Gilbert Sun News; August 2015 by Times Media Group

August 2015

Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities

Back to school

Chance Lopez gives a ‘thumbs-up’ to firefighters Jesse Flocken and Justin Hawley.

Gilbert High student rubs elbows with first lady BY PATTY TALAHONGVA

Fifteen-year-old Josiah Lester is reveling in a summer vacation that most adults would envy. The Gilbert High School student spent the summer learning how to be a TV news anchor, visiting France and Germany and then returning stateside to attend a meeting in Washington, D.C., where he was hugged by first lady Michelle Obama who also offered words of encouragement. “‘Keep your grades up,’” Josiah recalled Obama telling him. “‘Don’t ever give up on what you want to be.’” Josiah is Navajo and was part of the first White House Tribal Youth Gathering held July 9 in Washington, D.C. He was one of more than 1,000 youth from 230 tribes and 42 states who attended the WHTYG. This SEE STUDENT PAGE 6

First lady Michelle Obama greets two students, including Josiah Lester. GSN photo by Patty Talahongva

Town wants drivers to stay safe BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

Gilbert officials have started a public safety awareness campaign to curb accidents caused by distracted drivers. The campaign reminds motorists to “Speed down. Eyes up. Drive Safely.” Mayor John Lewis said Police Chief Tim Dorn came up with the idea for the campaign when Dorn noticed the number of distracted-driving traffic collisions increasing. “Thirty-three percent of accidents were due to distracted driving,” Lewis said. In conjunction with the campaign, the Gilbert Police Department stepped up traffic enforcement on the Santan Freeway corridor between Val Vista and Williams Field roads, and along the Val Vista corridor between Baseline and Elliot roads. The chief created the idea based on the suggestion of a Gilbert youth taskforce

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who recommended a “don’t text while driving” campaign, Lewis said. Sgt. Jesse Sanger said he did not know why collisions increased in the two designated areas on Santan Freeway and Val Vista. “They are highly populated with more traffic,” Sanger said. He cited as an example two vehicles SEE DRIVERS PAGE 5

31 Youth 40 Spirituality 43 Arts 49 Opinion

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August 2015

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Pregnancy Care Centers planning fall banquet

Fire engine part of fun at Groves’ community day The Groves Bar and Grill will hold a family/community appreciation day Aug. 8, complete with Gilbert Fire Department engines, games, raffle prizes, hot dogs and more. The restaurant, located at 323 S. Gilbert Rd., has scheduled the event for 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Games include balloon darts and toss,

face painting, bobbing for apples and a ring toss. Owned by Chris and Tony Edwards, The Groves Bar and Grill was established more than six years ago and specializes in homecooked, made-from-scratch meals in its plantation setting. For more information, call (480) 307-8477 or visit www.thegrovesbarandgrill.com.

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The Pregnancy Care Centers of Gilbert and Chandler are hosting their fall banquet Thursday, Sept. 17, with guest speaker Claire Culwell, a pro-life advocate. Starting at 6 p.m., the event will be held at Bella Rose Estate, 1380 S. Price Rd., Chandler. Ticket prices are $50 or $450 for a table of 10 and can be purchased by calling (480) 374-2994. The Pregnancy Care Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that assists women and girls facing an unplanned pregnancy. PCC provides the following free services: pregnancy tests, options counseling, referrals and ultrasounds. Clients who choose to parent can also participate in the Learn and Earn program. This program includes prenatal, parenting

and life skills classes. They earn credit toward acquiring new baby items from the centers’ boutique. The Pregnancy Care Center opened a second center on June 8 in Gilbert. The address is 894 E. Warner Rd., Suite 103. The Chandler location is at 590 N. Alma School Rd., Suite 20. The pregnancy centers are funded through community donations, private donors and fundraising events.

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DRIVERS FROM PAGE 1

that collided on Val Vista after one of the motorists ran a red light because she was distracted. Drivers turning left often rush to get through yellow lights, and they are hit by motorists who have a green light, Sanger explained. “They get in accidents because they are in a hurry or they are distracted,” Sanger said. The distractions go beyond using electronics like cellphones. “They could be eating, putting on makeup or looking at a child in the back seat. We’re trying to eliminate every type of distracted driving,” Sanger said. Lewis said most parents tell their children not to text and drive, but teenagers certainly can take the responsibility to tell their friends, too. “If they are texting and driving, they can say, ‘Hey, knock it off,’” Lewis said. Sanger said officers are conducting traffic stops and, sometimes, educating the drivers, rather than writing tickets. The message often is to slow down. “We’ve had a lot of injuries and tragedy that could have been avoided,” Sanger said. “Pay attention. When you drive through a light at 45 or 50 miles an hour, it’s pretty dangerous.” “They know they can’t drive distracted, yet they still do it. It’s still an issue.”

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STUDENT FROM PAGE 1

Community

He made a personal commitment historic meeting came after President to reduce his use of fossil fuels and Barack Obama and the first lady visited encourage others to do the same. the Standing Rock Sioux reservation And while the president didn’t attend, last summer in North Dakota. There the first lady did and she was greeted they met privately with six youth and with thunderous applause and a standing said they were shocked to hear about ovation. the challenges Native youth face every “I really liked the first lady’s speech,” day such as extreme rates of suicide, he said, “how she was talking about behavioral health and housing issues. overcoming challenges.” The president directed his cabinet The first lady also told the youth that members to hold listening sessions on she and the president “had their back” tribal reservations to discuss economic and talked about the importance of opportunity, education, cultural and Native American cultures and traditions. other issues. Last December the president After her speech, Obama stepped announced the formation of Gen I, short down from the stage to shake hands with for Generation Indigenous, and the dozens of youth and Josiah was waiting summit. for her. But instead of shaking his hand, “We want to give young Native the first lady reached around and hugged Americans like them the support they him. That’s when she whispered advice in deserve. We have to invest in them, and his ear. believe in them, and love them,” the Josiah admitted to being a little president said at the time. “And if we do, shocked at not only meeting the first lady there’s no question of the great things but also getting a hug and personal words they can achieve, not just for their own of encouragement. families, but for their nation and for the “I just smiled and said thank you.” United States.” He did regain his composure quick The gathering was aimed at youth and enough to snap a selfie with the first lady young adults up to age 24. Each Native in the background and immediately sent youth at the event had to first accept the out text messages to his mother, aunts Gen I challenge to do something positive and friends. in their community. “Mine was reducing Besides Obama, the youth also heard greenhouse gases and converting to more from several of the president’s cabinet Gilbert Sun said. News 10x5.4 Ad A RD1.pdf 1 5/20/15 1:17 Julian PM renewableDSC015 energy,” Josiah secretaries, including Castro

from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Sally Jewell from the Interior Department; and U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Dr. John Herrington, the first tribally enrolled astronaut also addressed and encouraged the youth to stay focused to achieve their dreams. Josiah’s trip to the WHTYG was funded by the Forward Promise College and Career Readiness Program, sponsored by the Phoenix Indian Center. His trip to the nation’s capital left an impression. Although he’s toyed with majoring in culinary arts, mass communications or dentistry, he’s added another option to the list. “Ever since seeing all the politicians, I’ve been thinking of something more for the community, even politics,” he said. This taste of Washington politics came after spending a week at Northern Arizona University where he studied mass communications and anchored a high school student-produced newscast. “I thought it was really interesting and I learned a lot more things about interviews and cameras,” he said. He returned home in time to pack for a school trip to Europe. Josiah spent 10 days visiting cities such as Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Hamburg and Paris. “I’ve been on a plane before but that was my first time going to another

www.GilbertSunNews.com country. I really liked the landmarks and the history,” he said. He enjoyed learning about history while standing in the streets where the events happened. “I liked the wars,” he said and then explained, “I learned more about Napoleon and the French Revolution.” He also admired the architecture and the art. “We went to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles and the Arc de Triomphe.” In Germany he enjoyed the food. “I really liked their sausages,” Josiah said with a laugh. “They have all kinds of different sausages.” Much of his travel was also possible because of fund-raising his family did by selling Navajo tacos. He was also thankful for people who sent him donations to travel. “This summer was the best I’ve had so far,” he said. He doesn’t know how he’s going to top this next summer, but he’s already thinking about what’s next. First though, he said he’s busy writing thank-you notes.

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August 2015

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August 2015

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Arizona Corpsman deploys to Middle East Since June 17, 1889, sailors of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps have been providing lifesaving care to the men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps. Marines have no medical services organic to their branch, but Navy Corpsmen have fought in every clime and place, right along their sides. Petty Officer Third Class Ryan Holmes, platoon corpsman with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force–Crisis Response–Central Command, continues this 117-year tradition of providing medical care to Marines in combat. Holmes first considered joining the military his senior year at Higley High School. He was accepted by many colleges, but didn’t have an idea of what he wanted to study. He said the military seemed like the best option for him while he figured out his future education plans. “I remember a friend of mine wanted to join the military and asked me for a ride to the recruiter’s office,” he said. “While my friend wound up not being able to join for medical reasons, that’s how I got started talking to recruiters.” Holmes explained that when he joined the delayed entry program he chose search and rescue swimmer as his military occupational specialty (MOS).

Unfortunately he found out during his time in the program that he was color blind, requiring him to change his MOS. “I chose corpsman because it was another lifesaving MOS,” he said. “I wanted to be able to take pride in the fact I was helping other people. Being responsible for other people’s lives seemed like it would be worthwhile.” Holmes shipped to Navy recruit training aboard Naval Station Great Lakes, Aug. 14, 2011, where he became a basically trained sailor. Upon graduation from recruit training Oct. 7, 2011, Holmes attended Navy Hospital Corps School, also aboard Naval Station Great Lakes. There he learned basic medical techniques and procedures across a broad spectrum of medical disciplines. “When you graduate from corps school, you choose what field you want to specialize in,” Holmes said. “Many of my instructors through corps school were infantry corpsmen, which influenced my decision to become a field medical technician. Since choices are based on your class grade point average and I had one of the higher GPAs in my class, I got my first choice.” Holmes then went to Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB) aboard Marine

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Petty Officer Third Class Ryan Holmes, platoon corpsman with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Corps Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force–Crisis Response–Central Command, fires his M4 Carbine during a recent buddy rush training exercise in Southwest Asia. In addition to their mission of training allied nations in the CENTCOM Area of Operation, Marines with the SPMAGTF regularly conduct these training exercises to maintain their combat readiness. Submitted photo

Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from May to July 2012. FMTB takes the basic clinical knowledge sailors learned in corps school and applies it to a field environment. There is a higher focus on emergency trauma care such as gunshot wounds or lost limbs, and simulating combat situations by forcing corpsmen to provide competent care in stressful situations. Medicine isn’t the only thing Holmes learned in FMTB, however. Because field medical technicians, or “green-side docs” work with Marines, they must also cover some of the same training Marines go through in their recruit training. This includes Marine Corps History, customs and courtesies, marksmanship training and close-order drill. Holmes’ first duty station was at Naval Hospital Bremerton, Washington, from July 2012 to July 2014, where he worked in a family medicine department. In July 2014, Holmes received orders to Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, where he was attached to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, and 7th Marine Regiment, which is currently deployed with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force– Crisis Response–Central Command.

“We got Doc Holmes just before the workup for this deployment,” said Lance Cpl. Trevor Meador, rifleman and team leader with Lima Company. “He came to us when we had our old corpsman, ‘Doc’ Stuggal, who handpicked him to join our platoon.” “We kinda look at him as the ‘son of’ our old corpsman,” Meador added. “He had all the same qualities as our old doc, so he fit in right away.” Meador explained that the Marines of his platoon see Holmes as very loyal which is a quality they like to see in their corpsman. He is very knowledgeable as a corpsman and is eager to share that knowledge with his Marines as well as learn infantry skills from them. Holmes explained that if he had to do it all over again he would without a doubt make the same choice. “Joining the military was the best decision I ever made in my life,” he said “It gave me five years to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, where I wanted to go, and figure out who I am more. If I didn’t join I would have just stayed at home and wasted time. This way I have been able to figure out what I want to do while still being productive. I now have college paid for, and am just a betterrounded person in general.”

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August 2015

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Gilbert Fire & Rescue helps kids with back-to-school shopping Firefighters and civilian members of Gilbert Fire & Rescue assisted 50 children with their shopping before these kids headed back to school. Each child received a $100 gift card to purchase clothes and shoes from Kohl’s in Gilbert and also received a new backpack filled with school supplies. GSN photos by Tim Sealy

Rylan Mouw (middle) gets a little fashion assistance from Matt and Erin Thielsen.

Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department’s firefighters and civilian volunteers visited the Kohl’s at Stapley and Baseline to help kids with back-to-school shopping.

Erin Thielsen confers with Rylan Mouw to make sure he likes the style of this shirt.

Jaylyssa Eden checks out a graphic tee.

Aliyah Cheatham shops with firefighters and volunteers.

Gary Hildebrandt assisted David Nunez with his back-to-school list, just in time for David to start eighth grade.

At the end of the shopping spree the kids also got a backpack of their choice filled with school supplies.

Chad Laswell of Gilbert Fire & Rescue looks for a good pair of jeans with Austyn Simmons.

Kevin and Katie Washburn check out blouses with Vanessa Morgan.

