AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS, JULY 20, 2022 by Times Media Group

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JULY 20, 2022

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of The pace tomorrow. ng, careers of is only increasistustu- and in our world attributes to equip skills and ful change incumbent upon us not only identify what in order to be success and it is necessary need but to stay with the skills s; dents will le Learner students up with rapid change • Adaptab only what in the future. to keep rators; imagined not also • Collabo The groups to succeed in high school, ahead of it.” staff were nicators; ion need families and g survey BY ERIN HELM • Commu utors; dents will All Kyrene the next generat Writer nity Contrib ate in a visionin AFN Guest also in college, communities. • Commu to particip but s; the asked Thinker and future communiDistrict, over • Critical helped shape February. workplace, to our Kyrene Solvers; and last yrene School d a vision for its of that survey a ref• Problem “I am grateful effort, introspection, The results will also be used as one ocates. a yearsummer, launche ’s time, and • and Self-Advthe culmination of will be a touchst into the develop ty for the the Portrait mapping out the District is students that that went of stakeand the fountendent The Portrait hundreds imagination erence when ,” said Superin decision making ’s next stra34 effort to engagecurrent and former ment of this portrait for future District page long the NE g which . Kyrene see KYRE that we dation upon holders, includin leaders, the Laura Toenjes utmost importance is built. ms Kid is a model students, staff, District business representegic plan “It is of the of a Kyrene s for the classroo local s. student should Governing Board, our student The Portrait nity partner in ncies each other commu in activities to prepare of the competetime they finish 8th grade tatives and ated the students who group particip possess by Each expects District be: been workKyrene. The Kyrene education to year, we have For the past ative manner to develop complete their s and with our busines ing in a collabor r that would begin was nity, and all forge calenda year. The goal s our commuorganizations, we can a suc- a common 024 school sed d as prioritie that would towards the 2023/2 t options hing faith-bachapter as we look have identifie and on relevan ministrators school year are establis new , students, e to work school a MENDIVIL needs of families ? Continu carefully for the 22/23 ships between the cessful future. BY DR. KEVIN . meet the three districts. After orderly you be involved of Writer safe and positive relation home campus How can AFN Guest a wide variety ng staff at all to with your creating a input from student’s returning Governi and home; be engaged with your considering ment; and respective qual- to Families, and connect ear TUHSD event or extra- stakeholders, our new calendars. learning environ - providing a high Reach out have athletic outan well you the d do spirit in the learning I hope that what we teachers. Attend so you can see the Boards approve this will be a step n with positive chance to . activity have all had the ity educatio for yourself s. curricular We hope that our families who and of our schools over the past comes for all student we need our stufind n for media can relax culture You directio and . social and rest right districts than ever, school on forward to on We want Now more Follow your for your principal’s news- students in multiple website by clicking - students. . We are looking so our out to our schools dents to be just that few months nces that are is that families the calendar on keep an eye goal experie es”. short students back the expeing few Schedul ultimate rhood human welcom – just a ars and them to have does not afletters. Our and to the their neighbo y, Aug. 4 n) “Calend remember that this to high school competing in a band are involved with on Thursda but will their child(re Please dis- key r it’s school year g the varsity schools and supportWhen families and fect the upcoming weeks away. work your school and this rience - whethe share this or attendin 2023. We nity. so Much of the undertaken a championship a science exam. our and their commuflourish, strong connec- take effect in August well in advance of trators have you game or acing on the idea trict adminis vital role in neighborhoods and there are positive information with accordingly. tightly focused is a never-end- football education plays a and we ty, forged, summer is Public you may plan . tions are your positivi nt neighborhoods improvement we can that nities and for your time, how importa schools that es for all involved reset. School forward to we believe Thank you a family of for young outcom year commu and we know ent. We look to school ways that consisthe past school proud to be ing journey of involvem the nities are provide One is to (s) back and your evaluate future. on qualiand our excellent opportu our families your student it is to both gly for the ourselves welcoming stu- offers and support between TUHSD and plan accordinthat our families and of people. We pride administrators experiences s – Tempe Elementary on Aug. 4.  caring ce in tent partner We also know nced a wide variety programs, . level of excellen Tri-District 2020. ty experie s. school districts s, and a high dents have since March disruption ready for a reset teacher ics, athletics and activitie families, and Kyrene our stress and of are academ of us life. involvement Certainly, manyall different areas of With the adin of our own, that our school themes key A few

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Foothills Golf Course up for sale for $5M BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

he Foothills Golf Course is up for sale but owner Wilson Gee said it won’t face the turbulence that two of Ahwatukee’s other courses have been facing. And he said the same holds true for the community’s fourth course, the Ahwatukee Country Club, which he has not yet decided whether to sell after he unloads the Foothills and The Duke at Rancho El Dorado, a course he owns in Maricopa. “The Ahwatukee Country Club will always be a golf course – and so will the Foothills and the Duke – only because the houses are in a different configuration” from Club West, he said. “The legacy of the Foothills and Country Club will always be golf.” The future of the Club West Golf Course – now a barren piece of desert since Gee put it up for sale in 2018 – is mired in litigation over whether the four men who bought it in 2019 can sell parts of it off for new-

Owner Wilson Gee is selling the 165-acre Foothills Golf Course, and the clubhouse, for $5 million. But he said homeowners around the site need not worry that whoever buys it will try to turn it into a housing development. (Tom Sanfilippo/Inside Out Aerial) home construction. Built in 1988, the 166-acre Foothills Golf Club is priced at $5 million. That includes both

the club house and the course.

priority was coincidental. Yet, it underscored the concerns that loom over local schools as a new year is only a few days or weeks away. “I’m thankful that we have police officers at the middle schools but at the elementary schools we do not, so maybe that funding will allow that,” said Lindsay Harris, a mother of two Kyrene students. “But I would really like to hear more about what the plan is to lock down the campus so that we as parents feel comfortable bringing our kids back to school in two weeks. It’s sad

that we have to talk about it but it’s a really important situation and we need to know what the game plan is to lock down the campus completely,” Harris said. Jamie Thompson, a former Kyrene teacher, followed by telling the board, “I think it’s really important that we need to have psychologists and counselors in our schools. …These problems start with kids when they’re young. And it travels through with them. And I realized that a lot of them come from bad situations. But we

see FOOTHILLS page 11

Kyrene details its extensive safety measures BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

ith the memory of the Texas elementary school massacre still fresh in many parents and teachers’ minds, Kyrene School District administrators last week presented a detailed plan on how they are keeping children safe. That the pre-scheduled presentation at the July 12 Governing Board occurred after the only two citizens speakers to address the board both implored it to be sure safety is a

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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Kyrene, TU get millions more in state funds BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

empe Union and Kyrene school districts are starting the new fiscal year with millions of dollars more than they originally anticipated, thanks to the bipartisan spending bill the Legislature adopted last month. Both governing boards last week in separate meetings approved 2022-23 budgets that increase available funds for classroom instruction – including special education – as well as other day-to-day operations, include additional dollars for capital spending on a wide variety of infrastructure improvements and provide more money for books, software and other educational materials. For Kyrene, the additional funding totals more than $9.2 million – an increase of 8.2% over the district’s initial projection. That includes an extra $8.51 million for its Maintenance & Operations budget, which funds most salaries and day-to-day operations, and $732,604 in District Additional Assistance, which is used to buy library books, textbooks, athletic and fine arts equipment, software and hardware, furniture and fixtures. Tempe Union will realize an additional $4.87 million for M&O spending and another $893,000 in District Additional Assistance. Kyrene board member Michelle Fahy’s reaction reflected the jubilation that not only felt by her colleagues and the Tempe Union board, but also their counterparts throughout the Valley because all districts are receiving more money that is not just a one-time appropriation. “It is a pleasure to have an unusual situation and be presented with a change in a budget at this time and that it’s actually more money,” Fahy said. “I just want to extend a tremendous thank you to our local state legislators, who I know have been working tirelessly to try to get additional funding for K-12 education and also higher education as well.” But a cloud looms on the horizon of those increases: The Legislature failed to adopt a permanent solution to the Aggregate Spending Limit, a provision in the Arizona Constitution approved decades ago by voters that caps annual districts’ spending based on a formula of fluctuating inflation and enrollment data. The Legislature in April lifted that cap for the 202122 school year, relieving districts that had been sweating out the possibility of mass layoffs and other budget cuts because the spending limit would have barred them from using money that they already had. Public education advocates have called for an end to the Aggregate Spending Limit, noting it does not apply to charter schools. The Legislature’s failure to permanently resolve the

see BUDGETS page 20

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SAFETY from page 1

need to have counselors and people that can immediately see your child is having behavioral issues, emotional issues, and not just for their well-being but for everybody else in the classroom.” Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes had been planning this very presentation on safety for several months and told AFN in May that the Texas massacre added urgency to the need to reassure parents that the district has been and is taking stringent safety measures. “It is always nice to do an update for families because the reality is parents are scared right now,” she said in an interview the day after a board meeting. “You know, school is supposed to be the next safest place to your home. I couldn’t sleep last night because, of course, we had the board meeting and then, you know, with all of that, and I just kept thinking, where’s the balance? “We need our families in our schools, we need the partnership, we need the collaboration, we need to be able to let people in. That was where my heart was last night and kind of grappling with: how do we balance the need to have this partnership and educating our youth and keeping our youth safe?” Toenjes conceded there are concerns about the security of district headquarters, where board meetings are held. Board member Michelle Fahy last Tuesday echoed those concerns and officials said they are studying additional security for the 30-year-old building. On June 12, Damian Nichols, Kyrene’s executive director of emergency management, detailed the measures the district

has taken not only to keep its 25 campuses safe but also protect students from online threats. He said standard measures at all campuses include perimeter fences and 360-degree video surveillance, electroniccontrolled locks and badge access, secure front lobbies, and limited points of access to school buildings. And he discussed how the district also is maintaining cyber monitoring to pick up on digital evidence of bullying or threats as well as warning signs of students who may be considering harmful actions toward themselves or others. Retired law enforcement and an all-volunteer Kyrene Support & Response Team conduct security patrols and equipment checks as well as provide support on site for events. And key staffers at every campus also have been trained to respond to active incidents with “Stop the Bleed, CPR and other life-saving skills. “Kyrene School District’s unique footprint, with boundaries covering multiple cities and communities, means the district works with half a dozen law enforcement agencies to develop school security plans and to coordinate response in the event of an emergency,” district spokeswoman Erin Helm said. Board President Kevin Walsh also said that while last week’s presentation focused on physical safety measures, the district would in the future be presenting additional information on its efforts to monitor and address kids’ social and emotional wellness. Nichols stressed that parents can see for

see SAFETY page 6

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The Kyrene emergency team convened 94 times throughout the school year but not all these events occurred on campus, emergency management Director Damien Nicholas said. “These were times that not only did somebody call the crisis line, but we actually activated the team.” (Kyrene School. District)

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themselves what safety measures are in place and what new ones are being implemented at Kyrene.org/safe. He noted that the district has been addressing safety on a continuing basis since 2005, when voters approved a bond issue specifically designed to fund those measures. One of the first measures the district took was to remove portable classrooms, making sure campuses were enclosed, eliminating outside locks except on the main doors to each building, and making lobbies secure. But the district’s patrols provide an additional layer of security related to the doors, he said. “In a school district of 25 schools, where we have almost 1000 doors, something gets left unlocked almost every day, even though it’s unintentional,” Nichols said to explaining how patrols respond to notices of unlocked or open doors around the clock. On a daily basis, he added, “We didn’t want people to be able to walk into the buildings. We wanted to slow them down…and if there was some disturbance, have enough time for either Kyrene staff or first responders to respond.” The virtual safety nets around campuses also have been key to keeping students and staff safe he said. “We have cameras that face parking lots, fields, mountains, storage areas, – anything on the external part of the building,” Nichols explained. “This comes in very handy there. We have solved so many is-

sues by being able to look at that data after the fact. But it’s literally a virtual fence around the campuses. And we continue to upgrade that…Those things get upgraded as technology gets better and has more artificial intelligence and things that can help us spot things.” Nichols also detailed how electronic locks – which have cost upwards of $3,000 for each school – further control access, although he said they all have a host of overrides and failsafe capabilities that can be employed in the event of emergencies. The district also equipped a vacant building to be an emergency operations center to which various law enforcement agencies have access. Filled with monitors linking to cameras at schools, police can not only see what’s going on inside a school but also in each campus’ immediate neighborhood. Nichols also said the district last year started a three-year “massive upgrade to a lot of our safety and security.” Nichols also explained the different between the emergency response team and the safety and security team, noting the latter perform a wide variety of daily tasks. “They may help at lunch just directing kids to the right place. We might be having issues at bus stops. The list goes on and on. Again, if you can dream it up, we probably responded to it.” Nichols also explained how “we have lots of tools in place that can monitor the technology that we have in Kyrene. “We have artificial intelligence and intelligence running in the background,

see SAFETY page 22

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he governing boards of both school districts serving Ahwatukee will each have at least Stephan Kingsley one new member after the Nov. 8 General Election, according to the ballot petitions that made the July 11 deadline. That’s because Tempe Union board President Brian Garcia has decided not to seek a second term and Kyrene board member Margaret Pratt has set her sights on a Tempe Union seat. A 10-day period for filing challenges to candidates’ petitions in all three races expires after July 25 and the candidates are campaigning for November votes since there is no primary for school board seats. Two seats are up for election in both five-member boards as compared to some neighboring districts. While some Valley districts have as many as eight or nine candidates vying for two seats on their boards, only three candidates are in the hunt in Kyrene and four in Tempe Union. Garcia told the Ahwatukee Foothills News his decision not to seek another term was partly affected by the death of his father from pancreatic cancer recently, which prompted him to want to spend more time with his family. “The Governing Board and the District are in a good place to continue the ongoing work of our students, staff, families, and community,” Garcia said. “After serving in leadership for all four years of my term, I have dedicated the majority of my time to school board service.

“We have accomplished a critical and substantial amount for our students, staff, families, and community,” Garcia added. “I initially filed a Statement of Interest to allow myself time to consider whether to run again. While I am not running again, I am repurposing my energy to support a candidate to succeed me.” He also said he intends to “be available as a resource to support current members as they navigate through the inevitable nuanced challenges that come with the job.” Here’s a look at who is running in both districts. All the candidates were asked last week to explain why they are running but some did not reply.

KYRENE

Kevin Walsh Kevin Walsh, a Tempe father of two who is a partner in the law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP, is in his second consecutive one-year term as president of the board. He is a volunteer in a number of organizations, including a member of the Phoenix One Foundation Board, a legal mentor for the small business organization Gangplank and an ambassador for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. He is a member of the Volunteer Lawyers Program, the Clemency Project 2014, Valley Interfaith Project and chair of Jobs

see BOARD ELECTIONS page 9

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

BOARD ELECTIONS from page 8

For Arizona’s Graduates. “I’m running because it’s so important to keep strong public schools in our Kyrene community, and I believe that my experience and proven leadership make me uniquely qualified to ensure that our Kyrene students are given the best opportunities to learn, develop and thrive,” he told AFN. “Kyrene is at the heart of our family. My children are second-generation Kyrene kids. They come from a family of educators, and their grandma is entering her 24th year teaching in Kyrene. I’ve served with the PTO as a board trustee for many years, and I’m a regular volunteer in the classroom.” He said he believes he has gained “invaluable experience” on the board “that sets me apart from others” and regularly visits each of the district’s 26 schools. “As a parent of young children, I saw first-hand how COVID impacted many students, and I’m grateful that we succeeded in keeping schools open for in-person learning all of last year. If I am re-elected, I will remain committed to ensuring that our students have the resources they need

to succeed. I will continue advocating for our teachers and support staff to be valued and treated as professionals. There is a lot to celebrate in Kyrene, and there is always more that we can do. “I am balanced and pragmatic, with a proven track record of achieving results. I’m proud of the great work accomplished during my term on the Kyrene Governing Board, including increasing teacher/staff pay by $10.5 Million last school year, while still decreasing spending. My experience as a business professional enables me to provide strong financial oversight, and the Arizona Auditor General has continually shown that Kyrene is among the best at keeping dollars in the classroom.”

Triné Nelson Ahwatukee resident Triné Nelson has been in education for 18 years and is currently the curriculum design director for Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. She told AFN, “As a mom with children in the Kyrene district for the past nine years, I have spent extensive time volunteering in classrooms, serving on PTO boards, the Superintendent Community Council, and most recently as the co-chair for Keep

Kyrene Strong, whose work is integral to the success of the 2021 M & O override continuance election. “I am deeply committed to the continued success of the Kyrene School District, not just as a parent, but as a community member. I have spent over 20 years working in, and around education and have seen firsthand the link between educational success and community involvement. The Kyrene community is engaged and focused on creating a positive environment and for our students and staff. “I am running for a seat on the governing board to foster continuous improvement in a variety of areas like student achievement, educator support, and sound administrative practices. As a governing board member, I will serve the community by collaborating with parents, educators, administration, and other community members to find solutions that best meet the needs of our children. I will work with other board members to build on the success Kyrene has experienced and make sure that we share progress and achievements with the community.” Kristi Ohman Kristi Ohman, also an Ahwatukee

TEMPE UNION

Andres Barraza Andres Barraza of Tempe is seeking a second term. The owner of a coffee and team import company bearing his name, he is a former senior firefighter for the U.S.

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resident and a mother of two, has been a teacher for both charter and public schools, including Kyrene. “I am running for Kyrene School Board because I want to be an honest voice for Kyrene kids and truly listen to all parents, teachers, and community members,” she said. “I am proud to bring a current teacher and parent’s perspective to the Kyrene Board. I want Kyrene to be every parent’s first choice for their child. Kyrene is an amazing district and can reach its highest potential by focusing on education fundamentals, transparency, and accountability for all. The pandemic has left us in a severe academic slump and regression of social skills, work ethic, and behavior. We need to prioritize our Kyrene students and classrooms. The strength of our community relies on our public schools.”

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Fountain Hills

Listed for $1,150,000

Beautiful custom home on over an acre with a northeast facing backyard! This sprawling estate is surrounded by natural arroyo with breathtaking McDowell Mountain and Red Mountain views and city lights! Truly a rare find, this home has five bedrooms (one down) plus office plus a large guest quarters with its own entrance from the exterior. The guest quarters has a large family room, dining area, and a separate bedroom. Guest quarters is attached so it also makes a great bonus game/room. The kitchen boasts granite counter tops, a center island, pantry and an eat-in dining nook. Family room has a cozy wood burning fireplace and a large wet bar adjacent to it; a great set up for parties! The family room exits to the resort style backyard with an extended covered patio, sparkling heated pool and spa and a large grass area; perfect for families and entertaining! Large storage room in the garage. Enjoy the serenity of desert living while being just minutes from golf, restaurants and shopping!

Archer Meadows

Listed for $510,000

Beautifully updated 2,027 square foot single level home! Gated Commuity. Large lot with 10’ RV gate and 18’ wide side yard. Open kitchen – family room. Spacious great room plus a flex room that can be used as a game room, office, craft room, etc. 4th bedroom has its own bathroom. Gourmet kitchen package with 42’’ cabinets, crown molding, gas range, granite counter tops and walk-in pantry. Extensive hardscape in the back yard. This gated community offers community pool, clubhouse, BBQs, and disc golf course. Walk across the street to Clubhouse and pool!

