Ahwatukee Foothills News - 5.19.2021 by Times Media Group

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Parent pleads for Kyrene to change outdoor mask mandate BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

icole Koester of Ahwatukee is no flaming anti-masker and her 9-year-old son Nicolas is an obedient student at Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy, wearing his mask just as most Kyrene students have been doing since August. But Koester drew the line last Thursday, May 13, when Nicolas “almost passed out at recess playing soccer in the heat wearing his mask.”

see MASKS page 12

Staff Photographer)

WEDDING INDUSTRY REBOOTS

More COVID bucks heading to city coffers BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

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STAYING ON TRACK

. 37

@AhwatukeeFN

Nicole Koester of Ahwatukee wants Kyrene to drop its mandatory mask policy for students playing outside after her son Nicolas, 9, nearly fainted playing soccer during recess. (Pablo Robles/AFN

@AhwatukeeFN |

hoenix officials expect to receive $396 million in the third round of pandemic relief funds in the next 14 months. This time the money comes courtesy of the American Rescue Plan and the City Manager’s office released a strategic plan to City Council last week on how it proposes to spend it. The plan and preliminary approval of the 2021-22 budget were scheduled to go before Council yesterday, May 18, after AFN’s deadline. While the $396 million is $20 million less than the city initially expected, the report said it still funds a “robust list of programs” for Council to consider. The funding also will be broken up between

this year and next, with $198 million being released to the city at each time. “According to federal guidance, these funds may only be used to cover costs that are necessary expenditures caused by COVID-19 incurred between March 3, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2024,” the staff report noted. That includes the city’s response to the public health crisis created by COVID-19 and addressing negative economic impacts by providing assistance to businesses, households and nonprofits. Money also can be used, the report states, “to respond to workers performing essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by providing premium pay to eligible workers of the state, territory or tribal government that are performing such essential work or by pro-

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viding grants to eligible employers that have eligible workers who perform essential work.” And they can be used to backfill any revenue shortfalls created by the pandemic and “to make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.” The plan is based on input from council members as well as federal guidelines and includes proposed continuation of those programs funded last year by two rounds of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding. The report breaks the $198 million into three categories of funding: $118 million for community investment, $70 million for city operations and $10 million for “future opera-

see RESCUE page 14

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

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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Ex-teacher here accused of sex with minor student AFN NEWS STAFF

former Desert Garden Montessori School teacher faces 10 felony counts on charges he allegedly had an 18-month sexual relationship with a student that started when she was 15. Justin Walters, 29, was arrested in Chicago as he was returning JUSTIN WALTERS from Turkey, according to a U.S. Marshal’s Service social media announcement posted May 13. Phoenix Police detectives in an affidavit said Walters, had fled to Istanbul, Turkey, last Jan. 1, apparently a few days after detectives had interviewed him. The school released a statement to some local television stations last Thursday that said, “We have learned through the US Marshal’s office that a former employee of the school has been arrested on charges of inappropriate conduct with a student. The employee who was arrested has not been associated with the school since December of 2020. “At this time, we do not have any additional information. We will continue to cooperate with the authorities until the investigation is complete. “Our students’ safety remains, above all, our highest priority and any threat to that safety is taken very seriously. Our attention remains with the well-being of our students, our staff and our community during this difficult time.” According to court records filed by Phoenix Police, detectives were told on Dec. 23 that a 16-year-old girl was in a sexual relationship with her teacher. On Dec. 30, the victim in an interview with detectives said “she became close with her teacher Justin when she was 14 years old after a school field trip to Puerto Rico. “The victim and Justin began messaging each other and Justin told the victim that he had feelings for her and was attracted to her,” the affidavit states. Walters had the victim create a Snapchat account and after asking her to send photos, “the victim sent Justin sexually explicit pictures.” He then sent her sexually explicit photos of him, police said. Their first sexual encounter occurred June 4, 2019, according to the affidavit, after Walters picked up the

see GARDEN page 6

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

victim, who had just turned 15, and went to Walmart, where he bought an air mattress and alcohol. The two then drove to an unknown place in the desert where they engaged in sexual intercourse in the back of his truck. “She disclosed it hurt a lot,” the affidavit states. Walters then took the girl to his residence, where he “snuck her past his roommate” for sex, the affidavit states. The alleged sexual encounters also included a visit to an Airbnb in Scottsdale, where “the victim stated she and Justin had a lot of sex” and “she and Justin wrote in a journal about what they would do when she turned 18,” the affidavit states. The affidavit states “the journal was never located,” but that Airbnb records show Walters “did message the Airbnb host about his missing journal but the

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host never located it.” The affidavit said the victim told detectives of multiple sexual encounters at Airbnbs, in a parking lot near a Mesa doctor’s office, at Walters’ parents’ home, and that their last encounter was last Dec. 22. Police said they found a photo on the girl’s cellphone showing her kissing Walters on the cheek and that they also have police body camera footage of Walters and the girl from a Feb. 2, 2020, traffic stop in Scottsdale. The affidavit also states that police have Walters’ DNA obtained from the victim’s clothing. “The victim was 15 to 16 years old during the acts while Justin was between the ages of 27 and 28,” the affidavit states. A warrant was issued for Walters May 5, according to court records. It was not clear whether he has been released on bond, though County Jail records indicate he is not being held there. 

Police mum about South Mountain suicide AFN NEWS STAFF

hoenix Police are releasing few details about a woman who deliberately drove her car off the top of South Mountain the day before Mothers Day. Despite comments on social media in the days following the fatal incident purporting she was an Ahwatukee mother of four, police would not confirm where she lived, anything about her family or even her name. All police would say is that she de-

liberately took off and headed over a cliff as police tried to talk to her. “On May 8, 2021 at about 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a check welfare at South Mountain park near 10919 S. Central Ave., reports of an adult female wanting to harm her herself,” a department spokeswoman said. “Officers arrived and attempted to speak to the female at which time she drove off the mountain. Investigators responded to conduct a death investigation,” she continued. “The investigation is ongoing.” 

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Kyrene board adopts Indigenous land statement AFN NEWS STAFF

yrene has become the second school district in the East Valley to adopt an “Indigenous land acknowledgment” that will be read at each governing board meeting after the Pledge of Allegiance. Two months after Tempe Union’s governing board began a similar statement, board members last week adopted the acknowledgement following a presentation by Erin Schroeder, district federal programs and outreach director. Kyrene’s acknowledgment states: “Kyrene School District acknowledges that our community of schools is located on the ancestral lands of the O’otham and Pee Posh peoples who have inhabited these lands since time immemorial. With this land acknowledgement, the district formally recognizes that the traditional care and keeping of these lands by Native peoples allow us to be here today.” Such acknowledgements are becoming increasingly adopted by a wide variety of local, state and federal agencies across the country, which will use them on official

Part of the presentation to the board included this map with two websites that paint a broad look at the Indigenous tribes in the Valley. (Kyrene School District) stationery, the home pages of web sites or at the beginning of public meetings. Schroeder explained an Indigenous land acknowledgment “recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories.” In part, it’s a public recognition and reminder that the land that district facilities sit on was originally owned by Native Americans – specifically, the Akimel O’odham and Pee Posh whose descendants comprise the Gila River Indian Community. “It’s a step toward honoring the original occupants of a place – to recognize the land as an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you

reside on and a way of honoring the native peoples who have been living and working on the land,” Schroeder explained. “Making a land acknowledgement should be motivated by genuine respect and support,” she continued. “Speaking and hearing words of recognition is important.” Tamzyn Whitaker, president of the Kyrene Native American Advisory Committee and a district program manager for district services for Native American students, said the acknowledgement had the approval of the Gila River Indian Community Tribal Historic Preservation Office and the tribal residents in the community. Hester Tupponce, district Native American program coordinator, said there are cur-

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rently 1228 Native American students in the district representing 58 different tribes. Native American teachers who were part of the committee that developed the acknowledgment statement also spoke, giving the board websites so members could learn more about local tribes. Thanking “stakeholders and tribal nations for their thoughtful input,” Schroeder said, “We feel fortunate to work regularly with the surrounding tribal Nations and recognize the growth that has been made in ensuring a positive learning environment for our students. “It is our hope that this acknowledgement will be part of a meaningful practice to build our mindfulness of the present rather than a one-time gesture.” Governing Board President Kevin Walsh cited the number of tribes represented by Native American students in the district and called it “a beautiful diversity.” Board member Wanda Kolomyjec said the acknowledgement was another example of the district’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and said “it was a long time coming.” 

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Rare ﬁnd 1,449 sf, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom condo with a 2 car garage! Kitchen boasts Corian counter tops, black appliances, breakfast bar and pantry. Refrigerator conveys! Open kitchen great room ﬂoor plan. Arcadia door exit from the great room / dining area to the back patio with pavers. Large master suite with walk in closet. Double sinks in the master bathroom. Large under stair storage closet. This home is tucked away in the back of the development with no neighbors behind; backs to a green belt!. 2020 HVAC UNIT! Interior of home was painted in 2021. 2021 carpet. Well - kept community grounds, heated pool, playground and extensive walking paths. Close to restaurants, shopping and convenient freeway access!

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

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

MASKS from page 1

Koester said her account of her son’s episode prompted personal calls from Cerritos Principal Amy Gingell and Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes. Toenjes also scheduled a staff meeting for Monday, May 17, to discuss a possible alteration of the mask mandate. The results of that meeting were not revealed by the time of AFN’s print deadline. Koester’s account also triggered a barrage of social media posts primarily by angry parents who condemned the mask mandate, particularly as it applies to students who are outdoors. Her vivid account underscored the issue. “He was so overheated they had to use a wheelchair to get him to the office because he was too lightheaded to walk,” Koester wrote. “The school nurse told me he was still wearing his mask when she arrived, which means he was overheating but still trying to follow the ‘rules.’ She had to tell him it was okay to take it off and take some deep breaths. “I was called to come get him because he was having chest pain and a headache. I have no complaints about how the school staff handled the situation; they were/are fantastic. The nurse gave him fluids, iced his neck, called me right away, and followed up with a phone call to check on him.” Nicolas fully recovered by Friday after suffering a bad headache and stomach ache that had continued into Thursday evening. His scare came two days after the Kyrene Governing Board heard emails from eight parents who demanded that the district drop its mandatory mask policy and two parents who applauded it. Because the emails were part of the meeting’s public comment portion, board members were forbidden by law to comment. On the same day Nicolas nearly fainted, the Centers for Disease Control had announced that vaccinated people could ba-

Kyrene Governing Board members heard eight parents condemn and two parents praise the district’s mask policy. (YouTube) sically feel safe anywhere without masks. That pronouncement created ongoing nationwide confusion, according to numerous news reports – just as Gov. Doug Ducey did several weeks ago when he rescinded the state’s mask mandate for all public buildings but gave school districts the right to make their own policy. When it comes to masks, Arizona school districts are all over the map. Most of Kyrene’s neighbors – except for Tempe Union – have dropped their mask mandates or have at least made masks optional for students outside campus buildings. To Koester, masks outside make little sense – especially on days like last Thursday, when the temperature topped off at 102 degrees. She argues that young children generally just follow the rules, even if Kyrene’s policy allows them to drop their masks for a few short breaths if they get uncomfortable. Indeed, she said she asked her son why he didn’t pull down his mask when he was playing soccer during recess – which would have required him to drop out of the game until he put it back in place. “He said, ‘Well, we wear it so much, we forget that it is on.' And then he said, ‘I just felt like I was breaking the rules.’” She said Nicolas likely is no different

than most of his third-grade classmates – or most any other kid: they’re afraid they’d be breaking the rules even if they’re physically distressed. “It’s just too hot where we live,” Koester said. “A middle school or high school kid, if they’re feeling dizzy, I think they’re just more inclined to say ‘Oh yeah, take it down, sit down, take some deep breaths,” Koester said. “But they’re little kids. They just follow the rules…or get a little more brainwashed.” “I’m not the only parent who has concerns and I think that we need to use this as a catalyst to get at least the outdoor mask policy changed,” Koester said. “I think the other one (indoor masks) is an uphill battle and not worth the fight for four weeks of school, but this is dangerous.” Some of the parents who emailed the Kyrene Governing Board last week expressed similar concerns, although many of them attacked the indoor mask mandate as well. One couple told the board that while they are very happy that their daughter is happy in her Kyrene middle school, they are looking at alternatives, including charters, in case Kyrene continues a mandatory mask policy in the coming school year.

They said the charters they called had extensive waiting lists and that “we were told the number one reason parents are looking to move is “mandatory mask policies.” On the other hand, another parent who identified herself as a doctor praised the policy, stating, “My son is counting on you sticking to the science.” Getting excused from Kyrene’s mask policy involves more than a note from the doctor. A parent has to initiate the same process that a parent of a special-needs child has to go through to get an individualized education plan in place that addresses the services and other considerations the district must provide for a child’s particular handicap. That process involves numerous forms and meetings and does not necessarily guarentee a maskless outcome. Koester also said children wearing masks outside risk grave consequences, as one girl in another district recently had at a private horse ranch that had a mandatory mask policy. The youngster fainted, fell off her horse and smashed her braces on a pole in the corral. The owner immediately dropped the mandatory mask policy. While such an extreme incident might be rare, Koester thinks it’s still dangerous for young kids to be forced into masks while they bake in Arizona’s sun. She said she appreciated the calls from Toenjes and other Kyrene administrators. Now, she’s hoping her son’s episode will be “the big catalyst for them to also go ahead and reevaluate their policy.” District spokeswoman Erin Helm said Kyrene’s mask and other COVID-19-related policies are “based on the most current guidance provided by the CDC and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health” and that “Kyrene’s practices continue to evolve as that guidance is updated.” She noted the district has advised parents it would review its policies “in response to that guidance,” but said that review is “unrelated to any single student, staff member or school.” 

