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Homebuyers hit a Game on wall in Ahwatukee BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
AHWATUKEE.COM BATTLEGROUND
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he top analyst of housing market trends in the Phoenix Metro Market last week sounded the alarms for homebuyers in 2021 that can be boiled down to one word: desperate. The Cromford Report said that while January is normally the best month for new listings to come on line, the shriveling inventory of both resale and new homes is reaching historic lows. That includes Ahwatukee. “Since the turn of the year we have been closely watching to see if the arrival rate of new listings would improve and make the supply situation somewhat easier,� Cromford said last week. Instead, new listings have “arrived at a feeble rate, lower than the January of the last three years and well below what we had been expecting based on December’s patterns,� it said, concluding: “As a result, the overall supply situation has got
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Teen athletes showed what they thought of the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Jan. 8 decision to cancel winter sports in schools. They demonstrated outside the AIA headquarters last Tuesday to demand it reverse that decision and the board did exactly that. See the story on page 39. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)
Demands for open classrooms hit Kyrene board . 28
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yrene’s newly constituted Governing Board last week got a taste of what their counterparts in Tempe Union High School District have been hearing for months – demands by some angry parents to open classrooms. And last week parents sharing that sentiment in both districts got an ally in their ďż˝ight – Gov. Doug Ducey. “Parents need to put pressure on the dis-
tricts and if the districts aren’t going to open, parents need to vote with their feet,â€? Ducey said in an interview Friday on KTAR Radio’s Mike Broomhead show. “There’s thousands of kids inside classrooms today all over Arizona. Parents who need their kids to learn virtually, that option remains available, but the parents who want their kids inside a classroom, like me, need to ďż˝ind a school where they can get inside a classroom,â€? the governor added. The interview climaxed a week that began with the governor using his annual State of
the State address to warn districts he would not fund “empty seats� and that ended with his 2021 -22 budget proposal calling for funding summer school to help kids close the learning gap that educators believe has developed from prolonged school closures. He also proposed new funding strategies to promote charter schools. (See story on page 14.) Ducey also offered no chance of equalizing per-pupil reimbursement for online and in-classroom students. Currently the former
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
The Ahwatukee Foothills News is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Ahwatukee Foothills.
Times Media Group: 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219 Tempe, Arizona, 85282 Main number: 480-898-6500 Advertising: 480-898-5624 Circulation service: 480-898-5641
PUBLISHER Steve T. Strickbine
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ADVERTISING STAFF National Advertising Director Zac Reynolds 480-898-5603 zac@ahwatukee.com
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Club West Golf Course hasn’t been this green for nearly three years. (Special to AFN)
Club West Conservancy returns �ire in suit against HOA board of directors BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
W
ith another hearing in Superior Court coming later this week, the fight between a nonprofit group of homeowners and the Foothills Club West Association board of directors over the future of the community’s golf course picked up more steam last week. In a response to the board’s request that the court not issue a permanent injunction forbidding it from taking any action on the golf course, the Club West Conservancy last week said the board had no right without the approval of three-quarters of the HOA’s 2,600 homeowners to assume the declarant rights of the course. The declarant rights give the board considerable influence in deciding the site’s future use. Using those declarant rights, the board can decide what plan for the course can be put to the homeowners for their approval or rejection. The board also used its declarant rights to decide that only a smaller fraction of all homeowners was needed, in contrast to the 75 percent margin required for any land use changes outside of the course. The Conservancy also asserted that when the board assumed the declarant rights, it met in secret in violation of the law governing executive sessions. “It is undisputed that the board of directors voted and approved the assignment and the amendments in executive sessions without first providing the required notice and an opportunity to be heard by “homeowners,” Conservancy attorney Francis Slaven wrote. “The Association’s governing documents and the Planned Communities Act do not support the board’s actions.” The Conservancy filed its arguments last week in response to an earlier filing by the board. The board contends it did nothing wrong in assuming the declarant
see WEST page 6
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
MARKET from page 1
worse. not better.” Nine municipalities reported fewer than 100 listings, ranging from 67 to 98. They included: Maricopa, 67; Fountain Hills, 70; Tempe, 73; Goodyear, 75; Chandler, 86; Cave Creek, 87; Buckeye, 90; Gilbert, 95; and Glendale with 98. And Ahwatukee is no exception, particularly for homes priced under $500,000. Ahwatukee resident and longtime Realtor Christie Ellis said that of 64 current listings, a mere 31 are listed under $500,000. That includes 15 out of 25 active listings in 85044, four out of 10 in 85045 and 12 of 29 in 85048. “I have been an agent since 2003 and in those 18 years I have not seen inventory this low and I haven’t heard any of my more seasoned agents reminiscing about a market like this,” Ellis said. “Almost everyone says they can’t believe it.” “In all fairness this is an unprecedented time: pandemic – people afraid to list and let others go through their house – low interest rates, lack of keeping up with the rate of building needed to support the natural growth. She also said a dwindling labor pool in the home-building business has combined with a high demand for contractors among people who are taking advantage of a significant increase in their home equity to undertake major renovation projects. Ellis also said inventory has been eaten up as a result of “the influx of neighbors to the West who are looking for more affordable housing and different way of life.” Cromford backs that up. Cromford’s analysis of closings for December showed 20 percent of home purchases were by out-of-state buyers. And there could be more than that. Many out-of-state buyers are using LLCs to purchase homes, Cromford said, explaining, that is “making closings more difficult to track and identify. That suggests the public percentages of out-ofstate purchases “are probably lower than in real life.” As for the data on homes still out there, Cromford didn’t mince words. “These numbers are pathetic, just a
Ahwatukee resident and Realtor Christie Ellis said in her 18 years in the business, the inventory of Ahwatukee homes for sale under $500,000 has never been so low as it is now. (AFN file photo)
Among the homes in Ahwatukee that were still available last week under $500,000 was this 2,500-square-foot, two-story house on S. 51st Street, which was priced at $499,900. Built in 1992, the four-bedroom home boasts its adjacency to the Arizona Grand Golf Course. (Special to AFN)
circumstances,” it predicted. “This applies fraction of what we would normally see,” even if demand cools considerably.” Cromford said, warning that “the situation Cromford noted that indexes reflectfor buyers is getting even more desper- ing inventory and pricing “are shooting ate” and that “for new listings, the outlook upwards from the already stratospheric for 2021 is already heights.” dire from a buyer’s “Has the first point of view.: week of 2021 given Buyers are likely to outnumber us any signals that “Buyers are likely to outnumber sellsellers by at least 5 to 1 for the the supply situaers by at least 5 to 1 tion is about to imforeseeable future. This is the prove? That’s easy for the foreseeable future. This is the to answer – no. New most extreme example of a most extreme exlistings are weak seller’s market we have ever ample of a seller’s and inventory levels market we have witnessed. are lower now than ever witnessed,” it on December 31,” added. it said, adding that It also said the alarmingly low inven- the market is “moving ever deeper into tory is driving up prices faster than they uncharted territory.” were rising in the last six months, and Even without the influx of out-of-state that only 1,943 homes were available for buyers, most of the nation is in the same under $500,000 in the Phoenix Metro dire straights as Phoenix. market compared with 10,253 in Decem“The shortage of homes for sale nationber 2018. wide has made it much more difficult to It added, “1,943 is a crazy number for find a home to purchase, meaning that a metropolitan area of nearly five million buyers are struggling to take advantage of people.” the record-low mortgage rates on offer,” “Prices are likely to increase massively Realtor.com reported last week. over the next six months in these current However, Fannie Mae reported people
are exhibiting a “substantially more pessimistic view of homebuying and homeselling conditions.” Its Home Purchase Sentiment Index, based on a survey containing 100 questions, fell nearly 18 percent year over year in 2020, Fannie Mae said. As for the impact of all this on the Realtors themselves, Ellis suggests it all depends on the agent. Ellis said 2020 was “actually one of my most productive years ever as an agent.” “We build the relationships over time so when we see markets like this we still have our clients and our referrals,” she said. “We have also learned how to navigate this market through different tools and strategies. This is an excellent time for good agents to become great, use our creative brains on how to win deals for buyers and how to navigate our sellers through many, many offers and showings. “There are still a number of misconceptions for both buyers and seller so client education – and setting appropriate expectations – is the foundation on the success of the transaction and keeping the client relationship intact. Word of mouth then becomes essential.”
GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com
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rights and that the meetings were legal. Superior Court Commissioner Andrew Russell has set one hour for a hearing on both sides’ arguments this Friday as the Conservancy seeks to permanently block the board from taking any formal action on the golf course’s fate. A trial tentatively scheduled next month on that request could become moot if Russell rules in the Conservancy’s favor. The legal fight also comes two months before four seats on the HOA’s board come up for election and the Conservancy has put up its own slate of candidates, contending the incumbents seeking reelection have sat on the board too long – anywhere from six to 20 years. Under the preliminary injunction, the board can meet with golf course owners The Edge and their subsidiary, Community Land Solutions, but cannot put any plan it likes before homeowners for a vote. The four men who comprise The Edge, three of whom also make up CLS, want to turn the golf course into a park. The Edge bought the course from Wilson Gee for $750,000 but Gee still holds the note for the deal.
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erty that can be managed by an association created pursuant to” state law. Moreover, the Conservancy’s latest filing states, an “addition or annexation of property to, or withdrawal of property from, the Property” is an act requiring an amendment to the Master CC&Rs.” “The Association, through the voting approval of its members, has the power and authority… to amend the Master CC&Rs to add/annex property to the property governed by the Master CC&Rs. Such an amendment requires the affirmative vote or written consent of members owning at least 75 percent of all lots,” Slavin wrote. The Conservancy asserts that unless the board tries to seek that approval, it should be suing the owner of the site to force its restoration to an operating golf course.
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The Edge has also said it must sell several parcels of the site to a homebuilder in order to pay for the park. That proposal is vehemently opposed by the Conservancy, primarily because it would impact the views enjoyed by more than 300 homeowners whose property abuts the course. Those homeowners paid higher prices for their lots because of that location and having houses on the course would diminish the value of their houses, the Conservancy has argued. A previous plan by The Edge to restore the 18-hole course but sell three parcels for a 164 single- and two-story houses fell apart a year ago after the homebuilder that had signed on dropped out in the face of community opposition. The Edge and CLS have not yet unveiled publicly what it has in mind for the site. In its latest filing, the Conservancy asserts, “The golf course is held by a forprofit corporation and was not set up to have an association own or operate the golf course or have members which are assessed and required to pay the costs of managing and operating the golf course. The privately held golf course property does not fall within the category of prop-
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
City starts hazardous waste pickup service AFN NEWS STAFF
P
hoenix is starting a six-month pilot program this month that will allow Phoenix solid waste customers to schedule a home pickup of their household hazardous waste. The city Public Works Department is partnering with Kary Environmental Services, a local company that offers professional collection and handling of hazardous waste materials. “The HHW Home Pickup Pilot Program is another example of the ways the city of Phoenix is adapting to the realities of COVID-19 while still providing crucial services. This home pickup program makes it easy for residents to properly dispose of hazardous materials, including things like batteries and paint,” said Mayor Kate Gallego, adding that 700 tons of waste could be diverted from landfills annually. Residents who wish to dispose of paints, aerosols, batteries, electronics and chemicals and similar hazardous waste must first check to see what’s acceptable. A list
is at phoenix.gov/publicworks/HHW. Then they have to go to phoenix.gov/ publicworks/HHW or call 602-262-6251 to schedule a pickup. Residents can schedule a pickup during the last two weeks of the month, though it won’t be collected until the following month. The waste must be contained, sealed and labeled HHW materials at a visible and accessible area next to garage or front door on the pickup date. The city stressed hazardous materials cannot be put on the curb or sidewalk. Vice Mayor Thelda Williams, chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation subcommittee said the pickup service is meeting a need in the city while “ensuring proper disposal of chemicals and toxic wastes that could harm families and the environment.” There is no additional cost for the service but homeowners are entitled to only one free pickup during the six months of the program. The current Alternative Drop-off program started last April 2020 also remains
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Department hosted nine drive thru HHW collection events per year at various locations on a Friday and Saturday. A spokeswoman said on average, that drive-thru effort attracted 700 vehicles. In April, those events were canceled. Public Works offered three different vendor drop-off locations where residents can call ahead to drop off HHW materials at their own time. Since switching to the dropoff model in April, the average number of customers who took advantage of the no-cost dropoff option decreased to 200 per month. On average, Phoenix’s HHW collection program diverts approximately 500-700 tons of HHW materials from the landfill. More information is at phoenix. gov/publicworks/hhw
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DELIVERS A KNOCKOUT WITH ITS FRESH, AUTHENTIC AND MOUTHWATERING FOOD If you thought you have been to a Mexican restaurant lately you probably need to reconsider and visit La Casa De Juana in Ahwatukee. The fare is authentic Mexican, and when we say authentic we mean it, unlike many of the restaurant chains that call themselves Mexican. Upon entering you’ll be dazzled by the colorful décor, the tables and chairs are beautiful, Mexican painted murals, colorful banners hanging from the ceiling and the gracious service with warm orange and yellow tones echoing throughout the restaurant will make this your favorite Mexican restaurant. With great lunch and dinner specials, live guitar player on Tuesdays and a bar with freshly made drinks, TVs, and live guitar music for all ages on the weekends and least but not last their happy hour from 2 pm to 6 pm every day $2 beer domestic and imports and $3 margaritas this place is a must. In conclusion The flavorful salsa, the delicious margaritas, the extraordinary and well-priced food will definitely keep you coming back.
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NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
SCHOOLS from page 1
group is reimbursed at 2 percent less than classroom students and that is costing all districts hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ducey’s remarks and budget proposal came during a week when all Tempe Union and Kyrene schools remained in virtual learning for all students. Classrooms will likely be closed for this month, since both districts’ officials want the county metrics for virus spread in a moderate range. Currently, both districts are far from that. According to data released on Thursday, Jan. 14, virus spread in both Kyrene and Tempe Union surged in the last week of December – the latest numbers available – to 688 cases per 100,000 in Tempe Union and 713 in Kyrene. That was a jump of about 200 from the previous week. The percentage of new test results that were positive leaped to 20 percent from around 13 percent in both districts while percentage of hospital visits with COVIDlike symptoms were above the threshold for significant spread. Virus levels in Ahwatukee’s three ZIP codes were similar, the data showed. Kyrene and Tempe Union have had only virtual learning since Thanksgiving. Kyrene opened classrooms five days a week for a little over two months to children in Pre-K through fifth grades and for about six weeks to middle schoolers. Tempe Union has not offered five-day in-classroom instruction since the governor closed schools in mid-March. In mid-October, it began a hybrid learning mode, creating by alphabet two groups of students who wanted in-class learning that then rotated between classroom instruction two days a week and at-home learning the other three days. Nearby districts’ responses to virus levels as high or higher than Kyrene and Tempe Union vary widely. Mesa Public Schools this week fully opened 50 of its 54 elementary schools and eight of its 10 junior highs. The others were in full virtual learning because of the number of reported active CO-
Got s? New
Governing boards for both Tempe Union and Kyrene chose new presidents last week. ASU law student Brain Garcia of Tempe, left, was elected president of the Tempe Union board while Chandler attorney Kevin Walsh will head the Kyrene board. (Special to AFN) VID-19 cases involving students and/or staff from those campuses. Among its six high schools, one is in virtual learning, one fully open and the others in hybrid mode. Chandler Unified and Higley Unified have opened all campuses fully while Gilbert Public Schools has a plan similar to what Tempe Union had in the fall. In a letter to parents last week, Kyrene said it is “prepared to make a rapid transition once the community health metrics show that it is safe to do so, and staffing levels are sufficient to welcome in-person learners back to campus. “If the county reports overall moderate spread in the Kyrene boundaries for two weeks in a row, schools will receive that data on a Thursday and will be ready to welcome in-person learners to school the following Tuesday.” Tempe Union’s website reminded parents the district remains in a fully virtual leaning mode and gave no indication when that would change, stating, “These are difficult decisions to make but we continue to focus on the safety and wellbeing of our students, their families, and our teachers and staff.” Ducey in both his State of the State
address and his radio interview reiterated his previous contention that that approach is wrong. ”We need to get our kids back in school,” he said on the radio. “Every public health experts says schools are the safest place for our children to be.” Parents whose letters to both Kyrene and Tempe Union were read at the districts’ respective board meetings last week were split on that contention, reflecting a similar split that has emerged in virtually all school districts. Parents who demanded that Kyrene reopen classrooms echoed Ducey’s assertion, with one writing: “I have seen a significant decline in my son’s retention of knowledge and social emotional behavior. My son struggled through kindergarten and first grade. We were hoping that this was the year he would take off and when he went to in-person in second grade, everything finally clicked and we were so proud of him and so happy ...We want nothing more than for him to go back in-person, to be with his teacher who he loves and all of his buddies. He asks us all the time, ‘When can I go back to school?’” Another parent expressed concern for
the impact of closed classrooms on children’s emotional state as well as their academic proficiency, stating: “Has anyone monitored an online class to see the difference of attention span and distractions that occur in the online environment? I am also concerned with the reduced time of instruction the online environment provides our children.” Some parents asserted that the district cared more about teachers than kids and asked if Kyrene would require teachers to get COVID-19 vaccines. The trust that insures Kyrene and Tempe Union has said nothing I state law prevents districts from requiring teachers be vaccinated, with exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Kyrene told AFN two weeks ago there is no plan at this time to require vaccinations while Tempe Union has been silent on the issue. Meanwhile, other parents in both districts whose letters were read last week praised decisions to maintain virtual learning until virus spread levels ebbed. “We agree with (state schools Superintendent Kathy) Hoffman’s position that decisions around instruction should happen in a data-driven manner,” one wrote. “We know the online environment can be challenging and we would love to safely return our children to the classroom.” One letter came from a Tempe High School employee whose husband is a registered nurse and works with many COVID-19 patients. She said that as part of her district job, she has talked with or visited more than 900 families and after hearing their stories of how COVID-19 had taken the lives of loved ones or otherwise impacted them adversely, she felt she was witnessing two different worlds, one with open campus proponents and the other advocating virtual learning. “I understand why the conversation is so polarized,” she wrote. “If your personal experiences and the experiences of those of you closest to you are not the same as the others, it is incredibly difficult to understand the need to completely retool your life. I implore you to continue the protections you’ve put in place.”
