SanTan Sun News - 8.29.2021 by Times Media Group

August 29, 2021 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

Planners mull rapid transit Ready for Football options on Arizona Avenue BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Between 7:45 and 8:15 Tuesday morning, only four people were waiting for a bus on the northbound side of Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard. While that may appear to hardly represent the demand needed during weekday rush hours to support either a light rail line or dedicated lanes for bus rapid transit, Valley Metro is looking ahead and trying to anticipate future needs. It recently released a report discussing the possibility of some sort of rapid transit option along Arizona Avenue. “It’s a long-range study, we’re looking out 20 to 30 years,” said Jason Crampton, the senior transportation planner for the city. The study did not make many recommendations. The few it did are:

• Arizona Avenue is the preferred location of a rapid transit line. • If light rail is in the future for Arizona Avenue, Valley Metro would likely have the service stop at Pecos Avenue. • If a rapid bus line is the preferred path, then that service would end at the Park and Ride station next to Tumbleweed Park on Germann Road. • If Chandler is serious about pursing a mass transit project of some kind in the future, then it needs to develop high-pedestrian centers that would be ideal locations for future transit stops. “Without federal funding assistance, it’s very, very challenging to build" a high-capacity transit system, Crampton said. Deron Lozano, who was the project manager for the Arizona Avenue study at Valley Metro, agreed. See

TRANSIT on page 8

The 2021 high school football begins Friday and Basha High players were busy last week practicing for their opener. But athletes and coaches are keeping a wary high on the surge in COIV-19, hoping it doesn't play havoc with this season as it did last year. See story on page 16. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer.)

Chandler to test mobile voting app this fall after bond election

Haiti earthquake a grim reminder for Chandler Council’s Ellis

BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Chandler is planning to be one of the pioneers in mobile voting with a pilot program scheduled to run in November. City Council was expected to approve a contract with Boston-based Voatz at its meeting Thursday. That vote came after the deadline for this edition. Voters would be able to cast their ballots on their phone or tablet. The votes would be protected by blockchain technology, the same type of system Bitcoin uses. Vice Mayor Mark Stewart says it would be very secure. “What it comes down to, is the juice worth the squeeze?” Stewart said. “Is the quantum computing power that you would need to get into one voter record — just one voter record, not all — would that be worth it?” To test mobile voting the city plans to stage an election after November’s

Chandler Councilwoman Christine Ellis has a message for the people of her native Haiti: Not this time. In 2010, a devastating earthquake rocked the island and killed tens of thousands. Exactly how many is disputed, but it’s estimated between 85,000 to 300,000. The world rallied, donating billions of dollars to help with relief efforts. However, in a country with a reputation for corrupt officials, many residents said they never saw any of that money or the food and supplies that were donated. “This time, we have positioned ourselves to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Ellis said. On the morning of Aug. 14 another earthquake struck the island. So far it has claimed about 2,200 lives and tens of thousands more are homeless. Ellis is a member of the National Haitian American Elected Officials

See

VOTING on page 3

Chandler City Council plans to approve a pilot program to test mobile voting using the Voatz app this November. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

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Chandler Councilwoman Christine Ellis visited an orphanage in her homeland of Haiti in 2019. (Courtesy of Christine Ellis)

Network. They are planning to send a delegation to Haiti this week to meet with elected officials to ensure all the See

HAITI on page 6

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Double Dutch opens in S. Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . Page 21

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

VOTING

from page 1

bond election is completed. It would not count, and would just be to see how the system works. Voters would be asked the same questions on the ballot in the Nov. 2 bond election, plus some additional ones the city seeks answers to. The city plans to market the pilot program, including to teens under 18. Because of privacy laws, no one under 13 would be allowed to participate. The city will keep separate tallies for those 18 and older and those who are too young to have their votes officially counted. Stewart has been the driving force behind Chandler's lead in moving toward mobile voting. “I’ve always been kind of a technology nut or an early adopter,” he said. “We’ve been voting like this for so long, it’s kind of archaic in a way.” Stewart said blockchain voting can fix many of the issues that have been in the national news about election security. “I tell the story …, Vice Mayor Stewart walked into my office one day and he said, ‘what do you think of blockchain voting?’” said City Clerk Dana DeLong, whose office runs city elections. “I said, ‘I don’t.’”

She says she does now. DeLong said she does not need any additional funds to run the pilot program; she could do it with money already approved for her department. The contract with Voatz to do the election will cost $30,000 and then an additional $2 for every person who votes. Council members expressed concern about the $2 dollars per vote and asked DeLong to put a cap on that during Monday’s work session. They considered a limit of about 10,000 to 15,000 votes. DeLong said she has a total $50,000 in her budget for the election. Voatz’s system has been used in three states, West Virginia, Colorado and Utah. It was used in actual elections, primarily to count military votes from overseas. “I see this as the future,” said Josh Daniels, Utah County Clerk and Auditor. His office runs the elections in that county. “We can save a lot of money, just in purchasing hardware. The hardware in the average voters’ pocket has robust security built into it.” Daniels said their use of the Voatz system was successful and widely

accepted by voters. Under Utah state law, only military personnel serving overseas and people with disabilities could use it, so they only had about 1,000 votes cast that way in the 2020 election. “Voter turnout was much higher among overseas voters,” he said. One factor that might limit how far Chandler can go with mobile voting is the county, state and federal governments might not be ready for it. Stewart said he reached out to the county to see if they were interested in partnering in the pilot program. He said they showed some interest, but were not ready to jump in just yet. Another limiting factor is voting laws need to catch up to the new technology. Councilmember Terry Roe worried someone could stage a pizza party and get 100 of their closest friends together and then ask them all to vote on their phones. He was assured some existing state laws would cover such a scenario, but that there was definitely issues that should be addressed by the legislature before mobile voting is fully embraced.

How blockchain elections work

• Voters make their choices on a phone, tablet or desktop computer (ID is required using facial recognition software) • Each vote is created as data in a block and is assigned a unique ID

called a "hash." Other votes, each with a unique hash, are added. It is then distributed. Each block has a code that points to the hash before it. To alter a vote, you’d have to change all the hash codes at the

same time and even then there would be a record of the change. • T he body running the election prints out paper ballots based on data in each voter’s block. These become the official records and will be used

Councilmember Christine Ellis expressed concern that broadband access was not equal across the entire city. She worried this would set up a system making easier for some people to vote, but difficult for others who don’t enjoy the same access to the Internet. “We just gave the school district … $250,000 when we had to take all the students online, because they didn’t have the capacity.” Ellis said. She said people on the central side of town west of Arizona Avenue have had their cell phones dropped because of the coverage. Stewart said pursuing a pilot program for mobile voting is perfect for Chandler. “I knew this could be an opportunity for Chandler to be, as a community of innovation, to sort of lead the way in proving out concept, get a couple of tests, to get people to trust it so that when they go into the voter’s booth, or they use their phone to vote, they can trust it’s being counted. “They’ll have a receipt they can audit and they can look back and say, ‘My vote counted.’”

for any audits or recounts. • Voters would be able to go back and check to make sure their vote wasn’t altered even weeks after the election. They would be able to see any attempt made to change their votes.

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Chandler Museum reviving history-at-lunch program BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

A popular pre-pandemic program is coming back to the Chandler Museum, which is restarting its History Bites fall series Sept. 7. “Definitely people have come in and asked about some of those programs,” said Tiffany Egnor, the education coordinator for the museum. “History Bites is our first bringing back an in-house program this fall.” First up for the fall series is a little bit of Chandler history with “John Quarty: Making the San Marcos Modern.” Quarty took over as general manager of the hotel in 1943 and helped it regain its status after it emerged from the Great Depression. He helped it recover to the point the rich and famous were soon once again walking its halls. History Bites is intended to be a small slice of history served over lunch. The programs last about 30 minutes and people attending are encouraged to bring in their lunch for the presentation. They take place the first Tuesday of every month at 12:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Saguaro Room. The October program relates to the current exhibit at the Chandler Museum, “Photography Technology Series, Part 1: Glass Plate Negatives.” “Glass plate negatives is a neat medium that really isn’t used anymore,” said Nate Meyers, collections coordinator

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news@santansun.com Tiffany Egnor and Nate Meyers are two presenters for the fall series of History Bites at the Chandler Museum. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

for the museum who will be presenting that program. “They are super clear images, really sharp.” Meyers said he will include famed-Civil War photographer Matthew Brady in his presentation. “After the war, people didn’t want to see his images anymore,” Meyer said. “A lot of his glass-plate negatives were lost because they were used as glass in greenhouses.” After the presentation attendees are encouraged to visit the exhibit. The current one is “Black and White in Black and White: Images of Dignity, Hope and

Diversity in America.” “The person who curated this show actually discovered all the glass-plate negatives at a yard sale, when he was a late teen, a high schooler,” Egnor said. “He started digging into them and doing research and other people came together and did research and they kind of tracked down who this photographer was and discovered more of his story.” The November History Bites presentation will focus on the American West. Egnor will present “Idea and Reality: See

BITES on page 6

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Mykayla Skinner honored for her many triumphs BY EVELYN HENDRIX Contributor

The day that Mykayla Skinner was flying over the vault in Tokyo, the Arizona flag was flying over the state capitol in Phoenix. That may not seem unusual, but this particular flag was in honor of the East Valley native and her quest for an Olympic medal. Steve Smith, former state senator, hoisted it up himself. Skinner won a silver medal in vault in the Summer Olympic games in Japan. At a private banquet Aug. 12, Smith presented the flag to Skinner for “being an inspiration and for her patriotism to the United States of America.” State Sen. Warren Petersen also presented Skinner with an award to recognize her achievements and hard work, telling her she is a “role model for young girls that aspire to follow in your path. You are an inspiration.” Petersen believes that she has the opportunity to influence others who wish to achieve their dreams through perseverance. “I want to help Mykayla make that happen,” Petersen said. He invited Skinner to speak at the opening of the next legislative session in January. Petersen also asked the audience to drive by the town’s water tower after the event. It was illuminated in red, white and blue in honor of the Olympic athletes from Gilbert. Skinner also received a national award: a Certificate of Special Congres-

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Mykayla Skinner, second from right, is ﬂanked buy her coaches, including, from left, Neela Nelson, Lisa Spini and Bob Peterson. (Leavitt Wells / Leave it to Leavitt Photography)

sional Recognition from U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs. Biggs was unable to attend the banquet so Smith gave it to Skinner, along with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol. Skinner’s coaches spoke about her long journey to the Olympics. Lisa Spini, head coach and owner of Desert Lights Gymnastics in Chandler who has coached Skinner since she was 11, listed a few of Skinner’s achievements. “Mykayla was a six-time national team member and three-time world champ,” Spini said. Skinner also won the gold medal on

vault, floor and all-around at the 2014 Pan American Champions, and was a gold medalist at the Glasgow World Cup. Spini recalled the Olympic rollercoaster that she has ridden with Skinner, who missed a shot at the 2012 London Olympics before being named alternate to the 2016 Rio team. “Gymnastics is a very subjective sport. It’s not always fair,” said Spini. “You have to fight for a spot and Mykayla encouraged every other athlete to fight for the same spot. Always,” See

MYKALA on page 6

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HAITI

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

from page 1

money and supplies donated get to the people who need them. “In 2010, I was in the middle of the thing, fighting, raising a lot of medical supplies for Haiti, but a lot of people did not get it,” Ellis recalled. “All the money that was promised to Haiti, a majority of it did not go there.” The network had planned to send a delegation to Haiti Friday, and originally Ellis was going to be among that group. However, they rescheduled the trip for Monday. Ellis said she can’t make it on that day because she and other Council members will be preparing for a League of Arizona Cities and Towns meeting that starts Tuesday. Ellis said if she had made the trip, it would have been with one goal in mind. “The primary goal is to make sure the elected officials in Haiti are responsible and accountable for whatever they receive,” she said. She said it’s not just Haitian officials they worry about. They also want to make sure nonprofits in the U.S. are getting the money to Haiti that they promised, pointing out concerns they have with the Clinton Foundation and the International Red Cross. Alix Desulme serves on the city council for North Miami in Florida and is chairman of NHAEON. He said the group is taking a lead in making sure this time there is transparency and accountability for whatever is donated to help people in Haiti. “We’re planning to give more details on our transparency portal, probably

MYKALA

from page 4

Spini added. Spini also gave a nod to Skinner’s successful NCAA career at the University of Utah. “She was Academic All-American as well. That’s what I’m most proud of,” said Spini. Skinner will be returning to Utah to complete her senior year. Another coach, Neela Nelson, recalled seeing young Skinner for the first time as she competed at a level-eight gymnastics meet.

Christine Ellis is a City Council member, Realtor and a native of Haitii, which has been wracked by natural disasters as well as political turmoil in recent years. Ellis, a former nurse, said she is particularly cocerned that money earmarked for victims actually reaches them. (Courtesy of Christine Ellis)

next week,” Desulme said. He said any person who group that donates, should be able to track their donation so they will see where that money or supplies went. He said they are partnering with other Haitian-American groups and plan to act as an auditor. He said that will help ensure 2021 is not like 2010. “We know people took the stuff,” he said of 2010 relief efforts. Ellis left Haiti in 1982 and has lived in Chandler since 1987. The former nurse made history when she was elected to Chandler City Council last year as its first Black woman member. She said the 7.2-magnitude earth-

quake that hit this month was in the southeast part of Haiti, where she is from. Ellis said it mostly spared her old neighborhood. “My family, and the village that I’m from was not as much as affected, but all the other ones in between were extremely (impacted).” Ellis said one reason there was not as many deaths this time as 2010 is because the region hit is primarily agricultural. However, she said that will cause food shortage problems later on as that region tries to rebuild. The people of Haiti have had to overcome a lot recently. A few days after the earthquake struck Tropical

Storm Grace came, knocking down many of the makeshift shelters people had built after losing their homes. Earthquakes and storms seem to find the island often. One thing that was new was the nation’s president was assassinated in July. “I (know) families that are right now in the streets … it’s not easy,” Ellis said. Desulme said he usually tries to keep religion out of his political work, but when asked to describe all that Haitians have been through recently, he said: “My grandma used to say, ‘God don’t give you something you can’t handle.’” He paused. “I don’t know.

