Ahwatukee Foothills news 03/01/2023

www.ahwatukee.com

Police identify student in Mt. Pointe threats probe

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

The Mountain Pointe High School community and Tempe Union administration were breathing a sigh of relief last week after police identified a student who had been posting online threats against the school since mid-January.

Principal Tomika Banks told students and families on Feb. 22 that a “suspect in the social media threats against our campus has

been identified and charges will be submitted by the Phoenix Police Department to the County Attorney’s office.”

Phoenix Police Sgt. Brian Bower on Sunday provided no details about the case except to say, “The student was submitted for charges, no arrest was made.”

Two days earlier Bower told AFN, “Detectives are still working this actively and have been in good communication with the school administration. We also have a school resource officer on campus so any

new information will be looked into.”

The day after her Feb. 22 email to her school community, Banks discontinued the elevated security that had been in place at Mountain Pointe since Jan. 30.

Since that date, students entering the building were subject to ID checks and bag inspections.

Banks’ email to parents also intimated that she had more than enough information from

Thunder thespians meld The Bard, Mad Max

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Take William Shakespeare and add the atmosphere of a Mad Max movie and you have a good idea of how the Desert Vista Thunder Theatre is reimagining “Romeo and Juliet” this weekend.

By a landslide student cast vote, director Jesse Ploog-Bacik has set The Bard’s classic tale of tragic love in the dystopian world reminiscent of the 2016 Academy Award for Best Picture “Mad Max: Fury Road.”

True, there are no big-wheeled monster trucks equipped with diabolical flame throwers rumbling across a barren desert. But then there are no frilly gowns, togas or castles, either.

But Shakespeare’s poetic yet sometimes daunting language remains in the theater company’s rendition of “Romeo

and Juliet” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, and 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday March 4 at Desert Vista’s Black Box Theatre, 16440 S. 32nd St., Ahwatukee. Tickets are $8 at the student book store and $10 at the door.

“We are using Shakespeare’s original text while changing the location/ technical elements of the performance to set the show in a fictional, post-nuclear apocalyptic world rather than 14th/15th century Verona,” Ploog-

Desert Vista High School sophomore Talya Myers as Juliet and Collin Bridge as Romeo rehearse for the timeless classic that will be presented by the Desert Vista Thunder Theatre Company at the school at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, and 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday March 4. (David

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Western Star Park vandalism frustrates long-time neighbor

AFN NEWS STAFF

Retired teacher Marcy Forde had hoped that vandals were finally leaving her beloved Western Star Park in Ahwatukee alone.

Fat chance, as she learned to her dismay last week, when hoodlums sprayed graffiti on walls and signs throughout the park with a vengeance.

Forde, who has lived near Western Star Park at 4425 E. Western Star Blvd. since 1982, said she has repeatedly called the Parks and Recreation Department about trash can fires that have occurred after dark as well as the fact that doors were removed from all the bathroom stalls.

Just a week or so before the vandals’ latest mindless destruction, Forde had written to Mayor Kate Gallego expressing her frustration with a litany of incidents.

They included “constant graffiti,” fires in garbage cans that were dragged over to the bathrooms or a wall near the tennis courts, shattered bottles and breakins at a storage area.

She told the mayor that while she understands Phoenix Police don’t have the manpower “to do drive-bys in the evening to catch whoever is doing this,” she felt the Parks and Recreation Department should do more.

Forde said she doesn’t blame the Parks Department employees assigned to Western Star, noting they promptly clean up the previous night’s damage.

“I and my neighbors had recommended and offered to pay for putting up a small wireless camera or even just signs saying someone is watching the park but was told that will not happen,” she wrote Gallego.

And she bemoaned the fact that vandalism aside, the women’s bathroom stalls have no doors.

“We have a community of children, moms and many seniors who use the park,” Forde wrote. “Privacy in bathrooms is very important.”

After months of getting no response to her earlier phone calls and emails to the see PARK page 5

Ahwatukee

Phoenix, AZ 85048

16661 S 15th St Phoenix, AZ 85048

Ahwatukee

Rosewood Village/Foothills

1149 E Muirwood Dr Phoenix, AZ 85048

Ahwatukee

Lakewood

Ahwatukee

15423 S 24th St Phoenix, AZ 85048

Ahwatukee

The Foothills

1040 E Silverwood Dr Phoenix, AZ 85048

Ahwatukee

The Foothills

2413 E Mountain Vista Dr Phoenix, AZ 85048

3815 E Briarwood Ter Phoenix, AZ 85048

Ahwatukee

Warner/Elliot Loop

4318 E Ahwatukee Dr Phoenix, AZ 85044

Ahwatukee

The Foothills

311 E Glenhaven Dr Phoenix, AZ 85048

Ahwatukee

Mountain Park Ranch

3205 E Rock Wren Rd Phoenix, AZ 85044

Parks Department, Forde said she received a call from Deputy Parks Director Joe Diaz – who didn’t completely satisfy her concerns.

Diaz “said he was sorry things have not changed” and that “he has park rangers checking the park,” Forde said, adding he also told her to call him directly “if any things come up.”

About a half dozen fires have been started in trash cans over at least the last six months. While they caused no major damage, Forde fears the culprits will start them closer to relatively new playground equipment that was installed in the park.

Forde’s first encounter with the department occurred in May 2021, when she complained about the removal of the doors being removed from stalls. She said she was told there was money to replace them, but that the work has not been scheduled.

staff monitor the park during park hours.

Parks Department spokesman Adam Waltz told AFN in a Jan 20 email, “The department has removed restroom doors at various parks that have experienced consistent negative and/or criminal activity in the restroom stalls. We are in the process of re-evaluating this policy as we also recognize the importance of privacy.”

He said “the department is aware of some instances of illegal activity at” at Western Star and that “Park Rangers and

“Staff also works with the Phoenix Police Department to report any illegal activity,” Waltz said.

But he added, “There is currently no plan to install cameras on site at Western Star Park.”

A frustrated Forde told AFN earlier, her more-than-a-year-long effort is frustrating her.

As for the missing bathroom doors, she said, “I think my tax dollars would be well spent re-installing this item for the safety and security of the neighborhood.” 

Vandals struck Western Star Park in Ahwatukee again last week, leaving various walls covered with graffiti. (Courtesy of Marcy Forde)

AFN NEWS STAFF

Four Kyrene schools last month were awarded A+ School of Excellence awards by the Arizona Education Foundation, bringing to 12 the number of districts schools that have earned the coveted title.

The newly designated A+ schools are Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy, Kyrene del Cielo and Kyrene de la Colina elementary and the Kyrene de la Paloma Arts Integration Academy.

Cielo previously earned the award in 2006 while Cerritos was recognized in 2013 and 2017. Colina and Paloma were renewing their A+ status awarded in 2018.

Schools applying for this recognition take part in a rigorous process that includes a written application, on-site visits by a team of trained judges and participation by faculty, students and families. Schools are evaluated in areas such as school culture, curriculum,

leadership, assessment data and community involvement.

Schools receive an A+ banner and $500 award.

“The A+ School of Excellence Award is significant as it sends a message throughout communities that the local neighborhood public school down the street is an exceptional choice, brimming with opportunities for students to learn and grow, and for faculty and staff to thrive,” said foundation Executive Kim Graham, adding:

“AEF was established to shine a spotlight on the great work of public schools and the hardworking educators and employees who devote themselves to serving students and families. The A+ School of Excellence Award is our way of honoring that incredible dedication.”

The Foundation said the award can help parents decide where to send their kids to school and act as an energizer for

Phoenix Police to make her announcement and take other action as well.

“While I can’t share specific details with you, I can reassure you that this individual is no longer enrolled in our District,” she wrote.

In her announcement, Banks also thanked students, staff and parents “for your patience as we navigated this situation together as a community.

“Although this was a longer process than we would have liked, this situation was a good example of the mantra ‘see something, say something.’ All of the information and leads that our community provided were key to the investigation.

“By working together, we can ensure that the safety of our students and school remains at the forefront of all we do.”

“See Something Say Something” is a campaign started by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and later taken to a national level by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The campaign has been been embraced for years by many school districts, including Tempe Union and Kyrene, encouraging them to tell an adult when a classmate exhibits threatening behavior.

And during the anxious first few weeks, Tempe Union Superintendent Dr. Kevin

increasing public confidence in recognized schools, often resulting in greater parent-school interaction.

The awards have even driven economic growth in some communities, educators say.

The awards are based on how well the

Mendivil expressed some satisfaction with the way the campaign has become part of the district’s psyche in emails he sent the governing board when the threats were first brought to his attention in January.

Copies of those emails were obtained by AFN through a state records law request.

In a Jan. 19 email to the board and subsequent communications to school staff and parents, Mendivil said the district that evening learned “of a rumor on Snapchat and Instagram which implies a threat against Mountain Pointe.”

He had sent the email about an hour after the first threat had been posted.

He said the district had notified both Phoenix and Tempe police, adding “the campaign effort around ‘If you see something, say something’ has really improved early and quick notification to staff.

“While at this early stage of discovery it doesn’t appear to be credible, we take all threats seriously,” he continued.

On Jan. 22, Mendivil notified the board that a second threat on the same two online platforms had been made from the same i.p. address.

He also told the board that police were notified again and that “poor Principal Banks’s email is bombarded with questions and concerns.

schools met the following criteria:

Model quality and equity

Demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence

Respond successfully to the changing environment of education

Cultivate learning-centered, safe school environments

Encourage innovative instruction by

“We are uncertain of the credibility of this social media threat at this time but will be taking all threats seriously,” he wrote, adding an additional police presence would be added to the school in the form of an unmarked police vehicle parked outside Mountain Pointe.

On Jan.24, Mendivil began another email stating “I am frustrated with this situation” because yet another threat had been made by the illusive culprit.

He said he was frustrated by the lack of information from police and that he would be calling Mayor Kate Gallego the next day “if I don’t hear some informative message of progress.”

On Jan. 27, Mendivil told the board still another threat had been posted but that administrators patrolling the school hallways were “talking to students and the atmosphere was relatively calm and controlled.”

He added that he had learned Instagram was cooperating with police and that the school had given investigators some leads “that they can now properly investigate and the culprit will be held accountable.”

On Jan. 30, the school began checking students’ backpacks and IDs as they entered the building.

That afternoon at a Circle K just a block from the school, a 14-year-old boy whom Mendivil identified in a Jan.31 email as

supporting teachers

Actively address students’ social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs

Demonstrate superior ability to go above and beyond the norm in providing services to children, families, and the local community

The Arizona Education Foundation was founded in 1983 by then State Su-

a Mountain Pointe freshman sustained a non-life-threatening injury in a gun battle in the parking lot.

Police have discounted any connection between the threats and the shooting, which is still under investigation.

One reason that Phoenix Police have forwarded the case to the County Attorney’s Office without making an actual arrest likely involves the substance of the threats.

Though they have not been disclosed, Mendivil’s emails appear to suggest that they were veiled threats that did not have specifics.

A law enforcement source who requested anonymity said that while they are not familiar with the Mountain Pointe case, very often threats made online without additional supporting evidence are referred to prosecutors for a determination while the investigating agency continues to conduct an investigation.

“Did officers find a weapon? Did the subject talk to friends? did they explicitly say what they were going to do and when? These are all things that have to be considered,” the source said.

Such referrals by police agencies to prosecutowrs also help authorites avoid any requirements for a timely trial since the “clock doesn’t start ticking” until after an arrest, the source noted. 

perintendent of Public Education Carolyn Warner who felt a nonprofit needed to be established to champion public education and recognize the great work of public school educators.

The foundation annually reaches over 500,000 students, teachers, and administrators throughout Arizona, according to its website. 

Mark

Alexis Breyer

SERVING AHWATUKEE, MOUNTAIN PARK RANCH, LAKEWOOD, THE FOOTHILLS

AREAS

THREATS from page 1

KYRENE from page 6

Bill requiring Pledge of Allegiance in class advances

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

State lawmakers voted Feb. 21 to require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day, courting a likely lawsuit.

Existing law spells out that schools have to set aside time each day” for students who wish to recite the pledge.’’ But HB 2523, given approval by the House on a 31-29 party-line voice vote, adds language that says each student “shall recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag during this time.’’

The only exception would be for students who have a request from a parent to opt out. And students who are at least 18 could refuse.

Rep. Barbara Parker, R-Mesa, told colleagues she sees no problem with this.

“We stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day on this floor,’’ she said. “What’s good for us is good for the children.’’

What it also is, according to Rep. Jen-

nifer Pawlik, D-Chandler, is illegal.

There had been a 1940 U.S. Supreme Court ruling which said that Jehovah’s Witnesses could be required to salute the flag and recite the pledge despite religious objections.

But Pawlik noted the court reversed its stance three years later after the West Virginia Board of Education adopted a resolution ordering that the salute to the flag become a regular part of activities in public schools, requiring students to participate and saying that refusal would be “regarded as an act of insubordination, and shall be dealt with accordingly.’’

“If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein,’’ wrote Justice Robert Jackson. “If there are any circumstances which permit an exception, they do not now occur to us.’’

And Pawlik said that was buttressed by a

1969 Supreme Court ruling which upheld the First Amendment right of students to wear black armbands at school as a silent protest against the war in Vietnam.

“It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate,’’ wrote Justice Abe Fortas.

Parker, however, said there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution requiring separation of church and state. The only restriction, said Parker, is that the government cannot form or enforce a state religion.

She also pointed out when the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 the words “under God’’ were not in the pledge.

“And nobody’s ever opposed that,’’ Parker said.

Finally, she said, nothing changes for students who don’t want to say the pledge -- at least for those whose parents excuse them from that obligation.

“The current law is that parents have a right to direct the education of their

child,’’ Parker said. “And this is a parents’ rights state.’’

A final roll-call vote would send the measure to the Senate.

In a separate measure, a vote is pending in the Senate on a related bill to financially penalize schools that do not obey existing laws requiring that there be a U.S. flag in each classroom.

“This is to make sure that students growing up understand the country in which they live and embrace the citizenship and the founding principles that we hold so dear,’’ said Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff.

Rogers acknowledged she had no figures on how many schools were not following the law. But she said she had heard from constituents that there are instances of noncompliance. 

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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.

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

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.

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

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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.

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BY ATHENA KEHOE AFN Contributor

The Gila Valley Lookout overlooking Ahwatukee and the San Juan Bike Hub are two of the latest areas where improvements are taking place in South Mountain Park and Reserve.

The projects are expected to be finished by the end of this summer.

“It’ll have improved parking, a ramada, some landscape improvements, some seating areas,” said Jarod Rogers, deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department Natural Resources Division. Rogers said the work will give park users a more pleasant experience.

The bike hub will be built at the parking lot just before the San Juan Road. The lot is a fork in the road that either goes west down San Juan or east onto the Summit Road.

At this junction, parkgoers can expect many similar renovations, such as a parking lot and a ramada, but there will also be bike repair stands available.

“We call it the bike hub because it’s

uniquely situated out of the location we’ve known a lot of people to historically park alongside the road there to do road biking,” Rogers said.

The bike hub will connect to the Max Delta Trail and the Las Lomitas Trail. Both are in the same vicinity.

A bike repair stand will be helpful because San Juan Road is popular among cyclists, Rogers said. There will be tools that people can use to fix their bike if needed. Bike racks will also be available.

However, some park users said they had concerns about adding cycling infrastructure in the park.

“There are people up there on bicycles, and if a lot of traffic is up there, it’s really hard to avoid them,” said Kim Ragsdale, an Ahwatukee resident and frequent hiker.

Ragsdale also said more parking lots could encourage people to drive to these certain lookout points, which can bring uneasiness to those exercising on foot.

Nonetheless, Ragsdale is happy that the projects are being undertaken, though she hopes the city will be able to ensure the safety of bikers and cars that

share the narrow, winding road.

The cost of the Gila Valley Lookout project is just under $2 million and the San Juan Bike Hub is a little over $1.1 million.

Ragsdale said incorporating restrooms or water fountains at the two renovation sites would be beneficial.

But city spokesman Adam Waltz said, “Unfortunately, no water nor restrooms for either.”

He explained there is no access to clean water that far up the mountains.

According to the city website, South Mountain Park and Reserve is one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation. It covers more than 16,000 acres and consists of more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. 

