AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS, MAY 11, 2022 by Times Media Group

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Canyon Reserve coming into sharper focus BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

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traffic study estimates that the incoming Canyon Reserve master planned community in Ahwatukee will generate a maximum 13,704 daily trips after buildout and provides a vision for how those trips will impact traffic in the area. It determined that: both West and South Chandler Boulevard don’t need widening; a signal will not be needed at the planned Liberty Lane-South Chandler Boulevard intersection once Liberty Lane is extended across the

Ahwatukee man seeks help to rescue more Ukranians

development; and traffic at 17th Avenue and Liberty Lane will experience rush hour delays and likely will eventually need a signal after build-out. The traffic impact analysis by Kimley-Horn and Associates for developer Reserve 100 LLC, a subsidiary of Blandford Homes, is one of a half dozen reports now under review by the Phoenix Planning and Development Department as plans take shape for the development on 373 acres of State Land along Chandler Boulevard between 19th and 27th avenues. Blandford, which bought the land last year at a state Land Department auction for a record

$175.5 million, plans to build 1,050 mostly single-story houses, 150 build-to-rent townhouses and 329 apartments. The apartments and townhouses would be built on roughly 30 acres in the southeast portion of the sprawling parcel, with just under half of that sold to an apartment developer. “There’s a quite a bit of interest from some of the premier apartment developers in the Phoenix metro in that piece of property that have approached us since the auction,” Blandford Vice President Tom Lemon told a sparse-

see CANYON page 16

BY GERI KOEPPEL AFN Contributor

n Ahwatukee Foothills man who already helped two relatives flee their war-torn homeland is raising money to bring more Ukrainians to the United States. It’s unclear exactly how many have been displaced, but sources say the total may exceed seven million out of a population of 44 million, with many missing and more leaving daily. Dima Tretyak, who moved here from Ukraine in 2011, set up a GoFundMe with friend Holly Whiteside under the title “Help me save more Ukrainian lives.” It provides an extensive background about him and his family, which includes his successful effort to bring his sister’s daughter-in-law and her son to Phoenix.

see UKRAINE page 9

Dima Tretyak of Ahwatukee started a GoFundMe to help other Ukrainians obtain safe passage to the United States. Front row, left to right: Darian Tretyak and Dima Bukharov; back row, left to right: Katya Bukharova, Tanya Bukharova, Ivan Bukharov, Katya Tretyak, Demi Tretyak and Dima Tretyak. (Geri Koeppel/ AFN Contributor)

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

The Ahwatukee Foothills News is published every Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Ahwatukee Foothills.

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Signs like this one at 48th Street and Warner Road in Ahwatukee are being installed on light posts along major thoroughfares in Ahwatukee at Councilman Sal DiCiccio’s request. (Courtesy of Sal DiCiccio)

Ahwatukee signs that discourage panhandler donations going up BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

igns advising people they don’t have to give money to panhandlers are being installed on city light posts along main arteries throughout Ahwatukee at city Councilman Sal DiCiccio’s request to discourage what he calls “unsafe situations that neither benefit the individual nor our community.” In announcing the action May 6, DiCiccio, whose district includes Ahwatukee, said he is the first City Council member to erect the signs en masse and that he hopes people will give money to shelters instead of street people but others may follow. ”I fully support these controversial signs and here’s why: Individuals asking for money on street corners or medians create unsafe situations that neither benefit the individual nor our community,” he said in his announcement, adding: “But when we give to shelters, who are doing angel work to help those same people get back on their feet with resources like drug rehab or other behavioral health programs, we can have more hope of effecting help.” DiCiccio told AFN that in the past, individual property owners posted similar signs – “which I thought were a good idea.” But he explained, “I thought, ‘Well, gosh, let’s put them in mass as quickly as possible.” DiCiccio said his goal is to urge people to redirect their charitable impulses. “People want to give because they have big hearts but by doing that, they’re encouraging individuals that come to this area and end up creating problems for others.” He recalled an incident when a woman with a baby would approach motorists in the street – even during

see SIGNS page 4

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Pecos Pool one of 14 the city will open this summer BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

he nationwide labor shortage will impact summer fun for untold thousands of Phoenix children and adults this summer after the city announced it can open only half of its pools beginning Memorial Day weekend. But Ahwatukee residents need not fear – at least until July 31. Pecos Pool – which city Parks and Recreation Department officials call the third most-used public pool in Phoenix – is one of the 14 pools that will open for summer 2022. However, it is not one of the eight pools that will be open on weekend afternoons through Labor Day after July 31. Pecos will be open throughout Memorial Day weekend and then daily except Fridays from June 4. Admission is $1 for ages 17 and under and 60 and over and $3 for all other adults. Pecos is not one of the pools where kids 17 and under can swim for free through the city’s “Kool Kids” program. In addition, free swimming lessons for kids ages 6 months to 12 years will be available on a limited basis June 2030, July 5-14 and July 18-28. Registration is slated to begin tomorrow, May 14, at.phoenix.gov/parks/pools/programs/ While at least one of the city’s 29 pools had no chance of opening because they have badly deteriorated, most of the 15 that won’t be open have fallen victim to the labor shortage that has businesses and government agencies at virtually every level desperate to fill vacancies. City Councilman Sal DiCiccio issued a statement hailing the Pecos Pool news, stating, “With 100+ degree days just around the corner, I was excited to work with our Parks and Recreation Depart-

SIGNS from page 3

times when traffic was moving – to ask for money. “She doesn’t do it anymore because I called the police, but can you imagine? Taking a baby out in the middle of the street?” The signs are being posted at intersections along 48th Street and Chandler Boulevard as well as Elliot, Warner and Ray roads, though DiCiccio said people who want them posted near their home

Pecos Pool is one of the 14 city pools that Phoenix will open for the summer starting Memorial Day. (AFN file photo) ment to ensure Pecos Pool was available to the public for another summer. Swim lessons will also be available throughout the summer at Pecos Pool. As a father, I know how important it is for kids to be able to access their community pools for cool, safe, and active entertainment to beat the desert heat.” The city for months has been trying to fill more than 600 lifeguard positions with $2,500 in incentive pay for the season – $500 in the first check and $2,000 at the end of the season. City officials said the bonus – available to all lifeguards and other pool personnel like managers and instructors – brought the average hourly wage up from $14 to $21 an hour. In addition, the city gave $100 to anyone on the city payroll for referring someone who then is hired as a lifeguard. But Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson last month told a City Council committee in or business – as long as the signs would be posted on public property – can call his office. Although he has had the signs posted in a few places in the past, DiCiccio said he has no idea how effective they’ve been. But now, he said, his goal is to get them up in numerous places and then monitor their impact on panhandling. “My goal was to put them out as much as possible and then start monitoring. And then as we get calls, put more signs.”

a memo, “Despite these efforts, recruitment continues to be a challenge, as it is nationally; and the department will still be short of the required number of staff needed to open all 29 pools for the 2022 season.” While 180 people applied for a job after the incentive pay was announced in March, Erickson’s memo stated, 40% were no shows for the certification classes. “While the incentive pay has increased interest in lifeguard positions, there continues to be a shortage of swim lesson instructors and pool management staff. At present, there are enough pool management staff to operate 14 pools,” she wrote. The council Committee for Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning discussed the memo at an April 6 meeting and Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar had more bad news: “We are also experiencing a shortage of swim lesson instructors in pool manage“I’d rather people give this money to a shelter,” he said. “And that’s really where it should be going anyways.” He claimed that at least some panhandlers belong to organized scams. “What we’re also seeing from some of these individuals, they’re all organized. They’ll be dropped off by individuals and they will go work certain corners,” he said. “So it’s more than just panhandling that’s occurring.” DiCiccio also said that at least two of his

ment staff. It’s a little trickier to find pool managers than lifeguards in some regards, because pool managers have to have two to three years of experience as a certified lifeguard to even qualify to be a pool manager. So, the number of pools is all that we can open is also depending on how many pool managers you know are there to help us open those pools.” Aguilar said the pandemic’s disruption of in-person learning on campuses also adversely impacted the city’s typical efforts to recruit high school kids for lifeguard jobs. Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari asked Aguilar about the “broader challenge” of recruiting lifeguards in the future – especially since the incentive pay may only be offered this year, made possible by the infusion of one-time federal pandemic relief funding. Aguilar said her department “recently found there’s a special certification for lifeguards called ‘shallow-water lifeguards’” for individuals who would have fewer responsibilities than a typical lifeguard. Typically, for example, lifeguard must be able to dive from a height of 14 feet. “That is something we’re going to be exploring…to see if that’s a real possibility – certainly something that can help us attract more people that maybe aren’t comfortable in the water or aren’t able to pass certain elements of the current lifeguardcertification requirements,” Aguilar said Aguilar also said the city would bus kids in neighborhoods near closed pools to one of the open swimming facilities. However, there was no mention of that effort in the city parks department’s release last week. Find more information about specific pool and office hours, call 602-534-6587 or email aquatics.pks@phoenix.gov. ■

council colleagues, Jim Waring and Anne O’Brien, are considering doing the same thing in their districts. As for business owners, DiCiccio said it’s up to them to post similar signs discouraging panhandling. “My focus at this time is on major intersections,” he said. And he’s not stopping there. DiCiccio said he also contacted the governor’s office last week and asked them to consider posting similar signs along freeways and highways, starting with I-10. ■

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Ahwatukee, Kansas families seek $20M over chopper crash BY KEN SAIN AFN Staff Writer

he families of the two victims of a fatal helicopter crash at Chandler Municipal Airport last fall – one from Ahwatukee – have filed legal claims against the City of Chandler, asking for a combined $20 million because of their wrongful deaths. One of the claims suggests trouble with the radio signal that morning might have played a role in the collision. Trainee Michael Papendick, 34, of Ahwatukee and instructor Jessica Brandal, 27, of Kansas were killed when their helicopter collided with a single-engine airplane at 7:40 a.m. last Oct. 1. Both aircraft were being used for training and the plane also had a student and instructor on board. According to the National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report, the collision took place at an altitude of about 1,400 feet. The plane’s occupants did not know they struck a helicopter. In the NTSB report, they reported to the tower they heard a bang and thought they might have

The NTSB report says the airplane had been cleared for landing and the helicopter had been cleared for the option. That gives the helicopter pilot many options for landing, including touch-andgo, missed approach, low approach, stop and go, or a full stop landing. Brandal’s parents, Michael and Jennifer, filed the claim on behalf of all her beneficiaries asking for a settlement of $5 million. She was an Air Force veteran who had completed her training Michael Papendick of Ahwatukee was one of two peo- in Chandler earlier in 2021. Then, ple killed when a helicopter collided with an airplane she was hired to be a flight instrucat Chandler Airport last October. He left behind an tor at the same school she trained at. It was in the Air Force that she 11-year-old daughter and his widow, Rebecca. met her boyfriend of six years, (AFN file photo) Shane Berger. She had lived in a number of places, inhit a large bird. Neither were injured and cluding Idaho, Las Vegas, and San Antonio. the plane suffered only minor damage. Papendick’s wife, Rebecca, filed the The airplane’s pilot asked the tower if he had all three landing gear down. They claim on behalf of her husband and his confirmed he did before the plane landed. beneficiaries. The couple had an 11-month The helicopter fell and became a fireball old daughter at the time of the crash. He was also a veteran, having served when it hit land.

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seven years in the U.S. Navy. The claim says they will settle for $15 million. The Papendick claim says at the time of the accident the air traffic control operators were having trouble communicating with aircraft. At 6 a.m., an hour and 40 minutes before the crash, operators reported one frequency, 133.1, kept dropping and auto-selecting to other frequencies. At 6:59 a.m. the air traffic control operator told the pilot of the airplane to switch to 133.1 frequency. At 7:31 a.m., nine minutes before the crash, he warned the airplane’s pilots that there were two helicopters in the area to keep an eye out for. The claim says despite the warning, the airplane shorted its final approach pattern to overlap with the helicopters’ taxiway pattern. The claim says that since the pilot assumed he had hit a large bird and never mentioned a helicopter, it is possible given the previous trouble with 133.1 frequency that the pilot never got the message to keep a watch for two helicopters in the taxiway. A statement from the City of Chandler said officials have no comment in ongoing legal disputes. ■

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

UKRAINE from page 1

Now, he’s asking for donations to help a childhood friend and her 2-year-old son as well as another friend with two children under 12. “I can’t ignore them, because what if something happens to them?” Tretyak asked. “The rest of my life I’m thinking I could’ve done something.” Dima Tretyak, his wife, Katya, their son, Darian, and their daughter, Demi, were already sharing their home with Tretyak’s sister, Tanya Bukharova, and her husband, Ivan Bukharov, who came over in September 2021. “They got lucky a year ago,” he said. “They won [the] green card lottery.” Then, when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the Bukharovs’ son, Volodymor Bukharov, his wife, Katya Bukharova, and their son, Dima Bukharov, age 6, immediately left their hometown of Melitopol. Russian troops occupied the city the following day. “You don’t know where is a safe place to go because they start[ed] attacking the entire country,” Tretyak said. Volodymor Bukharov wasn’t allowed to leave Ukraine because he’s of military age,

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but he dropped off his wife and son at the Polish border on Feb. 27. Katya Bukharova said via translation that she didn’t even have time to think. They grabbed important documents, stuffed a few things in plastic bags and got in the car. It’s difficult and stressful, she said, and she misses her house. The Tretyaks began laying plans to bring Katya Bukharova and Dima Bukharov to the U.S. They initially applied for a tourist visa for her, but federal emergency programs that began April 11 now give them temporary protected status. Once Katya Bukharova and her son made it safely to Ahwatukee, Tretyak felt he needed to help others. However, the logistics and costs are daunting. First, just getting out of Ukraine is expensive and highly dangerous. One friend who recently left, Tretyak said, told him an 80-mile trip that used to cost $10 by bus now takes 10 hours and costs $200 to $600 per person. They have to go through several checkpoints, and people have to claim they’re going to visit relatives or get medicine. After that, they generally have to stay in Poland for some length of time, and need money for food and necessities. But there’s no guarantee they’ll even

make it to their destination. “It can be a one-way trip,” Tretyak said. “You go through actual battlefields. They’re driving under active artillery fire.” Also, COVID restrictions make it difficult. Ivan Bukharov, who had only been on a plane once in his life, had to fly to Poland and sign an attestation that his daughterin-law would get vaccinated upon arrival in the U.S. And the biggest hurdle: The airfare for the three of them added up to thousands of dollars. Tretyak estimates it costs about $5,000 to bring one person from Ukraine to the U.S. “They don’t have financial support to do this,” Tretyak said. “I’m not reaching out to people who have places to go to, like [staying with] relatives or friends. It’s those few I know of who don’t have anywhere to go.” Add to that, the Tretyaks purchased a condo for the Bukharovs in anticipation of having potentially five more people coming to stay. A plea on social media helped them furnish the home, but now, with more people coming, they need more support. Tretyak and his wife are a working middle-class family, and the typical Ukrainian earns less than $200 a month, he explained.

To donate, go to GoFundMe.com and search for Dima Tretyak or call him at 602 434-3460. ■

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“It’s a joke what they pay there,” he noted. Still, he’s optimistic his friends will make it. The friend with two children left on April 24 and made it to Poland. He and his wife are busy getting paperwork ready for their arrival. “We need to go through [a] background check; prove we have enough money to support them,” he said. They’ll have to get health screenings and prove they have several vaccinations, and eventually they’ll need a car and jobs where they don’t need to speak English. The other friend with a two-year-old daughter is moving from place to place and keeping a low profile because her exhusband was in the military, and the Russian troops are looking for anyone with ties to the military, Tretyak explained. They even look through people’s homes and strip-search them at checkpoints looking for tattoos or scars, he said. “If you have any relation past or present to military, that’s about as far as you can go,” he stated. “There’s a good reason to run,” Tretyak added. “Civilians are not being spared.”

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Beautifully updated 1,568 sf home with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Corner lot and backs to a greenbelt! Kitchen boasts granite counter tops, large dining area and a cabinet pantry. All appliances convey including the refrigerator and front load washer & dryer! Kitchen opens to one of the family rooms. Second family room is downstairs. Tons of living space! Split master floor plan. Large master suite with a walk – in closet and granite vanity top. Secondary bedrooms are downstairs. Laminate wood flooring; no carpet in the home! Soaring vaulted ceilings! The pool – size back yard has a wood burning fireplace, built in BBQ and built in spa; perfect for families and entertaining! North / south exposure.

Tatum Ranch Listed for

$785,000

Remodeled home on the 1st tee of the Tatum Ranch Golf Course! Over a ¼ acre property situated in a cul de sac with a northeast facing back yard. 2400 sf. Four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Open kitchen – family room floorplan. Professionally refinished cabinetry, breakfast bar, pantry and eat – in casual dining area in the kitchen. Newer 8x24 porcelain tile flooring throughout with carpet only in the formal living room and bedrooms. Master bathroom has dual sinks, granite vanity top and a walk – in shower with tile surrounds. Secondary bathroom has dual sinks with ORB faucets and tile surrounds in the shower / tub. Exit the family room through French doors to the extended covered back patio and resort style back yard with Gazebo and Jacuzzi hot tub with stone veneer surrounds.

