SanTan Sun News - 6.20.2021 by Times Media Group

June 20, 2021 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

Chandler cracking down on distracted drivers BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler Police have issued more than 700 citations for violators of the state’s new distracted driving laws – more than any other East Valley agencies. In 2019, Arizona lawmakers adopted stricter policies to deter drivers from handling cellphones or electronic devices while on the road. To allow motorists time to adjust their driving habits, the state provided a grace period before

officers could begin to cite violators. Since the new rules went into effect in January and the grace period ended, Chandler officers have written 710 citations for distracted driving in the last five months. By comparison, the police departments in Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Mesa reported lower citation rates for the new driving statutes. Tempe Police reported 183 violations, Scottsdale Police issued 156 citations, Gilbert 208 citations and Mesa Police at least 175 citations and warnings to drivers

between January and May. Chandler Police could not explain why so many more motorists in their city have been cited except to say that its officers are diligently following the new laws. “We believe that distracted driving is a large contributor to traffic accidents and we are determined to make the city of Chandler streets safer through education, enforcement, and community outreach,” said Chandler Police Sgt. Jason McClimans. In 2020, the department issued

about 23,000 citations for various traffic violations around the city. Chandler is one of a handful of cities in Arizona utilizing traffic cameras to cite speeders or red-light runners. Earlier this year, the city renewed its contract with the vendor operating the red-light cameras for another five years. Like many other agencies throughout the state, Chandler has been attempting to inform local drivers about the new laws and advising them of the See

DISTRACTED on page 11

Protests over race disrupt CUSD board meeting BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The Chandler Unified School District has become the most recent target of an organized, statewide effort to disrupt school board meetings and accuse educators of indoctrinating students with “racist ideology.” Over the last couple of months, school districts in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson have had large groups of activists attend their board meetings to

protest the suspected use of “critical race theory” in school curriculum. Some of these rowdy protests have prompted boards to prematurely end their meetings due to safety concerns or unruly attendants. Dozens of angry parents and conservative activists made CUSD the site of their latest protest on June 9 over what they perceived as a threat they consider divisive and counterproductive. See

BOARD on page 6

Celebrating life Michelle Mac Lennon, general manager of the Chandler Center for the Arts, is looking forward to seeing its 1,500-seat auditorium packed after the long audience drought created by the pandemic. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

Chandler Arts Center prepares for comeback BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

After more than a year of barring patrons from visiting its theater, the Chandler Center for the Arts is preparing to welcome back audiences for live, in-person performances. Since March 2020, the pandemic has prohibited theatergoers from buying tickets to the center’s 1,500-seat

auditorium and enjoying its season of touring musical acts. For the last year, audiences could only watch the center’s concerts online by streaming performances virtually. Much of that virtual content has also been free – a perk that’s benefited the community, but has done little to raise the center’s revenues. See

ARTS CENTER on page 8

Ayden Smith, 7, right, and his sister Peyton, 5, of Chandler joined the Super Heroes celebration that Banner Health and the Children’s Cancer Network held on June 5 at the Cancer Network’s Chandler headquarters for kids who have overcome cancer. Ayden was diagnosed in July 2018 with leukemia and finished treatment early this year. The Children’s Cancer Network helps families with children stricken by cancer – a disease that affects one in every 285 children in the country. Information: childrenscancernetwork.org. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

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Legacy Chandler farm disappearing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . Page 7 Chandler med spa continues growth.. . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . Page 35 Chandler teen wins prestigious science fair . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . Page 42 State arts panel salutes Chandler musician. . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . Page 47

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Tumbleweed Park may get softball fields BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler softball players may finally get some new ballfields after waiting years for the city to deliver on a decade-old promise. The 2008 Chandler General Plan recommended adding some new softball fields at Tumbleweed Park for the community’s local youth leagues. But the city has still not fulfilled the plan’s recommendation despite repeated calls from the public to add more fields. Young softball players have had to rely on Folley Park’s fields and many over the last couple years have voiced their complaints about the facility’s unsafe conditions to city leaders. Last January, many players appeared before City Council to highlight the drug paraphernalia and gang graffiti they often come across throughout Folley Park. “Our young girls shouldn’t have to be seeing the things that they’re seeing,” Debbi O’Connell, a local softball coach, said last year. “The things they’ve been seeing are just horrific.” Softball leagues had hoped that a $451-million bond passed by city voters in 2007 could be used to build some new fields and waited more than decade to see if their needs would ever be prioritized. The Great Recession interrupted and slowed down many of Chandler’s infra-

The city had been waiting until it finished updating a parks master plan before deciding whether to ask Council to OK the softball fields, Bass added. The master plan outlines Chandler’s recreational needs and is updated every few years to reflect changes in demographics. For the last year, consultants have been helping the city revise its master plan and identifying how many more parks Chandler should have in the next few years. A draft of the updated plan shows Chandler will probably need 409 acres of parkland across the city in order to keep up with demand over The city administration is waiting until its parks master plan is finished before deciding whether to ask the next decade. City Council to OK softball fields in the pink area above at Tumbleweed Park. (City Of Chandler) Once the city reaches a population of about rector, said his department is prepared to 300,000, the plan recommends adding structure projects, forcing officials to greenlight the construction of four new be more strategic with how they spent three softball fields, three baseball recreational fields at Tumbleweed Park. public funds. But officials believe the fields, eight multi-use fields, five pickle“We’re ready to go like tomorrow,” city may be in a position now to move ball courts and one cricket field. Bass said. “We’ve been sitting on it for a forward with giving softball players a The plan additionally suggests buildyear, but we didn’t want to get ahead of new home in the near future. Andy Bass, city community services di- ourselves.” See on page 4

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Fed funds offer extra help to local nonprofits BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler’s nonprofits can expect to receive an extra $738,000 from the city this year thanks to federal funds allocated by Congress to help municipalities recover from the pandemic. The American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Joseph Biden earlier this year provided Chandler with $36 million to spend on reversing the pandemic’s negative impacts and the city has set aside some of the stimulus funds for local nonprofits. Each year, Chandler’s nonprofits apply for a chunk of money out of the city’s General Fund to serve vulnerable populations and the ARP allotment is being utilized to boost the available funds to support elderly residents, low-income children or individuals experiencing homelessness. Riann Balch, the city’s community resources manager, said Chandler annually receives requests for funds that are double the amount of money available. A committee vets every nonprofit applying for assistance, she said, and the city will prioritize applicants that can satisfy Chandler’s most pressing needs. Last year, the city allocated $1.1 million to local nonprofits. The ARP allocation will enable it to award more than $1.8 million to 36 nonprofits for the fiscal year beginning July 1. “This year, we’re really fortunate to have some additional opportunities as well because of the way (City Council) has approved our expenditure of the American Rescue Plan Act,” Balch said. AZCEND, the Chandler-based organization that offers rental assistance and food boxes, will receive the biggest share – about $144,000. During the height of the pandemic, AZCEND doled out millions of federal relief funds to hundreds of Chandler residents in need of help paying their rent.

FIELDS

from page 3

ing at least one dog park, an amenity that’s notably lacking in the city’s central and northern regions. The master plan appears to prioritize maintaining Chandler’s existing facilities and tends to make practical recommendations for projects the city could feasibly complete with the amount of land it has left to develop. Playgrounds and ramadas don’t appear to be in short supply across Chandler, according to the new master plan, thanks to HOA neighborhoods providing recreational amenities to its residents. The plan further identifies a significant lack of softball facilities in Chandler’s southeast region, which could potentially be remedied by adding more fields to Tumbleweed Park. The regional park currently has parcels of undeveloped land on its western side that could be the site of a new softball or baseball complex. Mickey Ohland, the city’s community services planning manager, said Tumbleweed’s new fields would likely

AZCEND plans to use the extra ARP money to support programming that provides meals for seniors and helping low-income residents avoid homelessness. “The goal is to provide short-term assistance to alleviate the immediate crisis and long-term support to help Chandler residents reach a higher level of stability,” AZCEND wrote in a statement about its programs. The Dignity Health Foundation will receive $63,000 to provide affordable dental care for low-income families. Another ARP fund recipient will be the Si Se Puede Foundation, which plans to spend $40,000 on mentoring students interested in pursuing careers in scientific fields. The ARP assistance will additionally be used to aid some nonprofits that have previously missed out on grant funding from the city or failed to receive the full amount of their request. Last year, the East Valley Jewish Community Center only got $18,000 from the city to support programming that services low-income children from single-parent households. The ARP funds have allowed EVJCC to get $75,000 this year for the program, as well as an additional $35,000 to service homebound seniors and at-risk youth. A New Leaf, which operates a domestic violence shelter in the East Valley, will receive more than twice the amount of money it received from the be constructed to accommodate both softball and baseball players. Most of the city’s fields must be designed for multiple uses, he added, since Chandler is running out of space to develop new recreational facilities.

“

Our young girls shouldn’t have to be seeing the things that they’re seeing, the things they’ve been seeing are just horrific.

”

– Debbi O’Connell

“We just don’t have the land to make it sport-specific,” Ohland said. Although Council has not officially authorized building more fields at Tumbleweed, members have already signaled their support for the proposal to move forward. The project could additionally work in tandem with another recommendation

city in 2020. About $10,000 of the ARP funds will be specifically given for A New Leaf to access a 24/7 hotline available to domestic violence victims. The free after-school programs provided by ICAN will be partially supplemented by Chandler’s ARP funds, allowing the nonprofit to get nearly $40,000 more than what the organization received last year. Junior Achievement of Arizona will be getting an additional $20,000 to teach financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills to Chandler’s students. notMYkid, a Scottsdale nonprofit offering mental health resources for local families, is expected to get an extra $10,000. FANS Across America has been awarded $20,000 more this year to stock up its charitable bank of clothing, school supplies and hygiene products. Some of the city’s new grant recipients include Desert Sounds Performing Arts, Read On Chandler, and Cece’s Hope Center. Balch said the city wants to use a portion of the ARP funding to support nonprofits that have traditionally not been able to receive financial assistance from the city in previous years. The city plans to offer up to $10,000 to organizations that are relatively new or offer a unique service that have gotten overlooked by the city, Balch said. “Our goal is to help them serve the best that they can,” she added. The city plans to spend the rest of its ARP allocation on improving staffing levels for the Chandler Police Department, new public infrastructure and upgrading street lights.

in the master plan that advocated for a complete renovation of Folley Park. Built in the 1970s as an homage to famous boxer and former Councilman Zora Folley, the park has an aquatic center in need of refurbishing and any full-scale overhaul would likely cut off access to its sports fields. Ohland said players currently using Folley’s fields could feasibly move over to Tumbleweed if the city were to advance on building the additional fields. The number of fields exclusively available to softball teams has notably been lower than their baseball counterparts, which has been prompting Chandler’s softball community to petition the city for more resources in recent years. Softball players have made it clear to the city they don’t feel safe utilizing Folley Park for much longer and are hoping Chandler will follow through on offering them an alternative. Chandler Police data show officers filed at least 55 reports for incidents at Folley Park during 2019. By comparison, Chandler Police had 19 reports at Espee Park, 11 at Nozomi Park and seven at Pima Park during the same time frame.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

from page 1

The board was not scheduled to vote or discuss anything related to CRT or equity. But the crowd of visitors didn’t care. They wanted to make their opposition known. The large turnout did not intimidate CUSD board members enough to interrupt their regular business, yet the meeting didn’t end without a couple hiccups. As the board meeting was getting ready to begin, one of the conservative activists was hauled away by Chandler police officers and put in a patrol car. Videos and photos identify the activist as Steven Tyler Daniels, who has recently become a regular fixture at school board meetings across the Valley. Daniels, part of a group called the Patriot Party, often records himself attending school board meetings and confronting district officials. During the CUSD meeting, Daniels recorded himself condemning police officers and district officials for not allowing the full crowd of attendees inside the district’s office to watch the board meeting. Throughout the pandemic, CUSD has been limiting attendance inside the boardroom in order to maintain social distancing. Visitors are still given the opportunity to come inside to speak before the board or they can watch the meeting live online. Chandler Police had several offices

Chandler Police arrested Tyler Daniels, the leader of a group of parents, mostly from outside Chandler. (Facebook)

standing guard outside the district’s office to manage the entering and exiting of attendees. Daniels felt the district’s accommodations were not good enough to satisfy Arizona’s open-meetings law and loudly voiced his objections outside the district’s office. In his video, Daniels called the Chandler officers “tyrannical” and described the country’s current state of affairs as being comparable to “pre-Nazi Germany.” As he was recording his video, Daniels was placed in handcuffs and was escorted off the district’s property. Chandler Police said he is being charged with one count of criminal trespassing for refusing a district employee's

request to leave. Inside the boardroom, several visitors used the meeting as an opportunity to express concerns they have with “critical race theory.” Even though CUSD has repeatedly insisted it does not teach “critical race theory” to staff or students, many parents are not convinced that they’re children are not being exposed to the academic concept. Scholars coined the CRT concept in the 1970s to examine how the legacies of slavery and segregation continued to impact Black Americans through “oppressive” social structures. But some conservatives feel CRT promotes division and unfairly demonizes one race over another. The district’s promotion of equity initiatives to resolve academic disparities between students of different demographics has often become conflated with the CRT movement and some parents see no difference between the two. “It’s all the same,” said parent Christine Scanlon. “They’re just synonyms.” But other parents have been supportive of equity initiatives and hope they can prevent instances of racism on campus. Jennifer Singleton is one of the district’s equity supporters and claims her biracial son has been discriminated against by his classmates at Perry High School. “This is not good. This should not happen,” Singleton said. “My son should not be afraid to go to school.” Divisions within the Chandler com-

munity over CRT and equity have been distressing for CUSD ever since it began having discussions about equity a couple years ago. But Joel Wirth, a retired CUSD administrator and one of the board’s newest members, believes the fracture has worsened and blamed a couple specific members of the community for widening the division. “I’m incredibly saddened by what’s going on,” Wirth said on June 9. “But all of a sudden, in my opinion, we’ve probably got two people that are creating a huge divide within this district.” Wirth publicly blamed fellow board member Lindsay Love and Kurt Rohrs, a parent and regular visitor of board meetings, as the primary causes for much of the equity strife. Love has long been a defender of the district’s equity initiatives and has not been timid about criticizing those who condemn equity. During the board’s May meeting, Love said the recent suicide of an African-American student was a sign that CUSD needs to be more inclusive and blamed the tragedy in part on those who were trying to stop the district’s equity work. “They are killing our children,” Love said last month. “This child did not die because he had to wear a mask... He simply did not feel supported and he did not feel like he fit in within his community.” But Wirth believes some of Love’s comments have gone too far and have See

BOARD on page 8

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

The Schrader Farms Business Park will replace a long-standing Chandler Farm and push the city closer to build-out. (City of Chandler)

One of city’s last farms giving way to industry BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission last week unanimously approved a rezoning that allows industrial development on one of the city’s last remaining farms – and one of the last large parcels of developable land. The commission okayed the rezoning of the 71-acre Schrader Farms property at Queen Creek and McQueen roads after the developer, Core5, assured the panel tenants renting the six proposed new buildings on the site would not be high-traffic, large-scale manufacturers. The Schrader Farms Business Park, named after a family that for decades maintained a hay farm, will consist of six buildings that will house a variety of undefined businesses. “Schrader Farms Business Park will attract new companies, high-paying jobs and enhance Chandler’s growing reputation as one of the best places to live in America,” the project’s developers told the commission. The developer said the site’s buildings were intentionally designed to invite the type of tenant that will not upset surrounding neighborhoods. Core5 estimates Schrader Farms will generate 1,500 new jobs and produce an economic footprint worth nearly $825 million. Positioned south of Tumbleweed Park, the business park would replace one of Chandler’s last large parcels of farmland that hasn’t already been turned into a strip mall or residential subdivision. Chandler has been approaching buildout for the last few years and the Schrader Farms project pushes the city even closer to exhausting its supply of vacant land. As of 2019, about 11 percent of Chandler’s land had not yet been developed. For decades, Chandler’s south side was the site of numerous dairy, cotton and alfalfa farms. But the city’s economic base has since steered away from agriculture as more farmers sold their properties. A city survey a few years ago indicated that most of Chandler’s remaining farmers weren’t interested in preserving their land and likely to sell to developers.

William Schrader and his sons had been farming on their land along Queen Creek Road for years and decided that now seemed like the right time to hand the property over to commercial builders. “Farming and city don’t mix anymore and I think it’s time to have the opportunity to move on,” Schrader said in a promotional video for the project. “There’s no place to be farming now in the middle of a city.” During their consideration of the rezoning request, some planning commission members expressed concern that the project could disrupt or bother the community. “That’s the challenge of both commission and Council,” said Chairman Rick Heumann, “To make sure our last remaining land is best utilized because once it’s gone, it’s gone.” Chandler could be seeing more than 100 acres getting developed across the city for industrial or business purposes in the near future. At least two other projects are currently under Planning and Zoning Commission review that would significantly add to the city’s available commercial space. During the commission’s July 21 meeting, members are expected to review another project that would add commercial buildings near Gilbert and Queen Creek roads. Known as the Chandler Airpark Technology Center, the site consists of multiple buildings constructed upon a 26-acre parcel near the city’s airport. John Mocarski, the project’s director, said the park’s expected to result in 425,000 square-feet of new commercial space that could be used for manufacturing, supplying construction materials, repairing industrial equipment or as the future site of a vocational school. “While the end users of the Technology Center are not yet known,” Mocarski said, “several users are anticipated for this flex industrial with office and showroom development or any other uses permitted under the (industrial) zoning and should be an asset to the adjacent area.” The park’s close proximity to the See

FARM on page 18

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Reconnecting to the arts, one another BY CANDY YU Guest Writer

Over the last year, we have all experienced the arts in a very different way than we had before the pandemic. Regardless of being quarantined and unable to gather together, we found a way to let art into our lives. We enjoyed virtual concerts, outdoor dance performances, drive-by art installations and online experiences of museums all over the world. A virus could not keep us away from experiencing the arts, from feeling deeply, from connecting to our humanity. Now, museums are open and live music is returning. We will once again have the experience of singing along with abandon with our favorite artist. We will reach up into the sky with de-

ARTS CENTER

from page 1

Starting July 23, the center will begin opening for big in-person events. “This is really our grand opening in many ways,” said Michelle Mac Lennan, the center’s general manager. An upcoming free summer concert series will allow up to 480 attendees to sit and watch the performance from inside the auditorium. The event will also be streamed live online. Mac Lennan said her staff intentionally reduced seating limits for the summer concerts in an effort to maintain some distance between attendees and to gradually ease the public back into full-capacity crowds. “It’s hard to go from zero to 1,500,” she said. “So, this is part of a strategy.” A Boz Scaggs concert on Sept. 24 will be the center’s first ticketed event at full capacity. Most of the center’s following events for the rest of this year are expected to allow full audiences. The 2021-2022 season currently includes an evening with Amy Grant, a puppet parody of “The Golden Girls,” a Bruce Springsteen musical tribute, and a theatrical comedy about the life of Winston Churchill. Although the return to in-person events is a positive sign that the center is reverting back to its pre-pandemic routines, there’s still some uncertainty surrounding how the institution’s finances will hold up in the future. In a normal year, the center would be selling subscription packages to customers and generating a enough revenue to carry the theater through the whole season. But the touring industry has been

BOARD

from page 6

inflamed her supporters. On the other side of the spectrum, Wirth criticized Rohrs, a vocal critic of CRT and equity, for doing similar damage within the community’s conservative circles.

light as we sway to the beat of “our song.” We will have the honor once again of being part of a community for one singular moment, brought together by music. Chandler Center for the Arts has missed seeing its space humming with the joy and excitement of a performance. We will do all of this with the health and safety of our patrons, volunteers and staff as our highest priority. We are following guidelines set by the CDC and local health officials so that this transition to in-person performances is comfortable for everyone. Patrons who are unvaccinated will be encouraged to continue to wear masks and maintain a distance of 6 feet from those who are not in their household. CCA staff will provide patrons with clear communication of the most up-

to-date policies and protocols to ticket-holders in advance of all performances. We know everyone isn’t ready for in-person events; we want to meet you where you are. We will continue to present our virtual series CCA Anywhere, bringing online concerts from local and national artists. As a member of the Board of the organization that oversees the CCA, I am proud of the work that staff are doing to create a return for the community. The concerts for the 2021-2022 are as diverse as the community we serve. From GRAMMY winners Ledisi, Boney James, Clint Black and Amy Grant to energetic emerging artists like We Banjo 3, La Santa Cecilia, Sons of Serendip and MV Caldera, while also keeping CCA traditions like the 22nd annual Mariachi and Folklorico Festival, there is truly something for everyone.