Gila Buttes

Listed for $420,000 2022 construction! Home has never been lived in! Single level home with open kitchen – great room floor plan. FIVE bedrooms and THREE bathrooms. 1998 sf. Kitchen boasts espresso colored cabinets, granite counter tops, large center island / breakfast bar, Whirlpool stainless steel appliances and pantry. 20x20 porcelain tile throughout with carpet in bedrooms only! Smart home technology. 14 seer HVAC unit. Large master suite with walk in closet, double sinks and walk in shower. Two of the secondary bedrooms also have walk in closets. Faux wood blinds throughout. Covered back patio. NORTH FACING BACK YARD! Low maintenance front and backyard landscaping.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

FOOTHILLS from page 1

Designed by Tom Weiskoph and Jay Moorish, it has been rated 4 stars by Golf Digest Places to Play and “meanders through a very upscale desert layout combined with a links flavor, minus the extreme carries that golfers often associate with desert designs,” according to its listing on Loopnet.com. Touting the site’s “allure and challenge,” the listing also notes that the clubhouse includes a 160-seat theater, pro shop, room for restaurant outfitting and spacious patios and views of South Mountain “and an aesthetic quality that makes a round here memorable – as evidenced by the gorgeous postcard quality backdrops behind the greens and tees.” The 137-acre Duke is priced at $8 million – which might be a steal for investors since a financial statement attached to that listing claims that last year it generated a gross income of $3.3 million and a $789,000 profit. No financial statement is attached to the Foothills course listing. Gee also owns the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course and is spending hundred of thousands of dollars under a court order to restore that site by September after two homeowners sued him for closing it in 2013. Gee had an $8.5 million deal to sell the Lakes to The True Life Companies, which wanted to build houses there. But the deal collapsed after True Life failed to persuade enough homeowners to change the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions governing the site’s use to allow for home construction. So why is Gee and his partners dismantling his mini empire that once made Ahwatukee a mecca for duffers nationwide? “I’ve been in the business 31 years now and I’m 70 years old,” he said. “And none of my partners are in the business, my kids aren’t in business – they have their own careers. So, I decided it’s time. My partners: same thing. You know usually partnerships don’t last 31 years in the golf business. So we actually made the decision five years ago, that once I reached 70 that we get serious about selling.” That decision initially was made in the

The 18-hole, par-72 Foothills Golf Course measures 6,968 yards and includes a clubhouse that owner Wilson Gee said should be replaced with a better one. (Tom Sanfilippo/Inside Out Aerial)

Great Recession, Gee said, when the golf industry began hitting a years-long slide. But Gee said the time not only is right for this stage in his life but also for anyone willing to get into the golf business. “I think it’s a good time,” he said. “The golf businesses is doing much better now.” Industry statistics support that statement. And the golf industry has COVID-19 to thank. During the first year of the pandemic, golf recorded a 12% spike in the number of rounds played in the United States at public courses, with rounds at private courses spiking nearly 19%, according the National Golf Foundation and independent market research firm Golf Datatech. Still, the National Golf Foundation earlier this month reported, “The downward trend in golf course closures that began in 2020 has continued into its third year. Through June, the NGF golf facility database team has discovered just under 50 18-hole equivalent closures, a 25% drop from last year at this time.” The Golf Foundation’s analysis of half of the country’s estimate 16,000 golf courses projected that by the end of this year, the equivalent of 95 18-hole courses would close. It also noted the vast majority of closures involved nine-hole public courses. “Approximately 40% of closed courses have already been earmarked for residential or commercial development,” the

foundation reported on July 7. “If our projection for 2022 closures is on target, that will mean that less than 1% of the nation’s 18-hole equivalent golf supply will have closed. Where could it go from there? Not to zero. There will always be owners choosing to close shop and retire, hoping to sell the land to help finance their retirement, along with others who find their golf course business is no longer financially viable. Furthering the point of inevitable closures: as the industry opened almost 2,700 18-hole-equivalent courses from 1996 to 2005, almost 500 shut down during that same 10-year stretch.” As for whether Foothills homeowners should start worrying they face the same plight that their Club West neighbors have been going through since February 2018, Gee said they can relax. He said the Foothills course could be expanded from its approximate 7,000 yards to about 7,300 yards. “There’s plenty to lengthen if you want to make it more championship style,” he said. “It’s a good golf property,” he continued. The 202 freeway is built and there’s more than 1,000 new homes coming in and we’re the only course there,” he said, referring to the impending development of the 1,050-home Upper Canyon community. But Gee also said the clubhouse should be replaced, explaining that it was originally built to be a training facility.

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“That clubhouse was not made for golf,” he said, adding it had been a training facility for an earth-moving company. “Hopefully, whoever comes in there will have the money and the guts and there’ll be a whole brand new clubhouse there. It’s a nice view and everything else. But it’s up to the next guy as far as whether they want to do this. The Foothills also does not share the problem that led to Club West’s demise: city water. Gee closed Club West initially in 2016, saying he could not afford the annual bill for irrigating that course with potable water. The Foothills course, like Ahwatukee Country Club, relies on well water – though Gee conceded that could be an issue down the road, depending on what federal Interior Department officials want in the way of new restrictions on water use because of the rapidly declining availability of Colorado River water. Gee said golf course operators, including himself, are already trying to cut down on the green areas because most feel it’s only a matter of time before use-restrictions hit them. “New rules are coming down the pike,” he predicted. “And you will have no choice.” “Even at the Foothills and our golf courses, we’ve cut down on turf already,” he said. “Every year we reduce turf a little here and there. We save maintenance, we save water.” As for the Ahwatukee Country Club, Gee said he’s in no hurry to sell. He said he wants to first make sure the restoration of the Lakes course passes muster with the judge and the two homeowners who sued him. While Gee said the Lakes course will be ready to open by Sept. 1, as a judge ordered, he also said the special master overseeing its restoration wants the judge to delay the opening until October so the new grass has a little more time to take root. As for what he wants to do instead of overseeing golf courses and answering court subpoenas, Gee said he wants time to spend with a nonprofit he has started in Los Angeles, where he lives. “This phase of my life is over,” he said. “I’m going into the second phase.” 

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

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

BOARD ELECTION from page 9

Forest Service who often has talked about how he rose from an early life as a drug dealer to earn a bachelor of science degree in economics from ASU. He has been active in the school community as a volunteer and advocate for students and staff. He does not appear to have a website for his campaign as yet.

Stephan Kinglsey Stephan Anthony Kingsley is an Ahwatukee resident who has been in education for over 15 years, and is listed as an English teacher at Corona del Sol High School. He is now a doctoral candidate in industrial and organizational psychology at Grand Canyon University. Stephan consults and collaborates on diversity and inclusion initiatives with business, education, and community leaders as well as researchers at the national and international level, according to the LGBTQ Victory Institute website. “He is committed to ongoing personal growth, learning new things, and advocating for the inclusion of all perspectives,” the website states. He has not set up his own campaign website.

which led me to participate on committees at the school and district level. “I saw the needle moving in the right direction, but realized there was much more work to do, so here I am. As a society, collectively we are in need of picking up the pieces caused by a global pandemic which impacted all students’ educational experience. Students across the district and state were facing disproportionate achievement scores when assessing at a national level, prior to the pandemic. “Today more students are showing delays and/or falling further behind in their academics, social emotional well-being and overall development. And teachers are struggling mentally and emotionally from the trauma consumed over the last several years.” Steele said Tempe Union “would benefit from the accessibility lens I bring as a mother to an autistic adult with an intellectual disability, a neurodiverse woman herself, and an advocate wanting to listen to your voice. I’m a passionate community leader here to inspire impactful change; igniting conversations that shift mindsets to include all.” 

Margaret Pratt An Ahwatukee mother of four who is winding up her first term on the Kyrene board, Margaret Pratt did not respond to an AFN inquiry about why she’s hoping to jump over to the Tempe Union board. “I have learned so much serving on the Kyrene School District Board. I would love to take that experience and with your support, serve on the Tempe Union Governing Board,” she posted on Facebook. She has been an active parent volunteer in Kyrene schools and is a small business owner who holds a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders. Amanda Steele Chandler resident Amanda Steele is a community activist and parental advocate for public schools and students with disabilities, She is a speech therapist and President and co-founder of EPIC Disability Advocacy . “I am running for the students, for the teachers, and for the community,” she said. Eight years ago, I was a mom on a mission to support my son. I built collaborative relationships and initiated conversations

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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8 join the race to succeed Sal DiCiccio in District 6 AFN NEWS STAFF

he race to succeed city Councilman Sal DiCiccio is on. With the deadline for filing ballot petitions now history, eight candidates have filed for the Nov. 8 General Election in City Council District 6, which includes Ahwatukee. Although the period for challenging those petitions doesn’t expire until after July 25, here is a look at the likely contenders. If no candidate gets over 50% of the vote in November, the top two vote getters will face off in an election on March

23 – where the ballot also will include Phoenix’s $500 million capital bond request, its first since 2007. Unlike almost every other municipality in Arizona, the Phoenix City Clerk’s statements of interest for candidates does not require hopefuls to list their address and phone number, so it is next to impossible to determine what neighborhood every candidate lives in. At least two candidates –Joan Greene and Moses Sanchez – are confirmed Ahwatukee residents. Murphy Bannerman Murphy Bannerman lists her occupation as government affairs manager for

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Harry Curtin Harry Curtin lists himself on his campaign website as “an advisor to some of this country’s most successful corporations” who has “led $1 billion+ in technolBEFORE

ogy and transformational initiatives.” He lists his issues as recruiting top talent for first responders, school safety, jobs, affordable housing, streamlined city processes and mental health. Joan Greene Joan Greene owns a promotional company that includes nonprofits as well as corporations and also heads a business that raises money and awareness for nonprofits. She lists her priorities as creating more affordable housing and addressing home-

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CITY ELECTIONS from page 14

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Mark Moeremans Mark Moeremans leads an Arizonabased benefits administration shop for contractors and blue collar workers and is Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Venture Development with the Arizona Commerce Authority and leader of the Arizona Innovation Challenge – a grant competition for startups, incubators and accelerators. He lists his priorities as “maintaining economic momentum,” addressing housing availability and affordability, transit and transportation, climate and air quality, water conservation, “promoting safety and protecting liberty,” and “women’s empowerment and reproductive rights.”

Kevin Robinson Kevin Robinson is a decorated former Phoenix police officer and assistant chief who claims credit for leading the process that led to the Ahwatukee police substation. He has served on the McDonald Charities of Central and Northern Arizona board for more than 10 years and has earned a master’s degree in public administration from Arizona State University. He lists his priorities as public safety, affordable housing, water conservation and economic development. Moses Sanchez Moses Sanchez is a retired U.S. Navy officer who is co-founder of a digital marketing company. A former Tempe Union

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Governing Board member and Navy Reservist. He serves on the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce Board and Foundation for Blind Children of Phoenix. His top three priorities are homelessness, public safety and improving the city’s infrastructure, from streets and parks to transit.

Sam Stone Sam Stone describes himself as “a small business owner, sports nut, and a policy geek” who also was DiCiccio’s chief of staff and former director of the Civics Education Initiative at the Joe Foss Institute. He also has run a number of local and federal candidate campaigns and currently is campaign manager for Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake. He also hosts the Breaking Battlegrounds radio show and podcast. He breaks down his priorities for specific neighborhoods in District 6 and for Ahwatukee: he lists more police presence and traffic enforcement, adding a fire/ police substation in western Ahwatukee, adding more amenities such as pickleball courts and extending the multi-use path along the South Mountain Freeway. Juan Schoville Juan Schoville is a part-time security guard who at 22 ran in the 2020 Phoenix mayoral election. He also describes himself as an ordained minister, indie music producer and “cryptocurrency investor and advocate.” He says he is running to represent “working-class citizens” and lists his priorities as “prevent useless spending,” “repairing the broken relationship between citizens and Phoenix PD,” addressing homelessness and implementing cryptocurrency “into our city.” 

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

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

BUDGET from page 3

issue means districts could find themselves in the same predicament next spring unless it takes up the matter early in the 2023 session. Tempe Union board Vice President Armando Montero called attention during the July 13 meeting to the unresolved issue and asked district Finance Director Roland Carranza what was being done. But Carranza could offer no concrete evidence for much hope at this point, stating “I know there are plans for different groups to have dialogue and discussion on that and hopefully they’ll have it sooner rather than later like they did last (fiscal) year. So it will be wait-and-see but there are plans to have dialogue around that earlier.” Here is a closer look at both districts’ spending plans.

Kyrene

The district’s maintenance and operations budget totals $127.51 million this year and its capital budget totals $26.27 million. Kyrene Chief Financial Officer Chris Herrmann called the additional $51.57

per-student capital funding “a very positive thing for schools” because it’s the first time that allotment has been increased by the state. In actual dollars, though, most homeowners likely will find their tax bills higher because of the dramatic increase in home values. The district also is getting an extra $1.25 million for students requiring more specialized educational support because of dvarious disabilities. The district budget shows special education funding provides a teacher-pupil ratio of 1:22 and a staff ratio of 1:10. As with most districts, Kyrene also is getting an additional $295,000 of funding for free and reduced-price lunches, which Herrmann said likely impacts about a quarter of all Kyrene students. Teacher salaries generally are going up by 3% – from an average annual salary of $53,458 to $55,062.

Tempe Union

Tempe Union’s increase in state funding is tempered by a continuing decline in enrollment since districts’ lion share of that funding is based on a per-pupil formula.

Carranza said the district currently has 436 fewer students now than it did a year ago. Every student means a lot, especially with the additional state funding. The original per-student estimate for M&O funding was $4,534 and now it’s $4,775. The change in DAA capital funding mean per-student allocations went from $562 to $626. But Carranza said he based the district’s anticipated per-pupil state funding on a projection that Tempe Union will see that drop cut in half in the first few months of the fall semester. So the district is projecting that an enrollment decline of 218 students will cost it another $1.4 million in additional funding. “We don’t know where all that’s going to shake out but we will have a better feel for that” around the 40th day of the school year,” Carranza told the board. “So if my estimate of a 218 drop is too low, we will work …to lower what we come back to you with. If my estimate was too high, we will actually have more budget capacity so that we will have a better (enrollment) number to come back with recommendations to you by the October board meeting.”

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Both the primary and secondary tax rates slightly decline in the new fiscal year. The district’s Maintenance & Operations spending totals $128.5 million and its capital budget totals $35.3 million. Teachers are getting a 3% pay increase that brings their average annual salary up from $69,084 to $71,294. Funding for special education is going up from $14.5 million to $20.6 million while funding for gifted education is being reduced from $8.6 million to $6.6 million. The teacher-pupil and staff-pupil ratios for special education are 1:14 and 1:8, respectively. 

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

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

National suicide prevention hotline revs up

NEWS

BY ALEXANDRA CONFORTI Cronkite News

ental health emergencies in the United States have lacked the attention and support they require, resulting in increased suicide rates over past decades, particularly among teens, young adults and people of color. In this 2017 file photo, Elisa Bertram, grandparent of a student Enter 988 – the federally at Queen Creek High School, showed solidarity after five stumandated dialing code used dents died by suicide. A new 988 mental health hotline goes to connect those in need live July 16, providing an easy-to-remember and faster way to to 24/7 suicide prevention get help during a crisis. (Miles Metke/Cronkite News) services. A call or text to the number links indi- 19% involved behavioral health situations. If trained properly, 911 dispatchers viduals with trained counselors who are part of the National Suicide Prevention could transfer crisis calls to 988. Callers then would be connected to counselors Lifeline network. The Federal Communications Commis- who can provide support and resources, sion requires phone providers to make such as access to mobile mental health crisis teams, outpatient follow-up care, 988 accessible by July 16. The Lifeline network’s number (1-800- therapeutic interventions and more. “Mental health professionals are there 273-8255) will remain in operation, but the idea is to provide an easy-to-remem- from beginning to end,” said Benjamin Miller, president of Well Being Trust, a ber and faster way to get help. “The 988 lifeline … will help thousands national foundation working to advance of people overcome crisis situations every the mental, social and spiritual health of day, and it will serve as a universal entry individuals. “That’s a totally different process than point so that no matter where you live, you can reach a trained crisis counselor what happens when you call 911.” Research shows that people with unwho could help,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said at a treated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter. pre-rollout forum in May. “Ideally, the person answering the The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS, is responsible phone (via 988) is trained to handle menfor launching 988 in the state. An advisory tal health crises,” Miller said. “They know what to say to de-escalate, committee has been assembled to guide implementation and ensure the new sys- they know what to say to calm and what to say to help the individual figure out what tem meets the needs of Arizonans. Last year, the state received a $135,000 their next steps might be.” The National Suicide Prevention Lifeaward for planning; an additional $1.9 million grant will help the state recruit, line, which covers the nation with a network of more than 200 crisis centers, has hire and train additional 988 counselors. One goal of the new hotline is to received over 20 million calls since 2005. In 2020, the last year for which data are reduce interactions between those experiencing a mental health crisis and po- available, almost 43,000 of the 2.4 million lice, who often are dispatched to handle calls were from people in Arizona. Calls to Lifeline from the state have increased such situations. A study this year by the Vera Institute 86% since 2016. of Justice examined 911 calls in nine U.S. see HOTLINE page 22 cities, including Tucson, and found about

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HOTLINE from page21

Federal officials predict that 988 could receive up to 7.6 million calls in the first year – requiring $560 million in funding to expand local and state call centers and increase training. So far, 21 states have enacted legislation related to 988, with several appropriating tax dollars or adding telecommunications fees to pay for services, according to the nonpartisan National Academy for State Health Policy. There has been no proposed telecom fee

SAFETY from page 6

but we also have live human review by some of our providers. What that means is things like Google, your students learn online through Google and they collaborate and they talk to each other, not just in chat rooms, but sometimes they use Google Docs to do that. And they’ll talk to each other in a Word doc or in a spreadsheet. “We have software that monitors what

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

in Arizona, however, and no increase in state funding to support the 988 hotline, according to AHCCCS spokeswoman Heidi Capriotti, who said the agency will further develop financial sustainability plans as 988 evolves. Experts say more states need to take action to secure funding for years to come. “If we want 988 to live up to its potential, it needs to be properly funded in every state,” said Molly Candon, a health economist at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2020, Arizona spent about $158 million on crisis services, including 911,

they’re doing. You can pick up bullying. We can pick up somebody’s cry for help with their threatening suicide. We can pick up threats towards the school.” When such evidence is picked up, site administrators are notified and the district command team then evaluates “whether or not to activate something if we have an actual threat. “More often than not, these are bullying, students asking for help,” Nichols added,

through a combination of federal funds and money from the state general fund. In addition to the new 988 line, 23 other crisis lines operating in the state will be consolidated into a single statewide 800 number by October. Beyond funding, some advocates question whether states have enough resources and counselors in place to support 988. One concern is a lack of mental health specialists trained to work with people of different races and ethnicities, or with LBGTQ people. “Cultural competency is a core part of

saying that in such cases, “the school administration works with our psychologist and we start that process.” By the end of a presentation that consumed more than an hour, Fahy acknowledged that there is not just an elevated concern about safety on campuses. “I have to say that I find myself when I go to the grocery store, when I go to the shopping mall, when I go to a movie theater, when I go to, you know, a sport-

the 988 legislation,” Candon said. “Having a shared, lived experience with counselors can be incredibly powerful.” More than a helpline, 988 is an opportunity to rethink approaches to mental health, substance use disorders and suicide prevention, Candon said, including expanding the reach of mobile crisis response teams or opening urgent care facilities that specialize in behavioral health. “My hope is that 988 will help improve the crisis continuum at large,” she said. “My fear is that we won’t prioritize the funding to do this.” 

ing event, I approach that situation now in a very different way,” she said. “I’m looking around for exits I’m looking for which way is the best way out? Where would I hide? What would I do with my kid? All of those things never occurred to me years ago. And it’s alarming. I mean, it makes you maybe not want to go to some of those things. And I think that the places that I just mentioned are not nearly as safe as Kyrene schools.” 

