Ahwatukee Foothills News 08/02/2023

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

TWednesday,

he Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee on July 24 refused to endorse the city’s proposed Zoning Code amendment that would allow singlefamily homeowners to build a separate singlestory house in their backyard.

In rejecting the measure supporting socalled “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs) –

commonly called by a variety of names, mainly “casitas” – on most single-family lots in the city, the Ahwatukee VPC joined the Desert View Village Planning Committee in opposing the proposal.

According to the city Planning and Development Department, the two VPCs are the only ones among the city’s 15 village planning committees to reject the proposed amendment, which is scheduled for city Planning Commission consideration at 6 p.m. tomorrow, Aug. 3,

Mountainous discovery

course of duties as president of commercial real estate development for West Realty USA here: nearly two dozen parcels of privately owned land exist on the South Mountain above Ahwatukee’s highest community. And three parcels totaling about 80 acres, outlined in red on his computer screen, are on the market. For details, see RE1. (David Minton/Sta Photographer)

www.ahwatukee.com

in Council Chambers.

Phoenix City Council is scheduled to consider the casita measure Sept. 6 along with a proposal to reduce parking requirements in apartment complexes. e Ahwatukee VPC rejected that measure as well, joining eight other VPCs that oppose it.

Of the 13 other village planning committees, ve approved the ADU proposal as written,

Arizona Grand Resort eyes 65-acre

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

The Arizona Grand Resort is seeking city approval for a massive upgrade and development of nearly 65 acres of mostly undeveloped land that will include a “food and beverage district” and either a new hotel or apartment building.

e resort last month submitted a 105-page application for city approval of a planned unit development that also includes an upgrade of other parts of its facilities and site.

e proposal includes additional ballrooms and conference rooms, an event lawn, and new hotel rooms and/or a 190-unit apartment building inthe Tempe part of the resort.

It also envisions a “Mexican-style” food hall within a “food and beverage district” that will o er “chef-driven restau-

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With the support of over 400 people on a petition and the approval of city planning staff, a proposal for an elder care facility on the grounds of St. Benedict Catholic Church sailed through the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee last week.

The unanimous approval of the proposal for the church on 48th Street just north of Frye Road sets up a likely approval by the city Planning Commission at its meeting at 6 p.m. tomorrow, Aug. 3, in Council Chambers.

The measure is slated to then go to City Council on Sept. 6 and is not likely to meet any opposition.

Shea Connelly Development sought a minor General Plan amendment and zoning reclassification to make way for a 138-unit senior care facility that will be run by a major Canadian real estate investment and development company’s affiliated chain of elder care homes throughout North America.

The facility, which will have three courtyards, would occupy 4.62 acres on the 19.2-acre church campus and be located behind the church, which is currently undergoing a massive interior and exterior renovation.

Developers plan to build 66 independent living units, 44 assisted living quarters and 28 memory care residences.

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Calling the plan “compatible with the surrounding land uses,” a city planning staff report noted that it also “will be compatible to the scale and character” of the rest of the neighborhood.

“The proposal would encourage an array of housing types and lifestyles to meet the needs of Phoenix’s aging population,” the staff review said.

“The proposed community would be planned and allow for aging residents with the services and resources necessary to sustain and improve quality of life.”

That assessment is shared by one resident who wrote a letter in support of the

plan and over 400 people who signed a petition that declared:

“Quality senior living facilities are in high demand and providing the type of care on a church campus affords a unique opportunity to serve and support both the medical and spiritual needs of the city’s elder community.”

Planning staff noted in its report, “The subject site is appropriate for residential uses at the proposed densities and provides new housing opportunities in this part of the city. Furthermore, the development has adequate street access and provides streetscape improvements that benefit the surrounding area.”

Plans call for building the three-story facility next to the ball fields behind the school, though Shea Connelly has indicated in its application that a wall would exist around the courtyard nearest the fields.