Hobbs’ veto spares Phoenix millions in tax revenue

HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Calling it a flawed solution to the housing crisis, Gov. Katie Hobbs on last week vetoed legislation to bar cities from taxing residential rentals – sparing Phoenix from the loss of million over the next five years.

“I appreciate the Legislature’s interest in addressing rising housing costs, particularly for renters,’’ the governor said in her 14th veto since the session began last month. “Lowering costs for Arizona families is a priority of my administration.’’

The Phoenix Budget and Research Department told City Council in its annual five-year financial forecast that the rental tax legislation would reduce General Fund revenue by $199 million to $209 million “and all voter-approved sales tax funds including Transportation 2050, Parks and Preserves and Public Safety Specialty funds would be decreased by $381 million to $400 million over the five-year forecast.”

Hobbs said the measure suffers from

“defects.’’

One of the biggest, she said, is there is no “enforceable mechanism’’ to ensure that landlords, who remit the tax to the cities, will actually pass along the savings to their tenants.

SB 1184 does have language which requires landlords by the end of the year to reduce the rent due by an amount equal to what they are no longer paying to cities. Hobbs claimed that even an attorney for lawmakers said that such a provision may not withstand a challenge under the state or federal constitutions.

And Sen. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, said there’s a more practical problem.

“Whatever the market price is, that’s what the rent will be,’’ she said during debate on the measure, with landlords simply deciding that if tenants were willing to pay a certain amount for a unit including the tax, they can continue to charge the same amount even if there is no tax.

All the measure would do, Epstein said, is allow landlords to pocket what they no longer have to forward to cities

—

in taxes.

“If we are going to promise relief to renters, it’s important that we are able to ensure they actually receive it,’’ Hobbs wrote. “For working families faced with ever-increasing rental prices, this proposal just doesn’t fit the bill.

Sen. Steve Kaiser, R-Phoenix, who crafted SB 1184, said no legislative attorney questioned the legality of forcing landlords to pass along the tax savings and that the nature of residential leases precludes landlords from pocketing the savings.

“When you have a landlord and a tenant, there’s a contract,’’ Kaiser said.

“It says ‘This is your rent and here’s the tax underneath it and this is your total rent,’” he continued. “When the tax goes away, it just goes away for the renter.’’

That, Kaiser said, makes it quite simple for tenants to determine that if they are not getting the financial benefit of the measure as his bill required.

He said it’s no different than if the state were to eliminate the ability of cities to levy a tax on groceries.

Kaiser said the tab at the register lists the cost of the items with the tax added at the bottom. And if that tax goes away -- something lawmakers actually are considering -- shoppers pay just for the groceries.

The question of whether tenants would get relief wasn’t the governor’s only stated reason for vetoing the measure.

She pointed out that lawmakers agreed to divide up nearly $270 million in state tax dollars to give to cities and towns over an 18-month period to help cushion their financial losses. And that, Hobbs said, is not acceptable.

“To approve of such an appropriation outside of a comprehensive budget agreement would be irresponsible,’’ Hobbs wrote in her veto message. She said if Republicans want to spend that kind of money it should become part of “bipartisan budget negotiations’’ rather than a stand-alone measure.

Not every city or town taxes residential rentals.

To back up her decision, the governor said in a press release that she had been urged by cities and towns to veto the measure.

She cited a message from John Lewis, president and CEO of the PHX East Valley Partnership, which includes both elected officials and business leaders.

“It will not provide meaningful relief to renters,’’ he wrote. “It will force local government to weigh increasing other local taxes or reducing services, putting the vitality of our burgeoning region at risk.’’

And Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls, who also is president of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, echoed his belief that SB 1184 will not benefit renters “and will likely only accomplish providing a tax break for landlords.’’ 

Lawmaker targets Hobbs’ department head picks

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

AQueen Creek legislator heading a special panel that reviews gubernatorial nominees is using the forced resignation of Matthew Stewart as the newly appointed director of the Department of Child Safety to justify the intense questioning and investigations he is conducting into all of the picks by Katie Hobbs.

“Sadly, it seems clear that Hobbs is not conducting her own vetting process,’’ Republican Sen. Jake Hoffman said in a prepared statement. “So my colleagues and I will continue to serve as the necessary and constitutional check and balance on the executive branch that the citizens of our great state need and deserve.’’

Now caught up in the war between the panel and governor is former Phoenix Deputy Manager Karen Peters, whom Hobbs selected to head the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Hoffman said he has tabled the governor’s nomination of Peters to head DEQ,

saying there was “some concerning information that we’ve become aware of’’ without providing specifics.

Peters is no longer on the city payroll, a city spokesman said.

She had been part of the city administration of its proposed water and sewer rate hikes during a hearing before City Council Feb. 15.

Hoffman, who chairs the Senate Committee on Director Nominations, said there were “troubling events’’ since Hobbs named Stewart in December, before she took office.

He said that included “questionable moves on consulting contracts’’ and the firing of non-appointed, openly gay employees at the agency who he said have filed complaints against him “which prompted the forced resignation.’’

The governor would not comment other than to stick to a prepared statement of her own that it was “a decision that was made for the best interests of all parties involved.’’ And she brushed aside questions of whether her staff had not properly vetted Stewart before nominating him.

“What these folks are doing in the Senate is serving to potentially grind government to a halt,’’ she said.

Stewart could not be reached for comment.

In tapping Stewart, the governor cited his experience as a former child safety specialist with the agency. She said he became the training manager and helped launch the agency’s African-American Disparity Committee, formed to reduce the disproportionately large share of Black and minority families before leaving the agency.

“This just wasn’t the right fit,’’ Hobbs said.

But she lashed out at the Republican majority on the committee, which already has rejected outright her nomination of Pima County Health Director Theresa Cullen to head the Department of Health Services and refused to hold a vote on Elizabeth Ann Thorson for the Department of Administration.

“The committee has made it very clear that they’re not interested in seriously vetting my nominations,’’ Hobbs said. “They’re interested in carrying out their personal vendetta against me and using my nominees as proxy to do that.’’

And the governor had particularly harsh words for Hoffman who chairs the panel.

“I don’t think fake elector Jake Hoffman is interested in good government at all,’’ she said.

That refers to the fact that Hoffman was one of the 11 names sent by the Arizona Republican Party to Congress as electors pledged to vote for Donald Trump after the 2020 election despite the fact that Joe Biden had won the popular vote and was entitled to the state’s 11 electors.

“He’s interested in creating a stage for his political theater,’’ Hobbs said.

The dust-up over Stewart and Hoffman’s comments about the governor and her picks in particular underscore what has become an increasingly contentious confirmation process.

Prior to this year, gubernatorial nominees were screened by existing Senate committees with expertise in that area. That even was the process by the Republican-controlled Senate when the state last had a Democratic governor before 2009.

All that changed this year following a contentious election that some GOP lawmakers continue to insist that Hobbs did not win despite the formal election results showing her outpolling Republican Kari Lake by 17,117 votes. With Hobbs now governor, Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, tapped Hoffman to head the panel of three Republicans and two Democrats.

More recently Hoffman refused to allow a vote on the nomination of Thorson to head the Department of Administration, even though she had been the agency’s deputy director under Republican governor Ducey. But that lack of action does not remove her from office, with Thorson able to serve up to a year without being confirmed.

Former Phoenix Deputy City Manager Karen Peters, who helped represent the administration during a City Council hearing on proposed water and sewer hikes at a Feb. 15 City Council hearing, was nominated by Gov. Katie Hobbs as the next state Department of Environmental Quality Department director. Her nomination is being held up by a GOP panel vetting Hobbs’ appointees for department heads. (YouTube)

Bacik said.

That decision was based on a vote her theater club students took at their closing banquet at the end of last school year, when Ploog-Bacik gave them four options for the world they would recreate when they presented the play she had already selected.

Those options were the original 14th/15th century, modern-minimalist version, the 1990s, or post-apocalypse.

“Post-apocalypse won in a landslide, so that is what we have been working with,” she said. “It’s been exciting to work with the students on making the script work within this new world that we are setting the story in.”

While Shakespeare’s poetry may not contain the texting-driven shorthand that young people might be more accustomed to, Ploog-Bacik explained:

“I like to include Shakespeare or a similar style of text into either my curriculum or the season every few years to make sure that students get some experience with these classics and the language at least once while I have them.

“The last time we did Shakespeare was in class in January 2020, so I felt it was time to do another round. Specifically, I picked this text because it is one that many of them were familiar with after reading in class, allowed for a larger cast size, and was a recognizable story that I felt I could get them excited to tackle.”

Besides, she noted, “it’s a story about teenagers,” albeit two star-crossed lovers who come from families who are sworn enemies of each other.

“So, while the language might feel scary for them to grasp,” Ploog-Bacik explained, “in the end I felt that it was one we could get them to understand, be excited about, and find moments they could relate to.”

She acknowledged that language “definitely posed some challenges at first” but stressed that the talented thespians “worked hard to make sure that they understand what is happening/what they are saying, get the jokes, etc.”

The cast read resources like “No-Fear Shakespeare” for modern translations or Sparknotes summaries “just to help them grasp the idea of what is being said.”

They even started rehearsals with a review of the summary “just to make sure

everyone knows the day’s goal,” she said.

But the biggest help came from a group of local experts who know Shakespeare as well as some kids might know Taylor Swift – the Southwest Shakespeare Company.

Founded in 1993 by two educators, the Southwest Shakespeare Company boasts of being “the standard-bearer for classical theatre in Arizona.”

Its fame has gone well beyond Arizona’s borders as it has presented Shakespeare’s works in a variety of venues “the Harlem Shakespeare Festival to the Fringe Festivals of Los Angeles and London, England,” it notes.

Coming to the Thunder Theatre’s assistance was Aaron Angello, an actor, poet, playwright and member of the Southwest Shakespeare Company.

Right after winter break, Ploog-Bacik said, Angello spent two hours a day for four days with the entire Desert Vista cast “taking a deep dive into the entire play.”

“He spent that week with us and not only helped the kids achieve a much more solid grasp of the play/text,” she said, “but they all left after the final workshop significantly more excited about continuing the rehearsal process - it was a pretty magical transformation over that week.”

As for the plot itself, Ploog-Bacik said, “I absolutely think this story resonates with today’s generation.”

Indeed, she noted that so many generations that have gone before them found “Romeo and Juliet” dealt with timeless themes that a group of dramaturgy stu-

dents who study theater history will be on hand in the lobby before the each show to discuss the play’s various adaptations throughout history.

“I think that without even realizing it, kids love this story because they see it in so much media throughout history,” Ploog-Bacik said, ticking off “West Side Story,” “Warm Bodies,” “Titanic,” and “Camp Rock 2” as just a few.

At Desert Vista this weekend, togas and gowns will be giving way to jeans, sweat shirts and other garb that her student technicians found in dystopian classics like “Mad Max.”

Because Ploog-Bacik’s basic set aesthetic is built around simplicity, the Thunder thespians will be playing out the drama amid the bleak surroundings of a world gone largely destroyed.

“The main set is three large platforms, painted to give a cement feel with some added greenery to show that life postapocalypse has begun to move on,” she said.

“Additional pieces come on and off to show when we are inside the Capulet house for the party, or a large watchtower style piece will roll on as Juliet’s balcony for the famous balcony scene. So there are minimal pieces, but the pieces themselves have a lot of work and detail put into them.”

Regardless of how people like their tales of tragic love served up on stage, Ploog-Bacik hopes people will consider heading over to Desert Vista this weekend, stressing “this group of kids has worked incredibly hard to make an interesting and exciting take on the script.”

see PLAY page 17

The Capulets and Verona citizens listen as sophomore Sheridan Regan, playing Prince Escalus, prepares to banish Romeo for killing Tybalt, who is lying on the floor. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)

Sophomore Amelia Hunter, playing “The Nurse,” left, talks with sophomore Talya Myers as “Juliet” during a rehearsal of “Romeo and Juliet.” (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)

Music Maker drum contest scores

It was standing room only at Cactus Jacks Bar & Grill recently as Music Maker Workshops held its fifth annual drum competition.

“The energy during each performance was infectious,” Music Maker said in a release about the competition, which was open to drummers with three or less years of experience.

Participants chose their own music that ranged from rock, metal, pop, indie and had 2.5 minutes to show the judges and audience their beats.

The judging panel was made up of the Music Maker drum faculty and a special guest judge, Austen Mack of the Valley band Captain Squeegee. It was emceed by Devin Brown, a Music Maker instructor and director of the Desert Sound Drum Corps.

The participants were judged on tempo, technical skills, artistry and overall performance.

Participants wore masks ranging from a taco hat during the song “It’s

PLAY from page 16

“You are not going to get anything you’d expect from a traditional version of ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ but instead you will get an exciting and modernized version of the traditional text that we know and love,” she said.

“We have worked with a professional to understand the script, we have worked with a professional fight choreographer to make exciting fight and death scenes, and the students have worked so hard to perform and design a beautiful show.”

Collin Bridge and Talya Myers play the lead roles in the play and are joined by a stellar cast of young actors and actresses.

They include Amelia Hunter as The Nurse, Kylee Heinrichs as Mercutio, Theo Feela as Tybalt, Sophia Klessens as Lady Capulet, Bella Klein as Lady Montague and Sheridan Reagan as Escalus.

Friar Lawrence is played by Abby Gellman while Jasmine Horvat portrays Benvolio, Ace Ventura plays Capulet, Gerald Johnson plays Montague, Shaun Sullivan portrays Paris and Natalie

Raining Tacos” by Parry Gripp to a gas mask worn by a drummer who played to the tune of “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons.

Music Maker Workshops reported that parent Josh Lawing thanked the organiz-

Henderson plays Balthasar.

Eva Bush plays Sampson; Alex Cloonan-Schulte, Abram and Peter; Veronica Cham plays Gregory; and Kaila Phavivong, Petruchio.

Also playing various roles are Alyssa Loveitt, Cassidy Trembath, Coral Conboy, Elyse Mooney, Katie Baugh, Kaylie Wood, Lianne Brown, Mia Egan, Natalie Henderson, Reagan Sarver, Saydee Gilmore, Sophie Fantin, Quinn Bennet and Robin Browne.

Millie Williams is the stage manager and Ella Powers assistant stage manager.

Crew members include Kassidy Culver, Kentarou Siejak, Kara Miller, Aubrey Walters, Lila Groves, Edie Lacroix, Abbey Honse, Katie Kurtz, Abi Brotherton, Gray Panhorst, Lucie Mahoney, Joshua Ordonez, Julie Duong, Dani Thomas, Bella Camarena, Siva Tuscher, Esther Llamas, and Lillian Reagan.

Also in the crew are Amanda Gellman, Eri Rebennack, Isabella Parra Longoria, Elysia Rego, Jeffrey Rudolph, Sarah Hills, Ryan Martin, Amelia Hunter, Jordan Cole and Katie Kurtz. 

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5631 or pmaryniak@timeslocalmedia.com

Studio director Shelley Yakubow said, “One thing that stands out to me is how supportive and uplifting the kids are to one another. I was backstage in the green room and the kids were amping each other up and congratulating each other when they came off the stage. It was nice to see them being so good to one another.”

Winners were: Division I: Oliver Twilley (first place), Lucius Readhead (second place) and Sydney Savoy (third); Division II: Henry Garvy (first), Luke Nigro (second) and Kellen Glover (third); Division III: Alex Silva (first), Abby Hughes (second) and Eden Hartsfield (third).

Music Maker Workshops has almost 100 drum students and what it calls “a diverse, friendly and experienced drum faculty made up of professional musicians.”

ers “for this amazing opportunity for all to share, shine and enjoy.”

“Drummers are never usually in the spotlight so it is a pleasure to celebrate them on a special day each year,” said studio manager Jess Magee.

The studio is located on the southeast corner of 32nd Street and Chandler Boulevard in Ahwatukee.

Information: MMWaz.com or 480706-1224. 

Drum contest winners were,, from left: Aashneel Chowdhurry, Jonah Bulle, Madden Guimond, Maverick Thompson, Kyle Liao, Abby Hughes, Eden Hartsfield, and Alex Silva..

City pleased with new weapon against food waste

BY GRACE MACK Cronkite News

New technology is helping Phoenix divert food waste from landfills and turn it into clean compost.