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

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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

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NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

House panel on teen mental health maps work BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

special state House committee on teen mental health in Arizona held its first meeting June 12 with one of the panel’s two co-chairs warning people not to expect any overnight fix. And with that warning by Gilbert state Rep. Travis Grantham, panel co-chair and Goodyear Rep. Joanne Osborne asked the participants to form three or four working groups and come back with specific proposals by September that can be studied and debated through the fall and presented to House Speaker Rusty Bowers before the end of the year. Reacting to a spate of suicides that claimed the lives of at least eight Valley teens between mid-March and mid-May, Bowers, R-Mesa, created the panel of mental health experts to prepare potential solutions and recommendations to public and private agencies that address teen mental health issues and improving access to mental health care. Various experts on June 12 pointed out a variety of data illustrating that more teens – as well as adults – are struggling with anxiety and other mental and emotional issues that only intensified and engulfed more kids during the pandemic. Some experts also noted that access to care is difficult, often because of cost. Despite the steady increase in drug overdose deaths among Arizona kids 17 and under, there were some encouraging signs in 2020, said Sheila Sjolander, assistant director of public health services for the state Department of Health Services. Although data for 2021 won’t be available until November, she said deaths and nonfatal overdoses in that age group declined slightly in 2020, giving what Sjolander called “a glimmer of hope.” Grantham warned the panel and people in the audience against unrealistic hopes for the committee’s work. “There was an understanding that while mental health can be addressed and can be changed and for the better,” he said, “it’s like steering a ship: you turn the wheel and over time, the ship slowly starts to move, hopefully, in the right direction. It’s not an overnight fix.” He said that in relation to teen mental

LEFT: Rep. Joanne Osborne, R-Goodyear, said she wants the House Committee on Teen Mental Health to come up with actionable recommendations by December. RIGHT: Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, warned committee members and others at a hearing last week to not expect much from the panel’s work (Arizona Legislature video) health, the Legislature first wanted to address funding for school resource officers “because if somebody at school is going to have something in their backpacks or do something bad because they’re suicidal or because they have a mental health issue, we at least want every single request for an SRO at a school to be filled before addressing the next step, which was additional counselors and all those mental health programs and things that are important. “But we’ve gotten to a point where even if we threw $10 million at counselors, it wouldn’t change these problems,” Grantham continued, noting that increased funding for SROs was prioritized “to try to at least stop one of these issues from occurring in the first place and then

address the mental health as well. “ On a more general note, Grantham said that after six years in the Legislature, he’s learned that government moves much slower than the private business sector. “We all come down here as legislators thinking we can like just enact or do something and change the trajectory of whatever the issue is,” he said. “It could be taxes. It could be mental health. I’m a business guy too. And government, unfortunately a lot of times, doesn’t work like business.” He told the group that it may want to consider what it actually can do, admitting “this will be a frustrating exercise.” “And that’s hard,” he said. “That’s a really hard thing to come up with. Everybody

Suicide rates among female adolescents in Arizona have been trending upward while those among boys has been heading down, according to the latest available state data, which does not cover 2021. (State Health Services Department)

who’s in these working groups …needs to really focus in on what can government actually do to fix this problem? Can I do anything? Where can we focus our energy that way because the battle next year if we address this will be to get here in January and get at least 31 people in this room, in this chamber to agree to whatever is being proposed. And then 16 across the way and then a governor to sign it into law.” He noted that many agencies “will say ‘we can do that, just give us more money.’ “Well the problem is there’s not enough money for us to give to answer all those questions every year because every agency and every level of government – their asks never go down.” He added, “I wish there was more God in our schools and our families and our federal moral structure in our country. A lot of these problems would be solved. We have a decay occurring that you can’t fix here. But what you can do is at least try to empower the families, give them more of their own resources back to address this internally and encourage them to do it in education. Government can’t legislate morality. We can’t make home life good for this body. All we can do is help create an environment that allows families to have a better home life.” Osborne, who is running in the Aug. 2 Primary Election, expressed a determination to have the committee produce concrete results that can then be addressed in the next Legislative session as well as by the new state administration next year. Stressing that “legislation is only a piece of what we’re doing,” Osborne said the panel also can address some of the gaps that experts and advocates noted – including access to mental health care and treatment. She suggested that some data being generated by agencies that reflect the state of teen mental health could be shared with school districts, churches and nonprofits. “We also have only a short window of time,” Osborne said. “This isn’t something we want to see (drag) in the next year, planning to death and having just a binder at the end of the day. We want to have something that’s pertinent now – within the next six months.” What those working groups come up with won’t be clear until the committee meets in full sometime in September. 

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!! Mesa, AZ – When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with antidepressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects. The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness, numbness, tingling, pain, and balance problems. A lack of nutrients causes the nerves to degenerate – an insidious and often painful process.

cannot survive, and thus, 1. Finding the underlying cause The number of treatments slowly die. This leads to 2. Determining the extent of required varies from patient those painful and frustrating the nerve damage (above to patient, and can only be following an consequences we were talking 95% nerve loss is rarely determined in-depth neurological and about earlier, like weakness, treatable) numbness, tingling, balance 3. The amount of treatment vascular examination. As long as issues, and perhaps even a required for the patient’s you have less than 95% nerve damage, there is hope! burning sensation. unique condition The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “Band-Aid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action. Thankfully, Mesa is the birthplace of a brandnew facility that sheds new light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.

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Back to School AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

WWW.AHWATUKEE.COM

JULY 20, 2022

Portrait of a Kyrene Kid drives school district BY ERIN HELM AFN Guest Writer

yrene School District, over the summer, launched a vision for its students that will be a touchstone for future decision making and the foundation upon which the District’s next strategic plan is built. The Portrait of a Kyrene Kid is a model of the competencies each student should possess by the time they finish 8th grade in Kyrene. The District expects students who

complete their Kyrene education to be: • Adaptable Learners; • Collaborators; • Communicators; • Community Contributors; • Critical Thinkers; • Problem Solvers; • and Self-Advocates. The Portrait is the culmination of a yearlong effort to engage hundreds of stakeholders, including current and former students, staff, District leaders, the Kyrene Governing Board, local business represen-

tatives and other community partners. Each group participated in activities to identify what skills and attributes students will need in order to be successful in the future. The groups imagined not only what students will need to succeed in high school, but also in college, the next generation workplace, and future communities. “I am grateful to our Kyrene community for the time, effort, introspection, and imagination that went into the development of this portrait,” said Superintendent

Laura Toenjes. “It is of the utmost importance that we prepare our students for the classrooms and careers of tomorrow. The pace of change in our world is only increasing, and it is incumbent upon us to equip students with the skills necessary not only to keep up with rapid change but to stay ahead of it.” All Kyrene families and staff were also asked to participate in a visioning survey

ministrators have identified as priorities for the 22/23 school year are establishing positive relationships between the school and home; creating a safe and orderly learning environment; and returning to what we do well - providing a high quality education with positive learning outcomes for all students. Now more than ever, we need our students to be just that - students. We want them to have the experiences that are so key to high school and to the human experience - whether it’s competing in a band championship or attending the varsity football game or acing a science exam. Public education plays a vital role in our communities and neighborhoods and we are proud to be a family of schools that offers excellent opportunities for young people. We pride ourselves on quality programs, caring administrators and teachers, and a high level of excellence in academics, athletics and activities. With the involvement of our families,

our community, and our business and faith-based organizations, we can all forge a new chapter as we look towards a successful future. How can you be involved? Continue to be engaged with your home campus. Reach out and connect with your student’s teachers. Attend an athletic event or extracurricular activity so you can see the spirit and culture of our schools for yourself. Follow your school on social media and keep an eye out for your principal’s newsletters. Our ultimate goal is that families are involved with their neighborhood schools and support their child(ren) and their community. When families and neighborhoods flourish, strong connections are forged, and there are positive outcomes for all involved. One of the ways that we believe we can support our families is to provide consistent experiences between TUHSD and our Tri-District partners – Tempe Elementary and Kyrene school districts.

For the past year, we have been working in a collaborative manner to develop a common calendar that would begin with the 2023/2024 school year. The goal was to work on relevant options that would meet the needs of families, students, and staff at all three districts. After carefully considering input from a wide variety of stakeholders, our respective Governing Boards approved the new calendars. We hope that this will be a step in the right direction for our families who have students in multiple districts. You can find the calendar on our website by clicking on “Calendars and Schedules”. Please remember that this does not affect the upcoming school year but will take effect in August 2023. We share this information with you well in advance so that you may plan accordingly. Thank you for your time, your positivity, and your involvement. We look forward to welcoming your student(s) back to school on Aug. 4. 

see KYRENE page 33

Tempe Union Superintendent addresses families BY DR. KEVIN MENDIVIL AFN Guest Writer

ear TUHSD Families, I hope that you have all had the chance to rest and relax over the past few months. We are looking forward to welcoming students back to our schools on Thursday, Aug. 4 – just a few short weeks away. Much of the work your school and district administrators have undertaken this summer is tightly focused on the idea of a reset. School improvement is a never-ending journey and we know how important it is to both evaluate the past school year and plan accordingly for the future. We also know that our families and students have experienced a wide variety of stress and disruption since March 2020. Certainly, many of us are ready for a reset of our own, in all different areas of life. A few key themes that our school ad-

BACK TO SCHOOL

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Kyrene students get access to instrument museum

and visit the MIM’s galleries all without leaving their classrooms. A variety of virtual field trips are available to varying grade levels including the Virtual STEM Tour for students in kindergarten through 8th grade and the Virtual Musical Menagerie Tour for kindergarten through 2nd grade. New sessions will be available in January. 

AFN NEWS STAFF

yrene students have been granted free access to explore the Musical Instrument Museum’s collection, which showcases instruments from around the world, courtesy of a $26,000 grant from the Scottsdale-based museum. The grant will fund MIM field trip entrance fees for up to 2,000 students as well as staff and chaperones, and fund district-wide access to the MIM’s Virtual Education Programs during the 2022-23 school year. The only remaining costs for field trips will be the cost of school buses to transport students to the museum. MIM is home to a collection of more than 8,000 instruments from at least 200 countries, presenting a highly educational opportunity for Kyrene students. “Thanks to the Musical Instrument Museum, we can offer students a unique way to expand their global awareness and explore cultures from around the

The Musical Instrument Museum is renowned for its collection of guitars and other instruments. (Special to AFN) world,” said Julie Hackmann, Kyrene visual and performing arts coordinator. “That global perspective will be extremely valuable to students in the future, not just in their education but in their future careers.”

Beginning in August, teachers can also host in-classroom field trips for their students through the MIM’s Virtual Educational Programs. The programs offer students a unique way to explore cultures, create music,

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Kyrene del Milenio aims New Niños principal is a to ‘capture kids’ hearts’ a former ‘Kyrene Kid’ AFN NEWS STAFF

yrene del Milenio Elementary School in Tempe is hoping to “capture kids’ hearts” with the launch of a new training program this year. “Kyrene del Milenio staff will embrace their own love for learning through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts initiative,” the district announced last week. The program “is designed to empower schools and staff members to create meaningful connections with students through five key Social-Emotional Learning competencies: Relationship skills, social awareness, self-awareness, self-management and responsible decision-making.” The program is funded through a $56,000 grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family, “As a counselor, it is exciting to be a part of a school staff that is passionate about taking care of their students in every way,” Milenio counselor Katrina Maranville said.

“We are so excited to be implementing the program this fall as we forge ahead and create a healthy and loving environment for all children who enter our campus.” A district spokeswoman said focusing on social-emotional wellness “helps ensure students are set up for success in school and beyond.” “Capturing Kids' Hearts will help us take a huge step forward in that journey as we create a place where kids thrive emotionally and academically,” Maranville said. Milenio Principal Michael Lamp added, “Humans are born without the ability to regulate. As children, we require adult support to meet our needs, and through consistent caregiving and repetition, we learn to regulate on our own. As educators, our primary way to support regulation is through strong relationships with our students. Capturing Kids' Hearts is designed to strengthen those relation-

see MILENIO page 31

BY ERIN HELM AFN Guest Writer

yrene School District has a 100% retention rate among school principals and department directors, heading into the 2022-23 school year. Only one Kyrene leader hung up her principal’s cap last year – Lisa Connor, Kyrene de los Niños – but she didn’t leave the District. She is now a Director of School Effectiveness, working at the main office to support all schools. Stepping up to lead Kyrene de los Niños is Principal Olivia Parry, who previously served as the Niños assistant principal for 10 years. Not only an experienced leader, Principal Parry is also a former Kyrene kid, having spent a total of 30 years in Kyrene, as both a student and an educator. She earned her undergraduate degree

see NIÑOS page 33

OLIVIA PARRY

JULY 20, 2022 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

MILENIOfrom page 30

ships.” The training provided to Milenio staff will not only empower teachers to create intentional relationships with their students, but also empower students to create those same connections with their peers. “Milenio is proud to become a leader in social emotional learning,” Lamp said. “At a campus where every child feels seen and heard, hearts and minds are open and ready to learn.” If successful, Kyrene School District may look into introducing the program to other campuses, a spokeswoman said.. 

BACK TO SCHOOL II

Horizon Honors launches special staff training on mental wellness AFN NEWS STAFF

orizon Honors Schools, 16233 S 48th St., Ahwatukee, is embarking on a new training program for all teachers and other staff as part of a school-wide effort to help students and the rest of the school community recover from the effects of the pandemic. “Over the past two years, everyone has gone through some form of trauma due to the pandemic,” said spokeswoman Melissa Hartley. “Horizon Honors will adopt the adult-first, evidence-based social-emotional learning training program presented in ‘Building Resilience in Students Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Whole-Staff Approach.’ “The training focuses on educator well-being, understanding behavior and trauma-informed social-emotional learning,” she explained, adding all K-12 staff and teachers will focus on a common goal.

Utilizing a workbook, they will aim “to create whole-school change as trauma-informed strategies are integrated into every aspect of a school day.” According to the publisher of “Building Resistance,” more than half of all children “have been exposed to at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), such as poverty, divorce, neglect, homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, or parent incarceration. “These students often enter school with behaviors that don’t blend well with the typical school environment.” The workbook provides concrete steps that teachers and staff can take to address this question: “How can a school community come together and work as a whole to establish a healthy social-emotional climate for students and the staff who support them?” Daily instructional practices address “the different experiences and unique

challenges of students impacted by ACEs in urban, suburban, and rural schools, including suicidal tendencies, cyberbullying, and drugs,” the publisher states. The book was authored by a social worker, behavior specialist and an educational consultant. Hartley said, “All Horizon schools staff members – literally everyone from maintenance to executive director – is attending several days of special training.” Horizon’s K-6 and 7-12 schools start the new year on Aug. 1 with a meet-the-teachers event 1-4 p.m. July 28 for the elementary students and an open house for the secondary school students 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. July 29. Horizon also starts several new classes, including honors courses in exercise science and college math fundamentals, AP Music Theory and AP Computer Science. Information: horizonhonors.org 

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BACK TO SCHOOL

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Kyrene School District Welcomes You to the 2022-23 School Year! The first day of school is Thursday, July 28. Meet the Teacher Nights Monday, July 25: • Middle Schools • Kyrene Traditional Academy grades 6-8 Tuesday, July 26: • Elementary Schools • Kyrene Digital Academy • Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy grades preK-5 Kyrene’s annual “Meet the Teacher” events serve as the official kickoff of the new year, giving families an opportunity to meet teachers and get acquainted with individual schools. Each school will provide families with times and additional details.

Back-to-School Information For information about family communications, supply lists, school lunches, school start/ end times, health and safety strategies, before/after school activities and more, visit our website below.

www.kyrene.org/BacktoSchool • 480-541-1000

LEARNING. LEADING. ACHIEVING. Follow us on social media. #BacktoKyrene

• Comprehensive core curriculum PreK-8 (English language arts, math, science, and social studies) • Arts Integration, International Baccalaureate, Leadership, Traditional, Dual Language, Computer Science, SPARK and Digital Academy • After-school classes and activities offered at most schools

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate Guide Housing market shifts toward more buyer control BY GEOFF GREEN AFN Guest Writer

ow, according to Time Magazine, Arizona experienced a residential real estate price appreciation of 27.5% from the Q1 2021 to Q1 2022, the only state that appreciated faster was Florida with a growth rate of 29.8%. Both Arizona and Florida experienced limited housing supply and rocketing demand – until recently. My analysis was that price growth was

SPO OTLIGHT home

higher than that in the Phoenix area. The question to ask is how much of that value is going to disappear as the market slowly shifts to a more buyeroriented market? Let’s look at the factors that have affected both the supply and demand for housing across the Greater Phoenix area, then we’ll examine the Ahwatukee market in particular.

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Supply rockets upward

More sellers are placing their properties on the market sensing that now might

see MARKET page RE2

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See Page 6

SPO OTLIGHT home

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See Page 6

Listed for $1,450,000

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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.

Majestic Southwest contemporary estate on elevated 1.24-acre hillside lot with stunning mountain and city light views. 5 br, 4.5 ba with 4,924 sq. ft. Resort-style backyard with slate patio, built-in Viking grill, pool, spa, koi pond and ultimate privacy.

Listed for $1,950,000

Listed for $1,325,00

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

How inflation can impact resident, business leases BY BEN GOTTLIEB AFN Guest Writer

fter enduring the COVID-19 pandemic and navigating around a barrage of state and federal executive orders inhibiting landlords’ ability to carry out eviction actions, landlords and tenants are now living in a world facing the highest rates of inflation since the Great Inflation period transpired during the 1970s. High inflation in the overall economy is translating into higher rent being demanded by landlords and carries key implications in the landlord-tenant space, especially since most landlords and tenants have not paid much attention to it lately since inflation has not been a significant news headline in decades.

MARKETfrom page RE1

be the best time to cash in on historically high prices and ease of selling, Unfortunately, new sellers in most cases have missed the top of the market and are having to reduce prices or offer incentives to get their properties sold. If priced properly, houses are still selling but the act of placing a for sale sign in the front yard no longer draws hordes of anxious buyers primed and intent on outbidding each other. Earlier this year during March there were approximately 4,500 residential properties available for sale, an extremely low number compared to historical levels. At the end of June there were 13,500 properties available for sale, about 3 times the number in March. The long-term average for Active resi-

Also, long-term leases – especially commercial leases – usually provide the tenant with an option to renew the lease several years in the future from when the original lease is executed. Some leases (mostly commercial) have provisions addressing inflation in connection with the renewal period in the event a tenant exercises a negotiated option to renew the lease. Extra attention and care should be used in drafting options to renew in leases. Landlords may want to negotiate shorter rental periods and/or have lease provisions addressing escalating rent that accounts for rising rental rates in any renewal period, while tenants should attempt to negotiate rental rate “locks” or modest rent increases. It is important to note that most leases provide the tenant with the option to re-

dential listings in Greater Phoenix is a little more than 27,000 properties. Clearly, the number of residential properties for sale are still below the long-term average but sellers have closed the gap from only 16% of the long-term average to roughly 50% in about 90 days! To me that is a market that has undergone a rapid shift in dynamics. Do these numbers now mean we are in a buyers’ market? I don’t believe the numbers show we are in a buyers’ market but certainly seller price reductions coupled with seller concessions is becoming a real factor in successful transactions.

Buyer demand is doused

A major component of the housing feeding frenzy in March and April of this year was continuing low mortgage

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new the lease. The option must generally be exercised in writing and in accordance with the option to renew clause. If the tenant does not exercise the option to renew but remains at the premises, the tenant will be considered a “holdover tenant.” Lease provisions addressing holdover terms usually contain a higher rental rate and the holdover period runs month-tomonth (meaning the holdover term can be terminated with 30 days’ notice). Many tenants are left scrambling at the end of their lease periods and do not want to renew their lease at a higher rental rate. Ultimately, if the lease is properly terminated by the landlord, the landlord could proceed with an eviction of the tenant. In the residential context, the landlord is not permitted to “lock out” the tenant. Under the Arizona Residential Landlord

interest rates. The recent increase in mortgage rates has certainly reduced the quantity of buyers across just about all price ranges. As any economics student knows, an increase in supply coupled with a decrease in demand will lead to lower price levels. Every 1% increase in mortgage interest rates reduces a buyer’s loan qualification by about 10%. Since January mortgage rates have increased about 3% which has a result of reducing buying capacity for a borrower by roughly 30%. This means that a buyer who qualified to purchase a $500,000 home in January would not qualify for the same loan today.

Zip Codes 85044, 85045, 85048:

Keeping pace with the broader Phoenix Metro area, Ahwatukee has seen a significant increase in properties for sale from the 60s earlier this year to 201 at the end of June. Days of Inventory for Ahwatukee properties remained at a paltry 23 at the end of June compared to the longer-term average of 62.2. Days on Market at the end of June was 24 compared to the long-term average of about 50 days. These market characteristics should be expected to change as transactions shift to be more buyer-controlled.