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PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN WARNING! Our clinic is taking every precaution and we follow strict CDC guidelines to ensure that our patients, clinic and staff are SAFE! Mesa, AZ — The most common method your doctor will recommend to treat your chronic pain and/or neuropathy is with prescription drugs that may temporarily reduce your symptoms. These drugs have names such as Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin, and are primarily antidepressant or anti-seizure drugs. These drugs may cause you to feel uncomfortable and have a variety of harmful side effects. Chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most debilitating balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet which causes the nerves to begin to degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow.

Impeccably cared - for 1,666 sf single level 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home! Open floor plan! Kitchen boasts island / breakfast bar, 2019 stainless steel appliances, and large eat-in kitchen dining area. Large great room with soaring vaulted ceilings! Ceiling fans throughout. 2019 upgraded laminate wood flooring throughout with carpet only in bedrooms (carpet also installed 2019.) Split master bedroom floor plan. Double sinks in the master bathroom! All appliances convey including the refrigerator and front load washer / dryer. Multiple patios in the back! Low maintenance front and back yard landscape. Close/ neighborhood access to Maricopa Trail System.

Laveen Meadows

Listed for $380,000

As you can see in Figure 2, as the blood vessels that surround the nerves become diseased they shrivel up which causes the nerves to not get the nutrients to continue to survive. When these nerves begin to “die” they cause you to have balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and many additional symptoms.

Circle Mountain Land

(See the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article)

Two parcels; 4.7 acres each. Residential Acreage abutting Pyramid Peak and state trust land. Elevated property, away from flood zones. Build a grand estate or subdivide a small community! Beautiful Northeastern views of New River Mesa and surrounding mountains. Zoning requires at least 1 acre per home. 15-20 minutes from Anthem and Cave Creek and still only 45 minutes from Sky Harbor 9.4 acres total available (10 acres minus 40 foot road easement along Northern edge.)

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra!

The treatment that is provided at Aspen Medical has three main goals. 1) Increase blood flow

The treatment to increase blood flow, stimulate small nerve fibers and get you back to health is our new $50,000.00 SANEXAS UNIT!

The main problem is that your doctor has told you to just live with the problem or try the drugs which you don’t like taking because they make you feel uncomfortable. There is now a facility right here in Mesa that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects.

$185,000 each

3) How much treatment will your condition require?

3) Decrease brain-based pain

Rare find, impeccably cared - for single level home with incredible mountain views; no neighbors behind! 1,340 sf, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Kitchen boasts Silestone counter tops, breakfast bar, pantry and eat-in kitchen dining area. Open kitchen – family room floor plan! Spacious family room exits to the covered back patio. Tile flooring in kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and all traffic areas; laminate flooring in family room. Carpet only in bedrooms! Vaulted ceilings! Master suite has a walk in closet and its own exit to the back patio. Double sinks in the master bathroom! Enjoy majestic mountain views from the covered back patio!Extended patio with pavers and lush grass area in back. Land behind home is protected Maricopa Trail System. Low maintenance, well - manicured front yard landscape. All appliances convey including the refrigerator and washer dryer.

Listed for

NOTE: Once you have sustained 95% nerve loss, there is likely nothing that we can do for you.

Aspen Medical will do a chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination to determine the extent of the nerve damage as a public service to you and/or your family and friends. This neuropathy/ pain severity examination will consist of a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and a detailed analysis of the findings of your neuropathy.

2) Stimulate and increase small fiber nerves

Laveen Meadows Listed for $420,000

determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. As long as you have not sustained at least 95% nerve damage there is hope!

Fig. 2

In order to effectively treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined. 1) What is the underlying cause? 2) How much nerve damage has been sustained.

In addition, we use a state-of-the-art diagnostics like the TM Flow diagnostic unit to accurately determine the increase in blood flow and a small skin biopsy to accurately determine the increase in small nerve fibers! The Sanexas electric cell signaling system delivers energy to the affected area of your body at varying wavelengths, including both low-frequency and middle-frequency signals. It also uses amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) signaling. During a treatment session, the Sanexas system automatically changes to simultaneously deliver AM and FM electric cell signal energy. THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT SANEXAS IS COVERED BY MEDICARE AND MOST INSURANCE! Depending on your coverage, your treatment could be little to no cost to you! The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be

Aspen Medical will be offering this chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination from now until May 31, 2022. Call 480274-3157 to make an appointment to determine if your chronic pain and peripheral neuropathy can be successfully treated. Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this FREE consultation offer to the first 15 callers. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL Call 480-274-3157 … NOW! We are extremely busy and if your call goes to our voicemail, please leave a message and we will get back to you asap.

480-274-3157 4540 E Baseline Rd., Suite 119 Mesa Az 85206

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

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At age 9, Benjamin Freeh, pictured here with his mother Michelle Freeh, not only is a budding entrepreneur but someone with a big heart for doing good. For the second time in a month, the Ahwatukee youngster set up a lemonade stand in front of the thrift store operated by an Ahwatukee nonprofit that also has a big heart – the Armer Foundation for Kids. All proceeds from his sales – $815 – went to benefit the foundation, which provides financial and moral assistance to families with children suffering critical illnesses. Benjamin got the idea after reading a book about lemonade stands and wanted to help the foundation, Ben virtually tripled the earnings from his previous venture. To learn more about the foundation: armerfoundation.org. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)

LA CASA DE JUANA DELIVERS A KNOCKOUT WITH ITS FRESH, AUTHENTIC AND MOUTHWATERING FOOD

If you thought you have been to a Mexican restaurant lately you probably need to reconsider and visit La Casa De Juana in Ahwatukee. The fare is authentic Mexican, and when we say authentic we mean it, unlike many of the restaurant chains that call themselves Mexican. Upon entering you’ll be dazzled by the colorful décor, the tables and chairs are beautiful, Mexican painted murals, colorful banners hanging from the ceiling and the gracious service with warm orange and yellow tones echoing throughout the restaurant will make this your favorite Mexican restaurant. With great lunch and dinner specials, live guitar player on Tuesdays and a bar with freshly made drinks, TVs, and live guitar music for all ages on the weekends and least but not last their happy hour from 2 pm to 6 pm every day $3 beer domestic and imports and $3 margaritas this place is a must. In conclusion The flavorful salsa, the delicious margaritas, the extraordinary and well-priced food will definitely keep you coming back.

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

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

ASU’s ‘tree’ aims to reduce carbon dioxide’s effects BY EMMA VANDENEINDE Cronkite News

ith carbon emissions steadily rising, Arizona State University engineers are pushing to slow its damaging effects by creating treelike metal structures that attract carbon dioxide like a magnet and hold it like a sponge. A prototype of what’s trademarked as the MechanicalTree sits in a small lot next to ASU’s Biodesign Institute. A dark blue arch – known as a gantry – looms over what appears to be a 10-foot-tall beer keg. But you won’t find suds inside. “Inside of that drum right now is 150 discs,” said Travis Johnson, associate director of ASU’s Center for Negative Carbon Emissions. “On those discs is the sorbent that captures the CO2. So that’s where the magic happens.” The magic his team is trying to create centers on removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere without requiring expensive materials or the assistance of energyintensive machines to blow wind through it. The project was researched by Klaus

tive Carbon Emissions, and commercialized by Carbon Collect Inc., a renewable energy manufacturer in Dublin. The tree is one of six projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to slow the effects of carbon dioxide in the environment. ASU’s team received $2.5 million to build the device. The goal is to build three “tree farms” in the coming years to capture 1,000 tons of CO2 a day. Carbon emissions, which are a major contributor to climate change, are rising. The U.S. Energy Information Administration found that A stainless steel drum sits below a blue gantry at Arizona petroleum-related carbon State University in Tempe. The drum is filled with 150 sor- emissions rose 8% in 2021, bent-filled discs, which are pulled apart like an accordion and they’re expected to rise to expose them to more air, says Travis Johnson, associate 5% this year. That increase director of ASU’s Center for Negative Carbon Emissions. in carbon dioxide accounts (Emma VandenEinde/Cronkite News) for two-thirds of the temperLackner, director of ASU’s Center for Nega- ature increase in our climate, according to > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

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the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This has scientists worried that the world isn’t adapting fast enough to meet this change. That point comes through in the latest report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which also states that the heat caused by carbon emissions is killing crops, trees and fish – all of which help sustain the planet. “The carbon problem in the atmosphere is proving to be a much more difficult problem than I think people expected it to be,” said Gary Dirks, chairman of Carbon Collect. “We’re quite literally not making progress at the rate we need to.” Dirks said ASU’s trees are one step to help curb emissions. “We need to stop emitting as fast as we can,” he said, “but in the event we overshoot, then we’re going to need something that can bring it back again.” Johnson said the MechanicalTree is the next tool in the toolbox for climate researchers. To capture carbon, the blue gantry expands the device like an accordion to expose its “leaves” so wind can blow across the CO2, grabbing sorbent, a porous material that looks a lot like moon sand. “You can see the stainless steel drum there with the lid on top, that gets raised up by the winch up there, up in the air,” Johnson said. “The lid comes off and the discs are attached to it. So it comes up kind of like an accordion.” When activated, the MechanicalTree stands open for 20 to 30 minutes to catch a breeze. “Each one of those cutout wedges is filled with these bags of sorbent,” Johnson said. “You could see these really tiny beads here, and there’s going to be about 14,000 of these bags that fill that tree.” The sorbent works like a magnet, holding the carbon dioxide like a sponge until the discs are lowered back down into the steel keg. Then, the carbon is stored underground or repurposed for such products as carbonated beverages. “The goal is to make sure every little tiny bit of sorbent gets exposed to air every time. That way, we’re maximizing the efficiency and the capacity of the system,” Johnson said.

see TREE page 24

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

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NEWS

CANYON from page 1

ly-attended virtual meeting with neighbors May 3. That meeting for residents within a 1-mile radius of the development is required by city planners as part of their permitting/plan approval process. The traffic impact study – along with reports on storm water drainage, water supply, wastewater drainage, open space and conservation, street lighting and landscaping – were obtained by the Ahwatukee Foothills News through a state records law request. The traffic study will likely be the central document in the only real question that City Council must address before Blandford starts shoveling dirt. Blandford expects to start construction late this year or early next, with the first homes going on the market by 2024. City Council must vote on Blandford’s request to modify the Phoenix street classifications for the area to allow for the extension of Liberty Lane as a two-lane thoroughfare with bike lanes through the development and for S. Chandler Boulevard to remain three lanes. The first step in that process is slated for May 23 at a virtual meeting of the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee, which must make a recommendation to the Phoenix Planning Commission for it to make a recommendation to Council. The number of residences is not an issue in that process. The land has been zoned since 2003 for the houses and apartments as well as some retail, though the developer has not indicated any specific plans as yet for commercial development. “We’re not modifying that original zoning,” Lemon said at the virtual meeting last week. “We’re just implementing it.”

Traffic analysis

The plan to keep South Chandler Boulevard one lane in each direction with a middle turn lane seemed to surprise some of virtual audience – with good reason. In 2016, during a series of Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee meetings, city transporation officials presented the plan to connect the two segments of Chandler Boulevard at 19th and 27th avenues with the 1.2-mile, two-lane Chandler Boulevard Extension. Then-committee Chairman Chad Blostone railed at the plan, noting the possibility of future development of the State

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

ate time for the addition of signal control at this location.”

Other issues raised

During the virtual meeting, one attendee asked if the trailhead on South Chandler Boulevard will be expanded since Blandford anticipates providing additional parking nearby to accommodate Canyon Reserve residents. Beaudoin said the additional parking would be “not immediately adjacent to the park but in the general location there. “There is a plan for that trailhead to expand but it is not part of our project,” he said. “But it is something that the City of Phoenix has in their world to do at a later date. We just don’t have any This map of the Canyon Reserve development shows how the master information of when that planned community would be laid out. The numbered areas are main in- would happen. But there is a consideration for a tersections. (City of Phoenix) much larger trailhead in the future there. “The other plans and reports so far subLand parcel and expressing concern for isting study intersections are anticipated traffic safety as four lanes of Chandler to operate at a satisfactory (level of ser- mitted by Reserve 100 to the city deal Boulevard merged into one lane of the ex- vice) by buildout of the development with with a variety of basic development contension in either direction. the exception of 17th Avenue and Liberty cerns but appear to raise no red flags. Several reports prepared by Wood Patel City officials eventually relented and Lane. gave into Blostone’s request for a center “The intersection of 17th Avenue and and Associates dealing with water, waste turn lane, but also indicated that once the Liberty Lane is expected to experience water and other related issues indicate State Land parcel was bought, the devel- delays for eastbound left turns during the that as each phase of the development is oper would be responsible for adding an- PM peak hour and westbound left turns nearing the city’s construction-approval other lane in each direction on the Chan- during both peak hours,” it continues. “A process additional water usage studies large reason for this delay is anticipated will likely be necessary to update demand dler Boulevard Extension. Speaking at the neighborhood meeting, from the large number of northbound left- estimates. Although the site is not within a floodzoning consultant Alan Beaudoin said the turning vehicles at the intersection, which city had asked the Arizona Department of decreases the number of available gaps plain designation from the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, Wood Patel Transportation to eliminate a proposed for minor street left turns.” South Mountain Freeway at 25th Avenue. It recommends restriping that intersec- some additional storm water controls will Explaining what that has meant for road tion for “exclusive left turn lanes for all be needed to deal with South Mountain usage in the area, the Kimley Horn report- approaches” but notes: “It is not expected runoff because part of the land falls in an says, “More than half of traffic from the that a signal will be warranted at this in- “Other Flood Zones” designation. That designation, defined by the Fedresidents to the west (of Canyon Reserve) tersection. This intersection is anticipated is destined to and from the east via Chan- to operate with acceptable delays as an eral Emergency Management Agency, dler Boulevard, while the rest of the traffic unsignalized intersection by buildout of covers areas where there is a .02% annual the development and is therefore recom- chance of a flood or areas of a 1% annual is destined to Loop 202 to the south.” chance of a flood with depths under 1 foot Kimley Horn also says that based on its mended to be unsignalized.” analysis of traffic at the Chandler BouleHowever, it adds, “It is recommended or with drainage areas under 1 square vard/Shaughnessey Road and 17th Av- that vehicular volumes be monitored and mile and areas protected by levees. enue at Chandler Boulevard intersections evaluated as surrounding development see CANYON page 18 with Liberty Lane and the freeway “all ex- occurs in order to determine the appropri-

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

CANYON from page 16

The report cites “two distinct upstream watersheds that enter the site through two 120-foot span bridge crossings located along West Chandler Boulevard. “Runoff from the South Mountain Park and Preserve, located north of the site, passes through these two bridge crossings. Wash 1 enters from the west bridge crossing and flows along the western boundary of the Site before entering a culvert along the South Mountain Freeway,” it continues. It also notes the other wash “enters from the east bridge crossing, experiences braided diffuse splits and sheet flow conditions as it crosses the Site to the southern boundary where the runoff then discharges through various storm drain culverts beneath the” freeway. “As a result of the offsite and onsite flows combining and exiting along the southern property boundary of the Site into the SR 202 drainage system, it will be necessary to obtain an ADOT Encroachment Permit,” it continues. “The post-development southern boundary drainage corridor will be designed to provide for the safe release of the flow into the downstream SR 202

and the other an at-grade crossing at 19th Avenue and Chandler Boulevard that will get additional markings but no additional lighting. Both West Chandler Boulevard and Liberty Lane will have 7-foot-wide sidewalks separated from the curb by landscaping while 5-foot sidewalks will be in all the residential neighborhoods One thing that neither the reports nor the meeting even touched on involved concerns raised at last month’s Village Planning Committee when Beaudoin presented an overview of The Village Planning Committee received this initial map for the Chandler Boulevard Extension in 2016, Blandford’s plan: the abprompting the panel to demand a middle turn lane that the city initially had not planned. (City of Phoenix) sence of plans for a fire and/ or police substation to serve culvert crossings.” equate protection from the 100-year peak western Ahwatukee. The report says each Canyon Reserve runoff and compliance with the City of As for the homes and neighborhoods on phase will require a plan for “100-year Phoenix Storm Water Policies and Stan- the site, Lemon told neighbors last week 6-hour and/or 24-hour post-development dards.” that some aspects of the development discharges at or below existing condition Another study recommends two pedes- would mirror Blandford’s Palma Brisas discharges. In addition, each phase and/ trian connections to the trailhead on the community on Desert Foothills Parkway. or parcel shall provide interim drainage site’s northeast corner, one underneath see CANYON page 24 improvements as necessary to assure ad- the existing Chandler Boulevard bridge

