Gilbert Sun News - 05.02.2021 by Times Media Group

Higley projects massive growth

Perry aims for title

PAGE 6

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An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS................................. 5 GPS board member Reed Carr resigning.

COMMUNITY..........12 2 Classical Academy teens earn prestigious honor.

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Sunday, May 2, 2021

Region mourns slain officer, prays for second BY CECILIA CHAN And KEVIN REAGAN GSN Staff Writers

rizona this weekend was mourning the loss of a veteran Chandler police officer who was killed in the line of duty during the deadly climax of a chase that began in Eloy and ended at a Gilbert auto multiplex. And at the Gilbert Sun News’ deadline, Gilbert police and officials also were praying for an unidentified Gilbert officer who was critically injured in the incident. Officer Christopher Farrar, an 18-year veteran Chandler policeman who had been assigned to the

Christopher Farrar

Town considers Heritage District height exemption

K9 division, was struck and killed by an unidentified man who had stolen a pickup truck in Pinal County the evening of April 29. The suspect is in custody. “Every day he came to work, he made a difference,” an emotional Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan said of Officer Farrar at a pre-dawn press conference Friday. “In the course of 18 years, he touched many lives. “So I just ask that you keep Chris’ family in your prayers and just take a moment and remember and be mindful of the brave men and women who are out there daily helping to keep our community

Vroom, vroom!

see OFFICER page 4

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

BUSINESS................. 18 Pair of brothers sweeten Gilbert’s business scene..

COMMUNITY........................................12 BUSINESS............................................. 18 SPORTS....................................... 22 GETOUT......................................26 CLASSIFIED..........................................28

BEST? WHO’S theThe votes are in.

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he Brundrett Family, which owns Norwood Furniture in the Heritage District, has big plans for three vacant parcels near the Town’s iconic 130-foot-tall water tower. They envision a four-story building housing a groundfloor restaurant, offices and a rooftop deck bar, sandwiched between their furniture store and the Farmhouse Restaurant. The 0.365-acre infill site is near the southwest corner

see BRUNDRETT page 8

SECTION COMING MAY 30TH!

Gilbert Elementary fifth graders Brooklyn Anaya, left, and Kyle Cuevas, joined their classmates last week in making and racing electric cars courtesy of Schneider Electric Company. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff Photographer)

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

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NEWS

Higley board makes masks optional despite warnings BY CASEY FLANAGAN GSN Staff Writer

espite concerns by school administration, the Higley Unified Governing Board made masks optional on campuses. The policy took effect April 27 after the board voted at a special meeting a day earlier. At that time, the administration proposed making masks mandatory only inside buildings and district vehicles and board member Tiffany Shultz suggested “make face masks optional effective tomorrow.” The board voted 4-1 for optional masks with board President Kristina Reese casting the lone “no” vote and administration expressed concerns about changing the policy. Board member Michelle Anderson said she favored an optional mask policy because of consistency concerns, noting that in settings like lunch and at athletic events, “children have been exposed due to mask inconsistencies for months.” Off campus, Anderson said, “mask wearing hasn’t been consistent after school hours as children gather in friend and social groups without masks. I’ve witnessed this since summer of 2020.” “Also, looking at our March and April numbers after spring break, when travel and social gatherings occurred with mask inconsistencies, our numbers are low, and that’s after families were very close together and traveling,” she said. Anderson also said masks requirements hinder the student experience. “Students are noticeably less social, quieter, and some completely unhappy with masks on at school,” Anderson said. She added that “students exhibit sadness, difficulty breathing, uncomfortableness, and cannot focus because of the distractions created by masks.” Conversely, Anderson said that in the district where she teaches, masks are optional. “Some students don’t mind wearing a mask, but 93 percent of my students are currently choosing to not wear a mask in my classroom,” she said, adding: “Without masks on, students have been happier and more productive. Stu-

dents that sat slumped in their seats and hardly participated in class discussions are completing their assignments and they’re brand-new students.” Shultz echoed Anderson’s concerns, stating, “Masks aren’t being worn properly. My kids pick their masks up off the back of the car or off the ground and the germs are getting on their face.” “If your family chooses to wear a mask, I respect your decision, and my children, and my family, and I hope everyone in the community continues to respect each other,” she said. Board member Jill Wilson said, “Whatever is the right decision for your family, make it,” and called for people to “empathize with their opposing view.” Reese acknowledged that a vote on whether to require masks is an “absolute no-win situation” and “we continue to have a divided community” over a mandate. Reese said board members have received multiple emails advocating on both sides of the debate and that “you can see both sides of it, you can feel for each person that you’re reading their comments from. So, it has been a difficult decision.” Reese cited end-of-year necessities like AP tests, finals and graduation, asking, “What does that look like if their class is quarantined or if they’re quarantined, and they have to do it online?” “We’ve finally been able to move a little bit and get some events happening,” Reese said. “What’s going to happen if we start having an outbreak and these events get canceled?” HUSD Associate Superintendent Dr. Dawn Foley said the original amended policy making masks mandatory inside buildings and district vehicles was in line with Centers for Disease Control guidelines. The proposed policy amendment would have lowered the district’s definition of “physical distance” from 6 feet to 3 feet, “in alignment with the CDC recommendation,” Foley said. The proposed policy amendment would have stayed in effect until May 31. Foley said with 22 school days left at the time of the meeting, making masks

optional “changes our communication structures and when and how we have to quarantine.” Foley also said students, families, and employees entered this year’s instructional models and employment contracts “with the understanding that we would follow certain mitigation strategies” until the end of the school year. “We did have a lot of families who returned to us from spring break with the idea that we would be following this mitigation,” Foley added. District Nurse Jillian Fulton shared the Arizona Department of Health Services’ recommendations surrounding masks at schools. “Nothing has changed with face-covering guidelines or contact tracing, and [ADHS] have no plans to change anything in that regard,” Fulton said. “They do have a lot of concerns, and they do not agree with face coverings going optional right now.” “If we move to face-covering-optional now, we move completely away from our communication protocols that have proven effective, and our community is accustomed to expecting,” Fulton said. Fulton said making masks optional would “be a shift from primary and secondary exposure to ‘everyone has exposure.’” Fulton said when the distinction between primary and secondary exposure is removed, “if there is a positive case in the classroom, everyone in the classroom will be notified of potential exposure.” “We may need to quarantine an entire classroom, even if they are wearing face coverings, depending on the number of cases in a class,” she warned. “The risk of quarantine will likely be higher when face coverings are optional.” At the Monday meeting, 11 community members commented on the district’s mask policies with nine favoring an optional policy. One parent said her child received a medical mask exemption for asthma but since the District did not allow for exemptions. she moved him to a different

see MASKS page 6

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

Chandler officer first to die on duty this year BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

he Chandler police officer slain by a car thief in Gilbert April 29 is the first East Valley policeman killed in the line of duty this year and apparently the first in Arizona. Officer Christopher Farrar, an 18-year veteran of the department, died after he was struck by the driver of a stolen vehicle, according to law enforcement. Officer Farrar’s death marked seven years since a member of the Chandler Police force was killed on the job, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a nonprofit organization. With his death, Chandler Police now have lost five officers who died while performing their job. In 2016, Officer David Smith Payne was killed after a drunken driver

OFFICER from page 1

safe.” Tributes and expressions of sympathy for Officer Farrar flooded social media within hours of the announcement of his death. Police departments across Arizona lowered their flags half mast and paid tribute to him. Police from Payson to Tucson, Yuma to Mesa, posted their condolences. Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson issued a statement saying, “On behalf of the Town Council, our thoughts are with our Gilbert police officer who was critically injured in the incident. “We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Chandler Police Officer Christopher Farrar who tragically lost his life in the line of duty.” Gilbert Police did not release the name of its injured officer, who suffered a severe head injury. “We are not able to release any additional details at this time related to this investigation that is currently being conducted,” said Gilbert Sgt. Mark Marino in an email Friday morning. “We will release additional details that don’t impact the investigation once we are able to.”

rear-ended his police motorcycle, which was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Chandler Boulevard and Pennington Drive. And, Officer Carlos Luciano Ledesma was killed in 2010 while conducting an undercover narcotics operation at a home in Phoenix, according to the officer memorial site. Before him, there was Officer Robert Nielsen, who was killed in an automobile accident while responding to another accident call in 2002. His death was one of more than a hundred officers’ deaths that occurred because of design defaults in Ford Crown Victorias, a then-popular patrol car. Chandler Officer James Snedigar was fatally shot in 1999 while performing a SWAT raid on armed robbery suspects near Priest Drive and Ray Road. Chandler Police also recorded a death

of one of their own in January not directly linked to his line of work. Officer Tyler Britt, a 19-year member of the force, died from complications of COVID-19. Gilbert has lost officers prior to this year. At the time of Gilbert Sun News’ deadline, an unidentified Gilbert officer was struck by the same vehicle that killed Officer Farrar. That Gilbert officer was reported to be in critical condition. The last Gilbert officer to die on duty was Lt. Eric Shuhandler, who was fatally shot in 2010 when he stopped a vehicle occupied by two men near the intersection of Val Vista and Baseline roads in Gilbert. A wild chase ensued before police captured the killers after a gunfight on US60 near Superior. Both killers are serving life sentences. In 2006, Gilbert Officer Rob Targo-

An officer stands at Chandler Regional Medical Center as the body of Officer Christopher Farrar is about to be transported to the county Medical Examiner’s office. (Courtesy ABC15 )

The pursuit occurred around 10:11 p.m. Thursday when a Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted a traffic stop on State Route 87 north of Eloy, according to a Gilbert police news release. “The suspect vehicle fled from the deputy and fired gun shots at the deputy as he was in pursuit,” the release stated. “The pursuit continued into Chandler where the suspect drove into the Chandler Airport runway by breaking through

the city’s security gates. The suspect then fled onto the 202 San Tan Freeway driving the wrong way.” Police said the suspect then exited the freeway where he eventually crashed near the Val Vista Drive eastbound onramp and fled on foot into the San Tan Ford dealership lot. Pinal County deputies, Department of Public Safety troopers, Chandler and Gilbert Police surrounded the building.