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

RESCUE from page 1

tional needs.” “The city will need to be nimble to adjust programs to ensure compliance with the ever-changing federal guidance,” the report states. The community investment includes six spending categories, including $36 million for arts, business and employee assistance. “Many of our small businesses are still struggling to stay open due to COVID-19,” the report states. “These funds will provide resources that Phoenix businesses, including our vibrant arts community, need to stay open, pay employees and to cover other operational costs due to the downturn in business. “Funds are also proposed provide robust job training opportunities for those that lost their jobs during the downturn.” That includes funding “a robust arts program that provides the arts community with a lifeline.” The city also is proposing to spend $30.5

Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher has proposed a broad use of the $198 million the city is getting this year in new pandemic relief funding. (Youtube) “Some of the funding in this category million for “mitigation and care of vulneralso lends itself to a larger regional apable populations,” which includes focusing proach to address the issues of homelesson homelessness, mental and behavioral ness and mental and behavioral health,” health, veterans’ issues and community the report states. and senior center needs.

The $24 million proposed for household “is intended to provide families with the resources needed to address rent, mortgage and utility shortages,” it states, adding: “More specifically these funds are intended to provide resources for residents who don’t qualify for the Emergency Rental Assistance Programs. Funding is also proposed to provide families with young children financial assistance to cover childcare costs and grocery expenses.” The city manager’s report said Council needs to provide “direction on the scope of any such program.” In addition, some of that money also will subsidize public transportation costs for people in “need of financial assistance due to loss of wages or employment because of COVID-19.” The community investment funding also includes $15 million for youth sports, recreation and after-school programs. “As parents return back to the workplace and others struggle with having the

Phoenix’s COVID bucks shopping list AFN NEWS STAFF

ere’s a breakdown of how the city proposes spending the largest chunk of the $198 million it is getting under the American Rescue Plan. Another $198 million is coming next year but officials haven’t decided how to spend that. next year. The largest part of the first round of money will be spent on community investment. That totals $118 million. This breakdown, provided by city staff to council for discussion, shows where that $118 million would go. • Phoenix arts, business, and employee assistance programs, $36 million. • Tuition assistance and wraparound support, $10 million. This includes “training and job placement in high-growth, indemand industries and occupations while addressing barriers to accessing training and employment” though Maricopa Corporate College. • Workforce training facility, $9 million. This would leverage funding from state and county agencies to rehabilitate and old K-Mart building that would be used by Arizona State University, Maricopa Community Colleges and WestMec. • Micro and small business assistance,

$8 million. Grants would total $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000 depending on company size and go largely to companies impacted by light rail construction. • Nonprofit arts and culture stabilization grants, $2.75 million. • Small Business Workforce Program, $2 million. • Creative Industries Recovery Fund, $1.25 million for Phoenix venues, galleries “and other for-profit creative industries.” • Artists to Work, $1 million. Artists would get paid “to develop temporary projects, installations, and performances in “a wide range of public spaces, including parks, trails, community centers, and neighborhood areas not usually defined or programmed as cultural spaces. • Arts Career Advancement Grants, $1 million. Artists would be able to use grants for “enrolling in professional development workshops or engage consultants and coaches to build administrative and business skills, develop promotional materials such as electronic media kits with high-resolution images, or participate in an exhibit, festival, vendor showcase, or artist residency. • Arts and Culture Internship Program, $750,000. Arts and culture organizations

could use this money to hire interns for 20 weeks. • Personnel/technical assistance/ professional development programs, $250,000. “This funding would allow the Office of Arts and Culture to reallocate a current vacant position or hire a new position to coordinate and spread the word about the work. It also includes funds for continued technical assistance and professional development in financial sustainability, business practices, and reopening strategies.” • Homeless and mental health programs, $10.5 million. • Enhanced air filtration systems at community centers, $6 million. • Edison Impact Hub, $5 million. Retrofitting the historic children’s hospital in a community services center. • Veteran relief, $4.5 million. This will be used to help homeless veterans and pay the US Vets Organization to operate a center the city bought with prior pandemic relief funds. • Summer heat respite, $3 million. Will fund creation of a “heat respite/cooling center” for homeless people. • Replace existing case management system, $1.5 million. To create a new

see RESCUE page 15

website that shows people how homeless funds are being used and for applicants to their application’s status. • Utility, rent and mortgage assistance, $1.5 million. • Household Financial Assistance Fund, $8 million. This will go to low-income families with kids to ensure “quality childcare and nutrition” and “mini-grants to Phoenix childcare facilities in low-to-moderate census tracks for technology upgrades that could include classroom screens, web-cam access, digital sign in/out software, childcare management software, and/or general WiFi upgrades.” • Bus card subsidies, $1 million. • Youth sports, recreation, education and after-school, $15.5 million. • Broadband expansion, $5 million. • WiFi connectivity for community centers and public housing, $2.5 million. • StartupPHX @ Burton Barr, $1.4 million. This will expand Hive @ Central for businesses. • College Depot Assistance, $1 million for laptops that would be loaned to students for the summer “to help level the playing field in education.”

see SHOPPING LIST page 15

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

RESCUE from page 14

$40 million for “key infrastructure, technology and capital projects that have been deferred or exacerbated as a result of the pandemic.” One project is upgrading the 27th Avenue Recycling Facility” and another is enhanced cyber security for city computer systems. The report also proposes $25 million to replace revenue lost from Convention Center activities since most of those were cancelled over the past 14 months. Testimony from Convention Center officials at an April council meeting showed that 79 conventions were canceled, representing a loss of 300,000 visitors and 342,000 hotel room nights. In all, that cost Phoenix $448 million, they said. ”Because of the pandemic, the Phoenix Convention Center has been severely impacted due to the downturn in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry,” the report states. “As a result, there are significant concerns about how long that industry will take to recover and how deep of an impact that recovery will have on the convention center’s fund balance.” “If the tourism and convention downturn lags as long as some economists suggest, this could impair convention center

resources needed to have recreation and educational opportunities for their children, staff is proposing to use ARP funds to provide resources that could be used to restore afterschool programs, provide financial assistance to youth sports leagues and to enhance library programs,” the report states. Funding also will be used to continue the development of the large broadband project that staff has been working on to provide internet access for residents in public housing and customers in city facilities. Another $9 million will go to the Phoenix Resilient Food System, which runs the Feed Phoenix Food Program. Citing a City Council directive, the report said funds will be used “to provide resources to local and neighborhood food banks and food kitchens.” The community investment funding also includes $3 million for the mobile COVID-19 testing van and unspecified “unexpected costs associated with the City taking on a more active role in vaccine distribution.” The second largest overall category – $70 million for city operations – includes

revenues enough that the General Fund would be forced to make reductions to provide working capital. Allocating (federal) funds to replace a portion of the revenue lost by the convention center over the last 15 months would be a sound financial decision that would be viewed favorably by the City’s rating agencies,” the report states. Of the remaining $5 million in this category, $3 million will be spent on “staffing enhancements” to provide “oversight and compliance functions that will be critical to ensuring a clean audit at the end of funding cycle” and $2 million for cleaning, sanitizing, testing and vaccine distribution. “The city did not possess an adequate supply of PPE and sanitizing agents needed to ensure that employees were adequately protected,” the report states, adding officials intend “to stockpile equipment and supplies needed to ensure that our staff is adequately protected against the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that the City is not a victim to future disruptions in the supply chain for these necessary items.” The remaining $10 million will be placed in a contingency fund. 

SHOPPING LIST from page 14

• Library bookmobile for underserved areas, $700,000. This would be parked at 67th Avenue and Lower Buckeye. • PHXWorks at Burton Barr and Ocotillo, $600,000. The library will help establish a job services center at Barr Central and Ocotillo libraries • Parks after-school programs, $500,000. Pecos Park is not included in this program. • Youth sports league grants, $500,000. • Early literacy tutoring, $300,000. • Library technology, $3 million. • Phoenix Resilient Food System, $9 million. This includes $3.4 million in grants and other funding to feed hungry people and to develop “worker cooperatives for sustainable food” businesses and even preserve 100 acres of farmland within city limits. It also provides grants to 100 residents “in food deserts” to create backyard gardens. • Better health outcomes and community testing, $3 million. 

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

Suicide hotline tags now required in schools BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE AFN Staff Writer

eginning July 1, all Arizona high schools and colleges will be required to have a suicide prevention phone number printed on the back of their student IDs. “Putting access to crisis services in the hands of Arizona’s teens and families is critical to preventing teen suicide and helping teens cope with the challenges they face,” said Nikki Kontz, Teen Lifeline clinical director. “We want our teens to know they are never alone and to reach out for help when they need it.” Gov. Doug Ducey signed this new requirement into law last June under Senate Bill 1446, which Ahwatukee Sen. Sean Bowie sponsored and received unanimous legislative support. Arizona is the fourth state to require schools to add crisis hotline information on student IDs, joining California, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Lawmakers in Michigan and Indiana are considering similar legislation. Tempe Union is well ahead of the curve on this law since the district has included the suicide hotline number on the back of student IDs for several years. “Teens and young adults need to be aware of the resources available to them,” Bowie said. “Expanding this requirement statewide will give every public high school and college student immediate access to help when they need it.” Teen Lifeline, a Phoenix-based nonprofit providing suicide prevention services to teenagers statewide, first started working with schools to get their crisis hotline to appear on student IDs in 2015. Troy Bales, a former Pinnacle High School principal and incoming superintendent of Paradise Valley Unified School District, had the idea to add the Teen Lifeline phone number to the back of student IDs and together they began the first student ID initiative. The law passed was modeled after this initiative. Since Pinnacle High School printed the Teen Lifeline phone number on the back of their student IDs, the initiative has now reached over 260 Arizona middle schools and high schools, with a combined enroll-

Lifeline’s p h o n e number on IDs will connect students with other youth who understand what they are going through, destigmatize mental health, Information like this has been a staple on Tempe Union students' IDs for and allow several years, but now it is mandatory for all schools, including colleges and more stuuniversities, in Arizona. (Special to AFN) dents to ment of more than 300,000 students. reach out for help. More than 1,000 more high schools and This month, two Chandler high school nearly 60 colleges and universities in Ari- students and one in Scottsdale have taken zona will now be required to add a suicide their lives. prevention phone number to their student In 2020, Teen Lifeline received 23,341 identification badges. calls and 11,497 text messages from trou“This simple change removes the stigma bled youths throughout Arizona – nearly 29 of asking for help from peers, teachers, percent more calls and texts than in 2019. guidance counselors or an anonymous call As alarming as this increase may seem, to Teen Lifeline,” Bales said. Kontz says that crisis services seeing a As the program grew, Bowie started rise in calls and text messages is actually talking to students and parents from a good sign. schools with the initiative in place and “The increase of calls on our hotline and acknowledged the changes that were hap- all the other hotlines across the nation pening on campus. just goes to show that our messaging went He saw that having Teen Lifeline’s phone through,” Kontz said. number readily available opened commu“People did reach out when they needed nication and important dialogue between it, even when it wasn’t about suicide but students, staff and parents. rather other hardships and crises happenSo, he brought what he saw in Tempe, ing in their life. They were reaching out Chandler and Mesa statewide and extend- for support and help just like we have suged it to colleges. gested and marketed that they do.” Bowie and Kontz recognize that college As students gain more accessibility to is a transitional, hard time for students, suicide prevention resources with the which is why they wanted crisis numbers new law in effect, it would be “a great not just on high school IDs. thing” if the amount of calls and texts to “Many college students could be coming Teen Lifeline continues to rise, Kontz said. from out-of-state or smaller communities “It means that many more people are and going to a big campus like ASU, which getting the support they need before they can be very daunting and overwhelming,” become so desperate that they think givKontz said, adding: ing up is an option,” Kontz said. “They can “They may not know how to reach reach out and get help before they follow out for help. Since suicide rates are high through or make that attempt.” among adolescents and young adults, we Nationally, an average of one youth’s want them to have a number at their fin- life is lost to suicide every three hours, acgertips when they’re unlikely to seek help cording to the Centers for Disease Control on campus right away.” and Prevention. For every death by suiKontz hopes that having access to Teen cide, there are 200 youth suicide attempts.

Kontz says that youth face a variety of risk factors such as bullying, social media pressures, academic pressures, and more. The pandemic, political issues and civil unrest has caused further issues for many. Teenagers are the only generation who have had to grow up during all of these changes, so speaking to other teenagers who truly understand what they’re going through allows them to open up, Kontz said. Naturally, youth individualize themselves away from their family and adults, Kontz said. So speaking to peers first who then connect them with healthy adults in their life who can help them from there may be a better option for some. Teen Lifeline volunteers go through an extreme amount of training and are always supervised by master’s degreed clinicians so there’s always a behavioral health professional right next to them, Kontz said. In 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, one Arizona child between the ages of eight and 17 died by suicide every 9.6 days, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for Arizona children and teens ages 10 to 19 in 2019, according to the CDC. Arizona high school students reported the third highest levels of feeling sad or hopeless (40.6 percent) compared to all other states. Kontz says that students struggle to find resources or know that they exist. If students don’t know that things exist, then they don’t know what to look for and don’t have the tools to deal with their issues. Having a suicide prevention phone number printed on the back of their IDs will give students another tool for their toolbox. “When we’re talking about resources, it can’t be one size fits all,” Kontz said. “This is making sure that people know that they’re not alone and that for those who might want to reach out that they have a place to do so where people will help and support them.” For more information, visit TeenLifeline. org. For help, teenagers can call Teen Lifeline at 602-248-8336. (TEEN) 24 hours a day. They can text that same number weekdays 12-9 p.m. and weekends 3-9 p.m. Peer counseling is available 3-9 p.m. daily. If outside Maricopa, call 1-800-248-8336 (TEEN). 

