Ahwatukee Foothills News 02/15/2023

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

The western communities of Ahwatukee will have a fully operating city fire station closer to homes within the next two years, thanks to Mayor Kate Gallego and city Councilman Sal DiCiccio.

Gallego and the DiCiccio worked with City Manager Jeff Barton to include the station’s construction on city-owned land on the

northwest corner of 19th Avenue and Chandler Boulevard in the 2023-24 capital budget.

Moreover, when the station opens, it will be immediately manned by a fully trained staff that will be entering the training academy in the next fiscal year because the two officials also have secured $3 million in the 2023-24 operating budget – and $3 million annually after that – to cover operational costs.

The trial budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is scheduled to be released to -

www.ahwatukee.com

morrow, Feb. 16.

The Ahwatukee facility is the only fire station included in the 2023-24 capital budget.

“It’s very exciting for that community and we’re moving forward,” Gallego told AFN in an interview. “We will have response times there that will be the envy of the rest of the city.”

DiCiccio agreed.

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Inflation and shrinking Colorado River water allocations for Arizona are prompting the Phoenix city administration to propose a 6.5% increase in water rates this year instead of a previously forecasted 3.5% with increases in each of the next five years ranging from 5% to 13%.

In addition, sewer rates would rise by 6.5% this year with subsequent annual increases through 2028 ranging from 6.5% to 9%, according to a report that a City Council subcommittee was scheduled to discuss today, Feb. 15.

But the actual impact of those rate increases on monthly water bills would be substantially less for at least a fifth of all singlefamily homes because the city is in effect

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Final rounds fired in $2M request in Lakes course fight

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Lawyers in the 8-year-long battle over the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course fight last week filed their closing arguments in a phase of the case that could cost course owner ALCR as much as $2 million.

Attorney Tim Barnes, who represents homeowners Linda Swain and Eileen Breslin, wants Superior Court Judge Melissa Iyer Julian to impose the penalty on ALCR for alleged violations of another judge’s 2020 schedule for reopening the site.

In 2020, Judge Theodore Campagnolo set September 2022 as the deadline for reopening the course, which ALCR’s predecessor company closed in 2013.

Though a third judge allowed ALCR to delay a full opening of the 18-hole executive course until mid-October of last year, Barnes contends that the company left various parts of the course in disrepair and had failed to build a proper clubhouse to replace the one that was destroyed in a mysterious fire in 2016.

Following a day-long hearing on Barnes’ assertions, Julian ordered him and ALCR lawyer Daniel Maynard to each file a five-page closing argument.

Barnes quoted Campagnolo’s order in making his argument for a $2 million penalty against ALCR:

“Completion means completion. No substantial completion. Not partial completion. Completion means the golf course is open for golfing on all 18 holes and that any amenities…such as a pro shop, pathways, etc., are ready for usage by the golfers.”

But Maynard noted that the special court-appointed master kept the court apprised of the restoration’s progress and had sought a delay in the opening of the full course until mid-October so that both Bermuda and rye grass had time to take root.

“Open and operational does not mean perfect,” Maynard wrote, noting Barnes and his clients agreed to the deadline extension. “As the court appointed spe-

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ALCR reopened the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course last fall after a long legal battle that followed its closure in 2013.

(Tom Sanfilippo/Inside Out Aerial)

cial master testified, golf courses change every day and are never completed.”

Referring again to Campagnolo’s directive, Barnes said his witnesses and exhibits “show that ALCR utterly failed to restore the ‘golf course to the reasonable expectations that the Lakes Golf Course created among the benefitted homeowners.’

“In the decades after its creation, the golf course had been lush and verdant, a popular championship short course whose lakes and fairways had been framed and shaded by hundreds of mature trees and other flora that attracted birds and wildlife….Plantiffs testified and courts found it was destroyed by ALCR and its predecessors and that its restoration is essential.”

Barnes said various repairs to features like the cart path, bridge abutments and restrooms were never made and that “branches from scrub trees” were poking above the surface of the lake closest to 44th Street.

He also said that a permanent clubhouse instead of a modular building had to be built on the site and asked the judge to issue an order requiring a timetable for tis construction.

Barnes also asked that the special master continue to oversee more work on the course, arguing:

“While plaintiffs sought to preserve the landscape and the value of the homes their neighbors had bought for retirement, the developer-opponents at trial claimed it was ‘good public policy’ to do the opposite.”

He also noted that his two clients saw a view of lakes and grass replaced by “a stench-filled wasteland of overgrown weeds ringed by a chain-link fence.”

In rebuttal, Maynard said Barnes’ clients and other witnesses “complained

about some of the aesthetics – weeds near some of the fences, a sand pile in the parking lot, brush and trees in a lakebed that had not been filed and in the retaining pond, that the clubhouse did not have electricity and that there were porta-potties instead of bathrooms.

“None of these complaints went to whether the golf course could have opened on Aug. 20, 2022,” he continued, charging Barnes never called the courtappointed special master because the plaintiffs “knew that his testimony went against them.”

Contending the special master addressed the cart paths and other flaws cited by Barnes, Maynard also noted that the special master had testified that modular clubhouses are common on new and remodeled golf courses and that electricity has finally been restored to the Lakes’ modular unit.

He also said Terry Duggan, president of Ahwatukee Golf Properties and a key aide to Wilson Gee, a principal in course owner ALCR, had testified that the company “plans to build a permanent club house but it will be a year or two so that it has time to evaluate traffic on the golf course and determine what is needed.”

“The golf course reconstruction is an ongoing project,” Maynard wrote. “As the special master testified, a golf course is a living entity that changes every day. … There is a superintendent and four permanent employees that take care of the golf course on a daily basis.

“As the special master testified, it is extraordinary what has been accomplished in restoring the golf course and with each passing year it will only get better,” he concluded.

“ALCR has complied with Judge Campagnolo’s order and will continue to take steps to make the golf course better and repair its relationship with the community.” 

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

The former second in command of the Phoenix Police Department is now heading the state schools chief’s initiative to place armed officers or security personnel on all school campuses.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Schools Tom Horne last week announced that Michael Kurtenbach will be his director of school safety and that another former Phoenix Police Commander Allen Smith will be his assistant director.

As executive chief of the Phoenix force, Kurtenbach was a familiar face at City Council hearings in 2021 and early 2022 as he reported on the difficulties Phoenix Police were encountering in maintaining a sufficient number of patrol officers in the face of low recruitment results and a high rate of department retirements and resignations.

Former Police Chief Geri Williams last year summer pulled Kurtenbach out of

that position, saying that because she was retiring, she wanted her successor to name his own person for the job. Kurtenbach subsequently retired.

“Every school should have a law enforcement officer to protect students and staff, and this should be accomplished on an urgent basis,“ Horne said in a Feb. 8 release. “Delay in implementing this goal could leave schools more vulnerable to a tragic catastrophe.“

Horne also indicated that he won’t look favorably on school districts that request public safety grants for measures that do not include an armed officer or security personnel. Such requests could involve more counselors or related personnel.

“Schools that currently have no armed presence yet submit grants applications that do not request an officer will not receive a recommendation from this department to the State Board of Education,” he said.

Horne said that while “I am a longtime supporter of each school having a counselor to help ensure the well-being of students” he is a strong believer in an armed presence on campuses.

“Schools still ought to have counselors but providing a safe school atmosphere that requires an armed presence is the first priority,” he said.

The Education Department noted that in recent weeks throughout the Valley, “there have been reported incidents of heightened school threats, real and fake weapons found on campus, and disturbing social media postings regarding school violence.

“Department staff have also received phone calls from teachers in a Phoenixarea high school district complaining of fights including one involving multiple students in which a female teacher was knocked down. This is a growing trend not just in Arizona but throughout the country,” the department said.

Mountain Pointe High School has been one of the targets of online threats and heightened security measures were taken several weeks after the threats were first reported on Jan. 19.

“The Phoenix Police Department does have an ongoing investigation into threats at Mountain Pointe High School,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Melissa Soliz told AFN over the weekend. “No arrests have been made and no specific threats have been substantiated.”

Horne said Kurtenbach and Smith “will work throughout the state providing schools with resources and expertise to implement effective personnel and safety procedures. They will also assist school administrators in building trust with students to foster specific types of communication that help support a safer school environment.“

Kurtenbach has more than 32 years of experience in law enforcement. He has served as vice chair of Terros Behavioral Services, a member of the advisory board of the Arizona State University Center for Violence Prevention, a board member of AZ Common Ground and belongs to numerous law enforcement associations.

He attended the 2018 Anti-Defamation League National Counter Terrorism Seminar in Israel, and he has served as a grant reviewer for the U.S. Office of Justice Programs.

He is a recipient of the Freedom Fund Award for Law Enforcement from the Maricopa County NAACP, the MetLife Foundation Community-Police Partnership Award, Hero Award from the Center for Neighborhood Leadership and multiple law enforcement honors including the Phoenix Police Department Medal of Valor, Distinguished Service Award, Community Based Policing Award. 

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

With just weeks to go, the state Legislature last week agreed to allow school districts across Arizona to spend the money this academic year that they already have.

accountability to make sure that the money that we are intending to put into the classroom and give to teachers and students to facilitate education ... actually gets there.’’

The move spares Kyrene and Tempe Union school districts from having to cut $20 million and $17 million, respectively, from their planned spending for the last two months of the current school year. Kyrene Chief Financial Officer Chris Hermann said the spending freeze would have affected about 66% of its spending for those two months and likely would have forced layoffs.

State Auditor General Lindsey Perry said that does not paint the whole picture of spending effectively going into the classroom.

She said student support, consisting of counselors, audiologists, speech pathologists, nurses, social workers and attendance services at up another 9.1% of every dollar.

Unlike most legislative districts in the East Valley, the delegation representing Ahwatukee – Sen. Mitzi Epstein and Reps. Patty Contreras and Stacey Travers – was solidly behind the waiver.

Virtually all other East Valley districts saw at least one Republican senator or House member vote against it, though their caucus leaders urged the waiver’s approval.

Republican opponents of lifting the cap said schools needed more accountability before the waiver should be granted.

There also was 5.8% for instructional support, defined as librarians, teacher training, curriculum development and instruction-related technology services. That brought what Perry considers total classroom spending up to 70.2% for the most recent year, versus 69.3% for the prior year.

Rep. Rachel Jones, R-Tucson, who called it “a mismanagement issue,” did not dispute that the measure authorizes schools to use the nearly $1.4 billion that was appropriated to them last legislative session.

“I wasn’t part of the Legislature last year who promised that money,’’ Jones said, saying she’s “not comfortable’’ with that decision.

Mesa Rep. Justin Heap said student funding has nearly doubled in the last decade.

“So the question needs to be asked: What has Arizona received for its investment in education?’’ he asked. “And what we’ve received is failing schools where less than a third of our students are proficient in math and reading.’’

Scottsdale Rep. Alexander Kolodin said the state spends “more per pupil than most other countries in the world, with vastly superior results,’’ though he did not mention multiple studies that show Arizona is at or near the bottom in spending per student among all the states.

Kolodin said he believes that money is still being wasted.

“Where does the money go?’’ he asked. “Before we just keep throwing more money at this problem we need systemic reforms in terms of transparency and

That logic drew a rebuke from Rep. David Cook, R-Globe, who has championed the waiver vote.

“We all took an oath at the beginning of this session to uphold the Constitution,’’ he said. And Cook said approving a budget is “the No. 1 constitutional duty’’ of the Legislature.

“This money was in that budget,’’ he said.

Approval of the spending cap waiver only takes care of current spending. Schools could find themselves in the same position for the next academic year.

At the root of the issue is a 1980 voterapproved constitutional measure which capped K-12 spending at current levels, with annual adjustments based on student growth and inflation.

The measure does allow lawmakers to approve a one-year override with a

thirds vote. And that has occurred without incident in prior years.

What happened this school year is a convergence of two factors.

First, state lawmakers made a massive investment of new dollars, including making up for years during the last recession when schools did not get all the funds to which they were entitled.

Second, the COVID outbreak resulted in a departure of some children from school in prior years.

The result is that schools were authorized to spend nearly $7.8 billion this current academic year. But the constitutional spending cap sits at $6.4 billion.

Complicating matters is that former Gov. Doug Ducey, to get Democrat votes for his budget last year, promised to call a special session to waive the cap.

That never materialized before Ducey left office at the end of the year. And the constitution says if the cap isn’t waived by March 1, schools need to cut an estimated 17% of their annual budgets -- and do it in just the four months remaining in this academic year.

State schools chief Tom Horne, a Republican, warned that would force many schools to close.

Rep. Lydia Hernandez, D-Phoenix, who has served on the school board of the Cartwright Elementary School District, said she agrees with some of the Republicans that there needs to be “systemic reform’’ of education funding.

“I, for one, am not supportive of continuing to throw millions of dollars at an issue without fixing it,’’ she said. But Hernandez said simply denying needed funds to schools in the middle of the academic year, as the failure of this measure would do, is not the answer.

“Until we fully invest and do our due diligence -- and I’m talking about real investment, critical analysis in fixing this problem -- we’re not going to find that solution,’’ she said. “Closing schools is not the answer.’’

There is an alternative to lawmakers having to vote on waivers of the education expenditure limit every year: rescind or at least sharply alter the 1980 cap. But that would require voter approval, with the next general election not until November 2024. 

WARNING! PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!!

Mesa, AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.

cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “Band-Aid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.

1. Finding the underlying cause

2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage (above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)

3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition

The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope!

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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, we have Happy Hour Monday - Sunday from 2 - 6 PM with $5 House Margaritas, $4 Beers, $5.95 Cheese Quesadilla, $8.95 Chunky Guacamole and $9.95 Juana’s Nachos. Live music every Thursday night in our Ahwatukee location and every Friday at our Tempe location. In conclusion The flavorful salsa, the delicious margaritas, the extraordinary and well-priced food will definitely keep you coming back.

The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness, balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves degenerate – an insidious

As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves

Thankfully, Mesa is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.

Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:

Aspen Medical in Mesa, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00. Th is ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results:

1. Increases blood flow

2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves

3. Improves brain-based pain

The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling

It’s completely painless!

THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST INSURANCES!!

Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free.

Aspen Medical begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage –a complimentary service for your friends and family. Each exam comprises a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.

Aspen Medical will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until February 28th, 2023 Call (480) 274-3157 to make an appointment

Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10 c allers Y OU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (480) 274-3157 NOW!!

We are extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Don’t hesitate to stop by the Ahwatukee location 3941 E. Chandler Blvd. (S/W corner Chandler & 40th St) to make your next reservation call 480-823-2834

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“This is a big win for the community,” he said, praising the mayor for her help.

“This could not have been done if it wasn’t for the help of the mayor’s office, others on the council and the city manager,” he said. “I’m eternally grateful to them.”

He noted that current emergency response times to western Ahwatukee average about nine minutes – two minutes longer than the city-wide average.

“For safety-related issues,” he said, “that’s too long. You know, if you’re having a heart attack, you can’t wait nine minutes. You don’t have more than just a few minutes (for help) to be there. So we believe we’re going to see a response time drop occur.”

DiCiccio said he reached out to the mayor early this year after the city administration released the projects it and a citizens committee selected for funding under the proposed $500 million bond proposal that will be put on this November’s ballot.

That proposal – the first General Obligation bond project the city will be presenting to voters in more than a decade – provides $132.5 million for public safety facilities, with four new fire stations, the replacement of one police precinct and renovations to the

property management warehouse and Maryville police precinct.

DiCiccio said that when he learned a fire station for Ahwatukee was not on the list, he “got on the phone with the mayor and both she and I got a hold of the city manager and together as a team.

“And we worked to make sure that we got this done as quickly as possible. If it wasn’t for her help, I don’t think we’d be here today. So, I’m eternally grateful to her.”

Gallego said that the speed with which the new station will materialize is a result of two main factors: the city already owns the land and the city already has a functional design to follow as a result of a fire station opened three years ago in Norterra.

But DiCiccio added the accelerated construction schedule “is only because of the mayor’s involvement in helping to get it done and speeded up.

“If we didn’t have that,“ he said, “we’d be looking at an additional 12 to 18 months beyond that.”