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
13
14
NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
Tax reductions, school choice high on Ducey budget BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
G
ov. Doug Ducey wants to reduce taxes by $200 million this coming budget year – and another $200 million a year in each of the following two years – but isn’t ready to say who he wants to get that relief. Daniel Scarpinato, Ducey’s chief of staff, said the cuts, the largest since Ducey took office in 2015, are justified because the state’s revenues are healthy. And he rejected suggestions that the cash should go to what might be considered unmet needs, including concerns by Democrats and others about adequate funding of school construction and repairs. Scarpinato said the there are new and expanded programs being funded in the governor’s $12.6 billion spending plan. But he said Ducey maintains the belief that people are in the best position to decide what to do with their money and not the state, especially given the financial hardships many suffered due to the pandemic. Scarpinato said the governor’s proposed tax cut isn’t designed to be an offset for Arizona’s high-wage earners who will be hit with a 3.5 percent income tax surcharge due to Proposition 208. Instead, he hinted that what Ducey favors is cutting income tax rates at the bottom. That’s based on the fact that Arizona has a staggered tax table. So, for example, everyone pays 2.59 percent on the first $27,272 of income, then 3.34 percent on the next $27,272, 4.17 percent on the next $109,800 and 4.5 percent on everything over $163,632. The dollar figures are double for married couples filing jointly. Scarpinato said the state has record revenues and that “the dollars are going to be spent somehow.’’ “The state is going to utilize them as part of the budget, if not for tax reform, they would go toward other initiatives,’’ Scarpinato continued. “The governor believes that people deserve to keep their money.’’ Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, DPhoenix, suggested there was some fiscal sleight of hand going on. “It appears as though the governor is repurposing federal funds so he can have money to fund his proposed tax cuts,’’ she
Gov. Doug Ducey’s budget proposes funding for charter schools’ transportation services and for advertising their programs as well as full-day kindergarten for all public districts. (AFN file photo)
said, dollars from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. That includes nearly $400 million in CARES cash the governor gave to state agencies this fiscal year out of the $1.9 billion he had in discretionary funding, with those agencies then depositing about $300 million back into the general fund. That will create a positive ending balance on June 30 when the current fiscal year ends. And some of the funds the governor is touting that he is giving out next year are also coming from new CARES allocations. “Those dollars should be reinvested into helping people right now, as opposed to looking at a tax cut,’’ Rios said. “We did not see a lot of talk about immediate relief for those that are struggling the most.’’ State schools chief Kathy Hoffman also chided Ducey for relying on one-time federal dollars for K-12 education fixes. “What our public schools are lacking is sustained investment from our state,’’ she said. “With a projected $2 billion surplus in addition to the nearly $1 billion in a rainyday fund, the governor’s budget should provide stability for schools by committing to increased, sustainable investments in Arizona’s public education system,’’ Hoffman said. That includes funding both full-day kindergarten, something the state abandoned during the last recession, and preK programs. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego ripped
Ducey’s plan, saying it “does tremendous damage” to Phoenix, where 37 percent of its budget is funded by state money. “The brutal $600 million yearly tax cut he is talking about translates to a potential $25 million cut to the city of Phoenix,” she said. “That kind of reduction will be felt first and most profoundly by our police and fire departments. “I firmly believe we must build up our first responders and provide the resources they need, not recklessly slash their ability to do their jobs and continue the necessary reforms we have already begun.” She predicted the cuts will “also damage the libraries and community centers that serve our families, as well as the programs that make life more livable for vulnerable seniors in Phoenix.” She said she would work with legislators to “disregard this budget to favor one that appropriately addresses the needs of communities statewide.” Scarpinato said there are new and expanded programs being funded. For example, Ducey is proposing cash for summer-school programs to help kids, especially from high-poverty areas, make up what they aren’t learning this year. He noted funding was being increased for repairs at state prisons and for universities to increase the number of graduates in high-demand industries like coding, artificial intelligence and what the governor calls “entrepreneurism.’’ More money also has been allotted to
prevent and deal with forest fires. But the budget does leave some gaps. One in particular is that the governor last year promised he would hold schools financially harmless due to the effects of the virus as many had to go to virtual learning. Ducey said the state would make up for the fact that the aid formula pays less for online students than those in classrooms to recognize there are additional costs. And the governor said schools would not be penalized when some students disappeared from school entirely and the state would provide them with the same aid as the prior year to cover fixed costs. The state did give out $370 million. But that ran out before all the schools got what they believe they were promised, leaving many districts millions in the hole. Scarpinato said the state is making that up by earmarking $389 million for special summer school programs aimed at helping students make up over the summer what they likely didn’t learn last year. That includes $298 million to help nearly 600,000 students who come from lowincome homes to provide at least 50 hours of instruction. And there’s another $91 million targeted at grades K through 3 and 8th and 11th grades for 80 hours of summer school. “Low-income kids and children of color in particular haven’t had the opportunities that other students have had during this pandemic,’’ said Scarpinato. “So we’ve structured this in a way that does provide those dollars to schools, but that does it in a way that helps the kids that have been impacted through this pandemic.’’ But that doesn’t make the schools whole and make up for the cash Ducey promised last year but didn’t deliver. The funds will be needed to pay the staffers teaching those summer school programs. Gretchen Conger, one of the governor’s advisors, said Ducey believes the schools still come out ahead because of an infusion of federal dollars. The spending plan also does not include the $44 million that Ducey had proposed – but did not get – a year ago to expand “Project Rocket’’ grants of $150 per stu-
see BUDGET page 15
NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
BUDGET from page 14
dent to districts with low-performing schools and a high percentage of students who live in poverty to help reduce the achievement gap. “Things have changed,’’ said Scarpinato. But he said the governor is willing to work with Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, who already has introduced legislation this session to fully fund the plan. The budget also includes $6.9 million in early literacy, including sending literacy coaches to the lowest performing K-3 schools and requiring additional evaluation and training of new teachers to ensure they know how to teach reading. And there is another $9.5 million in what the governor calls his “Driving Equity’’ initiative to promote school choice. That is based on the idea that parents want to choose schools based on things like class sizes, programs available and learning styles but often cannot because they do not live near the schools they desire and may not have a way of driving their students there daily. This would be available to schools, both traditional public and charter, to come up
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego ripped the governor’s proposed spending plan, saying it would devastate the city, which derives a 37 percent of its operating funds from the state. (Special to AFN) with “transportation innovations’’ to get those kids the rides they need. And Ducey wants another $500,000 to publicize school choice options. Also in the program is $2 million available to high school juniors and seniors in $1,000 scholarships who do community service. Ducey also intends to put $120 million of tax dollars this calendar into keeping
the state’s unemployment trust fund solvent. At the beginning of last year, there was $1.1 billion in the fund, financed by employers who pay a tax on the first $7,000 of each worker’s salary. The increased number of people who were let go or fired due to the virus has the fund on target to reach zero in February. Under normal circumstances, when the
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fund runs out of money it is made up by the federal government in the form of a loan. But that has to be paid back by Arizona employers in the form of a surcharge on their normal unemployment taxes that they pay. Instead, Ducey wants to use general fund dollars to avoid that surcharge. At the same time, however, Ducey has shown no interest in raising the maximum benefit available to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Arizona’s cap of $240 a week, not raised since 2004, is the second lowest in the nation. There also are no new state dollars for programs for the homeless, an issue that has become increasingly critical given job losses during the pandemic and the expiration of no-eviction orders. Conger, however, said she expects more than $400 million in federal dollars to be available for rental assistance. There are some things the Democrats like, including putting more money into state-subsidized child care for the working poor to help reduce the wait list. Rios also praised additional dollars to fund treatment for opioid treatment and the new body cameras for DPS.
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
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NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
Lakes judge tosses argument against education tax BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
T
he judge whose oft-upheld rulings are paving the way for reopening the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course has tossed out one of the challenges to the voter-approved education tax. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah rejected claims by challengers that Proposition 208 illegally constrains the ability of lawmakers to control the state budget. Hannah deferred a decision on the other grounds the business interests and some Republican lawmakers say makes the Invest in Ed measure illegal. But the judge rebuffed their claim that unless he acts quickly that the legislative budgeting process will be thrown into “chaos’’ and some Arizonans will have to pay more in estimated taxes.
Nothing in the latest action guarantees that the 3.5 percent income tax surcharge on earnings above $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for couples ever will take effect. That requires Hannah to consider the main point of the complaint which is that it is unconstitutional for voters to approve new taxes, at least not without a two-thirds vote. The measure got just 51.75 percent of the tally. And, ultimately, whichever side loses this legal fight will seek Supreme Court review. But it does indicate that Hannah does not find any of the allegations of illegality so convincing that he is ready to quash the levy. The tax is designed to raise $940 million a year for K-12 education. Business interests which tried unsuccessfully to keep it from even getting on the ballot then filed a new lawsuit with a laundry list of allegations of why voters had no right to approve it in the first place.
One complaint they wanted addressed immediately was an argument over verbiage which says that the new dollars received cannot be used to supplant or replace other funds they are receiving. The purpose behind this was to ensure that lawmakers didn’t reduce other state aid. Attorneys for challengers argued that impermissibly interferes with the constitutional authority of the legislature to decide the best use of state dollars. But Hannah said the wording does no such thing. He said it actually is directed at the school districts and charter schools who will be getting the new funds, telling them they can’t use them to replace other dollars they already are getting. “It does not limit or affect what the legislature does with general fund revenues,’’ the judge said. In fact, Hannah noted, the legislature itself has enacted measures which tell
17
schools they cannot replace state funding with cash from other sources. Beyond that, the judge rebuffed the bid by challengers for a quick ruling on other claims. They argued that, absent a quick ruling, there would be “chaos’’ and “instability’’ at the legislature as it tries to put together a budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. But Hannah pointed out that presumes the legislature and its interests are somehow superior to the interests of voters. He said that’s not the way the Arizona Constitution reads. “The people did not commit to the legislature the whole law-making power of the state, but they especially reserved in themselves the power to initiate and defeat legislation by their votes,’’ the judge wrote. In fact, he said the power of the
see ED TAX page 19
Former COVID patients’ plasma being sought BY HARRY CROTON Cronkite News
A
s vaccinations for COVID-19 continue nationwide, blood donation agencies are stepping up efforts to encourage those who have had the disease and recovered to donate their plasma to help treat the sick. January is National Blood Donor Month, a time when agencies typically work to recruit more donors as bad winter weather and seasonal illnesses reduce donations. This year, the American Red Cross and other groups are heightening calls for donations of blood and plasma, the liquid portion of blood that contains antibodies that can fight off infections. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 on an emergency basis. Some studies show that plasma therapy may speed recovery time for COVID patients, but research is ongoing, and one study published in November in the New England Journal of Medicine found no significant differences between those who received plasma and those who did not. Vitalant of Scottsdale and other blooddonation organizations are collecting
Firefighters last fall gave plasma and blood in a special drive at the Hall of Flame Museum. (Cronkite News)
blood that hospitals can administer. “It’s an emergency need for more convalescent plasma donors, especially now as we’re seeing cases rising,” Vitalant spokeswoman Sue Thew said. “As people recover, that’s one way that they can give back in a way that nobody else can.” Phoenix police Officer Santos Robles contracted COVID-19 in July and experienced life-threatening symptoms that twice put him in intensive care. He said
he received five plasma transfusions and believes with each procedure, his health improved. “It shortens the symptoms that you have,” Robles said. “The fevers start to kind of dissipate, and you start feeling a little bit better.” Carlos Sanchez, director of public affairs in Hidalgo County, Texas, received a plasma transfusion after contracting COVID-19 this summer. He remembers
feeling better but isn’t sure whether the benefits were real or psychological. “I don’t know that (the symptoms) disappeared magically, but in my mind (they) did,” Sanchez said. “I just felt a cool feeling. … Whether it had ancillary, physical help, I’ll never know.” Clinical trials, including one overseen by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, are continuing to determine whether plasma transfusions have real benefits. Dr. Marilyn Glassberg Csete, chief of pulmonary medicine at the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine, said more proof is still needed. “They can’t say there is evidence unless there’s a randomized, double-blind, robustly constructed and conducted trial,” she said. The donation itself takes about an hour, and donors must have been symptom-free for at least four weeks. Robles recently donated blood in hopes of paying it forward. “Somebody wanted to help somebody when they donated the plasma that I got,” Robles said. “So therefore, if the plasma that I give helps somebody, that’s the goal – because it helped me.”
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NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
19
Arizonans getting higher, new pot data suggests BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
A
rizonans legally smoked, ate or otherwise consumed nearly 106 tons of marijuana last year. That’s up 27 percent from 2019 and nearly double the amount sold in 2018. Hard to comprehend how much that is? Consider, that’s the equivalent of about 423,000 eight-ounce bags of Cheetos. Or for those whose culinary hankerings are less salt-inclined, it’s nearly 2.2 million regular size Hershey bars and almost 2.5 million packages of Twinkies. The latest report from the state Department of Health Services has no figures on how much Arizonans spent, as any financial data from the stateregulated dispensaries is confidential. But if an ounce of average weed goes for $200 – and there’s a whole lot of variables – that’s more than $675 million expended in 2020 on medical marijuana.
ED TAX from page 17
people to craft their own laws “is therefore part of the legislative process.’’ And Hannah said courts have no place interceding in “what amounts to a legislative dispute between the legislature on one hand and the people exercising their legislative authority on the other.’’ The judge was no more impressed with arguments that he needs to rule quickly because the tax would create a “financial hardship’’ on high-income taxpayers who will have to make their first estimated tax payments in April. Arizona does require estimated payments for individuals whose taxable income for both the prior year and current
All that is just the stuff state health officials know about, based on the reports it gets from the more than 100 legal dispensaries around the state. The big unknown is how many medical marijuana patients are getting their drugs from other sources which may be more convenient -- or cheaper. And none of that counts for those who are buying and using the drug illegally. Other findings in the new report also show that: • On average, more marijuana transactions occur in December than any other month; • Male patients outnumber female by 3-to-2. • And if you divide up the number of legal medical marijuana patients by the amount of the drug sold in Arizona law year, the average user consumed close to an ounce a month. Under a 2010 voter approved law, patients with certain medical conditions and a doctor’s recommendation can obtain up to 2-1/2 ounces of marijuana every two weeks. year exceeds $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. And that clearly includes those affected by Proposition 208. But Hannah pointed out that another section of the state tax code says an individual complies with the law by making at least the same payments as the prior year, before there was any new obligation from Proposition 208. That, he said, makes the hardship claim “factually flawed.’’ And even if it wasn’t, the judge pointed out that Arizona law prohibits courts from enjoining collection of taxes prior to any final ruling about their legality. Hannah did not say when he will rule on the remaining claims, notably that any tax increase requires a two-thirds vote, even
Those conditions range from cancer and glaucoma to AIDS and post-traumatic stress disorder. But by far the largest category of patients are those who complain of “chronic pain.’’ The most recent figures show there are more than 295,000 people who have cards allowing them to legally purchase the drug. Health department figures also show that the vast majority of what was purchased last year was in whole marijuana form, meaning the leaves and flowers that can be smoked or made into tea. Only about 10 percent was in other forms, including edibles like candy bars and drinks, as well as pills and liquids. The increase in usage has been constant. Sales totaled 87,000 in 2017 and one approved at the ballot. But during a hearing last month, the judge indicated he wasn’t buying the argument that when voters approved a constitutional amendment requiring that margin for legislatively approved taxes they also were enacting limits on themselves. “Isn’t the law pretty clear that the people acting through initiative can constrain the legislature in a way that’s different?’’ he asked. While proponents peg the additional revenues at $940 million a year, legislative budget analysts have estimated the actual new collections will be just $827 million. Of whatever is raised, 50 percent of the money would be in “grants to school districts and charter schools ... for the pur-
GOT NEWS?
about 58,600 for the year after that. And that was a 52 percent increase over 2015 sales which, in turn, were double the 2014 numbers. The number of patients with medical marijuana cards from the state in each c o u n t y varies from 196,397 in Maricopa to 275 in LaPaz, according to the Department of Health Services.
pose of hiring teachers and classroom support personnel.’’ Those funds also can be used to raise salaries. Another 25 percent is for student support personnel, with 10 percent earmarked to help retain teachers in the classroom, 12 percent for career and technical education and the balance into a fund to help pay the college tuition of those who go into teaching. Hannah in 2016 and then again in 2018 ruled that Lakes course owner Wilson Gee violated the Lakes course’s land use regulations by closing it. Last year another judge ordered Gee to have the course up and running by the fall of 2022 or face $3.5 million in sanctions for ignoring Hannah’s orders.
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@ timespublications.com
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NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
High rate of veterinarian suicide a problem BY ALISON CUTLER Cronkite News
I
n 2014, veterinarian Jason Sweitzer started his 10-minute drive home from the clinic where he routinely treated animals that had been stabbed, shot, abused and made to suffer other horrors. This time, his thoughts drifted to suicide. “No one else was on the road. What if my car just veered off the highway?” Sweitzer recalled. Hundreds of other veterinarians have traveled the same path as Sweitzer. Many veterinarians face a mountain of debt after medical school and struggle to cope with the trauma endured by pets, the emotional distress and stressful social interactions in a line of work where the patient can’t speak, and pet owners facing life and death decisions. Veterinarians are 2.7 times more likely than the general public to die by suicide, according to a 2020 study from Merck Animal Health in partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Association. Female veterinarians have higher levels of suicidal thoughts, but male veterinarians have a higher rate of suicide attempts, the study found. Shortly after Sweitzer’s scare, he became a founding board member of Not One More Vet, an organization working to help prevent veterinarian suicide. It was founded after a California veterinarian died by suicide in 2014. Jordan benShea, the executive director of the VIN Foundation, has seen some of the struggles veterinarians share with the network firsthand. “I think the two most challenging factors in the veterinary profession right now are mental health and student debt, and they play off each other,” benShea said. The VIN Foundation’s student debt center includes a map that lists general
t o G ws? Ne
Veterinarians provide a necessary service for pet owners but many are saddled with huge student debt and struggle with coping with pets that experience trauma. (Special to AFN) costs for all veterinarian schools within the U.S., the U.K., Australia and the Caribbean. The most expensive U.S. school is the Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in Glendale, Arizona, where the average cost is $421,137. Medical schools of any kind come with steep prices, but one factor makes it more difficult for those in animal medicine to climb out of debt: Veterinarians face that debt while making about half what doctors in human medicine earn. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a veterinarian in California in 2019 was $116,440, while surgeons and physicians in the state on average made $208,740 annually. Nationally, veterinarians make an average of $104,820 annually; in Arizona the average is $107,700. Mental health concerns have led to support groups like VIN Foundation’s Vet4Vet organization, a counseling pro-
gram offering worldwide confidential peer support for veterinarians. Paul Pion, a board certified veterinarian and a founder of the Veterinary Information Network, remembers his internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City in 1983. Some nights he was the only veterinarian on duty from midnight to 8 a.m. It was traumatic for a new graduate. There were days after rough shifts when Pion went windsurfing and almost didn’t turn back to shore. Other board members could testify to the hard days on the job as well. Many of the accounts led back to one memory: euthanasia. Sweitzer graduated in 2009 from the prestigious UC Davis Veterinary School, where in one clinic, the colored dye of the euthaniasia drugs was changed frequently so it wouldn’t be as traumatic for the veterinarians. UC Davis’ VetMed department has its own counseling services to serve student
needs, and coordinator Dr. Zachary Ward has heard students share their anxiety, fear and grievances. A major concern he has involves the trauma of putting down animals on a sometimes daily basis. Common responses to an animal being put down include relief that they “aren’t in pain anymore” or they’re “in a better place.” Such comments can begin to bleed into veterinarian philosophy, Ward said. “Veterinarians have much greater access to the means that they would use to end their life, and are quite literally been trained on how to euthanize another living thing,” he said. “They’ve really come to understand that euthanasia can be a viable treatment plan for suffering and it can be a natural next step for them to think that it could be a viable treatment plan for their own suffering.” A common misconception between veterinarians and clients is how expensive animal medicine is. More than 70 percent of respondents claimed that scathing reviews and customer’s unwillingness to pay for animal health care were a major concern in the veterinary field, according to the survey by Merck Animal Health. What many owners don’t realize, benShea said, is that some of their pet’s medical bills are significantly high because pet owners lack health insurance. According to a 2020 research report from IBISWorld, as little as 3 percent of companion animals in the U. S. are insured. A survey conducted by LendEDU stated that those without insurance had an average expense of $1,458 annually on their pet’s medical expenses. Around the country, the demand for mental health assistance in the veterinary field is high. UC Davis’ VetMED counseling program is expanding, the VIN Foundation receives emails from veterinarians asking for help and Not One More Vet has grown to more than 20,000 members in six years.