Some VPC members wondered whether traffic flow to and from the church campus could be maintained smoothly while parents dropped off and picked up their children who attended St. John Bosco Catholic School, which is on the

The three-story elder care facility behind on the grounds of St. Benedict’s Church will build 66 independent living units, 44 assisted living quarters and 28 memory care residences. (Shea Connelly)

site next to the church.

But new committee member Clifford Mager said he was confident traffic would not be a problem during the school arrival and dismissal times and that it would not hinder traffic flow on 48th Street as parents waited to pick up their kids.

In a letter to neighboring residents when it introduced the plan, Shea Connelly noted that the church “has enlisted a national senior care housing leader,

COGIR Senior Living, to manage the facility” with the goal of running “a stateof-the-art senior care facility.”

In its application, Shea Connelly noted that the facility’s three courtyards will cover about 21,417 square feet – which it stressed “is nearly double outdoor space required by city code.”

Montreal-based COGIR Senior Living Communities owns or manages 63 facilities in eight states and Canada, according to its website. It owns eight senior

facilities in Arizona, with two each in Scottsdale and Mesa and one each in Peoria, Marana, Glendale and Chandler.

COGIR Senior Living is part of Canadabased COGIR Real Estate, which was founded in 1995 as a multifaceted real estate development and management company. Its senior living arm boasts that it is “passionate about customer service – with a human commitment.”

“As part of a well-known name in Canadian real estate, COGIR Senior Living draws upon 20 years of residential and senior living management, as well as hospitality expertise,” the company states on its website.

“It is this combination of Frenchinspired ‘je ne sais quoi’ and West Coast spirit that make COGIR Senior

Living residences so indefinably unfor-

Like many high-end independent living facilities across the nation, it boasts

Shea Connelly also developed a range of commercial and residential projects, including three senior living facilities in the Valley. 

The elder care facility behind St. Benedict Catholic Church will have three courtyards. (City of Phoenix)

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The state’s top Republican lawmakers contend that it is a medical condition and not a discriminatory state law that entitles Arizona to bar transgender girls from participating in girls sports.

Justin Smith.

Zipps, in her ruling July 20, said that’s not what the evidence shows.

But Smith, in asking her to delay her order and allow the state to enforce its 2022 law that bars transgender girls from competing with and against girls, has a new argument. He said the statute is not a matter of illegal discrimination.

“Their exclusion from girls’ teams is due to a medical condition, not the states’ sexbased separation of sports team,’’ he said.

Zipp noted that the lawyers for the transgender girls contended that their clients have “gender dysphoria.’’

In a new court filing, the attorney for Senate President Warren Petersen of Gilbert and House Speaker Ben Toma of Peoria told Judge Jennifer Zipps she got it wrong in concluding that “biological boys’’ who have not reached puberty have no inherent advantage over girls of the same age.

“As virtually any elementary-school sports coach can attest, there is a competitive advantage for boys over girls before puberty, and there is not a scintilla of evidence that puberty blockers and hormone therapy eliminate this advantage,’’ wrote

While Petersen and Toma appeal Zipps’ ruling, Higley Unified Governing Board member Anna Van Hoek and two other mothers are awaiting her ruling on whether they can join them as defendants in the suit.

That is generally defined as an individ-

TRANS from page 6

ual’s sense of mismatch between biological sex -- the sex assigned at birth -- and gender identity. And the judge said denying transgender girls the opportunity to participate in sports with other girls can be harmful, citing high rates of suicide in the transgender community.

Van Hoek and the two other women, one from Maricopa and the other from Yuma, contend their daughters have been bullied in the past by transgender girls and that they fear further harassment.

Smith said the diagnosis cannot become the basis to allow those born male to participate in girls’ sports.

“It is not uncommon for biological males to have medical conditions that prevent them from participating on male sports teams,’’ he said. “And those males suffer the same injury of being unable to participate in sports.’’

Zipps’ ruling enforcement of the 2022 law against the two transgender girls is not a final order. And it permits the state to seek a full-blown trial on the issue.