The new Fire Station 74 will have three bays and its 12,000 to 13,000 square feet will house a fire engine and a medical rescue vehicle.

What also makes the deal worked out by Gallego and DiCiccio unique is the $3

FIRE from page 1

Councilman Sal DiCiccio and Mayor Kate Gallego met with the Ahwatukee Foothills News last week to discuss their plan for adding a fourth fire station to Ahwatukee. (Paul Maryniak/AFN)

million included in the proposed operating budget for 2023-24.

“We will begin hiring in July,” Gallego said, adding 23 Fire Department personnel will be assigned to new station.

“They likely will come in with the academy this year – so they would know they’re going to Ahwatukee in advance of the ribbon cutting,” she said.

DiCiccio added that the new facility will be operational “the minute the building is open.”

When the new facility opens, Ahwatukee will be served by a total of four engine companies, a ladder company and three ambulances, allowing for what DiCiccio called “a complete (National Fire Protection Association recommended) firefighting force in the community – which is what you want in any community.”

DiCiccio said the facility’s construction will cost $12 and noted that the 2006 General Obligation bond had initially included a fire station for Ahwatukee, though the project was inexplicably eliminated over time.

Then, during a City Council session last month when the new 2023 GO bond recommendations were discussed, DiCiccio grilled Barton on why an Ahwatukee facility was not on the list.

Barton replied that it would have to wait until the city could advance a new bond measure for voter approval after this year’s package – which he estimated would take about five years.

DiCiccio told AFN that he had voted against the 2006 bond measure largely because the Ahwatukee station had been dropped from the project list.

As a result of the deal he and the mayor worked out with the city manager, DiCiccio also said he is now inclined to vote in favor of putting the 2023 General Obligation bond measure before voters in November.

Community leaders and everyday residents from western Ahwatukee communities such as Calabria, Foothills Reserve and Promontory have been pleading for years for a fire station closer to their homes.

Gallego said she has heard from many residents there.

Their pleas took on greater urgency with the impending development of Blandford Homes’ Upper Canyon com-

munity on 373 acres of former State Trust Land along Chandler Boulevard

between 19th and 27th avenues.

Blandford, which submitted the win-

ning bid of $175.5 million at a state Land Department auction in May 2021, and D.R. Horton plan to build 1,050 mostly single-family houses, about 325 apartments and 150 build-to-rent townhomes.

Blandford had wanted the city to relieve it of a requirement to widen South Chandler Boulevard from three lanes to five. That portion of Chandler Boulevard would be the most direct route for the new fire station to communities like Foothills Reserve. The homebuilder dropped its request in the face of opposition by the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee and the city Planning Commission.

The VPC last summer discussed the absence of a fire station that would meet far-west Ahwatukee’s emergency needs more readily.

During that July meeting, Executive Assistant Fire Chief Scott Walker conceded the communities in the far west were “certainly sensitive“ to the need for a fire station but said he didn’t expect any budget for its construction for at least three years. 

The new Ahwatukee fire station will be similar in look and function to the new Phoenix Fire Station 55 in Norterra at 26700 N. 27th Ave. that was opened in 2019. (City of Phoenix)

The location of the new fire station on the northwest corner of 19th Avenue and Chandler Boulevard on city-owned land will significantly reduce the average nine-minute emergency response time clocked to the farthest western communities of Ahwatukee. (Google maps)

Hobbs’ health chief pick comes under GOP fire

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Calling her ideas on health policies too extreme and her judgment on critical issues questionable, a Republican-dominated panel voted last week to recommend the Senate reject Gov. Katie Hobbs’ pick to head the Department of Health Services.

The 3-2 vote by the Senate Committee on Director Nominations came after hours of grilling of Dr. Theresa Cullen on how she handled the COVID outbreak while heading the Pima County Health Department.

The questions focused on her recommendations on everything from a mandatory curfew and wearing masks to the closing of some schools and classrooms and her method of urging people to get vaccinated.

And then there was a website operated by the county which publicly posted the names of businesses that were found to be out of compliance with masking and social distancing requirements – a move

that Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, said amounted to a public shaming.

But Sen. Janae Shamp, R-Surprise, said her concerns go beyond the actual decisions that Cullen made during the outbreak.

She read a quote that Cullen made in June 2021 that it is “the ultimate arrogance and privilege to think that you don’t need to get immunized.’’

“Do you think there’s any other reasons why a person could choose to not get vaccinated beyond arrogance and privilege?’’ Shamp asked.

Cullen said the remark was made at a time when there was a surge of cases in Pima County. “In retrospect, that’s an inappropriate comment,’’ she said.

“I do believe that in certain times of surges I made recommendations and made comments that I would not make today,’’ she said.

Hoffman, however, said the record of all of her actions and statements shows a larger problem.

“It seemed like you had an air of supremacy about you where you treated

— Matt

the businesses, or at least discussed, talked about the businesses and the individuals as if they were beneath you,’’ he said, like her comments about “arrogance’’ being the only reason people don’t get vaccinated or the “shaming of business’’ with the county website.

Cullen sought to distance herself, at least a bit, from some of the actions.

She told lawmakers that she wasn’t the one making the final decisions on the restrictions imposed by the county supervisors. Instead, she said she merely made recommendations, with board members deciding what to enact.

Cullen also defended her decisions in working with schools to decide when to send children home. Hoffman said he wasn’t going to get into the “legalese’’ of whether she actually ordered schools closed or district officials acted under her recommendations.

“But under your guidance, they suffered innumerable harm in terms of lack of proficiency in school, academic scores falling, socialization being reduced, depression, suicide,’’ he said. And Hoffman said it turned out that children were the least likely to suffer the worst effects of the virus.

Cullen defended her actions.

“I think I made decisions with the districts and with our school team to err on the side to protect children,’’ she said. But Cullen said they weren’t the only focus, saying there also was a desire to protect the adults in their families to whom the youngsters could pass on the disease.

Pressed on whether, on a macro level, the benefits outweighed the costs, Cullen said, “I don’t know.’’

Hoffman said those decisions led “to suicide and depression and to learning loss, setting children back years in their education.’’

“And to make it worse, today, even with the benefit of hindsight, of 20-20 vision, she still refuses to acknowledge and accept the devastating impacts of the mandates that she pushed for,’’ he said.

Sen. Sine Kerr, R-Buckeye, said her vote against confirmation has to do with what she said Cullen’s record heading the Pima County Health Department during the COVID outbreak portends if she were to become the state health director.

“We’re bound to face another time

where we do have another health crisis, medical crisis, some type of a pandemic,’’ she said. “My greatest concern is that decisions that were made at the county level then would be duplicated and expanded at the state level.’’

Sen. Eva Burch, D-Mesa, defended Cullen’s record and supported her nomination.

“When we talk about vaccines, mask wearing, hand washing, social distancing, school and business closures, I believe that fewer people died because of these measures,’’ she said. And Burch chided Republicans for using 20-20 hindsight to second guess decisions that were being made during COVID.

“I’m sure that Dr. Cullen would have done some things differently,’’ Burch said. “But nobody had it right during the pandemic. There were no perfect solutions.’’

Strictly speaking, Thursday’s vote does not derail her nomination. That decision rests with the full Senate.

But it could be difficult for Cullen to survive a vote with Republicans holding a 16-14 edge in the chamber and all three Republicans on the panel recommending she not be confirmed. And Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, who might be considered one of the more moderate members of the GOP caucus, posted a message on Twitter late Thursday suggesting he won’t go along.

“I’m incredibly troubled by Gov. Hobbs’ decision to push forward her nominee to the Department of Health Services,’’ he wrote.

“I respect Dr. Cullen’s experience,’’ Shope said. “But her poor judgment in Pima County reflects poorly on her –and even more poorly on Hobbs.’’

That assessment of the new governor is mild in comparison to what Hoffman said in voting not to recommend Cullen’s confirmation.

“These nominations are the first indication of how Katie Hobbs intends to lead the state of Arizona,’’ he said.

“And what we’re seeing is that we didn’t get a reasonable candidate here,’’ Hoffman said. “We got an extreme candidate, a candidate with a track record of infringing on the civil liberties of the people of Pima County, with a track

rewarding them for using less water.

That “reward” would come in the form of changes in the water rate structure that involve actual water use versus a flat base charge, or “water allowance,” the report states.

That allowance would be reduced from 10 units in the summer and six units in non-summer months to eight and five units, respectively.

Noting that the change in that allowance will generate an additional $17 million in annual revenue for the Water Services Department, the report states:

“A larger portion of a customer’s water usage under the volumetric (actual use) rate and not the flat base charge (allowance) will generate a stronger water usage signal to our customers. The expectation is that a better understanding of usage will encourage people to use less water, helping the City reach its conservation goals.

“The WSD feels that these new levels strike a balance between water conservation and affordability. Having a portion of a customer’s water usage included in the low monthly base rate allows some conscientious water customers to receive water service at a low rate, making our utility one of the most affordable in the nation.”

The report notes that since the city changed its rate structure in 1990, the percentage of households that have stayed within the water allowance range has increased from 21% to 31% – a reflection of more households conserving water.

“The proposed change will better align the water allowance levels with the average water usage and have a larger portion of the water usage under the volumetric (actual use) rate,” the report says.

The new water and waste water increases reflect “the need for capital improvements imposed by further shortages on the Colorado River and the impacts of continuing high inflation on operating, maintenance and construction costs,” the report states.

Noting the soaring inflation rate on the cost of materials and supplies in the last 18 months, it says that since the 2019 fiscal year, the cost of chemicals has jumped 136% for water and 51% for wastewater alone.

Electricity costs 12% more than in 2019 for water operations and 19% more for wastewater since then while raw water costs have increase 35% and staffing costs have risen 38% for water and 16% for wastewater, according to the report.

And those costs likely will increase further if inflation continues and salary and benefit costs jump up as a result of the compensation study for all city workers that is expected to be completed this year.

Though not addressed in the report, that compensation study could reflect the ongoing challenge that virtually all municipalities in Arizona are confronting in the competition for skilled workers to fill a variety of jobs within multiple departments.

The continuing reduction of Colorado River water – which comprises about 40% of Phoenix’s overall water supply – also is impacting rates for the foreseeable future.

To bolster Phoenix’s overall water supply, the Water Services Department has been restoring and upgrading the Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant, which treats wastewater to reach potable water standards.

The plant was built in 2002 but closed in 2010 because population and housing growth had slowed as a result of the

Water Rate Revenue Increase

Wastewater Rate Revenue Increase

Calendar Year of increase

The Phoenix Finance Department updated an earlier financial forecast on water rates in a new report that a City Council subcommittee is scheduled to discuss today, Feb. 15. Its financial plan for the after Services Department previously did not forecast how rates would change beyond a 3% increase that took effect in March 2022. (City of Phoenix)

Great Recession.

Since then, the combination of substantial population growth and reduced allocations of Colorado River water prompted the city to begin restoring the plant for service.

It is expected to be operational by the winter of 2024-25, according to the city and will become Phoenix’s first Advanced Water Purification Facility for treating waste water “to meet or exceed potable water standards.”

“Water scarcity is driving the need for ‘new’ water sources and turning waste-

water into potable water is a way to provide a sustainable source of water,” the city report states.

“As a way to minimize the impact of the continued shortage occurring on the Colorado River, Water Services is preparing for significant treatment upgrades to the currently offline (Cave Creek plant) to augment the existing water resources portfolio,” it continues.

It says the city envisions the Cave Creek plant as the first step in a plan for other advanced water treatment facilities.

City pipeline insurance program would allow opting out

AFN NEWS STAFF

Phoenix officials last week said an insurance plan covering up to $8,500 worth of repairs to water and sewer pipelines that break between the house and the water meter will allow homeowners to opt out if the voluntary program is applied to all single-family homeowners.

City Council will consider making the HomeService pipeline program part of

the water bill to all homeowners this spring when it takes up a proposed increase in water and sewer rates.

The initial report early this month about the HomeServe program conversion did not mention the possibility of letting homeowners opt out.

However, city officials last week stressed the opt-out nature of the program.

And HomeServe spokesman Myles Meehan told AFN, “All homeowners have the option to opt-out if they care to. In

fact, any resident could opt-out after the program began even if they overlooked the various announcements leading up to and after the start of the program.”

For the last decade, homeowners in Phoenix have been able to sign up for the insurance plan. They are billed separately by HomeServe.

HomeServe National Director Brian Davis told a council subcommittee two weeks ago that since 2012, when Phoenix joined with the National League of Cities

in a partnership for the program, some 27,324 homeowners have saved $7.4 million for 13,461 pipeline repairs while the city garnered $3 million in revenue.

Davis said about 20% of Phoenix single-family homeowners currently subscribe to the program, which costs $7.95 a month to cover the water line and an additional monthly fee of $9.45 to cover septic and sewer line breaks.

Scottsdale lawmaker’s bill keeps cash in businesses

AFN NEWS STAFF

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has selected Ahwatukee for launching its 2023 Educating America Tour this week.

At 10 a.m. tomorrow. Feb. 16, the association will present a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference at the Ahwatukee Event Center, 4700 E. Warner Road, Ahwatukee.

The free conference, which is open to everyone, will allow participants to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, and caregiving. Attendees can register at alzfdn.org/tour.

“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said association President/CEO Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.

“Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is

all about,” he added, noting this conference is for anyone who is somehow affected by the disease either as a family member, or caregiver or are generally interested in brain health.

The topics include “Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease: From Cradle-to-Grave: with Dr. Jeremy Pruzin, MD, providing an overview of the disease and discussing two important areas in prevention: modifiable risk factors such as lifestyle choices and vascular risk factors.

He also will discuss promising, presymptomatic, pharmacological strategies that are currently being tested in clinical trials. There is currently no proven cure for Alzheimer’s.

Pruzin is an associate professor of neurology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and a behavioral neurologist with the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix.

Also being presented is “Aging in Place Along the Alzheimer’s Spectrum” by Dana Kennedy, state director of AARP Arizona.

She will discuss options for care and the

criteria that should be considered when making the decision to transition from a home to a professional care setting.

Belinda Ordonez, a board-certified nurse practitioner in the dementia care program at the Dementia Care and Education Campus in Phoenix and codirector for the Hospice of the Valley Dementia Fellowship, will discuss, “What Happens Next? Best Practices in Palliative Dementia Care.”

Ordonez will talk about the conversations and advanced planning that need to be made in order to navigate common challenges and end-of-life decisions in ways that honor and uphold what matters most to each person. Palliative care can include education, symptom management, advanced care planning and links to community resources.

There will also be a special presentation, “Highlights of a Baseball Reminiscence Program,” an initiative designed to promote socialization and improve quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers, by the Phoenix-based Society for American

Baseball Research.

Free, confidential memory screenings will be conducted throughout the day.

Those who cannot participate in the conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA’s national toll-free helpline by calling 866-232-8484 or web chatting at www. alzfdn.org 

Crowds roll in for Transportation Day 2023

God’s Garden Preschool in Ahwatukee rolled out its 22nd annual Transportation Day Feb. 11 and as hundreds of children like 1)Nolan Reweves, 3, and adults like Breanna Lewis, it didn’t disappoint. True, 2) leaves and gravel blew around for a bit when one of the day’s stars – a PHI Health Eurocopter AS 530 medical transport chopper made its entrance but once things settled down, there was plenty of fun for all. 3) Steve and Sandra Vandermolen tried to get the attention of their 3-yearold granddaughter Elenor Aleisa while she sat in a skid-steer loader and 4) Chrystea Springer had a chance to photograph Alessia, 5, and Lucian, 3, in the helicopter. 5) Charlie Carver, 9, had blast sounding the horn on a cement truck amid 6) a formation of biplanes left a trail in the sky as Dylan Smith, 4, checked out Smiley Crane Service’s 110-ton crane truck.

PHOTOS BY DAVID MINTON AFN Staff Photographer)

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Scottsdale lawmaker’s bill keeps cash in businesses

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The way a Scottsdale lawmaker sees it, the words are written on every bill and should be obeyed.

No, not “In God We Trust.’’

It’s the language that says “This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.’’ And Republican Rep. Joseph Chaplik wants to be sure that Arizonans don’t get turned away from businesses in the state because they want to use that “legal tender’’ to pay.

