blends well with the neighborhood and provides a unique approach to multi-family development,” he added. Local Studio has been a leading designer of shipping container architecture in the southwest, using natural wood, custom metal work and composite materials in a soft green shade that contrasts with the rust patina of the containers. The buildings are designed to reduce solar load and heating and the builder said they are intended to be reminiscent of Tempe’s agrarian history. The landscape features mature fruit trees, landscaping and numerous seating areas and outdoor spaces by Berghoff Design Group of Scottsdale.

Shipping containers comprise the new FREIGHT Tempe apartment complex, which may foretell more developments like this in the future as land and homes in the Valley become scarcer and more expensive. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

The 11 units have natural wood floors refurbished and lacquered from the original container floor. “We wanted to keep as much of the character as we could from the original containers as possible. Not only is it environmentally responsible building, it’s so cool to think that your living space has actually travelled around the world,” said co-developer Bill Jacoby. Units also feature either a spacious outdoor patio or balconies.

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FREIGHT Tempe was nearly three years in the making and the developers said they had to educate Tempe officials on the advantages of shipping containers. “These were originally designed to be stacked 20 or 30 feet high and cross rough seas so the containers themselves are incredibly strong, weather tight and well insulated,” said Brian Stark of Local Studio. Information: liveinfreight.com

Rising interest rates not alarming, experts say SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Federal Reserve is planning to stay the course in keeping interest rates low — but that isn’t necessarily music to home buyers’ ears, according to the finance website marketwatch.com. Earlier this month the Federal Reserve signaled that it won’t raise interest rates until 2023 at the earliest, even though some observers have voiced concerns about rising inflation. As of now, seven of the 18 Fed officials expect a rate hike to come in 2023, while four think one could happen next year. “Whether the Fed’s policy is auspicious for home buyers or people looking to refinance their existing mortgages remains to be seen,” marketwatch said. Since the start of the year, the benchmark rate on the 30-year fixedrate mortgage has risen more than 40 basis points, according to data from Freddie Mac. “The Fed funds rate itself has no impact on mortgage rates,” said Tendayi Kapfidze, chief economist at LendingTree, in explaining the Fed’s policy decision didn’t stem the rise in mortgage rates this week. The Federal Reserve controls short-term interest rates. But mortgage rates are long term and mortgage lenders take their cues from the bond market when setting rates. Mortgage rates have risen quickly in recent weeks, reaching the highest level since July, as investors grew increasingly concerned about inflation. With Americans now receiving the stimulus checks approved as part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, some analysts expect people to rush out and spend that money, causing

prices to go up for consumer goods and services. “The Fed’s stance and policy decisions could have some influence on mortgage rates, even if the central bank doesn’t control them directly,” marketwatch said. “Since the start of the pandemic, the Federal Reserve has ramped up its purchases of mortgage-backed securities in an effort to pump much needed liquidity into the market. Those purchases helped to push rates lower.” “Reaffirming its commitment to ongoing asset purchases while acknowledging that a tapering is on the horizon at some point — likely, pretty far off — should help slow the rise of mortgage rates,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor. com. Hale noted that she expects the overall upward trend in mortgage rates to continue. But if the Fed reverses its policy regarding mortgage-backed securities, rates could quickly rise as lenders face liquidity constraints. Alternatively, if the Fed were to opt to ramp up its purchases of 10-year Treasury notes to stem long-term rates, then mortgage rates could drop, Kapfidze said. Either way, mortgage rates remain very low by historical standards even if they’re now above the 3 percent mark, and industry experts anticipate that demand for mortgages will remain strong. The Mortgage Bankers Association said it “continues to see a very strong housing market, with mortgage applications to buy a home increasing, even as refinance demand wanes,” said Mike Fratantoni, the trade organization’s chief economist. “While mortgage rates are likely to move somewhat higher, the purchase market remains on track for a record year.”

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

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Drive school takes name of legendary British brand BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

The Bondurant School of High Performance Driving is no more. The storied school on the Gila River Indian Community – just a stone’s throw from Chandler – has been renamed Radford Racing School by owner Stig Investments. The renaming, announced last week, not only brings a new storied name in automobiles to the site but also resolves a three-year legal fight that school founder Bob Bondurant and his wife Patricia waged in a desperate bid to hang on to the debt-ridden school. First, the Bondurants tried to keep the school from being sold at an auction in federal bankruptcy court to pay off some of its $3.5 million in debts. That effort failed when Stig Investments bought it in May 2019 for $1.7 million. Then Patricia Bondurant sued Stig in state Superior Court to stop it from using her husband’s name. That suit was resolved in a settlement three months ago, though the terms are sealed. In renaming the school, Stig has teamed up with another legendary name in the world of automobiles.

lebrity Ant Anstead, F1 champion Jenson Button, car designer Mark Stubbs and business partner Roger Behle. Founded more than 75 years ago by Harold Radford, the company made the bodies for luxury cars like Rolls Royce and Bentley. According to autoweek.com, Radford & Co. was particularly famous in the 1960s, when it produced custom Minis for all four Beatles as well as model Twiggy and comic actor Peter Sellers. “The renaming marks the school’s new association with the team behind the Radford brand, a name Stig Investments have spent millions upgrading the newly named Radford Racing School off I-10 just south legendary among auto of the Loop 202. (Special to SanTan Sun News) enthusiasts for its coachbuilding legacy,” cording to its website. Radford is a global luxury automoStig said in a release. It has a storied past that has been tive coachbuilder “with a British heart The four are reviving the Radford invoked by the new owners of the and soul, creating on-trend vehicles Radford brand – English television cebased on classic timeless designs,” acSee on page 34

BONDURANT

Chandler grad revamping tutoring industry BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