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

Kyrene adds, renews SRO positions in Ahwatukee AFN NEWS STAFF

hanks in large part to a state grant, the Kyrene Governing Board has expanded the presence of school resource officers at its middle school campuses in Ahwatukee. The board last week renewed its contract with Phoenix Police for a SRO at Centennial Middle School and the addition of one at Akimel A-al Middle School. The district also has SROs at Aprende and Pueblo middle schools in Chandler. The move stands in sharp contrast to Tempe Union’s governing board, which has refused to allow district funds to be used to hire SROs in its two Ahwatukee high schools. Led by now Tempe Union board President Brian Garcia, the previous board rejected in a 3-2 vote a request by Superintendent Kevin Mendivil to spend about $400,000 for SROs at Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista high schools. Garcia’s move last June, which was supported by current members Andres Barraza and Berdetta Hodge, fol-

lowed protests nationwide over police brutality. Part of that movement claims that the presence of uniformed, armed police on high school campuses intimidates students, although all seven Tempe Union principals and numerous students contended their presence is not only helpful for students but also provides an additional measure of campus safety. Kyrene spokeswoman Erin Helm said the Centennial renewal and the Akimel addition are the result of additional funding that the state Department of Education made available for its School Safety Grant Program. “Last year, Kyrene applied for grants for all middle schools and was initially awarded grants for Aprende and Pueblo,” Helm said. “When more funds later became available, the grant was also awarded to Centennial. New federal funds recently allowed the state to do a second round of awards and Akimel A-al received the grant in round two.” In April, Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman announced she

was applying $21.3 million in federal pandemic relief funds the state received to supplement the School Safety Grant Program. Hoffman noted that many districts that had applied for the grants were put on a waiting list after initial funding ran out. Hoffman said the additional funds would wipe out the backlog of those standing requests. Phoenix Police say an SRO costs $180,379 a year and that a school district is responsible for picking up 75 percent of that tab, or $135,284. According to a department breakdown supplied to Kyrene, the total SRO cost for a Phoenix officer includes $81,479 annual salary, $7,613 in career enhancement pay, $1,150 clothing allowance and $2,080 in “productivity enhancement pay” for a total $92,322. Of that amount, the school district is on the hook for $69,242. On top of that is another $88,057 in fringe benefit costs for which a school district is responsible for $66,043. The cost of a Chandler SRO was not im-

mediately available. Meanwhile, there has been no change in the Tempe Union Governing Board’s stand on SROs. In fact, the new board hasn’t even discussed the issue since taking office in January. Mendivil last year had said he would attempt to find some alternative way of funding SROs at the two Ahwatukee campuses, but Tempe Union spokeswoman Megan Sterling last week said there have been no new developments. Tempe Union has state grants to fund SROs at its five Tempe campuses, but one of those – Compadre High School – will be closed for good this month. Sterling said the district has not determined whether the grant for Compadre can be switched to one of the Ahwatukee high schools. As far as the remainder of the present school year is concerned, she previously has said, “Phoenix PD has been a wonderful partner to date and there will be support from beat cops, etc., that are out on patrol, but there will not be dedicated SRO’s in place on campus.” 

DiCiccio lauds new trees for Ahwatukee parks

AFN NEWS STAFF

ity Councilman Sal DiCiccio hailed the city Department of Parks and Recreation for planting more trees last week in an Ahwatukee park and more are on the way for another. Crews planted 27 trees in Western Star Park, part of a city initiative and DiCiccio’s prodding and 27 trees will be planted next week in at Mountain Vista Park. “Urban tree planting brings many benefits to our community and the shade they provide will make the park even more welcoming,” DiCiccio said. “Our office will continue to push for these and other improvements to our parks, recreation and open spaces. It is critical that families get out and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible especially after last year.” Phoenix is ratcheting up its environmental initiatives. The proposed 2021-22 budget calls for

see TREES page 22

City Parks and Recreation Department workers planted 27 trees in Western State Park in Ahwatukee last week. (City of Phoenix)

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

Study rates Arizona congressional delegation BY RYAN KNAPPENBERGER Cronkite News

hey didn’t have the high profiles or long tenure of some other members of Congress, but Arizona lawmakers in the last Congress ranked relatively high on a recent scorecard of congressional effectiveness. The Center for Effective Lawmaking study, by researchers at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, ranked members on the amount of substantive legislation they introduced and how far it moved toward passage in the 116th Congress. A compilation of those scores showed Arizona had the 10th-most effective House delegation and 14th-most effective senators. The report’s authors said an unusual number of freshmen and minority party members scored well, showing that “even in these politically challenging times, bipartisanship is still working and … viable.” “Compared to previous congresses, we have a notably larger number of freshman legislators who are essentially punching above their weight class, they score above expectation,” said Alan Wiseman, a Vanderbilt professor and coauthor of the study. But in Arizona, seniority did appear to come into play. The highest-ranking House member was Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, who is both the longest-tenured member of the delegation and who is now in his second term as chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. He finished 14th among House Democrats and 16th overall in the chamber. He was one of three Arizona Democrats to finish in the top 10% of House members, along with Reps. Tom O’Halleran of Sedona, who ranked 31st, and Ruben Gallego of Phoenix, who came in at 33rd. Republicans, as a group, had a lower combined score than Democrats and Arizona was no different. Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, was the state’s highest-ranking Republican, in 147th place overall and 26th among GOP members. Still, Lesko, who just started her second full term in Congress, said she was surprised to be ranked so high, especially giv-

West Valley Congresswoman Debbie Lesko ranked the highest for effectiveness among all Arizona Republicans in Congress. (Special to AFN) en the pace of Washington compared with priations bill … because it’s like a group her experience as a state legislator. project.” “I feel that the state legislators get a lot Devorah pointed out that Kirkpatrick more done than we do in the U.S. Con- was in good company at the bottom of gress,” Lesko said. “My bills weren’t that the list, finishing six spots ahead of House momentous, not like the pension reform that I did in the state Legislature.” On the other end of the spectrum, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Tucson, finished 413th overall and 235th among the total Democrats. Arielle Devorah, a spokeswoman for Kirkpatrick, said the congresswoman’s work is not well-represented by the report because it focuses on individual bill sponsorships and misses out on the more collaborative work done on Capitol Hill, such as the work by the Appropriations Committee on which Kirkpatrick sits. “Appropriators work eight months out of the year on arguably the biggest thing to come out of Congress, the massive spending bill, the oil that makes the car run,” Devorah said. “Congressmen and women Tucson Congressman Paul Grijalva was the highest ranked don’t get credit for the appro- Democrat in the Arizona delegation. (Special to AFN)

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Wiseman noted that House speakers historically rank low in terms of legislative effectiveness, as they do not introduce much legislation of their own. Pelosi is unique in that she has brought anything to the floor, albeit just one bill. In the Senate, the report ranked Arizona’s two senators, both freshmen last year, relatively high. Republican Sen. Martha McSally was in 20th place, and 13th among GOP senators, while Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema finished 28th overall and 11th among Democrats. Wiseman said that in the study, he was surprised that Democrats, the minority in the Senate, were overall more productive than the Republicans, who held nine more seats. “This is part of a broader trend that we see in the data, where the number of bills that have been sponsored by Democratic senators that pass the Republicancontrolled Senate has been steadily rising over the past three congresses,” Wiseman said. “But the 116th Congress … just really blew the doors off previous precedents.” Wiseman said that for the first time in the report’s history, a member of the minority party was the most effective senator: Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. Largely on the strength of Peters’ performance, Michigan was able to edge out Alaska for the most effective Senate delegation in the last Congress, while Vermont finished last. The report said Rhode Island had the most effective House delegation – also topping No. 2 Alaska – and North Dakota was in last place. Wiseman said Peters’ strong ranking is part of an overall trend that shows congressional lawmakers still work, for the most part, on a bipartisan basis, despite the rhetoric and narratives told by either side. “On its face that suggests that even in these politically challenging times, bipartisanship is still working and it is still viable,” Wiseman said. 

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

Goddard aims 3rd attack on state ‘dark money’ BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ormer Attorney General Terry Goddard is making a third pitch to put a measure on the Arizona ballot to outlaw so-called “dark money.’’ The initiative would require the public disclosure of the true source of donations of more than $5,000 spent by organizations in support of or opposing any candidate or ballot measure. Current law exempts these “social welfare’’ organizations from having to list their contributors. Potentially more significant, it is worded to cut through any effort to hide the identity of the actual original donor by having the cash moved through a series of groups. A similar 2018 effort failed after foes challenged some of the 285,000 signatures collected in court. And, under the terms of a law approved by the Republican-controlled legislature, the judge had to strike all of those gathered by paid circulators who did not respond to a subpoena. In 2020 Goddard moved to an all-volunteer effort to circumvent that problem. But the signature gathering faltered during the COVID-19 pandemic which included, for a period of time, a stay-athome order.

TREES from page 18

$2.8 million for its Climate Change & Heat Readiness Initiative. Some of that money will fund 14 new positions in the new Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. “Negative impacts from climate change and increasing Phoenix temperatures call for strategies to address negative impacts to air quality from pollutants and carbon emissions,” the City Manager’s budget report to City Council states. “The growing hazard of urban heat to the public, particularly vulnerable populations such as the homeless, require a forward-thinking approach to provide for a sustainable environment for City residents.” The allocation also will fund resources and staff to achieve the goals of the 2010 Tree and Shade Master Plan, increase staff

Terry Goddard discussed his second dark money initiative in 2018 as he submitted thousands of signatures that were later disqualified. (Capitol Media Services) This time around, Goddard is choosing a course that may make reaching the goal easier. First, he said, any paid circulators will be local and not subject to the same automatic disqualification provisions. More important, it is being proposed not as a constitutional amendment but a change in state election laws. That difference is crucial. It takes 356,467 valid signatures to put a consti-

for the Energy System Inspection Program in the Fire Department and add funding for conducting greenhouse gas emissions inventories and to assist with implementing the City’s newly created Climate Action Plan, according to the report. Trees play a big part in the city’s initiative. The city Parks and Recreation Department will receive an addition $600,000 under the proposed new budget to add five forestry crew workers to plant additional trees in city parks. Funding also will be used to update the tree inventory and database. City Council approved the Tree and Shade Master Plan in 2010 with the goal to “double the shade canopy by 2030.” The budget report states, “The additional staff and an accurate tree inventory and database will help to accomplish this goal.” The city Streets Transportation Department will be getting an additional $1.5

tutional change on the ballot; a statutory amendment needs just 237,645 by the July 8, 2022 deadline. There is a danger going that route. Even though the Voter Protection Act bars lawmakers from altering or repealing statutory changes, they may find work-arounds to effectively undermine the provision. But Goddard said he believes the language of the measure is tight enough to

million for the tree initiative as well. That department is charged with implementing the Cool Corridors, which was developed as part of the Tree and Shade Master Plan. The goal is to plant 200 trees per mile for a total of 1,800 new trees planted across nine project areas, one in each Council district and citywide. The proposed funding also includes $500,000 for four new City Manager’s Office positions, including a tree and shade administrator recommended by the Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission. The Fire Department is adding five civilian staff and equipment to support the Solar Energy Inspection Program. “Costs of this addition are offset by increased revenues receive by the City for solar energy system inspections resulting in a net-zero increase to the General

avoid tinkering by the Republican-controlled legislature which has approved measures designed to allow for donors to political efforts to hide their identities. The heart of the measure is what Goddard calls the “right to know.’’ Current law makes public any donation of $50 or more directly to a candidate or an initiative campaign. But those laws do not cover “independent expenditures’’ on campaigns by groups not legally connected to the candidate or campaign that urge voters to support or reject an individual or an issue. These are usually run by groups organized under the Internal Revenue Code as “social welfare organizations.’’ They are free to spend money on political issues and must disclose how they use their cash. But the Republican-controlled legislature has approved laws that they need not disclose their donors. And there can be a lot of money involved. In 2014, for example, American Encore spent more than $1.4 million on Arizona races. And while the group originated with an organization founded by the Koch brothers, there is nothing on the record of who put up those dollars. What is known is some of that American Encore money helped Republican Doug Ducey defeat Democrat Fred DuVal

see DARK page 23

Fund,” the budget report states. Another $200,000 is being allocated for the Office of Environmental Programs to “conduct greenhouse gas emissions inventories and provide modeling and analysis regarding air quality,” the report states. 

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

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

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The Kyrene Governing Board last week corrected what could have been a costly oversight in the 77-year lease of 28 acres of district land along I-10 in Ahwatukee. Developer ViaWest will build the warehouses seen in the rendering above on the land. General Counsel Jordan Ellel told the board that the broker, Arizona Land Advisors, noted that because of the way the contract was initially structured, the district would lose money the first three years paying for its services. In all, Land Advisors will be getting $552,520 but the payments were restructured so that the district won’t lose a dime. The lease could generate close to $100 million for Kyrene over the length of the agreement. (AFN file photo)

DARK from page 22

in the gubernatorial race. Overall, outside groups spent more than $8 million on Ducey’s behalf in that campaign, outstripping the $7.9 million Ducey spent himself from donors whose identities he was required to disclose. The initiative spells out that once any statewide campaign spends or accepts $50,000 – $25,000 for local or legislative races – it has to start filing public reports of the source of the funds received, providing the name, mailing address, occupation and employer of anyone who has contributed at least $5,000. More important, that includes not just who is the direct donor but where that entity got the money. Goddard said any group spending money on Arizona races that can’t trace back and identify the ultimate source of the cash has to give the money back. And he said if they use it anyway on media campaigns, they are subject to fines equal to three times the amount of the unidentified cash. The move will get a fight – and not just from groups that have a habit of making

independent expenditures. Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, has been one of the champions at the Capitol for what he says is the constitutional right of people to participate in the political process and to do so independently. “People should be able to support the charities, the causes that are near and dear to their heart without fear that they’re going to be doxed, especially in this day and age when we’re seeing that happens more and more,’’ he said. That refers to the practice of revealing someone’s personal information, usually for malicious purposes. Mesnard said that can lead to efforts to ruin people financially or have customers boycott a business. He acknowledged that existing law requires disclosure of donations directly to candidates or ballot measures. “Absolutely, we need to know who is behind a candidate because you have financial conflict-of-interest considerations,’’ Mesnard said. “Those types of things don’t exist when it’s an independent entity exercising its right to free speech.’’ But Goddard said the First Amendment right to speech and participate politically doesn’t entitle confidentiality. 