“Mykayla had a bad day. She came in dead last in the entire meet,” Nelson said. It would be the last time that happened. “It only took one year for her to go from level eight to elite gymnast. She worked incredibly hard and never complained.” Throughout the evening, Skinner’s smile lit up the room. Each of the speakers focused on her strong character. Skinner has been a team player who constantly builds up other gymnasts. In June, she was named Sportsperson of the Year by her peers. “One of her greatest qualities is her kindness and care for others,” said Nelson. “There is only one Mykayla.”

When Skinner stood to speak, she received a standing ovation. “I was born dead,” Skinner began, joking that she can overcome anything. She thanked her parents, Kym and Cris, for their years of sacrifice to make her dream possible. Skinner also thanked her sister Chelsea, who “has been my rock,” and her husband Jonas, who helped as she struggled with COVID, pneumonia and a painful bone spur during the pandemic. “I could feel all of you cheering me on as I competed,” she told the audience. Skinner recounted her disappointment when the “two per country” rule

kept her out of the individual competition. “After the [Olympic] prelims I felt like after all I’ve been through, why can’t I be good enough?” Skinner said. “But I’m so grateful for my trials. I’m unstoppable. I can do anything I want to do.” Coach Bob Peterson has been Skinner’s spotter during dangerous flips and twists. He expressed his confidence in Skinner’s ability to perform well. “I never had a single doubt,” he said. Peterson summed up the feelings of everyone in the room with just two words. “She’s bulletproof.”

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CUSD board on sidelines of Ducey-Biden feud BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor And HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services.

With millions of dollars and even enrollment numbers at stake, the Chandler Unified Governing Board on Aug. 19 voted 3-2 not to defy Gov. Doug Ducey in his emerging confrontation with the Biden Administration over mandatory mask policies. Sparked by a Maricopa County Superior Court judge’s ruling Aug. 16 that the state ban on mandates does not take effect until Sept. 29, the CUSD board’s decision mirrored that of larger neighboring districts, particularly Mesa Public Schools and Gilbert Public Schools in keeping masks optional on all Chandler campuses. Tempe Union and Kyrene reimposed mask mandates within hours after Judge Randall Warner’s decision and now risk losing $2.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively, in Education Plus Up Grant money. Chandler Unified board members voted on a motion to leave masks optional with members Lara Bruner and Lindsay Love voting against. The vote came after Chief Financial Officer Lana Berry said CUSD faced an immediate loss of about $11 million and ultimately another $40 million in the dispute. The day after Warner’s ruling and two days before the CUSD meeting, Ducey threw down the gauntlet. He said districts with mask mandates would not be allowed to get their share of $163 million in American Rescue Plan money intended to boost per-pupil funding. He also said he would give as much as $7,000 to parents of students in those districts who wanted to send their child to a private or parochial school that had no mask mandate. Berry told the Chandler board that the funds Ducey threatens to withhold are part of $350 million in federal American Recovery Act money. None of the money is a given for any district because they must apply for the funds, she added. Ducey said those dollars will be available to district and charter schools that are “following all state laws’’ as of Aug. 27. He contends that schools requiring students and staff to wear masks are not in compliance. Berry said that even if districts were to fight Ducey in court, Chandler Unified could be struggling to pay its expenses. “When things go into a court battle and into a lawsuit, it’s never, never finished in a very timely fashion, especially when it’s related to funding,” she said. “That might change, but that’s been our experience,” she continued. “But right now, we do we have a lot of people upset about it. The governor is stating that you need to follow all the applicable laws. And then we have heard that the federal that the president is

going to come in and assist potentially with that. But we don’t know what that means at this point.” On Aug. 18, the nation’s top education official told Ducey his actions to block schools from mask mandates may violate federal law. Ducey fired back the following day, calling the Biden Administration’s message “weak and pathetic,” and suggesting he may take legal action against the state’s three universities for implementing mask mandates. In a letter to the governor, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said it is a ``shared priority’’ that students return to in-person instruction safely. ``Arizona’s actions to block school districts from voluntarily adopting science-based strategies for preventing the spread of COVID-19 that are aligned with the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts these goals at risk,’’ Cardona said. In a separate blog post, he left no doubt that this is more than a hollow threat, saying his agency’s Office of Civil Rights may initiate a directed investigation ``if facts indicate a potential violation of the rights of students as a result of state policies and actions.’’ ``Let me be clear,’’ Cardona said in his blog post. ``This department will continue to use every tool in or toolbox to protect the health and safety of students and educators and to maximize in-person learning as the new school year begins.’’ Vanessa Harmoush a spokeswoman for the agency, later explained, “So, if a parent or teacher or student feels like they aren’t able to be safe in schools because of certain laws in place, they can file a complaint. We can pursue an investigation and kind of go from there.” Ducey and press aide C.J. Karamargin brushed aside the administration’s remarks. “What is it about families they don’t trust?” Karamargin said, adding “The last thing we need is some bureaucrat in Washington, D.C., telling Arizona parents what’s best for them.” He also said, “We are confident” that Ducey’s plan to distribute the COVID relief program funds “aligns with federal guidance.” “These are discretionary funds,’’ Karamargin said. “This is the date that we believe will give districts time to get into compliance with state law.’’ The Ducey-Biden confrontation comes amid a continuing surge in COVID-19 cases. Chandler Unified has developed a layered mitigation strategy that carries increasingly more stringent safety measures on a school-by-school basis that depend on the number of infected students as well as the level of community transmission. The transmission is at “high” for Chandler Unified, according to the latest available data from the county health department. See on page 15

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

from page 1

“Federal funds, it’s very competitive,” Lozano said. “They look at how their investment will effect local communities.” So, this is not a which comes first, chicken or egg scenario. Lozano said to get the kind of federal dollars needed to build a rail line or dedicated rapid bus line, the city will need to develop high-pedestrian areas that would rely on that system. He said the reason there’s a rail line outside Chase Field in downtown Phoenix is because they know they will have 30,000 people who need to get in and out of that area. So, to have the best chance to get the federal dollars needed to build a rapid transit system, the city must first supply the demand for it. Crampton said that decision will be up to Council and its vision for Arizona Avenue. Crampton said one of the difficulties in doing this study is trying to understand where personal transportation is headed. A future of autonomous vehicles is coming. Will people give up their cars and subscribe to services where a car picks you up, drops you off and then goes on to the next customer? How will that impact mass transit? Will that lead to more cars on the road as all these driverless vehicles are navigating the streets to get to their next client? “If you have that level of people moving, you need to move them quickly,” Lozano said. “There will always be

A Valley Metro report released this summer looked at the possibility of adding either light rail or dedicated rapid bus lanes to Arizona Avenue in Chandler. (Valley Metro)

some type of demand.” Valley Metro Manager of Capital Planning Omar Peters said there are some things you can count on in the future. “There’s uncertainty, but there’s some assumptions we can make,” he said. “(Mass transit) is still the best way to move a lot of people.” To adjust for where the transportation industry could be heading, Crampton said they used four different scenarios to plot out the needs and demands along Arizona Avenue. The first is to assume nothing changes. They called this the baseline. The next scenario assumes most people will own their own autonomous vehicle in the future. The study predicts there would be a four percent decline in ridership if this is the case. Then they looked at a mix of personal and shared autonomous vehicles, including the use of some micro transit

by driverless cars. In that case, they predict a 14 percent increase in mass transit ridership. The final scenario looked at personal and shared autonomous vehicles with a high-capacity transit system on Arizona Avenue, plus additional bus service. It predicts a 35 percent increase in ridership. If they build it, however, is there room for a system on Arizona Avenue that doesn’t impact traffic for everyone else? Crampton said yes, they’ve got the space to add dedicated rail or bus lines on Arizona Avenue. “Where there are three lanes going in one direction, that would go down to two,” he said. However, he said that he does not think there will ever be less than two lanes in one direction, saying there are things they can do to make it work on the areas of the road that only have two lanes now. The final report is out and the study is

complete. It offered a blueprint for the city if it wants to pursue a major mass transit project in the coming decades. According to the experts, the city now must create hubs where there are high pedestrian traffic with its economic development plans. Without that, getting the federal dollars needed to build a rail line or dedicated bus lanes would be challenging.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

Chandler mom freed after arrest in son’s OD death SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Maricopa County Attorney wants Chandler Police to do more investigation before it will consider filing charges against a Chandler mother accused of giving her teenaged son illegal drugs that led to his overdose death. Police earlier this month arrested Jamie Barrett on a felony child abuse charge in the April 10 death of her son, Sean Schulman, 15. Police said Sean died of a fentanyl overdose and that a series of texts between him and Barrett showed that a week earlier she had asked him “to try and get some ‘blues,’” which police in an affidavit said “is a common term for fentanyl, pills or other narcotic pills.” The affidavit also said Barrett told Sean she would giove him a pill if he scored the drug and that “they talked about the price of drugs ‘5 for $50.’” Barrett told police the marijuana vape pens her son used were perhaps laced with the deadly drug but tests showed the vaping devices only contained THC, the intoxicant in marijuana, police said. The arrest affidavit also stated Barrett later said she was trying to find out from her son if his friend had the pills “and might be supplying them to her son.” While stating she admitted to being addicted to fentanyl, the affidavit said Barrett also said she had been clean for more than three months since entering a drug treatment program and that “she

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denied condoning or participating in her son’s drug abuse.” The affidavit said Barrett has a long history of convictions for drug-related offenses, theft from a vulnerable adult and shoplifting. “The defendant has a history of drug abuse and currently has her remaining children removed from her care,” the arrest affidavit also stated. Barrett was freed from jail last week and the dead teen’s father in a television interview lamented his son’s death and said he did not understand why she was not formally charged by the County Attorney. “He died of an overdose of fen-

tanyl, which she said I will give you pills. I don’t know what else needs to happen,” said Gilbert resident Charles Schulman in an interview with Channel 3 News. Schulman said he shared custody of Sean. “She was supposed to be the one person who was supposed to be protecting him and instead she was using him to get her drugs,” Schulman told the TV station. “He was my little buddy. We loved to do everything together,” Schulman told Channel 3. “I feel like he was let down so many times while he was alive and now it’s just happening again. I feel like nobody cares.”

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Teams, tribes lining up sports betting here BY JILL R. DORSON Sports Handle

As companies like Caesars, FanDuel, and Penn National Gaming build out sportsbooks at professional sports venues across the Valley, it’s no secret that sports betting is coming. And when it does, Arizona will be the biggest state in the West to launch live sports betting since the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amatuer Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018. The Arizona Department of Gaming is targeting the first day of the NFL season, Sept. 9, to launch the first operators. And according to industry sources, many of the biggest, most well-known sports betting operators will be offering odds and taking bets. The Cardinals’ first game is set for Sept. 12 at the Tennessee Titans. The Arizona launch is poised to be the fourth in the U.S. this year – unless either Wyoming or South Dakota, both which are also moving toward offering live sports betting, get there first. In January, operators went live online in both Michigan and Virginia, and two North Carolina tribal casinos began taking bets in March. As legal sports betting has spread from Nevada to more than 30 other U.S. jurisdictions in the last three years, the western states have been a little behind the curve. And where sports betting is available, it’s not widely available. Lawmakers in Washington State legalized sports betting in March 2020 at brick-and-mortar locations only. The state regulator expects the first bets to be taken before the end of 2021. Live wagering west of the Mississippi is up and running in six states. In-person wagering is currently available at a handful of tribal sportsbooks in Oregon and New Mexico as well as at lottery-run kiosks throughout Montana, and in-person at handful of Arkansas venues. Consumers can wager on professional sports online/mobile in Oregon via the state’s lottery platform. Statewide mobile wagering is available in Colorado, Iowa, and Nevada, but the Arizona launch represents only the third new open, competitive marketplace west of the Mississippi since PAPSA was overturned. Big population excites operators With a population of just over seven million, Arizona will be the biggest western state to open for sports betting by a longshot. It doesn’t hurt that the state is home to a professional sports team from each of the four major leagues, hosts NASCAR events, is a PGA Tour stop and has a passionate college football fanbase. “We are very excited about the future in Arizona. During the NBA playoffs, the world learned that the state has one of the most passionate fan bases in the country,” Matt Prevost, chief revenue officer at BetMGM said.