sz died after his motorcycle was struck by a drunken driver at the intersection of Price Road and Apache Boulevard in Tempe during a DUI checkpoint exercise. In Mesa, two officers have died in the line of duty, the last in 1994 and Tempe Police has seen five officers die with the last death in 2006. To date, according to the memorial page, Arizona has lost 264 law enforcement officers in the line of duty since the 1880s. In the state, Phoenix Police Department led with the most fallen officers at 41, followed by Arizona Department of Public Safety with 30. For 2021 so far, 118 law enforcement officers have died nationwide, according to the memorial page. And since 1776, there have been 24,870 known line of duty deaths in America, the memorial page stated. The suspect then stole a vehicle from the dealership and attempted to flee the lot. In doing so, the suspect hit Officer Farrar, the Gilbert officer and a car dealership janitorial employee, who walked away with minor injuries. Two DPS troopers also were injured, according to the Arizona Troopers Association. “The troopers have non-life-threatening injuries,” DPS spokesman Bart Graves said. “I cannot go into any other detail.” Three Pinal County Sheriff’s deputies and four DPS troopers shot at the suspect, injuring him. The suspect was taken into custody where he was transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the release. The suspect’s name was not released Friday morning by deadline. Officer Farrar was described as a dedicated public servant and his work was acknowledged in 2010 after his agency honored him with its “Community Service Award.” In 2006, he was presented with a medal after he and another officer rescued a

see OFFICER page 5

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

NEWS

GPS board member Reed Carr resigning BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

ilbert Public Schools Governing Board member Reed Carr will resign June 30 and his seat initially filled by appointment. Carr unexpectedly announced his resignation at last Tuesday’s board meeting, six months into his second four-year term. “Over the last couple of years the demand on my time has pulled me in a variety of directions,” said Carr, emotionally reading from a prepared statement. “I have found it increasingly difficult in the past several months to meet my own expectations as I balance those competing demands.” State law gives Maricopa County Superintendent Steve Watson the responsibility to appoint someone to Carr’s seat until the next regular school board election, which will be next year. Whoever is elected at that point would fill out Carr’s term, which expires in 2024. According to Watson’s office, although the district submits up to three names for consideration, the superintendent “requests the names of all applicants who applied.” Watson also may accept letters

OFFICER from page 4

woman who was contemplating suicide. “Officer Farrar served the Chandler community for nearly two decades and was taken far too soon,” said U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, whose district includes parts of Chandler. Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke also posted his “deepest condolences” to the slain officer’s family. Chandler Vice Mayor Mark Stewart also offered his sympathies to the officer’s family and said “Christopher served our great city with honor and pride for 18 years and he will be missed tremendously.” The public also shared their grief over the loss. “My heart aches for the family of this officer,” wrote a man on a Gilbert community Facebook page. “These men and

Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board member Reed Carr got emotional as he announced his resignation for personal reasons. It will take effect June 30. (GPS)

of interest from people who do not apply through the district office. Antestenis did not respond to the question asking when the district may open up the application process for those interested in the seat. Reed first won election to the board in 2016. He and fellow board members Lori Wood and Sheila Rogers Uggetti were up

for re-election in 2020 but because it was not a contested race, the three remained on the board. Carr said he hoped by remaining through June 30, it would allow for a smooth transition to identify a replacement. Carr, a CFO of a private investment company, reflected back on his four chil-

Officers stand at attention as a procession carrying the body of Officer Christopher Farrar heads from Chandler Regional Medical Center to the Medical Examiner’s office in Phoenix. (Courtesy Fox 10 News) woman are true heroes. They wake up every day and out their life on the line to protect and serve. May he RIP.” A woman wrote, “This is so heartbreaking... prayers for the fallen officer’s family and also for the healing of the severely

injured Gilbert PD officer. This happened just down the road from my house.” And a wife of a police officer said it was nice to see the condolences “versus the trash we normally see.” “Thank you for being thoughtful and

dren who attended GPS schools and his many years of involvement with the district. “This school district, in particular its teachers have been a blessing to my family,” he said. “To each of those teachers, faculty and staff, thank you. You have my deepest gratitude.” Carr said, “I have tried to ask meaningful questions and I have tried to question the status quo. I’m sure I have made my share of mistakes and at least some of the emails we’ve received, you tend to validate that perception. “Nonetheless, I hope that those efforts are received as intended. I’ve always tried to improve our school’s ability to serve children.” He thanked his fellow board members for their sincerity, passion and civility. “We’ve faced Red for Ed walkouts, we’ve seen COVID cause disruptions, we’ve closed and repurposed schools and just very recently we made some difficult decisions to reduce staff. But it hasn’t always been negative. We’ve had some wonderful successes. “We’ve adopted and implemented a strategic plan, although interrupted by

see CARR page 6

kind in your words,” She wrote “People have no idea the aftermath their family as well as the victims’ families are about to go through.” The multi-agency incident remained under investigation and it was unclear at press time when the suspect’s identity and more information will be released. The 100 Club of Arizona, which comes to the aid of families of fallen officers killed in the line of duty, also started raising funds for Officer Farrar’s family. The 100 Club also has a committee of financial and legal professionals who help officers’ survivors deal with any issues in the aftermath of their loved one’s death. People can make a donation at 100club. org or mail a check to The 100 Club of Arizona, 333 N. 44th St., Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

Higley projects 2,300 more students in 5 years BY CASEY FLANAGAN GSN Contributor

igley Unified School District expects a significant enrollment increase in the next few years, envisioning 5,300 new households that will produce over 2,300 more students. District administration last month told the Governing Board there are a number of major projects being considered to keep up with that enrollment surge, citing a critical need for more classroom space in the northern half of the district. HUSD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Fowler said a demographic study showed new residential construction will bring 5,300 new households by the 202930 school year. Fowler said those new homes will increase the population of the district’s 24-square-mile attendance area “to just over 100,000 people over the next 10 years,” compared to the current population of about 92,000 people. According to Fowler, even though the district’s school-age population per household has dropped slightly, “the 5,300 new households should still produce an additional 2,300 students in that time period.”

MASKS from page 3

school. “My children have suffered headaches, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and more from wearing masks all day, all year,” she said. Others shared similar concerns. “The time for change is now,” another parent said. “Every family should have the right to choose whether their children wear masks at school, just as parents were given the choice as to whether

GOT NEWS?

Contact Cecilia Chan at 480-898-5613 or cchan@timespublications.com

The district expects a student enrollment “COVID bounce-back” of over 800 students in the coming school year, Fowler said. Fowler said after the initial enrollment bounce-back, the district expects to “get back to our enrollment trend and ratio that we’ve seen over the last number of years, about an additional 1,400 students between 2023 and this projection year of 2030.” He also said with district enrollment growth in mind, he and other district administrators met with principals on each campus to “complete a review identifying capacity and existing use, and also potential growth areas.” According to Fowler, current capacity varies between schools, but “we have identified three campuses that will soon require increased classroom space for future growth.” Fowler said the need for classroom space “really is hitting us in the north part of our district.” He said Gateway Pointe and Higley Traditional would need additional classrooms, as well as one of one of district’s high schools. High school capacity is “a little bit harder to predict,” according to Fowler, “partly because our high schools are so close

together, and with open enrollment, depending on where students land.” Fowler said major projects involving classroom and specialty building additions, as well as building upgrades and renovations, and money for contingencies, would cost about $27 million. The district also reviewed facility conditions at each school campus, and identified areas that need major maintenance next year and into the 2026-27 school year, according to HUSD Director of Maintenance and Grounds Ben Bucholz and Fowler. Bucholz explained that “$1.75 million have been allocated for the 21-22 year,” for major maintenance. He said this includes parking lot repairs, lighting upgrades, a new chiller for Higley High, and other improvements. Areas in need of maintenance between the 2022-23 and 2026-27 school years include maintenance and repairs to drywells, flooring, roofing, HVAC, and parking lots, among other things, and would cost about $11 million, Fowler said. According to Bucholz, the major projects and major maintenance for the next five years identified by Fowler would “only be possible to address,” if a $95 million bond proposed for a November elec-

tion is approved. “If there is no bond,” Fowler explained, “there would be no major capital projects.” Fowler said the State Facilities Board “has served as the main source of capital funding for our department since about 2015,” but “they are shifting oversight of the State Facilities board to the Governor’s office under the Department of Administration, so we are really unsure of what the future funding from the SFB is going to look like.” According to Fowler, “there is a plan for our basic maintenance,” if the bond is not approved. He said the board would utilize funds from a “new budget process,” in place since February 2021. According to Fowler, the district would continue to pursue the State Facilities Board for major maintenance if the bond is not approved, but “with that process being unknown, though, it’s hard to say for sure the amount of success,” they would find with the SFB. The board also has approved Daniel Fox, current assistant principal at Williams Field High School, to be the next principal of Sossaman Middle School.

their children would attend in-person or virtual schooling.” Another parent said, “End the fear, end the current face covering policy.” But another parent countered, “Wearing masks is not only the number one recommended mitigation strategy from the CDC for schools. It is also what every parent sitting in this very room agreed to when they signed their child up for in-person schooling this year.” Higley joins Mesa Public Schools, where masks become optional tomorrow, May 3. Gilbert Public Schools and Chandler Unified are making masks mandatory until the end of this month while Tempe Union and Kyrene have shown no indication of when they might change their mandatory mask policy.

COVID. We’re seeing that plan lead to improved academic opportunities and scores. At one point we actually reversed the downward enrollment trend, something our demographer predicted was not possible and a sign we were becoming the choice of our community.” He noted other board accomplishments, including consistently increasing the dollar spent in the classroom and for the first time in years, a clean financial audit. Board President Charles Santa Cruz thanked Carr for his service to the community. “Your service to this community is undoubtedly honest and forthright,” Dr. Santa Cruz said. “And your commitment to young people is certainly always evident.”

Superintendent Dr. Shane McCord told Carr, “Every time I’ve had conversations with you, you’ve wanted to know what was in the best interest to kids. “That is exactly the type of person you are and that is how you’ve served. Never ever have you made a decision up here without thinking it through and wondering what’s best for our students, our community and our staff.” McCord told the five members their jobs were not easy and not just because of the pandemic. “You carry the weight of the district on your shoulders and the families out there that depend on you for a lot of different things,” he said. “You’ve shown the community how easy it can be to agree to disagree and do it in a civil way.”