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REAL ESTATE

Real Estate Guide Home values soaring throughout Valley market By PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

omeowners in Phoenix and throughout the Valley are seeing the value of their homes skyrocketing – and right now there’s no ceiling in sight. The Cromford Report – which tracks the Valley housing market daily – expressed so much amazement over the fact that home values had increased 35 percent in the last year that it suggested a game of sorts.

“Last year on Sept. 5 we made the comment that as far as home price appreciation goes, you ain’t see nuthin’ yet,” the report said. “Now we are really seeing something as we head over 35 percent and beyond. Anyone care to forecast the highest percentage we will see?” For those who are looking for a house, Cromford’s latest data offered slim hopes for any significant change in the trends that have dominated the Valley market – and most others in the country – for more

�ee VALUE page RE2

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Page SeeSee Page 66

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See Page 6

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Stunning panoramic views from privately gated luxury retreat adorned with vibrant imported Montana stone accents. Prime elevated preserve lot with casita. 5 br, 5 ba with 6,455 sq. ft. Resort-style backyard with negative edge pool, custom artwork, fireplace and built-in DCS bbq.

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re2

REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

Mountain splendor

This house on East Tapestry Heights in Ahwatukee recently sold for $3 million. The 7,800-square-foot home, built in 2001, sits on nearly 3.5 acres. The four-bedroom, six-bath home sports hand-crafted chandeliers and countertops, a gourmet kitchen and loads of other amenities. (Special to AFN)

VALUE from page RE1

than a year. That means more of the same: low inventory of re-sale homes, rising prices and strong demand. The slim hope is found in Cromford’s market index, which takes a variety of data and assigns a number to each of 17 cities that indicates whether the market in each municipality is tilting favorably to sellers or buyers. The good news about its latest index: that number has fallen by more than 10 percent in some Valley cities, including Phoenix. “We see declines of 10 percent or more in Avondale, Cave Creek, Phoenix, Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Peoria and Maricopa over the last month. The average change for the 17 cities is -6.6 percent, a somewhat greater decline than last week’s -5.8 percent,” it said. The bad news: The index number for all those cities ranges between 325 and

794, indicating the market still favors buyers by a country mile. Cromford said the downward trend in its market index “is caused mainly by an increase in supply. “The decline in demand that we reported for the last seven weeks is petering out

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in most areas and some are seeing a slight rebound,” it said. “When supply is extremely low, as is the case in 2021, a small increase in active listings is a large change in percentage terms and can make a big difference to the Cromford Market index.” To further dash buyers’ hopes, it added, “The overall, CMI stands at 467, which is the same level we measured in mid-January. The difference is that in January it was on a rising trend, while in May it is falling.” Adding to buyers’ frustration may be one of bit of data Cromford reported: Closings are coming in at an average 2 to 3 percent above list price. “April saw many closings at record high percentages of list price,” it said, noting that those closing prices are also well above the previous peak in 2005, when closings were coming in at about 98 percent of

Cromford also reported that its analysis of April home sales data for Maricopa County showed closings were 48 percent higher than April 2020. The 11,984 closings included 10,468 re-sales and 1,516 new-builds. The overall median sales price was $376,000, with $395,452 for new builds and $375,000 for re-sales. Cromford said, “The overall median was up 19.4 percent from a year ago with new builds up only 8.9 percent and re-sales up 24.6 percent.” “We note that re-sale prices are still accelerating much faster than new-build prices,” it said. “Despite some evidence of buyer fatigue, there are so few active listings that every re-sale is effectively an emotion-packed auction process resulting in a majority of sales closing for more than the asking price. “New homes usually do not sell for more than the list price. They sell at the list price and builders get to charge premiums for nicer lots and optional extras. Despite these opportunities, the homebuilders still seem unable to raise their prices fast enough to match the upward speed of the re-sale market.” It also said that new-home buyers who can get a fixed price in their contract probably will have a home worth more than that by the time it’s built. “Although they are leaving money on the table, homebuilders’ profitability has rarely been higher than it is today. This is despite huge increases in many of their costs, especially lumber,” Cromford said. 

MAY 19, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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before and are selling almost as quickly as traditionally priced homes. Ahwatukee has experienced the same explosive growth in the luxury market as the rest of the Phoenix Metro area. Luxury homes are being listed in large numbers, are selling quickly and for the most part, very close to asking price. In addition to the numbers above for 2021, there are currently 18 properties over $1 million that are pending at an average of $284.68 per square foot.

Why is this happening? Incomes are significantly up in our area and there is an influx of high-end buyers moving to Phoenix from the West Coast – primarily California. For the first time since 1900, the net population of California in 2020 was down 180,000 people. In comparison to that, the population of Arizona since 2020 increased a whopping 746,223 – an increase of 11.6 percent. Arizona continues to grow and is

ranked in the top five states in the nation for population growth. New home construction has not kept up with this growth and falls well below the number of homes needed to be built to keep up with demand. This trend in new home building has been going on for over a decade. We are way behind. A bright spot in all of this is the affordability of homes due to the continuation of historically low mortgage rates, allowing Buyers to keep up with rising home prices. This trend in both the traditional and luxury markets is expected to continue strongly throughout the year, with maybe a little slowing towards year’s end. Demand continues to outpace supply

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�ee HOLLAND page RE5

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

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be impermissible and unenforceable, not just with respect to the parties appearing before the given court, but unenforceable across the country. Parties disagreeing with such a ruling could appeal first to the appropriate federal appellate court and then, if still unsatisfied, seek review by the Supreme Court. Challengers to the CDC order are no exception, as recent decisions by federal courts in Tennessee, Ohio and Texas have each found it exceeded the statutory authority of the Public Health Service Act. Yet, none purported to be an outright invalidation of the CDC order. That changed on May 5, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which vacated the entirety of the CDC order, effective nationwide, holding:

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�ee ZARDA page RE7

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he federal government has passed and extended various pieces of legislation and deferred to federal agency rulemaking authority to stifle landlords’ ability to evict tenants who are delinquent on their rent payments. On March 13, 2020, then-President Trump signed the CARES Act into law which included a 120-day eviction moratorium with respect to rental properties that participated in federal assistance programs. On Aug. 8, 2020, he issued an executive order directing HHS and the CDC to consider whether measures temporarily halting residential evictions of tenants for fail-

ure to pay rent were reasonably necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The CDC on Sept. 4, issued the infamous “Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19,” creating a moratorium on essentially all residential evictions due to lack of rent payment which was to sunset Dec. 31. The CDC order was extended through Jan. 31, 2021, then through March 31 and finally through June 30. Now, U.S. District Courts are issuing orders challenging the propriety of the CDC order across all 50 states. The U.S. Judiciary comprises 667 individual federal district court judges who in the 1960’s began issuing rulings on pieces of federal legislation, usually in the form of a “universal” or “nationwide” injunction that oftentimes found a federal statute, administrative rule or executive order to

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re5

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hat a year it has been for real estate in the Valley. Inventory is down over 60 percent from last year and 55 percent of all sales in April closed over asking price. Median sales price is up over 25 percent and the luxury market is exploding. The luxury market in the Phoenix area is the strongest it has ever been. What we are seeing is that the percentage of luxury homes that are going under contract in this market, is up a staggering 200 percent. Historically, luxury homes have stayed on the market longer, but in this market, that is no longer the case. More luxury homes are hitting the market than ever

Here are some numbers for comparison:

and as this goes on, prices will continue to rise, buyers with find themselves in multiple offer scenarios and many buyers will be in a position to be outbid, outoffered and unable to find and purchase a home for their family.

SALE PENDING

BY BONNIE HOLLAND AFN Guest Writer

HOLLAND from page RE4

REAL ESTATE

SOLD

Luxury home market is strong in Ahwatukee

MAY 19, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

SALE PENDING

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

SOLD

REAL ESTATE

SALE PENDING

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$3,395,000

5547 sqft, 4 bedrooms (+5), 5 bathrooms

4504 sqft. 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms

10,519 sqft, 4 bedrooms (+8), 7 bathrooms

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

Exquisite private mountain top masterpiece custom estate in the luxurious gated community of Tapestry Canyon. PANORAMIC Foothills lights and mountain views.

This magnificent contemporary home, designed by notable Architect Ilan Baldinger, is truly one of a kind.

www.LeadingLuxuryExperts.com Each Keller Williams Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

SPO OTLIGHT home

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

Listed for $619,000

Geno Ross (602) 751-2121 www.GenoRoss.com CIRCLE G AT RIGGS RANCH

15801 S 7TH STREET

This magnificent estate is perched high up in the highly coveted Eagle Ridge Estates. As you approach this remarkable 5,800 square foot single level home, make your way through a gorgeous entry into a formal living room where a wall of windows boasts unbelievable mountain views and city lights spread out below. Bifold doors lead to the entertainer’s dream yard with a firepit, outdoor kitchen, sports court, large grass areas and panoramic views.

D! L SO

Large secondary bedrooms. Oversized laundry room with sink, granite countertops, cabinetry and room for a refrigerator. Additional upgrades throughout include 8’ solid core doors, speakers, surround sound in numerous locations, designer paint and exterior security cameras. Three masonry fireplaces. Anderson windows installed six years ago on entire first level. Four Trane a/c units with variable speed. Over-sized side entry four car garage. Availability to park an RV in the back as long as a garage is built for it. Over 7,000 square feet of stone on exterior. Almost acre-sized lot affords complete privacy.

Sold for $1,865,000

Bonny Holland

Listed for $1,790,000

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

602.369.1085 • www.LeadingLuxuryExperts.com

Estate living with refined tranquility in this exquisite setting. Meticulous stonework adorns entire exterior of this luxury home. Inviting entry opens to diagonally laid tile with granite inlays and dramatic wooden staircase. Formal dining room with stacked stone fireplace. Gourmet kitchen features granite countertops, large island, Subzero refrigerator, and Wolf gas cooktop with double ovens. Fireplace and wet bar in great room. Floor plan boasts seven bedrooms, playroom and large game room. Expansive master suite includes large sitting area with two-way fireplace, crown molding, separate walk-in closets and spacious bathroom. Three custom iron doors lead to massive covered patio with pavers, built-in barbeque, heated pool with waterfall and slide, gorgeous landscaping with fruit trees and koi pond.

Mike Mendoza

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

480.706.7234 • www.MendozaTeam.com

REAL ESTATE

MAY 19, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

ZARDA from page RE5

The question for the Court is a narrow one: Does the Public Health Service Act grant the CDC the legal authority to impose a nationwide eviction moratorium? It does not. Because the plain language of the Public Health Service Act… unambiguously forecloses the nationwide eviction moratorium, the Court must set aside the CDC Order, consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act.” The CDC immediately filed an emergency motion to stay to permit the CDC to appeal the ruling to the appellate court. The district court judge entered a narrow, limited stay order, holding: “This Minute Order should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits of the defendants’ motion. …Where a court concludes that an agency has exceeded its statutory authority, as this Court has done here, vacatur of the rule is the proper remedy in this Circuit. Based on this clear authority, courts in this Circuit do not restrict vacatur only to those plaintiffs before the Court.” Stated otherwise, the court has ruled that the CDC order far exceeded the narrow authority properly exercised by the

480-706-7234 ! LD O S

CDC such that it is vacated entirely, with the only catch being the court has temporarily paused its ruling to allow the CDC to argue its motion asking the court to stay the order while the CDC prosecutes its appeal. If stay is denied, the official rule across the land will be that the CDC order no longer prohibits residential landlords from evicting tenants in arrears, although there still may be enacted state laws providing tenants additional protections from eviction. Such a ruling is entirely consistent with federal district court jurisprudence. While various Justices have challenged a district court’s authority to universally strike down a federal law, the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to find federal district courts lack such power. Accordingly, should the D.C. Circuit Court refuse to stay its order pending the CDC’s appeal, the CDC order will be deemed stricken in its entirety and, absent pertinent state law, residential evictions may be resumed. Chris Zarda is an attorney with MacQueen & Gottlieb PLC, one of the state’s top real estate law firms. If you have a question about the CDC eviction order, contact him at 602-533-2840 or info@ mandglawgroup.com. 

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Tapestry Canyon

Listed for $1,325,000

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4 BR / 2.5 BA / 3,090 SQFT

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4 BR / 3.5 BA / 3,860 SQFT Superb single level with travertine patio and fenced Pebble Tec pool with water feature.

Candleridge singlelevel with 2018 roof replacement and A/C installation.

Listed for $675,000

Mike Mendoza MendozaTeam.com

Stunning panoramic views from privately gated luxury retreat with casita on elevated preserve lot.

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! LD O S

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5 BR / 5 BA / 6,455 SQFT

Beautifully remodeled throughout on terrific corner lot with Pebble pool and spa.

