Ahwatukee Foothills News - 04.21.2021 by Times Media Group

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SROs absent in Ahwatukee – and may remain that way BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

s students returned to Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista high schools in March, one thing was missing – and will remain absent for the rest of the school year, just as it had been when campuses reopened for two-day-a-week classroom learning in the fall. School resource officers have not been on either campus since the March 2020 statewide closure of schools. And barring an unexpected windfall from an outside source, SROs won’t be at the two

Ahwatukee campuses when the new school year begins in August even though they will be present at the district’s four Tempe campuses for 2021-22 as the result of a state grant. A fifth Tempe campus that had a state Department of Education grant for an SRO is Compadre, which is being shut down at the end of this school year, its programs being moved to Marcos de Niza. It is unclear if the district can use its state grant for Compadre to hire an SRO for the Ahwatukee campuses. The SRO debate emerged in spring 2020 as the district was grappling with the many challenges brought on by the pandemic and as na-

tionwide protests against police brutality gave birth to a national movement to rid school campuses of uniformed officers with guns. Echoing that latter movement, TU Governing Board President Brian Garcia moved that the district not use $450,000 the administration had set aside for SROs and instead put the money toward more counselors, social workers and other staff that could address students’ social-emotional well- being. Garcia’s motion sparked a districtwide debate splitting parents and students on the is-

see SRO page 9

Promoter sees balloon fest as a welcome COVID break

. 24

WHAT IF

. 31

PRIDE TRACK

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BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

he life of a promoter hasn’t been easy since the pandemic crushed live events more than a year ago. Limits and often outright bans on crowds made it pretty difficult for promoters like Tim Matykiewicz of Ahwatukee, especially since a lot of what his company does is organize events for big crowds. That’s why Matykiewicz is especially psyched right now as he gets down to the final days of planning the 10th annual Arizona Balloon Classic, which will run April 30-May 2 at the Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S Ballpark Way, Goodyear – or, as he likes to say for the benefit of his neighbors, a mere 20-minute ride from Ahwatukee. And even though the balloon festival is coming a little later than usual so that he has to worry about high winds and even though

see BALLOONS page 4

Lucy Bunch and Tim Matykiewicz have a garage full of ﬂags, signs and other paraphernalia for the Arizona Balloon Classic. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

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Protests over migrants at Ahwatukee hotel to continue this week BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

n what the organizer promises will be the first of many, a quiet protest over the sheltering of migrants at the Holiday Inn Express in Ahwatukee drew about 40 people last Wednesday. Accountant and Ahwatukee resident Patricia Porter said another demonstration will begin at 4:30 p.m. today, April 21, at the intersection of 48th Street and Chandler Boulevard and that they will continue at least until federal, state or city officials meet with them to address their concerns. “We want answers,” Porter said. "We want to know what the hell is going on. We want to know what the plan is. What is the arrangement?” Information has been scant about how the Holiday Inn at 51st Street and Chandler Boulevard fits into an $86.9 million program that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has with a Texas nonprofit called Endeavors, aka Family Endeavors. Endeavors got the contract to provide 1,239 shelter beds for migrant families in various locales in Texas and Arizona. The contract calls for "emergency temporary shelter and basic living needs” through September, according to ICE. Stressing “the border is not open and individuals continue to be expelled under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s public health authority,” ICE in a statement two weeks ago said: “Families that come into ICE custody will be housed in a manner consistent with legal requirements for the safety and well-being of children and their parents or guardians. Custody is intended to be short term, generally less than 72 hours, to allow for immigration enforcement processing and establishing appropriate terms and conditions of release while their immigration proceedings continue. All families will be tested for COVID-19 and receive a health assessment.” Because the families immediately turned themselves into border authorities seeking asylum and did not sneak across, the U.S. is bound by international law and the federal Refugee Act of 1980 to place them in either immigration court removal proceedings, where they will have a future opportunity to make their case before an administrative judge, or in expedited removal proceedings, which allow border agents to deport them without a hearing. Responding to an AFN inquiry, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s office said the senator “and his staff are in regular touch with mayors to offer support and are working with lo-

see MIGRANT page 6

NEWS

BALLOONS from page 1

Goodyear’s virus mitigation plan required him to cut the number of participating balloonists from 35 to 15, Matykiewicz is as psyched as a kid on Christmas morning. Judging by the pace of advance ticket sales, he may not be alone. “Ticket sales have never been like this before,” he said. “We got a report from our ticket vendor out of Chicago and she asked, ‘What are you guys doing down there? Your tickets are like we’ve never seen before.’ “I think its timing and I think it’s cabin fever," Matykiewicz continued. “Everybody wants to get out... I think we’re going to be the first big festival in Goodyear. We’re going to be the first big festival in the West Valley – probably the metro area with the exception of Barrett-Jackson and the Phoenix Open. We’re the only big thing happening to kind of kick off the summer.” And it’s a more welcomed summer than 2020 was. His company, Arizona Events Group, naturally took a big hit. “I mean we survived, but it’s been a tough 14 months for us,” he said, noting that one of the few bright spots was a three-weekend fall festival his company produced at Wild Horse Pass that drew 1,000 people – and no COVID-19 cases. Matykiewicz is making sure the Arizona Balloon Classic is as safe from COVID-19 as possible as well – and not just because he was down with the virus, “sick as a dog" throughout the Christmas holidays. “The numbers are looking good but we’re still going to be vigilant,” he said. “We don’t have to require masks now, but we recommend it. We don’t have to require and enforce distancing but we’re going to recommend it and then hand sanitizer – we have a good hand sanitizer sponsor. So they’re providing a couple hundred gallons of the stuff and the hands-free equipment to dispense it.” All this so people can watch the spectacle Matykiewicz and his team have prepared. Gates open at 6 a.m. April 30 and May 1 and stay open till 9 p.m. On Sunday – a free admission day – gates open at 6 a.m. and close at noon. Tickets can be purchased at abcfest.com and kids 12 and under are

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

over that stuff, they really do,” Matykiewicz said. “You have to start a mile away from the site and you have to fly in and grab without touching the ground. There also are other cash prizes for the balloonists who come closest Matykiewicz puts on balloon festivals in other states as well, hence the to landing on a symbolic balloon in his garage. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) target painted on the ground. free – as are veterans and active military. Spectators can walk on the field right The gates open so early because some next to the balloons and experience the of the cool stuff occurs around that time inflation and lift off. – and not just the free admission from 6 New this year is the Desert Winds Kite a.m.-noon April 30. Festival from My Wind Stuff, which will fly Around 6 a.m. April 30 and May 1, brilkites large than semi-trucks, windsocks liantly colored balloons will fly in as their the size of motorhomes and a 50-foot operators compete in the Hare & Hound Mega Fish Kite that will be flying above Race, vying to get as close as they can to the festival grounds April 30 and May 1. snatch a set of keys from atop a balloon Kites for all ages and abilities will be on about 50 feet above the ground. The keys hand for sale – including single line, dual will give them a free year’s lease on a pickline sport kites and quad line stunt kites. up truck while there also will be a small balKite show times will be based on weather loon to grab that contains $2,400 in cash. “Those two big prizes – the pilots go nuts conditions.

People will be able to roam the field at various times to check out the balloons close-up. (Special to AFN)

On both evenings, attendees can wander around the field full of tethered, illuminated, hot air balloons glowing in time to music. Saturday night will feature a Pilots Parade with a constant burn of purple, green, red and yellow flames from the balloons. A fireworks show will precede the AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union Desert Glow. An assortment of other activities includes hot air balloon rides and tethered rides, inflatable games, stunt bike shows, live entertainment, sampling, and retail shopping and commercial exhibits for purchasing or browsing. Matykiewicz said that even though he had to pare back the number of vendors, there will still be dozens, ranging from original jewelry to home improvement items. There will also be candy canons, paper rocket making and launching, and parachute racing for all ages. And there is a food fest that includes beer gardens, food trucks and festival food favorites throughout all two and a half days of the festival. From the beverage and ticket sales, Matykiewicz donates a portion to a charity and this year’s partner is Valley of the Sun United Way. One dollar from each ticket sold will be dedicated to United Way’s COVID Relief and Rebuilding Program in Maricopa County. Last year’s Arizona Balloon Classic raised $7,500 for United Way, funding 1,072 food bags for students. Given that the event is being held several months later than he usually holds it, Matykiewicz naturally is concerned about the weather. Obviously, it will be warmer than February when it usually is held, so he advises guests to dress appropriately and bring sun protection. He also is mindful that this time of year can get windy – posing a threat to balloonists. That’s why balloon events’ schedule depends on wind conditions, particularly because “hot air balloons don’t like working in weather hotter than 70 degrees – it’s just hard on the equipment.” But Matykiewicz thinks people will know how to prepare for warm weather and that they’ll be chomping at the bit for some spectacle and the feeling of being part of a crowd. “I think people are used to it,” he said. “We’ll be all right.” 

GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

cal leaders and partners to ensure that the response at the border does not fall on the shoulders of Arizona communities. “Sen. Kelly will keep urging DHS to provide the communication and resources necessary for a humanitarian response that prioritizes safety and public health.” On March 25 – three days after Kelly pressed President Biden about the strain on resources Arizona border communities were facing from the surge of migrants at the border – Kelly publicly decried an incident in which Border Patrol agents dropped off migrants in the middle of Gila Bend. “What happened in Gila Bend is unacceptable,” Kelly said at the time on Fox10 News. “This is the federal government’s responsibility, not the responsibility of communities in Arizona.” ICE again last week declined to elaborate on the specific number of migrants housed at the Holiday Inn Express, the duration of their stay, whether any other hotels in or around Ahwatukee are under contract

with Family Endeavors, whether adults have been vetted for criminal backgrounds, whether they are under any restriction to stay on hotel premises and what exactly happens when their stay is over. Those and other questions brought out the 40 demonstrators, who hailed from various parts of the Valley and included a broad age range of participants. Holding signs with statements such as “Biden=Cartel,” “Ducey, What’s the Plan?” and “Closed borders Save Children,” the demonstrators received high fives and honking horns from some passing motorists. Eventually a lone "Black Lives Matter" demonstrator showed up on another corner. Some wore shirts advocating gun rights or the resumption of the border wall construction. One family in the crowd circulated petitions calling for the recall of Gov. Doug Ducey, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, state education chief Kathy Hoffman and Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs.

Porter said she was pleased with the turnout and the peaceful conduct of the participants. And she said she basically organized another for today because they wanted to gather again. “This is not a racist thing,” she said. “This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. This is a safety issue.” “Honestly, I’m not a political person,” said Porter, who described herself as a Mexican-American. “I’m a mom who has been in the area for about 30 years and I’m just concerned about all of this illegal activity, human smuggling going on and it’s happening literally in our backyard.” Explaining that her great grandparents “came here from Mexico legally” and that many Mexican Americans are angered by what’s going on at the border and sheltering programs like Endeavor’s, Porter said, “It’s a slap in the face to the rest of us who plowed through, worked hard got an education, paid our bills, paid our taxes for them to come over here and cut in line, so to speak.”

Meanwhile, ICE and the Arizona State Department of Public Safety traded conflicting views of an incident that occurred at 6 a.m. last Friday on I-10 near the Ray Road Exit when troopers stopped a van carrying 17 suspected illegal border crossers. DPS said in an official statement that troopers “requested assistance from Immigration Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol to take custody of the undocumented aliens, both agencies declined the request." The statement continued: “Absent response from the agencies with jurisdiction on immigration violations, the state trooper issued the appropriate citations for the traffic violations, impounded the vehicle and was forced to release the subjects.” ICE said it could not arrive as quickly as it could and by the time agents got there, the 17 individuals were gone. It’s unknown where they went or what happened to them. 

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SRO from page 1

sue. Proponents of SROs – including all the district’s high school principals – argued that SROs are as vital to the student body’s well-being as counselors and teachers. Mountain Pointe SRO Robert Lucero, a 15-year veteran Tempe police officer, said SROs are in a unique position to help students. “We get an opportunity to talk to them in the classroom,” Lucero told the governing board. “We get an opportunity to talk to them during school, during lunch hour and we get to interact with them. We get to build that rapport with them…They usually don’t get an opportunity to talk to law enforcement and ask questions. I usually encourage that with the students to sit there and ask questions, whatever they want to ask.” Students like then-senior Christian Nunez agreed, telling the board there is “a distinction between SROs and the general police force” that had been lost in the anti-police brutality protests that had been sweeping the nation at the time and that SROs “want to work with children.” “I think that for us to pour all of our

energy into SROs and the conversation of whether or not we need to have them in schools or not is a complete waste of time,” Christian said. “SROs can be the beginning foundation of fostering a healthy relationship between students and law enforcement. To properly address the feelings that students have regarding law enforcement extends much beyond the role of an SRO.” Not all students agreed with that position. In June 2020, the AZ Mirror published a letter signed by three past Desert Vista Student Body presidents and the current president that lauded the move against SROs, stating “we have witnessed firsthand both the negative impact of SROs on campus and the urgent need for more support counselors and social workers at school.” The letter primarily dealt with students' mental and emotional needs and the reason why more counselors and counseling services were needed, but also took aim at what they called the intimidating presence of armed officers on campus. “Walking into Desert Vista every day, the sight of an armed police officer makes students feel unsafe and nervous in a space that should be rooted in inclusion and

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love,” the letter said, contending a 2015 survey found “Black students in the district are 3 times more likely than their white peers to be referred to law enforcement.” The letter recommended that rather than abolish SRO positions, that they be shared across several campuses so that more money could be spent beefing up counseling positions at Tempe Union schools. “We students need mental health staff who are trained to notice and respond to stress and trauma,” it said. “Desert Vista has more than 3,600 students, but only one dedicated support counselor and seven academic guidance counselors. Most students we spoke to barely even came in contact with their guidance counselor until their senior year of high school. One support counselor for 3,600 students is not enough.” Also siding with SRO opponents was city Councilman Sal DiCiccio, who told AFN in an interview that police “are always going to be a step away in our community” if their presence is needed on a campus. “If there’s a police action needed, they’ll be there on time,” he said. “I get the safety part of it, I understand that,” DiCiccio said. “I’m just looking at the police action itself. This is where the

counselors and the school need to be able to handle their problems.” “A cop’s not a counselor,” he added. “They can’t handle the students’ personal problems.” Garcia’s motion had the support of now board Vice President Andres Barraza and then board President Berdetta Hodge. The two opponents on the board have since been replaced by recently elected Armando Montero and Sarah James. During the board’s debate – which focused on funding for SROs at both Ahwatukee campuses as well as Corona del Sol and McClintock high schools – Superintendent Dr. Kevin Mendivil said he would seek outside funding for the SRO positions. Though the district requested public safety grants for all its campuses, the Department of Education granted money only for the five Tempe schools for the 2021-22 school year. District spokeswoman Megan Sterling said that she could not comment on any talks between Tempe Union and the Phoenix Police Department. But Phoenix Police spokeswoman Sgt.

see SRO page 12

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2,188 sf single level 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, split master floor plan! North facing back yard! Home backs to a sprawling green belt! Kitchen boasts rich dark wood cabinetry, breakfast bar, island, pantry, granite slab counter tops and eat - in casual dining area. All appliances convey including the refrigerator and washer and dryer! Open kitchen family room floor plan. French door exit from the family room to the back patio. Master suite has its own French door exit to the covered back patio, huge walk in closet, dual sinks, and a walk in shower and separate Roman soaking tub. Tile flooring throughout with carpet only in the bedrooms! Low maintenance landscape; desert landscape in front and extensive hardscape in back. Nest thermostat, 2018 exterior paint, 2015 interior paint and 2016 carpet.

you r for

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Foothills Club West Listed for

$725,000

2,950 sf single level 4 bedroom 2.5 bathroom split master floor plan on the preserve! This home is remarkably remodeled in a transitional contemporary style. Custom finishes throughout! Kitchen and bathrooms were remodeled in 2017. The kitchen boasts white soft-close Shaker cabinetry with crown molding, granite slab counter tops, tile back splash, island with pendant lighting, and GE Profile stainless steel appliances. Open kitchen family room concept; gas fireplace in the family has ceiling to floor tile surrounds. Exit the family room through custom accordion doors to an extended length and height covered back patio to optimize the incredible mountain preserve backdrop! The backyard is an entertainer’s dream with extensive travertine pavers, fire pit and sparkling pebble tec pool and spa. 2017 variable speed pool pump! 2017 roof! Solid core 8’ interior doors. Smooth finish drywall throughout. Porcelain tile throughout with hardwood flooring in bedrooms. No carpet! 2018 Nuvo whole-house purification system. Contemporary custom glass and wrought iron front door. 2020 exterior paint. THE UPGRADES ARE ENDLESS!