Tenant Act, the landlord must proceed with a judicial eviction and obtain what is called a Writ of Restitution from the eviction judge. In the commercial realm, if the lease permits a “lock out” remedy, the landlord may simply change the locks if the tenant has defaulted under the lease and need not pursue a judicial eviction. Of course, a landlord cannot raise rent or charge the tenant unauthorized fees in contravention to the lease terms. In all cases, the parties should follow the lease. Patrick MacQueen and Benjamin Gottlieb created a different kind of law firm using state of the art legal software and technology combined with award-winning legal minds to provide the best real estate representation available. If you have additional questions, contact Ben Gottlieb at 602-5332840 or ben@mandglawgroup.com. 

What does this mean?

Sellers should make certain their properties are in excellent condition and priced for a market that has buyers more in control of the transaction. Price reductions or concessions to complete a transaction are becoming more common, overbidding the asking price by aggressive buyers has all be disappeared. When deciding on an asking price any analysis should address the current competition on the market for similar properties coupled with how long the property has been for sale. Focusing on recent closing prices of similar properties is likely to value the property above the market, leading to chasing the market down with price decreases. Buyers can search for aggressively priced properties, research loan programs, and use offer-pricing strategies that can ease the interest rate shock in the first few years of home ownership. Several lenders offer loan programs that can employ seller concessions to buy down mortgage interest rates, thereby increasing buyer qualification amounts. Geoff Green is a local real estate expert and realtor at Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living. Studying the local and national market daily enables buyers, sellers, & investors to optimize transaction values and maximize investment income. Reach him at 602 790 2927 or geoffgreen@kw.com. 

REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Here are some signs of the changing market BY BONNY HOLLAND AFN Guest Writer

he real estate market in Phoenix – and across the country – has been in an extreme sellers’ market for more than two years. Demand for homes has been high, inventory has been low and mortgage rates dropped to historically low levels. Sellers have been holding the upper hand in negotiations with few, if any, concessions being offered to buyers.

Now suddenly, the market has shifted dramatically and unexpectedly. We are seeing a large increase in inventory, home prices continue to go up, mortgage rates are up and homes are staying on the market longer. • Active Listings: January 2022: 5,700; this month: 15,000. • Days on the market: January 2022: July 2022: 52. • Mortgage Rates: January 2022: 3.22%; July 2022: 5.70% Here is a quick look at the market in Ahwatukee for:

• Active Listings: January 2022: 22; July 2022: 103 (a 264% increase). • Days on the market: January 2022: 35; July 2022: 78 The market shifted very quickly – much faster than was expected due to inflation and the Fed rate hike. The strong sellers’ market is over and we are moving quickly towards a balanced market. As for the rest of the year, it is difficult to predict. Projected inventory gains have gone from 0.3% for 2022 to 15%. Prices are projected to level out but still climb at a moderate rate. Affordability for buyers

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will continue to depend on inflation and the Fed. There are many opportunities for buyers and sellers in this market and it is more important than ever to consult a real estate professional to guide you through this market. Please reach out to us to discuss your individual situation so we can help you navigate the rapidly changing market. Bonny Holland can be reached at bonny@LeadingLuxuryExperts.com or 602369-1085 

Build-to-rent homes gaining market dominance AFN NEWS STAFF

new study says the Phoenix Metro area leads the nation in buildto-rent houses and more are on the way – including in Ahwatukee. “There are currently 6,420 BTR houses in this metropolitan area, making it the most populous area in the U.S. for this type of housing,” said Adam Graham, an industry analyst at Fixr.com, a website that provides guides, comparisons, and term cheat sheets for remodeling, installation and repair projects. The next two metropolitan areas in the top three nationally for build-to-rent houses – Columbus, Ohio, and Dallas, Texas – are relatively far behind Phoenix with 4,780 and 4,290 homes, Other metro areas with more than 3,000 BTR houses are Houston (3,600), Riverside, California (3,540), Las Vegas (3,260) and Kansas City Metro (3,170). Build-to-rent has been a growing trend across the Valley in the last two years. Blandford Homes’ mammoth Upper Canyon development on 373 acres of former State Trust Land along Chandler Boulevard between 19th and 27th avenues, for example, will include 150 buildto-rent townhouses along with 1,050 traditional-sale single-family homes and 329 apartment units. The Empire Group in Scottsdale last December unveiled plans for 144 single-family rental homes on 14 acres of Schnepf Farms – the celebrated Queen Creek agrotainment venue best known for its peach festivals and annual October

This chart projects the growth national in build-for-rent single-family homes and townhouses. (Hunter Housing Economics) Pumpkin and Chili Party . The Village at Schnepf Farms is the company’s seventh in the Valley and one of 21 projects in a market area stretching from Casa Grande to Prescott. Fixr.com said single-family rental home construction nationally increased 106% so far this year over all of 2021, which saw a 36% increase in rental home construction over 2020. According to data taken from RentCafe, at least 13,910 SF BTR homes are under construction in the U.S. and 2022 is considered a likely breakthrough year in their popularity with real estate developers and investors. And that’s because soaring home prices and mortgage costs are making it increasingly more difficult for first-time

buyers to find a house to buy, experts say. That sector of the housing market “will continue to grow so long as we have an inflated housing market,” Sarah Cunningham, owner of Ethos Design + Build|Remodel told fixr.com. “They are designed for long-term renters, but they are also creating housing stock that is not designed for home ownership and continues to make it difficult for firsttime buyers.” Hunter Housing Economics, a real estate analytics company, said more young families are turning to rental homes because they want their children to have a yard and a safer neighborhood. Fixr said it polled professional remodelers who said more people want patios, decks, and balconies, proximity to parks

and green space, and other amenities that they can’t find in apartment complexes. Meanwhile build-to-rent also appeals to people who would prefer even routine landscaping as well as other maintenance to be done by someone else so they can pursue more enjoyable pastimes. And builders are responding by making sure rental homes are constructed in a way that withstands the punishment of day-to-day living. “When a BTR builder constructs a home, it is with a great deal of attention to durability and ease of maintenance,” said Housing Analytics President Brad Hunter. “That builder (or the investor/ operator partner of that builder) knows

see RENT TO OWN page RE7

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Big sales Two recent home sales in Ahwatukee topped the seven-figure mark. The top home, on S. 5th Avenue, sold for $1.1 million The 2,754-square-foot home, built in 1999, has four bedrooms and 3 ½ bathrooms with a backyard overlooking a wash and mountains. Amenities included a new kitchen with high-end appliances, including a gas stove, and a gas fireplace. The home in the lower photo, on S. 36th Street, has four bedrooms and three baths. The 4,324-square-foot home was built in 1988. (Special to AFN)

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

4082 sqft 5 bedrooms, 4 baths

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4212 SqFt, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

5 credit mistakes that can harm mortgage success AFN NEWS SERVICES

hen it comes to shopping for a mortgage to buy a house, one critical factor to check is your credit score. Lenders use your credit score (aka FICO score) to decide whether to loan you money to buy a home and at what interest rate. “Lenders grant credit based on their confidence you can be trusted to pay back what you borrowed,” says Stephen Rosen, head of sales at mortgage company Better. “If you are worthy of a lender’s financial trust, you are said to be creditworthy, or to have ‘good credit.’ Building credit is almost like building a reputation with lenders.” Credit scores range from 300 to 850. While the definition of good/bad credit varies slightly from creditor to creditor,

here’s a general rundown: Excellent credit score: 750–850 Good credit score: 700–749 Fair credit score: 650–699 Poor credit score: 649 and lower Unfortunately, it’s easy to make mistakes that lower your credit score and jeopardize your odds of getting a home loan. Here are the five worst credit mistakes a homebuyer can make—plus how to turn things around and get your credit back on track.

History of late or missing payments Whether or not you’ve paid your bills is a top concern for lenders. As such, your payment history makes up 35% of your credit score. Late payments, missed payments, and loan defaults like tax liens take a heavy toll on credit. Even worse, if you have not made a payment on your credit card debts for

a while—six months or more—your creditor can “charge off” your account as uncollectable and sell it to a collection agency. The obvious fix here is to pay off your debts on time or by remembering your monthly payment. If auto-paying isn’t your thing, set calendar reminders for each bill’s due date to make sure everything gets paid on time, Rosen suggests. High credit balances Your debt load makes up 30% of your credit score. As such, carrying a high credit card balance can also drag down your score. Ideally, you want your credit utilization—the amount of debt you have compared with your credit limit—to be low, about 30% to 40% of your credit limit. So if you have a $5,000 credit limit, us-

ing $2,000 a month rather than maxing out the whole $5,000 will help you build a better credit score. Set up credit card alerts so you can keep up with how much of your credit limit is being used.

Short or spotty credit history The length of your credit history makes up 15% of your score. And the longer your accounts remain open, the better. This includes your credit cards, student loans, car loans, or rental history. Lenders will want the client to have more than 24 months of credit history. If you have old credit cards that are still good but you don’t use them, don’t close those accounts. Closing paid-off credit cards can actually harm your credit score, as it reduces the overall length of

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4083, 4 (+5) bedrooms, 3.5 baths

SIERRA CANYON

see CREDIT page RE7

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re6

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

SPO OTLIGHT home PHOENIX | Canyon Reserve

14222 S Canyon Dr

5169 sqft, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths

FEATURED LISTING

Must see! True Custom Home located in the beautiful, gated community of Canyon Reserve

Offered at $1,999,000 Bonny Holland 602.369.1085 www.LeadingLuxuryExperts.com

ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING LOTS AVAILABLE IN AHWATUKEE!!

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SUMMERHILL ESTATES Enjoy superb mountain views from custom single-level luxury home in gated Summerhill. Exquisite courtyard entry opens to spectacular foyer and gorgeous travertine flooring throughout. Spacious gourmet kitchen boasts large island with bar top, stainless viking appliances, granite countertops, custom alder cabinetry, walk-in pantry, desk and breakfast room. Stacked-stone fireplace in family room. Theatre room with components and recliner seating. Master suite features two-way fireplace, sitting room with wet bar, patio access and connected office. Meticulously maintained and move-in ready with 2022 interior paint. Trane hvac units replaced in 2018 and 2019. Backyard amenities include extended covered patio with pavers, built-in bbq, fireplace, plus pebble tec pool with waterfall and spa.

LOCATED IN FOOTHILLS MOUNTAIN RANCH ESTATES!! OVER 5 ACRE HILLSIDE LOT WITH STUNNING MOUNTAIN VIEWS FROM EVERY DIRECTION*BUILD YOUR DREAM CUSTOM ESTATE OR BUILD MULTIPLE HOMES ON THIS SIGHT*ZONED R3*THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS ON THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY*THERE IS NOT ANOTHER PIECE OF LAND IN AHWATUKEE THAT OFFERS THIS MANY BUILDABLE ACRES*NO HOA*LOCATED AT THE END OF A CUL-DESAC*BE THE KING OF THE HILL WITH VIEWS ALL THE WAY TO FOUR PEAKS*PLANS AVAILABLE AND OTHER CUSTOM HOME OPTIONS AVAILABLE FROM A WELL KNOW AHWATUKEE CUSTOM HOME BUILDER*DO NOT MISS THIS AMAZING HILLSIDE LOT IN AN AMAZING LOCATION!!!!

Floor plan includes both a formal living and dining room. Exquisite touches throughout include 24” polished travertine flooring, plantation shutters, emerson ceiling fans, surround sound speakers, crown molding and solid core 8’ doors. Master bathroom features include granite counters, stone tub and shower surrounds, large walk-in shower with two shower heads including rain head, Jacuzzi tub, raised-panel alder cabinetry and large walk-in closet. Two secondary bedrooms feature ensuite baths. Third secondary bedroom with built-in cabinetry. Fifth bedroom is a den with no closet off of the master suite. Secondary bathrooms all feature stone counters and shower surrounds. Huge laundry room with extra cabinetry, stone counters and sink. Extended outdoor living space from large covered patio with gorgeous pavers throughout. 3-Car-garage with Tesla charging station. Reduced energy costs from existing solar panels.

Listed for $1,450,000

5 Acre Lot Listed for $499,000

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SOLD

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

CREDIT from page RE5 your credit history.

Limited mix of credit Credit mix is the variety of loans in your credit file, such as credit cards, student loans, and car loans. Having a mix of credit is good, because it demonstrates you can juggle paying off several different debts at a time. A mix of credit contributes to 10% of your credit score. However, don’t open extra credit cards or take out new loans for the sake of having a good mix of credit if you can’t handle paying them. Too much new credit New credit makes up 10% of your score. What lenders don’t want to see is that you have opened numerous lowlimit credit card accounts, or put in multiple applications for new credit within a short period of time. They interpret this as a signal that you have difficulty handling credit. Furthermore, opening new lines of credit decreases the average length of your credit history, which can also hurt your score. You could have too much credit if you

480-706-7234 ! LD O S

struggle to make your monthly payments, and have a high amount of debt— especially new debt. So avoid opening new lines of credit unless necessary and when you know you can pay your bill each month. If you’ve made a credit mistake like one of those listed above, it’s not the end of the world. However, it will take time, so be patient. Some of the items that stay on your credit report for years include the following: • Bankruptcy: seven to 10 years • Foreclosure/mortgage default: seven years • Tax liens (unpaid property tax): up to 10 years for unpaid liens • Charged-off accounts: seven years • Lawsuits and judgments: seven years (even if a judgment has been satisfied) Past credit score blemishes won’t necessarily prevent you from getting a mortgage, however. Talk with your lender and be prepared to explain what happened in the past and what steps you have made to correct the issue. This report was provided by Realtor. com. 

Estate living with refined tranquility in exquisite setting. Meticulous stonework adorns entire exterior of home.

! W NE

Listed for $1,790,000

4BR / 2 BA / 1,824 SQFT Enjoy remodeled kitchen, baths, flooring and much more in the heart of Ahwatukee.

! W E N

GOT NEWS?

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

3BR / 3 BA / 2,166 SQFT Split master suite plus secondary bedroom could be a separate guest suite. 2015 kitchen remodel and AC.

Ahwatukee Custom Estates ! LD O S

Listed for $575,000

Crimson Ridge

that this home has to be able to withstand and resist pet damage, spills, and other mishaps.” “That’s why most of the projects I’m seeing in the BTR world feature luxury vinyl plank flooring, which looks great, and is very resistant to scratches and will not warp if a drink is spilled on it. I’m also seeing home designs that allow maintenance workers to service the air conditioning systems and other HVAC systems via the garage, which is less intrusive for the tenants.” Hunter told fixr that demand among investors for BTR projects “is already increasing rapidly, and the surge in mortgage rates has only accelerated the growth.” Forbes quoted Scottsdale land sales expert Greg Vogel, who said 10% of all land sales in the Valley this year have been to

Ahwatukee’s #1 Team for Over 30 Years 7BR / 4.5 BA / 8,873 SQFT

Circle G at Riggs Ranch

RENT TO OWN from page RE3

5 BR / 4.5 BA / 4,820 SQFT Custom home in the heart of Ahwatukee with ensuite bathrooms and 2021 exterior paint.

Mike Mendoza MendozaTeam.com

! LD O S

Listed For $795,000

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

Sanctuary ! LD O S

Listed for $1,950,000

5 BR / 4.5 BA / 4,405 SQFT Superb mountain views from single-level custom with 2022 interior paint and 2019 HVAC.

Listed for $1,450,000

Listed for $1,395,000

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

re7

build-to-rent developers and that this trend likely will increase. “Rental yields are starting to allow BFR investors to outbid the homebuilders,” Forbes reported. “In our research, we have seen single-family rents rising by 7% to 10% a year over the past twelve months in many areas. Within a given BFR community, rents are being escalated at rates faster than this, particularly when a tenant moves out and the next one comes in.” Fixr raised concerns about the trend, quoting one analyst as observing that while BTR might be good for investors, it’s not that great for communities. “It’s making it harder for people to access homeownership,” the analyst said. “When that opportunity is taken away, like it is in communities like mine where there’s already low housing stock, it’s harder for people to create personal and generational wealth.” 

Summerhill Estates

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

re8

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

$1,375,000

SOLD!

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

Calabrea

SOLD!

$1,339,000

Ahwatukee Custom Estates $1,750,000

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!

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 one is a show stopper!!! over 4200sqft of luxury on a preserve hillside lot in a cul-de-sac, 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath with andThis previewed with 24family hourroom notice andkitchen appointment only. aentertaining. bonus room, formalCan living &be dining room w/soaring ceilings, w/fireplace, includes:s/s appliances,

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

slab granite, island, & recessed led lights, breakfast nook, gigantic master bedroom with the most amazing preserve views, custom master bath w/walk-in shower, freestanding tub, his/her vanities, & large walk-in closet, all bedrooms are extremely large with walk-in closets, views from every room, laundry room w/built-in cabinets & sink, extended length 3 car garage w/ epoxy, guest bedroom downstairs, paradise backyard w/covered patio, grassy play area, firepit, & custom new pool & jacuzzi 2020, this amazing home is truly stunning and checks all of the boxes!!

www.GenoRoss.com Donna Leeds

�

TOP GRI, ABR REALTOR

949.310.5673

lf"fl!

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

Foothills $499,000

Mountain Park Ranch $679,000

Canyon Verde $899,000

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

Ahwatukee Agent 2020

Geno Ross

602.751.2121

wwwBestAgentWUSA.com

Making Ahwatukee

Home Dreams Come True Since 1986

hwatukee s Come True 1986

www.WestUSA.com I 480.893.0600

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

Sun City

Foothills Reserve

Scottsdale Troon PENDING!

$629,500

$325.00

GORGEOUS HOME!! 3 bedroom 2.5 baths 2,469 sq ft. Soaring ceilings as you enter the Formal Living and Dining Area. Kitchen is a Cook’s delight-upgraded staggered Oak Cabinets with Crown molding and Corian Countertops with Island, Gas Stove. Bright Breakfast Nook overlooking beautifully maintained Backyard and Views of Preserve. Nice Loft upstairs and Tons of Natural Light and Mountain Views from Upstairs Bedrooms. Upgraded Ceiling Fans, Sparkling Play Pool with Rock Water Features highlights the amazing Lot position with no rear neighbors and a beautiful backdrop of Desert Preserve!

Fantastic opportunity to own a home in the heart of Sun City right by the newly renovated fairway recreation center and Sun City South Golf Course. 2BD/2BTH provides an excellent retirement opportunity. Home includes leased solar, 12x32 screened in back porch, huge backyard with citrus trees and your very own putting green. New carpet in both bedrooms and living room. Wine pantry. Fresh paint inside. Age restriction is 55+

5 bedroom / 3 bath, 3,506 SqFt, Cul-de-sac location with huge backyard, sports court, built-in BBQ, mature shade trees, very private backing to wash. Good size bedrooms, master downstai5. Features a large office with balcony, plus office/loft with built-in bookcase and 3 full baths. Th� home is perfect for family gatherings and entertaining. Can be previewed with 24 hour notice and appointment only.

Donna Leeds

GRI, ABR

949.310.5673

Ahwatukee Retirement Community

$457,500

SOLD!

Home backs up the 8th Fairway of the Ahwatukee Country Club with great view of South Mountain. Close to Golf, Restaurants, Shopping, the I-10 and Medical Facilities. Sit on your extended covered patio and watch the sun set. Enjoy all the amenities of the Ahwatukee Recreation Center with a large outdoor pool, heated indoor saltwater pool, Sauna, Spa, Gym, woodworking shop and more!

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

Skye Top at Troon! Beautiful interior boasts earthy palette, Saltillo tile, soaring plank ceilings, beautiful light fixtures, plantation shutters throughout, & a bright living room w/a cladding stone fireplace that opens to the back patio merging the indoor living with the outdoors. Kitchen features designer paint, upgraded cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, recessed lighting, and a breakfast nook. The primary bedroom offers soft carpet, tons of natural light, a walk-through closet, and a lavish ensuite w/a dual sinks vanity & a soaking tub. Breathtaking mountain views from the private balcony!

Custom home on flat 3.3 acres with horse arena and room to roam. City water! Custom Santa Fe style 4 bedroom with tons of upgrades. Travertine tile galore, family room and other bedrooms also have tile. Kitchen has been upgraded with quartz counter tops, white cabinets and all stainless steel appliances convey. Custom doors and woodwork throughout home. Also, lots of tile work in bathrooms and other upgrades. Over $30,000 spent on upgraded doors and windows.