A “depackager” that separates food and beverages from their plastic wrapping was installed at the Phoenix Public Works’ 27th Avenue Compost Facility in September, but got its first real test last month with extra trash generated by thousands of visitors who attended events associated with the Super Bowl and Waste Management Phoenix Open.

“We’re very excited for it simply because we’ve never been able to take food scraps in at this level,” said Phoenix Public Works Deputy Director Eduardo Rodriguez. Previously, food waste would have had to be manually sorted.

The Denali depackager technology pulls packaging, wrappers and other trash away from the food waste. Trash comes out one side and organic mate-

rial comes out the other. The food waste is then ready to begin composting. It can process up to 15 tons per hour.

Items that are not compostable are sent to the landfill while the compostable material is mixed with green waste, which are items like branches, leaves and shrubs.

This process is finished after 45 to 60 days, then the clean compost is distributed to plant nurseries and community gardens.

WeCare Organics merged with Denali Water Solutions in 2016 and is one of the largest compost processing companies in the U.S., operating mainly in the Northeast. The 27th Avenue plant is its first compost facility in the West.

Built in 2017, the city composting facility can process about 55,000 tons of green organic material per year, with a future capacity to process 220,000 tons of compost. In addition to the amount of compost it can process, it can turn the green waste into compost in nearly half the time as traditional methods us-

ing a state-of-the-art “Turned Aerated Pile” system, according to Phoenix Public Works.

“It’s going to be one of the best programs in the nation,” Denali General Manager Oscar Rodriguez said. “There’s nothing really going on here in the state of Arizona that does anything like this.”

The depackager processes food waste from Arizona State University, the Phoenix Convention Center and several school districts, according to Spencer Blake, senior public information officer for the city of Phoenix. He said Denali paid for the depackaging machine.

Eduardo Rodriguez estimated that in the weeks leading up to this year’s Super Bowl, 2,000 tons of food and packaging waste was created at downtown Phoenix Super Bowl events.

Phoenix Public Works set a goal for a zero waste Super Bowl. Zero waste means diverting a minimum of 90 percent of waste away from landfills, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency survey of localities across

the country.

“If we’re able to capture even a percentage of that, there’s a definite plus. And it definitely takes us to that zero waste goal,” Eduardo Rodriguez said.

The city asked that everyone help the effort by separating organic material from trash and recyclables when attending Super Bowl events.

If consumers had not received the message, “zero waste volunteers” helped people discard their waste in the correct bins so that the sorting process could be more efficient.

“Food waste is one of the biggest resources that we lose,” the city’s Rodriguez said. “Before, it would all go straight to the trash. If we’re able to divert that, then that’s just a big value behind that.”

Blake said the depackager was a “great success at managing the Super Bowl’s food waste.” He said the city will soon share metrics concerning how much waste was actually diverted from landfills during Super Bowl events. 

Bill would strip Phoenix of home rule status

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Arizona lawmakers are moving to strip 19 cities of their right to home rule simply to help get Republicans elected to the Tucson city council.

A proposal awaiting action by the full Senate would ask voters to repeal a provision in the Arizona Constitution which allows cities to adopt their own charters. These charters, approved by local voters, can govern a host of issues about how the city is run, ranging whether to have a city manager to the size of the council and the dates for an election.

But Sen. Justine Wadsack, R-Tucson, said she really is interested in killing just one local right: the ability to decide how to elect council members. And the object of her ire is the unusual – and unique in Arizona system by which Tucson chooses who will serve on the council.

Lawmakers lack the power to simply override what Tucson voters have decided, with judges concluding that the method of electing council members is a matter of strictly local concern. And that, they said, is protected by Tucson’s status as a charter city.

So Wadsack has crafted SCR 1023 to remove the authority to form charter cities.

SCR 1023 also undermine the charters of 18 other cities, repealing their own locally crafted laws and making them, too, subject to the whims of state lawmakers.

All this fuss is over Tucson’s “modified ward’’ system.

Candidates are nominated from the wards in which they live, ensuring each district has a local representative.

They then have to survive a city-wide vote to get elected, a provision that backers say ensures that each council member is responsive to the wishes of all city residents and not only those in his or her ward.

Wadsack said that people who may live miles away from a district should have no say in who represents that area. Only one of Tucson’s six districts is politically competitive. But GOP registrants are outnumbered by more than 2-1 on a city-wide basis. And that means Democrats, who get the last word in the general election on who represents each ward, can override the local preference.

Wadsack’s idea has drawn opposition from the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Lobbyist Tom Belshe said the people who crafted the Arizona Con-

stitution concluded that people living in cities should be able to decide if they wanted a charter and the home rule ability to craft their own laws that comes with it.

He said charters actually can impose more limits on city officials than Arizona law requires. For example, he said, only charter cities can impose term limits on the mayor and council members.

Lobbyists from Chandler, Goodyear, Peoria, Scottsdale and Tempe, all charter cities, registered objections, along with Andrew Greenhill from Tucson.

Wadsack, however, said there is no reason that some cities have the right to refuse to follow certain state laws simply because they have a charter.

But Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe, whose city also has a charter, poked fun at the claim that every city should fall into line with what the legislature decides are their powers.

“If this body is so insecure to have any other entity have local government

and local control, we have much bigger problems,’’ he said.

Mendez pointed out that SCR 1023 and its bid to eliminate charter cities would be decided on the 2024 ballot not just by those living in those communities but by voters from throughout the state who are unaffected.

“From an equity standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to let the rest of the state’s voters tell citizens of these communities how they should be governed,’’ he said.

Greenhill said the putting the measure on the statewide ballot in 2024 is inconsistent with Wadsack’s desire to have only those in a given council district decide what is best for themselves.

“Please consider that asking 90 other cities and towns, and all the unincorporated people across our state to interfere in one city’s election system seems at odds with that very principle,’’ he said.

Republicans on the Government Committee disagreed, supporting this change, like the prior one, on a partyline vote. 

Private wine event will help Ahwatukee YMCA

AFN NEWS STAFF

This month, there’s a special opportunity to make a difference while mingling with community members who have worked to make Ahwatukee a good community.

YMCA board members, local luxury winemaker Jason DiFrancesco, retired educator Marilyn ten Hope and Sotheby’s luxury real estate advisor Michelle Hodges, teamed up for an elegant evening March 25 at a private home to celebrate and honor the community.

Proceeds from this evening go directly to helping provide financial assistance for YMCA programs and services for Ahwatukee’s most vulnerable populations.

“At the Y, strengthening community is our cause,” Hodges said. “Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”

Hodges noted, “There’s this misconception that the YMCA is just a gym facil-

ity. The YMCA is in fact a nonprofit that offers services that promotes healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development for all ages.

“There are many community-sponsored programs like the drown prevention, diabetes awareness, Employee University giving teems life skills, Y OPAS helping the elderly maintain independence and much more.

“The YMCA is proud of the fact that they never turn anyone away. There are even scholarships for those in need,” Hodges added.

This is the second annual YMCA wine party fundraiser.

Last year, ten Hope, DiFrancesco and Hodges hosted this event, earning the YMCA over $7,000. There were just under 60 attendees with some who simply contributed.

“It was held at a luxury Foothills estate, strolling over a hillside overlooking a private pool, open desert landscape and a sunset to boot,” Hodges recalled. “Guests enjoyed meeting other commu-

Among the many programs provided by the Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA is a summer camp. The Y said on its Facebook page last July that all these kids achieved important development milestones. They could track and celebrate their progress on a “journey t-shirt.” (Facebook)

nity supporters while diving into appetizers and spirits.

“DiFrancesco delivered a presentation about Leverage wine and the Y mission. People left the event with bottles of wine and many raffle winnings.”

Every year the YMCA annual campaign runs until late March.

“There are many opportunities to give

but this event offers an opportunity for the community to come together socially as well as donating,” Hodges said. “After seeing the response from community engagement on last year’s YMCA wine party, this year is likely be an event not to miss.”

Black firefighters group gathers at South Mountain

BY MADISON MCGILL AFN Contributor

The Phoenix Fire Department organized a hike in South Mountain Park and Preserve last month to promote health and wellness in the African-American community.

The “Hike with a Firefighter, Hear from a Ranger” event was organized by the United Black Firefighters of Arizona and Phoenix Fire Department.

Capt. Evan Gammage of Phoenix Fire said he and other group members had been looking for a way to acknowledge Black History Month as Black firefighters.

“This came about actually about two years ago from within United Black Firefighters as we were looking to acknowl-

edge Black History Month and see how we could further impact our communi-

ty” Gammage said.

Anthony Harrison, vice president of

the United Black Firefighters Association said their main objective is to be involved in the community, explaining,“Us being out here and showing our faces creates more opportunities for young black men and that is the stuff we need in the black community.”

Phoenix Council members, Mayor Kate Gallego, members of the Phoenix Fire Department, and Phoenix Parks and Recreation members all showed up to support and speak.

Two different trails were offered, one for beginners and one for more advanced hikers.

Before taking off on the hike, Gallego said she came to show her support and to hike. “I am so thankful to all of you

see YMCA page 22 see FIRE page 22

United Black Firefighters of Arizona and Phoenix Fire Department gathered last month at South Mountain Park and Preserve to call attention to health and wellness issues in the city’s Black community as well as to celebrate Black History Month. (Madison McGill/AFN Contributor)

DiFrancesco is the owner/operator of Leverage Wines.

“If you don’t know Paso Robles wines, you should,” Hodges said. “Many of the world-renowned reds, come from this California region. His boutique winery is committed to fine hand-crafted luxury wines.”

DiFrancesco is offering three of his best luxury wines.

“His knowledge of the region and great wines is admirable,” Hodges said. “Many look forward to his historical and geographical knowledge that explains the unique changes in grapes and develop-

who are spending your Saturday making sure that we mark Black History Month and that we celebrate, our parks are for everyone” she said.

The United Black Firefighters Association of Arizona spearheaded the creation of the event.

Phoenix Fire Department Captain Evan Gammage and other members of the United Black Firefighters Associa-

ment of spirits.

“If you have not tried Leverage wines or reds from Paso Robles, these are wines you won’t want to miss.”

Difrancesco serves on the Y board, raises funds for the community and is a presidents club member. In general, Leverage sales is committed to supporting community causes including the YMCA, National Brain Tumor Association, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and local and state level education.

Ten Hope is a legendary educator in Phoenix, where she is recognized and admired for her kind spirit and selflessness. She was the founding director of Gods Garden preschool and taught for

tion had been planning the gathering for a while.

“This came about actually about two years ago from within United Black Firefighters as we were looking to acknowledge Black History Month and see how we could further impact our community,” Gammage said.

One of the main goals of this event was to promote health and wellness as studies have shown that life expectancy for the residents of South Phoenix,

over 20 years in the Alhambra and Madison school districts.

She has a long history of volunteering for a variety of non-profit organizations including National Charity League, FreeArts, Arizona and Robinson Ranch Equine Therapy. Currently, ten Hope serves on the Y board, volunteers, raises funds that benefit our community and is a Y presidents club member.

Hodges is a two percenter in real estate, selling millions each year. She is an advisor primarily in Ahwatukee, but she also serves the Southeast Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

She has a long history of volunteering having done donation drives for the VA

where many African Americans live, is years less than those in other parts of Arizona.

“I found out that in South Phoenix, South of I-17 our life expectancy is 10-14 years less than the rest of Phoenix” said Councilman Carlos Garcia, who represents the area.

Tracee Hall, assistant director of the city Parks and Recreation Department, added, “This event is important, African Americans along with other minorities

facility, volunteered for the environmental and a women’s shelter. She currently volunteers as the YMCA chair of the Presidents Club and is a board member.

This is a guestlist event only, meaning each individual must donate to attend.

A donation includes event tickets for two and three bottles of Leverage wine shipped, a wine presentation, spirits, hors d’oeuvres, raffles from local businesses and more.

Leverage donates all proceeds directly to the YMCA. Space is limited so early are encouraged.

The event site will be disclosed only to those who RSVP at leveragewines.com/ product/CharitableTasting3Pack. 

are underrepresented in hiking, representing only 12% of U.S. hikers.

“We want to make sure that everyone is aware of a free, enjoyable, and safe way to exercise and come out and see nature,” Hall said.

“We know this is the case because of historical denial of access, and lack of equal access to parks and that causes lack of generational exposure, so our job is to make sure that we are intentional and expose everyone to hiking.” 

FIRE from page 21

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Corpus Christi to hold annual St. Vincent de Paul furniture drive

The annual furniture drive by the St. Vincent de Paul Corpus Christi Conference Ministry in Ahwatukee is coming soon.

People can drop off furniture either 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 11 or 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 12 at the 36th Street parking lot of Corpus Christi Church, 3550 E. Knox Road, Ahwatukee.

However, no mattresses/box springs, tube televisions or damaged or broken items will be accepted.

Legion Post 64 slates social mixer for veterans

American Legion Post 64, the only formal military veterans organization based in Ahwatukee, is holding a free veterans social mixer that’s open to the public 5-6:30 p.m. April 5 at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive.

Light food, iced tea and water will be served at the free event and music and the card game spades are also on the agenda.

Information: Brenda, 303-301-4429

Beekeeper to discuss her craft at next garden club meeting

Cricket Aldridge of Arizona Backyard Beekeepers will discuss bees and beekeeping in Arizona at Desert Pointe Garden Club’s March meeting.

Anyone interested in joining a garden club and learning about gardening in the desert is welcome to attend the meeting at 1:15 p.m. March 6, at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive.

Commemorative pavers offered at Ahwatukee Blue Star Memorial

An engraved commemorative paver placed at the Ahwatukee Blue Star Memorial can honor a friend or family member who served, or is currently serving, in the U.S. Armed Forces and orders are being accepted until April 15 for pavers to be placed in time for Memorial Day.

Pavers cost $60 with the military logo of your choice, or $50 without military logo. Pick up order forms at the Ahwatukee Board of Management office, 4700 E. Warner Rd., or download at ahwatukeehoa.com/bluestar-memorial.html.

Leave completed forms and payment at the ABM office or mail to the address on the form by APRIL 15. For more information, contact mltiede@hotmail.com.

The Blue Star Memorial, a joint project of the Desert Pointe Garden Club and the Ahwatukee Board of Management, is located on the north side of Warner Road just west of 48th Street. Parking is available in the ABM parking lot.

Ahwatukee Recreation Center slates big used book sale

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 cen-

ter’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

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. 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.

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.

see AROUND page 24

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

Ironwood Library offers free activities for all ages

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.

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 (except for March 31), 9:30-10 a.m., outdoors at Pecos Park, 17010 S. 48th St. No tickets required. Supported by a grant from First Things First.

Kindergarten Bootcamp

Children entering kindergarten in Fall 2023 and their caregivers can join this interactive series! It meets once a week for seven weeks and gives families a taste of kindergarten.

Parents/caregivers and children learn together the social, academic, and classroom skills needed for school success. Receive free tools and activities each week leading up to Bootcamp graduation. March 22-May 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Registration is required at phoenixpubliclibrary.org.

Seuss-tastical Family Festival

Families with children ages 3-10 can enjoy a variety of Dr Seuss-themed literacy and STEAM activities during this annual celebration of Read Across America Day 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 4. No tickets required

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 and read with Raven every Thursday, 4-5 p.m.

Full STEAM Ahead

Children ages 6-12 explore hands-on 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.

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DELIVERS A KNOCKOUT WITH ITS FRESH, AUTHENTIC AND MOUTHWATERING FOOD

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. Today, March 1, 4:30-5:30 p.m. No tickets required.

Backyard gardening

Using Master Gardener techniques, learn the basics of gardening, watering, reading a Valley planting calendar, and about additional desert landscaping resources.

Presented by the local community & sustainability nonprofit organization Keep Phoenix Beautiful. March 25 25, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. No tickets required.

Red Cross Blood Drive

People ages 16+ can give the gift of blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive at Ironwood Library. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, March 6. Appointments are recommended and can be made at redcrossblood.org. Select the “Donating Blood” option to submit your appointment time. Walk-in donations are also welcome, as available. Masks are optional.

Next Chapter Book Club

This inclusive community-based 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 adven-

turesome 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 today, March 1 is “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles and on April 5 it will be “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick.

Phoenix high school students can sign up with Sister Cities program

Phoenix resident high school sophomores and juniors are invited to apply for Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program.

As many as 22 youth will be selected to participate in the 2023 program, traveling in June to one of Phoenix’s sister cities, where they will be home hosted by an international counterpart.