Community

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August 2015

Town to hire 500 enumerators for special census BY KENNETH LAFAVE

Gilbert’s growing pains will send 500 people to the streets come October, when a special census gauges the town’s population increase in the last five years. “We estimate Gilbert has grown by at least 30,000 residents since the last census in 2010,” said Justine Bruno, management support analyst for the Town of Gilbert. Though the official U.S. Census takes place only once every 10 years, special censuses are designated when a metropolitan area has evidenced substantial growth. The U.S. Census gave Gilbert an official population of 208,453 in 2010. Gilbert’s population last year, based on other data, was estimated at just under 240,000. Partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau, Gilbert is looking to hire 500 people for temporary full-time and part-time jobs canvassing the town. The canvassers will knock on the doors of some 93,000 Gilbert households—more than 180 households per worker, on average. Gilbert will initially recruit 1,300 workers. The reason for the overhire is steep attrition in the training process, Bruno said. Those hired are administered a

test that not all pass, and have to undergo a three-day training process that results in some hires walking away. Census takers—called “enumerators”— will be required to ask residents a series of questions. “It’s about a 10-minute survey,” Bruno said. “The questions include how many people are in the household, male or female, what sort of unit they live in, how they are related to each other—spouse or child or boarder, for example—residents’ ages and what race or ethnicity.” A new wrinkle in census-taking since 2010 is the issue of gender as a given, or as chosen. Bruno said the enumerators will accept the subject’s stated gender. The same will hold true for race. In addition to traditional one-family homes, enumerators will visit “nursing homes, multi-family homes, and group homes.” At the same time that Gilbert conducts its special census, one will be taking place in Chandler, as well. Chandler’s 2010 population was 236,326, with last year’s estimate coming in at 249,400. Though slightly larger than Gilbert, Chandler has not experienced a rate of growth over the

decades to equal its neighbor’s. In 1980, the census showed only 5,700 people living in Gilbert, compared to 30,000 living in Chandler. Since then, Gilbert has exploded to more than 40 times its population, while Chandler’s increase is closer to 8 times the 1980 figure. In addition to enumerators, the special census will require administrators, crew leaders to coordinate canvassing and

supervisors to run the operation. Hourly rates of pay will range from $12.25 and $19.25. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen and have a valid driver’s license. To apply, contact Gilbert’s Human Resources Department via email at CensusJobs@gilbertaz.gov or call (480) 503-6522.

August 2015

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St. Xavier hosts ribbon-cutting, celebration The doors of St. Xavier University’s Gilbert campus are open after a ribboncutting ceremony and celebration. The long-anticipated campus in the heart of the heritage district is the first university in Gilbert and the first satellite campus for the Chicago-based Catholic university. During the grand opening ceremony, university President Dr. Christine Wiseman thanked Gilbert officials for their partnership and assistance in building the relationship that brought premier higher education to the area. “It was not a business enterprise, it was really a relationship,” Wiseman said. “As leaders we embody that mission and as leaders of the town they embody the mission of the town and we couldn’t have found a better group of people to work with.” The building, located at 92 W. Vaughn Ave. (Saint Xavier Way), features modern classrooms, meeting spaces, testing centers and more. The school will start offering a variety of degree completion

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Mayor John Lewis speaks during the ribboncutting event for St. Xavier University. Submitted photo

and graduate degree programs. Enrollment is open and students will start classes there this fall. For more information about St. Xavier University or to register for classes, visit www.sxu.edu/gilbert.

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Since the program’s implementation, there have been several success stories and accolades from judges, victims and advocates. To further address domestic violence concerns, the police department requested—and the Town Council approved—two police officers positions in the 2014-2015 budget and a sergeant position in the 2015-2016 budget to establish a Family Violence Unit. The unit was implemented in July. Family Violence Unit officers Vic Perez and Brandon Wilson, under the leadership of Sgt. Mark Worden, have more than 30 combined years of law enforcement experience and will work with counselors assigned in Gilbert’s Youth and Adult Resources to provide investigative services and DVLA reviews on domestic violence cases in Gilbert. The goal of the Family Violence Unit is to address domestic violence through a multidisciplinary approach and collaborative effort with the assistance of GYAR counselors, victim advocates and service agencies. Gilbert police officials are confident the implementation of the Family Violence Unit will lead to success in addressing domestic violence in Gilbert.

August 2015

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In May 2012, Gilbert experienced one of the worst incidences of loss of life in the town’s history. J.T. Ready, a Gilbert resident, murdered four people, including a small infant, and then took his own life. At that time, Police Chief Tim Dorn made a commitment to the community that his department would examine best practices in policing and domestic violence prevention. Dorn said he wanted to enhance police procedures and develop community partnerships to obtain services for victims of domestic violence and to identify offenders who demonstrate a potential for future acts of violence. In January 2014, Gilbert police started a domestic violence lethality assessment program on all intimate partner domestic violence cases. The DVLA program was based on a recommendation made in 2013 by the East Valley Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team to address the potential risk of future lethal violence to a domestic violence victim. The program creates a risk assessment based on information gathered from victims regarding the controlling behavior of suspects.

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August 2015

Sonora Quest offering Direct Access Testing statewide BY TAMARA JUAREZ

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In response to HB 2645, Sonora Quest Laboratories is providing the public with a new way to demand a variety of medical tests previously excluded from the Direct Access Testing List managed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. “Sonora Quest Laboratories is excited to help consumers play a more active role in their health by offering laboratory testing in a convenient, efficient and confidential way,” said Sonora Quest Medical Director Dr. Robert Stern. “One of our top priorities is to provide innovative solutions to drive improved health outcomes for our patients and their families.” To accomplish this, Sonora Quest Laboratories introduced My Lab ReQuest, a new method of ordering and checking the status of Direct Access Tests. With My Lab ReQuest, consumers can order tests from an extensive menu, which includes screening for environmental/pollen allergies, diabetes, heart health, immunity and infectious diseases. “All tests are available via an easy online ordering form on our website or at any of our 70 patient service center locations, and are fully transparent with price clearly indicated for each test,” Stern said. “Once completed, consumers have the choice of retrieving their results online through Sonora Quest’s Patient Portal or having them sent by email or postal mail. Once a test is ordered, average turnaround time on testing ranges from one to five days depending on the test and the method of delivery.” Test prices range from $7 to $213 and depend on the type of test selected. Sonora Quest Laboratories is committed to empowering consumers in Arizona to take control of their health and has prepared for the new age in health care consumerism and shifts in relationships between laboratories, patients and doctors. According to SB 2645, health care providers are not required to review test results, and private health insurance companies are not required to cover costs. Despite the controversy surrounding these points, Sonora Quest Laboratories is not worried about possible abuse from any party involved. Stern emphasized the importance of collaborative relationships. “We remain convinced that the management of personal health is most effective when it involves a health care provider and see direct access testing as a tool that patients may use to take a more active role in understanding and managing their health,” Stern said. “We actively encourage patients to

work with their health care providers to ensure that they get the most value and information out of their laboratory results.” Within the past 20 years, Sonora Quest Laboratories expanded its reach, establishing 70 patient service centers throughout Arizona, serving consumers in rural and metropolitan areas. Sonora Quest Laboratories conducts more than 57 million diagnostic tests per year and is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, the gold standard in laboratory accreditation. All Direct Access Tests are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and ensure accurate patient diagnosis. “Health care is rapidly evolving and we are committed to remaining the premier provider of innovative diagnostic testing and to continually evaluating new and innovative solutions for Arizona,” Stern said. Sonora Quest Laboratories, part of the largest integrated laboratory system in the United States, serves more than 23,000 patients daily throughout Arizona.

DELVING INTO SB 2645 The new Arizona health care law, effective July 3, allows consumers greater access to medical testing and control over their health. The law states various limitations and conditions: • Consumers can order any lab test directly from licensed labs without a physician’s order • Health care providers are not required to review or act on results of a lab test that the health care provider did not request, nor will they be subject to liability or disciplinary action for failure to review or act on test results not authorized by the health provider • Private health insurance companies are not required to pay the costs of tests ordered by an Arizona resident. • Test results must be delivered directly from the lab to the patient. • Clinical laboratories are prohibited from filing claims for reimbursement for tests conducted without a health care provider’s request or written authorization.

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Community

August 2015

Flake to meet with area businesses BY KENNETH LAFAVE

Members of nine East Valley chambers of commerce will meet with Sen. Jeff Flake during an Aug. 28 breakfast at the Conference Center of the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Phoenix-Gilbert, 1800 S. San Tan Village Pkwy., in Gilbert. Hosted by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the SRP Good Government Series, the event will also include representatives from the chambers of Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills and Apache Junction. Admission for chamber members is $35; invited guests are $50 each. Breakfast will be served at

7:15 a.m., followed by discussion with the senator from 7:40 a.m. to 9 a.m. “I am looking forward to speaking with members of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce,” Flake said in a statement. “The Chamber does a great job advocating for business and commerce in Gilbert and the East Valley, and I appreciate the opportunity to hear from them.” The breakfast promises “a candid, informational discussion on a variety of business-related topics.” Kathy Tilque, president and CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce since 1996, said the breakfast is the latest in a series of annual visits Flake has made to the assembled East Valley chambers. “He’s an East Valley guy, so we’ve had a good relationship over the years,” Tilque said. Born in Snowflake, Flake later lived in Mesa and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002, representing Arizona’s sixth congressional district. The Republican remained in the House until 2012, when he was elected to the Senate, replacing Jon Kyl. Staying aware of Washington politics is important to local businesses, Tilque said. “We need to keep abreast of the bills and legislation that’s going forward. We

are very pro-active both with Sen. Flake and Sen. McCain.” The breakfast affords a chance for East Valley business owners to meet with Flake, one on one. “This allows Sen. Flake to meet with actual business people who are living and breathing the laws being passed in Washington,” Tilque said. A good example of a federal law important at a local level is the ExportImport Bank reauthorization bill. “We (the East Valley chambers of commerce) have been working with Sen. Flake on this,” Tilque added. The Export-Import Bank is a federal institution that assists businesses with loans. “It’s a federal bank for businesses that do exports. When banks limit loans, the Export-Import Bank can help out.” Its existence is necessary, Tilque said, because many foreign competitors enjoy a similar kind of underwriting. The ExportImport Bank maintains a level playing field for American businesses. “This is just one example of a very important issue that doesn’t get a lot of headline attention, yet is vital to businesses. Many have to have this line of credit to keep growing their businesses.”

Sen. Jeff Flake. Submitted Photo

And continued growth is the goal of every chamber of commerce. “What events like this do is keep us in touch with how we can grow our economy, to not just keep jobs, but expand them. We need to work all the way up to the federal level to make that happen.”

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August 2015

Rattlers QB readies for another playoff run BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Arizona Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila lives for football. His dedication to the team is nothing short of legendary in Arena Football League circles. He and the Rattlers recently won the West Division Championship title for the fifth consecutive season. From the front office on down, nothing less is expected. “That’s what we expect when we play here with the Arizona Rattlers,” said Davila, a Gilbert resident. “Anything less would be unacceptable.” The Arizona Rattlers recently announced—after defeating the Los Angeles KISS—that they are hosting the first round of the 2015 playoffs at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at US Airways Center, soon to be Talking Stick Resort Arena. “I’ve been drawn to sports, in general, but really football. As I’m sitting here with my son, he’s jumping on the bed with a football in his hand,” said Davila, 30, of his son, Moses. “I’ve always loved the camaraderie. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really learned to appreciate what football teaches you when you step out of football. The life lessons that you learn playing a sport like football. Football is not like any other sport, though.

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For arena football you need eight guys paddling their boats in the same direction. If one guy is not, it can mess up the whole play or mess up the whole season. It teaches you so much about teamwork and that’s one thing I love about it.” The fans are just as enamored with the sport. “We have the best fans in Arena Football,” said Davila. “The Snake Pit, the Rattler Nation, they show up and they love their team and we love them.” The Davilas have Rattlers QB Nick lived in Gilbert for Davila. Matt Hinshaw Photography/Arizona about three years, Rattlers having moved here from Southern California. He’s been impressed with the enthusiasm of Arizona sports fans, not just Rattlers followers. “These fans really love their sports and honestly they love their football a lot,” he said. “I recently went to a high school football game (Chandler High School vs.

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Davila will set up the Arizona Rattlers offense in the first-round game of the playoffs Saturday, Aug. 15, at US Airways Center. Matt Hinshaw Photography/Arizona Rattlers

Hamilton High School) and there were almost 8,000 people there. They love their football and it obviously shows with how many people come to the Rattler games, especially in the last year.” A player for the Cleveland Browns in 2007, Davila said the transition from the NFL to the Arena Football League was a little tricky. “Even though it is football and they have the same concepts, the game’s definitely different,” he said. “Even the philosophy of scoring, it’s more of a basketball-paced game. You always have to keep scoring. It’s fun. It’s been a great ride for me with the Rattlers. I’ve been truly blessed to be a part of the arena football game in general.” The energy in the crowd—and on the field—is palpable, he said. “It’s a really exciting game. It’s really fast paced, with a lot of scoring. In Arena

Football, you never see blowouts because you can score so quickly and the team that is losing can get back into the game. It’s really exciting.” While Davila is out seeking The Foster Trophy, his wife, Jessica, takes care of Moses and daughter, Leila. “My wife, she really steps up,” he said. “She’s a great mother and a great wife to me. She gives me the space I need to be successful on the football field. It takes two to raise a family and I’ve been fortunate enough to be blessed with two beautiful children and a beautiful wife.” Arizona Rattlers vs. Team to be Announced at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at US Airways Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Tickets start at $10. For information, call (602) 514-8383 or visit www.azrattlers.com/single-game-tickets.