Donna Leeds

lf"fl!

GRI, ABR

lf"fl!

wwwBestAgentWUSA.com

Ahwatukee

Mountain Park Ranch

SOLD!

Location location! Conveniently located minutes from I-10, Ahwatukee country Club, park, shopping and dining. Bright open floorplan. New windows in 2015. Tile throughout. Large backyard with covered patio.

Geri Thompson 480-239-7589 thompson_geralyn@yahoo.com

Carlos Martinez 480-751-8866 teammartinez11@gmail.com

�

949.310.5673

wwwBestAgentWUSA.com

$360,000

$580,000

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

�

SOLD!

$699,000

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

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

Thunderbird Farms South

Foothills Reserve

$874,900 Original owner TW home nestled on 1/3 of an acre in the quiet neighborhood with stunning Mountain Views. Spacious single level home features 4 lrg bedrooms +Den/LR, 2.5 baths, w/ 3 car garage. Upon entering, you are greeted by soaring ceilings, open layout, inviting fireplace & wet bar w/ views to your backyard oasis. Gourmet chef’s kitchen is complete with Thermador appliances, custom cabinetry & granite countertops. Backyard is complete with Refreshing Pool, Built in BBQ, Large grassy area & immense Sport/PICKLEBALL Court. Located in Mountain Park Ranch with community pools, volleyball, tennis/PB and in Kyrene School District.

Jill Ostendorp 480-678-7308 jillo@homesbyjillo.com

Beautiful move-in-ready 4 bed, 2.5 bath. 3,002 sq ft. Upgraded kitchen with lots of counters! SS appliances, granite, upgraded cabinetry overlook a highly upgraded pool. Master bedroom deck has INCREDIBLE vistas East, incl. South Mountain. Formal living and dining rooms, upgraded paint and flooring are just part of the fun of this home. A new TESLA solar/ battery system saves tons of $$. Nearby NEW Phoenix city park for hiking and biking, easy access off the 202.

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

JULY 20, 2022 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

KYRENE from page 27

last February. The results of that survey helped shape the Portrait and will also be used as a reference when mapping out the District’s next five years.

NIÑOSfrom page 30

in special education from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University. She began her career in Kyrene, teaching students with learning and emotional disabilities. Her passion for supporting students with special needs is matched only by her passion for the students, staff, and families of Kyrene de los Niños. “Kyrene de los Niños captured my heart 10 years ago,” Parry said. “Leading a school I love is invigorating. I’m excited to continue to inspire growth so all students and staff can experience success.” Kyrene has hired only one outside candidate for a school principal or department director position in the last four years. Superintendent Laura Toenjes says creating pathways for professional growth is a key facet of the District’s ongoing retention strategies. “The fact that Kyrene continues to find the best candidates among our own ranks, year after year, is no accident. It is a testament to our commitment to professional growth for educators, support staff and all future leaders,” Toenjes said. “We hire the best people, and we want to keep the best people, so they can then lead the next generation of Team Kyrene.”

Kyrene’s Strategic Plan 2022 is coming to an end, and the Governing Board will launch a new strategic plan in January 2023. The Portrait of a Kyrene Kid is the first step in planning, as it will be a cornerstone of the new plan. 

BACK TO SCHOOL

The Kyrene Aspiring Leaders Academy (KALA) has been key to that work, preparing teachers to be the District’s next principals and assistant principals. This year, Kyrene is expanding KALA to create a leadership training program specifically for employees who are interested in leadership positions beyond the school building. “It is with great pride that we are expanding the successful Kyrene Aspiring Leaders Academy to our non-teaching staff with a special learning track specifically for the talented employees who work outside of our classrooms,” said Director of Professional Growth and Development Jo Shurman. “We look forward to seeing this new cohort develop and enhance their natural leadership skills through the KALA General Leadership Track.” KALA was established in 2011 with the goal of providing opportunities for advancement. The Academy is a free, two-year program offering training and experiential learning opportunities for motivated, emerging leaders. Areas of study for the General Leadership Track will include organizational strategy, workplace culture, leadership styles, meeting facilitation, capacity building, problem solving, and conceptual This graphic shows the competencies that the school district aims to help every “Kyrene Kid” develop thinking, along with practical train- over the course of their education in pre-K through 8th grade. (Kyrene School District) ing in hiring, finance, and policy. 

BACK TO SCHOOL

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Community

@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

www.ahwatukee.com

Ahwatukee ‘Miracle Man’ survives heart failure BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

orty minutes without a pulse or heartbeat. Given up as dead. That is the experience of Ahwatukee resident Jerry Ervin – a father of three, husband to Allison Ervin and international speaker, leadership coach and trainer – after suddenly collapsing while going about his routine one day last month. “I’m a healthy 52-year-old and yet, on June 16, I collapsed while riding a treadmill at the gym,” Ervin said. “I went 40 minutes without a pulse. When my wife arrived at the hospital at around the 38th minute, they were ready to pronounce me dead.” Upon being notified of her husband’s collapse by the EOS gym, Allison Ervin rushed to Chandler Regional Medical Center to be at her husband’s side. The couple are anticipating their 25th wedding anniversary in December. Her Bethel Chandler Church Pastor Mike

It’s no secret why Ahwatukee resident Jerry Ervin smiles broadly: he literally was at death’s door after having no pulse for 40 minutes. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)

Gowans prayed with her by phone the entire way to the hospital, while his wife, Pas-

tor Julie Gowans, set the church’s prayer chain in motion. Seeing her husband in the emergency room was an unsettling experience for Allison. And then, being led away to a quiet area where she was told to expect, at best, Jerry might awake with severe brain damage brought her additional angst. It was while she was hearing these sobering words and attempting to comprehend what it meant for her and her family, another doctor emerged to proclaim they’d found a pulse. That was the first of many miracles for Ervin after suffering a major heart attack. “I remained on life support for a few days,” he recalled. “Some doctors informed my wife and family that the expected outcome didn’t look good. It was possible I’d be on life support for a long time or, even if I got off of life support, because I’d been 40 minutes without a pulse and oxygen to my brain, that my brain would be severely damaged and I’d be in a vegetable state.”

Faith heard the prognosis yet believed for a better outcome. “My family, pastors and other friends listened to the doctors’ reports, but said God gave them a peace about believing that I was going to come out of this better than what they were suggesting,” she said. “The doctors all did a great job and had to give my family the facts based on what they saw, but God superseded their projected statements.” While the family waited bedside, friends and colleagues from around the world wrote to assure them they were praying for Jerry. His church, where he and Allison are leaders of the church’s Young Adult Ministry, continued their prayers. It was time for yet another miracle – or several. “It was the fifth day when my wife and mother were in the room with me and my mother asked me if I could move my

Foundation hopes Aug. 6 gala can counter inflation’s impact BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

ttendees at Armer Foundation for Kids’ third annual gala Aug. 6 will be able to meet many of the ‘Armer Kids’ and their families who have been or are currently receiving help from the Ahwatukee-based nonprofit. This year, the introduction will be by way of a video filmed and edited by South Mountain Films whose owners, Raphael and Susan Isaac, live in Ahwatukee. At least nine families are featured on the video to be shown at the gala, the foundation’s largest fundraiser

of the year. As with many nonprofits, income has dropped and that means other families seeking assistance to help with their medical bills and other expenditures brought on by a child’s sudden illness or disease have to be turned away. “Unfortunately, with times being tough for everyone, our donations have slowed down. Meaning, we are in a tough position having to turn families away that are struggling while their kids are fighting,” said co-founder Jennifer Armer, who with her husband Matt started the nonprofit in 2019. The gala will be held at Ashley

see MIRACLE page 38

Castle, 1300 Price Road, Chandler from 5 to 10 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at Armerfoundation. org, or at the Armer Foundation for Kids Thrift Shop at 9830 S. 51st in Ahwatukee or by calling 480-2573254. “This night is always a special one for us,” said Jennifer Armer. “Not only is it our biggest fundraiser of the year but it’s also a great time for everyone to hear the inspirational stories of the families that have been helped over the years, and shows the difference our fundraising dol- Susan Trent and her daughter Hope, who suffers from a prolonged brain tumor, are among the nine families profiled in a video that lars have made in the community. will be shown at the Armer Foundation for Kids’ Aug. 6 gala.

see ARMER page 37 (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Teen runs urgent drive for reusable water bottles AFN NEWS STAFF

t age 16, Elia Woods of Ahwatukee is not only active at Desert Vista High School, where she will be starting her junior year, but also is active in helping some of the neediest people in the Valley. She volunteers at Paz de Christo, an organization that serves daily meals to those in need. She and her mother, Sarah Woods, are active members of the National Charity League, a mother-daughter organization that embraces community service and leadership development. And it was serving meals for Paz de Christo that inspired Elia to launch a charity drive – one she is approaching with a great deal of urgency because of summer temperatures. Paz de Christo Community Center helps those struggling with hunger, poverty and homelessness. Their mission is to feed, clothe and empower those in need. Paz de Christo provides more than 20,000 meals a month at its Mesa location. More than 15,600 people were served in 2020. Elia has enlisted the aid of a variety of businesses not only in Ahwatukee but in other East Valley cities to collect reus-

ARMER from page 36

“It’s always our goal to ensure that no child should see their family stressed due to a medical condition, and this evening helps us do just that.” Armer said attending the gala will help the nonprofit’s coffers, as will additional donations on their webpage ArmerFoundation.org. “If you can’t attend, even just spreading the word to friends and family about what we are trying to do is always appreciated,” she said. One of the first families interviewed and filmed by South Mountain Films was Ahwatukee resident Ann Trent and her daughter Hope, 13. It has been a long haul for the two of them starting with Hope’s unexplained dizzy spells and headaches. Then, in the first week of December 2020, Ann Trent was told the doctors had found a mass. Her only daughter had a rare childhood brain tumor known as Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma.

Elia Woods of Ahwatukee has enlisted a number of area stores s collection points for reusable water bottles to help needy Valley people, starting with the approximate 200 people who are provided meals by Paz de Christo. If she collects more, she plans to give them to other nonprofits to help their clients. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer) able water bottles to ease the burden of only a few guests had either a Circle K cup, parched men and women who can’t afford a crinkled plastic water bottle, or most had to just walk into a convenience store and nothing at all to store water,” Elia explained. buy a disposable bottle of water. “They kept coming back to use small coffee “One evening, while serving, I noticed Styrofoam cups for drink refills.

craniotomy to access and resect the tumor, and have two plates inserted in her head. In the year and a half since her diagnosis, Hope has endured numerous procedures, said her mother. “Hope has been in the MRI tube 11 times now,” Susan said, “She’s had nine MRIs, an MRA (magnetic resonance angiogram), and an MRV (magnetic resonance venography). Also notable is that she’s had excruciating occipital nerve-blocking injections into the back of her head, and three rounds of 31 Botox injections all over her head and neck. Nothing has worked. Nothing.” Raphael and Susan Isaac, Ahwatukee residents and owners “Hope’s latest med to reduce of South Mountain Films, have interviewed nine families her cerebrospinal fluid is not helped by the Armer Foundation for Kids for a video that making her feel any better, sadwill be shown at the foundation’s Aug. 6 gala. (Facebook) ly,” her mother continued. “In She was admitted to Phoenix Children’s an appointment with her neurologist last Hospital’s ICU and on Dec. 8 underwent week, Hope was to discontinue that medisurgery to remove the tumor, receive a cation immediately, allow a few days for it

“My mother and I approached Paz de Christo and asked if they would be interested in doing a drive,” she continued. “They were excited for us to put together a drive on their behalf. Their location serves close to 200 guests and were looking for that amount.” “Approaching July, the hottest time of the year, I knew I had to act quickly. It came together in less than a week, while asking businesses, decorating boxes and promoting by word of mouth.” Because she wanted to cast a wide net, Elia figured she’d reach out to the business community, and started with Bike Masters in Ahwatukee. “It seemed like a good fit with the biking community utilizing water bottles daily,” she explained. “They liked the idea and had suggested that we could put boxes to drop off reusable water bottles, not only in Ahwatukee, but at each of their five locations in Phoenix, East and North Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek. “We then approached other businesses in the Ahwatukee area, including Chris’ Water and Ice, Mountainside Martial Arts and Zzeeks Pizza, trying to cover the whole Ahwatukee area.”

see BOTTLES page 39

to get out of her system, and be admitted for a lumbar puncture to check the pressure of her cerebrospinal fluid as well as check for inflammation. “If the labs come back good, she’ll start a high dose IV migraine medication.” Her daughter is also slated to see a gastroenterologist to hopefully help her overcome the chronic stomach pain and nausea she’s experienced these past months. Ann and Hope Trent recount their story for the video and depending on Hope’s progress, they plan to attend. Despite the continuing health setbacks, and its mental toll on mother and daughter, Trent said she wants to show her gratitude to The Armer Foundation. She says the foundation has helped her through difficult emotional and financial struggles. “Goodness, it’s hard for me to express in words what The Armer Foundation means to me,” Susan said. “They’ve saved me from drowning in medical debt. I’m a single mom living on a pub-

see ARMER page 39

COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

MIRACLE from page 36

toes, and I did,” Ervin said. “Then she asked me to squeeze her hand, and I did. This was the first sign of me being aware and responsive. So they decided to take the tube out of my throat and take me off life support to see if I could breathe on my own. Amazingly, I was able to breathe without assistance, and later began talking to people that came to visit me.” Allison, owner of an Ahwatukee hair salon, recalled the five days of sitting at her husband’s bedside were tumultuous. “Throughout the five days there were a lot of ups and downs, but we had a big support system with family, friends and our church community. It was an emotional roller coaster listening to the doctors’ prognosis, but at the same time continuing to believe God for a good outcome,” she said. “It was difficult at times to manage the family with all of the responsibilities, but I knew that I had to stay strong for Jerry and our family. I am just so thankful that Jerry beat the odds and it’s amazing how fast he’s healing and has recovered.” Jerry concurs with her amazement. “Everyone was amazed because within a week of this all happening, I was sitting up talking to people. I was able to eat and drink with no problem and my brain was perfectly normal. I was comprehending things and remembering activities that they were asking me about.” Ervin, his wide engaging smile back in place, gives thanks to God and the many people who prayed for him through this unexpected and near-knock-out punch. “With an army of believers praying for me around the world, God did a miracle. Within five days, I was talking, coherent and responding to doctors, family and

friends,” he said at home. “My brain was perfectly normal, and I was comprehending things, and remembering activities that they asked about.” When he walked through the floors of the hospital, Ervin was surprised to be the focus of many other patients. “I was able to walk on my own, and as I walked the floor of the hospital, everyone was calling me ‘The Miracle Man’, and were coming up to me and introducing themselves. It all didn’t make sense at first until family and friends started to come in and tell me what all had happened, he said. “I didn’t understand that my story had spread all throughout the hospital and even doctors and nurses were calling me Miracle Man when they saw me. This made me even more emotional because God had touched the hearts of medical professionals and they knew that this was a miracle because there was no medical explanation as to why I was walking around, talking, eating, etc.” When asked if he recalled any ‘out of body’ experiences, he recounted a night time vision that moved him to tears. “About a week later after my heart attack, I was up late one night and I was thinking about all that I had heard from people and I was just crying thanking God for His love and grace. Then as I had my eyes closed, I saw for a brief moment a white silhouette figure and there was a gray-like mist all around him. I saw him from the back and he was walking slowly,” Ervin recalled. “Then I noticed from the back that he was carrying me like the way a parent picks up their child that fell asleep on a couch and lifts them to carry them to bed. Of course, I started bawling my eyes out because I realized at that moment that Jesus had carried me through this situation

Ahwatukee Kiwanis lists speakers at its meetings

Ahwatukee GOP Women to host Yee, Ward at meeting next Tuesday

AROUND AHWATUKEE

The Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club is always looking for new members and invites interested people to attend one of their weekly meetings at 7:30 a.m. Thursdays at Biscuits restaurant, 4623 E. Elliott Road in the Safeway plaza. People also are invited to hear the speakers. Speakers who will appear and the dates are: Stephanie Walsh, Arizona Children’s Association; July 28 Stacey Travers, LD 12 House candidate; Aug. 11, Amanda Nosbisch, One Small Step/Clothes Cabin; Aug. 25 Kyle Ross, Kyrene Digital Academy principal.

Ahwatukee Republican Women will host Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Dr. Kelli Ward and state Treasurer Kimberly Yee at their meeting next Tuesday, July 26, at Foothills Golf Club. All men and women are invited to the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. with networking before the 7 p.m. meeting. Cash bar will be available. 

Submit your releases to pmaryniak@timespublications.com

Ahwatukee’s “Miracle Man” Jerry Ervin’s family of 24 years includes, from left, daughter Hannah, son Elijah, wife Allison, and youngest son Noah. Hannah and Elijah are graduates of Desert Vista High School, where Noah is a senior. (Courtesy of Jerry Ervin) and was there with me the whole time. That is why my body and mind came out of this on the side of being a miracle.” Hannah and Elijah, both Desert Vista alumni, had both flown in to be at their father’s hospital bedside – she from London where she was enrolled in a Christian Fashion internship and he from Kona, Hawaii, cutting short a Bible School program one week short of his completion. Ervin’s mother, Linda Butts, flew from Virginia to be with her son. Only weeks later, Ervin is back at home with his wife and three children, Hannah, Elijah and Noah Ervin, a Desert Vista senior. “I have no brain damage or any other major issues. They put a small stint in my heart. All of the doctors, nurses and medical staff are calling me “Miracle Man”. They absolutely can’t believe the amazing progress that I made in such a short time,” he said. His progress, following the major heart attack and the 40 minutes without a pulse, continued to be miraculous. “Although I’d made extraordinary progress and beat all of the medical odds, the only thing that was still a problem was that my kidneys were not functioning. So even though I’ve been out of the hospital since July 1st, I still have to go for dialysis three times per week. I believe now that my kidneys are starting to work,” he said optimistically. Ervin says every day is a gift, and a true miracle. “I am thankful that God wasn’t finished with me here on earth and used me to demonstrate his miracle working power,” he said, adding:

“Even all of the doctors and nurses acknowledged that this was a miracle because they did all that they could, but nothing that they did would have kept me from being on life support for an extended amount of time. For sure, nothing that they did could have prevented my brain from being severely damaged, except for a miracle.” Ervin, who at 6’3” kept himself in great shape by working out regularly and maintaining an active schedule of speaking and ministry, knew it would take time to get back to his prior routine. “Yes, this has been a big wake up call to the fact that life is precious. I always knew that none of us are promised tomorrow, but going through this really makes you reevaluate your life and what’s really important,” he said pensively. “It also makes you appreciate the little things in life that we take for granted. Going through this I also have a great level of empathy for those that are going through health challenges.” Ervin and his wife will continue their leadership in their church, as they are able, working with their church’s college age students. Their community involvement in outreach programs for the needy – school backpack drives, Thanksgiving Food Box and Angel Tree Christmas drives, remain on their calendars. To learn more about Jerry Ervin and his speaking and consulting business, see JerryErvin.com. The story of his heart attack and his recovery can be found on caringbridge.org/visit/jerryervin. 

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

BOTTLES from page 37

Her deadline is Saturday, July 23, and if she collects more tan 200 bottles, “we plan to give to other non-profit organizations that serve those in need, such as St. Vincent de Paul.” And she’s already heartened by the community’s response. “When I looked through our drawer, I found over 20 water bottles that we don’t use anymore over the years. I thought well, at least that’s something to give to them. I had no idea how responsive the community would be. “They have been very supportive. Word spread quickly. In just 2 days, we gathered almost a full box at one of our locations. We’ve had families on average give us 10 reuseable water bottles. We even had one person mention that they went and bought new ones at Walmart at a discounted price. Treasures 4 Teachers, another non-profit organization, reached out to us and gave us a bunch.” Elia also believes her drive is meeting another of her passions – sustainability. “I’ve always been passionate about the environment and looking at sustainability efforts,” she explained. “In giving out water bottles, not only do I feel it will it help the environment but it helps everyone have access to a long, lasting water bottle. I plan to tour the local recycling plant and gather ideas for future drives, or maybe look at doing it again next summer.” She also has found support from her family, especially her mom. “I plan to ask my friends to help sanitize the water bottles and to give out, she added. 