A Hamilton High School graduate has launched a new business to improve local schools’ tutoring services. Michael Wang, a finance student at Arizona State University, founded his startup PeerSquared last year and has already begun consulting nearby high schools on how they can better tutor struggling students. “We are on a mission to improve education through creating communities around students,” Wang said. PeerSquared specializes in developing networks of student instructors trained to tutor their peers in a variety of academic subjects. The company has already begun assisting Hamilton and Desert Vista high schools in revamping their tutoring programs to serve a wider base of clients by incorporating new technology. PeerSquared begins by evaluating the existing resources of any given school and devises a plan that can guide students into figuring out the best system for tutoring each other. Wang said his goal is to make the peer-to-peer tutoring experience enjoyable for both the instructor and student by making it more accessible, convenient and efficient. “That’s the type of environment we want to help the school set up,” Wang

Michael Wang said, “so everyone feels comfortable going to a tutor to ask for help.” Wang started a tutoring club at Hamilton when he noticed his classmates needed more after-school instructional support. Some teachers didn’t always have the extra time for after-school tutoring, he said, so students sometimes had to rely on their classmates for additional help. Wang spent a couple years tutoring younger students who were at risk of failing or dropping out. After he gradu-

ated in 2017, he handed the club off to another set of students and hoped it would continue to flourish as he started his studies at ASU. But interest in the tutoring program gradually declined, Wang said, and it eventually dissolved. At the same time, Wang was struggling to decide what he should study at ASU and cycled through several majors before settling on business finance. Yet he still had a compulsion to help others the same way he did back in high school and looked for an outlet to do it. “Even though I didn’t know what I wanted to do, I knew I wanted to be in a position where I could be of service to others and make an impact,” he said. While in college, Wang and some friends attended a computer programming competition and created a digital platform that could be used to operate a peer-to-peer tutoring network. The group’s platform could schedule tutoring sessions and catalog notes tracking the student’s progress. Wang said the application inspired him to try and apply it to an actual school setting and began putting the pieces together that eventually became PeerSquared. Run by a small group of college students, PeerSquared started out by reaching out to local schools. Wang said he and his partners quickly realized that schools would need a substantial amount of consultation

because one piece of software couldn’t make meaningful improvements in the quality of the tutoring the schools provided. “It was not enough to solve the problem and we needed to actually help the school implement the program more efficiently,” he said. The emerging startup sought out some guidance from Chandler Innovations, the city’s startup business incubator. Since its inception in 2016, Chandler Innovations has been advising ambitious entrepreneurs like Wang in all the practicalities of running a new business. Chandler Innovations CEO Diana White said she’s been impressed by PeerSquared’s aspirations and the youthful energy its leaders have to make a difference in their community. “(Wang) represents the rare group of young entrepreneurs that are not waiting for a degree or the right opportunity,” White said. “He’s making his own path. These are the leaders of the future.” When PeerSquared officially launched last March, its team was quickly thrown a giant curveball as schools all across Arizona started shutting down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the crisis presented a unique opportunity for the startup after Wang See

TUTOR on page 35

BUSINESS

BONDURANT

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

from page 33

name “into a modern lifestyle brand that celebrates auto design and performance, high-performing driving and racing,” it continued. The Radford partners also will be building and testing new vehicles at the school, located just south of the I-10’s intersection with the Loop 202 freeway. “The racetrack is the perfect environment for building and testing Radford-built cars,” said Anstead. The Radford Racing School bills itself as “the only purpose-built driver training facility for performance enthusiasts and the largest driver training center of its kind in the world.” The release said the Radford “heritage brand” means the school is becoming a “destination for international auto enthusiasts, everyday drivers, new drivers, racers, celebrities and influencers.” The Radford Racing School also is the official high performance driving school of Dodge//SRT, the school’s primary sponsors that provides a fleet of high-performance cars for driving instruction. The drag racing course features the 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, while other high-performance vehicles, including the Challenger SRT Hellcat, Charger SRT Hellcat and Durango SRT are just some of the options available for the on-track performance driving experience. New Dodge//SRT owners also “are among the thousands of students who come to the school annually to learn

Three of the four partners who own the Radford brand now are promising to bring back the storied name with a new line of cars that will be built and tested at the site near Chandler. (YouTube)

how to achieve optimum performance of high-performance vehicles in a controlled environment,” the release said. The school also features Ligier JS F4 open wheel vehicles, vintage Dodge Vipers, go karts, and cars used in its spe-

cial forces, police and military training. General Manager Mike Kessler said among the school’s offerings are openwheel and drag-racing courses. New formula racing courses are in development. He said the name change will “broad-

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BONDURANT on page 35

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

BONDURANT

from page 34

speed, professional race car instruction and experiences, in addition to worldclass driving instruction.” He also said Stig’s multi-million-dollar investment has included the main track’s first resurfacing in 30 years, significant upgrades of the visitor center and related facilities, the diversification of course offerings and becoming the first school of its kind to offer professional drag racing instruction to the public and the chance to earn an NHRA Drag License. Radford’s extension into the racing world positions the school “as a place for speed, professional race car instruction and experiences, in addition to worldclass driving instruction,” he noted. The school came close to being evicted by the Gila River Indian Community’s economic development arm in 2018 when the Bondurants failed to pay its rent in 2018.