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August 2015

Osso set to open Nico this winter in Gilbert Fans of chef Gio Osso and his James Beard-nominated Scottsdale restaurant Virtu will soon have another delicious option to indulge in this winter. Nico is the newest “delivery” to the East Valley restaurant lineup. As a paternal ode to his first-born son, Nico, Osso’s newest and first casual concept is designed to be a breezy neighborhood hangout where the chef feels like he’s cooking for his closest friends and family. Set for an early winter opening, Nico will serve seasonal, West Coast-inspired Italian cooking built upon Osso’s family recipes. That includes handmade pastas, woodfired entrees and other generational dishes crafted from fresh ingredients, both local and imported from Italy. “We wanted to give folks who love the food at Virtu an opportunity to enjoy highquality Italian cuisine in a lively atmosphere

Chef Gio Osso is shown here with the inspiration for his newest restaurant, his son, Nico, along with wife, Bethany. Submitted photo

that’s comfortable for the entire family,” Gilbert resident Osso said of the new eatery’s casual, laidback vibe. “Dress up for Virtu or drop in at Nico— either way, guests can expect a memorable dining experience where the food speaks for itself.” For more information, visit www.nicoaz. com. Also follow Nico on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Sal’s stands by its motto claiming it’s the ‘best’ BY KATHY KERBY

Diners can’t get much more authentic New York-style pizza than pies from Sal’s Gilbert Pizza on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Warner roads. Its namesake Sal Cuffaro, who was born in Sicily, worked in his brother’s pizzeria in New York before opening his family-friendly restaurant in 2006. During our visit, my husband and I were excited to sample the food that Guy Fieri raved about on his Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” On a recent Friday evening, we walked in to the packed dining room filled with the delicious aroma of pizza and garlic. As we spent 30 minutes waiting for a table, we watched Sal and his talented team work creatively and efficiently to feed their hungry guests. We noticed the boxes of food that went out the door with the take-out crowd and marveled that such a small kitchen could produce so much delicious food. We were seated at a nice booth in one of the two dining areas and the lovely Mattia brought menus and a half dozen beautiful garlic knots with marinara sauce on the side. Just reading the menu is a culinary adventure—baked ziti pizza, lasagna pizza, chicken marsala pizza? We devoured the knots, drenched with butter and garlic, as we made our selections from the colorful, imaginative five-column menu. I ordered the chicken parmigiana ($15.99), which came with a house salad and pasta. The large, fresh salad with mixed greens, cucumber, tomato, grated carrots and onions came with a savory house Italian dressing in a small cruet. The chicken parmigiana was a delicious blend of breaded chicken, marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. The large bowl of al dente pasta that comes with each entree is a tasty bonus.

When school’s out, come on in. We’re open evenings and Saturdays.

Sal Cuffaro and his talented team making magic in the kitchen. Submitted photo

My husband, Lou, proudly represented the men and ordered the meatlover’s pizza ($21.99/16-inch). With a massive amount of pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon and cheese on a thin crispy crust, he was in “pizza heaven.” Even though there was a large crowd, Mattia stopped by frequently to refill our drinks and check to see how we liked the food. For dessert, we couldn’t resist the large cannoli ($3.99)—a mouthful of pure delight. First the crunch, then the cream with a hint of cinnamon and then the chocolate melts onto your taste buds. It was the perfect ending to a perfect meal. On an upcoming warm summer evening when everyone is just too hot to cook, take your family down to Sal’s where you can’t go wrong with the fabulous food and attentive service. You will discover why this locally owned Gilbert treasure has the motto “if you try the rest you always come back to the best.” Sal’s Gilbert Pizza 1150 W. Gilbert Rd. Suite 106 Gilbert 85296 (480) 633-2226 www.gilbertpizzaaz.com

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August 2015

Tiny house, huge investment

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www.GilbertSunNews.com

Downsizing not only creates financial success, but a greater sense of independence BY MICHAEL CARAVAGGIO

Homeowners are taking the idea of downsizing to a whole new level. Brandon Brown and his wife, Shannon, are building a 155-square-foot “tiny house,” a topic they discussed at the Southeast Regional Library on July 15. “The definition of a tiny house is anything smaller than a typical house you could buy or have built,” Brown said. The size of the Browns’ future home is unorthodox, but so is the foundation, or lack thereof. It’s being built on a trailer by Glendale-based Fleming Trailers Inc. that will give them the utmost freedom. “If you want to move, (I say) let’s move,” he explained. “Let’s go.” But the decision to dramatically downsize from their traditional ways of living wasn’t exactly easy. “At first, I was against the idea,” Brown explained. “Then it came down to, why am I saying no to this? My stuff already had too much control over me. “When you start getting rid of stuff, that’s when you really find out how much stuff you actually have. After that, your stuff no longer becomes your measuring stick and

will no longer be the center of who you are and what you value.” The houses may be small, but there’s a bigger bang for your buck. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average cost of a standard home is $272,000, and that’s not even counting the interest rates. Whereas, the average cost of a tiny house is $23,000, if built by the owner. The Browns are anticipating spending about $15,000 on the project. Although living the “tiny life” does reduce a plethora of financial obligations, it still comes with restrictions of its own, especially living on the go. Because the Browns’ tiny house is being constructed near Anthem on a trailer, weight restrictions will have to be carefully determined in order to avoid paying an $800 commercial trailer fee of exceeding a 10,000-pound limit. The Browns are constructing their tiny house with a wooden frame instead of metal to spare overall weight and to only pay a one-time fee of $125 for noncommercial trailer registration. They also plan on using a natural substance, such as wool, for insulation, as well as a solar panel for electricity and

Brandon and Shannon Brown are joining the tiny house revolution for a simpler, more adventurous lifestyle. They are hard at work building their tiny house near Anthem, with plans to relocate to either Gilbert or Chandler. Submitted photo

heating and either a minisplit system or window unit for air conditioning. Not only will there be enough room for a ceiling fan, their tiny house will also have nine windows. So having enough natural sunlight will not be a concern. Once the home is finished, the Browns plan on settling in Gilbert or Chandler, where they may seek vacant land from a private owner or help promote this tiny revolution by dwelling in a willing citizen’s

backyard. “Let’s make friends, let’s build tiny communities and let’s become more independent,” Brown stated. “It’s time to start having lives based on the quality of our relationships and not the quantity of our square footage.” Keep updated on the Browns’ progress by visiting their online blog at www. BuildItTiny.com.

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Gilbert Chamber announces Volunteer of the Year BY TAMARA JUAREZ

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce honored Ryan Morton as Volunteer of the Year for his dedication to small businesses. Morton, director of marketing and sales for GroundZero Restoration and Silver Fox Plumbing, received his award recently during the ninth annual Business Awards Luncheon. He was one of seven community members nominated by local businesses and selected by the Chamber to be recognized for his achievements. The event was sponsored by American Furniture Warehouse. The 40-year-old single father is one of 70 Gilbert Chamber ambassadors who help strengthen communication between businesses and Town officials by mentoring Chamber members, assisting with events and working alongside other ambassadors to engage existing small businesses. “My nomination for Volunteer of the Year is the direct result of how successful the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is as an organization.” Morton said. “This award is a true testament to the growth and development that can be achieved both

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personally and professionally through participation in the many opportunities the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce provides.” Morton is motivated by his ability to build lifelong relationships with devoted individuals who share his passion for volunteer work in the “beautiful town of Gilbert.” “The relationship between the Town of Gilbert and the Chamber is like no other. I am inspired everyday by all of the community volunteers we have in Gilbert,” Morton said. “The leaders of the nonprofit organizations, the residents, businesses professionals and Town officials that volunteer their time to keep Gilbert moving forward—they are all proof to me that God does amazing things through amazing people.” When he isn’t managing GroundZero Restoration and Silver Fox Plumbing, the six-year Gilbert resident volunteers at the Boys and Girls Clubs, the United Food Bank and the Friends for Life Animal Shelter. Morton said he believes every person has the power to cause change. He enjoys being a role model. “To me, it’s not about going out and

August 2015

Blue Wasabi Sushi and Martini Bar is offering “Sushi School” for a fee of $59. Submitted photo

‘Sushi School’ set for Aug. 16

Ryan Morton, director of marketing and sales for GroundZero Restoration and Silver Fox Plumbing, holds his Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. GSN photo by Tamara Juarez

trying to save the world.” he explained. “It’s about waking up every day knowing that we all have what it takes in our heart to go out and make a positive difference in someone’s life. It’s the little things. The smallest compliment, word of encouragement, and the most simple acts of kindness can change a person’s life.”

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Blue Wasabi Sushi and Martini Bar is hosting “Sushi School” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at the restaurant, 2080 E. Williams Field Rd. in SanTan Village. The $59 fee includes all sushi-making materials, two sushi rolls, one order of nigari and a Makisu (sushi mat) to take home. Additional food and beverages will also be available for purchase during the class. This opportunity to learn how to slice and dice like a pro can make for an amazing date, girls’ outing, or simple Sunday Fun-day with the family. Parents wishing to bring children to participate in the class should be advised that extremely sharp knives are used. Additionally, if attendees have their own high-quality blades they’re comfortable with, they’re encouraged to bring them along. For more information, call (480) 722-9250 or visit www.bluewasabisushi.com.

August 2015

Harry Potter potions class

Neighbors

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Children concocted Harry Potter potions at a class at Southeast Regional Library, making Magic Mud and Exploding Elixirs, just like Harry Potter. The class was part of Harry Potter Palooza. For information, visit the homepage of the library at http:// mcldaz.org/custom/branches/southeast.aspx. GSN Photos by Tim Sealy

llie Newton double checks with her assistant before activating her Exploding Elixir.

Anastasia and Gabriella Rusev use a team approach to shaking the ice cream.

Sisters Gabriella and Anastasia Rusev take turns shaking their Honeydukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Homemade Ice Cream.

The best part of making homemade ice cream is getting to eat it, according to Nailah and Kenneth Clarke.

Aemilia Yeager pour in some vegetable oil (better known as Gillyweed Solution) to brew her Burn/Heal Potion.

McKenna Fairchild has a good time with these potions.

Aemilia Yeager and Anastasia and Gabriella Rusev show off their Magic Mud.

Aemilia Yeager adds Leprechaun Elixir to her Burn/Heal Potion.

Southeast Regional Library volunteers Brianna Sosa and Elijah Rusev give the kids a helping hand with their potions.

www.GilbertSunNews.com

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August 2015

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August 2015

Horse rescue nominated for Eagle Rare Life Award BY KENNETH LAFAVE

They all have names and a home. They’re dubbed Stormy and Duke, Romeo and Stardust, Einstein and Pixie and more, and all of them live on 1.1 acres of ranch land in Gilbert. They didn’t always have a home. Before Wildhorse Ranch Rescue took in these equines—44 altogether, including horses, burros and mules—they were nameless, homeless and destined for the slaughterhouse or starvation. Wildhorse Ranch Rescue is a 501(c)(3) run by Kim Meagher, a recent Eagle Rare Life Award nominee. The prize, sponsored by Eagle Rare Bourbon, honors people whose devotion to a worthy cause has made a difference. Meagher (pronounced Ma-her) was nominated by animal rights volunteer Christi Parrish. “I saw firsthand the amazing horse rescues Kim made when I would go out to her ranch,” Parrish said. “Recently, Kim rescued a horse whose bridle was imbedded in its face due to the bridle not being removed. The horse had to have surgery. I have seen horses with all kinds of neglect and abuse that Kim saved from a life of misery.” The winner of the Eagle Rare Life Award will receive $50,000, an amount Meagher said would represent a major

boost to her organization’s $285,000 annual budget. (To vote for Meagher online, go to http://bit.ly/1OJZf5y. It is possible to vote once every 24 hours until Jan. 5.) Meagher bought what is now Wildhorse Ranch Rescue in 1995, one of several parcels of a former working ranch. It was surrounded by open land. Now, it is circled by houses sitting snugly. “You ever been somewhere for the first time and you feel like it’s home? That’s how I felt when I saw this place,” said Meagher, looking over her land. At the time, Meagher was a single mother of two and a planner for the Intel Corp. She was not one of those little girls in love with horses. Raised by her grandmother in a Saginaw, Michigan, neighborhood she describes as “violent and far away from horses,” Meagher was a city girl who had never even been on a horse. But when the land she bought happened to have 11 stalls on it, she thought, why not? “I bought a horse on payments, a little filly named Brownie,” Meagher said. “One Fourth of July, she panicked at the fireworks, caught her halter on something and bucked and bucked until her feet slipped out from under her and she fell and broke her neck. The kids and I were

just devastated.” Friends recommended that she had to get another horse for the children’s sake, but Meagher was still making payments on Brownie. So, through the local press, she put out a call for anyone willing to give up a horse. To her surprise, she was flooded with responses. Fascinated, Meagher began to research the phenomenon of abandoned horses, and found that about 60,000 equines were slaughtered every year in the United States. (The figure 20 years later is about 100,000.) “These are retired race horses, family pets too old to keep, wild donkeys, government horses, strays. Equines live 25 to 40 to sometimes 50 years, and this is a society that can’t even keep a dog or cat for 20,” Meagher said. “I thought, well, I have 11 stalls, so I can save 11 horses. The place filled up pretty darn quick.” Meagher’s first rescue was a wild mustang, which is how the place came to be called Wildhorse Ranch Rescue. But she has since taken in all kinds of strays and abandoned equines. A recent visit to an Arizona Department of Agriculture auction resulted in an influx of burros. “The department found 99 of them roaming around near Ajo,” Meagher said.

