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APS ‘aggressively’ works to protect wildlife By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Malu Buckmaster and her husband, Jeff Paris, were mortified when they saw dead Harris hawks beneath APS lines near their New River home.

“It was just so sad,” Buckmaster says. “I hate to see birds, especially Harris hawks, electrocuted like this.”

Buckmaster and Paris were relieved when the utility company immediately jumped on the case to ensure this doesn’t regularly happen.

“It’s difficult to tell from their photos if the deaths are electrical related, but I treated it as an electrocution,” says Nicole Rodriguez, who oversees APS’ avian protection program across the utility’s service area that includes 85085 and 85086.

“We do that even if we don’t have enough evidence. It is an older pole, which is common throughout the United States. When we have an incident like this—whether it’s a raptor like an owl or hawk—if they have an electrical contact or collision with equipment, we will bird guard 11 consecutive poles, which can stretch for over a mile.”

The APS crews quickly completed the job. Rodriguez says all utility companies have folks who will work to protect birds and wildlife, and hers is one of the more aggressive programs.

“I am very proud of that,” she says. “We respond to incidents, but we mitigate before incidents occur. We predict where problems may arise. We proactively bird guard poles before an incident occurs.”

Rodriguez frequently receives calls from the public saying Harris hawks are “hanging out on poles,” and she says those are valuable to APS.

“Myself and the other folks on the team cannot see the entire territory,” she says. “It’s a partnership with our customers. It’s a lot of fun. The public gets engaged.

“It’s really rewarding. I think the customers, when they finally get to work with you, take ownership for their home and area. Hunters will let us know activity, too. Even the folks out there on federal lands will help us.”

Photographs are helpful as well. Rodriguez reviews all the reports to keep APS in compliance with federal and state laws.

“That is a big priority with this company— to make sure we’re abiding by the recommendations,” says Rodriguez, who has a degree in natural resource management. “We go above and beyond to do our due diligence.”

Recently, APS partnered with Liberty Wildlife and Wild at Heart Raptors to train field employees on how to rescue birds.

“It’s important to safely rescue a bird that’s injured, whether it’s related to our equipment or not,” she says. “We have employees who bring in injured birds. They want to rescue them. This year, folks from all over the state— Four Corners, Douglas, Yuma and down to Phoenix where Liberty Wildlife is located— learned how to transport them and make it to Liberty Wildlife or another rehab that’s closer to them.

“We learned how to pick up a hawk, for example. We want to make sure those folks and a lot of our employees are motivated to save wildlife.”

APS

aps.com/wildlifeprotection

Nicole Rodriguez, shown here with a golden eagle, is in charge of APS’ avian protection program. (Photo courtesy APS)

OUR OFFICE IS MOVING! We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the OUR OFFICE IS MOVING! same committed support, but with a new view. We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the We might be changing locations, but we aren’t same committed support, but with a new view. going anywhere. You can expect the same commited support, but with a new view. John Kovach, Agent

John Kovach, Agent Bus: (623) 551-7900 jkovach@amfam.com OUR OFFICE IS MOVING! We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the Bus: (623) 551-7900 jkovach@amfam.com New Address as of 3715 W Anthem Way S Anthem AZ 85086 OUR OFFICE IS MOVING! We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the same committed support, but with a new view. OUR OFFICE IS MOVING! same committed support, but with a new view. We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the same committed support, but with a new view. John Kovach, Agent New Address as of John Kovach, Agent Bus: (623) 551-7900 3715 W Anthem Way S An Bus: (623) 551-7900 jkovach@amfam.com John Kovach, Agent Bus: (623) 551-7900 jkovach@amfam.com them AZ 85086 New Address as ofAugust 3, 2020 OUR OFFICE IS MOVING! We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the jkovach@amfam.com New Address as ofAugust 3, 2020 American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and its Operating Companies, same committed support, but with a new view. 37 American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 014472 – 1/18 ©2018 – 12539633 3715 W Anthem Way Suite 112 Anthem AZ 85086 New Address as ofAugust 3, 2020 15 W Anthem Way Suite 112 An 3715 W Anthem Way S Anthem AZ 85086 them AZ 85086 John Kovach, Agent uite 112 Bus: (623) 551-7900 OUR OFFICE IS MOVING! jkovach@amfam.com We might be changing locations, but we aren’t going anywhere. You can expect the same committed support, but with a new view. New Address as of

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A New Hang

Boys & Girls Clubs emphasizes ‘virtual learning’ at Anthem site By Connor Dziawura

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents were left scrambling due to school closures and remote learning. That struggle remains an ongoing issue, with many uncertain about the coming months.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (BGCS) ultimately saw a need for its services near Anthem, explains John Karolzak, chief operating officer. So, based on parent feedback and demand, the youth development organization recently opened a K-6 Anthem extension at 42101 N. 41st Drive, south of Anthem Outlets and on the west side of I-17.