TUTOR

from page 33

found out that Desert Vista needed to find a way to transfer its tutoring program to a digital format. PeerSquared reached out to the school and helped it make that conversion. Now the school can schedule hundreds of tutoring sessions on a weekly basis. Principal Michael Deignan has credited PeerSquared with being instrumen-

The suit was prolonged by Stig’s efforts to depose Bob Bondurant over a claim by his wife that he had revoked the use of his name before the bankruptcy auction. Stig contended that Bondurant had lost that right because he had trademarked his name and the trademarks Patricia and Bob Bondurant, seen in this 2016 photo, lost owner- were part of the auction. ship of the school that once bore is name in 2019. Further com(File photo) plicating the suit was the inability of That rent was part of $3.5 million debt Stig’s lawyers to depose the 87-year-old that drove the school into bankruptcy. racing legend because he has been in Stig has spent the last year and a care home since at least early 2019, a half fighting a suit filed by Patricia “unable to care for himself or be cared Bondurant over the school’s use of her for by his wife,” court papers said. husband’s name. Lawyers could not even visit with

him since early last year because the pandemic had forced the care home to prohibit visitors. Inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame in 2016, Bondurant’s racing accomplishments in Corvettes and Selby’s between 1959 to 1965 earned him numerous accolades both in the U.S. and abroad. He founded the school in California in 1968 but relocated in 1990 to the Gila River Indian Community site. Over the years the school has taught beginners how to drive and trained thousands of race car enthusiasts, professional drivers and law-enforcement and military personnel advanced-driving skills. Court papers alleged that his wife assumed day-to-day control of the school several years before the bankruptcy and Stig alleged it was “financially mismanaged for the past several years, which coincides with Patricia Bondurant’s time running the school.” For information on the newly name schooled: RadfordRacingSchool.com or 480-403-7600.

they service struggling students outside of the classroom. “Education and learning are not just limited to the hours of the school,” Wang noted, “COVID-19 has changed everything.” As for the future, PeerSquared is aiming to contract with more school districts around the Valley and further expand its network of student tutors. Wang said he also is hoping to partner with some nonprofits that can assist

PeerSquared in coordinating a summer tutoring program for students who have fallen behind academically during the pandemic. PeerSquared may have lots to look forward to in the coming months, but its young founder said he still doesn’t feel overwhelmed by all of the startup’s lofty ambitions. “I just felt like that this was something I was called to do,” Wang added. Information: peer-squared.info

tal in revamping Desert Vista’s services for a virtual audience by supplying the company’s digital platforms. “If we were tasked with developing a similar tool ourselves, we certainly wouldn’t have experienced the degree of success in our peer-tutoring program that we currently enjoy,” Deignan said. Wang said this past year has dramatically shifted the traditions of public education and PeerSquared is positioning itself to help schools rethink how

A fluttering heart is a romantic idea. But not a healthy one. 1 in 4 adult Americans over the age of 40 could develop an irregular heartbeat. Those odd sensations, a fluttering feeling in your chest, erratic heartbeats? The fact is, irregular or abnormal heartbeats, known as arrhythmia, aren’t normal at all, and they definitely aren’t to be ignored. It could be atrial fibrillation or other heart rhythm disorders—conditions that may cause the electrical impulses of the heart to happen too fast, too slowly, or erratically, when left undiagnosed and untreated. The first step in protecting yourself is a heart health checkup with one of our heart rhythm experts at the Dignity Health Heart Arrhythmia Center – Chandler Regional Medical Center. Now’s the time to schedule a consultation with our experts at LearnAboutArrhythmia.org or call 480-728-5500.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

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

A 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 student-athletes 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 champi-

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)

onship 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. “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

GOLF on page 39

Seton Catholic wins 12th state championship BY ETHAN GRENI Staff Writer

Seton Catholic Prep won the 2021 AIA girls basketball 4A state championship 70-62 over Salpointe Catholic on Saturday. The title is the school’s third in the last four years, and 12th total under coach Karen Self. Despite all the success she’s had before, Self said this championship is special because she wasn’t sure there would even be a season to begin with due to COVID-19. “Well, I think they’re all different, you know, and every season has its own challenges and differences,” Self said. “This (year) in particular, I felt for my seniors when they were faced with having their season cancelled, and then to be able to finish it with a state championship just feels so appropriate for them, because we were faced with so much uncertainty.” Senior Amanda Barcello led the Sentinels with 22 points in the win, but Self said Barcello’s offensive rebounds in the final minutes were her biggest contribution. “Amanda down the stretch, those

The Seton Catholic girls basketball team knocked off Salpointe Catholic to win the 4A state championship Saturday at St. John Paul II Catholic High School in Avondale. (Kevin Hurley/Staff)

O-boards off the missed free throws literally saved us,” Self said. “If you don’t make free throws, you can’t win games, and we made a lot, but the ones we missed, Amanda corralled. She came up with three huge O-boards down the stretch that were absolute difference-makers.”

Barcello credited her teammates for making the win possible. “There’s Sasha (Daniel), who’s just gritty. From the beginning of the game to the end of the game, she’s always getting those tips, those steals, all those hustle plays that we need,” Barcello

said. “Then there’s Lexi (McNabb), hitting those 3’s, getting what we needed, those really clutch shots… we couldn’t do this without them.” There were several points throughout the game where it looked as though Seton was beginning to pull away, but the Lancers kept clawing back. Free throws proved to be especially critical, with Salpointe making 17 of 19 shots from the line. “We definitely let them hit some clutch shots which brought them back in the game,” Barcello said. “The fouls were killing us, but we just tried our best to maintain good position, maintain good rotation… but our main goal was just to keep them from shooting 3-pointers because that’s what was hurting us (the most).” After playing for Self for four years and winning three state championships together, Barcello struggled to find the right words when talking about her coach. She also mentioned former Seton assistant coach Tiffany Tate as an inspiration, who passed away in 2018. See

SETON on page 39

SPORTS & RECREATION

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Hamilton girls come up short in 6A title game BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

