Ahwatukee Foothills News 07/26/2023

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

TWednesday, July 26, 2023

empe Union High School District juniors overall performed better in 202223 than the previous year in Arizona’s basic test of academic proficiency in English Language Arts, math and science.

But individual high school scores in the ACT test painted a different picture – includ-

ing those at the two Ahwatukee campuses, according to data disclosed at a recent governing board meeting.

That data showed various differences among the district’s six schools and online program in students’ command of English Language Arts, math and science.

For example, a composite of ACT scores showed the district improving by 2.6% overall last year over the prior year. Broken down by

www.ahwatukee.com

schools, Desert Vista juniors’ scores improved by 3.3% in that time while no change occurred at Mountain Pointe.

“We have consistent improvement across all schools,” Kim Hilgers, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, told the board.

“In Mountain Pointe, well, there’s no improvement,” she added. “There’s also no decline, so they just kind of stayed stagnant.”

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Take an Ahwatukee civic group that’s done an awful lot in the community, add a generous gift from a “giving circle” of women who come together only four times a year, then throw in a helping hand from a bikers’ outfit and what do you get?

Big smiles and a big shot of confidence for 100 of some of Maricopa County’s most forgotten children – kids who live in group foster homes.

That winning combination went into the Kiwanis Club’s

annual “shopping spree” July 15 that gave 100 foster kids, mostly teens, $150 each to spend on new clothes and footwear that will help them feel a little better as they go back to school.

The spree was largely underwritten by $15,600 from the Ahwatukee chapter of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun, one of three chapters in the county that belong to a nationwide group formed in 2016 to maximize financial assistance to charitable endeavors.

The helping hand came

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

Times Media Group:

1900 W. Broadway Road, Tempe, Arizona, 85282

Main number: 480-898-6500

Advertising: 480-898-5624

Circulation service: 480-898-5641

PUBLISHER

Steve T. Strickbine VICE PRESIDENT

Michael Hiatt

ADVERTISING STAFF

National Advertising Director

Zac Reynolds 480-898-5603 zac@ahwatukee.com

Advertising Sales Representatives:

Laura Meehan, 480-898-7904, | lmeehan@ahwatukee.com

Katie Mueller, 480-898-7909 kmueller@TimesLocalMedia.com

Classifieds/Inside Sales:

TJ Higgins, 480-898-5902 tjhiggins@TimesLocalMedia.com

Steve Insalaco, 480-898-5635 sinsalaco@TimesLocalMedia.com

NEWS STAFF

Executive Editor:

Paul Maryniak, 480-898-5647 pmaryniak@ahwatukee..com

GetOut Editor: Alex Gallagher | 843-696-6442 | agallagher@TimesLocalMedia.com

Sports Editor:

Zach Alvira 480-898-5630 | zalvira@TimesLocalMedia.com

Production Manager: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@TimesLocalMedia.com

Designer: Ruth Carlton | rcarlton@TimesLocalMedia.com

Photographer:

David Minton | dminton@TimesLocalMedia.com

Reporters:

Cecilia Chan. 480-898-5613 | cchan@@TimesLocalMedia.com

Circulation Director:

Aaron Kolodny 480-898-5641 | aaron@TimesLocalMedia.com

lawmakers from trans ban ruling

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Two lawmakers wasted no time appealing a judge's July 21 ruling allowing two transgender girls to play on all-girls teams in Kyrene School District and a Tucson private school.

State Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, and House Speraker Ben Toma, R-Peoria, filed an appeal the next day while the two defendants asked the judge not to deny a request to intervene on behalf of the ban filed by three mothers, one a Higley Unified Governing Board member.

In a 35-page order July 20, U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer Zipps rejected arguments by state schools chief Tom Horne that it would be unfair to allow those who were born as males to participate on allgirl teams and compete against females.

The judge said the evidence that Horne presented claiming that transgender girls are stronger does not hold up under scrutiny.

Zipps also said that the 2022 law violates Title IX, a federal law that bars discrimination based on sex in educational opportunities. She said it deprives transgender girls “the benefits of sports programs and activities that their non-transgender classmates enjoy.’’

The judge said the two students otherwise would be participating this new school year in sports and would suffer irreparable harm.

WRITE A LETTER

To submit a letter, please include your full name. Our policy is not to run anonymous letters. Please keep the length to 300 words. Letters

Thursday’s order does not strike down the law but rather bars its enforcement only against the two students.

But in her ruling, Zipps upheld the existing policy of the Arizona Interscholastic Association that on a case-by-case basis has allowed students to participate in sports based on the gender with which they identify.

And that paves the way for other transgender girls to seek similar relief.

The judge must still hold a full trial on the two students' contention that the law discriminates against them.

The plaintiffs sued Kyrene School Dis-

trict and a Tucson private school.

The Kyrene plaintiff is an 11-year-old student who was born male and has “lived her life as a girl’’ since age 5, according to the lawsuit.

Several Kyrene governing board members last fall ripped the legislation banning boys on girls’ teams but conceded it was forced to obey the state law and make it policy, as did all other boards in the state.

The district also declined to defend itself in the lawsuit, following the lead of the state attorney general, who also said she would not put up a defense. Zipps last week allowed Kyrene and the Tucson school to sit on the sidelines of the court fight.

Attorney General Kris Mayes' decided to sit out of the case for Petersen and Toma to be admitted as defendants so they could hire lawyers and defend the ban.

Filing a request to join them are mothers from Maricopa and Yuma and Higley Governing Board member Anna Van Hoek. All three moms contend that the presence of biological boys on girls teams would create "a significant obstacle to girls achieving their best performance."

Horne vowed to pursue the case, saying it ultimately will be decided by the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.

“And they will rule in our favor,’’ he said.

The measure requires public schools and any private schools that compete against them to designate their interscholastic or intramural sports strictly as male, female or coed.

It specifically says that teams designated for women or girls “may not be open to students of the male sex.’’

Supporters said it was based on the inherent physical advantages of biological males.

Horne said he presented peer-reviewed studies that show pre-pubescent boys –what he called the transgender girls – have an advantage over girls in sports.

Zipps said the attorneys for the two students presented evidence that any differences between boys and girls in various athletic measurements prior to puberty “are minimal or nonexistent.’’

And she said that the physical characteristics of transgender girls in terms of height, weight and strength, overlap with those of other girls.

“In other words, some girls may be taller than average, and some transgender girls

may be taller than average,’’ the judge wrote.

“The rationale for excluding transgender girls with above average physical characteristics is equally applicable to excluding taller than average girls,’’ she continued. “But height, weight, or strength factors are not used at any level of competition to protect girls or women athletes.’’

Nor was she swayed by claims the law physically protects girls.

Zipps pointed out while the 2022 specifically bars transgender girls from playing in girls’ sports, there is no similar bar to transgender boys – identified by Horne and other defenders of the law as “biological girls’’ – from playing in boys’ sports, presumably where they could be hurt.

The judge relied heavily on the concept that transgender girls are, in fact, girls.

She acknowledged that children are “assigned’’ a sex at birth which generally matches physiology. But the judge said that is different than “gender identity.’’

“For a transgender person, that initial designation does not match the person’s gender identity,’’ Zipps said. She also said that “gender dysphoria’’ – the distress due to incongruence between the person’s gender identity and assigned sex – is highly treatable.

“Attempts to ‘cure’ transgender individuals by forcing their gender identity into alignment with their birth sex are harmful and ineffective,’’ Zipps wrote.

What makes that important, according to the judge, is that efforts like this law to deny transgender girls the opportunity to participate in sports with girls – and she does consider the plaintiffs to be girls – can be harmful, citing high rates of attempted suicide in the transgender community.

“For social transition to be clinically effective, it must be respected consistently across all aspects of a transgender individual’s life,’’ the judge wrote.

“It would be psychologically damaging for a transgender girl to be banned from playing school sports on equal terms with other girls.’’

She also noted that both girls already have been playing sports.

“For transgender girls who are already playing on girls’ teams, a law that requires them to be excluded from continued participation on girls’ teams would have a further negative impact on their health and well-being, causing them to feel isolated, rejected, and stigmatized, and thereby

2 top state officials spar over dual language teaching

HOWARD FISCHER

Capitol Media Services

Attorney General Kris Mayes says state schools chief Tom Horne has no authority to cut off funds to school districts – including Kyrene and Chandler Unified – that don’t use “structured English immersion’’ to teach students who are not proficient.

In a formal opinion issued last week, Mayes said only the state Board of Education has the authority to declare that a school district is not complying with a 2000 voter-approved measure that spells out that all children “shall be taught English by being taught in English and all children shall be placed in English language classrooms.’’

The opinion comes as Horne announced last month that any school teaching “English language learners’’ in what has come to be known as a 50-50 dual-language model are breaking the law.

Horne fired back at Mayes, calling her opinion “ideologically driven” and citing an earlier opinion by Hannah Nies, general counsel to the Arizona Legislative Council, a legal arm of the Legislature.

She concluded that a dual language model that allows students to be taught subject matter in a language other than English “likely violates Proposition 203.’’

“The Attorney General, for ideological reasons, wanted to rule in favor of the Democrat legislators who favor dual language. So, she refused to comment on whether a dual language program without waivers violates the voter protected initiative,” Horne said.

TRANSGENDER from page 4

putting them at high risk for severe depression and/or anxiety.’’

And, to drive the point home, Zipps said that the girls’ “mental health is dependent on living as girls in all aspects of their lives.’’

In signing the ban last year, then-Gov. Doug Ducey brushed aside the fact that the governors of Indiana and Utah, both Republicans, vetoed similar legislation in their state.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, in his veto message, said these decisions should be left to the organization that governs interscho-

“She simply said that the state Board of Education has the power to adapt models under legislation. Neither the legislature nor the board has the power to overrule a voter- approved initiative.”

But Horne also said the dispute “will obviously be resolved in the courts” and that no money will be withheld from any district until that happens.

Horne two months ago told 26 districts that schools that don’t use immersion programs could lose access to special funds to teach English.

A total 1,029 students are at issue.

CUSD has 43 students in such a program, according to Horne, and the district said spent about $158,000 for ELL education in 2022-23.

Kyrene has 42 students in so-called 5050 programs, according to Horne, and the district said it received $241,000 in ELL funding in 2023-24 and expects $247,000 in the new school year.

Horne cited “other remedies in the initiative for violation of its requirements,” and noted parents can sue for the removal of the superintendent, governing board members and principal for up to five years.

Mayes pointed out that the Legislature in 2019 reduced the amount of time students must spend in structured English immersion classes and gave the state Board of Education flexibility to develop alternatives.

One of the alternatives is the “dual language model’’ that Horne contends is illegal.

Mayes sidestepped the question of see DUAL LANGUAGE page 6

lastic athletics in his state.Cox, whose veto was later overridden, also cited figures that show 86 percent of transgender youths have considered suicide, with 56% actually making an attempt.

Asked about that, Ducey said there is “great concern for and great empathy for those situations.’’’ But that didn’t change his mind.

“I think Arizona has handled this in the most responsible way possible to keep a level playing field out there for young female athletes and to address the other issues,’’ he said.

“And I think Arizona has handled this in the most responsible way possible.’’ 

Nothing Cooler than New

whether that model complies with what’s required by Proposition 203. She said that is a question of fact and not law.

But she said the state board did conclude that dual language programs are acceptable, that school districts “remain entitled to rely on that approval’’ – and that Horne can’t do anything about it.

“Only the (state) board has the statutory authority to exclude the dual language model from the list of approved SEI models and to declare a school noncompliant and ineligible for ELL funds,’’ Mayes wrote.

“The superintendent does not have authority to impose any consequences on, or withhold any monies from, a school district or charter school that utilizes a board-approved SEI model absent a finding of noncompliance with the board.’’

Horne’s spokesman Doug Nick said his boss believes that the Legislature itself acted illegally when it approved the 2019 law giving the state board more authority to adopt alternate programs.

He said once voters approved Proposition 203 it was covered by the Voter Protection Act, a constitutional amendment that precludes lawmakers from repealing

or tinkering with anything approved at the ballot box.

The only amendments permitted are those that “further the purpose’’ of the original ballot measure.

The original initiative created a requirement for a rigid bloc of instruction of at least four hours a day in a classroom with only those students not proficient in English.

Theoretically, that was designed to provide proficiency in just one year. That proved not to be true, with the Department of Education finding that in 2018 just 14 percent of “English language learner’’ students were found to be proficient enough to leave the program.

That led to questions of not just that students were being segregated but that the language instruction meant they were not keeping up with their peers in other subjects.

A 2010 study by researchers at Arizona State University said ELL students are “physically, socially, and educationally isolated from their non-ELL peers.’’

In 2019, Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation allowing the state board to adopt

•

•

•

and approve alternate “research-based’’ models that involved just two hours a day, giving school officials more flexibility in how to schedule that time.

And it allows classrooms mixed with both students whose native language is English as well as those from homes where that is not the case.

But Nick said his boss is convinced that what many schools are now doing just doesn’t work.

“We have data that show that the English proficiency rate for dual-language learners is between 4 and 6%,’’ he said. “That’s obviously very poor.’’

By contrast, Nick said, structured English immersion was strictly enforced the first time that Horne was state schools chief, between 2003 and 2011.

“That percentage was somewhere in the neighborhood of more like 36%,’’ he said.

Nick said schools have no choice but to comply with Proposition 203 and its requirements for structured English immersion. And that goes to Horne’s contention that whatever lawmakers did in 2019 to loosen the requirements is illegal and un-

enforceable.

There was an effort in 2020 to put a measure on the ballot that would have resolved the matter by removing the restrictions on how English can be taught.

HCR 2001 would have replaced Proposition 203 with a requirement for public schools to provide dual language programs for both native and non-native English speakers. And it spelled out that schools must provide “effective and appropriate instructional methods.’’

“This is a simple bill that says all the kids should have the equal chance to learn,’’ said John Fillmore, then a Republican representative from Apache Junction.

The problem, Fillmore said, is when students are confined to classrooms where English is the only thing being taught they are not keeping up with their counterparts who are in classes learning math, science and other subjects. That, he said, means they end up “being held back.’’

His bill was approved by the House Education Committee on a 10-1 margin but died when it could not get the required hearing by the Rules Committee, then chaired by Anthony Kern of Glendale, who is now a state senator. 

State makes $307M unemployment oops

BY HOWARD FISCHER

Capitol Media Services

Arizona overpaid recipients of a federally funded unemployment program $307 million more than they were entitled.

And two thirds of that was the fault of the state.

Data provided to Capitol Media Services shows that about 68,000 people who got Pandemic Unemployment Assistance received more than they were entitled. That includes those who should have received less because of their income and those who were not eligible at all.

But it turns out that it was mistakes made by the state Department of Economic Security that resulted in overpayments to about 62,000 of those.

More to the point, the state will not be seeking recovery of the approximately $215 million they received.

What’s behind that, according to DES spokesman Brett Bezio, is the unique nature of the temporary program – and an admission that the agency, overwhelmed with applications, just made some mistakes.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program was created by Congress as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to help those who were otherwise ineligible for standard state benefits.