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“I went in thinking we’d bid on two or three, and we ended up with 23. How can you say no?” Her rescue efforts are not limited to equines. There were dozens of cats on the property when she bought it, so the land is also home to a cat rescue. Meagher recently started a dog rescue on a separate property. Meagher left her job with Intel in 2002, when she realized that her efforts were limited by her income. Her intent was to become a horse trainer, but in the autumn of 2002, only two months after leaving the Intel job, Meagher was thrown under a horse when the saddle broke at a gallop. The horse, named Dunny, stopped immediately, which Meagher believes saved her life. But it didn’t save her from a broken neck, which ended her career as a trainer. When she healed, Meagher redoubled her commitment to the rescue, and started several businesses to help support it. With a nonprofit status from the IRS, she recruited a board of directors. Today, Wildhorse Ranch Rescue is helped by more than 180 volunteers, a board of 15, and celebrity contributors such as actor Viggo Mortensen, actress Eve Plumb and guitarist Tom Scholz of the band Boston. Over the years, Wildhorse Ranch Rescue

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Romeo and Duke graze contentedly at Wildhorse Ranch Rescue. Submitted photo

has saved a couple hundred horses, more than 30 burros and mules and, through its dog rescue, more than 200 dogs. Expenses are steep. “Some horses come in with gaping wounds, ticks and fleas,” Meagher said. Some, like the horse with the bridle imbedded in its mouth, require expensive surgery. And some, of course, die. “Over 20 years, we have a long list of horses we’ve lost. A couple have passed away on their own. Others have gotten

really sick. We do go to great lengths to try and save them first, but when they can’t be saved, we don’t let them suffer.” It’s all in keeping the rescue’s stated mission: “To save animals from abuse, neglect, slaughter and premature death, and to provide a safe place for them to live the remainder of their lives.” For more information about Wildhorse Ranch Rescue, visit www. wildhorseranchrescue.com.

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Business

August 2015

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Two startups win $250K grants from Arizona Commerce Authority BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

Two Gilbert software companies were among six Arizona startups that received $250,000 grants to get their companies off the ground. CampusLogic, a company that creates software to assist with financial aid for higher education, and eVisit, a maker of telehealth software for online treatment, billing and patient analytics for providers, received the grants from the Arizona Commerce Authority in the Arizona Innovation Challenge. These recipients represent earlystage Arizona companies that are creating innovative technological solutions with the potential for significant economic impact, according to the organization. Judges evaluated 138 applications from companies in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Texas and Wisconsin for the spring 2015 AIC round. Each company was assessed on technology potential, marketing strategy, quality of management team and economic impact. The companies represent highvalue industry sectors that include IT software, IT hardware, bio and life sciences, cleantech/renewable

energy, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense. In June, 10 finalists were named in this round from which the winners were chosen. Sandra Watson, president and CEO of Arizona Commerce Authority, congratulated the winners. “As they commercialize their technology, these innovative companies will continue to create high-quality jobs that have a positive economic impact, and we’re thrilled to support them in that journey,” Watson said. Including the most recent spring 2015 recipients, the ACA has awarded 50 AIC grants to Arizona’s entrepreneurs to help them accelerate their businesses and advance technologies. Bret Larsen, CEO and co-founder of eVisit, said his company creates two-way video between doctor and patient. The telemedicine software enables patients who have colds, flu or allergies, or other less serious illnesses, to “visit” doctors through video sessions. “The patients love it for the convenience,” Larsen said. “They don’t

have to make a 10- or 45-minute drive to the doctor’s office.” With eVisit, relationships between doctors and patients are maintained. Larsen said other telemedicine software connects patients with doctors they do not know. “Our goal is to maintain that (doctor-patient) relationship,” Larsen said. Larsen said eVisit also is HIPAA compliant. “It exceeds the security baseline,” Larsen said, in terms of meeting security and privacy concerns of HIPAA. Larsen said other common video software applications do not meet HIPAA guidelines. Larsen formed the company in September 2014 with Dr. Glen McCracken, a former emergency room doctor who serves as president, and Miles Romney, chief technology officer. Larsen began working full time on eVisit in November and the company started earning revenue in March. “The grant will be used to accelerate our growth through our hiring plans and what we will need to do to scale effectively,” Larsen said. The funds will help the company add staff to assist with customer service.

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Larsen said he is excited about working with the Arizona Commerce Authority and receiving the grant. “They are doing so much to help young fledgling companies. We’re excited about the grant and appreciative to them.” CampusLogic creates “smart software” that improves the financial aid process and experience for students, staff and school. “Our goal is to make financial aid simple and efficient for everyone involved, whether we are delivering a student self-service platform for FAFSA verification, reducing overborrowing through dynamic, digital award letters or alleviating the headache of reconciliation,” according to the company’s website. It brings more than 75 years combined experience as directors of financial aid, compliance officers, quality assurance specialists, financial aid advisers and analysts. Company officials could not be reached for comment.

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Clothing drive benefits Big Brother/Big Sister groups Each year, Lapels Dry Cleaning stores across the country host clothing drives to benefit Big Brother/Big Sister. With seven states participating in this year’s drive, held May 2 to May 17, customers donated 437 pounds of clothes at three Arizona Lapels Dry Cleaning stores in Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale, and 11,565 nationwide. That has a value of $11,565 or a $1 per pound. The clothes donated will be resold at thrift shops and second-hand clothing stores, helping to fund Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey and Rhode Island. “For several years in a row now, Lapels Dry Cleaning customers have been so generous with their donations,” said John Purtell, of Big Brother/Big Sister of Central Arizona. “We really can’t thank Lapels and its customers enough.” “The simplest way to put it is our customers care,” added Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning. “They care that their clothes are cleaned in an environmentally friendlier way and they care about their fellow citizens in the community.

Business

August 2015

Gilbert Chamber hosts series of events through August

Throughout the year, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of luncheons and meetings for its members and the community. Events are held throughout the town. The Chamber office is at 119 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 101. For more information about events or to register, call (480) 892-0056 or visit www.gilbertaz.com.

Kevin Dubois, left, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning, stands with Rich Delbou, manager of Lapels Dry Cleaning of Cohasset, Massachusetts, and Steve Beck, executive director Big Brother Big Sister Foundation. Submitted photo

“What’s really impressive about our customers’ generosity is that these donations take place over a two-week period. That’s a lot of clothes in a very short period.” Using the latest technology in equipment and cleaning solution, Lapels is one of the few dry cleaners with no hazardous waste in their process.

Chamber Chat—Morning 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 Presented by Aire Serv of East Valley Heating and Cooling, the event allows Chamber members to meet for breakfast. This informal gathering is a fun way to share conversation with other professionals and learn more about businesses in the community. $8 in advance; $12 at the door. Bold Roost Café, 1489 S. Higley Rd., Suite 103, Gilbert Chamber Chat—After Hours 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 Meet up with other Chamber members at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. This informal gathering is a fun way to share conversation with other professionals

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and learn more about businesses in the community. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., 721 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 103, Gilbert. Nonprofit Summit 7:50 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19 Join the Chamber as it brings together representatives of Gilbert’s nonprofit organizations with local business leaders for a morning of collaborative conversation. Free. Southeast Regional Library, Assembly Room, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert.

August 2015

Our Community

elcome to our community map. Custom designed for Gilbert Sun News by talented artist Valerie Gower, it will serve as a monthly gathering place for our readers. Each month, look for new events, business openings and lots more, including an expanded map to include South Gilbert.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Missing?

ee something missing from the map? We would like to add local landmarks

and businesses serving our community. Please email anything you see missing to: mapit@gilbertsunnews.com, and we will see that it gets added.

Thanks for the help!

August 2015

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SweetLeaf Stevia awarded highest global honor for taste

SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener, one of two award-winning brands from the Gilbertbased Wisdom Natural Brands, has been named a Top Wellness Company. It is the only stevia brand in the country to receive the honor. Wisdom Natural Brands also produces Wisdom of the Ancients herbal teas. SweetLeaf is a natural stevia sweetener with zero calories, zero carbohydrates, nonglycemic response and no artificial ingredients. It has consistently won global awards for taste and innovation. SweetLeaf is sold in boxes of 35 or 70 packets, as well as in SweetLeaf Stevia Shaker jars for easy home use, and SweetLeaf SteviaTabs, dissolvable tablets for on-the-go use. SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener is available in both natural and QAI certified organic. Offering consumers additional high-quality choices, SweetLeaf Organics are sold in 35 and 70 count packet boxes and shaker jars. SugarLeaf, also by Wisdom, bonds SweetLeaf Stevia and cane sugar for a low-calorie sugar alternative that is perfect for baking and cooking. SugarLeaf has two-thirds fewer calories than sugar. SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia Sweet Drops add

flavor without calories or carbohydrates to favorite foods and beverages. Sweet Drops also have no artificial ingredients. SweetLeaf Water Drops add delicious natural flavor to plain or sparkling water. For more information about SweetLeaf products, recipes, the new SweetLeaf cookbook, “Cooking with SweetLeaf Stevia,” and more, visit www.ShopSweetLeaf.com. From energizing Yerba Maté Royale to calming Rooibos and Sympacho, Wisdom of the Ancients herbal teas are available in tea bags and come in a variety of refreshing flavors. Select varieties are also available with a touch of calorie-free stevia sweetener. Wisdom of the Ancients also produces Cream of Coco, a natural, sustainable bar soap derived from Mbocaya, an edible nut grown on the Paraguayan coco tree. Cream of Coco is great for all skin types and is ideal as a face and body wash. It’s even gentle enough for hand washing delicate fabrics. SweetLeaf and Wisdom of the Ancients products can be purchased online at www. ShopSweetLeaf.com or at grocery and health food stores throughout the United States and Canada.

Local businesses win big in President’s ‘E’ Awards Three Gilbert companies were recognized with the U.S. President’s “E” Award—the highest honor for companies with significant contributions to the expansion of U.S. exports. The three “E” Award recipients are Rigid Industries, a world leader in forward-projecting LED lighting, Wisdom Natural Brands, a manufacturer of natural sweetener products made from the Stevia plant and other natural ingredients, and Nanci’s Frozen Yogurt, a manufacturer and international wholesaler of soft-serve mixes including Frozen Yogurt. Nanci’s Frozen Yogurt is located in Mesa but is moving its facility to the new Park Lucero development. Just 45 companies were recognized this year and, with three of the four Arizona companies being from Gilbert, Mayor John Lewis said this brings great exposure for the community. “Gilbert is fortunate to have innovative firms like Rigid Industries, Wisdom Natural Brands, and Nanci’s Frozen Yogurt in our community, paving the way for Gilbert

internationally,” Lewis said. The President’s “E” Award was created by Executive Order of the President to afford suitable recognition to persons, firms, or organizations which contribute significantly in the effort to increase United States exports. The President’s “E Star” Award, which was authorized by the Secretary of Commerce, affords continuing recognition of noteworthy export promotion efforts. Winners of the “E” and “E Star” Award are authorized to fly the blue and white banner, to display the accompanying certificate of commendation which is signed by the secretary of commerce in the name and, by the authority of the president, to wear and issue to employees an “E” or “E Star” lapel pin, and to refer to the award in their advertising. The application period for the 2016 Awards will open in November 2015. For more information, visit http://export.gov/ exportawards/.

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Doing Business

Precision Payroll of America

Owner: Tom Sodeika How long in business: 32 years Specialty: Payroll and tax administration; time and attendance; HR services and administrative services. Unique Features: Precision Payroll of America delivers comprehensive and high-tech solutions with “old-fashioned” customer service. Sodeika said “working with us is like ‘watching Andy Griffith in high definition’—you get the best of

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both worlds.” Clients continually work directly with the same team. Direct lines and email allow customers to reach their team quickly. By providing these services at significant savings over other companies, Precision Payroll of America rounds out its service and value proposition. Address: 1176 E. Warner Rd., Suite 102, Gilbert, 85296 Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: (480) 892-2933

Send in your business profile for ‘Doing Business’ The Gilbert Sun News would like to welcome new area businesses or existing ones that may be new to our readers. Submit information about your business for a “Doing Business” mini-business profile in an upcoming issue of our publication, which is distributed to 25,000 homes, racks and boxes the fifth of each month. Please include all of the following items: Name of business, name of owner(s), how long the business has existed, unique features, hours of operation, address, telephone number, website and email address. Also include an at least 300 dpi photo of the business owner or logo. Email this information to info@gilbertsunnews.com or visit www. gilbertsunnews.com and click on the “Doing Business” form at the top of the page to submit.