CARR from page 5

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

State won’t get another seat in Congress BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

rizona is not going to get more representation in Washington. And one political demographer said it may be because some Hispanics chose not to respond to the decennial survey. The Census Bureau announced last week that Arizona had not gained enough population in the past decade, at least not in the official count, to merit another congressional seat. That keeps it at nine members of the U.S. House. This is the first time since the 1960 census that Arizona has not picked up a seat. According to the announced tally, Arizona added 746,223 new residents between April 1, 2010, and the same time a decade later, bringing the tally to nearly 7.16 million. That amounted to an 11.6 percent growth rate. By contrast, the country as a whole grew just 7.1 percent. But other states grew faster. And given how the congressional seats are allocated, Arizona just didn’t add enough population to merit that 10th seat. Arizona wasn’t even close to getting one of the seats given up by other states with lagging population growth. The Census Bureau reports that New York was the first state to fall off the

bottom as it divided up the 435 seats that were available. Had census workers found an additional 89 people in the Empire State, it would not have lost a seat to somewhere else. Next in line for those available seats was Ohio, which fell short and also lost a seat. In fact, both Texas and Florida with their growth rates were closer to picking up additional seats -- Texas already is getting two and Florida getting one -- before Arizona would have been in line for No. 10. Political consultant Chuck Coughlin called the findings “shocking.’’ He was not alone. “It’s hard to believe, with all of our incoming population -- and with states like California losing a seat for the first time in state history -- that we’re not getting one,’’ said consultant Stan Barnes. Kimball Brace, president of Election Data Services said he sees a common thread. He said not only was Arizona predicted to gain a seat based on annual population estimates but that Texas was due to pick up three new seats and two in Florida. “What do all those states have in common?’’ Brace asked before answering his own question: large Hispanic populations. And that, he said, is no accident. The key, Brace said, was the effort by the Trump administration to add a citi-

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zenship question to the survey. “It caused people to not respond to the census,’’ he said.’ Brace said it’s irrelevant that Trump failed to get that question on the form. “If you got all of those press reports and commentary and everything else talking about how much Trump doesn’t want people to respond if they’re Hispanic, you don’t necessarily have to have a question on the survey,’’ he said. It wasn’t just Trump pushing the question. Gov. Doug Ducey told Capitol Media Services two years ago he was siding with the administration, even as he was asked whether that could lose the state a new congressional seat. There was no immediate response from Ducey, who put $1.8 million into a campaign in a bid to boost the state’s Census response rate. Coughlin said there will be losers in all this. And it starts with rural Arizona.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

BRUNDRETT from page 1

of Gilbert Road and Page Avenue. “The Brundretts have been here in Gilbert for decades,” said Peter Koliopoulos, president of Circle West Architects, which designed the building. “They see this as a legacy project for the town and obviously their family.” The Brundretts are now going through the town’s approval process to increase the building height to 68 feet from the restricted 55 feet for the Heritage District. Currently the tallest building in the immediate area on Gilbert Road is Building 313, which has a rooftop restaurant and bar, at 55 feet tall and three stories. The Redevelopment Commission voted 3-2 April 21 to recommend the Planning Commission support the 13-foot increase. The Planning Commission is scheduled to make its recommendation this Wednesday, May 5, with the final approval by Town Council on May 18, according to Sydney Bethel, redevelopment specialist. Two people at the April meeting asked the commissioners to deny the request, saying it would go against the Heritage District Redevelopment Plan. “I’m happy to see energy going to clean up the three lots there,” said Alan Fitzgerald, a business owner in the Heritage District. “I don’t think the Heritage District plan and guidelines should be violated. That does mean something to me. Holding onto a plan is very important. It helps establish baselines and expectations.” Fitzgerald, who owns half of the Heritage Court Building, said that from the second floor, where he has an art gallery, his view would be obstructed by a 68foot building. He said the architect’s 3D rendering of the project is not what he would see from his building. “It’s far more disruptive to my enjoyment of the view than what the rendering illustrates,” Fitzgerald said, adding he had concerns with possible damage during construction to the adobe exterior of the Farmhouse Restaurant. Mary Ellen Fresquez, a former commissioner for 12 years, also urged rejection of a taller building. “It’s a beautiful building in the wrong location,” Fresquez said. “The redevelop-

The Brundrett Family proposes to build the four-story structure between their furniture store on Gilbert Road in Heritage Square and the Farmhouse Restaurant. (Town of Gilbert)

This rendering shows the rough outline of the Brundrett Family’s plan for a four-story building that would include a rooftop bar, (Town of Gilbert) ment plan is your bible, it’s your promise to residents.” She said that the town plan underscores the need to preserve the Water Tower. Koliopoulos explained a taller building is needed because higher office floors attract Class A tenants. The second and third stories are proposed for offices. The conceptual drawings show the third story stopping at 48 feet and me-

chanical screening reaching to 68 feet. Koliopoulos said the shaded rooftop deck would offer a 360-degree view of the town and the water tower. One of staff’s conditions for the project require pushing back by a minimum of 15 feet the part of the building that would be above 55 feet. That would create a tiered effect and allow for the main portion of the building to be more in line with other developments along Gilbert Road.

The building also would be required to have a minimum three trees for each second-floor balcony and a minimum of six trees on the fourth-floor rooftop. The trees can’t exceed 20 feet tall when mature. “We’ve been down here since 1975,” said Todd Brundrett. “Our family, mom and dad and myself, care deeply about the Town of Gilbert and the Heritage District. We worked very hard to help the Heritage District to develop to where it’s at.” He said the family would not do anything destructive to the Heritage District or the Water Tower and added that he was the original chair of the Water Tower Preservation Coalition. Brundrett said the top floor was actually 48 feet tall, 7 feet less than the cutoff for the Heritage District. He said he appreciated Fitzgerald’s comments but the blockage to his view would be a “very small sliver” and “very inconsequential.” “I want to build a top-class building,” Brundrett said. “It’s going to be an expensive building and we have to attract tenants willing to pay for it. It’s going to be a great project that you’ll be proud of.” Commissioner Cassandra Mehan said the building was beautiful but she wished there was a flattened elevation so she could see what a 13-foot increase in height looked like. She and Commissioner Boe Bigelow voted against the project. Commission Chairman Peter Sciacca said he wrestled with the height request because some people’s view of the Water Tower would be blocked but he also believed in property rights. He also pointed out that the Brundretts could have built right at the property line with all four sides of the building at 55 feet high but instead they presented a better project. He, Vice Chairman Ryan Hamilton and Commissioner Casey Kendeland voted to recommend approval. Only one building in the Heritage District so far has been able to go higher than the 55-foot restriction – the townowned University Building, off of the Gilbert Road corridor at Ash Street and Vaughn Avenue. That building is 68 feet and 8 inches tall.

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Community college bill before governor to quash this bill even after proponents included much of what the universities wanted – mainly limiting when and how such upper division courses can be offered. Boyer said he remains concerned that even if the bill becomes law, universities will attempt to stymie new course offerings at community colleges. But he told Capitol Media Services that while the measure does give an opportunity for university input into community college plans, it does not give them veto power. Central to the multi-decade battle has been the question of both physical and fiscal accessibility of higher education. Rep. Becky Nutt, R-Clifton, has argued for years that the current system requires rural students who want fouryear degrees to leave their homes. And Nutt said many community colleges already have buildings and other infrastructure in place that would allow them to start offering four-year degrees without new investment and without

raising local taxes. Larry Penley, chairman of the Board of Regents, has argued that the university already have working relationships with community colleges around the state, partnering in ways to offer four-year degrees. And he has told lawmakers there is reduced tuition for university courses that are taught on community college campuses. Sen. David Livingston, R-Peoria, said he fears the additional costs of upper-division courses comes with a price tag, whether higher local property taxes or from the state. But Livingston said he agreed to support the plan for a simple reason. “It expands school choice,’’ he said. “It expands competition in the education setting, which is very important to me.’’ The measure does not provide carte blanche for the schools to start offering bachelor’s degrees. It first requires a district governing

board to determine if there is a local workforce need for the degrees that would be offered. There also would need to be a study of the costs and whether a similar degree is offered by other Arizona colleges. There also are specific restrictions on new programs offered in Pima and Maricopa counties, with community college limited to offering no more than 5 percent of their degrees at the baccalaureate level for the first four years and, after that, capped at 10 percent. Public universities also would be given a chance to provide a written response to any planned community college degrees. Costs to students are an issue. Typical tuition at state universities runs north of $9,000 a year and up to more than $12,000. Maricopa Community Colleges has a flat rate of $1,020 per semester, putting the cap at slightly more than $3,000 annually.

ilbert is officially adding a new hotel tomorrow when a ribbon cutting is held for a Holiday Inn Express & Suites near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Gateway Hotels Partners, LLC, a commercial real estate joint venture between Barney Family Investments, Inc. and Peak Hospitality, LLC, is opening the hotel at 5530 S. Power Road. “With the influx of companies and visitors to Gilbert this Holiday Inn Express

& Suites offers an accessible, comfortable stay for both families and business travelers,” said Jason Barney, president of Barney Family Investments, the commercial land developer for this project. “People also have the versatility to conduct virtual or in-person meetings in the comfort of one of the meeting rooms,” he said. The 55,000-square-foot Holiday Inn Express has 98 guest rooms and includes exercise and pool facilities. The décor, amenities and 700-squarefoot meeting space “provide patrons

with a practical, yet refined experience,” a spokeswoman said. The architect was Dekker Perich Sabatini and the contractor Porter Brothers Construction, a family-owned business based in Gilbert. “Gilbert continues to grow as a community and see increased business investment and visitation,” said Dan Henderson, town economic development director. “The Holiday Inn Express is a welcome addition to accommodate our key markets of business travelers, youth sports, and those visiting to see

family and explore Arizona.” Located two miles from Gateway Airport, developers called it “the ideal first-stop destination for business travelers.” Currently, five airlines service the airport including Allegiant, WestJet, Swoop, Avelo Airlines and Sun Country Airlines. The Barney Family has been developing residential and commercial real estate projects in Gilbert for over 45 years. Peak Hospitality owns and operates two other hotels in Gilbert.