BetMGM has formed a partnership with the Arizona Cardinals and the Gila River Indian Community to offer sports betting at the team’s stadium and Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva casinos. “With that comes a lot of expectations and we look forward to delivering an above-and-beyond sports betting experience with unique mobile and retail activations throughout the state,” Prevost said. Arizona’s new law allows for a maximum 20 “event wagering operator” licenses, divided evenly among tribal casinos and professional sports teams/ franchises. Those with a license will be able to operate at least one retail sportsbook and up to two digital platforms. There are an additional 10 retail-only licenses available for the state’s horse racetracks and OTBs. Consumers will be able to wager on professional, college, and Olympic sports. The new law is broad enough that operators may ultimately be able to offer betting on things like the Academy Awards, Heisman Trophy, and other events that are not specifically tied to sports. Major operators have partners While Arizona will ultimately offer consumers myriad choices in who to bet with, the design of the law means that some tribal casinos won’t be able to offer sports betting. According to the ADG, 16 tribes applied for licenses, but under the law, there are only 10 available. On the pro sports side, there are seven teams/franchises that clearly fit the bill, but the ADG said it got 10 applications. The agency said it will let those who are approved for licenses know by Aug. 27. At a meeting on Aug. 24, the ADG confirmed that approved daily fantasy operators can go live as early at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 28. Those that are licensed must also have received approval for internal controls and house rules from the ADG by 4 p.m. Aug. 27. In addition, approved event wagering operators can begin offering consumers the chance to create and fund accounts beginning at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 28. Approved operators can also begin marketing to consumers at that time. So far, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Penn National Gaming, which operates digitally as Barstool Sportsbook, say they received license approval. and Gila River Casinos on the tribal side. FanDuel, which was also approved as a daily fantasy sports operator, is partnered with the Phoenix Suns. Penn National Gaming is partnered with Phoenix Raceway. Operators have plans for brick-andmortar sportsbooks at professional venues – and some are also entitled to open a second location within a set distance of the stadium. FanDuel has already released renSee

SPORTSBET on page 18

CITY OF CHANDLER INSIDER

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

BUYING CASH PAID PRIVATE INVESTORS IN TOWN WITH $1,000,000 TO SPEND

WE PAY WAY MORE THAN DEALERS Baseball, Basketball, Football Cards (1900-1979) Comic Books (1940-1979) Original Comic Art (1940-1990) Pokemon And Magic The Gathering Cards (1993-1999) Sealed Cases And Boxes Sports & Non-Sports Once registered Sept. 18 at the G.A.I.N. Kickoff event, neighborhood representatives can choose two of various police units, such as this K9 patrol. (City of Chandler)

G.A.I.N. event planning session a must for neighborhoods BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

G.A.I.N. – Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods – is a statewide annual event supported by the Chandler Police and Neighborhood Resources departments that encourages people to become engaged with their local communities through safety and celebration. “G.A.I.N. is an opportunity for our police department to strengthen community partnerships while promoting neighborhood camaraderie. This annual event allows both officers and residents to connect with one another in a fun, friendly and informal setting,” said Chandler Police Lt. Jason Sieczkowski. The 2021 G.A.I.N. is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16. Chandler residents are encouraged to organize events in their neighborhoods. The hours are from 3-8 p.m. Events should happen within this time frame and be at least two hours in length. G.A.I.N. shows support for those involved in the fight against crime, from the police department to informed neighbors. It is a way to increase awareness of crime prevention and gather support and awareness of local anti-crime programs. It helps neighbors get to know each other and the police serving their area, which creates a positive sense of community. And, just as important, it’s a time for neighbors to gather and have fun. Over the years, many neighborhoods have had themed parties, from fall festivals to movie nights. G.A.I.N. provides an opportunity for residents to meet Chandler police officers and learn about other City programs and resources. Chandler’s Mayor and Councilmembers will also travel to many of the parties to meet the neighborhoods and join the fun. “Active and involved neighborhoods build stronger communities,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. “G.A.I.N. is a great opportunity to foster community partnerships, empower community leaders and inspire others to get involved.” In order to have officers attend your neighborhood event, one person representing your party must attend

G.A.I.N. is an “ opportunity for our

police department to strengthen community partnerships while promoting neighborhood camaraderie. This annual event allows both officers and residents to connect with one another in a fun, friendly and informal setting.

”

– Lt. Jason Sieczkowski

the G.A.I.N. Kick-Off event, which is being held from 9-11 a.m. Sept. 18 at the Chandler Police Main Station Community Room, 250 E. Chicago St. Participation in the kick-off event is important. During registration, participants will be assigned a number and then the Chandler Police Department will conduct a drawing. When your number is chosen, you can request two police resources to stop by their party. These resources include K9 officers, a robot truck, McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, a forensics van and other options. Holding a G.A.I.N. event makes your neighborhood eligible for nomination in next year’s Mayor’s Neighborhood Excellence Awards. Most neighborhood G.A.I.N. events are organized by established Neighborhood Watch groups, but anyone can participate, that includes mobile home or apartment communities and businesses. If you have any questions about G.A.I.N., visit chandleraz.gov/GAIN, email G.A.I.N.Event@chandleraz.gov or call 480-782-4960.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

New procedure helps Chandler man breathe easier enabling better breathing. The procedure has been common in Europe for years but was not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration until 2018. “For patients with severe emphysema,

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

After long battle with COPD, a Chandler man is breathing easier with new valves thanks to an innovative, minimally invasive procedure performed at St. Joseph’s Norton Thoracic Institute Bruce Erenberg, 69, recently underwent the procedure to get new valves for emphysema at Norton Thoracic Institute, part of Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. “I can’t run a marathon, but I couldn’t run a marathon when I was healthy,” said Erenberg, who retired to the Valley after a career in the jewelry industry in Chicago. “It’s just kind of being normal – going to the mall and not gasping for air.” Erenberg was diagnosed about 10 years ago with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Unable to breathe freely, he would tire quickly on shopping trips with his wife, Nancy. Even unloading groceries became a daunting task. In May, Bruce underwent an endobronchial valve procedure at the Norton Thoracic Institute. The treatment, which had previously been offered on a trial basis, reduces lung volume by using tiny one-way valves, which are placed noninvasively into the selected airway, blocking airflow to the most diseased region of the lung. The device allows healthy regions of the lungs to function more efficiently,

normal activities.” For many valve recipients, improvement is gradual and can take several months. Erenberg said he and his wife noted the difference almost immediately after he was discharged from the hospital. “Before, I could listen to him breathe,” says Nancy Erenberg. “Now, I don’t hear that labored breathing. Men-

with severe emphysema, “Forthispatients minimally invasive procedure reduces shortness of breath and signiﬁcantly improves exercise capacity and quality of life.

”

– Dr. Ali Saeed

this minimally invasive procedure reduces shortness of breath and significantly improves exercise capacity and quality of life,” said Dr. Ali Saeed, medical director of interventional pulmonology at Norton Thoracic Institute. “I’m delighted that Bruce has had a positive outcome and has resumed

Breathing is much easier for 69-year-old Bruce Erenberg of Chandler now that he got new valves through a procedure at Norton Thoracic Institute, part of Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. (Courtesy of Dignity Health)

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tally, it’s like night and day. He’s much more upbeat.” Erenberg is gradually increasing his time on a treadmill and can exercise for 30 or 40 minutes at a time. And he can breeze through trips to the mall and grocery store without having to stop and catch his breath. “For so many years, it was like, I want to see morning, but it took me two hours to get myself together because it was so hard to catch my breath,” he says. “Now I look forward to every day.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

Chandler senator supports ballot limit initiative BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

An organization that is trying to block a public vote on the tax cuts approved by Republican lawmakers now is funding an initiative to impose new restrictions on voters before they can cast a ballot with the blessing of a Chandler senator. The proposal by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club would add a requirement that anyone dropping a ballot in the mail also provide a date of birth and other identification like a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a social security number. That same requirement would apply to those who drop off their early ballots at polling places. All that is in addition to the current requirement for a signature. That is the only thing that county election officials now use, comparing it to what is on file to determine whether the person submitting the ballot is the person to whom it was sent. It also would say that family members who return someone else’s early ballot – something still permitted despite new laws against “ballot harvesting’’– also have to provide some identification. The measure also would affect those who actually show up at the polls. Arizona law already requires identification for those who vote in person. But it permits those who do not have photo ID to instead get a ballot after presenting two other items with things that have their current address like utility bills,

State Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, said last week that the changes in election law being proposed will restore voters' faith in the election system. (Capitol Media Services)

bank statements, tribal enrollment cards or vehicle registration cards. The initiative would eliminate that option. Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, said Tuesday the changes are necessary to restore voter confidence. “It is undeniable that hundreds of thousands of people have lost faith in the election system,’’ he said. And Mesnard said it’s “immaterial’’ if some of that doubt is because there are people from his own political party are making claims that the election was stolen and Donald Trump really won. “Right now, at this moment, what do people feel about the election,’’ he said.

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Mesnard said he would push for additional voter ID requirements because it’s good policy. “Quite frankly, even if no one had raised any issue about the election we should always be vigilant about making sure it is secure,’’ he said. Sponsors need 237,645 valid signatures by July 7 to put the issue on the 2022 ballot. Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, said the idea of additional identification requirements is supported by a majority of the legislature. That, however, is up for debate. The requirements for voter ID on early ballots, sponsored by Mesnard, were

approved earlier this year by the Senate. But SB 1713 failed to become law after two House Republicans sided with all 29 Democrats in the 60-member chamber amid concerns that it would erect new and unnecessary hurdles. Legislative support aside, Hoffman said polling shows that Arizonans of all races and parties support voter-ID requirements. Campaign materials list the source of funding from the Free Enterprise Club. That is also the organization that is trying to convince a judge to kill a referendum drive seeking a public vote on the $1.9 billion in tax cuts, mainly to benefit the wealthy, that were enacted earlier this year by the Republican-controlled legislature. Attorneys for the organization contend that there is no constitutional right of voters to second-guess any changes in tax law. Mussi declined to spell out where his organization is getting its funding for the voter ID initiative or how much it intends to spend both to get the signatures to put the issue on the 2022 ballot and then to convince voters to approve it. Mesnard said he understands arguments that some people may not have either an Arizona driver’s license or a state-issued non-operator identification card, both of which cost money. He said that’s why the initiative includes a requirement for the Motor Vehicle Division to issue an ID card, without cost, to anyone who says he or she needs it to register or vote.

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

MASK

from page 7

Chandler Unified’s cases per 100,000 are at 322 and positivity is 8.8 percent, the county data showed. Chandler ZIP codes 85048, 85049 and 85286 all show that while cases per 100,000 are at a high level – all roughly around 210 – positive new test results are at a lower transmission level of between 6.9 percent and 8.6 percent. The county does not break down inoculation data by school district, but data for 85286, 85248 and 85249 show that between 61.5 percent and 68.8 percent of all eligible residents are fully vaccinated – significantly higher than the city-wide full vaccination rate of 58.8 percent. Karamargin rejected the idea that the governor has no authority to expand who is eligible for what are formally known as “empowerment

scholarship accounts.’’ “Do you have some indication he doesn’t have the authority?’’ he responded. And Karamargin said that he needs no legislative permission given these aren’t state dollars subject to

private school vouchers and seemingly take it away from public schools,’’ he said. And Thomas said the moves “incentivize putting students in danger.’’ And House Democratic Leader Reginald Bolding slammed what he

What is it about families they don’t trust? The last “thing we need is some bureaucrat in Washington, D.C., telling Arizona parents what’s best for them. ”

– C.J. Karamargin

appropriation. Joe Thomas, president of the Arizona Education Association, called the Ducey’s moves “surprising and disappointing.’’ “The governor never wastes an opportunity to spend more money on

called “Ducey’s announcements today to essentially bribe school districts with additional funding if they don’t join the growing list of districts opting to protect students and staff by requiring masks on campus, and unilaterally expanding private school vouchers, an

idea that has failed at the ballot box and at the Legislature this past session.” Chris Kotterman, attorney for the Arizona School Boards Association, said those federal dollars are intended for COVID relief. And Kotterman said using that cash for vouchers and to penalize schools that have mask requirements is doubtful – particularly when eligibility is conditioned on schools actually ignoring the health advice being provided by both the Department of Health Services and the federal Centers for Disease Prevention and Control about how to prevent the spread of the disease. ``So, basically, he’s saying ‘If you’re doing these things that are recommended to prevent the spread of COVID and your kid’s going to that school, here’s $7,000 of federal COVID-relief money to send your kid to a place where that’s not happening,’ ‘’ Kotterman said.

Rep. Biggs and wife to address Sun Lakes GOP Club SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Sun Lakes Republican Club will feature guest speakers Congressman Andy Biggs and Cindy Biggs at its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14 in the sanctuary of TriCity Baptist Church at 2211 W. Germann Road, Chandler. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Cindy Biggs is co-founder of “Constitu-

tion in the Classroom” and will present a five-minute crash course on the parts and organization of our U.S. Constitution. Attendees will learn/relearn the Preamble with hand motions and participate in “fact or fallacy” quiz. Cindy chairs the Gilbert County Island Fire District Board and is a boa®d member of Right Woman PAC. Congressman Biggs will share his per-

spective on national legislation and “what’s really going on” in Washington, D.C. “Keeping Our Constitutional Republic” will address the effects of recent and proposed legislation on our local, national, and global interests. Also, Chandler state Sen. JD Mesnard will give a status report on the ballot audit and review election legislation. Tickets also are available for the

Cowboy Christmas Dinner Dance 5-9 p.m. Dec. 10 at Cottonwood Country Club. Music and entertainment will be provided by Harry Mathews with a “western gunslinger buffet” of BBQ chicken and beef ribs. Tickets are for $35 at the meeting on a first come, first served basis. A cash bar will be available. Information: Chairman Mike Tennant, 480-802-0178.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

Chandler head football coach Rick Garretson said communication with his players has been key this season as COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise. While he hasn’t mandated, he explained the beneﬁts of masking in school, which all of his players have decided to do. (Pablo Robles/Staff)

High school athletes keep wary eye on COVID-19 BY ZACH ALVIRA AND DREW SCHOTT Sports Staff

The Arizona Interscholastic Association’s new COVID-19 guidelines for the 2021-22 high school sports season caused a stir among athletes and coaches. Some of the key changes from last year’s guidelines open the opportunity for players with no symptoms to present negative tests to come out of quarantine after 10 days rather than 14. It also allows teams to have a shorter quarantine period as a whole – 10 days from last known exposure – if an outbreak were to occur. With the high school football season only two weeks away, a key section in the document has stirred up the most interest: vaccinated coaches and players no longer have to quarantine as long as they do not present symptoms of the virus. “We worked with our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee,” AIA Executive Director David Hines said. “They are our doctors, and they are in tune with what is going on across the board. Vaccinations are available, that wasn’t the case last year. Just about all of our athletes are old enough to receive the shot. “The intention is, really, we would like to have teams not cancel games.” Tempe Union now requires athletes in indoor sports to wear masks but is making face coverings optional for players in outdoor sports. Chandler Unified is following the disputed law banning mandates and making masks optional for students and staff. “Communication makes the world go round,” Chandler head football coach Rick Garretson said. “We have that ultimate communication and Jim Culver is very in tune with being proactive on things. We try to stay ahead of the game so that we don’t have things… that would close a team down for a week or two.” Garretson, as well as Chandler High School Athletic Director Jim Culver,

have spoken with the Wolves about ways to be proactive and safe in a state averaging more than 2,000 daily cases, according to The New York Times. Yet Garretson recently said all of his players were wearing masks indoors. Garretson can’t force a player to be vaccinated or ask about their vaccination status. According to Garretson – who is vaccinated – 90 percent of his Varsity staff is vaccinated. But he can tell by the looks on his player’s faces that they understand the implications of the pandemic on high school football. Last season, Garretson followed the protocols created by Culver and District Athletic Director Marcus Williams, now an Associate Athletic Director at Arizona State. In the meantime, he advises his players not to come to practice if they feel ill. To return to practice, Garretson said a player should take an over-thecounter COVID-19 test. With the Delta variant rapidly spreading across the United States, the pandemic has recently impacted high school football programs in the East Valley. Higley and Desert Vista’s football programs paused competition due to COVID-19 outbreaks on Aug. 4 and Aug. 9, respectively. The rise in cases has had some athletes weighing the options of getting the vaccine to hopefully avoid infection and missed games. One athlete in the Chandler Unified School District received the vaccine after he was unable to attend an out-of-state college visit after a camp. Up to that point, he had already been in favor of doing it for the safety of his family. He said both parents and his sibling suffer from disorders that weaken their immune systems. So, in an effort to reduce the risk, he and his entire family were vaccinated. When the new AIA guidelines came See