August 2015

Caliber Collision food drive aids St. Mary’s Food Bank Local contributions to Caliber Collision’s fourth annual Rhythm Restoration Food Drive in Phoenix contributed to a recordbreaking 2.3 million meals nationwide to help feed at-risk children this summer. Local efforts from Caliber’s four locations in Gilbert, Scottsdale, Tempe and Chandler, resulted in $8,613 in cash and 1,464 pounds of food for a combined total of 70,899 meals to benefit St Mary’s Food Bank. Contributions came from the Caliber teammates, customers and business partners. Caliber’s annual Rhythm Restoration Food Drive is a grassroots, employeedriven labor of love in which Caliber teammates nationwide host food and fundraising drives in local communities, challenging each other to beat the previous year’s results. This year’s nationwide food drive more than doubled last year’s total of 1 million meals. “Caliber Collision’s annual Rhythm Restoration Food Drive is a wonderful opportunity for all of our teammates and business partners to get involved in

our local communities as we go above and beyond to help kids in need,” said Steve Grimshaw, Caliber Collision CEO. “Our highest purpose is to restore our customers to the rhythm of their lives. Both the customers who walk through our doors and the greater communities that we serve around each of our centers.” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 15.8 million children younger than age 18 in the United States live in households where they are unable to consistently access enough nutritious food necessary for a healthy life. Caliber Collision’s annual Rhythm Restoration Food Drive helps at-risk children especially during the summer months when many do not have access to school lunch programs.

August 2015

Diamondback Air: Keeping clients comfortable since 1999 BY ALISON STANTON

As owner of Diamondback Air, a fullservice air conditioning and heating company located in Mesa, John Herman knows he and his team are helping their customers stay comfortable—even after hours. Clients who have issues with their A/C unit after the office has closed are able to speak to a service technician who is concerned about the home’s residents. Those with medical conditions and elderly folks require Diamondback Air to fix the unit immediately. “They are trained to ask, ‘Do you have more than one system in your home?’ or ‘Do your kids have asthma?’” said Herman, who has 40 years’ experience in the HVAC industry. Diamondback Air is not a 24-hour emergency service company, but staff will take care of existing customers after hours who have health or other issues. Tyler Stettler, operations manager for Diamondback Air, said the company focuses on residential and commercial air conditioning and serves customers

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throughout the Valley. “Anything related to air conditioning needs we can satisfy and take care of,” Stettler said. In addition to installing, maintaining and repairing A/C and heating systems, Diamondback Air also offers air duct cleaning, whole house air balancing and other related services. Herman said about 35 percent of his business is from referrals. He chalked it up to Diamondback Air’s “personal” service. “We offer good old-fashioned, family-owned personal service. People are not just a number here, and we handle all of our service calls personally,” Herman said. However, to avoid service calls, Stettler said homeowners should change the filters regularly. Homeowners with a lot of pets, kids and/or dust should change their filters more frequently. “I always say that people should keep their filter in for a maximum of one month,” Stettler said. “Preventative maintenance is always the cheapest route, and changing the

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filters regularly just helps the unit to breathe. Air flow is everything in our industry.” Herman also wants people to know that older A/C units with R22 Freon are slated to be phased out by 2018, and as of Jan. 1, 2015, 13 SEER units is involved in the community. are no longer being manufactured. “We help with organizations like The minimum SEER is now 14 with a Angels on Patrol and Habitat for refrigerant R410A Freon, he said. Humanity, so we do like to pay it “We can still find R22 Freon, but it’s “The bitter taste of a poor quality ins forward,” he said. like liquid gold. Now is the time for Diamondback Air’s main office is far longer than the initial sweetness people to get their systems switched located at 6239 E. Brown Rd., Building 2, out, because if they do not do it soon, Suite 116 in Mesa. For more information, they will be in jeopardy of getting call (602) 977-0800 or visit www. sticker shock when it’s no longer diamondbackair.com. available. We are already seeing a shortage of the equipment,” Herman said. In addition to stellar customer service, Herman said Diamondback Air

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Golden Gates providing funding to Gilbert schools BY ALISON STANTON

Thanks to Golden Gates of America, Gilbert Public Schools is receiving muchneed funding. The nonprofit organization is devoted to helping schools, educators and learning challenged students throughout Arizona. For more information, visit http:// goldengatesofamerica.com. Art Cecala, founder and chairman of Golden Gates of America, said his Mesabased charity recently sent $5,000 to South Valley Junior High School for classroom

equipment including computers. About $40,000 more will be donated to the school. Cecala said he was inspired to launch Golden Gates of America about 12 years ago, after being diagnosed with dyslexia and ADD in his early 60s. “When I thought about my own maladies, I thought, ‘My God, look at the percentage of kids with learning challenges who fail. Somebody had to step up and help.’” Although Cecala said he does well as a marketer and salesman, he said his dyslexia

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David Montano, left, and Art Cecala, right, present a check for $5,000 from Golden Gates of America to Tim Cannon, center, principal of South Valley Junior High School. The funds are being used for classroom equipment including computers. Submitted photo

and ADD make the day-to-day operations of the charity challenging. “Then I met Curtis Palmer and David Montano and they take care of all of the administration,” he said. Palmer is the director of school programs and Montano is a board member and executive administrator. “We have had big problems getting into schools relative to athletics and Curtis is

helping with that,” Cecala said. “We try to target some programs that have been cut to help out with $500 here and $500 there,” Palmer said. To date, Cecala said Golden Gates of America has given between $250,000 and $300,000 to schools throughout Arizona. The charity raises money in large part through donations from businesses.

SEE GOLDEN GATES ON PAGE 34

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August 2015

Prep School Preschool encourages students’ creative sides BY ALISON STANTON

James Harden, former ASU All-American and current Houston All-Star guard, squares up against a camp participant. Submitted photo

Houston’s Harden set to host basketball ProCamp Houston All-Star Guard and former ASU All-American James Harden is set to host his inaugural Phoenix-area youth basketball ProCamp later this month. The two-day James Harden Basketball ProCamp will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, and Sunday, Aug. 23, at Inspire Courts in Gilbert. Limited spots remain at www.HardenCamp.com. Participants will learn fundamental basketball skills and have the opportunity to meet and interact with the guard. Each

camper will receive an autograph from Harden as well as a team photo with him. Harden will be on-site to direct the event and will be joined by a selection of prep and college coaches from the area. The camp is open to boys and girls of all skill levels in first through 12th grades. Cost of the camp is $149. Media partners include Hot 97.5/103.9. Additional camp partners include Everlast, Pronto Print, Welch’s Fruit Snacks, and Body Armor Super Drink.

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Katrina Wells did plenty of research before her oldest daughter, Elizabeth, headed to preschool. One visit to Prep School Preschool in Gilbert was all it took to convince Katrina that Carolyn Mowery’s in-home facility was perfect for Elizabeth. “Carolyn’s preschool clearly stood out from the rest,” Katrina said. She was impressed by the way Mowery transformed the first floor of her home into the school. Elizabeth graduated from Prep School Preschool in 2012. Her sister, Amelia, 3, now attends the school. Mowery was inspired to open Prep School Preschool after an unsatisfactory search for in-home day care for her son. “I was looking for a small, personal environment with a teacher who had professional training,” she said. “I also wanted more personal care with a few children so my son could learn to be social and make friends, and I wanted the same exposure to state-of-the-art equipment the commercial preschools have.” When Mowery couldn’t find everything

Students at Prep School Preschool enjoy spending time in the natural playground. Submitted photo

she was looking for in one preschool setting, she decided to create her own. In 2006, Mowery started buying equipment and began to transform the

SEE PREP SCHOOL ON PAGE 36

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August 2015

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Seven more players join BenU for school’s first basketball season of young men and we are excited to welcome them to our Benedictine family.” Other players who signed their letters of intent on July 10 include Troy Conley, a 6-foot junior guard from Phoenix Community College, who ranked second in the nation in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) with 111 made 3-point field goals last season. He attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale. Also signing is 6-5 senior forward Kyle Tomlinson from Dobson High School. He’s a transfer from NCAA Division II University of Alaska Fairbanks. Tomlinson appeared in 26 games and made 18 starts for Alaska Fairbanks, averaging 4.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. He began his playing career at Mesa Community College, where he helped the Thunderbirds go 26-5 in 2013-2014. Monnard Brown, a 6-5, 250-pound junior, joins the Redhawks from South Mountain Community College where he was named First Team All-Region and Second Team All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) as a sophomore, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. Brown graduated from Inderkum High School in Sacramento, California. Brown’s South Mountain teammate,

6-0 sophomore guard Nathan Worley, a graduate of Cesar Chavez High School in Phoenix, appeared in nine games as a freshman for South Mountain averaging 2.6 points and shooting 45 percent from 3-point range while dishing out six assists as a reserve guard. Jalen Jenkins, a 6-5, 200-pound freshman guard from Red Mountain High School, averaged nine points, six rebounds and four assists per game as a senior for the Cougars. Jenkins helped lead Red Mountain to a 17-11 record and was voted first team all-conference. Also signing is Jashawn Brown, a 6-3 freshman guard from Tempe High School. The all-conference selection averaged 11.7 points, six rebounds and two assists per game as a senior and helped lead the Buffaloes to a 20-9 record. As a junior, Brown averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists per game. The 14 players who have already signed letters of intent to play at Benedictine include current students Anthony Vareia and Jorge Cano. Vareia is a 6-1 redshirt freshman from Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, and Cano is a 6-7 redshirt freshman from Maryvale High School in Phoenix. The other 12 players who will suit up for Benedictine next season are:

6-6 senior Reggie Kindle (Riverside Community College, Long Beach, California); 6-8 junior Casey Lenz (Desert Ridge High School, Mesa, South Mountain Community College); and 6-1 junior Charles Wardell (Northwest Secondary, Milwaukee, Mesa Community College). Also, 6-4 junior Gus Leon (Trevor Browne High School, Scottsdale Community College); 6-3 junior Trevor Tellin (Grapevine High School, Grapevine, Texas, North Iowa Area Community College); 6-0 sophomore Anthony Bryant (Gilbert High School, South Mountain Community College); and 6-2 freshman Richie Thornton Jr. (Bishop Gorman High School, Las Vegas). The roster also features 6-3 freshman Levi Thomas (Columbia High School, Decatur, Georgia); 6-2 freshman Abdoul Mika (John D. O’Bryant High School, Dorchester, Massachusetts.); 6-2 freshman Nik Thomas (Seton Catholic High School, Chandler); 6-3 freshman Jon Rivera (St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix); and 5-8 freshman Trevon Smith (Ida B. Wells Middle College, Seattle). Rounding out the team are 6-3 freshman Nate Anaya (St. Mary’s High School, Phoenix) and 6-0 freshman Garret Rozell (Corona Del Sol High School, Tempe).

GOLDEN GATES FROM PAGE 32

issues. “We met with the assistant superintendant, who gave us a list of schools where they wanted us to start,” Cecala said. “Right now our main focus is on Gilbert. If we do our program and everything goes as planned we can probably bail the city out and provide funds for every single child,” he said. Cecala said it has been extremely gratifying to help schools and students get the funding that they need to succeed. “It’s really been phenomenal. Everything we do is a win-win situation and everyone profits. We just want to see kids in Arizona get help.”