Then in July, students will return to Phoenix to welcome their international guest for three weeks.

Costs vary based on destination All students are encouraged to apply for scholarships. The deadline for applications is March 3.

Information and a link to the online application is at phoenixsistercities.org.

For more than 50 years, Phoenix Sister Cities has fostered relationships between the residents of Phoenix and eleven sister cities around the world to promote friendship, peace and prosperity. 

Submit your releases to pmaryniak@ timeslocalmedia.com

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.

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 480-626-9295

www.juanashouse.com

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?

FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

If you think oxygen therapy means slowing down, it’s time for a welcome breath of fresh air.

Introducing the Inogen One family of portable oxygen systems. With no need for bulky tanks, each concentrator is designed to keep you active via Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology.® Hours of quiet and consistent oxygen flow on a long-lasting battery charge enabling freedom of movement, whether at home or on the road. Every Inogen One meets FAA requirements for travel ensuring the freedom to be you.

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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.”

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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.

Real Estate Guide

buyers,

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

The Phoenix Metro housing market is heading into the last month of the first quarter of 2023 in relatively good shape for people trying to sell their homes, according to the region’s leading analyst.

But it’s looking fairly bleak for buyers amid the threat of rising mortgage rates and rising prices that accompany renewed seller confidence, the Cromford Report acknowledged last week.

It said that sellers and buyers seem to

be faring in opposite ways.

For sellers, the Cromford Report observed: “The positive signals continue to grow despite the gloomy trend in mortgage interest rates. “With each passing week, fewer listings are getting cancelled, fewer are expiring and more are going under contract.”

It said that after hitting a low point in around Thanksgiving of only 61% of listings successfully completed, “we have now recovered to the 72% mark.

“This is actually better than average,

though we were around 85% to 95% during the crazy COVID period,” it said. “We are observing a remarkably fast recovery that appears to have some staying power.”

Not surprisingly, the success rate of listings of homes in the $250,000$300,000 range was the highest at 82% – an increase of 69% over what it was in the last six weeks of 2022.

“The short-term picture on pricing is getting more positive for sellers with each passing day,” it added.

Turning to buyers, the Cromford Report didn’t offer much hope for bargain hunters.

“Any buyers who are waiting for prices to fall further are probably going to be disappointed,” it said, adding that its analysis of a variety of factors “strongly suggests firmer pricing ahead” in the Valley.

And it said, “It is possible that mortgage interest rates may get worse for buyers.”

Both themes to some degree were echoed on a larger scale by the National Association of Home Builders, which said last week that January saw improved new-home sales because of a dip in mortgage rates and sale incentives offered by builders.

“The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau estimated sales of newly built, single-family homes in January at a 670,000 seasonally adjusted annual pace, which is a 7.2% increase over upwardly revised December rate of 625,000 but is 19.4% below the January 2022 estimate of 831,000,” the association said.

“In addition to adjusting for seasonal effects, the January reading of 670,000 units is the number of homes that

would sell if this pace continued for the next 12 months.”

The National Association of Home Builders also noted that nationwide, the new-home inventory is at a healthy 7.9 months’ supply – higher than the sixmonths supply that is considered a sign of a balanced market.

“A year ago, there were just 34,000 completed, ready-to-occupy homes available for sale,” the association said.

“By January 2023, that number increased 115% to 73,000, reflecting flagging demand and more standing inventory due to lower sales.”

It said unsold ready-for-occupant homes in January comprised 16.7% of total inventory, homes under construction account for 62.6% and homes under contract that have not been built made up 20.6%.

It also said the national median price of a new home “declined for the third straight month after peaking in October at $496,800. In January the median price was $427,500, down 8.2% from December.”

But the association also noted that more affordably priced new homes– below $300,000 – comprised only 14% of the market while 33% of all new homes were priced above $500,000.

“The majority of homes (53%) were priced between $300,000-$500,000,” it said.

The association also warned in a separate report, that “lackluster single-family production in January is a sign that the housing sector faces further challenges, as elevated mortgage rates and high construction costs continue to put a damper on the market.”

Alicia Huey, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders and a custom home builder and develop, added:

“While a recent two-month upturn

in builder sentiment indicates a turning point for single-family construction could take hold in the months ahead, policymakers need to fix the supply chain for building materials to ensure builders can add the additional inventory the housing market desperately needs.”

Pricing continues to be an issue in the Phoenix Metro market, the Cromford Report indicated.

“The main problem for those who are hoping for a price collapse is that supply remains stubbornly low and continues to move downwards,” it said.

before the year is out. It probably won’t be as deep or as long as some previous downturns, but it won’t be easy, either.”

And Joel Kan, the Mortgage Bankers Association vice president and deputy chief economist, reported that mortgage rates increased across all loan types last week, with the 30-year fixed rate jumping 23 basis points to 6.62 percent – the highest rate since November 2022.

“The jump led to the purchase applications index decreasing 18 percent to its lowest level since 1995,” he said.

“There is absolutely no evidence of a supply wave coming towards us. Quite the opposite in fact, as new homes will be scarcer in the coming months because of the low number of permits that have been issued over the past six months.”

To add to the market’s uncertainty both nationally and in the Phoenix area, a troubling prediction came Mark Jones, 2023 Mortgage Bankers Association chairman-elect and chief executive officer and co-founder of Amerifirst Home Mortgage.

Speaking at a convention of mortgage bankers, he told his colleagues:

“The pandemic is over, but another crisis may be looming. I hate to say it, but the MBA predicts a recession will start

“This time of the year is typically when purchase activity ramps up, but over the past two weeks, rates have increased significantly as financial markets digest data on inflation cooling at a slower pace than expected.

“The increase in mortgage rates has put many homebuyers back on the sidelines once again, especially first-time homebuyers who are most sensitive to affordability challenges and the impact of higher rates.”

Added Kan, “Refinance applications declined last week and remained more than 70 percent behind last year’s pace. Given that rates are over 2.5 percentage points higher than a year ago, we expect that refinance activity will remain depressed for some time.” 

This four-bedroom, three-bath home on E. Saltsage Drive in Ahwatukee sold recently for $800,000. Built in 1994, the 2,680-square-foot house boasted upgrades throughout, a variety of amenities and a resort-style backyard. (Special to AFN)

This 3.322-square-foot home on S. 5th Avenue in Ahwatukee recently sold for $815,000. Built in 2000, it has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and boasted a large kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a family room with a fireplace and builtin entertainment center, and oversized backyard with Preserve views and numerous other amenities. (Special to AFN)

Homeowners looking for deductible expenses on their federal income tax should be aware of all the changes ushered in by the new tax plan, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The biggest change for 2022? The standard deduction jumped a couple of hundred dollars for taxpayers to $12,950 for individuals, $19,400 for heads of household, and $25,900 for married couples filing jointly.

This higher number means you need to dig into all of your home expenses to see if their total sum tops the standard deduction, depending on your filing status. (If the total doesn’t surpass it, then

you’ll just take the standard deduction on your taxes when you file.)

Here’s a list of all the tax breaks for homeowners.

Mortgage interest. In the past, you could deduct the interest from up to $1 million in mortgage debt (or $500,000 if you filed singly).

“But for loans taken out from Dec. 15, 2017, onward, only the interest on the first $750,000 of mortgage debt is deductible,” said William L. Hughes, a certified public accountant.

Mortgages are structured so that you start off paying more interest than principal. For example, in the first year of a $300,000, 30-year loan at a fixed 4% interest rate, you’d be deducting $10,920.

Note that taking this deduction under the new tax law requires itemizing deductions, but it may be worth the hassle, especially for new homeowners.

Mortgage points. If you bought a home and paid points, then you can still deduct those from your taxes. They must be “true,” or discount, points, not origination points.

After all, points are essentially mortgage interest that you prepay, so it makes sense that they’d be treated like the rest of your mortgage interest. Each point is 1% of the loan amount, so if you paid 2 points on that $300,000 loan, you can deduct $6,000.

Private mortgage insurance. Not so great news here: You can no longer de-

duct the interest on private mortgage insurance (PMI). Homeowners had a reprieve last year when the Mortgage Insurance Tax Deduction Act of 2021 passed, which reinstated certain deductions and credits for homeowners.

But according to the IRS, “the itemized deduction for mortgage insurance premiums has expired.” So, they cannot be claimed for 2022.

Home equity debt interest. Homeowners often take out a home equity loan or home equity line of credit in order to tap into some quick cash, for college, weddings, home improvements, or otherwise, using their home as collateral.

Claiming deduction for working at home not easy

Of all the tax breaks available, the home office tax deduction is among the murkiest and most misunderstood. And the passage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has made things even more complicated.

In years past, if you worked for a company (and received a W-2) but worked from home occasionally or full-time, you could claim a home office tax deduction. But not anymore.

“There is a major change to the home office deduction: It is no longer available for company employees,” says Bill Abel, tax manager at Sensiba San Filippo in Boulder, CO. “This has many remote employees frustrated.”

But there is a ray of hope for these W-2

telecommuters. You could see if your employer will allow you to change your work status from an employee to an independent contractor (also discuss this option with a tax adviser), which would allow you to continue taking this deduction.

Consider the pros and cons of such a move beyond just the tax benefits, however.

If your employer is willing to play along: Just ask your employer to set up what’s called an “accountable plan.”

For example, instead of being paid $100,000, your employer could pay you $95,000 in wages plus a $5,000 home office expense reimbursement, making your salary the same—while saving you more on taxes.

If you’re one of the 40 million or so people out there who are self-employed— from business owners to bloggers—you

can still continue to take this deduction.

How to take a home office deduction if you’re self-employed

If you’re self-employed, you have every right to take a home office tax deduction, but that’s not to say it’s easy.

You’ll be writing off part of your home expenses on your tax return by separating out the costs associated with using your home for personal purposes (making pancakes) and business (answering work email).

To claim the deduction, an area of your home has to be designated as your principal place of business, and used exclusively for work. Everything in that designated space needs to be only for work purposes.

So you cannot deduct the room that doubles as a guest room even if you spend 40 hours a week there, said Abby

Eisenkraft, a financial expert and author of “101 Ways to Stay Off the IRS Radar.”

If, say, your desk is parked in a corner of your bedroom or part of an open floor plan, simply measure the space you use for your office, whether or not there are walls.

To make that delineation easier, you can even put up a physical barrier like a partition or shelves.

And according to the IRS, an office can also be a “separate free-standing structure, such as a studio, garage, or barn.”

The IRS offers two ways to calculate a home office tax deduction—one simple, the other a bit more involved.

The simple method: Figure out the square footage of your home that you use for business purposes. Each square

Mike Mendoza

TAXES from page re3

And up until 2017, homeowners could deduct the interest on home equity debts up to $100,000 for married joint filers.

Now? “Home equity debt interest deductions have been eliminated,” says Eric Bronnenkant, a certified public accountant and financial planner, and head of tax at Betterment.

That is, unless you spend the money on one thing only: home improvements.

So if you’re eager to renovate that kitchen, this deduction still stands. But if you have to foot the bill for your daughter’s wedding, the IRS will no longer pitch in, explains Amy Jucoski, a certified financial planner and national planning manager at Abbot Downing.

And unlike mortgage interest deductions, the new rules on home equity debt apply to all loans regardless of when they were taken. And to reap the benefit, your total debt—meaning your mortgage plus your home equity loan—can’t be more than the new $750,000 cap.

Property taxes. In the good ol’ days of 2017, your property taxes were fully tax-deductible.

This tax season, there’s a $10,000 cap on the combined amount of your property taxes, state, and local income taxes, and (for states without income tax) deductible sales tax.

One bright side for landlords and those with vacation homes: “You can take deductions for all the properties you own, plus add your state income

tax,” said Steven Weil, president of RMS Accounting.

Energy-efficient upgrades. Did you add solar panels or a solar-powered water heater last year? That means you can help yourself to a tax credit.

Qualifying solar electric panels and solar water heaters are good for a credit of up to 30% of the cost of the equipment and installation.

And you can also nab an energy-efficient home improvement lifetime credit of a $500 for improvements made to your home through Dec. 31, 2022. Energy-efficient upgrades include things like exterior windows, doors and skylights, insulation, and the cost of home energy audits.

Here’s some more good news, the IRA

passed an extension and expansion of the credit, so starting Jan. 1, 2023, the amended credit will be worth up to $1,200 per year for a qualifying property.

Home office deduction. The home office tax deduction disappeared for all W-2 employees who have an office elsewhere that they could use if they wanted to.

The only people who can continue taking this deduction are those who truly run their own business from home.

Using the simplified home office deduction, self-employed people can take $5 for every square foot of office space, up to a maximum of 300 square feet. For a 200-square-foot home office, you’re looking at a nice $1,000 deduction. It has to be a dedicated home office, used only for work. 

City pressed to address rent discrimination

BY JACINDA PALOMO Cronkite News

Residents who have struggled with high rent in America’s fifth-largest city are calling on city officials to address discrimination against renters who receive public assistance.

Carla Naranjo, a coordinator with the nonprofit Unemployed Workers United, is urging the Phoenix City Council to pass an ordinance that would prohibit landlords from rejecting renters who rely on Section 8 housing vouchers and unemployment benefits for income.

So far, she has support from the new vice mayor, but work on an ordinance won’t proceed until the city is sure an ordinance banning source-of-income discrimination by landlords doesn’t violate state law.

“Source of income checks are often used to discriminate against tenants who would utilize Section 8 vouchers and other fixed-income sources,” Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari said. “This type of housing discrimination is a civil rights issue, and I would be proud to support an ordinance in Phoenix that prohibits this practice.”

In September, the Tucson City Council passed an ordinance that added “source of income” to a list of factors such as race and sexual orientation that are protected from discrimination by landlords.

Arizona’s then-Attorney General Mark Brnovich said the ordinance violated state law. Brnovich said the Legislature in 1992 said large cities and towns could enact fair housing laws, but they had to be approved before Jan. 1, 1995.

The Tucson ordinance has been on hold since, but Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Ansari and others on the Phoenix City Council have asked Arizona’s new Attorney General Kris Mayes to allow Tucson’s ordinance to proceed.

Mayes spokesman Richie Taylor said the attorney general plans to address the ordinance, but he did not give a timeline.

“As for when the Attorney General’s office will make a decision on the Tucson issue, we are aiming to do so promptly, but do not have a specific date,” Taylor said in an email.

“Rent has been raised [a] minimum $200, $300 every year, and it’s folks that are on a fixed income, receiving any sort of public assistance, who are bearing the biggest brunt out of it since their income stays the same,” Naranjo said.

Miesha Fish has lived in Phoenix for more than 40 years and was finally able to secure housing with a Section 8 housing voucher, but she’s an example of how hard it can be.

“This process took three-and-a-half years to complete because of the extreme waiting period,” Fish said. “I would seek shelters and low-budget hotels until my check would run out, and then have to return to the streets for two to three weeks at a time.”

While being unsheltered, Fish said she was harassed by law enforcement, exposed to extreme heat and cold and had her belongings stolen.

“I would hide my belongings in bushes only to return with everything gone,” Fish said. “Even my husband’s ashes were stolen. I can’t tell you how hor-

SPOTLIGHT TLIGHT home

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

Impressive home with mountain views in highly coveted Ahwatukee Custom Estates. Dramatic entrance showcases Cantera fireplace in living room. Additional two-way fireplace between kitchen and family room. Eat-in kitchen boasts granite countertops, soft-close raised-panel cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, desk, pantry and wet bar. Travertine and wood flooring throughout. Custom wrought iron stair railing. Spacious master suite features access to oversized covered view balcony. Separate workout and hobby rooms accessible via deck. Huge laundry room with cabinetry and sink. 3-car garage with cabinetry and workshop with air conditioning. Private backyard with flagstone, covered patio, Pebble Tec pool and spa, putting green, pizza oven, lush landscaping and professional multi-sport “sport court” with basketball and pickleball.

Listed for $1,325,000

Mike Mendoza

480.706.7234

www.MendozaTeam.com

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

Whistling Rock

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,BUILT-IN 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

421

foot you use for work is worth $5, and you can claim up to 300 square feet, for a maximum annual claim of $1,500.

The complicated method: Track all the costs of your home (think maintenance, insurance, repairs, utilities, etc.) and depreciation (normal wear and tear).