VACCINES on page 17

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

VACCINES

from page 16 out, it made him even more content with his decision. “I don’t want to put my team in jeopardy,” the athlete said. “I want to be here through everything and keep my family safe. If all it takes is getting the vaccine I was willing to do that. “I don’t want to pressure my team into doing the same thing. It’s their own decision. But I felt it was the smartest decision for me and my family to take the vaccine.” Elsewhere in the East Valley, coaches are taking similar tones with athletes and their families. Gilbert head football coach Derek Zellner has had conversations with his wife and kids about the family’s safety and overall health. As for his football program, he has stopped short of making any recommendations. “We do our best to preach hygiene, hand sanitizer, safe decisions, washing hands,” Zellner said. “When we’ re not together I tell them, ‘Hey, be smart, make good choices. Don’t make any dumb decisions that’s going to jeopardize your season or any games for yourself or any of your teammates.’” Mesa wrestling coach David DiDomenico, who navigated his team through the season virtually unscathed last year, has had honest conversations with his athletes, informing them of their options. Like many coaches, he fears overstepping boundaries. One of his main concerns will come

during the season when he once again becomes his program’s COVID point of contact. “How do I ask them if they are vaccinated?” DiDomenico said. “I don’t think that’s any of my business, but it’s something I will have to ask. As a head coach I think it’s one more thing we have to do, and we can’t really delegate it.” Saguaro head basketball coach Lucas Ramirez has kept an open dialogue with his players about vaccines. He’s told them it could be key to a somewhat normal season. But he remains neutral. While Ramirez is vaccinated himself, he knows it’s ultimately a decision families have to make on their own. His job is to support them and the rest of the Saguaro community. “We are one community,” Saguaro head basketball coach Lucas Ramirez said. “But at the end of the day, there are choices that every student-athlete and their families have to make and whatever that decision is, hopefully they think it’s the best decision for themselves, their family, their team and the school community as a whole.” Even when teams do all they can to avoid breakouts, it may not be enough. Saguaro’s football program can attest to that. Last season, the Sabercats saw their season come to a premature end due to an outbreak. They had to forfeit their opening round Open Division playoff game against Salpointe Catholic. It was the first time in seven years Saguaro didn’t play for a championship, and it was due to something virtually out of

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their control. “It hurt,” Saguaro coach Jason Mohns said last year after the forfeit. “It was tough news to share to the team. Our kids, I’ve been proud of them the whole way. I was proud of the way they handled it. They were upset, they were disappointed, but I think they understood it was a risk we took at the beginning of the year to play football in a pandemic.” Several programs have already felt the effects of rising cases and a more infectious variant, including two in the East Valley. Desert Vista recently came back from a 10-day quarantine after six cases were confirmed positive on the varsity and

junior varsity programs and 16 others were identified as close contacts. Higley’s junior varsity and varsity teams are due back from a 10-day quarantine on Tuesday after “multiple” confirmed positive cases were identified. Hines estimates well over 90 percent of all sports contests were played last season – a number he was happy with given the circumstances. This year, he hopes for no cancellations. “Whatever normal is nowadays, we want that,” Hines said. “We want more students to be involved, participation numbers up and more support for those athletes from their classmates. It was great to see in the spring people supporting these kids. We want to build on that.”

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from page 10

derings of a modern, state-of-the-art facility in the works at the Footprint Center while Caesars has plans to begin offering in-person wagering via kiosks at Chase Field as soon as possible. For the most part, operators plan to launch their mobile platforms on Sept. 9 with brick-and-mortar locations to follow. Sports betting companies partnered with tribes have been mostly mum about their license status, and the ADG is not releasing a list of applicants. The ADG said it would alert tribes by Aug. 16 if they made the first cut to be considered for a license. Industry sources say PointsBets’ partner the Yavapi-Apache Nation, which owns and operates the Cliff Castle Casino, made the first cut. It’s not clear how many of the other 15 also made the cut, but a total of nine tribes, including the Gila River Indian Community, have already announced sports

betting partners. Arizona is among the first U.S. jurisdictions in which sportsbooks will exist at professional sports venues. Washington D.C.’s Capital One Arena became the first pro venue in the country to accept wagers when it began doing so in the summer of 2020. And as of now, only Washington, D.C., Illinois, Maryland, and Arizona allow for sportsbooks in arenas. There are currently two open in Washington, since the BetMGM began accepting bets at Nationals Field earlier this year. Jill R. Dorson is the managing editor at sportshandle.com, a national sports betting website that focuses on sports betting legislation and regulation. Dorson is a longtime newspaper sportswriter who covered everything from high school sports to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, but her specialty now is how sports betting is getting legalized and how it operates in different states across the U.S.

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have it set up for some social distancing so we can have people sitting at both tables and chairs,” she said. Anyone who wants to attend is encouraged to register in advance so they make sure they have enough space to accommodate everyone safely. So is History Bites back for good? “The last year and a half has taught everybody to be flexible and there are times you’ve got to change your plans,” Egnor said. “We do have the next year outlined, at this point, but being flexible is part of the game now.”

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Chandler booster clubs hope for ‘normal’ season BY DREW SCHOTT Staff Writer

According to Brandy Wheaton, the roles of a football booster club are numerous. It aids the purchase of equipment and uniforms, provides transportation and food for camps and seven-on-seven tournaments and plans banquets, senior nights and homecoming events. Another responsibility that falls under the club is facilitating the game day experience, with roles including the coordination of banners and signs and running the concession stand. Last season, everything was different. “There was so much unknown last year,” Wheaton, the President of the Basha Gridiron Club, said. “There were a lot of things (the players) had to miss out on.” Ahead of the 2021 season, booster clubs across the East Valley are looking to return to their normal functions. With full capacity allowed back at stadiums in Chandler, the booster clubs for local high schools have the opportunity to restart their operation near or at its levels before the COVID-19 pandemic. At Hamilton High, the booster club was forced to take a role of spreading information to let people know they could only enter the stadium with a previously purchased ticket. Basha took the same initiative; the Gridiron Club got players’ families on lists to enter the stadium in light of capacity restrictions. The pandemic forced the club at Chandler High to raise money in a different way, Fewer concessions were sold because fewer fans could attend games. Ditto apparel. The boosters decided on a discount card fundraiser that enabled parents to sell cards for places like Dairy Queen and local car washes as a way to help benefit the Wolves. The initiatives included funding pregame meals for the varsity, junior varsity and freshman

Left: Tressa Hanger, the president of the Chandler football booster club, said the program took a hit in revenue last season due to COVID-19, funds that are used to provide meals for all levels of the program. (Courtesy Corey Cross Photography) Right: Sam Gerardi, the President of the Hamilton High School Gridirion Booster Club, said money the club typically makes from concession sales is split with the band. However, reduced fan attendance in 2020 made it difficult for both clubs to see any impactful revenue. (Courtesy Sam Gerardi)

teams. “Whatever we bring in goes right out,” Tressa Hanger, president of the Chandler High School boosters, said. “Everything that we raise goes out and is spent that year. There’s all kinds of stuff to cover.” The booster club at Chandler has helped with matters ranging from food for its players to helping the development of the team room and the weight room. Across the Valley, a key source of funding for initiatives are the concession stands at games. Last year, clubs had to account for the lack of revenue from this source. A usual assortment of concessions of water, ice cream, pretzels, candies and more at Basha were limited due to the fluctuating and reduced number of fans attending each game. Wheaton, who said last year’s operation was not “up to par” largely due to

attendance numbers, said the Gridirion Club pays out of pocket for its concession items. At Hamilton, concession revenue is sent to the band, which suffered financially last year, according to Sam Gerardi, the president of the Hamilton High School Gridirion Booster Club. Chandler, which splits the concession revenue with the band, also had to account for reduced sales. “We did it on a much smaller scale,” Wheaton said. “We plan to be up and running, normal, this year, assuming we don’t get any cutbacks.” The pandemic also created difficulties in working with sponsors. Despite its complexities, shifting club operations online created a silver lining for Gerardi. While the Gridiron Booster Club could not hold its normal in-person gatherings, the community was able to be connected digitally through live

streams. Come September, booster clubs are hoping to run at full operation. Not all food will be pre-packaged; apparel will be sold; the student section will be flowing with school spirit. Friday night high school football, they hope, will be back to normal. For Hamilton, which made the Open Division Championship, hopes are high for a great season. Adding to success on the gridiron, Gerardi hopes, is a normal gameday that allows the club to operate at its full function. “I’d love to see the sponsors getting their money’s worth from us and I’d like to see the team giving everybody their show that they deserve,” he said. “We have high expectations for them getting to state, so all in all, as a booster goes, we’re really looking for as close to normal as possible with as many fans having the opportunity to watch a really high-end game.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Mark Taylor president thrives on people, numbers BY J. GRABER Staff Writer

When John Carlson was 7, he and his mother went to live with his grandmother. He slept on the floor in those days and had one thing on his mind: “I can’t wait to have my own room someday,” he recalled. As president of Mark-Taylor Companies, the leading developer, owner and investment manager of Arizona and Nevada’s modern luxury apartment communities, Carlson is responsible for giving a lot of people their own rooms. “I love real estate,” Carlson, 45, said. “I love numbers and the people are amazing.” As president, he leads the strategic direction, and oversees business development, operations, and the property performance portfolio for Mark-Taylor’s 20,000-plus apartment units. That includes Waterside at Ocotillo and Mira Santi in Chandler. Carlson didn’t start out to be a developer. He moved to the Phoenix area in 2001 after earning his bachelor’s degree and working as an engineer in Minnesota. He had visited the Phoenix area for work and “I knew this is where I wanted to be.”

As president of Mark-Taylor Companies, John Carlson presides of a company that has developed and managed 20,000-plus apartment units, including campuses such as Waterside at Ocotillo. (Courtesy of Mark-Taylor)

He had an engineering job all lined once in Arizona but it disappeared after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks terrorist attacks. Carlson was putting out resumes, looking for work, with no luck. He happened to be living in a Mark-Taylor property and mentioned to the office manager he was looking for a job. She offered him a part-time leasing

gig but Carlson “poo pooed it at first.” “I thought about it probably for 30 seconds and said ‘No thank you,’” he said. “In my mind I wanted to be an engineer.” But then he second thoughts. “I thought I shouldn’t be closed off to new opportunities,” Carlson said. So, he took the job and eventually made his way up through the ranks and

became president of Mark-Taylor in 2016. He credits his ascension to old fashion hard work. “I’m a Capricorn by trait,” he said. “I’m wired a lot like my mother, with just a hunger, a desire to get better.” It was that work ethic that served See

CARLSON on page 22

Boyhood memories inspired Chandler eatery owners BY MALLORY GLEICH Contributor

When you think of the words “double” and “dutch,” what comes to mind? Do they conjure up an image of sum-

to open a “spotWeindecided Chandler because

we really love the people and the neighborhoods in this part of the Valley, we thought Chandler could use a fun, new restaurant.

”

– Tom Montgomery

mer time, playing outside and jumping rope with friends from the neighborhood until the street lights came on? If so, Jason Key and Tom Montgomery had the right idea with the name of their latest concept, Double Dutch Kitchen + Cocktails, an American-style neighborhood gastropub that opened last month near Dobson and Germann roads in Chandler. Montgomery and Key grew up in the

Double Dutch Kitchen + Cocktails not only offers a friendly environment but some dynamite cocktails and food menu to enjoy it by. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

bar and restaurant business – and were friends back when their parents were running things. “Jason, me and my brother Steven have been friends for almost 20 years. My parents, who are from Ireland, owned Irish pubs and restaurants in the Bronx. Jason worked in restaurants like Gramercy Tavern in New York before we all moved out to Arizona,” Montgomery said.

The Double Dutch is the second restaurant that the trio has opened together. They opened The Kettle Black in downtown Phoenix in 2016. Montgomery and his brother also own Tim Finnegan’s Irish Pub, a staple in Glendale that opened more than 15 years ago. “We decided to open a spot in Chandler because we really love the people and the neighborhoods in this part

of the Valley,” Montgomery said. “We thought Chandler could use a fun, new restaurant.” Key and Montgomery explained that the inspiration for The Double Dutch came from their time growing up in the New York City area and Bay Area of California. See

DUTCH on page 22

BUSINESS

CARLSON

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

from page 21

Carlson when he was working 15 to 20 hours per week for $5.25 an hour as a 10-year-old on his stepfather’s farm or playing football, baseball and basketball in high school. He has scaled Mark-Taylor to its largest size in the company’s history while increasing employee satisfaction and retention, keeping people his upmost priority. He credits the exceptional employees and the authentic and ambitious culture at Mark-Taylor as the keys to the company’s continued success. “Whether I was working as a parttime leasing agent … or an asset manager, I always said, ‘If I was ever in charge, if I was president, we would want to

DUTCH

from page 21

“We were always outside playing with friends and family members, enjoying games in the street and going home to eat when the street lights came on,” they said. “We wanted a fun, upbeat neighborhood American restaurant that can become a gathering spot for friends and families alike.” The duo enlisted the help of Chef Nicholas Salazar of California to come up with their menu items. Salazar worked at Nobu in Orange County, the Ritz seafood restaurant in Newport Beach and Poquito’s in Seat-

knows what it’s like at every level of the organization. With no other family in the area, Carlson said Mark-Taylor became his family in Arizona and he wants the

Carlson said. “We want to have a career path for employees to grow.” Company culture goes a long way in explaining Mark-Taylor’s success, Carlson said.