“David is developing relationships with businesses in the community and asking them to contribute,” Cecala said. In turn, Golden Gates of America provides donors with free advertising on its website, in emails sent to parents and teachers and in printed fliers. Over the years, the money has been used in a variety of ways, including scholarships for worthy students, to help impoverished children on a reservation and funding school programs that have been eliminated. Cecala said he, Montano and Palmer approached the Gilbert Public Schools after reading about teaching positions and programs being eliminated due to budget

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Seven players signed letters of intent to play basketball at Benedictine University at Mesa at ceremonies on July 10, in the Community Room of Gillett Hall at 225 E. Main St. The seven joined 14 other players who already signed letters to play for the program’s inaugural season in 2015-2016. Among the students is 6-foot-8, 220-pound junior Melvin Orji, who attended Campo Verde High School. He comes to BenU at Mesa via ChandlerGilbert Community College, where he played in 26 games off the bench in 2013-2014. Orji spent his freshman year at Benedictine University at Springfield, Illinois. He sat out the 2014-2015 season and will have two years of eligibility remaining. The Benedictine Redhawks are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the California Pacific Conference (CAL PAC) and will be eligible to compete for conference and national titles beginning with the 2016-2017 season. “This is a very exciting time for our athletics program as we enter our inaugural season of men’s basketball and for competing as members of the NAIA and CAL PAC,” said Steve Schafer, associate athletic director and head men’s basketball coach. “We have a great group

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B of A funds summer internship BY TRACY HOUSE

Emma Wetherell’s summer was a whirlwind. The senior at Campo Verde High School interned at the Gilbert branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley for 35 hours a week and prepped for a trip to Washington, D.C. Emma was one of five high school students in the Valley who was awarded an eight-week paid internship through the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. “One of my mom’s friends said I should apply. So I did,” she said. The 17 year old kept busy at the Boys & Girls Clubs, where she said more than 100 kids, ages 5 to 12 years old, attend each day. Some of her duties included keeping track of the kids, working in the front office, interacting with the kids and creating projects, and shadowing the management at the club. Michelle Duenas, grants manager with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, said her organization has offered the internship program for several years. “We do more than just work with the kids, although that’s a big part of it,” she said. “Working in the clubs is the on-thejob training part of that, in addition to that we do several other things. We start with a thorough orientation of Boys & Girls

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Club and nonprofit work, and then they get to see the different departments and how the organization works. They choose, based on their interests and future career plans, a department or specific staff person to shadow.” Based on the intern’s interests, Duenas said the students work together to plan a program or special event to present to the kids. “When they work we make sure they get a balanced experience, so they’re not stuck in the same job or program area. They’re rotating weekly to different areas and jobs. We do move them around so they’re not doing the same thing the whole summer.” Duenas explained the program looks for students who have an interest in nonprofit, service and volunteer work, and ambition to go on to college. “It’s such a good experience, they’ve all reported back that they’ve learned a lot and it’s a good experience. If nothing else the experience of working with people, kids. I always tell them there’s no experience wasted, everything that you learn from the hands-on stuff all the way to the interview skills and dress for success is just going to help them in their college years and future endeavors,

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Prep School Preschool in Gilbert recently installed a natural playground complete with rock stream, a sand area with water features, a rinse station and more. Submitted photo PREP SCHOOL FROM PAGE 33

entire bottom floor of her 4,450-squarefoot home into a preschool. “I created a computer center and different centers for children to explore like a block area, a library, a dramatic play kitchen and all the environments that children use in preschools and kindergartens around the country in commercial care environments,” she said. “I then went back to school and received more professional development training and opened my doors in 2006.” Prep School Preschool has three

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teachers on staff, and serves children ages 3 to 5. Mowery said the preschool hours are from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or Tuesdays and Thursdays, and she also offers after care from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Prep School Preschool is a state licensed facility, Mowery said, and she is a STEM-trained teacher who obtained her professional development training from the Arizona Science Center. She also goes through numerous hours of training every year to keep current in

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early childhood development. The preschool also offers a low ratio of 1 teacher to 5 students, which Mowery said is much lower than commercial preschools. Mowery said the school’s latest STEM program has the students working in small groups predicting, observing and learning through hands-on science experiments. “We also recently installed a natural playground, which is very important for young children to reconnect with nature and work with tools that do not have any predetermined use,” Mowery said. “This allows children to make cars out of boards and wheels made from rocks and it also allows for a whole new world of using their imagination and engineering new concept vehicles and many other creations.” Local professionals come in weekly for additional learning opportunities, Mowery said, including music and yoga. In addition to Mowery’s curriculum, Katrina said she is especially impressed with her warm and caring approach with the children and her knowledge of the latest developments in teaching and proven successful preschool environments “Carolyn is always reinventing her school and making sure she has the best products, tools, teachers, activities,

and environment to make children comfortable and receptive to the curriculum,” Katrina said. Mowery said her passion for early childhood education and quality childcare help define Prep School Preschool. “Child care needs to be your passion first, and having teachers who love teaching and have the freedom to be creative is crucial,” she said, adding that she is also proud to own a community preschool where parents are invited to come in, spend time and even teach a class. “We strive to be a preschool that focuses on the developmental needs of all children. Our program and environments were created with respect for each child’s particular style of learning.” Most of all, Mowery said she truly loves spending time with young children. “I care for my students as if they were my own. I love them and hug them and truly want what’s best for them. Every year at graduation I get a little sad and misty eyed seeing how much they have learned and progressed; it is very hard to say goodbye after you have had such a bond over the years.” For more information about Prep School Preschool, call (480) 840-3155 or visit www.prepschoolpreschool.com.

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whatever careers they get into. I think they get a lot out of it.” She added it gives them a different work experience than some other typical summer jobs, “We give them a lot of responsibility and trust and autonomy.”

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Emma Wetherell was chosen for an eightweek paid internship at the Gilbert branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Submitted photo

Emma said, “I hang out with my friends and relax a little bit.” In July, Emma and the other interns headed to Washington, D.C., to join more than 200 other Student Leaders from around the country for a weeklong leadership summit where they participated in skill-building workshops, a service learning project, sessions to develop better money habits and meetings with members of congress. Since 2004, this program has supported 2,200 young people nationwide. To learn more about Bank of America’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs and practices, visit www.bankofamerica. com/about.

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August 2015

Campo Verde grad wins Musicfest scholarship BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

As a child, Ryanne McLaren curiously looked at an “ancient little piano” at her parents’ house. “It was super out of tune,” said Ryanne, a recent Campo Verde High School graduate. “But I asked my parents for piano lessons. I started taking lessons at 5 and really loved it from there.” So began a longtime love affair with piano as well as other musical instruments. For her efforts, Ryanne was chosen as the 2015 Arizona Musicfest Scholarship winner. The $2,500 award will support her studies at Biola University Conservatory of Music in La Miranda, California, where she has been accepted to pursue a bachelor’s degree in performance in piano and organ. As the scholarship recipient, she is eligible to receive annual renewals for the Arizona Musicfest Scholarship with the potential to receive $10,000 during her college years. “It’s a huge relief,” she said of the scholarship. To apply, the Arizona Musicfest veteran had to send three recordings of herself performing—one as an organist the others as a pianist. She was also

required to write essays about why she wanted to continue music as a career. The organization also said she must submit a list of her extracurricular activities, service records and high school transcripts. “It was definitely extensive, but it was worth it,” Ryanne said. She is a talented musician who is an accomplished violinist and vocalist, performing as concert mistress for Campo Verde High School symphony and was recognized with a “superior” rating as first violinist by the AMEA. “I try to play as many things as I can,” Ryanne said. She years to become a collaborative pianist and the more keyboard skills she has, the more marketable she will become as a professional musician. “Being a studio artist for movie soundtracks is a dream career,” she said. “But I really love being a collaborative pianist.” Ryanne has worked with several musicians who have inspired her, including John Tebay of Fullerton College; her piano teacher Dr. Tehling Chiang and her former educator Carol Webb. “Carol Webb really got me

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interested in church music and other collaborative” efforts, she said. “It really has helped me with a lot. Jazz is so much easier, knowing how to read (music).” Ryanne has also been called an “accomplished scholar and citizen.” She was a member of the National Honor Society, student council, and the Campo Verde High School Principal’s Council, and served as a volunteer for a wide range of causes from Operation Christmas Child, Paws for a Cause and Teens for Jeans. “I started off involved in student council and orchestra,” said Ryanne, the daughter of Michael and Kristen, and the older sister to Seth. “I auditioned for choir and I switched to doing that instead of student council. I have been super involved in choir and orchestra the entire time at Campo. I also took AP courses. Between studying and rehearsing, it was a really good mix.” Executive director Allan Naplan said in a statement to the press that Ryanne was chosen from a high level of applicants. “From her strong academic credits to her musical passion and accomplishments, Ryanne exemplifies

Ryanne McLaren, the 2015 Arizona Musicfest Scholarship winner, is headed to the Biola University Conservatory of Music in La Miranda, California. Submitted photo

the spirit of the Musicfest Scholarship program,” he said. “We are proud to add her name to the roster of Arizona Musicfest Scholarship recipients and we wish her all the best for her studies.”

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Spirituality

August 2015

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Drop grade system in schools BY TIM IHMS, FOUNDER, CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR ACADEMY

Spiritual Reflections Share your spiritual reflections The spiritual leaders of Gilbertarea churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to news@gilbertsunnews.com. Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website. Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not that of the Gilbert Sun News.

The American Federation of Teachers reported in 1997 that a majority of teachers had promoted unprepared students in the previous year. Another pair of researchers (Jay Heubert and Robert Hauser) reported on their results of tracking 6- to 8-year-olds during the 1980s and 1990s. They found in their research that 31 percent of 12- to 14-year-old students were in the wrong grade for their age. Both of these research samples are meant highlight the problem of students moving from grade to grade before they are academically ready. If you look up “moving students from grade to grade” on Google, there really is not much there. Almost everything concerning grades refers to grading papers or skipping grades. There is really nothing about the practice of using grade placement as a management system. What is the purpose of having students placed in grades? My best guess for using the grade system is so students can be presented a hierarchy of skills and knowledge as they get older. Having students sharing the same age placed in a grade is the idea for each grade. Then the idea goes that the students will move along with the same skills to the next

grade. But very few students fit into this idea of one size fits all. All students enter school at different months of the 5-year-old spectrum. They all enter with varying degrees of experiences and skills already learned. Some have entered with varying ideas of whether school is an enjoyable place to be. A few are 6-years-old. On the first day of school, all students arrive as unique learning individuals. As students complete the first year, they all have different skill levels. The students may have been presented the same material, but it does not mean they all learned it. Larger class sizes of 24 to 30 mean those students who need extra attention academically or behaviorally will be pushed on to the next year with little to show for their first year, except knowing they are already behind. Many students will learn how to cope with large classes by ignoring the teacher when she talks, and just completing the work. Others will struggle. First grade advancement is hardly that. It is an advancement based on age, not on skills. This creates greater frustration, behavior problems and labeling.

None of this needs to happen. Drop the grade system of student management and base the student advancement on skills acquired, like we do at Christ Our Saviour Academy in Gilbert. All students at Christ Our Saviour Academy move onto new goals based on what was mastered the previous day. The teacher and student know exactly what skills are mastered because feedback is immediate each day. Teachers know where the student needs extra help because of that feedback. We do not look for students at Christ Our Saviour Academy to pass a class or earn a good grade. That is not the purpose of school. The school’s purpose is for our students to better their skills and understanding of the world around them. Reaching for high grades works against learning. It hinders progress and the desire to be in school. Students look forward to school at Christ Our Saviour Academy because they have clear goals and learn from teachers who care at a school where the focus is on the student, not on their grades or promotion. See more at: http://bit.ly/1K19Buk.

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Spirituality

August 2015

Christ Our Saviour Academy now enrolling

Worship guide There is a place of worship for a variety of religions in Gilbert. Here is a partial list of some of the congregations in the town. Want to be added to this list? Email christina@gilbertsunnews.com.

Central Christian Church—Gilbert 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert 85297 www.centralaz.com/ Arena/?page=5644 Services: 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sundays While the Bible itself is the church’s official document of faith, the website lists a variety of statements that

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 3301 S. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert 85297 (480) 822-5000 www.lds.org/church/temples/gilbertarizona?lang=eng For more information about the temple, visit the website above. First United Methodist Church of Gilbert 331 S. Cooper Rd., Gilbert 85233 (480) 892-9166 www.gilbertumc.org Services: 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. (traditional services) and 11 a.m. (contemporary service) Sundays There are two traditional services—8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.—with the Chancel choir and traditional worship. The 11 a.m. service has a contemporary feel, with music from the Praise Band. The 9:30 a.m. service generally has the largest attendance.

SEE WORSHIP GUIDE ON PAGE 42

are both certified teachers who have successfully used the personalized approach for more than 40 years. For more information on the school and enrollment, visit www.christoursaviouracademy.com Christ Our Saviour Academy is located at 202 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert. For more information, call (520) 428-4631 or email admin@christoursaviouracademy.com

No perfect people allowed

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Meeting Sundays at 9:00 and 10:30 am 860 E. Warner Road (Northeast Corner of Warner & Lindsay beside Goodwill)

NEW Fall Sermon Series: Starting Sunday, August 23

Pastor Kent Bertrand 480.294.7888 www.bridgechurchaz.org

S. Lindsay Rd.

The Bridge Church 860 E. Warner Rd., Suites 101 & 103 Gilbert 85296 480-294-7888 www.bridgechurchaz.org Services: 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sundays We exist to show the world who Jesus is, and we believe that when people get to know Jesus as He really is, their lives will change forever. Therefore, it is our passion to help people know Jesus throughout Gilbert, Metro Phoenix and the world.

fundamentally define the church. Please visit the website for more information.

Christ Our Saviour Academy is enrolling kindergarten through eighth grade students for its private school in downtown Gilbert. The school theme of “Supporting our families in the training of their children through a personalized education” highlights the emphasis of the school. Through individualized, nonlecture approaches to instruction, students have their own individual goals to master each day. Classrooms are multigrade with 15 students. Tim and Lori Ihms

E. Warner Rd.

be our guest this Sunday!

