Santan Sun News - 04.11.2021 by Times Media Group

April 11, 2021 | www.santansun.com

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

Narducci named new CUSD superintendent BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Assistant Superintendent Frank Narducci has been promoted to replace Camille Casteel as the Chandler Unified School District’s next superintendent. The district’s Governing Board voted unanimously on April 7 to appoint Narducci, a 25-year veteran of CUSD, as superintendent for the 2021-2022 school year while the board begins its search for Casteel’s long-term successor. Narducci will be the first new superintendent CUSD has had since Casteel got the job in 1996. “I’m honored to continue to serve our students, families, staff and administration during this transitional time,” Narducci said.

Though Narducci doesn’t officially assume his new job until July, the interim superintendent said he’ll be spending the next few weeks solidifying the district’s plans for how schools will operate during the upcoming school year. “What we’re going to prioritize first is making sure we have comfort and safety when our kids are returning,” he said. “We’ll have some plans for mitigation and how we’re opening up the school year.” Though Naducci’s contract only lasts a year, he will be presiding over CUSD during one of the district’s most precarious times in recent history. Teachers and administrators have spent this last year having to contend with declining enrollment and financial See

SUPER on page 14

Frank Narducci

Shrinking revenue blunts Son’s suicide attempts state road projects frustrate Chandler mom BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

More electric and fuel-efficient motor vehicles and a gas tax that hasn’t been changed in 30 years are making it increasingly more difficult for Arizona to provide a highway system that can serve its rapidly rising population. During a briefing last month for the PHX East Valley Partnership, Floyd Roehrich Jr., an executive officer of the Arizona Department of Transportation, said shrinking revenue has cut by a third the state’s annual spending on its highway system. As annual revenue has shrunk from $1.6 billion to about $1 billion, ADOT is focusing its dollars on preserving the state’s highway network and cutting back on projects that upgrade or extend it. “We’re trying to deal with an ever-increasing demand on the system of growing state, but the revenue stream for it has not kept up with those demands,” Roehrich told the business and community leaders who are part of EVP. But that won’t impact two of the biggest projects looming on the horizon for Chandler motorists over the

next five years. One is the widening of the Santan Loop 202 Freeway to two lanes in each direction between the Loop 101 Price Freeway and Gilbert Road and one lane in each direction between Val Vista Drive and Gilbert Road; The other is the three-year, $600 million overhaul of the I-10 from the Broadway Curve to Ray Road – what Roerich call “the most heavily traveled corridor in the state.” The latter project, set to get underway this summer as commuter traffic steadily returns to pre-pandemic levels involves several major undertakings. They include widening I-10 to six lanes in each direction between the Santan Freeway and Baseline Road and eight lanes in each direction between Baseline Road and the I-17 split; demolishing and replacing the Broadway Road bridge over I-10 and SR 143 between I-10 and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; and a major reconfiguration of the I-10/US 60 interchange. Roehrich said traffic management on I-10 is a major component of the project “with a lot of detouring for a period

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BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Nailah Hendrickson can vividly recall the night last August when she awoke to police officers banging on the door to her Chandler home. It was just after 1 a.m. and Hendrickson was stunned to wake up to the presence of law enforcement in her relatively quiet neighborhood. Officers frantically asked Hendrickson the whereabouts of her 15-year-old son, prompting her to believe he might have gotten into trouble for something. But the cops weren’t there to arrest Hendrickson’s son. They were there to save him. A friend had apparently alerted the police after Hendrick’s son made some statements suggesting he might harm himself. She quickly escorted officers to the teenager’s room, where they found him barely conscious after swallowing a bunch of pills. He managed to survive, yet the family’s problems were only beginning. “It just escalated from there,” Hendrickson recalled. “He really withdrew from the family.” Since the pandemic began last year,

Nailah Hendrickson Hendrickson’s son, now 16, has attempted to take his life multiple times and has ended up in hospitals for days waiting to receive psychiatric care. His third attempt forced Hendrickson and her younger son to break down his bedroom door. They found him unconscious.

F E AT U R E STO R I E S No layoffs seen in Chandler schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . Page 6 Nortrup Grumman here part of big job . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . Page 28 Chandler student invents new blood test . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . Page 35 Chandler author on AZ Creates!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . Page 40 Coffee Press deal helps local schools . . . . . . . . . . . . EAT . . . . . . . . . . . Page 46

Health & Wellness ..................... Center Section

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SUICIDE on page 9

More Community . . . . 1-21 Business . . . . . .28-31 Sports . . . . . . . 32-34 Neighbors . . . 35-39 Arts . . . . . . . . . 40-42 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Directory . . . 44-45 Eat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

State Fair, million people coming to Chandler’s backyard SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The roar of midway rides and the smell of fried everything is coming to a place not far from Chandler this fall. The State Fair Board last week voted to move the 2021 fair to the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, saying it was bigger than the fairgrounds and thus could better accommodate socially distanced patrons. Although the board in a release called it a temporary location and a lease was signed only for one year, the decision comes at a time when a Scottsdale developer and the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority are assembling tenants for an 3,300-acre sports and entertainment complex. The project lead, Sunbelt Holdings of Scottsdale, and the Gila River Indian Community’s development arm envision additional hotels, wellness and event centers, an outdoor amphitheater for concerts, sports facilities, outdoor recreation and parks, restaurants, retail establishments and an office park. Sunbelt Holdings declined AFN’s request for comment on whether the State Fair’s move might become more permanent. The fair administration through a Sunbelt Holdings spokeswoman said, “Future years are unknown as this is currently just a one-year agreement. In addition to Wild Horse Pass being an ideal state fair location, the larger site at WHP Motorsports Park allows for physically distancing and other health

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The Arizona State Fair will be moving next door to Chandler for at least one year this fall. (SanTan Sun News ﬁle photo)

mitigation measures.” Dates are still being finalized, though the fair is tentatively slated for Oct. 7-31. Following its vote March 25, the fair board issued a statement that said: “Since 1905, the Arizona State Fair has been a shining jewel in downtown Phoenix, drawing residents from across our State. Feeling the urge to bring fun

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back to the community this Fall, the Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board today voted to move forward with the 2021 Fair on the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority.” The fair was canceled last year because of the pandemic. “As the impact of COVID-19 continues to affect the way the live event industry operates, we’ve been exploring ways to hold an event safely and successfully,” said Wanell Costello, state fair executive Director. Board Chairman Jonathan Lines added, “While we are hopeful that vaccine distribution will mean a return to normality, this temporary location gives us the ability to plan and ensure the fair goes on no matter what.” Named a Top 10 State Fair by USA Today, over a million guests visit the fair each year. The board said virtually every feature the Arizona State Fair is known for will be at the Wild Horse Pass version. “And beyond cotton candy, turkey legs, funnel cake and fried food on sticks, beyond the Skyride and the Mega Drop, the fluffy animals and Coliseum Concerts, are the memories Arizonans have treasured for generations, the board’s statement said. “For 2021, this tradition continues at the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority.” The fair also coincides with the scheduled beginning of the four-year project to widen the I-10 from the 17 “Split” interchange to the Loop 202 Santan Freeway/South Mountain Freeway. The Arizona Department of Transportation is planning an additional HOV lane in each direction between the Salt River bridges and just west of US 60; a new collector-distributor roadway system that would funnel traffic to local and express lanes to improve traffic flow; reconstruction of the I-10/ State Route 143 interchange to improve access to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; and improving US 60 near the junction with I-10.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

New ambulance contract covers N. Chandler ‘gaps’ BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

City Council has approved a new contract that could potentially help fill Chandler’s “gaps” for ambulance service – especially in the northern part of the city. On March 25, Council approved a four-year contract with Maricopa Ambulance to provide a fleet of new ambulances for the Fire Department’s paramedics.

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If affirmed by the Arizona Department of Health Services, the contract would go into effect next January, when Chandler’s current contract with American Medical Response expires. Maricopa Ambulance is promising an extra ambulance, more back-up service and a higher reimbursement rate to the city. “We truly believe that this new contract will enhance our ability to offer public safety to our citizens,” said Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins. City data show ambulance transports have been increasing annually in Chandler over the last few years,

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Maricopa Ambulance employees who celebrated their employer’s new contract with the City of Chandler include, from left, David Amaye, Alexis Parcel, Alex Bagheanu, Everett Whipple and Saul Robles. (Courtesy of Maricopa Ambulance)

creating an environment where the city occasionally has limited or no coverage for emergency medicine. “This increased demand for ambulances has created a system that is resource-strained,” a city memo states, “which has resulted in reduced access to emergency transportation and increased response times for critical patients.” Dwiggins said Chandler currently has gaps of time where the city has to wait for ambulances to travel from nearby communities in order to respond to a local emergency. A couple hours may go by before a back-up ambulance arrives in Chandler,

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

CUSD plans in-person graduations, no proms BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The Chandler Unified School District is sacrificing proms this school year to keep high school seniors safe and healthy for in-person graduations. For the second year in a row, the pandemic is preventing Chandler Unified high school students from celebrating the end of their spring semester with any type of school-sponsored dance or prom. Superintendent Camille Casteel said she made the decision to eliminate prom with the hope that it would keep the district’s infection rate low enough to allow for in-person graduation ceremonies in May. “There are a number of families upset about a lack of a prom,” Casteel said. “When we made the decision, it was in an effort to protect graduation.” Chandler Unified’s decision puts it in line with all other East Valley districts, which also are planning in-person graduations. Those districts are taking different approaches to proms and senior awards nights, with both Gilbert Public Schools and Higley Unified considering them However, some districts like Mesa Public Schools have not yet decided whether to sponsor proms. Scottsdale Unified indicated it will allow proms while Tempe Union will not.. CUSD’s 2020 graduations were all virtual with families having to watch

from home as graduates walked up to get their diploma. The format was not well received by many parents and some attempted to force CUSD to host in-person ceremonies by circulating petitions or sending angry emails to the school board. This year, CUSD is planning to allow each graduate to invite only two guests to attend their ceremony. Students will be given two wristbands that must be worn by their attendees to gain access to the event. All attendees will be expected to wear masks and socially distance from each other. CUSD intends to still broadcast the ceremony online for family members who cannot attend in person. Even though CUSD has chosen to prioritize graduation over prom, district leaders say schools are attempting to come up with some additional events. “The schools are going to do a lot to celebrate and have fun activities for the seniors,” Casteel said. “We are doing our part to make sure the seniors have a great end of the year.” Student leaders from the district’s high schools have spent the last few weeks brainstorming new ideas for events that could allow for seniors to safely congregate without the fear of contracting COVID-19 right before graduation. Chandler High is considering some sort of parade that will celebrate its graduating class. Casteel High will be hosting a BBQ lunch for its seniors and

handing out special “Class of 2021” masks for students to save as a keepsake. Brooke Romero, Hamilton High’s student body president, said her school has been trying to find creative ways to engage students digitally by incorporating more technology into school events. Since the school has been having to conduct its assemblies virtually, Romero said the student government is trying to use popular applications like TikTok to make the virtual event feel more interactive for seniors. “We’re really hoping to recognize them and really give a spotlight to them because we know that they deserve it,” Romero said. Basha High is hoping to host a movie night this month on the school’s football field, where students would be required to wear masks and socially distance. Reed Uhlik, Basha’s student body president, said he believes the special event could help students feel a sense of normalcy again after a chaotic year. “I think it’s a really great opportunity for us as a school to have a COVID-safe event and for us to bond together,” Uhlik said. Despite the district’s efforts to offer alternative celebratory events, some CUSD parents have reportedly begun planning their own prom at Mesa’s Superstition Farm property. Flyers circulating online indicate that parents are intending to organize a private prom for graduating seniors from Casteel, Basha and Perry high schools.

The ticketed events are not affiliated with CUSD and will require guests to show school identification to gain entry, according to the flyers. Since the dances are being held at a private venue, it’s unclear what type of precautions, if any, will be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, especially in light of the fact that local leaders have begun to ease health restrictions. Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke rescinded the city’s mask mandate after Gov. Doug Ducey last month ended Arizona’s statewide mask mandate and forbade counties and municipalities from issuing their own – although Flagstaff, Tucson and Phoenix have ignored his directive. The Arizona Department of Health Services says it is currently up to individual cities to decide whether a large public gathering is safe. If private proms expect to have more than 50 attendees, the City of Mesa may require organizers to provide a safety plan that explains how the transmission of COVID-19 will be prevented. Some CUSD parents have expressed disappointment in seeing other parents organize private proms at such a precarious time and are hoping the dances won’t ruin graduation by spreading the virus around the district’s student body. “I sincerely hope these proms don’t mess up graduation,” said parent Linda Fenner, “especially for the kids that have been cautious with this virus and respectful of their peers.”

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Chandler Unified sees no need for layoffs BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler Unified School District officials no longer expect teacher layoffs to adapt to the district’s fluctuating enrollment numbers. Administrators had estimated earlier this year that up to 180 positions would have to be cut after they foresaw an $11-million loss to the district’s budget. But Superintendent Camille Casteel said CUSD has reached a comfortable financial position that won’t require a major reduction in personnel. Chandler Unified’s about-face is similar to that of Mesa Public Schools, where administrators late last year warned positions would have to be cut because of a projected enrollment decline but who last month decided layoffs will not be required. But the picture is different in Gilbert Public Schools, which last month told more than 150 teachers and other classified staffers their contracts will

not be renewed for the 2021-22 school year because of a deficit created by an enrollment decline of about 1,600 students. Casteel said other cost-cutting measures helped the district avert layoffs. “We have reached that goal of an $11-million reduction in our budget in order to meet our goals,” Casteel said. “We are there.” Casteel credited the district’s Human Resources Department with combing through all 5,000 job positions and finding ways to reassign employees to new jobs. “They are dealing with every individual position and teacher,” the superintendent said. “They’ve done a tremendous job trying to avoid a real plummet in our morale.” Due to a recent number of retirements and resignations, CUSD was able to move employees around and avoid layoffs. “There will be some transfers, people will have to change schools or

change positions,” Casteel added. “But they have a job.” Since the pandemic began last year, CUSD has grappled with revenue decline brought on by a drop in enrollment as about 2,300 students left the district for other schools. The same trend has occurred in most public-school districts across the state as parents seeking different learning options put their children in private or charter schools or opted for home schooling. Many families in Chandler Unified resented the district’s frequent shifts between virtual and in-person instruction. Arizona’s charter schools gained at least 18,000 new students at the beginning of the current school year, according to an October report by the state Department of Education. Arizona public school enrollment decreased by 38,550 students, according to that report, with the biggest losses in early grades.