Ahwatukee Custom Listed for

$1,325,000

Five bedroom, 4 bathroom, 4,556 sf single level home in a cul de sac on nearly a 1 acre preserve lot! East facing back yard! The kitchen has an abundance of granite slab counter space, a center island with prep sink, breakfast bar, Subzero refrigerator, double ovens, Jennair smooth surface cook tops with grill, walk in pantry, large casual dining area, and an R/O system. Open kitchen family room floor plan! The family room is enormous with a two way fireplace with stone surrounds and a large wet bar with bar seating. A bonus/game room ( the perfect space for a pool table) is on the other side of the two way fireplace. Exit the family to the sprawling resort style back yard. Extensive land and hardscape, sparkling pebble tec pool and spa, elevated fireplace with stone surrounds and seating area, outdoor kitchen with BBQ, burner and beverage fridge, and a separate built in draft beer system. Master bathroom has a dual sink vanity with granite slab top, separate shower and Jacuzzi tub with granite surrounds and large walk in closet with custom built - ins. 8’ solid core doors. Temperature controlled wine cellar. All three AC’s are approximately five years old. Three car garage has a mini split and an epoxy floor coating. RV Gate. Extra slab parking in front and behind the RV gate (slab parking for approximately 8 in the front depending on vehicle size and a single slab behind the gate.)

Knoell Tempe

Listed for $435,000

Remarkable remodel from top to bottom! 1,708 sf, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home. The all new kitchen boasts trendy gray Shaker cabinetry, island with pendant lighting, quartz counter tops, tile backsplash, upgraded stainless steel Samsung appliances, new R/O system and upgraded stainless farmhouse sink and faucet. Master suite has a walk in closet and master bathroom has dual vanities and an enormous walk in shower with tile surrounds. Both bathrooms are remodeled with gray cabinetry, quartz vanity tops, upgraded sinks and faucets, designer mirrors and dual flush toilets. All new energy star dual pane low E windows with vinyl frames! New window blinds. New commercial grade vinyl plank flooring throughout. No carpet in the home! New interior doors, including closet doors with premium door rails, and new interior paint. New baseboards throughout. New light switches and outlets. New epoxy finish on garage floor and new garage door.

Meredith Square Listed for

$360,000

Beautifully updated home! 1,143 sf, 2 bedrooms plus office. Kitchen boasts rich, dark wood cabinetry, chiseled edge granite slab counter tops, stainless steel appliances, trendy stainless steel hood, stainless steel mosaic backsplash and upgraded faucet; gas cooking! All appliances convey including the refrigerator and washer and dryer! Two living spaces; a living room in the front and a family room in the back. Two French door exits to the pool size back yard! The office has its own entrance from the carport and a French door exit to the back yard. Beautifully remodeled bathroom; 2020 vanity and faucet. Distressed wood – look flooring in the dining area and kitchen and laminate wood flooring throughout the rest of the home; no carpet! Trendy finishes including exposed ductwork, contemporary ceiling fans and custom millwork at windows throughout.

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Get FREE extras with installation — * UP • room measurement • delivery • INTEREST carpet rip out ZERO SAVE TO $1,000 IF PAID IN FULL WITHIN 18 MONTHS

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LIFETIME LABOR WARRANTY ON EVERY INSTALL! NO SALES TAX ON INSTALLATIONS SPECIAL 18-MONTH Great savings for your Great Indoors. It’s yet another reason friends send friends to Flooring America. FINANCING AVAILABLE! *OAC Welcome to your Great Indoors. How to thrive in it? Our waterproof flooring, on sale right now.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

Mt. Pointe celebration Mountain Pointe seniors celebrated their approaching graduation last Saturday with a special outdoor event at the football stadium. Clockwise from top right, left-right: Posing for a snapshot are Anaya Williams, Brookelyn Gomez, Christian Lyons and Zir'Riah Shumate; Brent Labiolette played some kickball; Ariana Delgado participated in a painting activity; Christian Lyons and Zir'Riah Shumate enjoyed the great weather; and Tyler Yurmanovich and Shayla Pollard played a game of Jenga. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)

SRO from page 9

Mercedes Fortune said, “If a school district does not have a grant, they would be responsible to pay for the position.” She also said the department had sent an intergovernmental agreement to Tempe Union last June and “is awaiting their decision and signature to move forward with staffing.” Fortune also said the department com-

municated with Mendivil’s office in February but so far has received no signed contract, stating, "We communicated with Tempe Union superintendent in February 2021 and as of today, we have not yet received a signed contract." It’s unclear if the issue will come up as Tempe Union’s board begins hammering out a budget for the new school year. Since the district now has grants for the Tempe campuses, it’s likely that less than half of

the original $450,000 at the heart of last year’s controversy would be needed to fund SROs at Mountain Pointe and DV. Before the Education department approved grants for SROs at the five campuses in Tempe, Sterling last fall said, “These four positions will be funded, one way or another - it is non-negotiable.” During the board’s discussion several months ago about Compadre’s closing, there was no mention of what might hap-

pen with that SRO position. As far as the remainder of the present school year is concerned, Sterling said, “Phoenix PD has been a wonderful partner to date and there will be support from beat cops, etc, that are out on patrol, but there will not be dedicated SRO’s in place on campus.” She also said that since campuses reopened in mid-March, there have been no calls for police at either Ahwatukee campus. 

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

Lawmakers OK more parent control over sex ed BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

tate lawmakers gave final approval last week to legislation that will require special parental permission before a student is taught anything about sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The 31-28 party-line vote by the House also spells out that sex education of any type is forbidden before the fifth grade. And SB 1456 would mandate yet another special permission – beyond what parents need to provide for their children to take sex-ed classes – to be taught anything about AIDS and the HIV virus that causes it. Approval of the measure came as proponents said this ensures that parents know -- and approve -- what their children are being taught. SB 1456 specifically gives parents more specific rights and time than they have now to review the instructional materials and activities before deciding whether to opt-in to such instruction. And it specifically requires governing boards to not just review and approve what is in the sex-ed classes being offered. Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Scottsdale, said updating the laws on sex education are necessary. “Today’s sex-ed has morphed into sex

indoctrination,’’ he said. And he said arguments about providing “scientifically correct’’ sex-ed have become a mandate to teach what is “politically correct.’’ Foes pointed out that parents already have to opt-in to all sex education courses. Rep. Diego Rodriguez said requiring a separate opt-in for discussions about things like sexual orientation is both unnecessary and discriminatory. “It’s clearly meant to highlight that there is something different about gender identity and gender expression,’’ he said. “And that difference is something that should be feared.’’ More problematic, Rodriguez said, is the admission by Sen. Nancy Barto, R-Phoenix, during hearings that the wording of the measure means that parents would have to opt in any time the question of sexuality or sexual orientation came up anywhere in the curriculum. That would include historical events like the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York that gave birth to the modern gay-rights movement, and any discussion of LGBTQ individuals in literature. Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said it even could impair discussion of the suffrage movement where some of the leaders argued for the right to love people of the same sex.

No end in sight

House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, D-Laveen, noted that Wednesday’s vote came two years after lawmakers voted to repeal sections of sex-ed law that prohibited teachers from promoting homosexuality as a positive lifestyle. That overwhelming vote came only after Equality Arizona filed suit to challenge the law and Attorney General Mark Brnovich saying he would not defend it in court. This step backwards, Bolding said, is “fear-mongering among what our educators are teaching our kids.’’ The ban on sex-ed before fifth grade concerned Rep. Jennifer Jermaine, DChandler. She said that could lead to more cases of sexual abuse. “The fifth grade is absolutely too late for a lot of these children,’’ she said. “It is too late for them to learn good touch/bad touch because they have already been molested, they have already been abused,’’ Jermaine continued. “And, more than likely, it was from somebody within their own household.’’ Rep. Amish Shah, D-Phoenix, objected to imposing a new written permission requirement to teach about AIDS and HIV. “That really leads to more sexually transmitted diseases,’’ he said, leaving students ignorant about how one contracts the disease and how to prevent it. In the end, however, the measure which now goes to the governor, was approved because supporters see it as an issue of parental rights. “I do appreciate teachers and what the schools have done and what public schools offer our kids,’’ said Rep. Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake. “But at the end of the day, it’s the parent’s right or not to include their child in whatever type of curriculum they want to do for them, based on the values of their

home,’’ he said. “Why is it, as a parent, I am forced to do something that I see differently in my family?’’ Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, D-Chander, said no one is being forced to do anything. She said parents already have the right to review curriculum and can opt their children out of any sort of sex-ed classes. But Rep. Jacqueline Parker, R-Mesa, said more is needed. “The purpose of this bill is to provide transparency to parents and allow them to determine what’s best for their child,’’ she said. And Parker rejected arguments that singling out issues of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression for special mention -- and special parental permission -- that the measure is discriminatory. “No rights are being denied to any group of people,’’ she said. “It’s just requiring the schools to get parents involved in sensitive topics Parker said it’s no different than anything else that already goes on. “When I was in school, we were learning about one of the world wars and one of my teachers wanted to show an R-rated movie,’’ she said, something that required parental permission, including a form that had to be signed. “If parents denied permission we went to another room and got our homework done for that day,’’ Parker said. “It wasn’t really that big of a deal.’’ Nor was she alarmed by comments that this legislation sets a precedent where parents would now be getting involved in what their children are taught in math, science or history. “Parents should have a say over all of those subjects,’’ Parker said. “Parents already have that level of control and should keep that level of control.’’ 

GOT NEWS?

Irresponsible contractors continue to dump construction debris on the state land parcel in Ahwatukee that will be auctioned in late May. The state Land Department says it is investigating. Derrick Denis said these polluters likely are charging their customers for legal dumping fees. "It is disheartening to see these perpetrators continue to vandalize our neighborhood," he said. (Derrick Denis/Special to AFN)

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak @timespublications.com

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

Driver rammed home, now deemed a ‘hazard’ BY TOM SCANLON AFN News Staff

ven after a federal agency deemed him an “imminent hazard” and banned him from interstate driving, the truck driver who plowed into a Mesa home – killing one resident and sending two others to the hospital – has not been charged with any crimes. Todd Welliver and his fiancee, Ginger Mcdonald, were sitting in the garage of their Mesa home, talking about an upcoming vacation. It was New Year’s Eve. Instead of going out on the town, they decided to stay in – and stay safe. So, they thought. “We were going to go out to dinner with a friend, but we canceled and were just hanging out at the house,” Mcdonald said. Their lives would change in an instant, as Daniel Tobon – who left Riverside, California hours before – missed the Interstate 10 exit from the 202 eastbound. Looking for a way to get back to the I-10, he took the Crimson Road exit. At 6:59 p.m., all hell broke loose. Tobon’s 18-wheel truck crossed over a center curb, struck a signal pole and plowed through a red light, smashing through a masonry block wall before rumbling into a home at 10024 East Isleta Ave. A dozen people were in the home. “I don’t remember a lot,” Mcdonald said. “I remember we were sitting there talking. I remember hearing a bang and then stuff falling on me. Then I don’t remember any stuff that happened after that until I was pulled out of the garage. “And I remember talking to Todd. He was laying in the driveway.” In the commotion of screaming and sirens, the two were able to communicate one final time. “He responded to me, I got to talk to him for a couple seconds,” Mcdonald said. “I asked him, ‘Baby, are you OK?’ He looked up at me, like he was making sure I was OK. Then he said, ‘I can’t breathe.’ “I was screaming for someone to help but I guess the paramedics were there because they pulled me away and started working on me.” Welliver, 50, died at the hospital. Mcdonald and a child were taken to the hospital where they were treated for serious injuries.

Todd Welliver and his fiancee, Ginger Mcdonald, were sitting in the garage of their East Mesa home last New Year's Eve when an 18-wheeler barreled into their home. Welliver died of injuries a few hours later, two others were injured and the truck driver declared an 'imminent danger' by federal authorities. (Special to AFN) Tobon was also taken to the hospital, to react after a few minutes and was able where he was treated for minor injuries to start answering questions. Daniel before being released. claimed that he was diabetic and that he He has not been charged with any driv- took medication daily (metforim-500mg). ing offenses by Mesa Police. I rode inside the ambulance as Daniel was Three months later, the U.S. Department taken to Banner Desert Hospital for treatof Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier ment,” Dewitt wrote. Safety Administration declared Tobon – “During my contact with Daniel at the who also went by Danhospital, he did not iel Moran and Daniel seem to know what Tabon – is “an immihad happened or what nent hazard to public caused the accident. safety.” Daniel stated that he According to the pohad not been feeling lice report, Tobon told ill or tired and had not Officer Miranda Deused any drugs or alcowitt he had not been hol,” Dewitt continued. drinking and briefly an“Daniel stated that he swered questions as he had taken his diabetes was being loaded into medication that mornan ambulance. ing and had drank some “At this point Daniel chocolate milk and had began to become unrea granola bar while he TODD WELLIVER sponsive and was not was driving.” answering any questions. Daniel was givTobon was ordered “not to operate any en a blood sugar test which showed a level commercial motor vehicle in interstate of 60 – indicating possible hypoglycemia, commerce.” or low blood sugar,” the report reads. Federal “investigators found that in Sep“Daniel was then given an IV and seemed tember 2020, Tobon had fraudulently cer-

tified his USDOT/FMCSA medical examination report form; he also fraudulently certified the form previously in September 2018,” a USDOT press release stated, noting the medical certification process “is designed to ensure CDL holders are physically qualified to operate commercial vehicles safely.” Each driver is required to complete a health history section and certify that the responses are complete and true. Providing “inaccurate, false or misleading information may invalidate the examination and medical examiner’s certificate,” federal authorities note, and could even lead to civil penalties. The March 9 federal imminent hazard order told Tobon his “continued operation of a commercial motor vehicle while medically unqualified poses a significant danger to you and the motoring public.” Tobon may not operate a commercial motor vehicle until he completes a returnto-duty process that includes obtaining a valid medical certification issued by a certified medical examiner. According to the Department of Transportation, “The crash report prepared by the Mesa Police Department noted it appeared Tobon made no evasive driving maneuver to avoid the crash, adding one of the possible influencing conditions for the crash was ‘illness or physical impairment.’” According to a Mesa Police report, “A semi-tractor with a loaded trailer exited US 60 eastbound at Crismon Road, went through a red light, ran over the center curb, went off the roadway on the southeast corner. “The combination vehicle then struck a City of Mesa signal pole, a masonry block wall owned by an HOA, went through landscaping and struck the residence of 10024 East Isleta Ave. in Mesa. “As a result of the collision with the residence, one person is deceased, two more have serious physical injuries, two vehicles parked in the garage were damaged and the residence was destroyed.” One of the first officers on the scene summarized the chaos: “Catastrophic damage to the lower level of the townhouse made the structural integrity of the remains of the building high-

see TRUCK page 19

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

TRUCK from page 16

ly questionable. Rubble and debris were piled up around the truck … Many people were walking around and it was initially unclear who had been in the building and who were neighbors.” “A Mesa Police Officer and a DPS Trooper were attempting to revive a man later identified as Todd Michael Welliver. Welliver was lying on the ground on the north side of the truck and was completely unresponsive. A few people were crying and speaking of Welliver, calling him by name.” He noted Mcdonald “was crying and dazed.” The officer said he was told by Bonnie Waldherr “that Mcdonald had been buried in rubble in the kitchen and had been unable to move until she had been pulled out.” He noted that Waldherr herself “had drying trickles of blood down her face from her hair.” Waldherr’s grandson Austin Foltz, “was dazed and lethargic. He had bruises and scrapes on his shirtless upper body,” the officer reported, adding: “He told me that he did not know what had hit him and it hurt to move. Waldherr and Foltz both told me that they had been in the living room when the crash had happened. Bonnie Waldherr described the situation briefly, telling me that the home had exploded around them.” Neighbor Taylor Ervin told police he and another man helped him get the truck driver out of the cab. “Ervin told me that the driver had struggled against them as they had tried to get him out of the truck cab, saying, ‘No,’ and fumbling with items inside the cab, possibly trying to hide something in the cab,” the police report states. “Ervin told me

that they had needed to wrest the driver’s grip from the steering wheel to get him out of the cab.” Michael Calabrese told police he saw the truck barreling down the freeway off ramp “at approximately 60 miles per hour” and that the driver never slowed for a signal at the end of the exit ramp. Another witness told police Tobon nearly wrecked on the highway: “Officer Kennedy said the witness began to see the 18-wheeler swerving from one side of the eastbound San Tan 202 to the other at Val Vista Drive.” Kennedy said the witness followed the 18-wheeler eastbound and then onto the eastbound US 60 on ramp and that it almost struck a median barrier several times and was “traveling 70 miles an hour while taking the Crismon Road off ramp.” In her report, Dewitt wrote Tobon told her that “his neck, arm and back were hurting. “I did not see any major visible injuries besides what appeared to be some small minor scratches/abrasions to his face, neck, hands and arms,” Dewitt said, adding Tobon “thought someone had hit/ bumped him with a car which caused him to crash into the wall.” “I’m usually pretty happy, ‘It’ll be OK’ kind of outlook,” Mcdonald said, three months after losing her finance. “Now, I’m just like the opposite … It’s been hard.” She said she and Todd’s family only recently received the detailed police report. “Hopefully, he’ll be charged soon,” she said, of Tobon. “Even though it was a medical emergency, he was driving illegally. And he did kill someone and injure me and someone else … Yes, I would like to see him being charged.” 