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Ducey signs off on $400M for I-10 widening BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

elief may finally be on the way for Chandler motorists who get snarled in traffic in the corridor between the state’s two largest cities. The state House on May 2 gave final approval to spending $400 million to widen an approximately 25 mile stretch of Interstate 10 between Queen Creek Road on the edge of Chandler to State Route 287 outside of Casa Grande to three lanes in each direction. That matches what already exists on either side of the segment. The Senate already had given its blessing and Gov. Doug Ducey, who asked for the funding in his State of the State speech, signed it on May 4. Doug Nick, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said that $400 million won’t complete the job. But he said that commitment will qualify Arizona to apply for a share of the $5 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that is set aside for highway improvement projects. That could add another $300 million. And Nick said the agency already has $260 million set aside to get the work started, bringing the entire project cost to about $1 billion. That start, which could begin as early as 2023, will be on the pair of quarter-mile two-lane bridges over the Gila River. From there, he said, construction will start in 2024 to the north and south until the entire stretch is upgraded to three lanes. Anticipated completion is set for 2026. Nick said that $1 billion figure was crafted to account for inflation. He acknowledged, though, that the current unusually high increase in year-to-year costs for everything could complicate matters if it does not abate. The state has been widening sections of the interstate, which stretches from Santa Monica, California, to Jacksonville, Florida, for years. But the last section has been an issue. Rep. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, who sponsored the $400 million appropriation, said some of that had to do with the fact that the stretch runs through the Gila River Indian Community. “Their opposition mainly stemmed from they felt like they didn’t have a seat at the table originally when (the highway) was

al lifespan of 50 to 75 years, ADOT states. “Since being constructed, they have been impacted twice by major flood events in the Gila River,” the agency states. “In 1983, flood waters washed over I-10, resulting in the closure of I-10 for several weeks for roadway and bridge repairs. It is estimated that the 1983 event’s river flow was three times greater than the flow for which the bridges were designed,” it explains. “Ten years later, another flood event resulted in flood waters rising within inches of the bridge girders, Widening the stretch of I-10 between Casa Grande and Ahwatucausing concern that kee has been delayed by a rift between the Gila River Indian Comfloating debris could munity and state government that only recently has been bridged damage the bridge as a result of GRIC Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis. (ADOT) structures and force placed through the reservation,” he said. another closure of I-10. In 1994, ADOT “And they hadn’t felt like an equal partner made modifications along and within throughout that process.” the river near the bridges to help protect Shope said that has changed with the par- them from future flooding events.” ticipation of GRIC Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis. ADOT says that though it “has continuOn its website, ADOT said it is working ously repaired, reinforced and maintained with the Gila River Indian Community to the bridge structures since they were define the recommended bridge layout built, “as a bridge ages, the routine mainand estimated costs to replace the I-10 tenance becomes progressively more exbridges over the Gila River. ADOT states pensive. Recent inspections indicate that it has allocated $83 million for the bridge expensive deck and foundation repairs are replacement project in Fiscal Year 2023, necessary in the near future if the existing adding, “The funding amount is contingent bridges are to remain in place.” on market conditions and final design.” It also said the two recent flooding “Once an agreement with the Gila River events, one for which covered the highIndian Community is finalized, ADOT is way, indicate that “the more cost-effective, committed to identifying and pursuing long-term solution may be to design and all possible funding options, including construct new bridges utilizing current defederal funding options, for improving sign standards and methods, enabling the the I-10 bridges over the Gila River,” the bridges to withstand larger flood events. agency website states, adding that it must “This is especially critical, as another complete engineering and environmental- major flood event along the Gila River impact studies before it can be eligible for forcing an I-10 closure would significantly federal aid. impact the region’s mobility and emerThe I-10 bridges over the Gila River gency response times, and would have a were constructed in 1964 with a function- noticeable, negative impact on the local

NEWS

and state economy,” it says. “Newly designed bridges could also include wider shoulders, which would improve safety for everyone who travels over them. “As the region continues to grow, the reliability, safety and structural integrity of the bridges over the Gila River are increasingly critical to travelers.” Despite the lopsided votes – 27-1 in the Senate and 55-1 in the House–- not everyone is convinced it’s a good idea to take money from the same pot that is used to fund the rest of state government. The generally established practice involves ADOT borrowing money for projects, pledging future gasoline tax revenues and vehicle registration fees and leaving the dollars collected from state income, sales and other taxes untouched. Tapping the general fund for $400 million jump starts this specific project without affecting other road construction and repair priorities. Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, cast the lone dissenting vote in the Senate. It starts, she said, with the process. She said that if the state has a fixed amount of money to spend in the general fund, then all priorities should be considered and compete for those funds at the same time. Ugenti-Rita said there should not be special carve outs. Beyond that, she said there may be better ways of spending that much money. “I want $400 million in tax cuts,” UgentiRita said. Shope acknowledged that this plan to use general fund tax collection dollars to put in a third lane in each direction is a departure from the normal process of borrowing money for new construction. But he said this isn’t just any old road project. “The Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce survey did a survey of residents,’’ Shope said. “And, of those who were gainfully employed, around 60% of them traveled to Phoenix for work.” That, he, said, is far different than a project like widening I-17 north of Anthem. “That’s a lot of recreational traffic,” Shope said. “This is a lot of commerce traffic just trying to do their daily jobs.” And he said that I-10 becomes the only east-west highway that is pretty much

see WIDEN page 24

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Amid drought, Facebook’s Mesa campus grows bigger BY SCOTT SHUMAKER AFN Staff Writer

ess than a year ago, Mesa City Council approved a development and water agreement for a large data center with a mysterious Delaware-based company called Redale LLC. That company turned out to be Facebook. Under its May 2021 development agreement with Mesa, Facebook would build a 1- million-square-foot facility in a first phase, with the option to build another 2 million square feet in subsequent phases. One of the conditions was Facebook, now Meta, had to get started within five years. Less than a year later, it’s far outstripped that time frame: the first 1 million square feet are well underway, and Meta announced last week that it’s decided to use the rest of its option and build another 1.5 million square feet. In a release, Meta said it plans three more “data halls” at its Elliot Road Tech Corridor campus, in addition to the two already under construction, for a total of 2.5 million square feet. The expansion means the area south of

Less than a year after getting Mesa City Council’s blessing, Facebook’s gigantic data campus is quickly becoming reality. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer) Elliot Road will be a small village of up to 2,000 construction workers on site for the next four years, DPR Construction manager Joe Yeargan said. As big as the expansion is, even when all

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five planned mega-buildings are completed, Facebook’s data campus will only take up the upper portion of the 390-acre parcel the company owns at Elliot and Ellsworth. Much of the lower part of the site will

still be available for expansion, though the company would have to go through Mesa’s development process again for additional phases. Asked what the future might hold for the rest of the parcel, Meta spokeswoman Melanie Roe said more data centers were possible, adding, “all of our expansions are based on business need.” Meta held a May 4 event at the site to announce the expansion, which was attended by officials from Meta, city officials, Salt River Project representatives and other partners – as well as many workers donning hard hats and vests. Mayor John Giles told the crowd that “Mesa’s an incredible place to set up a shop” and praised Meta for locating in the city. “They’ll create high quality jobs” and “companies will locate here because Meta is here,” he said. The mood under the tent was jovial, but the issue of water loomed over the proceedings. Just the day before, the U.S. Bureau of Rec-

see META page 21

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

META from page 20

lamation announced that it would be taking extraordinary measures to protect the water levels in Lake Powell and other Colorado River reservoirs due to extended drought and a disappointing winter of precipitation in the Rockies, which feeds the river. Many of the speakers celebrating Meta’s expansion touched on water conservation. “We know water’s a concern and it’s something we take very seriously,” Meta Community Development David Williams told the crowd. Meta’s Mesa data centers will use significant amounts of water to cool its servers, and in announcing the expansion, Meta did not avoid the water issue, stating that its data centers will be 60% more water efficient than the industry average, and declaring that it is “committed to restoring more water than it will consume.” As part of its water agreement with the city, Meta will purchase water credits and sign them over to the city of Mesa before hooking up to the municipal system. But offsetting its water use is a lofty goal, and Meta did not have specifics yet on how it would achieve it. Because of the large scale of the planned data centers and the amount of energy its servers will consume – up to 450 megawatts, comparable to a medium city’s entire household use – the water demands to cool equipment are potentially large. In a Sustainable Water Service agreement with the city, Meta and the city estimated the project at full build out of five buildings might use 1,400 acre feet of water per year. The maximum flow rates in the agreement suggest the scale of the water needed, up to 4 million gallons of water per day. A typical 18-hole golf course in Arizona uses between 500,000 and 1 million gallons of water per day. Besides touting the efficiency of its facilities’ design, Meta also sought to head off questions about water by highlighting its donations to water conservation projects in Arizona, which could result in more water reaching the Valley. Dan Stellar, the Arizona director of The Nature Conservancy, described a Metasupported irrigation improvement project outside Sedona that might increase

The Facebook company’s expansion means the area south of Elliot Road will be a small village of up to 2,000 construction workers on site for the next four years. (David Minton/AFNStaff

Photographer)

water flows in Oak Creek – a tributary of the Verde River that is important for Valley water supplies. Meta reported that three projects it is supporting could conserve 200 million gallons of water per year. This is a lot, but it represents a 50-day supply for the data centers at the maximum allowed flowage. Last year, Vice Mayor Jenn Duff cast the lone vote against the development agree-

ment on the grounds that the risk of adding such a large water user to the system was not outweighed by the number of permanent jobs created by the project. Duff was at the Meta event with Mayor John Giles and three other council members. She told the Tribune before the speeches that she hoped the data centers would figure out a way to cool the centers without water.

Asked what the future might hold for the rest of the parcel, Meta spokeswoman Melanie Roe said more data centers were possible, adding, “all of our expansions are based on business need.” (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)

Another theme of Wednesday’s events was jobs, both temporary construction jobs and permanent jobs. Facebook says the data centers will create 200 permanent jobs when the project is complete. Visitors had an opportunity to view current construction, and there were plenty of workers attending to various tasks and driving around the huge parcel in side-by-sides. At the site of Building 1, a crew worked below ground level in a labyrinth of concrete and tubing that will eventually house electrical wires and fiber cabling. Yeargan wanted the guests in attendance to appreciate how far down below the surface the crews were putting infrastructure in. Nearby, two lofty cranes lifted metal girders into place to form the skeleton of the first building. Yeargan said DPR was working hard to be a good neighbor while construction is underway and reduce truck traffic on Elliot Road. Vendors have set up essentially temporary hardware stores and equipment rental shops on-site, so workers can access materials without leaving the site. DPR is also preparing all its concrete on location. For Yeargan, one of the benefits of the recently announced expansion is that it means craft workers can stay with a single site for many years. He said the Meta project would be a good place for recent grads in the trades to start out, because they could get “four years of continuous apprenticeship” at the site. To underscore its investment in local employment, Meta also announced a $50,000 gift to the Mesa College Promise fund, which provides Mesa high school grads two years of free tuition to Mesa Community College. As he prepared to board the bus again after viewing the Building 1 site, Freeman shared his thoughts on the project and expansion. “I’m excited about this,” he said. “One of the guys said it creates a ‘tertiary technology ripple effect.’ I was impressed by that because wherever they’ve built these developments, it has changed a lot of the area for the better. Employment, economic development, housing and their support of education, and the commitment for water conservation is key to me.”■

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

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Ducey says pro-life doesn’t cover state executions BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ov. Doug Ducey said Wednesday his self-proclaimed “pro-life” position covers only abortions and not executions carried out in the name of the state. And he said he believes in the death penalty in “certain rare situations.” The statements came as Arizona is set to conduct its first execution this week since 2014. That was before Ducey was elected. That, however, is contingent on whether the Arizona Supreme Court concludes Clarence Dixon is mentally fit to be executed. And a death warrant has been issued for a second man, Frank Atwood, to be put to death on June 8. “When I talk about pro-life, I talk about the innocence of life at birth,” the governor told Capitol Media Services. “What you are talking about is justice that is coming 40 years delayed to families that suffered enormous grief at the hands of murderers," he said. “And the state is going to see that justice is done." The governor's comments on the scope of his pro-life beliefs come on the heels of a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court indicating that a majority of the justices are willing to overturn Roe v. Wade, the historic 1973 ruling which concluded women have a constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy. That would return the decisions to each state. And Arizona still has its pre-Roe law on the books that outlaw all abortions except to save the life of the mother. Ducey has suggested he believes a ban at 15 weeks he signed earlier this year would take precedence, a view that is contradicted by the plain language of that bill. When pushed for whether he wants an outright ban or the 15-week law to take effect, the governor said the courts will decide. More immediately are the questions of the executions of Dixon and Frank Atwood.

Clarence Dixon could be executed this week for killing an ASU student in 1978. (Special to the Tribune)

Strictly speaking, Ducey can't do anything on his own to halt either. That is because the legislature decades ago removed the unilateral power of governors to issues pardons or commute death sentence to life in prison. That can occur only on the recommendation of the Board of Executive Clemency, something that has not happened in either case. Ducey said he is just doing his job. “I took an oath to uphold the constitution and enforce the laws,” he said. But what does Ducey, who was raised Catholic, believe in his heart? “I believe in certain situations, the death penalty is justice,” he said. And the governor said he has been briefed on both cases by Anni Foster, his legal counsel. “Each of these crimes is egregious beyond the pale,” Ducey continued. "This is the law and it will be completed.” There is, however, a possible last reprieve for Dixon. His attorneys are arguing that he cannot understand why he is being executed because he is mentally incompetent. That was rejected by Pinal County Superior Court Judge Robert Olson. In a ruling released Wednesday, he said that Dixon is rational, a decision likely to be appealed to

the Arizona Supreme Court. Dixon was convicted of the 1978 killing of Deana Bowdin, a student at Arizona State University. She was found murdered in her bed with a macrame belt around her neck and blood on her chest. While police found DNA they were unable to match it to anyone. The break came in 2001 when Tempe police matched it to Dixon who by that time was serving a life sentence in prison for a 1986 rape. Dixon had lived across the street from Bowdin at the time of the murder. Atwood was convicted of the 1984 slaying of 8-year-old Vicki Lynne Hoskinson in Tucson. She disappeared while riding her pink bicycle on her mail to mail a letter for her mother. Authorities eventually tracked Atwood to Texas where he was arrested on charges of kidnapping. Murder charges were added after Vicki's skull and some bone were found in the desert northwest of Tucson the following year. Courts have so far rejected claims by defense attorneys that the state has not proven it has the lethal drugs necessary to conduct both executions in a safe fashion. The last execution was in 2014 when it took 15 doses of a two-drug combination over nearly two hours to kill Joseph R. Wood. Meanwhile, a judge has ruled that Jewish residents have no legal right to block the state from executing inmates using the same gas that Nazis used to kill millions of Jews. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Joan Sinclair pointed out that the Jewish Community Relations Council of Phoenix is not contesting the constitutionality of the death penalty. In fact, she said, the lawsuit the group filed along with two of its members does not even challenge the use of lethal gas by the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry. Instead, Sinclair said, the only issue is the use of cyanide gas, called Zyklon B. The judge said that's not for her to decide. “The state constitution specifically al-

Frank Atwood is scheduled to be executed next month for the 1984 killing of an 8-yearold Tucson girl. (Special to the Tribune) lows for the use of lethal gas in death penalty cases,” she wrote. And Sinclair said judges are required to give “deference” to state agencies in how to carry out the duties they are charged by state law with enforcing. “Moreover, plaintiffs are essentially requesting a change in the law to exclude cyanide gas,” Sinclair continued. “This is a policy decision better left to the legislature.” Attorneys for challengers argued this isn't just an academic debate. First, they argued psychological injury, charging that Jewish residents and taxpayers would effectively be forced “to subsidize and relieve unnecessarily the same form of cruelty used in World War II atrocities.” “Many of these survivors are horrified at being taxed to implement the same machinery of cruelty that was used to murder their loved ones,” the lawsuit states. That, said Sinclair, is not sufficient grounds to sue. “This is not a distinct and palpable injury to those plaintiffs outside of an allegation of generalized harm that is shared alike by a large class of citizens,” the judge wrote. ■

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

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

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TREE from page 14

One MechanicalTree is expected to collect roughly 187 pounds of carbon a day. A normal tree only captures 48 pounds in a year. However, Dirks said one tree won’t solve the planet’s carbon problem. “It will take millions of trees to make a difference,” he said. “Twelve trees will capture roughly a ton a day. The need for intervention is on the scale of gigatons, meaning billion tons.” Thirty-five million MechanicalTrees would be needed to begin reducing gigatons of carbon. A gigaton is the same mass as 200 million elephants – a large number that would take years to achieve. But ASU’s rapid manufacturing could make that deadline more attainable. “Think of car manufacturing,” Johnson said. “We can learn quickly because we’re making them so quickly, so we can inject that new learning into the production and learn quicker and get down the cost curve.” And unlike other projects, this one

CANYON from page 18

“Basically every home has a front porch with the garage recessed,” he said, allowing for a wide variety of elevations such as wood-stone, wood stucco and brick. Homes will range from1,700 square feet