“When I leave, hopefully in 45 or 50 years, I want to leave the organization with a vital culture; that really means a lot to me,” he said. Carlson’s data-driven leadership and emphasis on innovation has driven Mark-Taylor to become an admired leader in development, as well as national asset management and consulting services. His focus on excellence for Mark-Taylor means they continuously enhance technology and operations to stay at the forefront of the multifamily industry. The secret to building a quality property is timeless architecture and listening to what residents say they want, according to Carlson. And the one thing residents always seem say is, they want more space. “Size matters,” he said.

tle before heading to the dry heat of Arizona. Montgomery said that inspiration for menu items for the American-style pub came from the people, cultures and cuisines of the United States. “Things like our elote street corn and seafood ceviche come from chef’s Latin background, the fish and chips and a pint of Guinness are a nod to our Irish heritage, the Reuben sandwich is reminiscent of New York delis, and the braised beef short rib dish reminds of us of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house,” Montgomery said. The menu boasts various seafood dishes, sandwiches, pasta and chicken

dishes – but the side dishes and desserts are also a thing of beauty. They include: a couscous salad, sweet and spicy brussel sprouts, corn succotash, a banana bread pudding and, of course, New York-style cheesecake. “Our street corn, wild mushroom arancini and braised beef short ribs are probably our most popular dishes right now,” Montgomery said. Double Dutch also offers a happy hour on Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. Specials include five-dollar craft beer and IPA drafts, $4 wines and $7 select appetizers, as well as specials on their craft cocktails, which Montgomery said is a far cry from the drinks

he used to whip up at the Irish pubs. “Our mixology program is out of this world. We’re making stuff I’ve never seen before,” he said. The team at Double Dutch is also working on a brunch menu that they hope to unveil when patio season comes around. “What started as our families drawing hopscotch squares in the backyard for our kids has manifested into an indoor/outdoor high-end playground called Double Dutch,” Montgomery said. “We are new to the Chandler area and we hope to be a part of this community for years to come.” Information: thedoubledutchaz.com.

make it a people-first organization,’” Carlson said. He gets that sentimentality by working through the ranks himself. He

company’s other employees to feel the same way. “Whether we have five employees or 500 employees, we want to be familial,”

Whether I was working as a part-time leasing “ agent … or an asset manager, I always said, ‘If I was ever in charge, if I was president, we would want to make it a people-ﬁrst organization. ’”

– John Carlson

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Gilbert vintage store offers thrill of the hunt BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Contributor

Cameron Thompson wants his store to appeal to shoppers seeking the thrill of the hunt. Thompson, who opened Old Habits Vintage, a vintage clothing store in Gilbert last month, believes, “Thrifting is like treasure hunting.” “It’s always a hunt and no matter what you find you get excited. It often leads you to things you weren’t even looking for.” Thompson spent five years collecting clothes for his store at 1661 S. Val Vista Drive, which is open noon-8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Thompson, 21, grew up with a Goodwill nearby, which sparked his passion for thrifting. “Whenever I went shopping for clothes, I had a budget of how much I could spend,” he recalled. “One day, I went to Goodwill and got 10 times the amount of stuff as I would going to a department store. You could get so much, so it became a hobby for me.” The small business owner continues to comb through rack after rack of discarded clothing looking for hidden treasures. “Realistically, just about anyone can come in here and find something,” Thompson said, who frequently restocks Old Habits with new discoveries. Before opening his store, Thompson sold clothing out of his home to friends, then at markets such as Ivory House, Rose Bowl and Melrose Trading Post. “From there, sites like Depop took off, so I sold clothes online,” he said. “It got

Whenever I went “ shopping for clothes, I had

a budget of how much I could spend, one day, I went to Goodwill and got 10 times the amount of stuff as I would going to a department store. You could get so much, so it became a hobby for me.

”

– Cameron Thompson

Cameron Thompson, who has collected vintage clothing for five years, now sells many of his items in his new Gilbert store. (Ashlyn Robinette/Contributor)

tiring to take pictures, write a description and ship it. My buddies had opened up shops and pushed me toward it, so once I had the idea in my head I just ran with it and it’s been great.” Once he got the keys, Thompson

Cabinet firm has new Chandler office site SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

SOLLiD Cabinetry has a new office-warehouse and manufacturing facility in Chandler and has LGE Design Build to thank for it. The general contracting firm recently completed SOLLiD’s 251,000 squarefoot facility on 107 acres of land near Gilbert and Germann roads. There is approximately six acres under roof that houses manufacturing equipment imported from around the world. The facility also features 50,000 square feet of Class A office space, an expansive two-story lobby with lush finishes including a solid walnut reception desk and fluted marble backwall. It does not maintain a sales operation at that site. “We are excited about the completion of this facility to help further support the high demand of this growing customized cabinetry company with local ties,” said Aaron Call, interior design director at LGE Design Group. The SOLLiD lobby showcases a fully functional custom kitchen. The interior finishes include walnut wood doors and accents, Tom Filicia wallcovering,

ground concrete and Knoll furniture. There is also a grand staircase flanked by a marble clad interior planter and 10-foot Amstel King Ficus tree. “The new SOLLiD Cabinetry facility offers state-of-the-art amenities for clients and employees alike with a large break rooms, lounge tables, ping pong table and billiards,” LGE said in a release. Collapsible doors extend the ground floor break room to the exterior patio which includes a built-in barbeque, cornhole gaming area and picnic tables. All cabinetry in the facility was provided by SOLLiD to further exhibit their capabilities and product line. The idea was to extend their showroom throughout the office areas. What people cannot see is the dust control system from Germany which is roughly 4,600 square feet, enclosed in its own yard with two-story structural steel and a perforated metal skin to screen the system. “The collaboration between our design and construction teams, along with the City of Chandler and SOLLiD, allowed us to work together to create a timeless space that’s truly one-of-akind,” Call said.

and a small team of friends worked on Old Habits day and night for a month

straight then took some time for themselves before opening. Now, the store sees 50 to 100 people a day walk through its doors, Thompson said. With a retro, groovy atmosphere and wide selection of vintage jeans, graphic tees, jackets and more, it’s no wonder that the store has racked up nearly 3,000 Instagram followers and is most popular among teenagers and twenty-somethings. Besides word of mouth, Thompson exclusively relies on social media, primarily TikTok and Instagram, to promote Old Habits.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

Firms can demand vaccinated employees, patrons BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Private businesses in Arizona are free to require that their workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 and can make the same demand on customers, Attorney General Mark Brnovich concluded last week. But the attorney general’s 40-page legal opinion said neither of those rights is absolute. In both cases, businesses must provide “reasonable accommodations’’ for those who cannot get vaccinated due to a disability. And they must not discriminate against customers who will not get inoculated due to a sincerely held religious belief. He laid out ways that employers can deal with workers, like staggered schedules. telework assignments and mask requirements. Brnovich, however, had no real answers for how a grocery store, bar, restaurant, retail outlet or even movie theater could meet their burden to provide a reasonable accommodation, es-

pecially as federal law does not require a company to make changes that would “fundamentally alter’’ their services. Press aide Katie Conner said, “It’s not our job to say exactly how they can do it. It’s our job to interpret the law as it’s currently written, not to come up with a policy for them.’’ Strictly speaking, the formal opinion has no force of law like a court ruling. But it can be cited when there is litigation. While Brnovich is providing broad authority to private employers, he is siding with the state and Gov. Doug Ducey, who contend that a state law that takes effect on Sept. 29 precludes governments from imposing vaccine mandates. The conclusions come amid increased public debate about the rights of those who, for whatever reason, have decided not to get the vaccine. These range from arguments about personal liberties to questions about the vaccine’s safety given that it has not been given full approval by the federal Food and Drug Administration but instead is being distributed under an “emergency use authorization.’’

Brnovich suggested that he’s not entirely comfortable with his conclusions. “The attorney general ... believes strongly that government should not mandate that citizens relinquish their bodily liberty and undergo vaccination,’’ he wrote. “The law does not always reflect good public policy,’’ Brnovich said. “And our role with respect to an attorney general opinion is to say what the law is, not what it should be.’’ For employees with medical reasons for not getting vaccinated, he said there are accommodations that can be made like “teleworking, masking, social distancing, enhanced sanitation measures, and/or staggered work schedules.’’ He said that is covered under the federal Civil Rights Act which bar discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. That law, in turn, defines “religion’’ to include all aspects of religious observance and practices as well as beliefs. But there is language that provides an “out’’ for employers who can demonstrate an inability to reasonably

accommodate a worker’s religious observance or practice “without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer’s business.’’ And it’s even more complicated than that. The leaders of various religious groups, including the Pope and the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have issued statements saying the inoculations do not run afoul of church doctrine. That even includes the fact that some of the vaccines are the result of research on fetal tissue. But Brnovich said their opinions are not the test. “The fact that no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not accept such belief will not determine whether the belief is a religious belief of the employee or prospective employee,’’ he said. Instead, it has to be “measured by the employee’s words and conduct at the time the conflict arose between the belief and the employment requirement.’’

Paper route rooted Chandler man’s sales career I’ve learned a lot “ through trial and error. SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Scott Evans’ career illustrates the opportunities that the electrical industry provides to people who are eager to learn, work hard and lead. As City Electric Supply’s Chandler outside sales rep, Evans landed his first opportunity in the industry at the age of 15. But he cut his teeth in sales much earlier. When he was 10, Evans began working with a sponsor in his community going door to door selling newspaper subscriptions. “If you want to learn sales quickly, try going door to door,” said Evans. “You learn a lot from getting 100 doors shut in your face.” From there, Evans cultivated a passion for sales. His step-father, John Gaspari, gave him his first opportunity in the electrical industry. Evans worked with him in the summers and every school break. He even went on to spend the next six years learning the ins and outs of the industry. Then his stepfather landed a job at City Electric Supply. City Electric Supply is a family-owned electrical wholesale distributor headquartered in Dallas. “He loved it there. He told me they had a lot of great opportunities,” said Evans.

No two days look alike here. I’m always trying new things and working on new projects. My advice to others is to listen to the people you work with and never give up on your dream.

Scott Evans of Chandler, seen here with his wife Katie, is outside sales manager for City Electric Supply’s Chandler operations. He cut his teeth in sales when he was 10. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

He met CES founder Thomas Mackie and Dan Williams, vice president of operations, and they decided to make him the branch manager of CES Apache Junction. It was a milestone for the then 21-year-old, one of the youngest branch managers at CES at the time. “The autonomy they gave me was a big part of my success,” said Evans. “You can hop in your car and bring people things yourself if you need to. You don’t have to run every move past

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somebody. CES doesn’t restrict their employees, which means they don’t have to restrict their customers, either.” Experience and passion also played a huge role in Evans’ success. Selling newspaper subscriptions door to door taught him how to interact with customers, and the work he did with his step-father taught him how to work in the industry, he said. After seeing success as branch manager, Evans left for a short period of time to advance his knowledge even further through electrical contracting. When eventually returned to CES as an outside sales rep, he had a lot more insight into the other side of the counter. Evans is still in that position today. “I’ve had so many great jobs through CES,” said Evans. “I supplied wire for the new sound system for a local football team. I’ve worked on a billion-dollar development project in downtown

”

– Scott Evans

Phoenix and four ice rinks for a big company here in Arizona. There are too many projects to list.” According to Evans, it’s all about making connections. But the path to success came with a number of teachable moments. “I’ve learned a lot through trial and error. No two days look alike here. I’m always trying new things and working on new projects. My advice to others is to listen to the people you work with and never give up on your dream,” said Evans. There are a number of people Evans credits for his success, including his mother, Joanne Evans; his father, Charles Evans; his step-father, John Gaspari and his wife, Katie Evans. He also thanks his two mentors at CES, District Manager Dan Williams and former coworker John Milonivich. “They both taught me not to hoard knowledge. Learn as much as you can, and share as much as you learn,” said Evans. “So, that’s what I try to do.”

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

CHANDLER BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF Mayor to lead annual HOA roundtable in Chandler

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke and the City’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee host the annual HOA Roundtable 5-7 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center, Cotton Room, 745 E. Germann Road. The free event aims to educate residents that live in a homeowners/community association, as well as engage attendees about the experiences and challenges they face within their own HOA. “This event is a productive forum for Council and staff to engage with our neighborhoods to better understand the needs of the community,” said Hartke. “This past year has presented a number of new challenges and I look forward to diving in to how we can continue to address those.” Beth Mulcahy, Esq. of Mulcahy Law Firm, P.C., will provide an overview to define HOAs, the governing documents, organizational structure, rights and responsibilities of the board of directors and homeowners. Mulcahy also will discuss the 10 things that get boards into trouble most often, including violation of the open meeting law, proper voting procedures, fines and penalties and more. Lastly, this roundtable event will provide tips and tricks to effectively run a board and how to have a strong and effective board. Residents are encouraged to RSVP for the event, so staff can prepare for proper social distancing measures as needed. To RSVP, interested attendees may visit chandleraz.gov/HOAroundtable; residents also may select to attend in-person or to participate virtually via Zoom. Information: Priscilla Quintana at neighborhood.programs@chandleraz.gov or 480-782-4348.

SOLLiD Cabinetry recently opened its new Chandler offices-warehouse-manufacturing plant. In case you missed it, the story is on page 23. (Courtesy of LGE Design Build)

Medicare association lists Chandler broker

Michael Braden an independent and licensed Medicare insurance broker in Chandler, has been recognized by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance. Braden is listed on the Association’s 2021 national directory of leading local Medicare insurance agents. “Nearly 70 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare and another 11,000 become eligible every day,” said Jesse Slome, director of the national Medicare insurance trade organization. “Medicare is a national program but the options available for seniors are local and comparing has never been more complex. We are pleased to recognize 2021’s leading Medicare insurance professionals who are committed to educating senior consumers about this important healthcare benefit.” “Medicare can be confusing and

making the wrong choice can be costly and maybe even irreversible,” said Braden, who offers no-obligation comparisons of locally-available Medicare options and plans.” Information: 480-771-8181.