Generally speaking, that includes the self-employed, independent contractors and those in the “gig economy’’ like drivers for rideshare programs. But it also covered those who had exhausted their regular state jobless benefits which run out after 26 weeks.

Benefits of $600 a week were originally available for 39 weeks. Subsequent congressional action eventually extended that out to 79 weeks, with the last day for benefits of July 10, 2021.

All totaled, about 336,000 Arizonans got the benefits.

But the emergency nature of the program got off to a rocky start – and was directly related to the overpayments.

Some of that, Bezio said, was due to the short time states like Arizona, which were administering the federal dollars, had to

implement it.

“Our goal was to ensure individuals in need received assistance so they could keep food on their tables and stay within their own homes,’’ he said.

“The situation at the start of the pandemic was chaotic for all, with many becoming hospitalized and even losing their lives to COVID-19.’’

And the pandemic and the resultant layoffs resulted in a surge in not just applications for PUA but for state unemployment benefits.

Complicating matters is that the state’s system that handles regular unemployment claims would not work for those in the PUA program.

And then there’s the fact that Congress, anxious to get PUA payments out, required only a name, social security number, date of birth and address.

Applicants had to “self-certify’’ that they are otherwise able to work and available but for the fact that they are unemployed, partially unemployed, or are unable to work because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The programs created were vulnerable to fraud,’’ Bezio said.

That crush of requests for all types of jobless benefits resulted in problems on the state’s end, too – the problems that led to overpayments.

Bezio said his agency responded by rapidly hiring adjudicators to review the requests.

“At one point, DES was hiring one individual every 80 minutes to keep up with the demand,’’ he said. “With the new programs and systems, and with new employees going through training, inaccuracies in adjudicating cases were unavoidable, as other states also experienced.’’

And Bezio said it took some time for the agency to improve its operations and institute fraud prevention and detection systems.

All that, he said, goes to the question of what DES calls “administrative overpayments.’’

“This may happen if DES miscalculates the claimant’s wages or fails to deduct income from other sources,’’ Bezio explained.

see MISTAKE page 13

Rob Castellini

602-430-3917 MendozaTeam.com

Mike

Club West

4 BR / 2.5 BA / 2,283 SQFT

Enjoy the privacy of this premium hillside view lot. Just completed new carpet and interior paint.

Listed For $497,500

5 BR / 3 BA / 2,736 SQ FT

Spacious former UDC model home with South Mountain views. Private backyard with large pool.

Listed for $625,000

5 BR / 3.5 BA / 5,079 SQFT

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

Listed for $1,325,000

3 BR / 2 BA / 1,361 SQFT

Updated single level. New interior/ exterior paint, carpeting plus granite counters in kitchen and baths.

Listed for $425,000

5 BR / 3 BA / 3,394 SQFT

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

Listed for $799,000

5 BR / 4.5 BA / 4,391 SQFT

Superb single level with detached casita. Shutters, travertine and laminate flooring. New roof in 2022.

Listed for $1,225,000

Mountain Park Ranch

Listed for $ 775,000

Remarkable remodel on an oversized PRESERVE lot in highly sought - after Mountain Park Ranch! Majestic mountain views; truly a rare find! Kitchen boasts custom built Shaker cabinetry with quartz counters, extended island, Carrara marble back splash, antique gold hardware and light fixtures, 30” Brumfield Firelcay Farmhouse sink, and stainless steel Bosch appliance package. Pendant lighting over island. Large eat-in casual dining area and pantry. Shiplap ceiling and accent wall. Enjoy gorgeous mountain views from the picture window at the kitchen sink! Open kitchen family room concept! 2,335 sf. Four bedrooms and three full bathrooms! Tile flooring. New carpet. New interior paint. New landscape sprinkler systems front and back. Custom concrete accent surrounds and reclaimed wood mantle at fireplace. New Pella windows and Sliding glass doors. New cordless Soluna roller shields throughout. Resort style backyard! Sparkling pool, lush mature landscape, and large grass area. Enjoy incredible sunsets from the extended covered back patio! Oversized 2.5 car garage. 14 seer 5 ton AC unit (2018.) R-30 insulation in attic. The upgrades are endless!

Gila Buttes

Listed for $ 385,000

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.

AFN NEWS STAFF

Tempe Union High School District students last week started the new school year with a new policy governing their use of cell phones on campus.

The new policy, which also applies to earbuds, smart watches and other “electornic signaling devices,” for forbids students from using phones during class, assemblies or other instructional activities – including field trips.

And they cannot take still or video recordings “that violate personal privacy.” Of course, they’re also banned from cheating with phones and other devices.

The new policy was enacted this year “to minimize distractions and interruptions to all instructional time,” the district told students in its updated policy manual.

“We haven’t had anything this formal around cell phones,” district spokeswoman Megan Sterling said, adding the administration created the new policy, which did not require governing board approval.

The new policy was praised by Katey McPherson, a Chandler educator and a strong advocate for students’ mental and emotional well-being across the state.

She has been campaigning for tighter controls both by parents and schools on the use of cellphones at both the elementary and high school level, pointing to a ream of studies about their adverse impact on students – especially where social media is concerned.

“This is an emerging topic everywhere,” McPherson said, adding many schools are “finally waking up that these are a problem.”

Kyrene School District also requires that students turn off and pack away all electronic devices, including cellphones and earbuds.

Foothills

Listed for $815,000

Remodeled home in a transitional contemporary style! 2,626 sf, 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Hillside lot with an east facing back yard! 2020 DOUBLE PAPER ROOF! Custom finishes throughout.! OPEN FLOOR PLAN! Kitchen boasts soft-close white Shaker cabinetry with ORB hardware and pull out shelving, quartz counter tops, large island with pendant lighting, upgraded stainless steel appliances, 36’’ farmhouse sink and large walk-in pantry. 2’ x 4’ porcelain tile flooring througout and engineered hardwood in the bedrooms and office (2021.) No carpet in the home! 8’ custom doorways throughout with solid frame doors. Recessed LED lighting throughout home! 2021 interior paint and 7 ¼” baseboards. 2022 trendy ceiling fans and 2022 silhouette window blinds. The

“Having all personal electronic devices off and packed away reduces disruptions to the learning environment,” the district policy states.

Tempe Union said the new policy is “based on the importance of this instructional time” and sets out times when cellphones can be used on campus.

Those times include before or after the school day begins, during lunch and between classrooms, during a state of emergency when students are allowed by the principal to contact parents, during activi-

ties permitted by a teacher and “during extended trips and sporting events.”

It also warns, “Students who violate the above guidelines shall be deemed to have created a disruption in the educational environment and shall be subject to disciplinary action.

“The severity of the disruption and whether other policies were also violated will determine the appropriate discipline," the policy notes, adding expulsion could ultimately occur for repeated violations or a single serious one.

For example, a device can be confiscated if used in a crime and police could be called in.

Otherwise, a student disobeying the policy will be reprimanded for a first defense while a second offense merits “detention and reflective practice.” Parents will be called in for a conference with a third offense and will be asked to come to the school to pick up the device if the student has committed a fourth offense.

The National Center for Biotechnical Information recently cited “a variety of cross-sectional, longitudinal and empirical studies” that it said “implicate smartphone and social media use in the increase in mental distress, self-injurious behavior and suicidality among youth.”

“There is a dose–response relationship, and the effects appear to be greatest among girls,” the center said, warning social media “can affect adolescents’ self-view and interpersonal relationships through social comparison and negative interactions, including cyberbullying.”

“Moreover, social media content often involves normalization and even promotion of self-harm and suicidality among youth,” it said, warning that “high proportions of youth engage in heavy smartphone use and media multitasking, with resultant chronic sleep deprivation, and negative effects on cognitive control, academic performance and socioemotional functioning.”

“In the last decade, increasing mental distress and treatment for mental health conditions among youth in North America has paralleled a steep rise in the use of smartphones and social media by children and adolescents,” it said, stressing that more parental involvement at home as well as use policies are needed. 

Hilgers and Dr. Maja Aleksic, executive director of assessment, accountability and research, walked the board through data from tests taken by Tempe Union freshmen and juniors.

The data also provide more guidance in the ongoing development by the administration and governing board of more accountability measurements and strategies to ensure more students’ academic.

The board and some administrators devoted a second meeting to formulating those measurements and the academic goals for students, regardless of whether they plan to attend college or pursue a trade after graduation.

Board President Armando Montero praised the administration’s plan to discuss the district’s goals for improving student academic performance with the community and provide periodic reports on its progress.

“Student outcomes are what we are here to do,” Montero said, stressing the need for the administration to integrate measurements of the district’s success in improving student proficiency “structurally…into the operations and governance of this district.”

The data showed the district’s composite

Vista’s 74% average for proficiency not only increased from 67% the previous school year but towered over its counterparts.

sessments.”

Math proficiency showed the same variations.

District-wide, Tempe Union surpassed the state average for proficiency in math for the second consecutive year and increased slightly over the previous year, according to the data.

ACT score not only improved last school year over 2021-22 among juniors but also continued to exceed the statewide average for the third consecutive year.

That same trend continued at a district level for both math and English Language Arts but differed among individual schools.

In English Language Arts, the district’s percentage of students who demonstrated proficiency rose from 48% in 2021-22 to 54% last school year.

Among individual high schools, Desert

Desert Vista and Corona del Sol were the only two high schools in Tempe Union where over half of all juniors demonstrated proficiency in English Language Arts.

At Mountain Pointe, 45% of juniors showed proficiency in ELA – up from 38% in 2021-22. Marcos de Niza scored the lowest at 34% and McClintock’s 41% proficiency score was unchanged from the previous school year.

Hilgers said the increased proficiency in English Language Arts is “a huge win because it’s really hard to show growth and improvement on standardized as-

While average math proficiency at Corona and Desert Vista exceeded the state benchmark, Mountain Pointe’s average fell slightly below.

Hilgers said a survey of juniors related to both the ACT test and the district’s efforts to prepare them for it showed that “overwhelmingly, students did feel they understood the importance of the ACT and how it applied to both their career and college choices.”

She said survey respondents “overwhelmingly” found the districts efforts to prepare them helpful.

“They really liked having class time devoted to ACT prep and so this is something that we have emphasized last year and I think we’ll continue to emphasize and share with teachers,” Hilgers said.

“Students do see a lot of value in spending some of that class time in preparing for

SCORES from page 12

the ACT,” she continued. “They did find the practice tests extremely helpful.”

Hilgers also provided an overview of results for proficiency in English Language Arts among freshmen who took the ACT Aspire test last school year.

Hilger broke down those results into four categories of student readiness for college: Those who exceeded standards, those who met them, those close to meeting them and those who need help.

Tempe Union’s percentage of freshmen who far exceeded the readiness standards was well above the state average and slightly below the national average.

The percentage of all Tempe Union freshmen who met English Language Arts proficiency standards was slightly below the state and national averages while the district percentage of those needing help exceeded the national average but was well below the state’s.

The district’s average percentage of freshmen who were close to meeting standards was slightly below both the state and national averages.

On a high school level, Desert Vista’s average of freshmen exceeding readiness standards for English was well above the averages the national, state and district averages. Conversely, the average percentage of Desert Vista freshmen needing help in that subject fell below all three levels.

The percentage of Mountain Pointe

freshmen who exceeded ELA proficiency standards was below the national and district averages but was on par with Arizona’s.

Percentages of Mountain Pointe freshmen who met college readiness standards for English Language Arts or were close to meeting them roughly equaled or exceeded district, state and national averages.

The percentage of Mountain Pointe freshmen needing help was higher than the district and national averages but below the state average.

In science, the percentage of Tempe Union juniors demonstrating proficiency increased from 29% in 2021-22 to 35% in 2022-23 – higher than the state’s 20% in 2021-22 and 22% last school year.

At Desert Vista, 48% of juniors showed science proficiency last school year – an increase from 40% the previous year –while 27% in Mountain Pointe showed proficiency, an increase from 21% in 2021-22.

For freshmen last school year took the ACT Aspire test to measure proficiency English Language Arts, Tempe Union administrators broke the results along four categories: – those who met or exceeded proficiency standards, those who were nearly there and those who need help. (Tempe Union)

MISTAKE from page 9

“In these cases, the claimants are not at fault for the overpayment and are typically eligible for their overpayment to be waived,’’ he said. And that, said Bezio,

Science proficiency also was measured in terms of minimally, partially, highly proficient as well as proficient.

District-

happens automatically, without the need for the person who pocketed the money to pay it back.

And even though the extra payments were the fault of the state, he said there is no obligation for the state to reimburse the

wide, 28% of all juniors were proficient in science and 7% highly proficient compared to 48% who were partially proficient and 17% who were minimally proficient.

When it

came to science test results at a school level, 11% of Desert Vista juniors were highly proficient and another 37% were proficient while 4% of Mountain Pointe juniors were highly proficient and 23% proficient.

Hilgers and Aleksic also produced data on graduation and dropout rates.

The district-wide dropout rate of 3% in 2022-23 returned to basically the 2020-21 level after spiking to 4.11% in 2021-22.

Dropout rates at all six Tempe Union districts fell last school year from the previous year, with Desert Vista showing a 1.34% rate and Mountain Pointe 3.18%.

Marcos de Niza and Tempe High led the district with dropout rates last year of 3.92% and 3.91%, respectively.

Hilgers said that going forward, “We need to have strong instructional leadership.

“Our leaders need to be able to go into classrooms to analyze instruction, be able to analyze instructional programs and have conversations about what they’re seeing and how to improve instruction.”

She said “teachers need to really manage their instructional time so that their instruction is in-

cluding active engagement with their kids around what’s essential in their learning.

“They need to be extremely targeted and focused about the what and the how and to intervene daily.”

“I think we need to partner with our parents and communicating what our goals are with our community, letting our community know,” Hilgers added. “Every quarter we might be communicating with you how we’re progressing on our goals and what we’re doing in terms of action plans, what we’ve seen and what we need to do to refine and to get better.

“But I think really when the whole organization inside and out is focused on student outcomes.”

Both board members Sarah James and Andres Barraza also expressed a desire for more measurements of academic progress among students in Career and Technical Education, or CTE, programs

Those programs put students on a path toward an industry certification and/or career in professions that don’t require a college or university degree.

According to the district, “7,000–9,000 students in the district enroll in our CTE classes each year. For students who complete their programs, over 75% of pass the State CTE Assessments, and over 40% earn industry credentials.”

Barraza called for more measurement of success rates for CTE students so that the board has a better understanding of how well the district prepares them for a career if they are not attending college. 

federal government.

Others, however, are not so lucky.

“When an individual receives benefits for which they are not entitled and a waiver is not issued, federal and state rule requires the repayment of the benefits,’’

Bezio said. “If the claimant has committed fraud, they will need to repay the benefits and may face legal consequences.’’ There were no immediate figures available about how much DES has collected in repayments. 