The Hamilton girls basketball team found itself in a hole early on in Saturday’s 6A girls basketball state championship game against Valley Vista. Cold shooting mixed with Valley Vista’s ability to penetrate the Huskies’ zone defense allowed the Monsoon to quickly build to a double-digit lead in the first two quarters. But as has been the case all season for head coach Trevor Neider’s team, they kept fighting. Despite tying the game at one point in the fourth quarter, Hamilton was unable to contain Valley Vista down the stretch as the Monsoon went on to win its second straight title over the Huskies and fourth in 5 years, 49-41. “They played phenomenal all year, we just couldn’t make shots today,” Neider said. “Valley Vista is long, and they just play extremely tough. They’re a tough team, that’s why they’re winning state titles. We just couldn’t get things going.” Hamilton struggled to find a rhythm from the jump, rushing itself on the offensive end which resulted in forced shots that rarely found the bottom of the net. Hamilton, one of the highest scoring teams in 6A this season, was held to just four points in the first quarter and 14 for the half. The Huskies uncharacteristically made just four of their 22 shot attempts in the first half as Valley Vista

Left: The Hamilton girls basketball team nearly mounted a comeback against Valley Vista but fell short after they were plagued by missed shots. Right: Hamilton senior guard Amyah Reaves helped the Huskies mount a comeback that ultimately fell short against Valley Vista in the 6A girls basketball state championship Saturday night at Mesquite High School. (Zac BonDurant/Contributor)

quickly built to a nine-point lead. “We were just running around. I don’t know if it was the pressure or communication,” Neider said. “We just couldn’t get into anything. Everyone was on a different page and it dug us in a hole. We said we would be fine, and comeback, and we did but the layups in the second half, you can’t miss those against a team like that.” Hamilton’s first-half nerves settled

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in the third as the Huskies and Valley Vista ﬂipped roles. Shots began to fall for Hamilton while Valley Vista saw its lead quickly shrink. Led by senior guards Amyah Reaves and Vanessa Washington, Hamilton went on a 15-6 run through the third quarter and most of the fourth, at one point tying the game. Then, however, Valley Vista’s size advantage began to once again play a key role.

Senior Marisa Davis found holes in Hamilton’s defense, drawing fouls and converting on 10-of-14 of her attempts. Davis, who has led the Monsoon all season with junior Jenna Isai out due to injury, finished with a team-high 10 points for Valley Vista in the win. Hamilton’s run to the title game was one led by a group of seven seniors NeiSee

HAMILTON on page 39

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GOLF

from page 37

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 com-

is kind of my way of giving back to her… she’s just a hell of a coach,” Barcello said. “I’ve always done this for our coach who passed away, Tiff Tate. I know she’s watching down from heaven, but being a senior and a leader on this team… I just wanted to let every single one of (our players) know that they had the fight in them to win this.” Through all the uncertainty that COVID-19 brought along with it, Barcello said she was determined to end her high Seton Catholic’s third championship in four years school career on a good note. was the 12th the program has won under head coach “It definitely was kind of like Karen Self. (Kevin Hurley/Staff ) a roller coaster of a ride, not knowing if we were going to have (a season), having one, and then just from page 37 battling through the season,” Barcello said. “As a senior, I’m just absolutely thrilled… I “I really can’t describe it, it’s such wanted to put everything I had out on the a good feeling knowing that I put in ﬂoor, and I wasn’t going to leave without four years of work with Karen, and this that gold ball (trophy).

SETON

pared 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 Man-

agement 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.”

HAMILTON

always wanted to get my teammates involved,” Reaves said. “I just aim to always make sure we are playing as a team. This team is going to keep growing and keep building and I hope I made a big impact.” As the Huskies did last season, Neider hopes the loss in Saturday’s championship game will fuel them as they transition to the offseason. This time, however, he hopes the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t play a prominent role in not only delaying the team’s progress but keeping them off the court. “Hopefully it motivates them,” Neider said. “I think the biggest thing the younger kids don’t see yet is the IQ of this senior group played a huge role. We’ve got to get them up to speed because they’re extremely talented, but when you’re a freshman and sophomore your IQ isn’t that great. “If we can get a good summer, hopefully we can get a little bit of normalcy to get them working again, I think we will be right there.”

from page 38

der said was one of the smartest groups he had ever coached. In their four years, the group appeared in three straight state championship games, winning one in 2019. Reaves, at the varsity level since her freshman year, has been key in Hamilton’s run of success. It was her on the court Saturday night motivating her team to push through adversity brought on by Valley Vista’s defense. In the second half, aware her team needed an answer on both ends of the ﬂoor, she kickstarted Hamilton’s run to tie the game and bring the Huskies within striking distance of the championship in the fourth quarter. She hopes her determination and overall ability to help her team in adverse situations is part of what she is remembered for when she graduates in May. “As I’ve gotten older, I feel like I’ve taken on a role of scoring, but I’ve

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2 Chandler teen pianists win national honors SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Two 16-year-old pianists from Chandler have won a prestigious national competition for a piano duet they performed. Rachel Dai and Nathan Lam took first place in the senior performance in a piano duet category of the Music Teachers National Association National Piano Competitions, which is geared to young classical musicians. Rachel and Nathan are the first Arizonans to win the national first prize in the senior group, for ages 15 to 18, in the MTNA Piano Competitions’ long history. Rachel, a junior at University High School in Tucson, and Nathan, a junior from at Perry High School, started studying piano at age 5 under the guidance of piano teacher Dr. Yali Luo. They both have won numerous awards in their solo performances in the past and have been playing as a duet for the past three years. In 2009, they took top honors in the American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City that summer. The MTNA National Competitions are the most successful and prestigious music student competitions in

the country. Three tiers of age-based competitions begin with the state level and winners of each state’s contest advance to a division competition, which includes seven divisions in the country. Only the winner of each division advances to the final national competition. Rachel and Nathan won the state competition in November and the Southwest Division Competition in January 2021. The duo’s winning performance comprised three pieces: “Khachaturian Sabre Dance (2’),” “Schubert Fantasie in f minor, D. 940 (17’)” and “Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers (6’).” Rachel, the daughter of Hong Huo and Jixun Dai, said she and Nathan knew of each other through Dr. Luo. “We saw each other at studio recitals every year, but we started playing together as a duo when we were in 8th grade,” she said. As a duet, they won the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, Arizona MusicFest Young Musicians Competition and the Arizona State Music Teachers Association Competition. As a solo performer, Rachel has See