Statewide, preschool and kindergarten took the biggest hit with a loss of 16,000 students while grades 1-4 each lost about 2,000 students and grades 5-6 declined by over 5,000 each. High schools actually gained 236 students overall this year. Projected enrollment declines had Chandler Unified administrators preparing for a decline in state reimbursement, which is tied to a district’s number of students. Last month, they got some positive news after the Arizona Department of Education allocated $13 million in relief aid to help CUSD offset the pandemic’s financial impact. CUSD also received some extra funding from the federal government to cover various expenses incurred while responding to the pandemic. Another round of one-time federal funding also is coming sometime before the current school year ends, See

LAYOFFS on page 8

Disparities at issue in schools’ pandemic fund relief BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The head of the House Education Committee wants the Department of Education to turn loose $85 million to help forestall anticipated teacher layoffs. Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, noted that several districts have announced they will need to let some teachers go ahead of the 2021-2022 school year for fear that they won’t have the state aid to pay their salaries. That’s because aid is directly linked to the number of students enrolled. And the most recent figures show that more than 55,000 children have disappeared from district schools this year – about 5 percent of total enrollment, a figure that translates out to hundreds of millions of dollars a year. On paper, schools get state aid based on the number of students enrolled. And, theoretically that means if the students come back, the state funds will flow. Only thing is, Udall said, districts have to make decisions now whether to offer contracts for the coming school year. “The problem is, if you fire those teachers and the kids do come back, you’ve suddenly got overcrowded classrooms,’’ she told Capitol Media Services. Udall said it may be impossible for schools that were hardest hit by declines to rehire those same teachers: Given the teacher shortage statewide, they may by that point have found gainful employment elsewhere. What that leaves, she said, is schools hiring long-term substitutes who are not certified as regular teachers. In a letter last week to state schools

chief Kathy Hoffman, Udall she said the Education Department is “for some reason holding onto nearly $85 million of discretionary money’’ from its initial $1.5 billion allocation of federal COVID relief dollars. “That should be put to use to help stabilize Arizona schools so they don’t have to make premature reductions in staffing when many of those students may be returning in the coming school year,’’ Udall told Hoffman. And she questioned the agency’s need for $7 million to administer that $1.5 billion allotment – the maximum allowed – when there are other more pressing needs. Udall said she expects at least part of the fund problem to be resolved when lawmakers adopt the state budget. Some of that, she said, will be plans eliminating that differential between what schools get for teaching students in person versus those who are learning online. The state funds the latter at just 95 percent despite indications of additional costs for such programs. But Udall said some districts that were doing the best to maintain an in-person option for their students are the ones who she believes ended up getting financially shorted. She used the example of Tucson Unified School District which she said got around $7,000 per child in federal COVID-relief dollars doled out largely along the lines of which districts have the most Title 1 schools. Those are schools where a high percent of youngsters live in poverty. And, Udall said, TUSD did remote learning most of the year. By contrast, she said, Vail got about $180 per youngster while Gilbert schools got about $300.

“So you have this huge discrepancy and you have districts like Vail and Gilbert who have really worked to have in-person teaching through as much of the time as possible,’’ Udall said. “That’s really expensive because they’re doing the in-person teaching but they’re also doing the online at the same time,’’ she continued. “So, they have two modes of teaching going on at the same time, they’ve got extra expenses from the technology but then also extra expenses from the cleaning, from substitutes, from the personal protective equipment.’’ Yet they’re the ones getting the least aid. So what Udall wants, at least for the short term, is that money sitting at the Department of Education. And she said it can be divided up so that all districts are guaranteed a minimum per-pupil aid. In a response to Udall, Hoffman acknowledged the need “to provide schools with budget stability and avoid unnecessary layoffs.’’ And the schools chief said money from discretionary funds already is being distributed, though Udall told Capitol Media Services that “there’s still a lot left.’’ Hoffman said some of the blame for what schools are now facing financially can be traced directly to Gov. Doug Ducey. He promised last year that schools would have at least 98 percent of the state aid they were getting in the prior year, regardless of attendance. Only thing is, Ducey provided just $370 million for that based on federal dollars he got. Hoffman said the actual cost of missing students was close to $620 million. “When the subsequent shortfalls became apparent in November, the

governor’s office pointed to the legislature’s need to solve this problem,’’ Hoffman wrote. The need to guarantee schools will have money next academic year is based a presumption that the students who disappeared this year will return. Udall said one big reason for the drop was that many parents of the youngest children, seeing what was happening with the virus, simply decided to keep them home an extra year. That is borne out by figured from the Department of Education: Of the more than 55,700 decline in children in public schools last year, close to 30 percent was in preschool and kindergarten programs. Of the others, Arizona Education Association President Joe Thomas said he expects them to return. Part of it, he said, is as parents have to return to work, they want their children in a safe place. “They know where that is,’’ he said. And then there’s what the kids themselves want. “I think students want to be in that school community,’’ he said, where there are their friends, the sports and the activities. Chris Kotterman, lobbyist for the Arizona School Boards Association, said some districts lost more students than others because of geography. “Gilbert is prime charter school country,’’ he said, giving parents who wanted their children in the classroom more options. But he, too, expects that trend to reverse as traditional schools return to in-person instruction. Beyond that, Kotterman said charter schools just don’t have the capacity to handle that many students on a longterm basis.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

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LAYOFFS

from page 6

although the Education Department has not yet announced how it will be divvying up $600 million among districts in the state. Chandler Unified officials say the district is now in a financial position to continue offering most benefits employees have come to expect and plan to hand out some bonuses once enrollment numbers start to rebound. On March 24, the district’s Govern-

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

ing Board authorized a 2-percent salary raise for all district employees and increasing the district’s contribution to an employee’s health benefits. All full-time employees can additionally expect to receive a $500 stipend by the end of this year if Chandler gains 500 new students. The stipend will rise to $1,000 if enrollment increases by 1,000. Teachers will still be eligible to receive an extra $600 for meeting goals outlined in the district’s Journey 2025 strategic plan. The district has had to temporarily

suspend a $400 bonus for employees who participate in a wellness program that rewards teachers for adopting health habits. Some teachers have objected to the program’s suspension and are hoping CUSD will be able to find the money to resume handing out those bonuses during the next school year. Erica Marsh, a Ryan Elementary teacher, has already urged the district to restore the wellness bonus for the teachers who depend on the funds for necessary expenses.

The bonus may not amount to much for some teachers, she said, but not having that money may prevent Marsh from being able to afford her family’s medical bills. “We are willing to work to receive it,” Marsh said. “For my family, $400 means not having to set up a payment plan to pay for my 8-year-old’s echocardiogram.” Administrators are hoping to have the school board authorize reinstating the wellness bonus at some point later this year.

City workers get $3K bonuses as finances improve SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

City of Chandler employees will be getting a $3,000 bonus this month. City Council authorized the bonuses last week after holding off on raises during the pandemic. The city plans to spend $5.5 million on $3,000 bonuses for all its 1,522 full-time employees and $1,500 for 29 part-time workers. The one-time bonuses will apply to all workers who were hired before Dec. 31 and have remained employed through March 27. City officials believe employees deserve a bonus after a chaotic year reacting to a tumultuous health crisis and still having to get through their day-

to-day business. “Team Chandler rose to the occasion and maintained a high level of service to Chandler residents while keeping city operations and services functioning,” acting City Manager Joshua Wright wrote in a memo to Council. More than 200 city employees have contracted the coronavirus this past year -- one of whom ended up succumbing to the virus. Officer Tyler Britt, a 19-year veteran of the Chandler Police Department, died in January shortly after contracting COVID-19. At the time city officials were crafting the 2020-21 budget, the revenue picture was murky amid business shutdowns and layoffs. “A decision was made to hold on-

going market increases for general employees until the city was able to fully realize the impact the pandemic would have on city revenues and operations,” Wright’s memo states. Tax revenue generated from retail sales was 15 percent higher in December than the previous year and monthly revenue was on an upward trajectory just around the time the 2020-21 budget was implemented. Between July and December of last year, Chandler collected about $89 million in sales taxes – a significantly higher figure than the $80 million collected during the same period in 2018 or the $83 million collected in 2019. As a token of appreciation for the workers who took on more responsi-

bilities this past year, Chandler decided a hefty bonus could make up for the challenges they’ve had to endure with a scaled-down workforce. During the pandemic, the city was able to save nearly $8 million in labor costs after choosing to leave many job positions open. The city has since begun to hire some new employees. “Vacant city positions were held for several months as part of the budget considerations which placed additional responsibilities on employees,” public records state. Chandler is currently reviewing requests from its various departments to spend $6 million in ongoing costs to create 22 new job positions for the next fiscal year.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

SUICIDE

from page 1

The abrupt downturn in her son’s health perplexed to Hendrickson, since she always thought of him as a sociable, active, upbeat kid. “He never cut himself before. He was always a straight-A student with honors classes,” she said. “He’s always been on the football team.” Her son, who asked not to be identified, is one of several adolescents who have suddenly had to confront an onslaught of mental health problems during the coronavirus pandemic. According to a study published last month by FAIR Health, the number of teens diagnosed for anxiety increased by 93 percent during the first couple months of the pandemic. The number of depression diagnoses jumped by 83 percent and the rate of self-harm incidents among teens almost doubled. FAIR Health, a nonprofit advocating for greater transparency in health care, believes the pandemic triggered emotional problems that teens might have previously resolved through social interactions or extracurricular activities. “Young people have proven especially vulnerable to mental health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the study’s authors wrote. “School closures, having to learn remotely and isolating from friends due to social distancing have been sources of stress and loneliness.” Hendrickson believes her son may

have had underlying psychological issues that could have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Once schools and parks closed, she soon noticed a drastic change in his demeanor. “He just didn’t want to participate in any of the things he normally did,” she said. Her son currently attends individual

cidentally bring the virus home once schools reopened. “This has been emotionally, financially, and mentally devastating,” Hendrickson said. The high cost of psychiatric care has forced the family to seek financial help from generous donors on Go-

It seems that Arizona is not really set up for “ the crisis that happened,” Hendrickson said. “It’s a retirement state and so the mental health care for adolescents is not really a robust system. ”

– Nailah Hendrickson

therapy twice a week, group therapy sessions three times per week and biweekly meetings with a psychiatrist. The management of her son’s continuous treatment has been stressful for Hendrickson, who additionally has to look after her other children and elderly, bed-bound father. She also works a full-time job and has to spend three days a week at the office. As her older son’s health started to deteriorate, Hendrickson’s younger son began to withdraw from school and stopped turning in assignments. She worried he felt neglected since she had to devote so much time to his brother. Hendrickson also fretted about keeping her father safe from COVID-19 and making sure her sons didn’t ac-

FundMe.com. Even with insurance and a good-paying job, Hendrickson has struggled to keep up with all of her son’s medical bills. “This caught us by surprise and it’s not something we had planned for,” she noted. One of the most troubling aspects of Hendrickson’s experience has been the lack of resources she encountered. She tried to find parental support groups and therapeutic programs that could calm her son’s anxiety, but struggled to find someone able to point her in the right direction. “It seems that Arizona is not really set up for the crisis that happened,” Hendrickson said. “It’s a retirement state and so the mental health care for adoles-

cents is not really a robust system.” Mental Health America ranks as 40th in the nation for access to mental health treatment and 30th for rates of mental illness among juveniles. In 2017, Arizona’s high school students reported higher rates of suicide attempts than national estimates. Hendrickson also feels the teachers and administrators at her son’s school didn’t know how to properly reacclimate him back into classes once he got out of the hospital. She said her son stressed about how to explain his absence to his peers and worried about making up all the homework he missed. “He would stay up, some nights, until 1 a.m. trying to get caught up on his assignments,” Hendrickson recalled. Hendrickson said she’s reached out to officials of the Chandler Unified School District, hoping to start a parents group that could meet and strategize on how to safely reintegrate students back into classrooms during the pandemic. But her ideas were met with resistance from some other parents and the group ended up dissolving. Her experience has convinced her that she may need to leave Arizona soon because she fears her son is falling through the cracks and not getting the proper help he needs. “I plan on, hopefully, being out of this state when the kids get out of school, she explained, “because I don’t want to go through that again here.”

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AMBULANCE

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

from page 3

with another ambulance.” Chandler has been reviewing all of its public safety needs this past year and has noticed a significant lack of service in the city’s northern region. The fire chief has previously claimed

that one of the city’s fire stations, located near Alma School and Warner roads, can only respond to about 65 percent of the 4,700 emergency calls it gets each year. “1,600 times, they’re not available,” Dwiggins said earlier this year. “They’re probably on another call or they’re coming back from another call and they’re too far out.”

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The city’s current contract gives Chandler access to five ambulances at all times. Maricopa Ambulance will offer six ambulances and three back-ups. The addition of a sixth ambulance will require the city to supply at least three more paramedics, meaning Maricopa will have to reimburse Chandler about $2.3 million annually to cover salaries and benefits. The city recoups about $1.5 million in personnel costs from its present contractor. Maricopa’s contract additionally offers an extra “peak-time” ambulance whenever Chandler is experiencing a high number of 911 calls. The city presently has peak-time coverage Monday through Friday and Maricopa will expand that coverage for the weekend hours. Maricopa will pay $145,000 to lodge some of its ambulances at Chandler’s fire stations, which the city believes will efficiently manage resources after an emergency arises. “This deployment model maintains control over the distribution of these valuable resources and consistency in radio communications throughout the system,” a city memo states. Maricopa said each of its ambulances are specially configured to house firefighter gear and extrication equipment that allows the city’s paramedics to respond to any emergency with greater readiness. Dwiggins said Maricopa’s ambulances are stocked with state-of-the-art technology that can better serve patients and the city’s first-responders.

Chandler’s new contract could be the beginning of a strong partnership, the chief said, that may boost the clinical quality of the city’s public safety services. “It should decrease our out-ofservice times significantly,” Dwiggins added. Maricopa Ambulance started offering its emergency services in 2016 and currently has ambulances in Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear and Surprise. “The public-private partnership with Chandler Fire in this new contract perfectly fits in the wheelhouse of what we do well and our philosophy of collaboration with community partners,” said Maricopa Ambulance Regional President Alan Smith. Chandler’s leaders are hopeful state authorities will take no issue with the city’s new contract and will quickly get through the process of ratifying it. Councilman Matt Orlando said he’s excited to see the city and Maricopa Ambulance work together to better ensure no resident has to worry about their health during an emergency. “The key goal is to make sure we’re responding to our residents and businesses in a timely and safe manner,” Orlando said. Councilwoman Christine Ellis, who has worked in the medical field, thinks the Maricopa contract should improve the city’s services and quality of care. “This is a wonderful way for us to get to our patients in the community the fastest and once we have them in the ambulance, we know we can actually get them safely to a hospital,” Ellis said.

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ADOT

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

from page 1

of time” – especially as traffic to and from Sky Harbor will be detoured. In looking at ADOT’s developing fiveyear capital plan, Roehrich said, “Our strategy has been really focused on strategic Investments where we can afford it but really focus on preservation.” Those preservation efforts include $1 billion over the next five years “to upgrade about 581 lane miles of pavement from fair and poor condition to good condition.” Bridges also are included in that spending. In all, ADOT anticipates spending $2.8 billion of its $5 billion five-year budget on projects in the 13 counties outside Maricopa and Pima counties, Roehrich said. Another $2.3 billion will be spent in Maricopa County; $311 million in Pima County and $131 million for improvements at various airports in the state. The major projects covered by the $2.8 billion spending include widening the I-10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande by adding another lane in each direction; building a “flex lane” on I-17 between Phoenix and Sunset Point to reduce northbound congestion at the beginning of weekends and southbound traffic jams on Sunday evenings; various smaller projects on I-40, eight bridges of I-15 that are within Arizona’s boundaries and on widening some remaining four-lane portions of I-93. “But in the future, you’re going to see a lot a lot fewer of those outside (Maricopa and Pima counties) unless

Above: Most of ADOT’s spending over the

next five years is targeted at preserving the state’s existing highway system through repaving, bridge repairing and other maintenance projects. Far less is spent on upgrading roads and even less on expansion. (Phoenix East Valley partnership) Right: The I-10/Broadway Curve project beginning this summer will last three years, cost $600 million and create numerous challenges for Ahwatukee motorists.