The percentage of Desert Vista High School juniors demonstrating math proficiency was far higher than other Tempe Union schools. (Tempe Union)

Tempe Union developed a composite score from results of ACT tests taken by juniors last year to show how juniors in the district and individual high schools compared to composite proficiency scores across the state and the nation (Tempe Union)

from the county chapter of a 28-year-old international group whose members’ attire may have some thinking Hells Angels but whose activities make them Heaven’s Angels – Bikers Against Child Abuse.

All three groups made the Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club’s annual shopping spree extra special as volunteers escorted 100 kids through the Ahwatukee Kohl's before the normal shopping day began.

“They had a great time,” Kiwanis Club Treasurer Andi Pettyjohn said. “After they got done shopping, they were excited to be able to show their group home staff members all the cool stuff that they got.”

Any school year is especially traumatic for many of the 400,000 foster children in the United States – including close to 14,000 in Arizona. Many live in group homes and have been removed from traumatizing home environments, often arriving with little beyond the clothes on their back.

Pettyjohn and her fellow Kiwanians have made those foster kids a special target of their big hearts, treating dozens to Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas gifts –and a little help to start a new school year feeling a little better about themselves.

That jolt of confidence is important, as study after study shows foster kids confront challenges in school that their peers generally don’t.

“A positive PreK-12 education experience has the potential to be a powerful counterweight to the abuse, neglect, separation, impermanence and other barriers these vulnerable students experience,” a report by the U.S. Department of Education states.

That kind of need moved members of the Ahwatukee chapter of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun when they gathered earlier this year.

At the group’s quarterly meetings, a couple members each nominate a charitable organization, telling the assembly about what it does.

The women kick money into a pot – each often donating $100 or more – and then vote on which group should receive their joint gift.

The kids who arrived at Kohl’s met up with Kiwanians, a few other volunteers from the community and the bikers who escorted them through racks of clothing and shelves of sneakers and shoes to make their selections.

The bikers’ presence was a first for the

Kiwanis event.

Pettyjohn said she had read about BACA a few years ago and had given the group some jean jackets, which the bikers adorn with their logo and other emblems and give to banged up children.

“We had one of their women come and speak to our Kiwanis Club and I set her up with some other Kiwanis clubs,” she explained, adding that in recent years she and her husband worked with members in a few other charitable activities.

Some of those bikers received her email looking for on-site shopping spree volunteers and showed up at Kohl’s to lend a helping hand.

It’s what people have come to expect from BACA, which was formed in 1995 in Utah by a licensed social worker and a Brigham Young University graduate

named John Paul “Chief” Lilly.

He had become so fed up and enraged with the abuse so many children he saw had suffered that he linked up with the president of a bikers group – a former Army Ranger with the sobriquet of “Ogre” – to start an organized effort to rescue tortured kids.

The Bikers Against Child Abuse’s mission is “to create a safer environment for abused children.

“We exist as a body of bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live,” the group says on its website, explaining members “lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization.”

And it lends an appropriate bit of menace for the monsters who commit these crimes against the children they call “part of our organization.”

“We are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation – and our physical presence,” BACA states. “We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse.

“We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.”

There was no need, of course, for that part of BACA’s outreach at Kohl’s on July 15 as Ol Skool, Cookie, Moon , Coyote and other bikers met up with Pettyjohn and the rest of her crew.

Pettyjohn was gratified by their help and, of course, the gift from 100+ Women who Care.

“In the past, we have only done like one or two group homes,” she said. “With their donation, that allowed us to do 100 kids.”

“They were mostly teen boys and girls,

but there were some younger kids,” Pettyjohn added.

While the shopping spree is over, Pettyjohn and her fellow Kiwanians are preparing for their next mission: gathering enough new items and cash donations for the baby shower they sponsor each fall for unwed teen moms.

Many of those moms are students are in Tempe Union high schools as part of the Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program, a drop-out prevention program that prepares them for parenthood but also works to decrease teen pregnancy and repeated pregnancy.

That program is a cooperative effort of the Tempe Union High School District, Maricopa County Early Head Start, First Things First, Quality First, and the Tempe Community Council.

The Kiwanians are currently preparing to place donation boxes for new baby items that will be placed throughout Ahwatukee at various businesses. And the club always welcomes cash donations for the event as well.

After that, the Kiwanians will start to get ready for the Thanksgiving dinners they serve to at least a half dozen group foster homes and after that, it will be time to plan Christmas giving for kids whose Christmas would be anything but merry.

There are ways to help the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee, the 100+ Women Who Care of the Valley of the Sun and the Bikers Against Child Abuse.



LEFT: Among the members of Bikers Against Child Abuse who helped the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee for its back-to-school shopping spree July 15 were, from left, Pink, Moon and Coyote. RIGHT: Helping out at the Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee’s shopping spree were, from left: Stephanie Hammer, Ol Skool, Cookie and Ahwatukee Realtor Christie Ellis. The two men are members of the Bikers Against Child Abuse. (Courtesy of Andi Pettyjohn)

Kiwanis Treasurer Andi Pettyjohn, left, and Norma Riggs were up earlu July 15 preparing for the kids' arrival at Kohl's.

(Courtesy of Andi Pettyjohn)

Inflation, heat potential tourism threats here

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

With most people now seeing COVID in the rear-view mirror, tourism in Arizona is starting to come back.

And now the state agency charged with promoting it may have a new hurdle: The nightly national news reports about how hot it is here.

New figures from a study commissioned by the Arizona Office of Tourism find that overnight visitors spent $28.1 billion last year. That’s up about $4.5 billion from the year before.

Even discounting rampant inflation, Dean Runyan Associates said that’s means a $1.3 billion increase in real dollars, about a 5% increase.

But the state continues to struggle to get travel back to pre-pandemic levels. The

report says when inflation is factored in, the true quality of goods and services purchased by travelers still lags 2019 levels by about 6.3%.

Inflation also is reflected in the data about the total tax revenues generated from tourism. The nearly $4 billion generated in 2022 is just 7.2% above what it was three years earlier, far less than the 8.0% inflation between just 2021 and 2022.

And while the report says tourism directly generated 179,000 jobs last year, that still is below the number of people working in the industry three years earlier.

Still, Lisa Urias, the agency’s director, thinks all that deficit will be erased this year.

Part of what guarantees that, she said, was the fact that Arizona hosted the Superbowl. Add that to typical years, said Urias, and the state should be back on track.

But her agency is now having to deal with a new threat to people’s desire to visit

Arizona.

The national media, having discovered that it’s hot in the summer in Arizona, is paying particular attention to the records being set, not only on individual daily highs and the number of days in a row the thermometer tops 110, but also the number of nights the mercury does not drop below 90.

“It is disturbing,’’ she said.

But Urias, who was at a conference this past week where climate change was a focus, said it’s important to remember that it’s not just Arizona that’s affected.

“Europe is on fire, too, right now,’’ she said.

“It’s crazy,’’ Urias continued. “But it’s something we’re all going to have to adjust to and figure out how to manage.’’

She said, though, even with all the national attention to the triple-digit numbers, she doesn’t believe that will cause long-term damage to the message that

people should visit Arizona.

It starts, she said, with her agency focusing its message on the fact that the state is more than just the Phoenix area that has been making the evening news. There’s Flagstaff and the rest of northern Arizona.

“We do a lot of campaigns to help promote those regions as well,’’ she said, noting the state also provides direct grants to local communities for their own advertising.

“They know their markets,’’ she said. “They know who’s coming to Arizona’’ as well as those already living here who might be looking to get away.’’

“People get away from the heat, say, for a couple of weeks or a week and spend money,’’ Urias said. “That counts, too.’’

On the other side of the equation, Urias said that her agency doesn’t waste its money on trying to convince those from

see TOURISM page 18

EV passport office sees demand, delays increasing

BY KEN SAIN AFN Staff Writer

Laura Studebaker runs her own travel agency in Chandler called Happiest Vacations. An issue beyond her control is making it really hard to deliver them.

“It’s gotten to the point as a travel agency owner, I’m considering implementing a policy: unless you have the passport in hand, or unless it’s a year out, or more, we won’t book a trip,” Studebaker said.

Anyone who needs to get a passport renewed, or obtain their first passport, is finding wait times have increased dramatically in the past few months.

Studebaker said she had one client who booked a family vacation that cost $30,000 did not get her passport in time and had to stay home while the rest of her family went.

“She did try for an emergency passport, but they are not as easy to get anymore,” Studebaker said. “It has to be a true emergency, and if it’s coming two weeks before the trip, they’re not offering that unless there is a death in the family.”

According to national media reports, the U.S. State Department has fewer staffers trying to process a surge in applications. There were 400,000 applications submitted each week in June.

Most national media outlets have re-

ported a surge in American tourists abroad that is exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

That has led to warnings it will take 10 to 13 weeks to process an application.

Gilbert resident Alyssa Denning booked a family trip, hoping to vacation in Costa Rica. However, she realized she had lost

her passport in the many moves she has made since last traveling abroad. She said she applied for a new passport the first week of April. Her trip was scheduled to leave May 30. Realizing she had little time, she paid the expedited fee to try to get it quick.

Instead, she didn’t receive the passport until late June — a week after her family returned from the trip she missed.

These stories are not a surprise to Chandler City Clerk Dana DeLong.

Chandler is one of the few cities that accepts passport applications and DeLong runs that program with the help of Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Ekblad.

“We can be really empathetic, and we take their applications, but at that point we have no control over what happens,” DeLong said.

Chandler uses a hybrid appointment system to accept applications.

Each week, DeLong and her staff open up 60 appointments for the following week. Those usually fill quickly.

Then, each day they open up an additional 30 appointments just for that day. DeLong says they can process about 90 applications per day.

And most days, they are doing 90 applications.

Once an application is processed in Chandler — which usually takes less than 24 hours — it is sent to one of the processing centers around the country.

The closest is in Tucson, and that is where the backup takes place.

DeLong said that while State Department officials say it may take up to 13

Main: Chandler City Clerk’s Office has not seen any slowing in the demand for passport processing. Inset: Chandler Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Ekblad helps run the passport office. (David Minton/Staff)

Open up to an entirely new way to look at luxury. Milgard Moving Glass Wall Systems are an innovative solution that blurs the line between inside and out of the question. Aspirational yet realistic, this sliding wall seamlessly transitions between dreams and reality. Create a vibrant mural of the outdoors on your wall. Large sliding glass panels offer sweeping outdoor views, flooding the room with natural light and fresh air.

Open up to an entirely new way to look at luxury. Milgard Moving Glass Wall Systems are an innovative solution that blurs the line between inside and out of the question. Aspirational yet realistic, this sliding wall seamlessly transitions between dreams and reality. Create

Coolest place in Chandler pretty popular now

BY KEN SAIN AFN Staff Writer

Valin Verma recently sent a photo of himself at work to a friend, wearing a bright yellow jacket and standing on a sheet of ice.

Verma works at the coolest place in the city, Ice Den Chandler 7225 W. Harrison St. He thought his buddy could use the cool vibes while he was working construction outdoors during a record-setting heat wave. That’s what friends are for, right?

His buddy did respond.

“He flipped me off,” said Verma, a guest services representative at the Chandler venue.

Ice Den offers a number of activities, from hockey leagues to speed and figure skating to open skating – when anyone can come out and skate one of its two rinks.

The West Chandler business has been a draw for many residents who want to escape the heat as the Valley keeps setting new records for most consecutive days above 110 degrees.

TOURISM from page 16

the rest of the country that they should visit in the summer.

“We don’t push real hard in Phoenix in the summer,’’ she said.

Josh Coddington, the agency’s public information officer, said spending to promote Arizona does not dry up entirely in the summer.

“We also want to at least stay in touch with them, or at least have a presence because the summer’s going to end and people are going to travel,’’ he said.

“We want to stay in people’s minds because if they don’t see our Arizona ad when they’re searching for a vacation they might see somebody else’s,’’ Coddington said.

The new report shows that spending by international tourists in particular took a big hit during the pandemic, plummeting

PASSPORTS from page 16

weeks, she is finding it is taking longer.

It usually takes two weeks before the feds start processing an application, and it can take up to another two weeks before a passport arrives in the mail.

So she said anyone planning to travel abroad should apply at least 17 weeks before their travel date.

Chandler has three employees dedicat-

And there is no end in sight. Forecasters say the first day the mercury won’t reach 110 is July 29. If they’re right, that will make the new record 29 straight days.

“Something to do, that’s not blazing hot,” said Natalie Simmonds of Queen Creek when asked why her family headed to Ice Den for its open skate on July 17. Her family had a guest from Florida and wanted to show her a cool time.

“I still prefer the Florida humidity,” said

in 2020 to just 10% of its pre-COVID figures. And while there has been some recovery, it still amounts to just 9% of total spending.

Of those who came, Mexico and Canada comprised the largest share of foreign visitors, followed by the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

One of the biggest losses, Urias said, involved China because of the pandemic.

But she said she remains optimistic that will come back.

“We’re all maintaining our presence and trying to make sure that we are open here, that we welcome them,’’ Urias said. “But it’s definitely a lag.’’

Urias said she’s hoping to steer clear of current frosty relationship between the United States and China.

“Tourism tries really had to kind of stay out of the fray,’’ she said. Still, Urias said, it’s often difficult to keep the issues separate.

ed to handling passport applications. The cost of the program is covered by application fees, so none of it is passed along to the city’s taxpayers.

DeLong said most residents have all the proper items when they show up at city hall to submit the application. When they book the appointment, they get multiple emails telling them what they need to bring.

She said that email system has reduced

Victoria, the guest. “Everyone is like, ‘Oh, but it’s a dry heat, so it’s not as bad.’ I’m like, ‘Nope.’”

Verma said he has noticed a lot more people attending open skates this year, probably because of the heat wave.

“Last year they had to cut out all the weekday [open] skates because there just weren’t enough people,” Verma said. “We don’t have to do that this year because there’s a lot more people, 60-to-70 signing up for public skates.”

Simmonds said two of her children, Lucas and Emma, signed up for lessons that they normally take in Gilbert. They decided they wanted to check out Chandler’s facility for the family outing.

Verma said the family made the right choice.

“I don’t think it precludes Chinese visitors from coming to the U.S.,’’ she said. “At least, we hope it doesn’t.’’

Preparations are being made, however, to deal with such issues.

“We definitely do look at other emerging markets for us in Asia and elsewhere,’’ Urias said. “We’ve been exploring Indian markets and Korea, Japan.’’

And the state has been active in recruiting visitors from Australia.

The biggest share of tourism dollars, however, comes from a domestic audience.

About 30% of that came from Arizonans themselves vacationing close to home, with the balance from visitors from the other 49 states.

Among those, the largest share by far comprised Californians – followed by Texas residents, then New Yorkers, Floridians and Colorado residents.

the number of incomplete applications tremendously.

For the few times that it still happens, most of the issues are resolved in the same day.

Studebaker warned travelers that not all insurance covers trips canceled because of a lack of documents like passports.

“That’s only covered in the cancel for any reason, which is the most expensive,” Studebaker said. “90% don’t buy that.”

“There’s so much stuff to do here. It’s like, endless,” Verma said. “Not the biggest, but definitely the nicest.”

Marcy Fileccia, president of the Ice Dens in both Scottsdale and Chandler, said she keeps a space heater in her Scottsdale office.