The largest population growth has been in central Arizona, meaning Maricopa and Pinal counties. Now the existing nine districts need to be redrawn to put about 795,500 individuals in each district. What that will mean is that to get sufficient residents to create a rural district -- where the population growth is the slowest -- the geographic

size of that district or districts will have to be even larger. Put another way, residents of Sierra Vista could soon find themselves sharing a representative with residents as far away as the Grand Canyon. Coughlin also said the status quo could help Democrats. Coughlin said that will lead to pressure

to simply start with the current lines – the ones that give the Democrats that 5-4 edge – and just make minor revisions. There are state legislators who were hoping that a new seat, plus radically redrawn lines, might create a political opportunity for them. They now have to reevaluate their own futures. And if they stay put, then that does not

open up their own seats for others hoping to become state lawmakers. Prior to 2000 it was up to the Legislature to draw the decennial lines both for their own districts and the seats in the U.S. House. That year voters wrested away that power, creating the Independent Redistricting Commission.

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

t’s taken at least four decades, but Arizona’s community colleges appear on the verge of being able to offer four-year degrees. On a 24-6 vote last week, the Senate gave final approval to legislation setting out the conditions for these traditional two-year and certificate institutions to start offering baccalaureate degrees. With the House already having approved, the only thing that remains now is a decision by Gov. Doug Ducey. An aide to the governor said he does not comment on pending legislation. Ducey is likely to face a last-ditch effort by the Arizona Board of Regents, which for at least 40 years fought any effort to infringe on what it sees as its turf as the governing body of the state’s three universities. Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, one of the champions of SB 1453, said they tried

Holiday Inn opening in Gilbert tomorrow GSN NEWS STAFF

CENSUS from page 7

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

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Gilbert Classical Academy seniors are Flinn Scholars GSN NEWS STAFF

wo Gilbert Classical Academy students won a prestigious Flinn Scholarship that will pay for a full ride at one of the state’s public universities. Gilbert residents Sophia Hammer and Eugenia Trakal joined 18 other highachieving high school seniors in the state who received the annual award. “I was ecstatic,” said Sophia when she learned of her award. “I was taking my senior photos when I got the call so it felt like I got the call right at the perfect time. I teared up and called my parents and they were so excited as well.” Sophia, who will attend University of Arizona in the fall, is getting a jump on her studies by taking two online courses

Eugenia Trakal

Sophia Hammer

through the university’s New Start Program during the summer. She also has other plans for the summer. “My family and I are moving to Tucson over the summer, which is exciting because I have never moved before,” Sophia said. “I plan on continuing my internship with Arizona Jews for Justice, which is a social justice nonprofit that advocates for the voiceless and works towards being a part of positive changemaking in the local community.” Sophia wants to serve her community and is considering a career in local government. She plans to double-major in the university’s program, Politics, Philos-

see FLINN page 16

Gilbert nonprofit’s horses are pediatric therapists

BY SRIANTHI PERERA GSN Contributor

esa resident Matias Cortiz, 16, loves horses but didn’t get an opportunity to be on one until a few months ago. The autistic teen, a student at American Leadership Academy, receives a weekly hour of hippotherapy at Barn Yard Equine in Gilbert. “He loves it. I think his language is more age-appropriate,” said Kathy Cortiz, his mom. “He’s been able to advocate for himself easier than earlier; in his area, vocabulary is difficult. Communication, social activities for him has always been very difficult. “At 16 we have certain expectations. We’re finding he now has friends that he talks to on the phone; he’s actually having a conversation with them,” she added. Barn Yard Equine was founded five

Virginia McCarthy is the co-founder of Barnyard Equine, which uses horses to help provide pediatric therapy. years ago by Virginia McCarthy and Beth Ann Kaib, who functions as the director of therapeutic programs. McCarthy also runs Equine Connections, which offers riding lessons to those who want to

Volunteer Emma Veerman with therapy horse Donovan. (Photos by

Srianthi Perera/GSN Contributor)

learn riding as a hobby or those who need treatment for trauma. In late 2019, the nonprofit expanded to its current, larger property in central Gilbert. Nowadays, the facility serves

primarily children with two therapists, a physical therapist and an occupational therapist; all three disciplines of pedi-

see BARNYARD page 14

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3 Higley cadets saluted with scholarships GSN NEWS STAFF

he Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest and Salt River Project are saluting three Higley High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students. Quinten Alvarez, Abigail Cramer and Peyton Pierce will each receive $1,000 and the Higley JROTC program $3,000 through the BBB and SRP Ethical Cadet Scholarship Program, which “recognizes the integrity and character in today’s youth.” “The cadets will decide how the money awarded to our JROTC program will be used, which may include purchasing sabers and investing in curriculum-enhancing flight simulation equipment,” said retired Col. Scott Vaughn, SASI of the Higley Air Force JROTC. Arizona high school students who are enrolled in JROTC within SRP’s ser-

vice area are eligible for the program by maintaining a GPA of at least 2.75. Students are recommended by a JROTC staff member or school representative and winners are selected based on their essay submission. “Winning essays highlighted the students’ leadership, character, and com-

atric therapy. Equine or hippo therapy is a proven boon to children who have afflictions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, chromosomal disorders and similar others. “We conduct the therapy session out here and we use the horse movement as part of our therapy session. With the gait of the horse, we are able to activate different areas of the brain on a deeper level than with conventional therapy like in a clinic,” Kaib said. The treatment is specific for each client, depending on the child’s ability and diagnosis. The children don’t even have to have the ability or confidence to sit on a horse when they begin. “They have one client who couldn’t sit on a horse at all and now she sits for a couple of minutes. She started out by laying down on the horse and all her muscles were super tight,” Kaib noted. With the help of the horse, she was able to loosen the muscles, perform stretches and build her strength. Currently, Barn Yard Equine treats about 40-50 clients a week. Word-ofmouth has helped swell the number of

patients on the waiting list to nearly 60. Meanwhile, due to the pandemic, Barn Yard has lost most of its volunteers, and is urgently looking for more. Volunteers make an invaluable contribution to the operation. “We like to exercise our horses before we use them,” said Luane Merkley, who didn’t stop coming to volunteer even when the pandemic was widespread last year. “We have to get the wrinkles out of the horses before they set to work. They have been in stalls and, just like little kids, they have to get their wiggles out. We stretch them, we run them, walk, trot, canter in the round pen.” The eight to 10 horses in the program are also taken on weekly trail rides by the volunteers. “They need to do something besides turn around in the arena,” she said. Volunteers also facilitate the sessions so that the therapists don’t have to worry about that part. “I make sure they have horses, volunteers, and we facilitate the sessions,” Merkley said. “We make sure the horse is available and ready for the therapy

BARNYARD from page 12

Quinten Alvarez

In his essay, Quinten wrote, “Throughout my four years in AFJROTC, I’ve changed into a completely different person. I have a much better outlook on my goals in the future, and I’m much closer to reaching them because of this remarkable program. JROTC did not just teach me about survival or space. It taught me about life and Peyton Pierce Abigail Cramer gave me tools to succeed mitment to service,” the BBB said in a long after I graduate.” “Throughout my time as a JROTC release. cadet, I’ve already learned what it’s like “I am thankful for what JROTC and my instructors have done for me. I am to be in a team whose goal is to serve,” enlisting in the Marine Corps shortly he continued. “Service is an act of selfafter graduation and plan to use this lessness without expecting anything in scholarship award to get started in my young adult life,” said Quinten. see HIGLEY page 17 session, groomed, warmed up and mentally in the place. Horses have to be there mentally; some horses can’t handle it.” Not every horse is able to work with children who need this special help. Only some are born with the patience and other necessary elements to be therapy horses. They are chosen according to body type, shape, gait, temperament and age. Then, they are desensitized. “We throw balls at them, spray water at them, we have people hanging off of them and jumping up and down and clapping and throwing and the horses have to be able to withstand all of it,” Merkley said. “Once they can do that, then we start working with them and getting ready for the kids to be on them.” “Some horses love it, some don’t. Some would rather teach lessons and be a lesson horse over at Equine Connections in the bigger arena, but they don’t enjoy doing therapy,” she added. Some volunteers are students who come for practicums or new graduates who come to learn alongside the professionals. Barn Yard works with five colleges and universities to obtain students

who may attend its therapy program after two years of training. Seniors come as well and are given various roles according to their abilities, such as painting fences, repairing equipment or barns and working with grooming the horses if they so desire. The operation is year-round, and in the summer, the sessions begin early, around 6 a.m. and wind up by 10. To keep cool, they use running sprinklers and incorporate many water activities. McCarthy said the demand is huge, also because there are only few places in the East Valley that offers hippo therapy, including just one other in Gilbert. “We’re one of the few programs physically in Gilbert, most of them are outside city limits. So, it’s nice that we’re here and we can have people get here and receive the service and they don’t have to drive an hour each way,” she said. “We get those stories.” Cortiz said she would like her son to do more than an hour a week of sessions, but the state has to approve. “If he had more, he would do more.

see BARNYARD page 17

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

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FLINN from page 12

ophy, Economics and Law and in Family Studies and Human Development, a social work program. “I recently have been thinking about going into social work and using it to help families who are seeking asylum at the Arizona and Mexican border,” she said. Sophia said her interest was spurred by her volunteer work with Arizona Jews for Justice’s International Rescue Committee, which offers aid to asylum seekers and immigrants coming through the Arizona and Mexican border. “I have really loved it and loved working with the people there,” she said. Eugenia, 17, was on cloud nine when she was notified of her award. “When I saw I was getting a phone call from the Flinn Foundation, I literally screamed,” Eugenia recalled. “I am so excited and grateful to be joining such an inspiring community of scholars. It’s a dream come true.” The teen will attend Arizona State University’s Barrett, the Honors College in the fall.