Listed for $1,790,000

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Ahwatukee’s #1 Team for Over 30 Years Estate living with refined tranquility in exquisite setting. Meticulous stonework adorns entire exterior of home.

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Monte Vista

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

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Ahwatukee Custom Estates One of the most amazing view lots in

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

$2,099,000

SOLD!

SALE PENDING

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

Calabrea

$1,750,000

$1,339,000

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

SOLD!

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

Summerhill $1,099,000

Calabrea $1,099,000

Cabrillo Canyon $689,000

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

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

SOLD!

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

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

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

�

949.310.5673

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

lf"fl!

Geno Ross

602.751.2121

wwwBestAgentWUSA.com

Making Ahwatukee

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

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

Mountain Park Ranch

SOLD!

$320,000

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

Chandler Fox Crossing

$575,000

$475,000

ingle level, 3 car garage! 2,511 sq ft. 4 Bedroom & 2 Bath with over 115K in upgrades since 2015! Spacious formal living/dining area, tile flooring in high traffic areas, plantation shutters, high ceilings, and an open concept family room enhanced with a charming fireplace. Kitchen equipped with Princeton off white cabinets, contrasting dark SS appliances, custom backsplash, speckled granite counters, and an island w/breakfast bar. Master bedroom has an immaculate ensuite with dual sinks, a glass shower, a separate tub, and a walk-in closet.

Single level 1,848 sq ft. 3 Bedroom + a Den. Beautifully updated home w/vaulted ceilings, plush carpet, upgraded lighting, ceiling fans, window blinds, & saltillo tile in all the right places. Bay window in the breakfast area. Center kitchen island, granite counters. Generous size bedrooms with ample closets. Enjoy the sparkling pool, spa, covered patio, & builtin BBQ!! Easy access to schools, shopping, & more

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

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

Ahwatukee

$365,000

PENDING!

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

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

Chandler Harmon Ranch

Foothills Paseo

PENDING!

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

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

Citrus Mountain Estates

SOLD!

$399,900

1,861 Sq Ft. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths. Split Floor plan. Beautiful Wood Flooring in Living, Dining and Bedrooms. Kitchen is Open to Spacious Family Room. Nice-Size Backyard W/ Covered Patio W/ Pavers. Garage Cabinets. In 2019 Exterior Painted & Roof Replaced. AC Replaced in 2015. Close to Shopping, Restaurants & New Bike Path. Easy Access to the 202.

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

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

SOLD!

$329,900

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

$420,000

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

Papago Point Townhomes

Mountain Park Ranch

SOLD!

$450,000

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

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

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

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Veggie artist’s kids book draws raves BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

he dinner table directive of innumerable mothers warning kids not to play with food was never taken seriously by Ahwatukee artist and author Sandra Marshall. Now her example may inspire children worldwide to give it a go. Marshall, an artist and author of books that include the awardwinning 2016 “One Hot Night at the Veggie Bar,” has made a career of using vegetables and fruits to create works of art. Her plant-based art received worldwide exposure this year, appearing in newspapers as diverse as Hindustan Times and the New York Post after author Stephen King tweeted Marshall’s

veggie version of a Bernie Sanders meme based on the Vermont senator’s attire at President Biden’s inauguration. Made of cauliflower, kale, eggplant and new potatoes, the photo quickly went viral. Her newest book, “The Razzle Berry Wackadoodle Garden” is her first for children, which she chose to self-publish. “The whole book is made up of fruits and vegetables,” she said, eyeing the boxes of books stacked in her art studio that arrived the second week of May. “It’s kind of a discovery book, and the kids are eating it up,” she said, laughing at the pun. “They get all excited when they discover the vegetables in each of the pictures. It’s kind of a ‘Where’s Waldo’ with fruits and

vegetables.” Marshall said this book has been five years in the making and as with all her vegetable/ fruit artworks, they are the result of or the inspiration for her own family’s dinners. Nothing goes to waste. “I started making food art when my children were little. When my daughter was five, she announced she wouldn’t eat meat, so I needed to get creative with plant-based ingredients,” recalled Marshall of her daughter, now 17. “I wanted her to be healthy so I did a lot of research, and learned this was a really healthful way of eating. Our family is pretty much plant-based eaters now. And Ahwatukee artist Sandra Marshall’s ﬁrst kids book takes young readers on a trip through a mythical land of vegetables and fruits. (Courtesy of Sandra

�ee MARSHALL page 28 Marshall)

Kyrene kids �ilm play on their challenging year BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

t’s been a tough year for student thespians and their teacher-directors with pandemic protocols making it all impossible to hold live performances. But that didn’t stop Marisa Brady, theatre teacher and the Jaguar Players director at Aprende Middle School, or her 45 student actors and crew members. And starting May 21, people will be able to see the streamed version of their production, “So…This Happened,” – which just happens to be about the year that they and millions of other students have endured. With the help of theater students from Corona del Sol High School in creating the script, the Aprende students worked on the production since August. Filming started in the fall and unlike many kids’ productions over the past year

Some of the Jaguar Players at Aprende Middle School in Chandler discussed the script in a Zoom meeting. (Special to AFN) that relied on Zoom, much of the Aprende production took place on the school stage.

“From mid-October through November, we were using our stage and following all

of the district’s precautions,” she said. “So everyone was more ‘We were 6 feet apart from each other.’ “The good thing is that we could use our big stage and just put two people and put two cameras and not worry about them being close to each other and we filmed about half of our scenes that way.” Then Kyrene School Districts, like many, closed campuses for the rest of the year. That forced the Jaguars to film a few scenes virtually until they could resume on stage in February. Masks were not a problem because, Brady said, “the actual characters would have been wearing masks” in the scenes. As the school year began in August, Brady set about engaging the students. She asked them to write the events that events “were funny, were heartbreaking

�ee PLAY page 28

COMMUNITY

MAY 19, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Free event to raise awareness about skin cancer AFN NEWS STAFF

hwatukee Skin & Laser has scheduled a special event May 24 to raise awareness about skin cancer and there’s free food in the program. According to the American Academy of Dermatology and Skin Cancer Foundation, one in three Arizonans will be afflicted with skin cancer in their lifetime. So, Ahwatukee Skin & Laser is giving away samples of sunscreen, prizes and lunch noon-2 p.m. next Monday as part of Melanoma Awareness Month. The free event is at its offices at 4425 E. Agave Road, Bldg. 9, Suite 148, and will include lunch provided by El Taco Santo. “Sun damage and skin cancer do not discriminate,” said Sarah Neumann, a physician assistant and the practice’s founder. “The sun can do major damage in as little as 20 minutes. “No matter if it is a quick trip to the store, a day at the pool or years of constant sun exposure, the best thing to do is to be smart and be aware.” “Sunscreen is proven to reduce the risk of getting skin cancer,” she said, “but recent studies show that

56 percent of individuals rarely use sunscreen, 35 percent never wear sunscreen and only 19 percent reported wearing sunscreen daily. We’re trying get more people to take skin cancer seriously and protect their skin.” Neumann also offered a few sun tips for Arizonans: Be “sun smart.” Avoid the sun during the hottest times of the day (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Abide by the shadow rule. If your shadow is shorter than you, seek shade. Always generously apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 at least 20 minutes before going outside and invest in sun protective clothing that has built-in SPF. Be sunscreen savvy. Check product packaging and always seek sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient as opposed to chemical sunscreens which may be toxic. Check yourself. Look for moles with changes in color, size, shape and texture. Sometimes the most serious problem areas are not as obvious as dark colored moles. Neumann has been a practicing dermatology PA for over 20 years. Information/appointments: This chart from Ahwatukee Skin & Laser shows what customers should consider when they select sunscreen. (Courtesy of ASL) ahwtaukeeskincare.com. 

County schools chief salutes 2 Kyrene principals AFN NEWS STAFF

aricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson has given Exemplary Principal awards to two Kyrene principals. Renee Kory, principal at Aprende Middle School in Chandler, and Kelley Brunner, principal at Kyrene de la Colina Elementary in Ahwatukee were named last week. Watson is recognizing “leaders who understand the connection between a thriving school culture and high levels of student achievement and teacher retention,” the district said in a release. “These leaders intentionally and strategically nurture school environments where teacher and student voices set and realize the school’s vision,” it continued. “They lead schools where students achieve academically and emotionally, and teachers are inspired to remain at the school and in the profession.” Award recipients undergo a rigorous evaluation that involves a superintendent nomination, application, teacher survey,

KELLEY BRUNNER

RENEE KORY

video interview, site visit and extensive data review. Kory and Brunner were selected based on their ability to: engage staff, parents and community members in developing an effective school culture; utilize data to guide instruction and decisions regarding staff development; demonstrate high teacher retention; and develop and in-

spire others. “We could not be more proud of Kelley and Renee as they receive this award,” said Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes. “They have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their schools and are highly respected by teachers, staff, parents and the community.” Watson said, “Kelley is a servant-lead-

er who is passionately committed to the growth of her students and educators. She values teacher input and autonomy and has created an environment where teachers feel both supported and empowered.” “Renee Kory is a strong instructional leader who is relentless in her focus on equity and inclusion and on improving academic and social-emotional outcomes for all students,” he continued. “She cares passionately about her staff and students and is a strong advocate for her school community and the district.” Brunner and Kory join the following Kyrene principals who have received this award in the past: Tonya Yalung, 2017; Dr. Marianne Lescher, 2018; Dr. Ana Gomez del Castillo, 2019; and Nancy Branch, 2019. Brunner has been with the district since 1986 and was a classroom teacher for 23 years. She is guiding the school’s development as a STEM school. Kory is continuing to develop the school’s AVID program. AVID, an acronym for Advancement Via Individual Determination, helps prepare students for college.

COMMUNITY

PLAY from page 26

and everything in between. “The kids brainstormed a whole bunch of ideas and we narrowed those ideas down and tried to make sure that we were balancing it all because we didn’t want to make fun of anyone, especially while we were in the heart of the pandemic in August.

MARSHALL from page 26

now I have been making food art for over 12 years.” What some of her 20,000 Facebook and Twitter fans may not know is that Marshall started playing with food when she was a youngster growing up in Smithtown, New York. It was the creative parenting by her own parents, Elaine and Richard Davis, that set her unusual art medium on the road to success. “My parents didn’t chide me when I played with my food but they did tell me I couldn’t do so unless I also ate it,” recalled Marshall. “They could see I was doing more than pushing the peas and potatoes around my plate; I was creating my childlike version of art.” In the dozen years since she revived her playing-with-food artwork, Marshall’s works have garnered great attention. Her racy vegetable artworks in her adult book and a 2019 calendar of veggie art both sold out their first printing. “This book has been a long time coming. ‘The Razzle Berry Wackadoodle Garden’ takes you on an artsy adventure to a magical place where the colors from nature are turned into art, and will brighten your day as you travel in the book from dawn to dusk,” said Marshall. Paging through the 41-page book is an amazing visual adventure best explained by the author herself. “When you enter the gates of The Razzle Berry Wackadoodle Garden, you enter in the morning with bright blueberry skies, surrounded by flowers of purple cauliflower and pink grapefruit,” she said. “A pretty pink watermelon pig greets

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

“We didn’t want to like make fun and belittle people who you know who have lost family members. We wanted to kind of tell the story in a truthful way while poking fun at some but also respecting everybody’s stories.” Brady, who is in her eighth year at Kyrene, said the format is like the TV show “Saturday Night Live” in that there’s a cold open followed by a series of self-contained

Sandra Marshall’s veggie rendition of a viral Bernie Sanders meme was an internet hit. (AFN file photo)

you with a smile, while a proud purple peacock made from cabbage and squash parades down the garden trail, showing off his pretty plume of green dill and other bright vegetables. “This is no ordinary garden. Broccoli trees are really a thing and the pathway takes you on a journey meeting all sorts of artsy fruit and veggie friends.” Also featured in the Wackadoodle Garden is a sunset with peachy skies made from a close-up of peach skin that soon gives way to nighttime with glowing fireflies crafted of melon, and a banana crescent moon glows against a deep blue and purple fruit and vegetable sky. “Once you enter the gates, you’ll have to and want to come back for more; seeing new things, discovering new fruits and vegetables hidden within the art,” she said. “Absolutely everything in the story is made from fruits and vegetables – the sunsets, the mountains and all the little

skits that reflect the horrors and some of the humorous incidents that occurred during the COVID-19 global nightmare. Brady said she’s proud of the kids – especially since eighth graders will have some good memories of their last year in the Jaguars while sixth graders didn’t have to wait till the next school year to start working on their acting chops. The streaming service is no rinky dink creatures and bugs in the book,” she said proudly. “It took so many years to complete with all these details; I can’t believe it is finally here.” The new book is already being shared by Marshall with schools throughout the U.S. “The book was just delivered when I got to visit my first classroom,” she said. “It was so much fun! It was over Zoom, but I got to talk all about being an author, and I read to the kids and talked about fruits and vegetables and they were so excited.” “I was on their big white screen, and I could see all of them and it was really fun to interact over Zoom,” she enthused. “They were all so cute. They asked me if I could come over, but they were in Kansas City so I had to say no, not quite yet.” “I’m so excited for my children’s programs. I’m in the process of looking for sponsors who are in line with my mission of combining art, healthy eating, storytelling, and the love for reading all into one. “Fruits and vegetables are a gift to us all, and I want to help people see them through an artist’s eyes. Exploring through an artist’s eye, they see the color and the beauty in produce which leads to discovery,” she said. “I try to explain to the kids how fruits and vegetables are a true gift. I often open an actual wrapped gift box in front of the children, and when they see how excited I get, they get excited even when it is an artichoke.” Marshall described how she often sees art in what others may dismiss as a mundane vegetable – such as a red cabbage cut in two that becomes a treasure map. “Vegetables and fruits are magical and different. All shapes, sizes, colors and flavors at our fingertips, and it’s never too

platform but one that many theatrical companies are using. And, just like renting a movie or some performance, people buy a ticket that’s good for as many viewings as they want in a 48-hour period. It will be available May 21-28 and tickets are $20.