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

Wanna bet? Your options are exploding in Arizona BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

o, you think the Cardinals are going to win their first game? You should be able to bet on it by then. In fact, you should even be able to put money on how many yards either team will get. And you may even be able to sit in the stands – or watch on TV – and wager from your phone whether the quarterback will make the next first down. All this is because Gov. Doug Ducey is signing legislation legalizing not just sports gambling but also the ability of folks to create and wager on their own fantasy teams. And there’s more: Fans of keno will be able to visit their local fraternal or veterans club to get their gaming fix there; The Arizona Lottery is getting permission to run hourly online numbers games of its own, allowing people to essentially buy lottery tickets by phone; Would-be general managers will be able not just to “draft’’ their own players and join fantasy league but also win or lose

Whether Arizona sportsbooks will be as elaborate as they are in Vegas is yet to be seen, though some venues promise very swank places to place your bets. (Special to AFN)

money on how well their “teams’’ performed; There will be new ways to gamble away cash at tribal casinos, including roulette and, for those who have watched too many James Bond movies, baccarat. But not just yet. Pretty much all of this is linked to the federal Office of Indian Gaming within

the Bureau of Indian Affairs, approving the new gambling compacts that already have been approved by 21 of the state’s 23 gaming tribes. That agency has 45 days to act. And nothing is official until published in the Federal Register, which has to happen within 90 days of submission. All that should be in place by around the

The announcement came days after the Arizona House and Senate passed House Bill 2772, which would give 10 professional sports operators and 10 tribes the opportunity to acquire a sports betting license. Under the bill, Scottsdale’s TPC course qualifies as a potential sportsbook site under a stipulation allowing an “operator of a sports facility that hosts an annual tournament on the PGA tour” to apply for a license. “So that would immediately kind of define it as TPC Scottsdale,” said Norb Gambuzza, the PGA Tour’s senior vice president of media and gaming. The PGA Tour and DraftKings described

the proposed sportsbook as a “19th hole” fans can visit throughout the year to eat, drink, place wagers and watch sports. “We have this vision of this premium, world-class, luxurious, beautiful environment with great food and music and atmosphere,” Gambuzza said. Under the proposal, the PGA Tour and DraftKings will be responsible for all costs to build the new facility. Gambuzza said the group plans to have the facility open in time for the next Super Bowl in Arizona in 2023. Attorney Jordan Rose, who is working on the project, said the sportsbook is “at the TPC or wherever the Phoenix Open is played.”

second week of August – just about when the Cardinals have their preseason opener. But Arizonans won’t be limited to wagering on football, or even just the Cardinals. The new law means placing bets on anything sporting. Golf or tennis more your speed? Sure. Even boxing or Australian football. Of course, that assumes that whoever is making the “book’’ is offering that event. Some of the “how’’ details have yet to be worked out. What’s clear is that every professional sporting franchise is entitled to a license to take bets on their premises. So, someone at Chase Field could not just watch the Diamondbacks but place some money on a soccer game going on elsewhere. The PGA plans to have a sports book open by early 2023 at TPC, home of the Phoenix Open in Scottsdale. In fact, wagering is even allowed on college games of all types across the country. But there’s a very specific restriction. Gamblers will be able to place “prop bets’’ on professional games. Short for “proposition bets,’’ this in-

see GAMBLE page 22

PGA Tour poised to launch sportsbook at TPC BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY AFN Staff Writer

ambling could be on the horizon at Scottsdale’s most famous golf course now that new sports betting legislation has passed. The PGA Tour and DraftKings announced plans to open a retail sportsbook at the TPC Scottsdale Golf Club that plays host to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the tour’s most-attended annual golf tournament. The PGA Tour’s partnership with DraftKings would allow the online fantasy sports platform to offer retail sports betting and mobile betting in Arizona.

She said that means there is not another site in Scottsdale city limits that would qualify to host a sportsbook. The closest sportsbook would be located on the nearby Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, which operates the Talking Stick Resort and Casino east of the Scottsdale border near Loop 101 and Via de Ventura. The city and federal government would also have to approve amendments to the PGA Tour’s existing lease for the TPC property to account for the new use. The Tournament Players Club Scottsdale was built in the 1980s on a mixture of lands owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and City of Scottsdale. 

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

Lawmakers debate flat tax amid city concerns BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ith state revenues running $1 billion ahead of expectations, Scottsdale Rep. John Kavanagh and other Republican lawmakers are looking at compressing all of the state’s income tax brackets down to a single rate. The proposal being circulated among the GOP majority calls for a flat 2.5 percent tax rate within three years. By contrast, Arizona now has a progressive rate structure, with residents paying rates as low as 2.59 percent on taxable income of up to $53,000 for married couples and as high as 4.5 percent on earnings above $318,000. Legislators also are weighing yet another cut in the assessment ratio of businesses. That is the figure used to compute their property taxes. And there’s still a plan to let some highincome families escape the 3.5 percent income tax surcharge approved by voters to help fund education. House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, D-Laveen, acknowledged that, at least on the surface, there’s nothing inherently

GAMBLE from page 20

volves wagers on something other than the ultimate outcome. That could be yardage per game or the number of strike-outs by a given player. How fast could any of this occur? As fast as the app on your phone, said Stacie Stern, government affairs director for Fan Duel. Her firm already handles sports wagering for other states and could end up being under contract with any of the teams here to do the same for them. “Let’s assume with the new 5G technology that you’re able to send and receive information quickly, you should be able to sit in a stadium and do in-game betting, just like you at home where you would presumably have a good internet connection,’’ Stern said.

unfair about a flat tax: Everyone pays the same percentage of what he or she earns. Leaving aside the policy question of whether the revenue should be invested in education and infrastructure, Bolding said the more important question is whether it’s equitable. And that, he said, needs to be part of a public and transparent discussion, rather than something that likely will be formally rolled out just 24 hours before it is voted on. Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Scottsdale, said he doesn’t see an issue. “A single rate is fair to everybody,’’ he said. “Rich people pay more than poor people with a single rate, just not as much as with a so-called progressive rate.’’ Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, pointed out that cities now get 15 percent of what the state collects in income taxes and that the amount of foregone revenue would translate to about $225 million a year less to cities. And making it up is no easy task. Boyer cited a 1972 voter-approved amendment to the Arizona Constitution where cities gave up the right to levy their own income and luxury taxes in exchange for revenue sharing.

But Arizona lawmakers have made such prop bets off limits in collegiate games. And the Gaming Department is allowed to impose other limits if those wagers would be “contrary to public policy’’ – like wagering on whether a quarterback will be knocked out. Wagering also will be available at up to 10 remote sites across the state. The idea is they likely would co-locate in bars and restaurants where there already is offtrack betting on horse races. And Arizonans could go to the horse track and place bets there on professional sports. And this kind of wagering also could be conducted at tribal casinos. There are some technological issues to be worked out. For example, Arizonans aren’t supposed to be placing remote bets through one of the sports teams that has a license to take

More concerning, he said, is the effect the tax cuts would have on public safety. In Glendale, one of the cities he represents, those expenses make up 66 percent of the total municipal budget; for Phoenix it’s 71 percent. And the time, Boyer said, could not be worse. “This is a serious ‘defund the police’ moment,’’ he said. “Because of the overwhelming amount that does go to public safety – and this would be a significant hit to cities and towns – I just can’t support it.’’ House Majority Leader Ben Toma, RPeoria, said the question of revenue sharing is an “ongoing discussion.’’ “I get it,’’ Toma said. “Nobody likes to lose revenue.’’ But he doesn’t think the cities would be as hard hit as they claim. First, Toma said, is that the phase-down in the tax rate would occur over three years. And with revenue sharing based on state collections from two years prior, that means the full effect won’t be felt until 2028. Anyway, Toma said, there are counter arguments.

wagers while they happen to be on tribal lands. And tribal casinos are not allowed to take bets from those not on the reservation. That will require “geofencing,’’ essentially a method of determining where the player is located and, as necessary, blocking the connection. There are other issues. One involves players proving they are 21, the minimum age allowed. That’s not a problem for someone making an in-person bet. But for mobile wagering, it likely will involve setting up an account and then providing some proof of age, like a copy of a driver’s licenses. Then there’s the question of whether the state, by making it much easier to place a bet and financially benefiting from it effectively is encouraging gambling and the effect of all that on people with an addiction. The new law does require those with

GOT NEWS?

One is that Arizona agreed to take advantage of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling which allows states and cities to impose their own sales taxes on purchases made by Arizonans from online sites. Toma estimated that between what cities collect on their own and their share of extra state revenues, that comes close to $200 million. All that still leaves the question of $1 billion or more in tax cuts is sustainable on a long-term basis what with a current $11.6 billion budget. In some ways the state economy has been artificially buoyed by federal COVID dollars. In fact, at one point Gov. Doug Ducey gave $400 million of that to state agencies but then reduced their state funds by $300 million. Most Arizonans also got checks from the federal government which contributed to spending. And then there’s the fact that Arizona has a history of times of boom and bust. But Toma doesn’t believe the next downturn will be as bad as the recession that happened during the pandemic because state’s economy is not as dependent on home construction. 

licenses to provide people who are “problem’’ gamblers with a toll-free number and web site established by the Department of Gaming. Individuals can also place themselves on a list of “self-excluded’’ persons who are prohibited from wagering. And if they somehow manage to place a bet that wins, their earnings are donated to charity. Yet at the same time the legislation provides some incentives, indirectly underwritten by the state, that could encourage people not sure about placing a bet on sports to try their hand. It provides the companies that are operating the gaming sites with a deduction of up to 20 percent from their adjusted receipts – which determines how much they have to pay the state – to compensate them for offering “free bets or promotional credits’’ to customers. 

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

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High school bands pick up post-pandemic pieces D.C. performance gives Thunder director hope BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

esert Vista High Director of Bands Josh Thye could barely contain his excitement over an invitation received last week. As part of special events planned for the Lincoln Memorial Centennial, the Desert Vista Thunder Marching Band was invited to represent Arizona at the 100th anniversary celebration of the monument’s dedication on April 23, 2022. He will lead the Thunder band on the steps of one of the nation’s most iconic monuments, joined by other teen musicians from all 50 states as part of what is billed as the “America’s Lincoln Centennial All-American Mass Honor Band.” As official participants of the Lincoln Memorial Centennial Commemoration, the Thunder Marching Band members will be

feted with several escorted outings from the Lincoln 100 sponsors, including private tours of the Smithsonian Museums. The DVHS Thunder Marching Band will also perform a solo musical feature at another of D.C.’s memorials, though the site has not yet been announced. Thye and chaperones also will be escorted to the National Archives to view the nation’s founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. April 23 will be the day when the Thunder Marching Band joins with other state ensembles to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial’s dedication. The honor of being asked to represent Arizona at the Lincoln Memorial Centennial is a boon for Desert Vista’s bands after the pandemic and campus closures

see DV page 27

Ahwatukee woman’s charity aims for caregivers AFN NEWS STAFF

n Ahwatukee woman has launched a new nonprofit to support caregivers of children with disabilities. D.A.M.E.S Charities Inc. “aims to reduce caregiver burnout and build the resiliency of caregivers of children with disabilities by providing them with easy to access tools that focus on mindfulness, education, and community,” said founder Michele Thorne, who has assembled a board comprising professionals who work with disabled children – and in several cases are parents of special needs kids.

It was out of her personal understanding of the challenges moms of special needs children face that Thorne – the mother of two autistic children – founded DAMES, an acronym for Differently-Able Mothers Empowerment Society. With a bachelor’s degree in genetics and a master’s in science, she had worked at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, or TGen, for five years until she felt driven to quit her career to be with her son and daughter. The acronym plays off the name of an

see THORNE page 26

Lionhearts director hopes for student return to glory BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

ountain Pointe High Band/Orchestra Director Leo Werner is well aware of his uphill battle ahead as he works to regain band and orchestra students after a year of COVID-19 and the resulting campus closures. “Districtwide, we knew our enrollment overall was declining, but this hit us all at once,” said Werner, who is in the fourth year of his return engagement at MPHS, where he initiated both band and orchestra programs when the school opened in 1991. Werner originated the Lionhearts Marching Band name. During a nine-year hiatus from Mountain Pointe, Werner established a band program at Combs High School in San Tan Valley and revived and restructured the band program

at Brophy College Preparatory. While he had steadily increased music program numbers at MPHS, the pandemic helped to dissipate music classes across the board. “There are kids who haven’t set foot on this campus for more than a year,” he said. “Fortunately, we’d started with SmartMusic software before this all began. I’d say we have 40 to 45 percent of students back on campus four days a week since we got the green light in March. But other students are still doing auditions and classes online.” In the MPHS music room, he directs students sitting in front of the director’s podium while watching and listening to a group of others on the laptop to his right who play at home. Since his return four years ago, Werner has maintained that his foremost focus is

see MP page 28

Michele Thorne, whose son Jackson and daughter Maria, were diagnosed autistic, thinks mothers of special needs children should get social, mental and and emotional support that they can’t ﬁnd from groups that help the kids, so she started an organization to provide that support. (AFN file photo)

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate Guide Demand, not supply issues, driving home prices BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

The cost of lumber may have risen nearly 200 percent since last April, but one of the Valley’s major trackers of the Valley housing market says that’s not what’s driving home prices through the roof. “New home developers do not set home prices based on the cost of building a home,” the Cromford Report said last week. “They price it based on the competitive alternatives available to home buyers. The most important one is the price of a similar re-sale home. “Obviously, the price of building materials has absolutely no relevance to the mar-

ket price of a re-sale. The laws of supply versus demand control re-sale pricing. It therefore follows that the laws of supply and demand also drive new-home pricing.” In some ways, the short supply of lumber and other products has created more of a headache for developers than price increases have. Earlier this month, Fulton Homes gave customers who had plunked down a down payment for a new home a one-week window to get a full refund, telling them because of lumber, window and roofing shortages, it was impossible to give a completing time for construction. Cromford noted that re-sale home prices are rising so fast that new home prices

appear too cheap, so developers up the prices of their homes “repeatedly to avoid selling homes too cheaply.” “Builders also have to pay more for their supplies, but this presents little problem when their headline prices are rising even faster,” Cromford added. “If homes were easy to find, the high cost of building supplies would squeeze gross margins for builders and their profitability would suffer,” it added. It noted that buyers are so desperate that there are even lotteries when new tranches of lots are released. Cromford noted that broken supply chains stretch the completion times for homes and consequently create a greater

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

Ahwatukee home sales remain strong BY ALLEN HENDERSON AFN Columnist

elcome to the Ahwatukee Foothills real estate update through March 31, 2021. Before we get into the numbers, the big news for the Ahwatukee real estate market is that lumber prices have jumped over 193 percent and are poised to rise higher, according to Fortune Magazine. The escalating prices are dramatically increasing the cost of new construction and pushing home prices higher. Many housing starts are being postponed as builders watch and assess the availability

of lumber. The shortage is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. This issue alone has the potential to dramatically alter what the Ahwatukee real estate numbers are telling us today. In a nutshell. the Ahwatukee real estate market expanded in the first quarter of 2021. The number of homes sold in the first quarter outpaced the monthly average of Ahwatukee homes sold in 2020. The average sale price jumped well above the average value of properties sold in 2020. Also, several forces are in play that nudged long-term interest rates. Treasury debt levels have never been higher. As the economy has picked up some steam, Treasury funds in circulation have increased

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and along with that the usual inflationary pressures that will drive up interest rates. The U.S. dollar has weakened significantly since the pandemic began. Foreign investors can demand higher yields, which increases the interest rates across the board. The resulting rate increases push the cost of a mortgage loan higher and buyers have less buying power and will have to settle for lower-priced homes. These factors will put downward pressure on home prices if they continue. The average sale price in Ahwatukee rose to $522,243 in March, 24.4 percent over March 2020, when the average home value was $419,960. The 165 units sold in March were up 19.5 percent over March 2020.