(ADOT)

our revenue situation changes,” Roerich said, adding that ADOT officials were concerned about having the funds for the I-10 widening until the governor used pandemic relief funds for the project. For now, Maricopa and Pima counties have largely been spared the brunt of ADOT’S shrinking revenue stream because they also have a sales tax that can be used to help implement ADOT’s highway projects. Maricopa County’s half-cent sales tax was approved in 2005 when voters overwhelming voted in favor of Prop 400. Prop 400 expires in 2024 and county and municipal leaders already are prepar-

ing to put its successor, often called Prop 500, on the ballot next year to be assured of funding for the next two decades. Right now, Roehrich said, the final 21 projects funded through Prop 400 and the $2.3 billion in five-year ADOT budget have been scheduled. Besides the I-10/Broadway Curve project, East Valley improvements also include: • Access improvements from the I-10 to the area around Wild Horse Pass; • Widening the Loop 101 Pima Freeway

between Princess Drive and Shea Boulevard; onstruction of the first • C five miles the new SR 24 in southeast Mesa. But as the Phoenix Metro area continues to expand deep into Pinal County, one of the biggest dream projects to improve overall ground transportation is construction of a northsouth freeway that would run along the eastern region of Pinal and into the far East Valley. While an environmental study is underway, funding for land acquisition and construction of that route could be years away because of ADOT’s shrinking revenue stream, Roerhrich said. That mirrors a prospect ADOT faces when it comes to addressing any kind of highway expansion outside Maricopa and Pima counties. “If you look at this five-year program, when you look at that new fifth year that’s coming in the 2026, there are no expansion projects in greater Arizona,” he said. “All it is is preservation and modernization projects, trying to preserve what we have and strategic improvements in certain corridors of what See

ADOT on page 17

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

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stresses while they and students and parents have confronted campus closures and the lingering anxiety caused by the pandemic. Narducci said he will focus on assessing whatever learning gaps may have transpired during the pandemic and finding a way to catch students up on learning they have missed while quarantining at home. The district’s recovery has been complicated by the fact that its 44,000 students have had varying experiences during the pandemic. While many students came back to school after classrooms reopened in October, some chose to continue learning from home. Narducci said the academic and social-emotional needs of students will likely differ during the upcoming school year and CUSD will need to figure out how to accommodate a wide cross-section of demands. “We’ve got to have that delicate balance and blend so that all students are successful when they come back in July,” Narducci said. The last year has generated a great amount of anger and resentment from parents who haven’t always liked how CUSD has made decisions during the pandemic. The school board and administrators have routinely been bombarded with emails from upset parents who fretted over how and when CUSD chose to reopen its schools. Some felt schools should have never closed while others hoped they would have stayed closed longer.

CUSD Governing Board members voted unanimously last week to approve Frank Narducci as Chandler Unified's next superintendent. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

Narducci said he is not too worried about that lack of consensus. As long as the district stays focused on students, he said, then parents should be able to respect the district’s decisions. “I think if (parents) develop the sense of trust that we’re going to do what’s best for children, we’ll be okay,” he added. Narducci has received several certificates and honors throughout his decades-long career in public education. He earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Arizona in 1988 and spent several years working at various schools around Tucson. Narducci came to CUSD in 1996 to serve as Conley Elementary School’s first principal – a job he kept until he was tasked in 2001 with helping to open the district’s first K-8 campus, San Tan Junior High. He served as San Tan’s principal until 2007 before advancing to an administrative role as the district’s director of community education. He spent the next five years presiding over a department that developed

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after-school programs and provided community resources for low-income families. In 2012, Narducci was appointed to his most recent position as assistant superintendent to the district’s 31 elementary schools. He has since spent the last decade supervising school administrators, tracking school budgets and monitoring the allocation of more than 1,000 teaching positions. Throughout the pandemic, Narducci has regularly appeared before the school board to explain how Chandler’s elementary schools were reacting and adapting to the health crisis. When the district decided to start allowing students to come back to school, Narducci helped devise a plan that staggered out which grade levels would be permitted to return first. During his 25-year tenure with the district, Narducci has seen Chandler change dramatically with an ongoing influx of new students that have allowed CUSD to open several new schools. But the district has had to simultaneously contend with a growing presence

of charter schools who have allured many local students who would have traditionally gone to CUSD. Narducci indicated he intends to keep CUSD competitive and will work diligently to maintain the district’s enrollment levels. “I think CUSD should be the choice for every Chandler resident,” he said, “we’ll work toward that goal.” Outside of education, Narducci has served on the boards of various organizations including First Things First, the YMCA, Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, Chandler Education Foundation and Chandler Center for the Arts Advisory Board. Over the last decade, Narducci’s witnessed nearly a dozen CUSD schools earn “A+” ratings from the state Department of Education and several elementary teachers receive honorable titles such as “Teacher of the Year.” Narducci credited outgoing Superintendent Casteel with setting a direction that has resulted in many of the district’s successes and said it will be his mission to carry on the work that Casteel has already done. “It’s an honor to work with Camille Casteel who I feel exemplifies everything that’s right about public education and has done so for 50 years,” Narducci said. Board President Barbara Mozdzen said she’s excited to see Narducci ascend to his new leadership role and believes he will be the right candidate to guide CUSD out of the pandemic. “We are confident Frank’s leadership will result in a smooth transition for the school community,” Mozdzen said.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

Short-term rental curbs die in Legislature BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The hopes of Arizona municipalities, including Chandler, for more latitude in regulating short-term rentals in their neighborhoods appeared to be dashed April 1 as the Legislature quashed the last remaining measure to rein them in, concluding that it did so little it was not worth the effort. SB 1379 would have allowed communities to impose fines on owners who fail to provide information for police and others to contact them if there are problems with the tenants. It also would let them mandate owners maintain minimum liability insurance. Potentially most significant, it would have meant an owner would lose a state license to do business following three violations of local ordinances within three months. Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler, said those that could include things like noise or other violations. And that, he said, would allow cities to address the problem of “party houses’’ popping up in residential neighborhoods. But most of his colleagues were unconvinced, voting 43-17 to kill what Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Scottsdale, called a “Band-Aid’’ fix to a much more complex problem. With no more committees set to meet this session, the vote could end

efforts this year to fix problems that were first created in 2016 when legislators, lobbied by Airbnb and other home-sharing apps, stripped cities of any right to regulate these vacation rentals. The measure was sold to lawmakers as allowing individuals to rent out a spare room to make a bit of extra cash. In fact, that’s how Airbnb got its name, the idea being an air mattress set up for a guest. But the reality turned out to be something quite different. In some communities, homes and apartments in entire areas have been bought up by investors to be converted into these short-term rentals, drying up the availability of housing for local residents. “The worst-case scenario, of course, is in Sedona,’’ Kavanagh said, where there had been testimony at hearings that up to 40% of residential rental properties are now vacation rentals. “It’s even happening in my district in downtown Scottsdale.’’ And then there’s the question of how many individuals can be crowded into one of what amount to de facto unstaffed hotels. “Everyone understands and appreciates the right of anyone to make money and to start a business and have a business flourish,’’ said Rep. Aaron Lieberman, D-Paradise Valley.

“When they’re doing it right next to your house and running a hotel in a residential neighborhood, that’s no longer their right to run a business,’’ he said. “That’s taking away your right to your home.’’ But Weninger said those aren’t the complaints about short-term rentals that are coming in. “What they’re emailing us about and contacting us about is party houses,’’ he said. And Weninger said SB 1379 would have given communities sufficient “autonomy’’ to deal with them. Most notable, he said, is that “death penalty’’ provision for homeowners with three violations within a 12-month period. And he lashed out at colleagues as well as city officials who, in concluding this isn’t enough, have effectively killed any chance of changes in the law this year. “I know I’ll have an email, ready to copy and paste, of why there’s still party houses in people’s neighborhoods,’’ Weninger said. But Lieberman said this isn’t the answer, calling this “an industry bill.’’ “The industry that created this problem are the same people who are behind this,’’ he said, noting that the lobbyists for the vacation rentals supported this measure. “We need to actually take this problem on by getting back to what we do with everything else: letting our cities and towns regu-

late how businesses are zoned in their communities.’’ That also was the assessment of Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley, D-Tucson. `We need to tell the industry that it is time for regulation of short-term rentals,’’ she said. We have to save our cities and towns from this.’’ Kavanagh said the defeat of SB 1379 probably makes the industry think it is “in the driver’s seat and they don’t need to give anything up.’’ But he said there are groups who are proposing to begin an initiative to put a more far-reaching proposal before voters in 2022. “It probably would have a good chance of passing,’’ Kavanagh said. And if that group makes the ballot, he said that might bring the industry back to the bargaining table for fear of having something even worse from their perspective approved at the ballot. In a prepared statement, Expedia Group which handles vacation rentals bookings said it was disappointed that lawmakers did not approve legislation it said would have “provided immediate tools for state and local authorities to address nuisance concerns associated with a small percentage of vacation rentals.” Airbnb expressed similar regrets over the bill’s fate.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

ADOT

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from page 12

we have on existing infrastructure.” Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers, a former member of the State Transportation Board – which approves funding for major highway projects in Arizona – said that right now, “we’re not even paying for maintenance today of the system we have. “And with the growth we have in this state,” he continued, “we really need to be planning for improved infrastructure going forward and we have to have the money to maintain that.” Some participants in the East Valley partnership briefing said both the governor and the Legislature have shied away from addressing the problem Roehrich described this way: “We’re providing the system that the public willing to pay for and they’re not happy with that. We’re going to need them to decide if they want to invest more to get the system they want because we can’t provide it with current revenue.” Roehrich delivered his briefing before President Biden unveiled $2 trillion spending plan to improve a variety of aspects of the nation’s infrastructure. Of that $2 trillion, about $115 billion is designated for bridges and roads and $20 billion for unspecified “road safety” improvements. But Roehrich said regardless of how much Arizona might get if the plan manages to win Congressional approval, the devil is in the details. “I think one of the things we’ll need to understand is when the funds come are what are the conditions tied to it,”

• Will add one lane in each direction from Val Vista Drive to Gilbert Road • Will add two lanes in each direction between Gilbert Road and Loop 101 • Currently in early design phase • Loop 101 to Val Vista Drive segment funded for construction in FY 26 While ADOT plans to spend $2.3 billion on highway projects in Maricopa County over the next five years, it is spending $2,8 billion on projects in 13 counties outside Maricopa and Pima. The projects above are the major ones. (Phoenix East Valley partnership)

he said, explaining that stimulus money for years often comes with conditions that go beyond normal annual federal highway funding. As for an increase in Arizona’s 18-cent-a-gallon gas tax, which provides $750 million annually, prospects for any increase by the current Legislature appear uncertain. Prescott Rep. Noel Campbell was trying to get his colleagues early last year to double that tax, saying the $750 million it generated in annual revenue fell far short of Arizona’s highway needs.

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But before that bill could make much headway, the legislative session was brought to an abrupt end as the pandemic spread in Arizona. The pandemic did a lot more damage to ADOT than halt that effort. With businesses shutdown and more people working at home, less gas was being bought and revenue from the gas tax plummeted, forcing ADOT and the Transportation Board last year to scramble on its original five-year plan and delay or cancel projects that had been on the drawing board.

Roehrich didn’t sound too optimistic when how prepared ADOT is to meet the needs that will be created by rapid job expansion and explosive housing growth well beyond the current boundaries of the Phoenix Metro region. “I’d say we’re half way to addressing that and that we’re lucky to be at that,” he said, “but there’s still a lot we’re going to need to do and the state still is going to grow. I mean, we’re continuing to see the economy come back and I think the economy is going to move a lot faster than the state can on infrastructure.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

Chandler robotics club wins state award for design SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The All Girls Big Bang Robotics Team, comprising four girls from Chandler and Mesa, recently came out on top in a regional tournament with the Champions Award and went on to capture a state award for best robot design. The team, one of several by the Chandler nonprofit Education Empowers, won first place in the regional FIRST Lego League Challenge, qualifying the girls for participation in the state tournament. Big Bang team members Brooke Sanders, Tara Tilak Nukala, Advaitha Vemuri and Saba Mendoza were guided by lead coaches Elaina Ashton of Arizona State University and Robab Shakiba of Intel. They also were mentored by Christie Members of the All Girls Big Bang robotics team include, from left, Advaitha Vemuri, Steward of Intel, Anna Prakash of EduBrooke Sanders, Saba Mendoza and Tara Nukala. (Special to SanTan Sun News) cation Empowers and Intel) and youth mentor Jenna Carter, a Tempe Prep dren in STEM. It also is the official STEM Their innovation project and the sophomore. program partner for Girl Scouts Arizona app they created “was designed to help Founded in 2016, Education EmpowCactus Pine Council. people stay active during the pandemers aims to inspire and empower young Education Empowers field 20 teams ic,” said Brooke, adding that her favorite people by focusing on robotics, codCLIPPER MAGAZINE MARTHA NEESE FOR VON HANSON S Area: 02503-02-21 Tempe/Ahwatukee; in the FIRST Lego LeagueChandler-Greater competitions. part of the program is coding. 02504-02-21 ing, STEM/STEAM, and sustainability Proof Release MEATS SPIRIT Mail Week: 03/01/2021 CL112232 Brooke Sanders, a freshman at EastShe also teaches coding Boys and education “to instill passionAccount for#:learning Approve By: 02/15/21 Ad #: CL-4803265.INDD ontact your Account Service Coordinator: mark High School, comes from a family Girls Club members and plans on a and discovery, confidence to enable Martha Needs Team 4J phone: 480-917-2525 of engineers. Both her father and uncle career in engineering. scholarship and career opportunities,” Team: 4J email: Marthaneese@aol.com are engineers. Tara Tilak Nukala, an eighth grader according to its mission statement. phone: 717-509-9497 fax: 480-917-2995 email: 4J@cmag.com She got interested in robotics after at Chandler Online Academy, said the It partners with Intel, Microsoft, fax: 717-358-2615 her uncle invited her to a laboratory team’s app “allows people to work out Airlines and other industries ales American Rep: Gary Millslagle where he conducted experiments using in the comfort of their home.” as well as with the Society of Women APPROVE YOUR AD OR SUBMIT CHANGES BY CLICKING THE APPROPRIATE BUTTON ABOVE OR SIGN YOUR PROOF & FAX TO THE NUMBER ABOVE. a robot and❑has been part of Education “Our goal is to make the app as Engineers, Boys & Girls Clubs, ICAN, Ad is not approved make changes indicated ❑ Ad is approved ❑ Ad is approved with changes Empowers team robotics for about five accessible and flexible as possible for Title 1 schools, Girl Scouts and other different scenarios/people,” she said. nonprofits supporting underserved chil- years. “We conducted surveys for additional input on our project. The three main problems that people are unable to Fill your Basket with SAVINGS! work out include: they’re too busy with FRESH MEATS! Wine Sale • Von Hanson’s Spiral-Cut Honey Glazed Ham their schedule, they need a workout HANSO SAVE 20% • Von Hanson's Old Fashioned Double-Smoked Ham N buddy, weather/pandemic restrictions • Hand-tied Black Angus Prime Rib O Upon request: Seasoned w/Garlic & Von Hanson’s Special Spice and lack of fun while working out. • Swedish Ring Sausage • Pork Crown Roast Military Da • Ham Steaks • Leg of Lamb y “We used this information to make • Black Angus Beef Tenderloin Roast Every Mond ay SAVE 10% • Fresh From Our Bakery Dinner Rolls Day r our solution as effective as possible. io Sen 1 , 2 02 ch 9 10% r After designing the app, we did anotha M VE SA New Surly er survey to get feedback on our final Craft Beers! MEATS & SPIRITS solution. The feedback came in mostly WE CAN EVEN MAKE We Process BOTH Fresh & Frozen Wild Game! JAVELINA TASTE GOOD!! positive. We’re continuing to improve BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR our solution and find innovative ways • Freshly Made Dinner Rolls Hour to demonstrate it.” • Custom Sausage Trays Sale! • Fresh Deli Salads! 45-Day Dry Aged She said her favorite part of the Fri-Sat-Sun Education Empowers program “is disTOMAHAWK RIBS Fri March 19 Available Saturdays & Sundays Von Hanson’s Own... Sat March 20 covering new things and innovating our While Supplies Last PARMESAN & Sun March 21, 2021 own creative solutions to hurdles that Von Hanson’s Own... CHICKEN MARINATED SAVE $1 per pound come up. CHICKEN BREASTS buy 1, get 1 FREE “This program’s an effective way that This ad is the property of CLIPPER MAGAZINE and may not be reproduced. Please review your proof carefully. CLIPPER MAGAZINE is not responsible for any error not marked.