DUET on page 41

Rachel Dai and Nathan Lam, both 16-year-old Chandler residents, won top honors in a prestigious national competition for a piano duet. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Chandler woman helps grandparents raising grandkids BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor

Raising children when parents are young brings its share of trials and tribulations, but how much more difficult is it when they have to do it the second time around? If grandparents raising grandchildren feel isolated and helpless, there is help at hand in the community. That’s the message new Duet employee Lisa McCormick of Chandler wants to spread. At the Phoenix-based nonprofit Duet: Partners in Health & Aging, McCormick works as a kinship care services coordinator to help grandparents raising grandchildren. “Grandparents have reported feeling ‘alone’ due to not having family and support or understanding from their social circles,” said McCormick, who began her job this month. “They struggle to find resources and support with navigating the complicated state and legal systems which become involved in these situations.” According to grandfamilies.org, more than 60,000 grandparents in Arizona are responsible for their grandchildren. The reasons run the gamut from parents being incarcerated, becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, child abuse, neglect or parental death. In 2020, Duet provided services to 359 grandparents and their 539 grand-

Lisa McCormick children in Maricopa County. Duet’s grandparents raising grandchildren program offers support for grandparents raising grandchildren through free-of-charge support groups, legal guidance and assistance, funds for extracurricular activities, information and guided assistance and educational workshops. All services meet COVID-19 safety guidelines, according to the nonprofit. McCormick fields inquiries for resources, legal assistance and guidance on navigating the multiple systems

grandparents must learn to take on. She plans to organize four support groups monthly to give the kinship families a safe place to feel heard and find resources amongst each other. She is making connections with community agencies and partners providing resources and participating in advocacy groups to support legislation and policies around kinship care and the families. McCormick will also be hosting workshops to build protective factors in the families to increase their knowledge on parenting, child development, self-care, advocacy and related other topics. McCormick pulls experience from working with families for five years at Southwest Human Development in the East Valley. “This is the first time I am working with the aging population and kinship families specifically,” she said. An Arizona native who was born in Mesa, raised in Tempe and moved to Chandler 15 years ago, she also comes informed firsthand about the difficulties of raising grandchildren from her extended family. “I am recalling the experiences of my mother-in-law and other extended family members whom have been raising grandchildren over the past 20 years,” she said. “I am surprised and saddened to know they did not know this agency existed and the resources which would

have been available to them during their experiences.” McCormick said she became a social worker because of the gap she noticed in connecting people to resources in the community. “I work hard to build relationships with other agencies and organizations to better support the families I serve,” she said. Her own grandparents played the traditional role of grandparenting; they were present and supportive of her parents. “However, they did not play an active role in raising my sister and I,” she said. “My grandma Pat played a role in aiding my passion for helping others; she was a registered nurse at skilled nursing facilities here in the Valley and I would go with her on ‘take your daughter to work’ days when I was in grade school. “My other set of grandparents were entrepreneurs in the community, they had multiple businesses in East Mesa including a gift shop and auction house. My sister and I would spend our weekends helping in the shop or at the auction,” she recalled. McCormick has been married to Kurt, her high school sweetheart, for 22 years. They have three daughters, Alexa, 22, Sarah, 17, and Emily, 15. The younger two attend Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe. See

GRANDPARENTS on page 41

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

DUET

competition,” she said, “we tend to practice less, especially when school gets busy. At the moment, we’re both currently working on our own solo pieces for future competitions.” Rachel said she is grateful that her parents “chose to give me a music education since I was young, as it’s become such a

huge part of my life and who I am.” She hasn’t decided what she wants to pursue after she graduates high school but said, “I’m considering a minor in piano performance in college.” Nathan, the son of Angie and Don Lam, practices between seven and 10 hours a week, though for competitions

“it can go up to 40 hours a week.” He has won first place in the American Protége´ International Piano and Strings Competition as well as awards in the Arizona Musicfest chamber and solo piano divisions and the Phoenix Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. He noted that he and Rachel “practiced much more separately than together for ensemble because duet performance relies quite heavily on individual detail perfection as well.” Like Rachel, Nathan is preparing for some international and local competitions and possibly MTNA solos nearing the end of this year. “We haven’t competed in person since the pandemic, and I have mixed feelings about it,” he reflected. “It’s nice to be able to re-record your pieces if you mess up to make it perfect but on the other hand, trying to record a perfect piece takes hours and even days of trials.” He and Rachel also are waiting for word on their application to play in the Vienna International Music Competition as a duet. “From there we are both hoping to compete individually near the end of the year,” he said. Nathan is planning on continuing to take music classes in college but hopes to go into the medical field.

in 2017. Her studies further nurtured her interest in social service and interacting with people. “I love facilitating groups and trainings so I am looking forward to

running support groups and workshops throughout the month for our grandfamilies,” she said. “I am passionate about advocacy and macro-level change to enrich the communities I support. I am excited about

the opportunities I will get to engage in on this level through coalitions and organizations whom partner with Duet on this mission,” she added. To find out more about Duet, visit duetaz.org or call 602-274-5022.