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
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NEWS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
Ducey wants Legislature to OK off-tribe sports betting
BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
G
ov. Doug Ducey wants to open the door to allowing Arizonans to bet on sports, fantasy leagues and even instant keno games. And he wants to allow mobile devices to be used to place bets. And all of that would be available off reservation. Now he needs the Arizona Legislature to go along and repeal the laws that now prohibit such gambling. In a document to lawmakers, the governor said he has negotiated a new compact with Arizona tribes which now gives them the exclusive right to operate casino-style wagering in Arizona, albeit with certain limits. The deal, he said, will result in both more revenue for the tribes and more money for the state which currently gets a share of tribal revenues. “Our goal is to bring Arizona gaming into the 21st century,’’ Ducey press aide C.J. Karamargin told Capitol Media Services. “A lot has changed since the first compacts were signed, back when cell phones weren’t the thing they are now,’’ he said. “The world looks a lot different today and our proposal is intended to reflect the way people live their lives today. What gives Ducey the opening is that the current 20-year compacts, approved by voters in 2002, are starting to expire. The tribes are interested in keeping the revenues flowing. And for the governor, revised compacts are a way to generate additional state dollars not only without imposing new taxes but potentially providing cash for the tax cuts he wants lawmakers to enact this year. What’s also helping is that the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 struck down a 1992 federal law forbidding most states from allowing such wagering. The majority concluded that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection At is an unconstitutional move by Congress to tell states
Though she has not seen the governor’s latest proposal, Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, has criticized previous efforts to expand keno games beyond casinos. (Special to AFN) what they can and cannot do. Ducey has long been interested in generating additional dollars with expanding gaming, saying at the time it creates “a significant opportunity’’ for the state. Ducey attempted in 2018 to fund part of his teacher pay package by convincing Arizonans to play keno, a game in which players choose several numbers and wait to see how many match those generated by a computer. Keno already is an option on reservations. But the plan for off-reservation keno, run by the Arizona Lottery, had to be
scrapped after it appeared to run afoul of the existing tribal compacts which prohibit the state from running new games that were not already allowed when the 2002 deals were approved. New compacts provide new opportunities for change as long as the tribes also see it in their benefit. The bigger change would be in wagering on sports. Karamargin would not say whether this would be limited to professional sports or whether there also would be opportunities to bet on college games, just as there
23
is in Nevada. There already is off-reservation sports gaming of a sort in Arizona. That’s not just horse racing and placing bets at the tracks. There also are more than 50 off-track betting sites scattered throughout the state, mainly at bars, where Arizonans can now place bets not only on the ponies running in the state but on horse and dog-racing throughout the country. Vince Francia, general manager of Turf Paradise, which runs most of those OTB sites, said he is counting on getting a piece of that sports wagering. Ducey, in his message to lawmakers, said his goal is having expanded gaming that is “limited and well-regulated.’’ Francia said that’s where the OTB sites fit in. “It’s already regulated by the state,’’ he said. But Francia said it’s also financially beneficial to the state. “It gets the product out to the most number of people in a very efficient way,’’ he said. There was a prior effort in 2019 to allow wagering on sports events. The proposal by Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, would have allowed each tribe to operate multiple OTB facilities at bars through the use of remote devices or kiosks, with the state getting a share of the amount of money wagered there. He envisioned about 100 of these sites. But that plan fell apart when Ducey said he wanted any such plan to be part of the renegotiation of tribal compacts and not a separate efforts. Any plan for expanded off-reservation gaming could generate opposition. In 2018, when Ducey sought keno to fund teacher pay he drew fire from Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy. “Keno is predatory gambling,’’ she told Capitol Media Services at the time. She said in other states keno tickets are sold in “family-type restaurants’’ and sports bars, making multiple-per-hour drawings particularly addictive.
GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com
24
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
It’s Time for Fresh Leadership on the Club West HOA Board Please support Board candidates who reject new housing development on the golf land, and instead support restoration of the golf course OR creating walkable open space OR leaving the land “as is” with minimal maintenance We share common goals of preserving open space, having term limits for Board members, improving Board transparency and keeping our association expenses low
Julie Tyler
Jim Stiart
Beau Burgess
Kristy Rockafellow
Watch your mail for ballots from the Club West HOA – Please vote for 4 new board members
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
25
Please Vote in the Club West HOA Board Election Reasons Why the 4 Incumbents Should Be Voted Out: 1. It’s time for fresh perspective & term limits
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The incumbents have already served a very long time: Paul Moroz (20 years), Fred Kaiser (20 years), Chris Geist (12 years), Martha Neese (6 years). That’s long enough – give someone else a chance.
2. The current Board has failed to address the golf course issue adequately for a decade
The golf course has deteriorated financially & physically ever since the City’s nearby water reclamation plant closed about 10 years ago. The writing was on the wall for 10 years (and they saw clearly what Wilson Gee was doing to the Lakes course), but the current Board members failed to research and find a viable solution.
3. They have brought us just one “solution” for the vacant golf land – 162 new houses
While claiming to take no position on new housing, this Board invited the Edge developers to sell their new housing plan at an HOA Board meeting in January 2020 and outlined a calendar for advancement of this proposal. Is that “greasing the skids”? The Board laments the lack of proposals from residents but that’s backwards – they should research & present the options to us.
4. They take important actions behind closed doors
This Board has admitted in Court to regularly having monthly “closed” door meetings where they vote on the most important issues facing the community without publishing agendas or minutes. This includes votes to (1) improperly accept the Golf Declarant Rights (2) create a new voting process to make it much easier to allow new housing on the golf land -- just 16% of residents could approve a new housing development and (3) give the negligent golf course owner membership in our HOA and 41 votes. Where’s the transparency?
5. They do not actively seek community input
LEAD WITH PASSION
Resident Q & A sessions are almost never scheduled on the monthly Board agenda. They have never conducted any comprehensive community survey on options & preferences for the golf land. They completely ignored the decisive results from a June 2020 survey on golf land preferences (800+ residents responded) done by the CWC which showed 85% of residents would be happy with just a parkland, and 81% would prefer to leave the land largely “as is” versus allowing new houses.
Watch the mail for your ballot from the Club West HOA
26
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Last State Restricted Morgan Silver Dollar Bank Rolls go to AZ residents Arizona residents get first dibs on last remaining Bank Rolls loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Morgan Silver Dollars dating back to the 1800’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for just the $59 minimum set for state residents - non state residents must pay $136 per coin if any remain after 2-day deadline STATE DISTRIBUTION: A strict limit of 4 State Restricted Bank Rolls per AZ resident has been imposed
ARIZONA - “It’s a miracle these State Restricted Bank Rolls even exist. That’s why Hotline Operators are bracing for the flood of calls,” said Laura Lynne, U.S. Coin and Currency Treasurer for the National Mint and Treasury. For the next 2 days the last remaining State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Morgan Silver Dollars are actually being handed over to Arizona residents who call the National Toll-Free Hotlines listed in today’s newspaper publication. “I recently spoke with the retired Treasurer of the United States of America who said 'In all my years as Treasurer I’ve only ever seen a handful of these rare Morgan Silver Dollars issued by the U. S. Gov’t back in the 1800’s. But to actually find them sealed away in State Restricted Bank Rolls still in pristine condition is like finding buried treasure. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Bank Rolls had better hold on to them,'” Lynne said. “Now that the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls are being offered up we won’t be surprised if thousands of Arizona residents claim the maximum limit allowed of 4 Bank Rolls per resident before they’re all gone,” Lynne said. “That’s because the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Morgan Silver Dollars sealed away inside the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. But, we do know that all the coins date clear back to the 1800’s and are worth up to
JACKPOT: Imagine finding the 1892S Morgan Silver Dollar shown above worth thousands of dollars in collector value in one of these unsearched Bank Rolls. There are never any guarantees, but Arizona residents who get their hands on these State Restricted Bank Rolls will be the really lucky ones because even more common coins are still worth up to $125 - $1,000 in collector value.
100 times their face value, so there is no telling what Arizona residents will find until they sort through all the coins,” Lynne said. And here’s the best part. If you are a resident of the state of Arizona you cover only the $59 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, that’s ten rarely seen U. S. Gov’t issued Morgan Silver Dollars’ worth up to 100 times
VALUABLE: It’s like a treasure hunt - there’s no telling what you’ll find. That’s because the dates and mint marks of the ten U.S. Gov’t issued coins sealed away inside these State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. All we know is some of the coins are worth up to 100 times their face value.
their face value for just $590 which is a real steal because non state residents must pay $136 per coin which totals $1,360 if any coins remain after the 2-day deadline. The only thing Arizona residents need to do is call the National TollFree Hotlines printed in today’s newspaper publication before the 2-day order deadline ends. “Rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued
coins like these are highly sought after, but we’ve never seen anything like this before. According to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins many Morgan Silver Dollars minted in the 1800’s are now worth $125 - $1,000 each in collector value,” Lynne said. “So just imagine how much these R1015
(Continued on next page)
REAL ESTATE
Real Estate Guide Phoenix pours more money into �ighting evictions AFN NEWS STAFF
P
hoenix City Council has approved spending $465,000 on legal services for renters who are fighting eviction threats and another $406,000 for helping in paying back rent and utility bills. “There are a only a few things more painful than uncertainty about where you and your family will live,” Mayor Kate Gallego said in a release. “Anything we can do to ease that pain is immensely valuable. This additional funding will allow an expansion of legal services and courtroom support available to those facing eviction.
It will go far toward eliminating that miserable uncertainty.” Council directed city staff to enter into a contract with Community Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm that provides a variety of legal information and services for free to those otherwise be able afford it. The city in a release cited research by the Harvard Law Review that reported tenants with legal representation are much more likely to stay in their homes than those who attempt to represent themselves.
see RENT page RE2
Majestic Southwest contemporary estate on elevated 1.24-acre hillside lot. See Page Page 66 See Listed for $1,325,000 Mike Mendoza
SPO OTLIGHT home
Stunning custom basement home w/ 4 car garage in Ahwatukee Foothills’ prestigious gated community of Calabrea.
Rachael Richards
Listed for $1,450,000
See Page Page 66 See
Pristine & Classy Gated Calabrea Estate! On A Premium 2/3 Acre Hillside Lot
Geno Ross
Listed for $1,339,000
See SeePage Page66
Ahwatukee’s #1 Team for Over 30 Years 480-706-7234
www.MendozaTeam.com
Mike Mendoza
D!
L SO
Sanctuary - Front
Sanctuary - Back
Circle G at Riggs Ranch - Front
Circle G at Riggs Ranch- Back
Stunning panoramic views from privately gated luxury retreat adorned with vibrant imported Montana stone accents. Prime elevated preserve lot with casita. 5 br, 5 ba with 6,455 sq. ft. Resort-style backyard with negative edge pool, custom artwork, fireplace and built-in DCS bbq.
Estate living with refined tranquility in exquisite setting. Meticulous stonework adorns entire exterior. 7 br, 4.5 ba with 8,873 sq. ft. Custom iron doors lead to massive covered patio with pavers, built-in bbq, heated pool with waterfall and slide plus gorgeous landscaping with fruit trees and koi pond.
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REAL ESTATE
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
Top sellers
These two homes were among the top sellers in Ahwatukee since the year began. The 6,000-square foot house on the left, located om E. Kachina Drive, sold for $1.4 million. Built in 1990, it has seven bedrooms and five and a half baths on a half-acre lot while below, this home on S. Tuzigoot Court sold for $1.64 million. Built in 1984, the 8,300-square-foot story has three interior levels that include a basement with a full kitchen. (Special to AFN)
RENT from page re1
“During this time when COVID-19 infection rates are surging, keeping families and individuals safely housed is as much a public health issue as it is an economic
one,” the city said in a release last week. AFN reported last month that city records show that up through November, Phoenix spent $2,257,441 on rental and utility relief and that Ahwatukee’s share totaled $111,500. That included $52,800
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in rental help, $6,600 in mortgage assistance and $52,000 to help people with delinquent water, electric and gas bills. The money came from the $293 million the city received last spring in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds. Although an eviction ban is now in effect until the end of January, the Biden Administration could extend that to September. The eviction moratorium and additional assistance approved last month by Congress will help renters in arrears, according to Zillow, an online real estate marketplace. The additional payments will bring their typical rent burdens from more than 80 percent of their income to less than half, Zillow said. But Zillow also, “While the extra assistance helps on a monthly basis, millions behind on their rent still face an incredible challenge in catching up on payments that have piled up before temporary eviction moratoriums expire.” The moratoriums do not forgive rent, but only give tenants time to either work out arrangements with landlords or find some other way to get out from under their arrearage. “Renters have carried much of the financial burden throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, in large part because of dramatic job losses in high-contact industries that are often staffed by renters,” said Zillow, estimating that a third of the three milli0on renters who lost jobs in March
and were still unemployed in November were from food and beverage services. Noting the extra $300 a week in unemployment compensation provided in the stimulus bill will cut renter’s monthly rent burden from 81.2 percent to 43 percent, Zillow said: “That is a huge improvement, but still well above the 30 percent threshold at which a household is officially ‘rent burdened.’” Chris Glynn, senior economist at Zillow, also warned, “Temporary eviction moratoriums and unemployment insurance alone may not be enough to keep some renters who have steadily accumulated debts in their homes long term. Housing vulnerability for renters will be a top issue for the incoming administration.” Even more alarming, experts say, is that the rent owed continues to accrue even without the looming threat of an eviction. A study by Moody’s Analytics estimated that nearly 12 million renters will owe an average of about $6,000 in back rent and utilities by this month. Renters who maintained stable employment in 2020, however, saw their rent burdens stabilize during the pandemic due to slowing rent growth for much of last year, Zillow added. Last year, housing advocates and landlords called on Congress to approve $100 billion in rent assistance, which experts said was meant “to be a floor, a minimum that would be needed,” according to the financial website marketplace.com. Congress approved $25 billion.
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
re3
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REAL ESTATE
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
Trespassers can acquire title to another’s land
B
uying a home often entails also buying various types of insurance to protect your property and one type you might need is title insurance. When you buy a home, you “take title” to it and establish legal ownership. A title insurance policy protects you against the possibility that someone else might have a claim on your home. In essence, it ensures that a homeowner and their lender will be okay in the event that the seller or previous owners did not have absolute ownership of the house. If you need a mortgage to buy real estate, your lender will likely require you to buy a title policy from a title insurance company. Holding a title insurance policy means you and your mortgage lender are protected against any financial loss or title issues due to liens, disputes between prior owners over wills, clerical problems in courthouse documents or fraudulent claims against the property or forged signatures.
THE SANCTUARY
NEW LISTING
EAGLE RIDGE
2127 E Barkwood Road ✔ 6640 sqft, 5 bedrooms 7.5 bathrooms
$1,499,000
15801 S. 7th Street
CABRILLO CANYON
$1,939,000
This magnificent estate is perched high up in the highly coveted Eagle Ridge Estates 14838 S 19th Way ✔ 2900 sqft, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
602.369.1085 BONNY HOLLAND Ahwatukee Resident and Realtor since 1995
Bonny@LeadingLuxuryExperts.com
AHWATUKEE CUSTOM ESTATES
11821 S Tuzigoot Court ✔ 5341 sqft, 5 bedrooms (+8), 4 bathrooms
This is a breath-taking luxury all custom property nestled on the mountain side in the highly coveted gated community of The Sanctuary
✔ 5,801 sqft, 5 bedrooms (+6), 4.5 bathrooms
Owner’s title insurance is usually optional, but it’s highly recommended. Without it, you’ll be left footing the bill for all the costs of resolving a title claim, which could be thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. You can purchase basic or enhanced owner’s title insurance, with the latter offering more coverage for things like mechanic’s liens or boundary disputes. While title insurance covers things such as mistakes in the legal description of your property or human error, be aware that it will have some exclusions – particularly violations of building codes that occur after you bought your home. Title insurance premiums can vary from a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars. In general, each policy price is based on the purchase amount of the home or the total amount of the loan. Title insurance is a highly regulated industry, so policy types and costs will vary from state to state and the Arizona Department of Insurance can provide infor-
mation on the pricing regulations. Unlike other types of insurance, a title insurance policy is paid with a single premium during escrow while closing for your mortgage. If you’re buying a real estate resale or refinancing, you may be eligible for a “reissue” rate, which could offer a substantial discount off the regular premium. To save on costs, here are some tips: Shop around. If premiums are unregulated in your state, find the company that offers the best deals. Just make sure you’re not sacrificing customer service to save a few dollars: Resolving a title issue can be stressful, and you want a company that will help you through the process. Read reviews and talk to your real estate agent for recommendations. Bundle. Some companies will offer a discount if you bundle your lender’s and owner’s policies. Negotiate add-ons. Even if the premium itself is fixed, there are almost always other fees built into your total premium price. Realtor.com provided this report.
#1 Agent in Ahwatukee Closed Volume 2019
2016 & 2017 BREA Award for Most Sales in Ahwatukee!
NEW LISTING
A title search will be performed by your title or settlement company to uncover any issues with your title that could give you legal troubles down the line. The title company then insures your claim to the property’s title. If anything is missed during the search or there are lawsuits questioning your legal ownership of the property after closing, title insurance policy will cover the costs of resolving the problem. Most lenders typically require a title search before closing escrow. Some issues they’re looking for include disputes between prior owners over wills, liens for unpaid bills or taxes and clerical problems in legal document. While most homeowners will never need to use their title insurance, its existence offers protection against a potentially aggravating and very expensive financial loss. There are two types of title insurance: lender’s and owner’s. Almost every lender will require a lender’s title insurance policy. This protects the lender – not you – from any costs in a title dispute.
$749,900
Stunning Single Level home on private hillside lot in the beautiful community of Cabrillo Canyon.
$1,395,000
3407 E Tere Street ✔ 5271 sqft, 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
www.LeadingLuxuryExperts.com
$1,499,000
Located in the prestigious Ahwatukee Custom Estates community, this single level, Mediterraneanstyle home boasts a combination of old-world sophistication and comfortable charm.
MAJESTIC HILLS
$1,299,999
Absolutely Gorgeous One-of-a-Kind Craftsman with Basement Located in the Prestigious Community of Ahwatukee Custom Estates.
Each Keller Williams Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
12675 Honah Lee Court ✔ 6300 sqft, 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms.
Beautiful custom home on a nearly half acre lot (with downstairs master) and mountain views AHWATUKEE CUSTOM ESTATES
AHWATUKEE CUSTOM ESTATES
NEW LISTING
Leading Luxury Home Experts
Chandler resident Ben Gottlieb is a partner and co-founder of MacQueen and Gottlieb PLC, the state’s top real estate law firm. Reach him at 602-533-2840 or email him at ben@mandglawgroup.com.