Next, separate and allocate those expenses based on the percentage of the home you use solely for business purposes. So if your office space breaks down to 10% of your home’s total square foot-

age, you can deduct 10% of your home costs—which could add up to a sizable chunk of change. The key to using this deduction is keeping careful records.

The IRS simplified its method of measuring out your office space to take the audit scare out of the home office tax deduction.

The deduction is becoming increasingly common, and it doesn’t make a taxpayer any more susceptible to an audit than any other deduction a smallbusiness owner may take.

(Realtor.com provided this report) 

rible that was for me.

“We need to expand access to housing for people who are receiving public assistance, and we need council members and the mayor to ensure that the most vulnerable are not harassed or discriminated against,” Fish said.

In Phoenix, the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, helps subsidize participants who pay about a third of their monthly income for rent to a private landlord.

Vouchers pay the remaining balance on the rent. The waiting list for the voucher program is currently closed, according to the city’s housing department website.

Ansari said that the city is struggling to house a growing population and acknowledges both affordable housing and homelessness are major issues that need to be addressed.

Arizona’s population grew by almost a million from 2010 to 2022, and 12.8% of the state’s more than 7.36 million residents live in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In Phoenix, 15.4 percent of the city’s more than 1.6 million residents live in poverty.

“Our biggest obstacle is that we do not have enough housing units to keep up with our explosive population growth over the last few years,” Ansari said. “By some estimates, we are short nearly 100,000 housing units. That’s a massive issue that compounds all other issues regarding affordable housing.”

Ansari said shelter capacity was increased by nearly 600 beds in 2022. In the upcoming fiscal year, she hopes the city will add another 800 shelter beds,

many of which will be flagged as priority access for people living in “The Zone” — a section of downtown Phoenix in which thousands of homeless people have set up camp.

In Arizona, just over a fifth of all renter households are considered “extremely low-income,” according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

A four-person extremely low-income household has a maximum annual income of $26,200, while it takes an income of $48,747 to afford a two-bedroom rental home, according the coalition. 

5

Spacious former UDC model

with South Mountain views. Private backyard with large pool.

Listed for $625,000

5 BR / 3.5 BA / 5,079 SQFT

Impressive custom with mountain views. Abundant amenities including professional sport court in private backyard.

Listed for $1,325,000

3BR / 3 BA / 2,166 SQFT

Split master suite plus secondary bedroom could be a separate guest suite. 2015 kitchen remodel and AC.

Listed For $749,500

5 BR / 4.5 BA / 4,820 SQFT

Custom home in the heart of Ahwatukee with ensuite bathrooms and 2021 exterior paint.

Listed for $1,395,000

5 BR / 3 BA / 3,394 SQFT

Complete remodel. New roof, two AC units, flooring, kitchen, baths, plumbing and more.

Listed for $825,000

3 BR / 2 BA / 1,490 SQFT

All new: flooring, SS appliances, white Shaker cabinetry, bathrooms plus roof and AC unit.

Listed for $485,000

SOLD!

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 green*oversized

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!

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

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

Ahwatukee Agent 2020

Redwood Estates

martygri n@q.com

Donna Leeds � GRI, ABR lf"fl! 949.310.5673

wwwBestAgentWUSA.com

Maricopa

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 kitchen boasts

Mike Foley

480-216-7878 mikefoley.homes@gmail.com

Gorgeous 3-bedroom corner lot residence in Redwood Estates now on the market! 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 & laundry.

The

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

‘Love Your Neighbor’ a guiding creed for business

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

On President’s Day, Jeremy and Danielle Gottberg, owners of the newly-opened Christian Brothers Automotive in Ahwatukee, got a visit from the president.

Not that president, but for them and their team, just as awesome.

Christian Brothers Automotive is a national franchise headquartered in Houston that began with an answered prayer four decades ago.

Now boasting more than 270 CBA’s nationwide, founder Mark Carr and his son and President/CEO Donnie Carr, stopped in to visit with the couple at their new facility on the Monday holiday.

“Our goal is to provide guests with more than just reliable transportation,” said Donnie. “We have faith that this new location in Ahwatukee will foster an environment where guests feel comfortable and empowered to make informed

decisions about their vehicles.”

The Ahwatukee Christian Brothers Automotive opened in Ahwatukee in January.

After the Carrs left with a flurry of handshakes and smiles, Jeremy and Danielle Gottberg took a minute to sit together in their CBA comfortable lobby, complete with wide plank wood floors, stuffed couch and chairs, complimen-

tary beverages and free Wi-Fi.

“We want every guest to feel welcome and comfortable when they come to our shop,” the former Air Force aircraft maintenance officer said. “This is not about a transaction; this is a relationship.”

Jeremy’s eyes crinkle in humor when he says he’s aware his guests, aka customers, aren’t often in the best of humor

when they need to bring a car in for engine service or an emergency automotive issue.

“At Christian Brothers Automotive, we want to help them make the best of what may possibly be a bad day for them anyway,” he smiled. “I’m really committed to our guests.”

A credo for Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation and each of their franchisees is atypical for automotive fix-it shops.

It is “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

“I’m a Christian, and that being said, I was attracted to the brand because they believe in loving your neighbor as yourself. I absolutely love the heart of the company,” he said. “We want to be a light in our community.”

Jeremy retired from the Air Force after 24 years in 2021 and started the process of becoming a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise owner in 2020, getting

see CHRISTIAN page 29

Lash Out’s success based on training, customer service

BY GERI KOEPPEL AFN Contributor

When Amanda Wharff and her mom, Kimberly Petersen, started Lash Out a decade ago, it was the first eyelash extension studio in Ahwatukee Foothills.

They spent most of their day fielding calls from people asking what the business was all about.

“It was a lot of education,” said Wharff, of Phoenix.

As lash extensions became more mainstream, they no longer needed to explain what they did, and the business grew over time to have 10 employees.

“It was one of the greatest things I ever could’ve done with [my mom], and it makes every day a little more special because of where we started,” Wharff

stated.

Her mom passed away in 2018, but Lash Out is now in its fifth year of winning a “Best of Ahwatukee” award from the Ahwatukee Foothills News.

Wharff takes pride in the amount of repeat business that has helped make it a success.

“Probably about 30 percent of our client base have been with us for sevenplus of our 10 years,” she said.

For those not familiar with lash extensions, they’re soft, thin, synthetic fibers that mimic mink hair, and they’re affixed onto natural lashes with a special glue to make them look thicker and fuller. They last about two to three weeks because they fall out when the natural lashes are shed.

Most women get lash extensions be-

see LASH OUT page 29

Amanda Wharff, the owner of Lash Out studio in Ahwatukee, applies lash extensions to client Sunny Settles of Gilbert. (Geri Koeppel/AFN Contributor)

The crew of the new Christian Brothers Automotive in Ahwatukee is ready to serve vehicle owners in the community. (David Minton/ AFN Staff Photographer)

Case studies show little used IRA strategies work

BY DR. HAROLD WONG AFN Guest Writer

My February column identified three advanced IRA strategies that aren’t used enough. these strategies and the huge benefits become more understandable with real-life client case studies.

The Roth IRA conversion strategy: I met Joe and Judy in a seminar I gave in June 2019. Joe was 63 and an outside salesman for a premium window and door company. Jill was 65 and retired. They had saved $850,000 of financial assets and wanted to secure their retirement without stock market risk.

They were currently spending $50,000 per year and in retirement asked whether they could spend $75,000 per year in order to afford lifelong bucket list dreams.

Retirement income solution: We were able to reduce the amount invested in Wall Street to only $85,000 and used the other funds to deposit in private pension

annuities and other safe alternatives.

Joe was able to wait until age 70 to retire and take maximum Social Security because he loved his job. At age 70, total annual retirement income is projected to be about $119,922, which is much more than their $75,000 goal.

Tax solution: In 2020, the only question left was whether Judy wanted her future $22,097 annual private pension income to be taxable (because it was funded with a traditional IRA) or tax-free.

They bought some solar business equipment to reduce federal tax to $0 on a total $300,566 taxable income, including the $252,720 Roth IRA Conversion of her private pension. Now her future $22,097 of annual income will be totally tax-free for the rest of her life.

Roth and Multi-Generational IRA strategies: Mary is a retired nurse, age 71, whose physician husband died many years ago. She has $4 million of financial assets, including $1.2 million in a traditional IRA.

She has only one child, a son age 40

who lives with her. Her goal is to avoid having to take required minimum distributions (RMDs), starting at age 73, and leave her son as much as possible.

She decided to convert $600,000 to a Roth IRA in 2022 and will convert the other $600,000 to a Roth IRA in 2023. Using an advanced financial concept, economic opportunity cost/benefit analysis, the tax-savings effect of a $1.2 million Roth IRA Conversion will add $4,981,524 more net wealth for her family.

She bought solar business equipment, and used the massive 30% solar credit and “bonus” depreciation to offset all the federal income tax on a total $790,053 of 2022 federal taxable income.

She has achieved her goal of a large Roth IRA Conversion without paying federal income tax or having to take future RMDs. She will owe $0 income tax for the rest of her life on the $1.2 million Roth IRA and her son will owe $0 income tax on the Roth IRA for the first 10 years after he inherits it.

Conclusion: these advanced IRA strat-

egies can add millions of net wealth to a family.

Free live seminars: 6 p.m. March 22 followed by free dinner or 10 a.m. March 25 followed by free lunch. Both are at Hyatt Place, 3535 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler. Topic is “Advanced IRA Strategies: Secrets of Roth, Multi-Generational, and Self-Directed IRAs”

Free tour/workshop: 9 a.m.-noon April 1 at Solar Reefer (Refrigeration) Factory. Topic is “How Solar Reefers can Reduce Taxes to $0 and earn a steady 1014%.” Lots of tasty refreshments served, Location is at Advanced Energy Machines: 4245 E. Norcroft St., Mesa, a quarter mile southwest of McDowell and Greenfield roads.

To RSVP for the seminars or schedule a free consultation, contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-706-0177 or harold_wong@ hotmail.com. His website isdrharoldwong.com. Dr. Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs. 

cause they’re “high impact and low maintenance,” Wharff explained. “It makes somebody feel like a million dollars. You wake up ready to conquer the day.”

Client Sunny Settles of Gilbert, who owns two F45 Training gyms in Gilbert, said she gets lashes because it makes her feel “put together” without having to wear a lot of makeup.

“I’m around people all day every day at F45 with clients out and about,” Settles said, “and I see good lashes and bad lashes and in between lashes, and I love mine, so I keep coming back to Amanda.”

Settles added she passes many other studios on her way to Lash Out, noting, “I go for people and service over convenience and location. Every day, I hear, ‘You have the best lashes I’ve ever seen.’”

Wharff said the quality of extensions varies among studios based on training. She worked as a trainer for a mobile phone company prior to opening the

the franchise in early 2021.

“That’s about the same time we decided to move to the Phoenix area for the weather, outdoor opportunities and career opportunities,” said Jeremy, who with his wife has a blended family of five teens.

Jeremy started as his mechanic father’s helper while growing up in Florida.

“I was 4 or 5 years old and I started by helping my dad, handing him the tools he needed. We’d fix cars in our backyard, or the garage, even in the parking lot of the church,” he said. “Over the years, he taught me a lot.”

His father, he explained, “is a lifelong mechanic” who currently works on cranes that load and unload Navy ships at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Florida.

In 1997, his natural mechanical aptitude led him to enlist in the United States Air Force where he served as an aircraft engine technician for eight years, then was commissioned to be an aircraft maintenance officer.

He managed hundreds of aircraft technicians and maintenance operations for 16 years.

He said that although he and his four

studio and now teaches classes on lashes a couple of times a month.

“I love to teach,” Wharff said. “That’s probably the thing I’m most passionate about is education and doing things the right way. From a business perspective, from an employer perspective, I wanted this business to be done the right way. We don’t cut corners.”

The glue, for example, is imported directly from South Korea—the “Mecca” of lash extensions, Wharff said—and changed out monthly. Also, she added, “Our glues are completely clean from any preservatives, which makes them less reactive.”

Less than 1% of clients have an allergic reaction.

All lash technicians must be licensed in Arizona as a cosmetologist, aesthetician or registered nurse, Wharff said, and clients’ safety and comfort come first, down to the reclining chairs in each room.

“Getting lashes done should be a

Jeremy and Danielle Gottberg own the new Christian Brothers Automotive at Cottonwood Lane and S 40th St, in Ahwatukee. (David Minton/ AFN Staff Photographer)

ASE certified technicians professionally perform the repairs and services their guests need, it is all done with a purposeful difference to counteract what he said were the oft-perceived negative images of the auto service industry.

He cites Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation’s ‘Nice Difference Warranty’ as one solid improvement.

“We want our guests to trust that we’ll fix their vehicles right the first time around. We want them to be confident

completely comfortable appointment,” Wharff noted. If there’s any burning, itching or discomfort, she said, “that should be a red flag the artist working on you isn’t fully experienced.”

Customer service is also key.

“If a client needs to move their appointment,” she said, “we’ll move the earth to make it work for them.”

Not to mention, the studio sends handwritten thank-you cards to new clients and gives them birthday gifts, and makes Christmas ornaments for everyone each year.

And, Wharff said she plans to make more of a community around Lash Out, including book clubs and other events where women can mingle and make connections.

Unlike many business models out there, Lash Out doesn’t require a membership and doesn’t pressure clients. The cost is about $100 for an initial twohour appointment, and it’s about $120 for two appointments monthly to main-

in our repairs for a long time, and even though parts occasionally fail, we stand behind our work with our nationwide Nice Difference 3 Year/36,000 mile (warranty on both parts and labor,” he said.

“At Christian Brothers Automotive, we strive to love our neighbors as ourselves, and this means we treat our guests like family, and even though car repairs typically mean you’re not having a good day, we’re committed to serving you the best we can and hoping you experience the Christian Brothers Nice Difference,” he concluded.

Another boon, and one appreciated by many since Christian Brothers Automotive opened in Ahwatukee, is their free shuttle service.

“I work from home for a national corporation and I can’t take a lot of time away during the day,” said customer Debra Roser of Ahwatukee. “So, it’s really convenient to not have to worry about how to get there and back. And they’re super nice.”

The new 15,000 square-foot Christian Brothers Automotive building at 4075 E. Cottonwood Lane is a new construction that took more than a year to build and furnish with state-of-the art auto repair

tain lashes.

The demographics of people who get lash extensions are all over the board, Wharff said; she has seen clients from age 17 into their 90s.

They range from college students to retirees to busy moms — anyone who wants to greatly reduce the time it takes to get ready because they don’t need as much makeup to look great. Most clients are women, though Wharff said she’s had a handful of transgender customers.

“I think that once you have lashes that first time and you see that impact and you get to wake up every day and still see that impact,” Wharff said, “it becomes well worth the cost.” 

Lash Out

16515 S. 40th St., Ahwatukee.

9 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday 480-242-1738

equipment in nine bays.

The shop’s service manager is long-time Ahwatukee resident Brett Hewson, who has more than 30 years experience in the automotive industry as a technician, service advisor and service manager.

“I was really excited to learn Christian Brothers Automotive was coming to Ahwatukee,” said Hewson, who has lived in the village for more than 26 years. “I look forward to serving my current and future neighbors with this company, with its ‘love your neighbor’ policy, for many years to come.”

They repair all makes and models and work with most major extended warranty providers.

The company history, which began with an answered prayer for founder Mark Carr in 1981, can also be found on their website. 

Christian Brothers Automotive

4075 E. Cottonwood Lane, just off 40th St.

7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. CBAC.com, Facebook and 480-885-5350.

CHRISTIAN from page 27

Pickleball Kingdom founder franchising his concept

The founder of an indoor pickleball facility in Chandler says his business has been so successful that he’s franchising it.

Mike “Ace” Rodrigues opened the 15-court Pickleball Kingdom last May on the northeast corner of Ray and Rural roads, touting his facility as not only airconditioned and wind-free but also an ideal spot for corporate events, birthday parties and other celebrations.

Now, he’s hoping his idea will catch on statewide and across the nation – if not the world – because he considers it “with a proven successful working model.”

“We all know how fun pickleball is. What’s not fun is waiting for a court, playing in the heat or cold with the sun in your eyes, and having the wind affect your game. We’ve solved all those problems in Arizona. Now we’re exporting it, first to the rest of the country… then the world,” said Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom.