His HB 2555, awaiting action by the full House, would spell out in law that any business with a physical location in Arizona “must accept cash as a payment for goods and services.’’ And it also spells out that consumers with cash cannot be charged a penalty.

The measure even comes with teeth. Customers whose cash is refused can seek civil damages of $1,000 a day from the errant merchant.

There have been moves away from cash since the pandemic, with some mer-

chants loath to accept folding money and the viruses they fear they might carry. Chaplik scoffed at that logic, saying there’s no more chance of transmission of disease from cash as there is from pressing the buttons on a device that accepts credit and debit cards for payment, or even at an automated teller machine.

Chaplik noted that about 6 million people are “unbanked,’’ with no relationship at all with a financial institution.

“This helps those individuals that live paycheck-to-paycheck and cash their checks,’’ he said. And Chaplik said that includes 11% of Blacks and 9% of Hispanics.

Purchases made with cash are more private, with no credit card or other record to show where someone has spent his or her money.

The lone person to testify against the measure in the House Commerce Committee was Mike Huckins, lobbyist for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, who called the measure an unacceptable mandate on business.

“While we understand that some peo -

ple prefer to use cash, it’s our position that businesses should be free to take the form of payment that best suits their individual business model and/or needs,’’ Huckins said.

print out all those bills with the “legal tender’’ verbiage -- says there is no federal law mandating that any person, private business or organization must accept their currency or even coins from the U.S. Mint.

Some states already do, including Massachusetts, Colorado and Delaware. And some cities, like San Francisco, New York and Philadelphia have adopted similar local ordinances.

That didn’t impress Huckins, who said they are “all great cities but would not like their regulatory burdens put on us here in Arizona.’’

But lawmakers on the panel from both parties were not convinced.

Cesar Aguilar, D-Phoenix, recalled as a “broke college kid’’ not being able to pay cash for his rent. In fact, he said, the only way to pay the rent was to log into a web portal which charged an additional fee to use a credit or debit card.

“I am in strong support of this bill and think it’s a pretty good bill,’’ Aguilar said.

Rep. Justin Heap, R-Mesa, spoke of his time working in construction along with Hispanics.

“There are many reasons why businesses may choose not to accept cash payment, including operational efficiencies, less risk of robbery or accepting counterfeit bills,’’ he said. And Huckins said a requirement to accept cash could have outside impacts on small businesses that may not have the time or staff to make it to the bank on a daily basis.

The Federal Reserve -- the folks who

“I don’t know how those people function in a cashless society,’’ Heap said. “And I don’t feel there should be any burden on them to go to banks and get debit cards if they don’t want to when, as Mr. Chaplik pointed out, the cash states on it that it is for every debt, both private and public.’’ 

REP. JOSEPH CHAPLIK

record of disregarding the science and the downstream debate of the repercussions of the decisions being made.’’

If and when the Senate votes not to confirm, Hobbs will have to select a new nominee who would have to go through the same grilling process.

The governor, at least for now, is not giving up hope of getting Cullen confirmed, calling her dedication and public health experience “exactly what Arizona needs right now.’’

“I stand by her nomination,’’ she said in a prepared statement late Thursday while blasting what happened as “an exercise in political theater’’ and saying that the committee “has decided to play partisan politics in this case instead of doing what’s best for Arizona.’’ 

There is no limit on the number of claims that can be filed in any given year – though only one break can be covered per claim and a homeowner is covered for up to $8,500 per claim.

If the program were applied to all single-family households, homeowners likely would pay $2.50 or $3 a month, according to Davis.

Council may be asked to consider an additional program as well that also will have an opt-out option.

That program, called ServeLine, is a “leak adjustment program” that indemnifies the city in instances where a homeowner on any given month has a water bill that significantly spiked from their average monthly rate because of a leak.

Davis said ServeLine would cost 50 centers to #1 a month and would cover the full coverage so that the customer would only pay their normal monthly average and the city would not lose any money. 

Democrat Joan Greene: Why I am supporting Sam Stone for Phoenix City Council and urge you to do the same

In a few short weeks District 6 will have their runoff election to seat a new Council Member. You may have read about the excessive amounts of donation money that is pouring into this race and the political endorsements attempting to sway you to vote a particular way.

It is important to remember that the Phoenix City Council is the People's Council. It is not the Mayor's City Council or one political party's city council. ALL voices must be heard, including far-left, far-right, centrists, independents, and those with no political affiliation.

Sam Stone and I are opposite in our political beliefs which is one reason why I am supporting him. Sam will provide the checks and balances that we need on the Phoenix City Council. He will bring another perspective to solving Phoenix's pressing problems that have increased over the years. Sam has extensive work experience within our community as the chief of staff for Councilman Sal DiCiccio.

Instead of rejecting the council members' differences, the leadership should embrace it and work together to find solutions that improve the lives for all Phoenicians.

Joan

Greene Ahwatukee

Resident and Former Candidate for Phoenix City Council District 6

Area CEO launching kids’ mental health app

BY JOSH ORTEGA

AFN Staff Writer

While everyone else was learning how to make sourdough bread during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Ben Smith was learning how to launch an app that asks users a single question but could hold many answers in the youth mental health crisis.

Smith is founder/CEO of Gnosis IQ, an artificial intelligence software company based in Chandler that partnered with nonprofits Death2Life and notMYkid to provide Arizona teens with immediate access to mental health and emotional support resources.

Smith wants to revolutionize education and considers this the next step in his company’s mission to help young people excel.

“The best way to engage with kids is to make it universal, comfortable, approachable and something they’re familiar with,” Smith said.

The Gnosis IQ app checks all those boxes with kids answering a single question: “How are you feeling?”

They answer by picking one of 12 emojis: happy, confident, excited, content, bored, confused, mad, sad, stressed, sick and tired, and depressed. The app records their answers by date and time of day to help track a student’s well-being.

Gnosis IQ can help predict and track a student’s success. It also leverages academic research, artificial intelligence and educator insight to support the holistic success of K-12 students.

Smith said Gnosis IQ allows teachers, administrators, and parents to know how students perform academically and their state of mind at any given time through individualized dashboards.

For those concerned about privacy, Smith said the app doesn’t record location, opting instead for a simpler record-keeping, like that of a journal.

“While the software is free, we don’t sell the data,” Smith added.

Because the data belongs to the user, Smith said they can access it anytime like a journal.

“What I didn’t expect was for this tool to replace what used to be journaling,’ Smith said. “I used to keep a little note-

Y OPAS ‘Girls on the Bus’ roll along with many good times

BY JUNE TESDALL AFN Guest Writer

Every month, Ahwatukee’s seniors of Y OPAS utilizes the YMCA bus to take six clients grocery shopping. These ladies are affectionately called “The Girls on the Bus.”

The girls are all over the age of 65 but continue to maintain the same active spirit as their younger friends.

“It is such a fun group,” said Brenda Nichols, Y OPAS Director at the Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA.

Y OPAS provides services to Ahwatukee seniors age 65 and above. The mission of this program is to help seniors remain living independently in their homes as long as possible.

Y OPAS also offers one additional shopping trip each month to take clients to different stores like

Dollar Tree or Sprouts. Y OPAS also offers monthly social luncheons, craft classes, dominoes and transportation to fitness classes.

One of the girls utilizing the grocery bus trips is Juel Mercer.

One might say Juel is a “Jack of all trades.” She moved to Arizona from Minnesota in 2003. Back in Minnesota, Juel and her husband operated the Mercer Game Farm, where they raised thousands of pheasant, geese, chickens and quail.

One might think the poultry were sold to restaurants, but the truth is more surprising.

“Local hunters wanted to replace pheasants so they could keep a healthy number of birds for hunting,” Mercer explained.

Mercer’s love for these birds included taking in

pad next to my bed, I’d scribble down thoughts and such, and I would just do bullet points. And for a lot of kids, this is replacing that.”

Smith said tech companies haven’t really innovated much on behalf of education, and this app could be the beginning.

“They focus on aerospace, and the military and different aspects of business, banking, and so on,” Smith said. “No one really innovates in education.”

“We’re 100% self-funded, and now I’m just looking to maintain that so I don’t go bankrupt,” Smith said.

Both nonprofits partnering with him have a similar vision of finding innovative ways to assist struggling youth amid a shortage of counselors and emotional support specialists on school campuses.

Dawna Allington, director of peer programs at notMYkid based in Scottsdale, said partnering with Gnosis IQ provides a way to find youth who need support.

Ben Smith is founder-CEO of Gnosis IQ in Chandler. (Special to AFN)

Juel Mercer, 85, waves from the back (right) as a member of the Y OPAS “Girls on the Bus.” (Special to AFN) see YOPAS page 24

Nonprofit honors 100-year-old WWII veteran

BY JOSH ORTEGA AFN Staff Writer

It started when Kathy Davidson read a newspaper article about a local nonprofit and culminated the day before her father-in-law Carl Davidson turned 101.

On the eve of his birthday, Carl embarked on a journey that took him into the wild, blue yonder.

Kathy reached out to Grounded No More Inc. CEO Tony Anger and with his help, Carl on Jan. 21 caught a free half-hour Honor Flight at Falcon Field in a World War II trainer aircraft that he even piloted for few minutes.

“Oh, I had a good time,” Carl said. “It’s a nice flight and the terrain has changed so since I flew over during World War II.”

The Salem, Illinois, native joined the Army Air Corps in September 1942. He tested into a commission as a second lieutenant and spent just over three years in the service before he left as a captain in December 1945.

Carl finished training and got assigned as a training instructor to Luke Army Airfield – now Luke Air Force Base – preparing hundreds of young men for aerial combat in a variety of single-engine fighter planes like a combat glider nicknamed “The Flying Coffin” as well as a B-24 Liberator bomber.

After leaving the service, Carl stayed in Phoenix “for the weather” and started his own paint business that is now owned by his son, Terry Davidson.

Despite the chilly conditions the day

a baby quail that was blind.

“I took the quail into my house and that is where he lived for eight years,” she recalled fondly.

Mercer also trained to be a pharmacy technician and an X-ray tech. While living in Fridley, Minnesota, she served as a clerk typist and ended up as the executive secretary for the city council.

Even after moving to Arizona, Mercer picked up odd jobs and activities, including volunteering with East Valley Wildlife as a rescuer.

of his flight, Carl was all smiles from tarmac to taxi to takeoff and back and shared what a “tremendous job” Grounded No More has done a for him and other veterans.

“I am very appreciative of this organization for putting this all together and producing this for the many servicemen that deserve it more than I do,” Carl said.

With his wife, four children, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren in attendance, as well as the Desert Young Marines from Glendale, Carl said he was taken aback by the fanfare surrounding him.

“This is a surprise and more than I could comprehend,” Carl said.

Young Marines – a youth program that mentors boys and girls from ages

“I’d go pick up an animal that someone found and take them to a rehab.

8 to 18 through military discipline and education – provided a color guard ensemble for Carl that day.

Mary Lou Davidson, Carl’s wife of 62 years, anxiously watched his flight and was saying, “that’s enough.”

But she was happy to see her husband enjoy himself again in the skies.

“I think it’s great for him to have this, to be able to see other fliers and probably thought he was never really going to fly again, after all, look how old he is,” Mary Lou said.

“He was really surprised and really happy to have this,” she added. “But he didn’t think it needed to be such a fuss.”

Mary Lou said he has always put others before himself, like when his younger brother passed away last June and he

There, they’d bring the animals back to strength, or if the animal was little, they’d raise them and re-release them into the wild.”

Mercer said she’s picked up quail, racoons and plenty of baby rabbits.

Now that she has officially retired, Mercer enjoys playing dominoes once a month with Y OPAS friends at the YMCA. She believes getting out of the house and playing dominoes is good for her mind.

“It is always fun meeting new people and learning of their journey to Ahwatukee,” she shared.

Mercer has been a Y OPAS client since 2009, she uses the program mainly for

mustered the strength to fly to Illinois twice in one week – once to see him and again for the funeral.

“You’ll never find another one like him. One in a million,” Mary Lou said. “And he’s very thoughtful for everybody.”

Carl’s son Terry Davidson said he knew his dad would get excited before they told him because of how much flying means to him.

“I knew dad would be excited, and he was when we called him and talked to him,” he said. “And it’s a real honor for him to be back in the air again and even get the chance to fly the plane a little bit.”

Kathy said she originally wanted to sign Carl up to take part in the Honor Flight Network program that flies veterans back to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to their service, but “it never worked out.”

“So, when I saw this, and I knew it was local, and it was something that was just, you know, half an hour flight, I contacted Tony Anger and I asked about it and then we asked Carl, if he would be interested and he was very interested,” Kathy said.

Kathy said she held back tears watching everything unfold that day, especially because she wanted to do something like this for her own father, an Air Force veteran, who passed away before she could do it.

Above all, Kathy said she’s most impressed with Carl’s strength and staying as ambulatory at his age.

see FLIGHT page 26

transportation and socialization. Since she joined, she has been driven by 34 different volunteers, 234 times for a total of 234 miles.

“We could not offer Ahwatukee seniors all of these services without our volunteers,” said Nichols. Any day is a great day to get involved with Y OPAS as a client or much appreciated volunteer driver or event coordinator.

To get more information on joining the program, contact the Y OPAS at 602-2126088 or www.valleyymca.org/opas.

Those who do will enjoy the time spent meeting a fun bunch of Ahwatukee seniors like bird enthusiast, Juel Mercer. 

YOPAS from page 23

Juel Mercer entertains her Y OPAS friends with stories about wildlife collections and calamities. (Special to AFN)

At 100 years old, World War II veteran Carl Davidson still had a thrill during a flight in the Fairchild PT-26 propeller plane “Amazing Grace.” (Courtesy of Grounded No More)

“My hope is that the software Gnosis IQ provides will find the individuals who would not otherwise ask for help and allow us the opportunity to assist them,” Allington said.

Whether teens need to talk to someone day or night, they will have access to a Death2Life counselor through notMYkid’s [I]nspired program app, which connects youth with a certified peer support specialist who has a wide variety of life experiences so that talking about life’s problems becomes a little more relatable for teens.

According to the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, Arizona schools have more than 700 students for one school counselor and a more than 3,000 students for one social worker. Those ratios should be 250-to-1.

For school psychologists, Arizona’s ratio of 1,593-to-1 is more than three times the suggested 500-to-1.

“I don’t want lack of funding to result in the death of a student,” Smith said.

Smith started this venture as a big supporter of Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Foundation and found out about notMYKid and Death2Life through a few “coincidental connections” at some of Solid Rock’s events.

“And it quickly became apparent that we were really out to help the same kids,” Smith said.

Smith said the software directly connects students with counselors and peer advisors to organizations that want to help.

Smith knows all too well the struggles kids face – not only with three kids of his own and one foreign exchange student living with his family – but also from his own life.

He grew up in Arizona and struggled academically with an undiagnosed case of dyslexia.

In fifth grade at Yavapai Elementary School in Scottsdale, Smith discovered his passion for computers.

“I remember going into that computer lab in the library and interacting with a computer for the first time and just loving it,” Smith said. “Just seeing all the potential that it had.”

At Coronado High School, Smith continued his fascination with computers and was given the opportunity to accelerate his learning.

The app by Chandler-based Gnosis IQ asks kids to indicate with a single click how they are feeling. (Courtesy Gnosis IQ)

As a sophomore, Smith sat “completely bored” in an online learning class reading prompts and answering questions, albeit repetitive and unengaging. So Smith decided to have some fun with the system.

Admitting to this much later, Smith hacked the system, passed his way through the class and spent the rest of the time designing an interactive online learning platform that Smith said he couldn’t have designed without the teachers and lab aides fostering his learning.

“That supported me through experimenting with coding and developing and building out something that ultimately other students would be able to use,” Smith said.

With computers on the forefront of Smith’s mind, mental health also sat heavy on his mind.

His mother suffered from mental health issues and addiction problems, and though her death in 2009 isn’t classified as suicide “it was really self-inflicted over time,” he said.

As a nurse, his mom would know how to work the system to fill multiple prescriptions at different locations in a single day, and to this day, Smith has vivid memories of his mother’s struggles with prescription narcotics.