Go to ShowTix4U.com/events/SoThisHappened  late to notice. Parents are telling me how they see plant-based ingredients in a different light after viewing my artbooks,” she said. “My goal is to get the book in the hands of children with parents and grandparents reading to them. And of course, I want to see them in schools, too,” said Marshall who earned a degree in early childhood education from Arizona State University. Marshall, also mother to a 14-year-old son, has always been an Ahwatukee business woman and entrepreneur. From 2014 to 2019, Marshall owned and operated Be...An Artist Studio within the Trader Joe’s shopping center. Upon leaving, she fully pivoted to a business providing residents with a mobile art studio. Her BeAnArtistAZ.com website is proving to be a great success. She has created her own paints to go along with painting kits that include an easel, brushes and her custom colors, and provides online instruction. “I’ve been slammed hosting giant painting parties on Zoom. I work with schools and teach groups to paint online. I have 100 people for every single class! It is so much fun. Some of the children have never painted before so they get really excited.” She said during the pandemic, she spent a lot of time involved in her studio. “I hunkered down during the pandemic and became a total artist in my studio. And, I’ve been writing a lot.” Her third book, slated for publication later this year, is geared once again to adults and will, of course, feature creations made from fruit and vegetables. For more information on her creations and painting parties, see SandraMarshallArt.com. 

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Governing Board salutes Kyrene poetry winners AFN NEWS STAFF

he Kyrene Governing Board applauded district winners of the poetry competition that included four youngsters in Ahwatukee schools. Three of the winning poets attend Centennial Middle School and included Maia Pattison, an eighth grader whose poem was titled “Coyotes;” seventh grader Diana Nguyen, whose poem was titled “Icarus;” and sixth grader Victoria Nguyen, who titled her work “When the Wind Sings.” The other Ahwatukee poetry contest winner was Brooke Calcote, a second grader at Kyrene De los Lagos Dual Language Academy, who wrote “Howling to the Moon” in both English and Spanish. 

Ahwatukee Republican Women to meet Tuesday AFN NEWS STAFF

he Ahwatukee Republican Women will meet May 25 at Foothills Golf Club, starting with registration at 6:30 p.m. and the formal meeting at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available. Guest Speaker is Joe Pitts, president of the Arizona State University College

Republicans. The group also will announce the winner of the ARW Marjorie Miner Scholarship. Information: ahwatukeerepublicanwomen.com contact ARW President Judy Krahulec at judy.krahulec@ gmail.com or 603-520-5082. All Republicans are welcome. 

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Wedding show highlights pandemic’s impact on nuptials BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

s the wedding industry emerges from its pandemic slump, businesses and betrothed alike are reinventing ceremonies and celebrations to a large extent. No longer are there only ceremonies. Mini-monies follow micro-weddings while sequel-monies are bigger receptions that are scheduled the following year. Whether plated or buffet, reception meals are different and guests who belly up to the bar for a cocktail likely will be pouring everything themselves except for the booze. And couples may have to move off a traditional Saturday for a wedding if they want to tie the knot this year. These and other pandemic impacts on the wedding industry – and how they affect couples – are part of the first biennial Arizona Wedding Show in a year and a half. Kim Horn of Ahwatukee, one of the

Master Wedding Planer Kim Horn says the pandemic impacted weddings in many ways. (Special to AFN) world’s few certified master wedding planners who helps organize this long-time event, said that couples also will be able to check out 175 matrimony-related vendors. And like most everything else in wed-

ding world, the show is bending to COVID-19: attendees must be masked and their number will be limited at any given point through timed tickets. Although future brides and their entourage could try on gowns at previous shows, that won’t be happening. The show – which was canceled both times last year – will run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6 at the Convention Center’s South Building in downtown Phoenix. Tickets, which are $8 now or $10 on June 6, will not be sold at the door and must be purchased at arizonaweddingshow.com. That ticket also entitles one lucky couple to win a package with big discounts on gowns, tuxes, venue, DJ, photography, invitations and décor – courtesy of the vendors. Horn said the ebbing of the pandemic has “basically unleashed everything” in her professional world. Think train wreck when it comes to a

�ee WEDDINGS page 32

Bride Cailee Schreck is dressed in an Avancy Bridal gown that can be checked out at the wedding show. (FaithandCody.com/Special to AFN)

Next week marks another ‘What If’ event here

AFN NEWS STAFF

n Ahwatukee travel agent and a Phoenix business magazine publisher next week will present the second in a series of gatherings aimed at re-introducing local businesses to the community. As the community steadily recovers from lockdowns, quarantines and other pandemic impacts, Dream Vacations agent JoAnne Michaud and Kups2020 owner Don Bridges came up with an idea for an entertaining but informative evening the fourth Wednesday of the month through August. As they pondered how businesses and the community could reconnect after the pandemic, they built their series around the theme, “What If.” For example, some of the questions they discussed included: “What if we

created more opportunities for businesses and people to come together?” “What if a neighbor and another member of the community decided to start a new business?” “What if I stopped by an event and made new friends?” “What if I refer a neighbor to a new local business that I know?” The next event in their campaign is 5-8 p.m. next Wednesday, May 26, outside Whiz Kidz Playland, 15425 S. 48th St., at the northeast corner of 48th and Chandler Boulevard.

�ee WHAT IF page 32

Don Bridges, owner of Kups2020, and Ahwatukee Dream Vacations travel agent JoAnne Michaud have developed a monthly series of outdoor get-togethers aimed at bringing local businesses and people together. (Special to AFN)

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MAY 19, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Racing school gets new go-karts, expands training AFN NEWS STAFF

adford Racing School at Wild Horse Pass, the official high performance driving school of Dodge//SRT, is the first driver training facility in the U.S. to receive a fleet of the Brazilian manufactured Piquet Kart. The gas-powered karts were brought to the U.S. market through a joint venture of former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. and partners Zack Skolnick, owner of Entertainment Karting, and Carlos Laconelli, owner of the international race team Piquet Sports. “We’re bringing the excitement of highspeed, open-air karting to drivers of all ages with these new Piquet Karts,” said Mike Kessler, general manager at Radford Racing School, formerly called the Bondurant School of High-Performance Racing. “The karts on our newly resurfaced track are going to be a real game-changer

The Ligier JS Formula 4 single-seat race car is one of the vehicles that Radford Racing School students can learn on. (Courtesy of Radford Racing School) for the karting industry,” he added. The school also has expanded its professional private instruction for drivers of all skill levels.

Its students can now use their personal vehicles or any of the school’s high performance Dodge//SRT cars and SUVs, as well as Ligier JS Formula 4 single-seat race cars

and gas-powered go-karts. “The private instruction program gives students an opportunity to customize their driver training with one-on-one instruction from the world’s top driving instructors as well as gain exclusive access to the purpose-built racetrack and facilities,” Kessler said. Private instruction is available for new drivers, performance enthusiasts, as well as seasoned racers. Young drivers, with or without a driver’s license, can benefit from “focused driving exercises and practices” while “experienced drivers can choose to focus on specific skills, such as braking or handling, or specialized training for high performance and stunt driving, drag racing and off-road handling, among others,” the school said in a release. Information: 480-403-7600 or RadfordRacingSchool.com. 

Senator helps, but couple won’t restart business BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

espite a helping hand from their state senator, a Chandler couple whose cocktail flavoring business was flattened by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control say they’re too discouraged to start again. State Sen. J.D. Mesnard read about Bill and Lillian Buitenhuys’ plight, reported last week in AFN, about how they had built a cocktail flavoring business, called AZ Bitters Lab, from scratch after getting the go-head from state liquor officials seven years ago. Then, last October, the department shocked them with a ruling that forced them to shut down a business that had more than 600 bars and restaurants in Arizona alone and that drew customers form across the country and even the other side of the world. After reading about their woes, Mesnard said his first reaction was, “Well, that’s not right.” With the Legislature already kneedeep in voting on bills and trying to wrap up its 2021 session, Mesnard

said he looked for a bill that he could amend – and found a solution in a bill that another Chandler lawmaker, Rep. Jeff Weninger is sponsoring that updates various aspects of the state liquor laws. Among the updates is a provision that allows bars and restaurants to take orders for and deliver cocktails, beer and wine. Weninger’s bill, already approved by the House, was awaiting a vote in the Senate. So, Mesnard offered an amendment that he said will allow the Buitenhuys to resume their business. The Senate approved the measure and it is now awaiting final action by the House. But while the Buitenhuys appreciated Mesnard’s help, they said their treatment by the state liquor department has left them too discouraged and bitter to think about resuming their business. “We went for months, trying to get answers from them out of how to proceed legally – they provided no answers,” Bill said. “We were pretty much forced to shut down because of their inaction and we’re not in this environment even thinking about trying to start up again.” The department has not responded to

a call for comment or a public records request from AFN. “We had a business we built for eight years and then the government just decided, ‘Hey, we’re shutting you down for no good reason,’” Bill added. “We don’t want to go through that again. It took too much energy out of us.” Added Lillian, “This has been frustrating, disheartening. “This was a labor of love and it took that piece out of it. “Bill and I both have day jobs and so thankfully, this is not something that we are dependent upon for living wages,” she continued. “But we know a lot of small businesses and if they’re told, ‘Sorry, we’re changing the rules on you but we’re not going to tell you what those rules are,’ what resources do they have for a livelihood?” Though the beverage community euphemistically call such products cocktail bitters – which are spirits – their product labels stress they are extracts. The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau agrees that unlike true bitters, the Buitenhuys had been making flavor extracts rather than spirits. But the liquor department last fall It

told the Buitenhuys their product actually was a spirit and that they would have to meet stringent requirements for becoming a spirits producer – including constructing a production facility that would pass state inspection as a distillery. It was a blow for Lillian, a Gilbert native who has a fulltime job as a business manager, and Bill, a native Bostonian who works in the defense industry, who had started the business as a hobby until their products became so popular that they rented a commercial kitchen to make enough to sell. But now they’ve left the kitchen – and their business – behind them. “We were very blessed,” Lillian said. “We had people reaching out to us, offering us support and help and at that time, it was just really hard to manage it. But, you know, if you’re a small business and this is what you’re dependent upon, would someone have resources to hire a lawyer or be able to cover operating expenses while they’re trying to get information?” “We’re okay,” she added. “But there are a lot of small businesses that if this happened to them, it’s not right.” 

WEDDINGS from page 30

popular venue or a specific date. “Put it this way,” Horn explained. “Almost half the couples last year that we’re getting scheduled to get married rescheduled their date to 2021. Many have been rescheduled to fall.” “Then you have all of the new people who got engaged last year and are looking at having their wedding in the fall of 2021 too,” she continued. And naturally, most want a Saturday wedding, prompting Horn to reflect, “It’s insane because you only have so many Saturdays.” As a result, wedding planners like Horn are prodding couples to think other days of the week for their nuptials. Like Friday – “Then you get the reception out of the way and you have the whole weekend to relax and visit with family and friends.” Or Sunday, though, “you have the whole weekend to be stressed.” Or even Monday through Thursday – which could save couples a lot of money from vendors all too willing to make some money on what would be a typically dead day, Horn advised. The venue operators themselves have their own stresses – starting with the fact that resorts and restaurants can’t find enough people to work. That’s a big reason why Gov. Doug Ducey last week said the supplemental $300 in unemployment pay will end July 10 and why two weeks ago he rescinded his pandemic order that had relaxed the requirement to prove people are diligently searching for a job if they want to

WHAT IF from page 30

Michaud is encouraging people to bring a lawn chair to enjoy DJ-powered music, karaoke and some live appearances by local comedians as well as games. There will be a bounce house for kids and food trucks with food and beverages for purchase. Leashed pets are also welcomed. At least 20 businesses will be on hand with raffles and giveaways. “There’s an extensive list of prizes worth

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

“As larger gatherings become safer, inquiries for more traditional weddings are definitely coming back,” Gray said. “Many couples that had to cancel in 2020 and chose to wait are now itching to throw their dream wedding. We are currently working aggressively to hire new and returning staff in just about every area of operations to meet current and future demand.” Horn added, “A lot of the resorts that I’ve talked to are having a really hard time getting cooks back because they went off and found something else.” The venues themselves have changed their operations to some degree to be in step with the times. “Everything is very different,” Horn said. Cailee Schreck’s gown features what Kim Horn calls “gorgeous “The plated meal is very beaded detail on the back.” (FaithandCody.com/Special to AFN) different. The buffet is receive the state’s $240 in weekly unemvery different. Now we have the staployment compensation. tions with acrylic dividers so if someone In rescinding the extra $300-a-week, sneezes and doesn’t sneeze in their elDucey specifically cited the difficulty that bow, the food is covered.” restaurants, bars and the like are having Even attire has been impacted, though, finding wait staff, bartenders, cooks and of course, new fashions still remain a big other employees. consideration, COVID-19 be damned. Arizona Grand General Manager Paul Couture wedding gowns feature ruffles, Gray can testify to the wedding challenge. high slits and varied necklines, Horn said,

thousands of dollars,” Michaud said, adding people are advised to “come early and enter to win.” The event is free, so Michaud and Bridges are hoping people will support Up and Beyond, a certified nonprofit affiliated with Whiz Kids Playland. Michaud said last month’s debut event drew a couple dozen businesses and more than 65 people despite a bout of high winds and a brief sprinkle. She said several comedians who attend-

ed were so impressed that they offered to perform at the next event. “The feedback that we got was great,” she said. “People were like, ‘oh my gosh, we so need this right now, so it was overall very positive. It’s just unfortunate the weather did what it did. But we have to roll with it.” Michaud also has a special reason to look forward to next week’s event. Although her relatively new business is home-based, she’s entitled to an official

adding that mix and match bridesmaid dresses for style and color to accent body shape are a big thing. “The groom now can choose from designer suits and tuxes in bold colors with pocket squares and accessories to highlight their personality,” Horn added. Micro-weddings for up to 50 people are still a big thing, so as a result, she said, “floral and succulents have a specific color palette in lieu of a specific flower based on what’s in season and available.” And while many pandemic restrictions have been lifted, cautious couples are still seeking outdoor venues for weddings – putting even more demand on venues for cooler fall wedding dates. All of which means, Horn said, is that what “couples should be looking at is flexibility.” “If they call a venue and they love that venue and this is the venue that I want, they are normally going to save money if they switch to an off-premium date.” Nonetheless, Horn said, the pandemic hasn’t taken the thrill or the traditional stress out of a couple’s big day. And that’s what makes the Arizona Wedding Show so useful, she said. “We have venues. We have invitations. We have dress shops. We have wedding planners. We have DJ’s. We have live music. There are suits and tux rentals. There are florists, weight loss clinics and hair and makeup, rental companies.” Asked if she added any type of vendor specifically because of the pandemic, Horn replied “we’re not really adding any vendors but we are adding more people doing sanitation.”  ribbon cutting as a member of the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce and that’s what she will get next week. Michaud said that despite the bout of unsettled weather last month, she thinks the event was a success and that more importantly, it will grow. “It’s a different way of getting people out,” she said, adding that some people from neighboring cities were so impressed that they invited her to help them set up similar events. 