“We really focus on essential workers and health care workers, first responders, people that have to be at work and have no alternative,” Karolzak explains. “I’m the parent of three boys, and I know it can be Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (BGCS) recently opened an Anthem extension at 42101 N. 41st Drive, south of Anchallenging just getting into all of these them Outlets and on the west side of I-17, sharing the Legacy Commons campus with The Crossroads Church, Starting Blocks teams’ meetings and Zooms, and all of Academy and Ridgeline Academy. (Photos courtesy BGCS) the technology connection and making facility, which is one of several BGCS locathat these kids have an opportunity to be sure that they’re staying on task.” tions offering “facilitated virtual learning” supervised as well as having some time for

That’s what BGCS staff is there for at its new from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through some socialization. We think the socializaFriday. Club memtion component is very important for the bers bring their own youth development.” electronic devices Karolzak says the Anthem facility was the and headphones, perfect fit, as BGCS now shares the Legacy and staff will proCommons campus with The Crossroads vide technical supChurch, Starting Blocks Academy and Ridgeport and oversight line Academy. It also already had some strucin completing retures relevant to BGCS’ needs. Everything fell mote schoolwork. into place, he says. Members can take The 2,800-square-foot space just needed part in regular club additional renovations. It now has a Cox activities when finTechnology Center featuring STEM proished. “It’s kind of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater best of both worlds,” Scottsdale’s Anthem extension With “facilitated virtual learning” from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale allows members to complete their schoolwork remotely with tech Karolzak describes. “And I think it’s re42101 N. 41st Drive, Anthem bgcs.org support and other assistance from program staff while schools have delayed in-person learning. ally important, too,

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (BGCS) recently opened an Anthem extension that has a Cox Technology Center featuring STEM programming. (Photos courtesy BGCS)

gramming; an education room; a games space featuring foosball, pingpong and other recreational activities; a multipurpose area for art and creative programming; and an outdoor play area. Karolzak says gaming consoles are on order, as of press time.

“It was really nice working with The Crossroads Church because of the shared amenities in their complex there,” Karolzak says. “They have an auditorium and a little gym area, so it was almost a turnkey operation being able to give it a nice refresh and fresh paint.”

Due to COVID-19, BGCS facilities are following CDC and local health guidelines.

Staff and members will have their body temperatures taken with no-touch thermometers upon arrival, and hand sanitizer is required for anyone entering. Facility access is limited to those who provide services to members, too.

Facial coverings are required for members and staff, and physical distancing will be followed. Enrollment capacity has also been reduced, but space is still available, as of press time. Members will wash their hands between rotations, and field trips have been canceled.

High-touch areas will also be disinfected hourly, and there will be regularly scheduled facility sanitization by professionals.

“One of the other things that we did is we worked with Maricopa County Health Department and were actually assigned a task force and a lead investigator from Maricopa County, and we work directly hand in hand with them anytime there were questions for following protocols, etc.,” Karolzak adds.

“I would say there was a lot of thought and resources utilized to make sure that when we were operating, that we were doing it very, very safely with safety and health consciousness.”

Kids who attend a club must pay a $25 annual membership fee. Facilitated virtual learning time costs $179 per week, or $40 a day. Register at bgcs.org/clubconnect.

When in-person schooling returns to normal, the Anthem location will shift to after-school programming from 3 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We don’t have any intention or never have and never will try to take place of a school,” Karolzak notes. “We just are trying to be a

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale has a games space featuring foosball, pingpong and other recreational activities.

complementary service provider in the community. We do youth development, and we have a good working relationship with all of the school districts that we interact with.”

BGCS is also hiring part-time program staff.

“One of the benefits is, as an organization, if you work for the Boys and Girls Club, your child can attend at no cost,” Karolzak says. “So, there might be somebody in the community that could get a part-time job and also have a great place for their child to go.”

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