“She started mixing the batter and then passed out in the middle of making my birthday cake,” Smith said.

Smith said he designed the app at

“At 101, I don’t know if I’d feel comfortable doing this, and he was ready to go,” Kathy said.

The camaraderie in the veteran community that makes something like this possible also impressed Kathy but feels more should be done for veterans.

“It’s scary that there are veterans on the streets and people who really need help and I think that we all need to

Ahwatukee Recreation Center slates big used book sale for March 10-11

The Ahwatukee Recreation Center Library will be holding a spring book sale open to the public 8:30 a.m.2 p.m. March 10 and 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 11 in the center’s parking lot, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive, Ahwatukee.

Spokesman Dell Taylor said over 1,000 books – including fiction, mystery/thrillers, nonfiction, history, romance, biography/memoir and special interest – will be on sale for $1 for hardbacks and 50 cents for paperbacks.

Phoenix taking registrations for Kids Triathlon at Pecos Park next month

Phoenix is taking registrations for the Pecos Park Triathlon 8 a.m.-noon March 26 and parents have just one week left for a discount on the fee – from $38 to $26.

try to do more for them,” Kathy said. “I mean, this is wonderful but we have a good family and he has a good life but a lot of the veterans don’t and they fought for you and me too.”

Grounded No More, Inc. CEO Tony Anger has done his best and taken more than 500 veterans on a free flight in his Fairchild PT-26 propeller plane named “Amazing Grace.”

“When I hear World War II, they get moved right to the front of the line,”

Anger said. “They get a day all by themselves.”

Of the more than 20 WWII veterans Anger has taken up, he said this sits up near the top with Carl’s backstory, his physical capability at his age and his flight skills.

On the tarmac, Carl needed little help getting into and out of the plane and in the air, Anger said Carl obviously had not forgotten his flying skills.

He said Carl flew “flawlessly” with co -

AROUND AHWATUKEE

The second annual event is broken into three categories – swimming, biking and running – and three age groups. In swimming, ages 6-7-year-olds go 25 meters, 8-10 for 50 and 11-13 for 100. In biking, the youngest group will go a half-mile, 8-10 for one mile and the 11-13 group pedals 1.3 miles. Running is broken down by 6-7, .35 miles; 8-10, .75 miles and 11-13 for a mile.

Participants must be able to swim the designated pool lengths unassisted. One parent/guardian can accompany their child in the bike and run portion in the 6-7 age group only. Parent must bring their own bike and helmets are required.

All participants will receive a finisher medal and event t-shirt. Must register prior by today, Feb. 15, to guarantee an event shirt and the $26 registration fee. Register: email denise.romero@phoenix.gov or call 602-534-5234.

‘Pack-ing’ food

LD12 Democrats host meet and greet with council candidate Kevin Robinson

The LD12 Democrats will co-host a meet-and-greet with Phoenix City Council District 6 candidate Kevin Robinson 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 24.

For info, email info@KevinRobinsonforPhoenix.com.

The group also is seeking phone bank volunteers, drivers and canvassers to work on behalf of Robinson at 9 a.m. Feb. 25. Information/RSVP: bit.ly/RobinsonCanvassVolunteer.

Time to think about the Kiwanis Ahwatukee Easter Parade

It’s time for schools, groups, businesses and even families to start thinking about their entries in the 47th annual Kiwanis Ahwatukee Easter Parade and Spring Fling April 8. The club is already planning the parade, which starts at Warner Road and 48th Street and heads north to Elliot Road.

Though entries are being accepted until March 30, it’s never too early for organizations “to put their heads together and organize their entries,” said Mike Schmitt, Parade Boss for the 31st consecutive year.

Spectators are welcome to bring lawn chairs or spread blankets and enjoy the parade. Public address stations will be located at Ahwatukee Country Club and at the corners of Ahwatukee Drive, Kiowa Street and Pawnee Street.

Kiwanis Club President Carrie Chipman also reminds people that the club will need volunteers for the Spring Fling fundraiser that immediately follows the parade, which starts at 10 a.m.

After the parade, all are invited to the Spring Fling at Ahwatukee Community Center Park, 48th Street and Warner Road. Enjoy entertainment by local groups, vendor and craft booths, Easter Egg Hunt, carnival rides, games, food, beverages, and games until 4 p.m.

Parade entry forms have been mailed to over 300 local businesses, groups and previous parade entries. But those who haven’t received one can call 480-759-0007 or e-mail msch0007@aol.com.

For more Spring Fling information call 602-402-6267 or email andi@wttaz.com. Forms are available at ahwatukeekiwanis.org.

Arizona Bar slates free advice session on SS, disability benefits next week

The State Bar of Arizona is holding a free virtual legal clinic for people seeking advice on their Social Security

ordinated turns and the proper altitude and that he let the flight last longer than the usual 30 minutes because “we were having so much fun that I didn’t want to come back,” Anger said, adding:

“If I didn’t know any better, I would have said ‘yeah, you can go fly it yourself,’ because he did that good.”

For more information about, or donate to, Grounded No More Inc., visit: groundednomoreveteranflightlift. com. 

and disability benefits. Attorneys have volunteered to give members of the public free 30-minute legal consultations 4-7 p.m. Feb. 22.

Attorneys can answer questions or even help fill out forms but participants must sign up ahead of time at FindALawyer@staff.azbar.org.

Ironwood Library in Ahwatukee offering free activities for all ages this month

Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, presents a variety of programs for children, teens and adults. Unless otherwise noted, free tickets are required and available 30 minutes before programs’ start times at the library’s information desk.

For more information: phoenixpubliclibrary.org.

Babytimes: Babies ages birth to 23 months, accompanied by a favorite adult, will enjoy songs, rhymes, books, and interactive fun Tuesdays, 10:30-11:10 a.m. Space is limited to 12 families.

Toddlertimes: Toddlers ages 24-36 months, accompanied by a favorite adult, will enjoy songs, rhymes, books, and interactive fun Thursdays, 10:30-11:10 a.m. Space is limited to 12 families.

Sit, Stay, Read: Young readers & listeners can sign up for reading time with a registered therapy dog/handler team. Read with Elsa 4-5 p.m. every Tuesday.

Family storytime at Pecos Park: Children birth to age five and their favorite grownups play, read, sing, and dance in a fun, active program that builds reading skills.

Every Friday, 9:30-10 a.m., outdoors at Pecos Park, 17010 S. 48th St. No tickets required. Supported by a grant from First Things First.

Sit, Stay, Read!: Young readers & listeners can sign up for reading time with a registered therapy dog/handler team. Read with Elsa every Tuesday, 4-5 p.m. Read with Raven every Thursday, 4-5 p.m.

Full STEAM Ahead: Children ages 6-12 explore handson creative ways to design, experiment, and invent Saturdays, 2-3 p.m., in this Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) program. No Full STEAM Ahead on Feb. 25. No tickets required.

Bicycle Safety Rodeo: Families, hop on your bikes and pedal to the library to learn safe cycling tips from John Boyd, Injury Prevention Specialist at Phoenix Children’s. Then practice your safety skills on our bicycle course.

Ahwatukee Cub Scout Pack 178 had a noteworthy haul of donated food items during the nationwide Scouting for Food drive earlier this month, collecting 3,200 pounds of nonperishable items for the Generation Church food back on Warner Elliot Loop. Members included from left: Shelly Hodges and Carson, Ian Rosner, Karl Rothweiler, Allison Rosner, Danny Baum, Crystal Rothweiler, Russell Rothweiler, Benny Rosner, Aiden Mathis., Grayson Anderson, Cameron M, Aria Mathis and Vince Mathis. (Courtesy of Allison Rosner)

No bike? No problem! We will have bicycles for kids ages 11 & younger to borrow. We’ll also have a bike helmet give-away, while supplies last. Feb. 25, 9-11 a.m. No tickets required.

Join Ironwood’s Library Teen Council!: We’re looking for teens ages 12-17 who would like to help us organize programs, create displays, and improve the library experience for all library users! Participating in our library teen council is a great opportunity for those wanting experience in a work environment for school, scholarship, or job applications.

Online volunteer applications are available at volunteer.phoenix.gov. Under “Browse by Interest” choose “Library,” in the “Keyword” box type “Ironwood,” and complete the appropriate application.

A volunteer coordinator will notify applicants when the first meeting will take place. The next monthly meeting is 3:30-4:30 p.m March 3.

Paper Crafts: Adults and teens can learn a new papercraft the first Wednesday of each month. The group will be starting with flowers and all materials will be provided. March 1, 4:30-5:30 p.m. No tickets required.

Next Chapter Book Club: This inclusive communitybased book club is designed for people ages 12+ with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have a desire to make friends, explore their community, and read (regardless of current reading ability). This weekly gathering is free and occurs every Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registration is required and available in the library or online in the Calendar section of the library’s website.

Book Club: Adult readers 18+ can meet up with fellow adventuresome bibliophiles to share their thoughts about each month’s selection the first Wednesday of each month, 5-5:45 p.m. No tickets required. The book to be discussed on March 1 is The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. Submit your releases

a third-grade level because that’s the age children start to read or at least understand and recognize what’s going on around them.

But, he added, it doesn’t look childish for teenagers in high school.

Gnosis IQ is in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and Smith said he hopes this will usher in a new era in the youth mental health crisis.

“It’s really something that I hope will hopefully be a true innovation in education, supporting kids going forward,” Smith said.

Information: gnosis-iq.com. 

Ob uaries

Catherine Marie (Van Deman) Lloyd

Catherine Marie (Van Deman) Lloyd. May 6, 1963 to January 17, 2023.

Treasured wife of 38 years to Andrew Lloyd, mother of Mason Lloyd, daughter of Mary Van Deman, sister to Christy Van Deman, grandmother, and friend to many passed away at home on January 17, 2023 after a fight with breast cancer. She was preceded in death by her father Carl Van Deman.

Cathy spent most of her life in the Phoenix area. She was a 1981 graduate of Shadow Mountain High School. Following this she spent a year at Utah State University in Logan on a graphic design

scholarship then returned to Phoenix to study at Arizona State University. She

Need help writing an obituary?

We have articles that will help guide you through the process.

Deadline for obituaries is Wednesday at 5pm for Sunday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays.

Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5

if you have questions.

Visit: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

had the gift of creativity and flourished in her career. Highlights include designing the sculptures and signage for Universal Studios Orlando’s Suess Landing and city and pier signage in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Cathy was very involved in her Arizona community as well. She poured her heart and creativity into being a mother. She was the president of the Ahwatukee Mom’s Club where she developed deep friendships with her fellow mothers and Desert Vista High School’s Track Team Booster Club.

More recently Cathy became interested in birdwatching. She approached this new interest with the same enthusiasm and dedication to research applied to her other endeavors. She quickly learned to identify most of our local species and was always excited to add new sightings to her records.

We will miss her smiles, her laughs, her compassion, and the joy she felt in so many things. But, knowing she is at peace and without pain is a blessing. We can imagine Cathy with the birds that gave her solace or picture her drifting with the brightly colored fish on the oceans’ reefs as she so loved to do before her health was taken.

Cathy’s most heartfelt request was that all the women in her life stay on top of their exams.

A celebration of Life will be held on March 5.

Mary Claire Pellegrino

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Mary Clare Pellegrino, age 76 of Chandler, Arizona on February 6, 2023. She left us while sleeping peacefully at her residence in Chandler, Arizona. Mary was a loving and devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend to all whose lives she touched.

She was born to Chester and Mary Breede on April 16th, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio and at the age of 5 moved to Stratford, Connecticut where she lived and raised her family for 53 years. Mary and her Husband Tony moved to Arizona 19 years ago to be near family and of course the warm weather, which Mary loved.

Mary was predeceased by both her parents, her devoted husband Antonio, her sister Judy, and brother John.

She is survived by her son Anthony (Tony), daughter Danille, son-in law David, her four grandchildren Mark-Anthony, Jack, Faith, and Cole. Her Sister Susan, Brother Michael, Brother-in-Law Ennio, Sister-in Laws Loraine and Pierrette, many nieces and nephews and her beloved Cat Billy, all of whom she loved so very much.

Mary lived a full life, she loved spending time in the kitchen cooking for her family. Family and friends would gather around the kitchen or the large dining room table for hours sharing stories and much laughter. Mary was always ready with a full pot of coffee and an ear for listening to whatever was on your mind or for just catching up. She never made you feel like she didn't have the time for you. Most of all she loved her family and instilled in all of us love, values, trust, and honesty. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.Ahwatukee.com

Deadline:

We invite you to Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Monday, March 6 through Thursday, March 9 for our Lenten Parish Mission and Healing Service entitled:

Why Be Catholic?

Fr. Ken Geraci, lived the life of the prodigal son for most of his young adult life. Raised in a nominal Catholic family, who only lived the externals of the faith, Fr. Ken left the Catholic Church for many years. During that time, he worked as a business profession in Advanced R&D and software testing; a few years into his career he joined a few of his co-workers in establishing a $4.5M Internet software company. Focused on money, fitness and success, he made little room for God; but God did not give up on him. During this journey, God presented him with challenges that forced him to question his personal beliefs and the question, “What is Truth?”

Through a series of conversions, years of struggle, study and questioning, Fr. Ken found his way from agnosticism to nondenominational Christianity and ultimately, back to the Catholic Church.

The FATHERS of MERCY

Fr. Ken joined the Fathers of Mercy in 2006 and was ordained in 2012. Having lived a secular existence, Fr. Ken has a great understanding of the personal and societal pressures that individuals face and knows what it is like to “hate coming to church.”

This mission is for people of all ages and levels of faith, from those who are madly in love with Jesus, to those who pretty much cannot stand church or religion. Regardless of your level of faith come and experience God’s Divine Mercy!

We invite you to one or all of the talks:

Monday through Thursday at 9am or 7pm in the church.

Fr. Ken will be available to hear confessions each day. Mass at 8:15am each day and 6pm on Tuesday & Thursday.

BY BOB CHRISTIE Capitol Media Services

Several officials form Maricopa County municipalities last week voiced opposition to a state Senate bill that would remove many local zoning laws across the state and require municipalities to allow new housing developments on very small lots in residential areas.

Although Phoenix’s weekly report on whether pending legislation would harm or help the city legislation does not mention SB 1117, approved by the

Senate Commerce Committee on a 5-2 vote Feb. 8, both Gilbert and Fountain Hills mayors The bill’s author, Sen. Steve Kaiser of Phoenix, touts the legislation as a possible solution to the state’s housing crisis.

According to Kaiser, his measure would not only remove zoning rules but speeds up approval processes that housing advocates and apartment developers say have hamstrung development. He has been pushing for an overhaul of zoning laws for a year.

The bill also would ban municipalities from enforcing design standards; eliminate requirements off-street parking requirements and override some height restrictions.

It would require cities with light rail to allow apartments to be built on any commercially zoned property within 2 miles of the rail line and bypass current requirements that local planning boards review new proposals and fasttracks city approvals.

But Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson told the committee, “Rising housing costs have impacted Gilbert like they have nearly all communities in Arizona and throughout the nation. The lack of affordable housing is widely recognized as an issue of concern but there’s not a clear simple solution to this complex set of factors that impact housing costs.

“While we appreciate ongoing efforts to address the issue, we feel SB 1117 will not create affordable housing solutions but have unintended consequences and long-lasting negative impacts on our communities.”

Peterson said her experience from her two years as mayor, five years as a council member and over 14 years as a planning commissioner for Gilbert taught her that “strong communities are created through long-term planning and are maintained and enhanced through consistent, planning processes.”

Peterson said if SB 1117 passes, there would no longer be a formal citizen review process and residents would be unable to engage or even be aware of projects that may have a major impact to their neighborhoods.

She said residents’ involvement would be further impacted by the bill with the

restriction of the Planning Commission’s role.

She said the bill would harm towns and cities’ ability to manage growth and development in their communities.

“Arizona is unique,“ she concluded. “And this bill will change the landscape of our beautiful state.“

Paradise Valley Councilwoman Anna Thomasson said overruling local zoning rules will have wide-ranging effects, including forcing change to local character.