Sophie Hammer was getting her senior photos taken when she learned she was a Flinn Scholar recipient. Here is a picture of her when she heard the news. (Courtesy of

Sophie Hammer)

“I hope to double major in finance and business sustainability potentially with certificates in international business and data analytics,” Eugenia said. “I am captivated by the practice of impact investing – deploying charitable capital in ways that create both a social and financial return, often leveraging additional financing to bring projects to scale and achieve greater impact. “In the long-term, I plan to work for an investment banking firm, such as Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Bank of America or BlackRock or a nonprofit, like the Arizona Community Foundation,

to mobilize the financial sector’s support for sustainable development.” But before she embarks on her academic journey, her No. 1 priority this summer is to relax, she said. “The past four years went by so fast and I want to make sure I take the time to celebrate all the hard work that has paid off and to thank all of the loving and supportive people who have helped me along the way,” Eugenia said. Nearly 1,000 Arizona high-school seniors applied last fall for the Class of 2021 Flinn Scholarship. The 35 finalists were announced earlier this year, which included five from Gilbert. The 20 winners were chosen after a March interview with the selection committee. Each scholarship is valued over $120,000 and covers tuition, fees, housing, meals and two tours of study abroad. Only Gilbert Classical Academy and BASIS Ahwatukee had two Flinn winners. Gilbert Public Schools and Tempe Union were the only two districts to field two winners.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

HIGLEY from page 14

return. It is paramount that every cadet embodies service, because it exemplifies good character.” He said that at one point he held the “tough job” of drill commander and “that position itself taught me many lessons, but none more impactful than respect. When I am leading a group of hardworking, bright-minded individuals, it must be mutual.” Abigail was health and wellness director in her unit this year, charged with creating regimens to improve cadets’ fitness and health. “In this position I have to take responsibility when cadets don’t improve their physical fitness between PT tests and learn from it to become a better leader,” she wrote. “It’s a job that I have made daily, because leaders make their jobs one of their main priorities.

“Leadership is something I’ve learned a lot about whether it’s from my own experiences or the leadership course my Corps does each week. Also, leadership means participating in whatever possible and within my Corp a great example of that is going to community service events.” Stating that “leading service events gave me an idea of how to lead a team efficiently,” Abigail said she has participated in numerous community service efforts, including two aimed at restoring the sports fields and volunteering at her church. “These acts of service are important, because they impact someone’s life in a positive way,” she wrote. “Finding ways to make a positive impact is something I really enjoy. On top of that, it’s my goal to show others the importance of service.”

It’ll be great to have more. In being reasonable, he has language and he is able to communicate, but it’s not to his age level. Autism doesn’t affect physically. It’s more of the social, communicative and cognitive areas that are affected,” she said. Even with therapists and more approved time, what may be offered may go in tandem with volunteer availability. Merkley, who grew up on a ranch in Montana, moved to Arizona to care for her mother-in-law and missed her after her passing. She wanted to get close to horses once again, and in a “twist of fate” she found the facility. “I love horses, I can spend time with

horses. So, I came and I started working with these kids and I couldn’t stop coming. I had to keep coming more,” she said. Noticing the change in the kids give her satisfaction. “We see the change, literally from week to week. We start with some kids who won’t even get anywhere near the horses and in a matter of a few weeks, they’re on the horse, they’re loving it, their physical body is in better condition,” she said. “We all come for the horses, we stay for the kids.” Details: To volunteer or to apply for therapy, visit barnyardequine.com.

BARNYARD from page 14

Peyton wrote, “My instructors have taught me leadership through management of cadets, service in their acts of commitment to others, and character through their authentic displays of generosity, service, and compassion.” She noted that she attended the annual Basha Medical Field Day, “where I recognized that I was stronger because I pushed my worries aside and executed my abilities with excellence. A confident attitude is crucial to recognize so an individual can build upon their values and display a genuine personality.” Higley Peyton also has participated in many service events. “My service experience has been important for me because it has helped me work better with others by finding commonalities when personalities clash,” she wrote.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

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Cookie shop is a Gilbert family affair BY MONIQUE SELEEN GSN Contributor

new dessert shop in Gilbert is on a mission to spread sweetness one batch at a time. Batch Cookie Shop, which opened last month on the southeast corner of Higley and Baseline roads, is a family- run business owned and operated by brothers Brad and Craig Peterson and their wives. The brothers, who have started several side businesses together, got the idea to start a cookie shop after looking for a way to connect with the community. “When we were looking at another business idea, we thought we could do something with cookies to bring in that human connection with people,” said Brad.

Brad and Jessica Peterson, left, and Craig and Boston Peterson own the Batch Cookie Shop in Gilbert. Brad and Craig are brothers. (Courtesy Batch Cookie Shop

“The name of the shop, the packaging, it’s all meant for people to show up with a box of cookies to any event -- business meetings, formal parties, girls night, etc. -- and make someone’s day brighter.” The business originally launched in February 2020, operating solely out of a sub-leased Planet Subs kitchen with very limited hours of operation. Plans to get their own storefront were put on hold due to COVID-19. “We were looking at getting a space in March when the pandemic hit and everything kind of fell apart,” said Brad. During that time though, they were able to build a small following of customers and test out new recipe ideas.

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BATCH page 20

Pizza chain partners with popular bao concept BY KRISTINE CANNON GSN Staff Writer

ired Pie has joined the ranks of local restaurants with their own ghost kitchen. The fast-casual pizza concept launched a ghost kitchen out of two of its locations, both of which are located in Scottsdale: at Fashion Square and at Northsight. But the ghost kitchens won’t be serving pizza. They will be used by Chicago-based Asian street food concept Wow Bao, which serves steamed bao, as well as potstickers, steamed dumplings, rice and noodle bowls, and more. “The quality of this product is amazing,” said Fred Morgan, co-founder of Fired Pie. Currently, Wow Bao operates out of two Fired Pie locations in Scottsdale, but Fired Pie has plans to add Wow Bao to

Fired Pie co-owner Fred Morgan displays some of Fired Pie’s pizza concoctions. (Special to GSN) 12 more locations within the next three months — including its San Tan Village store.

“At Fired Pie, we offer our guests the highest quality ingredients possible and Wow Bao’s menu aligned with our mis-

sion to continue to do that,” co-owner Doug Doyle added. Wow Bao’s signature item, its bao, is a soft, fluffy dough filled with savory or sweet flavors and steamed to perfection. They have four flavors from which to choose, including whole wheat vegetable, BBQ Berkshire pork, teriyaki chicken, and spicy Mongolian beef. Since Fired Pie brought on the fast Asian concept, customers have raved about the BBQ Pork Baos and the chicken dumplings. “The rice bowls are also starting to take off, and the Kung Po Chicken is the most popular,” Morgan said. Morgan calls customers’ response to Wow Bao “amazing” – so much so they nearly sold out of all of their Wow Bao products the weekend of March 20. “It has been better than we had pro-

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BAO page 20

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BATCH from page 18

Now, the shop offers a variety of weekly rotating cookie flavors including toasted coconut cream, cookies and cream, cookie dough, snicker doodle, and double chocolate chip along with the permanent option of chocolate chip, raspberry white chocolate, and a gluten-friendly sugar cookie bar. “One of the big things about our cookies are the premium ingredients we choose to use,” said Brad. “The type of vanilla, the chocolate chips we use. We’ve intentionally used ingredients to make more premium cookies.” While creating good quality and delicious tasting cookies was important, the Petersons also wanted a way to build a connection with the community and their customers so they launched the Eat Sweet Be Sweet Campaign. The campaign is run through their Instagram account where Batch Cookies posts a weekly service prompt encouraging their followers to “be sweet.” Prompts include things such as bringing a treat over to a neighbor or

BAO from page 18

jected, with little advertisement or promotions,” he added. Thus, their biggest challenge since the launch of Wow Bao in the Valley has been keeping up with demand and keeping their kitchens stocked with enough product. “The other issue we had early on was the delivery drivers trying to find Wow Bao, not understanding they needed to pick it up inside of Fired Pie,” Morgan said. Morgan and Doyle searched for seven months for the perfect concept for their ghost kitchen. They initially gave a Grubhub-created concept called Tyga Bites a shot, but it didn’t work out because it was only available to Grubhub customers. “We then started doing a lot of research on ghost and virtual kitchens and found out Wow Bao was operating as a ghost kitchen,” Morgan explained. “As soon as I received more information from them, I knew this was the one for us.” “Our customers have been turning to online ordering, takeout and third-party delivery during the pandemic, so we felt

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

friend that they haven’t seen in a while, leaving a review for a local small business, or posting about someone in their life who has done something nice for them. Everyone who participates is asked to post about it on their Instagram account, tag @ batchcookieshop and #eatsweetbesweet and is entered into a drawing to win a free box of cookies. “By doing these kinds of cam- one of Batch Cookie Shop’s tasty creations is a cookie on top of another paigns it helps cookie.This one is called Cookies and Cream Cookie. (Batch Cookie Shop)

Fired Pie’s collaboration with Wow Bao at San Tan Village will bring steamed bao and other Asian delights to Gilbert. (Special to GSN) this was the perfect time to launch our ghost kitchen,” Doyle added. Wow Bao was founded in 2003, but it wasn’t until last spring that it launched a pioneering business model to increase restaurant partner’s revenue while also

expanding the company’s footprint throughout the U.S. As part of their business model, restaurant partners, like Fired Pie, serve Wow Bao staples while third-party delivery providers, like Postmates, DoorDash,

keep the focus on not just the cookies themselves but the connections that those cookies can represent,” said Brad. “Doing this campaign is a way for us to keep that motto front and center in our business.” As the business continues to grow, the Petersons hope to expand into other locations as well as partner with nonprofits for fundraising opportunities. “We want people to think of our cookies about making a difference to those around us,” said Brad. “If we could do that by expanding our stores and partnerships that would be awesome.” It’s the moments of making an impact that keeps the Petersons and the team at Batch Cookies feeling inspired. “When customers come back and tell us stories about how they used our cookies to brighten someone’s day, that’s what keeps us going,” said Brad. “That connection happens because of cookies. It’s phenomenal and we are so grateful for it.” Information:.batchcookieshop.com. Uber Eats and Grubhub, deliver the goods. Any restaurant can join the Wow Bao program for less than $1,000; and according to Wow Bao, most partners have been surpassing the expected sales mark of $2,500 or more in six weeks. “I like the idea that this is an established brand, many people know it, and they have a loyal customer base,” Morgan said, adding that it was a “no-brainer” to partner with Wow Bao. “We are excited to align ourselves with a concept that has seen explosive new growth in the past year,” Morgan continued. “As the ghost restaurant trend continues to grow, we expect to continue to add virtual concepts to our local storefronts.” In addition to increasing the number of Wow Bao kitchens in the Valley, Fired Pie also has plans to expand its Wow Bao menu. “We have a new bao coming out in a few weeks: a cheeseburger,” Morgan teased. To order Wow Bao, visit wowbao.com or order directly on the Postmates, DoorDash, Uber Eats or Grubhub apps.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