WIDEN from page 19

guaranteed to be open and snow-free all winter, though Shope acknowledged there are stretches in Cochise County that do sometimes get snow. Support was bipartisan. “The I-10 is a vital artery that supports our entire state economy,” said House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, D-Laveen. “All kinds of commerce, agriculture, manufacturing, dry goods, even state legislators from Tucson all rely on the I-10 to connect our state’s two largest metropolitan areas,” Bolding continued. “But one part of this artery there is a choke point that impacts safety and needs our investment and out attention.” He acknowledged there are a lot of priorities and demands for state funds, particular for education. “But we also know infrastructure is where out attention is needed.” Ducey press aide C.J. Karamargin said the presence of I-10 and one where traffic flows

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

years – the construction takes time, and the project’s future hinges on more investments and federal grants. But for Johnson, the creation of these trees is personal. “I’ve got four little kids and I want to be able to tell them I’ve tried to stop some of Part of the disc structure sits inside the Biodesign Institute the bad consequencat Arizona State University in Tempe. Each triangular wedge es you’re having to is filled with a sorbent that attracts and captures carbon deal with,” he said. dioxide from the air. (Emma VandenEinde/Cronkite News) For now, the Medoesn’t rely on anyone being present for chanicalTree team is collecting the tree to operate. data on their model in Tempe. It “We rely on the wind to blow across our plans to load the tree with sorsorbent as opposed to the other compa- bent and start collecting CO2 in nies that are doing this all have big giant the next couple months. blowers or they blow the air,” Johnson If successful, there might be said. “So we’re trying to avoid that cost.” more of these mechanical trees The effects of the MechanicalTrees across the nation in the next few won’t really be seen for five to seven years. ■

to 4,000 square feet with three different lot sizes. There will be some duplexes ranging in size between 1,300-2,800 feet and while there will be two-story single-family houses, the development will offer predominately one-story homes, Blandford

easily is critical to the state’s economy. “We have businesses, large companies, manufacturing companies that are choosing Arizona because of our proximity to interstate highways,’’ he said. For example, he said Nikola Motor Co. which rolled its first big rig trucks off the line last month, chose Coolidge because of freeway access. Rep. Richard Andrade, D-Glendale, also voted for the plan. But he told colleagues they should keep in mind there are other priorities. “We also have many Arizona roads and highways that need to be improved,’’ he said. And Andrade said he is counting on lawmakers making further investments as the full budget is negotiated. ■ ADOT says, “The Gila River is eroding material away from the shallow bridge foundations” beneath a critical stretch of I-10. “While this is not an immediate concern, this could become a serious problem if we do nothing,” the agency says on its website. (ADOT).

Travis Johnson, associate director of ASU’s Center for Negative Carbon Emissions, holds a bag of sorbent inside a lab at the Biodesign Institute in Tempe on March 15, 2022. This material looks a lot like moon sand, but it actually attracts carbon like a magnet and soaks it up like a sponge. Each MechanicalTree will use 14,000 bags of sorbent. (Emma VandenEinde/ Cronkite News)

representative Jose Castillo said. Beaudoin said Blandford reached out to Tempe Union and Kyrene school districts with an off of a parcel on the site for a high school or elementary campus. “They said no. They do not want it. They do not need it,” he told neighbors. That is no surprise

because both districts are losing enrollment. Asked whether Blandford considered the safety of bicyclists in the area, Beaudoin assured the audience :there’s consideration for bicycle safety” throughout the plans for bike lanes. ■

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Memory care center gets egg-citing addition BY GERI KOEPPEL AFN Contributor

omething is a-fowl at Hawthorn Court at Ahwatukee memory care community: 13 newborn chickens came to live in the property’s courtyard in a circular, shaded free-range enclosure 17 feet in diameter with a coop. A trio of Pekin ducks named Donald, Daphne and Betty White joined the flock as well. But it wasn’t some bird-brained idea. Executive Director Kim Zamora envisioned it as a way to engage residents in more than just playing bingo and doing crafts. They help feed and water the birds and when the hens lay eggs, they’ll collect them from the coop so they can donate them to a local shelter. “I’ve been to so many communities where residents are confined inside, and I needed to do something to encourage them to get outside to enjoy the nice

Chickens and ducks are delighting residents of Hawthorne Court care center in Ahwatukee. (Special to AFN) weather, the sunshine, the fresh air,” Zamora said.

“It’s the concept of getting the residents outside, participating in animal therapy, and then collecting the eggs and giving back to the community. So it’s a nice fullcircle activity for us.” The chickens have become such an attraction that staff has to take the 40 or so residents out in shifts to watch them. “All the residents want to do is come outside and see the chicks,” Zamora said. “When you say ‘chickens,’ everybody’s out there. It really has changed the atmosphere of the community.” The combination of ISA Brown chickens and Australorp chickens arrived at Hawthorn Court at Ahwatukee March 4 when they were 2 days old. Zamora got them at Tractor Supply and was told up to 30 percent might not survive, but she only lost one. They all must be hens, according to Phoenix city code; if any end up being roosters, they’ll be re-homed. Zamora got permission from Frontier Management, which has 130 facilities in 19 states, to build the coop. Peter Goetz,

sales and marketing director for Hawthorn Court at Ahwatukee, said, “If this does well, maybe it can be rolled out to other communities.” The center had an open house to celebrate the coop on April 28, but Zamora said anyone can visit during regular business hours. “I think we’re all proud of what we’ve done,” she said. “We’d like to show it off to the larger Ahwatukee community.” They also recently began accepting volunteers again after a hiatus due to the pandemic and already have two high school students who volunteer to clean the coop and pass the chickens around to residents to hold. Funding for the chicken coop came from a “generous donation,” as Zamora stated, from the family of former resident David Neal. After giving bonuses to the staff, she asked the family if she could build the

see COOP page 28

Local Girl Scout inspires community to get outdoors BY: JUSTIN LIGGIN AFN Contributor

n her mission to encourage others to participate in adventure opportunities and get outdoors, Girl Scout Marisa Chaidez created Get Outdoors Today (G.O.T.), a project that earned the Ahwatukee resident the highest honor in Girl Scouts, a Gold Award. “Becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout was an opportunity to make a real difference in my community. Youth and adults are staring at screens and not getting outdoors enough, which has been proven to be bad for one’s mental and physical health,” said Marisa. In her project, Marisa created a website and social media site with information on the benefits of getting outside and the positive impact it can have on overall

Marisa Chaidez of Ahwatukee won the Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn, with a project encouraging people to get outdoors. (Justin Liggin/Contributor) health for individuals. While working on her project, Marisa

had to take the lead and flex the leadership skills she has learned throughout her

Girl Scout journey, communicating with others to improve her website and further her mission. “I needed to reach out to people I’d never met before, and work with them to make the website better. It was a bit scary having to go out and talk to people,” said Marisa. “However, after I got past that initial fear, I was able to do so much better than if I was just on my own.” Through the results and engagement from her website and social media pages, Marisa was able to see the true reach and impact of her project. “I have been able to see how much of a difference I have made with G.O.T. through the likes, comments, and follows I have received across multiple platforms,” said Marisa.

see CHAIDEZ page 27

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Local resident is Phoenix Junior League president AFN NEWS STAFF

n Ahwatukee woman has become the first Asian-American president of the Junior League of Phoenix. Kelly Kaysonepheth, a 12-year Ahwatukee resident, will begin her term June 1 and serve through May 2024. Kaysonepheth will be the 78th president of JLP, whose history of past presidents include Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States; Margaret Hance, first female mayor of Phoenix; and many other community and nonprofit leaders. Kaysonepheth was inspired to apply for the president position to help reflect on JLP’s mission of developing women civic leaders. Important to Kaysonepheth is to increase conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion with an eye on sustainability in the years to come. Like many nonprofit organizations, the pandemic posed challenges for the Junior League. “We turned to virtual programming, communicated like crazy over social media and just recently held a very successful Rummage Sale, our largest annual fundraiser, after two challenging years of it on pause or in an abbreviated online format,”

CHAIDEZ from page 26

However, the road to the Gold Award was not always easy for Marisa as she suffered technological difficulties with her site along the way, while also navigating her project during the pandemic. “Even though I often faced challenges in technology, I was able to rise above them and create a final project that I am truly proud of,” she said. Aside from learning the power of perseverance, Marisa’s Gold Award journey also helped her learn other important lessons about herself. “Through my project, I learned that I don’t have to be in a box, and I don’t have to choose to like only one thing – I can branch out and have different interests and passions,” said Marisa. As a Gold Award recipient, Marisa joins a prestigious group of Girl Scouts that have earned the highest honor in the organization.

Kelly Kaysonepheth of Ahwatukee is the first Asian American president of the Junior League of Phoenix. (Special to AFN) Kaysonepheth said. “But now, we’re ready to be back in person and navigate JLP in a post-pandemic era.” Under Kaysonepheth’s leadership, this momentum will continue as JLP begins its work under a new focus area of empower-

Awardees not only stand out among others in college admissions and scholarship applications, but they are also able to join the U.S. Armed Forces at an advanced rank. Recognized nationally as a symbol of leadership, the Gold Award is the ultimate merit for making a difference. This was further instilled in Marisa through her participation in the Girl Scouts organization, which she has been a part of for five years. “Girl Scouts has given me fantastic opportunities to go to new places and experience new things. I have been able to grow as a person and find out more about who I am in a fun and interesting way” said Marisa. A student at Freedom Prep Academy in Gilbert, Marisa plans to attend college after graduation and continue making an impact in others’ lives, just like with her Gold Award project. “I would like to go into any major that involves helping people,” said Marisa. ■

ing women and girls. Membership stability is a strategic priority, too. “Membership engagement and retention are critically important right now,” Kaysonepheth said. “We can’t have a successful organization without our members. This is the time to be innovative from ‘how things used to be.” Kaysonepheth has been a member of Junior League since 2008. She has chaired two community programs, and served in various leadership positions in the League. Professionally, she is the marketing director and an associate vice president at AZTEC Engineering, a local engineering and environmental consulting firm. The core of Kaysonepheth’s community service has been focused on advancing women’s leadership development opportunities, STEM programming and mentoring first-generation and low-income students to reach their fullest potential. The latter is personal to Kaysonepheth, whose parents were immigrants from Laos during the Vietnam War in the late 1970s. “I’m where I am today because of the support of mentors along the way who saw potential in me,” she said. “Giving back to the community is ingrained in me

because the community invested in me.” Kaysonepheth has been recognized within her profession and community. She recently served as president of the local Women’s Transportation Seminar, a professional association dedicated to creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable transportation industry through the global advancement of women. Among her accolades include the JLP Mary Ogilvy Golden Kazoo Award, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s ATHENA Award nominee, named 40 Under 40 by the Phoenix Business-Journal in 2015 and was listed by Engineering News-Record in its 2019 Top 20 Under 40 Outstanding Young Professionals in the Southwest Region. She and her husband, Tony Hultz, have two children, Lucy and Max. Since 1934, Junior League of Phoenix has positively impacted the local community through direct community service, fundraising, and civic training programs. JLP has more than 1,000 members, and is a part of the nationwide network of more than 240 Leagues. Information: jlp.org. Applications for membership are currently being accepted and open to any woman who is 22 or older . ■

Whether it’s a farm, park or just your own neighborhood, Girl Scout Marisa Chaidez believes, people should get out and enjoy the outdoors. (Justin Liggin/Contributor)

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Big bear

Luncheon success

Grayson Anderson, a Bear Scout with Pack 178 in Ahwatukee, placed first in the “bear races” and second overall in the district championship for the Scouts’ Pinewood Derby at Foothills Baptist Church in Ahwatukee during the Gila River District Cub Scout Activity Day, which included numerous STEM events and crafts and the derby with over 50 cars racing from around the Valley. The event was hosted by Cub Scout Pack 178, Troop 17 and Troop 48, all of Ahwatukee. Boy and girls ages 5-17 who are interested in Scouting can email ahwatukeescouting@gmail.com for more information. (Special to AFN)

GOT NEWS?

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

COOP from page 26

coop in memory of Neal and “they thought it was a wonderful idea,” she remarked. “I wanted to do something in his memory that wouldn’t be short-lived. And this coop will be with us for a long time.” Hawthorn Court at Ahwatukee’s chicken coop recalls an article on the website Reasons to Be Cheerful titled, “In Holland People with Dementia Can Work on a Farm.” Today, there are 1,350 “care farms” in Holland, including about 400 for those with dementia. It discusses the advantages of engaging people in everyday decisions and giving them a way to participate

Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club members recently dressed up for what President Jean Moore, far right, called a “very successful luncheon” at Arrivederci Trattoria that also raised about $2,000 for Janice’s Women’s Center. Local musician Chris Donnelly provided entertainment and local businesses donated $6,000 in raffle gifts. With Moore are Lori Battista, left, and Pam Peterson. Also pictured, above right: Destin Baron and Linda Gayles; and Laurel Niska, above left, stands by the Ukrainian tribute table she created. (Courtesy Jean Moore)

in society. The chicken coop helps residents feel valued because they’re participating in something with a goal, Goetz explained. “We all need a purpose,” he said. “This is a way for residents to have that purpose.” Zamora and Goetz mentioned many residents cared for chickens in their youth and it triggers fond memories. “I hear that a lot: ‘We had chickens when we were growing up,’” said Zamora, a self-professed “Chicago city girl” with no agricultural background who moved to Arizona a year ago. “The residents have educated me with the whole chicken process,” she added. “They have

a lot of experience.” The chickens also help ease the behaviors associated with dementia, such as confusion, frustration and agitation. Instead of medicating a person, Zamora said, “It’s easy to take one person’s hand and watch the chickens and laugh at the ducks going underwater.” The birds have been a boon for family members visiting the center, too, Zamora said. COVID-19 restricts where they can go, but they’re free to socialize by the coop. Also, she noted, sharing time watching the chickens and ducks makes for more meaningful visits. “With memory care, conversations can

become very difficult and families can leave feeling disappointed [because] there was little conversation or interaction,” Zamora said. “By going to the chicken coop, this gives them something to do together.” ■

Check out the chicks

Where: Hawthorn Court at Ahwatukee, 13822 S. 46th Place, Ahwatukee. When: Public can visit 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; volunteers welcome Info: 480-598-1224; hawthorncourtseniorliving.com

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Program gives foster youth some motherly love BY JENNIFER SCHWEGMAN AFN Guest Writer

ome mothers feel a personal call to champion for and help others. This is especially true for the foster youth who are a part of the Transition to Adulthood and Real World Job Development programs at Jewish Family & Children’s Service. Offering support and direction for youth who age out of the foster system, the mentors of these programs often fill the supportive and championing role of mother. “We can’t claim to be their mothers but definitely take on a mothering role when they need it,” said RWJD Program Director Gina Harper. “Like many caring mothers, we encourage and help our youth with problem solving. “We offer encouragement and help them learn about responsibility, discipline, managing money and the importance of working hard and being respectful to others. We have many roles to play including cheerleader, champion, coach and mentor.” Many youth in the Transition to Adulthood and RWJD programs face tremendous barriers affecting their desire to achieve their education and employment goals. Many barriers often include low income/poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, lack of transportation, pregnancy, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, lack of affordable housing, lack of high school or GED diploma and lack of work skills to maintain employment.

Many teens who age out of the foster care system can choose to remain until 21. This extended foster care maintains support from age 18 to 21. However, once they are 21, it is often very challenging for youth to juggle and maintain their independence without the extended foster care support. “Our work is both rewarding and heartbreaking,” said Harper. “We do a lot of the things a mother would do but have to keep firm boundaries since we’re not family. It’s a tricky dance because our hearts are full

and we want what’s best for the youth who come to us for help.” Participants in the Real World Job Development program receive academic, career and living skills assessments. And thanks to valuable partnerships with local businesses willing to offer job training and internships paid for by JFCS, participants go on to find work in schools, hospitals, veterinary clinics, small businesses, and more. The Transition to Adulthood Program helps teens with career planning, daily living skills, enrolling in college, finance

Tickets available, volunteers needed for Ahwatukee wine-beer event

Esperanza Lutheran Church medical supply drive is a success

welcome to be part of the Esperanza faith community. For further information our ministries, please visit our website at myesperanza.org

Tickets are now on sale and volunteers are still being sought for the Festival of Lights Committee’s Ahwatukee Beer and Wine Festival 6:30-10:30 p.m. June 17 at Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E. Clubhouse Drive, Ahwatukee. Tickets are $50 and they and information on volunteering are available at folaz.org. The admission to the Beer and Wine Festival will entitle guests to wine and beer tickets, live music and a commemorative wine glass. There will be casinostyle games with a chance to enter a “split the pot challenge” and a raffle. There also will be an auction, although the number of prizes will be substantially fewer than the scores of items that had been available when the beer-wine event had been held at Rawhide Western Town and Event Center.