A recent report from the Sports & Fitness

Industry Association called pickleball the “fastest-growing sport in America, reporting that it has attracted 4.8 million players nationwide and has grown in popularity by 40% since 2020.

The association tracks the popularity of sports through the sale of related merchandise.

“It is almost a cliché at this point that the pandemic did not so much create trends as much as accelerated them. Pickleball has grown in popularity for the past five years and did not miss a beat during the pandemic. Pickleball’s growth trajectory gives every indication it will be a significant part of the American sport landscape for the foreseeable future,” said Tom Cove, President/CEO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

Municipalities have had a tough time meeting the demand for public pickleball courts.

For example, the pickleball complex at Pecos Park in Ahwatukee at the southern end of 48th Street, draws players from as far south as Casa Grande, according to some local residents who are lobbying

Phoenix to create more courts.

Rodrigues said his idea for Pickleball Kingdom was born two years ago on a dirty public court while standing in the sun waiting to get onto a court on a windy day.

It took a year to build the Chandler arena and now he and his team put together an operations manual they call “The Keys to the Kingdom.”

“It would have been irresponsible of us to have launched franchising earlier,” Rodrigues said. “Indoor pickleball is a brand-

new industry. It’s not a gym, it’s not a giant playground. There was so much to learn and mistakes needed to be made and fixed.

“The heavy lifting is done. I didn’t want franchisees paying us while we were still figuring it out. That learning curve happened on our dime.”

Rodrigues said his team “checs all the boxes” for the five elements of a successful franchise: a market that desires the product or service, working proof of concept, a plan, franchising experience and industry-specific knowledge.

His team includes: Jon Brovitz, who has over 20 years as a large multi-unit franchisee with Massage Envy and Amazing Lash; David Haynie, a professional pickleball player and coach and general manager of Pickleball Kingdom; and Steve Holmes, whose business serves franchisees.

“One of our core beliefs is, ‘Life is better with pickleball,’” Rodrigues said, saying his concept includes a free introductory lesson, courts without waiting, and “a better environment to play in.”

Information: PickleballKingdom.com or ladyj@pickleballkingdom.com 

Mike “Ace” Rodrigues is CEO/founder of Pickleball Kingdom in Chandler. (Courtesy of Pickleball Kingdom)

Council District 6 candidates’ closing arguments

To our readers

With the March 14 run-off election between Kevin Robinson and Sam Stone for the District 6 Phoenix City Council seat, which represents Ahwatukee, only weeks away, these are the final columns by the candidates. They have been laying out their position and qualifications for the last six weeks in these pages and at ahwatukee.com.

All their previous columns and their responses to AFN’s questionnaire can be found at Ahwatukee.com.

The Ahwatukee Foothills News would like to thank both candidates for actively participating in this effort to have our readers hear directly from them.

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.

Robinson: This election is all about having good character

BY KEVIN ROBINSON AFN Guest Writer

It is my ardent belief that the residents in the Ahwatukee and Ahwatukee Foothills neighborhoods care a great deal about their community, their fellow neighbors, as well as the type of representatives they elect to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Congress, to the State Senate, the State House of Representative, and the Phoenix City Council.

They want people who have demonstrated true professionalism, respect, resilience and steadfastness in their personal and professional lives. They want representatives who care about their fellow man. They want representatives who have the ability to disagree in such a way that the process doesn’t make enemies out of those they are disagreeing with.

They expect the level of behavior that they teach their kids or the type of behavior that they have taught their kids to be reflected in the behavior of those they elect to represent them.

In essence, they expect, and deserve their elected representatives to be of good character. The residents in the Ahwatukee and Ahwatukee Foothills neighborhoods are not asking for much from their elected representatives.

After all, don’t you deserve it?

I have demonstrated such behavior

in both my personal and professional lives. In the over 40 years I served our community as a police officer, as a volunteer in the non-profit arena, and as an educator I have always understood the importance of being a person of good character.

My mother use to say to me, my two brothers and my sister that we should always behave in a way that would not embarrass our grandparents – truly sage advice.

As we enter the final weeks of the runoff campaign for Phoenix City Council District 6, I would ask each of you to take a few minutes and explore the character of me and my opponent, Sam Stone.

What you will find in my background is someone who listened to their mother, you will not find anything that would embarrass my grandparents. You’ll find decades of public service, decades of looking out for those who may be less fortunate, and decades of teaching and learning to make the lives of others and the communities we live in better.

What you will not find is a pattern and behavior of misogyny and bigotry. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about my opponent, Sam Stone.

Take a look at Mr. Stone’s online persona, especially Twitter and Instagram, provided they haven’t been completely scrubbed, and listen to his podcasts,

see ROBINSON page 34

Stone: Voters should know where the District 6 candidates stand

BY SAM STONE AFN Guest Writer

The race to select Ahwatukee’s next councilmember began a year and a half ago. The never-ending nature of modern campaigns is one of the things I think is tearing this country apart.

But if there is one benefit to ridiculously long elections, it’s that it’s hard to fake being someone else for months and months on end. The façade is too hard to maintain.

With me, you know exactly what you get. Where I stand, what I believe, and the foundations of those beliefs.

After a year and half on the campaign trail, I can’t say the same about my opponent. When he talks to independents, he sounds like a centrist. When he talks to people on the left, he sounds like a Social Justice Warrior. When he talks to people on the right, he sounds like me.

The guy has spent more than a year telling everyone exactly what they want to hear.

But if you’re talking to a politician who’s telling you everything you want to hear, ask what you’re really hearing. Is there anyone on the planet you agree with 100%? Zero difference of opinion?

Of course not.

So why would anyone expect a politician to agree with them on every single issue when we all know that even the

people closest to us, the ones we love the most in our lives, don’t agree with us that much?

Too often, though, that’s the game that’s played. I’m not talking about only ever using one campaign pitch – anyone not smart enough to talk to each group or individual voter about the things that matter specifically to them shouldn’t bother running for office.

I’m talking about directly contradicting the things you’ve said to one group while talking to another. Obviously, if you’re doing that, you’re not telling the truth in one case, or maybe both.

That’s my opponent, Kevin Robinson. He touts his character and ethics, and routinely tries to disparage me on those grounds. But I’ve never been anything less than honest and forthright with the citizens of Ahwatukee or District 6.

Mr. Robinson, on the other hand, has gone in front of a Blockwatch group and called to get rid of the inaptly named Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT) – the new city department pushed by radical Councilman Carlos Garcia to allow anti-police protesters to investigate our officers when they don’t like the outcome of a police action.

I agreed with him on that, or I did – until he turned around this week and sang OAT’s praises in front of the NAACP and others at a debate. He’s spoken in Ahwatukee and Arcadia about the need to

see

Women finally get a seat in car safety tests

BY NORMAL FARIS HUBELE AFN Guest Writer

Abreakthrough in car safety was recently put to the test. A European-sponsored team, led by Swedish investigator Dr. Astrid Linder, announced the creation of a female crash test dummy.

The device is biofidelic, which means it looks, moves and twists in ways that resemble the female body. After more than a half-century of car safety testing, the automotive world finally has a realistic female surrogate to strap into the driver’s seat.

The U.S. government should move quickly to include this new dummy in the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). It will be imperative for saving lives and achieving gender equity in the automotive crash-testing process.

Why women’s auto safety comes second

The NCAP currently uses laboratory crash tests to assign vehicles the standardized 1 to 5 stars in the federal safety

Phoenix’s pipeline insurance program plan concerns resident

I want to thank you writing the recent articles in the Ahwatukee Foothills News on the City of Phoenix consideration of adding a fee to Residential water/sewer bills for insurance from HomeServe. I find this very concerning.

There are other insurance options available to customers. Has the City of Phoenix considered that residents who have not signed up for insurance through HomeServe does not necessarily mean customers have not responsibly acquired insurance to cover their water/ sewer infrastructure from other insurance providers?

I personally considered and reviewed the terms and conditions of the HomeServe policy. I found the exclusions within their policy not acceptable. I contacted my homeowner policy provider and found that the rider State Farm offers was far superior to the policy from Home-

rating system with more stars labeling the vehicle as safer than those with less stars. The program aims to encourage car makers to build safer cars and to inform the public about which cars to buy.

Dummies are critical in crash tests because they serve as human stand-ins. If the electronics attached to the dummy signal a severe injury in a crash, such as a neck extension or a chest compression, then the vehicle receives fewer stars.

A major complaint about the NCAP is that the “average” male dummy (5 feet 9 inches tall and 172 pounds) dominates this rating system, according to bipartisan legislation recently filed. It sits in the driver seat in the two most important crashes, the frontal and the side-impact tests. Meanwhile, a smaller dummy intended to represent a petite woman (4 feet 11 inches tall and 110 pounds) sits in the passenger seat.

This petite female surrogate is the driver in only one NCAP crash, the side pole test. However, this is the least important of all the crashes. If this smaller dummy is hurt in the test, it doesn’t count for much in the overall safety rating of cars.

It’s also important to know that this smaller dummy is a scaled-down version

of the male dummy. In fact, some critics consider it a better stand-in for a 12-yearold boy than a small woman. It does not have the anatomical differences found in the new Swedish dummy.

New ‘female’ dummy promises safer future

Now that the new female crash dummy has been created, researchers can use the 5 feet 3 inches tall and 137-pound device to study injury patterns sustained by the “average” female and prompt car makers to create even safer vehicles.

Right now, a number of factors put women at greater risk in crashes. Being smaller, women need to sit closer to the steering wheel. In addition, they tend to weigh less than men and have different shaped torsos, hips and pelvises. These lead to differences in how women fit vehicle seats and seatbelts.

While women’s heads are nearly as large and heavy as men’s, their necks have less muscle strength and are more susceptible to more whiplash injuries in lower-impact crashes, and higher fatality rates in high-impact crashes like rollovers and t-bones.

Some research shows that young men

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Serve that the City has been endorsing.

I added the State Farm rider, at a reasonable rate, to my homeowners policy. Other neighbors have chosen this option also. State Farm is not the only insurance company that offers this rider and with some homeowner policies the rider may not be necessary as the customers are already covered.

I recently wrote to the Phoenix City Council as to my concern and posed the following questions and comments.

How many officials on the Phoenix City Council and their staff have personally acquired a policy with HomeServe? Or do you have insurance with someone else?

Does the City know how many of their residential customers already have insurance coverage through an insurance company other than HomeServe? That fact seems pretty crucial to know prior to deciding if a mandate is even necessary or warranted. Has HomeServe or the City conducted any Customer surveys or

who fit the profile of the average male test dummy have the fewest injuries in crashes so young male drivers are better protected in a crash than other occupants, women or older men. Such findings support the notion that “you get what you test to.”

Lawmakers and consumer advocacy groups recently recognized the inequality in car testing and design. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act mandated that NHTSA evaluate and report on using new dummies, including females, elderly, young adults, children and adults with different weights, in their testing for the NCAP star rating system.

What a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. For our country’s leadership to graciously accept this important contribution from our European friends and use the new female dummy to save thousands of lives.

Ahwatukee resident Norma Faris Hubele is professor emerita of Arizona State University and creator of TheAutoProfessor.com, a website that helps families make safer car choices. Her book, Backseat Driver, The Role of Data in Great Car Safety Debates was published in August by Routledge. 

focus groups to determine why Residential Customers are not purchasing policies from HomeServe?

Perhaps a more targeted marketing effort is needed. I can personally note that receiving a brochure in the mail from an unknown company is not particularly appealing. I prefer, and a lot of other residents may also prefer, to take a policy out with a known provider such as the insurance company that provides their home and automobile insurance.

Even if the City were to decide on an opt-out provision, would that basically be just a repackaging of a mandate to acquire insurance from the City endorsed insurance company? I think it would be an unnecessary burden to customers to have to opt-out.

Absent an aggressive advertising campaign, customers could end up with duplicate insurance for their infrastructure or not even realize they are being billed for it. Bill inserts, etc., do not work in

today’s environment of electronic billing. Is the City considering newspaper ads, radio and television commercials to properly notify customers? And even with that effort, would all customers really get notified?

If the City were to move forward, how would you handle a customer that finally realizes that he/she has been charged for something he/she did not authorize?

The customer calls the City and indicates that he/she was not aware or had been informed and wants it to stop. Will his/ her money be refunded with interest for the months he/she was charged?

In another scenario, a customer is totally dissatisfied with the City’s plan and decides he/she has no obligation to optout. That customer decides that the water and sewer pipes are his/her personal property not the City’s and believes the City has no right to acquire insurance.

The customer pays his/her city services bill but not the charge for HomeServe, what is the City going to do? Stop service? Especially if the customer is current on the city services bill. How can the City reasonably do anything?

But the larger concern is, that it appears from these articles that the City would receive revenue as a result of this mandate while adding a burden to customers who are busy with daily life, children and work! Insurance for the pipeline on the customer side of the meter is solely the sustomer’s responsibility.

The only mandated insurance in Arizona, that I am aware of, is automobile since that is in the public good. Homeowners insurance only is required by the mortage holder.

It is very concerning that the City is considering to automatically just add a fee for insurance, especially if the City were to profit from that action. I do not believe that any regulated utility in Arizona would be authorized to do this.

I am not an attorney, so would like to know, can the City of Phoenix legally do this?

An opt-in program and consolidated billing for those customers that choose it would be a viable option for those customers interested in HomeServe. Consolidated billing in itself potentially could increase participation.

HomeServe should consider some additional marketing if they want to increase their customer base in Arizona. That is what the other insurance providers do!

There are many ways the City could promote an opt-in program so that it would be received positively by customers, increase customer satisfaction and increase interest in HomeServe.

Hopefully, the Phoenix City Council will find some of my comments and questions constructive in their consider-

ation of the proposed pipeline program.

I suspect I feel the way many other residential customers feel. If so, I hope that they will also write to you and the Phoenix City Council to voice their concerns, comments and questions.

Again, thank you keeping Ahwatukee residents up to date on issues that may impact them. The Ahwatukee Foothills News is a great resource for the Community!

-Barbara Klemstine

Pickleball players should consider council candidates

You may have already received a mail in ballot for a runoff election for the district 6 city council seat that will be vacated by Sal DiCicco.

If you lived in Ahwatukee for any amount of time you know Sal has been a big proponent for our community and doesn’t just go with the status quo. In fact, Sal was recently instrumental in getting a fire station added to the west end of our community which is very much appreciated by Ahwatukee.

Sam Stone, who is in the runoff election and has been a big supporter of Ahwautkee, was Sals’ former chief of staff and has been extremely helpful in getting the tennis courts refurbished to now allow both pickleball and tennis.

However, we still have a huge vacant land mass off chandler that was never developed and would be perfect for more pickleball courts, additional parking, a dog park or a number of other uses that provide recreational opportunities for our community.

What we have learned in working with the city for the past couple of years is that our council member is the key to getting these projects going and Sam has committed to doing just that.

Please consider this information when casting your vote. Mail ballots must be postmarked by March 6. Voters may also cast a ballot in person at Pecos Park on

STONE from page 32

there’s a pattern of behavior that will tell you all you need to know about who he really is.

The poet Maya Angelou once said, “When someone tells you who they are, believe them.” Such a statement could not be more accurate about my opponent, Sam Stone.

After all, it’s about character.

limit new height and density and keep apartment developments away from single family neighborhoods.

But when we had a forum downtown with the Phoenix Community Alliance, he was for building apartments everywhere.

And the pattern doesn’t stop at the issues Robinson promotes. It extends to simple matters of fact.

March 11, 13 and 14.

Jill Ostendorp and Carrie McNeish, Desert Foothills project volunteers

Sam Stone has no interest in maintaining our community

Several years ago I had petitioned the City of Phoenix to clean Phoenix owned properties that had fallen into deplorable conditions.

I also petitioned Councilman Sal DiCiccio’s office for assistance. Councilman DiCiccio’s assistant at the time was Sam Stone - the same Sam Stone who is seeking the district 6 councilman position that DiCiccio is vacating.

For over a year Mr DiCiccio and Sam Stone ignored all of my requests for assistance, and both showed no concern over the multitude of City of Phoenix owned property problems in Ahwatukee. Eventually, I managed to set a meeting with several City of Phoenix department managers. Not wanting be left out, Sam Stone finally responded and attended the meeting.