“We think it’s important to hang on to the culture of all Arizona communities, including Paradise Valley, that we retain the right to have our own zoning, and to have our own determination, public process involvement,’’ she said.

The proposed law does not override existing rules adopted by planned communities known as CC&Rs. That means many developments with homeowner associations could continue to maintain design standards and bar backyard casitas as extra housing that could be separately rented.

Some Democratic lawmakers on the panel noted, however, that Kaiser’s proposal requires that no affordable housing actually be built.

Frank Cassidy, an attorney representing the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, also spoke against the proposed bill.

“This is basically a nuclear option to allow a whole bunch of housing but not saying it has to be affordable housing,“ Cassidy said. “It is just a ‘trickle down’ argument for that.”

The plan is backed by developers of homes and apartments as well as urban renewal advocacy groups.

“The fact of the matter is, we have zoned out starter homes, that is just a fact,” Spencer Kamps of the Homebuild-

ers Association of Central Arizona told Committee members. This bill, he said, would allow developers to produce “starter homes.”

“We have zoned out accessory dwelling units,“ Kamps continued. “We’ve zoned out single-occupancy dwelling units. They don’t exist. You can’t build them. This bill allows the triplexes, duplexes, what we call the missing middle. This bill allows that to happen.”

The measure is being pushed as a needed solution to a huge lack of housing supply in Arizona that has seen apartment rents and home costs soar.

Jake Hinman of the Arizona Multihousing Association cited state Housing Department figures that show Arizona is short 270,000 housing units. He said the proposal would cut local zoning regulation and open the floodgates to new building.

He said the big issue is “NIMBY-ism,” the fight that erupts when local residents take a “not in my backyard“ approach, object to a new project and end up delaying or killing it outright.

Top seller

“Projects that used to take … six months to be approved are taking years,” Hinman said. “The intensity grows with every aspect, whether it’s comments about traffic, comments about crime, comments about property values, all of these things we know not to be true, but yet they poison the well.“

He and members of the Senate committee referenced emails they received from local community activists who said Kaiser’s bill would destroy the character of their neighborhoods.

Kaiser pointed to the elimination of city-adopted design standards as a major point, at least for him. He cited historic districts in Phoenix where every home is different and “doesn’t look like cookie cutter.”

“Imagine what we could have if we had variety, if we didn’t have governmentcontrolled design review standards that sound like Soviet-era construction of housing,“ Kaiser said. “We need to let the free market, the architects, the designers, and … the buyers decide what is going to be good.” 

This 3,250-square-foot house on South 36th Place was a top seller so far this month in Ahwatukee. Built in 1991, the five-bedroom, three-bath house boasted two walk-in closets, an appliance pantry and a gas stove and a salt water pool with berooms on both the first and second floors. (Special to AFN)

Ahwatukee ZIP code 85045 was one of 19 in Maricopa County with a double-digit increase in listings under contract in January over December 2022, according to the Valley’s leading analyst of the Phoenix Metro housing market.

The Cromford Report said that Ahwatukee ZIP code also was one of 10 in Phoenix that showed such double-digit growth, although it provided no additional detail.

“For the single-family detached market,” the Cromford Report said, all but seven ZIP codes showed an increase in listings under contract.” It called the 19 where double-digit growth occurred “lucky areas.”

The number of listings under contract rose from 5,456 in December to 7,810 in January – a 43% increase, it said.

“This is by far the highest percentage increase we have ever measured from one month to the next,” the Cromford Report added. “It shows us that buyers are getting used to interest rates around 6%. It helps a lot when sellers are willing to help them buy down the initial rate.”

The Cromford Report counseled, “It is time to drop the skepticism and enter the hope stage of the cycle” – a reference to its map of the market cycle, which plots Valley homesellers’ emotional state over the last few years.

“Listings are going under contract so quickly that the supply of new listings

cannot keep up, despite a much higher flow of new listings than we saw in December,” it said.

“We are heading back towards a supply-constrained market and it is likely that prices will start to move higher within a short space of time. Asking prices are moving upwards quickly and these

are usually a leading indicator.

“While there is no guarantee that mortgage rates won’t go higher again, 2023 has started out much stronger than anyone expected back in November.”

In its analysis of listings under contract, the report found that besides the 10 Phoenix ZIP codes that saw double-digit increases in listings under contract, there were one in Carefree, Glendale, Goodyear and Peoria; two each in Mesa and Gilbert; and one in Sun Lakes, which the Cromford Report only a month ago said was lagging in an improved market for sellers. It also said two

Scottsdale ZIP codes were “notable exceptions” because they ended January with fewer listings under contract than there were in December.

The Cromford Report also said that overall, January closings totaling 4,559 were 44% below those record in January 2022, with new home sales down by 6% and resales plummeting 49%. The monthly media price of those sales last month was $439,000 – down less than 1% from a year earlier.

The median sales price of new homes sold last month was $503,195 – up 9.4% over January 2022 – while the median sale price of re-sale homes was down 4.3% in the same period to $420,000.

“Clearly new homes are faring much better than resales in. both volume and pricing, the Cromford Report said.

It also noted, “Although closed sales volumes are low and prices are down from this time last year, total dollar volume is higher than it was in February 2020, just three years ago. This is because prices are so much higher than they were on 2020.”

It also said that overall market conditions in the 17 Valley submarkets it monitors were the best in Fountain Hills, though it “is being challenged by Chandler.”

Adding the Southeast Valley market overall was showing significant improvement for sellers, it Phoenix is among four cities – the other three are in the West Valley – that appear “most favorable affected by recent trends.” 

This home in 85045 sold in January for $680,000. The 2,682-square-foot house on South 16th Lane has four bedrooms and three baths. (Special to AFN)

The Cromford Report’s market cycle lists various stages that Valley homesellers have gone through over the last couple years. (The Cromford Report)

BY ELIZABETH HALE AFN Guest Writer

While the idea of making some easy money by making a home available for short-term rentals is great in theory, several variables make the process quite complex and demanding — and any mistakes can be costly.

Before taking on a new passive income endeavor, it is critical for Arizonans to get up to speed on the tax, time and budget constraints surrounding short-term rentals to minimize liability and stress.

Although VRBO and Airbnb are taxed differently, here are some general considerations to keep in mind.

It’s a common misconception is that every property can be a short-term rental that lends itself to massive tax savings. In reality, there are four categories for short-term rental tax deduction:

pass-through, real estate deprecation, business expenses and home office expenses. All of them lay out specific parameters to qualify for deductions. Most importantly, to qualify for short-term rental tax deduction, you must meet all IRS eligibility requirements.

• The IRS limits the number of days owners can stay in the home and still deduct expenses; if they exceed this limit, they may not be able to apply deductions.

• Owners need to be careful with their furnishing budget, as only up to 20% of these expenses are tax-deductible.

• If there is a W-2 income involved, a CPA can ensure that all other deduction options from deferred compensation and stocks to mitigate employment-related tax liability are applied.

• If owners intend to shelter W-2 income with Schedule C losses, the IRS has rules about that too that will limit the ability to claim deductions.

• Subleasing should be avoided, if possible, as it comes with even greater liability risks given there is no ownership of property involved.

Additionally, to limit your investment income, your tax professional can help you explore long-term rentals and utilize tax-now, tax-later, tax-never investments.

Once it’s determined that a short-term rental can be profitable, then day-to-day management comes into play. Owning a rental property requires significant time and effort that many full-time professionals won’t have time for, which makes other investments – including investing in stock – a better option.

It’s important to note that most shortterm rentals are filled at least 70% of the time, which means owners need to stay engaged in the booking process and be responsive to residents. They will also need to handle all finances and accounting (or hire a trusted CPA firm to do so) and carefully track profit to ensure your efforts are worthwhile.

There are also new regulations emerging around short-term rentals. Recently, the City of Scottsdale implemented new regulations for short-term rentals that went into effect Jan. 8, 2023, and other municipalities may soon follow suit. Owners should be prepared to jump through several licensing and insurance hoops before they can legally start renting.

While it seems most short-term rentals seem to be a very profitable venture,

there’s a good chance that owners will actually be investing for a year or two before they see any profit. In addition to furnishing costs ranging from $7,000 to $20,000, most hosts spend the following on monthly expenses:

• Mortgage: $2,000 - $3,000

• HOA: $100 - $200

• Insurance: $100 - $200

• Utilities & Internet: $300 (Arizona average)

• Overhead: $700 - $2,000

• Maintenance: 1% of property’s annual value

• Management Service (Optional): 10%-40% of income

These costs can stack up quickly, but there are still several ways owners can maximize their profit:

• Own, don’t lease: Lock in that mortgage rate to avoid yearly rent hikes

• Offer alternative rates during peak

seasons

• Remarket to travel nurses and similar professions

• Use a self-service management software

• Be strategic in deciding whether “extra” amenities and furnishes will actually increase value

• Encourage renters to be mindful of energy use

While renting out your home can be costly and time-consuming, it may also pay dividends over time.

The team at eeCPA provides unconventional entrepreneurs with the guidance they need to kickstart their shortterm rental success stories.

Elizabeth Hale has helped entrepreneurs, investors, family offices and commercial real estate developers pinpoint new and creative avenues for growth while mitigating risk. eecpa. com.

‘Shark’ likes EV duo’s home protection from pests

BY DYLAN JAMES SEEMAN AFN Contributor

Aaron Gonzales and Tony Gonzales are pretty slick when it comes to keeping pests like scorpions out of homes.

So much so that the Gilbert duo landed a deal on “Shark Tank,” a TV show where investors or “sharks” fund proposals pitched to them by budding entrepreneurs. The business partners’ winning proposal is a pest repellant treatment called Slick Barrier.

“It’s validation,” Tony Gonzales said. “All the hard work over the years, and we know it should be on every house.”

Slick Barrier acts as a liquid glass. After it’s coated around the base of a house and dries, rodents and insects

can’t climb up. The water-based product is applied like paint and is pesticide-free. The segment featuring the two men, who are not related but are childhood friends, aired Jan. 27.

“Worldwide there are home intruders breaking into our homes right now,” Tony Gonzales told investors. “We’re talking about spiders, cockroaches, scorpions, bedbugs, ants and even rodents. But these nasty creepy crawlers don’t stand a chance with our product.”

The two asked investor Kevin O’Leary to step on top of two bricks coated with Slick Barrier in a Plexiglas box filled with cockroaches. O’Leary was impressed that the roaches were not going up the sides.

SPOOTLIGHT TLIGHT home

AHWATUKEE CUSTOM ESTATES

STUNNING SINGLE LEVEL CUSTOM ESTATE LOCATED ON A HUGE LOT AT THE END OF A CUL-DE-SAC WITH A 6-CAR GARAGE*GATED DRIVEWAY*COMPLETELY REMODELED WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY FINISHES*EVERYTHING IS NEW*GRAND FOYER*LIVING ROOM W/FIREPLACE*FORMAL DINING ROOM*FAMILY ROOM W/FIREPLACE & FULL WETBAR*KITCHEN INCLUDES CUSTOM CABINETRY,RARE QUARTZSITE COUNTERS,THERMADOR APPLIANCES,BUILTIN FRIDGE/FREEZER,ISLAND,& WALK-IN PANTRY*LARGE MASTER SUITE*MASTER BATH W/ STEAM SHOWER,JACUZZI TUB,HIS/HER VANITIES, & WALK-IN CLOSET*MEDIA ROOM*EXERCISE ROOM*GAMEROOM*GIGANTIC PARADISE BACKYARD INCLUDES:PEBBLESHEEN POOL & JACUZZI,TWO GRASS AREAS,SPORT COURT, AND STUNNING SOUTH MOUNTAIN VIEWS*BACKS & SIDES TO WASH WITH COMPLETE PRIVACY*A 6-CAR GARAGE

5 bedroom, 5.5 bath, 5704sqft almost 1 acre lot

Listed for $2,750,000

West USA Realty

2936 W GLENHAVEN DR, PHOENIX 85045

The Gonzaleses even backed up their patented invention with test data from Texas A&M and New Mexico State University.

“When you place the barrier to the base of your house, it dries hard, smooth and slick,” Tony said.

Aaron described Slick Barrier as “the future of pest control.”

“The big problem with pest control is there’s no innovation,” he said. “It’s just spray, spray, spray.”

He concluded by asking for $500,000 in return for a 10% share of the business.

In the first year of earnings in 2020, the two rang up $180,000 for service calls or applying their products on homes, according to Tony.

On average it takes 2 to 2.5 gallons of Slick Barrier to do a house at a cost of $1,400 per call.

In 2021, the total revenue was $650,000 – $450,000 for service calls and $200,000 in sales of the product to pest control companies, Aaron said, adding that in 2022, they focused strictly on selling and just last month alone sold about $50,000 worth of product.

It cost $30 per gallon to have the product produced, which is then sold to pest control companies for $100 a gallon.

“Right now, the vision in the future is to go consumer,” Tony Gonzales said. “But we’ll still continue to push it to the pest-control side.”

However, one by one, the first four judges gave reasons why they were out.

Shark Robert Herjavec held some doubt on the product’s effectiveness, as did Shark Daymond John.

“When you live in the Northeast, when it gets cold those pests and those critters are coming into the house,” John said. “They are going to find a way in there and from where I’m from in New York, when I get locked out of my house I’ll call a rat to get me into the house.”

The final shark, Lori Greiner, pitched a counter deal.

“I’m going to take a flyer on you,” she said. “I think you are in desperate need of a shark. I’ll give you the $500,000. I want 15%. And I’m going to give you $100,000 up front and the rest as a loan because I really see this as dicey.

“But I think that people would want to spray their homes with it and at least give it a go. Even if it cuts down on the

amount that gets in, it’s better to have one scorpion than 500.”

Greiner said that the term of the loan was for two years at the standard rate. She added that she could see Slick Barrier as a “great consumer product” and that she could help them with the licensing.

The infusion of cash now enables the two men to massively accelerate their business growth.

The two have been working on Slick Barrier for the last five years. The product was initially called Aversion and later rebranded.

The third partner is Christian Bacca, who gave up his dream of becoming a firefighter to help launch the product and the company. He did not appear on the TV show.

Aaron, whose career is in corporate sales, said he began looking for a solution after his house became infested with Arizona bark scorpions, one of the most venomous in North America.

After he ended up getting stung and had a horrible experience, his wife pushed to sell the house.

“They don’t come in through pipes, a common misconception but scorpions mainly enter the house from up the walls and through gaps,” he said. “And when they kept appearing in the sink and bathtub and they couldn’t get out. That’s when I got the idea – make a glass-like barrier around the house.”

Tony, a lawyer, said his 3-year-old was hospitalized after being stung.

“Our lives were put on hold for months… and none of it was guaranteed,” said Tony Gonzales.

He said it took months of research and testing to see if any product could provide that physical barrier. They turned to U.S. chemists and chemical companies to bring their idea to life.

The two talked about the anxiety and build-up to the show. They had tried to get on the show once before but didn’t make it through the selection process.

But after building up more steam for their product and further honing it, they felt it was time to try again.

And they said, any success they have had and will have comes from their family and friends.

They said when it comes down to it, any success they have and will have in the future comes down to family and friends. 

SOLD!

dining, family room w/canterra fireplace, kitchen incs :slab granite,alder cabinets,s/s wolf appliances,gas cooktop,miele dishwasher,copper sinks,island, & subzero, most amazing custom stonework ever seen in ahwatukee consisting of marble,canterra,travertine, & granite, large master ste w/sitting area & 2 separate full baths, his/her alder & cedar lined closets, guest suite-2nd master w/ensuite bath & courtyard, extremely private backyard w/covered patio, pebbletec pool w/waterfalls, firepots, firepit, grassy play area, & fully equipped outdoor kitchen, fruit trees inc: apple, orange, lemon, & lime, this dream estate has it all!

Canyon Verde

The best view lot in all of club west!!! this stunning custom gated estate in canyon verde has the best privacy & views you will find in ahwatukee*grand foyer*formal living & dining room*executive office*kitchen includes: custom cabinets w/ antiquing, s/s appliances, cooktop, island, breakfast bar, pendant lighting, & walk-in pantry*butler’s pantry w/wine fridge*family room w/fireplace*upgraded fixtures throughout*large master suite w/sitting area*master bath w/jetted tub, snail shower, & spacious closet*guest suite w/separate entrance*all secondary bedrooms are large*paradise perfect backyard w/covered patio, pebbletec pool & spa, firepit, built-in bbq, flagstone, and putting

Mountain Park Ranch

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

$1,750,000

Foothills $499,000

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!!! SOLD!