Solar company leases space in Chandler Viridian

Hines, the international real estate firm, has reached an agreement with Array Technologies for a 28,608 square foot lease at its Chandler Viridian office development. Albuquerque-based Array Technologies, which just announced a capital infusion of $500 million from Blackstone, is relocating from its current Chandler office and to the office building’s sixth floor. Array Technologies is one of several companies that have announced relocation plans to the Chandler development. Over the company’s 30-year histo-

ry, Array Technologies has expanded its manufacturing base in the United States to become a global provider of solar tracking solutions. Chandler Viridian is a premier mixeduse development integrating residential, Class A office, hospitality and retail developments located at the intersection of Loop 101 and Loop 202. “Array Technologies is a valued member of Chandler’s business community and we are thrilled to see them recommit to Chandler with this long-term lease on Price Corridor,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. Hines also recently leased two of four high-end spec suites specifically built out at Chandler Viridian to provide potential tenants with an immediately available, state-of-the-art office environment. Hines also signed 15,000 square foot with NovaSource Power Services.

Bridging the gap between retirement dreams reality BY DR. HAROLD WONG Guest Writer

A recent 2021 Logica Research survey, sponsored by Schwab Retirement Services, found that 401(k) participants across America now believe they must save $1.9 million for retirement – up from $1.7 million in the 2019 survey. Not only has that goal increased, but so has investors’ confidence in reaching their goals. More than half (53 percent) said they are likely to achieve their retirement goals, up 16 percent from a year ago when the coronavirus pandemic created massive economic turmoil and uncertainty. The pandemic has changed the way they approach their finances, with: 48 percent planning to save more; 36 percent planning to increase their 401(k) contribution rate; 35 percent planning to invest more outside of their 401(k) plan, and 34 percent planning to pay off debt. These are all lofty goals, but what’s the reality?

A recent study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, found that in 2019, median 401(k) balances saved across several age groups was: $51,000 for those ages 35-44; $90,000 for ages 45-54; and $120,000 for ages 55-64. In order to save $1.9 million by age 65 and assuming a person had saved the median 401(k) balances, here’s how much one would have to save monthly until age 65: $900 for the 35-year-old; $2,475 for the 45-year-old; and $9,000 for the 55-year-old. There’s obviously a HUGE gap between what folks think they need to save for retirement vs. actual savings. So, why don’t most people save what they want for retirement? Lack of understanding the substantial amount that must be saved for decades. Most people have not calculated a detailed retirement plan and don’t know what the required savings numbers are. My experience is that until folks reach age 50, most aren’t very serious about retirement. Remember the old Yippie leader Gerry Rubin saying from the 1960’s: “Don’t trust anyone

over 30”. When you are young, your late 50s and 60s seem far away. Insufficient income: The 2020 national median family income was $78,500, according to an April 1, 2020 notice from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. If this is your family income, can either you or both you and your spouse learn a new skill or start a side business to earn an extra $30-50,000/year? If one can save this extra income, most will be reach their retirement goals. Losing money in one’s Investments: According to moneychimp.com, the compound average growth rate in the S&P 500 Index of stocks has been 4.57 percent in the 21-year period from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2020. One could add the average 2.02 percent dividend rate, but then would also need to subtract the inflation rate and all Wall Street fees. The reason this rate is so much lower than what the public believes is because the stock market had two previous major crashes. In both the 2000-2002 Dot-Com crash and the 2008-early-2009 financial panic, the

stock market dropped by about half. Even though the stock market has been in an unprecedented 12-year bull market, two huge stock market crashes can kill a retirement plan. Not saving enough: In order to save substantially for decades, one must have unusual self-discipline. One must be able to ignore millions of ads, whether it is on TV, radio, publications, or the internet. There is a giant advertising industry enticing you to spend all your money. Conclusion: For most, there’s a huge gap between the desired vs. actual size of their retirement fund. Free live seminars and lunch: 10:45 a.m. Sept. 18 and Oct. 9 at The Old Spaghetti Factory, 3155 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Topic is “Double Your Social Security & Other Retirement Income and Pay Less Tax!” To RSVP or schedule a free consultation, contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail. com. His website is drharoldwong.com. Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

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Football Preview: Chandler stars prepare for new season BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Chandler High School’s track record of producing high-level Division I football players speaks for itself. Last year, the Wolves had more than 20 players on their roster who went on to play at the highest level of college football. Several more went on to play at various levels, from Division II down to junior college. This season will be no different. Not only will Chandler’s current talent be on display, but former stars will also be. Just one day after the Wolves open against Centennial on Sept. 3, Chandler alums will face off against one another on Sept. 4 when Arizona plays BYU to open the college football season. “Those guys, most of them played together here and contributed at the same time,” Chandler coach Rich Garretson said. “It’s just so exciting to see your kids move on and play on Saturdays and on TV. It’s an exciting time for everybody in the Chandler community and Chandler football.” Arizona, under new head coach Jedd Fisch, has seen an influx of former Arizona high school football stars either commit or transfer to the program. Some of which are former Chandler players. Drake Anderson, Gunner Maldonado and Malik Reed — all former Chandler stars — transferred into the Arizona program after a brief stint at other Division I Power 5 programs. Anderson, a running back, and Maldonado, a safety, previously played at Northwestern. Reed, a linebacker, was previously at Wisconsin.

Chandler head coach Rick Garretson will have the opportunity to coach his team to victory on Friday, Sept. 3 and then the next day watch not only his son at Arizona, but several of his former players for the Wildcats and BYU when they face off Sept. 4. (Pablo Robles/Staff)

The three joined former Chandler quarterback Darrell Garretson — Rick’s son — who is in his first year as an offensive analyst for the Wildcats. They will all see familiar faces Arizona lines up against BYU. The Cougars’ roster features the likes of former Chandler quarterback Jacob Conover, who led the Wolves to two state titles as the varsity starter. Gunner Romney, a star wideout for Chandler and now

Chandler wide receiver Kyion Grayes, an Ohio State commit, said this season is dedicated to former player KJ Taylor and in-game run coordinator Chris Chick after their unexpected deaths this summer. (Pablo Robles/Staff)

BYU, is entering his junior season. Cash Peterman, one of the top kickers in the state during his time with the Wolves, is entering his freshman season with BYU after serving his two-year church mission. Linebacker Tate Romney, defensive lineman Sitalingi Havea and offensive lineman Sione Hingano — all former Chandler players — are either signed or committed to BYU and will enroll in the next two years. Chandler’s ability to produce Division I talent stems from the coaching staff. Each member finds a way to not only relate to their athletes but bring out the best in them, too. Of course, several were gifted with a natural athletic ability. Garretson is the first to admit that. But keeping each player grounded to not only succeed on the field but in the classroom has been key. As a result, programs flock to the school on a yearly basis. This year’s Chandler team features the next batch of college football stars. Kyion Grayes, a four-star wide receiver committed to Ohio State, enters his final year with Chandler. The three-year varsity starter has high hopes for the upcoming season, as has been the case for years now with the Wolves. He aims to have impressive stats once again with a slew of talent around him, including Iowa State commit Quaron Adams. Both hope to one day be in a situation like their former teammates at Arizona and BYU where they meet at the next level. “Seeing all of them out there is going to be a great sight to see,” Grayes said. “They all gave me an example of how

to be a leader. Like they did with me, I try to show the younger kids the right way to do things without having to tell them.” For the first time in five years Chandler’s coaching staff entered the season not knowing who the team’s starting quarterback would be. The room was filled with five quarterbacks to start spring ball, but that quickly dwindled by the time summer rolled around. One of the five, Junior Nsubuga, a star on the track, moved to wide receiver where his speed adds another threat to opposing defenses. But with the season less than a week away, Garretson knew it was time to decide. Blaine Hipa, a senior transfer from Hawaii, got the nod from the Chandler coaching staff. He beat out fellow seniors Kenneth Cooper Jr. and Ethan Moore, both outof-state transfers, for the job. “Blaine Hipa has been doing really well,” Garretson said. “Ethan and KJ have been excellent as well. I’ve got three really good players. They all have good leadership and tried to take control of the reigns.” This season will be different than in year’s past for Chandler. The team is still dealing with heavy hearts after the deaths of former player KJ Taylor and in-game run coordinator Chris Chick. Both were beloved by the program. Both deaths were unexpected and hit the team hard. Grayes and his teammates plan to honor them in the only way they know best: Win yet another state title. “We want to win this for them,” See

CHANDLER on page 27

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Senior quarterback Blaine Hipa has been named the next starter for Chandler’s varsity team after transferring from Hawaii this offseason. (Pablo Robles/Staff)

CHANDLER

from page 26

Grayes said. “That’s the main goal. It was a heavy blow for our team. We are trying to take this home for them.”

Chandler football programs gearing up for the 2021 season Hamilton

Hamilton was at the forefront of summer storylines after defensive back Cole Martin and running back Deshaun Buchanan announced they had transferred to nearby Basha following an incident involving a racial slur and assistant coach in the team locker room. But as has been the case since head coach Mike Zdebski’s arrival, the Husky roster is deep. Quarterback and West Virginia commit Nicco Marchiol returns for his senior season. On defense, Russell “Deuce” Davis II is due for a big senior season after a breakout year as a junior on the defensive line. Hamilton opens the season on Sept. 3 against will be challenged early on facing Desert Ridge.

Basha

Basha’s rise under head coach Chris McDonald is starting to peak in the right way for the 2021 season. Along with the additions of Martin and Buchanan, three-star defensive back Jeremiah Vessel also transferred in from University Lab High School in Louisiana. This Basha defense could go down as one of the best all-time in Arizona, especially when factoring in its linebackers led by junior Wyatt Molkovoc. On offense, quarterback Demond Williams is a year older and ready to officially stamp his place as one of the top players in Arizona as a sophomore. And he’s got a gritty offensive line to protect him led by junior tackle James Durand, who picked up five Division I offers recently. The Bears open the season Friday, Sept. 3 against O’Connor.

Casteel

It’s officially the start of the Landon Jury era for Casteel football, as the junior quarterback is in line to take over the Colt offense. He will have talent around him, including at the offensive line position with center Rudy Varela. The Colts’ strength this season may be

their defense, however. Senior defensive end Shakaun Bowser is a force on the edge while safety Kennedy Urlacher can come inside the box to stop the run. Casteel opens the season Sept. 3 against Skyline.

Seton Catholic

Now in the third year under head coach Pete Wahlheim, Seton Catholic is still searching for its first playoff berth. The Sentinels went just 1-6 last season during the pandemic and were winless in region play. However, they do return their two top passing leaders in Jake Morris and Mikey Williamson, who will likely gravitate more toward the tight end position on offense and linebacker on defense. The Sentinels open the season Sept. 3 against Bradshaw Mountain.

Arizona College Prep

Arizona College Prep debuted its new football stadium on its campus this past Friday against Sabino. It was the first-ever true home game for the Knights, who previously used Chandler and Hamilton football fields for games. The new campus comes after ACP won its first-ever region title in 2020 and has what head coach Myron Blueford believes is his best team yet.

Valley Christian

Valley Christian opened the 2021 season Friday against 3A champion Snowflake. The Trojans reloaded once again on offense with Hunter Heeringa taking over under center. Heeringa will have line up in the backfield with the Trojans’ leading rusher from last season, Kaden Majercak, who is due for yet another breakout year after rushing for 734 yards. Valley Christian also returns itss leading tackler in linebacker Justin Regher.

Chandler Prep

Chandler Prep opened the season on the road at Tonopah Valley this past Friday, debuting a 2021 team that returns several starters from last year’s 4-2 squad. Sterling Harris takes over as the Titans’ lead running back after rushing for 362 yards as a sophomore. On defense, sophomore safety Creon Fulgham has become bigger, faster and stronger and will be a headhunter for the Titan defense this season.

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Hamilton alumna earns prestigious fellowship SANTAN SUN NEWS

Hamilton High alumna Allison Chen wants to promote American values and she figures the best way to do that is in foreign service. Recently, her ambition got a major boost from the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University, which awarded Chen a 2021 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship following a highly competitive nationwide selection process. Funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University, the fellowship “supports extraordinary individuals who want to pursue a career in the foreign service of the U.S. Department of State,” according to a release from the center. A 2017 Hamilton graduate, Chen also will be supported in getting a master’s degree. This summer, she interned at the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress as part of her fellowship and next summer she will intern at a U.SZ. embassy abroad, although exactly where has yet to be determined. Chen, 22, has work on a double ma-

Allison Chen, a Hamilton High grad, just graduated with a dual major degree from Yale University and has been selected for a Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

jor in economics and political science at Yale University, which is where her ambition to serve this country blossomed. “I realized that I could best serve the

U.S. as a diplomat, by representing the U.S. using words, presence, negotiation, and cultural adaptability,” she said. “My skills and experiences, including fluency in four languages and longtime engagement in international affairs, have shown me that I can best serve the U.S. in this capacity.” Chen has also interned at the United Nations, focusing on sustainable development issues, and at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing supporting women’s economic empowerment. As the previous co-president of Yale Building Bridges, she helped create a standardized sex education curriculum for rural Chinese high school students, which has been taught by American and Chinese student-teachers to nearly 1,000 students in rural Shandong and Hunan. Last summer, she interned at Love146, an anti-child-trafficking non-profit, conducting research for preventative anti-sex-trafficking education in Africa. She served as managing editor of The Yale Politic, an undergraduate political journal established in 1947, and worked as a Paul Block Journalism Fellow. She is fluent in four languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese)

and was a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar. She will attend Columbia University as an incoming master in international affairs student this fall. “I am incredibly excited to work in the U.S. Foreign Service,” Chen said. “It’s been a long-term dream of mine to work as a diplomat and engage cross-culturally, representing the U.S. and promoting diplomatic engagement and economic development abroad – especially regarding issues of gender and broader social inequality. I could not have done this without the support of my family, school, professors, and friends.” Upon successful completion of the fellowship, Chen will become a U.S. diplomat in summer 2023. The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program aims to enhance excellence and diversity in the U.S. Foreign Service. Established in 2003, the Rangel Program selects outstanding fellows after a competitive nationwide selection process and supports them through two years of graduate study, internships, mentoring and professional development activities. Information: rangelprogram.org.