But Smith said it’s not fair to allow the two transgender girls to participate in the meantime.

The 2022 law that says public schools and any private schools that compete against them must designate their interscholastic and intramural sports strictly as male, female or coed.

More to the point, it spells out that teams designated for women or girls “may not be open to students of the male sex.’’ And the statute says that is defined as the “biological sex’’ of the participant.

In filing suit, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and other attorneys did not seek to overturn the 2022 law entirely

and entitle all transgender girls to participate on girls’ teams.

Instead they argued that each bid by a transgender girl should be considered individually. And in this case, they say that because neither girl is experiencing puberty – one is too young and the other is on puberty blockers – they should be allowed to play with and against other girls.

Zipps agreed and cited the policy of the Arizona Interscholastic Association, which has approved a handful of such requests.

In her ruling, the judge also cited the social, emotional and physical benefits from participation in sports. Smith, in his bid to delay the order, said that doesn’t just work one way.

“Needless to say, these same benefits of participating in competitive sports ... are just as applicable to biological girls as transgender girls,’’ the attorney wrote.

What makes that relevant, he said, is that competitive sports “are zero-sum by their very nature.’’

That means each team position or winning slot taken by a transgender girl, by definition “will displace biological girls.’’

“In every volleyball and basketball game, a plaintiff getting coveted playing time displaces a biological girl who thus does not get that playing time,’’ Smith said.

Smith also said that Zipps was wrong to consider only the question of whether transgender girls who have not reached puberty have an inherent physical advantage.

He said the judge should have looked at why lawmakers adopted the whole ban, including issues of post-pubescent transgender girls.

see TRANS page 9

Dr. Karen Hastings, a professor of immunology and dermatology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and a dermatologist at the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Phoenix, said she was not shocked by Phoenix’s showing. (Cronkite News)

Phoenix among world’s worst for skin health

BY KYLIE WERNER Cronkite News

As if we aren’t already staying indoors to escape the heat, here’s another reason to keep out of the sun: A new analysis ranks Phoenix as the worst city in the country for skin health and fourth-worst in the world.

Compare the Market, an Australian company that compares rates for health, auto and home insurance, evaluated 50 cities around the world for skin health.

The review was based on six factors, including the intensity of ultraviolet radiation, sunshine hours, two types of particulates, nitrogen dioxide and ozone levels.

Phoenix came in fourth after Toronto, Canada; Bratislava, Slovakia, and Athens, Greece.

An average of 9.33 sunshine hours and a UV index of 6 were the biggest factors in the

TRANSfrom page 7

Smith also is taking issue with the judge’s ruling that the 2022 law violates Title IX, a federal statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in sports.

“Title IX, from its inception, is understood to specifically authorize the separation of sports teams based on biological sex – exactly what the act does,’’ he said.

Phoenix score. Between 3 and 5 on the UV index translates into moderate exposure, according to Cancer Research UK, while anything over 6 is classified as high risk.

Dr. Karen Hastings, a professor of immunology and dermatology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and a dermatologist at the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Phoenix, said she was not shocked by Phoenix’s showing.

“No one wants to be the fourth-worst city in the world or the worst in the U.S. for skin, but on the other hand, we know that we’re in a high UV exposure area. So I think it’s certainly understandable,” Hastings said.

She emphasized that UV exposure, which is a combination of the UV index and the number of sunshine hours, are the main drivers for skin cancer risk and

see SKIN page 16

He specifically cited one court ruling which said that it is designed “to increase opportunities for women and girls in athletics.’’

None of that, however, may help Petersen and Toma in their bid to allow the state to enforce the law.

Much of Zipps’ order is based on the premise that transgender girls are girls for purposes of participating in sports. 

CEO

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GRAND from page 1

rants serving a variety of cuisines, bars, live music and special events with indoor and outdoor dining.”

The project will cover nine parcels – seven of which “are predominantly undeveloped,” according to the application.