Program Director Gina Harper and her team celebrate graduates of the Real World Job Development program who have completed academic, career and living skills assessments. (Special to AFN)

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Esperanza Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee has completed a three-week ministry event to provide help to the citizens of Ukraine displace from their homes. During the event, Esperanza collected a large number of durable items, such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and IV stands. Additionally, over 200 pounds of consumable medical supplies were received. All the supplies were then transferred to the Phoenix warehouse of Project C.U.R.E. where they will be shipped to refugee centers in Eastern Europe. Project C.U.R.E. has become the largest distributor of medical supplies and equipment to doctors and nurses serving those in need in over 135 countries. Esperanza Lutheran Church, 2601 Thunderhill Place, serves the community with worship services on Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and in outreach ministry events to put faith into action. All persons are

Happy hour for commercial real estate pros is slated here

A happy hour will be held 4-6 p.m. May 12 at Philly’s Bar & Grill, 4855 E. Warner Road, for architects, engineers and contractors in commercial real estate who live in Ahwatukee. The quarterly gatherings are aimed at helping them professionally network in their neighborhood. We would love it if you could help us share the word about our charity’s work to support those raising children with disabilities.

Ahwatukee Kiwanis lists speakers at its regular meetings

The Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club is always looking for

management, housing, and building community connections. It provides a support system and helps create personal relationships that let young adults know someone is on their side. “It’s challenging for all youth once they turn 18,” said RWJD Director Gina Harper. “They face tremendous barriers that can interfere with their education, home life, employment and careers. It’s very important that we help eliminate barriers and celebrate ‘living independently’ milestones along the way…just like a caring mother would do.” JFCS credits its volunteers, donors and valuable business partners for the success of its Transition to Adulthood and Real World Job Development programs. Not only do they help individual participants, but the good trickles down to the community. “We’re happy to play a pseudo-parental or motherly role to Valley youth who really need us,” adds Harper. “We work hard to make a difference in their lives; but the truth is they impact our lives just as much.” If you represent a business and want to hear more about how you and your organization can provide onsite job training or internships paid for by JFCS, call 602-2790084. Individuals interested in making a donation can visit the JFCS website at jfcsaz.org/donate/. Jewish Family & Children’s Service is a non-sectarian nonprofit that strengthens the community by providing behavioral health, healthcare and social services to all ages, faiths and backgrounds. ■ new members and invites interested people to attend one of their weekly meetings at 7:30 a.m. Thursdays at Biscuits restaurant, 4623 E. Elliott Road in the Safeway plaza. People also are invited to hear the speakers. Speakers who will appear and the dates are: May 12, Patty Contreras, candidate for LD 12 House; May 26, City Council candidate Joan Greene,; June 9. Kyrene Digital Academy Principal Kyle Ross; June 23, Anissa Gurrola, Janice’s Women’s Center; June 30, LD12 House candidate Jim Chastan; Aug. 11, Amanda Nosbisch, One Small Step/Clothes Cabin.

Gila River Indian Community offering grants to Valley nonprofits

Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva – are accepting applications from nonprofits for its self-excluded jackpot fund beginning June 1. The deadline to apply is June 30 at 5 p.m.

see AROUND page 30

AROUND from page 29

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

All Arizona 501(c)(3) organizations that are recognized by the IRS and focus on education and children’s welfare are eligible for consideration to receive selfexcluded jackpot funds. The nonprofits can apply online through June 30. The selected applicants will be notified in September and honored during a special Gila River Cares event in October. “We are privileged to further support Gila River Cares mission of giving back through the self-excluded jackpots,” said Kenneth Manuel CEO of Gila River Resorts & Casinos. “The funds help smaller yet influential organizations thrive and we look forward to discovering and supporting new nonprofits each year.” Last year, more than $84,000 was distributed across three nonprofits benefiting Arizonans including one•n•ten, ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth and The Tommy Two Shoes Literacy Project for Children. Self-excluded jackpot funds are accumulated when a gaming winner is ineligible to receive their winnings

on table games, slot machines or bingo. This money is distributed to help further support Gila River Cares mission of giving back to locals in need. To apply and view eligibility qualifications visit playatgila.com/gila-river-cares/.

Stop the Hurt’ program aimed at bringing awareness of victims

Janice’s Women’s Center, led by two Ahwatukee women who hope to raise enough funds for a mammoth shelter for women suffering homelessness or domestic violence, is holding a program called “Stop the Hurt” at its high-end thrift store, Janice Vaincre Boutique, 4302 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 14. The purpose is to bring the community together and “spread the awareness of the victims that suffers domestic violence and homelessness,” according to a release. Visitors can expect entertainment by the Wow Factor, a chance to meet victims, meet the founders and sample fare from local businesses.

GOP candidates at series of town halls at Club West center

The Republican precinct committees of the Camelot, Club West, Thunderhill, and Reserve GOP precincts will hold a series of question-and-answer town halls “with a moderator asking questions with regard to pertinent issues our state and nation are facing.” All run from 7-9 p.m. at the Club West Community Center, 16414 S. 14th Ave., Ahwatukee. The next one on May 18 will feature U.S. Senate candidates; June 7, Secretary of State hopefuls; June 23, gubernatorial candidates; and July 14, state senate and superintendent of schools candidates.

Ahwatukee American Legion Post always seeking new members

Men and women who served in the Armed Forces are always invited to join Ahwatukee American Legion Post 64, which meets 4-5 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month at the Ahwatukee Rec Center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive, Ahwatukee. The post’s mission is to “enhance the well-being of

America’s veterans, their families, our military and our communities by devotion to mutual helpfulness.” Information: Americanlegionpost64.com or 480326-4656.

Service Saturdays back in action with Ahwatukee professor

Ahwatukee resident Dr. Neal Lester, Foundation Professor of English at Arizona State University and founder/director of its Project Humanities, has begun its biweekly Service Saturdays, where groups and individuals distribute clothing and toiletries at the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix. The outreach runs from 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. and services the Campus’ unhoused clients. During the outreach, clients shop alongside “personal shopper” volunteers who aid in searching for various styles and sizes, as well as share warm conversations with them. There also is a weekly sorting of donated items 2-4 p.m. Fridays. Information: projecthumanities.asu.edu/serviceSaturdays or projecthumanities@asu.edu ■

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Live amongst friends. Reserve your new home today!

Obituaries 480-898-6465 • obits@timespublications.com Deadline: Wednesday by 5pm for Sunday Mick James

Independent couples can enjoy a care-free two bedroom, two bath home from $2900.

Mick James, of Ahwatukee and Eagar, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully Friday, April 29, 2022. A third generation native of Arizona (and VERY proud of it); he was born May 5, 1949 in Mesa, Arizona to Jesse James and Annie Arrowsmith James. Mick graduated from Westwood High in Mesa then served our country as a member of the United States Army in Vietnam. He became a journeyman mechanic through SRP’s apprenticeship program, worked on power line construction crews as their mechanic, worked outside construction, joined APS as a mechanic, served as IBEW Vice President while there and retired a few years ago. He was a one-of-a-kind mechanic; could fix anything. He hunted, guided and scouted for many years with his father-in-law, Dean Bowdoin. The outdoors was his true love, whether it was Arizona desert or Arizona forests and mountains. He was an avid reader and fascinated with all kinds of history. One of his best friends until she passed in 2009 was his mother-in-law, Bobbie Bowdoin. He cherished the time he spent with her, especially the “Great Adventure”, tooling around Arizona and Utah, finding historic sites tied to both family trees. Mick is survived by his mother, Annie

James, his wife of 41 years, Leslie Bowdoin James and his dear rescue dogs, Kroos and Jack. Mick and Leslie were married April 18, 1981 in Phoenix and had a one-of-a-kind life together; albeit too short. They were planning new adventures in Eagar when Mick passed. Mick will now join his dear son, J.D. James, who was born in Scottsdale on April 29, 1987 and passed on April 11, 2018. J.D. was the light of Mick and Leslie’s life and Mick always said that they would “grow up together” and they did. Until J.D. went away to college at NAU, they were inseparable. They went through the Scouting program, were baseball afficionados and were the best of buddies. Mick James was one-of-a-kind, had a pretty amazing life and a heart of gold. We will miss him terribly. In lieu of flowers, Leslie would appreciate donations in Mick’s name to either the Arizona Voice for Crime Victims, P.O. Box 12722, Scottsdale, Arizona 85267 or the Arizona Animal Welfare League, 30 N. 40th Place, Phoenix, Arizona 85034. A visitation will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary and Cemetery, 719 N. 27th Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85009, followed by a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. For those who have special memories and would like to leave an online condolence for Mick’s family, visit www.burnhammortuary.com Burnham Mortuary, Eagar, handled arrangements.

Obituaries - Death Notices - In Memoriam We are here to make this difficult time easier for you. Our 24 hour online service is easy to use and will walk you through the steps of placing a paid obituary in the East Valley Tribune or a free death notice online. Visit: obituaries.Ahwatukee.com

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BUSINESS

Business AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

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East Valley teen’s cookies a hit at local farmers markets BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

ustomers strolling Saturday’s downtown Chandler farmers market, or Sunday morning’s farmers market in Ahwatukee have found a sweet spot at the Madisyn “Maddie” Newell’s bakery booth. The Chandler High School sophomore has been a cookie vendor at the Chandler market for two years and branched out to Ahwatukee’s farmers market six months ago, where she has been a welcomed addition. Her first cookie baking experience was working next to her paternal grandfather, who remains an avid baker of cookies.

“Baking cookies has kinda been my whole life,” the vivacious Madisyn said, taking advantage of a lull at Sunday’s Ahwatukee Farmers Market. “I first baked when I was 4 or 5.” She said her maternal grandmother, now deceased, was another baking mentor. “We baked together. My grandparents on both sides were really into baking, and I loved helping them even when I was really young.” Little did anyone suspect that the youngster, who turned 16 April 7, would parlay the knowledge gleaned from those hours in her grandparents’ kitchens into her own business – and one that has garnered fans at both week-

end markets, where small samples of her various offerings are offered to those walking by. The young entrepreneur handles a busy schedule with baking and studying for finals. Sporting her No. 15 jersey, Madisyn is also a point guard with Chandler High’s junior varsity girls basketball team and plays this summer with its club team. “I love playing basketball; I started playing when I was in seventh grade at Willis Junior High,”

see COOKIES page 34

At 16, Madisyn Newell has become a popular vendor at two farmers markets with her homemade cookies. (Special to AFN)

Gilbert’s Fuchsia clients are treated as family BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI AFN Staff Writer

ellness is important to Lawrence Holzman, the new owner of the San Tan Village and Ahwatukee Fuchsia spas. He spent 35 years in Chicago working for Culligan Water, which focuses on providing high-quality water to homes and businesses. “Water is so central to health and wellness,” Holzman said. “I was looking for an opportunity where I could continue to help people improve their well-being.” When he was mulling retirement from Culligan Water, he sought an opportunity for which he could continue to help people improve their well-being. “When I retired to Tucson, I knew all along that I wanted to buy a business,” Holzman said. “I was really too young to just retire and

Guests love the service they receive at Fuchsia Spa, says new owner Lawrence Holzman. (Special to AFN)

sit around. I wanted to provide a service. Something big enough where I could have a manager help me. Most importantly,

when I was with Culligan, it was all about wellness, treating water and making people’s lives better. Helping with well-being

is a huge thing.” With Fuchsia, he can provide the same great customer service and products. “They have a great model,” Holzman said. “We really offer three main services – esthetician services, massage therapy and wellness.” For wellness, Fuchsia offers infrared sauna, LED light therapy; BrainTap, which helps with guided meditation; and compression boots. Services specific to each location can be found on their respective websites. “We encourage our guests to come in for a massage or esthetician services and take advantage of the wellness services,” he said. The ambiance in the spas is calming, warm and comfortable. From the guest services professionals to the aestheti-

see FUCHSIA page 34

BUSINESS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Retiring early? Know your health care choices BY JOSEPH ORTIZ AFN Guest Writer

ife doesn’t always go as planned. For example, you might think you’ll retire at 65 or later, when you’ll be eligible for Medicare. But if you retire before then, how will you pay for your health care? Without insurance, you risk incurring thousands of dollars of expenses if you are injured or become seriously ill. And if you must pay for these costs out of pocket, you might have to dip into your IRA, 401(k) or other retirement accounts earlier than you had planned – which could result in a less desirable retirement lifestyle than you had envisioned. What, then, are your options? It depends on your situation, but here are four possibilities: • Employer retiree health benefits. If your former employer offers health coverage to retirees, it could well be your

COOKIES from page 33

she said. Unfortunately for cookie monsters of all ages, Madisyn is shuttering both stands after June 4 so she can attend summer school, play club basketball and avoid the heat. “I definitely will return this fall,” she said. “I just have things I want to do this summer and there’s just not enough time.” “I will be helping out at a local brick and mortar, too.” An air conditioned one, she added, smiling. She said baking cookies is a passion she inherited from her paternal grandfather. “My grandfather on my father’s side, John Madisyn of Mesa, has always baked

FUCSHIA from page 33

cians to the massage therapists, the entire staff is well trained and ready to assist with the selection a customized treatment or treatments to meet each person’s specific needs. “What really struck me about Fuchsia was everybody who comes in is treated as a guest in our home,” he said. “We have varieties of teas, snacks and a tranquility room where they can relax before

best choice, especially if the employer continues to pay a share of the premiums. However, fewer employers are offering continuing health coverage to former employees, and among those who do, they may use certain criteria – such as length of service and position within the company – to limit eligibility. • Spouse’s plan. If you’re married and your spouse still has employer-provided insurance, you may be able to get coverage under this plan or continue this coverage if you have it already. If the employer subsidizes premiums for spouses, this plan could be an affordable choice – if not, though, it might be more expensive than other options. • COBRA. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows you to maintain your existing coverage with the same benefits and provider network. However, COBRA is typically only available for a specific time – usually 18 months – after you leave your em-

cookies and he gives them to his neighbors and members of his church,” she said. “Granddad is still baking; he does trial cookies with me.” Trial cookies are often seasonal and holiday-centric like her popular fall pumpkin cookies. Her booth at both farmers markets is arrayed with a tempting display of cookies that include chocolate chip, crinkle cookies, oatmeal chocolate chip, peanut butter, gluten-free keto selections, and several more. She has garnered many regular customers, many of whom she knows by name. “I come every Sunday morning and I never forget to buy myself one of her

their services. “Every service is customized. We do a pretty deep assessment of clients’ needs.” Memberships are available. They are listed on Fuchsia SanTan’s website, fuchsiaspa.com/santan/ or fuchsiaspa.com/ ahwatukee/. First-time visitors receive a discount on services. “Our guests just love us,” he said. “They love the service providers. They love the services they receive. People who come in here love us.” ■

ployer, and coverage can be expensive. Your previous employer subsidized a portion of the premium as a benefit, but once you’ve retired, you’ll likely have to pay the entire premium, plus an additional charge. • ACA Marketplace plan. Through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, you can find a variety of plans from which to choose, possibly including ones that include your existing network. If you qualify for subsidies, the premiums for your coverage may be similar to employer-sponsored coverage; if not, though, they can be more expensive. For information on ACA Marketplace plans, visit www.healthcare.gov. If you have options for health insurance, you’ll want to take into account differences in coverage and cost. Check whether your desired health care providers are in-network and try to determine if your current medications and the benefits you rely on are covered. You may also want to consider a plan

snickerdoodles,” said Ahwatukee Farmers Market regular Andrea Barry as she stood in the short line this May morning, eyeing the wares. “I eat just a couple bites while I walk around and it’s nice that she sells bottled water for only a dollar,” she said. “I always buy a snickerdoodle, and I know I should try some of the others, they look so good. It’s just I really love her snickerdoodles, but I only buy myself two for the week so I don’t overdo it,” she laughed. Barry admitted she’s been known to buy many more. “Last February I bought a dozen mixed cookies from Maddie and took them for the teachers and staff at my son’s school. It was such a hit, and I think she got a few

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that allows you to open a health savings account (HSA), which offers potential tax benefits. To contribute to an HSA, you must be covered by a high deductible health plan (HDHP), so there’s that cost to consider, but if you’re in generally good health and you don’t expect to depend heavily on your health insurance until you’re eligible for Medicare, you might want to consider an HDHP. One final note: Even when you do enroll in Medicare, you will still incur expenses for premiums, deductibles and co-pays, so you’ll want to budget for these costs in your overall financial strategy. In the meantime, explore your health insurance options. The future is not ours to see – so you’ll want to be prepared for anything. Joseph Ortiz is a financial planner for Edward Jones. Reach him at 480-7537664 or joseph.ortiz@edwardjones. com. ■

more customers!” According to Madisyn, word of mouth has been a boon to business at both sites. “Word of mouth and repeat business,” she said smiling as she handed Barry her paper-wrapped snickerdoodle, “has really helped us grow. Of course the cookies are all delicious and that keeps them coming back.” Summer hours have kicked in at both farmers markets. The Downtown Chandler Farmers Market, located in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West at 3 South Arizona Avenue is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as is the Ahwatukee Farmers Market, located at 4700 E. Warner Avenue in the parking lot. Summer hours for both run June 1 through Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. ■

