FEATURES

WestValleyView.com /WestValleyView For more features visit westvalleyview.com

Students invited to apply for EMCC dance class

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

Estrella Mountain Community College students and local high school students ages 16 and older are invited to apply to a dance class that culminates in a performance in Southwest Ballet Theatre’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

Selected students will receive a tuition scholarship for the one-credit course that begins on Oct. 25.

Students don’t need a lot of experience to apply, but they should have some, EMCC Professor Tim Butterfield said.

“They just need to have some experience, so beginning dance students are welcome,” Butterfield said.

Applications are due by Oct. 15, and the first rehearsal is Oct. 30. The class, rehearsals and performance will all take place at the Performing Arts Center on campus, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale. Visit https://bit.ly/EMCCDance to download the application. EMCC and Southwest Ballet Theatre have been partners since 2015, and both organizations jointly present productions at EMCC’s Performing Arts Center each spring and fall semester. In 2019, the partnership created the Southwest Ballet Theatre Fine & Performing Arts Scholarship, which awards $2,000 to one EMCC student every spring.

Mahoney Law Office, PLLC

• Trusts • Wills • Estate Planning • Asset Protection • ALTCS/Medicaid Planning

• LLC Formation & Planning • Powers of Attorney • Beneficiary Deeds • Probate & Trust Administration

Call to schedule your consultation with an Attorney who listens & cares 623.518.3513

Jennifer Mahoney

Attorney

2980 N. Litchfield Rd., Suite 120, Goodyear www.mahoneylawoffice.net FirstBank celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

FirstBank will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with its annual Fiesta Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15.

The bank will provide free Hispanic-inspired food, treats and entertainment to the public at the Goodyear branch, 1559 N. Litchfield Road. The public is welcome to attend.

The vendors include Famosas Gorditas La Villa and the Happy Mariachi Trio.

FirstBank’s Goodyear branch operates as a full-service Spanish Banking Center, where customers can receive banking services in their preferred language and with an understanding of their culture.

‘Project Pink’ fashion show supports breast cancer research

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

Arizona Assistance in HealthCare will host its annual Project Pink Fashion Show and Luncheon at The Wigwam Resort from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15.

Attendees will have lunch in the Trellis Garden, located on the grounds of The Wigwam. The event will kick off with champagne in the garden, followed by a luncheon and fashion show featuring cancer-fighting models wearing fashions provided by Macy’s at Arrowhead Towne Center.

All proceeds raised at the event will help provide grants to families undergoing cancer treatment to pay for nonmedically related expenses. Guests can sponsor a family for Thanksgiving.

“After having to cancel the event last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are so excited to be bringing this inspiring event back,” said Tracy Hernandez, co-chair and AIH co-president.

“We are thrilled so many have stepped up and helped us sell this event out and are grateful for all those who will help in our efforts to ease the stress

Model Arpi Hamilton, a breast cancer survivor and former Mrs. Arizona, shows off her outfit at a previous Arizona Assistance in HealthCare fashion show. (Photo by Amaes Photography) of families currently struggling financially as they battle cancer. The funds raised during this event will allow us to bring a little happiness to those in our community who have been hit the hardest during these trying times.” For more information, or to make a donation, visit goodyear.aih.org.

Verry Cherry’s career picking up momentum

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

West Valley View Executive Editor

Verry Cherry singer Kenyon France encourages fans to have a good time at its shows.

“We bring a lot of energy to the stage,” France said. “We try to play a lot of popular covers, as well as our few originals that we have. People, when they heard something they know they can sing to, dance, too.”

Verry Cherry plays Goodyear Rocks from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Goodyear Recreation Center, 420 N. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear; and 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at Murphy Park at 58th and Glendale avenues, Glendale.

“It’s nice because people are starting to come out to see live music,” France said. “It makes the show more fun when you have a live audience.”

Verry Cherry focuses on “older classic rock” by the likes of Aerosmith, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. Before France joined the band in November, he eschewed classic rock for indie rock.

“Once I joined the band, I started ven-

Verry Cherry will play the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood on New Year’s Day.

(Photo courtesy of Connor Kelly)

turing out, listening to more of that music and trying to learn it,” said France, of Buckeye. “I’ve been really into it since.”

Born in Kansas and raised in North Dakota, France never saw music as a career, just a hobby. Through the ups and downs of life, music was an outlet for him.