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allows people – not just children – to think outside of the box,” Tara added. “I’ve definitely learned to look at things from a different perspective. This program also allows you to get accustomed to a group environment. It has allowed me to get to know my teammates more, and that has made this a beautiful experience.” Tara is still figuring out her career goals, “though I want to pursue neuroscience or social sciences.” Advaitha Vemuri, a Chandler Online Academy eighth grader, got started about three years ago with Vex robotics. After participating in Vex Worlds competitions, she joined the FIRST Logo League. My team and I made it to Vex Worlds through our STEM project. Two years later, I went into FLL. She said the Big Bang app “will help people of all kinds to stay active and healthy. It will be accessible, fun, is multiplayer, and has multiple game modes. This taught us programming, teamwork, machine learning, improved our skills in STEM, and so much more.” Advaitha said that she not only “loved working on programming, building designs and brainstorming,” but also felt her participation on the team yielded great “friendships and bonds.” Right now, she eyes a career as a criminal Investigator or forensic pathologist. Saba Mendoza, an eighth grader at ACP Middle School, got interested in robotics when her elementary school started a robotics team. “We had to write an essay on an animal hero for the year and submit it. I made the team,” said Saba. She explained the team’s app “allows users to login and turn on their camera where the camera will pick up their points from neck to wrist and so on to track their movement, which they will see on screen with an avatar. In this way they should be able to play a series of games we have planned out for the future.” “Currently we have a robot that can interpret these movements based off of a program we have with the help of industry mentor” Christie Steward, added Saba, who also mentors and teachers at the Boys & Girls Club.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

Regional indoor vaccination site opens in Mesa BY TOM SCANLON Staff Writer

Since it is offering 30,000 square feet of its warehouse to create Arizona’s first indoor, drive-thru COVID-19 vaccine center, it’s tempting to rebrand Dexcom as “vaxcom.” Jim Kasselmann, senior director of manufacturing for the Mesa glucose monitor producer, stressed this is all about community support. “We were thinking of ways on how we can help the community. We knew summer time is coming and these outdoor PODs would have to move indoors,” he said. Indeed, many are waiting for hours at State Farm Stadium and other vaccine points of distribution — or PODs — run by the state. A portion of Dexcom’s 500,000-square-foot Mesa Regional Distribution Center at 8046 E. Ray Road (near the Loop 202 and Power Road) will be open for regional vaccine distribution from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dexcom’s Arizona Department of Health Services site will replace the outdoor one at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Kasselmann stressed that, while Dexcom is providing the space, the process is being handled by the state, from online registration to the shots. Registration, he noted, “Is purely online – no walk ups or drive-ups.”

“We had two people show up last Friday, saying, ‘Can we get our shots?’ I said, ‘Not today and you have to register online,’” he said. Partners in the “vaxcom” project include the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, City of Mesa, Walgreen's and Arizona State University.

address that need. “My thanks to Dexcom and the Arizona Department of Health Services for their proactive work to protect Arizonans.” Those who received first doses at the Chandler-Gilbert facility on March 14 and after have been scheduled for

grateful for the support from Dexcom “andWe’re other partners to make this indoor site a reality and maintain our momentum getting vaccine to Arizonans. ”

– Dr. Cara Christ

Before offering the site to the state, Kasselmann said he received support from the city, including a visit from the Mesa Fire Department to assess safety. “Everyone’s been very helpful,” he said. State leaders expressed great appreciation for the Mesa company’s innovative offer. “As the hot summer months approach, we want to ensure our vaccination sites continue to operate efficiently,” said Gov. Doug Ducey, in a press release. “Health care professionals, volunteers, staff, and those getting vaccinated need access to safe, weather-friendly sites as vaccine doses are administered and this indoor site helps

their second doses at the Dexcom site, according to the state. “We’re grateful for the support from Dexcom and other partners to make this indoor site a reality and maintain our momentum getting vaccine to Arizonans,” said ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ. “Patients, staff, and volunteers will be grateful as well since we’re nearing the point when operating outside will become hazardous as temperatures climb.” The site will start out offering 3,0004,000 appointments a day, ramping up to 12,000 appointments per day and a 24/7 operation. Appointments are required for those visiting the site.

To register, visit podvaccine.azdhs. gov. Those without computer access or needing extra help registering can call 1-844-542-8201. Kasselmann said donating the space through the summer will not disrupt Dexcom’s operations, which continue to expand. “Four years ago to the date, there were three of us here,” he said with a chuckle. “Then on April 3 (2017), we opened doors for operations and started with 40 (employees). Now we are at 1,000. The growth has been really positive … We’ve worked with the city of Mesa’s Economic Development and they’ve been very supportive.” He said he anticipates hiring more in the future as Dexcom prepares for an updated version of its glucose monitors, used by people with diabetes to measure blood sugar. What Dexcom, which is headquartered in San Diego, regularly does ties in with it becoming a vaccine site, Kasselmann noted. “Type 1 diabetic patients are our principal base. They are particularly susceptible to complications from COVID. So that’s another reason to get engaged,” he said. Beyond helping the community with vaccines, the Dexcom-vaxcom operation may spread throughout the country. “The Department of Military Affairs thinks other states will be looking to this model,” Kasselmann said.

Health & Wellness

Summer 2021

Special Supplement to The SanTan Sun News

HEALTH Summer 2021

WELLNESS

Your Local Guide to Better Living

Banner starts two major expansion in EV SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A ceremonial groundbreaking recently marked the official start of construction of a new women’s tower at Banner Desert Medical Center that will be adjacent to the seven-story Banner Children’s at Desert pediatric patient tower that opened in 2009 in Mesa. The new women’s tower and other refreshed units at the complex on Southern Ave nue and Dobson Road are slated for completion in 2023. The Mesa groundbreaking followed by a few weeks a similar ceremony for the $243 million expansion of the Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert.McCarthy Building Companies is on an accelerated schedule to build the 351,000-square-foot tower and expanded emergency department at the campus, 1900 S. Higley Road. During the Banner Desert groundbreaking, Laura Robertson, CEO of Banner Desert and Banner Children’s, said, “We are building a women’s tower that will include state-of-the-art services for women and infants, a new women’s surgical services unit, and other medical and surgical units to support the growth of this campus. “With this new tower next to our pediatric tower, we will create a focused women’s and children’s strategy to serve as a leader for those services in the East Valley,” Robertson added. See

BANNER on page 24

Above: Breaking ground for the new women’s tower recently were, from left, Todd Werner, president, Arizona Community Delivery, Banner Health; Laura Robertson, CEO, Banner Desert Medical Center and Banner Children’s at Desert; Mesa Mayor John Giles; and Banner Health COO Becky Kuhn. (IBanner Health) Right: This rendering shows the new women’s tower that will be built on the campus of Banner Deser Medical Center. (Banner Health)

Mobile app offers storage for medical data BY KRISTINE CANNON Staff Writer

A Scottsdale company has created a timely app that can verify the user has had a COVID-19 vaccination. Created by BuddyCheque, the ConfirmD app replaces the need to carry around important medical documents. ConfirmD provides portable, HIPAA-compliant health data and gives users a secure platform to record, verify and voluntarily share medical histories, including Covid-19 vaccinations, antibody status and test results. Users can transfer the data to a QR code that they can securely share with employers, public venues and stores and other third parties. So far, ConfirmD has been tested and used by Silverado Golf Club of Scottsdale, medical service providers and select facilities at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, among various other

Starwest Technologies chief of staff and business affairs vice president. “During COVID-19, our priority has been keeping our clients, customers and team safe, and ConfirmD’s accessible and verified test results do just that,” Inorio added. Silverado Golf Club partnered with BuddyCheque to bolster its health security by providing its nearly 50 Bob Ramsey of BuddyCheque shows a mobile app called employees a way to verify and share COVID-19 ConfirmD that can store a user’s medical history. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer) test results. “Since we have more variables to manage in enterprises in the state. “ConfirmD enables us to ensure that order to continue providing a safe entertainment experience for our guests, our business services continue running ConfirmD is a critical tool in ensuring safely and smoothly,” said Gina Inorio,

the health status of our associates,” said Silverado Director Bill Corn. “It allows us to put our guests at ease before they step through the door,” Corn added. BuddyCheque Founder Bob Ramsey started working on this project last year with the help of doctors and data scientists. Known as the “father of the modern ambulance service,” Ramsey founded Southwest Ambulance and spent nearly 50 years in improving healthcare access. He said ConfirmD is a much-needed digital tool. “I believe it is essential for showing, confirming and returning to normality that we will need a secure way to communicate our personal status,” Ramsey said. “After months in this COVID pandemic and our needed protection See

APP on page 24

Summer 2021

Health & Wellness

Mobile eye care available at people’s workplaces SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Have you been to the eye doctor lately? That probably may not be on the top of your list of things to do after work or on the weekend. According to Gary Heiting, OD, and Larry K. Wan, OD, nearly 70 percent of adults experience some sort of digital eye strain due to prolonged use of digital devices. With all this digital eye strain, it’s no wonder that the rate of nearsightedness continues to increase. Even though more of the population is in need of glasses than ever before, VSP found that only half of Americans get annual eye exams, largely due to inconvenience. But there is a convenient way to get

Sight On Site offers a convenient way for people tpo have their eyes examined and order corrective lenses. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

an eye exam and order glasses, contacts, sunglasses and even safety glasses

while you are at work. Sight On Site offers this convenient

service. It sets up in conference rooms, break rooms or any open area to allow companies this great service for their employees. “The really cool part is a company can set up an on-site eye care clinic for no charge to the company,” a spokesperson noted. “With Sight On Site, there is no excuse to put off getting an eye exam.” People can tell their employer to arrange a Sight On Site eye clinic at their workplace for what the spokesperson called “a win-win – the company signs up Sight On Site helping their employees see better for increased productivity and the employees can conveniently get new glasses and avoid any more eye strain and headaches). Learn more at soseyecare.com.

Volunteers needed at Neighbors Who Care SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

In the past year, many people experienced what it is like to be socially isolated, doing their part to limit interaction with friends and family to help protect from the Covid-19 virus. Can you imagine what it would be like to always live like that? Sadly, this is the world that many local seniors live in. Long days alone at home. No family nearby to help with

FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS WANTED IN THE SUN LAKES/ SOUTH CHANDLER AREA

basic things like grocery shopping or getting a ride to the doctor. Can you imagine? Neighbors Who Care volunteers have been offering services free of charge to homebound grandmas and grandpas in South Chandler/Sun Lakes for more than 25 years. Helping with the simplest of activities that they can no longer do for themselves. But the pandemic hit hard as many

of volunteers stayed home in order to stay safe. While this was understandable, Neighbors Who Care’s senior clients still need to get food, pick up prescriptions, and get rides to medical appointments. “Without enough volunteers, we have been challenged to find help for everyone who needs it,” a spokesperson for the nonprofit said. People who have an hour a week or an

hour a month can provide vitally needed support and can make a huge difference in the lives of seniors in the community. Neighbors Who Care will provide masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies available to help keep everyone safe. To learn more, contact the Neighbors Who Care office at 480-895-7133 or email Jennifer at jennifer@neighborswhocare.com. Check out the volunteer page at neighborswhocare.com.

Volunteers Needed! Sign Up TODAY!

NeighborsWhoCare.com/VOLUNTEER OR call 480-895-7133

Neighbors Who Care helps neighbors in the Sun Lakes/South Chandler area. We Need You! With you on our team, we can continue to take our neighbors to life-saving physician appointments, shop for food and prescriptions, and deliver other vital services.

No Experience is Necessary!

We care more about a smile and your desire to help. Look us up!

10450 E. Riggs Road, Ste. 113 Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 | 480-895-7133 | www.neighborswhocare.com

Health & Wellness

BANNER

What can you learn about senior living at our upcoming event? A whole bunch. Ask questions. It’s casual. It’s easy. And you’re invited.

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CARF-ACCREDITED INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCES

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Summer 2021

from page 22

On the Banner Desert campus in Mesa, the expansion of the tertiary care trauma center will address growth needs to support the region. The Banner Desert project, including 148,800 square feet of new space and 102,500 square feet of renovated space, will increase total adult acute beds from 345 to 497. The new tower will create a women’s centered care program and maximize the proximity between women’s and children’s services. At Banner Gateway in Gilbert, a 351,000-square-foot expansion will essentially double the size of the medical center campus, adding an additional five-story patient tower and new diagnostic and treatment space. Completion of the tower and new space is planned for the first quarter of 2023, and other hospital renovations to support the expansion will be completed in 2024. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, demand has outpaced the capacity at Banner Gateway. This expansion will address the ca-

APP

from page 22

mitigation systems, vaccinations and testing will become more effective for others with a healthcare passport on mobile phones.” To minimize the risk of fraud, all uploaded records are authenticated by medical professionals before they can be shared. ConfirmD was also developed in conjunction with the International Public Safety Data Institute, a leader in data science and analytics for public safety. “The Ramsey Social Justice Foundation and its funding is proud to have supported a vital link to return in healthcare security,” Ramsey said. The Ramsey Social Justice Foundation is a charitable organization that sponsors healthcare projects benefit-

pacity need for women and infant care, including labor, delivery and postpartum, and a new neonatal intensive care unit for babies that need extra care. In addition to women’s services, the expansion includes added space for inpatient cancer care by Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, more space for surgical, emergency, endoscopy and imaging services, as well as shelled space for future growth. When the project is completed, patient beds will increase from 177 to 286, and long-term growth into the shelled space will increase patient beds to 358. “We are in a high-growth area, and our capacity has been stretched, particularly for cancer care and women’s services,” said Lamont Yoder, CEO of Banner Gateway. “Increasing our capacity for expectant moms who choose Banner Gateway for their delivery experience is a top priority, and so is ensuring capacity for expected future growth of this community in years to come,” Yoder added. For the Banner Desert project, the architect is Cunningham and the contractor is DPR. For Banner Gateway, the architect is Smith Group and McCarthy is the contractor.

ting underserved communities. Along with Ramsey, BuddyCheque is led by experienced healthcare veterans, Dr. Ramsey Kilani and co-founders Karl Wagner and Alex Chatel. The team recognized the need for a test results and vaccination status-sharing platform, especially as millions of Americans get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. Thus, ConfirmD, which was advised by a board consisting of 11 physicians representing over a dozen specialties, was created in Scottsdale — and launched in March of last year. ConfirmD is free to download and available on the Apple and Google Play stores. Once downloaded, and following the initial promotional period, users must pay a nominal yearly subscription fee of $0.99. Information: confirmd.io

Summer 2021

Health & Wellness

Plenty of support around for quitting smoking SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Is “quitting smoking” on the top of your list of goals for the year? Was it last year too? Here are some insights from those in the know into kicking this habit to the curb for good. “They say old habits are hard to break, and when it comes to my dad’s addictive smoking habits, I couldn’t agree more,” says Linh Nguyen, the Houston style, fitness and mom blogger behind A Beautiful RAWR. “He knows smoking is detrimental to his health, but the thought of not having it be part of his daily routine has been a challenging, intimidating, and in some ways, scary idea for him to grasp.” Nguyen’s family has resolved to help her father make this the year he quits

smoking for good. For those 18 and older, consider these tips and insights she is sharing into the process. • Identify your motivations: Quitting a smoking habit can be very difficult, but knowing why you want to quit can help you stick with it when things get tough. “I think the biggest motivator for my dad to quit this year is our growing family. His grandkids are his world and I know he wants to be around to watch them grow up. To do that, we’re all making better choices for a healthier, longer life,” says Nguyen. • Get Help: Quitting is often associated with challenging physical symptoms. However, products that deliver controlled, therapeutic doses of nicotine can relieve cravings and help with difficult physical withdrawal symptoms.