Though the resort has an Ahwatukee ZIP code (85044), it is considered part of the South Mountain Village. The development plan will be reviewed by that village’s planning committee, and because part of the project is in Tempe, that city will be involved in the approval process.

“This proposed development will enhance and support the vitality of the area,” the application states, adding it “has been thoughtfully designed to provide a safe connection to Baseline Road and throughout the Arizona Grand Resort property.”

It states, “It is time to develop portions of the site that are effectively infill sites because they have never been developed and update other portions of the property/facilities to ensure Arizona Grand Resort can continue to provide modern amenities for the area’s residents and visitors while maintaining the classic, timeless character of the Arizona Grand Resort.”

The plan envisions the upgrade and new additions “will encourage a healthy, active lifestyle by providing bike parking spaces and walking/biking paths throughout the property.”

It also boasts other environmentally conscious elements such as low-wateruse vegetation, storm water runoff controls, “shade strategies to help mitigate the urban heat island effect,” energy-efficient lighting and reductions in the amount of asphalt covering the site.

New construction will retain “a high degree of consistency with the existing architectural and landscape character of the resort,” the application states.

It also calls for “state-of-the-art meeting facilities, pre-function space, outdoor terraces” that include a “rooftop terrace with views to the South Mountain Preserve.”

“Luxury hotel rooms” will offer either mountain views or views of the Oasis Waterpark” while two-story “golf cottages” will offer “dramatic views” of the golf course.

“The redevelopment aims to significantly reduce negative impact on the environment by encouraging low-impact development strategies including the redevelopment of the resort into a mixeduse pedestrian-friendly, environment,” it continues.

“More specifically, the proposed redevelopment removes a significant number of parking spaces out of the core area and relocates them to parking lots located on the perimeter of the property, adjacent to the interstate highway. This strategy will allow redevelopment of the existing parking spaces with landscaping and pedestrian walkways.”

The plan also proposes to replace the existing fountain with a tower that will have a viewing platform accessible by both a stairway and elevator. A shaded, furnished plaza will be located at the foot of the proposed tower.

The plan notes that the resort’s traditional Spanish colonial and mission style architecture and design “were popular in the 1980s when the resort was built” and “fit the climate and reflect the history of the region.

It adds that while “final decisions on building design, materials, etc. will be made through the city’s site plan review process,” “future development should be compatible in character with the architectural palette of materials and colors that are currently used throughout the resort.”

No timetable for the city’s review has been indicated. 

This diagram details the locations of the new construction planned for the Arizona Grand Resort within its 65-acre planned unit development proposal. (City of Phoenix)

Areas shaded in brown and blue show some of the new construction envisioned in the Arizona Grand Resort development plan. (City of Phoenix)

The Arizona Grand Resort development plan proposes replacing the fountain with a viewing tower. (City of Phoenix)

Prettified parking

Several dozen Desert Vista High School seniors ignored the summer heat last Saturday to be part of the “Parking Paint Palooza,” decorating their assigned spaces on the campus. The students, who paid $30 for the opportunity and had to supply their own latex paint, for the most part followed the school administration’s direction to etch their design with chalk before they became parking space Rembrandts, decorating their spots with vibrant colors and often fascinating designs. Ahwatukee resident Sarah Woods, whose daughter Ella painted photo #2, enthused that the students showed some creative ideas, which also included: 1) a bold declaration by Jackson Spangler, 3) an amusing painting by Jacob McIntyre and Princess Vizcarra, 4) Mia Gonzalez’s visualization of a journey from Texas to Arizona and 5) Karina Parnell’s garden.

Photos Courtesy of Sarah Woods

six okayed it with unspecified “modifications” and one, Paradise Valley, failed to field enough members at its meeting for a formal vote, according to the planning department.

However, the parking space proposal has triggered a rebellion of sorts, with nine VPCs rejecting it.

Four other panels approved it outright while the North Mountain PC approved it “with direction,” according to the planning department. The Paradise Valley VPC also lacked a quorum for a formal vote on the parking measure.