“My colleagues and I will get strange looks when we leave our campus to go somewhere because we’re wearing like weird layers that people would not normally be wearing July 10 in Scottsdale,” she explained.

The air temperature in the rinks is a chill 56 degrees.

When people come in from the blazing parking lot, Fileccia said, “You can hear them audibly exhale.”

Escaping the heat for a few hours on the ice is bringing in many people – along with the growing popularity of hockey.

“Heat may be a driving factor, but hockey and skating is taking more of an upward direction here,” Verma said. “Especially with a West Coast team winning the Stanley Cup last year (Las Vegas Golden Knights).” 

Urias said the state has been proactive in promoting Arizona in certain target markets, including Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Dallas.

So where did all the money go?

The report finds at the largest share –about $6.1 billion – went to hotels, motels and short-term rentals. But eating out was not far behind at slightly less than $6 billion.

Still, the tourists were not always headed to restaurants. Another $1.2 billion was spent at grocery stores.

Local transportation like car rentals and gas added another $4.4 billion, with $2.7 billion spent on entertainment and recreation and retail sales added another $3.1 billion.

And all that, in turn, generated tax dollars. The report figures that visitors dropped $2.4 billion into state and local coffers in 2022. 

While the hotels offered some credit, her client that had booked the $30,000 family vacation did not get refunded for all of the cost.

“She was out of the money she paid for the vacation,” Studebaker said. “We are recommending clients have their passport in hand before booking. Also, check the expiration date. Many countries will deny entry if you have less than six months left.” 

People escaped the record high temperatures during public skating sessions at Ice Den Chandler. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Mountain Park Church ex-pastor authors book

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

Abook launch by Ahwatukee former-pastor-turned-author Allan Fuller was a highlight at the recent biennial Church of God Convention and General Assembly in Tampa, Florida.

An Ahwatukee resident for 17 years, Fuller began writing Overall: Understanding the Epic Christian Story, his first book, after resigning as senior pastor of Mountain Park Church.

Before he stepped down, he had navigated the church through the pandemic and oversaw the construction and move to the new church building at 16461 S. 48th Street after the only church property was taken by eminent domain for construction of the South Mountain Freeway.

On Aug. 18, Fuller will host his first local book signing for Overall at his Ahwatukee home from 6 to 8 p.m. Further information with location and contact info can be found at AKFuller.com.

Fuller explained that the idea for the

‘Nutcracker’ auditions, lessons slated here

AFN NEWS STAFF

Ahwatukee Dance Studio 111 founder-owner Kimberly Lewis is preparing for the her 24th annual presentation of the holiday classic with open auditions for this year’s “Arizona Nutcracker.”

For over two decades, her production as called “Ahwatukee Nutcracker,” but to reflect the Valley-wide interest by dancers and others in performing, Lewis rebranded the show, though it remains the only “Nutcracker” featuring a cast fully made up of kids 3-21.

Lewis also moved it from Desert Vista High School’s auditorium to the 908-seat, state-of-the-art Madison Center for the

Arts at 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix.

What hasn’t changed is the audition location. They will still be held at Dance Studio 111, 4910 E. Chandler Boulevard, Ahwatukee.

While auditions will be held for ages 3-31 Aug. 12, Lewis also is scheduling free Arizona Nutcracker Ballet Prep Classes for the two days prior to that.

On Aug. 10, kids 11 and over can join for lessons 4-5 p.m. while advance level les-

book had buzzed about his head during the 17 years he ministered as Mountain

Park senior pastor.

“I have friends who are pastors and who write books. Yet, I never had the time to do both,” said Fuller.

“When I resigned from Mountain Park, I had this wonderful window of opportunity,” he recalled. “I started writing it in October 2021. The book took four months to write and the first draft was finished early 2022.”

He and his wife Tami set apart a room in their Ahwatukee home for him to specifically write the book. Fuller said when not writing at the desk, he would lie down on the floor, a notebook and pen at his side, pensively considering his words – and praying.

“With that notebook beside me, I would think about what to write and I’d pray, ‘God, help me out’,” he related.

“I wrote a few chapters and sent them to Vicki Kuyper, a friend and professional author. They were terrible and were eventu-

Allan Fuller, who led Mountain Park Church through the pandemic and its relocation in Ahwatukee, has written his first book. He has occasionally preached in the past year at a church in Fairfax, Virginia. (YouTube)

Kimberly Lewis’ costumes and sets in “Arizona Nutcracker” offer a feast for the eyes. (Courtesy Kimberly Lewis)

Ahwatukee homes helped by pool safety program

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ AFN Contributor

On July 31, 2021, Ahwatukee resident Brandi Stoll’s 2-year-old daughter Alizah suffered a nearfatal drowning in their pool, even while the family was there and outside with her.

She spent five days at the hospital and was given a 50% chance to live with severe neurological damage. In what has been a true miracle, Alizah fully recovered.

“However, many kids are not that lucky. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old and remains in the top five causes of death for children ages 5 to 9 years old,” said Caitlin Sageng, director of special projects and family resources at Child Crisis Arizona.

Headquartered in Mesa, Child Crisis Arizona aims to provide children and youth in Arizona a safe environment by creating strong and successful families.

“In Arizona, we have one of the highest drowning rates in the nation,” Sageng said. “An average of 20 children drown every year in Maricopa County alone.”

No single device or solution can prevent a child drowning on their own.

But there are steps caregivers can take to place multiple barriers between children and water and minimize the risk.

In an effort to decrease the chance of accidents around water, Child Crisis Arizona partners with Salt River Project and the United Phoenix Firefighters Charities annually on a Pool Fence Safety Program. Its mission is simple: to provide local families with pool fences.

This year, Child Crisis Arizona said the

NUTCRACKER

from page 21

sons for ages 14 and up will be offered 5-6 p.m.

On Aug. 11, ages 3-4 are welcome for lessons at 3:15-4 p.m., followed by ages 5-7 at 4-5 p.m. and ages 8-10 at 5-6 p.m.

Space is limited for the classes and parents should reserve a space by emailing arizonanutcracker@gmail.com.

The auditions are open to anyone between 3-21 and hopefuls do not have to be

Stoll family as well as 15 other families in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and Mesa benefitted from the program.

Over the past two weeks, pool fences have been installed in 16 backyards. The beneficiaries included grandparents who are serving as caregivers, single-parent households and people who are in the middle of the adoption process.

“SRP is deeply committed to improving water safety for the children and families of our community,” said Rori Minor, SRP

Dance Studio 111 students.

Audition times Aug. 12 are: 9-10 a.m., ages 3-5; 10-11 a.m., ages 6-9; 11 a.m.noon, ages 10-13; noon-12:30 all boys; and 12:30-2 p.m., boys and girls ages 13-20.

Girls should wear a black leotard, pink tights, ballet or pointe shoes and hair pulled back in a ballerina bun. Boys should wear black shorts and a white T-shirt.

The 2023 Arizona Nutcracker will be presented at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 16 and 1 p.m. Dec. 17.

community engagement strategist.

“As the largest provider of water in the Valley for the past century, continuing our efforts to improve water safety is a top priority not only for us, but also for the 1 million people we serve.”

He said that by partnering with Child Crisis Arizona, “we hope to educate families and provide quality resources to help keep our children safe and comfortable around water.”

In addition to installing the fences, the Child Crisis Arizona’s Pool Fence Safety

Lewis also is marking Dance Studio 111’ 30 years in Ahwatukee with lower-priced lessons and opportunities to join its competitive company dance team.

Auditions for the company team will be held Aug. 1-2.

“Dance has become one of the top competitive sports and we highly encourage dancers ages 5-18 to come,” Lewis said.

The audition schedule for Aug.1 is: ages 5-7, 4:30-5:30 p.m. and ages 7-10 fro 5:307 p.m. On Aug. 2, ages 11-13 can audition

Program works across the Valley to educate caregivers on the importance of keeping their children safe around water through its virtual Water Safety Workshop led by the Safe Kids Maricopa County Program Coordinator and available on the Child Crisis Arizona website at childcrisisaz.org.

The Child Crisis Arizona Pool Fence Safety Program advises:

A pool fence should surround all sides of the pool and be at least five feet tall with self-closing and self-latching gates.

All furniture should be inside of the pool fence so that children cannot climb over the fence.

Adults should make sure the pool gate is always properly latched and closed.

Children should not be able to go under, over or around the pool fence.

Lock doggie doors so that it creates a barrier between the child and water.

Never allow a child to sit on or next to a drain. Teach your child not to swim or play near the drain.

Keep young children and weak swimmers within arm’s reach of an adult. Make sure older children swim with a partner every time.

“In addition to this, we recommend that kids learn water survival skills starting at age 2 or sooner in some cases. They should be able to step or jump into water over their head and return to the surface; turn around in the water and orient to safety; float or tread water; combine breathing with forward movement in the water; and exit the water,” said David J. Ramirez, Phoenix firefighter and United Phoenix Firefighters board member. 

4-6 p.m. and ages 13 and over between 6-7:30 p.m. Cost per dancer is $40 though siblings are $25.

A meeting for parents of kids 11-18 will be at 5 p.m. Aug. 2.

Aug. 5-6 is the studio’s Ballet Convention Weekend.

Lewis also has a range of classes for the fall season that begin Sept. 5.

For information on deals and discounts: dancestudio111.com 

The Stoll family of Ahwatukee celebrated the installation of their new pool fence with the team members who made it possible from Child Crisis Arizona, SRP, and United Phoenix Firefighters Charities. (Special to AFN)

FULLER from page 21

ally rewritten, but Vicki kept encouraging me to ‘keep writing… keep writing… keep writing!’” Fuller said.

“It’s impossible to edit an unwritten book,” he smiled.

Four months later, his book was completed, but the work was not yet over.

“I sent this first version to a variety of people to get feedback. I sent it to some of my kids’ friends, and I sent it to a Catholic friend in Ohio. I sent it to non-Christians as well as seasoned leaders in the church. They provided tremendous input and inspired me to significantly rewrite sections,” he explained.

There are seven sections in Overall that Fuller explains in the easy-going and direct style he used as a pastor every Sunday morning at Mountain Park.

He explained the book “is for those who are interested in, confused by, or bored with the Overall Christian story.”

“Nobody wants to feel stupid at the hardware store, or at the Starbucks counter, or at the gym. And nobody wants to feel stupid in church. They want to know God’s story and how they fit into it,” said Fuller, who holds a B.S. degree in math and physics from the University of Alberta (1993) and a M.Div degree from Anderson University School of Theology (1997), affiliated with the Church of God.

“This book is a brief overview of human existence, broken down into seven parts. Its purpose is to help us understand and feel more confident with the overall Christian story. It’s an attempt to see and appreciate the proverbial ‘forest’ instead of getting frustrated by the confusing and endless ‘trees,’” he wrote.

“In these pages we will not just look at individual stories – we will be looking at the overall story of humanity. This is important because the story we believe we are living in shapes how we live our lives,” he said.

“Overall is an easy-reading, kick-starter book for those who are interested in the overall Christian story. It’s a framework, a grid, a structure for viewing and understanding the grand narrative of creation and history and how we fit within it.”

The book has already received accolades from the Church of God, the denomination to which Mountain Park belongs.

A recent review by Carl Stagner, a writer and editor with Church of God Ministries’ national office, lauded it prior to the Tampa convention, stating:

“The buzz about a new book sure to make waves in the Church of God is about to reach fever pitch. At the Church of God Convention, Warner Christian Resources will release a groundbreaking work from the brilliant, witty, and whimsical mind of Pastor Allan K. Fuller, whose recent season of ministry leadership in Phoenix, Arizona, took one Church of God congregation to new heights – not to mention a

new address.”

He said the seven parts of the book served “as indispensable pieces of a puzzle that, for the reader, fits together snugly and sensibly. …”These parts each carry a handful of individual chapters of helpful material and references. Throughout, and with greater attention toward the end of the tome, readers can conclude appropriate personal application and how we, today, fit into the overall Christian story.”

On the AKFuller.com webpage, Kuyper wrote her reaction to Fuller’s now completed Overall book.

“With the creativity of a storyteller, the insight of a scholar, and the quirk of a friend you’d love to laugh with over a latte, A. K. Fuller welcomes us into a journey through the Bible, church history and our own messy lives.”

The move to author echoes the move Fuller took when he opted to go into the ministry.

With his degrees in mathematics and physics, Fuller hadn’t contemplated entering the ministry. His career path was set to enter engineering.

A personal meet-up with his Creator changed that path, and after receiving his

Master of Divinity degree, he served as creative director at a church in Cincinnati, Ohio, before accepting the call as Mountain Park Church’s lead pastor.

Fuller still resides in Lakewood with his wife Tami, who is now in accounting with ASU Preparatory Academy. Their three children Gordon, 22; Martin, 19 and Lila, 17, all Desert Vista High School graduates, join their parents for the summer.

The boys are ASU students, and Lila joins them next month.

Overall is dedicated to Fuller’s mother-inlaw, who, with her husband Gene, moved from Ohio to Ahwatukee after the Fuller family relocated to serve at Mountain Park.

“Perhaps the easiest decision in the process was dedicating the book to my mother-in-law, Rita Puckett, who passed away in January 2018,” said Fuller.

“She was the most intelligent, humble, and generous leader in the church I have ever known.”

Fuller is also a speaker and speaking coach.

Overall: Understanding the Epic Christian Story is available on Amazon, and at Fuller’s website. Amazon also has a Kindle version. 

Fundraiser for Chandler Boulevard Christmas lights underway

Christmas may seem a long way off, but for the volunteers helping out with the 2023 holiday lights along Chandler Boulevard, raising the money needed to put on the show starts now.

For the third consecutive year, the Foothills Community Association HOA will be overseeing the holiday lights along Chandler Boulevard. As the largest financial contributor to the display, the HOA has started its fundraising now before hiring the contract winner in September.

“If insufficient donations are received this summer, the lights display could be reduced for this year,” volunteer Carrie McNeish said, adding the HOA has raised its goal by $50,000 to $100,000.

Sponsors can email McNeish at cmcneish@cox.net and donors can go to gofund.me/e9ced0b2 .

Besides the Foothills HOA, the Club West HOA also is a sponsor along with the Festival of Lights Committee, SanTan Ford and Safeway/Albertson’s.

Sponsors are entitled to several benefits,

including a mention on the two homeowners associations’ websites and in the Ahwatukee Foothills News.

To donate by check, make it out to the Foothills Community Association with “Foothills Holiday Lights Donation” in the memo field. Mail it to: RealManage, Attn: Cathy Van Galder, 3930 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ 85248.

Corpus Christi Knights of Columbus ramping up for golf tourney

Confident the heat wave will ebb by September, the Corpus Christi Knights of Columbus Council 10062 is asking golfers to save Sept. 9 for their annual Memorial Golf Tournament.

This year’s tournament honoree is Jim McGrath and this is Knights’ 32nd event.

Proceeds will benefit Knights’ Charities, the K of C Ukraine Solidarity Fund and Folds of Honor Arizona, a nonprofit providing scholarships to qualifying family members of fallen military and first responders.