“One of the biggest ways I’m supporting my dad is stocking him up on effective, pharmacist-recommended smoking cessation products from Walgreens, which are much more affordable compared to similar products,” says Nguyen. Before getting started, anticipate which products might work best for your needs. While patches are a great choice for many people who like to “set it and forget it,” those who prefer to keep their mouth busy might prefer using a product like Walgreens Nicotine Gum. Available in 2 mg or 4 mg strengths, each piece lasts about 30 minutes and you can chew up to 20 pieces per day. Similarly, Walgreens Lozenges also come in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths and

are a good choice for people who may avoid gum due to TMJ problems. • Build a plan: Quitting is highly personal. For a greater chance of success, look for resources that help you build a personalized plan. For example, the Walgreens team offers free live support and healthcare clinics in your area, as well as expert advice, treatment and tools available at walgreens.com. “If they can help my dad quit after 50-plus years, they can definitely help you or a loved one,” says Nguyen. When you quit smoking, you can lower your risk for a number of health problems including lung disease, lung cancer and heart disease. If you are attempting to go smoke-free, be sure you have all the support and tools you need.

How to relieve stress without alcohol consumption SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

While the COVID-19 vaccines are giving people hope that the pandemic may soon come to an end, an increase in alcohol dependence Dr. Robert Stockman, a psychologist with 4C Medical Group, part of OptumCare, recommends keeping an eye on the well-being of older adults and paying attention to the signs of alcohol dependency including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, agitation or anxiety, among others.

He also recommends other coping techniques to help older adults relieve stress without alcohol, including: Physical activity. Exercising regularly can increase overall health and sense of well-being. Unlike alcohol, exercising actually reduces stress in the long-term. Mindfulness techniques. According to the National Institute of Health, people tend to consume alcohol when feeling stressed or anxious, so mindfulness exercises - such as meditation and breathing techniques - are recommended to naturally help your body and

mind relax and release stress. Find a quiet place in your home and set a timer for a specified period. If you’ve never meditated, start off with just three minutes, and focus on your breathing. Stay connected. Having a strong support system is key to help you with the temptation of drinking alcohol to relax. It’s very important to stay in contact with close friends and family during stressful situations, so check-in with your loved ones. Creative expression. Creative outlets such as writing in a journal, drawing, music and dancing, can provide a way to manage

anxiety in a healthy manner, according to the American Addiction Centers. Perhaps this is the right time to test your creativity with a new activity that can help you release stress. Get help. In response to the outbreak, Optum opened its emotional support helpline providing access to specially trained mental health specialists. This is a toll-free number, and it will be open 24 hours a day seven days a week for as long as necessary. This is a free service. The number is 866-342-6892. More information: OptumCare.com.

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Health & Wellness

Summer 2021

Village at Ocotillo offers ‘lunch and learn’ SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Village at Ocotillo says that now more than ever, retirement living offers residents value, services and safeguards in a supportive setting. Here are three things Village at Ocotillo staff suggest people consider in when making their decision. Start early. Begin researching in advance, before the need arises. Ask family, friends and valued advisors for their recommendations. Waiting until the need arises can often result in hastier or short-term decisions that might fail to meet your long-term needs. Create a list. Determine which type of senior living community best fits your needs. Not all retirement communities are the same. Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) require larger, upfront entrance fees.

“Rental” communities can offer similar services with the ﬂexibility of a monthly fee. Ask for a “value checklist” to help compare your needs and current

monthly expenses, delivery services, transportation costs, meal expenditures, and the upkeep of a house with the monthly fee of a retirement community.

Ask questions. Get to know the community. A tour or information presentation can provide you a feel for a community’s amenities, services and safeguards such as if residents have received the COVID-19 vaccine. But also ask about lifestyle. Learn about a community’s fitness, art classes or other interests you may enjoy. Accreditation, which helps provide the assurance that high standards of quality care, service and safeguards are maintained is another important topic to discuss. Learn more about The Village at Ocotillo at its lunch and learn event this Wednesday, April 14, at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. or noon To RSVP and receive a Zoom link, call 480-400-8687 or email to RSVP@TheVillageatOcotillo.com. Information: TheVillageatOcotillo.com.

Peak Health Group develops painless ED treatment SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Peak Health Group has pioneered an acoustic wave protocol to address erectile dysfunction. This new approach to this significant health issue is “turning the ED world upside down,” a spokeswoman said. Using virtually painless acoustic

energy waves, the protocol is done in six short in-office sessions. Peak Health says some patients will start to see results after the first few treatments and that those results are long lasting with no side effects reported during, immediately following or post-treatment. “The secret to its success is in the waves, which are believed to have the ability to

‘wake-up’ dormant stem cells in the penis and draw them to the erectile tissue, leading to improved erectile function and enhanced tissue growth,” the spokeswoman said. Originally developed to speed the healing process for musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, its ability to open existing blood vessels and promote tissue growth has been tested and found

Adam Lowe, MD, FACG

to be ideal for ED treatment. “This treatment will allow you to be romantic, naturally, and bring the spontaneity back to you love life,” the spokeswoman said, stressing, “At Peak Health, you’re not just a number, but an actual person with a serious issue which we take very seriously.” Information: 480-933-1952 or peakhealthlife.com

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Summer 2021

Health & Wellness 10” x 6.6”

All your boutique studios under one roof. With a huge variety of classes, fully-loaded facilities, the best instructors in the Valley and all-inclusive pricing, you can try it all. The Village offers the best variety of activities, sports and training options anywhere in the Valley. In addition to our core staples of cardio, weight-training and group fitness classes, our memberships include aquatics, racquetball, tennis, basketball and squash. All available to you in our clean and safe state-of-the-art facility.

Find your next passion. Get your complimentary VIP trial membership at villageclubs.com

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler site has role in multi-billion-dollar defense job SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Northrop Grumman Corp. has been awarded a contract by the Missile Defense Agency for the Next Generation Inceptor (NGI) Program and some of the project work will be done in Chandler. The contract calls for the rapid development and flight test of an interceptor designed to defend the nation against the most complex long-ranged threats. Specifically, it is charged with developing a new guided missile system that can protect the U.S. before the end of the decade from advanced North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles. Northrop Grumman in a release said it has teamed with Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a business of Raytheon Technologies, “to bring together the vast experience of the two companies.” MDA also issued a related contract for the NGI program to Lockheed Martin and Army Technology magazine reported last month the combined value of the contracts was more than $3 billion, though initial program funding through June 2022 totaled a little more See

GRUMMAN on page 30

Northrop Grumman moved into this 47-acre Price Road campus in Chandler two years ago and it is now playing a key role in the company’s missle contract. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

New flight school comes to Chandler airport BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler Municipal Airport is welcoming a new flight school that will train the next generation of aspiring aviators. Sierra Charlie Aviation, a Scottsdale-based school, is opening another location in Chandler for students living in the East Valley. The company plans to bring a handful of airplanes down to Chandler for its first class of students and gradually expand its operations in the coming years. Luke Ormsby, Sierra’s marketing director, said Chandler seemed like the perfect location to add another flight school since the East Valley probably has many students uninterested in commuting to Phoenix or Scottsdale every day. “It’s going to be so crucial for those college students who maybe don’t like those bigger programs,” he said. “Now they’re going to have a home right next door.” Sierra Charlie trains students to work for airlines by offering a customized curriculum intended to conform to the strengths and weaknesses of each pupil. “We kind of service everyone and their needs,” Ormsby added. “We really train all different types of students, not just one set type of student.” The school prides itself on its se-

Scott Campbell five years ago founded Sierra Charlie Aviation at Scottsdale Airpark and is now opening a second campus at the Chandler Municipal Airport, using a fleet of G1000 Cessna Skyhawks. (Courtesy of Sierra Charlie Aviation)

lective hiring practices for new flight instructors. Only one or two teachers may be picked from a large stack of resumes, Ormsby said. Sierra Charlie aims to offer a higher quality of instruction, he said, noting more than a dozen professionally-trained pilot examiners will be available to check the skills of each student throughout the training process. “What that allows us to do is create

really good pilots to pass any test,” Ormsby added. “We know we’re creating a really good product.” The school’s enrollment can vary between 40 and 60 at any given time, with students striving to earn a variety of licenses to fly commercial and charter planes. Sierra Charlie flies with a uniform fleet of new G1000 Cessna Skyhawks that are equipped with modern flight

deck technologies, which will allow students to transition to flying more complex aircraft with greater ease. The school was originally founded five years ago by Scott Campbell, a former Marine and pilot, after he noticed a need for better instruction at the Valley’s flight schools. After spending some time flying cargo planes around Alaska, Campbell See

FLIGHT on page 31

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

1st half of Wild Horse Pass remodel completed SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass plans to unveil the first half of its major $70 million remodel – a complete re-do of of its Maricopa wing. The resort said it has spent more than $100,000 per room on the effort. Its Pima guest wing also is undergoing a floor-to-ceiling overhaul that is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Each room has a new look and design that includes luxury finishes, custom furniture, refreshed color palette, enhanced lighting and original Native American artwork. “Embracing the rich culture of the Gila River Indian Community, the room redesign includes several decor details that pay homage to the Pima and Maricopa tribes’ heritage,” the resort said in a release. Saguaro cactus ribs were foraged by Gila River Indian Community members to create new valances adorning the patio entranceway. All the artworks in guest rooms were done by artists from the Gila River Indian Community and calendar stick artifacts that tracked important events in the life of a village are in every room. The Maricopa tribe is famous for beautiful pottery while the Pima tribe is known for intricate basket weavings, so guests will find both art forms placed throughout the rooms and common

MENDOZA Cleaning & Sanitization General Cleaning, Laundry & More The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass said it spent $100,000 to remodel each room in its Maricopa wing, (Courtesy of Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass)

areas in the respective wings. “The natural beauty of the Gila River Indian Community played a big part in the inspiration of the new room design, the resort said, noting the palette of browns and tans represent the mountains and desert landscape surrounding the resort. Each room also has blue accents that represent the Gila River, which once flowed through the area and was always seen as the life source for the

Community. The resort said the new room designs are meant to “function more like a home than a hotel” and feature a comfortable lounge area with plush seating opposed to the standard desk area usually found at hotels. Other upgrades include 60” flatscreen mounted televisions, plenty of outlets and USB ports, additional See

WILD HORSE on page 31

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BUSINESS

GRUMMAN

from page 28

than half that. In awarding the contracts to the two defense technology giants, MDA turned its back on Boeing, which was in competition for the lucrative job. Northrup Grumman noted that it and Raytheon have extensive experience in missile defense, along with the latest in Agile processes, artificial intelligence and model-based systems engineering “to offer an affordable, low-risk solution.” The NGI program is an element of the MDA’s ground-based Midcourse Defense System – the primary U.S. missile defense system used to defend the country from long-range ballistic missile attacks. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon currently provide interceptor booster, kill vehicle, ground systems, fire control and engagement coordination for that

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

GMD system. Although the program team will be stationed in Northrup Grumman’s Hunstsille, Alabama, campus, the corporation said in a release that some of the major work will be done on its 633,000-square-foot build-to-suit campus along the Price Corridor. Northrop Grumman two years ago moved into the 47-acre campus, one of Chandler’s largest commercial projects. Northrop Grumman is one of Chandler’s top 10 largest employers with approximately 2,500 employees. The award-winning campus is equipped with state-of the-art technology, a city spokeswoman said. “Our campus enables the agile design and manufacturing processes we are using for NGI,” said Rich Straka, vice president Northrop Grumman launch vehicles. “We also focused on employee engagement and collaboration with the design, including common areas, a

restaurant-style café, gym and other unique features that help us find and retain our world-class workforce.” He also said “supporting the Missile Defense Agency in protecting our homeland is something we’ve been doing in Arizona for nearly 20 years on the Ground Based Interceptor program.” “We are proud to continue serving our nation as we build the Next Generation Interceptor, bringing many new jobs, as well as career growth opportunities for our current employees and ensuring Arizona remains a vital contributor to our nation’s defense.” Scott Lehr, vice president and general manager of launch and missile defense for Northrop Grumman, said, “There is a critical timeline for fielding this capability and our team brings together the industry’s top missile defense talent, agile design and manufacturing practices, and state-of-the-art operational factories to support the MDA and our nation’s defense against

these evolving threats.” Added Bryan Rosselli, vice president of Strategic Missile Defense at Raytheon Missiles & Defense: “We are bringing together next-generation technologies—digital engineering and game-changing discrimination—for an extremely advanced capability.” “This team is building on unmatched experience, accounting for all 47 prior U.S. exo-atmospheric intercepts. With that knowledge, we are also embracing innovative ways to accelerate operational deployment while reducing risk.” The contract, including flight test options, has a period of performance through 2029. Northrop Grumman employs more than 97,000 employees worldwide. Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said the city looks forward “to continuing our relationship with Northrop Grumman as their highly skilled workforce here in Chandler continues to defend the United States of America.”

EV moms’ therapy services continue to grow BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

It was 16 years ago at a La Leche League gathering at Corpus Christi Catholic Church that new moms Danielle Lowe and Kristin Blanchard first met up and realized they had more in common than their newborns. For one, they were both degreed speech-language pathologists. Both had earned their master of science degrees. In fact, Lowe, who had two other children at the time, held two masters. Both were active within Ahwatukee, volunteering for various groups. As they grew closer through these endeavors and with their families, the pair decided to join forces to become Mariposa Therapy Services. “Twelve years ago, we saw a need, particularly with charter schools, for competent therapists,” said Lowe, who earned her M.S. in speech language pathology in 1997 from the University of Arizona, and her second in education leadership from Northern Arizona University in 2008. Blanchard, who holds her masters in communication disorders from Arizona State University in 2001, said she and Lowe women found their services welcomed by charters. As word of their work spread, individuals also began taking advantage of their services. Their talents and strengths complimented each other, allowing for a synergy in their burgeoning practice. Lowe works well with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder children, those with social communication differences due to giftedness, and, among others areas, childhood language impairments. Blanchard’s background and specialties include working with cochlear implant patients, early intervention, the neurological disorder apraxia and adult and neuro rehab. There is a lot to Mariposa Therapy Services and the women have 52 employees to help personally meet the needs of all patients, whether children or adults.