Delve into our shows and you will also find tickets priced for youth so the whole family can enjoy an evening of music together. In August, look for the Free Summer Concert Series to return, easing patrons back into being in a theatre with limited capacity and socially distanced seating, as well as a live stream option of each performance. I hope to see you at the CCA, helping us celebrate our re-opening over the next year. It is time to reconnect to the arts, each other, our community. For additional information go to chandlercenter.org. Candy Yu is a board member for the Chandler Cultural Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by the City of Chandler to oversee all programming and operations of the Chandler Center for the Arts.

reluctant to fully commit to booking acts. Some theaters haven’t been able to offer a complete season of events to their subscribers. It’s going to be tough season for the center, Mac Lennan said, since it will have to mostly depend on single-ticket sales for its current lineup of fall shows. The center will be seeking out some grants to help cushion any shortfall, she added, but competition will be high for any relief funds distributed by the federal government. Earlier this year, new legislation passed by Congress allotted $16 billion to a grant program that would specifically aid theaters and musical venues impacted by the pandemic. To qualify for the program’s first tier of grant allocations, a theater needs to have lost at least 90 percent of its gross revenue during the pandemic. Theaters with smaller revenue losses must wait two weeks or longer before applying for grant funding. Even though Chandler’s theater lost the majority of its revenue last year, Mac Lennan said it’s still not enough to satisfy the government’s initial eligibility requirements. “We lost 85 percent of our revenues last year,” she said. “It’s just devastating.” The center had been in a comfortable financial position before the pandemic, which Mac Lennan believes will help the organization endure the unstable months ahead. Regular patrons have remained loyal to the center throughout the pandemic by making generous donations and quickly purchasing tickets to upcoming events once they became available. “The sales look encouraging,” Mac Lennan said. “I think people are really

excited about coming back.” Located in the heart of downtown Chandler, the center has long been considered one of the city’s crown jewels. The theater was built about 30 years ago through a partnership between the city and the Chandler Unified School District. The facility was built large enough to be utilized by both students and adults. Programming is managed by a separate nonprofit entity led by Mac Lennan, but the city is still responsible for keeping up with the facility’s maintenance and capital expenses. Mac Lennan said this unique partnership has proved to be beneficial to the center during the pandemic, since her nonprofit didn’t need to worry about a substantial amount of operational costs. The center has earned a reputation as an institution that has almost always operated in the black and kept its doors open for the community. During the darkest days of the Great Recession, the center still found a way to weather through the economic downturn and continue offering programming. Mac Lennan said her staff has learned during the pandemic what the center’s vulnerabilities are and will begin to rethink how they can be more adaptive to a business model that doesn’t rely solely on in-person programming. This year could be the beginning of a “hybrid” era for the performing arts, she said, that might include continued dependence on virtual platforms to deliver events to homebound patrons. There will always be a demand for live entertainment, Mac Lennan added, but the method in how theaters deliver

entertainment may begin to look different in the future. “I don’t think anyone knows the long-term impact,” she said. “No one’s ever done this before.”

Rohrs defended his beliefs by calling equity as nothing more than a tool to promote tribalism and identity politics. “Do not judge our kids and discriminate them about who they are, where they came from, or how they live,” Rohrs said. “All of your policies need to treat these kids as individuals and not as an identity.” Love disparaged Wirth for calling out

herself and a private citizen during a board meeting and demanded he apologize. Wirth adamantly refused. Board President Barbara Mozdzen attempted to end the contentious meeting on a calming note by offering her reasoning for the merits of equity. The concept of equity is to give students what they need, she said, because

students from different backgrounds have different needs. The way a parent raises a toddler is different than how they raise a teenager, she explained, because they have different needs. “We are trying to bring equity to the students here so that they can get what they need to be successful in life, career, and in college,” Mozdzen said.

Let the show begin

The celebratory concert series will begin July 23 and features bands of Motown, classic rock, jazz, blues and modern-day pop on the main stage at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250. N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Bands include Notes From Neptune (July 23), Kim Weston Jazz Quartet (Aug. 6), Sandra Basset Motown Review (Aug. 13), Big Pete Pearson (Aug. 20) and Marmalade Skies (Aug. 27). The Summer Concerts will have limited capacity so the public is encouraged to RSVP at chandlercenter.org/summer2021. All seats are free of charge with general seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open one hour prior to show time. For those who wish to have a front-row experience from home, each concert will be live-streamed. RSVP for the fun at chandlercenter. org/summer2021. Each summer concert will feature exclusive flash ticket sales for upcoming performances and attendees can explore The Gallery at CCA to view Take a Hike, an exhibition inspired by Arizona’s incredible parks, trails and public lands. Exhibition runs through Aug. 14.

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

ImprovMania expands with new space downtown BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

ImprovMania, Chandler’s long-running comedy theater, has found a new home that is more centrally located to downtown after buying a building from the city. A city-owned building on the east side of Boston Street will soon be occupied by ImprovMania’s team of comedians as the space is transformed into a new entertainment venue between SoHo63 and Inchin’s Bamboo Garden. Last month, City Council authorized a purchase agreement, selling the empty building to ImprovMania for an appraised value of $460,000. The city put out a request for interested parties in 2020 and received five proposals from various organizations. An evaluation committee vetted the applicants and made ImprovMania an offer to move into the space by the end of 2021. ImprovMania owners Dave and Colleen Specht said they have long wanted to find a permanent home for their theater and the city’s proposal seemed like the perfect match for that goal. “We’ve always liked downtown Chandler,” said Dave Specht. “We just didn’t think it’d ever be possible to actually own anything down there.” The property was originally acquired by the city years ago as part of its plan to redevelop and revitalize downtown.

ImprovMania owners Dave and Colleen Specht, accompanied by their children Keegan, 11, and Molly, 8, are thrilled with the comedy theater's new venue in downtown Chandler. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

Starting in the early 2010s, the opening of a new City Hall attracted new development and the city saw vacancy rates starting to decline. The relocation of ImprovMania to a position situated within walking distance of restaurants could help the city fulfill its goal in turning the entire downtown area into a regional enter-

RestauRant

tainment destination. The city wanted to give pedestrians more incentives to cross Arizona Avenue, Specht said, so ImprovMania could potentially become the impetus to get downtown’s patrons to explore more of the area. “One of the things Chandler wanted to do was get the public across

the street,” he said. “We’re basically expanding the footprint that visitors to downtown Chandler walk.” ImprovMania first opened at its present location near Arizona Avenue and Frye Road in 2014 and gradually built up a loyal following of patrons. Every Friday and Saturday night, the Spechts and their squad of improvisers could be seen making up characters on the spot, encouraging audiences to laugh with unscripted vignettes. ImprovMania slowly built up a brand in Chandler, Specht said, as a go-to spot for all types of comedy and performing arts. As their brand became more prominent around the Valley, the Specht’s theater started branching out to new projects and opportunities. But the pandemic forced a slew of challenges the Spechts had never encountered. Once their theatre was closed by a statewide shutdown order, the Spechts transitioned to comedy shows online and asking their local fanbase for donations. Money generated by those fundraisers helped ImprovMania make its lease payments on its current space throughout the pandemic. The theatre’s youth program also transitioned to a digital format and continued producing online shows for its dozens of young acting students. See

IMPROV on page 11

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Mr. Nice Guy opens new Mesa teen center for that thing “thatSearch makes you unique BY TOM SCANLON Staff Writer

Oh, the irony. Back in 1972, Alice Cooper scored a smash hit with “School’s Out,” smothering an old anthem with a devilish warning: “School’s out for summer School’s out forever School’s been blown to pieces” Forty-nine years later, school’s out for summer – and a teen center is open. And Vincent Damon “Alice Cooper” Furnier has become a solid, even respected educator. Last week, he opened The Rock Mesa at 122 N Country Club Drive – the second Alice Cooper Solid Rock Teen Center following the successful original center in Phoenix and one that serves the East Valley, including Chandler. And yes, he sees the irony. “Yes,” he said with a laugh, when an interviewer called his anthem “the ultimate anarchy song.” Shortly after heading to Los Angeles to try to make it, Cooper and company started wearing extravagant makeup and filling shows with gushing fake

… Everyone has it. It’s just finding it and mining it. That’s the whole idea behind Solid Rock. Come in, find your talent and then work on it. Nurture it. That’s what we’re here to do: to encourage that.

”

– Alice Cooper

The Rock Mesa at 122 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa, is the second Alice Cooper Solid Rock Teen Center, following the successful original center in Phoenix. It opened this week. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

to hold”) and “No More Mr. Nice Guy.” He smiles slyly in recalling his time as “every parent’s worst nightmare;” but now, with his positive-focused teen centers, the grandfatherly rocker is almost officially Mr. Nice Guy. Slender and athletic at 73, Alice Cooper (his legal name for 40 years) visited his new Mesa teen center Wednesday of opening week. He was thrilled to see the finished product, a bright, colorful center with a professional-level recording studio, spacious dance space and multiple classrooms. When he was attending Cortez High in Glendale, the East Valley was the other side of the world to Cooper. “Mesa might as well have been Los Angeles,” he said with a cackling laugh. The then-Vince Furnier had his first lightbulb moment at 14, when he was painting a house and heard Mayor John Giles and Vice Mayor Jenn Duff welcomed Alice Cooper to Mesa. The Rock and Roll Hall of his first Beatles song on the Fame member and music legend opened his second Alice Cooper Solid Rock Teen Center here this week. radio. He called his friend (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer) blood to accompany “shock rock” hits like “Welcome to My Nightmare,” “I Love the Dead” (“I love the dead before they’re cold/They’re bluing flesh for me

ALL DINING SETS & UPHOLSTERY

Dennis Dunnaway, and the two taught themselves how to play, recruiting Glen Buxton to round out a band they called the Spiders. A few years later, the band became Alice Cooper and the lead singer became a rock star. He did his best to live up to the image, partying with the likes of John Lennon, Harry Nilsson and Keith Moon. Cooper called his unofficial drinking club the Hollywood Vampires (he later formed a supergroup of the same name, with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and movie star/musician Johnny Depp). In the early 1980s, Cooper noticed something about his partying pals: They were dead. He sobered up, kept cranking out albums and touring. Except for a year he used to focus on sobriety, the pandemic was the only time in his 50-year music career he wasn’t on the road for at least half of the year. Eight years ago, the father of three decided to start nurturing the youth of Phoenix. “That all had to do with my religious experience. I was a prodigal son. I grew up in a Christian home. My dad was a pastor. I was a Christian. The band came along and I went as far away as I could get from that. I became the poster boy See

COOPER on page 12

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

DISTRACTED

from page 1

penalties that can result in texting while driving. Violators are liable to pay a fine between $75 and $149 for the first citation and up to $250 for the subsequent infractions. Chandler is certainly not leading the state in the number of tickets it’s already handed out for distracted driving. The Arizona Department of Public Safety, which patrols the state’s highways, has issued more than 4,000 citations for drivers caught using their phone. Phoenix Police reportedly issued more than 800 tickets since the start of this year. Ever since cellphones began to proliferate in the early 2000s, state legislators across the country have been attempting to prevent them becoming a major contributor to motor vehicle accidents. Nearly every state has passed some sort of law that completely or partially prohibits cell phone usage while driving. New York became the first state to outlaw hand-held phones for all drivers in 2001. Another 29 states, including Arizona, have adopted similar laws over

IMPROV

from page 9

After seven months of closure, ImprovMania reopened last October for small-scale, in-person shows and cautiously began to return to normal operations. Specht said the Boston Street loca-

the last 20 years. Arizona was prompted to enact stricter driving laws after a Salt River Police officer was allegedly struck and killed by a distracted driver in January 2019. Officer Clayton Townsend was hit by a motorist on the Loop 101 freeway while he was conducting a traffic stop near McKellips Road. Jerry Sanstead, 42, of Scottsdale was later identified as the driver who allegedly hit Townsend. Police said Sanstead admitted to using his cell phone shortly before the accident. Sanstead was indicted for manslaughter last year and he’s scheduled to go to trial in October. Townsend had been working at Salt River Police for five years at the time of his death. The 26-year-old officer left behind a wife and an infant child. A couple months after Townsend’s death, the Arizona Legislature was pressured to pass a bill that would strengthen the state’s driving laws and deter motorists from using their cell phones. Townsend’s family publicly advocated for passing the anti-texting bill and rejoiced the day it was signed into law by Gov. Doug Ducey. “Although we feel the pain everyday of

losing Clayton,” Toni Townsend, the officer’s mother, said in 2019, “we hope that this much-needed reform can save lives to countless others moving forward.” The legislation received widespread support from law enforcement associations, insurance companies, and medical professionals. Chandler was one of several municipalities across Arizona to publicly signal their support for enacting the bill. Most of Chandler’s legislative representatives favored the new law with the exception of state Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, who voted against the bill and introduced his own legislation that more broadly outlawed any distracting object that impedes a driver’s attention. Some recent national studies indicate distracted driving laws could have an impact on lowering fatal car accidents among teenage drivers. A 2020 report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that areas with anti-texting laws had a crash fatality rate that was 29 percent lower than regions with more lenient rules. “Adoption of universal handheld cellphone bans in all states may reduce the incidence of distracted driving and decrease (motor vehicle) fatalities,” the

study’s authors wrote. National data shows that distraction was a contributing factor in causing car accidents that killed more than 3,000 people in 2019. Only 422 of these nationwide deaths reportedly involved the use of a cellphone before the accident, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute. In 2019, nearly 10,500 drivers involved in crashes throughout Arizona were allegedly engaged in distracted driving behavior. But the state’s data is not considered to be completely accurate because distracted driving is often underreported since drivers often don’t admit to using their cellphones, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. For the last few months, ADOT has been spearheading a statewide campaign to dissuade motorists from picking up their phones while driving. “Plenty of people think they’re excellent drivers and they can multitask behind the wheel. They’re all wrong,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said earlier this year. “People become dangerous drivers when they shift their attention from the road ahead to the tiny screen on their phone.”

tion could offer some new opportunities by providing a space with a different layout and open floor plan. The theater’s current space has a small lobby that doesn’t allow for much mingling between performers and patrons. Specht said the new venue has a more inviting atmosphere that has space for serving drinks and a small menu.

The new location also allows for spectators to wander in off the street and get a taste of what ImprovMania has to offer, he said. “We’re going to have it a little more open during the evening and maybe the afternoon,” Specht added. The Spechts will be spending the next few weeks planning a robust per-

formance schedule that will make room for visiting acts to utilize ImprovMania’s new stage. The couple still intends to continue using their current space as a rehearsal space for their youth theatre or hosting its many improvisational classes. “We have plenty to keep both spaces busy and occupied,” Specht said.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

COOPER

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

from page 10

for everything that parents did not want to see. “And then I came back,” he said, patting a long, varnished table at the new teen center, where kids will soon be joining forces to tap into their creative spirits. “This is kind of the result of that. How do we know the kid out there selling drugs isn’t a great guitar player? He doesn’t know that - he’s never had a guitar in his hands. “So what if we pull him in off the street and say, ‘Look, you can get just as addicted to a guitar as you can to meth. And you can be in a band, not a gang.’ “And it works.” He said he loves to drop in and watch the young performers having their own lightbulb moments. “You can’t get the kids off the stage ... And the other kids cheer them on. It’s great to see,” he said. You can’t beat the “cover charge”: The Rock is free and open to anyone 12-20 years old. Hours are 2-7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registration is required at alicecoopersolidrock.com/the-rock-mesa. Classes include guitar, drum and even ukulele instruction. Teachers will also share tips on making hip-hop beats and how the music industry works. And the teen center isn’t just about making music, as classes are offered in dance (a nod to Cooper’s wife of 43 years, dancer-choreographer Sheryl Goddard), art, fashion and mask making.

As these teens demonstratred at its opening, the new Alice Cooper Solid Rock Center will be a venue for dance, music, visual arts and all things creative. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

The Mesa Solid Rock space is 12,000 square feet compared to the existing Phoenix center’s 28,000 square feet but it will include numerous studios, rehearsal rooms and a performance stage, as well as a basketball court and game room. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member stressed he wants to give teenagers the confidence to tap into their creative spirit: “Search for that thing that makes you unique … Everyone has it. It’s just finding it and mining it. That’s the whole idea behind Solid Rock. Come in, find

your talent and then work on it. Nurture it. That’s what we’re here to do: to encourage that.” I He said eight years of the original Solid Rock produced solid results, in surprising ways. “We’ve noticed there were kids coming in and parents would say to us, ‘I don’t know what you’re doing, but my kid’s getting better grades. My kids are talking to me now. My kids are wanting to do things at home with us because when they get into that school, they open up’,” he said.