BY AUDREY FERENCE AFN Guest Writer
NEW LISTING
many other states, actually rewards someone for trespassing on someone else’s property. It punishes the actual title owner by taking away the owner’s rights to the land without compensation. How can this be legal and constitutional, and what is the rationale for having law like this? In a nutshell, the reasons for the law can be boiled down to policy that favors productive use of land and stability in property rights, and disfavors sleeping on legal rights. Adverse possession has historical roots going back hundreds of years to England, where statutes of limitations were put in place. If the true title owner did not assert rights in the property within the appropri-
der the mistaken belief that it was their own. This type of situation often arises in boundary line disputes. Arizona also recognizes the “tacking” rule. This means if an adverse possessor occupies a portion of his or her neighbor’s land, without permission from the neighbor for five years, and then sells the property to someone who continues to occupy the neighbor’s land for another five years, the adverse possessor could go to court and provide evidence to satisfy the 10year requirement. While the doctrine of adverse possession has historical roots dating back to English law, its applicability remains relevant to this day. If you have any concerns or questions over your property boundaries or whether you might need to assert your property rights, you should act sooner than later.
NEW LISTING
A
rizona recognizes the legal doctrine of adverse possession. The doctrine is counterintuitive and seems to run counter to the values we were all taught in elementary school. It goes something like this: if a person utilizes someone else’s land – land that is not owned by the trespasser, land that the trespasser did not purchase or contribute funds towards and land of which the rightful owner did not provide permission for the trespasser to occupy – after a certain period of time, the trespasser becomes the true owner of the land. The original owner loses all rights in the property occupied by the trespasser. So not only is the original owner prevented from evicting the trespasser, but the trespasser has the ability to formally get title to the property through the court system. That’s right: the law in Arizona, as in
ate period of time, the occupier would become the lawful owner of the land. This law addressed concerns arose over people losing land that they occupied for many years, only to have the true title owner assert rights in the property many years later. This rule of law also afforded propertyoccupiers with a certain degree of confidence that after making productive use of land for many years, but lacking evidence of title which might be difficult to obtain, that no one could eventually rob them of their investment in the land Today, in Arizona, lawsuits are filed each month by a trespasser (often termed an “adverse possessor”). The adverse possessor must prove in court that he or she occupied land, without permission of the original owner, for a period of at least 10 years. An adverse possessor may assert an adverse possession claim over land, even if he or she possessed the property un-
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Title insurance can protect a buyer in the long run
NEW LISTING
BY BEN GOTTLIEB Guest Writer
REAL ESTATE
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
NEW LISTING
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3051 E Rock Wren Road ✔ 3573 sqft, 4 bedrooms (+5), 3.5 bathrooms
$864,900
Beautiful property in private cul-de-sac with picturesque mountain views in all directions!
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
SPO OTLIGHT home
CALABREA
3043 W Briarwood Terrace
Stunning 5 bed / 5.5 bath custom basement home w/ 4 car garage in Ahwatukee Foothills’ prestigious gated community of Calabrea. Gorgeous curb appeal w/ stacked stonework, front courtyard & paver driveway. Highly upgraded with amazing architectural design throughout the home including custom wood beam, arched, tiled & coffered ceilings. Bright & open with huge windows letting in the natural sunlight. The spacious living room has full wall of sliders that open to back patio. Dream kitchen offers top of the line SS appliances (including 6 burner gas range w/ pot filler & multiple ovens), pristine staggered cabinetry, granite counters, pantry & large island w/ sink & bar top seating, as well as built-in desk/workstation in the breakfast area. Formal dining room & wine cellar perfectly located for entertaining. Sprawling master suite w/ double door entry & private exit doors to outside has wet bar w/ mini fridge & fireplace w/ mantel. Master bathroom has two vanities w/ seated area, large soaking tub, huge walk-in tile shower w/ bench & multiple shower heads, & enormous closet w/ custom organization. Finished basement offers huge family room w/ wet bar & mini fridge, perfect room for home theatre if desired, additional bedroom & full bath. Spectacular backyard w/ no neighbors behind or to one side is a true sanctuary w/ its large covered patio, breathtaking pool (waterfall feature & negative edge side), spa, built-in bbq, perfectly placed desert landscaping, scenic fencing & of course the hillside views. This is a MUST SEE home in Calabrea. Easy access to freeway & all Ahwatukee has to offer including shopping, dining, hiking/biking trails, golfing & plenty of other entertainment choices. Schedule your showing today!
Listed at $1,450,000
Rachael Richards
480.270.5782 • rhouserealty.com
TAPESTRY CANYON Majestic Southwest contemporary estate on elevated 1.24-acre hillside lot. Stunning, panoramic mountain and city light views in exclusive Tapestry Canyon. Open gourmet kitchen with view windows boasts Gaggenau appliances, wok cook system, granite countertops and island and birds-eye maple Chilean cabinetry. Master suite features spectacular corner view window and arcadia door to patio. Additional amenities include theater room, office, wine cellar, sound system throughout, auto alarm and control system, automatic solar shades plus outside awning. Large hobby room adjacent to laundry room. Travertine and marble flooring throughout. Oversized 3-car garage. Resort-style backyard with slate patio, builtin Viking grill, pool and spa, koi pond and ultimate privacy on coveted mountain preserve lot. Extraordinary view from every room with abundant natural light. Premium location. Two water features. One is micro biotic koi pond ecologically sustained with minimum maintenance. New 2019 exterior paint. New 2019 energy star hot water heater with Wi-Fi control. New 2019 soft water system. New 2019 partial air conditioning. Home theater room screen and equipment to convey. Family room in-wall led TV to convey. New 2020 front automatic awning. Smart house with app controlling doors, water heater, softener and temperature.
Listed for $1,325,000
kw
®
Mike Mendoza
SONORAN LIVING
KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY
480.706.7234 • www.MendozaTeam.com
PRISTINE & CLASSY GATED CALABREA ESTATE! PRISTINE & CLASSY GATED ESTATE ON A PREMIUM 2/3 ACRE HILLSIDE LOT • PRIVATE CUL-DE-SAC • 6 BEDROOMS, 4.5 BATHS, 5200 SQFT OF PURE LUXURY FINISHES • STUNNING VIEWS IN EVERY DIRECTION • IRON DOOR • BUTTED GLASS WINDOWS IN ENTRY & KITCHEN • CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS • DECORATOR PAINT • DOME CEILING FOYER & GROIN VAULTED CEILINGS IN LIVING ROOM • TRAVERTINE & HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT • 7-INCH BASEBOARDS • MEDIA ROOM • DREAM KITCHEN INCLUDES S/S APPLIANCES,SLAB GRANITE COUNTERS, ALDER CABINETS,HUGE ISLAND,WALK IN PANTRY • LARGE MASTER SUITE W/STONE FIREPLACE • MASTER BATH W/JACUZZI TUB,3 VANITIES & SNAIL SHOWER • PARADISE BACKYARD W/TRAVERTINE IN VERSAILLES PATTERN,TURF GRASS,PEBBLETEC POOL/ JACUZZI,4 WATER FEATURES,LARGE COVERED PATIO,STACKED STONE BBQ • 4 CAR GARAGE W/EPOXY & STORAGE! YOUR DREAM ESTATE AWAITS!!
Listed for $1,339,000
Geno Ross (602) 751-2121 www.GenoRoss.com
REAL ESTATE
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
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Appraisal costs almost always on the buyer AFN NEWS SERVICES
I
f you’re buying a home, one of the many things you must check off your list is hiring a professional to do a home appraisal to assess the property’s value. But what if you check it off your list and then, for whatever reason, the home sale falls through – who pays the appraisal fee then? A home appraisal is a professional assessment of how much a property is worth. Unless you’re paying for your home in cash, it’s non-negotiable. Most lenders require an appraisal before they’ll grant you a mortgage. Your home is their collateral, and if you can’t pay your mortgage, they want to make sure they can get back as much of their money as possible. An appraisal also helps protect you from buying an overpriced property. The appraiser will take an unbiased look at a home, the condition it’s in, any repairs it needs, and other factors, and will also likely compare it to other similar properties in the area before providing an
480-706-7234
estimate of what they think it’s worth. An appraisal goes deeper than the comps your real estate agent likely gathered and presented to you when you were first considering the property but not as deep as a home inspection, which you’ll also want to have completed in most cases before the sale is final. If the appraised value is higher than the cost of the home you want to purchase, you’re making an investment that’s paying off from the get-go. But if the appraised value is lower than the price of the house, then you have a variety of options – including negotiat-
3 BR / 2 BA / 2,182 SQFT Rare opportunity for superb Scottsdale Villa with amazing amenities. Largest floor plan with a full third bedroom.
Estate living with refined tranquility in exquisite setting. Meticulous stonework adorns entire exterior of home.
Call for Details
Winfield
New interior paint and flooring. Master suite downstairs with loft and Jack and Jill bathroom upstairs. Close to community pool.
Majestic Southwest contemporary estate on private hillside lot with stunning mountain and city light views.
Listed for $1,325,000
Keystone
! LD O S
Listed for $589,000
3BR / 2.5 BA / 1,689 SQFT
5BR / 4.5 BA / 4,924 SQFT
Tapestry Canyon
the seller may have agreed to pay all closing costs, if the closing does not occur and the property is not conveyed, the seller is not required to pay your appraisal fee.” If a buyer doesn’t pay the appraisal fee upfront and instead rolls it into the rest of the closing costs, that doesn’t mean the buyer is off the hook if the deal falls through. “It has nothing to do with the seller; it is ordered by your lender and payment is due regardless of the outcome,” said broker Maria Jeantet. “It is typically paid by the buyer unless specifically negotiated ahead of time to be paid by the seller.” Having a home sale fall through is usually a bummer for both the seller and the buyer, and having to pay for an appraisal on a home you’re not going to buy adds a bit of insult to injury. Just know that while the appraisal fee can sting, it can save buyers from a much bigger financial wallop that comes with buying an overpriced home. Realtor.com provided this report.
Ahwatukee’s #1 Team for Over 30 Years 7BR / 4.5 BA / 8,873 SQFT
Circle G at Riggs Ranch
ing with the seller, challenging the appraisal, and/or getting a second one. Or, of course, you could walk away from the deal completely. The cost of a professional appraisal varies depending on where you live; but in general, you can expect to pay somewhere around $300 to $400 for one. In most cases, even though the appraisal is for the benefit of the lender and the appraiser is selected by the lender, the fee is paid by the buyer. It may be wrapped up into closing costs or you may have to pay it upfront. There are some cases, however, in which a seller will offer to pay the appraisal fee to make the deal more attractive. So, back to the original question: When a sale falls through, who’s on the line for the fee? In most cases, it’s still going to be the buyer. “The buyer is usually required to pay the appraisal fee upfront, and it is owed even if the lender does not move forward with a loan,” said Realtor Lee Dworshak. “While
Listed for $349,900
Mike Mendoza MendozaTeam.com 5 BR / 5 BA / 6,455 SQFT Stunning panoramic views from privately gated luxury retreat with casita on elevated preserve lot.
Sanctuary ! LD O S
Listed for $1,950,000
3 BR / 2 BA / 1,769 SQFT New flooring, paint, stainless steel appliances, A/C and bath updates. Great central Phoenix location.
Listed for $399,000
Aztec Park
Tapestry Canyon
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
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Ahwatukee Custom Estates One of the most amazing view lots in
$2,099,000
SOLD!
all of AZ. Custom home with everythingl 10,000 sq. ft., 3/4 acre prserve lot, 6 bedrooms, 6 bathes, Executive Office Suite, Master Suite with Sitting Room, Master Bath with Jacuzzi, Theater Room, Exercise Room, Loft, Guest House, Grand Foyer, Gourmet Kitchen, Resort Backyard with Pebbletec Diving Pool, Watertalls, slide, Volcano, firepit, Spa, Sport Court, Grassy Play Areas, & Outdoor Kitchen, 4-car A/C Garage. A true masterpiece!!!
Calabrea
Ahwatukee Custom Estates
$1,339,000
$1,750,000
Pristine & Classy Gated Estate On A Premium 2/3 Acre Hillside Lot, Private Cul-De-Sac, 6 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths, 5200 Sqft Of Pure Luxury Finishes, Stunning Views In Every Direction, Iron Door, Butted Glass Windows In Entry & Kitchen, Custom Window Treatments, Decorator Paint, Dome Ceiling Foyer & Groin Vaulted Ceilings In Living Room, Travertine & Hardwood Floors Throughout, 7-Inch Baseboards, Media Room, Dream Kitchen Includes S/S Appliances, Slab Granite Counters, Alder Cabinets, Huge Island, Walk In Pantry, Large Master Suite W/Stone Fireplace, Master Bath W/Jacuzzi Tub, 3 Vanities & Snail Shower, Paradise Backyard W/Travertine In Versailles Pattern, Turf Grass, Pebbletec Pool/Jacuzzi, 4 Water Features, Large Covered Patio, Stacked Stone Bbq, 4 Car Garage W/Epoxy & Storage! Your Dream Estate Awaits!!
PENDING!
Calabrea $1,099,000
Cabrillo Canyon $689,000
SOLD! Stunning Single Level Custom Remodel on a huge corner lot in a cul-de-sac! *4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath *The highest quality custom finishes throughout *Grand foyer *Formal living & dining room *Familt room w/fireplace *Wetbar *Designer kitchen includes: quartzsite counters & island, s/s appliances, custom cabinetry, walk-in pantry *Recessed LED lights throughout *Plantation shutters *Large master suite *Master bath w/walk-in shower, free standing tub, & walk-in closet *Laundry room w/sink *Wood flooring *Custom fixtures *Trane A/C’s *Private backyard w/covered patio, pebbletec pool, turf, & RV gate with tons of room to park the toys *3 Car garage with epoxy *The lot is very private *The house shows like a new build *Do not miss your opportunity to own this amazing Cabrillo Canyon Estate!
Amazing Remodeled Custom Estate with mountain views located at the end of a cul-de-sac.Over 8000sqft of pure luxury finishes.6 Bedroom,5.5 Baths.Custom Kitchen.Elevator.Executive Office.Basement Media Room.Dance Studio.Huge Backyard with Pool, Jacuzzi, Turf, BBQ, Sportcourt.This Spectacular Estate has it all!!!
Summerhill $1,099,000
5 bedroom / 3 bath, 3,506 SqFt, Cul-de-sac location with huge backyard, sports court, built-in BBQ, mature shade trees, very private backing to wash. Good size SOLD! bedrooms, master downstai5. Features a large office with balcony, plus office/loft with built-in bookcase and 3 full baths. Th� home is perfect for family gatherings BEST NEAR THE LOOP 202 in gated withand stunning mountain only. views. andLOCATION entertaining. CanNEW be previewed with 24Calabrea hour notice appointment Complete with the highest quality build and finishes. Gourmet kitchen includes slab granite counters, alder cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. This estate also features a media/ theater room with 105 inch screen. The basement includes a full wet bar, family room & 2 bedrooms. Resort Backyard with pool. A perfect 10!
www.GenoRoss.com Donna Leeds
�
TOP GRI, ABR REALTOR
®
949.310.5673
lf"fl!
SOLD!
Geno Ross
Stunning single-level custom estate gated summerhill on a 1/2 acre lot. beautiful mountain views. Gourmet Kitchen. Master Suite w/sitting area. Two master suites. Split floorplan. Executive office w/built-in cabinets. Tropical paradise backyard w/covered patio, gazebo, pebbletec pool, rock waterfall, built-in bbq, turf, & putting green. This estate has the perfect floorplan!!
602.751.2121
wwwBestAgentWUSA.com
Making Ahwatukee
Home Dreams Come True Since 1986 www.WestUSA.com I 480.893.0600
4505 E. Chandler Boulevard, Suite 170, Phoenix, AZ 85048
Horse Property - Queen Creek
Mountain Park Ranch
$695,000
$320,000
Over 2200 sq. ft main house with 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and a separate 844 sq ft 1 bedroom, 1 bath guest house, complete with full kitchen, lvg room and laundry room, a 44 x 32 mare motel, enclosed 16 x 16 area with AC, heat and electrical. An expansive front courtyard with views of the San Tan Mountains and a back covered patio, with views of the Superstition Mountains. With over an acre, of lasered level irrigation land, 3 grass pastures divided by fences, gates for horses and livestock, 3 stalls for horses or livestock 1 dog kennel/work room, all sitting on a county island!
Open Floor Plan, Bright & Cozy Corner Lot Home Across from Large Greenbelt. 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Pool Backyard Paradise Private Pool with Travertine Pool Deck, Split Master with Separate Entrance to Back Yard. Beautiful Custom Shower and more.
Rhonda Fosenburg 480-227-0815 rhonda@rhonda4realestate.com rhondafosenburg.com
4 bedroom, 3 bath, 3252 Sq Ft. This gorgeous family home with it’s backyard oasis combines the best of indoor and outdoor living . The remodeled kitchen overlooks the dining/family room with gas fireplace and offers granite counter tops, stainless appliances, duel ovens, wet bar and large pantry. Recently repainted inside & out and re-carpeted in 2019.
Troy Royston 480-435-3461 troyston61@gmail.com
Chandler
$419,900
Let the AZ sunshine in with all it’s glory through the panoramic windows.1/2 bath + 3/4 bath & 1 bedroom downstairs. Eat in kitchen is complete with center island, breakfast bar, granite countertops, a plethora of custom cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Three bedrooms up plus a office with built in desks! Master suite has wood flooring, private exit to balcony, and built in desk. Full spa bathroom with double sink vanity and separate soaking tub + shower. Resort style backyard features a covered patio with lush green grass and a sparkling pool.
Charming 3 bed, 2 bath home. Formal living and dining room. Tile & carpet in all the right places. Vaulted ceilings and soft color palette. Spacious open floor plan for the kitchen, dining, and family room. The stunning eat-in kitchen has a plethora of custom cabinets, beautiful granite counters, SS appliances, breakfast bar seating, and a pantry. The master has a private entrance, a full bath, and a walk-in closet. The serene backyard has a covered patio, mature foliage, and a nice lawn area for the kids & pets to play! Community amenities. Close to schools, shopping, and major freeways. Make this your new home today!
Marty Griffin 602-692-7653 martygriffin@q.com
Chipperwood Chandler
$459,900
$459,900
Desirable Single Level 4 Bedroom 3 Bath Home with No HOA on Almost A 1/4 Acre Lot! Split Floorplan, Two Master Bedrooms. Beautiful Backyard with Pool. RV Gate and Parking!!
Fully and beautifully remodeled home located in a cul-de-sac lot in the HEART of Tempe. This open and bright floor plan with 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage and over sized yard( room for RV gate). The kitchen offers all new white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and Quartz counters. Enormous family room with fireplace and vaulted ceilings. Beautiful neutral palette. New a/c unit, water heater , roof, windows and doors Easy access to Freeways and lots of shopping and restaurants.
Geri Thompson 480-239-7589 gerithompson@westusa.com
Mountain Park Ranch
$599,900
Jenifer Bulfer 480-297-6968 jbulfer@westusa.com
Ahwatukee
SOLD!