from page 40

earned awards in the Arizona State Music Teachers Association and Phoenix Youth Symphony Piano Concerto competitions as well as a state round of the MTNA competition. Besides playing a duet in Carnegie Hall, Nathan and Rachel also played before a sold-out crowd in the Young Musicians Winter Concert at the Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale. “Since the pandemic began, we unfortunately haven’t had another opportunity to perform for a crowd,” Rachel said. “I miss it tremendously and I’ve found myself rewatching recordings of our previous performances often to try to relive the experience.” This year, the MTNA competition was conducted virtually, requiring the duo to submit video recordings of their performance. “In preparation for the competition, I practiced around two hours a day but we spent two to four more hours together recording or practicing a few times a week, with some weekend sessions going to eight-10 hours in a single day,” Rachel added. “When not preparing for a specific

GRANDPARENTS from page 40

She herself earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota

Though Rachel and Nathan play together in some competitions, they also perform in solo contests as well. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

Young Chandler golfers make strong tourney showing SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Several young Chandler duffers have finished strong in area Desert Mashie golf tournament. After finishing in second place in 2020, Anawin Pikulthong of Chandler won the 2021 Desert Mashie Championship by a healthy seven-stroke margin over second-place finisher Aiden Krafft of Albuquerque. Anawin’s first round 10-under 60 at Encanto Golf Course included a 9-under-par streak for 11 holes (2-12), ending with an eagle at the par-5 12th. Anawin then put up a 2-under-par 68 in the second round to finish the tournament at 12-under-par 128. The win marked his first of the season and eighth overall since entering the Junior Golf Association of Arizona Boys Championship Division in 2019. Nikolas Kittilson of Chandler (68-69) finished tied for third place at 3-under-par 137. Nicholas Lippe of Chandler won the boys 15-18 division at 3-over par (7271—143). On the Encanto 9 Golf Course, Arjun Somani of Chandler took top honors in the Boys 11-12 Division at even par (62-58—120). “The Desert Mashie has been giving our juniors a place to compete and have fun for 41 years,” said Scott McNevin, executive director of the JGAA. “It’s an honor for us to carry on the

It’s an honor for us to “ carry on the tradition of

this tournament started by a group of people with a common passion for golf and the desire to see more kids grow up with the game.

”

– Scott McNevin

tradition of this tournament started by a group of people with a common passion for golf and the desire to see more kids grow up with the game.” The Desert Mashie Golf Club was formed by a group of Phoenix-area golf enthusiasts in 1946 and held the first Desert Mashie Spring Championship in 1981 at Encanto Golf Course, becoming a JGAA-sanctioned event in 1992. Today the Desert Mashie is the oldest public golf club in Arizona. The Junior Golf Association of Arizona is a nonprofit that aims “to educate, motivate and inspire Arizona’s youth through golf and all of the valuable lessons and life skills inherent to the game.” Information: jgaa.org or call 602-944-6168.

Anawin Pikulthong of Chandler, right, holds his first place trophy from the Desert Mashie golf tournament with the next-in-line finishers, Dallin Delgado, left, and Aiden Kraft.

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Chandler celebrates National Jazz Month in style SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Jazz is back in a big way in Chandler next month – both online and in-person – in April, which also happens to be National Jazz Month. In a certain sign of spring – and the apparent slowing down of COVID-19 – the annual Chandler Jazz Festival is returning to downtown with live performances. “After the past year we’ve all experienced, who’s ready to be outdoors to groove to the sounds of soulful jazz?” a spokesman for the organizers asked in announcing that the popular 22-yearold festival will be presented both in person and online April 8–10. Adding to the jazz infusion are performances at the Downtown Chandler Farmers Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday in April at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West, 3 S. Arizona Ave. The Downtown Chandler Community Partnership has a line-up of performers that includes: April 3, Pete Pancrazzi; April 10, Stan Sorenson; April 17, Luis Martinez; and April 24, Eric Bart. Meanwhile, Chandler Center for the See

JAZZ on page 44

Naturally 7’s concert is part of the Chandler Center for the Arts’ virtual concerts that are part of the city’s month-long homage to jazz. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Young EV thespians prepare in-person performances again BY STACI HAUK Contributor

Known for presenting professional quality theater and offering educational experiences in the East Valley, Limelight Youth Theater boasts an array of springtime performances as young thespians venture into live performances instead of online. Productions at Limelight are largely made possible because of its non-profit status and Artistic Director Emma England is grateful that sponsors and donors help her each year maintain a high bar for the quality of programs the theater is able to offer. Coupled with sister company Studio 3 Performing Arts, young people interested in theater as a hobby or a future career can obtain top-notch training in dance, acting and voice. The Actor’s Conservatory experience at Studio 3 utilizes an authentic script, as well as hand crafted costumes, puppetry and scenery to bring a story to life. The pull for budding thespians is the “no-cut experience,” meaning every child gets a role they can audition for, take pride in and learn from. This spring’s performance will be “Lion King Jr.,” held the first weekend in May at Superstition Springs Amphitheatre. Sticking with an outdoor venue for safety purposes, the production offers a fun family outing. “I love the Actor’s Conservatory Program at Studio 3 because it’s a really great way for both new and veteran

Riley Wiggins of Chandler, above, and Edward Oster are among the Limelight Youth Theater’s cast for “Lion King Jr.,” which will be presented outdoors in May at Superstittion Springs Ampitheater. (Pablo Robles (above) and Staci Hauk)

performers to do what they love to do – perform in a show,” said seasoned thespian and director Brianna Fallon. “Working to get into shows can feel burdensome at times for many people, and I think it’s really refreshing to have a program like this where every-

one gets in and everyone gets to participate in a significant way.” Fallon has two kinds of thespians to serve and “Lion King Jr.” fits the bill. “We make sure to challenge students who have been performing for a while, and also do plenty of directing/

educating for kids who are just starting out,” she explained. “This particular production was really special because we got to include two students in our leadership team – Sawyer Hauk is our stage manager and Shayla Forero is our See