Danielle Lowe and Kristin Blanchard started Mariposa Therapy Services 12 years ago and have been growing it every since. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

Because both also have children either at local Kyrene Schools or the village high schools or are attending college, they’ve made a point of hiring other qualified mothers to be a part of their team. Among their employees are Ahwatukee mothers such as Leslie Kwasny, clinic director/speech language pathologist; Monica Starrett, physical therapy director; Lisa Fuller, occupational therapy director; and administrative support staffers Sherece Carter, Laurie Sparaco, Kelly Powers, Lisa LaForest, Gerrie Sferra and Stephanie Giel. “There are a lot of moms involved with our practice,” said Lowe. “It’s all about relationships, and Kristen and I are very active in the community and met a lot of these great women; it’s just a natural fit.” As of mid-April, Mariposa Therapy Services is expanding its current 3,500 square feet suite by adding the adjacent 2,600 square feet area to provide room for specialized machines specifically for adult rehab. The women opened their brick-andmortar office four years ago after years

of working from their homes, or at schools. “We were busy being working moms in our field prior to joining together to form Mariposa,” explained Lowe. “As moms in the Ahwatukee community, we commonly received requests for speech therapy and development information. So, in 2017, we decided to open a brick-and-mortar clinic to grow a private practice,” added Blanchard. “We pursued and were awarded a contract with the State of Arizona to support children with special needs – autism, cerebral palsy, etc., through the Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities.” Feeding therapy is another service, which helps remove the frustration from mealtime when a child who may be on the autism spectrum and have problems with sensory integration disorder – or the child who wants to eat only French fries or chicken nuggets. “Mariposa has a team of outstanding professionals who specialize in therapeutic feeding assessment and treatment with picky eaters of all ages,” said Lowe. “Our pediatric feeding therapists

focus on making therapy fun and engaging. We work to improve oral-motor and sensory skills to expand the child’s food repertoire and to develop a healthy relationship with food and the feeding environment.” She said parents are included in the feeding therapy, provided resources and support to help the family in diversifying what foods their child consumes. Each child is carefully matched with a therapist that best fits their personality and their needs. Mariposa Family Services provides a plethora of specialists for school settings as well – from early intervention, elementary, intermediate, middle and high schools. “Mariposa Therapy Services has two branches: schools and clinic/home health,” said Blanchard “In 2020, we decided to expand our business by serving adults and becoming a Medicare provider. “This new adult outpatient clinic will be state of the art with various equipment to meet the needs of this population.” The adult services run the gambit from treating strains and sprains to dealing with after effects of traumatic brain injury and neurological impairments caused by stroke, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, dementia and more. The expanded adult program will allow even more service capabilities for their occupational, adult physical and rehabilitation and adult speech/language therapy programs. Lowe and Blanchard agree they’ve worked hard to get their business to this point, but foresee further growth as they continue to offer client-centered services. “We’ve just kind of grown organically over the years,” Lowe said. Mariposa Therapy Services also offers telepractice/teletherapy for patients, including speech, language, feeding, occupational, and physical evaluations and therapy. Information: MariposaTherapyServices.com or 480-374-4341.

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

How to use investment credits to reduce tax onligation DR. HAROLD WONG Guest Writer

This year we get to file our 2020 tax return on May 17 instead of April 15. But what you really need are powerful tax-reduction strategies. In March 1980, I was a guest tax expert on KCBS, the CBS radio station in San Francisco. I explained how Democrat Jimmy Carter legally owed $0 federal income tax in 1976, the year he got elected President, and how listeners could do the same. I also explained how then Republican Governor Ronald Reagan had owed $0 state income tax using a different strategy. Jimmy Carter’s 1976 tax return showed an adjusted gross income of $54,934, down from $136,926 in 1975. After deductions, he was left with a tax obligation of $11,675. His actual tax was reduced to $0 because of a $20,864 investment tax credit (ITC) from equipment purchases for his peanut processing business in

FLIGHT

from page 28

relocated back to the Valley and decided to open up a school that could help younger pilots feel more confident and comfortable in the cockpit. “Learning to fly is an incredibly re-

WILD HORSE

from page 29

ambient lighting throughout, insulated walls for better sound-proofing, new air conditioning units and more. Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is

Georgia, as well as depreciation of that equipment. Carter had taken a similar deduction in 1975. In 1976, the law required that one first reduce current year’s tax to $0. Any excess ITC could be carried back three years and so one could potentially recover all tax paid in the previous three years. Any excess ITC could then carry forward for up to seven years. President Carter was so embarrassed that he made a $6,000 donation to the IRS. He really had nothing to be embarrassed about. The purpose of ITC was to stimulate purchase of new machinery, which allows businesses to hire more employees and pay higher wages for their increased productivity. How you can reduce your taxes to $0 just like President Jimmy Carter: In 2005, the Energy Policy Act introduced large ITC for solar energy equipment systems. The ITC was extended on Dec. 27, 2020, as part of a coronavirus federal bill and will be 26 percent in 2021 and 2022 before dropping to 22 percent in 2023 and 10 percent in 2024 for com-

mercial solar only and 0 for residential solar. In addition, one can take Section 179 and deduct most of the cost of the solar equipment in the year it’s placed in service even if it’s December 2021 Case study: A retired taxpayer has $100,000 of annual taxable income in 2020 and wants to also do a $100,000 Roth IRA conversion. They also want to recover tax paid in 2019 on $152,000 of income. Total 2020 taxable income is now $200,000 and would owe $36,159 of federal tax. However, they purchase $120,000 of solar business equipment that is leased out to giant food companies. They take a $104,400 Section 179 deduction and now their taxable income is reduced to $95,600 and would normally owe $12,612. They next apply the 26 percent solar ITC of $31,200 and reduce 2020 federal tax to $0. With the $18,588 extra solar ITC, they can recover all the tax paid in 2019 and still have extra ITC to carryforward to 2021. If we add the Arizona tax savings, they will save about $60,000 in taxes, which cuts their true investment in half.

Their revenue from generating power will create a steady 14 percent annual rate of return each year over the 10year lease. Conclusion: There will probably be even greater future tax incentives under Biden’s New Green Deal. High-income households now have the opportunity to pay $0 federal income tax by investing in clean alternative energy equipment that will save lives from dangerous fossil fuel emissions; and become a hero to the environment. Free webinar: 10:30 a.m. April 24 “Pay $0 Taxes, Just Like Jimmy Carter did in 1976.” Free information on tax savings, retirement planning, and solar business investments can be found at drharoldwong.com. To schedule your free consultation or attend the webinar, please contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com. Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

warding and life-changing experience,” the founder said. Sierra Charlie has already been recognized by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association as one of the most distinguished flight schools in Arizona and was named the West Pacific region’s best school two years ago.

Chandler Airport had been known for years as a busy destination for training the Valley’s aeronautical students. Quantum Helicopters has long been using the public airport as the headquarters for its school and training center. City officials believe the school will be a unique addition to the airpark.

“We are thrilled Sierra Charlie Aviation chose Chandler Municipal Airport to expand their flight training center,” said Mayor Kevin Hartke. “Their use of the latest technology and state-of-theart aircraft to educate our future pilots makes a natural fit in our community of innovation.”

a 500-room resort designed as an authentic representation of the Gila River Indian Community’s heritage and culture. It features 36-hole championship Troon golf, Forbes Five-Star Aji Spa offering authentic Native American-inspired treatments and Koli, an onsite

equestrian center where guests can partake in guided rides into the desert in search of wild horses. It also is home to four restaurants including the signature restaurant Kai, meaning ‘seed’ in the Pima language, the only AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes

Five-Star dining experience in Arizona. Four swimming pools with cascading waterfalls, a waterslide designed after the ancient Casa Grande Ruins and the winding Gila River that can be traversed on a stand-up paddle board, kayak or hydro-bike also are featured.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Zach Espalin living out dream on wrestling mat BY ZACH ALVIRA

Sports Editor

An appreciation for military service has always been one of the key characteristics of Zach Espalin. It’s been that way since living in Washington D.C. and attending school with the sons and daughters of high-ranking military officials. That appreciation quickly turned into a desire to become a Navy Seal after high school, where he could further his education and serve the country. But Espalin also had other goals he wanted to accomplish when his family moved to Gilbert just before he enrolled at Chandler High School in 2017. He aimed to win four state championships on the wrestling mat for Chandler High School, which has a storied wrestling program built on a foundation of success. He also wanted to become a Division I college wrestler. Now just months away from graduation, Espalin has accomplished all of his goals, including the opportunity to become a Seal. “When I was little, I always wanted to be a Navy Seal,” Espalin said. “When I See

ESPALIN on page 33

Chandler senior wrestler Zach Espalin, a Gilbert resident, capped off his ﬁnal season on the wrestling mat by winning his fourth straight state championship. (Courtesy Zach Espalin)

US Disabled Open coming to Mesa in May BY ZACH ALVIRA

Sports Editor

The United States Disabled Open, which aims to provide a PGA Tour-like atmosphere for disabled golfers, is descending upon Mesa for its third-ever tournament in May. The tournament will take place at Longbow Golf Club near Higley and McDowell roads from May 17-20. The US Disabled Open will add to the list of major events that have taken place at the club in recent years, including the Symetra Tour, Heather-Farr Classic and the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships. “Longbow Golf Club is honored to be the host site for the 2021 U.S. Disabled Open Golf Championship,” Bob McNichols, developer of Longbow Business Park and Golf Club, said in a press release. “Longbow Golf Club has long advocated and supported adaptive golf. We have provided access, training, specialized equipment and partnered with Ability360 Sports and Fitness Center and various community organizations to promote access to the game of golf for the adaptive golf community. “We look forward to welcoming the competitors and presenting an exciting championship for the top U.S. and international adaptive golfers.” This year’s event will be the third tournament put on by the United States Disabled Golf Association, which began hosting tournaments for ampu-

Larry Celano, a 52-year-old Chandler resident, is among those competing in the U.S. Disabled Open when it comes to Mesa in May. (Courtesy Larry Celano)

tees and other golfers with disabilities in 2018. The first-ever tournament was held in Orlando, Florida, where Ryan Brendan, an amputee from Nebraska, won the title.

In 2019, the USDGA descended upon Richmond, Virginia, where Chris Biggins from Birmingham, Alabama took home the title. Both events featured a combined 122 golfers with various impair-

ments from all over the United States and some from other countries. Biggins, the 2019 winner, suffers from cerebral palsy. The Open in 2019 became the first event to obtain world rankings for golfers with disabilities. The 2020 tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but USDGA founder Jason Faircloth expects more than 70 golfers to sign up for the tournament in Mesa, which has received support from local company PING, PGA of America and aboutGolf, among others. “We already have 51 golfers who have signed up and already played,” said Faircloth, who has cerebral palsy. “I’ve always wanted to create something like this because I wanted to focus on golfers with disabilities. I wanted to try to give golfers the same opportunities I have had.” Faircloth, 42, takes pride in his own accomplishments on the golf course, and has never thought of himself as disabled while playing. He fell in love with the sport while growing up in North Carolina and was named Player of the Year for Sampson Community College in 1999. In 2001, he volunteered for both the men’s and women’s US Open and returned in 2005 and 2007 to do the same. In 2011, he became the first-ever American to play in the Disabled British Open in England. In front of a national audience in EnSee

DISABLED on page 33

SPORTS & RECREATION

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

ESPALIN

from page 32

was little I always kind of played it out in my head that I would go to school and become a Seal. Since then, I just always wanted to go to the Naval Academy.” Espalin signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his wrestling career at the Naval Academy in February. He was joined by his parents at the signing day event held at Chandler High School. At the time, he was in the middle of a wrestling season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, which threatened the winter sports season altogether during Arizona’s record surge in cases. When he and his team were officially given the go ahead to begin the season — after it was initially canceled — Espalin knew he had to make the most of it. After all, not only was it his senior year but his one and only chance to chase a fourth straight state championship. “When we went on that first lockdown last March that was when I first thought I maybe wouldn’t be able to wrestle my senior year,” Espalin said. “When I first found out the season was canceled, I was heartbroken. It felt like I had tripped and fell at the finish line. “But I’m thankful we got a chance.” Espalin burst onto the Arizona high school wrestling scene as a freshman at Chandler. He wrestled in the 106-pound class in 2018 and won the championship. As a sophomore, he won again at 113 and 120 as a junior. His coveted fourth state title came in the 126-pound class on March 20 at Poston Butte High School — the site of this year’s wrestling championships — where he defeated Boulder Creek

DISABLED

from page 32

gland, he finished 34th overall and sixth in his flight in 2011. In 2012, he finished 28th overall and was second in his flight in the same tournament. To this day, Faircloth is the only American to have ever played in the Disabled British Open. “I didn’t even know there was anything out there like that,” Faircloth said. “I’ve never really considered myself as disabled. But to see how professionally run the tournament was, it gave me the motivation to try to create that same type of event here.” Larry Celano, a 52-year-old Chandler resident, is among those already signed up to participate in the event in May. A veteran, Celano became paralyzed at 20 years old while in the military storming Panama. He utilizes a SoloRider while golfing that allows him to sit down and still swing a club as the seat is able to raise up and down. He played in the United States

Espalin signed to continue his wrestling career at the United States Naval Academy, a goal of his growing up in Texas and Washington D.C. before moving to Arizona. (Courte-

sy Zach Espalin)

senior Noah Kasprowicz. Yet again, Espalin had achieved one of his goals growing up. “It feels amazing knowing all my hard work towards this one goal paid off,” Espalin said. “It was a dream come true since I was little. Just knowing I accomplished that, it feels amazing.” Espalin first fell in love with wrestling at a young age while growing up in Texas. It wasn’t until he reached the fourth grade that he decided to devote all of his efforts to the one sport. It was at that time something clicked for Espalin, and he realized his talent came naturally. The family then moved from Texas

to Washington D.C. and then to Gilbert where he enrolled at Chandler. It was there he began learning under Chandler coach Vidal Mejia, a mainstay in the Arizona wrestling community whose son, Max, is the head women’s wrestling coach at Augsburg University. He also was brought under the wing of Chandler assistant Dalton Brady, who also won four straight championships during his time wrestling for the Wolves. As he began to see success on the mat, he started picturing the day he would win his fourth straight championship. Often times, he would close his eyes while showering, picturing the moment and the whirlwind of emotions

Disabled Open two years ago in Virginia and recalls how special of a moment it was for him. At one point while exiting the elevator in his hotel, he broke down in tears at the thought of being able to compete at a high level for the first time since his injury. “It was the first time I was able to

level in the tournament. “I always go into tournaments looking to win,” Celano said. “I’m excited to be home, have my own caddy and to have my friends and family come watch me.” A number of local sponsors have offered to help with various tasks to

It was the first time I was able to do anything “ competitively since I got hurt, there were a bunch of emotions. I’m using this event as my own U.S. major, where I can feel like a pro for the day. ”

– Larry Celano

do anything competitively since I got hurt,” Celano said. “There were a bunch of emotions. I’m using this event as my own U.S. major, where I can feel like a pro for the day.” Now with the tournament in his own backyard, Celano is confident in his ability to compete once again at a high

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

put on the tournament at Longbow, including food, drinks and the installment of rules for golfers. Arizona State University’s Special Events Management Department has also stepped in to help by providing volunteers for the three-day event. An aspect Faircloth said has made the

he would feel. Admittedly, his idea of what his fourth straight title would look like differed from reality. He pictured it happening inside a large venue with thousands of fans like in year’s past. However due to the pandemic, his championship was won in front of a couple hundred spectators in a high school gym. Still, it was a moment he knows he will cherish forever. Especially after the adversity he faced to get to that point. “I kind of manifested it,” Espalin said. “I would close my eyes and imagine what it would look like. In some ways, I imagined the kind of hard work it would take to get to that point. I couldn’t imagine a state championship being at a high school, so that was a little different. “But other than that, I kind of imagined how it would go, holding a strong lead and not letting up.” Espalin plans to head back to the East Coast this summer. He’s still awaiting whether he will head directly to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland or to the Navy’s prep school in Rhode Island. He said it depends whether Navy head wrestling coach Carey Kolat, who was recruiting Espalin for Campbell University before he was hired at Navy, needs him on the main roster as a freshman to fill a weight class. Regardless, Espalin remains thankful for an opportunity to continue fulfilling the goals he set for himself when he was younger. “I have a chance to show everyone that I can compete with the best on a daily basis,” Espalin said. “I’ll be juggling a world of wrestling and school on a different scale but being able to train like that is an amazing thing.”

tournament possible. Still, more help is needed. Due to the pandemic, many of Faircloth’s usual sponsors for the events have not been able to help like in year’s past. He’s asking anyone interested in volunteering or donating to do so to provide an opportunity for disabled golfers to play the sport they love at a high level. “We almost didn’t have a tournament again this year,” Faircloth said. “I was about to cancel it. We got the support we needed from PING and Arizona State to have the tournament.” Registration for the event is set at $280, which includes four rounds of golf, two meals and will be part of the U.S. Rankings for Golfers with Disabilities. Hyatt Place near Mesa Riverview has been selected as the official hotel of the event for those coming from out of town. For more information on the United States Disabled Open Golf Championship taking place at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa or to make a donation, visit www.usdga.net.