The Ahwatukee VPC’s discussion of the casita proposal generated impassioned arguments by people on both sides of the debate, echoing similar disagreements aired at the other VPC meetings.

That discussion not only reflected the complexity of the housing crisis Phoenix officials are trying to address but also the way they have gone about it.

Proponents cited escalating rents throughout the city, supporting the planning department’s assertion that allowing ADUs on more single-family lots will help the city meet its goal of creating or saving 50,000 “affordable housing units” by 2030.

But Ahwatukee VPC members eviscerated the proposed Zoning Code amendment, assailing planners for not soliciting neighborhood groups’ input and producing a measure they called poorly drafted.

They hammered city planners’ failure to address what they saw are potentially harmful consequences of ADUs for many residential neighborhoods.

And they asserted the measure would fail to achieve the city’s affordable housing goal because it does not prevent homeowners from using a casita as a short-term rental instead.

They agreed with neighborhood groups that recommend a minimum 30-day rental period be required, similar to an existing zoning requirement in Flagstaff.

Opponents also noted that the driveway requirement in the proposal is inadequate and would motivate the residents of casitas or their owners to park in front of their neighbors’ homes and provoke frequent confrontations.

Opponents also said the measure did not guarantee that homeowners associa-

tions would have the final say on whether someone could build a casita as well as on an ADU’s design.

While some VPC members asserted that HOA regulations always trump local landuse laws, city planners at the meeting did not appear to have a definitive answer.

The measure would limit a casita’s height to 15 feet and its size to a maximum 1,000 square feet on lots up to 10,000 square feet. For larger lots, the maximum size would be limited to 3,000 square feet or 10% of the total lot area, whichever is less.

The casita’s size could be no greater than 75% of the main house’s square footage.

The measure does not require additional parking nor prohibit additional structures on a lot, such as a shed or detached garage.

VPC members and other opponents noted that parking spaces could be located on about half of a front yard.

The Urban Phoenix Project Network, a group that grew out of the Thunderdome Neighborhood Association for Non-Auto Mobility, said a poll of Maricopa County voters earlier this year showed that 73% of the respondents favored the casita measure.

It also said studies in the Washington State, Oregon and Oakland California areas found the average casita can rent more cheaply than a new house and that they

“enable seniors to age in place by providing ongoing rental income without needing to move off their property.

The group also said ADUs facilitate multigenerational living on a single lot, which they called “particularly useful for Black and Latino families, who are more likely to live in multigenerational arrangements.”

The proposed amendment also requires the owner to be living in one of the houses on the lot and allows only one ADU per lot.

Appearing before the committee – as they have at other VPC meetings where the ADU proposal was on the agenda –representatives of the 40-year-old Neighborhood Coalition of Greater Phoenix said they believed “ADUs can have a positive impact on the housing supply in our city.”

But coalition President Neal Haddad and Vice President B. Paul Barnes argued the city’s measure “required additional scrutiny.”

They echoed a letter they sent to all village planning committees outlining concerns about insufficient parking on lots, conflicts with historic district rules and the absence of guardrails preventing the casitas’ use as short term rentals.

“I’m trying to understand what problem we are actually trying to solve here,” said Ahwatukee VPC member Darin Fisher.

“We all agree housing, affordable housing are real issues,” he said. “But I don’t know how being able to put a 2,200-square-

foot, $600,000 guest house in my backyard solves any real housing problems.”

Fisher also complained the city did not provide enough information for an intelligent decision on the measure.

VPC members also noted that there was no requirement for traffic studies, as there is for apartment projects, even though neighborhoods could theoretically be overrun by multiple vehicles if casitas were built on many lots in the immediate area.

They also slammed the city for not reaching out to neighborhood groups for their input on the measure.

“It seems like this has been drafted in a vacuum by people from all over the country, people sitting in cubicles,” Fisher said.

VPC member Clifford Mager asked it the city included neighborhood groups or HOA representatives in formulating the amendment.