Desert Gateway Baptist Church 2175 S. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85295 480.857.0455 visit mydgbc.org Sundays 10am & 6pm Wednesdays 7pm

August 2015

Spirituality WORSHIP GUIDE FROM PAGE 41

Gilbert Presbyterian Church 235 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-6753 www.azgpc.org Services: 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays Gilbert Presbyterian Church is called to be a Christ-centered covenant family nurtured by the Holy Spirit to worship God and to share God’s love with everyone. Living Water United Methodist Fellowship Highland Park Elementary School 230 N Cole. Dr., Gilbert 85234 www.livingwaterum.org Services: 10 a.m. Sundays Living Water exists to bring people in to meet Christ, build people up to follow Christ and send people out to share Christ. Mission Community Church 4450 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 545-4024 www.mission68.org Services: 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. Sundays The Bible is God’s word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth and without error in the original manuscripts. Real Life Church Church services at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert 85295 (480) 444-0231 or www.reallife.cc The church believes in one God consisting of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is the creator of all things, including man. Redemption Gilbert 1820 W. Elliot Rd, Gilbert 85233 (480) 632-2220 www.gilbert.redemptionaz.com/ about/a-brief-overview/ Services: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays Gospel means good news, but it is truly the most profound and glorious truth ever revealed. It is not advice, nor is it a system or philosophy to add to the congregants’ lives. It is an exclusive truth claim, a holistic worldview, the true story of the whole world, which by its very nature must redefine and recolor everything else. Resurrection Episcopal Church Meets at Gilbert Community Center, 130 N. Oak St., Gilbert 85233, each month except June.

www.GilbertSunNews.com (480) 719-5343 www.resurrectiongilbert.org Services: Call for information The world sends the message that we must hold right beliefs and exhibit right behaviors before we can rightly belong. To God, that idea is backward. We always belong to God, and in Christ nothing can separate us from his love and acceptance. Growth in Godly ways of being and doing is cultivated when we acknowledge that we are already known and loved by God. All people are welcome at the church, and congregation officials don’t just say it, they live it. St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church 2654 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert 85295 (480) 279-6737 www.smarymag.org A Roman Catholic parish that witnesses the love of Jesus Christ through evangelization, Catechesis and celebration of the Sacraments. San Tan Bible Church 1424 S. Promenade Lane, Gilbert 85296 Phone number not available. www.santanbible.org Services: 8:30 a.m. (Bible hour); 9:30 a.m. (Café 2:42) and 10 a.m. worship service Sundays The church believes the glory of God is the chief end of all we do. Sun Valley Community Church 456 E. Ray Rd., Gilbert 85296 (480) 632-8920, www.sunvalleycc.com Services: 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. Sundays The atmosphere is casual and friendly at Sun Valley Community Church. It places high value on authentic Christian living and placing Christ at the center of all our teachings. The church also offers worship music that is current and uplifting, along with focused weekend sermons that break down the Bible in a way that makes it easy to connect the word of God with today’s busy life. Two Rivers Church 326 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert 85234 (480) 892-2435, www.2riverschurch.org Services: 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) Sundays Two Rivers Church exists to help lead congregants into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ by encouraging and equipping them to love God intimately and serve others. It has a casual environment with a serious faith.

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Arts

August 2015

Stirling shatters pop music’s expectations

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

When a young Lindsey Stirling shared to choose one. Stirling chose the violin, that she wanted to meld the sound of her but slowly incorporated dancing in her violin with electronic music, others tried performance. to dissuade her. She explained that it’s “unnatural” But the 2005 Mesquite High School to play violin and dance; it took a lot graduate soon learned that being different of practice to nail that part of her has been “a great thing.” performance. “When I started, I kept being told that Pursuing a career in music since just I was too different and there wasn’t a after high school, Stirling says she’s glad market for what I was doing because it was that she went in with her eyes shut. too outside the box,” she said. “I found “I had no idea what was ahead,” Stirling that what people thought would be my explained. “I had no idea it was going to greatest demise is my greatest advocate. be an up and down journey. I was naïve as I’m the only one who’s doing what I’m to how hard it would be. The naivete kept doing and it’s worked out well.” me excited and going. Every single step Thanks to her talents, Stirling has been was a big and exciting step. Rather than included in Forbes magazine’s 30 Under just looking up to see how far the climb 30 In Music: The Class Of 2015. Her song was, I was just excited about every little with Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale, “Shatter Me,” foot hole that I found—every bit. In a way, hit No. 2 on The Billboard 200 album it was a blessing in disguise that I didn’t chart, and she has more than 6 million know what was ahead.” subscribers on YouTube. “I think it’s cool doing things the YouTube way,” she explained. “It allows you to become connected to the fans on a personal level. They feel like they’re part of my journey more so, rather than just relying on label or radio to make things happen for me. By watching my videos and sharing them, they’re a part of my story.” Her list of accolades grew when she was given the Billboard Music Award for the collection “Shatter Me” for Top Dance/Electronic Album against such Lindsey Stirling. Photo by Kate sZatmari stiff competition as Avicii, Calvin Harris, Disclosure and Skrillex. Her road to stardom included “It was very exciting,” Stirling said. “I was collaborations with The Piano Guys, nominated with some of my idols. I love Pentatonix, John Legend, Owl City, Jessie J. Skrillex, he introduced me to dub step in and—her favorites—Josh Groban and The the first place. I love Calvin Harris. To be Muppets. nominated with them was a huge honor. “It was fascinating to watch them work,” When I won I was so shocked and excited.” she said of The Muppets. “They’ve done Due to her busy schedule, she hasn’t had it for years. While I was there, one of the time to really cherish her award. guys celebrated his 30th anniversary of “I’ve been on tour ever since I got it,” she working with The Muppets. They’re such exclaimed. “I had to send it home with my pros. It was really cool to watch them. The manager, but I’m definitely going to put it moment they became these puppets, it on my little mantle next to my bed. It’ll came to life. It went from this puppet to keep me motivated and excited.” this character. It was so cool to watch that While she was at the Billboard Music transformation happen within a second.” Awards in Las Vegas, Stirling joined Wiz Among the most popular collaborations Khalifa and Charlie Puth on stage to is the aforementioned “Shatter Me,” which perform the former No. 1 song “See You debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard Adult Again” from the “Furious 7” soundtrack. Pop Songs chart for the week ending Nov. “It was a huge honor,” Stirling said. “That 8, 2014. The tale of empowerment was her whole day was mind blowing. It felt so first single to enter an American airplay surreal. I never thought I’d be playing with chart. Wiz Khalifa on stage, let alone on the No. 1 “That song is almost therapeutic to song in the country at the moment. It was perform every night,” she said. “It’s my a surreal day. I couldn’t believe anything story and it’s about me learning to love that happened. Luckily, my sister was with myself again. I hid myself behind this me, so she could help me remember that shell and that’s the reason I called it it actually did happen and it was real.” ‘Shatter Me.’ The hardest walls to break through are the ones that we build around Following her dream ourselves. That’s what I learned. I built Stirling has always been fascinated with some pretty thick walls around myself. dance and violin. She told her parents So I had to shatter what I thought was me she wanted both, but they said she had and discover what I had underneath.”

Coming home Stirling will reunite with her family when she performs a hometown show at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix on Thursday, Aug. 13. “I can’t wait to come back,” she said. “It’s so fun. I get to have my parents come Mesquite High School graduate Lindsey Stirling plays and my friends come. There’s something a hometown show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Comerica Theatre. GSN photo by Kimberly Carrillo special about going to your hometown and playing in front of friends, peers and “Firefly,” which will offer a surprise for family members.” fans. Performing in Phoenix or Provo, Utah, “It’s really different,” she said. “I actually where she attended Brigham Young sing on it. I never sing. My fans have been University, is stressful for Stirling. asking me to sing for forever. They wanted “Whenever you have family or friends me to write a song that I can sing. I decided coming out, there’s definitely extra to give the people what they want.” pressure. You want to do your best in front She admitted that it was nerveof the people you care about or people wracking. you love or love you.” “I was so nervous before the first show,” Stirling plans on indulging in the she said. “Nobody’s expecting this. I comforts of home while she’s in the Valley. never sing live. So it was definitely scary. “I love to go to Café Rio,” she said My fans are so supportive, though. They with a giggle. “That’s one of my favorite cheer me on every single night when I places. I love to go home and go to my sing. It’s cool.” parents’ house. They still live in the house where I grew up. I love to sleep in my old Lindsey Stirling performs with Lights at bedroom, have my mom’s home cooking, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Comerica play games. I get to see the family dog. I Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. love that.” Tickets are $38.50 and $48.50. For more Like the rest of her tour, her Phoenix information, call (800) 745-3000 or visit show will include a premiere of the song www.comericatheatre.com.

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Arts

August 2015

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Baker shares passion for arts with children, adults The school’s productions are unique in Clyde Baker came to Arizona to start two ways. a charter school, and ended up an “There are no auditions. We cast 25 impresario. kids in every production, and the first “Every night, there’s something going on 25 to show up are in,” Baker explained. here,” Baker said, relaxing in the 100-seat (“Footloose,” Baker’s first production to theater that is part of the Baker School of feature adults, is an exception. An audition Music complex in SanTan will be required.) Parents Village Mall. pay from $80 to $160 per And every day, too, child, depending on the he could have added. show. More than 500 children The casts, made of pour through the doors children between the of the Baker School ages of 5 and 16, are weekly, some to take then coached by young, daytime lessons in guitar, professional directors keyboard, drums, voice, one night per week, acting, dancing, hip-hop, “People said you can’t strings and winds. Evening do that, rehearsing just visitors come to rehearse one night a week. But musicals—three different it works. The kids take shows at a time, each it very seriously. They with multiple casts. do their homework and August will bring Clyde Baker. GSN Photo by Tim Sealy they’re off book (their performances of lines are memorized) by “Seussical Jr.,” the kiddie the third rehearsal,” Baker said. version of Broadway’s popular “Seussical, After seven weeks of rehearsals, the the Musical.” During August, Baker will shows are performed. also be casting its next three shows: “101 Dalmatians,” “Beauty and the Beast” and Passion for music “Footloose.” Call (480) 313-7714 or visit Baker founded Baker School of Music www.bakerschoolofmusic.com. five years ago in Mesa, but moved to a BY KENNETH LAFAVE

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Gilbert location shortly where he founded a afterward, and to SanTan talent agency. Today, Village Mall last year. he runs the Baker He came to Arizona School concurrently from New York, with a with Clyde Baker stopover in Las Vegas. Productions in Las “My passion has always Vegas. been music, since I was He also continues to a child,” Baker said. “And perform as a musician, my greatest desire was to Baker’s latest addition is a music store. singing and playing GSN Photo by Tim Sealy run something like this keyboards at Vegas place. I didn’t even know it was possible.” casinos. Baker played trumpet as a young New The latest addition to Baker’s Gilbert Yorker, and studied conducting at The enterprise is a music store, selling guitars, Juilliard School. Columbia University keyboards, trumpets, clarinets, school was his final educational stop, where band method books, etc. But by far the he concentrated on administration. He biggest thing is the musicals. worked as a band director for Temple “Musical theater is now half of my University in Philadelphia, and as a high business. It’s fun, and the kids love being school principal for New York public involved in Disney-type productions,” schools. Baker said. His ultimate aim was to run an Rehearsals occupy Baker’s theater six independent school, and to do that, he nights a week, and on the seventh—Friday came west. nights—the school sponsors a free open“I wanted to start a charter school, and mic night. most places in the country discouraged “Anybody with a musical talent can that. But not Arizona,” Baker said. show up and share it,” Baker said. “The When Baker arrived here, he saw open mic packs the house.” the burgeoning popularity of private Baker said his workdays are 15 hours music schools and changed his focus. At long, but the fulfillment of a dream doesn’t about the same time, he seized another register as labor. opportunity, this one in Las Vegas, “I don’t even think of it as work.”

Arts

www.GilbertSunNews.com

August 2015

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Arts

August 2015

ON STAGE

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Jackson Browne, Thursday, Aug. 20, MAC. Jackson’s career began in the mid‘60s in Los Angeles and Orange County folk clubs.

Jo Dee Messina, Friday, Aug. 7, HAC. Messina’s concert will feature her trademark hits as well as songs from her most recent album, “Me.” The Wailers, Saturday, Aug. 8, HAC. The band carries a strong reggae history as the remaining members of Bob Marley & The Wailers. Rodney Carrington, Saturday, Aug. 8, WHP. Rodney Carrington is a comedian, actor, singer and songwriter. Queen Nation, Friday, Aug. 14, HAC. The band pays homage to the legendary rock band, Queen. America, Friday, Aug. 14, WHP. Grammywinning rock group America was formed in 1970 by multi-instrumentalists Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek and Gerry Beckley. Sugar Thieves, Friday, Aug. 14, CCA. The Sugar Thieves have a sultry blues roots foundation and powerhouse delta sound.

Emily’s D+Evolution, Saturday, Aug. 15, MAC. Grammy Award-winning singer, composer and bassist Esperanza Spalding will perform songs from her newest project that rekindled her childhood interest in theater, poetry and movement. Justin Shandor “World’s Ultimate Elvis Concert,” Saturday, Aug. 15, WHP. Shandor’s voice is so strong that he was asked to sing a song written by Elvis more than 40 years ago by one of Elvis’ writers. Nashville Gold: The Story of Country Music, Sunday, Aug. 16, WHP. Attendees hear all the hits and feel like they have a front row seat at the Opry House or in the Country Music Hall of Fame. “American Idol Live!” Sunday, Aug. 16, MAC. The concert will give fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with the top five Idols from season 14.