“It’s easy when you’re a teenager to get introverted because you’re, ‘Everybody’s against me,’” he added. “I was a teenager. I was like that.” “Kids can come in here and find what they’re good at,” Cooper said. “They might want to be a tattoo artist. Or maybe they’ll pick up a bass and think, ‘Wait a minute, I can play this!’ “And then they’re here every day.” For more information, including how to donate and/or volunteer, call 602-522-9200 or email info@alicecoopersolidrock.com.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Chandler Police aim to become more diverse BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The Chandler Police Department says it’s progressing on improving the diversity of its officers in order to better reflect the city’s demographics. During a recent discussion on equity and diversity with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, the department’s leaders said they’re slowly improving the make-up of its personnel to be more inclusive to women and people of color. Assistant Chief Bryan Cox said at least 15 percent of officers recently hired in Chandler identify as Hispanic, 8 percent Black and 70 percent white. According to federal census data, more than 20 percent of Chandler’s residents identify as Hispanic, 74 percent are white, 11 percent are Asian, and 5 percent are Black. Cox said the goal is to eventually have the agency’s officers closely reflect the community they serve. It takes a long time to reach that diversity goal, he noted, but Chandler is gradually getting there. In a profession long dominated by men, Chandler Police say it has also improved its demographics to be more balanced between genders and that it continues to strive to be more representative. About 80 percent of the city’s current officers are men and 20 percent are women. Eighteen years earlier, women accounted for only 8 percent of Chandler’s officers. Minorities and women have regular-

Participating in the virtual roundtable were, clockwise from top left: Officer Stephen Barnes, Asst. Chief Bryan Cox, William Crawford and Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

ly applied to become police officers in Chandler, but many have not made it through the city’s selective hiring process. In 2004, the East Valley Tribune found one group of 145 police applicants included 18 women and none of them made it to the final six candidates

considered by the city. Out of a class of 44 officers hired by Chandler Police in the early 2000s, fewer than 13 percent were women and only 9 percent were Hispanic. None were Black. People of color working as officers have said their presence can have a

positive effect on citizens who may have had negative experiences with law enforcement in the past. Chandler Officer Stephen Barnes, who was hired in 2019, said he’s noticed his See

DIVERSITY on page 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Veterans suicide topic of Chandler workshop SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The City of Chandler Diversity Office is partnering with a nonprofit to present a suicide prevention program for veterans. Operation Shockwave, a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention among veterans, will host a Military Mental Resilience Fair 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, June 25, at the Mathew B. Juan American Legion Post 35, 2240 W. Chandler Blvd. The first annual event is an opportunity for local veterans to connect with a wide range of organizations and services they may be eligible for, making it a one-stopshop opportunity.

DIVERSITY

from page 14

race having an impact on the Black citizens he has contact with while on duty. Barnes said he has conducted traffic stops where the driver is Black and they suddenly look relieved once they notice he is as well. Diversity has been a particularly sensitive subject in a city that has experienced instances of racial profiling in its past. In 1997, a class-action lawsuit accused Chandler Police of rounding up Hispanic residents and questioning them on their citizenship. The five-day raids caused a major rift between law enforcement and Chandler’s Hispanic community, eventually resulting in the city paying out a $400,000 settlement for civil rights violations.

“Since working with Operation Shockwave, we’ve learned there are more than 13,000 veterans that live in our city,” said Niki Tapia, Chandler Diversity Office. “We’re committed to assist with outreach to ensure our veteran community is aware of all of resources available at this event and through Operation Shockwave.” During the free event, there will be a series of workshops and attendees can sign up for any individual one or all of them during registration the day of the fair. The workshops are: 8-845 a.m., “Emotional Freedom Technique:

Tapping,” presented by CaS Facciponti, co-founder of Operation Shockwave; 10-10:45 a.m., “Living with PTSD,” presented by Adam Bigelow, of the PTSD Foundation, Arizona Chapter; 1111:45 a.m., “How Trauma Affects Your Window of Tolerance,” presented by Laura Wood of Benavieri Counseling; Also, noon-12:45 p.m. “Breath Work for Mental Health and a Discussion in Cold Therapies,” presented by Ryan Anderson; 1-1:45 p.m., “Signs You Are Questioning Your Faith,” presented by Marcus Ray. There also will be a workshop titled “VA Loans and the Homebuyers

Experience” presented by Lee Griffith of MilSpec from 2–2:45 p.m. Additional services available at the fair include: an informational booth on licenses and services; college enrollment services; VA eligibility and enrollment; VA disability claim assistance; palliative and hospice options; veteran court; case management; AHCCCS/DES applications; counseling services; faith-based support services; haircuts; chiropractic evaluations; massage chairs; as well as several food vendors. Information: outreach@ operationshockwave.org or operationshockwave.org.

Since the infamous roundups, the department has attempted to improve how officers interact with minority communities. Cox said the city has been conducting implicit bias and mental health training for years and will continue to have officers undergo the training on a regular basis. The city also is continuing to boost its efforts to recruit a broad pool of applicants, Cox added, by introducing new marketing strategies and offering monetary incentives to new hires. Few applicants actually make it all the way through the city’s extensive vetting process, which ends in a one-on-one meeting with Police Chief Sean Duggan – who has the final say on whether the candidate gets to wear a badge in Chandler. The city is not looking to hire perfect people, Duggan said, but they’re looking to hire honest people.

Chandler has worked diligently to earn the trust of its community, the chief added, and it needs new officers who can help the city maintain that valuable trust. The Chandler department simply wants applicants willing to perform a difficult job and who are interested in making a difference in their community, the chief said. Policing in America has come under greater scrutiny in the last year due to a series of lethal incidents across the country that ended in the deaths of unarmed citizens. Protestors have marched in cities all over the country, demanding for changes in local municipalities that can prevent instances of police brutality. Chandler Police officers have a relatively low rate of incidents involving violence committed against suspects. Public records show Chandler’s officers made 132 applications of force during

the 6,600 arrests they made in 2020. Duggan said his agency has reacted to the recent calls for reform by implementing more than a dozen new policies that boost transparency and attempt to hold officers more accountable. Even if Chandler is making strides in strengthening its diversity and inclusion efforts, it may have a difficult time in the near future recruiting enough talented applicants who can satisfy the city’s standards. Police departments across the country have been grappling with a sudden decline in workforce after a massive cohort of officers left the profession during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Washington-based Police Executive Research Forum, resignations among police officers increased by 18 percent over the last year and retirements spiked by 45 percent.

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City offers 10 summer fun suggestions culture, history and art at-home with a themed activity box. Each Chandler Museum in a Box includes instructions and supplies for three-five activities. Museum in a Box is available for sale in the Museum Store, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive.

BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

Summer is officially here with 110+ degree weather happening more frequently than not. The heat can be intense, but remember that we live in the beautiful State of Arizona to avoid the extreme cold and we never have to worry about shoveling snow in Chandler. There is still plenty to do and experience in Chandler this summer – both indoors and outdoors. Here’s our list of the top 10 activities to check out in the weeks and months ahead. 1. Free summer concert series All in-person seats are free of charge with general seating on a first-come, first-served basis. The events also will be live-streamed, so you can get your dance on in the comfort of your own home. Whether you are attending in-person or want a front-row experience at home, all attendees are asked to RSVP. View the series line up and RSVP online at chandlercenter.org/Summer2021. 2. Explore exhibits at Chandler Museum Chandler Museum is a perfect place to explore local history topics or national traveling exhibits showcasing culture, history and art. Located near Chandler Fashion Center, the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10

This family photo is part of the Chandler Museum’s a new photography exhibit called “Black and White in Black and White: Images of Dignity, Hope and Diversity in America.” It will open June 29. (City of Chandler)

a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1–5 p.m. Currently, the featured exhibition is “Bigger Than Boxing: Zora Folley and the 1967 Heavyweight Title.” This 3,000-square-foot exhibit features the stories of two boxers in that prize fight: Muhammad Ali and Chandler’s own Zora Folley. This exhibit will be available through early 2022.

Starting June 29, the museum will unveil a new photography exhibit called “Black and White in Black and White: Images of Dignity, Hope and Diversity in America.” This exhibit will feature 31 large-scale photos captured by African American photographer John Johnson from 1910 to 1925. Information: chandlermuseum.org. Another fun activity to try… dive into

3. Take a hike While it may be too hot to hike during the summer afternoon, be sure to stop by the Chandler Galleries to see the “Take a Hike” exhibit. Local artists were invited to share their appreciation and experiences of hiking the myriad trails across Arizona. “Take a Hike” is featured at both The Gallery at CAA, located inside the Center for the Arts, and the Vision Gallery at Chandler City Hall. The goal of this exhibition is to foster a love and appreciation for the parks, forests, and waterways that constitute our public lands. Be sure to check it out before it comes to an end on Aug. 14. Visit visiongallery.org for more information, including a list of exhibiting artists. 4. Breaktime activities There are several community and recreation centers in Chandler that offer fun, safe, quality programs and See

INSIDER on page 18

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INSIDER

CITY OF CHANDLER INSIDER

options. There are so many ways to #GoPlayChandler! Visit chandleraz.gov/ parks.

from page17

activities for residents and visitors yearround – the Downtown Community Center, Senior Center, Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Snedigar Recreation Center and the Environmental Education Center. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself with a fitness class, try out a new enrichment activity or pick up a hobby for the summer, Chandler Parks & Recreation offers affordable sports, fitness and leisure opportunities for all. Check out chandleraz.gov/breaktime to see what catches your eye. 5. Find your park Next month is National Parks and Rec Month and what better way to celebrate the month than to check out what Chandler Parks has to offer. Use our new search filter on your computer or smart device. Search by your proximity to find what parks are in the area by your specific interests or needs. Whether it’s an early morning walk along a trail or taking the kids to a splash pad – there are countless

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local airport could attract more tenants to the area, Mocarski added, and heighten the property’s value to the business community. “The adjacency to the Chandler Municipal Airport will create additional opportu-

6. Slide into summer Chandler Aquatic centers and pools provide a safe, affordable and fun way to beat the heat. Our six facilities offer unique features such as water slides, lazy rivers, shallow-water pools and more. Our Aquatics Division also offers swim classes, water aerobics, paddleboard yoga, swim teams and even diving lessons. For locations, hours of operation, or to register online, visit chandleraz.gov/aquatics. 7. Read On, Chandler Chandler’s four public libraries offer another cool escape from the scorching summer days. From Early Learning and Literacy centers or story time for young children, there are countless free events and activities for all age groups. You don’t even need to leave your home… with your free library card you can access free classes, check out music, movies or newspapers from around the world – even learn a new language. Visit chandlerlibrary.org for hours and a complete listing of events offered at the Downtown, Hamilton, Basha and Sunset nities for users at this location,” he said. Phase one of construction would include constructing two flex buildings that would offer up to 150,000 square-feet of commercial space. The “flex” distinction offers some variety in how the property could be leased out upon completion. “The two proposed flex industrial buildings allow for a mix of uses including

Get your student back on track.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

libraries. And don’t forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Program! 8. Red, White and Boom! Chandler’s annual July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at Tumbleweed Park is a tradition you don’t want to miss. This year’s fireworks show will give our community the chance to have fun while responsibly staying safe to celebrate our nation’s independence. Admission is free and $5 pre-purchased parking pass is required for event entry. Space is limited, so don’t delay getting your pass online! Gates to the parking lots will open at 7 p.m., and the 20-minute fireworks display will start at 9 p.m. Light snacks and (non-alcoholic) beverages will be available to purchase onsite. Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and get ready to enjoy family time and fireworks. For more event details, or to purchase an event parking pass, check out chandleraz.gov/4thofjuly.

unteers to help distribute and prepare school supplies for students in need. Check out the different volunteer opportunities available in preparation for the big event at bit.ly/2021-OBTS. The City also has a Let’s Pull Together Program that helps our elderly residents, persons with disabilities, veterans and families experiencing hardships. Projects include yard work, painting and minor repairs. Sweating for a cause is always good for the soul! For more information, contact our Neighborhood Programs Office at 480-782-4348 or email neighborhood.programs@chandleraz.gov.

9. Give back and volunteer If you have some extra time on your hands this summer, how about giving back? Chandler’s upcoming Operation Back to School is always in need of vol-

10. Cool down with a sweet treat There are countless dining options available in every part of the City. If you’re looking to try something new, we can help with that. Whether it’s a certain type of cuisine, a craft brewery or a local shop to satisfy a craving for sweets – we got you covered. Check out visitchandler.com/restaurants for a complete list of options to try all summer long. There is much more to see and do in Chandler. Be sure to check out visitchandler.com for more activities and chandleraz.gov, too.

manufacturing, research, development, and office uses,” a city memo states. The Technology Center will be asking the planning commission to approve a preliminary development plan for site layout and construction. No objections have been made against the project and city staff have already recommended its approval.

Another commercial project the planning commission will review later this month involves constructing an 86,000-square-foot office building near McClintock Drive and Chandler Boulevard. The 6-acre project would be an addition to the Chandler Corporate Center, which already houses several office buildings.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

9 Chandler Scouts celebrate Eagle rank SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Boy Scouts Troop 283 of Chandler recently held a ceremony for nine of 13 Scouts who have earned their Eagle rank in the last 17 months Scoutmaster Ross Lemire said the boys achieved Scouting’s highest rank but celebrating their achievement individually was difficult because of the pandemic. While the troop met online or outside in person, Lemire said, it “had a difficult time being able to celebrate the greatest personal achievement in scouting.” On June 6, nine of the 13 Scouts gathered for a joint celebration at Chandler United Methodist Church, the troop’s charter organization, which only recently had opened its doors for inside services. Those whose achievement were celebrated June 6 were Scouts Ryan Lemire, Louis Stewart, Ethan Merritt, Xavier Dion, Dominic Cangemi, Austin Harris, Josh Morris, Liam Nance and Cody Kuring. The four other boys who earned the Eagle rank were Joey Vullo, Jake Black, Nathaniel Miles and Suhan Kachiola. “Many of these Scouts have been in Scouting since they were 5-year-old Cub Scouts,” Lemire said. “In addition to the skills, merit badges, and leadership positions each Scout had to complete for their previous six ranks, for

Eagle Scouts in Troop 283 of Chandler, led by Scoutmaster Ross Lemire, were honored at a recent ceremony include, from left: top row: Ryan Lemire, Louis Stewart, Ethan Merritt, Xavier Dion and Dominic Cangemi; bottom: Austin Harris, Josh Morris, Liam Nance and Cody Kuring. Not pictured are four other troop members who also earned Eagle rank in the last 17 months: Joey Vullo, Jake Black, Nathaniel Miles and Suhan Kachiola. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

the Rank of Eagle, the thing that truly sets this apart is the requirement for that Scout to plan, organize and lead a service project in their community. “Community service is a core value

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GOP leaders slam Gilbert lawmaker’s jobless pay stance BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

One of the State House members representing most of Gilbert opposes any increase in unemployment benefits, which are now the second lowest in the nation – putting him at odds with several influential fellow Republicans. Freshman Republican Rep. Jake Hoffman of Legislative District 12 supports the $1.9 billion in tax cuts but thinks there are things in the package that are too generous. He specifically wants to quash the proposed increase in unemployment benefits. Arizona law entitles those who lose their jobs through no fault of their own to collect up to 50 percent of what they were earning. But state law caps that weekly payment at $240, the second lowest in the nation; only Mississippi pays less. The package would take that figure to $320 a week. That, said Hoffman, is not acceptable. “Taxing small business to pay potential employees more money to not work is just bad policy, plain and simple,’’ he said. “We don’t need more welfare,’’ Hoffman said. “We need more people out there pursuing jobs that are out there in the marketplace right now.’’ But a fellow House Republican representative chastised Hoffman. Rep. Regina Cobb, R-Kingman, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, said Hoffman can’t get what he wants. She said the benefits increase is part of the deal negotiated not just with Senate Republicans but also with Ducey. More significant, Senate President Karen Fann fired a warning salvo at House Republicans who are trying to kill her proposal to hike unemployment benefits. In essence, she said they need to recognize that it’s a going-home bill for her – and that it’s not good for their future political fortunes to tick off the Senate president. “I’m a ‘no’ on the budget without it,” Fann said of the jobless pay hike. “I’m one of these people that tries

Rep. Jake Hoffman

Senate President Karen Fann

to work with everybody and help each other out. But that pendulum has swung a little too far in the other way where there’s definitely a lack of respect for leadership, much less the other (legislative) chamber.”\Hoffmn declined comment except to issue a statement stating he is working for a budget reflecting “the conservative principles every Republican legislaor promised to their voters.” Efforts by the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass a new state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 are stalled as some legislators sided with Democrats amid concerns that the proposed tax cut is too generous for the rich and will cripple municipalities. Gov. Doug Ducey, who is championing a $1.9 billion tax cut and creating a flat tax rate, said even that could be negotiable. Ducey on Thursday also called for a special session of the Legislature to address wildfires and their aftermath. That session will run concurrently with the current regular session. Ducey said he is particular concerned about the coming high temperatures this week as well as the impact of heavy monsoon rains on scorched areas of the state. What’s working in favor of the Democrats on the stalled budget talks is that there is at least one GOP holdout in both the House and Senate unwilling

to support the $12.8 billion spending plan and $1.9 billion in permanent tax cuts the governor is pushing. About the only thing the Senate intends to do is start the process of seeking an override of the 22 bills Ducey vetoed two weeks ago after he got miffed when lawmakers decided to recess for two weeks when a budget deal first fell apart. “It’s challenge when you have 31 and 16,’’ Fann said Wednesday, referring, respectively, to the GOP membership in the 60-member House and 30-member Senate. “Everybody knows they’re number 31 or 16. It creates a very tough working situation.’’ Ducey, for his part, said he’s going to engage with Rep. David Cook, R-Globe, and Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, whose votes he needs -- but does not have -for the plan. “We have some very thoughtful legislators that care about certain things,’’ he said when asked about the two GOP holdouts. “And I want to understand what’s important to them and make sure they understand what’s important to me and make sure we have a successful budget.’’ But it isn’t as simple as getting Cook and Boyer on board. Fann said if they get some of what they want, that could result in the loss of other Republican votes. And that is what could give Dem-

ocrats a seat at the negotiating table. Cook said he is not buying the arguments by Ducey and GOP leaders that permanently cutting $1.9 billion in income taxes would lead to future economic growth. He said it is wrong to make such a major change in tax policy without looking closer at the impact – and in a proposal that never got a public hearing. Like many Democrats, Cook has said he will support some form of tax cuts. But not this package. One part would create a single 2.5 percent income tax rate. That compares with the current four tiers with a top rate of 4.5 percent on amounts above $318,000. The other would impose an absolute cap of 4.5 percent on the total income taxes of any individual. As that includes the voter-approved 3.5 percent surcharge on incomes above $500,000 for couples, it would effectively mean a 1 percent tax on all other earnings. Rep. Ben Toma, R-Phoenix, said it makes sense to focus tax relief on those at the top of the income scale. “They’re the ones that tend to make the jobs and create the economic conditions that lead to economic improvement for the entire state,’’ he said. That drew a sharp retort from House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, D-Laveen. “The reality is, without these working-class people there wouldn’t be jobs, there wouldn’t be an economy, there wouldn’t be people making sure that people in Arizona have the ability to stand up and to be able to do the things that they want to do here in Arizona,’’ he said. The failure of the House to get the requisite 31 votes leaves not just the tax cut but the entire $12.8 billion budget in limbo. In the Senate, Boyer continues to hold out for an agreement that the taxcut package won’t harm cities. That’s because they get 15 percent of what the state collects in income taxes, part of a 1972 deal where local communities gave up the right to levy their own income and excise taxes. City officials say the current proposal leaves them short of where they are now.