One of the most amazing lots available in ahwatukee!! Located in foothills mountain ranch estates!! Over 5 acre hillside lot with stunning mountain views from every direction*build your dream custom estate or build multiple homes on this sight*zoned r3*the possibilities are endless on this rare opportunity*there is not another piece of land in ahwatukee that offers this many buildable acres*no hoa*located at the end of a cul-de-sac*be the king of the hill with views all the way to four peaks*plans available and other custom home options available from a well know ahwatukee custom home builder*do not miss this amazing hillside lot in an amazing location!!!!

# 1

cabinets, and a center island with a breakfast bar.

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 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 and entertaining. Can be previewed with 24 hour notice and appointment only.

Marty Gri n 602-692-7653

Donna Leeds � GRI, ABR lf"fl! 949.310.5673

Ahwatukee Agent 2020

& laundry. There is a 2’ extension in garage w/ built in cabinets, plus an RV gate. Gather in this beautiful backyard offering a covered patio, cozy pergola, and manicured landscape. Marty Gri n 602-692-7653 martygri n@q.com $525,000 Ahwatukee Come True 1986 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 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 and entertaining. Can be previewed with 24 hour notice and appointment only. Donna Leeds � GRI, ABR lf"fl! 949.310.5673 wwwBestAgentWUSA.com SOLD! AGENTS...THINKING OF A CHANGE? CALL TO SCHEDULE A CONFIDENTIAL INTERVIEW TO LEARN WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU! DONNA LEEDS • 480.893.0600 • DLEEDS@WESTUSA.COM SOLD! PENDING

Maricopa

to Golf, Restaurants, Shopping, the I-10 and Medical Facilities. Sit on your extended covered patio and watch the sun set. Enjoy all the amenities of the Ahwatukee Recreation Center with a large outdoor pool, heated indoor saltwater pool, Sauna, Spa, Gym, woodworking shop and more!

Troy Royston

480-435-3461

troyston61@gmail.com

The Sun Groves Fantastic opportunity to own this gorgeous single-level home! This beauty is conveniently located near parks, schools, and shopping spots. Discover a welcoming interior with a carpeted living and dining room, a neutral palette, archways, and lots of natural light great for interior plants. Practice your cooking skills in this well-kept kitchen fully equipped with built-in appliances, recessed lighting, plenty of counter space, honey oak

Redwood Estates

Prepare to be impressed by the spacious open layout showcasing tile flooring, neutral palette, dramatic vaulted ceilings, soft carpet in all the right places, and beautiful plantation shutters. This home is highly upgraded including bay windows in both dining area & master bedrooms, granite counter top & upgraded raised-panel maple cabinets w/ crown molding in kitchen

Home, sweet meticulously maintained home! 4 bed ‘’plus’’ a den and 3 bath! All nestled on a giant quiet cul-de-sac lot. Beautiful bright living area showcasing neutral tile flooring, designer palette, dramatic vaulted ceilings, arched doorways, & sliding glass doors leading to the giant backyard. The spotless

Mike Foley

480-216-7878

Vistancia $700,252 SOLD!

upgraded doors and windows.

Carlos Martinez

480-751-8866

teammartinez11@gmail.com

Copper Creek

Gorgeous newer build with a spectacular back yard for your family! TLC abounds with many upgraded features: Hi-end plantation shutters, newer appliances, new paint, stunning cabinets and completely re-landscaped front and back. Enjoy those family great times in the highly upgraded north-facing back yard. Custom Sunburst shutters, dual pane windows and newer AC. Large Master suite with Beautiful Bay Window & Walk-in closet provide plenty of room for your bedroom set & sitting area. Nice views of the South Mountain Preserve.

Link Pa enbarger

602-989-7221

linkpa @gmail.com

@AhwatukeeFN

Ahwatukee Chamber salutes local businesses, leaders

The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce earlier this month honored local businesses and owners with its Impact Awards celebrating “the old timers and newcomers whose knowledge, energy and optimism will launch the Village of Ahwatukee into higher heights” and reminding the community “our business

Impact Award winners were:

Micro Business of the Year: The Buzzed Goat.

Small Business of the Year: Von Hanson’s Meat and Spirits.

Medium Business of the Year: Zesty Zzeeks Pizza and Wings.

Large Business of the Year: Arizona’s Vision.

Corporate Business of the Year: Costco.

Family-Owned Business of the Year: Wicked Brews Bites and Spirits.

Start-Up Business of the Year: The Kolache Cafe.

Nonprofit of the Year: Treasurers 4 Teachers.

Educator of the Year - Meaghan McClung, Ahwatukee Foothills Montessori.

Education Administrator of The Year - Ann Leftwich, Kyrene School District.

community can reach greater heights.”

Besides the businesses, educators and a nonprofit receiving the awards, three students received scholarships. Rebekah Slayton and Sadie Goldman received $1,500 and $500, respectively, from the Fulcrum Foundation while Emily Sanders received a $3,000 scholarship from the Fulcrum Foundation that was named after benefactor Tim Hovik, of Ahwatukee, who owns San Tan Ford.

Realtor of the year (female): Cynthia Worley.

Realty Team of the Year: Mary Jo Santistevan.

Realtor of the Year (male): Kevin Houston.

Mentor of the Year: Moses Sanchez, Nonnahs Marketing.

Rising Star In Ahwatukee: Dr. Alyson Cramer, Awaken Chiropractic.

Champion of Change: Alexis Breyer, Breyer Law Firm.

Community Leader: Rick Savagian, Mountainside Martial Arts.

Community Leader: Traci Tartaglio, Ahwatukee Carpets, Inc.

Woman Business Owner of the Year: Ayesha Siddiqi, WhereUBean Coffee.

Shero Of The Year: Mary Ellen Tornesello, Chick-Fil-A.

Ann Leftwich (left), Meaghan McClung, Ayesha Siddiqi, WhereUBean Coffee

Barbara Blalock, Treasures4Teachers

Bebe and Jose Leal, Kolache Cafe

CynthiaWorley, Stella Realty Group

Dr. Alyson Cramer, Awaken Chiropractic

Dr. Mark Page, Arizona Vision

Gabe VonWeimer, Buzzed Goat

Mary Ellen Tornesello, Chick-fil-A

Malesha Inthisane, Von Hansen’s Meats

Mark and Jody Pectol, Zesty Zzeeks Pizza

Mary Jo Santistevan,

Moses Sanchez, daughter Shannon Gilpin

Wicked Brewery co-owners Chip Mahoney and wife Deanna “Dee” Slattery.

Famed chicken restaurant coming to Ahwatukee

Popular Memphis-based Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken restaurant plans to open in Ahwatukee within the next two months.

The restaurant, which has gained national renown for its crispy fried chicken and scratch-made sides, will be setting up shop in the old Keegan’s Grill location at Ray Road and 48th Street.

“The rumors are true and we are excited,” Gus’s President/CEO Wendy McCrory told AFN.

With 36 locations around the country and two in Arizona, the Ahwatukee restaurant will be one of two new Arizona spots McCrory is opening this year.

McCrory, who opened her first Arizona location in downtown Mesa three years ago, said she picked Ahwatukee for a location “I love this area. It has a great vibe and feels like a great fit for Gus’s.”

Gus’s has been featured on the Food Network and been named the “Best Fried Chicken in America” by Forbes.

Gus’s Fried Chicken established its roots more than 60 years ago in the small town of Mason, Tennessee, when a local carpenter named Napolean “Na” Vanderbilt and his wife announced they wanted to offer “fried chicken that could unite a community in an era of divisive racial attitudes.”

They had been experimenting with recipes in a tavern for several years, selling the chicken as sandwiches with white bread. Despite numerous requests that they start a free-standing restaurant, the Vanderbilts didn’t have the funds.

“However,” the company history states, “generous, chicken-loving locals offered to supply them with the materials necessary to build their own restaurant. Na, a skilled carpenter, built the restaurant on a piece of land he and Ms. Maggie

Chamber winners

owned on Highway 70 in Mason.

“Maggie’s Short Orders opened its doors in 1973. The building still stands today and still serves Na and Maggie’s amazing fried chicken.”

Lured by repeated praise in local and national publications, fans flocked to Maggie’s Short Orders –where McCrory started working on the weekends.

She eventually started a Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in downtown Memphis in 2001 – and hasn’t stopped opening new restaurants since.

“Bringing Gus’s Chicken to a new market, I think, is going to be a real hit… I don’t think there is any other concept out there that is like us,” McCrory shared. 

Wendy McCrory, president/CEO of Gus’s World Famous Chicken, said she likes Ahwatukee’s vibe and that’s why she picked it for one of her two new Arizona locations. (Courtesy Memphis Journal)

from left, Sadie

Sanders

Slayton. (Photos by David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)

Merchant Marine opens unique salon for men

BY KEN SAIN AFN Staff Writer

Matthew Huyter said the traditional strip mall barber is designed to get people in with low prices, give them a quick cut, and then move onto the next.

It’s all about volume.

“They’re on-the-books standard is 11 minutes from walk-in to being done,” said Huyter, who chose Chandler as the first Roosters Men’s Grooming Center in Arizona. “In 11 minutes, you can’t get that attention to detail.”

Huyter said Roosters is different.

“People walk out that door knowing they’ve gotten the best haircut in years,” Huyter said. “And I’m not I’m not exaggerating by saying that. They say ‘I can’t believe it.’ I’m like, ‘Well, that’s what you get when someone takes a half an hour to cut your hair as opposed to the standard 9 to 11 minutes.’”

Huyter is in the Merchant Marines and said he wanted to own his own business that was somewhat familiar to him. Since he stands on his feet all day, he was attracted to men’s grooming.

He chose Roosters to get licenses for up to three shops in Arizona because they are a throw-back to what barber shops used to be. There was no rushing you in and out.

A shampoo, head massage and hot towel were part of the whole service –they aren’t extras that have a separate price tag.

He said he also liked how Roosters is designed, with each station set up as its own all-inclusive area. There is no walking through the shop to get a shampoo at Roosters. It happens at the same part of the salon where a customer gets a haircut.

But the biggest difference is the styl-

East Valley duo’s pop-up aims for better health, earth

BY KEN SAIN AFN Staff Writer

Amy Liu-Sanders, a teacher in the Chandler Unified School District, and her friend Nela Vascones went to visit Vascones’daughter in Colorado.

The problem is she lives in a special community that grows its own food and is very careful about the products they bring in. Residents don’t want any toxins to get into the groundwater that they use to grow their food.

That got both women interested in researching which everyday products have toxins that are both bad for the

planet and bad for a person’s health.

That, and a trip by Vascones to a Colorado refill store led to an ah-ha moment: They decided to open their own refill store in the East Valley.

And they are well on their way to doing just that.

Love Sustain Refill is a pop-up store for now, appearing at farmers’ markets in Queen Creek, Mesa and Gilbert. LiuSanders said they are now confident there is demand for a brick-and-mortar store and will begin pursuing that.

They said the only refill store in the Valley is Desert Refillery in Central Phoenix.

fore 3 p.m. on weekdays.

He said he did his research and decided Chandler residents were looking for barbers who gave better service and that they would be willing to pay for it. And he decided the location at Alma School and Ray roads was perfect.

As for his other two licenses, he said he’s looking at locations in Queen Creek and Tempe, but hasn’t settled on any place yet.

Huyter said he does offer a special deal to any World War II veterans who need a haircut. He will give them excellent service for $1.

“They’re living legends,” Huyter said. “I don’t feel right collecting their money. The only reason I ask for the dollar, is because I want their autograph, so I ask them to sign that dollar.”

So far he hasn’t had any World War II veterans take advantage of the offer.

ists have the time to do a quality job.

“The neckline takes a lot of time to do,” he said. “It takes some serious neck work and shave to make it look good.”

The price for that additional time, services and quality is about double what the strip mall shops charge. The club cut is $39. Roosters offers a discount for active military and first-responders that they call a “hero’s cut” for $34.

For boys 13 and younger the price is $24, and there is a $34 senior price be-

“I guess there’s not many left,” he said. “I might have to give it a few more years, and then go to Korean and maybe Vietnam.” 

Roosters Men’s Grooming Center

1949 W. Ray Road, Chandler 480-590-3469

www.roostersmgc.com

Matthew Huyter is a member of the U.S. Merchant Marines and owner of Arizona’s first Rooster’s Men’s Grooming Center, located in Chandler. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)

Nela Vascones, left, and Amy Liu-Sanders opened a pop-up store called Love Sustain Refill to help reduce the number of plastic containers polluting earth. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

Plan now to avoid being a burden on your children

BY JOSEPH ORTIZ AFN Guest Writer

Here’s an interesting statistic: Some 72% of retirees say one of their biggest fears is becoming a burden on their families, according to a 2021 survey by Age Wave and Edward Jones. Both before and during retirement, what steps can you take to avoid burdening your loved ones in the future?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Build your retirement savings. The greater your financial resources, the less likely it becomes that you’d ever have to count on your grown children for financial support. You may have access to a 401(k) or similar retirement plan at work, so take advantage of it.

Even with an employer-sponsored

So, what is a refill store?

Customers bring in their own empty bottles or containers, then weigh them. They write the weight on the bottle. Then, they can refill them with whatever product they need, taking as much, or as little as they like, paying by the ounce.

There are two major benefits. For one, instead of putting more plastic bottles into the oceans and landfills, people can reuse the ones they already have.

“I think it’s less than 10% of plastics that are actually being recycled,” LiuSanders said. “So it’s nasty. Americans are like only 5% of the population, and we create 40% of the waste. It’s gross.”

But that is not their top reason for opening this business. After their experience in Colorado, they became concerned about toxins in everyday products and started looking for alternatives. They were struggling to find them at the local stores.

She started using an app called Yuka, which tells users how healthy, or unhealthy, products are by scanning a barcode.

“A lot of them will score low if they

plan, you also may be eligible to contribute to an IRA. In addition to offering a variety of investment options, a 401(k) and IRA provide potential tax advantages. And once you do retire, be careful about how much you withdraw each year from your retirement plans and other investments.

Plan for health care costs. Once you are retired, health care costs will be a significant expense. You may have Medicare, but you’ll also want to consider your need for supplemental health insurance to cover traditional medical costs. And you’ll want to consider another potential health-related expense: long-term care. You may never need the services of a home health aide or a stay in a nursing home, but no one can predict the future.

Medicare does not cover most costs for long-term care, which can be quite high. In 2021, the annual national median cost for a private room in a nurs-

ing home was over $108,000, while the median cost for a full-time home health aide was nearly $62,000, according to a survey by Genworth, an insurance company. You may want to consult with a financial professional on strategies for protecting yourself from these costs.

Create necessary legal documents. If something were to happen to you, and you didn’t have the appropriate legal documents in place, your loved ones could be placed in a bind, both financially and emotionally.

That’s why it’s a good idea to create documents such as a durable financial power of attorney, which lets you name someone to manage your finances if you became incapacitated, and a durable power of attorney for health care, which allows someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you can’t make them yourself. You’ll want to work with a legal professional to develop the documents appropriate

have fragrances in them,” she said. “And preservatives. So those are two of the things that you have to watch out for.”

The two women personally test every product they sell, scrutinizing the ingredients to make sure there are no toxins. Their shop sells products for body, face and hair; laundry, the bathroom, kitchen

for your needs.

Evaluate your housing needs. As you enter retirement, you may want to evaluate your living situation. Could you downsize to a smaller home, or perhaps a condominium or apartment?

Not only might you save money with such a move, but you could also end up relieving your grown children of the responsibilities and hassles involved in clearing out and selling your home should you become unable to do so yourself during the later years of your retirement.

By taking these measures, along with others, you can go a long way toward maintaining your independence and putting yourself in a place where you won’t burden your grown children. And that’s a good place to be.