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OPINION

Opinion 36

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Share Your Thoughts:

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Police officer touches special heart 21 years later BY JOEL KORDIS AFN Guest Writer

ay 11-16th is National Police Week. The formal memorial will be held on May 15th, a day selected by then President John F. Kennedy, honoring officers killed in the line of duty. To most, this week and the formal memorial day, will come and go until next year. Not true for the women and men who put on the uniform and walk the thin blue line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. These officers will carry the loss with them on duty, off duty, day after day, year after year for the rest of their lives. Case in point: This is a true story of Retired Detroit Police Officer Tom

City of Phoenix budget contains laughs – and outrage

What a joke! Sal DiCiccio cheers.… ”more good news”….really!? How generous of the City to give Ahwatukee $21,000 to resurface and add lines to the two existing tennis courts at Desert Foothills Park….doesn’t say anything about the other issues with those courts, like broken fencing, lights, nets, etc. But... I’m SO happy to hear Phoenix will add another $300,000 to the existing $200,000 for the “threatened buildings program”! What the heck even is that?!? Oh, and $1.6 million for “climate and sustainability”!!!! Oh, and $3 million to help settle refugees, immigrants and unsheltered people!!! All you hardworking taxpayers, just keep your nose to the grindstone, though, so you can pay for all these programs!!! Who cares if you want some pickleball courts in your neighborhood so you can stay active and healthy? And what a huge increase for com-

Sommerville who now resides in Arizona. These are his words. “After moving to Tucson in 2003, I went back to Michigan a year later for a visit. My flight had a layover at Chicago O’Hare Airport. I was one of the last people to board the Southwest Airline’s flight. Prior to sitting down, I placed my carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. The bag was blue, and it had the National Law Enforcement Officer’s logo on both sides. As I sat in my seat, the lady sitting next to me asked, ‘Excuse me sir, is that bag from the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial?’ I replied, ‘Yes, how did you know?’ She told me her brother was a police officer who was killed in the line of duty and she recognized the logo. I told her I was sorry for her loss. I asked if her brother had been a Chicago

Police Officer and she replied, no. She told me he was a Detroit officer. He was killed on March 8, 1983. I asked what her brother’s name was and she replied, ‘Michael Bossuyt’. I then asked her if he had red hair, was a sergeant, worked at the 7th Precinct and was killed interrupting a burglary. The look on her face said it all. She replied, ‘Why yes, how do you know? Did you know my brother?’ I told her I was a Detroit police officer for 30 years, retiring in 2003, and was on the Detroit Police Honor Guard for 25 of those years. Though I didn’t know her brother, I explained that I stood guard at his casket during the funeral. I also folded the flag and fired the 21-gun salute. She started crying and asked if she could give me a hug. After a heartfelt hug she

munity arts groups from $75,000 to $275,000!!!!! Whoa! Sounds like somebody knows somebody there! Can you say grift!?! Oh, and thank goodness, whew! $250,000 to study infrastructure for EV charging stations!!!!! Like everyone can afford an EV in these inflationary times! And, what’s up with developer impact fees not being spent in the neighborhoods impacted by the development? Isn’t that the purpose of impact fees, to mitigate the issues created by new development? Blandford Homes is set to add approximately 5,000 new people to our community with the development of the land just west of 17th Ave at Chandler Blvd. Where are those impact fee monies going to be spent? But the City has no money for eight pickleball courts in Ahwatukee? Give me a break! Elections are coming. Get involved. Go vote! -Beth Gadzik

Teacher Appreciation Week: Show respect for teachers

asked me how I remembered her brother. I simply told her that he died in the line of duty and gave his life for the City of Detroit and its’ citizens. I continued by telling her that ‘We remember all of those that made the ultimate sacrifice.’ Although it had been some 21 years since Michael died, she was happy to know her brother hadn’t been forgotten. During presentation of a check from the ‘Arizona Lawmen,’ which I’m a member, I told this story to the widow of an Arizona officer killed in the line of duty. I reminded her that we will never forget our fallen officers.”

Joel Kordis, an Ahwatukee resident is a retired police officer with the Carlsbad, California, Police Department. Arizona Lawmen is a nonprofit. ■

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The first week in May was Teacher Appreciation Week. I come from a long line of teachers and appreciate the critically important and difficult job that they have. My mom and dad were certified teachers who taught for years in a tworoom school in the mountains of New Mexico. My brother and youngest son are career teachers, and my daughter-inlaw was a teacher in a low-income public school for years. I began my 50+ year career as an elementary school physical education teacher. As a result, I have great respect for the teaching profession. I found it interesting that as we were celebrating Teachers Appreciation Week, several articles relating to teachers appeared in the news. One article noted that most high-performing schools in Arizona are in highincome areas. Yet another indicated that a proposed new education funding bill favors schools that are in high income ar-

eas that already have high levels of funding. Another article indicated that “two contentious education bills have now become law.” These bills require already overburdened and underpaid teachers to perform additional duties and allows lawsuits to be filed against them (not something that will attract new teachers). Finally, several articles indicate that a large number of teachers are retiring or leaving the profession and that 2,000 classrooms in Arizona are without certified teachers. A quick computer search of multiple websites indicated that teaching is among the 10 most respected professions in the United States, often in the top 5. Despite the high ratings for teachers our legislature is making teaching harder and less rewarding. Rather than doing something to attract more certified teachers, our Legislature is relaxing certification rules allowing non-certified

see LETTERS page 37

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Please do your part to ‘stamp out hunger’ BY JERRY BROWN Tribune Guest Writer

or the past 30 years across America – and nearly a half century in Arizona – United States Postal Service letter carriers have used the second Saturday in May to give back to their communities: Using their mail trucks to conduct the largest single-day food drive in the world. But for the past two years, as with so many things in our day-to-day lives, Stamp Out Hunger was put on hold due to the pandemic. More than 140 million pounds of food that annually gave food banks around the United States a head start into the summer months, disappeared. The impact was felt everywhere. The good news? Stamp Out Hunger is back for 2022. And here’s where you come in. To participate, please leave a bag of nonperishable food at your mailbox on Saturday May 14 before your mail normally arrives. Your letter carrier will do the rest, taking the food back to the post office where food bank trucks will be waiting for your donation. They will put a thank you card into the mailbox to

LETTERS from page 36

people to teach. I am grateful to the teachers in my small rural high school (not a highly rated school) who helped me to be successful. I am thankful that I can live in a place such as Ahwatukee where my three kids and four grandkids can benefit from the Kyrene and Tempe Union schools. As we salute our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, I suggest that we also ask all local candidates for the Arizona House and Senate to tell us how they will make teaching easier and more rewarding. I also suggest that each of us thank a teacher (current or past). -Chuck Corbin

Open letter to Ahwatukee Lakes special master Mark Woodward

I’m tired of Wilson Gee’s whining! Mr. Gee bought five golf courses in Maricopa

let you know your food is on the way to a family in need. W i t h inflation sending food, gas and rent prices soaring and families teetering on the brink of disaster over the edge, St. Mary’s and food banks a r o u n d the state of Arizona are asking you to help make a difference. United Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, Desert Mission Food Bank and a host of smaller food banks and pantries will also benefit from your gen-

County with the obvious intent of creating unproductive investments so he could parcel them off and sell to builders for a better profit for his investors. He lost the expected support of the residents after he let the Lakes Golf Course go to blight and now he plays the victim at every turn. Let’s face facts: he has provided the very least restoration possible to meet court ordered dictates; no clubhouse [a trailer which without restaurant etc. curtails profit], no golf carts which are necessary for most golfers, likely 80% of those who would play the coursethereby decreasing income and, basically none of the prior amenities we had that drew the interest and income. Then he rehabbed half of the course and dedicated several holes to practice holes while intending to rehab the other half this fall. I can only assume this was a ploy in hopes of presenting to the court that the failure of the first half in making

erosity. W i t h o u t Stamp Out Hunger drives in 2020 and 2021, St. Mary’s lost nearly one m i l l i o n pounds of food at a critical time of the year. Kids who receive breakfast and lunch in school are now home for the summer, adding to costs for families at a time when food prices have skyrocketed. This drive has a special place in the heart of St. Mary’s and letter carriers in

a profit would support a potential plea to end the rehab. Well, I feel no pity and am sure many residents agree that the loss of house values, 6’ foot chain link fence with barbed wire atop, for years and much of his commentary for the past 8 years would not lend to a pity party for Mr. Gee! Now, the court has assigned a Master: Mark Woodward to work with Mr. Gee and he needs to consider my opinion that Mr. Gee has set the previous limited restorations into effect so that he can ultimately claim to the court and residents that: “See! I told you it’s a failing venture!” allowing him an out for further quality restorations that would insure a profitable course or courses. PLEASE Mr. Woodward, attorneys and court: add back the carts and clubhouse with restaurant making this an inviting and profitable golf course... again! Further quality restorations that would ensure a profitable course or courses. -Jane Emery

OPINION

Arizona. In the early 70s, a group of letter carriers in West Phoenix and Glendale decided to give up their Sunday and asked people to leave food on their doorsteps on Mother’s Day. They used their own vehicles and family members to collect the donations for St. Mary’s, a tradition that continued until the USPS took Stamp Out Hunger national in 1990. Your role is so simple, yet so important. You may see a reminder card and a plastic bag in your mailbox this week. You can use that bag for your donation if you wish but any bag of any size will do. This is a great time to clean out your pantry for the spring or the garage if you stocked up on canned food during COVID. This is a simple way to help people in need without leaving your driveway! We have all been through so much in the past two years. But what has stayed strong is the compassion we have for our fellow man and the desire to give back to those who need a helping hand. Please remember Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday May 14 and thank your letter carrier for all their hard work that day. Jerry Brown is a spokesman for St. Mary’s Food Bank . ■

Share Your Thoughts:

Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@ timespublications.com

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

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Sports & Recreation AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

SPORTS

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Thunder, Pride taking on spring ball BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

oth Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe football programs took major steps forward during the 2021 season. The two were coming off arguably one of the worst seasons for either program in 2020, coupled with the pandemic that forced them to play eight and six games, respectively. The Pride’s only win that year was against the Thunder, who were winless for the first time ever. But 2021 brought a new culture and mindset for Mountain Pointe. For Desert Vista, it brought the same under then-

head coach Ty Wisdom. Now this year with Nate Gill taking over the program after building Sierra Linda into a 4A contender, there’s a renewed sense of excitement and lofty expectations for the Thunder program. It’s all the same for the Pride. “It’s been a breath of fresh air to be around the guys and be in a place with rich tradition and culture,” Gill said. “It’s a place where it means a little bit more. It’ll take some time for guys to get acclimated to the way we play and the standards and expectations we have. But they’re excited.” Gill was hired in January after Desert Vista announced it had parted ways with

Desert Vista, led by head coach Nate Gill, “center,” and Christian Clark, “left,” Braxton Thomas, “middle,” and Antonio Delgado, “right,” have been eager to get on the field for spring ball since Gill was announced as head coach in January. They’ve spent the last week building chemistry on the field in preparation for a season with high expectations. (David Minton/AFN Staff) one-and-done head coach Ty Wisdom. There was a sense of nervousness in the

see SPRING page 40

Flag football fever running high among girls BY ALEX SUAREZ Cronkite News

hen word began to spread that Mountain Pointe High School was starting a girls flag football program, Trinity Wilson’s social media feed was bombarded with posts about it. “Snapchat, everybody was screenshotting it and reposting and reposting,” Wilson said. “It was crazy.” Wilson has played basketball and football, but the latter wasn’t available to her and other girls at Mountain Pointe. Her only experience was playing pickup games with relatives. The toughness and competitive nature of the sport were appealing. “I played football with my cousin before,” Wilson said. “He played high school football, and he would stiff arm me. It just made me more aggressive today.” Now, flag football for girls is quickly emerging as an option for athletes like Wilson. The National Federation of State High School Associations currently recognizes

When Sergio Ramirez found out that girls flag football was getting started at Mountain Pointe High School, he knew he wanted to be involved. Ramirez has an extensive background in flag football. (Susan Wong/Cronkite News) girls flag football as a sanctioned sport among boys and girls as more and more in Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Florida and parents direct their children away from Nevada. In most states, games are played full-contact, tackle football. A 2019 Sports on fields of 80 or 100 yards with seven to & Fitness Industry Association report eight players on each side of the ball. shows that over a three-year period from And the sport is gaining momentum 2015 to 2018, the number of 6-to-12-

year-olds playing flag football increased to more than 1.5 million – a 38% jump. That total was about 100,000 more than kids playing tackle football. A 2022 report provided to Cronkite News shows that almost 20 percent of those who play at least casually are female. Girls flag football also is currently operating as a club sport in the Chandler Unified School District with all six district high schools fielding a team. As a club sport, the Chandler schools and Mountain Pointe depend on players, coaches and donors to provide funding for equipment, uniforms, game officials and other costs. Fortunately, flag football is cost effective compared to most sports, but especially full-contact football, which requires helmets, shoulder pads, gloves, pants and other protective gear. Flag football requires little more than a pair of cleats or athletic shoes.

see FLAG page 41

SPORTS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

SPRING from page 39

community after the two parted ways, especially given Wisdom’s ability to take the Thunder and turn it from a winless program to one that was able to host a playoff game in such short order. But now months after Gill has arrived on campus and much of that excitement has returned and continues to build. Gill prides himself on being a coach for his players. He wants them to succeed. He wants them to understand that little things on and off the field like being uniform with cleats and socks will go a long way under the lights. It’s that same mindset he instilled at Sierra Linda that allowed the Bulldogs to go 8-2 last season, their best in school history. He’s also built relationships with college coaches and has already catered to many big-name schools on Desert Vista’s campus. The players recognize his goal for them extends beyond winning games, but a championship is still at the forefront of all their minds. That has allowed them to grow close the past few months. “Coach Gill has been doing a great job meeting with parents, meeting with us and making us comfortable,” Desert Vista linebacker Antonio Delgado said. “We’re starting a little later than last year but no matter what we will get it done.” Delgado is one of the senior leaders Gill will rely on this season. He had a stellar junior year, capping it off with a game-clinching tackle against Mountain Pointe in overtime. He’s been one of the many players that have texted with Gill on a daily basis. At times, it’s to simply catch up on their day. Mostly, it’s been Delgado begging to get on the field before their scheduled start date last week. Now in the second week of spring ball, the Thunder have begun to build chemistry as an offense. The whole offensive line will be new this season, but key players like Braxton Thomas return at quarterback along with Christian Clark at running back.