Homes sold faster in 2021 with average days on the market dropping to 33 days versus 43 days in 2020. Buyers are continuing to step up with higher offers to get prime properties. For the first quarter of 2021, the yearto-date average Ahwatukee sale price was $471,684 – up 22 percent over the average $386,330 in the same period in 2020. The number of units sold totaled to 421 compared to 336 units in the first three months of 2020. The active listings inventory in the Ahwatukee real estate market is 64 units for sale at the time of writing. There are many frustrated buyers looking for homes in Ahwatukee.

see HENDERSON page RE5

This 7,038-square-foot home on E. Cherokee Street in Ahwatukee recently closed for $1.66 million – higher than the $1.5 million listing price. The three-story home, built in 1989, has a basement as well as four bedrooms and five baths and is loaded with amenities like a gourmet kitchen and resort-style backyard. (Special to AFN)

This 5,164-square-foot home on S. 1st Street in Ahwatukee recently sold for just under $1.3 million. Built in 2009, the five-bedroom home in the Summerhill gated community has a gourmet kitchen with walk-in pantry, a great room with custom two-way fireplace, and a master bedroom with a custom stone fireplace. (Special to AFN)

MARKET from page RE1

Cromford also noted a new trend in recent sales. According to its review of Maricopa County transactions in March, sales of homes overall were up 29.3 percent – but there was a difference between those representing primary residences and those involving rentals. Sales of owner-occupied as a primary residence were up 12.7 percent but sales for use as a rental property were up 52.1 percent and sales for use as a second or vacation home were up 36.2 percent.

months, or almost $26,000 a month,” Cromford said. “It also went under contract after just three days.” A home in Peoria purchased a year ago for $520,000 sold for $810,000. It was built in 2014 at an original listing of $379,275. A property “coming soon” at $565,000 went under contract within 24 hours at $620,000 with a fully waived appraisal. Looking at all three transactions, Crom-

ford remarked, “These things would have been unbelievable just six months ago, but are becoming commonplace today.” Ironically, Cromford said, demand is not much above average. “It is the supply situation that is extraordinary,” it said, noting “increasing supply can take a long time unless huge numbers of homes are already vacant, as was the case in 2005. “Homes lying vacant in Greater Phoenix are unusual today, so any increases in supply are likely to be gradual.”

“Far more sales are going to investors and those buying second homes,” Cromford said. “The primary residence buyer seems to be the segment that is losing out.” Cromford also said competition remains steep and is getting steeper for re-sale homes. “Every re-sale is effectively an auction with fervent bidding by desperate buyers,” it said. All of this prompted Cromford to remark, “We are living through an unusual period in housing history.” 

APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

re3

AFN NEWS SERVICES

Leading Luxury Home Experts

housing and affordability issues that are plaguing each corner of the nation. “In the past when we’ve had similar efforts, how really successful have we been?” asked Jim Gaines, an economist at Texas A&M University’s Real Estate Research Center in College Station. He pointed out that only a relatively small number of people in the country stand to benefit from the budget increases. “But it sure beats not doing anything.” For years, the nation has suffered from a severe shortage of affordably priced housing, a problem that has worsened drastically during the pandemic. The president plans to address the issue by spending $1.9 billion, a $500 million increase, on constructing and rehabilitating more reasonably priced rental homes. This includes $180 million to put up 2,000 new units for affordable housing for the elderly and disabled. “That’s great,” said Gaines. “But when you get down the number of homes that are going to get the benefit of this and then spread it geographically across the United

States, the impact is going to be on a relatively small number of housing units.” More low-income renters and the homeless would receive assistance. The president hopes to offer housing vouchers to help an additional 200,000 low-income families pay rent. Priority would go to the homeless and victims of domestic violence. Currently, about 2.3 million renters rely on housing choice vouchers to afford a roof over their head. The budget calls for $30.4 billion to be added to the voucher program to fund those additional families. The president also plans to make it easier for lower-income families of color to move into neighborhoods that offer more opportunities, such as better schools or more access to public transportation and jobs. “Unfortunately, the ZIP code you’re born into has an impact on your life expectancy, the kind of education you’re going to get, the food that’s available to you,” said Pam

see BIDEN page RE7

2016 & 2017 BREA Award for Most Sales in Ahwatukee!

The average number of days on the market is a good indicator of the strength of the real estate market. The number of days on the market in the January-March time frame dropped from 43 days at the end of December to 20 days in March 2021. Homes sold on average 35 percent faster in 2020 than in 2019. The strong seller’s market we have seen for months has stayed strong. There were 17 sales of properties over $1 million between Jan. 1 and March 31 with an average sale price of $1,411,206. They were on the market an average 130 days. Other first quarter data for Ahwatukee show: In the $600,000-$999,999, 44 sales with an average price of $720,528 and an average 130 days on the market. In the $500,000-$599,000 range, there were 53 sales at an average price of $557,185 and 36 days on the market. In the $400,000-$499,000 range, 108 sales averaged $448,134 with an average 27 days on the market. In the $300,000-$399,000 range,

SOLD!

EAGLE RIDGE

14610 S. Presario Trail ✔ 4017, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms.

$1,122,500

✔ 5801 sqft, 5 bedrooms (+6), 4.5 bathrooms

Spectacular Custom Forte Home in Summerhill

NEW LISTING ✔ 4504 sqft, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms.

1775 E. Tapestry Heights

14602 S. 20th Street ✔ 3300 sqft, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms.

602.369.1085 BONNY HOLLAND Ahwatukee Resident and Realtor since 1995

Bonny@LeadingLuxuryExperts.com

Outstanding home on a quiet cul-de-sac in Cabrillo Canyon!

BY BEN GOTTLIEB AFN Guest Writer

an someone transfer real property to a beneficiary without using a trust? In short, yes. One vehicle to accomplish this result is through a standard will. This is the traditional means of transferring real property. A will, however, has its downsides – one of which is that a will in general must be “probated” through the court system. This means that a probate attorney will need to file court paperwork with the probate court to validate the will. A person can avoid probate by forming a revocable living trust and titling the real property in the trust. The person can then designate in the trust the beneficiary who would obtain the property upon the person’s death. But this would

$1,939,000

require using the trust as a vehicle to transfer the real property. There is also a statutory mechanism under Arizona law where a grantor can transfer real property without using a trust or a will. This is generally accomplished through what is called a beneficiary deed. Essentially, the grantor conveys an interest in real property to a grantee beneficiary designated by the grantor.

EAGLE RIDGE

$949,000

15645 S. 7th Street ✔ 5547 sqft, 4 bedrooms (+5), 5 bathrooms

$1,799,000

Perched up at the top of the beautiful, gated Community of Eagle Ridge, this lot is one of the best in the Foothills!

www.LeadingLuxuryExperts.com

Each Keller Williams Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

see GOTTLIEB page RE7

SUMMERHILL

14613 S. 1st Street ✔ 5164 sqft, 5 (+7) bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms.

This magnificent estate is perched high up in the highly coveted Eagle Ridge Estates

CABRILLO CANYON

$1,590,000

Welcome to this exquisite private mountain top masterpiece custom estate in the luxurious gated community of Tapestry Canyon.

15801 S. 7th Street

re5

A trust is not the only way to transfer property

#1 Agent in Ahwatukee Closed Volume 2019

SUMMERHILL

TAPESTRY CANYON

there were 123 sales at an average price of $359,859 and an average 27 days on the market. In the under-$300,000 market, the 69 sales had an average price of $242,509 and average marketing time of 24 days. Of all closed sales in Ahwatukee in the first three months of 2021, 64 percent were for properties under $500,000. The local economic outlook continues to be strong. Interest rates are low but creeping up. They are approaching the threshold where they will start to impact the buyer’s purchasing power. The cost of construction timber supplies is a growing concern. All in all, there has never been a better time to sell an Ahwatukee property for a great price and quickly. However, we see forces at play and looming large that have the potential to impact the national and local housing markets and property values. Every home is unique. If you have questions or would like a free professional consultation Allen Henderson of Henderson Real Estate can be reached at 480-392-2090 or allen@homesahwatukee.com 

NEW LISTING

resident Joe Biden appears determined to make good on his campaign pledge to bolster the supply of affordable homes by directing more federal dollars toward housing. After four years of his predecessor’s attempts to take a hatchet to the budget of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Biden seeks to increase HUD’s funding by 15.1 percent, to $68.7 billion, in his first budget proposal. The money would go toward assisting low-income renters and increasing the availability of lower-cost homes. “President Biden’s [budget request] turns the page on years of inadequate and harmful spending requests and instead empowers HUD to meet the housing needs of families and communities across the country,” HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said. While the president’s goals are ambitious, the $1.52 trillion partial budget must first receive congressional approval.

The full budget is expected to be released later this spring. The HUD funding, if it comes through, would be in addition to the $27.4 billion that was in this year’s pandemic relief package. The president’s yet-to-be-approved infrastructure plan also sets aside $213 billion to preserve, retrofit and create more than 2 million affordable housing units for low- and middle-income Americans. “The increase in HUD’s budget represents a wish list of things the president wants to implement. It’s also an acknowledgement of the harsh realities facing America’s families today,” says realtor.com Senior Economist George Ratiu. “For today’s buyers, homeownership is moving further out of reach because of steep prices and rising mortgage rates,” Ratiu said. “Access to affordable housing that allows a family to move up the ladder is also sorely lacking.” Some housing experts are skeptical that this budget, even with the big funding boost, can tackle the severe shortage of

HENDERSON from page RE2

SOLD!

Biden budget seeks more affordable housing

REAL ESTATE

APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

$1,295,000

Magnificent hillside custom estate nestled in the pristine South Mountain gated community of Summerhill

THE SANCTUARY

COMING SOON

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

SALE PENDING

REAL ESTATE

SALE PENDING

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15832 S. 22nd Street ✔ 5100 sqft, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms

$1,739,000

Luxury Custom Estate nestled on a 40,000 square foot lot with amazing views!

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

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Don’t fall for curbside home sale pitches BY PATRICIA CAIN AFN Guest Writer

ou all have done it. You are driving down the road and notice a vague sign posted on a street corner, written in sharpie that reads, “We Buy Houses.” Each time you drive past one of those, you begin to wonder what kind of shady business someone is running. Or it will leave you wondering: What if? What if I could just sell my home, not have to fuss over repairs, and wash my hands of the headache? Could it really be that easy? It is never that easy. At RE/MAX Ascend Realty, a local brokerage in Scottsdale that specializes in residential home sales, I have noticed enough of these signs trending over the years

and advise clients why they should run the other direction. Sadly, most homeowners do not realize they are being exploited by accepting an instant offer. They are not armed with the knowledge that their equity is going to slip right through the cracks of their fingers. Imagine the elderly woman, having no options to make ends meet other than to sell her home. Or how about the father of four who just lost his job due to the pandemic and desperately needs to feed his family? Both scenarios feature an overwhelmed homeowner, thinking about the fastest way to come up with a large sum of money, so they can again feel safe. Selling their home and putting the equity they have spent years and years building directly into their pocket is life-changing for the average person.

CIRCLE G AT RIGGS RANCH Estate living with refined tranquility in this exquisite setting. Meticulous stonework adorns entire exterior of this luxury home. Inviting entry opens to diagonally laid tile with granite inlays and dramatic wooden staircase. Formal dining room with stacked stone fireplace. Gourmet kitchen features granite countertops, large island, Subzero refrigerator, and Wolf gas cooktop with double ovens. Fireplace and wet bar in great room. Floor plan boasts seven bedrooms, playroom and large game room. Expansive master suite includes large sitting area with two-way fireplace, crown molding, separate walk-in closets and spacious bathroom. Three custom iron doors lead to massive covered patio with pavers, built-in barbeque, heated pool with waterfall and slide, gorgeous landscaping with fruit trees and koi pond. Large secondary bedrooms. Oversized laundry room with sink, granite countertops, cabinetry and room for a refrigerator. Additional upgrades throughout include 8’ solid core doors, speakers, surround sound in numerous locations, designer paint and exterior security cameras. Three masonry fireplaces. Anderson windows installed six years ago on entire first level. Four Trane a/c units with variable speed. Over-sized side entry four car garage. Availability to park an RV in the back as long as a garage is built for it. Over 7,000 square feet of stone on exterior. Almost acre-sized lot affords complete privacy.

Listed for $1,790,000

Mike Mendoza

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

480.706.7234 • www.MendozaTeam.com

Real estate agents are obligated to disclose their commissions, and in fact, the Board of Realtors requires agents to disclose, disclose and disclose some more. The same cannot be said about those who issue these instant offers. They are definitely not looking out for the best interest of the homeowner, like a Realtor would. They’re only concerned with putting the equity in their own pocket. This begs the question: Why are more people, both homeowners and agents, not talking about this? Why are these people not obligated to disclose where all of these funds are going? As a result, the general public stays uneducated on what they are actually facing when accepting these offers. I decided it was time to start talking about this on a scale that would make the biggest impact. This is where real estate agents come

AMAZING LOCATION IN AHWATUKEE GREAT STREET! SINGLE LEVEL, 4 BEDROOMS, 3 BATH, 3 CAR GARAGE WITH A POOL! GREAT CURB APPEAL • FORMAL LIVING & DINING • FAMILY ROOM W/FIREPLACE • KITCHEN INCLUDES: SLAB GRANITE COUNTERS, CUSTOM CABINETS, COOKTOP, ISLAND, RECESSED LIGHTING, & PANTRY • UPGRADED FIXTURES THROUGHOUT • PLANTATION SHUTTERS • PRIVATE MASTER SUITE • MASTER BATH W/DUAL VANITIES, HUGE GLASS SHOWER, & WALK-IN CLOSET • ALL SECONDARY BEDROOMS ARE LARGE • GUEST SUITE IS SPLIT WITH OWN BATH WHICH IS PERFECT FOR OFFICE, TEENS, OR INLAWS • UPGRADED BATHROOMS • LAUNDRY ROOM • TROPICAL PARADISE BACKYARD W/ COVERED PATIO, PEBBLETEC POOL W/BAJA STEP & WATERFALLS, PAVERS, AND GRASSY PLAY AREA • BACKYARD IS VERY PRIVATE AND BACKS TO THE WASH • THIS IS THE HOME YOUR BUYERS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! WILL NOT LAST!

Listed for $619,000

Geno Ross (602) 751-2121 www.GenoRoss.com

in. An agent’s job is to help people. An agent will educate homeowners on how to obtain repairs on their home and pay nothing until closing. Who knew? There is an unfortunate stigma floating around about how agents don’t do anything for their paycheck, which is simply untrue. Agents do more for you than collect a commission with minimal effort. Agents: Do not collect a paycheck without a successful closing; handle negotiations on your behalf; have access to contractors that can assist in preparing homes to obtain the highest value; provide updates on the current market trends; disclose what their income really is, and the difference between profit vs. commission; prepare documents/contracts on your behalf. Reach Realtor Patricia Cain at ascend.realty or 480-292-7200. 

REAL ESTATE

APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

BIDEN from page RE4

Kisch, executive director of the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan. “Giving people more choices is always a good idea,” Kisch said. “But it’s also important to make every neighborhood in the United States a neighborhood of opportunity.” Biden would also attempt to lift more than 100,000 families out of homelessness. The president is aiming for a $500 million increase in homeless assistance grants to move people into stable housing as well as to help prevent homelessness. This would be in addition to the $5 billion set aside for emergency vouchers that help secure housing for folks who don’t have a place to stay or who are at immediate risk of homelessness. “The budget is a step to ensure government protections to many on the margins,” said Ratiu. The president’s budget sets aside $85 million to combat discrimination. The money would be distributed in grants to

local fair housing organizations to fund enforcement. This means when someone is accused of something like refusing to rent, sell, or lend to a qualified applicant, the fair housing organizations can investigate. It would also provide additional education to housing entities to prevent discrimination from happening. “Housing discrimination and housing segregation color every aspect of our lives,” said fair housing advocate Kisch. “Fair housing centers have been woefully underfunded for decades. This is one step in the right direction.” About $900 million would go toward tribal communities to expand the supply of affordable housing, improve current housing stock and infrastructure, and provide additional economic opportunities. Native Americans are seven times more likely to live in overcrowded homes and five times more likely to suffer from plumbing, kitchen, and heating problems than the rest of the nation, according to the budget. 

GOTTLIEB from page RE5

The deed must state that it is effective on the death of the grantor owner and comply with the beneficiary deed statute. The beneficiary deed may designate multiple grantees, and unless otherwise stated, the interest granted is the separate property of the named grantee. A beneficiary deed is valid only if it is executed before a notary public and recorded with the local county recorder’s office. A beneficiary deed may be revoked but the revocation must be executed before a notary public and recorded with the local county recorder’s office before the death of the owner who executed the revocation. Importantly, there are many benefits to using a beneficiary deed and many people utilize them. First, although forming a revocable living trust avoids many of the costs associated with probating a will through the court system, a beneficiary deed also

re7

avoids probate and tends to save costs by avoiding trust- related fees. Further, the beneficiary deed is quick and simple and operates as an automatic transfer of the property to the stated beneficiary. Further, as stated above, the beneficiary deed is revocable during the lifetime of the grantor. So, the grantor can continue to control the property as the grantor wishes during the grantor’s lifetime and can then revoke the beneficiary deed at any time if the grantor changes his or her mind on the beneficiary designation. There may be tax implications associated with using a beneficiary deed and a tax and estate attorney or other professional should be consulted prior to using one.

Chandler attorney Ben Gottlieb and Ahwatukee attorney Patrick MacQueen are founders of MacQueen & Gottlieb PLC, one of the state’s top real estate law �irms. If you have questions, you can contact Ben Gottlieb at ben@mandglawgroup.com or call 602- 533-2840.

GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

480-706-7234

Ahwatukee’s #1 Team for Over 30 Years 7BR / 4.5 BA / 8,873 SQFT Estate living with refined tranquility in exquisite setting. Meticulous stonework adorns entire exterior of home.

Circle G at Riggs Ranch ! LD O S

4 BR / 2 BA / 2,698 SQFT Superb single-level home in Candleridge with updates throughout.

Majestic Southwest contemporary estate on private hillside lot with stunning mountain and city light views.

Listed for $1,325,000

! LD O S

5 BR / 5 BA / 6,455 SQFT Stunning panoramic views from privately gated luxury retreat with casita on elevated preserve lot.

Listed for $600,000

Call for Details

5BR / 4.5 BA / 4,924 SQFT

Tapestry Canyon

! LD O S

Sanctuary

Mountain Park Ranch ! LD O S

Mountain Park Ranch

4 BR / 2.5 BA / 3,090 SQFT Candleridge singlelevel with 2018 roof replacement and A/C installation.

Listed for $675,000

Mike Mendoza MendozaTeam.com

! LD O S

Listed for $1,950,000

4 BR / 3 BA / 2,730 SQFT Spectacular waterfront home in popular Laguna Shores. 2019 A/C replacement.

Call for Details

Laguna Shores

Tapestry Canyon

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

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Ahwatukee Custom Estates One of the most amazing view lots in

all of AZ. Custom home with everythingl 10,000 sq. ft., 3/4 acre prserve lot, 6 bedrooms, 6 bathes, Executive Office Suite, Master Suite with Sitting Room, Master Bath with Jacuzzi, Theater Room, Exercise Room, Loft, Guest House, Grand Foyer, Gourmet Kitchen, Resort Backyard with Pebbletec Diving Pool, Watertalls, slide, Volcano, firepit, Spa, Sport Court, Grassy Play Areas, & Outdoor Kitchen, 4-car A/C Garage. A true masterpiece!!!

$2,099,000

SOLD!

SALE PENDING

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

Calabrea

$1,750,000

$1,339,000

Pristine & Classy Gated Estate On A Premium 2/3 Acre Hillside Lot, Private Cul-De-Sac, 6 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths, 5200 Sqft Of Pure Luxury Finishes, Stunning Views In Every Direction, Iron Door, Butted Glass Windows In Entry & Kitchen, Custom Window Treatments, Decorator Paint, Dome Ceiling Foyer & Groin Vaulted Ceilings In Living Room, Travertine & Hardwood Floors Throughout, 7-Inch Baseboards, Media Room, Dream Kitchen Includes S/S Appliances, Slab Granite Counters, Alder Cabinets, Huge Island, Walk In Pantry, Large Master Suite W/Stone Fireplace, Master Bath W/Jacuzzi Tub, 3 Vanities & Snail Shower, Paradise Backyard W/Travertine In Versailles Pattern, Turf Grass, Pebbletec Pool/Jacuzzi, 4 Water Features, Large Covered Patio, Stacked Stone Bbq, 4 Car Garage W/Epoxy & Storage! Your Dream Estate Awaits!!

SOLD!

Amazing Remodeled Custom Estate with mountain views located at the end of a cul-de-sac.Over 8000sqft of pure luxury finishes.6 Bedroom,5.5 Baths.Custom Kitchen.Elevator.Executive Office.Basement Media Room.Dance Studio.Huge Backyard with Pool, Jacuzzi, Turf, BBQ, Sportcourt.This Spectacular Estate has it all!!!

Summerhill $1,099,000

Calabrea $1,099,000

Cabrillo Canyon $689,000

SOLD! Stunning Single Level Custom Remodel on a huge corner lot in a cul-de-sac! *4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath *The highest quality custom finishes throughout *Grand foyer *Formal living & dining room *Familt room w/fireplace *Wetbar *Designer kitchen includes: quartzsite counters & island, s/s appliances, custom cabinetry, walk-in pantry *Recessed LED lights throughout *Plantation shutters *Large master suite *Master bath w/walk-in shower, free standing tub, & walk-in closet *Laundry room w/sink *Wood flooring *Custom fixtures *Trane A/C’s *Private backyard w/covered patio, pebbletec pool, turf, & RV gate with tons of room to park the toys *3 Car garage with epoxy *The lot is very private *The house shows like a new build *Do not miss your opportunity to own this amazing Cabrillo Canyon Estate!

5 bedroom / 3 bath, 3,506 SqFt, Cul-de-sac location with huge backyard, sports court, built-in BBQ, mature shade trees, very private backing to wash. Good size SOLD! bedrooms, master downstai5. Features a large office with balcony, plus office/loft with built-in bookcase and 3 full baths. Th� home is perfect for family gatherings BEST NEAR THE LOOP 202 in gated withand stunning mountain only. views. andLOCATION entertaining. CanNEW be previewed with 24Calabrea hour notice appointment

SOLD!

Canyon Verde/$899,000--SOLD IN 1 DAY Foothills/$299,000--SOLD IN 1 DAY Ahwatukee/$489,000--SOLD IN 1 DAY

Complete with the highest quality build and finishes. Gourmet kitchen includes slab granite counters, alder cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. This estate also features a media/ theater room with 105 inch screen. The basement includes a full wet bar, family room & 2 bedrooms. Resort Backyard with pool. A perfect 10!

www.GenoRoss.com Donna Leeds TOP GRI, ABR REALTOR

�

949.310.5673

lf"fl!

Stunning single-level custom estate gated summerhill on a 1/2 acre lot. beautiful mountain views. Gourmet Kitchen. Master Suite w/sitting area. Two master suites. Split floorplan. Executive office w/built-in cabinets. Tropical paradise backyard w/covered patio, gazebo, pebbletec pool, rock waterfall, built-in bbq, turf, & putting green. This estate has the perfect floorplan!!

Geno Ross

602.751.2121

wwwBestAgentWUSA.com

Making Ahwatukee

Home Dreams Come True Since 1986 www.WestUSA.com I 480.893.0600

4505 E. Chandler Boulevard, Suite 170, Phoenix, AZ 85048

Mountain Park Ranch

SOLD!

$320,000

Open Floor Plan, Bright & Cozy Corner Lot Home Across from Large Greenbelt. 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Pool Backyard Paradise Private Pool with Travertine Pool Deck, Split Master with Separate Entrance to Back Yard. Beautiful Custom Shower and more.

Chandler Via De Cielo

$365,000

PENDING!

Pristine Curb appeal in desirable Adult 55+ Golf Community of Ahwatukee. Open concept split floor plan with Vaulted ceilings. Many upgrades include remodeled and updated kitchen, tile floors, master bath, murphy bed, travertine deck and patio with misting system and a putting green. updated duel pane windows, Plantation shutters throughout, pebble-tech heated pool with a water feature, North South exposure and mountain views. Enjoy all the benefits that the ARC has to offer.

Troy Royston 480-435-3461 troyston61@gmail.com

SOLD!

$139,000

Awesome 2 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Townhouse in Move in Condition. Large open Kitchen with upgraded Cabinets, Granite Counter tops and Black Appliances. Huge Great room that opens up to the Kitchen with 1/2 Bath downstairs. Both Bedrooms upstairs each with their own bathroom. Wonderful Community with Gated Entrance, 2 Swimming Pools, Greenbelts, Gazebo’s & BBQ Areas. Close to the101,202& Chandler Mall.

55+ Condominium Complex. Secure locked building with intercom. Move-In Ready spacious1 bedroom, 1 bath condo has been beautifully updated. Easy care newer laminate floors in thruout Freshly painted white cabinets,. Recently painted interior. custom master bedroom walkin closet. Community library, sitting room, exercise room.

Marty Griffin 602-692-7653 martygriffin@q.com

Mountain Park Ranch

Citrus Mountain Estates

Jenifer Bulfer 480-297-6968 jbulfer@westusa.com

Ahwatukee

SOLD!

$269,900

Phoenix Olive Grove Village

$485,000

PENDING!

Desirable 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath Home Located in Mountain Park Ranch Surrounded by Mountain Views! N/ S Exposure. Lots of Natural Light & Gorgeous Views from Master & 2 Front Secondary Bedrms. Beautiful Kitchen W/ Recently Painted White Cabinets & Granite Counter tops. Kitchen is Open to Family Rm W/ Fireplace. New Carpet & Ceiling Fans in Bedrooms. Bamboo Flooring in Living Rm, Stairs & Upstairs Hallway. 3 Car Garage W/ RV Gate. Over-sized side Yards. Lovely Backyard W/ Large Covered Patio W/ Slate Tile & Sparkling Play Pool.

Geri Thompson 480-239-7589 gerithompson@westusa.com

Prepare to be amazed! Come and see this wonderful 4 bed, 2 bath property now for sale in Phoenix! A beautiful facade, desert landscaping, 3 car garage, this home has it all and more!

Kelly Quek, M.B.A. 480-734-9808 kellyquek8@gmail.com

$329,900

PENDING!

Modern and spacious townhome just south of Arcadia! The Papago Point gated community is close to hiking & biking, golf, shopping, dining, Sky Harbor and more! . The first level features a 2 car garage, storage room and an entrance to your private patio! The second level has an open floor plan hardwood flooring and is filled with natural light from the oversized windows featuring the great room and a roomy kitchen with granite countertops. This is the perfect place for a low maintenance lifestyle!

Natalie Christensen 602-373-6212 nchristensen@westusa.com

SOLD!

$399,900

Papago Point Townhomes

Mountain Park Ranch

SOLD!

$450,000

5 bedroom 3 bath, 4,254 sq ft. Large lot “Cul-D-Sac” family home in the heart of Ahwatukee. Home features two new Trane AC units, new roof and newer pebble tec diving pool! Enjoy Mountain Park Ranch and all its amenities. Award winning Kyrene School district and close to Sky Harbor Airport.

Link Paffenbarger 602-989-7221 linkpaff@gmail.com

Summer Camp preview

APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL NEWS 21, 2021

COMMUNITY

25 25

Happy Campers

FREE ONLINE Summer School Classes start June 1st & July 1st Grades 3-12

4 weeks

FreeSummerSchool.com

Accredited

480.456.6678

These students are celebration their summer camp program in Tempe Union High School District and this year, students have two options for Summer Education Academy programming that are both free. For those who are falling behind or struggling with a certain subject, Tempe Union’s Credit Recovery program offers in-person classes at Marcos de Niza High School. This option is open to all current students and courses include science, math, English, social studies, physical education and a variety of electives (including PE and health). Free transportation and daily meals will be available for credit recovery students. Enroll at TempeUnion.org/SEA-InPerson. The Credit Advancement program will be offered online to all current and incoming TUHSD students. You can take up to two courses, one at a time. Students must ﬁnish their ﬁrst course by May 26 to begin their second course and a wide variety of courses are being offered. Enroll at TempeUnion.org/SEA-Online. (Courtesy of Tempe Union)

ALL SEA REGISTRATION: NOW UNTIL MAY 26, 2021

r e t s i g e R ! w o N

No late registrations will be accepted.

SEA Online

Now – June 30

SEA Online is for incoming & current TUHSD students & is for Credit Advancement ONLY.

Session I

May 25 – June 11 SEA In-Person & Virtual is for current TUHSD students & is for Credit Recovery ONLY.

Session 2

SUMMER EDUCATION

ACADEMY ONLINE

June 14 – June 30 Courses will be held at Marcos de Niza H.S.

6000 S. Lakeshore Dr. Tempe, AZ 85283

SUMMER EDUCATION

ACADEMY

Register at www.TempeUnion.org/SEA-In-Person Free transportation available from ALL TUHSD SCHOOLS to SEA In-Person at Marcos de Niza H.S.

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Tempe Union prom ticket deadline is coming fast

Seniors and juniors who want to attend the Masquerade Prom don’t have much more time to buy their tickets since they will not be available at the door. Tickets are $60 per person and must be purchased by midnight April 25 at masqueradeprom2021az.rsvpify.com. Ahwatukee wedding planner Kim Horn is the maestro for the prom, which will be held 8 a.m.-midnight May 8 at the Arizona Grand Resort Ballroom. Horn has a small platoon of parents helping with final preparations and ready to serve as chaperones, ticket takers and provide any other needed help at the actual prom while Desert Vista High School student Michael Adamick has some volunteer students he is leading to get the word out about the big dance. Formal attire is required for both boys and girls – and so are facemasks to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Masquerade masks are optional. A ticket covers non-alcoholic beverages; four hours of dancing to a professional club style DJ who will be bringing uplighting as well as the teens’ favorite music; a memento and other swag provided by businesses and other sponsors.

Pride Key Club scores big with blood drive by students

The Mountain Pointe High School Key Club sponsored a

THORNE from page 24

honorific title given women in Britain and some other countries. “I was searching for a word that kind of encapsulates moms like me who are out there battling for their kids relentlessly day-in and day-out,” she explained. “These mothers are relentless in their search for care and protection of their children.” Thorne is active in a number of regionwide organizations such as the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix, but she did not find a group filling the kind of needs she’s trying to meet with D.A.M.E.S “There’s nothing out there that really takes care of the deeper self-care mothers really need,” she said. For example, she said, “It’s really hard for parents who have special needs children to get out and find somebody to watch their kids so they can go to a support group meeting.” So, she developed an elaborate website, damesusa.com, where they can find the support online. Stating that “time is valuable to caregivers of children with disabilities,” Thorne said D.A.M.E.S Charities tries to ease caretakers’ burdens. “On the D.A.M.E.S Charities Inc. website, parents will find five roadmaps that will help them navigate Arizona’s systems of care, over 25 educational webinars, 20

blood drive that pretty much knocked it out of the park with 59 donors that helped it reach 94 percent of its goal. Seven seniors were singled out for encouraging donations: Matthew Noone, Euan Blackstone, Angel Heredia, Iverson Le, Grace Urbinato, David Dong and Shayla McKenzie.

Altadeña kids to hold annual Water Walk fundraiser

Kyrene Altadeña Middle School students this Friday, April 23, will hold a pandemic-friendly version of their fourth annual Water Walk fundraiser. Over the last three years, the Altadeña Water Walk has raised more than $5,000 to help sponsor a well in South Sudan, providing a village there with clean water for good health and hygiene. Participating Altadeña seventh graders each carry two gallons of water on a walk around campus, raising funds with every lap walked. The event is inspired by the book, “A Long Walk to Water,” the story of a young Sudanese girl who walks barefoot every day for hours to collect water. Proceeds from the event benefit the non-profit Water for South Sudan, which builds wells and provides hygiene education for Sudanese villages. According to Water for South Sudan, only one in 10 Sudanese villagers has access to basic sanitation. In recognition of Altadeña Middle School’s contribution, the school’s name will be stamped on the well and printed on a banner, along with co-sponsors. “I am so proud of our students and staff for this demonstratools to help them organize their child’s medical care and eight- to 21-day fitness programs they can do at home, on their time,” she said. “By reducing caregiver stress and burnout, parents can cultivate a positive relationship with their children and help them get the care they need,” Thorne said, stating D.A.M.E.S Charities “offers a holistic approach that allows caregivers to connect socially, participate in self-care, and access educational resources whenever it is most convenient.” As the CEO of D.A.M.E.S Charities Inc. Michele plans to continue creating programs, apps, events, and support groups to help parents who are raising children with different health care needs. A certified autism specialist, Thorne founded the Care for the Giver Conference and created After the Diagnosis. She graduated from the Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona Partners in the Leadership program. She has been trained as a Flourishing Families Practitioner, a Protective Factors Trainer, and as a Triple P Stepping Stones Practitioner. Michele also sits on the ALTCS advisory council, the ICC financial committee and the CPSD Leadership committee as a parent representative. Dr. Gabrielle Ficchi is chief operations officer for D.A.M.E.S. Charities. The Tucson associate counselor is a certified rehabilitation counselor and is the clinical direc-

tion of leadership,” said Principal Erica Modzelewski. “This is a young fundraiser for our school, and in just three years, the students have passed and even doubled their annual fundraising goals. As a LEAD School, Altadeña teaches students to be leaders in their communities, and the Water Walk is an excellent example of those lessons in action.” To donate: classy.org/fundraiser/3183347.

Ahwatukee Republican Women to hear GOP leaders

The Ahwatukee Republican Women will host two party leaders at their meeting April 27 at Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E. Clubhouse Drive, Ahwatukee. Socializing is at 6:30 and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. Pam Kirby, vice chair of the Arizona Republican Party and Mickie Niland, chair of the Maricopa County Republican Committee will discuss strategies for the 2022 US. Senate and statewide races in Arizona. Information: judy.krahulec@gmail.com or 602-520-5082.