Joseph Ortiz of Ahwatukee is a financial planner for Edward Jones. Reach him at 480-753-7664 or joseph. ortiz@edwardjones.com. 

cones sell, called Root & Splendor.

“I love it, it’s super amazing,” she said. “It gets out stains, it smells great, it softens your clothes. Like we’ve had such great feedback from our customers and I don’t want to use the rest of my other stuff up.”

They started attending farmers’ markets on Jan. 11 and say the reception has been terrific. This being a new concept, only one person brought empty containers to be filled that first day.

The store offers a bin of empty containers for those who don’t have their own that have been donated by other customers.

“We’re not trying to sell you something, we’re trying to educate,” Vascones said.

The pair said finding the products that are toxin-free has been the hardest challenge, but they’ve received a lot of help from other refill stores.

and household goods.

Liu-Sanders said she likes the non-toxic products more than the mainstream brands. For example, she said she had bought a large container of laundry detergent just before making the switch. She said she is forcing herself to use that even though she prefers the brand she and Vas-

“What really helped us was going into other refill shops,” Liu-Sanders said. “You can see their brands, what their good sellers are, why they liked them. The refill community is such a welcoming community because the mission isn’t to beat out your competition, it’s ‘we need this’ and so they’re like ‘we need more of you.’”

POP-UP from page 32

Reusable glass jars and bottles are available from Love Sustain Refill for the products they sell. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

They

What the council candidates say you can expect from them

To our readers

With early voting beginning today, Feb. 15, in the March 14 run-off election between Kevin Robinson and Sam Stone for the District 6 Phoenix City Council seat, which represents Ahwatukee, the Ahwatukee Foothills News asked the candidates to write a series of columns outlinign their positions and qualifications. For the most part, they were invited to select their own topics but doay, they were asked to write on what Ahwatukee residents can expect from them if they are elected.

Their previous columns and questionnaire can be found on Ahwatukee.com.

It is too late to register to vote but registered voters who have not requested an early ballot have until 5 p.m. March 3 to do so. To find information about how to request the early ballot, go to phoenix.gov/cityclerk/elections/march-election-23/early-voting-information-23.

Voters who wish to vote early may also cast a ballot in person at Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St., 15th floor, now through March 10.

Robinson: Expect consistency, transparency, accessibility

BY KEVIN ROBINSON AFN Guest Writer

What can residents in the Ahwatukee neighborhoods expect from me as their City Council Representative? They can expect consistency, transparency, and accessibility.

Approximately 18 months ago when I decided to run for the District 6 City Council position, I did so with the ardent belief that I could – and would – be an effective representative for the residents and businesses within the district.

I started down the campaign path by knocking on doors throughout Ahwatukee, from the neighborhoods around 48th Street and Piedmont Road to around 31st Lane and W. Shaughnessy Road, and dozens in between.

I talked with, and listened to, the hundreds of residents I met along the way. I sought out meetings with Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce representatives, small business owners, retirees, firefighters, police officers, other city workers, elected officials, and educators.

In doing so, I was given the opportunity to understand and, more importantly, listen to what they expected from their City Council Representative.

As your District 6 City Council Representative, I will consistently listen to

you and the issues that you believe are important to you, your family, and your business.

Once I know what concerns the residents that I represent, I will be in a better position to advocate for them. Consistency in advocacy and in listening will be the normal and expected course of business when I am your District 6 City Councilman.

I will be forthright in the business I conduct on behalf of the District’s residents and businesses. I will be open and transparent in my decision making, explaining the decisions I make to anyone who inquires.

I will seek input from residents and business representatives when I have the opportunities to place people on boards and commissions. I will not conduct the business of the people in secrecy.

In essence, I will be open and honest, an attribute that I have possessed and practiced during the thirty-six years I served on the Phoenix Police Department.

Lastly, I will be accessible to anyone who wishes to speak with me. I, or a member of my team, will return phone calls, voicemails, and letters in a timely manner.

For example, I will institute bi-weekly meetings in different parts of the

Stone: I fought for Ahwatukee and I am not stopping now

BY SAM STONE AFN Guest Writer

As history has proven, it’s easy for the Phoenix City Council to ignore Ahwatukee. Other than the mayor, it’s likely that in the five years I served in Sal DiCiccio’s office, no other member of the council even stepped foot in Ahwatukee.

Geographical isolation too often means political isolation.

But Ahwatukee has real needs the council must meet: an additional fire station on the west side. Improved street lighting, traffic controls, some new traffic lights at key intersections. More cops to address the epidemic of reckless drivers and increased crime. Expanded recreational opportunities at our flatland parks, more pickleball courts and soccer fields, the completion (decades after it should have happened) of Desert Foothills Park. Improved street paving, particularly on our side streets and cul-de-sacs.

My opponent calls me an agent of chaos, but ask yourself, what chaos is he talking about?

What the mayor and other council members have truly objected to is that I’ve been effective at working behind the scenes getting money spent

in District 6 that they wanted to spend elsewhere.

Money to improve our trailheads. Money for expanded programs at our libraries. Money to clean up homeless encampments and alleviate blight. I also pushed back, and eventually got full council support for regulating small group homes for recovering addicts that were popping up everywhere in our neighborhoods – and too often becoming little more than taxpayerfunded drug houses with terrible impacts on surrounding neighbors.

When that issue arose, the council majority said there was nothing we could do. They stonewalled neighborhood leaders across the city. But I dug into the law, pointed out a path forward, and worked with community leaders, recovery advocates, and other members of the council to create the most robust framework for regulating these facilities and ensuring proper treatment of their residents anywhere in the country.

That effort has become a model for communities throughout Arizona. If that’s chaos, it’s the type of chaos we need a lot more of. Those are the types of things I’ll keep doing. But there are two other things I will always do for you as well.

First, I will always be there. When

Arizona lawmakers won’t drag you down

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ AFN Columnist

When you consider the many threats faced by Arizonans on a daily basis, the usual evils come to mind: Double-digit inflation; chaos along the southern border; the fentanyl crisis; the Valley’s massive shortage of housing; our rising violent crime rate.

Toss in political turmoil and the ongoing insanity surrounding the 2022 election and it’s a long list.

All of which explains why this year’s session of the Arizona Legislature has seen conservative Republicans introduce no less than four bills targeted at that noted scourge … drag shows.

Apparently, there are gangs of marauding drag queens all over the state plotting to corrupt your kids. Or as freshman state Sen. Justine Wadsack, who seems to be driving this crazy train, explained at a Senate Judiciary committee hearing last week:

“I have enjoyed many drag queen performances in my day, as an adult, around adults, in a roomful of adults. It’s been a great time. I have nothing wrong with the drag queen performances. … What I do have a problem with is when they go into the public libraries or the schools. I have watched them literally stand onstage wearing a G-string with breast implants. “And leaning over to a 5-year-old girl who has a dollar bill in her hand ready to put the dollar bill in this person’s Gstring while this person leans over and says, ‘Are you thirsty for some milk little girl?’ … A 5-year-old does not need to be going up to a drag queen and putting dollar bills in their G-string.”

My guess is you, too, find the above absolutely absurd and completely unbelievable.

There’s not a chance in hell that southern Arizona Republicans sent someone named “Wadsack” to the Legislature. Sadly, they did.

Wadsack’s bill to combat drag shows is SB1698, a poorly written affair which

council district so that I am accessible to the residents in a manner that is easy for them.

seeks to make it a felony to expose a minor to “an adult oriented performance or an adult oriented business,” including a “drag show,” defined as a performance involving folks who “engage in singing, dancing or a monologue or skit in order to entertain an audience of two or more people,” while wearing clothing or makeup “opposite of the performers or group of performers gender at birth.”

This heinous offense would carry a minimum five-year prison sentence –surely sobering news for the actors set to appear in the June performances of “Hairspray” at Gammage on the Arizona State University campus.

Also at risk, as I read the bill: Any parent who screens “Tootsie,” “Mrs. Doubtfire” or “Big Momma’s House” for a kids’ sleepover party.

Wadsack claimed to have evidence at the committee hearing, where a different anti-drag bill – Anthony’s Kern’s SB 1028, which would ban drag shows on public property or anywhere a child might see it – passed out of committee

by a vote of 4-3.

Said Wadsack: “If you guys don’t believe that these things happen, I have the documented proof. I just can’t put them up on the screen for you.”

If you ask me, these proposals sound like what our Legislature has specialized in for as long as I can remember: A solution in search of a problem.

Do I support sexualizing children, or a massive expense of tax dollars to sponsor Drag Queen Story Hour? I absolutely do not.

But the screeching here far outweighs the threat, given that such events targeting children appear to be non-existent.

From where I sit, the best defense against children being exposed to drag shows – or other sexual material – is something else that apparently doesn’t exist in our state.

Responsible parenting.

I miss the days when Arizona’s legislative leaders believed in such principles, instead of political make believe. Because silly bills like Wadsack’s? They’re a real drag. 

We helped them get emergency assistance like food and housing support when they needed it. We were there for the residents of this city when virtually no one else was.

The way I look at it, if I’m not meeting with the residents and talking to them about the issues that concern them, how am I going to be an effective City Council member?

COVID hit, City Hall emptied out. The other council offices went home. Jaimie Kleshock, Erin Morris, and I – the team in Sal DiCiccio’s office – still showed up to work every single day. We knew there were risks for us, but we felt it was our duty to be there for you.

Consistency, transparency, and accessibility are essential ingredients to me being a successful City Council person for District 6, and more specifically, for the residents in Ahwatukee.

After all, isn’t that the very least of what you should expect from your City Council Representative? 

In the early days of the pandemic, we sat and listened – day after day on an otherwise empty floor – to phones ringing in the offices, one after another, as people called office after office desperate for someone, anyone, to talk to who could help assuage their fears.

Eventually they all got to us, and we were there for them. We talked to them.

Second, I will do something that no other council office does: I will tell you how to get what you want even when I disagree with you. On numerous occasions, an individual or citizens group wanted something Sal didn’t agree with.

I met with all of them and told them how they might be able to get what they wanted anyway. Walked them through the politics of each council member, what buttons they could push. Connected them with others who supported their aims, and explained who they could get on their side to swing more votes in their favor.

I’ve never heard of another political office that does anything like that, but it’s one of the principles I believe is critical to serving you well; never putting my own interests or desire to “win” politically ahead of yours.

I’ll give you a fair shot and a fair hearing every single time.

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Desert Vista football coach Nate Gill steps down

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

Desert Vista head football coach

Nate Gill, who was hired before the 2022 football season, has stepped down after just a year leading the Thunder.

Gill, who informed school administrators about his decision Monday, Feb. 6, cited personal matters as the reason for his departure. Gill said he would be moving back to his home state of Texas.

“It’s been something I’ve contemplated a lot and had zero to do with the kids. I loved our kids a lot,” Gill said. “It just came to a point where my personal life boiled over in a lot of ways. Football has always been my safe haven and in the last six months or so I’ve been a shell of myself.

“That’s not fair to the kids, they deserve the best me and ultimately I recognized I felt a change needed to be made.”

Desert Vista administration confirmed Gill’s departure from the program in a written statement to families sent Tuesday, Feb. 7. “We wish Coach Gill all the best and

support his need and desire to be back home,” the statement said. “We sincerely

appreciate the contributions that he made to our football program and the positive impact he made on our studentathletes during his time at Desert Vista.”

Gill was hired in January 2022 to take over the Desert Vista football program after the school decided to part ways with former coach Ty Wisdom after one season. Wisdom, who led the Thunder to the playoffs in his only year, took over for long-time coach Dan Hinds after he announced his retirement from coaching.

Before Desert Vista, Gill helped turn around Sierra Linda, a 4A program in the West Valley.

The coaching change saw some Desert Vista players depart from the program ahead of the 2022 season, including running back Christian Clark to Mountain Pointe. Clark has now become the highest recruited running back in the state for the 2024 class.

The departure of players, along with several seniors having graduated the

see GILL page 40

Horizon Honors grades 5-6 baseball wins title

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

David Austin dealt a difficult hand in his first year coaching the Horizon Honors 5th and 6th grade baseball team.

He entered a year after the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the team, forcing him to rebuild with players who didn’t have as much baseball experience against teams that were more physically mature. It led to struggles for the team as a young group. This year, however, with half the roster returning, the Eagles quickly turned the page.

By the second game, Austin knew he had a special group on his hands. Weeks later, they finished the season undefeated and were crowned the

Great Hearts Middle School League champions.

“I was so happy for the kids,” Austin said. “Last year was a rough year coming back from COVID. We played some teams about our level. But we had about half the kids return from that team and I was just so proud of the way they hung together as a smaller school.

“I’m just really proud of what they accomplished.”

Horizon Honors played six total games this past season. Four others were canceled due to inclement weather near the midway point of the season.

That is something Austin believes showed the resiliency of his team. They got into a groove early on then were

Nate Gill, who was hired to take over the Desert Vista football program in January 2022, stepped down as head coach Tuesday, Feb. 7. Gill cited personal matters as his reason to leave the program. He said he would be moving back to his home state of Texas to focus on his mental health. (Dave Minton/AFN Staff)

From left: Liam Tattersall, Cayetano Gonzalez-Caballos, Braydon Shaw, Andrew Limber, Luke Ruggles, Jakub Ragsdale, Zach Brown, Gus Minor, Judah Greeley, Kaleb Pena, Eric Austin, and Evan Gruendler (not pictured) are all part of the Horizon Honors 5th and 6th grade baseball team that went undefeated and captured the Great Hearts Middle School League championship. (Courtesy Horizon Honors)

year prior, made this past season an uphill battle for Gill and the Thunder. They finished the season 2-8 overall but began to see the development of quarterback Braxton Thomas and wideout Roan Martinez as one of the best tandems in the state.

Now, those two will learn from another new head coach. Gill said he hopes administration will stay in house and promote offensive coordinate Jake McSpadden to be head coach. McSpadden, along with his offensive coordinator duties, has recently taken over the Thunder strength program. He’s coached alongside Gill for many years, including as a graduate assistant Mayville State.

“He’s a relentless and tireless worker and he brings an attitude we need,”

Gill said.

Gill took to social media Tuesday to formally announce his departure from the program and state. He thanked Sierra Linda, which gave him a chance as a head coach first, and Desert Vista.

“To Desert Vista and coach Klecka, thanks for trusting me with a monster of a program,” Gill wrote. “I truly believe we were turning the corner and taking great strides.”

in place.

Shortly after Gill’s departure, the job was posted and accepting applications.

Everything is in place for it to be highly successful, the family support, the neighborhood support, administration, everything is in place for it to be great.

“The head coach position will be posted immediately,” the statement read. “We are committed to finding a coach who will commit to Desert Vista long-term and focus on building a strong program on the foundations of our winning tradition and rich history.”

emotional goodbye, with some of them taking to social media to thank him in replies to his heartfelt post.

He said he hopes nothing but the best for the Thunder program. He feels the right pieces are in place to return it to an elite level in short order.

“Everything is in place for it to be highly successful,” Gill said. “The family support, the neighborhood support, administration, everything is in place for it to be great. It’s just a matter of time and picking the right guy.

“In a lot of ways, I’m heartbroken. I thought I was the right guy. But my mental is important and those guys in that locker room mean a heck of a lot more to me than just football players. If I can’t give them my best, I thought it was important to recognize that I had to help them and help myself.”  Have an interesting sports story?

Desert Vista will now seek its third new head football coach in as many years. The school said it aims to move quickly to have a new head coach

Gill told players he was departing the program Tuesday, Feb. 7 He was keen on making sure they knew the reason had nothing to do with them. It was an

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 - 1:10PM

HORIZON from page 39

forced into an extended break. Yet, they still came back and played at a high level.

It all began in the Eagles’ second game of the season against Veritas, a team that blew them out the year prior. They hung around and eventually won in the final inning. Austin knew at that moment what the team was capable of, they just had to stick to their game plan and play each game in their own style.

“That’s when we knew we really had something,” Austin said. “When we can match up with a team like that and come back from behind to get a walkoff victory, everything changed. The energy was different, the enthusiasm was different. We realized we had something special on our hands.”

Horizon Honors’ success was a group effort. Austin didn’t have one or two standout pitchers. It was a committee effort, with no pitcher throwing more than three innings in any game.