UNDER CONTRACT BACKUP OFFERS ACCEPTED
Warner Ranch Meadows
TEMPORARY OFF THE MARKET
Kelly Quek, M.B.A. 480-734-9808 kellyquek8@gmail.com
Marty Griffin 602-692-7653 martygriffin@q.com
Tempe - Temporary off the Market $299,900
TEMPORARY OFF THE MARKET
Wonderful single story 3 bedrooms, 2 baths great Tempe location. Large living room, kitchen offers black appliances and granite counters. Spacious master with walk in closet. Large yard with RV gate and no HOA. Great location and minutes from ASU , restaurants and entertainment.
Natalie Christensen 602-373-6212 nchristensen@westusa.com
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
27 SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
(Continued from previous page)
last remaining, unsearched State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls could be worth someday. Remember, these are not ordinary coins – these rarely seen coins are over 100 years old. In fact, these coins have been forever retired by the U.S. Gov’t, and you can’t get them rolled this way anywhere because these are the only State Restricted Bank Rolls known to exist,” Lynne said. “We’re guessing thousands of Arizona residents will be taking the maximum limit of 4 Bank Rolls because they make such amazing gifts for any occasion for children, parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones,” Lynne said. “We know the phones will be ringing off the hook. That’s why hundreds of Hotline Operators are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30am this morning. We’re going to do our best, but with just 2 days to answer all the calls it won’t be easy. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best
to answer them all,” Lynne said. “That’s why the National Mint and Treasury set up the National Toll-Free Hotlines in order to make sure Arizona residents get
the State Restricted Bank Rolls before they’re all gone,” Lynne said. The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do
is make sure they are a resident of the state of Arizona and call the National Toll-Free Hotlines before the 2-day deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■
IMPORTANT: The dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Morgan Silver Dollars sealed away inside the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. Coin values always fluctuate and they are never any guarantees, but any of the scarce coins shown below, regardless of their value that residents may find inside the sealed Bank Rolls are theirs to keep.
1886-S Mint: San Francisco Mintage: 750,000 Collector Value: $78 $350
1888-S Mint: San Francisco Mintage: 657,000 Collector Value: $125 $315
1896-S Mint: San Francisco Mintage: 5,000,000 Collector Value: $70 $850
1899-P Mint: Philadelphia Mintage: 330,000 Collector Value: $175 $260
ARIZONA RESIDENTS: COVER JUST $59 MINIMUM PER COIN BEGIN CALLING AT 8:30 AM: 1-800-868-0189 EXT. RMR205 if you are a resident of the state of Arizona call now to claim the state limit of 4 state of Arizona restricted bank rolls. all Arizona residents who beat the 2-day deadline are getting the only full ten coin bank rolls loaded with rarely seen u.s. gov’t issued morgan silver dollars dating back to the 1800’s worth up to 100 times their face value known to exist. The only thing Arizona residents cover is just the $59 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, that’s ten rarely seen u.s. gov’t issued morgan silver dollars worth up to 100 times their face value for just $590 and that’s a real steal because non-Arizona residents must pay $1,360 for each state of Arizona restricted bank roll. just be sure to call the national toll free hotlines before the deadline ends two days from today’s publication date.
NON STATE RESIDENTS: MUST PAY $136 PER COIN - IF ANY REMAIN DO NOT CALL BEFORE 5:00 PM TOMORROW: 1-800-868-0573 RMR205 if you are a resident living outside of the state of Arizona you are required to pay $136 for each morgan silver dollar for a total of $1,360 plus shipping and handling for each state of Arizona restricted bank roll loaded with ten u.s. gov’t issued morgan silver dollars. NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, PO BOX 35609, CANTON, OH 44735 ©2020 NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY. R1015
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COMMUNITY
Community
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
@AhwatukeeFN |
@AhwatukeeFN
www.ahwatukee.com
BASIS teen in prestigious global science program BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor
A
hwatukee native Arjun Modi, 17, has been selected by the World Science Scholars, a two-year program of the World Science Festival that connects participants with world-renowned experts to explore the latest in interdisciplinary scientific areas. Arjun, a senior at Basis Ahwatukee, is one of 12 U.S. students selected to join 15 other “exceptionally talented mathematical minds” culled from 14 countries including India, Nigeria, Qatar, Canada, China and the Republic of Korea. The scholars meet online with noted scientists, including Nobel Prize and Breakthrough Prize winners and other leading experts in their fields such as pioneering biologist Suzana Herculano-Houzel and biochemist Mande Holford. Together, they explore and grapple with
orative projects. Throughout the two years, the scholars explore diverse disciplines that cover subjects such as decoding the human genome, mapping the brain and searching for black holes. Arjun said he has already found challenge and inspiration in the courses and with scientists leading them. “The first course Arjun Modi of Ahwatukee is only 17 but he gets to participate in I took was called deep discussions about complex scientific topics with some of the ‘Beyond the Cloud world’s top brains. (Special to AFN) of Everyday Experience’, and it focused on the counterintuigroundbreaking discoveries through intive parts of reality that modern physics teractive courses, live sessions and collab-
has uncovered, like how time slows down as you move faster or the mysteries of quantum physics,” he explained. “This course really opened my mind to the power of science to completely change how we view the world, to the point where we accept principles that go against our intuition,” he added. Arjun said the second course, “A Beautiful Universe 2020,” dove into the complex math that surrounds them. “I got a chance to apply the math I’ve been learning at school, like differential equations and linear algebra, to real world problems in physics,” he said. Arjun is the son of Manoj and Bharti Modi. His father founded Execula, a web development and digital marketing company, and his mother is an attorney who serves as the firm’s legal advisor. Arjun explained that another looked at
�ee ARJUN page 31
Home-grown leaders a key to Kyrene’s success AFN NEWS STAFF
F
or the last two consecutive years, all of Kyrene’s directors and principals have been promoted to their jobs from within district’s ranks. That was no accident. They are some of the fruits of the Kyrene Aspiring Leaders Academy, a decade-old professional development program led by Mirada Elementary Principal Nancy Branch. The program is partly built around the same principles that are fundamental to the way Mirada is structured. The Pre-K-5 Mirada is a “Leader in Me School,” one of scores of such schools around the country organized around the leadership strategies of Frank Covey, an American educator, author, businessman and speaker best known for his bestseller,
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Just as the Chandler school has a statewide reputation for academic excellence – it routinely is in the top 5 percent for student proficiency in math and reading – Kyrene’s Leaders Academy has developed a reputation for producing principals and other administrators who excel in running schools that help students and staff be the best they can be. Eleven of Kyrene’s 26 principals are graduates of the academy. Branch waxes enthusiastically about the academy and Covey’s strategies. “I’m just passionate about it and I love just watching them grow,” she said. “For me what’s been really exciting is watching people grow and move into these leadership positions and becoming my colleagues and just watching them do such a fabulous job and you know part of that
Mirada Principal Nancy Branch has overseen Kyrene School District’s leadership program since its inception in 2010. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) was the result of KALA. they would tell you that KALA definitely “Part of it was obviously just who they had an impact on who they are as a leader.” are as leaders and their own personal �ee LEADER page 29 knowledge,” she continued, “but I think …
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
Holocaust survivor ‘visits’ Altadena kids AFN NEWS STAFF
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yrene Altadeña Middle School students received a lesson in both history and humanity during a virtual presentation by Holocaust survivor Leon Malmed. Students listened as Malmed joined eighth graders from his Lake Tahoe home. “There have been many conversations about the impact of virtual learning on meaningful experiences,” Altadeña Assistant Principal Ryan James said. “This event is proof that we can still hear important voices and perspectives while staying connected to each other and to the outside world.” Malmed discussed his childhood, beginning two years after the start of World War II when his parents were taken away. Malmed, then 4 and his sister Rachel, 9, did not learn what happened to them until decades later. After their arrest by Nazi soldiers, Malmed’s parents were sent to Auschwitz, where his father died just a few
LEADER from page 28
Branch has been with Kyrene for 30 years and spent 11 as a teacher before moving into administrative jobs. She is in her 11th year as Mirada’s principal, a job she took on after serving as principal of Kyrene del Milenio Elementary for seven years. She said she has always felt passionate about leading and developing leaders among the ranks of educators, which is why she was invited to help form the Kyrene Aspiring Leaders Academy. “They asked me if I would help them design the program and then coordinate the program,” Branch recalled. “Teaching and instructing and design have always been something that’s been very close to my heart and to be able to do it with adults sounded like a wonderful opportunity.” Becoming a KALA student also is a rare opportunity, as roughly only 25 employees are selected through an application process. “We wanted to keep the cohort groups small and intimate so that we could really focus on the high-quality staff members that we really felt would walk into positions in the future,” Branch explained. Branch and her colleagues at the acad-
LEON MALMED
months before the concentration camp was liberated.
emy look for applicants “who have already proven that they are passionate about education. “They are passionate about learning more, about their own growth and development, so that they’re willing to take time after their day of teaching or after their day in whatever their position may be within the school district to add to their knowledge base,” she added. Participants meet roughly 25 hours a semester for two years, discussing issues related to the challenges of leading an organization. Reading materials Branch has selected also become grist for those discussions. Participants also are led in discussions by other Kyrene leaders, minimizing to almost nothing the cost of professional development that in some organizations could easily run into thousands of dollars. “We’ve had some amazing deep discussions where I have just gained knowledge from the participants’ own experiences and the stories they share as well,” Branch said. The chance of professional development through a program like the academy also helps position Kyrene to be more competitive in recruiting younger teachers, who
Malmed’s mother never received an identification tattoo, indicating she either died in transport or was killed upon arrival. Malmed and his sister lived with a neighboring Christian family that protected them through roundups, air raids and famine for five years despite the threat of death if they were ever discovered. That family’s heroism and compassion inspired Malmed to share his own story. Descendants of the family consider Malmed and his sister uncle and aunt and they keep in close contact with each other, holding video calls between visits and reunions. “Malmed’s candid recollection of the events of his childhood spurred many
are attracted to the district’s commitment to provide new opportunities for advancement and growth within their profession, district officials say. Moreover, the academy is not something we borrowed from another school but something that has grown organically in Kyrene,” Branch noted, adding that Kyrene has shared its program with other districts that have expressed an interest in starting their own. Branch is preparing to recruit a new group of participants who will start their leadership training in March. But she won’t be there to congratulate them when they finish. She is planning to retire after the current school year and is handing the program’s reigns over to Dr. Sarah Collins, principal of Kyrene de las Manitas. And the fact that her final months with the program are winding down in a time when the pandemic has rocked public education, she said, means that future classes will have a lot to learn from the experience. “I really hope that what comes out of 2020 is the idea and recognition that education does need to change and so here at Mirada Leadership Academy, we have been on that journey,” Branch said. “I’m
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questions from students and teachers regarding hope, change and the repetition of history,” a Kyrene district spokeswoman said. Despite the 70-year age gap between Malmed and his audience, one Kyrene student related to the trauma and shared his family’s own history with the Holocaust. “This is a heavy subject, but we are so fortunate to have a witness to these events share his story with our students.” James said. “Our students have finished covering the era of World War II in class, but hearing Leon’s testimony is more powerful than a textbook.” Despite the difficult subject matter, Malmed’s conversation with Altadeña students included a message of hope. “We all have problems in life,” he said. “The problems can be solved. They are like clouds in the sky. It may be minutes, days, weeks or years, but the sky will be blue again.” Malmed is the author of “We Survived… at Last I Speak,” a memoir he published in his 70s.
very proud of really embedding compassion and community within what we’re doing with our students – which then leads to a greater increase in student achievement and student engagement because it’s not just about content and that’s what I really hope people across the nation come to see. “We need to take care of the well-being, the social and emotional needs of children to help prepare them for the real world…I really do believe – and we’ve seen it here – that we may have a greater engagement in the content-academic learning because children know that we care and children know that too. There’s more to life than just the content.”
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
Local poster winners Two Ahwatukee students at Kyrene de la Estrella in Ahwatukee celebrated MLK Day in a special way by being named winners or Arizona State University’s 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Contest. Macintyre Ritchie and Aubrey Taylor submitted entries in the contest, as was another Kyrene student, Lydia Jeanty of Kyrene de los Niños in Tempe. The contest for elementary students is part of ASU’s larger MLK awards ceremony that honors individuals in higher education. Students submitted artwork inspired by this year’s theme: “Race may differ. Respect everyone.” The poster contest winners and their families and teachers and principals will be part of a virtual celebration tomorrow.
AUBREY TAYLOR
Aubrey’s and Macintyre’s work is next to their photos at left. (Special to AFN)
MACINTYRE RITCHIE
AROUND AHWATUKEE
Blankets and Bears Drive ‘most successful ever’
The Ahwatukee Women’s Club 21st annual Blankets and Bears Drive “was one of the most successful ever,” despite the pandemic, said spokeswoman Carol Schade. But because of the pandemic, the blankets and bears didn’t make it to Banner Cardon’s Children’s Hospital like they were intended to go. “We were apprehensive about the ability to collect items with the necessary protocols surrounding COVID-19,” Shade said, adding the hospital’s protocols forbid the club from letting the children have the items. But that doesn’t mean those donations won’t be used. “We did take them to Ahwatukee fire stations as well as the Guadalupe fire station for the firemen
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to distribute, Schade said. Schade said she and her fellow club members are grateful. “A big thank you to those who contributed to the Ahwatukee Women’s 21st Annual Blankets and Bears Drive,” she said. “Given the usual circumstances we are all experiencing, we are amazed at the effort and the number and quality of Blankets and Bears contributed.” A difference has been made by you – the wonderful residents of Ahwatukee and the surrounding area.”
Ahwatukee women’s group slates online talk on health
Ahwatukee Foothills Friends and Neighbors women’s club will hold a Zoom presentation by Dr.
Yasaman Tasalotti at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, titled “Staying Healthy in the New Year.” She will discuss how to optimize sleep and energy levels, manage stress, gut health, balance hormones and support the immune system. Information: email affanwomensgroup@gmail. com.
Ahwatukee woman named to dean’s list at Calvin U
Katarina Woldt of Ahwatukee has been named to the deans’ list at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Katarina, Valley Christian High School’s 2020 valedictorian, is majoring in biochemistry and public health. Calvin is a top-ranked Christian, liberal arts univer-
sity and earning a dean’s list requires a 3.5 GPA.
‘Waterathon’ offered at private Ahwatukee home
An Ahwatukee couple is offering a free water gym workout, called ‘Waterathon’ at 7:30 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays in their 96 degree pool. Sign-ups are required as limited space is available to keep social distancing. Reserve at waterfeel.club calendar.
Submit your releases to pmaryniak@ timespublications.com
What made you choose Ahwatukee as your home? What were the challenges when you arrived? What is the most interesting thing you have discovered in Ahwatukee? Who is a person you met in Ahwatukee you won’t ever forget? What act of kindness by an Ahwatukee resident or business touched you? Today, AFN begins an occasional series called “Their Stories.” We want to hear your first-person account. Stories should be about 500-700 words. Include a picture of yourself or you and your family and send your stories to pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com.
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JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
ARJUN from page 28
how scientists are harnessing venom to develop life-saving medicine. “This course was so far my favorite since I got exposed to the type of scientific research I hope to do in the future, using biochemistry to create new treatments,” he said. Most recently, he took a course called “Hacking Biology for Nanotechnology,” which he said “explores how scientists are building nanobots using biological molecules that can do anything from glowing in the dark to attacking cancer cells. “This is the most fun course, because I get to see the future of the fields I want to enter, biochemistry and medicine,” he explained. “Throughout all these courses, I get to see and learn about the latest advancements in every field of science, which has inspired me to join the scientific community in the future to help build upon these discoveries,” said Arjun. Arjun is no stranger to challenging course work since he has taken numerous AP classes at BASIS Ahwatukee, which he has attended since middle school. “I’m involved in lots of AP classes at BASIS Ahwatukee. I’ve taken biology and chemistry focused classes, like AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology and the post-AP class Organic Chemistry. I’ve also done a lot of math courses, like AP Calculus BC, and the post-AP classes Linear Algebra and Differential Equations,” he explained. While he is a fan of Arizona sports teams, video gaming and swimming, Arjun’s extracurricular activities also include working with Arizona State University researchers on various projects. He joined the ASU SCENE (Science and Engineering Experience) program that provides selected high school students opportunities to work on ASU projects alongside professors. “My friend Srivatsan Swaminathan and I conducted chemistry research with our mentor, Dr. Todd Houghton, into magnesium-ion batteries, a new type of battery, and we eventually presented the findings at two virtual international conferences,” he said. “I’ve also gotten involved with designing biosensors with Dr. Houghton and Dr. Na-
than Newman, one for epilepsy and one for multiple sclerosis, to help people with these diseases monitor and manage their conditions.” Arjun is also active in academic competitions at BASIS Ahwatukee, including its Quiz Bowl and Science Bowl, and is a part of the school’s speech and debate and mock trial teams. And last spring, he and BASIS Ahwatukee friends and classmates Srivatsan Swaminathan and Mantej Singh founded a nonprofit tutoring website, DeltaTutor. org, that offers free tutoring to K-12 students. They offer help in more than basic reading, writing and arithmetic in their Zoomdriven tutoring – such as AP biology, calculus and world history. “We offer the tutoring free of charge, Arjun explained. “We feel there are lots of students who would like on-demand help with schoolwork so we wanted to eliminate payment as a barrier to access this kind of help. “Hopefully, as we expand, this free-ofcharge tutoring can level the playing field between students from wealthy families who can afford high prices for such services and those students whose families can’t or won’t.” Arjun is still considering his post-high school choices. “I don’t think I want to single out one particular school right now in case the other ones look up my name and see the article. That would be awkward,” he laughed. “But I will say I’m really excited to pursue a program where I can apply biochemistry and molecular genetics to research into new medicine, such as gene therapy. Opportunities to get hands-on lab experience in this area would be awesome, and good football and basketball teams to cheer for would be nice, too.” For now, he is invigorated by the opportunities he’s given through World Science Scholars. “I think the opportunity to bounce ideas back-and-forth with these incredibly smart and accomplished scholars, and learn from experts at the cutting-edge of their fields is the most meaningful part of this experience,” said Modi. “I hope I can build connections and friendships that last far into the future.”