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AAA rates Arizona Grand tops in cleanliness AFN NEWS STAFF

he Arizona Grand Resort & Spa in Ahwatukee has received AAA’s Inspector’s Best of Housekeeping award for 2021 – its second consecutive year for the honor. The resort’s “exceptional cleanliness and condition scores put the hotel in the top 25 percent of 27,000 AAA Inspected & Approved hotels,” according to AAA, adding that cleanliness is now the top reason why travelers stay at the properties they choose. “We are grateful to receive this recognition and it shows just how committed

our associates are to creating a healthy, exceptional experience for our guests,” said Arizona Grand General Manager Paul Gray. “Our core values include creating a ‘HEARTfelt Experience’ – Helpful, Ethical, Attentive, Resourceful and Thankful – for our guests.” The recognition comes despite the extensive challenges created by the pandemic over the past 15 months. After a strong start to the year in 2020, the Arizona Grand saw occupancy rates plummet into the single digits. While a number of hotels actually shut down during the pandemic, the

Arizona Grand chose to stay open to try to provide as many jobs as possible. The resort is ramping up operations as the pandemic eases and is bringing back as many employees as it can, with more than 500 employees now on staff. Gray said that many of the resort’s employees jumped into new roles during the pandemic, including housekeeping, to ensure the resort’s operations were uninterrupted and guests would enjoy the best possible hospitality. “We appreciate this recognition of the hard work we’ve done to create the cleanest, safest experience possible

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for all our guests,” Gray said. “We look forward to continuing to work for such recognition well into the future as travelers return to the resort and the pandemic continues to ease.” Arizona Grand Resort & Spa is the region’s only AAA Four-Diamond, allsuite hotel in Ahwatukee, with 744 guest suites and villas. The hotel is independently owned and operated by Grossman Company Properties and its operating company, Classic Hotels & Resorts, both in Phoenix. Information: arizonagrandresort. com. 

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Justice reforms answers call to love our neighbors BY KATIE SEXTON-WOOD, PAUL ROCKOWER AND MUSTAFA BAHAR AFN Guest Writers

s faith leaders, we understand that we are living through a critical moment in which we are called to love our neighbors in word and in deed. That call to love extends to all of our neighbors, even those who have made mistakes. Arizona legislators can put that love for our neighbors into action by granting redemption and grace to our incarcerated brothers and sisters. They can do this by voting to pass SB 1064, which would expand earned release credits for thousands of Arizonans currently behind bars, reuniting families and rebuilding our communities. Arizona is one of three states that requires almost everyone to serve 85 percent of their sentence behind bars with no opportunity to earn any time off their sentence for following the rules and participating in rehabilitative programming.

These long sentences are why Arizona has the �ifth highest imprisonment rate in the country, costing taxpayers more than $1 billion every year. Arizona doesn’t have more crime, or even a larger population than other states. Our staggering imprisonment rate is driven by failed policy choices that send more people to prison, and for longer, for �irsttime and non-violent offenses. It hasn’t made us any safer. People in Arizona serve some of the longest sentences in the country – 40 percent longer for drug offenses than the national average and twice as long for non-violent property offenses. SB 1064 would change that. It would allow people incarcerated for drug and other non-violent offenses to earn signi�icant time off of their sentences. Our lawmakers should pass SB 1064 to offer a meaningful opportunity for people to earn their way home, reunite families, and strengthen our communities. This approach will allow for healing, re-

demption, and rehabilitation, rather than an endless cycle of hopelessness and hurt. For too many years, Arizona’s criminal justice has not made our communities safer: it has separated children from their parents, prioritized harsh punishment over of rehabilitation, warehoused people in abhorrent conditions, unnecessarily reduced the tax base, and wasted taxpayer dollars that would be better spent on mental health and substance abuse treatment, education, and healthcare. Arizona’s incarceration crisis harms every single person in our state, but it is particularly damaging to Black and Hispanic Arizonans. In 2017, Black Arizonans were only 5 percent of our state’s population, but 13 percent of prison admissions. Hispanic Arizonans represented 31 percent of the population but 37 percent of the people admitted to prison. Unsurprisingly, Black people sentenced to prison in Arizona receive longer sentences compared to white and Hispanic Arizonans, too. It is clear that offering

meaningful opportunities for release and rehabilitation are critical in the �ight against injustice and ending these racebased disparities that are crippling our communities. Expanding earned release through SB 1064 would offer grace for so many people who have been denied it their entire lives. What a meaningful way to love our neighbors – by reuniting families, bringing people safely home to their communities, and allowing them the opportunity to rebuild their lives. We are connected in this �ight for justice, and we must overcome these challenges, or fall together. In this moment, while we are all seeking healing and redemption, SB 1064 provides a pathway for that common goal. Katie Sexton-Wood is executive director of the Arizona Faith Network; Paul Rockower is executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council; and Mustafa Bahar is executive director of the Sema Foundation. 

Over 190,000 Arizona workers will be impacted. The Legislature should step up in a tandem response to help them out of hardship and to support a robust emergence from the pandemic recession. Now is the time to act on two critical tools to get the job done: childcare and updated UI. States with better UI programs rebound out of recessions stronger and faster than states with wimpy UI. Better UI means more customers for Arizona’s businesses while people �ind the next job. A Labor Department report commissioned by the George W. Bush Administration showed that UI bene�its boosted jobs by about 1.75 million in the depth of

the Great Recession. We need a plan for better working conditions, including safety and childcare. Some hiring managers believe the myth that people on UI are not going back to work just because their bene�its are higher than their pay would be. There’s a lot more to this story. “Lots of service workers died. Please attach that comment to any worker shortage story,” tweeted Eric Rivera @ericRiveracooks, who is a restaurant worker. Safety on the job, healthcare, paid family leave, vaccine access, childcare, job training costs, respect at work and worthy pay are all good reasons why people are not

accepting available low-paying jobs. Instead of getting back to business as usual, let’s go forward to better business! We need to pass HB2805 or SB1411 with amendments to provide productive UI bene�its, Arizona-style. I’ve been collaborating with Republican Rep. David Cook and my Democratic colleague Rep. Dr. Randy Friese on HB 2805. Together with a bipartisan group of legislators, we are in discussions with Senate Pres. Karen Fann, who has been a leader on this important topic for years. Both bills work together with a de-

Jobless pay and child care must work together BY REP. MITZI EPSTEIN AFN Guest Writer

ov. Doug Ducey has just announced a program to get Arizonans “back to work” and off unemployment insurance bene�its: UI claimants who take a job could be eligible for cash, scholarships and three months of childcare assistance but will lose their federal pandemic bene�its July 10. For those who can �ind a safe job, it’s an incentive and a reward. For those who cannot �ind safe work because the pandemic rages still for them, it will be a hardship.

�� EPSTEIN �� 36

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

State’s new classroom rules are shocking

I was shocked to read about the new statewide rules being mandated by Michelle Udall (R-Mesa) for our teachers. They now have to give “both sides of the case” when teaching “controversial” topics to students. It is obvious to me that neither of these clauses have been clearly de�ined by Udall and as a result anyone who wants, can pull whatever “fact” is “controversial” and target the teacher for discipline. All this does is make an already lowpaying thankless job even worse for most of these teachers. It looks like Udall is in a race to the bottom of the educational standards needed in our public schools. If citizens are not careful, we will get most good teachers leaving for better paying jobs at Amazon – which would result in barely quali�ied teachers joining and destroying the quality of our public school system. It is time for an independent commission to set the rules for what is to be taught and

EPSTEIN �� 35

posit to the UI Trust Fund that will bring down the UI tax rates that businesses pay and both will decrease fraud and abuse of the system. Either bill will provide similar bene�its to workers and to Arizona’s economy. Workers would receive $320 per week, instead of the current $240. Workers would be encouraged to take part-time work up to $160 per week and not lose their UI bene�its. Contrast that to the mere $30 allowed now. Moms across Arizona stayed home with their children when schools went virtual, and many continue to stay home because their children are not yet vaccinated. That is why UI and childcare must work in concert. Ducey’s plan will provide childcare assistance for three months, but it’s not enough. The Child Care Workforce grants program began in May with $9 million from the federal CARES Act.

what is clearly “controversial” and what is not. Leave the politicians out of this. -Stanley D’Souza

Lack of foresight on Census will cost us millions

We hear that 200+ people are moving to Maricopa County daily, together with population explosions throughout our state. So how, then, did we lose out on an additional Congressional seat? Because our Census count was not taken seriously, Arizona has lost millions and millions of dollars towards infrastructure, affordable housing, education, homelessness and other critical issues over the next 10 years. These federal millions are directly identi�ied to population. With a minor investment towards the Census count, Arizona would have legitimately gained one more Congressional seat. Lack of foresight from our top elected of�icials caused this huge loss to our growing economy and future needs. -Marie Colangelo First Things First is Arizona’s early childhood agency, but only for children up to 5. I am working with the Arizona Center for After School Excellence to develop their vision for an Arizona Youth Development Council that could address this important need for school-aged children and their working parents. I look forward to continuing to work with Gov. Ducey and my colleagues in all political parties to develop and pass Arizona-style Unemployment Insurance and childcare support systems. UI and Childcare are keys not only to a robust emergence from the pandemic recession, but also to building a foundation for Arizona jobs with modern conditions. Rep. Mitzi Epstein is a computer systems analyst with work experience in international corporations and as a small business owner. She represents Legislative District 18, which includes Ahwatukee. 

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State track: Thunder, Pride compete for 1st time since 2019 BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

or many Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe athletes, it was a breath of fresh air. Others saw it as a shot at redemption. For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the spring season last year, both Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe competed at the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s state championships last Wednesday and Saturday. The last year away from the track has allowed Mountain Pointe to rebuild toward success it had just a few years ago, while Desert Vista reloaded its arsenal of talented sprinters, distance runners and field athletes. But all in all, every athlete was thankful for the opportunity to once again compete for a state title. “It’s really exciting,” Desert Vista sophomore Lauren Ping said. “I didn’t get a chance to compete in the mile in track last year. But it’s really exciting to be able to do it now.” Ping, who was recently named the Gatorade Female C r o s s Country Runner of the Year in Arizona for her performance in the fall, Desert Vista senior Mason Hick- h e l p e d el placed second overall in the give Desdiscus Wednesday but followed ert Vista it up with a 61-foot throw in the e a r l y shot-put to win the Division I points in state championship on Saturday. the state (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor) champi-