Registration is taking place now and includes a full round of golf, beverages, cart

prizes and lunch for $140 per player.

The tourney will be at the Arizona Grand Golf Course in Ahwatukee with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start.

Sponsors are also needed. Three sponsorship levels are available with each carrying a variety of benefits.

Knights of Columbus 10062 Charities, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization. Call 480250-2208 and leave a call-back number or visit kofc10062.org to download registration and sponsorship forms.

Ahwatukee Toastmasters offers growth opportunities to participants

For over 35 years, the Ahwatukee Toastmasters has maintained a continuous presence in Ahwatukee, providing the know-how, practice and encouragement to help members improve their communication and leadership abilities.

Ahwatukee Toastmasters develops the skills they need to increase their speaking competence as they prepare for personal growth and professional advancement.

Toastmasters meets 7-8 a.m. every other Tuesday at Esperanza Lutheran Church,

LA CASA DE JUANA

DELIVERS A KNOCKOUT WITH ITS FRESH, AUTHENTIC AND MOUTHWATERING FOOD

2601 E. Thunderhill Place, Ahwatukee. For more information, call or text Ed Prestwood at 480-603-8359, or search Ahwatukee Toastmasters. The group’s chair is Jianhong Zhou, who can be contacted at smiqua.zhou@gmail.com.

Arts group representative to speak at next Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club meeting

The Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee has speakers at many of its weekly meetings at the Original Biscuits Restaurant on the southwest corner of Elliot Road and 48th Street in Ahwatukee.

The public is invited to attend. The meetings start around 7 a.m. and usually don’t last more than an hour.

The speaker on July 27 will be Sabrina Estrada, Arizona Citizens for the Arts.

Ironwood Library offers free activities for all ages in August

Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, presents a variety of programs for children, teens and adults. Un-

If you thought you have been to a Mexican restaurant lately you probably need to reconsider and visit La Casa De Juana in Ahwatukee. The fare is authentic Mexican, and when we say authentic we mean it, unlike many of the restaurant chains that call themselves Mexican. Upon entering you’ll be dazzled by the colorful décor, the tables and chairs are beautiful, Mexican painted murals, colorful banners hanging from the ceiling and the gracious service with warm orange and yellow tones echoing throughout the restaurant will make this your favorite Mexican restaurant. With great lunch and dinner specials, we have Happy Hour Monday - Sunday from 2 - 6 PM with $5 House Margaritas, $4 Beers, $5.95 Cheese Quesadilla, $8.95 Chunky Guacamole and $9.95 Juana’s Nachos. Live music every Thursday night in our Ahwatukee location and every Friday at our Tempe location. In conclusion The flavorful salsa, the delicious margaritas, the extraordinary and well-priced food will definitely keep you coming back.

Don’t hesitate to stop by the Ahwatukee location

3941 E. Chandler Blvd. (S/W corner Chandler & 40th St) to make your next reservation call 480-626-9295

www.juanashouse.com

less otherwise noted, no tickets or registration is required.

Information: phoenixpubliclibrary.org.

Babytimes

Babies ages birth to 23 months, accompanied by a favorite adult, will enjoy songs, rhymes, books, and interactive fun Tuesdays10:30-11 a.m. Free tickets are required and available 30 minutes before programs’ start times at the library’s information desk.

Toddlertimes

Toddlers ages 24-36 months, accompanied by a favorite adult, will enjoy songs, rhymes, books, and interactive fun Thursdays, 10:30-11:10 a.m. Free tickets are required and available 30 minutes before programs’ start times at the library’s information desk.

Sit, Stay, Read!

Young readers and listeners can sign up for reading time with a registered therapy dog/handler team. Read with Elsa every Tuesday, 4-5 p.m. Read with Raven Thursday 4-5 p.m.

Full STEAM Ahead

Children ages 6-12 explore hands-on creative ways to design, experiment, and invent Aug. 5, 12 and 26, 2-4 p.m., in this drop-in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) program.

Book Club

Adult readers 18+ can meet up with fellow adventuresome bibliophiles to share their thoughts about each month’s selection the first Wednesday of each month, 5-5:45 p.m. On Aug. 2, the club will discuss “In the Time of Our History” by Susanne Pari, and on Sept. 6, “Eyre Affair” by Jasper Fforde.

Sit and Stitch

Join fellow stitchers to work on your current project Aug. 5 and 19, 3-4:45 p.m. Knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, needlepoint and all are welcome.  

Understanding how facials, chemical peels differ

BY DARLA HOFFMANN AFN Guest Writer

The skin is the body’s largest organ; therefore, caring for it should be a priority regardless of your age. However, there is no cut-and-dry formula for all people.

Skin care regimens should change as the years go by and seasons and lifestyles change.

A common industry question is should I get a facial or a chemical peel? These are very different procedures, and there are many reasons why peels are more beneficial to overall skin health.

Facials will superficially exfoliate and hydrate the skin, yet they are not corrective treatments.

That said, the products used during a facial will not likely absorb deep enough into the inner layers of the epidermis to create any change.

However, facials will leave you feeling clean and give you a bright, healthy glow

for the day. And often, aestheticians will include blackhead and whitehead extractions, an added benefit.

Facials are generally a 50-minute service typical of spas and resorts to promote relaxation and a feel-good experience.

Additionally, many people under 20 and over 80 prefer sticking with facials to remove impurities and stay moistur-

ized or mattified. Facials are frequently considered a luxury.

However, unless you seek pampering, you can apply similar masks used during treatments at home.

Contrarily, chemical peels will alter the state of your cells, stimulate collagen, and strengthen elasticity, so it is generally the preferred service for those interested in reducing wrinkles and sagging.

Moreover, most non-invasive peels are quick 15–20-minute treatments to absorb the corrective products into the skin – and most aestheticians will also include extractions.

Those with busy lifestyles are usually privy to the fast and effectiveness of a peel. Some results include softer and less fine lines and plumper and healthier-looking skin.

However, I recommend a peel every four to eight weeks as part of your regular maintenance. Because of the corrective nature of a peel, it is like working out for the body – if you quit, your results start to fade.

Unlike facials, peels are not a luxury but essential to promote cell proliferation and regeneration.

It is a good idea to consult a licensed aesthetician about their training and the services they offer. Many of them will offer free skin evaluations and work with you to decide what kind of peel will work best for you.

Darla S. Hoffmann owns A-peeling Faces Skincare & Massage Therapy inside Signature Salon Studios, 3936 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee. Information: apeelingfaces.com, 480-540-7555 

(Photo courtesy of apeelingfaces.com)

Welcoming

DR. ROBERT JONES

to the Practice!

There are a number of reasons that I love family medicine but what I appreciate most is the scope of practice. I love being able to see patients of all ages and assist with the challenges that come with each age group. The mix between managing chronic diseases and treating and diagnosing acute issues makes the work interesting and exciting. Another area that I find engaging is preforming procedures including vasectomies, cysts/lipoma removals, etc. I pride myself on providing high quality evidence based care and I cherish the long term relationships that I have with my patients.

I was born and raised in Arizona and feel lucky to call it home. Outside of work I spend my time with my wife and two kids and we love going on adventures. In my free time I love playing sports (pickleball is a recent favorite), watching the Arizona Cardinals, birdwatching, and cooking foods from all over the world.

Toenail Treatment

Spinato’s shares recipe for longstanding success

BY GERI KOEPPEL AFN Contributor

In terms of business prospects, restaurants tend to have a short shelf life: Statistics indicate that only 30 percent of them survive more than a decade.

But Spinato’s Pizzeria and Family Kitchen will celebrate 50 years in business next year and is thriving. The family-owned company opened its sixth independent location in Epicenter at Agritopia in Gilbert in May and earlier this year unveiled a major renovation of its Ahwatukee Foothills restaurant, which opened in 2010.

It’s also the official pizza of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury and opened three concessions in Footprint Arena last August and added locations in Tempe in 2018 and Scottsdale in 2022.

It’s known for its signature sweet sauce and thin crust, but the real recipe for the brand’s success is its service, according to Anthony Spinato of Scottsdale, the president, CEO and co-owner of Spinato’s Piz-

zeria & Family Kitchen.

“My father and mother were incredible examples of making it about people,”

Spinato said. “We say we’re in the people business, not the pizza business.” His parents, Ken and Elaine Spinato,

moved from Chicago to Fountain Hills in 1971 and founded Spinato’s in 1974 at 68th Street and McDowell Road in Scottsdale.

They started with a handful of family recipes from Ken’s grandmother, a focus on quality ingredients and a commitment to treating people as guests rather than customers.

However, price-conscious customers early on complained that Spinato’s didn’t give discounts like other pizza places and told them they’d go out of business if they didn’t offer specials.

“He took a lot of heat because he was pioneering a different level of pizza here in Phoenix,” Spinato said.

Although the first day’s receipts totaled only 69 cents for one iced tea, the business eventually flourished. The family franchised two locations in the early 1990s, but it didn’t work out.

“They were running it more as an investment,” Spinato said. “It was our life.”

see SPINATO’S page 30

Gilbert chef becomes a Valley home staple

AFN GERI KOEPPEL

Chef William Turner specializes in being a private chef for small weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, anniversary dinners, and many other types of special occasions in private homes across the Valley.

In the past five years, the Gilbert kitchen maestro has quickly become one of the most sought-after, in-demand private chefs in the Valley.

Not only does he cook a wide variety of food styles for his many clients and celebrity friends but he is also known as a highly skilled barbecue master.

“I’ll cook you the best steak you’ve ever had in your life,” he boasts.

When Turner prepares and serves an elegant steak dinner inside a client’s private home, he changes the thought of

ever dining out at a steakhouse restaurant forever.

“Turner proves repeatedly that dining in for special occasions can be so much more exciting, memorable, and fun than dining out,” one fan said.

Known for a warm and friendly demeanor, Southern charm and the black baseball cap he often wears backwards on his head, Turner has been named the “Top Private Chef” in Arizona three times by one magazine.

The Andrews, South Carolina, native’s rapid rise in Arizona’s private chef industry began when he moved to Gilbert in 2018 without having any business contacts in the Valley.

Turner had been travelling around the country working as a seasonal chef in some of the nation’s most beautiful parks and resorts. When he eventually arrived in Arizo-

na, he said, he immediately fell in love with its beauty and the warmth of the people.

He decided he wanted to start a whole new life and business here.

“I chose to bet on myself and finally pursue my dream of becoming a private chef,” he said.

He started with virtually nothing back in 2018 – not even a car.

In the beginning, Turner did all the cooking inside the beautiful kitchens of his clients’ homes, mostly in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

Five years and thousands of cooking gigs later, Turner, 44, has now added a small group of experienced, talented chefs to his growing culinary team.

They do all the gourmet cooking out of a large, professional kitchen in north

Nicole Spinato-Kienlen and Anthony Spinato co-own Spinato’s Pizzeria and Family Kitchen, which is marking its 50th year in the Valley. (Angela Houston/Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen.)

Gilbert Chef William Turner gets jazzed whipping up dinners for private in-home parties. (Special to AFN)

‘Food hall’ for eateries eyed for downtown

BY KEN SAIN AFN Staff Writer

Chandler is selling a valuable downtown location for what it hopes will be the site of one of the first food halls in Arizona, if not the first.

The developer said a food hall is not a food court, but will have some similarities.

Once built, the two-story structure would house between six and 12 different restaurants. The building would open-air on two sides.

The property the city is selling is .36 acres at the southwest corner of Chicago and Oregon streets for $200,000 to JEMBJACD, LLC, the proposed developer.

The sides that are open would face Chicago and Oregon while the two closed sides would face residential areas to the south and west.

So what is a food hall and how is it different from a food court?

“It’s not what you’d see in a typical mall,” said Kim Moyers, the city’s cultural development director. “It is going to be six to 12 different restaurants, but they’ll be very unique and local” and “would be more appropriate for the downtown.”

One person involved in the project is Jackson Armstrong, one of the owners of the Ginger Monkey Gastropub.

“Trying to describe, until you’ve been to one of these, is hard to describe,” said Jeremy McClymonds, who appeared before

Chandler.

Turner also now works with a large group of servers, bartenders, and event coordinators and he has an office location headquartered in Scottsdale where he’s able to meet with clients.

The numerous private parties that Turner cooks for include casual and formal brunches, lunches, and dinner parties, milestone birthday parties, small weddings, baby showers, anniversary celebrations, corporate dinners, guys-only golfing trips, and – what’s made him especially most sought-after in the Scottsdale-area –

Council representing the developer. “We are not a mall food court serving common food.

“We provide a diverse restaurants serving common food uncommonly well. We are not a sports bar, but we are a gathering spot. We’ll have wall-to-wall television, broadcasting every sport, every day.

“We’re not a club, but we will offer live music and entertainment multiple days per week. We’re not a conference center, but we have a stellar venue with event space to host your next business meeting, birthday, wedding, Bar Mitzvah, community activity, etc. That’s kind of how I tried to describe what we’re trying to emulate.”

Moyers said the open-air sides of the building will have doors that can close when the weather gets too hot.

bachelorette parties.

The Scottsdale-area bachelorette parties have become an enormous part of Turner’s expanding business.

Large groups of women from all over the world book flights to Scottsdale and specifically hire Turner to be their exclusive private chef for an entire weekend.

And he noted, “When I’m hired to cook for a special event in a client’s home, closing time is always up to them.”

“My dinners are very wide-ranging in scope and price point and although I love bringing the formal Southern fine dining experience to Valley homes, I also enjoy setting up casual, poolside

The developer would not have to add parking spaces, instead utilizing the cityowned parking garage across Chicago Street.

Developers first started working on the food hall concept just before the pandemic started and put it on hold once it spread.

The city is including a buy-back provision in the contract. If the developers don’t go through with the project, the city would have the right to purchase it back at the same price.

Armstrong said a space like this is a terrific opportunity for anyone considering starting a restaurant because they get access to the downtown market without having to pay the costs of going it alone in their own building.

“It creates a little bit of an opportunity

barbecues where formalities and formal attire go right out the window and great food and fun are the focus of the night,” said Turner.

“My goal is to provide my clients with whatever type of dinner party they want to have. I’m extremely flexible. For example, if a client wants to incorporate a cooking lesson while I’m cooking and setting up for the event, I’m more than happy to do that. My clients love to watch me cook in their kitchen and I always welcome that.”

Turner is actually so comfortable having people watch him cook that he has been featured numerous times on local and na-

for someone who doesn’t have the capital to come into an expensive brick-and-mortar restaurant,” Armstrong said.

“It gives them kind of an entryway with lower capital requirements. Hopefully, some new blood will come in and we’ll help them grow.”

Food halls have been growing across the country and McClymonds said they have visited quite a few in search of inspiration for how they want to build Chandler Food Hall.

He mentioned Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad, California, as the first place they looked and used to model their plans.

“In time, what makes this project more exciting, is we’ve had more inspiration,” McClymonds said.

They also looked at Assembly Food Hall in Nashville. However, the primary inspiration will come from a Colorado food hall.