LIMELIGHT on page 45

JAZZ

ARTS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

from page 43

Arts is presenting online-only concerts by three jazz heavyweights: Quarteto Nuevo on April 1, pianist David Benoit on April 3 and singer-pianist Kandance Springs on April 8. Those three performances are part of the center’s CCA Anywhere series, which also will present the world-renown a cappella group Naturally 7 on April 18. The free Chandler Jazz Festival will take place at four open areas – Crust, Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West, Saba’s Western Wear, Sibley’s West – as well as the nearby Vision Gallery. Attendees can stroll through the Downtown while enjoying lively musical performances during the afternoon or evening hours. They also can bring a blanket or lawn chair, grab a meal at one of Chandler’s eateries and dine in the park while taking in the smooth sounds of live jazz performances. Live performances will be presented by Mike Ozuna Trio, Pete Pancrazi and Todd Johnson, Beth Lederman & Jazz Con Alma, WildeP’lay, Trio Maxo, The Gaines Brothers, Charlie Smith and the Claudia Bloom Trio. The live lineup for these performers is at chandleraz.gov/special-events. Jazz festival hours are: 5–8 p.m. April 8; 5–8 p.m. April 9; and 3–5 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. April 10. Meanwhile, the Chandler Center for the Arts starts its online homage to jazz with a free virtual performance at 7 p.m. April 1, featuring Quarteto Nuevo,

a jazz ensemble that pulls its musical inspiration from all over the world. People can tune in at chandlercenter. org/events/cca-anywhere-quarteto-nuevo to watch a performance that melds the old world with a contemporary groove. At the bargain price of $25, meanwhile, jazz fans at 7 p.m. April 3 can enjoy a concert by jazz icon David Benoit for a one-time virtual performance in partnership with the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation. For three decades, the pianist/composer/arranger has been considered one of the founding fathers of contem-

swirl of classical composition that sits in a quiet storm of cool jazz, blended with hiphop swing... and music with a tropical warmth, soulful depth and earthen groove that will have you closing your eyes and swaying to the music with satisfaction and agreeing to all that she sings. People can tune into her at chandlercenter.org/events/ccaanywhere-kandace-springs The Chandler Center is offering a deal for the 7 p.m. April 17 concert by Naturally 7. Early birds can buy a ticket for $15 by April 4. After Easter, tickets are $20. Naturally 7 transforms their Pianist David Benoit, left, and singer-pianist Kandace voices into actual human inSprings are among the featured artists in the struments, producing music of Chandler Center for the Arts’ virtual concert series. any genre. (Secial to SanTan Sun News) Their vocal choreography is so perfectly interwoven that they compelled the musical porary jazz. maestro himself, Quincy Jones, to deHis concert will explore all facets of clare them, “The best a cappella group his 40-year career in music, including a sneak preview from his new album, plus in the world.” Following the concert, a special Q perennial favorites and a special tribute & A with the group will be held. Tickto his jazz piano heroes. ets can be purchased at chandleraz. Purchase tickets: chandlercenter.org/ gov/explore/special-events/cca-anyevents/david-benoit where-naturally-7. On April 8 at 7 p.m., the ChanFor other venues with live perfordler Center for the Arts is offering a mances, go to downtownchandler.org. free concert by Nashville-born artist The 22nd Annual Chandler Jazz FesKandace Springs, who is known for her tival is presented by the City of Chansmoky voice that sounds like it is chandler, in partnership with the Downtown neling Sade and her expressive mastery Chandler Community Partnership and of the piano. the Chandler Center for the Arts. Get ready to be immersed in a

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ARTS

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LIMELIGHT

from page 43

dance captain. “After having participated in several productions themselves, showing passion and hard work, they each get the opportunity to start to learn the skills it takes to put together a production from the ground up. I’m passionate about mentorship and love getting to have them on board to assist and start to utilize their own experiences to help others,” she added. Fallon has taken this opportunity to delve into technique work with the kids and help them understand African cultures the show pulls from – especially learning the correct way to pronounce the words. “These songs are using real languages and it’s been so fun learning what each of the phrases mean! I always tear up a little when I see young people perform because I’m so impressed with what they were able to accomplish in such a short time. ‘Lion King’ is a touching story that addresses themes like grief, the power of friendship, hope, and learning from our ancestors so I am thrilled to bring you this exciting show.” Mainstage performances are presented by Limelight Youth Theater, which is no stranger to the awards circuit in Arizona and on a national level. Last season, the theater took home 12 AriZoni Awards as well as countless National Youth Arts awards, attracting a variety of talented youth from Scottsdale to Queen Creek.

of how much talent was present in auditions and callbacks.” He paid careful attention to chemistry during auditions, explaining, “it was crucial for me to find the right cast because each actor would be playing a version of him or herself. “Thus, it was important for each actor to show a bit of realism and individual personality to match the bold whimsicalness of the musical. It was all about the spark of a character, and it proved to be a difficult choice to make in the end,” he said. The cast members Ava Chiapetta, left, and Lauren Lewis, practice a scene from are excited about being in the musical. “Lion King Jr.” as Rici Corbett looks on. (Pablo Robl;es/Staff) “I have wanted to be in this show for several The “25th Annual Putnam County years. I love the unique take on each Spelling Bee” will be presented at East character and playing Schwartzy is Valley High School April 1-10. The musical is directed by Van Rock- something I am grateful for, along with working with this amazing cast,” said well, known in Gilbert and beyond for Kennady McDonald, 16, of Scottsdale. winning an AriZoni for “Miss Nelson is Shayla Forero, 12, of Queen Creek, Missing” last season at Limelight and for his extensive experience directing other explained, “I play Vice Principal Panch and that is a very sarcastic role which I Valley performances. think I play really well. It was a great fit “Spelling Bee” is a musical about a fictional bee where an eclectic group of for me.” Added Sawyer Hauk, 13, of Gilbert: “I sixth-graders arrives, each eager to win for very different reasons, and Rockwell have always played very comical roles, so for me, playing Marcy is a way to show said casting was a challenge “because