“Lately, I’ve had hopes of doing it as a career,” he said. “It’s been really encouraging, and things keep coming. Now, I can’t see myself without it.”

France and the band — guitarist Connor Kelly, drummer Will Hansen and bassist Jacob “Milk” Treat, all of Surprise — have been writing songs. Six are fi nished and the band is hoping, before the end of the year, to release the songs.

Verry Cherry has an opportunity that most bands would die for: playing the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood with Faster Pussycat, Mangusta, Black Star Sinners, Whiskey Dogz and Da Vang on Jan. 1.

“It’s really cool because they’ll have bigger audiences,” he said. “We’ll do one or two covers but mostly originals so they get a real representation of what we’re like.

“The originals still have that classic rock feel with the instrumentation and stuff. Most are upbeat. We were writing one that was a little slower. The only slow song we have right now is ‘Ain’t No Sunshine.’ We cover that. We’ve had a lot of great experiences. We’re just thankful for our opportunities.”

If You Go...

WHAT: Verry Cherry WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15 WHERE: Murphy Park, at 58th and Glendale avenues, Glendale COST: Free INFO: glendaleaz.com/liveatmurphypark

WHEN: 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 WHERE: Goodyear Recreation Center, 420 N. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear COST: Free INFO: goodyearaz.gov

West Valley View Dining

GREAT FOOD • AMAZING PATIO • AWARD-WINNING BEERS HAPPY HOUR

All Day Monday, T-F-3pm - 6pm

15651 W. Roosevelt Street Goodyear, AZ 85338 saddlemountainbrewing.com Sun-Thu. 11am-10p, Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm

West Valley! 623-249-5520

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE

Chicken Sandwich

1025 N Avondale Blvd. • Avondale 1540 N Verrado Way • Buckeye 130 N Estrella Pkwy • Goodyear FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 30+ YEARS!

FREE Poker

Tuesday - 7pm Saturday - 3pm Off-Track Betting

DAILY - Starting at 11am

Kitchen open 7 days a week

Monday - 3-8pm Tues-Thurs - 12-8pm Fri/Sat - 12pm - 12am Sun - 12-8pm Call today to book your event!

ROMAN’S COUNTY LINE

10540 W. Indian School Road • Phoenix, AZ 85037 (623) 877-8191 • Visit us on Facebook

Open EVERYDAY from 11am-2am Happy Hour EVERYDAY from 3-7pm

Kitchen Specials Tues.-Sat. from 4-9pm FREE Line Dancing Lessons Mon-Wed from 7-9pm FREE Poker Thursday at 7pm and Sundays at 5pm LIVE BAND on Friday and Saturday from 9pm-1am LIVE DJ Friday and Saturday from 9:30pm-1:30am Karaoke Thursday and Sunday from 9pm-1am

(623) 932-0922

WEST VALLEY VIEW NEWS | OCTOBER 13, 2021

Millennium teacher, coach enters hall of fame

BY TYLER BUDGE

West Valley View Staff Writer

Millennium High School coach and special education teacher Jermaine Austin was inducted into the Georgia Southern Athletics Hall of Fame Sept. 25.

He’s celebrating the pinnacle of his athletic career, but he has found new inspiration as an instructor. Teaching is in his DNA.

“Once I finished with college football, I had tryouts and all that with the Giants and some other teams, but I always came back to teaching,” Austin said. “My grandmother taught for 40 years. My uncle is on a board on education for over 20 years. My father was a teacher. My aunt has her own school, and my other uncle taught for 15 years. So, you see why I got in here.”

Austin grew up in Darien, Georgia, and according to him, the role of being a teacher and a coach is more of a rarity in Arizona.

“It’s so crazy because, in Georgia, you have to be a certified teacher to coach,” Austin said. “Here, you don’t have to be a certified teacher, so a lot of the kids get away with a lot of things. With me being on campus, it’s like, ‘Hey, you skipped class today.’ When I have my group of kids, I can hold them accountable as students, not just athletes,”

The three-time All-American uses some of the principles that he was taught in college to help motivate his students inside the classroom and between the white lines.