Ahwatukee woman collecting bottled water for homeless

Joan Greene, a 28-year Ahwatukee resident and businesswoman, is raising as many cases of bottled water and as much cash as she can for The Society of St. Vincent de Paul through May 16. The Society uses those bottles to help homeless people durtor at Helping Everyday Youth, working with children to help provide community and school-based treatment programs that address the external behaviors of youth with the goal to help at-risk youth to succeed in everyday life. As a counselor at the non-profit DIRECT Center for Independence, she was able to establish a counseling program for individuals with disabilities and their families. Ficchi was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was a year old. “The revelations in her dissertation ‘What role does disability play?’ shapes how D.A.M.E.S. approaches helping parents see hope, possibility, and help them create an environment where children grow to have independent, fulfilling lives,” Thorne said. Illyssa Tussing of Gilbert, the board chair, is the mother of two special-needs boys and owner of a tech support company called Creative Tech AZ which provides tech support and web design to small businesses around the Valley. Her oldest son has autism and her second son has a rare disease, RYR-1. These differences allow her to see both sides of special needs children with mental disorders as well as children with physical disorders. This unique dynamic gives itself to many opportunities in the community and experiences which can help others, Thorne said. Courtney Deeren of Tucson is board secretary and is a licensed associate counsel-

ing the Valley’s scorching summer – which is taking an increasingly higher toll on lives. In 2020, there were more than 300 heat-associated deaths that were confirmed in Maricopa County. St. Vincent de Paul gives out 2,500 bottles of water a day – almost 2,300 gallons in a week. “Just $10 could help people stay safe and hydrated,” said Greene, whose drive lasts until May 16. There are two ways people can help. They can drop off cases of water at: Niro’s Gyros, 10826 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee; or Fetch, 6058 N. 16th St., in Central Phoenix. Or they can make a donation at stvincentdepaul.net/joangreene-water-drive.

Internet safety next topic of Ahwatukee women’s group

Seniors can learn how to guard against scams and other online dangers while using the internet at the next Ahwatukee Foothills Friends and Neighbors session on Zoom at 1 p.m. April 26. Rob Truman will discuss how users are tracked online along with an in-depth look at topics of online scams, viruses, junk email, telemarketers and more. Truman is lifetime member of Computer Booters of Sun Lakes and serves on its web director. He has over 40 years of experience in IT and internet-related fields. Contact affanwom-

see AROUND page 27

or with a background in child and family therapy and childhood trauma. In 2014, her son was born with a rare genetic disorder called Phelan-McDermid Syndrome and she became his full-time caregiver. Despite her professional and educational background, she found herself lost in navigating complicated systems while also trying to manage her own health. It was hard to find anyone who truly understood what her family was going through and what they needed. Through this experience, she really began to appreciate the necessity of mental healthcare and community resources specifically for families of individuals with disabilities. Also on the board is Staci Neustadt of Scottsdale, a speech-language pathologist for 20 years who focuses on supporting the autistic community. As a certified autism specialist, she has led social groups, provided individual speech and language therapy for kids with a variety of disabilities. In 2007, she used her experience and research to assist in developing Alexicom Tech’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps to assist those with complex communication needs. Also on the board is Matt Wells of Renaissance Financial, who has been involved in a variety of charitable organizations. Information: damesusa.com damescharities.org. 

and

COMMUNITY

APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

music program’s future on several fronts. DV from page 24 “We have some rebuilding to do. We’ve devastated the music program, which re- lost contact with younger band members lies on public performances and competi- after the middle schools no longer had daitions. ly music classes due to COVID,” said Thye, Although some students have chosen who as a 1999 DVHS alum was a member to return to on-campus classes, others re- of Desert Vista’s first graduating class. main online. Thye is focused on contacting middle That has not daunted Thye, who will school band students who were already in enter his 19th year as director of bands band before COVID disruptions. at Desert Vista after succeeding his own Pre-COVID years, those younger band DVHS band director Eric Holden following students were wooed with invitations to his death. join the high school band in performances. Thye is actively looking to build for the “I’m reaching out to kids who were in band in seventh grade last year saying, ‘Hey, I know you’re going to be in ninth grade this fall and we want you to know we’re interested in having you join us,’” he said. “They’ve lost a year of band but we want to encourage them to rekindle that interest.” Toward that end, Thye launched Monday night “Spring Training” and “New Member Help Sessions” which encourage attendance, whether inperson or virtually, by new members and others who may have thought that band, any band, wasn’t happening. “We’re doing this to kind of get things up and running,” said Thye. “Just last Monday we had drumline auditions, some were on campus and some online.” Desert Vista Director of Bands Joshua Thye hopes the inviHe said planning and tation to represent Arizona in the centennial celebration of looking to the future are the Lincoln Memorial next year will help rebuild his pandemic- all he can do after the tattered band ranks.. (AFN file photo) pandemic plundered his

AROUND from page 26

ensgroup@gmail.com for more information and registration. A Zoom invitation will be sent to you.

Ahwatukee GOP Women offer annual scholarship for seniors

High school seniors who live in Ahwatukee have until April 30 to apply to the Ahwatukee Republican Women for their annual Marjorie Miner Scholarship, which was established in 2011 in honor of the longtime Republican activist who has been a member of ARW since it was founded in 2005. Applicants must live in Ahwatukee and be registered Repub-

licans and the deadline is April 30. They can find applications ahwatukeerepublicanwomen.com/scholarships. Past recipients of the scholarship have been Desert Vista High grads Lacey Morris (2011), Allyson Marie Kolodziej (2012), Tess Marie Kimura (2013) and Jessica Marie Kolodziej (2014; Mountain Pointe High grads Sonia Serio (2015) and Madison Coffman, who tied in 2016 with co-recipient Michael Kolodziej of Desert Vista. Other winners included Mountain Pointe grads Valeria Smith (2017) and Arika Patton (2018), 2019 Desert Vista grad Itzy Doyle and Corona del Sol Class of 2020 member Emma Stewart. Scholarship applicants should include two letters of recommendation from other than a family member, a 250-500-word double-spaced essay incorporating their involvement volunteer

The Thunder Marching Band has won numerous accolades in the past, including eight state championships. (Special to AFN) marching band’s numbers. “This is all in preparation for Fall 2021,” he said. “We’re trying really hard to get it (band membership) to at least 120. If I can get above that, I will be happy but I’ve got some work to do to even get it to 120.” At its pinnacle, Desert Vista Thunder Marching Band members numbered 170, while in other years membership hovered around 140 to 160. This for a marching band that has earned the Division 1 Arizona State Championship title eight times in 10 seasons (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018) and was a nine-time Bands of America Regional Championships finalist, among other honors. A year of no band practices, no face-toface music instruction, no band tournaments has been excruciating for Thye and his students. “I have felt joy this year, and sadness, and everything in between; I go back and forth,” admitted Thye with a shy smile. “It’s either laugh or cry. Hopefully as we move forward to the 2021-22 school year, it will all come together.” “Moving forward” is Thye’s mantra and plans are in the works for the traditional summer Band Camp at Heber’s Camp service, extracurriculars, clubs and educational goals. Completed applications should be sent to Ahwatukee Republican Women -Marjorie Miner Scholarship c/o Scholarship Committee, PO Box 93391, Phoenix, AZ 85070.

Free presentations for dementia caregivers, first responders

Arizona has the highest growth rate of people living with dementia in the nation, but it can hit home when someone you love is diagnosed or when someone is in distress. Hospice of the Valley Dementia Director Maribeth Gallagher helps demystify this baffling disease with community education. A nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree, Gallagher is a clinician

Shadow Pines the week of July 19. “We’re working on the details; it looks like it can happen. Of course, we’ll do everything we can to keep the kids safe, but I’m optimistic,” he said. This May 1, the All-State Band Festival will be a virtual event. However, a DVHS public band concert – the first in over a year – is slated for 7 p.m. May 6 in the Desert Vista High School Stadium. “We’re still spacing and wearing masks when they’re not playing as we continue to do what we can to keep our students safe,” said Thye. Thye and his young band performers hope the lower $5 admission price will attract spectators to their first 2021 concert. Thye is hoping the honor of being invited to the 2022 Lincoln Memorial 100 trip in Washington D.C. trip will help woo more students into the band. He said the Tempe Union High School District is onboard for the Lincoln Memorial Centennial trip in 2022. “They’re doing what they can to support us. We’re starting to crunch the numbers; it will easily be six figures so we’ll be seeking sponsorships and will do a lot of fundraising to help these kiddos get to D.C.,” said Thye. “I am truly excited for this honor and opportunity for these students.”  with Arizona’s only in-home supportive care dementia program. All presentations are free and offered via Zoom: In “Behaviors Have Meanings,” at 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, Gallagher decodes behaviors that indicate distress and explores methods to maximize comfort and contentment. Dementia Education for First Responders, 10-11 a.m., April 29, provides effective techniques to de-escalate volatile interactions that first responders may encounter. Gallagher offers tools to help fire, police and other emergency personnel react calmly and safely in serving citizens who are unable to communicate their needs due to dementia. Register: Celestina Duran at ceduran@hov.org or 602-287-3915. 

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

MP from page 24

his students. And that dedication has remained even as he has, like so many other band and orchestra teachers, tried to maintain some sense of normalcy during the pandemic’s vagaries of life. “It’s not about me. It’s about the students and what they need. My mantra has always been, ‘This is your band and it’s going to be what you want it to be.’ And we’re continuing that as we work to rebuild.” Like his Desert Vista cohort and friend across the village, Josh Thye, Werner said the Lionhearts band and orchestra have felt the effects of area middle schools providing band only as an after-school event during the lockdown without an in-school class as before. “With no band for the current eighth graders, many have fallen away from it. At Mountain Pointe, we’ve remained a class in the kids’ school day,” he explained. “Some of these former middle school band kids are just finding out that in high school, it’s still a class.” Increasing band and orchestra numbers is a key objective for Werner. “Right now, we’re trying to piece together specifics to the band; trying to find out why kids aren’t signing up. We want them to join us again,” he said. Mountain Pointe High School Band Boosters – a group of parents and community members who have been staunch supporters – remain active as the new normal plays out. “We just met with the executive board of the Boosters this week and at this point, we’re taking most of our cues from the state superintendent and agencies and what they allow us to do,” he said. “If things change again, we’d have to roll with it.” One word Werner repeats often during his conversation is “hopeful.” “We have our fingers crossed that between vaccinations and more people masking, we can resume something like normal activities,” he said. “We remain hopeful.” MPHS senior Ella Werre plays flute, piccolo and alto saxophone and has done so since her freshman year when Werner

t o Gews? N

Lionhearts Band/Orchestra Director Leo Werner has had to simultaneously direct students in-person and virtually for rehearsals. (Anna Osenkarski/ AFN Contributor)

returned to build the program that at the point had only 20 band members. She said this year has been “disappointing, to say the least.” “Over the summer I, and all my friends, were desperately hoping for marching band to happen. I mean, we’re all seniors, and last year we had the most amazing season and we were so excited for it to

happen again, and to be even better. Little did we know, COVID would not end with the summer,” she said. “We didn’t cancel marching band, instead it was online, but all the competitions were cancelled. We couldn’t do in-person practices. And we didn’t really have a show at all. In a year full of disappointments, this has been the biggest,” said Ella, who is on the student leadership team for band and orchestra. The camaraderie of in-person interaction has been a huge loss for the 17-year-old. “I love the atmosphere of band practices, how it can be kind of hectic and crazy. And being on the student leadership team, having to keep track of all the freshmen and make sure they all have their instruments and their marching shoes, you felt like it was very important, and it was fun,” she recalled. “Online you don’t have the opportunity to have that. As leadership, your new responsibility now is just to beg people to turn on their cameras, or respond to you,” she explained. “Practices were depressing honestly, being alone in your room having to mute and unmute,” Ella continued. “I mean I practice at home all the time, but when you never have the opportunity to get back together with the band and put it all together it sometimes can feel like there’s no point to practicing alone in the first place.”

Bands could not perform during football games this past season, which meant the Lionhearts Marching Band lost one of its important performance venues. (AFN file photo)

“Being able to watch the band grow was the most exciting thing all these years and it really felt like we had accomplished something. This year, watching it all deteriorate from something that we had no control over at all, really hurt,” she said. Marvin Banks, also a MPHS senior, has played bass clarinet and baritone saxophone in the marching band since his freshman year. “We went from a small group of 20 to about 60 who made it all the way to championships,” he enthused. “Of all my years I would say junior year was the best one because that was our most successful year. “And then ‘IT’ happened – the infamous COVID lockdown. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t super excited for the whole online school thing. It took us all by surprise and through this whole ordeal things seemed like they’d never be the same, he said. Marvin said that while he normally tries “to stay as optimistic as possible in situations that seem bad,” his optimism was put to the test. “Just as things were beginning to look up and we actually started to return to some sense of normalcy, we were once again condemned to Google Meets,” he said. “We still persisted with online practices and sectionals but it felt like everything we did was meaningless. “For months going ‘to band’ felt more and more like a chore than being part of a group who could accomplish anything,” he said. Marvin said coming back to school was “a relieving experience.” “I still have hope for this group. Losing the seniors will be a pretty big loss to the band but I know the underclassmen will definitely bring this group back from this depression,” he envisioned. “With a band director like Mr. Werner guiding them it’ll be even better for sure. He’s helped me grow as a person and always tries to push us in the right direction.” For Werner, even having a portion of his students rehearsing with him in-person since March 15 – even if only 45 percent of the band – has been a boon to his spirits and those of his students. “We’re trying to hit the restart button

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com see MP page 29

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APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

MP from page 28

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and get things happening again,” he said. “We may start voluntary after-school rehearsals as early as April 20. We also have an in-person concert slated for May 13 if the students are willing. “We are trying to keep the students safe, and we hope we’re seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. I hate to keep using cliches, but each move we make is another toe in the water.” Werner is already working with the Arizona Marching Band Association to have Mountain Pointe host the state championships next November. “We’re moving forward with our calendar. Right now we have Marching Band Camp on campus this summer, and we’re hopeful.” Even though Ella Werre won’t be around for that much-hoped for event, she said the return of even a partial in-person band has been a mood lifter. Like Marvin, she looks to the band returning to its former glory. “Now that we’re back in person, band has definitely improved. We get to play together, and it reminds me of better times of unity and no-masks,” she said. “In the coming years I want our band to

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‘What If Campaign’ brings people, businesses together BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

s businesses began their cautious climb toward post-pandemic normalcy in March, JoAnne Michaud and Don Bridges began asking a lot of questions with each other that began with the words “what if.” But Michaud, an Ahwatukee Dream Vacations travel agent, and Bridges, owner of a business publication enterprise called Kups2020, weren’t happy with just asking questions. They were intent on coming up with some answers. And so was born their What If Campaign, a series of monthly gatherings of businesses and the general public that will debut 4-7 p.m. next Wednesday, April 28, in the lot at the southeast corner of 48th Street and Chandler Boulevard. They’ve lined up a slew of sponsors and plan to raf�le a number of prizes as people mingle with local businesses to learn more about them. There will be

Don Bridges, owner of Kups2020, and Ahwatukee Dream Vacations travel agent JoAnne Michaud have developed a monthly series of outdoor get-togethers aimed at bringing local businesses and people together. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) food and drink to buy, live entertainment that will include a DJ and enough going on that Michaud advises people to come and bring a chair so they can enjoy the

Original Biscuits owner opens a new location BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

loyd Melton has a motto for his Original Biscuits Restaurants that promises “good old-fashioned cooking ‘the way it was meant to be.’” It also seems it was meant to be that he �inally would realize a long-held dream of landing a location in Sun Lakes. “I’ve been going out there a lot,” explained the Lakewood resident, “and I always said I’d love to have a location out here, but there was never any place available. I wasn’t going to build but if I could �ind a building, I would do it. I’ve had a lot of restaurants, but I’ve never built one from scratch.” And that opportunity came recently

when he saw a vacant building that once housed a Kentucky Fried Chicken. And this week, that building at 9542 E. Riggs Roads joins his Original Biscuits restaurants at 1815 E. Elliot Road, Tempe, and 4623 E. Elliot Road, Ahwatukee, in offering identical menus and hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. seven days a week, though on Friday hours are extended to make way for the all-you-can-eat �ish fry, served noon-8 p.m. And all three restaurants offer the same 10 percent discount any time for veterans and active military – something that Melton, himself a veteran, wouldn’t think of not offering. Melton named his restaurants after the �luffy biscuits that, with the homemade

�� BISCUITS �� 32

late afternoon event. Bridges and Michaud �igure the event – which they plan to replicate the last Wednesday of the month in different com-

munities, including Chandler – provide some answers to Michaud’s series of questions that she posed in conversations with Bridges: “What if we came back stronger as a community? What if we created more opportunities for businesses and people to come together? What if a neighbor and another member of the community decided to start a new business? What if I stopped by an event and made new friends? What if I refer a neighbor to a new local business that I know? What if I try a restaurant in my community and it became one of my favorites?” Ultimately, Michaud said, all these are not so much questions as they are “a series of actions made by individuals to make a signi�icant impact on our community.” “That’s the concept behind ‘what if’: It’s these little actions that we can take as individuals, that we can take as businesses in the community, that we can positively impact our community and hopefully

�� WHAT IF �� 32

Ahwatukee restaurateur Lloyd Melton, left, and Luis Hernandez own the new Biscuits restaurant in Sun Lakes. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer)