Area students shine in national Latin convention BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Contributor

Taking Latin may sound like a nightmare, but for several East Valley students, the chance to learn more about the Latin and Greek language, literature and culture is a dream come true. Eleven delegates from six schools represented Arizona and demonstrated their knowledge of ancient Greeks and Romans at the 2021 National Junior Classical League (NJCL) convention, which has been virtual for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I love attending nationals because of the opportunity to meet like-minded people along with learning new things about the ancient world,” said VV Hays, a Gilbert Classical Academy graduate who has attended the convention every year since she was 12. The area students – Adrian and Mia Palumbo, Andrew Wei, Max Robison, Amanda Murphy, Rachel Martinez, Katherine Lam, Lorenzo Levy, Connie Kang, William Friedman and Hays – joined approximately 1,000 NJCL convention participants from around the nation to compete in academic and creative contests. The Arizona delegates are students at BASIS Chandler, BASIS Tucson North, Gilbert Classical Academy, Seton Catholic Preparatory, Tempe Preparatory Academy and Trivium Preparatory Academy. They were led by Chandler resident

Andrew Wei

Amanda Murphy

Adrian Palumbo

Sarah Palumbo, a Latin instructor and the Arizona Junior Classical League (AZJCL) State Chair. “Students take Latin because they are curious about the origin of things that have been influenced by the ancient Romans,” Palumbo said. “They want to know what the spells in Harry Potter mean… why Latin is the foundation of the Romance languages,” she said. “Of course, there are students who want the advantage that Latin provides when it comes to studying the sciences, law and grammar, too. But, students are fascinated with the lives of the ancient Romans whether it be the myth, histo-

ry, or language.” Formed in 1936, the NJCL is an organization of students sponsored by the American Classical League. Composed of local and state chapters throughout the country, it is the largest classical organization in the world. Its mission is to encourage an interest in and an appreciation of the language, literature and culture of ancient Rome and Greece. “Part of what made the convention remarkable was the variety of activities offered,” said Lam, who has four years of Latin under her belt. “For the competitively minded, there were academic testing sessions and team competitions

such as certamen, a quiz-bowl-like game. “However, if one simply wanted to relax or learn something new, there were also educational colloquia and group activities.” Students tested their knowledge of the classics in exams, certamen (a quiz bowl type competition) and more. Arizona students earned top honors in tests, certamen and graphic arts. Students also voted in national officers and performed community service projects for “Rocks For Faye.” Overall, the Arizona team was first in both roll call and spirit for small states, See

LATIN on page 29

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

LATIN

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Summa Cum Laude for their scrapbook, sixth for their website and ninth in Toga Talk. Despite the miles, students were having fun interacting with one another in breakout rooms until 2 a.m., Palumbo said. “This was my third year going and it’s amazing to meet new people and see old friends,” said Friedman, a Gilbert Classical Academy student in his fourth year of Latin. “The competition is great and it’s such an interesting, fun experience.” While Latin is known as a “dead” language, students from around the world are keeping it alive, Palumbo said, noting it has opened doors for countless students by improving test scores,

critical thinking and more. “Latin students have higher verbal SAT scores than all other foreign language students,” Palumbo said. “Secondly, Latin provides a solid foundation for the acquisition of other languages. “About 80 percent of Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese words are from Latin… Students also learn about the English language structure since a person’s reading, writing and speaking of his or her own language is improved by studying Latin. “One’s vocabulary is enriched, grammar is sharpened and a sense of organization is instilled. Finally, students have an advantage in science classes. About 90 percent of scientific terminology derives from Latin and Greek.” It isn’t just teachers who rave about the cognitive benefits Latin has to offer.

“Others should take Latin because of the intellectual skills it gives you,” said Murphy, a Trivium Preparatory Academy graduate who has taken five years of Latin and two years of Greek. “My Latin class and I agreed that studying such a language improved our attention to detail, our problem-solving skills, and our deductive reasoning. “Aside from that, Latin really spurs on your curiosity and gives you a raw, beautiful insight into the nature of man, ancient or modern.” Despite most of the Arizona delegates having been forced to take Latin in elementary school or junior high, every one of those students said they voluntarily continued it in high school because they enjoyed it so much. Adrian Palumbo, who was first introduced to Latin in elementary

school and plans to pursue the classics in college explained, “I saw the language and its roots in western society, in our language, laws, literature and arts, and thought that I could better appreciate and improve today’s society by better understanding our classical roots. This appreciation for the classics evolved beyond just Latin; I started learning more and more about classical history, art and Greek language and culture,” he said. For some, continuing Latin wasn’t about the language itself, but rather the community surrounding it. “I was never someone who fell in love with Latin right away or was super into mythology as a kid,” Hays said. “I fell in love with the community. Now, I appreciate the history and classic texts more than ever.”

EV author seeks teens for book on loss SANTAN SUN NEWS

Time may heal some wounds but Michelle Shreeve knows their pain never fully goes away. Shreeve still remembers her mother’s death in December 1993 when she was 9. The Gilbert author has channeled her lingering loss into helping children whose lives have been torn apart by the loss of a parent or other beloved adult. Several years ago, she published “Parental Death: The Ultimate Teen Guide.” It is based on her interviews with 90 people ranging in age from pre-teen to the mid-80s and is part of the “It Happened to Me Ultimate Teen Guide” series published by Rowman & Littlefield and available at Barnes & Noble bookstores and hardback and digital forms on a variety of book-sale websites. Now, Shreeves has embarked on a follow-up to that project. She is working on a book tentatively titled “Coping with Parental Death: Insights and Tips for Teenagers,” which will be a part of publishers Rowman & Littlefield “Empowering You” series. The series is aimed at helping young adults deal with important issues that they or their friends might be facing, such as coming out, having a loved one with dementia, cyberbullying, depression, grief, volunteering and other topics. Each book features stories from teenagers themselves to provide personal perspectives to the issue. Shreeve is looking to connect with anyone who lost a parent before age 20, writing a second follow-up book for Rowman & Littlefield ‘s new Empowering You series tentatively titled: “Coping with Parental Death: Tips and Insights for Teenagers.” For her second book, she’s looking to connect with anyone who lost a parent before the age of 20 who is comfortable and willing to share their experience of parental loss in the book to help young people not feel along trying to navigate this difficult situation. Anyone interested can reach out to Michelle directly at writtenbymikey@ gmail.com.

Michelle Shreeve is hoping to connect with people who lost a parent before they turned 20 and are still trying to navigate through the loss. (File photo)

“Even if children lost their parent at 8 or 10 years ago, example, they can still share how it felt during their teen years,” she said. “Same with adults who might be 70 years old now.” “I would like to share their story to help other teens navigate this difficult situation,” she said. There is an option for anonymity in the book. The last time Shreeve did this she received over 60 emails in 24 hours, so she advises that respondents be patient and will get back to them in the order their initial email is received. Her goal is to “offer support, healthy coping mechanisms, advice from other teens who have experienced parental death and from adults looking back to when they lost one or both of their parents during their teen years.” “It will offer resources, organizations, support groups and more to help teens not feel alone who are facing a parental death situation,” Shreeve explained. “It will also list movies, books, and notable

figures in society who grew up without one or both of their parents but still gave something positive back to the world.” Shreeve said her own mother’s death

still pains her, especially on holidays and particularly on Mother’s Day. For a while, she said, “I would also watch comforting motherless daughter or mother-daughter movies to help make it through the day, not to mention talk to her and cry.” A 2003 graduate of Mountain Pointe High School, Shreeve holds two undergraduate degrees in psychology and two master’s degrees in English and creative writing. Between 2008-16, she wrote the Ask Mikey advice column for the Ahwatukee Foothills News and has been a freelance writer since 2008, frequently writing about the topic of parental death. “I want to make sure kids, teens, young adults and grieving families know that they’re not alone in this, and that there are many others who have gone through parental death or are currently going through it like they are,” she said. “When I was young and going through my own personal loss, I used to get scared and worried about my future,” Shreeve explained. “I would often think my life was in trouble because I didn’t have two parents to support me like most of my peers did. To order her first book: rowman.com/ISBN/9781442270879/ Parental-Death-The-Ultimate-TeenGuide

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

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Basha student translates Chandler author’s book SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler resident Rachel Leland’s own health challenges have inspired her to bring joy in different ways to ailing children. While battling her own health issues in 2016, Leland, now 29, designed “Select Stuffies,” a line of crocheted stuffed animals with disabilities and differences that she sold via Etsy. “Some sat in wheelchairs, were hooked up to IV poles or used walkers,” she explained. “Others had physical differences, such as scars, large facial birthmarks, or missing limbs. “One of my biggest sellers was Ava Ann, a sweet little rabbit in a purple dress, sporting an insulin pump for treatment of type 1 diabetes.” Over a two-year period, she sold those custom-made creations around the world, but as her health improved, she had less time to crochet her stuffed animals. “So last year I decided to reimagine the character of Ava Ann as the heroine of a children’s book instead,” Leland explained. And so she wrote “Ava Ann Makes Art: The Story of a Rabbit with Diabetes.” “I chose to write the story of Ava Ann because I relate to her. Although I don’t have Type 1 diabetes, I became seriously ill with Lyme disease when I was 13 years old and spent most of my teens bedridden and in a wheelchair. “I know it’s hard to be different from

Amy Lu, left, a student at Basha High School, translated into Spanish Chandler author Rachel Leland’s children’s book about living with Type 1 diabetes, expanding the reach of this popular, vital book. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

your friends. I wanted to explore that idea in a children’s book.” The book follows its young protagonist as she learns to navigate the medical world she has been suddenly thrown into. When a school assignment requires her to make an art piece about herself, Ava Ann digs deep to create a unique project that combines aspects of who she always has been, with parts of her new life with diabetes.

Serendipity has now enabled her to produce her book in Spanish. It was translated by the daughter of a coworker at San Tan Valley School District, where Leland is a speech language pathology assistant. Her coworker, Norma Lu, is a special education paraprofessional and offered to have her 16-year-old daughter Amy Lu translate the book. “I was so happy that Amy wanted

to work with me to translate this book into Spanish,” Leland said. “The fact that it is now available in two languages is really exciting, and I have Amy to thank for that.” Amy is a junior at Basha High School, Her dad Minh Lu is a programming engineer. The book is illustrated by Arunodoy See

BOOK on page 31

2 Chandler artists in new Cave Creek gallery SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Two Chandler artists’ works have been accepted in a new gallery in Cave Creek. Both ceramic artist Sandra Ashbaugh and fiber artist Laurie Fagen have their work in The Finer Arts Gallery, 6137 E. Cave Creek Road. Meanwhile, Fagen, a former journalist who is also an author of several mystery novels, will go on Facebook for a live book talk at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 4 with a fellow writer, Jessica Williams. The two will “Talk Story with Jess & Laurie,” paying homage to the connection both have with Hawaii. “My mother, Piilani, was born and raised on Maui, and I have been visiting the islands for decades,” Fagen said. “Jessica was born and raised on Oahu, so it’s one of many things we have in common. In the islands, ‘talk story’ means to shoot the breeze.” The pair will discuss how they write, what they write about, and about their shared interest in inspiring others – especially women – to pursue their dreams and interests. They met through a communications organization for women, both have a son, and have been each other’s sound-

Chandler ceramic artist Sandra Ashbaugh, left, and fiber artist/novelist Laurie Fagen of Fox Crossing will have some of their work displayed in a new gallery in Cave Creek.

ing boards and cheerleaders for years. Williams has written a hardcover cookbook called “Turkey Savvy,” a selfhelp guide for making a turkey dinner from scratch. “As an Asian-American growing up in Hawaii, we always had things like rice

or sushi or other local dishes,” Williams explains. “But when I married this midwestern guy from Michigan, I had to learn how to cook everything. Then when my son said, ‘Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday,’ I realized it’s not just about the food, but also the sense of

‘ohana, which means family in Hawaiian.” In addition to the book talk, there will be giveaways during the Facebook live on Fagen’s @ReadLaurieFagen author page and @lauriefagen profile page as well as Williams’ @savvyfriendspress business page and @JessicaWilliams profile page. The two writers will also team up for a book talk on Kauai in December, where Fagen owns property. In addition, Fagen, of Fox Crossing, will be guest speaker for Scottsdale Society of Women Writers at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 via an online video chat. Fagen will release “Bleeder,” book #3 in her “Behind the Mic Mysteries” this fall. Fagen and her late husband Geoff Hancock published the SanTan Sun News for 13 years until his death in 2013. Opening Sept. 1, the artist-owned gallery will exhibit the work of 36 fine artists in mediums including jewelry, glass, fiber sculpture, ceramics, bronze, gourds, textile, photographers, metal sculpture, wood live edge, graphite, acrylic, pastel and oil. “We are thrilled to be able to represent some of Arizona’s most accomSee

ARTIST on page 31

ARTS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

BOOK

from page 30

Ghosh Biswas. Leland said, “Writing the story came easily to me. I based Ava Ann’s project on a real-life art piece I made with local Scottsdale mixed media artist Shanna Israel. “With her guidance, we used items from my past, such as pill capsules we filled with glitter, to make a really unique piece showing everything that went into making me who I am today.” She said writing it was cathartic. She was excited “to see my life, and especially my years battling with health challenges, turned into a beautiful piece

ARTIST

from page 30

plished contemporary artists in our gallery,” said Linda Lindus, an acrylic painter and one of the gallery managers. “The art transcends the rustic past with today’s contemporary fine art, yet still pays tribute to its history by including art with a Western flair.” People can meet the Chandler artists and others at the grand opening from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 18. Light refresh-

of art.” “I knew I wanted that for Ava Ann. I also enjoyed sprinkling bits of my own story into the book. For example, I used my brother’s name, Jeremy, for one of her classmates, and I found a way to bring two of my best friends, Christine and Jenny, into the book as well.” Writing the book “was the quick part,” she said. “Working with my illustrator to bring my ideas to life took about five months,” Leland recalled. “I started with sending a picture of the original Ava Ann stuffed animal to my illustrator so he could make the drawings look like she does in real life.