“I truly believe that because if you run hard in practice, and not just jog around, and you actually run it like it’s a game, you will be successful,” Austin said. “So, look at those little things, just tell the kids you can apply the same lessons to your studying.” Austin doesn’t use his college success to brag to his athletes or to put himself on a pedestal. Instead, he tries to mentor them. His modest nature called for him to keep his hall of fame induction quiet. “Everybody always asks me, ‘Jermaine, how were you in college?’ And I always tell them I was alright in college,” Austin said. “I just want these kids to

be so much better than I was. And I know back in high school, I worked very hard.” Austin was one of two players at Georgia Southern to record three 1,400-yard seasons. He credits his success to the teachers who helped him along the way. “I always wanted to give back, because I always felt like the schools helped me out a lot,” Austin said. “I was in everything as far as student council, the chess club. I mean, I was just in everything,” Aside from giving life lessons to his students and players, Austin wants them to enjoy the time they have in high school because it doesn’t last forever. “Once you finish this, you will have one day you’re going to say, ‘Man, I wish I was back in high school,’” Austin said. “When it’s all said and done, I just Moments after receiving his hall of fame plaque, Jermaine Aus- want them to get along with everyone, tin, middle, poses met with his mother, Cheryl Austin, left, and and be the best student-athlete they can father, Richard Austin. (Photo courtesy of Jermaine Austin) be. Because when it’s over, it’s over,”

Carpet • Tile • Grout • Upholstery • Air Duct Cleaning • Commercial & Residential Cleaning BUSY LIFE?

Call Today! Clean Today!

Prices Include: Truck Mounted Units • Pretreat Vacuum • Optical Brightener • General Soil Removal Also Available: Carpet Stretching • Carpet Repair

Mention West Valley View for an Exclusive Offer!

ANY 3 ROOMS ANY 5 ROOMS

$5900 Reg. $129.00 $8900 Reg. $169.99 Up to Up to 450 sq. ft. total 750 sq. ft. total

We only have one care. It’s Your Satisfaction.

VALLEYWIDE SERVICE • 602-550-7732 During his award ceremony, Jermaine Austin, middle, invites several former teammates to join him on the stage: Georgia Southern alumni Lewis Barr, Jabre Scott, Eric White and

Derrick Butler. (Photo courtesy of Jermaine Austin)

Austin finished second in career rushing yards at Georgia Southern with over 5,000 yards and was named the Southern Conference’s offensive player of the year in 2003. The hall of fame ceremony allowed him to finally close the book on his playing career.

“It was amazing. All my old friends were there to support me,” Austin said, “Old roommates, coaches. Oh, man, just a wonderful experience.”

Austin now has time to focus on other things.

“Now that I’m a teacher up here, it’s not all about sports,” Austin said. “It’s about academics, so I try to be that overall mentor to them.

“As far as being a teacher and a coach, my favorite moment is that ‘a-ha’ moment when the student or the athlete says, ‘Coach I got it.’ That is the best feeling you can have.”

ANSWERS ON PAGE 26

King Crossword

ACROSS

1 Russian range 6 First lady before Michelle 11 Salem’s state 12 Cancels 14 Mexican revolutionary 15 “Are you happy I’m back?” 16 Low digit 17 Omits 19 Soak (up) 20 1492 vessel 22 Rock’s Brian 23 Spanish ayes 24 Devour 26 Religious doctrines 28 -- Moines 30 Actress Long 31 Fairly shared 35 Snares 39 “-- Smile Be Your Umbrella” 40 Director Howard 42 Half a sextet 43 Egg (Pref.) 44 Pale purple 46 Club -47 “New World Symphony” composer 49 Recital piece 51 Bagel choice 52 Handsome guy 53 Hinder 54 Classical language

DOWN

1 Muse of astronomy 2 Show contrition 3 Khan title 4 Used-car sites 5 Plumber’s tool 6 Spoof 7 Black birds 8 Young -- (tots) 9 Putin’s land 10 Nearly 11 Ultraviolet filter 13 Old photo tint 18 Ky. neighbor 21 Actress McDonald of “Private Practice” 23 Brainy 25 Pod dweller 27 “Shoo!” 29 Picket-line participant 31 Trudges 32 Gunned, as an engine 33 Idle 34 “You’ve got mail” co. 36 Designer Giorgio 37 Bakery pan 38 Fizzy drinks 41 Twangy 44 Hobbling 45 Musical finale 48 Squealer 50 “Kidding!”

by Linda Thistle

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK H H

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY!

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK H

H Moderate HH Challenging HHH HOO BOY!

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

SCRAMBLERS

Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words. Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!