“Working together watukee community. His throw of 61 feet each and every race, outpaced Elmore by nearly 10 feet. While I think we know both it was just shy of his personal record of 63 of our abilities,” Siger- feet, 6 inches, it earned him the gold medal ud said. “It felt good and state title a week before he graduates. “It’s a reflection of the work I’ve put in to get the points. We both wanted to help the last four years in high school and even our team as much as before that,” Hickel said. “I think I’m tempossible to be state porarily satisfied. I’ll probably hang it up champs. So, both of for a couple of months and then get ready us racking up those to go throw at the Division I level in colpoints was really lege. But overall, I think I’ll be walking away from a high school career where I can good.” Desert Vista’s girls say I gave it my all.” Hickel’s mark increased Desert Vista’s also received a slew Desert Vista’s girls’ relay team made up of Emily Littleﬁeld, Alicia of points in other team score by 10 points on the final day of McManus, Lauren Ping and Katie Sigerud helped the Thunder place second overall in the state meet with a gold medal win in the 4x800- events. Sigerud took the meet. The Thunder boys also received first in the 800-me- help from a slew of other athletes. meter relay. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor) Senior Luke Stalus medaled in two ter run. Sierra Doty onship meet Wednesday. She and junior placed fifth in the 400-meter dash while events for the Thunder. He won the teammate Katie Sigerud finished first and teammate Mya Fortun placed sixth. In the 400-meter dash and placed second in the second, respectively, in the 1600-meter final event of the meet, Doty, Fortun McM- 200. Desert Vista also received a boost in run. The two were later part of the girls’ anus and Paige Dignan teamed up to place points from senior Noah Jodon, who medaled in the 3200- and 1600-meter runs. relay team that won the 4x800-meter re- fourth in the 4x400-meter relay. Overall, the Thunder boys finished with Desert Vista’s boys found similar suclay alongside 61.5 total team points. They placed second cess on the track and in throwing events. Emily LittleMason Hickel, the Thunder’s All-Star overall behind Chandler, which won both field and discus and shot-put athlete represented Alicia Mc�ee TRACK page 38 the program at a high level during the twoManus. They day meet. On Wednesday also finished he placed second overall first and secin discus with a throw ond in the of 174.3 feet. The mark 3200-meter earned his team eight run Saturpoints toward the total day. score. His second and best T h o s e event, shot put, took place three races Saturday with Chandler’s set the stage Amar Elmore — who for what won the discus three days would be a prior — poised for yet ansuccessful other strong showing. outing for Mountain Pointe junior However, Hickel once the Thunder Amier Boyd competed in girls, who the 100-meter dash and on again proved why he has placed third the Pride’s relay team at the been the top-ranked shotoverall in the state meet, a steppingstone put thrower throughout meet behind toward rebuilding a program the season and will una dominant that struggled with partici- doubtedly be one of the Desert Vista senior Luke Stalus was key for Desert Vista’s secC h a n d l e r pation the last two years. best to ever come out of ond-place ﬁnish in the boys Divison I state meet, as he won the (Zach Alvira/AFN Staff) Desert Vista and the Ah- 400-meter dash. (Zac BonDurant/AFN Contributor) squad.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MAY 19, 2021

Seton Catholic to create eSports team beginning next school year BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

eton Catholic Prep announced Tuesday, May 4 its plan to create an eSports team beginning next school year. The team will compete in the eSports league hosted by the Arizona Interscholastic Association, which hosted its inaugural season in 2020 and continues to grow. “We have a rich history at Seton Catholic of providing these opportunities for our students and them rising up to participate in multiple things,” Seton Catholic Principal Victor Serna said. “No matter your interest, you can find something at Seton for you. This is a wonderful opportunity to invest in our students and give them a well-rounded Catholic education.” The start of the eSports program is in response to a questionnaire sent out to current students and those at local middle schools that feed into Seton Catholic. Serna said the demand was overwhelming, with over 70 percent of the students who responded saying they would be interested in joining if it were offered. Along with Serna, Terry Licht, Seton Catholic’s assistant athletic director, has been a driving force in the implementation of the eSports program at the school. A gamer himself, Licht recognizes most students get involved in some sort of video game, no matter the genre. In an effort to have as many students as possible involved in an extracurricular activity, eSports will present a new opportunity for those interested to play games they enjoy while representing the school. “We see it as a new opportunity to reach a different kid,” Licht said. “We just want to give kids the opportunity to

TRACK from page 37

the boys and girls titles, and narrowly edged Red Mountain, which finished with 61 points. Mountain Pointe’s track & field team is in the middle of rebuilding its roster after participation numbers plummeted leading up to the pandemic and cancellation of the 2020 season. The Pride have been able to gradu-

so why not give them an opportunity to represent the school and compete for a state title.” Seton Catholic prides itself on student involvement. Serna said it isn’t uncommon to see athletes play in a sporting event one day and appear in a music concert another. Administration and coaches don’t encourage a student to limit themselves to just one sport or activity. The more a student does, Seton Catholic plans to offer a variety of games to its eS- the better they get to know ports athletes, including titles already sanctioned by the their peers and create a AIA and those that will allow them to compete in indepen- comfortable environment dent online tournaments. (AFN File Photos) in the school. Both Serna and Licht hope the new eSparticipate in an extracurricular that is kind of out of the box. They game at home ports program will offer those same opportunities. Kids who stick to a certain genre of game will have the opportunity to experiment with others. The program currently plans to offer the same games sponsored by the AIA, including Rocket League, League of Legends, Madden ’21 and FIFA ’21. Licht said students will also have the opportunity to compete in other games such as Overwatch, Halo and more to participate in online tournaments. “This sport is growing so fast,” Licht said. “We almost don’t want to miss the boat in regard to that. We can cater to what the kids are interested in. I comfortably think we will have a good 20 to 25 kids in the fall and I can see it growing fairly quickly.” While still in the development stage, plans are already in the works to provide Seton Catholic announced on Tuesday, adequate gaming computers for students. May 4 it would begin to offer an eSports Seton Catholic hopes to use existing onprogram beginning in the 2021-22 school campus hardware and update its internal year. (Special to AFN) components to handle eSports games, but

ally increase the number of participants thanks to an influx of football players for the boys’ program and young, talented girls in the other. Many of Mountain Pointe’s top runners on the girls’ team were freshman this season, and several came out last-minute from other sports such as basketball. The girls competed in preliminaries last Wednesday with a chance to go to the finals for several events but were unfortu-

nately not able to qualify. The boys’ team was represented by Garrison Douglass, Jack Farley, Jacques Jones and Amier Boyd in the 4x100-meter relay. The group placed seventh overall with a time of 42.85 seconds. Boyd also competed in the 100-meter dash, where he ran a personal record time of 11.08 seconds. Boyd, a junior who recently made the transition from quarterback to wide receiver and defensive back for the Pride

Serna and Licht said the school is also open to purchasing necessary hardware with the help of boosters and grants. Overall, they hope to create a one-of-akind experience for their students in the form of eSports. The popularity of eSports has grown to great lengths both at the high school and professional level in recent years. Tournaments take place all over the world in various games with cash prizes soaring into the hundreds of thousands. Some colleges have also started offering scholarships to high school students who compete in eSports at a high level. Overall, more than 50 schools expressed interest in 2019 when the AIA announced it would sponsor and eSports league. The number has since grown to include several Gilbert and East Valley programs, including Basha, Campo Verde, Chandler, Desert Ridge, Higley and several others. The AIA has also partnered with Dave & Buster’s in Tempe to host the eSports championships inside of its large conference hall. The same venue has been used the past two years for the football bracket and championship shows live-streamed on the AIA website and YouTube. Overall, eSports presents new opportunities for students wanting to get involved not only in extracurricular activities in high school, but as a way to potentially shape their college future as well. Serna said that alone is worth the added cost it will take to upgrade hardware and provide other necessities needed for the program. “It’s an investment we are making as we do with other school-sponsored AIA sports or clubs,” Serna said. “Just like in other sports, we want to make sure we equip our students to be as successful as possible. Hardware is a big component of that. We want them to have a great experience.” 

football team, said just having the opportunity to compete and represent Mountain Pointe’s rebuilding process was a reward in itself. “Everybody is putting in the work and giving it their all,” Boyd said. “Everyone is working day in and day out, especially in the classroom. We all want to help build this program and we know it will take more than just practice on the track and field.” 

MAY 19, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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Mills Modern Social takes over old pool hall BY ANNIKA TOMLIN GetOut Staff Writer

our years ago, Jason Chance and his pro pool player friend, Scott Frost, opened a pool hall off Mill Avenue and Broadway Road and dubbed it Freezers. Just before the pandemic, Chance thought it was time for a change. So, he founded Mills Modern Social. “We were like, ‘Something isn’t working,’” said Chance, who lives in Des Moines. “It’s a nice place but just not nice enough to really draw people in and to really make money. So, we changed the whole concept.” They renamed it Mills Modern Social and brought Justin Jereb on board. He formerly ran Sandbar and then CB Live, both of which are in Desert Ridge Marketplace. He rolls his 20 years of experience into his general manager position at Mills Modern Social.

Mills Modern Social has replaced a shabby pool hall with a contemporary elegance in Tempe. (Special to GetOut) “Before Mills Modern Social, it was Freezers and primarily a pool hall with 32 pool tables,” Jereb said. “We wanted to reinvent it and make it more of a cool place.

The only thing that is from the original venue is the (pool) tables.” When COVID-19 hit the Valley last year, Chance and his co-owner/brother, Greg,

remodeled and rebranded it. “(At Freezers), when you walk in, there would be a pool table 8 feet from the entrance,” Chance said. “I’m not trying to intimidate people. “People were like, ‘Do I really want to be here? If I’m not playing pool, I feel like I am bothering the people playing pool.’ Now you can walk in and go to the bar, you can sit (at a range of locations) …The pool tables before owned the whole place, now they don’t and that’s on purpose.” Construction on the 60,000-square-feet space began in August to turn the strictly pool hall into a multigame venue with a new menu, an arcade and darts, and an updated outdoor layout. “It wasn’t like a crazy demo, but it was a lot,” Jereb said. “The people who were here before will walk in and (give a look) like it is a whole different world.”

�� MILL �� 41

Mogollon brings ‘universal language’ to the stage

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor

uane Moore said he feels he hasn’t worked a day in his life. Moore loves everything about the music business — and has since he cofounded Mogollon in 1979. “I love it so much,” Moore said. “I enjoy the people and the music. I love music. I really haven’t done anything else. There’s work involved just like anything else.” Named after Moore’s residence at the Mogollon Rim, the band is a high-energy four piece that plays rock and, speci�ically, old country. “I don’t like the stuff that’s out,” Moore said. “We play from Waylon to Willie to Hank Williams to Johnny Cash to Lynyrd Skynyrd to Pink Floyd. We play all the good classic rock. “I play �iddle on stage, too. That works out well for a lot of cool Alabama songs.”

Mogollon is, from left, Bryan Kuban, Jon Kinsey, Duane Moore and Guy Koplitz. (Courtesy

of Mogollon)

Music is “huge” for Moore, who is joined in the band by guitarist Guy Koplitz of Chandler; bassist/producer Bryan Kuban

of Scottsdale; and drummer Jon Kinsey of Mesa. If Moore feels depressed, everything lifts when he picks up his guitar, strums a

few chords and writes a song. “It comes full circle,” he said. “It’s the universal language.” That language is shared at gigs like those in Anthem on May 14, Murphy Park in Glendale on May 21, and We-Ko-Pa Casino on June 18 and July 16. “Sharing is an amazing thing,” Moore said. “I don’t use an iPad for the lyrics. If I need to look at the lyrics when I’m on stage, I don’t want to sing it. I don’t believe I’m getting the points across. “The mechanics should be secondary so I can feel what I’m singing. I think people feel that more than they understand that. We’re in the business of selling emotions. It’s a very emotionally driven industry and that’s what we do. It’s cool when people come up and say, ‘I just had the time of my life’ or ‘My wife and I have been married x number of years. We met at your concert.”

�� MOGOLLON �� 41

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MAY 19, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

MILL �� 40

Jereb calls the revamped menu “more of an elevated gastropub with burgers, sandwiches, �latbreads,” in lieu of pool hall snack food. Jereb is adding more entrees, including salmon, ahi and chicken. Unlike its predecessor, Mills Modern Social even has a full wine list. “Right now, the menu that they had before is completely erased,” Jereb said. “We didn’t keep anything from the original. “The grilled pesto chicken sandwich ($12) — it’s phenomenal. The executive chef (Rey-jen Stanya) and I wanted to do a Cuban ($12) because we know that a lot of places don’t have Cubans.” Those two dishes are the fastest-selling entrees. The wings even have a new spin. “Our wings are kind of different, too, because we don’t fry them,” he said. “We bake them and then we grill them, and

they come right off the bone.” Following his queue at Sandbar, Jereb will launch Taco Tuesdays. The brunch menu will resemble his at CB Live. “We just wanted to get the ball rolling (�irst),” Jereb said. Mills Modern Social opened on February 17, without a grand opening due to COVID-19 restrictions. “I’m not having a G.O. that way,” Jereb said. He’s hoping to still have his “G.O.” when the COVID-19 restrictions lift. Meanwhile, they’re trying to �ind their �low, he said. “We’re trying to just have a cool place and dope vibe in Tempe,” he said. “We want to actually have a nice place to come and sit and not feel like you’re on Mill. It’s very comfortable. We want people to come in and stay for a couple hours.” Information: millsmodernsocial.com

MOGOLLON �� 40

When the audience is involved, Moore said, it creates an energy, the synergy that’s “pretty powerful.” “It’s not performer-audience,” he said. “The audience is part of us. It’s cool when you reach at pinnacle. It’s just crazy cool, getting out into the audience with my �iddle and running around. We just like to have fun with them. They love it.” Music has helped Moore through tough times. His brother and sister passed away at 31 and 43, respectively, of complications of neuro�ibromatosis, a rare, inherited disorder that results in benign tumors of the nerves and other parts of the body. “I hope to retire from music one day and move back to my roots,” he said. “My best friends—my brother and sister—are interred there. “They died pretty young, but every-

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

body has a sad story. I’m a mountain boy. I moved down here because it was a good, central location.” The COVID-19 pandemic has been productive for Moore. He took the time to reinvent himself and retool his approach to the music side of music. “I’m doing extremely well by myself,” he said. “I’ve never played so many single gigs. Not everybody was out of work. Our industry was beat up. Restaurants, musicians and bands were beat up bad. “Anytime I get on stage, I thank my audience profusely. Over the years, I’ve been playing a lot of great places all over the world. I’ve taken my music to exotic places. All those years prior to COVID, I took music for granted. You don’t know what you have until it’s taken away from you. Now I drink every moment like water. I absorb it. I tell the audience that story and I thank each and every one of them.”

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Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours, this time I ask You this special one (mention favour). Take it dear Heart of Jesus and place it in your own broken heart, where our Father sees it, then in His merciful eyes it will become Your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days and promise publication and the favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. JV

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MAY 19, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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