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my more serious side, while getting to dance and have an amazing song.” Rockwell hopes the audiences’ “inner teenagers” will laugh – and be impressed by just how good each performer is. To intrigue a more serious audience and tap into a darker and more dramatic show, Limelight is also presenting “Bonnie & Clyde” outdoors at a venue still to be determined April 23-May 2, also Rockwell’s direction. Rockwell said casting for this show was more difficult “because it’s a more mature show which involves violence and suggestive intimacy between some characters.” He sought actors who “showed intensity that they could bring a more dramatic performance.” He noted that the play “is darker and mellowed, while remaining fast-paced, so it was important to utilize people who could keep up with the constant scenic, costume, and choreography changes.” Rockwell is enthusiastic for this show because it combines his love for the era (Depression, Prohibition) with the rise of the outlaw culture and it is seen on stage in Arizona. “My method of directing has always been on creating an ensemble; using the space to really bring out the most of each actor, and having a play be regarded for its text,” he said. “My job is to make the actors look good.” For information on these upcoming shows and to order tickets, visit: ll-pa. org/ or check for updates via Studio 3 or Limelight’s Facebook pages.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 28, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

God’s hand continues to lead us through pandemic RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. Columnist

It hardly seems possible that it has been a year since the nightmare of a tragic pandemic has reared its ugly head. Many have lost loved ones and many more are witnessing friends and family suffering through the effects of this dreaded disease. The stories are endless and now we have passed a milestone unthinkable and truly daunting. How could this be happening? Why is this still happening? Over the years I have seen the goings and comings of so many, the joys and disappointment, the frustrations and rewards. And now they will become memories – some pleasant and some not. All of us have shared many a laugh and for sure, shed many tears. Through it all we have endured, and we will continue to endure because we are resilient and filled with the belief that life is livable and beautiful and rewarding. Yes, we all share a great deal. Some

have witnessed tragedies and some occasions of joy. In the past we joined together as a community and participated in all the milestones of life’s journey. We are surely destined to share so much more. We will overcome this destructive force through determination and the will to survive. There is so much to be thankful for. For the most past, we have life and health. Sure, we all have ailments and we certainly don’t hesitate to share the episodes of pain. But there are the friendships that remained strong and new ones that were developed. They are cherished friendships because they represent the very best in us. The men and women who extend themselves on a daily basis blend together to minster to our needs. All of us witness daily the doctors, nurses, aids, volunteers who join together to assist in lifting the burden of the disease that has ravished our lives. As I watch the people on the front lines offering help and comfort as they endeavor to lift the burdens of fear and despair, I am amazed at their smiles and watchful

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eyes as they guide us through the maze of receiving the much-needed injection of salvation. They are truly the unsung heroes sent to us in our time of need. And let us not forget God who endows us with ability to appreciate all that we have as a community. Names of people who contribute to our effectiveness may never be known. They represent all the goodness that we are capable of. So, yes there are so many to thank as we mark a solemn year that has shown us the value of collective acceptance. Each time I see gratefulness I am helped to really understand the value and purpose for which we were created. My prayer, as the pandemic continues, and we turn a new page in our chapter of togetherness is that it will continue to be one of comfort and success. Let us all pray that we will see the end of the tragedies and that we will grow even closer as we continue our spiritual pilgrimage. I extend my prayer to the men and women who serve our country here at home at on distant shores. May they all return home in peace and well-being.

And may they find the light of freedom burning even brighter than when they left because of their dedication and service. I offer the wish that all communities will continue to prosper and be united in friendship. I send all these prayers to you as we journey to destinations of comfort. Enjoy the warmth of the comfort we offer during the cold stark winter. There is so much agony and pain in the world. Hate has replaced civility. Accusations have surfaced that give us pause as we reflect on our behavior as a people and as a nation. Let the legacy we leave enable those who follow to be able to say «this they built for us.” Let us pray that we will be able, once more, to join with friends, family and neighbors to fulfill that commitment so that our future will be secure. Stay warm and stay healthy. We are here, will always be here, because God’s hand continues to lead us in the path of faith as determined by our ancestors. We will overcome, of this I am sure. Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Community.

Refocused attention on Jesus’ death, resurrection BY PASTOR MARVIN ARNPRIESTER Guest Writer

The Smithsonian Magazine recently featured an article titled Drawing Fire. Author Ron Rosenbaum began the article, “Fueled by outrage and armed with an artist’s pen, journalist and activist Molly Crabapple fights for justice in the Middle East and closer to home.” The article tells of her willingness to brave difficult situations to highlight people in difficult and dangerous situations who are struggling for human rights and dignity. She illustrates with sketches that tell the human story. She is currently seeking to tell the story of Syrian refugees and raise funds to ease their plight. The author sums up Crabapple’s impact in this insightful statement, “it has to do with the economy of attention.” I have been reflecting on this matter of attention during Lent. It is so easy to try multi-tasking as I sit in my chair, listening to the news or a sports program while trying to read a book, sensitive to the reality my phone may ding with an important message at any time. My wife may wish to visit with me about something. And our dog may want some attention. I need to wisely focus my attention on that which is

really most important in the moment in which I find myself. I confess I do not always do that in my relationship with God and others. Lent invites us to an economy of attention on the reality of God’s love revealed in the life and death of Jesus Christ to let us know there is no power on earth stronger than the love of God. Charles Wesley put it this way, “O Love divine, what hast thou done! The immortal God hath died for me! The Father’s co-eternal Son bore all my sins upon the tree. The immortal God for me hath died; My Lord, my Love, is crucified!” I invite you to join me in a refocused economy of attention on the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for you and me. Rev. Marvin Arnpriester is senior pastor of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.