“We love, love Avanti Food & Beverage in Denver and Boulder,” he said. “A lot of what we’re going to emulate ... you see in these exact photos.”

The developer is just starting the process of actually getting it built.

It will need to go through staff review by the city’s development office, then be reviewed by planning and zoning before returning to Council for a final vote.

McClymonds said the goal is to break ground in the first quarter of 2024 and have a grand opening by the end of next year. 

tional TV stations doing instructional and entertaining cooking segments.

The chef’s price range begins at $75 per person and goes up from there, depending on the menu and level of service.

Turner is also available for “destination needs,” meaning that he’s willing to travel and cook on location when needed anywhere in the U.S.

“This is definitely a people-pleasing business, and you can’t be successful at it unless you love people,” he said. “For me, my first love is people, and food is the way I express that love in a tangible way.”

Information: chefwilliamturner.com

This rendering shows one idea for the design of a proposed food hall in downtown Chandler. (City of Chandler)

Jobs, ‘quits rate’ continue upward in Arizona

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Thinking of quitting your job?

New state economic figures suggest the timing to find better employment may never be better.

The latest report shows the job openings rate has hit 7%, up from 6.3% in the prior month. And while the rate of hiring also increased, it still trails.

That has not gone unnoticed. Doug Walls, the labor market information director for the state Office of Economic Opportunity, said Thursday the “quits rate’’ –the number of people voluntarily leaving their current jobs – also is up.

And the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June is 3.5%. That is up a tenth of a point from May, a figure that re-

flects the lowest figure since 1973 when the state has been doing these computations.

All that, he said, is a positive sign for employees.

“Generally, the ‘quits rate’ will increase when workers are confident they can find a better job elsewhere, one that may offer better pay or more flexibility,’’ Walls said.

“So with the uptick in the job openings and a voluntary quits rate and unemployment rates at near-historic lows, workers may be thinking that this is the right time to change job positions.’’

The disparity between openings and jobseekers also is having an effect on wages.

Walls said the state’s average hourly wage has hit $31.30. And while that still trails the national average of $33.31, it is up 5% in the past year versus a 4% increase for the rest of the country.

Less clear is how long that positive situation for workers – and headwinds for employers – will remain. And that comes down to the Economics 101: the law of supply and demand.

“Arizona’s labor force continued to add individuals who are coming back into the labor force,’’ Walls said.

There was a big decline during COVID in that figure which covers the number of people working and, potentially more important, the number actively looking for work.

Then there are new entrants, recent high school and college graduates looking for their first jobs.

And there’s something else: Arizona has long been a magnet for new residents.

That is not expected to change. Figures from the Office of Economic Opportunity project the annual population growth

rate in Arizona to be 1.2% by 2030; the same number for the rest of the United States is 0.6%

“That’s going to help balance out and provide the skilled labor needed by employers,’’ Walls said. “If we’re continuing to see strong labor force growth then employers may be less inclined or less likely to have to compete for limited talent around the state.’’

Overall, Walls reported that private sector employers shed 1,500 jobs between May and June. But he said much of that is seasonal.

One area particularly affected is the state’s leisure and hospitality sector, particularly bars and restaurants, where employment is down by about 5,600. Walls

see JOBS page 31

So Spinato and his sister, Nicole, each took over a location—one on 16th Street and Bell Road, which still exists (though they have plans to move it), and one on 12th Street and Glendale Avenue.

Today, their spouses are involved as well.

As the brand manager, Spinato’s wife, Jaime Spinato, is the “voice” of the social media accounts and is in charge of community outreach. She also was largely responsible for the contemporary design of the Gilbert location.

A trained chef, Jaime also developed or had a hand in many of the recipes, including the popular new Tortine, a red velvet cake with cream cheese filling dipped in chocolate with raspberry reduction and chocolate sauces.

Nicole Spinato-Kienlen is the office manager and food and beverage lead, and her husband, Chris Kienlen, is the catering manager. They live in Ahwatukee and were the impetus for opening there once they saw how communityoriented it was.

And Ken Spinato remains the “heartbeat of the organization,” Spinato stated. He visits the restaurants regularly talking to guests and building the culture.

Not to mention, the Spinatos value their roughly 480 employees and think of them as extensions of their family.

“None of it is possible without our peo-

rants,” he explained.

ple,” Spinato said. “Without them, we’d just be a family with a bunch of good ideas. They live it and carry it out and we are so blessed to have them.”

Because it’s essential to the Spinatos to not compromise on food or service, it took some soul-searching to decide whether to compete for the contract with the Phoenix Suns and Mercury.

“I’ve grown up here and I bleed purple,” Spinato said.

But he wasn’t willing to sacrifice quality and rely on frozen food or microwaves for the sake of a larger customer base. “My biggest concern was: I can’t do this if it’s not going to be what we do in our restau-

Thankfully, in 2018 the company set up what they call the “family kitchen” in Tempe, where they make 43 proprietary ingredients from scratch daily. It allows them to deliver freshly rolled dough, sauces, dressings and more for all of their locations, and to maintain quality and consistency— which is important for an operation producing nearly 40,000 pounds of dough each month.

Tom Fletcher of Phoenix, senior president of global partnerships for the Phoenix Suns, is a devoted Spinato’s fan and suggested they partner with the team.

“The pride they take in their restaurants is the same pride they take in the pizza they put in our arena,” he said. “Our sales are up year-over-year. I think it has everything to do with having Spinato’s there.”

Meanwhile, the menu and the brand continue to innovate.

“We want to do fresh pasta, gelato, even more things down the road,” Spinato said, and to include more specialty pizzas at the arena.

“We even pickle our cucumbers for our Greek salad, we pickle our jalapeños for the pizza, the onions for the antipasto,” he added.

The ambiance is evolving, too, moving away from the dark wood and red-andwhite checked tablecloths popular in Italian restaurants of old.

The latest Spinato’s Pizzeria in Gilbert boasts roll-up garage doors for an indoor/outdoor vibe, a gleaming bar with oversized cut-out pendant light fixtures and a contemporary color scheme in soothing blues and pops of bright green with light wood floors and wood and metal accents.

Anyone who hasn’t been to the Ahwatukee location lately will find it lighter, brighter and more modern as well, thanks to new paint, lighting, artwork, mirrors, planters, leather booths, tables, bar stools, a community table and a brick ceiling. The exterior also got a refresh with new paint, lighting, signage and landscaping, and there are plans to add a dog-friendly patio.

Though the company is eyeing expansion into the West Valley, Spinato stated, “We’re in a place I’ve been waiting to get to for a long time…. I want to get better before we get any bigger.”

Information: spinatospizzeria.com

SPINATO’S from page 28

Spinato’s Pizzeria and Family Kitchen in Ahwatukee Foothills got a makeover inside and outside recently to give it a more modern ambiance. (Angela Houston/Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen.)

Be aware of the threats to retirement

BY JOSEPH ORTIZ AFN Guest Writer

If you save and invest for decades, you’d like to know you can retire without financial worries.

Nonetheless, you still have to be aware of some threats to a comfortable retirement — and how to respond to them.

These threats include:

Inflation.

Inflation has been high recently, but even a mild inflation rate can seriously erode your purchasing power. In fact, with just a 3% inflation rate, your expenses could double in about 25 years — and your retirement could easily last that long.

So, if you’re going to rely on your investment portfolio for a sizable part of your retirement income, you will need to own a reasonable number of growth-oriented investments, such as stocks or stockbased funds, whose potential returns can equal or exceed the inflation rate.

JOBS from page 30

noted, though, that some of that was made up by hiring by the operators of amusement parks and recreation centers.

“The school year is out,’’ he said. “People are looking for indoor activities or looking to go to the amusement parks which oftentimes have water features and water parks associated with them.’’

The new report also showed an increase in construction employment. But Walls said there are signs on the horizon of slowing.

One of those is the number of permits issued for new private housing units.

That had bottomed out in 2009 after the real estate bubble burst, at one point hitting just 802 a month.

There had been a more or less steady increase, even through the COVID recession. But the trend may be reversing, with the number of building permits issued in May at 4,548, down by 689 from a year earlier, a 13.2% drop.

Much of that is related to interest rates, with the latest figures just shy of 7% compared to slightly more than 3% two

Excessive withdrawals.

Once you retire, you should establish a withdrawal rate for your portfolio — an amount you can take out each year and still feel secure that you won’t run out of money.

Some people make the mistake of withdrawing too much, too soon, once they’re retired. Your withdrawal rate should be based on several factors, including your age at retirement, the size of your portfolio and the amount of income you receive from other sources, such as Social Security.

A financial professional can help you determine a withdrawal rate that’s appropriate for your needs.

Market volatility.

The financial markets will always fluctuate. When you’re still working, this volatility may not be such a problem, as you have years or decades to recover from short-term downturns.

But when you retire, you don’t want to have to sell investments when their price is down. To help prevent this, you

years ago.

And there are signs that the Federal Reserve Board, hoping to bring inflation under control and achieve a “soft landing’’ of the economy, is poised for at least one more increase in the federal funds rate which directly affects mortgage rates.

And this is about more than new homes.

The number of active listings of existing homes decreased again last month and is now down by about 8% from a year earlier. Here, too, the mortgage rate plays a role.

“I think those who have purchased homes who do have mortgages at those lower rates are more reluctant to sell their house or move unless they have to because they do know that they’re going to be entering into a market with much higher interest rates,’’ Walls said. And he said this isn’t just an Arizona issue.

He said Redfin Corp., which does research as well as buys and sells real estate, reports that just 1% of all U.S. homes changed hands in the first half of the year “which was the lowest share in at least a decade.’’ 

can tap into the cash in your portfolio, assuming you have enough to cover several months’ worth of living expenses.

You could also draw on a CD “ladder” — a group of CDs that mature at different times — to provide you with resources for the next few years and allow your equity investments time to recover their value.

Unexpected costs.

You had them when you were working, and you’ll probably have them when you’re retired: the furnace that breaks down, the car that needs a major repair, and so on.

But if you’ve established an emergency fund containing a year’s worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account, you may be able to “ride out” these costs without jeopardizing your investment portfolio.

Be sure to keep these reserves separate from your typical day-to-day accounts to avoid the temptation of spending your emergency money.

Health.

Retirees may face more health con-

cerns than younger people, and those concerns often come with larger medical bills. That’s why it’s important to maximize the benefits from Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan.

Also, if you contributed to a Health Savings Account (HSA) while you were working, and you haven’t depleted it, you can use the money in retirement.

As long as the HSA funds are used for qualified medical expenses, withdrawals are tax- and penalty-free, and won’t be included in your income. This could help keep your income below certain levels, lower your Medicare premiums or avoid the 3.8% surtax on net investment income that can be assessed on high-networth taxpayers.

Retirement can be a pleasant time in your life — and you’ll enjoy it more if you’re prepared for the challenges that face all retirees.

Ahwatukee resident Joseph Ortiz is a financial planner for Edward Jones. Reach him at 480-753-7664 or joseph. ortiz@edwardjones.com. 

Compare our CD Rates Bank-issued, FDIC-insured % APY*

Compare our CD Rates Bank-issued, FDIC-insured % APY*

> % APY*

Compare our CD Rates Bank-issued, FDIC-insured % APY*

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC Call or visit your local financial advisor today.

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC Call or visit your local financial advisor today.

> edwardjones.com | Member Call or visit your local financial advisor today.

Compare our CD Rates Bank-issued, FDIC-insured Dave Bealer Financial Advisor 1334 E Chandler Blvd Suite 4 Phoenix, AZ 85048 480-283-0874

Dave Bealer Financial Advisor 1334 E Chandler Blvd Suite 4 Phoenix, AZ 85048 480-283-0874

Dave Bealer Financial Advisor 1334 E Chandler Blvd Suite 4 Phoenix, AZ 85048 480-283-0874

Dave Bealer Financial Advisor 1334 E Chandler Blvd Suite 4 Phoenix, AZ 85048 480-283-0874

% APY*

% APY*

| Member SIPC % APY*

% APY*

6-month 5.30 1-year 5.30 2-year 5.05 FDI-1867L-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD

6-month 5.30 1-year 5.30 2-year 5.05 FDI-1867L-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD

% APY* * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 07/12/23. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

% APY* * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 07/12/23. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 07/12/23. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

6-month 5.30 1-year 5.30 2-year 5.05 FDI-1867L-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD

FDI-1867L-A © 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD

Call or visit your local financial advisor today. % APY* * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 07/12/23. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to nterest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

% APY* * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 07/12/23. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

Is Your Pool In Need of a Makeover? We’re the Pool Resurfacing Experts! L e t u s h e l p y o u c r e a t e t h e p o o l o f y o u r d r e a m s !

6-month 5.30 1-year 5.30 2-year 5.05 Compare our CD Rates Bank-issues, FDIC-inured Thank you for voting us an Ahwatukee’s “Best Of” Pool Service Company 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021!

BEFORE AFTER BRING IN A WATER SAMPLE FOR A FREE ANALYSIS Ahwatukee!

10 % OFF Tile Cleaning Expires August 31, 2023 Ahwatukee!

SEE STORE FOR DETAILS

Pool Resurfacing Experts Specializing in POOL SERVICE, MAINTENANCE & REPAIR

602-546-POOL (7665) www.barefootpoolman.com 384 W Cullumber Avenue Gilbert, AZ 85233

BESTOF 2022 BESTOF 2019

Ahwatukee Owned & Operated Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC# 272001

Self-driving future unclear, but fast approaching

BY NORMA HUBELE AFN Guest Writer

Akey threshold in driving automation is about to be crossed. Until recently, humans were the ones responsible for ensuring self-driving systems did not make any mistakes.

Now Mercedes-Benz has the green light to sell vehicles in Nevada and California with the most powerful self-driving system available to consumers. These cars do most of the driving on their own — and also take the blame for mistakes.

This is sure to spin heads in competitor boardrooms, on roadways, and in courtrooms. But for drivers like you and me, some important questions remain.

Levels of automation

The Society of Automotive Engineers defines six levels of driving automation. These range from 0 (no automation) to 5 (full automation). All car makers offer Level 1 automation in their vehicles.

Adaptive cruise control is an example of a Level 1 feature. It performs one aspect of driving, but the human driver must ensure its safe operation.

For instance, suppose you engaged cruise control, but you notice your vehicle is getting too close to the car ahead of you on a curve. You brake and take control. That is, you correct the system.

A vehicle with Level 2 automation, such as Tesla’s Auto Pilot, can do even more. In addition to adaptive cruise control, it can pass other vehicles, decelerate to enter an exit ramp, and come to a stop at the end of

the ramp.

However, the driver must still monitor the driving environment and take over when needed.

This need for humans is a headache for Tesla. In one case, a Model X using Auto Pilot crashed into a concrete barrier in Mountain View, California. The 2018 crash killed the driver, whom Walter Huang. Investigators believe Huang was playing a cell phone game.

Tesla argued Auto Pilot was not to blame. Huang relied too much on the system versus checking his vehicle’s direction and speed.