Mountain Pointe coach Eric Lauer, “middle,” also has high expectations for his team. Led by Chris Arviso, “left,” Jay’len Rushing, “middle,” and Izaac Patterson, “right,” the Pride are ready to build off of last year’s playoff appearance and put the program back on the map. (David Minton/AFN Staff)

Gill believes the two will become one of the most dynamic duos in the state. He believes Clark, specifically, will be a major recruit after this season. “We know what we are capable of,” Clark said. “We are just going to build on what we did last year. Everybody is eager.” Clark, along with Delgado and Thomas, have lofty expectations for the upcoming season. Some of that extends from the community that thrives when the Desert Vista football program is in contention for a title. And this season, they feel they have the pieces to compete. Now, it’s time to put it all together during the next week-and-ahalf of spring practices and showcases. “Everyone is going to be flying around,” Thomas said. “It’s going to be exciting to watch.” Coming off their first playoff appearance in two seasons, the players at Mountain Pointe are hungry for more success. They have attacked the weight room this off-season, gathering both at the

school and outside of it to get bigger, faster and stronger for what they hope will be a breakout season. They’ve grown closer than teams in the past, but Lauer credits some of the seniors from this past season for showing the younger players the ropes and what it feels like to win. He believes that will carry over to spring with Mountain Pointe now in its first week. “We are getting to phase two of our program moving into spring, giving them an opportunity to finally touch a ball,” Lauer said. “We don’t want it to move too quickly and burn them out. But we felt we’ve done well with the track phase, the lifting phase and now they get to see what their changes look like on the field.” The Pride started a week after their Ahwatukee counterpart due to a large influx of football players running track this spring. One in particular, Jhaylin Palmer, will be competing for a title in the 100-meter sprint. But the players are eager to get back on the field. They felt they could have

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accomplished something special last season but fizzled toward the end. They want redemption, they’re hungry for it. “We have different goals,” Mountain Pointe quarterback Chris Arviso said. “Last year, we wanted to make playoffs. This year, we want to go beyond that. The intensity is going to be high. Everyone is ready to get back on the field.” Arviso returns for his second straight full season as the starting quarterback at Mountain Pointe. He came on strong in the second half of his sophomore season after he sat out five games due to transfer. As a junior, he led the Pride to the playoffs. Now, he is aiming higher. He knows the expectations are high amongst his teammates. They want to put Mountain Pointe back on the map for football. And they believe they have the talent to do it. Along with Arviso, Jay’len Rushing returns as the lead back this season. He was a nightmare for opposing defenses alongside senior Amire Williams, as the duo became one of the best one-two punches in the state. Like Arviso, Rushing is eager to get going with spring ball. He’s also among the many football players running track. But he’s become stronger and faster this offseason, and he’s ready to put that to work. “It’s different,” Rushing said. “Everyone is working harder. Everyone is pushing weight. It’s a totally different environment here, especially in the weight room. We believe we can win. We don’t have the same attitude.” Izaac Patterson has also taken this time away from the field seriously. The leading tackler on the Pride last season, he hopes for a breakout year for himself and team. They have all the confidence in the world to become a dominant presence in the East Valley and Ahwatukee. Now, it’s time to put them to the test. “Our coaches keep us motivated to keep going, to keep working,” Patterson said. “We’re real excited. Everybody is.” ■

SPORTS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

FLAG from page 39

The sport is also gaining traction on the college level, with backing from the NFL. The NAIA added women’s flag football as a sanctioned sport in 2020 and the NFL offered to provide a $15,000 stipend to the 15 schools that agreed to offer the sport. For now, La Sierra University in Riverside, California, is the only school in the western U.S. that offers women’s flag football. Most programs are located in the midwest and south, with five Florida colleges leading the way. There is even a fledgling professional flag football league in the works. The American Flag Football League, which has operated on the amateur level, announced in March that it will transition to a professional league, with five men’s teams competing in a 7-on-7 format as pros beginning in 2023. The league’s men’s and women’s amateur leagues will continue to operate, too. For newcomers to the sport like Jailah Dodd, who is in her first year in the sport after taking part in open tryouts at Mountain Pointe, the idea of continuing to play the sport at the next level is intriguing. Dodd loves the competitiveness that she has seen in practice and games and believes that will appeal to other girls, too. “You get a lot of females out here that are really competitive, and this is a competitive sport for females,” Dodd said. “A lot of people are going to join.” When coach Sergio Ramirez found out that girls flag football was getting started at Mountain Pointe High School, he knew immediately he wanted to be involved. “My background is heavily involved in the flag football world, and I’m also a resident in the area,” Ramirez said. “Immediately, to be honest when someone talks about flag football, my name usually

The response was strong and swift to Mountain Pointe High School’s announcement that it was starting up a girls flag football program. (Susan Wong/Cronkite News) comes up. I received a call from the athletic director and a couple of other staff members to see if I’d be interested, and it was absolutely a no brainer. ‘We’d love to get this started.’” Ramirez credits Matt Stone at Hamilton High School for getting the oblong ball rolling in the Chandler schools and inviting schools in other districts to participate. Stone initially started a program at Mesa Desert Ridge in 2012 and brought in other schools, but he was unable to get schools to consistently field teams. This time, girls at the Chandler schools and Mountain Pointe appear to be all in. “This is the first year that we were able to organize an entire district full of teams,” Stone said. “So we can play a full schedule and playoffs.” Stone said that having a full schedule of games and workouts keeps the athletes engaged, and the quality of play improves. “Before, we would play one or two games and you put all this work into one game and then it’s over,” he said. “You don’t really get a chance to improve your

team. For the girls, you learn so much from a game that you can’t from practice. So to be able to go back after a game and teach girls what they did well – and maybe even need to improve – is just a completely different experience. It’s been a lot more rewarding to watch their growth as they actually play.” Ramirez had heard through word of mouth that a girls flag football team might be coming to Mountain Pointe after Stone and the Chandler district put on a jamboree and sent out information inviting other schools to join. Word spread quickly at Mountain Pointe as those social media posts began pinging smartphones. Those who were interested started promoting open practices on social media to anyone who wanted to see how flag football looks. All were welcomed, regardless of experience in football or any other sport. The team also depended on oldschool messaging – flyers, tables set up during lunch and from teachers spreading the word to their classes.

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It was a collective effort, and Ramirez conducted “open runs” to let players give the sport a try. “Not an official tryout, just come out and check out the sport,” he said. “We came out here right out on the field one day a week.” The interest quickly grew as the girls who attended told their friends. “We started with two girls the first day. That’s all we had show up,” Ramirez said. “They weren’t even sure then. That turned to four girls, that turned to seven and now we have a full 15 player roster.” Jai’Dejah Turner had previously played flag football in Milwaukee, and when she heard that Mountain Pointe was starting a team, she knew immediately she wanted to be part of it. “I was excited, I was ready,” Turner said. “I love playing flag football, it’s just very energetic. I’m very loud and I’m very competitive.” Girls flag football is not a sport that is sanctioned by the Arizona Interscholastic Association, but Seth Polansky, sports information coordinator for the AIA, said there are steps that organizers can take to eventually get it sanctioned. Polansky said supporters would need to add an agenda item for action before the AIA executive board and then make a proposal. “Our board would have to approve or deny it if it’s something where a new sport is being added,” Polanski said. Ramirez believes the participating schools are headed in the right direction and it is just a matter of time before flag football for girls is a sanctioned sport in Arizona and across the country. “I do think it will be, as we’ve seen evidence of it in other states already,” Ramirez said. “As long as we follow suit in terms of rules, guidelines, doing what the AIA thinks is best in terms of rules. “So far, we’re off to a good start.” ■

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(602) 954-0777 azfeet.com Dr. Kerry Zang • Dr. Shah Askari • Dr. Dan Schulman • Dr. Kim Leach Dr. Barry Kaplan • Dr. Jeff Weiss • Dr. Patrick Gillihan

One in 40 people over the age of 50 may find themselves limiting their activity because of a condition called hallux rigidus. It’s a degenerative disease of the big toe joint. As it progresses, the pain in the joint increases and motion decreases. “People don’t realize the impact their big toe has on their life. It plays a role in balance, shock absorption, and forward movement as you walk,” explains Dr. Daniel Schulman, of CiC Foot & Ankle. “When the joint is stiff, it’s not able to bend and rotate properly, and it changes how we walk without us even realizing it.” These changes can lead to back or knee pain as well as discomfort in other parts of the foot. “It always concerns me to hear that someone is playing less golf or staying home because they’re in pain,” says Schulman. “There are ways to help.”

The goal is to protect your feet from the repetitive stress of everyday activities. “We have several treatment options to not only relieve foot pain but help improve how your feet work. If we can help your feet function better, in many cases the need for surgery can be avoided or at the very least postponed,” says Schulman. “Patients are always happy to learn about ways to alleviate their symptoms.”

For golfers, a stiff big toe can make their game suffer.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

@AhwatukeeFN @AhwatukeeFN

www.ahwatukee.com

Salt River tubing returns for the summer BY SUMMER AGUIRRE GETOUT Contributor

ith summer fast approaching, Salt River Tubing & Recreation has returned to take floaters on adventures throughout the season. Since 1981, the family-owned company has provided tube rental and shuttle bus transportation to Salt River adventurers. “We are celebrating our 42nd anniversary this summer,” says Lynda Breault, vice president of Salt River Tubing. “We’re so excited. We think it’s going to be a phenomenal summer. We have hired almost our maximum number of employees needed so we are very, very blessed. Our buses are ready to roll, and our tubes are ready to rock on the Salt River rapids.” Open since April 30, Salt River Tubing offers a lazy way to spend a weekend along the river’s cool waters with views of wildlife. Breault says her company’s mission is

Salt River tubing offers a refreshing, fun escape from Arizona’s blistering summer heat. (Special

to GetOut)

to present the public with safe recreational opportunities like these. Each weekend is themed. Upcoming events include The Rocking Rodeo Roundup, 42nd Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, May 14; Bag It for Bucks: Take Pride

in America from Saturday, July 2, to Monday, July 4; and 22nd annual Mardi Gras Magic on Saturday, August 20. The company operates in the Lower Salt River Recreational Area of Tonto National Forest, 7 minutes from the Loop 202 East

on North Power Road. Dubbed the national forest’s “mini–Grand Canyon,” the area is home to wild horses and blue herons that frequent the river. Salt River Tubing was launched by owner and CEO Henri Breault, whose family founded the first U.S. tubing company in Wisconsin in 1941. He was vacationing in Arizona in 1980 when he was inspired to start a Salt River tour company. He sought to obtain a permit to operate under the USDA Forest Service in Tonto National Forest. The following summer, Salt River Tubing was up and running for the public. Today, the company maintains a fleet of more than 30 buses and thousands of tubes, helping floaters venture out on “floating beach blasts” during Arizona’s hottest months and promoting the protection and conservation of the forest’s natural resources.

see TUBING page 44

Lakeshore Music presents award-winning pianist GETOUT STAFF

hat inspires a creative genius when he sits down at the keyboard of a piano? What moves him to turn nothing into a masterpiece? Five-time Grammy-winning jazz pianist/ composer Billy Childs, among the most diversely prolific and acclaimed artists working in music today, says that for him, the motivation is the opportunity to create works that connect with an audience. “I write music to move the listener dramatically, just like a good movie would,” Childs said. “That’s kind of the motivation. I really get excited in the process. “That’s why I like playing live. It’s tangible evidence that you’re connecting with the listener. They’re right there.” And Valley jazz fans can be right there to hear Childs, who has received 16 Grammy nominations, along with his acclaimed

jazz quartet on May 21 in a 7:30 p.m. concert presented by Lakeshore Music at Ravenscroft Hall in North Scottsdale (8445 E. Hartford Drive, just southeast of Loop 101 and Princess Drive). Childs will be joined by Bob Sheppard – Lakeshore’s headline performer last November – on saxophone, Ben Williams on bass and Gary Novak on drums. Tickets, priced at $70, are available at theravenscroft.com. All seats are reserved. Childs’ artistry moved The Los Angeles Times to write: “As a pianist, he possesses the improvisatory skills and powerful

see LAKESHORE page 44

Pianist-composer Billy Childs: “I write music to move the listener dramatically, just like a good movie would.” (Special to GetOut)

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Big Apple comedian bringing personal humor to EV GETOUT STAFF

Big Apple comedian who specializes in “very personal and punchy” riffs is coming to the East Valley for a series of shows. James Camacho, who performed standup and appeared in TV shows/movies for over seven years, will be appearing in five shows at JP’s Comedy Club, 860 E. Warner Road, Gilbert, May 12-14. Showtimes are 7 p.m. May 12 and May 13 and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. May 14. Tickets start at $19. Visit www.JPscomedyclub.com or www.JamesCamacho.com for tickets. Camacho has been featured on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, the TV shows “FBI” and “Kevin Can Wait” on CBS, the movie “Before I Go” and the Jay-Z music video “I Got the Keys” with DJ Khaled. In a time of political turmoil and social unrest, he approaches comedy in a friendly and conversational manner with rapidfire punchlines that underscore a boyish charm as he details his mixed heritage of having a Chinese mom and a Puerto Rican dad, along with his general personal and dating life. Camacho has a current viral TikTok video with 15 million views and counting, YouTube and Instagram videos with 4+

TUBING from page 43

“We just want our public to come back. There is a recreational paradise out there,” Breault says.

LAKESHORE from page 43

sense of swing one associates with worldclass artists. … Childs is an inventive composer and arranger whose effort in those areas consistently expand the dimensions of the jazz genre — and beyond.” Woody Wilson, founder, president and executive producer of Lakeshore Music, says he saved one of the best for last in this 2021-22 season-finale performance. “We are proud to be ending our 13th Lakeshore Music season with the great Billy Childs,” Wilson said. “We survived COVID-19 and made it through a very difficult time of transition these past two years. This wonderful show illustrates the resilience of live jazz music and the performing arts. It is our reward for staying

million views, and over 145K fans on all platforms. He said he landed the Gilbert gig by reaching out to JP’s Comedy Club. “As an up and coming comedian I personally reach out to comedy clubs to book work,” he said. “Hopefully one day an agent/manager can do all this for me so I can just sit back, relax, focus on writing jokes, play with my cat, and finally watch some TV shows and baseball.” He’s no stranger to Arizona, having done casino shows in the Camp Verde and Mesa areas. “While I was in the state I also stopped by Phoenix and did a show at a video game store/bar that was fun,” he said. Though he’s been performing professionally for seven years, he said, “I actually did my very first set in the 7th grade but did not do another set until college.” Camacho and other comedians are still recovering from the pandemic’s impact. “It was very tough during the pandemic, not just financially but mentally because I had done stand-up every single day for six years prior to the lockdown,” Camacho said. “It was almost like I was in rehab. I coped by doing Zoom comedy shows- which were awful, taking trips to states that were more open and able to do comedy shows, and also by building my social media fol-

“Help us keep it clean and beautiful, have a great time, but do it responsibly. If you all come out and enjoy us with happy faces, we are certainly going to enhance that joy on the river.” ■

the course and giving our loyal patrons only the best.” Childs says at first playing the piano was just fun. “It was like a puzzle, like a game,” he said. “Me and my two older sisters, we all took lessons.” The lessons weren’t, however, given by a maestro, Childs acknowledges, although he was proficient by age 6. “They were like remedial lessons taught by a neighborhood teacher,” he said. “I kind of picked up little basic things like what a ‘C’ chord was. “But I always liked figuring out tunes on the piano. And just from those basic remedial lessons, I was able to identify sounds and remember chords.” By 14, he says he knew he was meant to

lowing. “Getting into TikTok, Instagram, and all those apps really helped me still be creative and also make some money. I also took up some freelance writing gigs to help stay afloat. I got fired from all of them – I’m unable to write for other people, sadly.” Camacho said that besides rapping about his personal life, “I just find inconsistencies in the world while making sure the crowd is laughing every 10-15 seconds. “I rarely talk politics - if I do it’s silly. I like to do crowd work, too. I don’t make fun of people or roast anyone. I like to have conversations and make subtle jokes throughout. When

JAMES CAMACHO

people come to my show I really want them to feel like they just hung out with a good friend, cracked open a few beers, and talked some smack. “ ■

If You Go...

Who: Salt River Tubing Where: 9200 N. Bush Highway, Mesa When: Open through Sunday, Sept. 25 Cost: $21 per person, plus tax, includes tube rental, shuttle bus ride and parking Info: 480.984.3305, saltrivertubing.com be a pianist and he began taking more serious, formal classical and jazz lessons. He credits Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer for that. “I would figure out songs from the radio, like memory training or ear training,” Childs said. “When I was 14 and I heard Keith Emerson, it was like a seminal event because he made me want to really create on the piano. So all I could talk about from 14 to like 17 was Emerson, Lake and Palmer. That kind of jump-started my imagination as to what could be done on the piano, what kind of music could be created.” Also among Childs’ early influences were Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, and he credits classical composers, such as Igor Stravinsky, with influencing his

love of composition. Childs was accepted into the University of Southern California Community School For The Performing Arts, studying music theory and piano with some of the world’s most renowned musical scholars. He graduated in 1979 with a bachelors in composition. Childs released his first solo album, Take For Example, This… in 1988. Since then, Childs has been an in-demand performer on the jazz scene. Simultaneous with his recording career, Childs has occupied a parallel niche as an in-demand composer. His orchestral and chamber credits include Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. ■

GET OUT

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

King Crossword ACROSS 1 Went out with 6 Chinese martial art 12 Moolah 13 Skillful 14 Sheathe 15 Mountain chain 16 Stadium cheers 17 Quaker pronoun 19 Profit 20 Canadian gas brand 22 City area, for short 24 Gun lobby org. 27 Male turkeys 29 Show ennui 32 Pale, sweet fruit 35 Riga resident 36 “I smell --!” 37 Despondent 38 Hem’s partner 40 Jealousy 42 Prefix with athlete 44 Early automaker 46 Burden 50 Aplenty 52 Strange thing 54 “Can you give me directions?” 55 Family girls 56 Goes angling 57 Tennessee county

With JAN D’ATRI GetOut Contributor

C 34 39 41 42 43

VJ’s network Not as good Alpine air? Pre-weekend cry Malek of “Bohemian Rhapsody”

45 47 48 49 51 53

Reply to “Shall we?” Pleasing Western tribe Method (Abbr.) Reaction to fireworks Cato’s 50

Sudoku

DOWN 1 Lady of Spain 2 Eyebrow shape 3 Rib 4 German river 5 Fresca, e.g. 6 Hit with a stun gun 7 Farewell 8 Hot temper 9 Like “Green Acres” humor 10 Employ 11 “Let’s leave -- that” 12 German article 18 Hit one out of the park 21 Farm pen 23 Reuben bread 24 Stanley Cup org. 25 Caviar base 26 Mounds built by insects 28 Final performance 30 Romance 31 SSE’s opposite 33 JFK info

PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 46

Chocolate pecan ‘cigars’ satisfy your sweet cravings

elebrations like Cinco de Mayo come and go, but certain specialties that make up a delicious fiesta could – and should – be enjoyed all year long. A perfect example; chocolate pecan “cigars.” They are so simple to make and just the right little “something something” when you’re having a chocolate craving or you want to surprise you dinner guests with a unique twist on dessert! With southwestern grocery stores so plentiful in Arizona, it’s easy to pick up the most important ingredient: corn husks. The next things you’ll need are delicious, decadent white and dark chocolate and some pecans. You’ll caramelize the pecans, chop them up, stir them into the melted chocolates and then spoon the chocolate into the corn husks. Then you wrap them up like little edible gifts and tie a corn husk bow around them. I originally made these for special occasions but now I keep a container of them in my frig to satisfy my sweet tooth. Some southwestern traditions are just too good to make only once a year. ■ melting wafers 2 cups whole pecans 1/3 cup brown or white sugar 1/3 cup water ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Ingredients: • 12 tamale corn husks • 12 ounces white chocolate or white melting wafers • 12 ounces dark chocolate coating or

• • • •

Directions: Cover a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Place corn husks in large pot with hot water. Place a plate over the husks to keep them submerged. Let the husks soften at least 5 minutes. While husks are softening, make the sugared pecans. In a small pot over high heat, add the water and bring to a boil. Add the sugar and cinnamon and stir until sugar dissolves. Boil until mixture comes to a syrupy consistency, about 3-4 minutes. Add the pecans, and stir until the liquid cooks off and the nuts are completely coated. Spoon the nuts onto the prepared sheet pan, separating them so they don’t clump. In a small sauce pan or microwave, melt the white chocolate coating and spoon into a bowl. In another

sauce pan or microwave, melt the dark chocolate coating and spoon into a bowl. (If using a microwave melt at 30 second intervals so chocolate won’t seize up.) Add half of the chopped pecans to the white chocolate and half to the dark chocolate. Remove softened husks, dry with paper towels and tear them into 2 inch strips. With a spoon spread 2-3 teaspoons of white chocolate/pecan mixture down one side of the husk then carefully and tightly roll the husks into cigars, wiping off any chocolate that might seep out of the husk. Repeat the process with the dark chocolate. Tie a thin strip of corn husk around the cigar. Place the chocolate cigars on the parchment covered baking sheet. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes to harden. Unwrap the corn husk and enjoy. Makes 24 cigars.■

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES AND SUDOKU from Page 45

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Pandemic-related upheaval in the job market has continued, years after the emergence of a novel coronavirus. That makes staying on top of trends even more important for those seeking employment in 2022: REMAINING REMOTE There’s no sign that the work-fromhome trend will be abating anytime soon. Tens of millions of people were forced from their workplaces during enforced lockdowns, and many of them adapted so well they never wanted to returned to the office. In fact, nearly 60% of those workers said they wanted to work at home permanently in a survey conducted by FlexJobs. (About 40% preferred a hybrid environment that split the difference.) Variants have reinforced some people’s resolve to work remotely, but employers have also found that they can attract a deeper talent pool — and that productivity can actually go up. The best companies will offer flexible options.

GOING YOUR OWN WAY Contract work, one-off commissions and project work will also continue to rise in 2022, as workers find that self-employment in the so-called “gig economy” is preferable to conventional jobs. These jobs provide flexibility to those who can’t — or don’t want to — work eight consecutive hours, or five consecutive days. Traditional hourly or salaried positions are simply too constricting for this band of potential hires. KNOWING YOUR WORTH In a job-seeker’s market like 2021, applicants held leverage over prospective employers. This year will be no different, as companies desperate to fill positions will find themselves negotiating more than ever. The Great Resignation made clear that people are more willing than ever to leave

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AUTOMATION UPTICK Besides the pandemic, nothing has had a bigger recent impact on our economy than technology. These automation and machine-learning trends have added new pressure on smaller companies, while also limiting job opportunities in the wider marketplace. Software packages can handle many processes now, making managing systems both easier and quicker. But those are jobs that humans once filled. Artificial intelligence is also being used to improve accuracy, sometimes at the loss of positions that companies would normally be hiring to fill.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

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www.extractioncleaning.com 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

elephant-water.com

480.460.5030

Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252

480-405-7588 Air Duct Cleaning

Air Duct Cleaning & Dryer Vents BY JOHN

Concrete & Masonry

Electrical Services

CONCRETE MASONRY Block Walls • Concrete • Pavers BBQ & Fireplaces • Stucco Cool Deck • Imitation Flagstone

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

Call Garcia Cell 602-921-7900 Free Estimates

★ 30+ Years HVAC Experience ★ Disinfected & Sanitized With Every Job

Not a licensed contractor

(480) 912-0881 – Licensed & Insured

Small Jobs Welcome!

• Serving Arizona Since 2005 •

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

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

Block Fence * Gates

602-789-6929 Roc #057163 Meetings/Events?

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp Serving Entire Valley

YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST!

Residential Electrician

Call Sean Haley 602-574-3354 ROC#277978 • Licensed/Bonded/Insured

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Electrical Services

Garage/Doors

C. READ & SON ELECTRIC

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

Ahwatukee Resident

 Electric Car Chargers for ALL your  Fans electrical needs  Lighting 41 years  Troubleshooting  And much more experience

East Valley/ Ahwatukee

HIRING? People are looking at the Classifieds Every day!

Broken Springs Replaced

Email Your Job Post to: class@times publications.com

Not a licensed contractor

480-898-6465

Nights/Weekends Bonded/Insured 480-251-8610

or Call

2008 through 2021

ROC #158440 Bond/Insured

www.readelectricaz.com

Garage/Doors

class@times publications.com

Plans / Additions, Patios New Doors, Windows Lowest Price in Town! R. Child Lic#216115, Class BO3 Bonded-Insured-Ref's

Visit our website! Landlord and Homeowner Property Services Repairs • Drywall • Painting • BINSR Items Plumbing • Electrical • HOA Compliance

Not a licensed contractor.

MALDONADO GARAGE DOOR SPRINGS REPLACED Licensed • Bonded • Insured

623-853-3311 ROC # 336907

HOME REPAIR SERVICES

CALL DOUG

CASH OUT!

480-215-3373

Home Improvement

480.335.4180

SERVICE | INSTALLATIONS | REPAIRS

Flooring

REMODEL CONTRACTOR

Jaden Sydney Associates.com

AND so much more! Ahwatukee Resident

480-940-6400 CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465

Home Improvement

Handyman

480.201.5013

K HOME SERVICES “For all your Home Exterior Needs”

THE HANDYMAN THAT HANDLES SMALL JOBS THAT OTHERS DECLINE

Roger Kretz

✔ Painting ✔ Gate Restoration ✔ Lighting ✔ Plumbing Repairs ✔ Replace Cracked ✔ Sheetrock Roof Tiles Texturing Repairs ✔ & MUCH MORE!

480.233.0336

rogerkretz@yahoo.com 25+ Years of Customer Services

• Leaky Roof Repairs • Tile Repairs • Painting • Flat Roof Coating • Wood Repair • Doors & Windows

Ahwatukee Resident, References Available, Insured

*Not A Licensed Contractor

Glass/Mirror

A family founded business that specializes in tile,vinyl plank, laminate, hardwood & more!

10%OFF

ON INSTALL when you mention this ad

GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

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

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR Call 480-306-5113 wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! Painting • Flooring • Electrical Handyman Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Decks • Tile • More!

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting Flooring • Electrical “No Job Too ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Man!” 5-Star Reviews on Google Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More! 20+ Years Experience Quality Work Since 1999 Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, Showers, back splash, fireplaces, 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job baseboards & stairs ✔ Carpentry Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Best Flooring Company in the valley Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry now in Ahwatukee! Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More!

FREE ESTIMATES!

rk Since 1999 Affordable, Quality Wo 1999 SinceBSMALLMAN@Q.COM rk Wo y alit Qu e, abl Afford

✔ Kitchens

✔ Bathrooms 2010, 2011 2012, “No 2013, Job Too And More! 2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 2012, 2013, 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee / References ty Work

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Affordable, Quali

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

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

Call or Text 480-527-6274 honestandaffordableflooring.com Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Hauling

2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014

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

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

Sprinkler & Drip Systems Repairs • Modifications • Installs

• Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

Home Improvement

Home Remodeling • BASE BOARDS • DRYWALL • ELECTRICAL • PAINTING • PLUMBING • BATHROOMS • WOOD FLOORING • FRAMING WALLS • FREE ESTIMATES • GRANITE FABRICATION & INSTALLATION • CARPET INSTALLATION • LANDSCAPING

No Job Too Small! Senior Discounts!

David Hernandez (602) 802 3600

NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

Honest & Affordable Floor Covering

Irrigation

daveshomerepair@yahoo.com • Se Habla Español

• 20+ Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Irrigation

Landscape Design/Installation

MD’S LANDSCAPING

JOSE’S LANDSCAPING

Drip Systems Installed, Valves/Timer Repairs

Let’s get your Watering System working again! System Checks • Drip Checks FREE ESTIMATES! CALL 24 HOURS 25 Yrs Exp. I Do All My Own Work! Call Mark

480.295.2279 Referred out of Ewing Irrigation Not a licensed contractor.

Landscape/Maintenance

New & Re-Do Design and Installation

Specializing in Artificial • Front Yards Grass

• Golfing Greens

Landscape/Maintenance

Arizona Specialty Landscape

• Synthetic Turf for your Home

• Back Yards

Affordable | Paver Specialists All phases of landscape installation. Plants, cacti, sod, sprinklers, granite, concrete, brick, Kool-deck, lighting and more!

Free Estimates 7 Days a Week!

Call Today For A Quote

480-690-0081

ROC# 186443 • BONDED

Call/Text 480.695-3639

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED! Not a licensed contractor.

LANDSCAPE SERVICES • Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service ARRANTY 5 -YEAR PART W

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

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

Irrigation Systems & Outdoor Lighting Fountain Repair C - Caring n, Landscape Desig pairs D - Dedicated stallation & Re In S - Service Maintenance.

LANDSCAPING

No Yard

• 9am - 6pm, Tuesday - Saturday. • You Pay Labor & Materials Only • FREE ESTIMATES • ROC#312942 • David R Smith Phone, Text or Email

480-580-4419

david@swo-of-artworks.com www.swo-of-artworks.com

Landscape/Maintenance

High Quality Results TRIM TREES ALL TYPES GRAVEL - PAVERS SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Complete Clean Ups

Jose Martinez

Serving the Valley for over 28 years

602.515.2767

Custom Design and Renovation turning old to new Custom Built-ins, BBQs, Firepits, Fireplaces, Water Features, Re-Designing Pools, Masonry, Lighting, Tile, Flagstone, Pavers, Culture Stone & Travertine, Synthetic Turf, Sprinkler/Drip, Irrigation Systems, Clean ups & Hauling

WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN YARD CLEAN UP Responsible • 100% Guaranteed Call or text for a FREE ESTIMATE

480-217-0407 Ramón Rodriguez

Not a Licensed Contractor

Complete Lawn Service & Weed Control

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured

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

To learn more about us, view our photo gallery at: ShadeTreeLandscapes.com

CALL US TODAY!

480.721.4146

480-730-1074

www.irsaz.com

ROC# 256752

Painting

CONKLIN PAINTING Free Estimate & Color Consultation

Interior Painting ● Pressure Washing Exterior Painting ● Drywall/Stucco Repair Complete Prep Work ● Wallpaper Removal

480-888-5895 ConklinPainting.com Lic/Bond/Ins ROC# 270450

Starting @ $60/Month!

Painting

• One Month Free Service • Licensed, Bonded Insured for your protection. • Call or Text for a Free Quote

kjelandscape.com • ROC#281191

480-586-8445

WANT A GREEN LAWN?

480-940-8196 theplugman.com

Call for a FREE consultation and Estimate

Bonded/Insured/Licensed • ROC #225923

Gravel Spreading & Removal • Initial Yard Clean Up • We Remove Concrete New Installations Irrigation & Drip Systems Storm Damage • Palm & Tree Trimming Tree Removal

Not a licensed contractor.

The Possibilities are Endless

FREE FERTILIZER & SOIL AMENDMENT TREATMENT WITH CORE AERATION FERTILIZATION • SOIL AMENDMENTS • SOIL TESTING ROC 282663 * BONDED * INSURED YOUR LAWN EXPERT SINCE 1995

1-Day Epoxy for Garages, Patios, Pool Decks & More! • Interior & Exterior Painting • Professional Cabinet Refinishing • In-Home Color Consultations “Professional, Punctual & Clean”

Veteran Owned

Meetings/Events?

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

www.ACP www.A CPpaintingllc.com paintingllc.com Licensed - Bonded - Insured ROC 290242

FREE ESTIMATES • CALL TODAY!

480-785-6323

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

HIRING?

Painting

Plumbing

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING Interior, Exterior House Painting. Stucco Patching. Gate/Front Door Refinishing. Quality work/Materials Free Estimate Ignacio 480-961-5093 / 602-571-9015 ROC #189850 Bond/Ins’d

Drain Cleaning Experts, water heaters, disposals, water & sewer lines repaired/replaced & remodels. Rapid Response. If water runs through it we do it! 602-663-8432

If someone Needs a Job, They Look Every Day!

Plumbing

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

For a Quote email: class@times publications.com

480-898-6465

FREE Service Calls + FREE Estimates Water Heaters Installed - $999 Unclog Drains - $49

AHWATUKEE SPECIAL $

Off 40work done *Any

10% OFF

All Water Purification Systems Voted #1 Plumber 3 Years In A Row OVER 1,000 5-STAR REVIEWS

Painting

“We get your house looking top notch!” ★ Elastomaric Roof Coating ★ Epoxy Floors ★ Small Job Specialist

Scott Mewborn, Owner 480-818-1789 License #ROC 298736

• High Quality Materials & Workmanship • Customer Satisfaction ee • Countless References Serving Ahwatuk Since 1987 • Free Estimates

602.625.0599

Suntechpaintingaz.com Family Owned In Best of Ahwatukee Year After Year

PAINTING Interior & Exterior Residential/Commercial Free Estimates Drywall Repairs Senior Discounts References Available

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099

Pool Service / Repair

Affinity Plumbing LLC 480-487-5541

The POO POOL OOL Girls

affinityplumber@gmail.com

ROC #155380

www.affinityplumbingaz.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

— Call Jason —

(602) 502-1655

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

24/7

Inside & Out Leaks

Bonded

Toilets

Insured

Faucets

Estimates Availabler

Disposals

$35 off

ROC#309706

Any Service

Plumbing

MARK’S POOL SERVICE Owner Operated - 20 Years

Play Pools start at

$95/month Ask About Filter Cleaning Specials!

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

PLUMBING

10% OFF

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

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

480-390-1212

with chemicals

Voted #1

Family Owned & Operated

Call Patti Cranson

Water Heaters

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

Pool Service & Repair

Anything Plumbing Same Day Service

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

East Valley PAINTERS

Serving Ahwatukee for 20+ Years

FREE Estimates!

Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor

Not a licensed contractor

★ Interior/Exterior Painting ★ Drywall Repair & Installation ★ Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Now Accepting all major credit cards

$35.00 Off Any Service Call Today!

A+ RATED

We Repair or Install ROC # 272721

AHWATUKEE’S #1 PLUMBER Licensed • Bonded • Insured

704.5422

(480)

Mark

602-799-0147 CPO#85-185793

Juan Hernandez

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

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

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

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

Pool Service / Repair

Rooﬁng

Rooﬁng Watch for Garage Sales in Classifieds!

$25 OFF

Filter Cleaning! Monthly Service & Repairs Available

602-546-POOL 7 6 6 5

www.barefootpoolman.com See our Before’s and After’s on Facebook Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC# 272001

Only $27.50 includes 1 week online To place an ad please call: 480-898-6465 class@times publications.com

ROC #152111

Quality Repairs & Re-Roofs LICENSED | BONDED | INSURED | ROC #269218

Complimentary & Honest Estimates

Call our office today!

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

480-460-7602 Ask us about our discount for all Military and First Responders!

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

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

www.porterroofinginc.com

Rooﬁng

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

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

Not a licensed contractor

Serving All Types Clean, Prompt, Friendly and Professional Service of Roofing: FREE ESTIMATES • Tiles & Shingles

sunlandroofingllc@gmail.com

602-471-2346

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

u Th

Licensed, Bonded, Insured ROC152111

e IN

Call

-EX D i ﬀe r e n c e

602-938-7575

for your FREE Roof Evaluation Today! www.InExRo

oﬁn

MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.Ahwatukee.com

PHILLIPS

ROOFING LLC Family Owned and Operated 43 Years Experience in Arizona

623-873-1626 Free Estimates Monday through Saturday

480-446-7663 Ahwatukee’s Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

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

See MORE Ads Online!

www.Ahwatukee.com

Over 30 Years of Experience Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

g.c o m

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

Let Us Show Yo

• Installation • Repair • Re-Roofing

Rooﬁng

Family Owned & Operated for over 30 years

You will find them easy with their yellow background. Garage Sale Fri & Sat 7a-11am Household, clothes, kitchen items, furniture, electronics, mason jars, kid items, DVDs, MORE 555 W. Lane Dr Mesa

Licensed 2006 ROC 223367 Bonded Insured

PhillipsRoofing.org PhillipsRoofing@cox.net

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING Valley Wide Service

480-446-7663

10% OFF with this ad

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

CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465 class@times publications.com

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 11, 2022

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