Help these Scouts fight hunger
Pack 178 in Ahwatukee will be distributing door hanger flyers starting tomorrow through Feb. 5 in the Western Star Park as part of the Grand Canyon Council’s Scouting for Food drive, part of a nationwide Boy Scouts of America effort. Pack 178 Scouts will be collecting nonperishable food items for the food bank at Generations Church at Elliot Road and Equestrian Trail. They will actually be collecting donations Feb. 6 but are circulating the fliers to remind people that hunger is a growing problem in the community and throughout the nation. People also can drop off donations 9:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 6 at Western Star Park, 4425 E. Western Star Blvd., Ahwatukee. Parents who are interested in signing up their son or daughter for the pack can check out azpack178.com or email join178@azpack178.com. Getting ready to do their part for the drive are, from left, Jack Foley, Adam Foley, Aiden Duntan and Gavin Sluscheo. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)
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Ahwatukee company �inds reward in risks BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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elgian Holdings, Inc., is all about risk – anticipating it, assessing it, then preventing or at least reducing it. From the relatively humble beginnings of a �ire code development and �ire-testing company started in San Diego by retired �ire�ighter and Fire Marshall Bill Tomes in 1985, Telgian has grown into a safety Goliath headquartered near the I-10 and Elliot Road in Ahwatukee with earnings over $25 million. Its 350 employees – roughly half in Arizona and the rest spread across 31 other states – provide services that protect some 50,000 schools, hotels, big stores, government buildings and other facilities across the U.S. Those workers conduct 150,000 inspections annually, design sprinkler and other prevention systems, interpret building and �ire codes, evaluate and analyze potential risks to facilities and provide �ire safety, training and security services such as consulting on responding to activeshooter or other unlawful entry. In other words, Telgian’s history pretty much re�lects the Old English origins of the name it adopted in 2007: “spread out and grow.” “’Telgian’ talks about who we are as a company,” said CEO James Tomes, the founder’s son. “Every service is a response to a customer’s request and we branched out and grew and added services to meet the customers’ needs.” The grandson of a Detroit �ire�ighter, Tomes has been a party to that growth ever since he joined his father in 1988 as an account executive when “we had �ive employees,” though in a few years he became chief �inancial of�icer. As Bill Tomes continued growing the company with the help of now board Chairman Russ Leavitt, Telgian relocated in 2001 to Arizona, �irst settling in Chandler and eventually landing in 2015 in Ahwatukee, a convenient location for
JAMES TOMES
BILL TOMES
RUSS LEAVITT
a workforce dominated by residents of Phoenix and East Valley communities. Its Ahwatukee headquarters is home to the holding company and one of its two operating companies, Telgian Fire Safety; Its other operating company, Telgian Engineering and Consulting, is based in Atlanta. Though Telgian “grew up with retail,” serving a wide variety of big-box and other stores, Tomes said, “Now we do everything – we do schools, heavy industry, power plants, airports. Right now, we do everything.”
Purely a service company, Telgian Fire Safety inspects, tests and manages the repairs to an array of �ire protection equipment such as sprinklers, alarms and other prevention system components. “We’re not trying to push a certain product on our client because we’re ‘manufacturing agnostic,’” Tomes explained, adding that the Atlanta operation does “all the high-level engineering and consulting and designing of all those systems.” And it is pretty high-level stuff. “It’s designing retinal scanners, con-
trolled access into facilities,” Tomes said. “It’s also camera design – those types of things. So, one, you’re trying to control people that are coming into the building with normal course of business with internal scanner-controlled access into facilities. So, we’re trying to control people that are coming into the building during the normal course of business with internal scanners, �ingerprint or facial recognition technology.” Second, the company designs camerafence systems and other “types of things that prevent unintended intrusion of the building.” Telgian also helps companies and other institutions prepare for the possibility that someone might get past all that technology. Its cadre of “security professionals, corporate security, former law enforcement” train clients in how to deal with intruders, particularly armed ones. “Basically, what we specialize in is mitigating physical risk to people and facilities – �ire security, terrorism, natural disasters – all those types of things. We don’t do cyber. We don’t do political risk. We don’t manage hazardous materials. It’s mostly directed towards physical risk to both the occupants of the building and infrastructure.” Clients come to Telgian out of a desire for
Telgian’s Ahwatukee company includes a classroom where some training occurs, but CEO James Tomes also thinks it could be a base for some kind of training program involving high school and college students. (Courtesy of Telgian Holdings)
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
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economic as well as physical survival, along with a desire to be compliant with any safety regulations, particularly �ire codes. “There’s an increased awareness of risk management” especially among corporations, Tomes explained, though he said the U.S., western European countries and Japan have had a particularly long tradition in risk prevention. “Nobody wants their brand associated with a mass-casualty or catastrophic event,” he said. “I remember educating a CEO of a company in Mexico City. Mexico City does not require �ixed �ire protection and (the client was) building a millionsquare-foot distribution center and a giant industrial park.” He said he explained the possible risks if the client relied solely on the fact that Mexico City has a �ire department. “I don’t really care as long as everyone’s safe, okay? Because we care about human life – that’s our thing. I was explaining to educate because we never try and scare people into making the right decision. I never come to a client and say ‘you should do this because it’s the code.’ We don’t operate that way.” So, as he walked the client through the potential dangers of not having a sprinkler system and other safety equipment installed, Tomes said he asked, “Do you want your brand associated with a �ire that 17 million people in the valley of Mexico City are going to see?” The client replied, “no” and then ordered a full sprinkler system throughout the industrial park whether tenants wanted it or not. Staying nimble in the world of risk protection means Telgian also in the last 20 years has developed services to meet the new and burgeoning threats of the 21st – like active shooters. But the company also keeps a focus on the risks that natural disasters pose. He noted how some global countries might centralize the manufacturing of a critical part or piece of their business in one plant. “When you’re dealing with this intricate
Telgian’s Ahwatukee building is home for the holding company and one of its two operating companies. CEO James Tomes said it is conveniently located to the freeway loop system and its many East Valley employees. (Special to AFN) network of global supply chains, you’ve got to remember you’ve got to keep that plant functioning – whether you’re worried about a tidal wave, or an earthquake, �ire, civil unrest, somebody doing damage to that plant. So, companies think in terms of protecting their assets. ...But they also think about protecting their associates and ultimately their brand and market position. But, Tomes added, despite the array of risks it tries to protect clients from, “our core services are in the area of �ire-protection services. That was our initial offering when my father started the company.” What about, then, wild�ires as they become increasingly frequent and more menacing to suburban and urban communities and facilities? Tomes suggested that trying to protect
neighborhoods or businesses or even equipment like power lines from that threat is doable, but costly. Calling the wild�ire threat “an emerging area,” he noted that in some areas, particularly California, “you have communities built off all these canyonlands and stuff like that with dense fuel nearby. So, one of their strategies is to mitigate once a �ire starts and it comes into it. But there’s also kind of an emerging technology around protecting major sources of ignition.” Such protection involves technology that is so expensive “you really have to have state or federal funding,” he said, though he allows that HOAs comprising expensive seven-�igure homes may one day consider investing in that kind of tech. Moreover, he continued, the cost not only
Telgian Fire Safety has a large lab at its Ahwatukee headquarters where employees are testing an array of fire-prevention systems and components. (Courtesy of Telgian Holdings)
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would involve the equipment and its installation but its maintenance as well. Hence, an HOA of high-dollar homes have to raise dues or a high-income community might have to raise taxes to pay that heavy cost. But while studying such threats, Telgian keeps its eye on the ball that Tomes’ father got rolling. “What we do on a core basis is we deal with companies and their infrastructure,” Tomes said, citing examples like “a company (that) has one plant that produces ball bearings for all its facilities or maybe they need to invest in a life-safety system to protect their employees.” Besides, there are other dangers Telgian helps clients address. “Think of a pharmaceutical storage facility,” Tomes said. “It could be a small building but have billions of dollars in inventory there. So not only do you worry about a �ire happening there. What if an earthquake happens? Maybe there’s no danger to your facility but what if you lose power for an extended period of time? Do you have back-up power generation? “It’s those types of things we look at. We look at clients even in the construction of a new facility. Where do you place that facility? You look at places to make sure that building is out of the �loodplain or not near an active earthquake fault.” Tomes isn’t all about dangers and preventing them, though. Given that the Ahwatukee building has a large classroom as well as large lab space where devices are tested and customers are trained in their use, he’s late been considering ways Telgian can give back to the community by partnering with schools. As a member of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Tomes is exploring partnerships with both high schools and higher education institutions to train interested students in job skills. “We’ve got an outstanding lab here,” he said. “And we are looking at ways to use that lab to give back to the community. We’re working through that in both a classroom setting and kind of hands-on settings.” Information: telgian.com.
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It’s not too early to prepare tykes for kindergarten BY DONNA SHOTT AFN Guest Writer
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he start of the new year may seem early to start thinking about the first day of school, but for families with children entering kindergarten next school year, it’s not too soon to get ready. In fact, many schools hold their kindergarten registration events beginning this month. In 2021, discussions about virtual learning vs. onsite classrooms also are a factor for families preparing their child for their first year of elementary school. The first step is for parents to contact their local school for kindergarten registration information. Then, at home, no matter what backto-school situation families may face there are things families can do to help their child be successful on the first day of kindergarten. First Things First, Arizona’s early childhood agency, has resources to help par-
ents and caregivers online on the FTF Kindergarten Readiness page, found at firstthingsfirst.org/resources/kindergarten-readiness. Below are some tips from FTF to help ease your preschooler’s transition to kindergarten: • Read with your child at least 20 minutes per day. This can be done by having short reading sessions throughout the day to add up to 20 minutes total, which can help with shorter attention spans. Try books that repeat words; involve activities like counting, identifying colors, objects or letters; or, are about things your child likes. Ask questions like, “What do you think happens next?” • Talk with your child everywhere – at home, in the car, at the store. Have real conversations with your preschooler. Make up stories or songs about your outings. • Writing begins with scribbling. Give your child safe writing tools to play with, like crayons, chalk or markers and blank paper. Ask your child to tell you about
their drawings. Also, writing requires fine motor strength. Your child can build hand strength by playing with play dough. • Teach your child how to use the bathroom by themselves, to wash their hands after going to the bathroom and before eating, to blow their nose and sneeze into their elbow. • Since preschoolers may be in places where cloth face coverings are required, help them get used to wearing them. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers reassurance that mask wearing becomes routine when reinforced by adults and peers, just like wearing a bicycle helmet and buckling into their car seats. “Reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do to prepare them for kindergarten,” said Kirstin Williams, a kindergarten teacher at Mirada Leadership Academy and 2020 Tempe Diablo Kyrene Teacher of the Year. “After reading, ask your child questions about the story, such as, ‘who is in the story? What do you think will happen next?’
cell carcinoma, a cancer undoubtedly caused by his line of work with its smoke, soot and burning poisons. He testified before a legislative committee about how the disease metastasized into his lungs and the debilitating effects of chemotherapy; about how just one of his drugs cost $90,000 a year; about the months he had spent in court suing to get the workers’ compensation he so clearly deserved. Don’t let this keep happening, he begged. Don’t make firefighters fight job-related cancer and bankruptcy simultaneously. The legislators, unmoved, did nothing to expand the law. Rehnke continued to advocate for his former colleagues year after year. It seemed to take a little more out of him each time, but he never slowed down, never quit.
Of course, fighting a few dozen heartless politicians is nothing compared to beating back rogue cells intent on murdering you. Finally, last February, the Legislature passed a law expanding the number of cancers covered by fire fighters’ workers’ compensation insurance. I’m glad Dave lived long enough to see it, that he had that victory to celebrate. Because in a profession of heroes, Capt. Rehnke was one of a kind – a man fully committed to helping not himself, but every other fire fighter who wears turnouts today or will one day put on the boots. Dave leaves behind his wife of almost 29 years, Brenda, and their two children, Shannon and Dustin. I remember him telling me about getting his diagnosis back in 2011. His doctor gave him a five percent chance of surviving 10 years.
“Do not be afraid to give your child pencils, crayons, scissors, and books before they enter kindergarten. Any learning experiences you can provide to them will better prepare them for their school years.” Even if you don’t have kindergarteners this year, it’s never too early to start helping kids prepare. Children who have positive early childhood experiences tend to score higher on school readiness assessments and are more likely to do well in school and graduate. By turning everyday moments into learning moments, we can send our young kids to school with the skills and confidence that will help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Donna Shott is a spokeswoman for for First Things First, which funds early learning, family support and children’s preventive health services to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Information: FirstThingsFirst.org .
Death stills a towering voice for �ire�ighters BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist
H
e wrestled with kidney cancer for a decade, fought like a demon, but finally Dave Rehnke took his last breath on Jan. 11. Rehnke worked for 26 years as a firefighter in Peoria, rising to the rank of captain. He loved his city, his peers on the frontlines and the job – though it was firefighting that killed him. I met Rehnke five years ago at the Arizona Legislature, where the state’s firefighters – clients of mine – were pushing to expand the roster of cancers presumed to be caused by their profession. Rehnke, newly retired from Peoria, was five years into being eaten alive by renal
Rehnke, who refused to miss seeing his young kids’ teenage years, basically told the doctor five percent was a silly number, and that he had no intention of dying. So, he didn’t. Dave rode his bike, screamed at the TV rooting on his beloved Minnesota Vikings, raised a beautiful family and built a lasting legacy for himself as the director of the Arizona chapter of the Fire Fighter Cancer Support Network. At a time when our nation seems awash in selfishness, Rehnke exemplified the concept of service before self, living one’s life for a cause greater than individual gain. Hunter Clare, president of the Peoria Fire Fighters, put it like this: “This is a guy that continued to fight
�ee LEIBOWITZ page 37
OPINION
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
37
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Club West board candidate sees challenges ahead
As a community resident for over a decade, I have seen the many changes and challenges our community has gone through. I feel that some of our biggest challenges are still to come with one being the current state of the golf course. As a local small business owner with a finance background, I feel that I am in a unique position to help the community overcome these challenges. That is why I am running for the Club West HOA board and am asking for your vote. I want to work with all members of the community to find the best possible outcome for the golf course that will benefit and enhance the entire community. I feel that an HOA-driven committee that has complete transparency, to solicit ideas from residents that will restore home values and remove the uncertainty of the future of the land is the best way to proceed. The committee should then present all fiscally responsible ideas to the community. We should let the community have the final say in what will happen to the course. No idea should be discarded if feasible just because a few do not agree with it. Many of the statements of the Club West Conservancy group just do not appear to ring true and should be looked at with some skepticism. They want the golf course restored but have not stated any way to pay for it. They want a park but have not stated any way to pay for it. They seem content to let the land stay as is for an extended period of time while it is tied up in various legal issues. I believe that the community deserves a better, quicker, and more equitable solution. We cannot allow a few people who think that they know what is best for the community dictate a solution. Leaving the golf course as is, should not be a viable solution. Our community deserves better than that. Our community has never been so divided on an issue in my memory. It would be great for us to be able to come together as a community and work together toward a conclusion that we can all live with. I hope to be able to be
LEIBOWITZ from page 36
not only for his family, but for everyone in our profession, for each of us, even people who aren’t on the job yet. He had such pas-
one of the people that can make this happen. Please take a few minutes and cast your ballot for this year’s board of directors. This is probably the most important vote in the history of our community. Let your voice be heard by casting your ballot for your HOA board. -Richard Lake
it said all the things most of us are thinking. I sure would like to read more letters of support like hers rather than those of denial about what we all saw happening. -Kristi Herring
Recently, a college coach called someone “Fat Albert” and was immediately fired from his job for this demeaning insult. No one should have to suffer such an abusive disparagement of two words that could cause lasting damage to one’s dignity and self-worth. Years ago, Al Roker, current weatherman on NBC’s Today Show and occasional anchor on NBC Nightly News, grew up in Queens, New York where he was continuously mocked “as Fat Albert and it never stopped.” Clearly, if “Fat Albert” is hurtful today, it would be just as hurtful in the past, and authorities should investigate who were these bullies and get them fired from their jobs to pay for their deliberate attempt to diminish this young boy’s valued self-esteem. Since that hateful defamation, Roker has appeared in over 40 TV programs and movies, written 13 books, hosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Family Feud, and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, been feted as Honorary Commodore of the United States Navy Coast Guard, hosted Wrestlemania, conducted the first interview of newly elected President Obama after his first Inaugural parade, is a contributing Board Member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the Today Plaza was officially renamed the Rokerfeller Plaza in his honor. His net worth is listed at $35 million. When asked about those difficult early days and what should be done to his cruel tormentors, he said, “Today, I can buy and sell them.” -Robert Baron
tweeted: “We do not do this. We are not a Banana Republic. We see the left do these things, we do not do these things. We do not riot. We do not destroy. We obey law enforcement. Stop. Now.” In your effort to quell the riot spurred by divisive political rhetoric, you continue the political divisiveness by evoking “the left.” This is not the unconditional condemnation you attempt to portray. What we saw on Jan. 6 was a national tragedy and embarrassment. This was a mob, incited by lies from those in power, storming our nation’s Capitol while it was occupied by our duly elected leaders performing their constitutional duty to certify the free and fair election, in which over 150 million citizens participated to have their voices heard. This was an attempt to overthrow an election, to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power and to assault the bedrock values that define our government and serve as an inspiration to the rest of the world. As much as you would like to draw parallels between what we saw last week versus what we saw last summer, it is much easier to rebuild a CVS than a republic. The way your tweet is written excludes “the left” from the “we” that does not riot or destroy, you are, through word play, trying to draw an equivalence between an entire side of the political aisle with which you have policy disagreements and an extremist fringe that we watched violently attack our nation’s Capitol. All of us, together as a nation, need to call out this type of dog-whistle and double-speak our elected officials use to distort the truth, divide us and inflame passions. In the aftermath of the Capitol riots, we
Criticizes DiCiccio tweet mob attacked Capitol No one should suffer insults after Dear Councilman DiCiccio: In response to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, you because of appearance
Appreciated AFN letter to the editor author
Thank you to Lori Vanover for her recent letter to the editor. I enjoyed it very much as
sion for it. “He didn’t want anyone to go through what he went through, what his family went through. In a profession of people willing to sacrifice, he was willing to sac-
rifice even more to try to make sure this would never happen again.” I kept the notes from my first conversation with Rehnke, hoping I’d never need them for a story like this.
learned, – some with their lives – the power of language and the importance of truth. You seek to distance yourself from what happened at our Capitol while also distancing yourself from “the left.” Any line you try to straddle between your political opposition and domestic terrorists does not leave you on any high ground. In this moment of national reckoning, you must unequivocally condemn what happened and demand that those involved are held accountable, including those who incited it through inflammatory rhetoric. Anything short of that is an attempt to justify it. You cannot be on both sides of an insurrection. -Zack Griendling
Looking forward to better days ahead after Capitol riot
As an American citizen I am deeply saddened and disheartened at the scenes of fencing, barbed wire and barricades surrounding our nation’s Capitol. The barricades surrounding the National Mall and the armed military patrolling DC are not to protect us against foreign forces. They are here to protect us against the domestic terrorists who continue to believe the lies and propaganda. It is even more shocking to realize that members of Congress, including Arizona Representatives Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs, not only continue to spread those lies but may have participated in planning the deadly armed insurrection. If these allegations are true, they must be immediately expelled from Congress. It is only by holding individuals accountable for their actions that we can move on as a nation. I look forward to a new administration with President Biden. I am encouraged by his American Rescue Plan to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and will help Americans who are hurting. I look forward to watching the inauguration, and this year it will mean even more to me. Our democracy is bigger than one person or one political party. We can move forward to a better future, and I am hopeful that better days are ahead. -Laurie Nerat “I know my time is coming eventually,” he said back then. “But before it does, I want to do everything I can to make a difference. I am going to keep fighting because this matters.”