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BASIS Chandler student invents blood test world,” she said. Ella’s project began about a year ago with a basic desire to expand access to

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Cancer survivor Ella Wang is channeling her passion for scientific research into finding new ways to help doctors detect fatal blood diseases for patients lacking easy access to health care facilities. Years after she overcame a severe childhood illness, the 17-year-old BASIS Chandler junior used her medical knowledge to devise a new web application capable of screening blood samples for diseased cells. Ella came in first place last month at the Arizona Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium for her detection system, which she has named “HemaVision.” She will soon get to present her research at a national competition, where she will explain how HemaVision can potentially improve a patient’s health outcomes. “HemaVision is a lot faster, cheaper, and more accessible than current screening methods,” she said. Ella’s system involves attaching a device to a smartphone that converts the phone’s camera into a microscope. The phone takes high-quality photos of

overloaded with patients.” Blood cancers have a much more significant impact on developing

I was trying to tackle the problem in current “disease-screening methods – which is that laboratory equipment is often unavailable or too expensive for developing nations. ”

– Ella Wang

Ella Wang blood smears so they can be uploaded to an app that scans the images for signs of illness. Ella said she has already tested her app on more than 100 blood smears and the system demonstrated a 98-percent rate of accuracy. She is now looking to test HemaVision out in the field on real patients. “I think it’s really important the work I do is able to have an impact on the

health care in rural, underdeveloped countries. “I was trying to tackle the problem in current disease-screening methods – which is that laboratory equipment is often unavailable or too expensive for developing nations,” she said. During a fact-finding trip to India, she noticed how the country needed more doctors, equipment and laboratories to test locals for cancer and other ailments. “I saw first-hand how these diseases were screened in local clinics,” Ella recalled. “These screening centers were

countries, she added, and patients in these nations have to wait longer for treatment because they’re not getting diagnosed fast enough. Ella hopes HemaVision can facilitate detection of life-threatening conditions before they become lethal. The teenager’s interest in health care began at a young age – much of which she spent around doctors and nurses after she was diagnosed with a soft-tissue cancer as a toddler. She managed to overcome the illness before it could seriously interfere with See

WANG on page 37

Chandler kids hit runway to benefit cancer center BY KATY SPRINGER Contributor

It wasn’t your average Saturday afternoon. After all, how many kids get to pick out a new outfit, strut their stuff on the runway and receive celebrity treatment on any given weekend? But that’s exactly what happened March 27 when pediatric cancer survivors and their siblings hit the catwalk to pre-record Children’s Cancer Network’s annual fashion show fundraiser, “Inspirations 2021: Color Me Happy” held last week. In years past, the fundraiser has included a live fashion show, but amid COVID-19, organizers opted to tape and stream this portion of the event. “Many of the kids we serve are extremely immune-compromised, so this year’s fashion show will be streamed,” said Patti Luttrell, founder and executive director of Children’s Cancer Network. “Filming the kids in small groups was so much fun and really gave them a chance to show off.” The fashion show featured young cancer survivors and their siblings wearing fashions that reflect their personal styles while emcee Bruce St. James chronicles their cancer journeys, along with their interests, talents and lives outside of the disease. “It gives these children an opportunity to step into the limelight, show off a little bit and bask in positive attention,” said Luttrell.

Kayla Lark, 13, and Kylie Lark, 12, of Chandler walked the runway during rehearsal for the annual fashion show fundraiser benefitting the Children’s Cancer Network . (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

“Kids with cancer spend so much time enduring painful treatments, and their siblings have their own difficult

journey,” she explained. “This is a rare occasion to experience the magic of childhood, free from chemo, spinal taps

and hospital stays.” Among the dozens of children and See

CANCER on page 38

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

Gilbert man’s bells ring in safer trails BY MONIQUE SELEEN Contributor

Bells will be ringing at San Tan Regional Park thanks to the new project, Trailbells, started by Gilbert resident Jonathan Sacks. The bells are available to mountain bike riders at no charge – though a donation is suggested – and offer a way to alert hikers without startling them on the trails. Sacks, who is an avid mountain biker and has worked in the bike industry for over 25 years, said he got the idea to start Trailbells after moving to Arizona from California. “A lot of trails outside of Arizona have them and I noticed it wasn’t that common here,” he said. After seeing an increase in traffic on trails due to COVID-19, Sacks said he felt the need to help make a difference for both the riders’ and hikers’ safety. “They attach to handlebars in seconds,” said Sacks. “The noise just clanks along and hikers can start to hear them from about 50 yards away. It gives people more time to respond.” Sacks said the start-up process for Trailbells was a bit of a challenge as he tried to balance his full-time job while also spending time with his wife and children. “There were a lot of late nights that I worked on promoting the bells while I was putting my girls to bed,” said Sacks, adding: “I’d drop bells off on my lunch

Gilbert resident Jonathan Sacks is making bells available to mountain bike riders so that hikers at San Tan Regional Park won’t be taken by surprise when they near them along trails. (Monique Seleen)

or wake up early in the morning to go for a ride and leave some on the trail then.” While the bells are offered to riders for free, Sacks recruited sponsors to help pay for the costs of the bells in exchange for the sponsor’s logo being displayed on one side of the bell. “I’m hoping to get some bigger corporate sponsors in the coming months,” he said. Getting the attention of park rangers was another thing Sacks had to do in order to get permission for the bells to be left on the trails. “I would hunt down the park rangers, drop off information to them, and then circle back to get that ‘yes,’” he said.

Once the bells officially became available in February, Sacks said he has been marketing them to people every time he’s out going for a ride. “It’s a lot of meeting people on rides and talking to them,” said Sacks. “If people like the bells I encourage them to give both me and the park rangers feedback.” So far, Sacks said the feedback has been encouraging. “One of the most rewarding parts has been reading the emails from people that I don’t know thanking me for putting Trailbells out,” he said, adding: “The hikers seem to be the most appreciative of the bells. Nobody wants a mountain biker plowing over them.”

While Trailbells is just getting its start, Sacks said he has big plans for it to continue growing in the months ahead. “I’d like to see a bell box get added so riders can just grab and return the bells easily,” he said. Right now, Trailbells are only available at San Tan Regional Park but Sacks said he hopes to have them at Hawes Trail Network and South Mountain Preserve soon and eventually at all the major trails through the Phoenix area. “Really the whole goal for the bells is to avoid any bad interactions before they happen,” said Sacks. Information: trailbells.com.

EV girl cheers Phoenix Children’s telethon BY STACI HAUK Contributor

A Gilbert second grader will be in the spotlight this Wednesday as Phoenix Children’s Hospital holds its ninth annual telethon to benefit patients’ families. Viera Vigness, 8, has been dubbed “Valiant Viera” for the courage she showed in her fight with cancer that she conquered with the help of Phoenix Childrens Hospital staff. The telethon will be hosted virtually by ABC 15 6 a.m. to 10:35 p.m. April 14 Donors can call the phone bank at 602-933-4567 the day of the telethon or visit TelethonforPCH.org to donate. The event raised more than $769,000 for Phoenix Children’s patient families in 2019; it was canceled due to the pandemic last year. Corporate sponsors will be providing matching gifts throughout the day. They include Desert Financial Credit Union, Accident Law Group and Scripps Howard Foundation. Viera, who attends Sonoma Ranch Elementary School, is an avid softball player who loves the outdoors. However, it wasn’t that way when she was 7, as her parents, Nathan and Brooke Vigness, can attest to about the diagnosis that changed their lives.

Viera Vigness will be part of Wednesday’s telethon for Phoenix Children’s Hospital. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

“Prior to Viera’s diagnosis, we had noticed some changes occurring that we were concerned with,” Brooke said. Along with a lack of appetite and slowing of growth, Viera showed signs of deteriorating vision. There were blood tests and urine analyses, along with specialist visits, but it wasn’t until she saw an ophthalmologist at Phoenix Children’s that her parents got some answers. The ophthalmologist noticed that Viera’s optic nerve was being compressed and suggested that an MRI to determine why. That test uncovered a “a large tumor in her brain” that a biopsy showed was malignant. Armed with the news that no parent wants to hear, the Vigness family relied on the advice of Viera’s pediatrician, who is part of the PCH network. The suggestion was to go to PCH, where they were told that the survival rate was high. With cautious optimism, the Vignesses had treatment begin, assured by the staff at PCH that this avenue would be hard on the cancer but easy on Viera. “It was all pretty scary but the people there were always so nice and always came in at the scariest times,” See

CHILDRENS on page 39

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

WANG

from page 35

her childhood but still has to regularly undergo check-ups at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in order to ensure the cancer doesn’t come back. Even though Ella doesn’t have many vivid memories of being sick, she believes her early exposure to medicine has instilled in her a fervor for fixing problems in how health care is delivered around the world. There’s so much interesting research being done in medicine, Ella noted, yet it seems like the work isn’t always resulting in better outcomes for patients. Ella also credits her passion for scientific research to the rigorous curriculum she receives at BASIS Chandler and the many mentors there who have pushed her to discover a wide range of subjects. When she began thinking about a new project to pursue during the pandemic, an Arizona State University professor guided her through the process of navigating medical databases and public health journals. Ella spent hours each day reading articles on the latest medical discoveries until she zeroed in on how doctors diagnose blood diseases like sickle cell anemia. But because there aren’t very many public databases with samples of blood diseases, Ella had to commit an extensive amount of time to creating her own database from scratch. She spent days finding and uploading

Ella Wang’s invention makes a cellphone camera a microscope capable of taking high-qualityphotos of blood smears so they can be uploaded to an app that scans the images for signs of illness. (Courtesy of Ella Wange)

more than 10,000 images of blood smears into a custom-made database that the HemaVision system could use to more accurately detect signs of a disease. It was the most tedious and arduous step to the project, Ella said, but it eventually resulted in a detection system that’s proven to be effective. “I crashed my computer a lot of times,” she recalled. “But then Google Drive became a savior.” Ella said she’s grateful to be given the opportunity to present all of her find-

ings at venues like the Junior Science Symposium, where dozens of students got a chance to have their work reviewed and evaluated by a cohort of judges. Nearly $10,000 in scholarships were handed out to the Symposium’s top students this year. These events allow students to feel more like professional researchers and push them to be able to clearly articulate their projects to a diverse audience, Ella said.

“It puts a lot of focus on science communication and being able to interpret your results precisely and communicate them to a non-technical audience,” Ella added. After she graduates from high school, Ella plans to double major in business and computer science -- two disciplines she thinks will help her successfully market her innovative ideas. “I think it’s really important that research and entrepreneurship are both part of my future,” she added.

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ate to help families battling pediatric cancer, they held the premier event. This got the nonprofit organization started in earnest. CCN has come a long way since then. The organization serves hundreds of Arizona families each year, providing gas and grocery gift cards, hospital admission kits to help new families navigate the road ahead and adopt-a-family programs for back-to-school season and the holidays. The organization also hosts activities to boost self-confidence in young cancer fighters, programs to help siblings cope with cancer, and provides a multitude of other services. “We fill in the gaps where hospitals and insurance companies leave off,” said Luttrell. “Our goal is to ease the finan-

from page 35

teens who walked the runway are Chandler residents, 12-year-old Kylie Lark, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma last May, and her big sister, Kayla, 13. Kylie chose jeans and a purple blouse for her turn down the runway, while Kayla chose Dickies pants and a green shirt. All items were donated by Macy’s. “It was so nice for the girls to be able to participate in the event together,” said the girls’ mom, Jolene Lark. “CCN has been such a great support and has given the girls so many things to look forward to throughout this journey.” CCN’s fashion show debuted in 2005 while Luttrell’s young son, Jeff, was undergoing cancer treatment for leukemia. At the behest of her daughter and Jeff’s big sister, Jenny, who was desper-

Cooper McGhee, 5, of Queen Creek was among the “models.”

cial strain of pediatric cancer and offer social and emotional support through programs that help families from the moment they receive that terrible diagnosis.” The American Childhood Cancer Organization reports that 60 percent of U.S. families battling pediatric cancer spend as much as $10,000 annually on non-medical expenses during their child’s treatment. Half of all families experience considerable to severe financial difficulties as a result of the medical and non-medical costs of fighting the disease. Proceeds from “Inspirations 2021: Color Me Happy” fund an array of programs and services for pediatric cancer families across Arizona, with more than 80 cents of every dollar going directly to families in need. Information: childrenscancernetwork.org

Chandler residents among hospice volunteers BY LIN SUE COONEY Guest Writer

The silver lining in these challenging times is a collective recognition of the amazing work our healthcare workers do day in and day out. They deserve all our accolades and prayers, for this crisis is far from over. Yet right on their heels is another group that has perhaps become society’s newest brand of hero: Volunteers. Those selfless souls who are stepping up to help people sheltering in their homes often without a support system. At Hospice of the Valley, we treasure our volunteers every day of the year, not just during National Volunteer Week (April 18-24). And some of those volunteers live in Chandler. Some 2,000 strong, they offer companionship, kindness and compassion. Their only compensation is the reward of knowing they have brightened someone’s day and eased a heavy heart. “I feel my visits are a shining light that relieves the amplified isolation my patient is feeling due to COVID-19 and her terminal condition,” says Peoria volunteer Diane Walton, who has given back to our nonprofit organization for 16 years. “Whether we’re playing cards, purging photos or organizing drawers, my sole motivation is to improve the quality of her day. Whatever I can do, I am there.” Sometimes a volunteer comes with a four-legged friend. During the pandemic, virtual pet visits have given patients like Barbara Peterson something exciting to look forward to. With our nurse’s help, the 87-yearold was able to FaceTime with her beloved pet therapy team – volunteer Tracy Howell and Roger the cat – for 45 minutes! Sometimes a volunteer comes bearing blooms. Once a week, Jennifer Bortz, a neuro psychologist with “a long history in the flower business,” teams up with a fellow Dove Petals volunteer to arrange flowers donated by supermarkets.

Chandler volunteers Srikar Pothharaju and Lisa Holliday help Hospice of the Valley deliver companionship and compassion. (Courtesy of Hospice of the Valley)

The beautiful arrangements are then gifted to patients. “It feels good to know we bring them something unique to enjoy,” she shares. And sometimes a volunteer brings a bag of groceries. “I can’t even imagine how difficult it is for patients during these times, especially those with no family support. I feel blessed to be able to shop for them,” volunteer John Burgess says. They also write beautiful sympathy cards like the one volunteer Lisa Holliday of Chandler remembers getting when her father died. It was

signed by everyone who cared for him five years ago. The personalized message was comforting. “It was unexpected – and it was a blessing,” she recalls. Some make bereavement calls to comfort homebound survivors. Volunteer Belinda Brown, a retired paralegal, supports many widows who were married for decades. “It’s a double whammy because they lost their best friend, and with pandemic, they can’t have visitors and are more isolated than ever. Sometimes we talk for an hour,” Belinda says. “They’ve become just as important to me as I think

I have become to them. It’s a really rewarding way of giving back.” It’s a sentiment echoed by volunteers who know the importance of giving family caregivers a much-needed break. “I give my patient’s husband the peace of mind to go to the grocery store, run errands or just take care of things around the house knowing his wife is being taken care of,” volunteer Sue Hanke says. “This has been a crazy time for everyone and it’s nice when See

HOSPICE on page 39

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

CHILDRENS

from page 36

Viera said. “My favorite things there were Ms. Grace with musical therapy and the pet therapy. I also liked being able to go to the play room. There were so many nice people there who helped me feel better.” During chemotherapy, Viera had multiple visitors each day from volunteers and there were others who would come by to help put a smile on her face. She hosted many dance parties and concerts in her room and there was always an audience of doctors, nurses and other staff members there to support Valiant Viera. “We are so grateful for the great staff at PCH that would bring joy to her day and in return, ours during such a hard time in our lives,” her mother said. Currently, Viera continues to get MRIs every three months to make sure that she stays cancer-free. As of the last MRI there was no tumor noticeable. While she will have chronic issues because of her cancer – which destroyed her pituitary gland and permanently damaged her vision – she and

HOSPICE

from page 38

you can make a difference.” Volunteers are the soul of our five White Dove Thrift Shoppes, which help support our charity care programs so no one who needs care is turned away. Teen

As she was recovering from cancer treatments last Christmas Veira organized a drive that raised over 325 gifts for other kids dealing with cancer. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

her family are grateful to PCH. “They took time to talk with us and explain everything that was going on,” her mother said, adding that doctors

were “great at explaining things in a way that we can understand.” Viera said she’s feeling better. “When I was in the hospital I was

volunteers have tapped into their imaginations to find new ways of serving. Srikar Potharaju of Chandler is one of many who created a “video library” showing patients how to play chess or garden. “I am thankful for the opportunity to make a difference and keep everyone safe!” the Chandler teen says.