ARMER from page 37

lic teacher’s salary. I do not receive any kind of child support from her dad, I tutor year-round, even weekends, just to make ends meet. “I’ve had to cancel so many tutoring slots because of medical appointments or sometimes when I just needed to sit and snuggle with her when her pain is really bad,” she said. “The Armer Foundation has enabled me to focus my time and devotion to Hope’s health and numerous appointments at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, our primary care physician, physical therapy, and soon, emotional support therapy for Hope who had been seeing a psychologist on Zoom through PCH, but I think she’d benefit from something in person,” she said. “If, in addition, I had to worry about paying my utilities or paying a PCH bill, I would be in a much, much worse state. I know Jennifer Armer works days, nights, and weekends to support families like mine. In fact she also helps the families of two of my former students, one of whom tragically died of cancer last year. “She is an invaluable member of our community. The depth and breadth of

At 13, Hope Trent has endured months of agonizing treatments for a rare childhood brain tumor. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer) her loving care will stay with those of us who know her and love her for a lifetime,” Trent continued. “My only hope is that I can pay it forward.”

Filming the various families helped by The Armer Foundation for the presentation Raphael Isaac, owner and executive producer of South Mountain Films, and his wife Susan Isaac, director of operations. “We’ve been customers of The Armer Foundation thrift shop on 51st Street for some time; we often drop off clothing and household items for donation,” Susan said. “One day when I was there, Jennifer mentioned the gala. I told her that my husband, Rafi, and I own a video production company, and to let us know if she needed our help with anything. A few weeks later, she told me that they would love to do a video of some of the families that Armer Foundation has worked with to show at the gala. She sent me a list of families that wanted to be interviewed, and we were off and running.” Susan stressed, “Because of The Armer Foundation’s generosity, these families can be in the hospital or at home with their dependent children instead of out working second and third jobs to be able to afford their deductibles, medical equipment, or other costly necessities — including training for a seizure dog. “We have yet to leave an interview dry-eyed.” 

JULY SALES EVENT

How to help

To help Elia’s reusable water bottle drive, here are locations where you can drop off your bottles. Chris’ Water & Ice: 1334 E Chandler Blvd. (Next to Safeway) Mountainside Martial Arts: 3173 E Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. Zzeeks Pizza: 4825 E Warner Road, Ahwatukee. Bike Masters: 4802 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee; 20952 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek; 2031 N. Power Road and 1545 S. Power Road, both Mesa; and 2244 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert.

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Chris’ Water and Ice has become a local staple BY SAMANTHA MORRIS AFN Staff Writer

hen Sara Kumar moved from Seattle to Phoenix in 2008, it was her husband Rocky’s goal to become a small business owner. And in the midst of a home hunt in Ahwatukee for their family, he stumbled upon Chris’s Water and Ice at 1334 E. Chandler Blvd. Fourteen years later and they’ve still yet to change the name. “Chris’s Water and Ice” remains a local staple in the Foothills Center on Chandler and Desert Foothills Parkway. The Kumars are delighted with the loyalty and support the neighborhood has shown their business. In the beginning it took some time to get familiar with the community. “It took us at least a couple of years to just be a part of the community and start doing events in schools, like carnivals or community events like the Festival of Lights,” said business owner Sara Kumar.

Rocky and Sara Kumar are celebrating 14 years of owning Chris’ Water and Ice. (David Minton/AFN

Staff Photographer)

Recently Kumar put together a basket raffle for Feed My Starving Children that carried gift cards and merchandise from local businesses like Safeway, Native New Yorker, and Jasmine and Jo Coffee and

Rowan Tree Flower Shop. “Everybody I called, they gave me something,” said Kumar. “It’s also advertising for businesses that people sometimes don’t know.”

Customers also play a role in marketing as well. “I had a customer who said that he was filling his water bottle at a Circle K, and a customer yelled at him from his car and said, ‘Don’t get this water here, go to Chris’s Water and Ice!’ ” said Kumar. Chris’s Water and Ice is a next-door neighbor to Safeway, which has also been a convenient way to earn customers when the grocery runs out of ice to sell. “Sometimes when they are out of ice, they will send the customer to us and eventually that customer will become ours since the ice is made with our water, and people like our water,” said Kumar. Beyond supplying filtered water, many customers stop by for a Hawaiian shaved ice or “Thrifty” brand ice cream. Despite refreshing products, summer is not the busiest season of the year. “People think when it’s too hot, it’s good for us. When it’s too hot, nobody wants to get out,” said Kumar. Instead most customers opt for when

see WATER page 42

VaBene Plaza in Ahwatukee sold for $4.7 million AFN NEWS STAFF

or the second time in a month, another Ahwatukee strip mall has changed owners. The outdoor mall that’s home to the popular Va Bene Restaurant on the southwest corner of 48th Street and Chandler Boulevard was bought by Nevada-based Cimarron Jones Properties LLC for $4.7 million, according to Valley real estate tracker. The July 11 sale follows by less than a week a Beverly Hills, California, owner sold the 35-year-old Equestrian Centre on S. Warner Elliot Loop for $3.7 million to a pair of Tucson investors. The VaBene Plaza, as the restaurant property is called, was built in 2003 on

2.48 acres and includes just over 20,000 square feet of retail space divided into 10 suites. It is considered “shadowanchored” by an adjacent Kohl’s The VaBene Plaza, named after the popular Ahwatukee restaurant is bookended by the restaurant and a florist shop and sits next to a Kohl’s Department Store on Chandler Boulevard. (Special to AFN) Department Store, according to vizzda, which broke it was sold at an auction the previous year available for rent. Also occupying space in the plaza are down the sale price to $232 per square for $2.8 million, vizzda reported. a florist, two fitness studios, a funeral According to a marketing brochure, the foot. home’s planning center, a salon and a cellfour-star restaurant has seven neighbors The property last changed owners in phone repair shop.  and two of the plaza’s storefronts are 2013 for a sale price of $1.7 million after

BUSINESS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Reflexology can improve organs, energy flow BY DARLA HOFFMANN AFN Guest Writer

eflexology is a modality that uses pressure points in the feet, ears, and/or hands to restore the flow of energy to areas of the body. Its origin has been traced back to ancient Egypt but has been modernized over time. The healing technique is also a way of addressing issues that may be contraindicated to work directly on. One example could be if someone has a broken arm, it is not likely that area should be physically touched. However, manipulating trigger areas between the ring and pinky toe and on the pads beneath is thought to unblock channels bringing relief to the arm. It can be recognized as a referral point. Another theory is to use reflexology to improve the function of specific organs. For example, if someone has trouble breathing, it might make sense to focus on the lung reflex.

This is located at the ball of the foot between the big and little toe. Stimulating these reflexes is thought to improve lung function, soothe sinuses, relieve congestion, and relax tight chest muscles. The use of pressure points to target referral points can be used anywhere that might be sensitive to touch for any reason. Although one should not neglect medical advice, reflexology is a non-invasive way of potentially alleviating pain. Other likely benefits include reducing anxiety, increased circulation, and boosting the immune system. Reflexology is mostly done on the feet, however, there are many points in the ears and hands that are correlated to different body parts. These three areas are most relevant in reflexology largely imparted to the nervous system. The nerves act somewhat like cables that carry impulses between your brain and the rest of the body. There are over 7,000 nerve endings in each foot, and 17,000 touch receptors and free nerve ending in the palm of the

hand alone. Furthermore, the fingertips have more nerve endings than anywhere else in the body. And, as the fluid moves, 25,000 nerve endings are set into motion in the ear. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves that branch off the spinal cord and extend to all parts of the body. Together, they are responsible for delivering, receiving, and interpreting commands throughout the body, as well as our sensory functions. Hence, one reason why areas with many nerve endings are very responsive to touch. The reflex area to the spine is along the entire inside edge of each foot from the big toe to the heal. A way to potentially soothe tension in the spinal region is by applying the appropriate amount of pressure on this line. However, your therapist should check in with you on the level of intensity since the area can be sensitive. All in all, the feet take a beating in our

school, he was named to the Elite50, recognizing the top 50 graduate students across all university programs. Prior to joining Ahwatukee Skin & Laser, Smith was a surgical PA in both orthopedics and plastic surgery. “Once he was exposed to aesthetic medicine, he developed an interest in making patients feel beautiful in their own skin,” a spokeswoman said. Sarah Neumann, the founder of Ahwatukee Skin & Laser and its sister practice, Sun City Dermatology in Sun City West, said, “We’re thrilled to have Kendall onboard. His energy, warmth, and devotion to personalized patient care, makes him a welcome addition to our team.”

Outside of the office, Smith enjoys traveling, hiking, live music, attending sporting events and exploring restaurants. Ahwatukee Skin & Laser is a full-service general and cosmetic dermatology practice and a leader in skin cancer surveillance. Founded in 2010, the practice has been recognized as “Best in Skin Care” several years running in local polls, and Sarah Neumann is consistently ranked as “Best Medical Specialist” and “Best PA.”

lives. We put all our weight on them, they endure the demands of exercise and are often shoved into multiple styles of shoes in a day. Although a foot massage is not considered the same as a reflexology session, it can also be beneficial to your well-being. A reflexology appointment is commonly 30 minutes but can be less or more. A consultation is best to communicate your areas of concern so your therapist can focus more attention where needed. A foot chart is often used to guide your practitioner to the appropriate spot. You can expect firm pressure and sometimes tingling from the stimulation to the nerves. Crunchy feelings and tightness may be due to things like bone spurs, stretched ligaments, or nerve tissues. The treatment can be quite helpful with these issues as well. Overall, it should be a very calming and rejuvenating experience. Darla S. Hoffmann, is a licensed massage therapist with reflexology training and licensed aesthetician. Reach her at apeelingfaces.com of 480-540-7555. 

New PA joins Ahwatukee Skin&Laser AFN NEWS STAFF

endall Smith, a board-certified physician’s assistant, has joined the staff at Ahwatukee Skin & La-

ser. Smith will be providing medical and cosmetic dermatology services at the growing practice located on Agave Road. Smith grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University in 2014. After a brief stint in the medical device industry, Smith pursued his master’s in physician assistant studies, graduating from Indiana University. While in PA

WATER from page 41

the sun’s going down to pick up their water. The nature of today’s economy isn’t doing them any favors as well. “The challenge right now is how much price we can raise, so we can survive with these rising prices,” explained Kumar. Everything has gone up $30, $40, $50, explained Kumar.

Products, like styrofoam cup lids used to be $27 now they are $76. They are trying to resist raising the prices customers have come to expect. Kumar knows that kids come in for shaved ice and ice cream often with exact change from their parents. “Even if we go up 10 cents, people will notice,” explained Kumar. Regardless of the challenges before

Information: 480-704-7546. Ahwatukee Skin & Laser is located at 4425 E Agave Road, Building #9 Suite #148. ahwatukeeskincare.com. 

KENDALL SMITH

them Kumar, is still grateful that they were able to endure the pandemic. She’s endlessly thankful. “We definitely slowed down. It’s sad to

see how many businesses closed. I don’t know when it’s gonna be back to normal but we are surviving. Our thanks to the community for the support.” 

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OPINION

Opinion 44

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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Anti-truth laws driving teachers to other jobs BY JONATHAN PERRONE AFN Guest Writer

am particularly fulfilled as a teacher when I see my former students who are female embark on careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). It’s not that I believe these young women are somehow less able or qualified than their male peers to perform these jobs, and thus are worthy of extra praise. The truth is women face many unique challenges and barriers to pursue careers in STEM, a field historically dominated by men. Because of this, I have long made it a priority in my middle school STEM classroom to highlight and celebrate women who have excelled in STEM, with important acknowledgements that these women faced barriers that weren’t placed in front of their male peers. My female students, particularly those of color, have made many positive connections to science by learning about these often-unheralded women. These women’s stories have stimulated learning and broadened inquiry among all genders in my classroom. The goal of education — much like my goal in highlighting women scientists, pro-

Shootings across nation raise questions for reader

In an interview with Paul Weich, a Democratic candidate for the state representative in Legislative District 12, and retired Los Angeles police officer Michael Sledd, I asked what can be done to stop the recent spate of mass shootings. There have been over 250 mass shootings in the United States this year – 35 since the elementary school massacre

grammers and engineers — is to help students broaden their understanding of the world and ready them for adulthood. The classroom is a space where students can encounter an accurate representation of the world around them. This not only sharpens their critical-thinking skills and better prepares them for a global society, but it can greatly help their generation build a more equitable society than we’ve achieved in the past. Unfortunately, public education is under assault. If we are to truly prepare our children to inherit the global community of the future, we must stop the attempts by bad-faith politicians and their backers to chip away trust in public education with bills that prevent the teaching of truth and instill fear in educators. The Arizona Education Association estimates that 10-15 percent of educators in the classroom this year do not plan to return next year. This is because we simply can no longer stand against the onslaught of legislation that takes away our already limited resources, prevents us from being honest with our students, and that tells us we cannot ensure each student feels fully valued and loved in our classrooms each day. There are educators who absolutely love their jobs, who will not be returning to the

classroom next year. I count myself among them. As educators, we enter this profession out of a passion and love for students and a desire to walk with them as they grow and achieve things of which they did not know they were capable. We chose this profession to partner with parents and families to raise up the leaders of tomorrow. Our students need to be global thinkers to be competitive in the global marketplace. Legislated efforts to limit their understanding of diversity, different cultures and the peoples and histories of those cultures sends the message that some cultures and histories are more valuable than others and harms our students’ ability to effectively navigate the world around them. As a parent, I want to know that the education my children receive will prepare them for the realities they will face. I want my children to move with confidence and grace in diverse spaces. When I am intentional in ensuring my students are exposed to women of color in science or when my history and language arts colleagues choose engaging and complex texts from people of color for students to analyze, students’ perspectives are broadened and their engagement with the world is deepened. Allowing students from historically

in Texas. On average, 320 people are injured or killed with fire arms every day. Both agreed that this was not an acceptable way of life. What does gun control mean? Neither felt that banning guns was achievable, but they did favor longer wait times and more strenuous background checks. Most mass shootings are committed with military rifles. Designed to quickly kill on the battlefield, they are used by soldiers who have extensive training.

Both agreed that they do not belong in American homes. However, they both felt that making these weapons illegal might cause social unrest. Statistics show that most mass shootings are committed by white males using assault weapons. Minorities and whites in cities and rural areas use handguns. The number of fatalities with handguns is higher than deaths caused by mass shootings. Why is so much attention paid to regulating assault rifles but not handguns

marginalized backgrounds to see themselves in the classroom is not a crime, it is what best serves our students. The anti-truth legislative efforts making the rounds are rooted in isolationism and a desire to keep groups separate. This path will only lead to peril for the futures of our students and our nation. Removing diverse perspectives and true accounts of history from classrooms doesn’t make them any less real. We owe it to our students to prepare them for the world. With parents and families partnering with educators to ensure a culturally responsive and well-rounded education, students can use those lessons to build a better future. Although I have highlighted many women STEM professionals in my classroom, there is no telling how many others have had their stories ignored and ultimately lost to time, simply due to ignorance and intolerance. Let’s not let history repeat itself.

Jonathan Perrone is a STEM teacher at a middle school in Tempe. He was named winner of the 2019 Arizona Teacher of the Year Ambassador for Excellence award. He centers inquiry and equity in his teaching and in his personal learning journey. 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

and pistols? Sledd felt that had to do with the sheer number of handguns in society and the media attention given to mass shootings. He said, “if it bleeds, it leads.” Are more good guys with guns the answer? I expressed concern that 19 policemen were in the hall at the Texas elementary school. We all agreed that that policy could lead to people shooting each other indiscriminately.

see LETTERSpage 45

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

After the July 4 shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, where seven people were killed and many wounded, police characterized the gunman’s arrest by saying that the suspect fled police, was briefly chased, and was subdued without incident. He was armed and dangerous. He was a white man. Earlier, Akron, Ohio, police shot a black man fleeing the scene of a traffic stop after a chase. The victim was shot and hit 46 times. He was unarmed. He was alleged to have shot at the police because they saw a flash of light coming from his car on a body cam. When interviewed, both the Highland Park and the Akron police department spokespeople said that both incidents were consistent with their training. Did the eight officers who shot the unarmed man running on foot 46 times fear for their lives?

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LETTERS from page 44

My cousin, Officer Sledd, said those types of shootings are triggered by the way that they are trained. Neither gentlemen ever heard of a white person being shot by the police 46 times, even during the Capitol uprising. We should not defund the police, but we need to vet them for systemic racism and change training methods especially when dealing with people of color who are unarmed. I learned that the Akron officers will have to account for every bullet shot but convicting them would be difficult because they reacted within their training guidelines. Sledd said, “I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by six.” I want to see legislators exercise the courage to make tough, often unpopular decisions regarding gun ownership, and use. The right to life, as well as public safety is at risk. -Lisa Scinto

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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Determination, work ethic key for Pride’s Izaac Patterson BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

zaac Patterson looked unphased after he finished a sprint during a spring track practice in April at Mountain Pointe High School. Even as the heat started to creep in, he lined back up for another sprint and took off out of the blocks in impressive fashion. Mountain Pointe head football coach looked on in awe of what Patterson had turned in to in a short amount of time. Just months prior, Patterson was leading the Pride in tackles at linebacker on the football field. But his accolades came without college scholarship offers, something to this

day he hopes will come in droves. But instead of sulking at the lack of attention, he went to work. Now as he is just under two months away from the start of his senior season, Patterson is in the best shape of his life. It has all his coaches, Lauer included, excited for the year to come. “I don’t know if I’ve seen a kid improve and embrace the track and football workouts on a level that he has,” Lauer said. “I think with his height and speed, he can play safety, he can play corner. He’s just so big and physical. “I think the sky is the limit for him because his work ethic is huge.” Patterson’s work ethic was never doubted by any of his coaches or peers. But he turned it up a notch in 2020 during the

Mountain Pointe senior linebacker Izaac Patterson has taken his off-season training up a notch since the 2020 quarantine period. He began lifting with teammate Jaylen Rushing, cooking his own food and improved on the track. Now, he’s poised for a breakout season, one that will force colleges to start looking his way. (Dave Min-

ton/AFN Staff)

quarantine period due to the pandemic. He began preparing his own food, sticking to lean protein, vegetables and healthy carbs that would help him lean out while continuing to build muscle. He also started working out with running back Jaylen

Rushing, whose love for the weight room is unmatched in the Mountain Pointe football program. When able to return to school, Patterson

Ahwatukee LL teams make deep runs in tournaments BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

he 2022 Little League season is nearing its end in Arizona as the first weekend of the state tournament wrapped up this past Sunday. Locally, Ahwatukee’s 11U All-Stars attempted to stave off elimination from the tournament as they faced Maricopa at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School in North Phoenix, the host site for the tournament. Ahwatukee fell Friday night to Cactus Foothills in the first game of the double-elimination tournament. But they managed to bounce back with a win over Maricopa. The victory kept Ahwatukee’s state title chances alive. But the road ahead only grows tougher. The All-Stars had another elimination game Monday night against Litchfield Park followed by more each day if they continued to win leading up to the championship rounds this weekend. It’s a challenge, according to 11U head coach Ray Ng, but he was happy with the way they managed to play when facing adver-

The 11U Ahwatukee Little League All-Stars managed to avoid elimination from the state tournament on Sunday, July 17 against Maricopa. But the team still faced adversity with more elimination games throughout the week. Top row from left: Coach Bryan Trollop, Cale Pittullo-Hamilton, Grayson Ortiz, Spencer Larimer, Quin Huerta, Ethan Burik, Coach David Austin, Coach Ray Ng; Bottom row from left: Ben Udovich, Maddox Ng, Brody Trollop, Kallen Kmet, Greyson Droz, Lucas Jackson. (Courtesy Ahwatukee Little League) sity on Sunday. “It was a tough loss as we were tied in the top of the 6th inning with two outs and two strikes on the batter before giving up five runs on mental mistakes,” Ng said of

the team’s loss last Friday. “We talked about focusing on the future at practice the next day and coming out with an aggressive mindset. They not only did that, but they kept it up the entire

see PATTERSON page 49

game despite a two-hour rain delay in the first inning. If they keep up this mindset, we have a great chance of going far in this tournament.” The 11U All-Stars are the only representation for Ahwatukee across all divisions in the state tournament after winning the District 13 tournament a week prior. But that doesn’t take away from the impressive seasons the 10U and 12U teams had. The 12U group made it deep into the district tournament before falling to Chandler National in the semifinals on July 8. The 10U All-Stars went 17-0-1 throughout the regular season and 6-0 in the district tournament leading up to the state title game. There, however, they ran into a scrappy Chandler North team that made a comeback to force extra innings before ultimately taking the district championship. Ahwatukee Little League President Jeff Parent said the entire community rallied

see LITTLE LEAGUE page 51

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Local Ahwatukee track club sending 4 to nationals BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

Z Speed, a youth club track & field team based in Ahwatukee, broke through many barriers in its first season when it sent four athletes to El Paso, Texas to compete in the USA Track & Field Regional Junior Olympics in early July. Stacey Boyd, the founder of the club, was confident he would have at least two of those athletes qualify for nationals. Deep down, he knew they all had the ability, but the regional stage was new to him and his athletes. They all exceeded expectations and are now in Sacramento preparing for the start of the national junior Olympics. “It’s a huge ‘wow,’ I’m a proud coach,” Boyd said. “I would think it’s unorthodox to have four athletes in your first year and not know their potential. That was something I had to figure out throughout the year. But they’re competitors and coachable, which makes it so much easier.” Niko Chattic, who spent the last week of training for regionals in San Diego, ran a new personal best in the 800-meter run for the 7 to 8-year-old division. He beat his previous best time by 7 seconds to finish the event in two minutes, 53.55 seconds.