Conditional automated driving

Mercedes-Benz will not be able to take the same stance. Its new Driver Pilot is designed to be a Level 3 system. That means

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Kyrene, TU board members should defend transgender ban

I am writing to support Higley Unified Governing Board member Anna Van Hoek for joining the federal lawsuit to defend the ban on boys playing on girls’ sports teams. I strongly encourage our Kyrene and Tempe Governing Board members to join the case. As a former Kyrene parent, I do not want to see boys allowed to compete in girls’ sports, and I am confident that this is not a minority position.

After reading all the legal jargon of the case and doing additional research, it is evident that the matter is not a partisan issue but a parent issue.

Parents of girls, do you want your daughters competing against boys? Do you want the hard work of these young athletes to be diminished? Do you want them to have fewer options for college placement and scholarships?

Parents of boys, do you want your sons competing in girls’ sports and sharing bathrooms with them?

Consider it a matter of integrity and en-

courage boys to compete against their biological gender irrespective of their identity. Believe in the science, please.

Physiologically it is simply not equitable and morally it is not acceptable. Parents can support their children by having this difficult conversation. Give them credit. They might be more understanding than the adults.

It’s time for reason and sanity to prevail.

-Jill Norgaard

It’s too hot for Kyrene to start a new school year this early

Even though it gets hotter every year, our local districts decided it was best to start school in the middle of summer. Sorry, that makes zero sense.

In 1995, our Kyrene children started around August 23 (five weeks later than this year’s start!) and ended school at the end of May. One week off in spring and two weeks off during the holidays. It worked great! Students were happy and parents were happy.

Then came the extended year move-

ment. I understand the thinking behind that model, but that does not mean it is ideal for hot Arizona.

Even if the extended year works best there is still little reason to start July 19. Start school around August 9, still have the numerous two-week breaks, and end the year around June 2.

Better yet is to only have one week breaks in the fall and spring. Start midAugust and end in late May.

Yes, it is still hot even then, but certainly not like mid-July. There has to be a better solution than starting the school year in July when utility bills are at their highest and the children can’t even go outside for a five-minute recess!

-Steve Kirk

With cooling stations, City Hall again short-changes Ahwatukee

Phoenix has seen record breaking heat this summer and it’s taking a toll on the most vulnerable, the unhoused population. You might be thinking that Ahwatukee doesn’t have unhoused individuals,

it can do everything a Level 2 vehicle can do, plus it monitors itself and the driving environment.

If a problem does occur, the system is responsible for alerting the driver in time for them to correct the problem.

For example, if a Level 3 vehicle came upon a situation in which a police officer was using hand signals to re-route traffic, then the system should alert the driver to take over and follow the directions of the officer. And should a crash occur when the system is engaged, then the liability flows to the manufacturer, not the human driver.

Mercedes-Benz is careful to label its system as conditional automated driving. In fact, California’s approval of these

but you would be wrong.

The City of Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, in partnership with the Heat Relief Network, opened cooling stations around the Valley to give unhoused folks a place to get water and cool off.

You might be surprised to learn, like I was, that Ahwatukee currently has three cooling centers: Ironwood Library, Pecos Community Center and Pecos Pool. Unfortunately, these cooling center locations aren’t being well advertised, in my opinion.

Additionally, all the cooling centers are located south of Chandler Boulevard, completely ignoring the needs of the unhoused north of Chandler Boulevard all the way to Elliot Road.

It reminded me of a similar issue during the election, where all the voting centers were located south of Ray Road, and three were within one mile of each other.

The most glaring difference, though, is that this oversight with cooling centers has deadly consequences.

see LETTERS page 35

cars last month specifies some very limited conditions.

These systems will only operate on highways during daylight, in good weather, and at speeds of up to 40 mph. The state will require vehicle owners to watch a video explaining the capabilities of the system and how to engage and disengage the technology.

Plus, California will limit use of the system to the Bay Area, Central Valley, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego, together with Interstate 15 linking Southern California to Nevada.

LETTERS from page 34

While I’m grateful the City is providing options for unhoused individuals to cool off this summer, it amplifies the problem with the lack of resources and services in our part of Phoenix.

Most, if not all, services, programs, and resources for the unhoused population are located downtown. It’s not reasonable to assume there isn’t a need in Ahwatukee, nor should the unhoused here be expected to travel to Guadalupe Library or Tempe’s Kiwanis Park to get out of this scorching heat and cool off, let alone to downtown Phoenix to get help.

We must do better.

-Sherri Johnson

PGA selling out just like other American giants have sold out

It would appear the PGA is ready to sell out for the almighty dollar to the Saudis and join forces with: Apple, Niki and the NBA etc. selling out to China. Looks like piece by piece America is being sold i.e. our lands, our businesses prowess, our education systems and our homes [via “Open Door,” a Chinese firm in San Francisco] as the foreign powers that be know our price: $$$$$!

Could it be that the Saudis are not attempting to improve their image after killing a journalist – as reporters are stating – but in actuality simply adding another rent in the tapestry of America, helping to bring us down?

- Jane Emery

Congress must take a stand against big pharma

Prescription drug prices have been outof-control and instead of putting forth so-

Specifics still missing

While these limits are well-defined, what a driver will be allowed to do when the car is self-driving has yet to be spelled out. Here’s where the road to the future gets muddy.

The Mercedes-Benz website states: “The driver must be ready to take control of the vehicle at all times when prompted to intervene by the vehicle.”

Yet experience with Tesla’s Auto Pilot suggests drivers like to watch videos and play games. Will these “secondary activities,” as Mercedes-Benz labels them, be allowed with its more advanced system? Is it reasonable to allow

lutions that will actually address the root problem – Big Pharma’s anti-competitive price-gouging tactics that allow them to set high prices – Congress is threatening to make matters worse by advancing policies that will eliminate our pharmacy benefits.

Pharmacy benefit companies are the actors that employers, including small businesses, rely on to be able to have flexibility and a wide range of choices to offer quality and affordable prescription drug coverage for their employers.

For employers and unions alone, pharmacy benefit companies save more than $800 per patient per year on prescription drug costs.

Yet instead of protecting these costsaving benefits, certain legislators in Congress are choosing to side with the pharmaceutical industry and help them boost their profits.

In the first two weeks of the year, big drug companies hiked the prices of nearly 600 brand name drugs. Their abuse of the patent system on just five brand name drugs has costs ranging from $1.8 billion to $7.6 billion due to delayed competition due to these patent thickets.

Any proposal that limits pharmacy benefit companies is buying directly into what Big Pharma wants and Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly should reject these pricing schemes and instead side with Arizona families and patients.

Thankfully, Senator Sinema has put families and patients first and protect the very entities that make prescriptions more affordable.

Lawmakers like extreme left-leaning Sen. Bernie Sanders, in his latest attempt at a Medicare-for-All type country, is pushing new mandates targeting our pharmacy benefits.

a driver to engage in such activities while still requiring them to take over the driving in a crisis?

And I wonder, Will there be in-vehicle monitoring systems to ensure the driver follows the rules? After all, lives are at stake when a crash happens.

What we do know is that if the driver fails to respond to vehicle prompts in a timely manner, Mercedes-Benz says its system will stop the vehicle, turn-on hazard lights, and make an emergency call to seek help. Sounds good on paper, but I bet there will be a large number of false alarms if drivers are focused on other more enjoyable activities.

His socialist counterpart in the House, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez used a hearing to push the country towards a nationalized health care system.

Why would self-proclaimed socialists like AOC and Sanders side with the pharmaceutical industry? Because it helps their larger agenda to push the country towards a nationalized system.

These policies target the one check against them, pharmacy benefit companies, all so Big Pharma can get their payday and socialists can advance their

I admire auto makers who spearhead change to make our roads safer. But I think it is going to be long and winding road to our self-driving future.

Changing the design of a machine is one thing. Changing human behavior is quite another.

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

political agenda. Our lawmakers have the power to stop them and put a real check on these egregious pricing tactics that are hurting too many Americans.

Arizonian families need access to quality, affordable pharmacy benefits so we can access the prescriptions we need to stay healthy.

We need to address the affordability crisis in our prescription drug supply chain, but the recent policies being proposed are not the right answer.

-John Arnold

Trip through mall becomes trip down memory lane

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ AFN Columnist

We walked the ruins of Fiesta Mall early Wednesday, showing around a reporter and taking a trip down memory lane.

The doors have been closed since 2019, as the owner — a client of mine — prepares to build “a new gem” for the Valley. For a few minutes, though, the old gem lived again in my thoughts.

I remembered Macy’s, where I bought my first Arizona sport coat to attend an award dinner, and Sears, where I bought a socket wrench set that got discarded a few moves back.

I recalled the fuss when Avril Lavigne played a live concert back in 2004, and the taste of the pizza slices and breadsticks sold at the Sbarro’s upstairs.

Now the place is littered with busted glass, shattered tiles and discarded Christ-

mas trees. Whatever comes next will be huge progress, but for one day, the old Valley of the Sun kept reappearing for me via a stream of memories.

Maybe that’s part of what makes a place home: Not merely the new things you fall in love with, but the old things you miss.

Like the Scottsdale 6 drive-in, where on a summer night you could burn half a tank of gas keeping the air conditioner running while you saw a movie for six bucks and change. The place even piped in stereo sound via FM radio. Sadly, it went away back in 2017.

My buddy, Max Fose, who grew up on the west side, has lived here for most of his life. He misses Dave Pratt doing mornings on KUPD, and the ice cream sundaes at Farrell’s Ice Cream in the old Christown Mall.

Max reminded me of the Arizona Cardinals back in the day — when they played at Sun Devil Stadium — and you could see the home team lose while simultaneously working on your tan if your seats were on

the sunny side of the field.

The COVID-19 pandemic closed scores of restaurants across the metropolitan area. La Calabria Ristorante in Gilbert went away. So did Sierra Bonita in central Phoenix, Kimberly Ann’s Tea Room in Downtown Glendale and Mark’s Cafe in south Tempe.

If you’re a salad bar and buffet fan, COVID also shuttered all nine Arizona locations of Sweet Tomatoes, where I favored the broccoli cheese soup and buttermilk cornbread muffins.

Apparently, a new company is resurrecting one location in Tucson, but that’s a long way to drive for a salad.

The old Valley felt much smaller than this new iteration, with the 101 and the 202 now surrounding the urban core, and the 303 to the northwest connecting the 10 and the 17.

Heading north or south used to involve surface streets like Scottsdale Road or Arizona Avenue, and the trip out to Greasewood Flats or Queen Creek felt like it re-

quired packing a lunch.

Now? We zip along on freeways, ducking into the HOV lane to make time, passing what we used to call “sprawl,” but now we call suburbs.

Goodyear, Avondale, Surprise, San Tan Valley: I used to think of the far reaches as dusty horse country. Now they’re all grown up.

The old mall in Mesa will be 80 acres of something beautiful soon. The next generation of TV anchors will report it, smiling blandly about the new market they’ve barely visited, unlike the Kent Danas, Lin Sue Cooneys and Patti Kirkpatricks who gave voice to so many stories of our home.

Meanwhile, a few words in spray paint have stuck in my head from the last trip to the shopping center.

“Lost soul,” some anonymous artist inked on the wall. “Come find me.”

The soul of this place lives on in memory, of course. You find it whenever you close your eyes. 

Ahwatukee teen helps Team USA flag football get gold

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

Ryder Noche of Ahwatukee and Amos Augustine were excited when they learned in March that they were selected to compete on the 15U Team USA Flag Football National Team.

The two were picked alongside Gregory Riddell, a teammate on the Chandler Bears, a top youth tackle football program, and Elite Youth Flag Football, a team that sponsored by the Elite Community Foundation and Elite Athlete Management headquartered in Chandler.

It was an accomplishment the never would become a reality. In June, Augustine and Noche made the official roster, which opened the door for the two to represent Arizona on an international stage.

Together with their teammates, Amos and Ryder helped lead Team USA’s 15U flag football team to a gold medal in Charlotte, N.C.

“It was just an honor, really,” Ryder said.

“I never thought that every time I played flag football, I would get the chance to be on the USA National Team. It’s a dream.”

The selection process for the team consisted of a tryout process in the spring. It mirrored the NFL Combine, with timed 40-yard sprints, shuttle drills and various other tools used by coaches to evaluate players on the field. They knew right away they would have

another shot at making the team come June when a final roster was out together for the team. Noche, an Ahwatukee resident preparing to play his first season of high school football at Brophy, got the nod to play on the team.

So did Amos, who is in his last year of junior high at Casteel in Queen Creek.

“It was honestly really good,” Augustine said of his experience. “We were all really close, the players, the coaches.

“Off the field we had fun studying, learning new plays and figuring out what we had to do to succeed and get the gold medal like we did.”

The two boys headed to Charlotte in early July. They both agreed that once they got there, it felt like they were receiving an experience similar to college football.

Early morning practices gave way to tight schedules that didn’t allow for much

see USA page 39

Coach reshaping Sun Devils football with passion

BY JOSH AMICK Cronkite News

The offseason for Arizona State’s football program has been anything but quiet.

The Sun Devils began preparations for the 2023 season with the hiring of former Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham as their new head coach last November and continued with his swift reshaping of the roster to rebuild the program to prominence.

Under his leadership so far, ASU has welcomed 25 players from the transfer portal with a simple yet sharp focus: retain and acquire players who want to wear the maroon and gold.

On July 17, with Sun Devils Fall Camp set to begin soon, Dillingham underscored his desire to build a program full of passionate and hard-working players.

“Would I love to win, would I love to set a precedent that we’re going to help these

guys be successful in life and those guys flock here? Yes,” Dillingham said. “Only if they want to be here though. I am not going to trip them up to be here.”

Dillingham’s preference for players who want to be part of his program stems from his roots that are deeply planted in the Valley area.

Dillingham attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale and graduated from ASU, where he also served as a graduate assistant under former coach Todd Graham.

“There’s no tricks, there’s no gimmicks, there’s no promises,” Dillingham said. “This is a special place, and I have a passion for this place.

“You want to be a part of something that could be special, and if you do, great, and if you don’t, great … There’s a lot of athletes out there.”

Among the offseason programs is a return to Camp Tontozona for the first time since 2019. The annual visit to “Camp T” was a tradition started by former coach Frank Kush in 1959 and will open to the

Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham, pictured here in an earlier photo, spoke with reporters last week about his focused approach to overhauling the program in his first year at the helm. (File photo/Cronkite News)

Gilbert resident and Casteel Junior High student Amos Augustine, left, and Ahwatukee resident Ryder Noche represented Arizona by competing on the Team USA 15U flag football team in July. The two made the team after a tryout process this past spring. (Courtesy Tricia Noche)

free time until later in the day. It was football all the time, something Amos and Ryder enjoyed from an athlete’s perspective. They stayed at the dorms on UNC Charlotte’s campus and played on fields nearby.

They had the chance to interact with teams that arrived from across the world.

“It was definitely cool,” Amos said. “This next year I’m going to definitely learn some Spanish and maybe some French so I can speak to them. Maybe Japanese. It was definitely a good experience.”

Once competition began, Amos and Ryder were all business.