“I’m not sure,” planner Matteo Moric replied. “The best way is this public hearing process. We’re taking input now.”

One resident who favored the measure contended, “What I do find interesting is that it’s easier to get a swimming pool than a house built in the backyard…I don’t think you’re going to see houses popping up.”

Another supporter, Ryan Boyd, president of the Urban Phoenix Project, told the panel “casitas more directly address affordability as they are cheaper to build, naturally smaller and are connected to existing single-family homes.

“They mirror their neighborhoods and blend in offering families spaces for relatives and friends,” he added. “They are great starter rentals that can help young professionals afford a mortgage or get off their feet.”

But in a city report to the Ahwatukee panel, one opponent told the Alhambra VPC “there is no guarantee that it would be affordably priced.”

That opponent also said the ADU measure “needs to be evaluated in terms of its likely impact on the housing supply: “If it won’t make a meaningful contribution to the housing supply, then it should be reconsidered in that light.” 

Casitas could be no higher than 15 feet under the proposed city Zoning Code amendment. (City of Phoenix)

VPC, city planners spar over parking space measure

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

It wasn’t as tense as a fight between two motorists for the last parking space on the block, but the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee and city planners engaged in a rare fight July 24.

The bout came during the panel’s consideration of the proposal to reduce – and in some cases, all but eliminate – minimum parking space requirements for apartment complexes.

The disagreement quickly emerged when member Darin Fisher suggested an alternative resolution to the take-it-orleave-it measure that the city had put before the panel for a vote.

And it’s unclear whether the alternative proposal approved by the panel will make its way to the city Planning Commission when it meets tomorrow, Aug. 3, to consider a recommendation to City Council for a final decision Sept. 6.

Ahwatukee VPC members echoed complaints against the measure in its current form that have been made by their counterparts in other Phoenix villages.

They contended it was too broad and that it would create havoc in some neigh-

borhoods by forcing apartment dwellers to take up parking spaces on streets.

They also disputed one theory behind the measure – that rather than spend an estimated $10,000 per open space and $35,000 to $55,000 per garage space, developers would pass those savings on to tenants in the form of lower rents.

Calling the proposed measure “a common-sense citywide standard,” proponents contend “study after study shows make housing more expensive.” The Urban Phoenix Project Network noted a recent poll of voters that “found 60% of Maricopa County residents support reduced parking mandates.”

VPC members derided the theory that renters near mass transit routes would make more use of public transit.

One VPC member who couldn’t make it, Mike Schiller, emailed the former committee chair, writing, “While many in support of the reduce parking say it will spur more mass transit, the data from 40 years of development studies shows the opposite.”

Schiller noted that in a VPC meeting two years ago where the panel heard a presentation on existing and proposed mass transit routes, “the city’s consultants didn’t even have Ahwatukee on their city

transit expansion plans maps.”

“This change will be disastrous for our neighborhoods,” Schiller said, writing:

“We in the Ahwatukee Foothills are seeing an increase in the conversion of office space land into apartments, and this change to parking requirements sets the stage for a perfect storm of street parking, congestion and dangerous road conditions.”

The Ahwatukee VPC's rejection of the parking space proposal brought to nine the number of planning committees that have rejected it.

There are 15 village planning committees in Phoenix and of the remaining six, one could not vote for lack of a quorum and four approved it. A fifth, North Mountain VPC, approved it but “with direction” according to the city Planning and Development Department’s official recap of votes on the measure.

What the Ahwatukee VPC did next at its meeting apparently is not considered to have been made “with direction,” as the department simply lists its only action as a thumbs-down vote.

Member Darin Fisher proposed that after voting down the measure, the committee submit its own resolution to the planning commission.

That resolution would apply the space reductions to projects only in neighborhoods that the city has categorized as Affordable, Infill Development and Urban Walkability.

Proponents of that resolution felt those neighborhoods could handle fewer parking spaces in apartment complexes.

But a city planning department supervisor advised the group that it could not vote on an alternative measure.