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

EV parents seek answers in son’s murder BY TOM SCANLON Staff Writer

Unlike those who mindlessly drift through high school, Joe Seibold was a young man with a plan. The tattoo he got when he turned 17 said it all: “DREAM PLAN CONQUER.” He was a junior at Desert Ridge High School, just north of Eastmark, then took classes online to get his GED and fast-track to college and bigger things. His family says he was a hustler, always keeping busy with productive activities. Even though he already worked at the Apache Junction Safeway and was promoting his “vehicle detailing and headlight restoration” business on Instagram, he picked up another job knocking on doors to pitch residents about getting solar energy. “He was working for a guy we bought solar with right after we moved here from Milwaukee,” said Jeff Seibold, Joe’s father. “He was working on his schtick to get it down,” the father added, with a chuckle. The night of Feb. 17, Joe sent his father a text with a map of the homes he “cold called” a few hours before. Two minutes after he sent the text, the vibrant life of Joe Seibold was pouring out of his body. Someone shot Joe twice in the back of his head. Joe was sitting in the Jeep Cherokee he recently bought near South Chest-

Mesa Police Department is searching for two suspects accused of killing 17-year-old Joseph Seibold. The victim is pictured above, along with a sketch of one of the suspects.

Joe Seibold gave a friend a ride to buy marijuana, a teenager selling the drugs shot Joe in the back of the head, killing him.

(Mesa Police Department)

(Special to SanTan Sun News)

nut and East Third Drive, around the corner from South Gilbert and Broadway in central Mesa. A friend that was with Joe at first gave investigators the run-around, say Joe’s parents. The friend that the Seibolds wish Joe never met “lied to the cops for two weeks after Joe was killed,” said Marie Seibold, Joe’s mother. At first, the friend told police he and

Joe were driving to a skate park and got lost; when they pulled over to ask directions, they were rushed by young men with shotguns who demanded

money before shooting Joe. “Then he changed his story two weeks later,” Marie Seibold said. According to the Seibolds, Joe’s friend admitted to police he set up a marijuana buy on Snapchat and got Joe to drive him to the location. “As far as I’m concerned, he led our son to his death,” the mother said, her See

MURDER on page 22

Vacation Watch Program If you are planning a vacation, don’t forget to let the Chandler Police Department in on your plans. When a resident of Chandler goes on vacation, the Police Department can offer extra patrols to check on your property. Submit your request at least a week prior to your absence. Complete and submit the Vacation Watch form at ChandlerPD.com/vacation-watch.

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MURDER

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

from page 21

voice choked with anger. Details are murky, but apparently Joe pulled over at the location the friend had established to meet the drug sellers. The friend got out of the car to buy the weed – but something went wrong. “(The friend) comes back in the car and tells Joe, ‘Go! Go!,’” Joe’s father said. “But it’s not a fast car, and this guy shot him in the back of his head twice.” Mesa Police refuse to confirm or deny the Seibolds’ version of the murder. “It’s an ongoing investigation,” said Det. Brandi George, a Mesa police spokeswoman. “We can’t discuss details of the investigation.” Mesa Police did acknowledge they arrested one of three suspects involved in the shooting. Police refuse to give that suspect’s name, noting he is a juvenile. The Seibolds say the 15-year-old boy who was arrested was convicted in juvenile court. They are enraged that he will serve a sentence at a juvenile detention center, then be released when he becomes an adult. “All I got to say is ‘God help us all,’” Marie Seibold said, bouncing between tears of grief and screams of rage. “If you kill someone, you go to juvie for three years and get out at 18.”

Search for two suspects

According to a Mesa Police Department press release, “Three suspects were seen fleeing the area of the shooting.

Left: Joe celebrated his 17th birthday, which tragically turned out to be his last. Right: The tattoo he got when Joe Seibold turned 17 said it all about the young man with a big plan: “DREAM PLAN CONQUER.” He never had a chance to live his dreams, as Joe was murdered Feb. 17. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

One juvenile suspect was identified and charged, but the other two have not been identified and are still outstanding.” Police released a sketch of one of the suspects, using a description provided by a witness (likely Joe’s friend). “This suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his late teens with brown eyes,” the release stated. On May 14, the department released the suspect sketch on social media and via the press. No sketch of the other suspect was available. According to George, the publicity push produced “no updates as of yet.” Police ask anyone with information

on who killed Joseph Seibold to call the Mesa Police Department at 480-6442211 or Silent Witness at 480-W-I-T-N-ES-S, 480-948-6377, or 480-T-E-S-T-I-G-O for Spanish speaking.

The last text

Jeff Seibold was driving out of town for a business trip the night his son was shot. “At 10:37 (p.m.), Joe sent me his last text; he was shot at 10:39,” Jeff Seibold said. The casual tone of the text sticks with the father: “If he was worried about something, he wouldn’t be texting me about his day. We think (Joe’s friend) was a bad influence and got Joe into a bad situa-

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tion,” the father said. By giving his friend a ride, “Joe was just trying to be a good friend,” Jeff Seibold said, stressing his son was never in trouble. “All he did was work all the time and go out and sell solar. Or he was gaming. “The rest was all family.” The Seibolds also have a 15-year-old son and two adult daughters. The family moved to east Mesa from Wisconsin three years ago. “Joe was a good kid,” his father said. “The day he was shot, I told him we could go to Target and pick up a new pair of glasses. Then I had to go up to Nevada for business.” Eight hours after he last saw his son, Jeff Seibold was walking into a hotel room when his cell phone rang. It was a social worker at a hospital, telling him Joe was shot and in critical condition. Jeff Seibold called his wife and got back into his car. “I got to the hospital at 6 a.m.,” he said. “It was devastating, to look at Joe in his condition. I saw the images where the bullet ricocheted around his brain. The second bullet went in the same hole and lodged in the middle of his head.” “It’s unbelievably monstrous what that kid did,” Marie Seibold said. “Nobody knows what this is like – to lose a person this way,” the mother said, gasping for breath through tears. “It wasn’t an act of God – it was an act of a violent person.” Though one of the killers is in custody, the parents feel the justice system is horribly flawed. “Nothing’s going to bring my son back. He’s with God. And I’ve had to come to reality every single day,” Marie Seibold said. “But what message has been sent out to the public to protect their children?” “The message being sent,” Jeff Seibold answered, “is if you kill someone you can do three years and then get out.” “There’s nothing good about this story,” Marie Seibold said, the bitterness coating her voice. “He was a sharp go-getter,” the mother said of a son she will never again see and hear. “We need a lot more Joe’s than what’s walking around the streets.”

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Chinese Americans helped defeat PPE shortage BY HENRY GREENSTEIN Cronkite News

Sam Wang started keeping his “anti-epidemic diary” in May 2020. The first images show grateful medical personnel from health centers like Mountain Park and Dignity and Valleywise. Then, the nursing home staff from Pennington Gardens and Friendship Village, followed by police officers and firefighters from Phoenix, Chandler and Scottsdale. Centered in every photograph are stacks of cardboard boxes, covered in tape and rumpled around the edges from their transoceanic travel, carrying thousands of surgical masks made by Sanjiao Oral Health Co. in China. In the first months of the pandemic, when demand for personal protective equipment far exceeded supply, Wang helped lead a group called Chinese Americans COVID-19 Relief AZ, whose 40 volunteers used their language and organizational skills to secure 158,000 masks from China for communities in Arizona. Their efforts were supported by over $80,000 in donations, including almost $20,000 from area Chinese restaurants. Those shipments helped Arizona’s frontline workers fight early surges of COVID-19. They reached the state despite a fragmented supply chain, demonstrating the effectiveness of local-level diplomacy.

Sam Wang, organizer of the group Chinese-Americans COVID-19 Relief AZ, unloads boxes of face masks at Mountain Park Health Center last year, some of the 158,000 masks the group was able to secure last year for area first responders. (Courtesy Sam Wang)

“We have a big group that’s doing something I think is remarkable, so I want to write it down,” Wang, an agricultural scientist, wrote in a May 2020 entry in his journal. “That’s why some part of the journal is pretty detailed; I tried to put everybody’s name, whoever contributed, in there.” Between its inception on March 17, 2020, and its final donation to the

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Scottsdale Police Department on July 22, the group surmounted numerous logistical obstacles, including fickle regulations on international pandemic-related commerce. Several boxes were detained for failing to conform to marking requirements enacted after the group had already ordered them. “When this world (is) in crisis —

everybody in the panic mode — we are impacted, right?” said Susan Liu, an engineering manager at Intel who helped lead the donations. “I think as a part of the community we were in the situation (where) we feel we need to do something to help the community get better.” When Chinese Americans COVID-19 Relief AZ began fundraising, no one expected the donations or the pandemic to continue for so long. But the group’s history is meticulously preserved, in part because it communicated over the Chinese messaging app WeChat, and because of Wang’s journal. On March 17, 2020, Dr. Qun Lu of the Mayo Clinic mentioned in an investment-focused Chinese chat group that hospitals were suffering severe PPE shortages. Wang started a separate chat with Lu and three others to organize donations to medical facilities in Arizona. The group ballooned in size that night, and Wang quickly realized he would need a nonprofit organization. He connected with Liu, who introduced the group to Hope Chinese School, the nonprofit where she had volunteered for 10 years. She said the school’s board members became “the backbone,” providing “legal liability work and accounting work, along with chipping in on the See

PPE on page 24

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donations.” Liu coordinated the group’s donations. Liu estimated that they tested over 100 vendors to ensure quality. “The first 10 days or 20 days,” Angel Wang said, “every night was, ‘Let’s talk about which vendors to select. Did they pass this test? They didn’t send in this paper yet.’” The group placed an initial order for 100,000 surgical masks from Sanjiao. That night, after completing her shift at the Mayo Clinic, Lu tested the equipment once more, so the group could

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from page 19

volunteers to make thousands of masks “while another started collecting technology hardware for recycling, but ended up rebuilding a few hundred laptops that were given to students who need laptops to support required online classes.” “If you happen to visit the Chandler Railway Museum,” Lemire added, “you will see at least four different Eagle projects that Scouts planned and led to earn their Eagle rank. In all, the service projects led by these Eagle Scouts resulted in over 1,600 hours of community service from over 150 volunteers.” Here’s a look at what the nine who were honored this month did to learn Eagle rank. Ryan Lemire, the son of Ross and

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

make its first donations to Mountain Park, Dignity Health, Banner Health and more. Meanwhile, the group wrangled a second shipment with the help of a new ally in Nanjing, China: Yang Wang. He and his business partner, Yusheng Huang, understood the urgency of the donations, working late hours and forgoing commissions to aid people they barely knew, Angel Wang said. Late in April 2020, multiple orders stalled in customs after the Chinese government retroactively applied a new box-marking policy to masks that had already been ordered. The volunteers reached out to Rick Gerrard, vice president of Phoenix

Sister Cities, which has a sister city relationship with Chengdu. That set off another flurry of exchanges. “One night, I got CC’d on like five emails,” Angel Wang said. “Rick is there, all the rest of the people I don’t even know, I have no clue who they are, and then just one lady replied (to) me.” It was Xiaoli Pan, a commercial specialist with the American consulate in Shanghai. Angel Wang explained her quandary: 23,000 masks had been missing since April 24, lost somewhere between the two countries, and UPS had no idea where they were. After months of work with the group’s shipping agent, the wayward

masks were found in customs on July 8, only to determine that they had to be returned to China and reshipped. They arrived four days later, and the group concluded its mission with donations to police and fire departments. At a meeting in February, their first time together since the end of the project, they focused instead on the kindness of people and on the bonds they formed with each other. “It touched me so much, to see everyone is so caring,” Angel Wang said. “It doesn’t matter how long we haven’t connected to each other, when we see each other I still feel they’re my friends, just like that.”

Kelly Lemire and on his way to start his freshman year at Chandler Gilbert Community College, collected 1,001 pounds of computer and electronic parts for AZStRUT (Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology) for proper recycling and refurbishing and fixing up 100 laptops for student use. “Giving students access to the internet is crucial now more than ever seeing as almost all schools have switched to an online format during the pandemic and my project helped these children continue their education,” Ryan explained. Xavier Dion, son of Misty and Matthew Dion, made cloth masks for Banner Health at a time when masks were hard to get. He collected materials for the masks at various collection points, provided instructions for making them and then packaged them for delivery to

the hospital. Noting he hopes to attend medical school in the future, Dion said he undertook the project “because I saw a great need in the community” and wanted to help frontline workers. Josh Morris, the son of Nikki and Shawn Morris and a Seton Catholic junior, planted 27 trees and made three park benches at Mountain View Park after collecting $2,000 in donations for materials. “I really like trees and the environment,” he said. Austin Harris, son of Scott and Michelle Harris, made a custom mailbox for Chandler United Methodist Church, where he and the rest of the troop meet. Dominic Cangemi, a Casteel High ninth grader and the son of Anthony and Jessica Cangemi, also worked on the church, building an ADA-compliant pathway.

Cody Kuring built five doghouses for the Pinal County Animal Shelter. Ethan Merritt, son of Chip and Ginga Merritt and an incoming Arizona State University freshman, sanded, washed and painted a sugar beet train car at the Arizona Railway Museum. Liam Nance, the son of Kim and Chris Nance, also worked on a project for the museum, making informational signs because “the railway system that covers Arizona has very interesting history” and “I wanted to cover a small portion of it.” Louis Stewart, son of Michael and Deidy Stewart and starting his freshman year at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, also made signs for the signals at the museum. Boys interested in joining Troop 283 can write to join@aztroop283.trooptrack.email.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Concert, theater owners call pandemic relief fund efforts a ‘disaster’ BY BROOKE NEWMAN Cronkite News

Arizona business owners said a federal program aimed at helping theaters and concert venues shuttered by COVID-19 “has been a disaster,” taking until this month to deliver the first grants from a fund that was approved last year. Only one Arizona business has received a grant so far from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, a $16 billion fund administered by the Small Business Administration. And Arizona is not alone: As of Wednesday, the SBA had approved just 90 of the 14,020 applications it has received under the fund and distributed $127.9 million, money that business owners said was “desperately needed five months ago.” “We’re all trying to rebuild, and if this money doesn’t start flowing businesses won’t come back,” said Bonnie Schock, executive director of the Fox Tucson Theatre. The program has been beset by problems from the start. Critics said that when the SBA first started accepting applications on April 8, the online portal crashed and it took the agency another two weeks before it could begin accepting applications again. When it began reviewing applications May 4, SBA set a goal of reviewing all “first priority” applications – from businesses that reported losing 90%

of their revenue or more over the past year – by June 9. But as of Wednesday, the agency had approved less than 1% of the applications, had thousands under review and another 9,269 that have yet to get a first look. “They haven’t met a single deadline they’ve set,” said Stephen Chilton, owner of The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix and vice president of the National Independent Venues Association. His organization joined six others who wrote SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman on Thursday, demanding that the agency “immediately fully fund all … eligible entities and to immediately resolve interagency issues that have proven a barrier to funding for SVOG applicants who are suffering deeply.” “The SBA, whose sole purpose is to help small businesses, is demonstrating a lack of urgency and ability to execute this desperately needed emergency relief program,” said Jennifer Grogan, an NIVA member. “The SBA’s delay is actually driving businesses under.” Chilton said that in the meantime venue operators in Arizona have had to take drastic measures to stay afloat. “The reason all venues haven’t closed is because they’re doing things they normally wouldn’t do to stay in business, such as selling cars and taking out mortgages,” he said. An SBA spokesperson said Friday that the program has been hindered

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from the outset by regulations that required applicants to include “anywhere from 30 to 100 documents in their applications to ensure they met the statute’s guidelines.” All that data needs to be reviewed by staff who she said are “working around the clock” to process applications. The agency has also overhauled staff handling the program in an effort to speed responses – which were outlined in a Wednesday report that painted a grim picture. Among the 90 approved applicants, 65 were performing arts organizations or live venue operators, 19 were movie theater operators, four were talent representatives and two were theatrical producers. Awards went to businesses in 32 states, with the most going to California, where 16 applicants got a total of more than $20 million. The program calls for $2 billion to be reserved for businesses with 50 workers or fewer. About half of the total awarded so far went to small businesses, which accounted for 79 of the 90 recipients. The SBA did not release the names of the grant winners, just numbers. The one recipient in Arizona was awarded just over $2.5 million, close to twice the national average award of $1.42 million. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Phoenix, said in a letter Wednesday to Guzman that he was “in disbelief that nearly six months”

after the program was approved, so few applications have been awarded. “Today a venue operator in my district wrote to me, ‘We are past our breaking point. We can’t hang on any longer,’ adding that only a single venue in Arizona has received aid,” Stanton wrote. “Please tell me, what are my constituents on the verge of closing their businesses forever supposed to do?” Schock said that unlike other businesses that were hit hard by the pandemic, theaters and concert venues did not have the option to deliver takeout or open at limited capacity. Live entertainment businesses have been “100% closed for 15 months.” She said that the Fox Tucson Theatre is a historical nonprofit that has managed to stay afloat due to generous donors who have helped fund barebone operation costs of about $50,000 a month. But other venues do not have that luxury, Schock said, with no capital to pay their monthly expenses. Schock said the SBA’s delay in releasing funds is perplexing for an industry that has been “completely crippled” and is “vital to our communities.” “These funds were intended to save our businesses, and here we are six months later and no dollars are flowing,” she said. “We have to have a solution, and we have to have it now or else we will lose these businesses that are vital to our communities.”