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Sports & Recreation 22

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Perry boys’ volleyball not distracted by national recognition BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

ot only has the Perry boys’ volleyball team gained local attention for its dominant start to the 2021 season, but it’s gone national, too. According to MaxPreps, the Pumas are currently the top-ranked team in the country. It’s the first time Perry, let alone any Arizona high school boys’ volleyball program, has received such high praise from a national outlet. While the recognition is something they have come to enjoy, the Pumas don’t put too much thought into the ranking. After all, their main task at hand remains in Arizona, nowhere else. “It’s great to be recognized and it’s great to see a one next to your name but

Perry junior Gehrig Tolman “left” and senior Camden Neimann are the two captains of this year’s boys’ volleyball team that is currently the top-ranked team in the country. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff)

we don’t put too much stock into it,” Perry coach Ryan Tolman said. “It’s cliché, but we are trying to take it one day at a time and understand if we get too far ahead of ourselves or worry about stuff like that, we will lose focus.” Perry’s 13-0 start to the season is the best in program history and stems from motivation to finish out the year in honor of last year’s senior class that lost their season due to the pandemic. The Pumas could have been on their way to a deep run in the 6A playoffs in 2020 with a 6-2 overall record before play was stopped. Perry’s only two losses came against Sandra Day O’Connor, a perennial power in boys’ volleyball. The cancellation hit Tolman harder

Polo on bicycles no horsing around BY REGINA BURGESS Cronkite News

hen most people think of playing polo, they imagine competitors on horseback riding across a field, not on bicycles wearing helmets and hitting a ball into a net. Conventional polo matches generally happen in wealthy enclaves of the Hamptons or Argentina, not in city parks filled with skateboarders and dog walkers. Arizona Hardcourt Bike Polo meets at Cielito Park in Phoenix every Sunday to play pick-up games and hone their skills. Formed in 2008, the squad is the first of its kind in Arizona. It’s mostly a closeknit group full of family members and childhood friends, but the club encourages anyone to join. “I’ve known these guys for so long like I said I’ve played since I was eight … so just being around them is fun and the

Jacob Boyd scoops up the ball, using the open side of his mallet. Mallets are capped off on one end to hit the ball, while the opposite side is open and used for scooping the ball. (Alina Nelson/Cronkite News)

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PERRY page 25

sport itself is,” said team member Jacob Boyd. One of the world’s oldest team sports, polo’s lineage traces back to the sixth century BC, when cavalry units in the Persian king’s guard devised it as a training exercise. Polo is a family tradition for the Boyds. His father and grandfather played grass polo, and Boyd, now 23, took up hardcourt bike polo when he was around 10. Most of the team has been together since 2007 or 2008, team member Justin Swartz said. The competitive aspect of bike polo keeps Swartz coming back every week. “For me, it is just the competition of it, because these children have been playing since they were 10, so they are monsters and like it’s always been like, ‘OK,

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POLO page 25

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PERRY from page 22

than most. He had finally gotten the opportunity to share a senior season with his son, Daxton, who was part of last year’s team. Tolman said it was heartbreaking for him and his son to see the season come to an unfortunate end. But with Daxton now finding success at Benedictine University in Mesa for the RedHawks nationally ranked men’s team, Tolman has focused in on his other son, Gehrig, to share this season with. “I was a basketball player growing up and volleyball kind of fell into my lap,” said Tolman, who graduated from Westwood in Mesa. “But I’m glad it did because I’ve gotten the chance to watch my boys close up. This season has been special because we lost last year.” Gehrig shares the role of captain this season with senior middle blocker Camden Neimann. While only a junior, Gehrig has quickly evolved into a vocal leader and one who does so by example on the court. He leads the team in assists with 376 and is among the best in digs with 69. He also has 15 aces and 21 kills on the season for the Pumas. The national recognition is something Gehrig has personally chosen not to give too much attention to. He knows rankings can shift on a daily basis and it doesn’t change the team’s goal of winning a state title. As for added pressure from the No. 1 overall national ranking, he doesn’t see that as an issue with this team. “I just try to brush it off,” Gehrig said. “I

POLO from page 22

gotta go back next week, play the boys, see if we can beat them,’” Swartz said. Even though this tight-knit group has played together for years, they are accepting of new players joining the team. The newest member, John Nielsen, joined after moving to Phoenix from Oregon. He has been playing bike polo for 11 years. The inclusive environment drew him to the sport. “Everybody is always welcome. If you don’t have everything you need someone’s willing to share it. I think that was one of the things that brought me in the most,” Nielsen said.

know something like that can add pressure to some people, but it hasn’t really for us. We just play like it’s any other game.” Neimann’s opinion differed from his co-captain. He enjoys the pressure that comes with the ranking. However, he and his team aren’t chasing a national title, especially when some states have yet to play. One thing that has come with the ranking is the target on Perry’s back. It’s come to the point where teams now circle the Pumas on their schedule. They want to be the ones to knock them off the undefeated ranks. Neimann expects every one of his team’s opponents to give them

their best on a nightly basis. The energy in the gym elevates with each point Perry’s opponent scores. But the Pumas have remained laser focused this season. Some points in big games are cause for added celebration, but Perry conducts itself in a manner as if it has been in a position of winning for years. “Being No. 1 in the nation doesn’t really matter,” said Neimann, who has 28 blocks and 77 kills this season. “It makes it fun, but we aren’t chasing a national title. We are all focused on what we are doing in Arizona right now.” Tolman believes some of the team’s mindset stems from them watching Per-

ry’s girls’ volleyball program fall in the state championship two consecutive years. The players on each program are good friends, and the boys saw the heartbreak the girls experienced. They don’t want to be the next great Perry volleyball team to slip up at an unfortunate time. “They watched those girls lose two years in a row from the sideline and it was hard for them,” Tolman said. “I was on the bench as an assistant for both of those losses in the state finals and they were heart wrenching. “Sometimes the ball just bounces in funny ways. We are doing everything we can to try to keep that from happening to us.” Perry faced Chandler to wrap up the second-to-last week of the regular season. The Pumas will face Red Mountain, Desert Vista and Mesa to finish the season on May 5. Barring an upset, Perry will enter the 6A Conference tournament as the No. 1 overall seed and will be guaranteed home matches through the semifinal round. The team’s main goal all season after spring sports were delayed was to make it to May 15 — the day of the title game. While they are the favorites to get there, the Pumas know nothing is guaranteed. “We just need to stay focused, that’s all it is,” Gehrig said. “We have to stay together as a team. We can’t get big headed and just take it one game at a time.”

“I’m kind of shy off the bat usually, but it is just like an instant community all around the world really that is ready to be your friend, so that’s really cool.” The team has a Facebook page that invites people to learn how to play and offers to lend a bike, mallet and helmet if needed. “You don’t need a specific bike to play. I mean if you have a bike just come out and try it. It’ll be fine,” Boyd said. It’s all about their love of this unique sport and their desire to spread their passion for the game. “I mean, I don’t think you really need

any skills. It’s just the desire to have a good time, it’s really all you need. You gotta learn how to ride a bike eventually but none of us are that great at it,” Nielsen said. There is some skill needed to play, but anyone can learn if they want. Knowing how to ride a bike is a must, but balance is also important. “It’s just about being comfortable because you’re riding with usually just one hand. It’s a lot about balance and being able to maneuver amongst other people,” Swartz said. Swartz points out that even seasoned

players are susceptible to making mistakes when playing bike polo. “People will fall, like it happens,” he said. ”It just takes a lot of practice.” Practice may not always make perfect, but this team still has fun every Sunday playing pick-up games in the park. “It’s competition, it’s fun trying to learn new things,” Boyd said. “It’s just like skateboarding, trying to learn a new trick.” Most anyone can learn to play bike polo; race, gender, and ethnicity do not matter. Spreading friendship and love of bike polo is what this team is all about, members say.

Perry head coach Ryan Tolman said the national ranking isn’t something he and his team look into too much, as they remain focused on winning the 6A state title this year. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff)

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Cinco De Chandler returns May 5 downtown