BUSINESS

WHAT IF �� 31

come back stronger for it.” Having just started her Dream Vacations Travel Agency early this year, Michaud, a longtime Ahwatukee resident, and Bridges believe the What If gathering is a perfect setting for people to perhaps refresh their memories on what businesses they’ve not visited during the long period of self-isolation and the online buying that came with it. She said businesses greeted the idea so enthusiastically that she already has a waiting list for the next What If gathering. Sponsors for the debut include The Logoman, Darkart Tattoo Collective, Festive Events and Rentals, Bell Bank Mortgage, I Will Repair, AAMCO Transmission,

BISCUITS �� 31

gravy, have won numerous accolades in “best of” voting competitions. Using local ingredients with no preservatives whenever possible, Melton prides himself on his breakfast and lunch items. “My food is a lot more like Paul Dean than lean cuisine,” he said. His Southern style �ish fry also has won numerous kudos and usually packs the house on Fridays with patrons who have become hooked on his use of 100 percent crackermeal breading on individually frozen pieces of Alaskan cod. Also popular are his meatloaf and liver and onions, although he notes that his hamburgers and ribeye steaks have won awards, thanks to a secret rub that he has used in other restaurants he has owned. In all, Melton has owned eight different types of restaurants, picking up nine awards. He also takes special pride in his staff, which he personally trains with an emphasis on ef�iciency and friendliness, schooling them in the best practices he’s developed over years in the restaurant business. And he treats them well to keep staff turnover low, explaining, “Most of my employees have been with me �ive, six, nine, 10 years. They have a life. They come to work at 7 and go home at 2, so if their grandmother’s taking care of kids, they’re not out till 1 in the morning. Every holiday,

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

Sweet Magnolia Smokehouse, Impact Nutrition, the Buzzed Goat, Tacos Tijuana, Farmer’s Insurance, Ghett’yo Pizza, Ghett’yo Taco, STAR Windshield, Rosati’s Pizza, Where U Bean Coffee, SIR Barbershop, Snider Custom Apparel, Bergies Coffee, Sonoran Health Dental, Hillside Spot, Whiz Kids, Spooner Physical Therapy, UFC Fitness, LivGenerations, the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce, Reptile Store and Modern Chiropractic. Giveaways and prizes have been arranged in a kind of tiered fashion, with some being given away at this and subsequent events and others that will be raf�led at the What If campaign �inale on Aug. 25 at a site not yet determined. Raf�le tickets for the big prizes will be kept secure until the drawings at that clos-

ing event and will be eligible for prizes like a $2,000 gift certi�icate to Cornelius Hollander Jewelers courtesy of Kups2020, car window tint, a full dental exam and teeth whitening package and other items that will be added over time. Next Wednesday, raf�le items include 14 gift certi�icates ranging between $50 and $600 for a �loral arrangement, body art session, a business pop-up banner, dinners for two at some of the sponsor restaurants and other items and services. Additionally, Bridges and Michaud will be helping a different charity at each event and next week’s bene�iciary is the Ahwatukee-based Armer Foundation for Kids, which assists families with children facing catastrophic illnesses. Combined, the activities Michaud and

Lloyd Melton has never built a restaurant from the ground up. He had been hoping some building would become available in Sun Lakes and it finally did when this former KFC site became available. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) they’re home.” “I feel so lucky with the staff I have,” he said. “Good help is hard to �ind. It’s harder now than ever before,” Melton said. “They’ve been offered a lot more money to go different places.” But most of his employees stay with him, he added, because “they know they’re going to get treated with respect and get a fair wage.” “If you don’t know that much about the

restaurant business, it’s hard to be successful at it,” Melton said. “You better know the front of the house, the back of the house and the outhouse. A lot of these places, you see them folding not long after they open up. You got an 87 percent failure rate. Unless you really love it or know it, I think you’re not going to have a successful restaurant,” he added. Not surprisingly, surviving the pandemic was a monumental challenge. He installed a drive-thru window at the

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Bridges have put together aim to help people and businesses put in the rearview mirror “the challenges associated with keeping small local businesses a�loat in the past year, the limited opportunity for social interactions within our community, and the personal impact the past year has had on so many individuals.” The two businesspersons’ idea has not only attracted support from Ahwatukee shops and services but also some in Gilbert and Chandler, such as Bergie’s Coffee and Ghett’yo Taco, respectively. Then again, who can resist Michaud’s goal of the campaign: “to bring people and businesses together, help support local businesses, and to create a venue for members of the community to get together and have some fun.” 

Ahwatukee location to help keep his patrons when restaurants were forced to offer only takeout service last year. “I have such a nice, loyal clientele and a lot of them kept coming,” he said And after restaurants were allowed to offer inside dining again, a grateful Melton was pleased to see his patrons return. “All my regular customers, thank God, and my friends in the service – they all came back as soon as they could,” Melton said. “I just am so lucky to have a very good, loyal customer base. It made it easier or better for me to survive.” That loyalty comes largely from the personal interest that Melton takes in the food because he knows that remains the main attraction. Sometimes he will even work in the kitchen. Other times, he makes a surprise visit to his restaurants and taste tests to make sure his recipes are followed. Above all, he notes, “My motto is give people good food at a fair price.” And he stresses quality at a reasonable price. “You know, it takes money to make money,” Melton re�lected. “You can’t give the guys cheap food and charge a high price.” “If I give people good food at a fair price and treat them right, they’re going to come back. Why should they go anywhere else?” Information: originalbiscuitsrestaurants.com 

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PRO Act strengthens unions, hurts workers BY DOUG YORK AFN Guest Writer

he Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives strives to strengthen union leverage and labor density. However, it does so at the expense of Arizona’s businesses, workers and economy. If signed into law, the PRO Act would harm Arizona’s economy, limit opportunities for individuals to work independently through independent contractor roles or through gig economy platforms, eliminate workers’ free choice in union elections and infringe on individuals’ privacy rights. It would implement harmful policies that have previously been rejected by Democratic and Republican members of Congress, the judicial system and federal agencies. The PRO Act would violate the privacy rights of employees by requiring that employers share employee contact information with union organizers without prior consent. Workers would have no say in what in-

Conversion ‘therapy’ is no therapy but a cruel hoax

Bravo to Roger Webb for his enlightened editorial April 7 in AFN begging legislators to ban conversion therapy. Conversion therapy has been debunked as nonsense, is hate-ridden and pro�it-driven. Help me say this loud and clear to our legislators: ban conversion therapy. -CJ Briggle

‘Captain Underpants” ban questioned

“Captain Underpants” has now been banned for its “passive” racism. Clearly, any book with that lofty title should be examined with the same critical eye as the latest policy memoranda released by the Trump

formation was shared and would not be allowed to opt out of this requirement. The PRO Act could also limit a workers’ right to choose or not choose union representation through secret ballot elections and instead require that the employee vote in front of union organizers and colleagues. Workers could then face intimidation and harassment from labor organizers, who could bully them on social media or even show up at their residence. For more than a year, COVID-19 has had a staggering impact on Arizona. Phoenix saw a decline of more than 57,000 total jobs over the year. Early on in the pandemic, approximately 420,000 Arizona residents lost their jobs due to COVID-19. And according to the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, more than two million households in the Grand Canyon State have had one or more member lose employment since the onset of COVID-19. Additionally, approximately one-inthree households are unable to afford their typical expenses and one-in-six are behind on paying their rent. The numbers are alarming, and further underscore Ari-

zona’s need for policy solutions that help, rather than hurt the state’s economy. The PRO Act would cause greater harm to Arizona’s economy during this time of great economic turmoil – forcing businesses to close permanently and threatening the livelihood of struggling households in Arizona. As a resident of Arizona, I’m concerned that the bill would add even more �inancial stress to an economy that has faced signi�icant economic repercussions since the onset of the pandemic. Today, many individuals in Arizona and across the nation choose to hold individual contractor roles, or to hold roles within gig economy platforms. This is often due to the �lexible nature of the job, as traditional independent contractor and gig economy roles allow workers to choose their own hours, as well as the work that they do. The legislation, however, would implement California’s “ABC Test” standard, reclassifying many of these independent contractors as employees. If reclassi�ied as an employee, the individual could then lose the freedoms

associated with working independently. And the economic effects could be devastating. A study found that a nationwide ABC Test standard could threaten an estimated 8.5 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. The PRO Act would also allow unions to target businesses for anti-competitive reasons other than union organizing. This would give labor bosses the power to go after corporations and in�lict economic distress. As we look to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need solutions that will revive and rebuild the U.S. economy. The PRO Act is not the solution. It will implement drastic changes to wellestablished law, eliminate employees’ rights to privacy and force businesses to permanently shutter. As the U.S. Senate debates the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, we call on U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) to oppose this harmful legislation. Doug. W. York is the president and CEO of Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply. 

or Biden administrations for its commentary on social mores that affects us all, not just children. The racism must indeed be very, very “passive” for Captain Underpants to continue selling 80 million books worldwide over the past 24 years since it began in 1997 without anyone noticing it before now, other than the powers that be who determine by their own rules what we as American citizens are allowed to see. Robert Baron

government payments to these employees – including unemployment checks, stimulus checks and other guaranteed payments. Has it occurred to anyone that the elite liberals are always two steps ahead of the conservatives and this may be a ploy to allow the people rushing into our country to apply for these jobs as our citizens sit idly by collecting government payoffs? -Jane Emery

ful�illing the obligations of a local painting contractor, Frank Hernandez. Frank has been unable to work do to several complications after being in�licted recently with COVID (AFN March 26). These three employees completed painting projects on their personal time for RD2 of the ABM. This which will allow Frank’s family to bill the RD2 HOA, thus creating some needed income for him. These three men as well have given personally of their own time and funds otherwise to assist Frank and his family in this great time of need for them. Being aware of the full time hard and dif�icult work these men do day in and day out especially in the heat of the summer months it makes me proud to know them. -Christopher Gentis

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Is unemployment pay a ploy by elite liberals?

Americans are being paid to stay home – why? Employers state they cannot get their employees to return to work due to the high

Commends ABM employees for helping a stricken painter

I wish to publicly commend three full time maintenance staff members, Robert Blakesley, Paul Luevano, and Joe Brooks of the Ahwatukee Board of Management, which comprises 5,000-plus homes and several apartment communities, for their efforts in

APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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Sports & Recreation 36

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Football players, young talent power Pride track BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

t wasn’t long ago the Mountain Pointe track and �ield team made its case for one of the elite programs in Arizona. The boys challenged at state as a team, winning gold medals in individual and relay events. The girls had similar success. But the program saw a decline in participation by some of its multi-sport athletes, which led to the Pride going through a bit of a lull with few state quali�iers. Combine that with the unexpected death of former coach Larry Thomas in 2019 and the pandemic forcing an early cancellation to the 2020 season, Mountain Pointe was forced to essentially build from the ground up. “There’s no secret to what this program was, it was one of the most winningest at the school,” Mountain Pointe head boys track coach Giovann Melendez said. “We just had to get the kids out here and I think a lot of them were just

From left: Nalaejah Harris, Zaria Hamilton, Alaya Williams and Jai’dah Edwards are among the top girls this season on Mountain Pointe’s track and field team that has rebuilt after two adversity-filled years. (Kevin Hurley/AFN Staff) eager to get back to doing something because they’ve been sitting for a year.

“They’ve come out and are having fun and I think word kind of spread from there.”

“In that transition we can only pull up four players that are younger,” Garcia said. “That’s why we need even more players. We had quite a few younger players that were part of the team. But because of the rule it’s created some issues with us.” The team will hold tryouts Monday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 5 at Pecos Park, the team’s home �ield for the season. Along with Garcia’s team, the Arizona United 2008, 2010 and 2012 boys’ teams will also hold tryouts on the same days. The 2010 and 2012 teams will hold

AYSO United AZCV 2009, a local Ahwatukee-based club soccer team, is hosting tryouts alongside its other age groups for both boys and girls beginning May 3. (Courtesy Danny Garcia)

Ahwatukee youth soccer team hosting tryouts for new players BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

youth club soccer team based in Ahwatukee is looking for prospective players for the upcoming

season. AYSO United AZCV 2009, coached by Ahwatukee resident Danny Garcia, is making the jump to 11-on-11 soccer when the new season kicks off in the next few months. The team previously competed at a 9-on-9 level but now needs an estimated six or seven players to �ill newly opened roster spots and those vacated due to a limit on the number of players on the team born in 2010.

Melendez was hired to take over the Mountain Pointe program after he came over from Marcos de Niza with head football coach Eric Lauer last year. A football coach by trade, Melendez saw an opportunity to build up the program with a group of football players, many of whom transfers, who ran track in previous years or simply wanted an opportunity to improve their explosiveness and speed. He teamed up with head girls track coach John McCalister, who took over for Thomas after his unfortunate death. The two have been able to increase Mountain Pointe’s track participation numbers to near 100 athletes this season. “I had to replace coach Thomas last year and it was tough getting kids to come out here,” McCalister said. “Our AD, Aaron Frana, brought coach Lauer over here and coach Gio (Melendez) over here and they’ve brought a new aura to the program. “Now all of a sudden we see the football

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�� PRIDE �� 37

APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

PRIDE �� 36

and track team merge together and that gave me time to recruit more girls. That changed the outlook of the program and we have a lot of girls that are very young and talented. We are de�initely going in the right direction.” One aspect of the program that has both coaches excited is the overall youth on the girls’ side. The team is made up of just three seniors, with Zaria Hamilton leading the way as the self-proclaimed “mom” of the group. She has become a leader for many of the freshman and sophomore athletes on this year’s team. A small group of girls just recently turned 14 years old. Melendez said they could technically still be competing at the junior high level. But instead, they’re running with juniors and seniors in their respective events. Hamilton said it’s created an exciting dynamic around the team as she attempts to qualify herself for the state meet in both the 200 and 400-meter. “There’s some really fast girls that have given me a run for my money,” Hamilton said. “Even the boys’ side with a majority of them playing football. It makes me work harder because all of the young people out here are getting faster and stronger. “My sophomore year I got into the prelims but didn’t qualify. I was scared we wouldn’t have track this year again be-

TRYOUTS �� 36

tryouts on the two most northern soccer �ields on the East side of the park at 6 p.m. Garcia’s team and the 2008 squad will hold their tryouts on the same �ield at 8 p.m. Arizona United’s girls’ teams will also hold tryouts the same week on Tuesday and Thursday. The 2010 and 2011 girls’ teams will use the same �ields at 6 p.m., while the 2008 and 2009 teams will begin at 8 p.m. both days. Garcia said Arizona United is searching for players in each age group from Ah-

From left: Terryon Rowe, Amier Boyd, Matty Braun, Jhaylin Palmer, Jaden Crockett and Jacques Jones are among the 40 Mountain Pointe football players who decided to run track this season for the Pride. (Kevin Hurley/AFN Staff) cause of COVID but to qualify as a senior, it’s exciting.” The Mountain Pointe boys’ track team features a slew of multi-sport athletes, most of which from the gridiron. Senior Jaden Crockett, who made a dramatic impact as the leader of Mountain Pointe’s defense after transferring from Alhambra last year, is among the team’s top sprinters this season. He competes in 4x100 and 4x400 relays as well as the 200-meter and 400-meter. His relay team is made up entirely of football players, in-

watukee, Chandler and Tempe to keep the teams local and close by. “My team speci�ically is trying to keep it local,” Garcia said. “All of our coaches are in the Foothills and we were �inally able to get back to Pecos.” Several returning players will be part of the various drills performed during both sessions. Garcia said this allows potential new players to get a feel for those who may become their teammates and see whether they feel comfortable with the team. Arizona United 2009 this past winter was made up of mostly new club soccer

cluding quarterback Chris Arviso, wide receiver Terryon Rowe, quarterback turned all-purpose player Amier Boyd and other young players. Colton Jackson, a 6-foot-5 senior wide receiver last season for the Pride, is the team’s best high-jumpers. Lauer believes he can achieve the 6-foot mark this season with ease. Having the more than 40 football players come out to run in the spring has helped Mountain Pointe �ield a team altogether. It’s also created a renewed

players. Many had migrated from a local recreational league when Garcia took over the program. It was a learning curve for both players and parents, but one they proved to excel at on the �ield. Despite entering most tournaments as underdogs, the team thrived. The team placed �irst overall in two major tournaments in January and February, and most recently won the Kachina Klassic U-12 Boys in March. Along with the �irst-place trophy, they also took home the Sportsmanship Award. Garcia said they planned to play one more tournament this month before switching

Have an interesting sports story? Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.

sense of camaraderie amongst the other athletic programs the school has to offer. Aside from football, girls basketball players have also come out this season along with dancers, cheerleaders and others. “I think people started to take into consideration they need to get bigger, faster and stronger for football and track provides that,” Crockett said. “Everybody wants to see everybody grow and get faster. Having all these coaches and athletes out here, it attracts even more. Everybody mixes in with everybody and it makes all of us better as a whole.” Crockett is among the several Mountain Pointe athletes on both the boys and girls’ sides that have set new personal records this season in various events. Mountain Pointe had an overall strong showing in the Nike Chandler Rotary on April 10-11, one of the biggest and most competitive track and �ield meets outside of the state championships in Arizona. The success of the team, while still in its infant stage, is encouraging for Melendez, McCalister and all athletes involved. It’s yet another step toward improving the overall athletics at Mountain Pointe and reestablishing its track and �ield program as title contender on a yearly basis. “Mountain Pointe has the athletes,” Melendez said. “It was always just a matter of getting them to come out and not stick to just one sport. We’ve started to �ix that, and we hope we can get to the point where we get 200 kids out here.”  gears toward next season with tryouts. “Our players that never really played club, they blossomed,” Garcia said. “They’re very good players and we couldn’t necessarily have expected that. For me, as a coach, I’m excited to teach them the full game. Just visualizing it and teaching them formations we are going to use pretty much from here to when they stop playing. It’s exciting.” For more information about AYSO Arizona United or to sign a prospective player up for tryouts, visit www.aysounited.org/arizona/. 