Cindy Hacker epitomizes the heart of our volunteers when she says her goal is to nudge the needle in the direction of compassion. “I always experience an expanded sense of contribution, connection and gratitude. In a world where I feel mostly powerless to help alleviate suffering, that is no small thing.”

really, really tired and a lot of times my stomach didn’t feel good. I so happy that I don’t have a port anymore and I don’t miss having to get it accessed,” she said. The Vigness family is involved in the Telethon to support others who may have to go through the same process and fear. They noted that while Viera was undergoing treatment, kind, simple gestures like a stuffed animal from a volunteer a mark and were the true blessings. “If you have the means and choose to donate to PCH, know that you may be putting a smile on a child’s face too,” Brooke said. “Viera’s journey is one of true bravery and inspiration,” said Steve Schnall, senior vice president and chief development officer of Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “It’s stories like hers that remind us how important it is to give. Fundraisers such as the upcoming Telethon with our partners at ABC15 are crucial to helping our families and patients that need it most.” Follow Viera’s journey at Viera’s Instagram: @ValiantViera If you are interested in sharing your time, talent and heart with Hospice of the Valley patients and families, visit hov.org/volunteer or call 602-636-6336. Lin Sue Cooney is director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley.

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Chandler author among AZ Creates! Guest lineup SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A Chandler author is among the four guests scheduled this month for AZ Creates! the YouTube web series television show highlighting artists and authors, produced and hosted by Fox Crossing resident Laurie Fagen. In Episode 13, which launched last week, fine art photographer Dale Kesel talks about his Southwest landscape photos and his Western History series. Kesel is also a member of the Mesa Arts Center Artist Cooperative Gallery, and leads photography workshops around the state and region for small groups. The show also features best-selling author Barby Ingle, president of the International Pain Foundation, and writer of “Wheels to Heals” and “Aunt Barby’s Invisible Endless Owie.” She will discuss chronic pain.

Once confined to a wheelchair for seven years, Ingle is also a public speaker and quilter, all while living with multiple rare and chronic diseases. In Episode 14, which premieres April 22, the Creative Connection artist is jazz singer and entertainer Jan Sandwich of Phoenix. She has performed in hundreds of nightclubs and resorts throughout Arizona and California since 1975, and has acted in movies, television and live theatre with Kurt Russell, Jamie Farr, Marie Osmond, Bruce Boxlietner and many others, provided voice talent for hundreds of radio commercials, done standup comedy in major clubs in California and Arizona. She also has entertained thousands of children with her “Mother Goose,” “Mrs. Claus” and other characters. Also on that program is writer Howard Gershkowitz of Chandler, who has

a new fiction book out, “Not On My Watch,” about an Arizona nurse who tries to expose a massive Medicare fraud. Gershkowitz has also written poetry and short stories. In the program’s regular arts events segment, called “Something to Look Forward To,” co-host and graphic designer Cathy Beard of Clemente Ranch will highlight spring in-person and virtual art happenings from around the state. The featured nonprofit for Episode 13 is the Chandler-Tullamore Sister Cities nonprofit and its Young Artists and Authors Showcase. On Episode 14, The Nash jazz club and music education nonprofit will be highlighted. The programs all close with a “Creative Quote of the Day.” AZ Creates! is a twice-monthly, half-hour web series to highlight artists, writers, dancers, musicians, film, theatre and TV creatives, and other artistic

people in Arizona. Fagen, former publisher of SanTan Sun News and now the paper’s publisher emeritus is an artist and crime fiction novelist. She designed the program to connect art patrons with artists, and to work on a positive project during the COVID-19 pandemic. All episodes are available on the AZ Creates! YouTube channel at any time, along with other video content. Sponsorships are available with introductory rates and discounts for multi-show commitments. Sponsors for the show include Sibley’s West, an Arizona and Chandler Gift Shop and Times Media. Subscribe to the AZ Creates channel at youtube/c/AZCreatesShow, visit the Art Online AZ Facebook and Instagram pages or email AZCreates.ArtOnlineAZ@gmail.com for details.

Urban Air Adventure Park picks region for showcase SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Urban Air Adventure parks are not new to Arizona, with their family-fun locations in Ahwatukee, Peoria and Queen Creek. But the one that will be coming to Gilbert will be a lot different from those three and most of its 154 indoor parks nationwide. The 10-year-old, Dallas-based family fun franchise has picked Gilbert for its flagship corporate western showcase. And the two-story, 50,000-squarefoot park it plans to open by year’s end at E. Williams Field Road and S. Santan Village Parkway will that will have unique attractions. Those include an electric go-kart track and laser tag field spanning both floors, multi-level rope-climbing, an enormous inflatable landing pad perched below a series of trampolines and a “runway tumble track for flipping, handspringing and cartwheeling. Those features will augment the rock-climbing and bounce-house-type walls, dodge-ball areas and trapezes that have made Urban Air Adventure Parks popular haunts for kids and See

URBAN on page 41

The Gilbert location of Urban Air Adventure Park promises to have a broad arracy of its unique equipment because it will be the companyios’ western flagship for potential franchisees from other states. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

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families and go-to destinations for corporate team building and other adult gatherings. “It’s going to have our premium attractions,” said Josh Wall, Urban Air’s executive vice president and chief franchise officer. “It’s what we call our version 2.5 park and that’s going to help us really put our best foot forward to the East Valley and show them what an Urban Air experience can be like.” And it won’t just be a showcase for only East Valley or even just for Arizona investors who might want an Urban Air franchise of their own. Wall envisions groups throughout the west coming to the Gilbert location. “As we have more and more interested franchise groups that want to diversify their business investments by getting into the number one entertainment franchise in the country,” Wall said, “we want them to see the product, test the product, bring their children to the products or the grandchildren and really see what it’s like to play within an Urban Air Adventure Park. “So, we will likely have monthly meetings there where we will have interested franchise groups come through and spend time with us.” There are reasons why Entrepreneur magazine’s annual list of the top 500 best franchise opportunities listed Urban Air Adventure Park number 1 – and why even with the pandemic, the company has 60 more locations in its development pipeline.

Urban Air Adventure Parks offer a wide range of activities for people of all ages. The closest one to Chandler is in Ahwatukee but by the end of the year, one will be opened in Gilbert. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

The parks have been a big draw not only for families but also for adults who plan corporate events, parties and other gatherings. They are drawn by huge trampolines, “slam-dunk tracks” that enables flying leaps for basketball baskets, mammoth jungle-gyms, ropes courses and even a “sky rider coaster” that enables guests to “fly” in a harness along a track affixed

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to the ceiling. The parks also are equipped with an area where kids under 7 can play on smaller trampolines under the parents’ watchful eyes. The company sees the pandemic as having increased interest in and demand for “location-based family entertainment.” “Now more than ever, families are

in search of more ways to engage their kids in an entertaining, learning and social environment,” Walls said. Wall said 22 of the 33 parks the company opened last year were opened after the pandemic first struck the nation. And even before the first quarter of 2021 ended, Wall said, “our parks are doing so well in 2021 they are out-indexing even our 2019 numbers.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

Musicfest begins 5 weeks of music joy BY KRISTINE CANNON

Staff Writer For 29 years, Arizona Musicfest has hosted anywhere from 25 to 30 performances at various venues throughout Scottsdale as part of its annual indoor concert series. And although the secular nonprofit arts organization had to cancel its 202021 concert season due to COVID-19, it won’t stop Musicfest from celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Instead, it’s heading outdoors for a special concert series, Musicfest Outdoors, at the newly created Musicfest Performance Pavilion at Highlands Church in northern Scottsdale. Now underway through May 1, Musicfest Outdoors features a lineup of artists, including The Everly Brothers Experience, jazz quintet The Black Market

“

It’s no surprise that there’s been a tremendous eagerness to get outside and enjoy a concert,” he said. “I was counting and it’s been 378 days since we last produced a live performance. So, this will be a really special experience.

”

– Allan Naplan

Trust, folk legends The Kingston Trio, and Musicfest audience favorites Ann Hampton Callaway and Tony DeSare. The series concludes with a performance by the Festival Orchestra Chamber Players. Comprising musicians from some of the nation’s best orchestras, the Festival Orchestra Chamber ensemble will be led by Maestro Robert Moody and will fea-

Ann Hampton Callaway is a celebrated cabaret star, best known for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series “The Nanny,” will perform on April 20. (Arizona Musicfest)

Allan Naplan is the executive and producing director of Arizona Musicfest, which hosts its first-ever outdoor concert series in northern Scottsdale from March to May. (Arizona Musicfest)

ture guest piano soloist Cathal Breslin. “We had big plans to celebrate our 30th anniversary,” said Allan Naplan, Arizona Musicfest’s executive and producing director. “The silver lining is that we’re able to still go forward and pivot and provide live performances – but it certainly was not the anniversary celebration we had intended for this

Folk Legends The Kingston Trio take the Musicfest Performance Pavilion stage on April 17. (Arizona Musicfest)

special year.” Musicfest Outdoors will sell a limited 320 seats per concert to accommodate the social distancing between each pair of patrons. “It’s bigger than what Scottsdale Center is doing. It’s bigger than what the Herberger Theater is doing. In fact, it’s going to be the largest outdoor venue in the neighborhood, being the greater Scottsdale area,” Naplan said. Patrons and staff are required to wear masks at the newly constructed Musicfest Performance Pavilion. “We’re grateful for the extraordinary and steadfast support of our generous donors which has allowed Musicfest to move forward with this season’s exciting alternative plans,” Naplan said. Musicfest was able to construct the new venue with funding from the City of Scottsdale as well as from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. “In this time of challenge, they have continued to be extraordinarily generous,” Naplan said. “Even though the financial model for these outdoor concerts does not pay for itself through tickets, thankfully, because of philanthropy, we’re able to do these programs.” Naplan said six concerts are sold out while six others have limited seating availability. “It’s no surprise that there’s been a tremendous eagerness to get outside

and enjoy a concert,” he said. “I was counting and it’s been 378 days since we last produced a live performance. So, this will be a really special experience.” Hundreds of live entertainment venues in the Valley and beyond were among the first businesses to close after the pandemic hit and are among the last to fully reopen and receive financial aid. In late December, Congress approved $15 billion in relief to specifically help shuttered venues. For Naplan, it was important that Arizona Musicfest provide income for musicians who have been out of work throughout the pandemic. “It is our mission to be producing live performances, and for over a year, we’ve been without it; so, it is great,” he said. “It also goes beyond the finances to just how important music is to the soul, to the emotions,” he continued. “And during the pandemic, we’ve heard from so many people who’ve said it’s music that has sustained them, to counter loneliness or boredom, or unfortunately because of the very tragic emotions of the pandemic as well, to bring some comfort in solace.” Naplan said he hopes Musicfest Outdoors will be “more pure enjoyment than anything else.” “Music and arts are really important, so this is a wonderful thing that we’re able to bring it back to our community,” he said. Musicfest hopes to return to a full, “normal” season in November. In the meantime, Naplan said, “Through these concerts, Musicfest will continue its important efforts to ‘Bring the Joy of Music to All.’”

If You Go

What: Arizona Musicfest When: Now-May 1 Where: 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road Tickets: $30-$45 Call: 480-422-8449 Website: azmusicfest.org

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 11, 2021

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Hate knows no boundaries but we can change that with hate. Religious authorities try, for the most part, to control the savagery, only to find their influence slipping away. The reports of humanity’s efforts to achieve survival for all are lost in the atrocities occurring every day. It is difficult to find stories of technological contributions for the betterment of humanity. Stories of selfless efforts to feed the hungry, house the homeless, and attempts at achieving peace are difficult to find as well. Age-old distortions are prevalent. Every time we seem to make progress in creating an atmosphere of connection, there seem to be many more episodes of discontent. Now the world that is supposed to be more in tune, more intelligent, more responsible, more educated, has not changed anything. The flagrant display of hostility is not because of one person, or some people, and the disenfranchised now find their moment in the sun as they spew their anger and frustration. And it for these reasons and more that it is so frightening. The most recent display of religious and racial hatred seems to have permeated our society. This disease has been festering for a long time. The antag-

RABBI IRWIN WIENER, D.D. Columnist

The history of hate extends beyond our understanding of time and space. From Cain killing Abel to the present day, we have learned nothing about controlling the impulses to hate and destroy that which we hate. It is a disease that festers and grows because we allow it to flourish. Humankind was built with many abilities, some good, and some, of course, bad. The desire to control the bad is, most often, lost in the realm of everyday living and survival. Today, we are witnessing the most virulent display of hate and bigotry in our country’s history. African Americans, Asian Americans, all people of color and different faiths are experiencing racial profiling, attitudes that create separation rather than connection. In recent time we have learned, more than ever, that expressions of distrust and fabricated distortions results in the uncontrollable rise of atrocities that have made civility distasteful. Our temples of academia spread discontent. The media thrives on the sensationalism of the fright associated

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taught in the classroom, in our homes, and also in some houses of faith? How can the brutality end when we applaud the tragedies as we watch our people get caught up in the frenzy of destruction of sacred thoughts and places? Civilized society requires – no, demands – that we confront this evil that has infiltrated our lives. Civilized society must attempt to create a positive approach to the understanding that we need each other to survive. The discourse that should be taking place needs to be tempered with sanctity for life. Our dream, as Americans, should be that as we engage the storm, we also know that the storm can destroy the very fabric of our being. Our leaders need to lead the way, not join in the upheaval. Our leaders need to demonstrate the futility of these hatefilled episodes that are destroying the essence of who we are as a nation. Hate is here, will always be here, but can be relegated to the dung heap of bigoted history. If we learn anything from the atrocities of the past, it is that we can make the future brighter than the past. Isn’t that what we want for ourselves and those who follow? Rabbi Irwin Wiener is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

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onism and the vitriol that dominates our thinking has become a nightmare – something that seems to be impossible to control. Our country, which was, and still is a beacon of hope now finds itself drawn into a lack of endurance and fortitude as it continues the journey of acceptance. We tolerate more than we can digest because we are afraid and intimidated by the vocal minority that attempts to become the majority. Our country is experiencing trauma upon trauma as we watch our bravest enter fields of endeavor that seem to have no ending. We lose loved ones and are witnessing the decay of our societies efforts at redeeming our country and world one person at a time. The media constantly reminds us of the atrocities in lands we cannot even pronounce. More importantly we are witnessing the destruction of our cities filled with murder and mayhem that seems to be uncontrollable. We read about these horrific episodes and then return to our normal pursuits. Our minds cannot, and do not, understand how we have sunk so low. We close our eyes and hope that when they open all of this will disappear together with the root causes. How will reason prevail when hate is

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