ter the restaurant opened. A sister property is Ghett’ Yo’ Pizza at 4747 E. Elliot Road in Ahwatucelebration of independence and kee. freedom, Cinco de Mayo com“But the first year we hosted the memorates the Mexican army’s festival in 2019, we had more than victory over the French Empire at Puebla 1,200 people come throughout in 1862. the day,” he added. “We know it is On May 5 downtown, Cinco de Chan- something that the community endler celebrates Mexican food, drink, joys taking part in, and we are excitmusic, culture and camaraderie during ed to be back again this year. Please springtime in the desert. come out whenever you would like, Ghett’ Yo Taco, 241 S. Oregon St., is day or night.” hosting the fiesta, in its second year as a Mexican street tacos are smallfull participatory event. er than traditional restaurant variThe restaurant is the colorful build- eties, allowing someGhett’Yo Taco at 241 S. Oregon St. will be party central May ing behind the Perch restaurant with one purchasing from 5 as Cinco de Chandler roars into high gear with a full day of the spray-painted “Dia de Los Muertos” a street vendor, for music and food. (Special to GSN) mural painted by Valley artist, Lalo Cota, example, to hold and known for murals and paintings focusing eat them without on Mexican culture, desert landscapes dropping the fillings from the corn and politics. tortillas. Cinco de Chandler begins at 10 a.m. The street tacos at Cinco de Chancoal outside. and includes dancing to live bands, ma- dler will include grilled chicken, carne “Our full bar will feature frozen marriachis and DJs. The 4-year-old taqueria asada, al pastor, jackfruit for the vegetar- garitas in a variety of flavors and several will offer its signature street Mexican beers to keep everytacos, a variety of cervezas and one cool and happy,” Ansari margaritas. said, noting that the Corona, For the children, Gilbert’s Dos XX and Corazon TequiChristina Ranburger with la companies will be offering Blushing Peach Art will offer samples. face painting and Chandler’s During the day, three local Cheryl Tisland, co-owner of bands will be playing: Johnny Burst of Butterflies, piñaGowans, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; the ta-making 4-7 p.m. Taide Pineda Band, 12–3 p.m., Yard games and prizes are and The Conveyors, 3–6 p.m. also scheduled. For the adults, A Gilbert resident, Ansari DJ Wyzeman will host a has grown Ghett’ Yo Taco with What’s a Cinco de party from 6 p.m. until vibrant downtown Chandler, Mayo celebration withmidnight. which has become one of the out tacos, and Ghett’Yo “Last year, due to ians and other varieties, AnsaValley’s go-to areas for restaurants and Taco in Chandler will COVID-19 restrictions, ri explained. meeting spots. have plenty of them May 5. (Special to GSN) we compromised by ofThe venue’s popular sliders “We’re an urban taqueria specializing fering guests the chance will also be available, which in authentic street-style tacos, a fun and to experience live music performances include the OG Angus beef, carnitas and affordable spot for children and adults, from local bands while they waited for fiery chicken. And just for Cinco de Chan- family members, friends and colleagues,” their meals,” said Wally Ansari, who ac- dler, Gett’ Yo Taco employees will be pre- he said. quired Ghett’ Yo’ Taco in 2018 a year af- paring whole roasted chickens on charGhett’ Yo Taco has 20 employees, mostBY DAVID M. BROWN GetOut Contributor

ly East Valley residents, including Stuart Shainberg of Gilbert, who is the operations manager for the restaurant, handling day-to-day responsibilities while Ansari coordinates the menu. “Our team members set us apart from other taquerias. All of them have a passion for having fun with each other and guests and serving outstanding food. We want the community who visit Ghett’ Yo to feel like they’re having a meal with close friends, instead of just stopping by to get a quick bite,” Ansari said. Cinco de Chandler, he explained, “is a great representation of our mission as a local restaurant and Mexican culture. And, it is fun for the whole family. With such a difficult year behind us, our goal is to put on a safe outdoor festival that everyone can enjoy!” Children 12 and under are free to the event. Adults may purchase tickets online before for $5 or at the door for $8. The restaurant also caters and hosts buyout private parties. Information: ghettyotaco.com.

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Mollify Caches Pay stub abbr. Floral rings Upright Columns Secondhand Chess piece On the train Composer Prokofiev Crude cabin Rental contract Canine cry Bonn’s river Threw in Moreover Corn serving Movie houses Hat edges Nabokov novel Puccini works Very long time

“At Clarendale of Chandler, we take senior health seriously, and we’re committed to being an informative resource. This 8-week workshop series— presented in partnership with Dignity Health—is just one example.”

—Ryan Duve, Executive Director

RSVP the Monday before each session to ClarendaleOfChandlerLife@ClarendaleOfChandler.com or 480-613-3439.

web

ClarendaleOfChandler.com

5900 S. Gilbert Rd. | Chandler, AZ 85249

PUZZLES ANSWERSononpage page1531 PUZZLE ANSWERS

3-21

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

Gilbert Sun News

1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #219 • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@timespublications.com

Deadlines

Classifieds: Thursday 11am for Sunday Life Events: Thursday 10am for Sunday

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | GilbertSunNews.com

Obituaries Lloyd Kent Pearce Lloyd Kent Pearce 81, passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021. He was born in Taylor, Arizona to the late Hal and Norma Crandell Pearce. Lloyd is survived by his wife Beth H. Pearce also 6 daughters, Vicki Evens, Kimberley Sorenson, Cheri Amador, Deena Hudson, Melissa Vincent, Shawna Hudson, sisters; Kathy Pearce, Evelyn Brinkerhoff, Jennifer Baum, Myrna Woffinden, brothers; Tim Jones, Randy Jones, Richard Pearce, Lester Pearce and Russell Pearce he is also survived by 19 Grandchildren, 23 Great Grandchildren, and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren. Lloyd is preceded in death by his parents, son; Gaylan Kent Pearce, sisters; Donna Koozer and Carmon Scott, brother; James Jones. There will be a Memorial Service at a later date in Pinedale Arizona. Under the direction of Heaven's Gate Funeral Home 361-573-2777. Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

H E A D STO N E S

Employ

Employment General

ment

Now hiring for parttime and full-time janitorial positions in Mesa and Phoenix For further information apply in person at 7020 N 55th Ave Glendale AZ 85301 or call 623-937-3727

Caregiver Services P/T Caregiver Needed Friday, Sat. Sunday mornings, in private San Tan Valley residence, WILL TRAIN. Must have CPR/First Aid. 480-729-5853

WE’RE ALWAYS HERE TO SERVE YOUR CLASSIFIED NEEDS

Classifieds 480-898-6465

480.898.6465 CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Employment General Senior Software Developer (Chandler, AZ) Design, develop & implement Salesforce CRM capabilities based on strategic biz & tech reqmnts. Develop custom code for complex use cases using Triggers, Apex Classes, Visualforce pages, Lightning Web Components, soql/sosl, etc. Design solution & develop custom app on salesforce platform & integrate w/other external systems. Reqs: Bach's deg in Computer Engineering & 5 yrs of exp w/Salesforce. Mail resumes to HR Mgr, Array Technologies, Inc., 3901 Midway PL NE Albuquerque, NM 87109

Employment General

Renesas Electronics America, in Tempe, AZ is in need of: Anlg Engr (job#VJ0409) Perf des, sim, & lyt of indus-leadng hi-perf timng prdcts. Refer to job#. Apply: us-hr-staffing@dm.renesas.com

Sr. Quality Engineer, Medtronic, Inc., Tempe, AZ. Req. Master’s in Industrial, Mechanical or Biomedical Engr. & 2 yrs. exp. w/quality engr. in the medical device industry. Must possess at least 2 yrs. exp. w/each of the following: 21 CFR 820, ISO 9001, ISO 13485 & ISO 14971; development protocols incl. Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification, Performance Qualification, Special Process Validations, & Test Method Validations; nonconformance & Good Manufacturing Practices; Failure Modes & Effect Analysis, validation, methodical problem solving, product development & mfg. engr.; Design of Experiments, Statistical Process Control & Acceptance Sampling; & Minitab or JMP. To apply, visit https://jobs.medtronic.com/ , select Req. #21000AOH. No agencies or phone calls please. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workplace. All individuals are encouraged to apply.

Self Development Academy is seeking an Elementary Teacher, Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in Education + 5 Year experience and Arizona State Certification. Please mail Resumes to HR, 1709 N Greenfield Rd. Mesa, AZ 85205. Deployed Services is hiring Security Guards in Tucson, AZ! This is a great opportunity to join a fantastic culture and growing organization! We’re offering a $200 signing bonus and will pay for your AZ security license and uniform. Our Security Guards are paid $18.59 an hour and are eligible for annual leave, paid sick leave, 401K, and training. Visit DeployedServices.com/Careers to learn more and apply!

Employment General

NOW HIRING

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS Full Time

EVERLASTING MONUMENT Co.

“Memories cut in Stone” • MONUMENTS • GRANITE & BRONZE • CEMETERY LETTERING • CUSTOM DESIGNS

480-969-0788 75 W. Baseline Rd. Ste. A-8 Gilbert, AZ 85233

www.everlastingmonumentco.com info@everlastingmonument.phxcoxmail.com

Make your choice Everlasting

Generous Pay

Help Wanted for a new location at SE Corner of Higley & Elliot in Gilbert

Benefits

145 S HIGLEY RD, GILBERT 85296

Paid Vacation v

Paid Sick Time v

401K Apply online at maaxspas.com or call 480-895-4575

E ELLIOT

N HIGLEY

MAAX Spas is hiring

HERE WE GROW AGAIN! HIRING FOR ALL POSITIONS Full Time and Part Time. All Shifts: M-F & Weekends. Great Pay and Environment.

CALL OR TEXT 480-744-0451 TO APPLY

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

Employment General

Engineer II sought by Carvana, LLC in Tempe, AZ. Design, develop, maintain and deploy complex back end and API solutions using C# / dotNetCore (RESTful server side via Web API) stack and cloud services (Azure). Telecommuting is permitted. Apply @ www.jobpostingtoday. com #69362.

Supply Chain Manager in Scottsdale, AZ w/36 mnth exp, to oversee, purchase, distribute & manage Mattress & Bedding products. Mail resume to Amerisleep, LLC, 7167 E. Rancho Vista Dr, Ste 137, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.

Clairvoyant has openings for the following positions in Chandler, AZ area. Software Engineers reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in J2EE, Java, XML, SQL, and Unix to analyze/dsgn/dev/implement/test systems & applics. Sr. Programmer Analyst reqs US Bachelors/equiv (3 or 4 yr degree) in Commerce/BusAdm/ST EM field to analyze/resolve/test/report on IT related projects using skills in EMC/MS/SQL/Excel/ Java/C. Email your resume to jobs@clairvoyantsoft.c om with ref # 2021-19 for Software Eng; 2021-20 for Sr. Prog Analyst & ref EVT ad

Merch

Real Estate for Sale

Air Conditioning/Heating

Manufactured Homes

THE LINKS ESTATES Why Rent The Lot When

YOU CAN OWN THE LAND And Own Your New Home

50% OFF A/C TUNE-UP INSPECTION ($19.95 Value)

Cash 4 Diabetic Strips! Best Prices in Town. Sealed and Unexpired. 480-652-1317 Diabetic Test Strips by the box, unused. Any type or brand. Will pay top dollar. Call Pat 480-323-8846

Applies to one unit. Cannot be combined with any other discount or coupon.

FREE

SERVICE CALL NO REPAIR REQUIRED! Cannot be combined with any other discount or coupon.

480-818-4772 • www.acrangers.com • ROC # 328460

FROM THE UPPER 100’S

ASK US HOW YOUR $105,000 CASH INVESTMENT AND OUR SENIOR LOAN PROGRAM ENABLES QUALIFIED 62+ SENIORS MAKING THE LINKS THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE HAVE NO MORTGAGE PAYMENT & NO LOT RENT AS LONG AS YOU LIVE IN HOME.