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Dash Berlin, Friday, Aug. 21, MDNC. The trance artist was the first DJ to perform at the Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo 35th Anniversary Tour, Friday, Aug. 21, WHP. Along the way, the union of Pat Benatar and Neil “Spyder” Giraldo has become one of the most successful in music history and their legacy continues to be celebrated across the globe. Tres Guitarras, Friday, Aug. 21, CCA. Tres Guitarras features Chris Jacome– flamenco; Bob Fahey–blues and Stan Sorenson–jazz. “Something’s Afoot,” Friday, Aug. 28, through Saturday, Oct. 10, HCT. Watch the mystery unfold when a group of unlucky guests meet its untimely demise. Henry Fong, Friday, Aug. 28, MDNC. His big room progressive and electro-house sound, combined with his precise DJ skills have launched Fong as one of the best new dance acts around.

Sinbad, Saturday, Aug. 29, WHP. Actor and comedian Sinbad arrived on the comedy scene with a “hit ’em-in-the face” style of comedy that has kept audiences laughing for the past two decades. The Australian Pink Floyd Show, Wednesday, Sept. 2, MAC. The Australian Pink Floyd Show is rightfully hailed as one of the leading concert performances currently operating. Plugged In, Saturday, Sept. 12, CCA. The Chandler Center for the Arts, along with Rock ‘n’ Roll High School select the top nine bands to perform at the center’s signature youth concert, Plugged In. Ballet Hispanico, Wednesday, Sept. 16, and Friday, Sept. 18, MAC. Ballet Hispanico will perform an eveninglength masterpiece of “CARMEN. maquia.” Bowling for Soup, Monday, Sept. 21, LW. The Texas-based band Bowling for Soup is known for such hits as “Girl All the Bad Guys Want,” “Almost,” “High School Never Ends” and “1985.” It is touring with special guests Dolly Rots and Ivory Tribe.

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Arts

www.GilbertSunNews.com “Carnival of Illusion,” Saturday, Sept. 26, MAC. This top-rated attraction is “revitalizing magic” by blending its international theme with all the charms of a Vaudeville-inspired road show.

Cazzette, Friday, Oct. 16, MDNC. Alexander Björklund and Sebastian Furrer, better known by their stage name Cazzette, are a dance music duo from Sweden.

“Swan Lake,” Friday, Oct. 2, CCA. The Russian Grand Ballet will present the full-length classic production of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.”

DVBBS, Saturday, Oct. 24, MDNC. Canadian dance music duo DVBBS, pronounced dubs, is comprised of brothers Christopher and Alex van den Hoef.

August 2015

e are pleased to announce

VENUES CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www. chandlercenter.org HCT—Hale Center Theatre 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert Tickets: (480) 497-1181, www. haletheatrearizona.com HAC—Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino 15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa Tickets: (480) 802-5000, www. harrahsakchin.com LW—Livewire 7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale Tickets: (480) 970-1112 or www. Livewireaz.com

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MAC—Mesa Arts Center One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www. mesaartscenter.com MDNC—Maya Day + Nightclub 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale Tickets: (480) 284-6033, www. mayaclubaz.com WHP—Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler Tickets: (800) 946-4452 or www. wingilariver.com/wild-horse-pass

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Arts

August 2015

Dancing in the moonlight In celebration of its 30th season, Ballet Arizona commences this upcoming season with a celebration under the night sky. Ballet Under the Stars takes place from Sept. 24 through Oct. 2 at locations throughout the Valley and is free and open to the public. Perfectly timed for audiences to bask in Arizona’s wonderful fall weather, Ballet Under the Stars also offers guests the opportunity to experience a full ballet, complete with stage, lighting, costumes and the stunning level of choreography that Ballet Arizona has become known for. Performances begin at 7 p.m. and the dates will be as follows: Thursday, Sept. 24, at Beardsley Park in Sun City West; Friday, Sept. 25, at Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater in Goodyear; Saturday, Sept. 26, at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix; Thursday, Oct. 1, at Tempe Center for the Arts Amphitheater in Tempe; and Friday, Oct. 2, at Fountain Park in Fountain Hills. For more information, head to www. balletaz.org/community-outreach/balletunder-the-stars/.

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Charitable work vital to People Who Could Fly BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

With the release of its new album “Compass,” the local pop-rock band People Who Could Fly is finding its way. The quintet is using its local fanbase to build a buzz regionally and nationally—and it’s all for a good cause. One dollar from each sale of “Compass” goes to Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Foundation. The original shock rocker has been good to People Who Could Fly. “We were finalists last year in the ‘Proof is in the Pudding’ competition,” said Gilbertbased singer James Mills of Cooper’s annual contest that results in a spot in his Christmas Pudding concert. “We weren’t chosen for the show, but we are one of six bands who is going to be on an album.” That collection is a Christmas album set to be released this winter. Not only did the competition help promote the band, it improved it as well. “We feel like we gained so much from the competition that we wanted to give back to the foundation,” Mills said. “A lot of it was stage presence. We had been doing music for a long time and it got pretty solid. But the most important thing we can do is be great on stage. We worked really hard. In the spirit of Alice Cooper’s live show, we use theatrics to make it not only an auditory experience but a visual experience.”

The local pop-rock band People Who Could Fly will perform Friday, Sept. 4, at SoZo Coffeehouse in Chandler. Photo by Mia Scibona

People Who Could Fly has had plenty of support. Mills—who is joined in the band by ASU student Josh Paige, Jacob Paige of Ahwatukee, and Levi Siwek and Fletcher Milloy of Chandler—opened for 1980s favorites Howard Jones and Rick Springfield at the Good Life Festival at Encanterra in San Tan Valley last spring. Proving its versatility, it performed before rapper Wiz Khalifa at the Arizona State Fair. Most important to them, however, is charitable work. Besides donating to the Solid Rock Foundation, People Who Could Fly does private shows for kids admitted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

“It was cool. They had a camera on us and they streamed the performance throughout the hospital,” Mills said. “A lot of kids started showing up because they liked what they showed on TV. I think this goes hand in hand with giving back to the community.” People Who Could Fly perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at SoZo Coffeehouse, 1982 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler. Admission is free. For more information, call (480) 728-7696 or visit www. peoplewhocouldfly.com or www.sozocoffee. org.

Cruising for a Cause Join the Dignity Health Foundation East Valley on November 7, 2015 to support excellent cardiac care. Volunteers and supporters are coming together for the annual Laughter is the Best Medicine Fundraising Gala –this year’s theme is Cruising for a Cause on the Love Boat. Our team of heart and vascular experts require the highest training and the best equipment available because they have a most important job – letting your heart love longer. So please join us on November 7, 2015 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa to show your love for excellent cardiac care in the East Valley. For more information on the gala or how to support Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers please contact the Dignity Health Foundation Office, 480.728.3931 or visit the website, www.laughterformedicine.org

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Children need a chance to thrive BY DENNY BARNEY MARICOPA COUNTY SUPERVISOR DISTRICT 1

Summer is over and school is back in session. For the Barney family, that means the pace of life has picked up as we get back into our routines. Our family—and DENNY BARNEY. probably your family Submitted photo if you are reading this article—is one of the fortunate ones in Maricopa County in that our children’s main preoccupation is with school and just being a kid. However, I cannot help worrying about a population of our youth facing immense disadvantages. Last year more than 4,000 petitions were filed to separate children from their parents. Of these “dependency” petitions, 45 percent represented cases in which at least one child was younger than the age of 5. That is 2,500 babies and toddlers abused or neglected by their guardians. This is a complex problem, with widereaching effects on criminal justice, social welfare and education. It is not only an inability to physically help themselves which make this group so vulnerable, but any unnecessary delays in the dependency process only increase a child’s chances for harm. Those younger than 3 are also at a greater risk of developmental delays and neurological impairments when exposed to neglect and/or abuse so early in life. That means the impacts are not just temporary. They last a lifetime. These kids are more likely to experience challenges socially and academically, which then makes them a higher risk of winding up in our juvenile delinquency system. We have a compounding challenge—today’s youngest victims are often the next generation of victimizers. Early intervention equals better chances of later success. These intervention programs are critical. However, for a long time the system has been highly fragmented. Securing stability for these children takes time. And these children do not have time. In response, for the past two years Maricopa County piloted

a program called Cradles to Crayons. The aim of the program is clear: Identify these children as early as possible, reduce the recurrence of abuse and neglect and establish permanency as quickly as possible. Cradles to Crayons follows the national “ZERO to THREE Safe Baby Court Teams Model,” which is rooted in developmental science and current research. Families have access to a dependency treatment court which is a specialized court where judges are trained in early childhood development. The court brings together an interdisciplinary team to collaboratively assess the family’s situation and devise a case plan that addresses the needs of both the children and the parents. Efforts are made to identify the root cause of the abuse—whether that is mental illness, substance abuse, trauma or lack of skills. Clinical services are provided to give parents the tools they need to reunify their family. Sometimes, parents simply choose to not do better. In these cases, children are hastened through the court process ASAP. We measure our success by how quickly these children receive a permanency hearing and how swiftly permanency is established thereafter. Identify these children quickly, make their environment safe, or move them to one that is. Speed is the magic ingredient here. The program’s success led to Cradles to Crayons being fully funded this year as part of the regular operations of the Superior Court. The program improved the permanency decision process for over 2100 children under the age of three. The rate of children receiving a permanency decision in less than one year was 95 percent. In addition to establishing a profoundly more stable situation for these children, the cost savings to the juvenile delinquency system are anticipated to be felt for years to come. The challenges are complex to say the least. However, innovative approaches such as Cradles to Crayons are demonstrating promising results. With coordination we are making a difference. We are not just helping save lives—but giving children a chance to thrive. For most of us parents, that’s all we need. And for most of these children, that’s all they need.

Happy S’mores Day August 10

Opinion

August 2015

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Sound Off: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

old mentality Iranian leaders have today that keep making more trouble for its people. Keep listening to the educated youth of Iran and maybe we can get an easier settlement for everybody, and business can go on. Get rid of that 1,000-year-old system.

SOUND OFF was transcribed from our Sound Off line during the past month. Sound Off is a monthly editorial feature of Gilbert Sun News. We encourage you to participate. As long as it's not profane or libelous we will print it in our next issue. Calls are limited to one minute. Please leave your name only if you'd like it printed. Come on, get it off your chest!

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Since Macy’s has made the decision to drop Donald Trump’s line of clothing, I have made the decision to drop Macy’s. I will boycott them and encourage my friends and families to do so. I’m so sick of everyone being offended, except the liberals who can say anything and not be attacked. This is for the reader who is concerned about caring so much about hungry children in America. The food stamp program that they were complaining about does not allow the money to be used for alcohol, drugs and tattoos. They’re only permitted to be used for food. They need to do a little bit more research. Unfortunately there are many hungry children in our nation. There has to be an answer besides the food program. Notice to all those scientists studying why the sharks coming ashore to eat? They’re hungry. There’s something wrong with the depths of the ocean. Can you figure it out yet? It’s a very simple solution. In colonial times, the northern colonies bought molasses from the West Indies, made rum with it, traded rum with the African countries for slaves, and sold the slaves to the Indies so they could cut sugarcane to make molasses. To be politically correct, the United States should ban all rum

August 2015

The Census Bureau called grandma last night to ask why she doesn’t have a computer or cellphone. Apparently, she is not paying the taxes due for their use.

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and molasses products since they are reminders of slavery and offensive to blacks. Have you noticed it’s been said people can become whatever they think they are? They can be smart and good, bad and selfish or indifferent. What are you thinking just now? Is it helping? Are you beginning to notice the advantage of instant communication is deteriorating the old-fashioned use of a careful, thought-out communication process? When you can’t reach seniors instantly, do you consider they may be lost and they may be in the garden, kitchen and out of hearing range? Or is your call more important use of your time than reaching them and finding out how they are after all.

doesn’t need contributions from unions or lobbyists. He will not be influenced by money. He is the one we need as president, to get our country on the right road and take from the liberal socialist Obama agenda. Why does the Diamondbacks’ player Welington Castillo keep getting hit by pitches? Is it the way he bats? Is there a hit on him?

We really do need a stupid hiker’s law. Where do these idiot people come from, out in the heat climbing mountains and expecting to be rescued—for free for sure? Stay out of the heat. Stay in air-conditioned houses and save us all a lot of trouble to save us taxes.

This is referring to the person who wrote that there were so many foreign cars on the road. I’ve been wracking my brain on what American car is totally made in America? I have asked friends and they don’t know. I know some parts are made here but not the entire car. If that person knows which car is made here, I’d sure like to know! Thanks.

The majority of Americans are frustrated and fed up with what is going on in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump is saying what millions of Americans feel. It is refreshing to hear someone tell the truth. He’s a very successful, proven businessman. He

Why rush to take down the confederate flag and any sale of it? The flag did not murder those nine people in the church in South Carolina. It was a mentally unstable young man whose brain was destroyed by drugs.

What do you…

THINK?

It’s Tuesday night and I’m watching the 6 p.m. news. Iran made one last demand again and again and again. Why didn’t the American delegates stand up, turn their back and walk out. No guts America. Let them keep running down the road. Stand up and walk out. Show them how it’s done.

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Gee it’s a shame that Iran’s economy is in shambles, but who put it there with the 1,000-year-

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