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Junk in the Trunk returns after pandemic hiatus BY KRISTINE CANNON Getout Staff Writer

fter its last two events were canceled due to the pandemic, the Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market returns to WestWorld next weekend. “We are ready to bring Valley shoppers the best weekend of vintage and artisanmade shopping,” Lindsey Holt, co-founder and owner of the unique shopping experience. Taking place April 23-25, the market features more than 130 vintage curators and handmade artisans from across the country. Offerings include everything from vintage clothing and home decor to beauty products and jewelry. “Our vendors have been busy creating and collecting, so attendees will be sure to �ind those special items you just can’t

Coley Arnold is a co-founder and owner of Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market. (Junk in the Trunk)

Lindsey Holt is a Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market co-founder and owner. (Junk in the Trunk)

�ind anywhere else,” Holt said. In addition to shopping small businesses and supporting local artisans within the 120,000 square-foot space,

attendees can enjoy local food trucks and live music. Usually held every April and September, the organizers canceled the last two

events. To safely bring the event back, organizers will implement several safety measures, including the requirement of masks and face coverings, social distancing measures, increased sanitation, limited capacity and the elimination of the holding zone. The event will have a loading area for shoppers to pull up to on the backside of the North Hall to park and walk in to grab their purchased items. “But we will not be holding the items,” the website states. “Items will need to stay in booths with a sold tag until you are pulled up to the building to load the items.” WestWorld also installed an enhanced air �iltration system that features an advanced ionization and ultraviolet air

�� JUNK �� 40

Popular tiki event in Scottsdale next weekend BY KRISTINE CANNON Getout Staff Writer

rom fruity rum-based cocktails poured into handcrafted Polynesian-inspired mugs, to tiki huts, sunset dinners and the sounds of ‘60s style exotica lounge music, tiki culture is alive and well in Scottsdale. The proof? The Arizona Tiki Oasis festival returns to Hotel Valley Ho this month – and it’s so well-received, attendees have booked every single room at the resort. Taking place April 22-25, Arizona Tiki Oasis offers a variety of experiences, including seminars, a popup art show, an outdoor marketplace, live music and more. Some events are free, like the pop-up art show and outdoor marketplace, while others are tickets, like the Tiki-Tiki Ho-Ho Luau on the evening of April 23. Here, attendees can feast on a traditional pig roast, fresh poke bowls, Crispy Cola Marinated Short Ribs, Hawaiian-themed desserts, and more — all while enjoying tropical libations and live music. Tickets are $129 per person; and according to Ari-

zona Tiki Oasis founders and producers Otto and Baby Doe von Stroheim, the luau is capped at around 200 people. “In 2019, I think attendance was 400 people. So, it’s about half of what it was to allow for tables to be spaced out and for people to feel comfortable,” Baby Doe explained. Baby Doe and Otto describe Arizona Tiki Oasis as a “choose your own experience” festival. “Because it’s more of a connection with people, a lot of how we designed Arizona Tiki Oasis are smaller events – almost like you get to make your own journey or your own adventure in exploring the Hotel Valley Ho,” Otto said. Baby Doe added that those staying at the resort “get the full experience.” “They get to be in the pool. They get to go on the

�� TIKI �� 40

Colorfully garbed guests, exotic drinks and lots of fun are on tap at Arizona Tiki Oasis, taking place April 2225 at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale. (Tiki Oasis)

GET OUT

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

JUNK �� 39

cleaning system in the North Hall that circulates continuous fresh air throughout the venue. “We have been working with the City of Scottsdale and will be implementing safety precautions recommended by local and state health authorities so our Market can occur while still protecting the health and safety of our attendees, vendors, and staff,” said Coley Arnold, Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market co-founder and owner. Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market originally started in 2011 in a friend’s backyard, where Arnold, Holt and over 20 of their friends brought in their own vintage items to sell. “Our garages were full of crap,” Arnold said with a laugh. “Our husbands were like, ‘Hey, you should probably try to get rid of that stuff.’ So, we started it as an outlet to meet other people in the community that love junk and sell their own items.” Ten years later, Junk in the Trunk has

TIKI �� 39

rooftop. They get to go into our evening seminars,” she said. But Baby Doe and Otto still welcome off-site visitors to the festival, especially to the pop-up art show and the outdoor marketplace, which features more than 60 artists and vendors combined. “Our most exciting one, I think, is our marketplace,” Baby Doe said. “A lot of these artists have been working and working and working over the last 12 months, and they have these amazing creations,” she continued. “They are just so thrilled to have the opportunity to get these out in front of people – everything from tiki mugs, to carvings, jewelry, vintage clothing, and the list goes on.” This year’s Arizona Tiki Oasis marks Scottsdale resident Jon Arvizu’s �irst time attending the event as featured artist and his second as attendee. “I have a soft spot for the artful Tiki Genre of the 1960s,” Arvizu said. “I brought my family to the inaugural event in 2019 to see friends and local vendors and enjoy the Valley Ho.” Arvizu has been designing and creating art featuring Arizona architecture and lifestyle for more than 20 years. “In the right hands, ‘Tiki Desert Style’ is a natural �it,” he said. “One of my �irst jobs out of school was as a graphic designer at

Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market returns to WestWorld April 23-25 with their one-of-akind shopping experience that features over 30 vintage curators and handmade artisans from across the country. (Junk in the Trunk) expanded not only its number of attendees from over 600 at its �irst event to more than 200,000 across Arizona and California, but also its footprint, from a

backyard space to the sprawling venue that is WestWorld of Scottsdale. They’ve since also supported a staggering number of small businesses – more

Outlandishly exotic drinks are part of the fun at the Arizona Tiki Oasis. (Special to AFN) Fossil, and they have a very similar ‘Americana’ feel to the brand.” “It’s fun to see that great 1960s style featuring local plants and places unique to our high desert landscape, and it creates an authentic event experience,” he said. The marketplace takes place that Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the art show takes place Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to providing a gathering place for tiki lovers, Arizona Tiki Oasis is also dedicated to the “historic preservation of American Pop Culture through the lens of modern-day values.”

This year’s Arizona Tiki Oasis bene�its Arizona Preservation Foundation, a Phoenix-based nonpro�it that works with local, state, and national partners to promote and protect Arizona’s historic resources. Arizona Tiki Oasis is the sister event of the popular and widely attended Tiki Oasis, conceived by Otto and Baby Doe von Stroheim in 2001. The �irst event was held in Palm Springs as a fundraiser to support the rehabilitation of the Palm Springs Caliente Tropics Motel, and eventually moved to San Diego in 2006 to support the historic Bali Hai Restaurant and Hanalei Hotel.

than 1,500 of them. “We try to [have both local and out-ofstate vendors] to keep it fresh and make it to where you can’t �ind these people anywhere else in the Valley,” Arnold said. Tickets are available to purchase online and at the gate, and range from $8 for full-day general admission to $40 for access to a �ive-hour VIP shopping experience 4-9 p.m. April 23. The event offers a $1 discount for members of the military but attendees must purchase their ticket at the gate to get the discount. Attendees who wear of�icial Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market apparel will receive a $1 discount, also only available at the gate. Kids 12 and under are free, and WestWorld charges $10 per car to park per day. “We are so excited to �inally be able to provide our community with a Market again,” Arnold said. Information: junkinthetrunkvintagemarket.com  Tiki Oasis is now the largest and longest- running Tiki event in the world. Otto and Baby Doe expanded to Arizona because they were outgrowing Southern California. And when Tiki Oasis started drawing crowds of around 4,000 to its �ive-night, four-day festival in San Diego, Otto and Doe knew they had to host a separate event elsewhere. At Hotel Valley Ho this year, social distancing and masks will be enforced. Hula’s Modern Tiki in Old Town will host the of�icial Arizona Tiki Oasis kickoff party on April 22 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The kickoff event is open to the general public and offers attendees’ �irst opportunity to pick up of�icial 2021 AZ Tiki Oasis merchandize and collectible souvenirs. “Go out and support local artists, mask up, and have fun!” Arvizu said. Information: aztikioasis.com 

GetOut. GetConnected. ahwatukee.com/arts_life/ facebook.com/getoutaz

APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

King Crossword ACROSS 1 6 9 12 13 14 15 16

18 20 21 23 24 25 27 29 31 35 37 38 41 43 44 45 47 49 52 53 54 55 56 57

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PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 30

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The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | Ahwatukee.com Click on Marketplace

Employment Employment General Senior Systems Architect (Phoenix, AZ) Oversee system design, development, architecture, customization, deployment, & support, incl Automation & DevOps design, architecture, cloud solutions, tech support, & DevOps system; Develop protocols for sharing software code, biz processes & other intellectual property; Direct & drive the development of tech solutions & products, & provide the vision & computational design solutions for high-load, multimaster, & modern platforms; Design & implement modern, entity specific infrastructures & softwaredefined storage solutions, incl Red Hat Storage (Ceph & GlusterFS), OpenShift Container Storage, & Portworx; Design & implement solutions using public clouds like AWS & Azure; Design & implement service \infrastructure for PaaS platforms based on Red Hat OpenShift, incl security monitoring, storage, & automation levels; Lead the design & development of automation infrastructure & oversee DevOps transformation for fully automated platforms; Design & implement strategies for network scalability & functionality of system architecture; Design & implement Red Hat Satellite, Red Hat Insights, & Red Hat Ansible Tower integrations; Implement software storage based on Red Hat Cluster, Red Hat Ceph, Red Hat Container Storage & Portworx; Reqs 4 yrs of exp in the position; Mail CV to LI9, Inc 2390 East Camelback Rd., Ste. 130, Phoenix, AZ 85016, , Attn: Armando Arias, President Senior Systems Architect (Phoenix, AZ) Oversee system design, development, architecture, customization, deployment, & support, incl Automation & DevOps design, architecture, cloud solutions, tech support, & DevOps system. Develop protocols for sharing software code, biz processes & other intellectual property. Direct & drive the development of tech solutions & products, & provide the vision & computational design strategy for high-load, multimaster, & modern platforms. Oversee the delivery of tech solutions & products. Design & implement modern, entity specific infrastructures & softwaredefined storage solutions, incl Red Hat Storage (Ceph & GlusterFS), OpenShift Container Storage, & Portworx. Design & implement solutions using public clouds like AWS & Azure. Design & implement service infrastructure for PaaS platforms based on Red Hat OpenShift, incl security monitoring, storage, & automation levels. Lead the design & development of automation infrastructure & oversee DevOps transformation for fully automated platforms. Analyze projects & lead Requirement Discovery, Solution Development, Solution Evaluation, & Technology Solution Proposal Bids. Implement software storage based on Red Hat Cluster, Red Hat Ceph, Red Hat Container Storage & Portworx; Requires Bach's Deg in Comp Engrg or foreign deg equiv, & 2 yrs of exp in the position; Mail CV to LI9, Inc 2390 East Camelback Rd., Ste. 130, Phoenix, AZ 85016, , Attn: Armando Arias, President

Employment General Software Engineer 2 sought by Shamrock Foods Company in Phoenix, AZ. 40 hrs/wk. Duties: Designs, modifies, develops, writes and implements software programming applications supporting internal business requirements or external customers Supports and/or installs software applications, may include end user training and documentation Documents and maintains software functionality include break/fix and continual improvement Participates in the testing process through test review and analysis, test witnessing and certification of software Execute full life-cycle software development Writes well-designed, testable, efficient code Serve as a subject matter expert in certain technologies Works under general supervision A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required Relies on limited experience and judgement to plan and accomplish goals Involved in Level I on-call support. Min. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, computer information systems, information technology or foreign equivalent. Skills: 3 years’ experience in Dynamics AX 3-TIER software development client forms, server-side code, back end database, and SSRS reporting. 3 years of experience in agile development processes, methodologies, and tools. 3 years of experience working with database technologies, able to write SQL statements to read, update, insert, and delete data. 3 years’ experience in AIF design, SQL, AX forms templates design, web services, object-oriented design, security role administration, performance tuning, and security principles. Please reply with resume to: Carrie Ryerson, 3900 E. Camelback Road, Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

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Home Improvement

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

Irrigation

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APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Landscape/Maintenance

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

Plumbing

Pool Service / Repair

Juan Hernandez Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

AHWATUKEE SPECIAL $

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR

Off 40work done *Any

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(480)

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TILE ROOFING SPECIALISTS

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Play Pools start at

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Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! We have a “Spencer” on every job and every step of the way.

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Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

30 Years Roofing Experience

JILEK ROOFING, LLC

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(480)

$25 OFF

See our Before’s and After’s on Facebook

Plumbing

Owned and Operated by Rod Lampert Ahwatukee Resident Serving Ahwatukee for over 25 years

Pool Service / Repair

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

Cell: 480.417.3689 Office: 480.912.5014 Email: tomjilek60@gmail.com Licensed & Insured • Bonded, Res/Com ROC 328854

CLASSIFIEDS

APRIL 21, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Rooﬁng

Family Owned & Operated for over 30 years

Over 30 Years of Experience

Window Cleaning

Roof Leaking?

Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING

ROC #152111

Quality Repairs & Re-Roofs Complimentary & Honest Estimates

480-446-7663

Call our office today!

480-460-7602

Call a Plumber in the Classifieds!

Ahwatukee Based Family Owned and Operated Insured • Free Estimates

Valley Wide Service

See our reviews and schedule at:

www.cousinswindowcleaning.com

480-330-2649

Ask us about our discount for all Military and First Responders!

10% OFF

www.porterroofinginc.com

Puzzle

with this ad

SCRAMBLER: You put the “F” in Fun!

Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer! FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hirerooﬁng.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

Licensed, Bonded, Insured

Rooﬁng

Unscramble the letters to find “F” types of fun:

1. Celebration or party

2. Place with crazy floors and mirrors suunfeoh 3. Fair food sprinkled with powdered sugar fenlun kcae 4. Light-hearted dancing

LICENSED | INSURED | BONDED | ROC #269218

$1000 OFF when you show this ad *on qualifying complete roof replacements

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olficr

5. Performer who consumes flames rife etera 6. Parades usually have these

fotals

7. A favorite fantasy purchase at a renaissance festival faryi gnswi

Meetings/Events?

1. Fiesta, 2. Funhouse, 3. Funnel cake, 4. Frolic, 5. Fire eater, 6. Floats, 7. Fairy wings

Call for your FRE E roof evaluation today www.InExRooﬁn g.com | 602-938-7575

SHARE WITH THE WORLD! Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today! Call us for details.

Get Free notices in the Classifieds! Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | APRIL 21, 2021

PROMOTION

REBATES UP TO

SPRING SPRING TUNE-UP TUNE-UP SPECIAL!

UNSTOPPABLE SOLUTIONS. UNBELIEVABLE DEALS.

Includes a 16-Point Inspection. Includes a 16-Point

REG. $99.

500

LIMITED TIME ONLY Inspection. RESIDENTIAL LIMITED TIME ONLY ONLY

Trane systems are put through the harshest testing imaginable — all so they can run through anything. And now, you can get rebates up to $500.* We never stop finding ways to bring you products that never stop.

RESIDENTIAL ONLY SPECIAL! REG. $99. Your Hometown Air Conditioning Speciali

Your Hometown Air Conditioning Speciali

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SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643

480-725-7303 cHooi�� 6�� E

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Fl_t EEC� C� brewers

SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643

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www.brewerers.com

(480) 898-7909

BIG, SAVINGSoR GREAT CTEB0J. -__..__. FINIANCING a

A + Rating ti. srnw !',\LIST lllrl.lJIH I, f.11.IAUF'lfl!N, ,OIJTll-001: IJUIT,. llfllOOR UNIT AND Tfll,NE CONm)l.''

BIG, SAVINGSoR GREAT FINIANCING

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**See your independent dealer for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special financing offers valid on qualifying equipment only. Special rebates from $75 to $500. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Void where prohibited. The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 3/1/2021 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. The offer expires 12/31/2021.