Gawthorp & Associates Realty 40667 N Wedge Dr • San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

602-402-2213

www.linksestates.net

QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!

Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship HVAC Tune Up - $129 New 3-Ton AC Units - now $3,995 New Trane Air Conditioners NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 MONTHS!

‘A’ RATED AC REPAIR FREE ESTIMATE SAME DAY SERVICE

Real Estate

For Rent

Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252

Crismon/Apache Trl/Merrill Cottage Cozy 2br 1ba Bad Credit ok. $900 No Deposit. Water/trash incl'd (602) 339-1555

ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

480-405-7588

Air Conditioning/Heating Family Owned & Operated

Three Phase Mechanical

480-671-0833

Employment General

www.3phasemech.com

EARN EXTRA INCOME!

Earn up to $400 per week. All routes are 7 days a week.

Sales, Service & Installation NO TRIP CHARGE • NOT COMMISSION BASED ROC# 247803 Bonded • Insured

ACCREDITED BUSINESS

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Repairs • Installations •Tune-Ups

AC/Heat Tune-Up Special

0% Easy Financing • Free Estimates New Units as low as $39/mo. ROC# 197366

Work just 2-3 hours a day between 12:00AM – 6:00AM. Routes available now in your area (East Valley, West Valley, North Phoenix). Current Arizona driver's license, insurance and access to a vehicle are required. Visit deliveryopportunities.gannett.com or call 602-444-4243. Job Type: Contract Pay: Up to $400.00 per week. ***MUST INCLUDE HOME ZIP CODE AND PHONE NUMBER WHEN APPLYING.***

furniture moving moving furniture furniture moving pre-spotting pre-spotting pre-spotting deodOrizer deodOrizer deodOrizer

2 rooms rooms 22free rooms free hall hall

39 free hall

$ $

5 rooms rooms 55FREE rooms FREE HALL HALL

79 FREE HALL

sofa && sofa sofa & loveseAT loveseAT loveseAT Free chair Free chair

Cleaning Services SPARKLE & SHINE CLEANING SERVICE Immaculate, Dependable Service. Affordable Rates. Commercial & Residential services All supplies included. Sanitized & masks worn You've tried the rest, now try the BEST!" Ask for Martha or Annie 480-495-5516 or 480-797-6023

HOME FOR RENT? Place it here!

Free chair

No hidden hidden charges. charges. No Seniorcharges. and No hidden Senior and veteran discounts. Senior and veteran discounts. veteran discounts.

81% of our readers, read the Classifieds!

FREE ESTIMATES ESTIMATES FREE FREE ESTIMATES 480.773.4700

480.773.4700 480.773.4700

Call Classifieds 480-898-6465

Appliance Repairs

Appliance Repair Now

Apartments

Gannett Publishing Services wants to contract you to deliver newspapers and magazine products in the early morning hours in the Phoenix metro area. Gannett Publishing Services (GPS), a division of Gannett Co. and a recognized leader in the publishing industry, operates printing & packaging facilities throughout the country.

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY STEAM CLEANING

Financing Available

———— Your Comfort is Our Mission! ————

andise

Wanted to Buy

Repairs Installations Tune-ups

Carpet Cleaning

FREE FREE FREE

Employment General

480-977-6916 aircareaz.com

Trusted Service for 18 Years • A+ Rated BBB • Complaint-Free Record

ADD COLOR TO YOUR AD! Ask Us. Call Classifieds Today! 480.898.6465 CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

If It’s Broken, We Can Fix It! • Same Day Service • On-Site Repairs • Servicing All Major Brands • Quality Guaranteed

We Also Buy, Sell & Trade Used Appliances Working or Not

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured

Air Conditioning/Heating

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

Home Improvement

Concrete & Masonry

Garage/Doors

Block Fence * Gates

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

602-789-6929 Roc #057163 Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp Serving Entire Valley

YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST!

Broken Springs Replaced Nights/Weekends Bonded/Insured 480-251-8610

Not a licensed contractor

Glass/Mirror

GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

Drywall

JOSE DOMINGUEZ DRYWALL & PAINTING House Painting, Drywall, Intall Doors, Baseboards, Crown Molding Reliable, Dependable, Honest! QUICK RESPONSE TO YOUR CALL! 15 Years Experience • Free Estimates

480.266.4589 josedominguez0224@gmail.com Not a licensed contractor.

Electrical Services HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

• Serving Arizona Since 2005 •

East Valley/ Ahwatukee

• Panel Changes and Repairs • Installation of Ceiling Fans • Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel

ALL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL Call Jim Endres 480.282.7932 Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured

Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices. FREE Estimates

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Call 480-306-5113

HOME REMODELING REPAIRS & CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING Move a wall; turn a door into a window. From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all. Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more. All trades done by hands-on General Contractor. Friendly, artistic, intelligent, honest and affordable. 40 years' experience. Call Ron Wolfgang Pleas text or leave message Cell 602-628-9653 Wolfgang Construction Inc. Licensed & Bonded ROC 124934

Classifieds 480-898-6465

Hauling

Juan Hernandez

• Furniture • Appliances • Mattresses • Televisions • Garage Clean-Out • Construction Debris

• Old Paint & Chems. • Yard Waste • Concrete Slab

8

TREE

Drip/Install/Repair & Tune ups!

TRIMMING

Not a licensed contractor

25 Years exp (480) 720-3840

25 years exp. Call Now (480) 720-3840

• Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

Home Improvement

General Contracting, Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766 Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.

Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service!

Irrigation

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

NTY 5-YEAR WARRA

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

Landscape/Maintenance

Irrigation

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Handyman LLC

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

Sprinkler & Drip Systems

CALL US TODAY!

Repairs • Modifications • Installs

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

ROC# 256752 Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

520.508.1420

ALL Pro

Painting • Flooring • Electrical www.husbands2go.com

Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Licensed, Bonded & Insured Decks • Tile••ROC#317949 More!

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Ask me about FREE Needs! water testing! Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting • Flooring • Electrical ACTION “No Job Too ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Man!” CONTRACTING INC. Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More! SPECIALIZING IN Quality Work Since 1999 Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, WATER - FIRE DAMAGE AND RESTORATION 2014 ✔ Drywall Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 We get your home or ofﬁce to back pre-loss condition. Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job ✔ Carpentry We also specialize in home remodels and commercial projects. Car-port to Garage conversion, drywall & stucco repairs, painting, electrical, plumbing and tenant Improvements Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Fast 24 hour response! ★ WE DO IT ALL! Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Call Today

Juan Hernandez

SPRINKLER

Marks Spot• for ALL Your Handyman Needs! All Estimates arethe Free Call:

Fire/Water Damage/Restoration

Landscape/Maintenance

Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More!

7 ✔ Kitchens 19 Since 1999 480-430-7737 - cell C E Affordable, Quality Work ✔ Bathrooms N BSMALLMAN@Q.COM 2010, 2011 Since 1999 2012, 2013, 480-833-7353 - office Aff SIordable, Quality WorkCall 2010, 2011 Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 2012, 2013, 2014And More! LIC/BONDED/INSURED 2014 References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor ROC#218802 • A+ Rating with theCall BBB Ahwatukee Ahwatukee / References BruceResident/ at 602.670.7038 “No Job Too Small Man!”

Since 1999 Affordable, Quality Work

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor aaaActionContractingInc.com Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor Bruce at 602.670.7038

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014

T R E E

S E R V I C E

L L C

Prepare for Monsoon Season! LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

480-354-5802

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

Painting

Plumbing

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

Beat Any Price By 10% • Lifetime Warranty Water Heaters Installed - $799 Unclog Drains - $49 FREE RO UNIT w/Any WATER SOFTENER INSTALL NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 Months!! ‘A’ RATED PLUMBING REPAIR Free Estimates • Same Day Service

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

keith@windowsrc.biz

Professional Window Cleaner

Hot water pressure washing, 3000 PSI

480-306-8543

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com

azvalleywindowcleaning.com

Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

IT’S SALE SEASON!

480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

Voted #1 Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

10% OFF

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality Free Estimates! Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Now Accepting all major credit cards

Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Keith Schram

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

Pool Service/Repair

Family Owned & Operated

Window Cleaning

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

ROC#309706

East Valley PAINTERS

Rooﬁng

Plumbing

Juan Hernandez

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising” - Mark Twain

HYDROJETTING

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Over 30 yrs. Experience

You will find Garage Sales easy with their yellow background.

Only $27.50 includes up to 1 week online

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.GilbertSunNews.com

480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com

Rooﬁng

aOver 30 Years of Experience

aFamily Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING 480-446-7663

SEWER CABLE COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM 20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED ROC 3297740

480.898.6465

class@timespublications.com

Garage Sale Fri & Sat 7a-11am Household, clothes, kitchen items, furniture, electronics, mason jars, kid items, DVDs, MORE 555 W. Lane Dr Mesa

To place an ad please call:

Valley Wide Service

480-477-8842

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!! Classifieds 480-898-6465

Watch for Garage Sales & Holiday Bazaars in Classifieds!

FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MAY 2, 2021

Two great events at two great communities!

Stop by for a tour and pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers any day in May! Please RSVP to Sheri 480-800-7304, at least 24 hours in advance.

GET ENTERED TO WIN A SPA PACKAGE! Schedule a tour any day in the month of May to be entered into our spring raffle! tm

*We will be practicing social distancing, masks are required, and temp checks at the door.

We are giving away a $500 gift certificate to Aji Spa, located inside Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass Resort. Reserve your tour today! 480.485.3000 *We will be practicing social distancing, masks are required, and temp checks at the door.

LivGenerations Ahwatukee

LivGenerations Agritopia

15815 S. 50th Street | Phoenix, AZ 85048

2811 E. Agritopia Loop S. | Gilbert, AZ 85296

480-485-3000

480-485-2000

livgenerationsahwatukee.com

livgenerationsagritopia.com

I N D E P E N D E N T L I V I N G | A S S I S T E D L I V I N G | M E M O R Y C A R E | S I G N AT U R E S E R V I C E S