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 23, 2021

Valley could be heading for post-pandemic office glut BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

As the pandemic appears to be giving way to a semblance of normality, the world of commercial office space is anything but normal. Just ask Jay S. Kramer, an experienced real estate and finance attorney. As Fennemore’s commercial transactions section director, Kramer has counseled numerous commercial and industrial developers, national and local homebuilders, planned community developers as well as financial institutions. These days, as companies recall workers from their home offices or look at what post-pandemic work sites might look like, Kramer sees many employers asking themselves, “What now?” Owners of big office complexes also are wondering the same thing. “What now?” is only the beginning of a cascade of questions reflecting the uncertainty of post-pandemic office life. “I think we’re all kind of focused on the same type of issues,” Kramer said: “How do you return to the office? Are we ever going to have 100 percent work from home? 100 percent at the office? Or some type of a hybrid approach. How do we retain and recruit employees in either a hybrid or workfrom-home environment? How do we develop a sense of community, camaraderie or whatever kind of firm togetherness? “Those are the kind of large issues that everybody is grappling with,” he said. The pandemic brought a new sensibility to office workers that can’t be undone with a simple directive, Kramer suggested. Thanks to the virtual office environment, qualified employees often have more options since they can seek jobs at companies hundreds of miles away without ever thinking of moving. Kramer sees no one-size-fits-all

Left: Attorney Jay Kramer of the Fennemore law firm said employers are asking a lot of questions as they ponder future office rental needs. (Courtesy of Fennemore) Right: Intel’s massive $20 billion expansion of its Ocotillo campus likely will keep many existing office complexes in the area busy, Kramer said. (File photo)

answer to the myriad of issues that the pandemic has raised for employers who inhabit large swaths of office space in many parts of the Valley – and the country. For some employers, he said, the questions include: “How do you make offices places where people want to come?” and “How do we make the office more enticing?” Others are grappling with how they can provide a comfortable environment for workers who want to alternate work time between home and office. “One thing that we’ve been talking about for a long time is hoteling, where you have offices that you reserve,” Kramer explained. “But I think a lot of people feel their office is almost like a second home. They want to make it more personal. They’ve got papers all over the place and pictures of their family and whathave-you. “So the idea that every day you’ve got to pack up your stuff and either take it home with you or put it into a

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locker …that’s kind of disruptive.” Kramer said the fact that many employers discovered employees often are more productive working at home complicates the issue. Some workers might actually yearn to shed the sweat pants and head into an office at least a few days a week. “It’s really the younger people who crave having that office experience, where they can be mentored and trained and have those interactions,” he explained, “while lot of the older people who already have their connections and relationships may never come back to the office.” To some degree, employers may find themselves caught between a rock and a harder place. On the one hand, some employers may find it beneficial for team spirit to have all their workers in one place. Yet, team spirit may have to defer to other considerations, Kramer said. “You spend a lot of money training them and getting them familiar with your systems and so you’ve got to retain them. It seems to be just extremely difficult to do and not just because it is an employee market,” Kramer said. “It’s a challenge and it’s going to be a challenge for quite some time,” he said. Kramer also said many employers that carried empty office space on their books realized some benefits of a home-based workforce at least for a while since they could cut as much as 20 percent of other expenses, obtained increased productivity form workers and wound up with higher profits as a result. “I think short term is going to be a positive to the bottom line,” he said, noting that office expenses for supplies, food and even taking clients to lunch declined dramatically during the pandemic. But to lure employees back, Kramer said, employers and landlords may have

some unexpected costs – like major remodeling. “I think everybody’s looking for flexibility. One of the issues with flexibility is what a company is to do about office space,” he said. “Do you assume that you’re going to have 50 percent occupancy from where you are today? “And then there’s one school of thought that even though they’re going to let people in the office, the type of space that they have might have to be different. “Instead of people being in cubicles or in small offices, they’re going to want a lot more open spaces, more immersive – what I call Zoom rooms.” Landlords also may face some tough bargaining positions from their office tenants over “the typical legal issues in terms of lease negotiations,” Kramer said, noting employers likely will seek to cut lease expenses for parking and maintenance if they have fewer employees on site. “We spend a ton of money on parking but when there’s no reason to have a parking space for every employee, maybe you ask to take 50 percent or 40 percent of your spaces and save a lot of money,” he said. Overall, Kramer said, “companies are not going to want to give back some of those savings they saw in the pandemic.” What all this means for the Valley’s pre-pandemic office building boom depends somewhat on geography and the tenant, Kramer said, though he predicted, “There’s going to be a glut over some period of time.” While more companies move to the Valley and those that are already here continue to grow, that will hopefully reduce the inventory of available office space, he said. But absent the large employers like State Farm and Nationwide that are See

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REAL ESTATE

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 23, 2021

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from page 26

moving hundreds and even thousands of employees into a large complex, Kramer said, “I think you’re going to see a lot of problem office development.” “I think maybe real estate brokers and commercial real estate people want to tell you that everything is going to be rosy and what have you, but it just seems that short term, everything

I’m seeing is – all the discussion is about – how much space do we really need?” he said. “I don’t think there are going to be a lot of new projects that are going to start in the planning stage – ones that aren’t really saying they’re kind of ready to go. … We’re absolutely going to see a slowdown in office development.” He said Gilbert and Chandler may see modest office development as Intel ramps up its $20 billion Ocotillo cam-

pus expansion. “If you’re just looking at kind of speculative office construction for office workers – I don’t think you’re going to see much of that,” Kramer said. “But now, Scottsdale’s a good market, Tempe is a good market.” “I think the Camelback Corridor is still an area where people want to be, but even there, I think the rents are going to start dropping – the vacancy rates are going to go up there.”

The bottom line, Kramer said: “When their leases are up, companies are going to downsize space and so that means we’ll have a lot of space available.” And downtown Phoenix, especially as a 4-year major overhaul of the Broadway Curve is looming in the near future? “I don’t know if people still want to be downtown,” Kramer replied. Information: fennemorelaw.com/ people/attorneys/k-n/kramer-jay-s

Home prices hitting ‘nose-bleed levels,’ – analyst SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

While demand and supply in the Valley’s housing market is moderating, it’s not doing a thing for prices, according to the Phoenix metro’s leading residential real estate analysts. In fact, the Cromford Report has a gloomy description of where the housing market sits right now. “However you measure them, home prices are at nose-bleed levels and will continue to rise while supply remains dramatically below normal. It is 76 percent below normal at the moment,” Cromford said last week. “We are seeing appreciation rates of 38 percent if you use price per square foot or 33 percent if you use monthly medians.” Cromford said supply is rising “but not at a rate to help buyers very much.” It noted that while new listings are being posted more quickly than normal, “most of them are getting offers in the first week and they do not last very long. The market remains very hot even though it has cooled since March.” Yet, while the market is hot, that apparently doesn’t mean a whole lot to sellers either. Realtor.com recently noted a decline in pending sales – which it called “another sign that high home prices are making matters tough for home buyers.” “The market has continued to see record home-price gains – a reflection of the lengths that buyers are willing to go to in order to appeal to sellers,” the website stated. “With so many buyers in the market and so few homes to go around, it’s natural for prices to rise as fast as they are.” It also suggested that buyers “may eventually opt to give up and wait, hop-

However you measure “them, home prices are at nose-bleed levels and will continue to rise while supply remains dramatically below normal. It is 76 percent below normal at the moment.

”

– Cromford Report

ing the market will be less competitive. “That could throw cold water on the hot housing market,” it said. Cromford termed the 12 months since June 2020 “painful” and said many buyers “are likely to be feeling bruised and beaten up.” “It would not be surprising if demand weakened further because of this, but withdrawing from the market is unlikely to be wise from a financial perspective,” it added. “Prices still have a quite a lot of upward momentum and mortgage rates could easily move higher than today. Local buyers need to remember that to a buyer from California or Washington, Phoenix still looks like amazingly good value for money, even after another 20 percent price hike.” Realtor.com chief economist Danielle Hale observed that new data show “a ferociously competitive housing market is not making it easy for home buyers.” For those who are renting and think waiting might be a good strategy, the news is perhaps even more distressing.

Cromford noted, “Rents continue to climb at a steep rate and are unlikely to stop rising.” “At least if you buy a pricey home

today you will benefit from the price growth tomorrow in the form of home equity,” it said. “None of your rent payment will do that.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 23, 2021

Be wary of altering natural drainage around your home BY BEN GOTTLIEB Guest Writer

Spending extra time at home over the past year, many people in Arizona have engaged in home improvement – projects such as building a backyard casita, erecting a boundary fence around the perimeter of one’s property, installing a second story addition, constructing a garage workshop, remodeling an existing home – to name a few. While the motivations behind these home projects may be well-intentioned, if a homeowner is not careful, he or she can inadvertently run afoul of Arizona’s laws requiring a homeowner to preserve the natural drainage conditions in a neighborhood. Under Arizona law, it is generally unlawful to engage in a development of one’s property, without proper approval from the board of the applicable jurisdiction, that adversely changes the natural drainage conditions. A development includes altering the natural terrain or building an actual structure on the property. Other examples can include debris that accumulates in a manner that interferes with the natural drainage conditions. Here’s a basic example of how someone can violate the law. Assume that under natural conditions when it rains water flows across a wash in your neighborhood, transporting rainwater across your neighbor’s home. The neighbor then erects a wall around his or her property. Now when it rains, rainwater diverts off the wall, and flows towards your property. The re-directing of the natural water flow to your property is unlawful under Arizona law. In a light rainstorm, the diversion of the stormwater in the above example may not be a big deal to some people. But, as most Arizonans know and have

Flooded Phoenix housing community after monsoon rain.

experienced, monsoon season can wreak havoc on neighborhoods with the intensity of the rainstorms that take place. Within the past 10 years, Arizona experienced several significant and intense rainstorms during monsoon seasons. Many people’s homes and properties were flooded from these storms. With monsoon season approaching, it is an important time to reevaluate whether projects completed by homeowners may have inadvertently changed the nearby drainage conditions. This can be the case even if you developed your property, or your neighbor engaged in a development, two or three years ago. If you are concerned your home may be forced to accept extra water during a large rainstorm due to a development your neighbor made to his or her

property, you may want to speak with the appropriate governmental division within your local jurisdiction. For example, if you reside in the City of Phoenix, you could contact the City of Phoenix Planning and Development Department regarding your concerns and request that a City engineer come inspect your property. The City of Phoenix Ordinances, specifically City Code Chapter 32A, prohibit altering a natural drainage course. You could also hire your own water engineer or hydrologist to come out and inspect your property. The engineer may advise on certain preventative measures on your property, for instance, which may protect your home from flooding in the event of a large rainstorm. In lieu of, or in addition to the fore-

going, you should consult with a qualified attorney to determine your legal rights. In addition to City ordinances, state law also prohibits altering natural drainage conditions. Conversely, if you are concerned you may have made changes to your own property that have run afoul of Arizona law, you should have an engineer come out and inspect your property to determine the impact on the natural drainage conditions. Remedial action may be needed, depending on the situation. This may include reversing the developments, if feasible, and consulting with any neighboring property owners impacted by the developments. If you have questions, you can contact Ben Gottlieb at ben@mandglawgroup.com; or call 602- 533-2840.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MAY 23, 2021

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Health & Wellness

Summer 2021

Special Supplement to The SanTan Sun News

HEALTH

WELLNESS

Your Local Guide to Better Living

Summer 2021

‘Healing with Purpose’ sessions at Tuk Urban Kafe BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Contributor

Two free “Healing with Purpose” classes are being hosted by Jenny Preece, owner/operator of Blue J Way Creative Healing in Chandler. Healing with Purpose classes center on grief resulting from loss. Such loss can result not only in an emotional response, but physical, cognitive and behavioral responses as well, Preece said, explaining it can result from death, divorce, job loss – or even the loss of hopes or dreams. The hour-long classes are 2:30 p.m. June 23 and July 21 at Tuk Urban Kafe, at 15815t S. 50th St. in the Liv Generations building in Ahwatukee. As with her private and tailored sessions held at her Chandler studio, Preece said the classes will help people use the creative process to “move toward a healthy, fulfilling life.” Dealing with grief isn’t limited to death. As Preece knows first-hand, it can result from other losses including health, divorce and other big life changes. “Life is like photography,” said Preece, who is also a professional photographer who has worked with corporations like Pottery Barn and Avnet, Inc. “You need the negatives to develop.” Preece speaks in a soft voice, which some of her patients consider a calming mechanism. In fact, it is spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder

and I started focusing on the beauty of the Island. The differences of the culture and people and seeing those as unique and wonderful. Little did I know photography would be a passion and a career that saved me during the darkest moments of my life.” She was a professional photographer for 20 years and recently published a photography book, “Sunrise. Sunset. Repeat.” One of her Instagram accounts remains an outlet for her photography. “I use @creative_adventuristsfamily as my therapy, and love that I can use my photography talents again on a smaller scale,” said Preece. “I also love teaching my clients the art of phoJenny Prrece, owner of Blue J Way Creative Healing, is conducting some free grief-management cours- tography as well.” From her youth, Preece es at the Tuk Urban Café at Liv Generations in Ahwatukee, just across the I-10 from Chandler. (Pablo has traveled the world. Robles/Staff Photographer Her undergrad work was at the University of Utah in Blue J Way Creative Healing services me on my path to healing.” recreation management and travel and are professionally-priced, but Preece Preece spoke of “rough patches” tourism. has a reason for offering the free classfollowing a divorce and then raising her “I’ve been to 46 states and hope to es to the community. three children as a single mother. get to all 50 by the age of 50, a life“COVID-19 has affected a lot of peo“I went through some pretty dark long dream of mine. I’ve also been to ple’s finances or brought loss of family. times. Learning to manage my own 19 countries including an internship in The world has changed. I’ve been a emotions and realizing I needed to go Japan.” strong supporter of RAK - random acts The monthly Ahwatukee classes of kindness, and it’s something I pracwere the result of LivGenerations Ahtice. I have been given much by those watukee’s Senior Leasing Director Sheri around me, so over the years, I’ve tried Simpson’s desire to offer grief coping to find community events to particiclasses. The Tuk Urban Kafe is a popular pate in or hold myself,” she explained. eatery and coffee house in the main “So, I wanted people in the commubuilding. nity to be able to attend these classes “I wanted to start grief sessions, free of charge. RAK has helped me and but I wanted something a bit different my children get through life’s darkest so when I learned more about Jenny moments. So, if I can be that light for and Blue J Way, I asked her if we could someone else. I am happy to be.” – Jenny Preece partner together,” said Simpson. “These When Preece quotes Ziad K Abdelmonthly meetings are open to the pubnour’s “Life is like Photography…,” she lic though they need to make reservaknows of what she speaks. tions by phoning me.” “My family moved to Saipan, an isback to school and get a master’s as a Attendees can join at any time as land in Micronesia, when I was 12. It was single mom in order to have other opthere that photography entered my life. long as they reserve ahead. tions for other professions. I received For more information on Jenny I was so mad at my parents for taking a scholarship for my masters program,” Preece and her services, see BlueJCreme away from everything I knew and she said of the creative life, humanativeHealing.org or phone 480-656thought I loved,” she said. ities and depth psychology degree she 8385. “After being angry and upset, my earned at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Preece and Blue J Way are also on dad said to me, ‘Jenn, you can either Santa Barbara. Facebook and can be followed on look at the negative and all the things “While in school I realized that this Instagram: you’re mad at and keep hitting your was not only what I needed but other @bluejcreativehealing and @crehead against a brick wall OR you can people needed to help them heal,” she choose to find the positives.’ I decided I ative_adventuristsfamily . The latter said. “After graduation Blue J Way was born. I help people work through tough was tired of hitting my head against the has photos of her life in Saipan. To reserve a space at the Healing brick wall. emotions in a creative way while helpwith Purpose classes in the Tuk Urban “We bought several of those disposing them understand emotional health’s Kafe, phone Sheri Simpson at LivGenerable cameras as well as a regular camera connection with the body.” ations Ahwatukee at 480-800-7304.

I went through some pretty dark times. Learning to “manage my own emotions and realizing I needed to go back to school and get a master’s as a single mom in order to have other options for other professions. I received a scholarship for my masters program.

”

affecting the vocal cords. Former NPR host Diane Rehm was diagnosed with it in 1998. For many years, Preece consulted various doctors but wasn’t diagnosed until 2004 at Scottsdale’s Mayo Clinic. The disorder was life-changing. “I didn’t know what was going on with my voice. I used my voice daily for years in my professions; it was my identity,” recalled Preece, who worked in marketing and sales, event planning for large hotels, led aerobics classes and worked for a time as a radio announcer. “My voice was my lifeline. I literally had to start again,” said Preece. “Yet SD (spasmodic dysphonia) is what started

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Dermatology, Mohs, Plastic Surgery

Anthony Petelin, MD Mohs Surgery

Kara Gooding, PA-C Dermatology

Karin Brimhall PA-C Dermatology

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

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For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler med spa owner left engineering career BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor

Southeast Chandler is the home of SkinLab Laser, Aesthetics and Wellness, a new facility offering a variety of aesthetic services. The gleaming, 2,300-square-feet medical spa is inhabiting space that had earlier housed two other spas and salons at different times. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, SkinLab offers injectables, skin peels, facials, body contouring, laser technology, wellness products such as vitamin infusions, and organic hair care. Owner Marichu Evans of Chandler gave up an engineering career at Intel in 2017 to buy and run a salon. At first, she offered just hair services but gradually introduced medical spa services in 2019. “We outgrew our space and came here. I want to have more services and we were limited with our space there,” Evans said. “I want to deliver to our clients a one-stop-shop for their aesthetic needs.” If judging by the popularity of these services, her gamble paid off. Skin Lab receives about 700 client visits a month. Evans, who has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in materials engineering, finds aesthetics “fun.” “Most people will think that it’s purely aesthetics, but there’s a lot of technology that goes around too – like picking the right technology and the equipment, especially lasers,” she said.

Marichu Evans owns and operates SkinLab in Chandler. (Srianthi Perera/Contributor)

“The laser that we have is the top of the line in the market. We just choose the best equipment that delivers results for the clients.” SkinLab employs about a dozen staffers, most of them part-time, including a medical doctor, nurse practitioner and two nurses. Evans said they are picked for their qualifications and trained regularly with new techniques. A majority of its clientele consists of 25 to 45-year-olds, while seniors are increasingly discovering the spa as well,

due to its proximity to Sun Lakes. Its Instagram account has more than 12,000 members, mostly millennials, who are into injectables, with lip augmentation a popular service. About 10 percentage of its clients are males, who mostly purchase Botox and fillers. SkinLab’s membership programs, Facial Tribe and Skin Tribe, are often purchased by couples. Another of the most sought-after services is organic hair care.

Tina Wallace, hair specialist at SkinLab, said: “I cater to clients who have sensitivities and also I have some people who have gone through chemotherapy and are cautious about not using chemicals that are harmful.” Wallace, who has 20 years of experience, is available four days a week to do hand-tied weft hair extensions, hair coloring and other general hair services such as cutting and styling. Some of her clients drive from the West Valley and Scottsdale just for the organic hair products such as Organic Way, Neuma and Loma. “A lot of the salons don’t offer organic,” Wallace said. “I think it’s good for people to know there are options to not having harmful chemicals in your hair dye and that have the same performance as the regular hair color,” Evans said. “It still has the longevity and regular grey coverage like hair color but without harmful chemicals.” Evans pointed out that her facility doesn’t have the strong smell of ammonia, the one giveaway that a salon’s products are harmful to the body. “As you enter our facility, you don’t See

SKINLAB on page 36

How 2 local businesses capitalized on pandemic BY SYDNEY MACKIE Staff Writer

Mark Stewart said his marketing-public relations firm helped a Chandler interior decorator generate $3 million in new business with a comprehensive digital refresh. Stewart – a Chandler City Council member who is founder of Concept2Completion – said his company’s work for Haus Interiors at 2350 E. Germann Road demonstrates the value of an engaging social media presence in extreme economic circumstances – like those created by the pandemic. It’s not just Haus Interiors that benefitted, either. “Our business actually picked up during the pandemic because people recognize that they need to redo their website, update their LinkedIn profile or take videos that tell their brand’s story. All those things became apparent,” said Stewart. Stewart’s work helped Haus Interiors capitalize on the pandemic’s impact on households. As more people worked from home and families spent more time there, more homeowners wanted to remodel.