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AIA board reverses course, allows winter sports BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor
J
ust days after voting to cancel the winter sports season amid the surge in COVID-19, the Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Board voted to reverse its decision Jan. 12. The 5-4 re-vote in favor of winter sports beginning on Jan. 18 followed an identical margin to cancel them. Jim Love, who represents the Flowing Wells Uni�ied Arizona School Boards Association, changed his vote and joined proponents of the Jan. 18 start date. Love said his change of heart was largely due to his desire to give schools the choice whether to have sports on campus. “This has been a very dif�icult decision
for the Executive Board,” AIA Executive Director David Hines said in a press release. “They have been weighing the concerns of the medical community, including the AIA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, and the requests by our member schools. We all want winter sports to happen, but it must be done safely.” The AIA board’s initial decision to cancel winter sports was met with backlash from players, parents and coaches across the state. A small protest of athletes formed outside AIA of�ices shortly after the initial Jan. 8 announcement to cancel winter sports. A group of athletes and parents returned Jan. 12.
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Angry student athletes protested outside the offices of the Arizona Interscholastic Association Jan. 12 to protest its earlier cancellation of winter school sports. But the AIA executive board reversed its decision later that day and gave the greenlight to winter sports, starting Jan. 18, under strict health guidelines that include masks. (Pablo Robles/AFN
Staff Reporter)
Dayoob ‘appreciative’ to be back with Pride wrestling team BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor
M
ountain Pointe Wrestling Coach Greg Dayoob is one of many who have come to realize many don’t appreciate something until it’s nearly taken away or gone altogether. His ability to run the team’s practice was something he missed last season. His ability to teach at the school was also gone. The bond he began growing three years ago with his wrestlers continued to grow, but without his physical presence. There were few moments in which Dayoob ever feared for his life, but in the back of his mind he knew that, too, was at risk. He said it’s opened his eyes and has allowed him to �ind a new appreciation for everything. “I’m thankful, but I think appreciative is the right word,” Dayoob said. “I appreciate this team. I appreciate my job and my colleagues I teach with. I appreciate the opportunity to be here and live and �ind
Mountain Pointe wrestling coach Greg Dayoob, who battled stage 4 liver cancer last year, is back with the Pride after being forced to take a year off for treatment. (Pablo Robles/ AFN Staff)
things that bring me joy like this. “They’re all gifts, and when you get reminded that everything can be taken away, you have a whole new appreciation for it all. I hope I never lose that.” Dayoob was diagnosed with stage 1
colon cancer in August 2019. Just two months later, doctors discovered tumors on the right side of his liver. He was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and began chemotherapy treatments immediately. He was forced to
step away from his teaching position at the school and as head coach of the wrestling program. Mark Caliendo, an assistant, took over the program in Dayoob’s absence. Dayoob reacted well to chemotherapy treatments. In January 2020, he had a procedure to remove the tumors. In the process, doctors found another small tumor on the left side of his liver, but it was removed without any additional problems. Blood tests in the weeks after the surgery found no signs of cancer. He of�icially entered remission. “I teared up,” Dayoob said of his return to the wrestling program. “It was one of those rare occasions where I didn’t have anything to say. The team gave me a massive group hug and not much was said other than them telling me they loved me and missed me. It was nice to be back.” Dayoob’s return to the classroom was short lived due to the coronavirus pan-
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SPORTS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
AIA ���� ���� 39
A petition calling for a re-vote was created by a North Canyon student and shared across several social media platforms. The petition was signed by over 30,000 people in just a few hours. Additionally, administrators and coaches immediately began brainstorming basketball, soccer and wrestling leagues independent of the Arizona Interscholastic Association. Several schools said they would explore options to give athletes an opportunity to compete at some capacity. “I started hearing stuff about (the revote) the day after they �irst voted,” Mountain Pointe boys’ basketball coach Kaimarr Price said. “I wasn’t sure if coaches were being optimistic but that’s what started circulating. But I was pumped. It’s a good opportunity for these kids and especially the seniors. We had our best practice all year after that. Guys were locked in.” In approving the winter sports season, the board also adopted new recommendations for fans and players. The board voted unanimously to allow two parents or guardians per player to attend as long as local mandates on the number of individuals allowed at events is not exceeded. Each school will be required to complete the AIA COVID-19 Athlete and Coach Monitoring Form on the day of athletic events.
DAYOOB ���� ���� 39
demic, which shuttered schools last March. Additional delays to the wrestling program’s ability to practice throughout the summer further delayed his return to the team. It wasn’t until September he was able to walk through the doors of the wrestling room and face his wrestlers for the �irst time in nearly a year. With masks on, the team embraced their coach. It was an emotional moment for all of those involved. “As much as I loved having my dad coach, this is coach Dayoob’s program,” senior Kyle Caliendo said. “Just to see him again, it was special. You never know what to think when someone close to you is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. “It’s nice to have him back.”
AIA Executive Director David Hines said, “We all want winter sports to happen but it must be done safely. (Special to AFN) Those forms must be exchanged with opposing teams and will be monitored by of�icials. If the forms are not exchanged, of�icials will be pulled from the contest. Additionally, masks must be worn at all times by coaches, of�icials and athletes, even those actively participating. Hines said any school that violates the guidelines will lose access to of�icials. Desert Vista boys’ soccer coach Trent El-
Caliendo is one of the captains of this year’s Pride team. Wrestling at the 160-pound class, he aims to follow in the footsteps of 2020 graduate David Palosika, who represented the Pride at state in the 220-pound class before going on to wrestle at Arizona State. He’s spent all four years wrestling for the Pride, and three with Dayoob. While he holds himself to high standards, he’s appreciative of having the opportunity to wrestle at all this season. Especially given the uncertainty posed by the pandemic. “It’s hard to say what expectations I have, especially in a year like this with COVID,” Caliendo said. “I just want to see people be successful in their own way.” Chase Beyer, a junior with the program, was also named a captain this year. A
liott said the new mask guidelines won’t have much of an effect on his team. Tempe Union High School District requires all athletes to practice with masks as it is. If anything, Elliott says it may level the playing �ield against teams that do not have similar rules. “We’ve been practicing with masks since we started,” Elliott said. “We were more concerned about going to another school
strong wrestler, he’s also the top-rated student in the junior class at Mountain Pointe academically. Dayoob jokes he expects to receive a shoutout from Beyer should he be named valedictorian next year as a senior. While he acknowledges his academic success, he hopes to do the same on the mat. He constantly compares himself to the likes of rival Desert Vista, Desert Ridge and other strong programs in the East Valley and state. He strives for perfection and hopes to make a name for himself in the 132-pound weight class this season. “I want to be the No. 1 wrestler in the state,” Beyer said. “I kind of have to compare myself to all the other wrestlers and always strive to do my best.” Like Caliendo, Beyer cherishes the mo-
Have an interesting sports story? Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.
where they weren’t mandated like they were for us. So, we are a little excited now that it’ll be a level playing �ield. “I appreciate everything the board talked about and we are excited the 13 seniors on my team get to play their senior years.” The AIA board emphasized throughout its meeting last week the need for schools, players, coaches and parents to abide by the new guidelines to ensure the safest possible environment for winter sports to continue. Overall, they acknowledged the possible risk to the already strained healthcare system across Arizona due to COVID-19 and emphasized it will take action from all of those involved to make the season a success. “This has been a very challenging situation. While we all desire to have our high school students in school and participate in interscholastic sports and activities, we feel it is imperative to consider the recommendations of medical professionals based on their expertise,” the board said in a joint statement. “Reinstating the winter season poses a risk to the healthcare system, which could impact students who may be injured. We believe that these additional modi�ications will serve to mitigate this risk as much as possible. Our member schools and families must understand how critical it is to adhere completely to all modi�ications.” ment Dayoob was able to return to the team. He’s been able to build a strong bond with the coach, much like the rest of those in the program. “It was just like old times when he came back,” Beyer said. “He seemed like he was home. The team feels complete with him here.” Mountain Pointe’s wrestling season is scheduled to start on Jan. 23 against Highland. It will be the �irst time in nearly two years Dayoob is able to coach his team in a match. It’s another opportunity to create memories he admittedly once took for granted. “I don’t mean to come back to the word, but I just have a new appreciation for everything,” Dayoob said. “The teachers, this school, the athletic training staff keeping us safe during this crazy time, all of it.”
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
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Popular Jewish �ilm fest goes virtual this year BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer
T
he Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival marks its 25th anniversary this year and will celebrate it virtually. Celebrating Jewish culture through �ilm, the festival – Feb. 14 through March 3 – is typically held in three cities across the Valley, including Scottsdale but instead takes place online with three extra days of screenings. Considered the longest-running �ilm festival in the Valley, this year’s festival features more than 30 feature-length and short �ilms. Its virtual format will allow attendees to easily build a �lexible, customized schedule. “There is something for everyone: drama, comedy, biographical documentaries, thrillers, spy stories, musicals, family �ilms,” said Co-Executive Director Jerry Mittelman. Mittelman said screening committees viewed about 100 �ilms and selected what they thought the audiences would enjoy. “Their successful choices in the past years have proven to be winners and they will again this year,” he said. Participants will also have the opportunity to watch interviews with �ilmmakers and experts following many of the screenings. This year’s festival also features a free screening of the documentary “Shared Legacies” on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m., coinciding with Black History Month. The documentary highlights the coalition and friendship between the Jewish and African American communities during the Civil Rights Movement. “This �ilm focuses on a proud chapter in modern American history when two communities of different backgrounds collaborated to transform the moral conscience
“Hunting Elephants” is a heartwarming caper comedy, starring Sir Patrick Stewart, about a precocious teen conspiring with three senior citizens to rob a bank to save his mother’s house. (GPJFF) of the nation,” Mittelman added. And as a community service, the festival is also offering a free �ilm each month to more than 40 senior residence facilities throughout the Valley. “Our aim is to provide quality �ilms to those who are shut in, or don’t get around the town,” Mittelman said. “Residents are able to view the �ilms on their closed-circuit house TV.” Last year, the festival featured 30 �ilms and saw a turnout of close to 13,000 attendees over a two-week period. “When I started volunteering 23 years ago, if we had 2,000 tuchuses in the seats over a six-�ilm, one-week period, that was considered a winner year,” Mittelman said. “The attendance has grown by leaps and bounds.” When COVID-19 took hold of the state, however, festival organizers never considered cancelling this year’s event.
“The board of directors was unanimous that we would have a festival, and at a meeting in spring, made another decision to do it virtually,” he said. It was a challenge to shift to a virtual format, too, but Mittelman noted they had time on their side to learn. “None of us knew anything about how to do this,” he said. “The past nine months were as if we had to rebuild from the inside out. And mazel tov — a new baby was born!” A custom-made website ticketing system, which had to be integrated with a streaming service, was created by Cinesend and OrderTech. Viewers will have 72 hours from the posted time to begin to watch and 48 hours from when they start the �ilm to complete viewing. They will be able to pause, rewind and even switch devices within the house over the 48 hours.
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com
Mittelman is con�ident the audience will be pleased with the virtual format. “We feel the technical changes won’t deter our viewers,” he said. “No rush to get to the theater! No parking or driving at night problems! All the refreshments you can eat!” Mittelman added that they will have support phone lines should anyone encounter any technical and billing problems. Looking ahead, organizers are considering transforming their �ilm festival into a hybrid format, with some features available for viewing in a theater and others virtually. “Virtual offers some advantages that the theater doesn’t, so it may turn out to be highly acceptable to many,” Mittelman said. “But there is nothing like sharing a good �ilm with an appreciative audience, the munch of good popcorn and a really big screen. If we go hybrid, then it starts all over again.” According to Mittelman, organizers are elated to reach a 25-year milestone – and grateful to the community for helping them reach it. “We have been successful operating as an all-volunteer working board of directors, screening and planning for over a year for each succeeding year; and the attendance and �inancial support from the entire community, not just Jewish people, has been overwhelming,” Mittelman said.
If You Go...
What: Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival Where:Website: gpjff.org When: Feb. 14-March 3 Cost: Tickets start at $12 Festival Pass: (watch all films)
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
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SINCE 1982
We’ve missed our loyal customers in Ahwatukee and look forward to seeing you again.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner VOTE KEEGANS FOR BEST WINGS AND 1/2 OFF BURGERS IN THE BEST OF AHWATUKEE!
KOOL DOWN AT KEEGAN’S
DRINKS STARTING AT $3 AND APPETIZERS STARTING AT $4
DAILY FROM 2 PM - 6:30 PM & 8 PM TO CLOSE ASK YOUR SERVER FOR DETAILS
ROC #CR39-312643
480-725-7303 www.BrewersAC.com
AHWATUKEE
4723 EAST RAY ROAD
480-705-0505
Lunch entree!
with purchase of a 2nd entree. Must include the purchase of two beverages. Not valid with social hour pricing, daily/weekly specials, or any other promotions, discounts or specials. One coupon per table. Dine-in-ONLY at the Ahwatukee location. Equal or greater value, minimum $9.00. Expires 1/31/21.
1/2 OFF
Dinner entree!
with purchase of a 2nd entree. Must include the purchase of two beverages. Not valid with social hour pricing, daily/weekly specials, or any other promotions, discounts or specials. One coupon per table. Dine-in-ONLY at the Ahwatukee location. Equal or greater value, minimum $12.00. Expires 1/31/21.
Everything Made from Scratch Daily
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
45
King Crossword
Employ ment
ACROSS
1 Wordsworth work 5 Spasm 8 Billie -- King 12 Against 13 Granada gold 14 Sea eagle 15 500 sheets 16 Chess piece 17 Right on the map? 18 On an angle 20 Dines 22 Donald Duck’s outfit 26 Birth-related 29 “Exodus” hero 30 Vitamin stat 31 Prior nights 32 Pvt.’s superior 33 Grant basis, at times 34 Seminary subj. 35 Take to court 36 Smartens (up) 37 Produce aisle display 40 Pan handler? 41 Rookie 45 Boyfriend 47 Business mag 49 Press 50 Formerly, once 51 French vineyard 52 Bandleader Puente 53 Makes lace 54 “Dig in!” 55 Salty septet
Employment General Hiring Auto Technician / Auto Mechanic Both Experienced and Entry-Level Huffs Automotive Chandler AZ . HuffsAutomotive.com Submit Resume for Consideration
huffsautomotive @yahoo.com 480-726-8900
Merchandise Pets/Services/Livestock
While Your’ Away Services Pet, Home & Property Checks
Voted one of the “Best of Ahwatukee” 10 Years Running!
Reasonable Rates Special Pricing on Extended Service Licensed/Bonded/Insured Ahwatukee Resident
Call Eleanor Today!
480.287.4897
www.WhileYouAreAwayServices.com
CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com 39 Full-length 42 Party cheese 43 Greek vowel 44 Seth’s son
45 Wager 46 Historic period 48 Big D.C. lobby
CASH OUT!
Real Estate for Sale Homes For Sale
Sudoku
Employment General NortonLifeLock Inc. has an opening for Data Engineering Analyst in Tempe, AZ. Job description includes responsible for design and implementation of the technical architecture needed to support Business Intelligence and Analytics solutions as well as 3rd party systems that rely on data warehousing solutions. Will participate in rotating on call support for 24x7 production environment. May telecommute from home. To apply, submit resume to jobads@nortonlifelock.com. Must reference job title and job ID: 1648.6835.
DOWN
1 Law firm aide, for short 2 Till bills 3 List-ending abbr. 4 Brunch cocktails 5 “Only Love” actress Marisa 6 Lyricist Gershwin 7 Monarch’s spouse 8 Army vehicles 9 Test-paper smudges 10 Reply (Abbr.) 11 Court divider 19 Chum 21 Swiss canton 23 Beer type 24 Nantes notion 25 Tiny amounts 26 Soft ball? 27 Say it’s so 28 Put on the air 32 Be enough 33 Blockheads 35 That lady 36 Golfer Michelle 38 Closes
Announcements Adult Care/Assisted Living
LATIN’S HOME Private and Semi Private 10601 S 42nd St, Phoenix, AZ 480-249-6143
ASSISTED LIVING PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 22
Pete Meier
Need More Houses to Sell! Call Pete! Call us for a FREE Consultation
Associate Broker, CRS, GRI
602-690-3361
SOLD
SOLD
$285,000 $275,000 Much sought after townhome 2 split Master bedrooms, 2 ba, 3c gar, glass enclosed in Tuscany Courts in Arizona room 16x16, great Ahwatukee 2br/2.5 Baths 2 gar. Gently lived in. This is not room, fireplaces, low maint. landscaping. Near Multiin the 55+ neighborhood! Million $ Rec center, shopping. Near community pool.
SOLD $325,000 3br/2ba/2gar excellent location backing to lush greenbelt lot, 2,294 sq ft his and her home offices. Western décor. Mature landscaping. Near shopping and multi-million $ rec center, single level in 55+ community.
SOLD $335,000 55+ Popular Pueblo flr plan 3BR / 2BA / 2 GAR. Great location near Multi Mil $ Rec Center and Shopping. Mature citrus.
petemeier.com
Call for a FREE Home Value Analysis
CLASSIFIEDS
46
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
Classifieds
Ahwatukee Foothills News
1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #219 • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@timespublications.com Deadlines
Classifieds: Friday 3pm for Wednesday Life Events: Friday 10am for Wednesday
The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | Ahwatukee.com Click on Marketplace Air Duct Cleaning
Air Duct Cleaning & Dryer Vents BY JOHN Air Conditioning/Heating
QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!
Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship Furnace / AC Tune Up - $69 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
★ 30+ Years HVAC Experience ★ Disinfected & Sanitized With Every Job
480-405-7588
ItsJustPlumbSmart.com WINTER IS COMING,
DON’T GET CAUGHT IN THE COLD
(480) 912-0881 – Licensed & Insured
Honey Do List Too Long? Check out the Handyman Section! Appliance Repair Now
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 **Get up to $3,899 In Dealer Rebates No interest if paid in full within 18 months on a qualifying Trane purchase
and
Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period.
WINTER TUNE-UP SPECIAL! $69 (REG. $99) Includes a 16-Point Inspection. LIMITED TIME ONLY. RESIDENTIAL ONLY
YOUR HOMETOWN AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALIST FREE Service Call With Repair FREE Second Opinion ★ FREE Estimate
480-725-7303 www.BrewersAC.com SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643
Contractors
CONCRETE MASONRY Block Walls • Concrete • Pavers BBQ & Fireplaces • Stucco Cool Deck • Imitation Flagstone Call Garcia 602-515-6627 Free Estimates
Cell Cell
Appliance Repairs Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252
Concrete & Masonry
Licensed & Insured
Not a licensed contractor
Small Jobs Welcome!
CONCRETE & MASONRY BLOCKWALL CONCRETE RETAINING WALL BLOCK FENCE PLANTER BBQ
FOUNDATION DRIVEWAY SIDEWALK PATIO
PAVER • CONCRETE REMOVAL • HARDSCAPE BONDED & INSURED • ROC#321648 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! FREE ESTIMATES • 16 YEARS EXPERIENCE RESIDENTIAL CALL JOHN: 480.797.2985 COMMERCIAL
www.Ahwatukee.com
Block Fence * Gates
JOSE DOMINGUEZ DRYWALL & PAINTING House Painting, Drywall, Intall Doors, Baseboards, Crown Molding Reliable, Dependable, Honest!
602-789-6929 Roc #057163 Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp Serving Entire Valley
MOBILE DETAIL SERVICE TO YOUR LOCATION IN GREATER PHOENIX
QUALITY WORK, AFFORDABLE PRICING DISCOUNT RATES FOR: SPECIAL EVENTS • FLEETS • COMPANY CAR WASH DAYS
480-206-9980 AHWATUKEEMOBILECARDETAIL.COM
Drywall
QUICK RESPONSE TO YOUR CALL! 15 Years Experience • Free Estimates
YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST!