Stacey Boyd, the founder of Ahwatukee-based youth track club AZ Speed, coached Cammy Rogers, Shayden Boyd, Niko Chattic and Jesse Young at the USATF Junior Regional Olympics in El Paso, Texas earlier this month. Now, all four athletes qualified for nationals beginning this week in Sacramento. (Special to AFN) He placed third overall. Cammy Kellogg, who also rides horses and plays soccer, finished sixth overall in the 800-meter run for the girls’ 9 to 10-year-old division. Her final time was 2:58.87. Jesse Young, the oldest of the group who attends Leading Edge Academy in Gilbert, placed sixth in the shot put. She competes

in the girls’ 13 to 14-year-old division. Shayden Boyd, Stacey’s son, had the best outing of the group. He entered the 100 and 200-meter races as the top-ranked sprinter in the state for the 9 to 10-year-old age group. He didn’t disappoint. Shayden placed first in both events. He ran a new personal best in the 100-meter at 13.27 seconds. His goal heading in

Basketball program.” Tann was initially hired to take over the program after Desert Vista parted ways with previous head coach Jordan Ballard, who was placed on administrative leave in February before being told he would not return. Ballard led the Thunder for two seasons, the first of which on an interim basis alongside alum and co-head coach Bryant St. Cyr. In March, Tann was recommended by Desert Vista Athletic Director David Klecka to become the school’s next head basketball coach. Tann began off-season workouts with the team in the early summer months and took the Thunder to several tournaments, including Section 7 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. It was one of the first major tourna-

Desert Vista parted ways with head boys’ basketball coach Obie Tann Thursday, July 14 after he was hired less than four months ago in March. Parents of the program were informed of the school’s decision Thursday evening. (Dave Minton/AFN Staff) ments the Thunder competed in with Tann at the helm. It gave the first look at see TANN page 49

Desert Vista parts ways with boys’ basketball coach Obie Tann BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

esert Vista has parted ways with head boys’ basketball coach Obie Tann nearly four months after he was hired to take over the program, according to a notice sent out to parents Thursday night. “Thank you for all your participation and involvement this summer during the Boys Basketball summer training period,” read the notice, which was obtained by the Ahwatukee Foothills News. “We are so fortunate to have such great families and athletes! “This afternoon we met with Coach Obie Tann and informed him that he won’t be continuing on with our Boys

was to get closer to the 12s and he was able to accomplish that. In the 200, he set a new personal record of 27.20 seconds, which places him at fourth overall in the country. “Shayden is at the bottom of his age group so he will be competing at this age group another year,” Boyd said. “Some of these athletes we are going to have to take outside of Arizona just to see them compete against other kids from the Midwest and the East Coast. “These kids are performing well.” The principal at Gateway Community College in Phoenix, Boyd will arrive to nationals later than his son and the rest of the AZ Speed athletes. Events began Wednesday, July 27 and will run through the weekend. As he was for regionals, he’s excited for the opportunity to see them all compete on a national stage and represent both Ahwatukee and the state alongside other local programs competing in Sacramento. “I’m extremely excited,” Boyd said. “I’m excited to see them compete on such a large platform and where they end. I’m also excited to give them a break because they’ve been running for about seven months straight. “I’m just excited for them to go out and compete wherever we land.” 

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

PATTERSON from page 47

continued to push himself in the weight room while he took the spring track season seriously. He was able to improve his 100-yard dash by nearly a full second. While his straight-line speed is now up to par with some of the top wideouts in the state with his 6-foot, 190-pound frame, he is just as explosive laterally. “I started looking up the right foods to eat and went to the grocery store,” Patterson said. “I was just cooking and eating. The results started to come through. That’s what made me push myself even more because I knew what I was doing was making something happen. “Now I’m bigger, faster, stronger and smarter with more experience. I know I can do way more than last year.” Patterson began playing football at a young age. Growing up in South Phoenix, he heard stories from his father, Zack, about his career at South Mountain High School. There was a time when Patterson thought he would wear the same powder blue and red uniforms his father did. But when given the opportunity, he and his dad saw Mountain Pointe as the better fit. Patterson played for the Arizona Saints

TANN from page 48

what Desert Vista would bring to the table in the winter with several new players on the varsity roster, including freshman guard Nico Velez, who Tann was high on and performed well at Section 7 in front of several college coaches. Tann said Section 7 was a steppingstone for Desert Vista as he planned to take it to several out-of-state tournaments in upcoming years. “As we grow as a program, we aren’t going to be just local,” Tann said in June. “These guys need to experience what it’s like to go outside of the state and experience life in basketball. My job is to make this year fun. I’m excited.” Before Desert Vista, Tann led the Sabino boys’ basketball program for two seasons and compiled a 26-16 record during that time. His first season the Sabercats played just 15 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strict regulations and mitigation strategies in Pima County and Tucson schools. This past season he led the Sabercats to the 3A playoffs as the No. 22 seed and up-

Patterson was nudged into football by his father, Zack, who said he’s always had faith in his ability. He knew his son had the potential to be special, he just needed some guidance and reassurance. Now, it seems to be paying off. (Dave Minton/AFN Staff) youth football team, which for a short time became the feeder program for the Pride with the late Larry Thomas joining the freshman staff before he suddenly passed away in 2019. At a young age Patterson was hesitant to play football. He was hesitant to come down and make a hit. But Zack talked him into it. And it’s starting to pay off.

set No. 11 Eastmark in the first round before falling to Holbrook in their next game. Before Sabino, Tann spent 2016-19 leading the Catalina basketball program. He led the Trojans to a 38-44 record in his three seasons. He spent a year away from coaching before transitioning to Sabino. Now, he aims to make the move to the 6A level and take over a program that is just three years removed from a state title. Tann declined a request or comment but took to social media Friday morning to thank those that reached out to him. “Thanks for those that have reached out to me,” Tan wrote. “Yes I’m good, It’s always onward and upwards for me. If you know me you know this thing will never be about me… My players know they got me for life!!! Stay Tuned!!!” Klecka did not respond to a request for comment. According to the notice, Desert Vista administrators will meet with players over the coming weeks to discuss next steps as it begins its search for its fourth head coach in as many years. “In the coming weeks we will be meeting with the players to discuss what they

“He was a little fragile,” Zack said with a chuckle. “It’s not surprising (to see him now). He’s always been a go-getter. I saw it in him when he was 2 months old. He just needed some reassurance and a little guidance as all young men do. “I’m very, very impressed with Izaac. I really am.” Finding the time to put in extra work want in their next Head Basketball Coach at DV, as well as communicating the next steps to keep the program moving forward in a positive direction,” the notice

during the off-season was difficult for Patterson. He quickly found that his whole day was filled, but he settled into the routine. He started the morning with classes before practicing with the track program. Often, he would lift during the school day in a designated weight-lifting class. After track practice, he would go to the local Peter Piper Pizza to work his usual evening shift. He ended the night with homework to maintain his GPA that currently sits just below a 4.0 before getting up and doing it all over again the next day. The schedule wasn’t easy by any means, but it has helped him start to mold into the man he is becoming today. One that doesn’t take anything for granted and works hard for what he wants to accomplish. Next on that list for Patterson is a deep playoff run for the Pride and a standout senior season that will lead to a scholarship offer. He knows that will take time. He is fine with being patient. But it’s something that would mean everything to him and his family, so he is going to continue working toward it until he succeeds. “I want to just let everything take care of itself,” Patterson said. “I know if I just ball out, all the other stuff is going to come naturally.” 

said. “The success and trajectory of the program is important to all of us and we will make every effort to do what is best for our players.” 

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

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Goalie camp teaches new netminders values BY ALEX GALLAGHER AFN Staff Writer

eing a goaltender on a hockey team can be isolating. Most teams only have two goalies on a team, and most do not have a coach specializing in goaltending. However, for one week each summer for the past 26 years, Behind The Mask hockey shop owner Randy Exelby has saved a sheet of ice so that goaltenders from around the state can receive two hours of goalie-specific instruction. “I’ve been to several camps in Arizona and out and this is definitely the best one for goalies,” said Henry Stratton, 14, who will tend the twine for Notre Dame Preparatory High School as a freshman this year. “The coaches really make you feel like you’re one of them,” Henry said, “and they don’t make you feel like you’re an outsider. They make sure that every person gets better and not just specifically a few people.” For five days, goaltenders started their mornings by lacing up their skates, strapping on their pads, sliding their carbon fi-

Randy Exelby talks to attendees in between rotations at the Behind the Mask Goalie School in Scottsdale. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer) ber or plastic masks over their heads and taking the ice for 30-minutes of goaliespecific power skating – which some goalies have attributed to sharpening their game while ironically dulling their blades. “I think the power skating is an impor-

tant part of the position that a lot of goalie instructors don’t really go over,” said 14-year-old Aidan Mullarkey, who plans to patrol the crease for Mountain Ridge High School this upcoming season. “I like that this camp focused on that for at least 30 minutes of each ice time and I think working hard, getting gassed and learning better edge work is a good part of this camp,” Aidan added. After carving the ice by making c-cuts with their feet, skating to lines on the ice where they would drop to their stomachs and recover and partaking in myriad skating drills, the goaltenders would head off to stations where they would face pucks slung by skilled shooters from and by a machine that shoots pucks as fast as 100 mph at one station. That was unanimously a favorite drill among the campers. “I definitely liked the puck shooting machine drill because it gave us a chance to react to some strong rebounds and make some nice saves,” Henry said. Although the puck machine station was a camp favorite, Exelby noted two things about the campers he saw stonewalling shooters this year. “We had a lot of younger goalies this year. So, we had 13 goalies that were ages 7 to 9 and 23 of our goalies were under 11,” Exelby said. “So, we had a new generation of young goalies, which was great and I’m really impressed with how hard they worked, how well they listened and how much they improved.

It’s almost like we’re cultivating a new generation of goalies, which is great.” Although some goalies could be seen red-faced and dousing themselves with water after each drill, it is because of one lesson that Exelby hoped to impart to the young netminders. “It’s easier to do a drill once 100% than three times at 80%,” Exelby said. “Just work hard because when you’re not working hard, somebody is,” added 15-year-old Joaquin Keelor, who plans to keep the goal for Corona Del Sol high school next season. Those two nuggets of advice were not the only lessons Exelby and his team of coaches — many of whom attended the camp as students before — imparted to this year’s students. “We just try and get goalies to move out and challenge the shooters to make themselves look big and then just to stay up on their feet and react to the puck,” Exelby said. As a former journeyman of pro hockey who appeared in two NHL games — once for the Montreal Canadians and once for the Edmonton Oilers — Exelby’s knowledge goes a long way with the young minds at his camp. “Randy has experience as being a former NHL you know, pro goalie, and just unwinding his experience down to the instructors, which trickles down to the kids in the camp. So, I think everyone just benefits from all the wisdom that’s here,” Aidan said. On the last day of camp, all of Exelby’s lessons culminated in a last-man-standing shootout where goaltenders competed against each other to see who could stymie the most shooters. Exelby hopes that these students will carry lessons they’ve learned into their next season of hockey and that they were able to form friendships that will last a lifetime and shine above team rivalries. “I hope that the students take a work ethic away from this camp, foremost, and what we stress too is that we want them to take away friendships where they meet goalies and they’re going to see a goalie from this camp at another rink and they say ‘hey, I remember you from the goalie school.’ We try to teach them that this camp is all about working hard, having a good attitude, having fun and making friendships.” Info: behindthemask.com 

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

LITTLE LEAGUE from page 47

behind the three All-Star teams during their respective postseason runs. While it wasn’t the outcome most had hoped for, the players and fans enjoyed

themselves, especially at the 12U level where most played their final season of Little League. “I was at about every single game throughout the tournament and the kids looked like they were having the time of

The 10U Ahwatukee All-Stars had an impressive run throughout the year, going 17-0-1 in the regular season and winning six more to advance to the District 13 title game on July 9. There, the team ran into a scrappy Chandler North team that forced extra innings before ultimately taking the championship and ending Ahwatukee’s season. Top row from left: Team manager Ryan Aucoin, Blake Kellner, Wyatt Ferlise, Luke Ruggles, Caleb Croxton, Lysander Sanabria, Liam Aucoin, Coach Nick Surgenor; Bottom row from left: Mike Surgenor, Henry Mangum, Jacob Ragains, Blake McGriff, Santiago Gomez. (Courtesy Ahwatukee Little League)

their life,” Parent said. “These are the days these kids are going to remember for the rest of their lives. And for each team to go deep in the tournament, it’s something they will cherish. “The 12s did amazing, too, and for

The 12U Ahwatukee All-Stars, like their younger counterparts, also made an impressive run throughout the season and into the district tournament. They made it to the semifinals where they fell to Chandler South, which went on to lose the championship to Chandler North. Top row from left: Coach Tony Mendoza, Coach Drew Hernandez, Braeden Damato, Niko Kalua, Reid Kellner, Tony Mendoza, Mason Palmer, Luke Jimenez, Logan Walker; Bottom row from left: Marshall Erpenbeck, Lincoln Badura, Gunner Krawczyk, John Manusharow, Luca Zobrist, Louis Chauby, coach Mat Manusharow. (Courtesy Ahwatukee Little League)

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New Chandler restaurant enhances Indian cuisine BY SRIANTHI PERERA GetOut Contributor

eringhee Modern Indian Cuisine has just opened its doors to reveal rich aromas, flavors and tastes near the Chandler Fashion Center. Consider an average dinner: The Dum Jackfruit Biryani comes in a pot sealed with a crust of dough, which is cut by the server to release a tantalizing whiff of spicy yellow basmati rice nestling underneath. The cover prevents the air from leaking, retains moisture and helps the rice to absorb the flavors of jackfruit and spices while steaming. The basmati and the jackfruit are layered and slow-cooked to perfection. The dish pairs deliciously with Old Delhi Butter Chicken and a raita – or yogurt – mixed with dabs of avocado and sprinkles of boondi (balled chickpea flour sweetened and fried). Feringhee (translates to “foreigner”) is

the brainchild of Madhavi Reddy, who has created an elegant restaurant to showcase food from the diverse regions of India. The dishes are traditional but served with contemporary flair to elevate it from mere street food or offerings from sidewalk cafes. “In the US there’s not much appreciation for Indian cuisine – there are fine dining in other cuisines, but not Indian cuisine,” she said. “I went a little above and beyond.” Initial research in the Valley indicated a paucity of such establishments. “We thought we have to bring Phoenix up to that level. That was the interest for me to create one,” she said. “It wasn’t an easy journey for me; it was hard.” The pandemic took its toll on planning and executing her intricately developed business; the restaurant took more than three years to come to fruition. Reddy teamed with Sujan Sarkar, a creator of two modern Indian restaurant brands, and Karan Mittal, a young chef hailing from Delhi and with international

experience and culinary honors. Feringhee’s menu features sharing plates, such as Masala Ricotta Kulcha (fava bean and gooseberry pickle); small plates such as Tandoori Shrimp with Bengal kasundi (a dipping sauce with mustard seeds and dried mango), lime caviar and mint chutney; and large plates such as Goan Swordfish and Kashmiri Lamb Shank. The well-stocked bar includes dozens of spirits, 65 types of wine and 20 varieties of beer, some of which are brewed locally and others as far away as India or Belgium. The cocktails are handcrafted using regional ingredients of India. Patrons are encouraged

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The Ravenscroft series will be presented monthly September through May at Ravenscroft Hall, 8445 E. Hartford Drive, just southeast of Loop 101/Princess Drive in the Scottsdale Perimeter Complex. Ravenscroft Hall is an intimate 200-seat concert venue featuring a Meyer Constellation sound system and state-of-the-art video capability. It boasts an optimal listening experience and perfect viewing from any seat. “After 14 years of running a 501(c) (3) nonprofit by myself, I’m delighted to hand that part over to the team at Ravenscroft,” Wilson said. “Being separate entities for the first year made sense. Nobody was certain the move from the Tempe Center for the Arts would work to everyone’s satisfaction. “But, this past season proved that the move to Scottsdale was not only successful in terms of audience development, but that our missions were compatible and everyone was committed to making it work.

Madhavi Reddy owns Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine near Chandler Fashion Center. (David Minton/GetOut Staff Photographer)

to savor, sip

see INDIAN page 54

Tempe jazz series merges with Scottsdale venue

T Jazz drummer Lewis Nash, a member of Arizona State University’s faculty, is the featured opener rebranded Ravenscroft Jazz Series in Scottsdale. (Special to AFN)

empe-based Lakeshore Music, which for 14 seasons was a premier jazz-concert series, has merged with Scottsdale-based Ravenscroft Hall. The renamed Ravenscroft Jazz Series will begin its 2022-23 season Sept. 17 with a concert fronted by jazz drumming legend and Valley native Lewis Nash, according to Lakeshore President/founder Woody Wilson. Wilson, a longtime civic leader and pioneer in the Valley’s jazz scene, has been named executive producer of the rebranded jazz series, Ravenscroft Director David Bauer said. “Woody Wilson is a legend in the local jazz community, who has produced and promoted amazing concerts for many years,” Bauer said. “We’re thrilled that he’ll be bringing that knowledge and experience to our inaugural season of the Ravenscroft Jazz Series.”