Haus Interiors Alyssa Warring said Mark Stewart’s work helped her firm. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

At the same time, Stewart said there was a need for companies to enhance their digital outreach to take advantage of the fact that online use spiked. “The overall electronics usage went through the roof during that period of time because people weren’t going to the movies and were out shopping as

little as possible, so they were filling their time online,” he explained. Capitalizing on this unique opportunity, Concept2Completion doubled its number of clients, Stewart said. They included small to medium businesses that included blockchain companies, orthodontic practices and lawyers. They all had one goal, Stewart said: “Establish their brand, understand their messaging and ultimately, build a cadence and rhythm so they would be at the top of mind and tip of the tongue when opportunities came by.” Haus Interiors, a four-employee contracting company, wanted a better platform to display their work and expand market awareness of their services. These services include personal consultations with professionals in the industry, access to showrooms and an overall more intimate experience with customers to ensure their satisfaction with their renovated spaces. Concept2Completion hired an array of photographers and videographers to document Haus’ before-and-after transformations of homes, giving the company’s Instagram page a cohesive theme.

Stewart also ensured the brand could be found at the top of a Google search for general contractors or home remodeling, according to Haus Interiors project manager and interior designer Alyssa Warring. “It was nice when we started working with Concept2Completion because they were able to fully take on everything so we don’t even have to think about it, it’s a well-oiled machine,” Warring said. Added Stewart: “We’ve really created a following of people interested in their work, they may not even be interested in doing remodeling but they’re interested in the content.” Moving forward, both Haus Interiors and Concept2Completion plan to grow their organizations, hiring people and capitalizing on the lessons they both learned during their work together. “The takeaway from us is that digital is not going away and if you’re waiting for the perfect time to plant that tree, there are two great times,” Stewart said. “One time is tomorrow, so you can sit in the shade 30 years from now, another month and you’ll be in the same place you are today, so just take action.”

BUSINESS

SKINLAB

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

from page 35

have that smell,” she said. “That’s why we can’t use non-organic or have some harmful chemical with a strong ammonia smell because it will just stink the whole place. We need to control that and we can achieve that with the products that we use.” “It’s better for the clients – everyone’s health – to not breathe in those chemicals,” Wallace added. With the advent of the pandemic last year, the facility experienced a loss of clientele, but business picked up last summer. “After the shutdown, people still want to look good and feel good, even with all that’s happening. And we’re doing all our best for precautionary measures, wiping down all the touch areas, having a filter system, cleaners coming in more often,” Evans said. “Everyone’s job is to make sure that everyone is safe.”

Laser, Aesthetics and Wellness in Chandler offers a sleek look and relaxing environment. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

“So far, there haven’t been any outbreaks in the spa. We go above and beyond our sanitation,” she added. Asked if she made the correct choice by changing careers, Evans said it has made a huge difference in her work-life balance. She is raising three children: her son Joshua, who graduated from Basis Chandler last year, and 5-year-old twin daughters, Ashley and Emily. Her husband, Matt, works in human resources at Intel. Her mother and two sisters also live in Chandler. Eighteen years ago, they immigrated to the U.S. as a family. There are many challenges in running a business, but she’s used to facing them. Her parents were business owners in the Philippines and she was part of the work ethic. “It’s something I grew up with. It’s how you handle it. What’s your purpose in life?” Evans asked. SkinLab Laser, Aesthetics and Wellness is at 3160 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler. Details: 480-418-6000 or skinlab.net.

Chandler man starts painting business SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler resident Steven Fields has launched a new professional painting company – Fresh Coat Painters. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Fields offers interior and exterior painting, sealing and staining, popcorn ceiling and wallpaper removal, drywall repair, garage epoxy and more in the East Valley. Fresh Coat Painters has a national product partnership with Sherwin-Williams. “Our goal is to build relationships with our customers,” Fields said. “We don’t just want to want to come in, paint and leave. We want you to be so happy that you tell your friends and family about us. We want you to call us

Steven Fields again for your next project. We want to build a relationship with you.”

Fresh Coat Painters hires background-checked professionals and has a 24/7 receptionist, online scheduling and free detailed quotes. It boasts a “3-3-3 customer service pledge,” which means calls will be answered by a live person within three rings, a quote will be delivered within three days and the job will be started within three weeks. Fields worked in aerospace throughout his civilian career. His wife, Melissa Morales, continues to serve in the Air Force in a reserve unit at March AFB, where she is the top enlisted person at her squadron. Her full-time job is as a nurse practitioner in an emergency room. While Fields and Morales co-own

Fresh Coat, Fields will be running the day-to-day operations. “I’ve always wanted to own my own business. Fresh Coat Painters is the perfect opportunity to grow something on my own with the support of a national organization that brings a new kind of customer experience to my community,” Fields said. Fresh Coat Painters was founded in 2004 as part of Strategic Franchising Systems. Since 2015, Fresh Coat Painters has been included in the Bond’s Top 100 and named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list. Fields can be reach at 480-674-2226 or SFields@FreshCoatPainters.com. Information: FreshCoatPainters.com/ Chandler.

Building near Chandler Airport sells for $34.2M SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A major office building near Chandler Municipal Airport has been sold for $34.2 million. Cushman & Wakefield represented both buyer and seller in the sale of Ascend at Chandler Airport Center, a 130,642-square-foot Class A office building that is fully leased on a longterm basis and serves as the corporate technology headquarters for CDW, an education software company. Phoenix-based Silver Creek Development bought the single-tenant investment asset from Irgens for approximately $34.2 million. Cushman & Wakefield’s Chris Toci and Chad Littell handled the transaction. “This was an incredible investment offering of a highly unique and desirable award-winning asset providing long-term stable income,” said Chris Toci, executive managing director for Cushman “This modern property features a number of special design elements and

on-site amenities created for employee happiness and well-being, including a state-of-the-art indoor town hall meeting space equipped with a large video wall, a fitness facility and cafeteria, a living wall with over 1,000 plants, outdoor seating and patio space, and more,” Charles Essig of Silver Creek Development said. Located at 1811 E Northrop Blvd, Ascend at Chandler Airport Center is a two-story building situated on nearly 11 acres in the Phoenix Metro area. The property was originally developed in 2016 but soon after underwent significant tenant improvements in 2018. The property was the recipient of numerous awards, including the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties Best of 2020 award for Office Tenant Improvement Project of the Year. “We are proud to have been involved in the design and development of this exceptional Chandler-area asset and are confident that Silver Creek Develop-

Ascend at Chandler Airport Center offers more than 130,000 square feet of customizable space and is fully leased. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

ment will be the long-haul beneficiary of these extraordinary improvements and the tenant’s affection for this asset,” commented Duane Nolde, executive vice

president, real estate finance at Irgens. Additional property highlights also include large, open floor plates and big ceiling heights as well as ample parking.

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Chandler Chamber honors businesses, people nity Cup recognizes an organization or individuals for outstanding volunteerism and/or other commitments to the community. The Chamber Cup went to Tyler Conaway of PayPal. The Chamber Cup shows appreciation for a Chandler Chamber member’s efforts and support of the organization. Dignity Health earned the Chandler Cup, which is based on the recipient’s support and partnership with the city. Chandler Police Lt. Lt. Zac Cummard won the James R. Snedigar Public Service Award, which goes to someone “working in the public sector and making significant differences in the quality of life for an individual or group

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce earlier this month handed out three scholarships and 17 awards honoring educators, businesses and community leaders earlier this month. Among businesses honored at the 34th annual Chandler Chamber Community Awards – Celebrating Excellence were Northrup Grumman, large business of the year; Ginger Monkey Gastropub, medium business of the year; Steven M Vogt CPA, EA, small business of the year; and Crystal Clear Results, micro business of the year. The Community Cup went to Gila River Hotels & Casinos. The Commu-

in Chandler.” While ICZAN won the Business Diversity in Action Award. Kathleen Banister of Mountain Sage Realty was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year while Antrim Air LLC captured the Veteran’s Advocate Award. Among awards given in education to Chandler Unified School District employees, Frye Elementary School technology specialist Heidi Gass was named Educator of the Year and Lyndsay Hartley, director of health services for the district, was named School Administrator of the Year. The School Support Staff of the Year title was given to Pati Ramirez of Bologna Elementary School.

In non-CUSD education awards Marianne Helm of Valley Christian School earned the Red Apple Educator of the Year Award while BASIS Chandler Head of School Matthew FritzMiller received the Red Apple Administrator of the Year Award. The Red Apple Support Staff of the Year Award went to Kelly Clausen of Valley Christian Schools. Meanwhile, the Chandler Chamber Community Foundation awarded scholarships to Cary McKinney, Liliana Simpson and Naomi Sullivan. The Chandler Chamber represents over 170,000 employees and is the third largest in Arizona. Information: 480963-4571.

Real estate investment trusts have pitfalls their free strategy session, it’s not unusual that they have 80-95 percent of their life savings exposed to stock market risk. If the stock market has another major crash, they may never recover. Note that during the 2000-2002 DotCom Crash and the 2008-2009 financial panic and real estate crash, the stock market dropped by about 50 percent. In order to double or triple these terrible returns listed above, one has no choice but to explore alternative investments. These would include real estate investment formulas, private pensions, and solar business equipment leasing. One could consider Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which often specialize in different types of real estate. To maintain favorable tax status, they have to distribute 90 percent of earnings via a dividend to the securities owners. Typically, investors purchase REITs for their dividends, which currently average more than double the dividends on S&P 500 companies and the 30-year Treasury bond. Warning: The purchase of REITS is a security, much like owning a stock or mutual fund and you can lose principal.

BY DR. HAROLD WONG Guest Writer

My column last month on the importance of knowing Social Security rules included a case study of how a long-term federal employee could have $75,680 total Social Security (SS) and federal pension income by knowing the rules instead of $47,760, or $27,920 less. You can read this by going to drharoldwong.com and clicking the “Articles” link at the top of the home page. Ever since the 2008 financial panic and stock market collapse, normal investment alternatives for retirement income are terrible. Here are the yields as of 5/24/2021: .10 percent to .50 percent for bank interest; 1.60 percent yield for US 10-year Treasury Bonds; 2.30 percent yield for US 30-year Treasury Bonds; and 2.02 percent average dividends for S&P 500 companies since Jan. 1, 2000. Because of ridiculously low levels of interest rates, most people are taking way too much risk in the stock market. When I see folks that qualify for

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On April 15, 2020, vs. one year previous, there were major losses in the REIT property indices due to the coronavirus pandemic. The sectors that declined were -15 percent for multifamily; -17 percent for office; -25 percent for health care; -48 percent for retail; and -53 percent for hotel. In contrast, it was +34 percent for data centers; +31 percent for cell towers; and +14 percent for industrial. Source: Nareit.com. Note that one can often obtain higher and more stable returns by owning private real estate directly and not through a REIT. Private pension funds operate like Social Security or any other pension. The longer you wait to trigger your retirement income, the more you get. A nurse was age 62 in 2014 and deposited $270,000 in a private pension. When she triggers her retirement income at age 70, she will receive $27,000 per year guaranteed for life. That’s a 10 percent rate of cash flow. Solar business equipment leasing, allows investors to be part of the massive push by government for “The New

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Green Deal” and a cleaner environment. Cash flows can average 5-7 percent annually. However, one must also add the tax savings. If one buys $100,000 of solar equipment that is leased to businesses, there’s a 26 percent tax credit and a potential $87,000 immediate deduction by using Section 179 of the tax code. It’s not unusual that high-income taxpayers will save $50,000 in tax, which doubles the tax-adjusted rate of return and reduces their total personal tax bill. Free live seminars and lunch: 10:45 a.m. June 12 at The Old Spaghetti Factory, 3155 W. Chandler Blvd. #9, Chandler; and 10:30 a.m. June 13 at The Hyatt Place 3535 W. Chandler Blvd. Topic is “Double Your Social Security & Other Retirement Income and Pay No Tax!” To RSVP, please contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com. His website is drharoldwong.com. Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

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Local gymnastics facility completes expansion project BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Gold Medal Gymnastics, a staple in the East Valley since 2004, recently completed an expansion project that allowed it to become one of the largest gymnastic facilities in the state. The renovations, which included knocking down a wall to a former business next door, allowed the gym to expand to 50,000-square-feet with two gymnastics pads and a slew of other amenities for athletes of all skill levels. Amanda Borden, owner of Gold Medal Gymnastics and former Olympic athlete, said the expansion has already received great reviews from clients. “June 7 was our first day actually using our new entrance and our new lobby,” Borden said. “Before that, people would come into the old lobby and just stop with big eyes. Not only did they think it looked great, but it was so open and that was a lot of fun to watch. It’s been awesome to see parents so excited about everything actually coming together.” Gold Medal Gymnastics, located near the intersection of McQueen and Warner roads, officially unveiled its new space Saturday, June 12 during a ribbon cutting ceremony. It was there many of Borden’s clients were finally able to utilize its new amenities. Borden installed a new gymnastics training floor, a 5,000-square-foot ninja course, dance classrooms and additional space for classes. The ninja course provides an opportunity for athletes of all ages to compete against one another and themselves to beat their previous times on the course. Borden said some of the course is similar to what is seen on popular television show, “American Ninja Warrior,” including the log roll, parkour course

Amanda Borden, left, owner of Gold Medal Gymnastics in Chandler along with her husband, Brad Cochran, recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony with Terri Kimble, Chandler Chamber of Commerce President/CEO in attendance. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

and warp wall each participant needs to run up to complete the course. She believes the ninja course will be a major hit. “There are some age restrictions based on equipment because of the height or we want to make sure the kids have adequate strength,” Borden said. “When kids first start, they aren’t real sure and are hesitant but once they pick it up it’s amazing to see their inner ninja come out and they want to beat themselves. “Our customers always asked wheth-

er we would grow beyond gymnastics. That really inspired us to explore something else including the ninja program and our dance program. For parents that have two or three kids they can come to one spot.” Borden scored high enough to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in 1994 but was passed over. Two years later in 1996, she again scored high enough, but this time was nominated as a captain by the team. She went on to help lead the team to gold at the 1996 Games in

Atlanta. She was part of the first-ever women’s gymnastics team to win. She later went on to attend Arizona State where she joined the gymnastics team as a manager. In 2004, one year after graduating as a Sun Devil, she opened Gold Medal Gymnastics in its Tempe location. It didn’t take long for Borden’s gym to overflow. For that reason, she opened her second gym in Chandler See

GYMNASTICS on page 40

Left: The renovation expanded the gym to 50,000-square-feet and added a new gymnastics floor where coach Taylor Calderon can help young gymnasts, a ninja course, dance classrooms and more space for classes. Right: Sophia Ledford, 8, demonstrates her acrobatic skills at Gold Medal Gymnastics. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

SPORTS & RECREATION

GYMNASTICS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

focus “hasOurbeenprimary gymnastics,

from page 39

in 2008. In 2010, Borden hosted her first branded gymnastics meet at her facility. But as her business continues to grow, she looked for more space to accommodate her clients. So, in 2013, she moved her Chandler location to where it stands today. When the local indoor trampoline park that was next door relocated this past year, Borden decided to occupy the space and expand once more. “Our primary focus has been gymnastics, but our philosophy has always been to use sports to build strong, healthy children,” Borden said. “We believe that helps them go on and live out their dreams whether that be in sports or beyond. I think that environment has always been appreciated by parents but even more so after going through the year all of us have gone through. “I think we have all realized how important it is for kids to be in activities that build strength, that build confidence and friendship. I think that’s been one of the biggest growth areas we’ve seen.” Multiple summer camps are currently being held at Gold Medal Gymnastics

but our philosophy has always been to use sports to build strong, healthy children.

”

– Amanda Borden

Scarlett Fraire, 4, takes a dance class at Gold Medal Gymnastics. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

that offer a wide variety of services for kids with ranging athletic ability. Borden said when summer camps aren’t going on, competitive gymnastics programs are often occupying the facility. That’s where she says the added space will come into play. Now, they can accom-

modate more kids throughout the day and provide a more positive experience overall, which is important to Borden. A mother to gymnasts herself, Borden recognizes the importance of not only good coaching for the sport but a safe environment to adequately

practice the various skills and techniques needed to perform. That’s been one of her main goals since opening her first Gold Medal Gymnastics in Tempe nearly two decades ago. Now, she wants to continue to see it through with one of the largest gyms in the state. “Just to look at where we started and to see how far we’ve come with our staff, our parents and gymnasts, I’m grateful,” Borden said. “I think I am also blessed to have been an Olympic athlete and to almost translate that into not just being a business owner and coach but to continue showing our kids they should always dream big, work hard and never give up.”