Automotive Services
AHWATUKEE MOBILE CAR DETAIL
See MORE Ads Online!
DESERT ROCK
480.266.4589 josedominguez0224@gmail.com Not a licensed contractor.
Place YOUR Business HERE! in the Service Directory
Call for our 3 Month Special! Starting at $145/month Classifieds: 480-898-6465
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
★ Room Additions ★ Water Damage ★ Popcorn Removal ★ Residential/Commercial ★ Interior/Exterior Painting ★ Ahwatukee Resident ★ Call 480-200-0043 ROC# 262737
CLASSIFIEDS
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
Electrical Services
Garage/Doors
HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY
GARAGE DOOR SERVICE
• Panel Changes and Repairs • Installation of Ceiling Fans • Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel
• Serving Arizona Since 2005 •
ALL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL Call Jim Endres 480.282.7932 Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured
Residential Electrician
East Valley/ Ahwatukee
Electric Car Chargers for ALL your Fans electrical needs Lighting 41 years Troubleshooting And much more experience
GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS
REMODEL CONTRACTOR
Irrigation
HIRING?
Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Ahwatukee References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor Ahwatukee / References CallSydney BruceResident/ at 602.670.7038 Jaden
2012, 2013, 2014 ty Work Since 1999
Affordable, Quali
Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor Bruce at 602.670.7038
Associates.com
ROC#277978 • Licensed/Bonded/Insured
Ahwatukee Resident
Home Improvement
Plans / Additions, Patios Family Owned with 50 New Doors, Windows years' EXPERIENCE. Lowest Price Broken Springs Shower and tub enclosin Town! Replaced ures, Framed, FrameR. Child Nights/Weekends less or Custom Doors, Lic#216115, Class BO3 Bonded/Insured We also install insuBonded-Insured-Ref's 480-251-8610 Not a licensed contractor lated glass, mirrored 480-215-3373 closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! Painting • Flooring • Electrical doors, glass table proHandyman Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry tectors. If it’s glass, we Decks • Tile • More! If someone can help you. QUALMarks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! ITY SERVICE at ComNeeds a Job, Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting Flooring • Electrical petitive Prices. They Look “No Job Too ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry FREE Estimates Man!” • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More! Every Day! WESLEY'S GLASSPlumbing & MIRROR 1999 e Sinc Quality Work Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 wesleysglass.com 2012, 2013, For a Quote email: 2014 ✔ Drywall Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 SERVICING THE Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job class@times ✔ Carpentry publications.com ENTIRE VALLEY Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks 480-898-6465 Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” Call 480-306-5113 “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens ce 1999 Sin rk Wo y Handyman alit Qu e, Affordabl ✔ Bathrooms BSMALLMAN@Q.COM 2010, 2011 rk Since 1999 2012, “No 2013, Job Too Affordable, Quality Wo And More! 2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038
Call Sean Haley 602-574-3354
C. READ & SON ELECTRIC
Glass/Mirror
Visit our website! Landlord and Homeowner Property Services
Repairs • Drywall • Painting • BINSR Items Trash Removal • HOA Compliance
AND so much more!
47
• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service
NTY
5-YEAR WARRA
480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671
Sprinkler & Drip Systems Repairs • Modifications • Installs
2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014
Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor
MALDONADO HOME REPAIR SERVICES CALL DOUG
480.201.5013
THE HANDYMAN THAT HANDLES SMALL JOBS THAT OTHERS DECLINE ✔ Painting ✔ Gate Restoration ✔ Lighting ✔ Plumbing Repairs ✔ Replace Cracked ✔ Sheetrock Roof Tiles Texturing Repairs ✔ & MUCH MORE!
Ahwatukee Resident
480.335.4180 Not a licensed contractor.
2008 through 2019
LLC
Ahwatukee Resident, References Available, Insured
*Not A Licensed Contractor
480-940-6400 Garage/Doors
OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE SERVICING & INSTALLING GARAGE DOORS AND OPERATORS
• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations
GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY
All Estimates are Free • Call:
OPEN 24/7
• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair
520.508.1420
www.husbands2go.com
Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC#317949 Ask me about FREE water testing!
• SERVING ALL OF METRO PHOENIX • HONEST AND REPUTABLE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
ANOZIRA DOOR SYSTEMS
FREE Estimates! Plumbing Electrical Paint Tile
CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465 class@times publications.com
Home Improvement
• BASE BOARDS • DRYWALL • ELECTRICAL • PAINTING • PLUMBING • BATHROOMS • WOOD FLOORING • FRAMING WALLS • FREE ESTIMATES • GRANITE FABRICATION & INSTALLATION • CARPET INSTALLATION • LANDSCAPING
No Job Too Small! Senior Discounts!
David Hernandez (602) 802 3600
Able Handyman Service LLC
And Much, Much More!
Not a licensed
contractor Jim 480.593.0506 Ablehandyman2009@gmail.com
• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty
480.345.1800
Home Remodeling NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR
ROC #158440 Bond/Insured
www.readelectricaz.com
daveshomerepair@yahoo.com • Se Habla Español
Meetings/Events?
Get Free notices in the Classifieds!
Submit to ecota@timespublications.com
ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded
Oooh, MORE ads online! Check Our Online Classifieds Too!
www.Ahwatukee.com
48
CLASSIFIEDS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
Landscape/ Maintenance Foothills Touch Landscapes LLC Lawn care/Maint.
$25 per visit.
Landscape/Maintenance
Painting
SPRINKLER DOCTOR
Complete Lawn Service & Weed Control
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING Interior, Exterior House Painting. Stucco Patching. Gate/Front Door Refinishing. Quality work/Materials Free Estimate Ignacio 480-961-5093 602-571-9015 ROC #189850 Bond/Ins'd
Repairs - Installs - Modifications
Starting as low as
Timers/Valves/Sprinklers DRIP-PVC-COPPER Backflows & Regulators
SPEND A LITTLE…
Install/Design We do it all!
Not a licensed contractor
MAKE A LOT!
Ahw. Res - 30 yrs Exp Free Estimates. Call Pat (480) 343-0562
• One Month Free Service • Licensed, Bonded Insured for your protection. • Call or Text for a Free Quote
25 years Experience & Insured Not a licensed contractor.
New & Re-Do Design and Installation
480-586-8445
theplugman.com
FREE WEED CONTROL FERTILIZER TREATMENT WITH LAWN AERATION SOIL AMENDMENTS * SOIL TESTING * LAWN SERVICES
Free Estimates 7 Days a Week!
ROC 282663 * BONDED * INSURED YOUR LAWN EXPERT SINCE 1995
ROC# 186443 • BONDED
480.844.9765
Specials
Lawn Mowing Starts At $40 Full Service Starts At $70
Add a Background Color to Your Ad! Classifieds 480-898-6465
Custom Design and Renovation turning old to new Custom Built-ins, BBQs, Firepits, Fireplaces, Water Features, Re-Designing Pools, Masonry, Lighting, Tile, Flagstone, Pavers, Culture Stone & Travertine, Synthetic Turf, Sprinkler/Drip, Irrigation Systems, Clean ups & Hauling
Call for a FREE consultation and Estimate To learn more about us, view our photo gallery at: ShadeTreeLandscapes.com
480-730-1074
Bonded/Insured/Licensed • ROC #225923
Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician
Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems
• High Quality Materials & Workmanship • Customer Satisfaction Free Est imates • Countless References • Carpentry Services Now Available
602.625.0599 ROC #155380
Painting
Family Owned • Free Estimates
480-745-5230
The Possibilities are Endless
SUN TECH
PAINTING
Visit us at Suntechpaintingaz.com or view our video promo at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM5pbvpZJlg
15 Yrs Exp! All English Speaking Crew
Irrigation Repair Services Inc.
Not a licensed contractor
INC.
SONORAN LAWN
Serving the Valley for over 28 years
Jose Dominguez Painting & Drywall SEE OUR AD IN DRYWALL! Quick Response to your Call! 15 Years Exp 480-266-4589
Serving Ahwatukee Since 1987 Interior / Exterior
+
Schedule your holiday cleanup with SONORAN LAWN.
For a Quote email: class@times publications.com 480-898-6465
Painting
480-940-8196
Affordable | Paver Specialists All phases of landscape installation. Plants, cacti, sod, sprinklers, granite, concrete, brick, Kool-deck, lighting and more!
If One Needs a Job, They Look Every day!
kjelandscape.com • ROC#281191 WANT A WEED-FREE GREEN LAWN?
Arizona Specialty Landscape
Landscape Design/Installation
Starting @ $60/Month!
LANDSCAPE LIGHTING
Landscape/Maintenance
Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online! Classifieds 480-898-6465
HIRING?
Landscape/Maintenance
HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING
Looking To Freshen Up Your Home? WE CAN HELP!
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
Residential & Commercial Painting ROC#309706
10%
Call Lance White
480.721.4146
DISCOUNT
on all services
www.irsaz.com
Proudly Serving Ahwatukee for 15 Years! Family Owned & Operated • Interior & Exterior • Professional Cabinet Refinishing • Epoxy Floors & Concrete Coatings • In-Home Color Consultations “Professional, Punctual & Clean”
Veteran Owned
ROC# 256752
Your newspaper. Your community. Your planet. Please recycle me.
Interior Painting
Pressure Washing
Exterior Painting Drywall/Stucco repair Complete prep work Wallpaper Removal
www.ACPpaintingllc.com
480-888-5895
FREE ESTIMATES • CALL TODAY!
ROC#270450
Licensed - Bonded - Insured ROC 290242
(480)785-6323
CLASSIFIEDS
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
Plumbing
Painting
affinityplumber@gmail.com
★ Epoxy Floors
Scott Mewborn, Owner 480-818-1789 License #ROC 298736
East Valley PAINTERS
Water Heaters
24/7
Inside & Out Leaks
Bonded
7 6 6 5
Insured
Faucets
Estimates Availabler
$35 off
Any Service
Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting
602-546-POOL www.barefootpoolman.com
Toilets Disposals
Voted #1
PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!
10% OFF
We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality Free Estimates! Home of the 10-Year Warranty!
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
See our Before’s and After’s on Facebook
Pool Service / Repair
Juan Hernandez
Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC# 272001
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.
You will find them easy with their yellow background. Garage Sale Fri & Sat 7a-11am Household, clothes, kitchen items, furniture, electronics, mason jars, kid items, DVDs, MORE 555 W. Lane Dr Mesa
Only $27.50 includes 1 week online To place an ad please call: 480-898-6465 class@times publications.com
Pool Service / Repair 1st Month of Service FREE For a limited time
Call Now!
Ahw Resident • Owner Operated Maintenance & Repair Professional and Superior Service
We maintain, repair and service all types of pools, equipment, filters, cleaning systems, fresh water and salt water systems
Call me, Howard:
480.231.9651
AZPoolExpert.com BBB Member Not a licensed contractor.
480-688-4770
Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709
www.eastvalleypainters.com Now Accepting all major credit cards
Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131
Monthly Service & Repairs Available
Anything Plumbing Same Day Service
★ Small Job Specialist
Family Owned & Operated
Filter Cleaning!
Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor
★ Elastomaric Roof Coating
Watch for Garage Sales in Classifieds!
$25 OFF
Off 40work done *Any
Not a licensed contractor
★ Interior/Exterior Painting ★ Drywall Repair & Installation ★ Popcorn Ceiling Removal
AHWATUKEE SPECIAL $
www.affinityplumbingaz.com
“We get your house looking top notch!”
Pool Service / Repair
Plumbing
Affinity Plumbing LLC 480-487-5541
49
MISSED THE DEADLINE?
480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com
Call us to place your ad online!
Plumbing
480-898-6465 Plumbing
PLUMBING A+ RATED
We Repair or Install ROC # 272721
SERVICE • REPAIR • REPLACEMENT
$35.00 Off Any Service Call Today!
AHWATUKEE’S #1 PLUMBER Licensed • Bonded • Insured
704.5422
(480)
We offer personalized service for our customers. We use the best materials that we can find.
Owned and Operated by Rod Lampert Ahwatukee Resident Serving Ahwatukee for over 25 years
Our services include: Sinks, Toilets, Faucets, Water Heaters, Garbage Disposal, Drain Cleaning, Pressure Reducing Valves, Pressure Vacuum Breakers, Hot Water Circulation Systems, Main Service Valves and Hose Taps.
(480)
279-4155
Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC 189848
50
CLASSIFIEDS
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
Roofing
Roofing
Roofing
TILE ROOFING SPECIALISTS
Over 30 Years of Experience Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!
Flat and Foam Roof Experts!
480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com
10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof
MonsoonRoofingInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561
desertsandscontracting.com
Commercial & Residential Family Owned & Operated AZROC #283571 | CONTRACTOR LIC. AZROC #312804 CLASS CR4 | FULLY INSURED
FREE ESTIMATES 602-736-3019 30 Years Roofing Experience
JILEK ROOFING, LLC
New Roof Installation & Roof Repair Specialist
Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident
Cell: 480.417.3689 Office: 480.912.5014 Email: tomjilek60@gmail.com
480-706-1453
Licensed & Insured • Bonded, Res/Com ROC 328854
Over 30 yrs. Experience
Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING
FLAT ROOFS | SHINGLES | TEAR OFFS | NEW ROOFS | REPAIRS TILE UNDERLAYMENT | TILE REPAIR | LEADERS | COPPER ALUMINUM COATINGS | GUTTERS | SKYLIGHTS
10% OFF COMPLETE UNDERLAYMENT
Valley Wide Service
602-938-7575 480-446-7663 $ 1000 OFF when you show this ad
10% OFF
Let us show you the IN-EX Difference!
Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!
on qualifying complete roof replacements
Serving The Valley Since 1996
Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099 Family Owned & Operated for over 30 years
Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! We have a “Spencer” on every job and every step of the way.
inexroofing.com
Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!
Window Cleaning
Quality Repairs & Re-Roofs Call our office today!
Ahwatukee Based Family Owned and Operated Insured • Free Estimates
480-460-7602
See our reviews and schedule at:
Ask us about our discount for all Military and First Responders!
www.cousinswindowcleaning.com
480-330-2649
Licensed, Bonded, Insured
Licensed • Bonded • Insured ROC # 269218
SHARE WITH THE WORLD!
Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today! Call us for details. FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded
FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded
Complimentary & Honest Estimates
www.porterroofinginc.com
480-446-7663
with this ad
Call for your FREE Roof Evaluation
ROC #152111
CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465 class@timespublications.com
Roofing
class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465
CLASSIFIEDS
JANUARY 20, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS
palmabrisa.com
NOW SELLING
A new gated resort community is now selling in the Ahwatukee Foothills with a dramatically different style. It feels exclusive, but also lively and exciting — and it's called Palma Brisa. • Modern resort-style gated community with stately palms
• Diverse architecture: Modern Bungalow, Urban Farmhouse, Italian Cottage, Andalusian, Modern Craftsman, French Country, and Spanish Mission • Four amenity areas connected by expansive lawns
• Homes from 1,700 sq. ft. to 4,000 sq. ft. from the $500’s
ERIC WILLIAMS
480-641-1800
TERRY LENTS
© Copyright 2021 Blandford Homes, LLC. No offer to sell or lease may be made prior to issuance of Final Arizona Subdivision Public Report. Offer, terms, and availability subject to change without prior notice. Renderings are artist’s conceptions and remain subject to modification without notice.
51
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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JANUARY 20, 2021
! t u o w o l B
12
58” 4K UHD SMART TV
NO MATTER WHERE YOU SEE IT, READ IT, OR HEAR ABOUT IT, SPENCERS IS GUARANTEED TO BE LOWER!
S MONTHT** RES
NO INTE
• 2 HDMI Inputs • Airplay2 Built-In
449
UN58TU7000
WMH1162XVQ CLOSEOUT
• Adjustable Glass Shelves • 2 Crisper Drawers • LED Lighting
899
FRSG1915AV
$
• 950 Watts of Power • 10 Levels of Power • Sunken Glass Turntable
199
$
SIDE BY SIDE COUNTER DEPTH REFRIGERATOR
NO INTEREST**
• Active Blue Light Technology • NeoFrost Dual Cooling Technology
1.6 CU. FT. OVER-THE-RANGE MICROWAVE
• 3.5 Cu. Ft. • Porcelain Tub • 700 RPM Spin Speed NTW4500XQ CLOSEOUT
12 MONTHS
FAMILY SIZE REFRIGERATOR
449 $499
$
WASHER
$
Everyone Waits For A Truckload Sale At Spencers … It’s Here! We BUY Inventory By The Truckload, So Prices Get Lower. Every Brand, Every Manufacturer. Rebates Apply Even When Prices Are This Low!
DISHWASHER
• 12-Place Settings • 5 Wash Cycles • Piranha™ Hard Food Disposer • Hot Start Option GSD2100VWW –
299
$
BFTF2716WH
BFTF2716SS BEKO
REFRIGERATOR DISHWASHER • Integrated Control Styling • Premium Nylon Racks • In Door Silverware Basket • Energy Star Qualified WDF520PADM
• 25 Cubic Foot Capacity • Spill Proof Glass Shelves • Humidity Controlled Drawers • Energy Star Qualified WRS325SDHZ
RANGE • 4.8 Cubic Foot Capacity • Self Cleaning Oven • Smooth Top • Proudly Made in USA WFE505W0HS CLOSEOUT
$339 10%
2350
99 $
BUYS ALL 3 PIECES
** NO INTEREST IF PAID IN FULL IN 12 MONTHS. $799.00 Minimum Purchase Required Minimum Payments Required 30.79% APR If the promotional balance is not paid in full by the end for the promotional period or, to the extent permitted by law, if you make a late payment, interest will be imposed from the date of purchase at the APR noted above. This APR is as of 7/4/2019 and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Your card agreement, the terms of the offer and applicable law govern this transaction including increasing APRs and fees and terminating the promotional period.
MESA SHOWROOM & CLEARANCE CENTER 115 W. First Ave. | 480-833-3072 AHWATUKEE 4601 E. Ray Rd. | Phoenix | 480-777-7103 ARROWHEAD RANCH 7346 W. Bell Road | 623-487-7700 GILBERT Santan Village | 2711 S. Santan Village Pkwy | 480-366-3900 GLENDALE 10220 N. 43rd Ave | (602) 504-2122 GOODYEAR 1707 N. Litchfield Rd | 623-930-0770 RECONDITION CENTER 160 EAST BROADWAY | 480-615-1763 SCOTTSDALE 14202 N. Scottsdale Rd. | 480-991-7200 SCOTTSDALE/PHOENIX 13820 N. Tatum Blvd. | (602) 494-0100 NOW OPEN - MESA 5141 S. Power Rd. | 480-988-1917
Arizona’s largest independent dealer! “It’s Like Having A Friend In The Business” Check Out Our Website
WWW.SPENCERSTV.COM OPEN DAILY 9AM-9PM | SATURDAY 9AM-6PM | SUNDAY 11AM-5PM
HOUSE IN S R E C SPEN PLANS PAYMENT BLE AVAILA Due to current circumstances, some items may be out of stock.