Wilson anticipates considerable savings “by eliminating the duplication of effort that comes with two nonprofits in the same building doing the same mission.” The Ravenscroft campus includes Jazzbird Lounge, where patrons may enjoy a beverage and light hors d’oeuvres. It has a small performing stage and tables for about 100. Many of the Valley’s finest jazz artists are booked into Jazzbird each Friday evening in the free-of-charge Jazzbird Nights Series. “For me, it has been a wonderful 14 years of presenting the finest jazz artists in the world,” Wilson said. “COVID-19 nearly killed us, but Bob and Gretchen Ravenscroft supported us through the hardest of times. And when Bob told me he was going to build our very own theater, I jumped at the chance.” “It will be bittersweet to close down Lakeshore Music, but another door has

see JAZZ page 56

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Estefan musical brings audiences to their feet BY ERYKA FORQUER GetOut Contributor

he ideal of the American dream is brought to life in scenes from “On Your Feet!” as Gloria Estefan works to make an impact on the music industry as a Cuban immigrant. Phoenix Theatre Company Associate Producing Director Pasha Yamotahari said the musical celebrates immigrants’ influence on other cultures. “Whether you’re living in Kentucky hearing this music or it’s jammed into your Walkman in the early ’90s on a cassette tape in New York City, music is music,” Yamotahari said. “Her music is that, in a way that makes us move, it makes us think, it makes us breathe and it

INDIAN from page 53

makes us live.” “On Your Feet” hits the Phoenix Theatre Company stage through Aug. 28. It recounts Gloria and Emilio’s climb to stardom, detailing Gloria’s childhood in Miami and the tour bus crash that left her with a fractured spine. Yamotahari said the musical will bring back memories of Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. “It’s going to be a great way to rekindle our love for the Miami Sound Machine and to revisit Gloria and Emilio’s life,” Yamotahari said. The story is accompanied by music and lyrics from the Estefans and the Miami Sound Machine and features songs like “Conga” and “12-3.” Yamotahari calls the couple’s

and linger. “We start from sharing plates and enjoying the atmosphere. It’s not just ‘eat your dinner and go,’” Reddy said. With a lot of specialized ingredients that are locally sourced, Feringhee prefers its diners to make advanced reservations. Currently, it is only open for dinner, from Tuesdays to Sundays, and weekends have been busy. Reservations will help to avoid turning away walk-in customers, with the extra time useful to plan resources, and the overall experience would be better for guests, Reddy said. “We want people to have a journey of whatever the cuisine we have, that’s the goal,” she said. “It needs some experience, that means it needs planning.” Because of the restaurant’s desirable location near the Price Corridor and its many corporate offices, lunch may be introduced at a later date. There is also a plan to hold musical evenings. Reddy, a Chandler resident, has been in the United States for more than 20 years. Her first foray into the restaurant industry was with Pastries n Chaat, an Indian bakery and restaurant serving casual fare, once a chain concept with six outlets across the Valley, and now operating only in Tempe. Feringhee’s location was one of

music “anthems” that will encourage audience members to sing the lyrics with the cast. “As a community of audience members, they all remember what it felt like to be at a concert, or in their car or in their house vacuuming their carpet and hearing a song,” he said. “So, they will hear it and sing out loud.” Yamotahari said the music will be brought to life by a 13-piece band with Phoenix musicians who blend synth and Afro-Cuban sounds with music from South America and Central America. “One thing that’s going to be really amazing is to hear a live band bring these into a full piece sound which is something that we don’t

Head Chef Karan Mittal is an internationally recognized chef with restaurants across the globe along and is the recipient of many internationally revered awards, including Food & Wine’s Rising Star of the year in 2018. (Da-

vid Minton/Staff Photographer)

the Pastries n Chaat outlets. In 2020, Reddy also established a grocery store, Saffron, with branches in Scottsdale and Phoenix and Peoria to come. Married to a physician, Reddy has a “day job” as a business analyst in a prominent bank. She’s also raising two teenage daughters who are nearing college age. Where did she draw the inspiration to launch into the restaurant industry? “I grew up in a farming community, and

Kassandra Haddock plays Gloria Estefan in “On Your Feet,” a musical see FEET page 56 that celebrates her career. (Special to GetOut)

my father was a landlord,” she said. This was in Telangana, located in the southcentral stretch of India, in a city called Karimnagar. Bountiful harvests of produce, lavish servings of food, gatherings and festivals were the mainstays of her life, growing up. The family farm grew rice, corn and peanuts and nurtured fruit orchards. “It was all about food in our house: produce, food, welcoming people, it’s like a festival every time, people came over,” she recalled. Naturally, her passion was to study agriculture, so she obtained a bachelor of science in agriculture and a degree in business administration. Then, life happened, and she moved to Arizona in 2001 and married soon after. Her liking for produce lingered. “I always had the passion of bringing something to the Valley, doing something to the community,” she said. “I host social events at home, it was always there in me, to bring stuff to the community. What I miss back home, I want to bring to the community.” Creating Feringhee is perhaps the next best thing to returning to her roots. She chose to paint the walls in sky blue and a shade of soft mustard in the color of unpolished rice. An enormous mural of a bedecked face of an Indian woman holds a prominent spot in the décor. Chandeliers,

glass mirrors and the attending Oriental opulence beckon. “As soon as they walk in, I want them to feel Indian,” she said, of her diners. The proof of the pudding is in the eating of it. What’s for dessert? Chandler is far from the coast, but there’s no harm in indulging in a fantasy with eyes closed. The dessert was inspired by far away Chennai, which is a south Indian coastal city famous for its swaying coconut palms. It is called Tender Coconut Panna Cotta; elaneer (tender coconut cream), berries, toasted flakes of almond and coconut and passion fruit sorbet. The melt-in-themouth concoction is served inside a polished coconut shell sitting on a rope of coconut fiber. “It’s based on a personal memory when I was in Chennai,” Mittal said. “Elaneer payasam is the soft malai (cream) of the tender coconut. They used to make a payasam with freshly pressed coconut milk with some condensed milk and with malai on top. That was super delicious. “We created that memory.”  Feringhee Modern Indian Cuisine 3491 W. Frye Road, Chandler. Details: feringhee.com

GET OUT

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

King Crossword ACROSS 1 Baseball’s Ripken 4 Glacial 7 Mrs. Flintstone 12 Baton Rouge sch. 13 Extinct New Zealand bird 14 Figure of speech 15 “-- showtime!” 16 Parthenon locale 18 “The A-Team” actor 19 Le -- (French news-paper) 20 Pear type 22 Sugary suffix 23 Actress Tyne 27 Director Howard 29 Cut up, as a pizza 31 Metric measure 34 Desert haven 35 Tam topper 37 “Ray Donovan” actor Voight 38 Money maven Orman 39 Vichy water 41 Latin love 45 Shadow 47 Mimic 48 Maryland’s capital 52 Composer Rorem 53 Got wind of 54 Kreskin’s claim 55 Big D.C. lobby 56 Authority 57 ACLU issues 58 Small batteries

With JAN D’ATRI GetOut Contributor

I 36 37 40 42 43 44

Office note Legal expert More skilled Food from heaven Verdi work -- a beet

45 46 48 49 50 51

High hairstyle Nile vipers Spa sounds PBS funder Opposing vote MGM motto start

Sudoku

DOWN 1 Scale 2 Houston player 3 Has an intense craving 4 Mosque leader 5 Butterfly protector 6 Tales 7 Use a sponge 8 Altar promise 9 Dogpatch adjective 10 Miss Piggy’s pronoun 11 Early hrs. 17 Rhyming tributes 21 Thin pancake 23 Hunting goddess 24 Rm. coolers 25 Island garland 26 QB’s gains 28 Spanish gold 30 Privy 31 Vinyl records 32 Debtor’s letters 33 Celeb gossip site

PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 56

Cornell prof gave us a BBQ sauce recipe for the ages

t’s one of the most famous chicken recipes in America. So, one delicious way to celebrate summer bbq’ing is by popping a cold one in honor of the man who has helped to make barbecued chicken America’s favorite picnic food. Cornell University Professor Robert Baker is the creator of the famous Cornell Barbecue Chicken Sauce, the recipe that is often referred to as “State Fair Chicken.” The simple and tasty sauce can be used as a fabulous two-hour marinade or for basting chicken on the grill. And the bbq sauce that goes with the chicken is just as unique, with a mayonnaise base instead of tomato sauce. The Cornell Barbecue Chicken isn’t the only iconic recipe to come from Baker. He is also the inventor of more than 40 other recipes including chicken and turkey hot dogs, and the world-famous chicken nugget. (McDonald’s generally gets the credit for inventing the chicken nuggets, but Baker published his chicken

nugget recipe in the 1950s, while McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets recipe was patented in 1979.) Another creation that probably helped land Baker in the Poultry Hall of Fame (Yes, there is one!) was his revolutionary method of binding breading to chicken that is used in hundreds of food applications today. In the book, “The Lexicon of Real American Food,” it says that Robert Baker’s goal in life was to get people to eat more chicken. Mission accomplished. .■

Ingredients: • 8 large skinless, boneless chicken thighs • 1 egg • 1 cup vegetable oil

• • • •

Directions: 1. Wash and pat dry chicken thighs. Place in a large bowl. 2. Prepare the basting mixture by placing the egg and vegetable oil in a medium bowl and whisk vigorously to combine. Add the vinegar, salt, poultry seasoning, and pepper, whisking to combine. Set aside. 3. Heat a grill plate to medium high heat. Brush

with olive oil. Arrange the thighs on the grill. 4. Immediately start basting the chicken with the basting mixture. Baste often, about once every 3 to 5 minutes, stirring the basting mixture as you use it. Continue grilling until the chicken turns a rich golden brown and the meat is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes per side and internal temperature is 165 degrees. Serve with BBQ Sauce. Serves 4

Cornell Chicken Barbecue Sauce Makes 1 ½ cups Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise

½ cup cider vinegar 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon salt

Directions: 1. In a bowl, combine the mayo, vinegar, poultry seasoning, pepper and salt. Whisk to combine.

2. Brush lightly over chicken thighs and serve remainder in a small bowl on the side. Serves 8.

2 cups cider vinegar 2 tablespoons salt 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

GET OUT

JAZZ from page 53

opened for me and I’m walking through it,” Wilson said. “I couldn’t be happier with our prospects for the future. Our jazz concerts at Ravenscroft have brought the patrons of Lakeshore Music into an incredible new venue.” Here’s a brief rundown on its upcoming season. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. at Ravenscroft Hall. Tickets: 602679-0590, lakeshoremusic.org, info@ lakeshoremusic.org.

Lewis Nash and Friends, Sept. 17.

Nash, whose career spans more than four decades, has appeared on more than 500 recordings, 10 of which won Grammys. He is the only musician in jazz history featured on Grammy winners in both “Best Jazz Vocal” and “Best Jazz Instrumental” albums. In 2017, Nash joined the Arizona State University faculty as the Bob and Gretchen Ravenscroft Professor of Practice in Jazz. The Lewis Nash Scholarship Endowment is awarded annually to a jazz-performance student.

Alicia Olatuja, Oct. 22.

Alicia Olatuja burst onto the national scene in 2013 as the featured soloist with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.

FEET from page 54

necessarily feel when we hear a recording of a song,” he said. “It’s something that you feel in a concert.” “On Your Feet!” also captures the relationship between Gloria and Estefan. As scenes from their relationship unfold, the audience will witness the pivotal role that the two played in each other’s lives. “It’s a crazy, passionate and challenging relationship that they had,” Yamotahari said. Emilio and Gloria’s relationship was fiery and passionate, which they parlayed into their careers. The pair worked with fervor as they tried to change “what pop music should be defined as.” The actress who plays Gloria, Kassandra Haddock, said audience members will get a sense of community and family from the show. “I don’t think Gloria would be who she was without Emilio, without her family and without the love of those people,” Haddock said.

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

While growing up in St. Louis, she was immersed in gospel, soul, jazz and classical music. She began appearing in gospel and jazz concerts. Composer/arranger/ pianist Billy Childs brought her on to be part of “Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro” on a nationwide tour..

Christian Jacob Trio, Nov. 19

Multi-Grammy nominated pianist/arranger Christian Jacob first gained widespread exposure as music director for Maynard Ferguson and later as co-leader of the Tierney Sutton Band. His extensive discography includes five critically acclaimed trio recordings and eight Grammy nominations. In 2016, Jacob composed the original score to director Clint Eastwood’s box-office smash Sully, along with Eastwood and Sutton, for a 70-piece orchestra.

Beth Lederman & Jazz Con Alma, Dec. 17.

A mainstay on keyboards on the Phoenix jazz scene for more than 30 years, Arizona native Lederman has developed an eclectic, sophisticated sound that features influence from bossa-nova to swing to pop music, all played with heartfelt integrity.

Samara Joy, Jan. 21.

Samara Joy’s star seems to rise with each performance. Growing up in New

Haddock said she appreciates the relationship between Gloria and Emilio. In the musical, Emilio encourages Gloria to keep going. “It is the Emilio and Gloria Estefan show,” Haddock said. “Every moment with them is so funny, it’s so real and it’s so inspiring. Who doesn’t want that kind of love?” Haddock, who grew up singing in choirs, was introduced to musical theater in high school when she auditioned for her first musical role in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Now at 29 years old, Haddock said playing the role of Gloria is terrifying as she prepares to step into “really, really big shoes.” Haddock said she is inspired by Gloria’s “endless drive” and her pursuit of the American dream. “She has dealt with so many hardships in her life,” she said. “From coming to America as an immigrant and then having to help raise her sister and care for her father, my question the whole time is how did you become a superstar? She didn’t

York, her home was filled with the sounds of not only her father’s songs but also the inspiration of many Gospel and R&B artists. Her father toured with gospel artist Andrae Crouch. Her grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, led the Philadelphia-based gospel group The Savettes. Joy studied jazz at SUNY Purchase, eventually named Ella Fitzgerald Scholar and winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.

Bill Charlap Trio, Feb. 18.

Grammy Award-winning pianist Bill Charlap has recorded albums featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and Duke Ellington. Charlap’s collaboration with Tony Bennett on “The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern” won the 2016 Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. His, which has been together nearly a quarter-century, has earned multiple Grammy nominations.

Michael Kocour, March 18.

A concert starring jazz pianist-composer Michael Kocour alone would be an outstanding entertainment value. Embellish it with Mark Turner on tenor saxophone, Jason Palmer on trumpet, Ben

have any trajectory.” Yamotahari said the musical has all the ingredients for a memorable show. “You have an orchestra concert,” he said. “You have top-tier choreography and dancers, amazing vocalists and amazing actors all working together within a beautiful design of the show to create a memorable postcard for anyone that’s attending.” 

Hedquist on bass and the incomparable Lewis Nash on drums and it elevates to a blockbuster. Kocour, director of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University, has appeared at venues around the world for more than three decades. His recorded work as a studio musician includes soundtracks for two motion pictures. Turner’s sound contains elements of John Coltrane. Palmer, among the most indemand musicians of his generation, has recorded 13 albums. Hedquist, assistant professor of jazz bass at ASU, holds a doctorate in double-bass performance. Nash is among the most popular and prolific jazz drummers today.

Artemis, May 20. (7 p.m. & 9 p.m.)

Artemis, a dynamic supergroup of six of the most acclaimed women in modern jazz, is known for its cosmopolitan, sleek sound. Put bassist Noriko Ueda, clarinetist Anat Cohen, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes, drummer Allison Miller and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen together onstage and the result is beyond comprehension. Rosnes initially got the group together for a European festival tour. She selected musicians she respected and wanted to make music with. Each is a unique character, creating versatility and making their music fascinating. 

If You Go...

Who: “On Your Feet! The Story Of Emilio & Gloria Estefan” Where: The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix When: Various times through Aug. 28 Cost: Tickets start at $44 Info: Phoenixtheatre.Com

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES AND SUDOKU from Page 55

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

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Painting

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480-405-7099 affinityplumber@gmail.com

www.affinityplumbingaz.com

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ROC #155380

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

Affinity Plumbing LLC 480-487-5541

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

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

Plumbing

ConklinPainting.com

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PAINTING

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www.eastvalleypainters.com Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor Anything Plumbing Same Day Service Water Heaters

24/7

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

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

HOME FOR RENT? Place it here!

Pool Service / Repair

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Plumbing

AHWATUKEE SPECIAL $

Your best choice for shower walls & floor installation with all kind of materials like wood, laminate & more. 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE | RESPONSIBLE | QUICK RESPONSE Ahwatukee!

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Roofing

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Roofing

See our Befores and Afters on Facebook Not a licensed contractor

Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC#272001

Pool Service / Repair

Owner Operated - 20 Years

Juan Hernandez Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR

Play Pools start at

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Ask About Filter Cleaning Specials!

showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

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

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480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

Mark

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

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602-471-2346 CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465 class@Times LocalMedia.com

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Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING

Plumbing

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PLUMBING $35.00 Off Any Service Call Today!

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

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Roofing

Family Owned & Operated for over 30 years

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

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

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Family Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! We have a “Spencer” on every job

ROOFING LLC Family Owned and Operated 43 Years Experience in Arizona

CRIMSON CANYONS & MESAS NATIONAL PARKS TOUR

PHILLIPS COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

623-873-1626 Free Estimates Monday through Saturday Licensed 2006 ROC 223367 Bonded Insured

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Vancouver • Ketchikan • Juneau • Skagway • Glacier Bay • Anchorage • Denali • Anchorage • and more — Visit

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and every step of the way.

4-island Hawaiian vacation with centrally located lodging in Waikiki on Oahu, and beachfront lodging on the “Big Island” of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. Guided throughout by our friendly Tour Directors—your local experts. Includes 3 inter-island flights.

12 days, departs May - Sep 2023

Over 30 yrs. Experience

FROM

Oahu • Hawaii Island • Kauai • Maui — Enjoy a fully guided

GRAND ALASKAN CRUISE & TOUR

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident

480-706-1453

BEST OF HAWAII FOUR-ISLAND TOUR 12 days, departs year-round

www.porterroofinginc.com

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

PLAN YOUR DREAM VACATION

10 days, departs Apr - Sep 2023

FREE ONBOARD CREDIT FROM

1,949

1,699 *

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CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | JULY 20, 2022

Spencers has been saving you money for over 50 Years. We provide the Best Products, at the Lowest Prices and Our Customer Service is Terriﬁc! We are locally owned and operated. When you shop Spencers your hard earned Cash stays in OUR COMMUNITY! OVER-THE-RANGE MICROWAVE WASHER

• 3.4 Cu. Ft. Capacity • 8 Wash Cycles • 3 Temperature Settings • Dual Action Agitator NTW450IXQ CLOSEOUT

• • • •

DRYER • Super Capacity • Multiple Drying Cycles • Automatic Dryness Control NED4500VQ CLOSEOUT

429

EACH

319

HDA2000TWW CLOSEOUT

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RANGE • 4.8 Cubic Foot Capacity • Self Cleaning Oven • Smooth Top • Proudly Made in USA

699 WF45T6200AW

DVE45T6200W

58” 4K UHD SMART TV • 2 HDMI Inputs • Airplay2 Built-In

UN58TU7000

BFTF2716SS

STAINLESS STEEL 23 CU. FT. SIDE BY SIDE • Deli Drawer • Crisper Shelves

EACH

DISHWASHER

REFRIGERATOR

• Integrated Control Styling • Premium Nylon Racks • In Door Silverware Basket • Energy Star Qualified

• 25 Cubic Foot Capacity • Spill Proof Glass Shelves • Humidity Controlled Drawers

2410

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219

• 7.5 Cu. Ft.Capacity • 4.5 Cu. Ft. Capacity • 10 Cycles • 10 Wash Cycles • 9 Options • Smart Care • Steam Sanitize

• Normal Wash Cycle • Heated Dry On/Off • Standard Upper Rack

58”

FFMV1846VW CLOSEOUT

FRONT LOAD WASHER

DISHWASHER

1.8 Cu. Ft. Capacity 2 Speed 300 CFM Exhaust Digital Display Timer

12 MONTHS

• LED Lighting FFSS2314QS CLOSEOUT

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WRS325SDHZ

WDF520PADM

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Minimum finance amount of at least $599 or more with their BrandSource Credit Card by Citi. No interest as long as balance is paid in full by January 1, 2024, minimum monthly NO INTEREST **payments. If the amount of the purchase is not paid in full by the end of the promotional period, interest charges will be imposed from the purchase date at the variable purchase rate UNTIL 1/1/24** on your account, which is 29.24% APR. This APR is as of May 16 2022 and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. MESA SHOWROOM & CLEARANCE CENTER 115 W. First Ave. | 480-833-3072 AHWATUKEE 4601 E. Ray Rd. | Phoenix | 480-777-7103 ARROWHEAD RANCH 7346 W. Bell Road | 623-487-7700 GILBERT Santan Village | 2711 S. Santan Village Pkwy | 480-366-3900 GLENDALE 10220 N. 43rd Ave | (602) 504-2122 GOODYEAR 1707 N. Litchfield Rd | 623-930-0770 RECONDITION CENTER 160 EAST BROADWAY | 480-615-1763 SCOTTSDALE 14202 N. Scottsdale Rd. | 480-991-7200 SCOTTSDALE/PHOENIX 13820 N. Tatum Blvd. | (602) 494-0100 NOW OPEN - MESA 5141 S. Power Rd. | 480-988-1917

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IT NO CRED IONS OPT NEEDED, BLE AVAILA Due to current circumstances, some items may be out of stock.