The meeting was held on-site at one of the problematic Ahwatukee areas on Ray Road. All of the Phoenix department heads were astounded by the deplorable conditions that they were standing there looking at (photo attached). But not Sam Stone.

Upon viewing the multitude of abandoned shopping carts and other debris, Stone admonished me stating: “you waisted my time and the city’s time over a little litter” and then he abruptly left the meeting.

Obviously, Sam Stone has no interest in maintaining our Ahwatukee community.

- John Broussal

Celebrate the American Red Cross’ contributions this month March has been designated American Red Cross Month, which celebrates

Mr. Robinson claimed at a debate that he has been endorsed by virtually every single neighborhood association in Phoenix. The actual number is zero: neighborhood associations cannot endorse candidates without losing their special status, so they don’t.

At the same debate he claimed to be endorsed by every police association in the state. The actual number is one. Out of dozens. And neither the Phoenix Law Enforce-

the many contributions the Red Cross has made since its founding by Clara Barton in 1881. Ever since 1943, when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt first proclaimed the month of March as Red Cross month, each succeeding president has proclaimed March as Red Cross month to recognize Americans who participate in its life-saving mission.

When a disaster happens, the American Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to both the general public and the American Armed Forces. The mission of the Red Cross is to assist individuals and families to resume their normal day-to-day activities.

The Red Cross responds to an emergency every 8 minutes in the U.S.! This means that in every 24-hour period, the Red Cross responds to approximately 180 emergencies! This service is provided to everyone no matter where they are located.

With a force of over 1.2 million, 90% of which are made up of volunteers, the Red Cross continues to provide its services in all 50 states and territories of the United States. In this regard, the Red Cross needs your help!

If you are over the age of 18 years old and wish to volunteer your time and services to the Red Cross you can fill out an application. You may also wish to donate much-needed blood to your community. You can do so by making an appointment.

Finally, of course, you may wish to donate funds to facilitate the continuation of Red Cross services which are financed almost entirely by contribution. To do any of this please go to redcross.org.

The motto of the Red Cross movement is “Per Humanitatem Ad Pacem” which translates to “through humanity to peace” and since its founding, it has certainly lived up to its motto!

-Red Cross Communications Volunteer Ira Feldman 

ment Association or Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association – the two Phoenix based ones – have endorsed him, despite his many years on the force.

You might not agree with me on everything, but you’ll always know exactly where I stand. I may say some things you don’t like, but won’t pretend I didn’t say them, or tell you something different to appease you.

I respect you too much for that. 

ROBINSON from page 32

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

DEsert Vista head girls’ basketball coach Dave Williams said the second quarter of his team’s Open Division semifinal last Thursday was arguably the worst his team has played all season.

They turned the ball over, they were in foul trouble and when given opportunities, they weren’t capitalizing on open shots. His message to them was simple: Don’t let Xavier hang around.

His girls responded by opening up a 20-point lead at one point in the second half and cruise to a 78-63 win over the Gators to advance to the girls’ Open Division state championship.

“These girls, man, they’re great young ladies,” Williams said. “They play hard, and they let me coach them tough. They’re going to have fun, that’s what it’s all about. It’s not even about me or DV,

it’s about these young women.”

The Open Division state championship isn’t any other game. It’s the first of its

kind for Arizona, and much like football will crown a true state champion among schools from the state’s biggest confer-

Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills News on Facebook

ences classifications – 4A, 5A and 6A.

The Thunder already made history as the first-ever No. 1 seed in the tournament. They made history as one of four teams to play in the semifinal and now will make history regardless of the outcome Saturday night when they face Millennium, a 5A school.

But Desert Vista isn’t settling for the history that’s already been made. Every player and coach want the title. It’s been the goal since they first came together at Section 7 in June, when the talent on the team was first seen all together on the floor. Williams knew back then he had a special team on his hands. It didn’t take long for the girls to realize what they were capable of, too.

And now, despite going undefeated against Arizona competition this year, they still feel they have a chip on their shoulder. Unfinished business.

see OPEN page 37

Desert Vista girls playing for Open Division championship Whyte wins first Pride wrestling championship since 1992

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

There was a point in time where Marlin Whyte didn’t take wrestling seriously.

He began competing in the sport as an eighth grader at the club level. But to him, it was just something to do. He never imagined how far it could take him.

He continued to wrestle as a freshman and sophomore at Mountain Pointe. Yet again, he was casual about it. But it was at that time he had coaches who saw his potential. They believed he could be a winner, a champion.

So, as a junior, he finally took it seriously. Now as he wraps up his senior year of high school, he does so as Mountain Pointe’s first state champion on the mat since 1992.

“It feels good,” Whyte said. “It sort of shows how good the wrestling program

actually is. We don’t have big numbers so it’s nice to show these guys work hard.”

The road to becoming a champion wasn’t easy for Whyte. He dealt with his own self-doubt, on several occasions thinking about dropping the sport altogether.

He kept pushing through, however. Those negative thoughts motivated him.

Not only did he aim to prove those around him wrong, but he wanted to prove himself wrong, too.

“I knew I had to prove myself wrong,” Whyte said. “I don’t like doubters. So if

see WHYTE page 38

On Saturday, Feb. 18, Mountain Pointe senior Marlin Whyte dominated his way to the Division II 165-pound state wrestling title. He became the first Pride wrestler since 1992 to win a title. (Dave Minton/AFN Staff)

Desert Vista junior point guard Eanae Dagons (14), freshman point guard Jerzy Robinson (5) and sophomore point guard Dylan Swindle (10) celebrate during a timeout as they lead against Xavier College Prep in the girls’ Open Division semifinal on Thursday, Feb. 23 at Mountain Pointe High School. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

“It’s been amazing,” Desert Vista star freshman Jerzy Robinson said. “We really work hard and seeing it all pay off and now going to the championship, it’s surreal. We’ve got unfinished business. We’re planning to get a ring.”

Desert Vista started fast against Xavier, forcing multiple turnovers that led to easy buckets underneath the basket. Most of those came from Robinson and junior guard Eanae Dagons, who had eight points in the first quarter alone with all four coming from inside the paint.

She and Robinson combined for 20 of Desert Vista’s 29 points in the first eight minutes of the semifinal matchup that was played at Mountain Pointe High School. Dagons said it was the start her team wanted to have.

“I was locked in, everybody was locked in,” Dagons said. “We were ready. It was a beautiful thing. As a team we’re a family, that’s what brings us success.”

The second quarter brought some struggles for the Thunder. Multiple fouls put Desert Vista in the double bonus. Most of those infractions came while a Thunder defender was guarding Xavier standout guard Dominique Nesland.

One of Desert Vista’s main goals was to not let Nesland control the pace of the game, something she has done all season against other opponents. But she had her moments, dribbling through defenders and connecting on floaters from the middle of the lane.

She finished with 17 points but was

forced into foul trouble and picked up her fifth in the fourth quarter, ending her night early.

“We knew we weren’t going to let No. 22 – she’s tough as nails – so we weren’t going to let her beat us tonight,” Williams said of Nesland. “We figured, if somebody else can beat us tonight, we deserve to lose.”

Even with some struggles in the second quarter, the closest Desert Vista let Xavier get within was six points. And by the time the third quarter rolled around, the Thunder were firing on all cylinders.

Robinson began to take over, Dagons continued to play relentless defense alongside Dylan Swindle and Michaela Fairwell.

Shay Ijiwoye, who was quiet in the first

half, began to show why she’s one of the best finishers near the rim. Her ability to get through contact from multiple defenders and still find the bottom of the next took the away any remaining momentum Xavier had in its favor.

Williams was able to clear his bench in the fourth quarter with Desert Vista

up by 22 points. Even as Xavier tried to make a late push, Thunder reserves kept the lead mostly intact.

It was a complete team performance from a defensive perspective for Desert Vista to advance to the Open championship. Offensively, Robinson led the way with 32 points and 14 rebounds while Dagons had 18 points.

Desert Vista knows it will have its hands full with Millennium. The Tigers are playing with heavy hearts after a senior classmate and one of their biggest supporters died in a car accident nearly two weeks ago. They’re also an extremely talented group.

Williams, however, isn’t worried. He’s confident in his girls and knows they will give their best effort on Saturday when they tip off for the championship at 3 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum.

“I don’t have no fear. I feel very confident in these young ladies,” Williams said. “Millennium is tough. They’re organized and well coached. We’re going to have to play tough to get them, but I think if we get ahead of them and make them play our style of basketball, we can get them.” 

Desert Vista junior point guard Eanae Dagons (14) and junior point guard Shay Ijiwoye (44) celebrate after defeating Xavier to advance to the girls’ Open Division state championship game on Saturday, March 4 at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

WHYTE from page 36

I’m doing that to myself, I have to prove myself wrong to prove other people wrong.”

Mountain Pointe coach Mark Caliendo, who retired from coaching after the state meet this year but plans to remain with the program in some capacity, saw the potential in Whyte early on.

He was naturally gifted with a solid frame, he just had to put in the work in the weight room to put his body into wrestling shape. Especially after his sophomore year, that’s what Whyte did.

His coaches, Caliendo included, took notice in the shift in his mindset. Whyte was more motivated than ever to be successful, and part of that came from his newfound love of freestyle and greco roman wrestling, which he learned from Tanner Borneman, a local club coach that joined the Mountain Pointe staff.

Caliendo said Borneman was key in Whyte’s transformation into a champion.

“His first year of freestyle and greco roman he was a state champion for us, and he became our first Mountain Pointe, under our club, state champion ever,” Caliendo said. “Tanner was able to come in and see all the things these kids did, especially Marlin.

“He broke him down and built him back up. From that point on it was constant progression.”

As a junior, with a new arsenal of skills, Whyte excelled.

Caliendo said he would often have opposing coaches come up to him and ask about Whyte. The most common question was, “Where did he come from?”

Whyte didn’t have many opportunities before his junior season to wrestle at the varsity level. Most of that was his own self doing by not taking the sport seriously. But he showed in his junior year just how good he can be.

Then, injuries got in the way.

Like any athlete, Whyte tried to wrestle through his nagging injuries. His arms ached and his knees were sore. By the time the end of the season rolled around, and it was nearing the state tournament, Whyte’s knee had gotten so bad he had to bow out. That lit an even bigger fire under him and set the stage for what was a dominant senior campaign.

“Come my senior year I was smart with

injuries,” Whyte said. “I played it safe and wrestled as much as I could.”

Whyte’s only losses this past season came to former or current state champions, some at different weight classes. He dropped down from 175 to 165 this season. In his mind, it was a new challenge.

One of the few matches he lost early on was to Horizon’s Aiden Larsen. But Whyte redeemed himself later on in the postseason.

The two were on a collision course yet again for the 165-pound Division II state title. It was a highly anticipated match, but one that Whyte won with ease. He held a large lead in points before pinning Larsen late in the match.

It was at that point Whyte made history, and all of his hard work to get to that point was worth it.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Whyte said. “I always knew I was going to do it, but when it happened, it was like, ‘Oh my God, I did it.’ Seeing everyone cheering for me was nice.”

Whyte hopes to continue wrestling now that his high school career is over. Caliendo said he’s received calls about him from schools.

But for now, Whyte continues to enjoy his championship. He said it still doesn’t feel real at times.

“I don’t think it ever will (set in),” Whyte said. “It’s just good to see the work paid off. All the hours I put into me, and people put into me, it paid off.” 

Whyte said his coaches were influential in his success as a senior, especially Tanner Borneman, “left,” and Mark Caliendo, “right.” The two helped him breakthrough in different wrestling styles and ultimately win the championship. (Courtesy Mark Caliendo)

Read why progressive Balsz School Board

First: No, I don't like Sal.

Second: I deeply despise Kari Lake for so many reasons.

I'm voting for Sam Stone for Phoenix based on how Sal DiCiccio's office was run under him as Chief of Staff. Before you @ me about irrelevant things that don't actually impact you or your neighbors' lives in any way, allow me to explain.

But this is a City Council runoff election for my district. So excuse me while I vote based on the actual obligations and responsibilities of

Here's what I know and have experienced when Sam was chief of staff of Sal's office:

• Calls were answered, as were any questions regarding policy or bureaucratic processes. Even if I was working for something I knew Sal would vote against, the staff Sam hired, and often Sam himself, never failed to help facilitate any steps or answer questions to help me achieve goal. I was never treated with anything but the utmost professionalism. It was governance, not partisanship, and it was deeply refreshing.

• Sam has repeatedly found creative ways to get funding into neighborhoods because he's even more of a nerdy policy wonk than I am. I never have to break down acronyms with him and he knows the city code and most expenditure avenues stone cold off the top of his head. He has helped me on numerous ocassions to more effectively advocate for my neighbors. More so than Gallego's or any Democrat's city council office ever has.

• Sam actually lives in my neighborhood. We don't agree on A LOT of things (we've gone 10 rounds at least on public transit alone, and I've told him I'd never vote for him for any office above City Council, which I wouldn't), but we do agree on gover nance over partisanship and the baseline infrastructure needs of south of Thomas (you know, not Arcadia; we exist!).

Sam knows the actual nuts-and-bolts mechanics of how to achieve actual municipal improvement.

Member Christina Eichelkraut is supporting Sam Stone for City Council that office. my gover--

• Sam's office under DiCiccio was the ONLY City Council office that clarified the citizen's petition process for me and gave me the right numbers to call to get that going. (Though shout out to Deb Stark who, while in office, met with me about it and at least got it heard by the subcommittee.)

I have yet to see or hear anything specific that indicates Robinson does. No one here ever even heard of him until the mayor picked him to run. I haven't heard of Robinson personally knocking on a single door here,and believe me I asked amd people tell me when they get a knock. Every time I've heard Robinson answer a question at a forum or in an interview, I hear a lot of plati tudes about policy that wouldn't happen on the municipal level anyway and a lot of knowledge about one single city depart ment. That's not gonna cut it for me, not with everything myself and my neighbors need.

Christina Eichelkraut

So I'm going to vote for the person who knows what a community block grant is and can actually get those funds where they're needed. That's Sam at the end of the day.

I know we live in an age of zero tolerance for partisan ambiguity (or, as I like to think of it, actual policy and action analysis versus tweet-based voting), but in case anyone hasn't noticed, voting based on personality and perception hasn't actually achieved anything or move us forward. Maybe we do something different and vote for people who know how things work and get stuff done?

Balsz School District Governing Board Member and District 6 Resident

Send in your early ballot today. The last day to vote is March 14. Visit SamStone.vote for more information.

Grab a kilt and head to the Scottish Games

GETOUT STAFF

For 57 years, thousands of Arizonan Scotsmen and women have gathered in the metro area to celebrate their culture and heritage.

They’ll be doing it again next week when the Phoenix Scottish Games are presented by Caledonian Society of Arizona at Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert.

The games, which were moved to Gilbert Regional Park from Phoenix’s Steele Indian School Park, begin at 5 p.m. Friday, March 3, and run through Sunday, March 5.

You don’t have to be Scottish to join the fun – and if you’re not sure of your roots, there are genealogists on site who can help trace them.

The weekend opens Friday evening with a colorful and stirring presentation called the Phoenix International Tattoo, a dazzling display of music

and marches that echo the pageantry of the Scotland’s famed pipe band competitions. This year, 28 members of the Isle of

Skye Pipe Band from the city of Portree are flying into perform – some leaving their homes to travel abroad for the first time in their lives.

They will join an international cast of over 100 performers who include MarineSandpiper, Southern California’s only rock and roll bagpiper, and Craic in the Stone, who update traditional Scottish music with the sounds of the Pogues, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and other contemporary groups.

That performance will be followed by the ore traditional military tattoo, featuring performers from the United States, Canada and Scotland.

Also participating in both Friday even shows are the Alma College Kiltie Dancers, Arizona Academy of Highland Dance, Jason Cartmell’s Rockstrocity and the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band.

One of the most notable guests at the tattoo will be Alex Aghajanian, presisee SCOTTISH page 41

Italian association celebrates heritage with festival

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor

Six men dreamed of bringing a p iece of Italy to the desert, so the country would be represented in the best light.

Thus, the Scottsdale-based nonprofit Italian Association of Arizona was born.

“The founders wanted to find a way to bring Italians and those of Italian heritage together in one place to share pieces of their culture that fade away with every generation,” said Francesco Guzzo, executive director and Gilbert resident.