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

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Chandler teen’s burn treatment experiment lauded SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

At age 17, Michelle Sheikh of Chandler is already on her way toward helping to solve global health problems. And it’s no surprise the recent graduate of Arizona College Prep-Erie will be majoring in biomedical sciences with a global health minor when she begins her studies at Arizona State University’s Barrett, The Honors College this fall. The daughter of Zara and Salman Sheikh, Michelle won one of the Society for Science’s Special Awards in the Regeneron ISEF 2021, a national science competition for high school students. She is the first student in Arizona to win first place in both the U.S. Agency of International Development’s global health and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory competitions. Each year, organizations representing government, industry and education across a wide variety of scientific disciplines affiliate with Regeneron ISEF as special award sponsors, providing awards, scholarships internships and other prizes to hundreds of student finalists. Michelle’s award from the Acoustical Society of America was for a project titled “A Novel Approach to Treating Burn Wound Infections Using Flavonoids: Exploring the Interaction between Antibiotics and Flavonoids.” “My project aims to provide a sustainable and effective antibiotic alternative and resistance-modifying agent through the use of flavonoids,” she explained. Flavonoids are chemical compounds in plants “that possess antibiotic activi-

Michelle Sheikh ty,” Michelle said, and because they are common in most fruits and vegetables, they are more readily available and cheaper than commercial antibiotics. Also, she added, “Flavonoids can enhance the antibiotic activity of commonly used antibiotics.” She began work on the project in early 2020. “I was inspired to work on my research project after reading the story of a 2-year-old Syrian refugee girl Aliyah who passed away from a preventable burn wound infection simply because there was an antibiotic shortage in her

war stricken home country,” Michelle said. “I was quite dismayed by how weak worldwide drug supply chains are at providing adequate access to antibiotics in developing countries,” she continued. “Basic pharmaceutical drugs such as amoxicillin, which are easily available in the United States, are lacking in the millions in underdeveloped and developing countries.” Hence, she found herself “motivated to develop a sustainable and affordable antibiotic alternative and resistance-modifying agent.” Michell’s award-winning project comprised two experiments – a “Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion test” and an “antimicrobial susceptibility test.” The first involved creating three solutions, one solely made of flavonoids, a second with flavonoids and amoxicillin and a third of amoxicillin as a control. “After creating these solutions a paper disc is soaked in each solution which is then transferred onto a petri dish streaked with E.coli. After 24 hours a clear area will appear around each paper disc where bacteria has been inhibited, the larger the clear area, the more bacteria have been inhibited – which is the ideal result.” The experiment showed that the mix of flavonoids and amoxicillin was the most effective. The goal of the second test was to see how flavonoids and amoxicillin can work together to kill bacteria. “Essentially what this test found is that when even a small concentra-

tion of flavonoids was introduced to amoxicillin… cell density, or the amount of bacteria, is significantly reduced,” Michelle said. Michelle conducted her experiments at the ASU Biodesign Institute under graduate student Rebecca Jernigan. Michelle isn’t done. “I plan on continuing this research in college by trying to design an efficient drug delivery system utilizing flavonoids and commercial antibiotics,” she said. Science has long been an interest to the precocious teen. “I believe that science has a major positive impact on society and this impact is growing as we have all seen how the several vaccines generated by science have helped curb the COVID-19 pandemic,” Michelle said. She is captivated by “the versatile opportunities it offers to make constructive contributions that can help bridge health disparities which are rampantly prevalent even in our developed society.” “I was motivated to create a feasible method to help reduce inequalities within antibiotic availability by creating a sustainable and cost-effective solution,” she said. Michelle also has won other accolades for her project. She took first place in biochemistry at the 2021 Chandler Innovation Fair for the second consecutive year and was among the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair’s top exhibits. An AP Scholar who graduated with a 4.5 GPA, Michelle also was among the top six finalists in the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium competition.

Chandler woman a St. Vincent de Paul fellow BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Contributor

A recent Arizona State University graduate in Chandler has made a difference in her community working at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul as a Leadership in Action fellow. Morgan Dircks graduated in May with a degree in marketing from the W.P. Carey School of Business and Barrett, The Honors College. She began the St. Vincent de Paul Leadership in Action Fellowship the summer before her senior year and just finished her third semester there. “It’s been awesome,” said Dircks, adding that her fellowship experience, which has “solidified for me 100 percent a career in the nonprofit sector, specifically human services.” The goal of the Leadership in Action Fellowship is an emphasis on fellows’ personal growth as they’re provided opportunities to develop leadership skills and gain an understanding of nonprofit operations while making an impact in the community, according to

Morgan Dircks the society’s website. Morgan experienced that first hand as she “built leadership skills, personal

skills, work skills and experience” over the course of the fellowship. There, Dircks developed the society’s virtual volunteer program, which was instrumental in maintaining normal operations throughout the pandemic and is now a permanent program. She also wrote multiple home guides that were sent out quarterly to provide volunteers with different projects and opportunities that can be done from home. Many of these opportunities were designed by Dircks herself. Dircks was also able to work with different nonprofits, including Pathway to Work, which prepares adults with developmental disabilities to engage, contribute and work in their communities. This was possible because Dircks planned engagement events through Zoom to connect the community with nonprofits. The Leadership in Action Fellowship emerged from the pandemic when students’ internship opportunities were dwindling. “The fellowship was such a

well-rounded experience that I don’t think I would have gotten in any other environment,” Dircks said. The semester-long program, open to current university students or recent graduates, provides compensation up to $2,500 through funding support from local donors. It engages fellows in a collaborative framework that includes one-on-one mentoring, biweekly educational panels with staff from the society’s departments, and biweekly “Fellow Forum” gatherings, providing fellows an opportunity to run their own meetings, set agenda topics and share their experiences. Dircks is currently working for St. Vincent DePaul by filling in for someone on maternity leave. In the future, she will continue working for nonprofits as she has “been able to see the power of community within nonprofits.” “Everyone there has a passion for helping people,” Dircks said. “When people come together then we can all work together to make the world a better place.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Sun Lakes Rotary honors educator, members SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes earlier this month honored a number of members for their service to the organization and the community at large. The club also gave its Sandy Lundberg Educator of the Year Award to Rajani Rastogi, a social worker at Hamilton High School. Named after the late principal of Casteel High School, the Lundberg award represents the club’s highest honor to educators in Chandler Unified School District. The club hailed Rastogi’s commitment, excellence, integrity and collaboration, citing her 20 years of experience in working with families, teens and children. “Rajani has developed programs that have addressed parent and student educational presentations, food assistance, student support groups, laptop giving program, mindfulness program, ISS student support, fundraisers and mentorship,” club spokesperson Dr. Honora Norton said. The club also gave awards to several members for their service. The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes, founded in 1986, supports Rotary International’s PolioPlus Fund and supports projects that provide clean water, promote world peace, fight disease around world, save mothers and children, support education and grows local economies. Each year the club honors various members for their distinguished

Winners of the Sun Lakes Rotary Club’s 2020-21 awards include, from left, Judi Edmonds, Service Above Self Award; Terrie Sanders, Service Above Self Award; Maureen Alger, the John McCain Good Gal Award; and Val and Bill Crump, both Rotarians of the Year. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

commitment to “Service above Self,” for “sharing their gifts of time, talent and resources and getting things done,” Norton said. Club President Job Lyons gave awards

honoring the following: • Don Robins, Service Above Self Award, for supporting numerous education projects as liaison with Chandler Unified. He leads many

STEM projects, supports CO2 Dragster and Splash Route Club projects, and recruits new members as a sponsor See

ROTARY on page 44

Sun Lakes Rotarians help Auxier first-graders BY DR. HONORA NORTON Guest Writer

When in-person volunteering was eliminated at Auxier Elementary School, Rotary Club of Sun Lakes member Maureen Alger found a way to quickly adapt the SAE A World In Motion Rolling Things STEM challenge to incorporate outside perspectives. Industry volunteers are crucial for young learners participating in AWIM’s PreK-8 STEM experiences. They provide mentorship, real-world insights, and expose students to different STEM career paths. During the pandemic, they also provided something else – social interaction with someone other than a teacher. SAE International, previously known as the Society of Automotive Engineers, is a professional association and standards developing organization for engineering professionals in various industries. Virtual volunteers included Rotarians Don Robins and Val and Bill Crump, who joined a class of first graders at Auxier. The students immediately lit up. After being isolated from other classmates and outside contact because of COVID-19, the students were so happy to have an outside connection that they hung on their every word.

Auxier Elementary students participated in SAE International’s A World in Motion program. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

It also didn’t hurt that the volunteers previously worked in the automotive industry which made STEM immediately relatable.

“When they shared what they did, it was magical,” Maureen Alger said. “All kids know cars even if they don’t know engineering. They can envision one of

the volunteers building a car and understand it in a much more tangible way than someone working as an accountant for example.” “Because volunteers weren’t able to be there in person, they weren’t able to participate in many of the handson components that make the AWIM program unique,” she added. “However, they were still able to find a way to immediately add value by asking leading questions: What do you think is going to happen when we add more weight to the car? What can we do to make sure the car doesn’t tip over? Why do we need three trials instead of just one?” Beyond the instructional component, the virtual volunteers also helped with social and emotional learning. The first graders had to think about how to interact with adults and also with someone they don’t know. Thanks to teachers like Maureen and volunteers, like those from Rotary Club of Sun Lakes, 16 first graders had a chance to experience a little bit of normalcy while learning about STEM and cars in a fun, hands-on way. An additional on-site AWIM program with Rotarian volunteers was held with Chandler’s Strong Foundation Academy teacher Angie Neal’s Kindergarten class.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Left: Hamilton High social worker was named Educator of the Year by the Sun Lakes Rotary Middle: Sun Lakes Rotary Club President Jon Lyons presents the Rotarian of the Month plaque to Howard Rudge. Right: Don Robins also won a Sun lakes Rotary Club Service Above Self Award. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

ROTARY

from page 43

and a mentor. • Judi Edmonds, Service Above Self Awar. She has represented the club and Rotarfy District on a polio immunization trip to Mexico; represented the club at Rotary International’s Mexico/ USA Friendship Exchange Conference, leads “peace building” for the club, and is involved in other club projects. • Terrie Sanders, Service Above Self Award. Sanders led the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Committee and its successful pilot project in Guadalupe and set the stage for its expansion

into Chandler; partnered with Classy Closets to provide critically needed space in CUSD schools; and participated in numerous other club projects. • Maureen Alger, John K. McCain “Good Gal Award. Her trophy was provided by Coulter Cadillac in memory of former club member and WWII Veteran John K. McCain. Alger has been a liaison on numerous projects with Chandler Unified, led the teacher of the month committee, participates in the Foundations Academy, was a champion of the Leader in Me Program at Auxier Elementary, developed a Veterans Day program and parade at Auxier, and has supported a number of other club services for veterans.

• Val Crump and Bill Crump, Rotarians of the Year. “Both Val and Bill Crump have been key leaders, club members and meeting attendees – no matter whether they are in town or on the road,” Norton said. They lead the monthly Splash/Annual Sourcebook Delivery Project, which raises funds for the club’s various projects. They also led the San Marcos Elementary School Christmas program that brings a sweatshirt and socks to every student for Christmas. They also are key organizers of the club’s annual golf tournament. Meanwhile, Howard Rudge was named Rotarian of the Month for June. Rudge “is an ardent contributor and

noteworthy supporter of many of the club’s service efforts,” Lyons said. Those include the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Neighbors Who Care and many of the club’s education endeavors such as the Four-Way Test Speech Contest, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy and scholarships. He also is an active participant of the club’s Foundation 2000. Besides Rotary, he also leads The Rudge Foundation and “is also a strong advocate for women’s health and has made substantial and significant contributions to Rotary Club of Sun Lakes, the local school system, community and the Greater East Valley,” Norton said. Information: sunlakesrotaryclub.com

Chandler woman’s book looks at doctors, parents SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The experience of caring for her chronically ill son for 15 years has motivated a Chandler woman to co-produce a book on physicians’ relationships with parents. Ann F. Schrooten of Fox Crossing and pediatrician Barry P. Markovitz co-edited “Shared Struggles,” a collection of first-person stories that provide a unique glimpse into how parents and physicians think, feel, and interact. Schrooten and Markovitz also wrote commentaries on each story to provide “an independent perspective on the events and messages conveyed and to encourage reflection, inquiry and discussion.” The stories are grouped under four sections: hope, compassion, communication and trust. Parents write about interactions with physicians that had a significant impact on them and their child and offer context and insight. The physicians tell of interactions with patients and families that served as learning moments in their career and humanized both medicine and the doctor. Schrooten, an attorney, and her husband Mark – who have two daughters – lost their son Jack at age 15 in 2014 knew Markovitz from the pediatrician’s

Fox Crossing resident Ann T. Schrooten holds a photo of her son Jack, who died at age 15 after a life-long chronic illness. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

involvement in her son’s care. “After my son died, Barry reached out to me with the idea of writing

a book together, but we developed what we wanted the book to look like together,” she said. She said Markovitz spent many months caring for Jack in 1999 in St. Louis and the doctor helped manager ventilator care for the child, who was only seven months old. Jack was born with a rare congenital muscular dystrophy that affected his muscles, eyes and brain. Markovitz had “always available to help me when it came to issues with Jack and offered guidance and support as much as he could from a distance” and even spoke at the boy’s funeral. In writing the book, Schrooten recruited the parents and physicians who contributed. Her commentaries on each story reflect a parent’s viewpoint while Markovitz supplied a physician’s perspective. Finding the parents came from her involvement in a large network she developed by participating in online forums for parents with intensive medical needs. “Parents and physicians were overwhelmingly supportive of the book and wanted to be part of it,” she said, adding they collected stories from 2015 to last year. And it was a long road to fruition. They had first discussed the idea of a

book in 2014 but their proposal wasn’t accepted until 2019, when Springer Publications gave it a nod. They finished in December and the book was published two months ago. Noting that over 3 million children in the United States live with complex medical conditions “and, with advances in medicine, this number will only grow as children born with rare and life-limiting conditions live longer,” Schrooten hopes the book will benefit both parents and doctors. “The hope is to help physicians understand the perspective of parents of the medically complex children they care for and to help parents understand the perspective of the physicians who care for their children,” she said. “There can often be a feeling of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ when it comes to parent-physician interactions. “By giving a voice to both parents and physicians, and by listening and learning from their stories, the goal is to create a bridge to better understanding that can improve communication, minimize conflicts, and foster trust and compassion among physicians, patients, and families.” “Shared Struggles” is available on amazon.com and at link.springer.com/ book/10.1007%2F978-3-030-68020-6.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Teen volunteer group offers summer camps SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A new volunteer organization for high school and middle school that recently descended on Desert Breeze Park in Chandler to spruce up the site also is offering an array of virtual summer camps. The young students belong to iReach, which aims “to provide a flexible platform for volunteers to develop responsibility, confidence, leadership, and communication skills through a variety of community services programs,” spokeswoman Sherry Xiao said. “We are a group of students who want to serve our community,” said iReach President Frank Liu, a 10th grader at BASIS Mesa. “We provide a platform to children and teens who have the same ambition – to serve the community and improve ourselves while doing that.” Liu said the group welcomes any student who wants to dedicate time to volunteer and make an impact in their community. iReach team chose Chandler AdoptA-Park program as one of its first activities by committing to spend time at Desert Breeze once a month. During their inaugural clean-up last month, 20 students and several parents teamed up to pick up trash, clean tables and do other tidying up work at the park. This will be a monthly activity for iReach and Xiao said she is hoping more volunteers are going to join them in the

education and other subjects. Science tutors are the students who have participated in national level competitions in the field. The tutors will have games, videos and interactive lessons in any area of science-related subjects ranging from astronomy and genetics to immunology and anatomy. Elizabeth Ovelil is a ninth grader with a passion and interest in civics, Xiao said, who is leading a team of three students to run a civics camp for young students this summer. “Everyone in our community should learn Core members of iReach include, from left: front row: Joanna Dong, Elizabeth Ovelil, Sophia Lin, Daniel Yang; civics to understand our Back: Frank Liu, Edward Zhang, Aidan Lin, Wing Wang. (Courtesy of iReach) community better and become a better citizen,” they can help every student in need in future at the park. Elizabeth said. our community to gain confidence in iReach also has volunteers offering For those who are in sixth grade and academics, in turn helping their parents up, iReach will have a summer camp on one-on-one tutoring programs. to focus on their jobs and raising the “If a student faces challenges on any public speaking that will focus on skills family, and this enables our community like vocal variety and body language subject, iReach will be able to help find to thrive.” a tutor to work directly with the stuwith the goal of making participants iReach also has rolled out free dent,” Xiao said. “The tutoring sessions more confident as speakers. online summer camps with sessions on can be customized according to the To learn more about other camps, tutor and tutee’s availability and needs. investment and finance, science, civics, or get involved in the group’s volunteer Spanish, music, dance, tennis, physical “iReach team members believe that work, see ireachus.org.

Dog’s ordeal a lesson in paw protection DAVID M. BROWN Contributor

The life of 7-month-old Tigger, a soft-coated Wheaten terrier, almost ended months after he was born, but the generosity of a cadre of residents and breed supporters from outside the state has apparently saved him. Tigger’s former owners took him for a walk through a path in the desert, and the pup stepped on a cactus spine. Days later, the family veterinarian in Scottsdale recorded his temperature as high as 105°F and tried unsuccessfully to reduce that. By the following week, his right hindlimb was swollen. Through the following days, the swelling progressed and his foot started to turn black. Tigger’s owners brought him to an emergency veterinary hospital and he was diagnosed with a clot in his paw. The choice: aggressive medical management or remove the leg. For the owners, though, euthanasia or surrender seemed the only options. They chose the latter. Even worse, he was in terrible pain and had no one to pay for the care he required. Then Tigger’s story became a mission. Pat Bajoras works with Dermatology for Animals, which is in the same building as the emergency room in north Scottsdale. A dog lover since she was a child, she is a long-time Wheaten terrier breeder and has entered her dogs in

Tigger’s medical problems show the importance of protecting paws. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

AKC shows. “The doctor who was treating Tigger knew of my love and passion for the breed, and she came to me for help. I saw Tigger come in and was concerned about his medical situation from the start,” Bajoras recalled. Bajoras also called animal rescue organizations and friends. Wheaten breeders, pet owners and friends posted on social media requesting donations to the nonprofit Wheatens in Need (WIN) for Tigger’s continued care. The group was founded 20 years ago by Texas resident Gwen Arthur. Also contacted were members of the

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America. “When we reach out to each other through emails or Facebook posts, we reach not only members but also to people that our puppies have been placed with,” said Bajoras. WIN agreed to cover all medical expenses, recognizing that this could exceed $12,000. With funding in place, Dr. Jessica Sullivan, an associate with Southwest Veterinary Surgical Specialists, performed the surgery. During the procedure, Tigger required a transfusion because of excessive bleeding. After the operation, the Scottsdale vet – whose name cannot be published under his employer’s policy – cared for Tigger at home through the first critical days. “Without both doctors and the Wheatens in Need rescue, Tigger would have never have had the opportunity to get to where he is today,” she added. To find a temporary foster home, WIN member and Carefree resident Sandy Scott connected with Arlene and Tom Heck. Both from animal-loving families, the Hecks have been fostering Tigger since April and will continue until he is fully recovered and is matched by WIN with the perfect family. The group is continuing to pay the medical and care expenses. “Although we have fallen in love with

Tigger and it will be heartbreaking to say goodbye, we will not be adopting him,” Arlene said. “Tom and I want nothing more for him than for him to be loved, cared for and part of a family.” Bajoras said, “Tigger is recovering fabulously and is back to being a normal dog, from running to playing. He should be able to lead a very normal life as a Wheaten terrier – just as a tripod dog, on three legs instead of four. “Wheatens are social dogs,” Bajoras added. “They are meant to be with their people, a true part of the family.” “Tigger will face hardships for the rest of his life due to an overlooked danger in the desert,” Bajoras said. She recommended that owners put dogs in booties before going on walks on established desert trails or on the pavement, especially during the summer months. Also, they should monitor their pet’s surroundings on walks and check paws and between their pads carefully. “When something starts out as a minor injury, it can quickly escalate into a disastrous situation if not closely monitored,” she explained. Fortunately, Wheaten terrier lovers worldwide and two Valley veterinarians helped save the puppy, she added, remarking, “Happiness in a veterinarian’s life is seeing situations like Tigger’s change from potential tragedy to fairytale.”