Not only did this allow for every player to get a chance on the mound, it kept them all fresh, too.

They relied heavily on the defense behind the mound, as well as the power

they had on offense at the plate. It all came together at the right time and carried on throughout the season.

“We made the strategic decision early on that we wouldn’t be the team that put the ball in the hands of one pitcher early on,” Austin said. “We relied on our defense. We told the pitchers, ‘This isn’t on you. Let’s throw strikes, let’s challenge the other team and play aggressive.’”

Austin, who has coached in Ahwatukee Little League and in the club scene for many years, hopes the success this year will continue in years to come.

He’s confident Horizon Honors can be a school known just as much for its athletics as it is for academics in due time.

“In a community like ours, word of mouth travels fast,” Austin said. “There’s some buzz around the team now. There’s a very nice talent pipeline. It looks good all the way up to varsity level. Between last year and this year, we were up 30 percent for kids that tried out and I expect that to go up again next year.

“Things at Horizon baseball are definitely on the upswing.” 

Arabian Horse Show gallops into 68th year

BY SUMMER AGUIRRE GetOut Staff Writer

From chestnuts, to bays, to roans, hundreds of Arabian horses will be in the spotlight for the 68th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.

The largest Arabian horse show in the world, the prestigious event attracts the best of the best owners, trainers and breeders from around the globe vying to snatch the blue ribbon in a wide variety of competitions with top Arabians.

Hosted by the nonprofit Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, the show will start at 8 a.m. each day running from Thursday, Feb. 16, to Sunday, Feb. 26, at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

“Scottsdale is the mecca for Arabian horses and each year we’re thrilled to have unique, beautiful horses from

around the world come here for this event,” said Taryl O’Shea, executive director of the AHAA.

“The Arabian horse community helped shape what Scottsdale is today and has had tremendous impact both economically, culturally, and socially over the past six-plus decades. We’re grateful for the opportunity to welcome back the horse community, newcomers and enthusiasts this February.”

In 11 days, the 2023 show will feature more than 2,000 horses and over 1,000 riders, some as young as 5 years old, competing for more than $3 million in prize money.

The Arabian breed’s beauty, versatility and elegance will be showcased in several hundred classes each day, ranging from dressage, horsemanship, side saddle, to English and Western pleasure.

This is also the first year that the Scottsdale show will include ranch horse classes, which test the Arabians’ ability to perform ranch tasks and demonstrate their adaptability for pleasure riding, working and agility.

Every discipline and age division will have normal classes pinned by place, in addition to larger classes having elimination rounds before the final championships.

Molly Schwanz, a 21-year-old competitor and Scottsdale resident, said she believes that the finals nights on the week-

The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show begins at 8 a.m. each day and will run from Thursday, Feb. 16 to Sunday, Feb. 26, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. (Evolve PR and Marketing)

Worldwide Women’s Film Fest offering 45 flicks

BY ALEX GALLAGHER AFN Staff Writer

For just over half a decade, the Worldwide Women’s Film festival has taken pride in empowering female filmmakers.

This year will be no different as the three-day festival beginning Friday, Feb. 17, offers 45 films across genres ranging from sci-fi to comedy to documentary to music videos tackling myriad subjects.

“We want to empower the filmmakers to tell the stories that are important for the rest of the world to hear and also specifically to give women’s voices a chance to be heard,” said festival president Kim Heunecke.

Heunecke says this is equally important as it was in 2018 when the film festival first began.

“Even though Hollywood is getting better about hiring women directors, it’s still far behind,” she said. “Women film-

Huenecke said women filmmakers are also tackling subjects that have yet to receive mainstream attention.

“They’re telling stories that may not get coverage,” she said.

One festival entry that stood out was a documentary film titled “Las Abogadas: Attorneys on the Front Lines of Migrant Crisis” which follows four migrant attorneys fighting to navigate through tough immigration policies for four years beginning in 2018.

spiration for her latest painting.

Desperate to uphold her reputation, she finds herself spiraling out of control as her relationships with her muses take a dark turn.

Another entry, a documentary titled “Bella: A Documentary,” is a featurelength film about the life, work, influence and impact of California-based choreographer/Arts Activist Bella Lewitzky. Described as “one of the greatest American dancers of our age.”

These films are part of 45 movies selected to the festival from a pool of over 130 submissions, a process Heunecke admits was tough to adjudicate at times.

makers bring a unique eye to film and I think that’s really important that we show that.”

Other interesting features include a feature film titled “Muse” which follows a successful painter under the pseudonym Maya Madley who struggles to find in-

“We have a lot of returning judges who’ve been doing this for us for a while and they have certain criteria that they judge a film on originality, can you hear the film, what’s the videography like, but then it goes more into the depth of the story and it gets pretty detailed,” Heunecke said.

The Worldwide Women’s Film Festival is set to return to Harkins 14 Shea Theatre beginning Friday, Feb. 17, with 45 films across the three-day festival. Festival president Kim Heunecke is especially excited to welcome film buffs and aspiring filmmakers. (Facebook)

Mesa museum exhibit focuses on our roots

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

The i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa is getting back to roots.

Its new exhibit, “Desert Roots: Story of a Seed,” immerses visitors in the life cycle of a seed from creating a root system to picking fruit to selling it.

Using the point of view of a prickly pear, the exhibit takes kids from germination to sprouting roots, leaves and flowers to edible fruit “through unique tactile art and STEM activities.”

Those activities include an interactive plant orchestra where families can create music using signals from plants in real-time; a large

ARABIAN from page 44

microscope that gives observers a closer look at plant structures; a multi-sense exploration of plant varieties; and art stations.

“Engaging activities and incredible artwork showcase each plant lifecycle stage,” said i.d.e.a. Museum Curator Mike Goodwin. “Guests will be inspired to play, create and interact with plants, deepening our understanding of and connection to Arizona flora. Desert Roots features Arizona artists representing various art mediums, including neon and glass, wool and embroidery, paint and wood burning, ceramic and holograms.”

The exhibit also features local artists such as Ed Mel, Casey Olson and

and jewelry.

ends are the best time to experience the show. The first weekend mostly consists of youth competitions, while the last features many championship events.

“They have the Liberty (class), where they let the horses go and they let them run around, and then they have the jumping — that’s something that we’re not really known for,” Schwanz said.

“But it’s really cool to watch them jump the arena, and then it’s all the really amazing, exciting classes for people to watch that really show off the Arabian breed.”

Adding to the experience of watching the top equines and riders in the Arabian world perform, event goers can explore a shopping expo adjacent to the main arena.

There are expected to be over 300 artisans and entrepreneurs selling one-of-a-kind goods, products and services, including fine art, crafts clothing

Although it was hard for the judges to whittle down the submissions to a pool of films, it will likely be even harder to decide which entry walks away with the $60,000 Panavision package. It includes a one-year rental of Panavision’s top-ofthe-line equipment and is awarded to the film with the best cinematography.

“Since we started back in 2018, all films have been good but they’ve just gone to a new level of good,” Heunecke said.

Shachi Kale, Jason Chakravarty and Jennifer Caldwell and Jake Early.

Anitra “Yukue” Molina, a graffiti artist and muralist, signs her work by her middle name, which means rain in Cahíta, the language spoken by native peoples of Sinaloa and Sonora, including the Yaquis.

Mary Meyer examines man’s relationship with the environment through mixed-media wall sculptures and installations.

The roots exhibit is sponsored by ECO Mesa and Willmeng as well as the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the i.d.e.a. Museum Foundation.

Information: ideamusem.org.

and activities at the show.

Returning this year is an immersive experience hosted by Phoenix-based organization HoofbeatZ USA, which offers event goers the opportunity to ride, interact with and learn about equines. The experience is included in the event ticket and introduces newcomers to the horse world.

Interacting with the horses on such a personal level is something that Schwanz said attendees don’t expect.

“I feel like every horse you meet impacts your life in some way that you have no idea about. They are such emotional, sensitive animals and they can really feel how you feel,” Schwanz said. “I just think that when these spectators come, they get to meet these horses and get to watch them perform, I feel like it’s such an incredible feeling that gets people excited.”

The AHAA will also celebrate the second National Arabian Horse Day on February 19, complete with special events

“I know it’s hard for (the judges). However, we always have at least three judges watch every single film and then we take the combined total of the three judges.”

Although most filmmakers are vying for the best cinematography prize, some are just happy to show their films in a North American theater.

“I know the 45 filmmakers are very happy to be in the film festival and I know that they’re very excited,” said Heunecke.

“I personally take showing the film very

Proceeds from the 2023 Scottsdale show will benefit several charities, including the Arabian Horse Promotional Fund, Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, Friends of Vail Foundation, Healing Hearts Animal Rescue and Refuge, Horses Help TRC, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), March of Dimes, Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale Rotary and Youth for Troops.

The Arabian horse show has been held at WestWorld of Scottsdale since 1989. Since then, it has expanded from 50 horses to over a few thousand.

The Scottsdale show was the first horse show that Schwanz competed in over 10 years ago, and she looks forward to it every year.

“It’s just something that you have to go and be there (the show) for to experience. You see it and it’s like, ‘wow, this is so incredible that all the hard work that these trainers and these riders put

seriously because this may be the first time that this film is actually shown in the United States, which is why we do our best with the film festival to make it very inclusive and to have a diversified panel.”

Film blocks will not be the only thing for fans to partake in as the festival will also have panels each day–— including its famous Sunday morning Filmmakers Breakfast, which will be hosted at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 — as well as after-parties on Friday and Saturday night at Il Capo Pizzeria that are open to the public.

in throughout the year gets shown off here,’” Schwanz said.

“It really is just an amazing show, an amazing stay, an amazing city. WestWorld is such a beautiful venue to be at for this horse show and it’s just a great area. Overall, so many people come for it, it’s just incredible.” 

If you go

What: Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show

When: Beginning at 8 a.m. each Feb. 16-26.

Where: WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road in Scottsdale

Cost: $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors, children aged 10 and under are free. Military personnel and their families are free February 21.

Info: scottsdaleshow.com

Because of this, Heunecke says there is something for everyone and is looking forward to another year of festivities. 

If You Go...

What: Worldwide Women’s Film Festival

Where: Harkins Shea 14 Theatre, 7354 E. Shea Blvd.,

When: Feb. 17-19

Cost: Tickets start at $15 for individual films

Info: Info: wwfilmfestival.org

This mural outside the i.d.e.a. Museum in downtown Mesa was painted by Anitra “Yukue” Molina, a graffiti artist and muralist, whose middle name means “rain” in Cahíta, the language spoken by native peoples of Sinaloa and Sonora, including the Yaquis. (Courtesy of the i.d.e.a. Museum)

FILM from page 44

ACROSS

1 Sailing vessel

6 Clear the deck?

9 Kitten’s cry

12 A Marx brother

13 Low digit

14 “Xanadu” band

15 Baby hooter

16 Florida city

18 Handsome guy

20 Convent dwellers

21 Brooch

23 Tool set

24 March honoree, for short

25 Fed. food inspector

27 Grinding tooth

29 “At once!”

31 Attention-getting call

35 Senior member

37 Lingerie fabric

38 Houston player

41 Sports drink suffix

43 TV spots

44 Foolproof

45 Go places

47 Florida city

49 Revise

52 Tokyo, once

53 “Humbug!”

54 Keaton of “Annie Hall”

55 Lair

56 Bikini top

57 Old anesthetic

DOWN

1 HBO competitor

2 Attorney’s field

3 Florida city

4 Pundit’s piece

5 “The Chosen” author Chaim

6 Cuban rum cocktail

7 Burden

8 Zing

9 Convened

10 Justice Kagan

11 In the -- way (very much)

17 Preambles

19 Spock portrayer

21 Young seal

22 Leb. neighbor

24 -- Paulo

26 President Jackson

28 Carter of “Wonder Woman”

30 Overly

32 Florida city

King Crossword

33 Vintage

34 Approves

36 Sultry singer Kitt

38 Queried

39 Soft leather

40 Check the fit of

42 Dodge

45 Russian ruler

46 Send forth

48 Flow out

50 Away from SSW

51 Aachen article

Passion, romance or chocolate. Which did you prefer for Valentine’s Day?

It’s not that we don’t love love. But dang it if chocolate doesn’t steal the ol’ heart, right?

Sop even though Valentine’s Day 2023 has come and gone, this iconic dessert will do the trick any time love is in the air. It actually put the Bundt Cake on the culinary map.

No Bundts about it, this cake has a storied history

Sudoku

It was 1966 at the 17th annual Pillsbury Bake Off Content. She wasn’t even the first-place winner, but Ella Rita Helfrich set the world on molten chocolate fire with her second place winning Tunnel of Fudge Cake. Up until Ella pulled her cake out of the oven, the Nordic Ware company was not having great success with their unusual invention, the Bundt Pan. In fact, they were about to discontinue the line due to lack of sales.

What a difference one day and one cake can make! The recipe was such a smash hit nationwide, that the company had to make 30 thousand pans a day just to keep up with the demand! So this fudgy cake is not just a lavish, chocolately gooey-centered yummy work of art, but it was actually responsible for the whole Bundt Pan craze!

Ingredients:

For the cake

• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar

• 1 ¾ cups butter, softened

• 6 large eggs, room temperature

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Gradually blend in 2 cups confectioners’ sugar. Beat in the flour and 3/4 cup cocoa powder. Stir in the chopped walnuts.

3. Pour batter into prepared pan.

The cake itself proved just as popular as the pan. But then Pillsbury discontinued the crucial ingredient to the cake’s success, Double Dutch Frosting Mix. Angry fans of the cake deluged the company with complaints, prompting Pillsbury to adapt the recipe, replacing the frosting mix with cocoa powder and confectioners’ sugar.

Ella won $5,000 for her creation, but its unique mysterious chocolate tunnel, brownie-like consistency and silken chocolate topping makes is worth a million bucks which, incidentally, is what the winner takes home today! So, again, let me ask you. Passion, romance or chocolate? Read on

• 2 cups chopped walnuts

For the glaze

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

• 2 TBSP milk

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

5. Important! Let cool in pan for 1 hour, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

6. Make the glaze. In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa. Stir in milk, a tablespoon at a time, until desired drizzling consistency is achieved. Spoon over cake.

Holland Center slates Navajo rug, craft sale

AFN NEWS STAFF

Over 200 handwoven traditional Navajo rugs as well as an array of jewelry and craft items will be on display and for sale at the Holland Community Center’s first event of its kind next weekend.

From Feb. 17-19, the Scottsdale nonprofit’s show-sale is raising money to support the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program, which aims to reduce the extreme poverty and hardship facing traditional elders on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona and Utah.

A VIP preview event 5-7 p.m. Friday offers attendees an early chance to purchase items. The sale and show also will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, and noon-4 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St.

“We are honored to be able to introduce the beautiful artwork of the Navajo Elders to our community,” said Holland Center Executive Director Jennifer Rosvall. “We’re excited for our new relationship with Adopt-A-Native-Elder, and

hope to sponsor many more of the program’s shows in the future.”

Adopt-A-Native-Elder has used an integrated approach that goes beyond charity to help the tribal elders, who often

reside in hogans, without running water or electricity.

The nonprofit focuses on delivering food, medical supplies, firewood and other forms of support, building relation-

ships that honor and serve the elders. The program was founded by CNN Hero Linda Myers, who still serves as director and will speak at the show each day.

Tickets for Friday night’s VIP event are $40 at the door or online at hollandcenter.org.

Admission fee includes a raffle ticket for a chance to win a handwoven rug that evening. The event will also feature a presentation by Navajo Master Weaver Rena Robertson, followed by talks by other weavers about their rugs. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday. Attendees will be able to browse and shop from the vast selection of rugs and jewelry for sale and speak to the weaver or artisan who created it.

At 2 p.m. each day the weavers will share some of their stories, followed by weaving demonstrations and cultural teachings. The Show will conclude by 4 p.m. on Sunday with the raffle of another Navajo rug.

To learn more about Adopt-A-NativeElder: anelder.org. 

Over 200 handwoven Navajo rugs will be on sale next weekend at the Holland Community Center in Scottsdale. (Special to the Progress)

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