“The founders wanted to find a way to share that culture with those who appreciate what Italians and Italy has to offer. As much as we all love and enjoy true Italian cooking, Italy represents so much more than the food.”

The art, music, culture and traditions will be honored during the eighth annual Italian Festival at Heritage Square in Phoenix on Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5. The following weekend, Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, Sun City will host the first Italian Festival at the Sundial Recreation Center.

“We started with a small event along the Southbridge in Old Town Scottsdale in 2014 with a few vendors and lot of enthusiasm,” Guzzo said.

“Eight festivals later, we are hitting attendance capacity and keeping Italian traditions alive.”

The Italian Festival has a variety of live entertainment during the weekend including opera singers, The Sicilian Band, accordion player Cory Pesaturo,

Some of the 28 members of the Isle of Skye Pipe Band from the city of Portree in Scotland are leaving home for the first time to perform in the Friday opening of the Phoenix Scottish Games at Gilbert Regional Park. (Special to GetOut)

The famous flag wavers, Sbandieratori from Asti, will appear at the Italian Festivals in Phoenix and Sun City. (Courtesy of the Italian Association of Arizona)

SCOTTISH

dent of the Tournament of Roses Parade. His visit kicks off the Pipes on Parade project that will perform in the 2024 parade featuring many pipers and drummers from Arizona.

“This will be the largest pipe band in the history of the parade and already represents 12 countries,” said spokesman Darryl Toupkin.

Another guest is the Earl of Caithness, Malcolm Ian Sinclair, who is visiting from Scotland to preside over the Clan Sinclair family gathering at the games.

Performances run Friday from 7-8:45 p.m. but gates will open at 5 p.m. so guests can enjoy other entertainment and food.

Once the games themselves kick into high gear Saturday, there will be plenty of eye-popping action for young and old alike.

Men and women will be testing their strength in games like the Caber Toss, Sheaf Toss, Scottish

ITALIAN

and traditional flag wavers from the Piemonte region.

“The flag wavers are finally able to come back after being gone since 2019,” Guzzo said.

“Fifteen or 16 flag wavers are flying in to perform throughout the festival.

That’s a big deal for us. Everybody loves the flag wavers. Since COVID, they’ve been locked down and Italy was never back to normal the way it was here.”

The event will provide authentic cuisine such as fresh biscottis, gelato, espresso, pasta and pizza. A few local vendors include L’Impasto, Little Italy of Scottsdale, Pasta Rea, My Daddy’s Italian Bakery and Pomo Pizzeria.

Non-food vendors will sell jewelry,

If You Go...

What: Italian Festival

Where: Heritage Square, 115 N. Sixth Street, Phoenix

When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 4, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 5

Cost: $10 in advance, and $20 day of. VIP experiences available Info: italianassociation.org

Hammer Throw and Stone Put as well as wrestling.

Don’t like athletic competitions? No worries.

Also on the card all weekend is music, dancing and storytelling as 35 clans gather in small camps throughout the park to celebrate family reunions.

Entertainment includes the International Bagpipe Competition with at least six pipe bands, the Highland Dancing Competition and music by groups that include the Noble McCoy Band, Stoneybank, the Alma College Kiltie Highland Dancers and Jason Cartmell’s Rockstrocity.

Mary, Queen of Scots will be attending with her court and Toupkin said attendees can expect to see spontaneous parades thoughout the weekend.

Food will include meat pies and what Toupkin promises to be “the best fish n’ chips in the Valley.”

Thirsty attendees can check out the Locheil and Guinness beer gar-

dens and whiskey and wine tasting booths. There will even be a cigar lounge on the premises.

Christopher Yate, an acrobat and stilt walker, will be entertaining and a British vintage car show will be offered.

Kilts and other Scottish apparel will be offered by some of the scores of vendors on the premises and there also will be plenty of kidfriendly activities such as a “fishing pond,” archery lessons, costumes, arts and crafts and others.

The event also is pet friendly and people are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the entertainment.

Proceeds from the games support scholarships for Highland athletes and entertainers and other activities of the Caledonian Society of Arizona, the largest Celtic organization in the state.

For information and tickets: phoenixscottishgames.com. 

handmade Italian leather purses and other items. Plus, children can enjoy face painting and balloon makers in the Kids Fun Zone.

The Italian Festival in Phoenix is sponsored by Peroni, DTPHX, Galbani, Queen Creek Olive Mill, Anderson Windows, PepsiCo and Desert Rose Transportation. The VIP Experience is thanks to Campari & Aperol.

Guzzo called La Cucina Galbani Cooking Stage a highlight.

“No one would have thought there would be such a solid Italian community in the desert and yet, here we are,” he said.

“It’s a little dispersed, but our voice can be heard and now we can finally be seen. Historically speaking, the first known Italian to come through Arizona was Father Kino back in the late 1600s and built missions that still stand today.”

In 1691, Father Eusebio Kino made the first of about 40 expeditions into Arizona.

Now there’s a new generation of Italians making their mark in Arizona, he said. They range from Jerry Colangelo, businessman and sports executive, to chef Joey Maggiore who owns several local and national Italian and concept restaurants and is keeping his father’s (Tomaso Maggiore) legacy alive.

A repeat visitor to the festival is Margherita Fray of Scottsdale. The 96-yearold is the last living known partisan and an artist.

“There’s something unique and special about that lady,” Guzzo said. “I love that lady to death. We’re happy to support her and give her an opportunity to showcase her artwork. It’s just beautiful.”

Entrenched in the arts, she also penned a book called “Marisa’s Courage.” She was raised in an anti-fascist family in Italy, where they were witness to bombings and executions by home-grown and foreign aggressors.

She became a member of the Resistenza as a partisan, belonging to a group called the Garibaldi Brigade around her home city of Turin and participated in dangerous missions to support the fighters in the underground for several years.

Fray is still emotionally distraught over memories of this time. In 1947 she came to America as a war bride, marrying a man she had briefly met a year earlier. She endured the marriage to a “deeply flawed” man and moved to Scottsdale in 2000.

“There are still wars today and lives are still being lost,” she said through her daughter, Angela Fray. “The war in Ukraine has really affected me and

brought back many memories. Countries don’t fight wars. The leaders of countries fight wars.”

Fray said she enjoys meeting people at the festival and sharing her story in person.

“I am amazed that there is still so much interest in World War II,” she added. At the festival, she enjoys “the food and meeting vendors and seeing people enjoy themselves. The Italian Association does a great job.

“Italy has ancient history and art. I am really proud of being Italian. I am from a beautiful city and the former capital of Italy.” 

from page 40

from page 40

ACROSS

1 Pirate’s chart

4 “Shark Tank” network

7 Clench

11 Misfortunes

13 Monk’s title

14 Jeans maker Strauss

15 Grabbed

16 Sailor

17 Opposite of “sans”

18 Lukewarm

20 Soft shoes, for short

22 Eggy quaff

24 Give

28 Limo alternative

32 Orange variety

33 Online auction site

34 “Kapow!”

36 Traditional tales

37 Winter woes

39 Lauded

41 Balloon filler

43 Little rascal

44 Beseech

46 Speak one’s mind

50 Big swig

53 Profit

55 Alike (Fr.)

56 Sheltered

57 -- Jima

58 Activist Parks

59 Twinkler in the sky

60 Venomous viper

61 Campaigned

DOWN

1 Catcher’s aid

2 Skin soother

3 Fall into a soft chair

4 Astern

5 “Dracula” author Stoker

6 Ersatz chocolate

7 Fairy-tale footwear

8 Speed (up)

9 “-- had it!”

10 Photo, for short

12 Swimmer without a suit

19 Medico

21 Biz bigwig

23 Prattle

25 New Mexico resort

26 Shrek, for one

27 Garden intruder

28 Georgia or Cal

29 Bassoon’s kin

30 Humpty’s perch

King Crossword

31 Knock

35 Hosp. scan

38 California’s Big -40 I love (Lat.)

42 Craze

45 Evergreen trees

47 Mr. Stravinsky

48 “Apollo 13” org.

49 Panache

50 Tank filler

51 Last (Abbr.)

52 Meadow

54 Spinning toy

GGreek meatballs will get dinner guests drooling

rowing up Italian, homemade meatballs were a dinner staple enjoyed over pasta, in a sub roll or as savory appetizers before the main meal.

But last week, while teaching a cooking class on Greek foods, I had to set my Italian roots aside and absolutely drool over Greek meatballs known as soutzoukakia.

These morsels of magic have a wonderful combination of spices like cumin, cinnamon and oregano with a red sauce that completely enrobes them with even more flavor. Greek meatballs are delicious with seasoned orzo, rice or, dare I say, on a bed of Italian pasta? 

Ingredients:

Sudoku

• 3 slices whole wheat bread, toasted to a mediumbrown

• ½ cup whole milk

• 12 oz. lean ground beef

• 12 oz. ground pork

• 2 TBSP butter

• 1 large sweet yellow onion, chopped fine

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped fine

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. In a bowl, place the toasted bread and cover with milk to soak. When bread is soft, squeeze the liquid out completely and discard remaining milk. Transfer bread to a large mixing bowl.

2. In a medium skillet over medium high heat, add butter, onions and garlic. Sauté until soft and caramelized, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

3. To the bowl with soaked bread, add the beef, pork, eggs, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, parsley, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and cooked onion and garlic mixture. Gently mix to combine. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

4. Preheat oven to 400°F. Make the sauce.

5. In a skillet over medium heat, add heat 1tablespoon of olive oil 2 tablespoons of butter. Add onions and cook for 3 minutes or so. Add garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring regularly.

6. Add the red wine and cook to reduce by about half.

• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

• Extra virgin olive oil, to grease the baking dish

• Red Sauce

• 1 TBSP olive oil

• 2 TBSP butter

• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• ½ cup dry red wine

• 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce

• 1 bay leaf

• ¾ tsp ground cumin

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp sugar

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

Add the tomato sauce, bay leaf, cumin, cinnamon and sugar. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off heat, add salt and pepper and stir to combine.

7. Prepare a large baking dish and lightly oil the bottom with virgin olive oil.

8. Wet your hands and scoop portions of about 2 ½ tablespoons of the meat mixture and form into large 16 elongated football-shaped meatballs. (Arrange meatballs in the baking dish and top with the sauce (bay leaf removed.)

9. Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your heated oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the meatballs are well cooked through (check part-way through to make sure sauce is not dry. If needed, add a little bit of water to the bottom of the baking dish.)

11. Remove the meatballs from oven and add another drizzle of EVOO. Garnish with parsley and serve over orzo or rice. Makes 16 meatballs. 

American Authors’ Zac Barnett having ‘best day’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor

When American Authors brings the “Best Night of My Life Tour” to Last Exit Live, it will be a sort of hometown show for them.

Lead singer Zac Barnett’s mom lives in the Valley and his fiancée grew up in Glendale.

“It’s awesome to go there,” Barnett says via Zoom. “I always have a bunch of family – the in-laws, my mom, all of them.”

On Sunday, March 5, Barnett is bringing his band back to Arizona to play an intimate show at Last Exit Live in Phoenix. He’s considering accepting requests, but the gig will showcase the band’s fourth studio album, “Best Night of My Life.”

“We’re playing small venues because it’s our first proper headlining tour in a while and we’re just starting to go into this album cycle,” he says. “And it just felt right. We wanted to keep it understated and just ease back into it.

“You can also expect all the feelings and heartfelt fun. You’re going to be laughing, crying and laughing again. No, it’s going to be a really, really beautiful show.”

“Best Night of My Life” is a companion piece to American Authors’ biggest hit, “Best Day of My Life.” Thanks to that single, Barnett has been able to live out his dream “in, essentially, the fullest capacity.”

“I always tell new, up and coming artists and just professionals in general that it doesn’t happen overnight,” he says.

“We had to work endless years and hours working part-time jobs so we could press our own CDs. You just have to keep touring, never stop writing, never stop exploring and never stop collaborating.

“Because we were networking and booking our own tours, we met a producer who we kept writing with and we were able to write ‘Best Day of My Life,’ which changed everything.”

He says he loves the song, which has become a highlight reel favorite like Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

“Everyone can sing it,” he says. “It

doesn’t matter if you’re 18 years old, or 58 years old, everyone’s going, ‘Just a small-town girl.’ It’s one of those things. I like to think ‘Best Day of My Life’ has that effect. When the chorus comes on, you may have never heard it, but subconsciously, you know it.”

Celebrating a decade in the business, American Authors is proud of “Best Night of My Life” as well.

“It’s really special,” he says. I’m telling people that it’s the most American Authorssounding album that the Authors have ever done. We wanted this album, from be-

ginning to end, to really encompass everything we’ve done over the last 10 years.

“So, we really wanted to take influence and these little nuggets from our entire career and just have those sprinkled into this album everywhere.”

Essentially, it’s a greatest hits of American Authors’ sound.

He’s looking forward to bringing that sound to the Valley, which he first visited 10 years ago.

“We had a friend who took us out and he took us to Old Town Scottsdale,” he says.

“So, we’re barhopping and I’m in love with it. I thought it was amazing. It was so clean. It’s beautiful. The weather’s great. I loved it so much that my crew — the American Authors guys — started calling me the Scottsdale (spokesman). I couldn’t stop talking about it. When I moved out west (to LA), my mom, who likes to follow me around the country, said she wanted to move to Phoenix.”

His fiancée’s parents moved to Scottsdale, so Barnett was on “cloud nine.”

“I still love it — if not more.” 

If You Go...

What: American Authors w/Billy Raffoul

Where: Last Exit Live, 717 S. Central Avenue, Phoenix

When: 8 p.m. Sunday, March 5

Cost: Tickets start at $25

Info: Ilastexitlive.com, weareamericanauthors.com

American Authors is excited about playing in Phoenix this Sunday. (Special to GetOut)

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ANNOUNCEMENT

SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS: Phoenix, AZ & various unanticipated locations throughout the U S : Invlv in gather rqmts, anlys, dsgn & dvlpmnt Dsgn & dvlp var abstract classes, interfaces, classes to construct the buss logic using C# Net & VB Net Dvlp & e n h a n c e w e b f o r m s , m a s t e r p a g e s , u s e r & c u s t o m c o n t r o l s b y u s i n g H T M L & C S S C r e a t e & d v l p stored procedures, triggers & views in SQL Server I m p l m n t O O P c n c p t s i n C # & A S P N e t D p l y w e b svcs using Soap & XML Prfm unit & integrn test & f i x d e f e c t s M a s t e r ’ s i n S c i , T e c h , B u s s A d m i n , o r Engg (Any) is req’d Mail resume to 4 Peaks Business Solution LLC, 1345 E Chandler Blvd , Bld 2, Ste 107, Phoenix, AZ 85048

Carvana Logistics seeks a Manager, Network Planning in Tempe, AZ to oversee day-to-day operations of teams within the assigned region and coordinate operations scheduling activity within Network Planning vertical. Telecommuting permitted. Apply at https:// www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref # 46714

EMPLOYMENT GENERAL

Carvana LLC seeks Senior Data Scientist, Decision Support Systems in Tempe, AZ. Develop and/or enhance optimization algorithms, models, and systems for Carvana’s last-mile delivery scheduling processes. Telecommuting permitted. Apply @ www.jobpostingtoday.com #36514.

EMPLOYMENT GENERAL

Carvana LLC seeks a Senior Oracle Cloud Integration Specialist in Tempe, AZ. To design and build Integrations using Oracle Integration Cloud. Telecommuting available. Apply at https://www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref # 84865.

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CPA Global North America, LLC seeks Senior Software Engineer in Chandler, AZ to review and triage of new technical support tickets. 100% telecom. permitted w/n the U.S. Apply at https://www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref: 48743

EMPLOYMENT-GENERAL

TSYS Acquiring Solutions LLC seeks multiple ETL Software Engineer Senior (REQ # R0040107) for its Tempe, AZ office to work throughout the software development life cycle and performs in a utility capacity to create, design, code, debug, maintain, test, implement and validate applications with a broad understanding of a variety of languages and architectures. EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/ Disability. Email resumes to resumes@tsys.com. Please reference REQ # in Subject Line.

Horizon Church Rummage Sale

Saturday, March 4th at 7:30am-noon

1401 E Liberty Ln, Phoenix AZ 85048 480-460-1480

All proceeds from the sale are to benefit a mission trip to Honduras.