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

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Chandler musician recognized by Arizona panel BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor

Deswood Tillman wants to give voice to the voiceless. The Chandler-based singer, songwriter and music producer of Dine’ (Navajo) and Anglo heritage plans to highlight a selection of Native artists with the help of a grant he received recently from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. “I’m planning on bringing in the actual Native artists who nobody ever seems to give a voice to or they don’t ever seem to put on any platform or stage to be able to give their voice,” said Tillman, who also goes by “Dez.” For a decade since 2011, he has been using his talents to engage in charitable work to benefit Native American communities with the Native-rock group “Clan-Destine.” As an artist and academic, he continues to be an outspoken voice in his community raising awareness to critical issues and critical thinking. The current project will run along similar lines. “I’m going to do that for them by bringing them into the recording studio, allowing them to record their message into my studio and I’m going to take that and I’m going to put it into a composition and then distribute that composition worldwide,” he outlined. The half-dozen artists Tillman has in mind to work with include professional artist David Montour of Mohawk, Cayuga, Potawatomi and Ottawa descent, and professional flute player Anthony

“As time goes by, the voice of Native country just gets smaller and smaller, the population trends continue to change, so if somebody doesn’t take action right now to give voice to the voiceless, nobody else will,” he said. “I’ve spent 10 years trying to get that voice heard and I’ve been turned down by everybody, so for once I get to choose who I get to highlight.” With their compositions, the artists often highlight domestic abuse, raise awareness for veterans and receive funding for their living situations and donating to children and the communities. “We really just can’t get anybody to Musician Deswood Tillman is the recipient of a grant from the want to give a spotArizona Commission on the Arts, which he plans to use for a light to that,” Tillman project to give a sense of empowerment to Native youth and added. “And it’s even community. (Courtesy of Deswood Tillman) harder to get people to give money to Wakeman. that. At this point, it’s not a belief, it’s Tillman stressed the importance of just pure fact. Nobody’s really doing his project. this for Native country; that’s why I

have to do it now.” Tillman owns and manages a private music production studio in Chandler known as Sonic Alchemy Studios, where he has produced music for television, movies and other artists. The $5,000 grant will be used to rent recording studio time and contract with artists and musicians to share their craft. Tillman said the body of music in the works will not be a typical selection as the album will blend music, poetry, spoken word and storytelling. “It’s hard to classify what it’s going to be; I’m going to create something new as an artist,” he said. The artist has many irons in the fire. He founded a band “out of necessity” called Guitarzan, named for the guitar influence and a subtle reference to Tarzan, the king of the jungle. “I realized I had to take on the responsibility myself to fund the project. To put the people together, to write, produce, record and engineer it so that I can express myself the way that I wanted to do. So, I became my own record labels,” he said. Another project, a collection of music titled Sacred Union, is a collaboration with his fiancé, Serene Isabelo. They have written the music and are halfway through recording. “It’s got a really positive message for the world,” he said. But music isn’t his sole talent. Tillman is clever at math and physics as well. He has earned a bachelor’s degree See

TILLMAN on page 49

Chandler student inspires public art project BY ALLI CRIPE Contributor

Oliverio Balcells is a local multimedia artist whose work includes bright colors and inspiration from Mesoamerican culture. For three years, he’s been especially busy with public art projects – including some in Chandler – that he doesn’t take lightly. “It’s a responsibility as an artist, what you leave behind,” said Balcells. “I like that idea. I like projects where I can integrate part of the history of the place.” Balcells doesn’t just paint. He spends time connecting with the communities he helps to represent. He’s worked with Free Arts of Arizona, Childsplay, and taught art for 10 years. He’s a scholar in Mesoamerican culture, originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, and his Mexican contemporary social art and can be seen everywhere in the Phoenix area. Most recently, you can see Balcells work on Chandler Boulevard and California Street. Completed in December 2020, the power box was in collabora-

Oliverio Balcells tion with the nonprofit ICAN, inspired from the mind of a Chandler High School student. “The whole project started with Peter Bugg, who is the art commissioner for the City of Chandler,” said Chacho Lopez, the team program coordinator See

BALCELLS on page 48

Tempe artist Oliverio Balcells painted this power box in Chandler on the basis of ideas presented to him by a Chandler High student.

ARTS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Chandler, EV musicians mark orchestra’s 10th year BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor

The Pangean Orchestra, which highlights instruments and music from around the world, is celebrating its 10th year with a virtual concert. “We are grateful for the opportunity to kick off America’s birthday with a celebration of life, liberty, and our pursuit of happiness,” said Colin O’Donohoe, founder and a resident of Chandler. The concert will be livestreamed at 7 p.m. July 3 via Facebook Live at fb.me/e/1nGOrik8y. Although no tickets are being sold, viewers are encouraged and expected to donate what they can afford through the group’s website, thepangeanorchestra.com. More than 20 musicians, playing world instruments such as Ngoni, Guzheng, Kaval and Santour, will perform alongside symphonic winds, a jazz rhythm section and diverse percussion. Kathak dancing and break dancing will enhance the show. “It is our largest and best ensemble since our 2010 inaugural performance,” said O’Donohoe. “We have universally suffered through this pandemic, let’s celebrate universally.” The music spotlights pieces from countries such as Burkina Faso, Burundi, Iran, Turkey, Brazil and Japan. Some are original while others are traditional pieces that have been arranged specifically for the ensemble. They include “Djelika” from Mali, “Ar Erinn Ni Neosfainn Ce Hi” from Ireland and “Bahudaari Jathiswaram” from India. The Pangean Orchestra, also known earlier as The Immigrant Orchestra, has a mission to unite people and promote world peace with the language of music. Since its founding in 2010, it has performed in the East Valley, New York and Turkey. Now an official nonprofit, the group continues to attract talent and volun-

BALCELLS

from page 47

at ICAN. “He wanted to create a power box project with some of our teens.” Lopez picked six students to work with five artists, including a student who wishes to only be called, “Omar,” for his privacy. Omar, 18, is a first generation Mexican-American and a Chandler High School student who likes cars and also drives a truck. According to Lopez, he’s quiet in nature but with a respectable, commanding presence. “He brings a sense of leadership into our teen center that’s something needed for a male role model,” said Lopez, adding that Omar doesn’t care if he’s perceived as ‘cool.’ “He’s here to have fun. If he wants to play kickball with a third grader, he’ll play kickball with a third grader.”

Colin O’Donohoe teers. O’Donohoe said the forthcoming concert’s theme recognizes that we are “one people.” “Acknowledge our differences and biases and work through them with the very people you may be wary of,” he said. “When people of diverse backgrounds unite towards a common cause, the results are astounding. We want to be a unifying force.” Tempe History Museum is Pangean’s unofficial home venue and has hosted its concerts to full houses since the beginning. With positive show themes and diverse sets of musicians, curator Dan Miller said it’s a good fit for the community history museum’s performance series. The July 3 virtual concert will be played at the museum. “We (staff and our audience) always look forward to seeing and hearing the veterans of the group and the newcomers,” Miller said. “It’s nice to be thought of as a group’s home – they are sort of our house band.” New Pangean member Wen Wu

Lopez said that Omar is a good example for the other children and was a good choice for the project. Because he wanted to best fit the artists with the students, he presented Omar with Balcells’s portfolio. “I knew they were going to identify when it came to cultural language and self-identity,” Lopez said, adding that he gave Omar an outline of the box and told him to take the entire length of the teen center’s program time, around two hours, to complete the assignment. An hour later, Omar said, “‘Hey, dude. I think I’m done,’” and handed him the finished project on a piece of paper. An Aztec Calendar. A truck with a Mexican flag. An Elotero, a vendor who sells corn. These were a few of the images that Omar felt represented his community. And just like that, they had their power box.

Above: The Pangean Orchestra plays a

concert at the Tempe History Museum. The next virtual concert, on July 3, kicks off America’s birthday. (Courtesy of Tempe History Museum) Right: Wen Wu, a new member of The Pangean Orchestra, plays woodwind instruments, including the Chinese Hulusi. (Courtesy of Wen Wu)

came from China to Tempe in 2012 for a master’s degree and a doctorate in music at Arizona State University. Wu didn’t speak any English at the beginning. Music is a universal language and the Pangean Orchestra is a true example of its universality, she said. “I had trouble in class, communicating with others, or even just ordering food. But I never had any trouble playing in band,” she said. “Now that my English got better, I find that in many situations, I don’t need words to communicate.” Wu said she’s “not totally surprised” that the Pangean Orchestra has been around for a decade. It uses the simplest way – music – to bring people together, she said. “It’s diverse, because of the variety of cultural backgrounds. It’s also uniform because we are all using instru-

“We handed (Oliverio) the concept and he did his magic,” said Lopez. Balcells also used colors representative to Mexican culture for the work. He used turquoise and a bright orange. “I did the acrylic on campus in my studio,” said Balcells. “Then I painted the box and the city took a photograph and printed a vinyl.” Balcells said he spent weeks discussing the project with Omar, back and forth until they got the vision right. “I was really happy,” said Balcells. “My student was great with me.” A month before the project was complete, Oliverio showed Omar a black-and-white outline. “For Omar, that was mind-blowing,” said Lopez, especially because Balcells had kept the Elotero. Street vendors selling corn are popularly seen in Mexico, said Lopez, and is an important aspect to Mexican-American heritage.

ments to express feelings.” Nita Mallya is a Bharatanatyam dancer and a choreographer in Chandler who has worked with Pangean almost since its inception. She collaborated with O’Donohoe to perform a dance routine in 2011 during the first concert. See

PANGEAN on page 49

“What more can you ask for?” Lopez said. “That is such a representation of who we are.” When the artists had finished their co-created power boxes with the students, a presentation was held to show the finished project. “At the presentation his mom was crying,” said Lopez. “I told him, ‘Check it out! Out of everyone at Chandler High, your box is right here. Everyone is going to see this and this will be your legacy.’” Lopez said the power box was not only important to Omar but to all of the students who participated in Chandler’s commission, because they all felt it accurately represented their community. “My inspiration comes from that, to preserve and give to the next generation,” said Balcells. “To take care of what is important. It incorporates family, friends and a neighborhood – even a whole city.”

ARTS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

Historical Museum features multi-talented Arizona artist BY SHANNON MAKI Guest Writer

As a young girl, Karen Kuykendall would make frequent trips to the San Diego Zoo because she was fascinated with the animals. Born in 1928 and a child of the Great Depression, she also had a keen interest in geology and astronomy as she got older and spent a lot of time at the Museum of Natural History. All of these interests are reflected in her artwork – now on display in a dedicated room at the Mesa Historical Museum. (mesahistoricalmuseum.com) Kuykendall studied advertising illustration at the Art Center in Los Angeles and motion picture costume design at the Chinouard Art Institute in California. She visited Arizona in the 1950’s and fell in love with the desert landscape, which would later become the inspiration for the landscapes she created for her fantasy realm, “The Outer Regions.” She moved to Arizona and obtained her master’s degree in art history from the University of Arizona.

Left: The late Arizona artist Karen Kuykendall left a treasure of artwork for Mesa residents to enjoy. Above: Many of Kuykendall's pieces have not been seen by the general public for more than 25 years. (Special to the STSN)

She eventually moved in 1966 to Casa Grande, where she remained until her passing in 1998. Early in her art career, Kuykendall

was interested in science fiction and fantasy art. However, her artwork was often dismissed as being “illustrations and not art.” She abandoned fantasy illustrations until 1977, when she attended a sci-fi convention in Los Angeles and discovered that her sci-fi/fantasy artwork was

While the photo on the left indicates Kuykendall's fascination with cats, the one on the right shows her craftsmanship in jewelry design. All that is on display at the Mesa Historical Museum. (Special to the STSN)

PANGEAN

from page 48

“It is a pleasure working for someone who is just as passionate about the art; he loves music and I love dance and we come together and work on a common ground and create something beautiful,” she said. Due to a foot injury, Mallya’s senior dancer, Prarthana Prasad, will perform at this concert.

TILLMAN

from page 47

in interdisciplinary studies in Mathematics and Music from Arizona State University. “I started majoring in physics at ASU and realized it wasn’t the community for me. It’s not where I was going to attain my highest potential,” he said. “Music’s always been something that I was drawn to and connected with. So, I knew the physics department and an

finally being appreciated. This encouraged her to publish Cat People and Other Inhabitants of the Outer Regions, which details the fantasy “Out Regions” realm she created. While a lot of Kuykendall’s later artwork focused on her fantasy realm, she used a wide array of subjects and styles. She painted everything from Native Americans and ancient Egyptians, to 60’s and 70’s hippie-inspired art, to sculptures of people and animals in papier mache. She often prided herself in the fact that when she showcased her work at a booth, most people did not believe that all of the art was created by one artist because of the various different styles she used. She also incorporated different mediums in her artwork including watercolors, oil painting, tempera on sand, papier-mache, as well as costume and jewelry making. Her 1,000+ pieces of artwork consisting of paintings, sculptures, dolls, jewelry, and costumes are now a part of the Mesa Historical Museum’s permanent collection and is the focus of a new exhibit. This is the first time some of Kuykendall’s creations have been seen by the public in 25 years.

“The Pangean Orchestra is an amazing team of world music which erases borders, color, creed or any political difference. We artists who love putting our minds together to create something to entertain,” Mallya said. Wu plays the clarinet and a Chinese wind instrument called the Hulusi. “It sounds like a person humming to me. Every time I play this instrument, I have this calm, peaceful image in my head, with river, mountain, fog, trees,

bamboo raft, egret,” she said, adding “But my Hulusi also has two vents that create harmonies, like an organ.” As much as the musicians build on the musical components of their work, communicating their unifying message takes precedence. “The music is nice, but it’s the thoughts as you walk away and ponder that stick with you. If this group can make great music from all different tunings and music systems, why can’t

we ‘just all get along?’” Miller said. O’Donohoe said: “We are living through a time of intensely increasing tribalism. Quarantine accompanied by a fact-optional internet is a deadly mix. Like the continents before us, we are drifting apart from one another.” “We acknowledge that differences among people are natural,” he continued. “We choose to let those differences enhance our ensemble.” Details: thepangeanorchestra.com

academic degree really wasn’t a path for me. I chose to find a degree that would suit my life’s choices as well as earn me a credible degree that I could use possibly for employment in the future if I need to do.” So far, he has made a fulltime career of making music, for himself, for others, and producing tracks for television, film and movies. He plans to complete the latest project within a year, ideally before December. The work will be distributed through

popular online distribution sites. He plans to perform it at an arts center as well, when the pandemic-related policies are lessened and live audiences are permitted. Tillman has only applied to one other grant earlier; hence this is the first one he won. He is grateful to the Arizona Arts Commission for its endowment and “focus on helping the little guy develop his art.” An agency of the State of Arizona, the commission awarded 24 recipients

Research & Development Grants for 2021. Awarded through a competitive application and review process, these $5,000 grants support Arizona artists as they work to advance their artistic practice, expand their creative horizons, and deepen the impact of their work. “It’s opening up a new horizon for me,” Tillman said. “To be able to get endowment for my creations is a great avenue for me to explore.” Details: azarts.gov/grant/artist-research-and-development

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | JUNE 20, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

We follow the light to faith, understanding. RABBI IRWIN WIENER Columnist

All of us live in a world that rotates so fast that sometimes we wonder what would happen if it should stop. Would we just fall off ? Those who have experienced this feeling can understand the madness that is associated with such trauma. However, we are resilient and steadfast in our determination to survive and make sense of our lives. Wow! What a daunting sensation. Our world, as we know it, is supposed to offer us the ability to experience the unthinkable and share the unimaginable. Yet, when we read about some revelation and another invention and a concept of machines replacing humans, we begin to wonder whether we are in control of our destiny. The simple things seemed to have disappeared. The feeling of connection lost in the shuffle of speed. The reliance on faith to guide us in paths determined to enhance our lives is now passé. The aged attempt to feel relevant and the young feel as though they are indestructible. The pandemic surely has magnified

the thought of our mortality and the necessary steps we must take in order to survive. I believe that we have seen the light and the light has given us the ability to move forward. The pews have been empty, the buildings looking lonely; the spirit is gone from the faces that once looked in amazement at ritual and splendor that

noble institutions and, much to our amazement we felt an unexplainable chill run through our veins. We knew that the generations that preceded us felt the very same way, but not so sure that the next will also have this euphoric encounter. Now, more than ever we must return to the place where we found peace. It is

Where do we turn? The simple truth is that we “ need each other, we need purpose in our lives, and we need to understand that each of us has value. ” reminded us of the grandeur of God. What we seemed to have forgotten is the thankfulness of breath, the wonder of birth, the amazement at witnessing the trees bloom and the aroma of the flowers that bring flavor to our lives, We have become so insensitive to touching or feeling that we cannot even remember the thrill of family gatherings. Our houses of worship were established to remind us of history, and tradition, and faith. We began our spiritual journey entering the doors of these

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also important for us to encourage others to remember that even though we may not feel an immediate need, there will come a time when this place will be again center stage in our lives. We must remember that support may seem heavy, but there are those who rely on us for their existence to flourish. It is not enough to say that we do not need to participate now because there will come a time when it will be essential. We lose loved ones, we go through illness, we find ourselves isolated from family and friends, and we despair in the grip of loneliness. Have we not experienced this at this moment in time? We must remember the happy moments that we once shared with others. All these adventures in our journey require a place for us to come together and understand that only together can

we truly appreciate the value and purpose of our presence. Today, more than ever, we find ourselves in the forefront of striving for human decency. Somehow, however, we omit the one ingredient that can and should solidify confidence in ourselves – faith – and this faith in the One who gave us the ability to be who we are can sustain us in times of need. Where do we turn? The simple truth is that we need each other, we need purpose in our lives, and we need to understand that each of us has value. Most of all we must remember that a life without faith will certainly leave us no place to turn. Now, more than ever, is this so important. It is more important than ever because of the turmoil we have witnessed, not only with the pandemic that has stolen more than a year from us, but also the hate and vitriol that has permeated our country. Therefore, as we enter the next phase in our journey on the path to health and safety, we need, more than ever, to remember that when one of us is lost, we are all lost. When our society becomes ill, we all suffer. But when we are happy it becomes a joy for all of us. We look forward to greeting each and every one as the doors open, our hearts again filled with song, and our feelings of connection once more fulfilled. The welcome mat is out. Rabbi Irwin Wiener D.D. is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Community.

Chandler United Methodist Church Making and Deploying Disciples for over 100 Years.

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES NOW IN-PERSON AT 8 AM & 9:30 AM Reservations are required and are available on our website or by calling the church office. If you are more comfortable in your car, we will be broadcasting morning worship on 1680AM for both services from the church parking lot.

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