Team USA went undefeated in pool play, beating Mexico and Canada. They faced Mexico yet again in the first elimination game but advanced with ease. By the time the championship game against Japan rolled around, the 15U team was firing on all cylinders.

They scored quickly and with ease against Japan, taking a 35-point lead in the second half. They knew they were going to come away with gold.

“When we got to the ceremony, when we all got the medals, everyone had smiles on their faces,” Ryder said. “Then the national anthem played. It was a real Olympic feel.”

Team USA swept the competition as a whole.

The 17U boys, 17U girls and 15U girls all won their respective tournaments. Team USA’s men’s and women’s teams also won gold that weekend in the International Federation of American Football Americas Championship.

Having the opportunity to play against international teams allowed Noche and Augustine to see different brands of football. Some teams played fast and with different styles of plays than what is commonly seen in the U.S.

Some teams took a slower approach to the game. It opened their eyes to how the game is interpreted in different parts of the world.

“Mexico was very quick, very shifty,” Ryder said. “Japan was very smart. They just

had a high IQ and knew how to get in your head. They were strong, mentally. That’s how I saw it.”

The two boys will now prepare for their tackle football seasons this fall.Ryder headed to camp with the Brophy freshman, which is held on its downtown Phoenix campus while Amos prepared for his final season in youth ball.

Both boys had good showings in Charlotte as a tune-up of sorts for the fall.

“When we got to the ceremony, when we all got the medals, everyone had smiles on their faces, then the national anthem played. It was a real Olympic feel.”

- Ryder Noche

Next year, he’ll decide where he attends high school.

Ryder said he caught one to two touchdown passes per game and played a key role on defense. Augustine, being one of the younger players there, caught two touchdown passes and made the most of every opportunity he was on the field.

The two often look at their gold medals. Both have positioned them in a spot they

can’t miss.

Amos’ medal is hanging on the wall in front of his bed along with his jersey so it’s the first thing he sees when he wakes up and last thing when he goes to b ed.

Ryder still hangs his on his door but said he would find a permanent spot soon.

It still hasn’t quite set in for either boy that they are gold medal winners at a young age. It was always a dream when they learned about the opportunity, and they made it happen.

“I never thought this opportunity would come but it did, and I made the most of it,” Amos said. “It felt really good. It’s a very good memory in my life.” 

The Team USA 15U team went undefeated in pool play and defeated Mexico and Japan for the gold medal. Both Noche and Augustine said it felt like the Olympics, with the national anthem playing as they were given their gold medals. (Courtesy Tricia Noche)

public Aug. 10-12.

“One of the things that I got from the former players here, the most successful teams here was the togetherness and brotherhood they had,” Dillingham said.

mitigated those issues on the front end. That way we can really try to have the best of both worlds.

“But part of this (trip) is to be uncomfortable. Football is not comfortable. You go on the road at Washington State, Oregon State, those aren’t comfortable games but that’s football and that’s life.”

The change in leadership came after a shocking home loss to Eastern Michigan in Week 3, accompanied by a lingering NCAA investigation into alleged illegal recruiting practices.

“The only way you can build that is by doing things like this and putting them in environments that they don’t want to be in.

“Nobody wants to go stay in a bunk, I don’t want to go stay in a bunk, but we’re going to tell the stories about how this team and how this culture was created, and there is going to be something that happens at Camp T that the players tell stories about.”

Besides the heat, some of the challenges at Camp T are the facilities’ limited showers and the food available that resulted in some players losing weight in seasons past, both issues Dillingham and the staff have addressed beforehand.

“One of the issues was showers and the bathrooms, so we’re going to bring some of that stuff in to help them,” Dillingham said.

“The other one’s food and we’ve got the nutritionist to solve that issue, so we’ve

Building a culture has been Dillingham’s priority, even more so than acquiring the top talent in the country, as he believes motivation and passion are contagious in the locker room.

“If you can create such a recruiting pipeline where you get 75 five- or four-star players, then you take the chance of having 15 kids who kill your culture,” Dillingham said.

“They’re just going to weed themselves out because you’re so talented, they don’t matter and they just disappear.

“But if you’re trying to build a culture, you need to have the same vision. So I want people that want to be here. It’s the most important thing in recruiting, it’s not the sales pitch.”

Dillingham takes over this season after the Sun Devils finished last year with a 3-9 record and fired Herm Edwards three games into his fifth season as coach.

Although Dillingham, 32, is now the youngest coach at a Power 5 school, his ability to adapt and simplify things bodes well for ASU fans.

“You don’t know how you are going to react until you’re put into that situation,” Dillingham said. “I haven’t been on the field since I was a freshman high school coach, I have been up in the box.

“That’s a change for me but football is football. That’s the adversity, and it’s all about how you respond to it.”

Dillingham last Friday traveled to Las Vegas for Friday’s 2023 Pac-12 Football Media Day with tight end Jalin Conyers and defensive back Jordan Clark. The event featured the conference’s 12 head coaches and two selected players from each school.

Safe to say it’s an unwelcome break from the grind of his first year as head coach.

“I am looking forward to it (Pac-12 media day) being over,” Dillingham said. “I just got back from vacation and I am ready to be back here and get to work.” 

Expires 7/31/23.

Ahwatukee teen takes on “Les Misérables"

BY KATY SPRINGER

GetOut Contributor

When Limelight Performing Arts opens “Les Misérables School Edition” at the Mesa Arts Center Aug. 4, Ahwatukee’s Porter Carr, 16, will step into the role of Marius.

He and 15-year-old Westley Caryl of Chandler share the role, with Porter playing Marius in the “Innkeeper” cast and Westley performing with the “Barricade” cast. It’s a dream part for any young thespian.

“Marius is definitely a dream role for me,” said Porter. “He is the Romeo of ‘Les Mis,’ falling in love with Cosette who is kept isolated for her protection because her father, Jean Valjean, is on the run.

“While he is in love with her, he does not understand that one of his friends, Eponine, is in love with him, which creates an interesting dynamic between the three characters.”

It’s not Porter’s first turn in the limelight, as he has performed numerous lead and

supporting roles including Billy Flynn in “Chicago: Teen Edition,” Chip Tolentino in

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and Don Price in “Big Fish.”

Still, this musical is special to him.

“‘Les Mis’ is one of my favorite shows,” he said. “I’ve seen it several times, and the music is really beautiful. This is the first opportunity I have had to audition for it.”

Porter is one of 30 youth performers from across greater Phoenix who will bring 19th century France to life Aug. 4-13 in “Les Mis.”

This stunning musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s timeless tale will transport audiences to a world where love triumphs over adversity and dreams never die.

Director Christian Graca believes she has assembled just the right cast to do Hugo’s masterpiece justice.

“The best thing about this cast is their overwhelming desire to tell this story in a compelling way, and to move audiences

New chicken wings eatery opening in Ahwatukee

Come Saturday, wings are taking the main stage at the opening of a rebranded Ahwatukee restaurant and residents will have a chance to win some mouth-watering prizes.

After just opening their second location in San Tan Valley last month, Ghett Yo Wings is continuing its brand expansion with the opening of an eatery at 4747 E. Elliot Road, Ahwatukee.

That location was the home to Ghett Yo Pizza for the last three years. While pizza will still be available at that location, wings will now take the main stage.

“We listen, watch and have an obligation to give our guests and the community what they crave – and overwhelmingly they crave Wings,” said Wally Ansari, president of B2 Concepts, which owns Ghett Yo Wings as well as sister brand Ghett Yo

Taco in Chandler.

To celebrate the Ahwatukee opening and mark Saturday, July 29, National Chicken Wing Day, Ansari is offering six free wings a week for 52 weeks to the first 100 patrons that day and anyone born on July 29. Additionally, anyone who buys a beverage Saturday gets six free wings with it that day only.

“The Ghett Yo Wings brand has literally been on fire so we couldn’t think of a better day to open Ahwatukee Wings and offer a killer promotion at all our locations to celebrate National Chicken Wing Day on Saturday, July 29.”

At Ghett Yo Wings, guests can get their wings naked, grilled, breaded, boneless or smoked with 19 different sauces, providing what Ansari called “a variety of wing options not seen at most other wing-centric restaurants.:

Information: ghettyowings.com ■

Porter Carr, 16, of Ahwatukee has snagged a major role in Limelight Performing Arts’ production of the classic musical drama “Les Misérables” at Mesa Arts Center. (Sam Weid/Contributor)

GETOUT STAFF

B2 Concepts President Wally Ansari, right, is a busy restaurateur, opening his third Valley Ghett Yo Wings in Ahwatukee. He’s seen here with Stuart Shainburg, operations manager of Ansari’s other concept, Getty Yo Taco, in downtown Chandler. (File photo)

LES MISÉ RABLES from page 42

with the timeless messages of enduring love and devotion,” she said.

“Les Mis” centers on the tumultuous world of Jean Valjean, a former convict imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving child.

After his release, Valjean breaks his parole and assumes a new identity, determined to leave his troubled past behind.

When he crosses paths with Fantine, a factory worker fallen into destitution, he promises to care for her young daughter, Cosette, rescuing her from the clutches of the unscrupulous innkeepers, the Thénardiers.

Years later, in Paris, a group of students rise up against the oppressive regime. Among them is Marius, who falls deeply in love with Cosette. Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of the June Rebellion of 1832.

“‘Les Mis’ has time jumps where characters age in the show, so they have a significant change in character and perspective as the story progresses,” said Christian Graca, director of “Les Mis.”

Added Porter, “I feel like there are so many complex characters with lots of things going on, but, as the story progresses, you realize how everything is intertwined.”

With music by Alain Boublil and ClaudeMichel Schönberg, the score, too, helps move the story along. It includes beloved songs like “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Bring Him Home” and “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” Marius’ heartbreaking soliloquy of mourning for the friends and revolutionaries lost during the failed uprising.

“The music is challenging to learn, but it’s so beautiful with a lot of duets, harmonies and layered melodies,” said Emma England, Limelight’s artistic director who, along with Tom Graca, is music directing “Les Mis.”

“I have really enjoyed working with the

cast on how to act the music, like figuring out where the phrases need to rise and fall and how to convey the emotion this story demands.”

Porter and his cast members are up to the challenge – and they know that practice makes perfect.

“The three-part harmony between Marius, Eponine and Cosette in ‘A Heart Full of Love’ is difficult, but fun to do,” Porter said.

While “Les Mis” doesn’t traditionally include much dance, England and co-choreographer, Marie South, are using movement to elevate the performance.

“We were very deliberate in designing choreography that would add impact without taking away from the intent of the show,” said England.

“For example, Christian designed custom flags to communicate the time hops in this story. Our cast uses dance to place the flags and reinforce this message of forward motion. It’s one way we’re putting our own touch on ‘Les Mis’ and supporting the continuous movement of this story.”

After nine weeks of rehearsals, the cast is eager to open the show and excited about the audience’s response.

“I think the audience will enjoy the attention to detail by the actors and the production team throughout the entire show,” said Porter. “The large group numbers and harmonies are really impressive.”

Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by more than 70 million people, “Les Mis” has been performed in more than 40 countries and in 22 languages.

Limelight’s production is directed by Christian Graca with music direction by Tom Graca and Emma England and choreography by England and Marie South.

Tickets for “Les Misérables School Edition” start at $21 and can be purchased at mesaartscenter.com, search “limelight.”

The run includes both matinee and evening performances. Group discounts are available. 

ACROSS

1 Satan's purchase

5 Chest protector

8 Ski lift type

12 Old U.S. gas brand

13 Piercing tool

14 Hindu royal

15 Pub potables

16 King, in Cannes

17 Choir voice

18 New

20 Pal of Pooh

22 Stephen of "Still Crazy"

23 Hobbyist's abbr.

24 Mineral-hardness scale name

27 Tot's train

32 Rock's Brian

33 Science room

34 Klutz

35 Folks from Indiana

38 Garrison

39 Flop

40 Ostrich's kin

42 Exhibited ennui

45 In a way

49 "Metamorphoses" poet

50 Hosp. hookups

52 Carry on

53 Ms. Rowlands

54 Golf prop

55 Like some vaccines

56 Gross

57 Last letter in London

58 Mr. Disney

DOWN

1 Line of fashion?

2 Capital on a fjord

3 Secondhand

4 Also-rans

5 Clinging crustacean

6 -- Jima

7 Radar dot

8 Dire

9 Hype

10 Pot starter

11 Laugh-a-minute

19 Concerning 21 Altar vow

24 "I'm not impressed"

25 Music's Yoko

26 Snooker

28 Guffaw syllable

King Crossword

29 Fanatical

30 Rowing need

31 Frequently

36 Half the weekend

37 Chemical suffix

38 Groove

41 Kansas City's st.

42 Quotable Berra

43 Opposite of "sans"

44 Bubblehead

46 O'Hara estate

47 Cameo shape

48 Fedora fabric

51 Victory sign

When I first started to teach cooking classes a year and a half ago at Sweet Basil Culinary Center, I was introduced to a new cooking vessel that would change everything for me.

It’s called a stove-top smoker and it works perfectly on the cook top, on the BBQ or in the oven. It’s fantastic for fish, vegetables and chicken, but it really shines when you throw a rack of ribs in, close it up, and 90 minutes later, you have a succulent stack of ribs mopped with your favorite BBQ sauce.

Sudoku

Beer-soaked baby backs go espresso

This recipe for Chili Rubbed Baby Backs with Espresso BBQ Sauce is one of my new favorites, given to me by a co-worker who knows I’m a rib fanatic.

Even if you don’t have a stove-top smoker, these ribs and sauce will be a hit no matter how you prepare them. The dark beer (it really should be a Guinness!) and espresso powder combine to give the ribs a deep

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon pepper

• 4 pounds baby back pork ribs, opaque

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Rub spice mixture all over ribs. Place ribs in heavy large roasting pan or stove-top smoker.

3. In a medium saucepan, bring the beer to a boil and reduce to 1 cup, about 5 minutes.

4. Pour beer around ribs. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake ribs until fork-tender, about 1 hour 30 minutes.

5. While ribs are cooking prepare bbq sauce. In a medium skillet, combine barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup water, brown sugar and espresso powder. Simmer

and rich flavor that melt together to create the umami you want in a rack of ribs.

The recipe calls for a bottle of your favorite bbq sauce or if you have a homemade version, use that. A few years ago we did a taste test of the country’s most popular store-bought bbq sauces. Topping the list of brands were Stubbs, Rufus Teague, Sweet Baby Ray’s and Bone Suckin’ Sauce. 

membrane removed

• 1 12-ounce bottle Guinness or dark beer

• 1 18-ounce bottle of barbecue sauce

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed firm

• 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder

until flavors blend and sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. (Ribs and barbecue sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate.)

6. When ribs are cooked, liberally brush bbq sauce over top. Return to heat and grill ribs just until heated through, about 3 minutes per side.

7. Transfer ribs to platter. Bring remaining sauce to simmer. Brush ribs with more barbecue sauce.

(Note: The smoker I use is Camerons Stainless Steel Stove Top Smoker. It comes with hickory and oak wood chips.) 