“Then I sent him descriptions of each scene, down to tiny details like if I wanted the characters to be smiling, or upset, and what I wanted for decoration on the walls. There was a lot of back and forth for each image, but we did it and I’m so grateful we put in the work.” “When I decided to have my book translated into Spanish, I worked with my same illustrator to redo each picture that had English words in it.” With her first book under her belt, Leland is thinking about another and “picking another animal out of my Select Stuffies line and bringing their story to life in the form of a children’s book.” So far, though, she is just brainstorm-

ing her idea. Leland said the English version of her book has generated an encouraging response from multiple doctors who that treat children with Type 1 diabetes. She said they told her they “now have my book in their waiting rooms, which makes me so happy.” “I’ve also had Type 1 bloggers write positive reviews about the book, and share it within the diabetes community,” Leland added. Both “Ava Ana Hace Arte: Una Historia De Una Conejita Con Diabetes” and “Ava Ann Makes Art: The Story of a Rabbit with Diabetes” are available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com.

ments will be served and the event is free and open to the public. The gallery will close at 4 p.m. that day for a private party. Regular hours will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and by appointment. Featured artists in September include live edge burl woodworker Rick Griggs; graphite artist Jack Schilder; and jewelry artist Marlene Sabatina. The Finer Arts Gallery is on the picturesque road winding through Cave Creek and Carefree, in the rustic building known as the Cave Creek Station.

It’s still shaded by a grand, 150-year-old Tamarisk tree, fondly-remembered by residents as the “Treehouse,” Fagen said. Other artists who have been accepted into the gallery include: Kathy Nelson, Merrily Kulmer, Joanne Gallery, Julie Gilbert, Sarah Curley, Patrick O Grady, Jan Stiles, Beverly Carlson-Bradshaw, Linda Paul-Sontag, Linda Lindus, Jack Schilder, Dennis Despois, Robin Ray, Bill Goren, Paulette Galop, Karen Friend, Joanie Wolter, Pat Isaacson, Carol Tenwald, Shannon Taggert, Marlene

Sabatina, Casey Cheuvront, Jan Griggs, Dick Mueller, Nancy Breiman, Cynthia Eral, Kirby Plessas, Karen Chatfield; Also, Sandra Hamilton, Robert Elenbaas, Anne Von Pentz, Karen Johnson, Rick Griggs and Beth Benowich. For gallery details: TheFinerArtsGallery.com or 480-488-2923. For additional information and how to purchase Fagen’s book and other published works: ReadLaurieFagen.com. For Williams’ cookbook, visit: SavvyFriendsPress.com.

Chandler Museum slates programs, exhibits Chandler Museum in a Box includes instructions and supplies for three-five activities. Museum in a Box is available for sale in the Museum Store.

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler is offering a variety of free programs this month. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Mondays. Information: 480-7822717 or chandlermuseum.org.Exhibits

FAMILY EDITION Build It! Frank Lloyd Wright in Chandler

Explore architecture with a Frank Lloyd Wright themed activity box. Design a city, test your building skills with edible construction supplies, and review shapes hidden within authentic Wright drawings. This Chandler Museum in a Box contains all needed supplies for three activities, stories about Wright’s time in Chandler, and the book Who Was Frank Lloyd Wright from the popular Who Was? series. $18, Great for ages 7-10, includes enough supplies for two users. While supplies last!

Bigger than Boxing: Zora Folley and the 1967 Heavyweight Title, Through Feb. 13, 2022

On March 22, 1967, at Madison Square Garden, New York City, two men face off in the ring for the Heavyweight Championship of the World – Muhammad Ali and the challenger from Chandler, Zora Folley. “Bigger than Boxing” features the stories of these two boxers, the circumstances that weighed heavy on each man, and the fight that was a turning point in both of their careers.

Black and white in black and white: Images of dignity, hope, and diversity in America. Through Oct. 17.

At the turn of the 20th century, many African Americans across the country embraced the “New Negro Movement,” which set the stage for the Harlem Renaissance. No one better captured the essence of this time of advancement than African American photographer John Johnson. This exhibition includes thirty-one large-scale black and white photographs captured

t? o G ws Ne

John Quarty became the face of the San Marcios Resort in the 1940s and his influence will be discussed in a special museum session Sept. 7. (Chandler Museum)

by Johnson from 1910 to 1925.

PROGRAMMING John Quarty: Making the San Marcos Modern. History Bites, noon-12:30 p.m. Sept. 7

John Quarty was hired as general manager of the San Marcos Hotel in 1943, and with his debonair style, quickly became the face of the San Marcos. Despite hard times resulting from

the Great Depression, Quarty led the hotel to regain its former glitz and glamour. Hear the story of how John Quarty fostered an environment that drew Hollywood celebrities, powerful businessmen, and prominent politicians, making the hotel modern through the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Dive into culture, history, and art at home with a themed activity box. Each

DATE NIGHT EDITION Sweat and Spar: Boxing Fun for Two

Ready for a date night that packs a punch? Don’t worry about your fitness level, grab your partner and step in the ring. Round 1: Duke it out with your partner in a series of jump rope challenges. Round 2: Find out who can talk the talk. Round 3: Weigh in on issues that matter with conversation cards centered on the exhibition Bigger than Boxing: Zora Folley and the 1967 Heavyweight Title. Round 4: Take a breather by expressing your artistic side, boxing style. This box also includes movie suggestions, drink recipes, and a sweet treat. $24, Designed for adults.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

Van Gogh comes to life in Old Town Scottsdale BY ALEX GALLAGHER Staff Writer

Vincent Van Gogh’s art has been sweeping the nation with its revival in the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit and now fans of his work will be flocking to Scottsdale to see it. The digitally interactive exhibits – which span 500,000 cubic feet of projector screens – opens Thursday, Aug. 26, at Lighthouse Artspace in Old Town and will run through Nov. 28. “This show is a new way of looking at art,” Immersive Van Gogh Creative Director Rowan Doyle said. “On one hand it is an art exhibit, but that’s only the beginning,” Corey Ross, President of Lighthouse Productions said. “Technically it’s a short-animated film.” The exhibit offers several ways for guests to explore the many works of Van Gogh, the Dutch painter who is best known for paintings like “The Starry Night,” “Sunflowers” and several self- portraits. “Van Gogh was the hi-tech artist of his day,” Ross said. “His inspiration and his ability to capture ‘The Starry Night’ was a technological innovation.” Beyond his postmortem fame for innovation and creativity as an artist, Van Gogh also has gained notoriety for his battle with mental health – which culminated in suicide. “I think Van Gogh as a subject matter works well because difficulties he had with depression and isolation have become more relatable,” Ross said. “When you come out into these galleries and realize that he struggled with the same things that many of us have had to in the last year and that the art has transcended the troubles that he had, people were finding that cathartic and inspirational, so I think that’s part of why the show has become part of the zeitgeist.” The last years of Van Gogh’s life has become the most studied time of his life, and the exhibit reflects on that through the work of videographer Massimiliano Siccardi. “This is really a film that Massimiliano Siccardi has created and the way he explains it, he’s trying to capture what might have flashed before Van Gogh’s eyes the moments before he passed

One of the master's self-portraits is included in the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit that will open this week in Old Town. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

away,” Ross said. The 40-minute film, played on a continuous loop, features visual representations of some of Van Gogh’s most celebrated works – synchronized with music created by composer Luca

Beyond the main exhibit, Immersive Van Gogh offers several other attractions that help understand the mysterious life of the famed artist. The exhibit has a timeline of the artist’s life and quotes from some of

have a show like this, which is the first thing “thatTomany people have experienced coming out

of their homes and coming in to see any type of entertainment or exhibit has been very rewarding for our audiences.

”

Longobardi – across walls covered by projection screens that reflect onto the floor of the exhibit, giving viewers an immersive experience.

More than 500,000 square feet of projector screens relay Van Gogh's like and work in an immersive experience that includes music as well as video. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

– Corey Ross

the 800 letters he penned, mostly to his brother Theo. In total, there are over 40 paintings featured and over 400 images have been licensed as part of the exhibit. “To have a show like this, which is the first thing that many people have experienced coming out of their homes and coming in to see any type of entertainment or exhibit has been very rewarding for our audiences,” Ross said. There are several measures in place to encourage social distancing within the exhibit like circles for people to stand in the main exhibit and tickets that can be purchased to attend at a certain time of the day. “We give people a time to arrive so we can control the volume of people in the gallery, but we don’t give people a time to leave, so people will often come in and stay for a couple iterations of it,” Ross said. VanGogh is the first exhibit to inhabit Lighthouse Productions, which used to be the office space for corporate tenants like Carvana.

“Lighthouse Artspace Scottsdale is really a new cultural art space that merges art, technology and immersive world building in a unique entertainment experience,” Diana Rayzman, Immersive Van Gogh co-producer and co-founder of Impact Museums. Rayzman also feels that the exhibit will be right at home in Old Town. “This venue, which sits at the intersection of entertainment and arts in Scottsdale, is truly the perfect home for Lighthouse Artspace and Immersive Van Gogh,” she said. “When we started looking for a home in the Greater Phoenix area, we really wanted to find a space that embodied both creativity and love of nature.” Scottsdale is the ninth city to host Immersive Van Gogh and there are plans for the exhibit to run in 20 cities by the end of the year. Lighthouse Productions is also committed to bringing more shows to Scottsdale after Immersive Van Gogh closes. “This is not a touring show, this is a permanent installation here,” Ross said. “Our hope is that Massimiliano (Siccardi) and other artists will bring us fabulous creations that we can exhibit in the years to come.” Rayzman hopes that the exhibit will be beneficial to the many other artistic sites in Scottsdale. “After a really difficult year and a half, we are so thrilled to bring thousands of visitors every day to this community and hope that our guests will stay to experience the many things this town has to offer,” she said. Ross is also excited to see how the exhibit works in Scottsdale and believes it will change the way people view art. “I really think this is the beginning of a whole movement and will be really exciting to see where this goes,” he said.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | AUGUST 29, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Hope is the secret ingredient in living BY RABBI IRWIN WIENER Columnist

It has been said that life is funny. Perhaps at times it is, but most often, we encounter episodes that test our faith and even cause us to doubt our purpose or the reason for our existence. The history of mankind contains episodes of defeat, but also instances of salvation. Through it all we survived, but more than that, we continued to explore and create. We dreamed and reached unimaginable heights in searching for a life with meaning. We read the words of Jeremiah and realize that even though his message was one of gloom and doom, it also contained hope. We also gain a better understanding of how God works, how to realize that adversity can bring redemption. It reminds me of family. Our parents teach us the path to independence, though we often rebel and challenge. We can be audacious and obnoxious, but we know that our parents will ac-

cept us with open arms, ever forgiving. God too sees us succumbing to temptation and floundering with no purpose or destination. God sets a plan before us and we choose not to follow, knowing full well the consequences of our actions. Still, we forge ahead. What does God do? Does God throw up His hands and turn His back on us? Perhaps at times it seems that way. God smiles and understands full well the good and the bad because that is what life is. Finally, there is connection. We connect to an idea, an ideal and to the fate that awaits us. The fate that we created – not God. The Psalmist tells us that God is there to lift us, comfort us, then move us along because life is to live. Hope is the secret ingredient in survival. Moreover, just like a parent, no matter how many children God loves, each child is the only one God loves. All of us have rebelled more than once. There are penalties that must be accepted just as there are rewards that will be forthcoming. Isn’t that what Jeremiah tries to impart to us? We have all endured much in our

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history, but then we lift ourselves up, and continue the quest for acceptance and salvation. The inspiration we receive from reading about tragedy is that if we really try to do what we can, God will help us achieve what seems impossible, to overcome the difficulties. “Enjoy life …through all the fleeting days of your life that God has granted you beneath the sun…for that is your compensation in life.” Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes to affirm that life is transitory but with guidance, anything is possible. We should not travel aimlessly. Life can and should have meaning. Perhaps the greatest gift Jeremiah gave us in his writings was the hope that God will redeem us. Look around and what do you see? Those who survived the nightmare of the coronavirus now dance in the streets and the glory that was is here again. The innocents who lost their lives in a horrific tragedy in Florida will know that we will remember. Overall, mankind has been salvaged from the depths of degradation and despair. Once our heads were faced downward and now, they are up looking up at the miracle of deliverance.

We should remember the past, not only as a reminder not to repeat history, but to learn from it. Commemorate the tragic events as we do when a life is lost. Light a candle, say a prayer, and rejoice in our ability to continue the chain of legacy left to us by the sacrifices of those who preceded us. The flame of their existence will remain forever. To forget would desecrate their memories. Once again, we are optimistic. Once again, we are witnesses to a new birth, a new freedom, a new vision. We can live, we must live. As Eric Fromm so beautifully wrote, “In essence, all human beings are identical. We are all part of one; we are one.” When one of us is hurt, we all hurt. When one of us is redeemed, we are all redeemed. The secret ingredient in living is a simple word that we seem to lose sight of – hope... Hope in ourselves, in our determination to survive, most of all, hope in the One who is there to lift us when we are in great need. Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D., is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

Loving your neighbor as yourself takes work BY PASTOR MARVIN ARNPRIESTER Guest Writer

Barbara Brown Taylor wrote the following which continues to haunt and nag at me. I trust it will do the same for you: “The hardest spiritual work in the world is to love the neighbor as the self – to encounter another human being, not as someone you can use, change, fix, help, save, enroll, convince or control, but simply as someone who can spring you from the prison of yourself, if you will allow it.” I believe the only way I can do this is remembering Jesus told us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Then we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. That means in some way to accept them fully as they are, not as we wish them to be, or change them in some way to meet our desires. Loving our neighbor means letting go of our expectations for them and embracing them as they are, a child of God as we are children of God. It is so hard to accept others exactly as they are, especially when I don’t happen to agree with them and want my perspective to prevail. It is hard to live and let live so the truth can emerge, not as I define it, but as it really is. Living in a diverse world, with all the

factors challenging us today is easy. It calls for a sensitive spirit, caring heart, and listening attitude to make sure I am loving others as I myself am loved and accepted by God. May God continue to work the mystery of grace and love in my life and yours. GriefShare begins Sept. 8 A new session of GriefShare begins at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Road, in Room 4 of the Education Building (just west of the Robson Library). This 13-week program is a nationally known support group for people who have lost a loved one and are seeking to move from mourning to joy. Each session has three components: a video seminar featuring leading grief recovery experts; a small group discussion centering on issues brought up in the video; and a workbook ($15) for journaling and personal study that reinforces the weekly topics. Participants will find a warm, caring environment, joined by others who are traveling the hard road of grief and find that you are not alone. Sessions are open to everyone in the community. For additional information or to register contact the Church Office at (480) 895-8766. Rev. Marvin Arnpriester is senior pastor of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.