She said that that while it could “just have a discussion and make an advisory recommendation,” a formal vote could only be made on the proposal the department had put before the panel.

Fisher balked at her advice, arguing that the only way their voices could be heard by the Planning Commission and City Council is if they submitted a more formal measure.

There also were several questions planning staff could not answer at the meeting – including whether the parking proposal applied to city-approved projects that had not yet reached the construction stage.

Though newly elected VPC Chairman Andrew Gasparro, who works in the con-

High-end casitas come with many features, big costs

NEWS STAFF

The Ahwatukee Village Planning Committee’s consideration of the city’s proposed accessory dwelling unit amendment to the Zoning Code only briefly touched on their price.

While the units have sold for as little as $35,000 to $50,000 according to a builder called Tiny Homes United, a Scottsdale developer announced a partnership with renown interior designer Kaitlyn Wolfe to launch a higher end of ADUs right around the time the zoning amendment was first proposed.

Minimal Living Concepts partnered with Wolfe to produce the Minimal X Iconic line of two “nature design packages” of tiny homes.

Minimal Living Concepts describes itself as “Arizona’s number one builder of accessory dwelling units.”

Ranging in size between 322 and 1,178 square feet, the Iconic models all offer one

bedroom and one bathroom.

According to Minimal Living Concepts, the 576-square-foot “Live” model is the

smallest it would recommend as a backyard rental because its 322-square-foot “Flex” model – with a starting price of

$150,000 – “was meant to add meaningful value to your property, in the form of an additional bedroom, workspace, or multiuse room.”

The largest unit in the line is the 1,172-square-foot “Dwell” model. “Designed for the modern nomad,” according to Minimal, “Dwell” offers two bedrooms, a full kitchen with appliances, full living space and closet, built-in cabinetry, polished concrete floors, 9-foot ceilings, and porcelain slab showers. Its starting price is $298,000.

Minimal co-founders Zander Diamont and Jared Amzallag and Wolfe said in a release that their new line is intended to increase the high-end options of the tiny home market.

That market has stirred so much interest that the tiny homes exhibit is a popular part of the Maricopa County Home Shows.

“At Minimal, we’re all about bringing

AFN

The “Live” model made Minimal Living Concepts in a partnership with designer Kaitlyn Wolfe called Minimal X Iconic has 576 square feet of space and is the smallest it recommends as a backyard rental unit. (Minimal Living Concepts)

PARKING from page 14

struction industry, said it would, the panel’s city staff advisor didn’t appear to know. Nor did either planning staffer directly answer several panel members’ questions about what would happen to any counter proposal on parking that might be approved in a formal vote.

TINY from page 14

beautiful living spaces to our customers, and that includes fresh, modern design,” said Diamont.

Wolfe picked all elements of the Canyon and Dolomite design packages, which were described as “inspired by her extensive travels and deep exploration of nature.”

Despite the models’ sizes, the inspiration behind them is anything but tiny.

Minimal said the Canyon model “is inspired by the towering walls of a desert canyon, often carved by millennia of erosion” while the Dolomite model “was designed for those seeking a sense of peace and solitude” and “inspired by the Dolomite Mountain Range in Italy” to bring “a respite from the stress and chaos of modern life.”

“These two packages make it easy to add a Minimal guest home to your backyard and know that each element was thoughtfully selected to create a beautiful, serene living space,” Wolfe added.

Although Minimal’s website says its

skin aging.

Her recommendations to decrease skin cancer risk and signs associated with aging are to limit UV exposure, wear protective clothing like long-sleeve shirts and wide-brim hats when outdoors during peak sunshine hours, and make applying sunscreen a daily routine.

She also suggests using moisturizer with retinol in the evening to counter the signs of skin aging.

Hastings researches the immune response to skin cancers, in particular squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

“We very recently learned that the immune system can be harnessed to control cancer and has become an effective treatment for many cancers that have spread, and we’re looking to understand how the T-cell response can be used to even improve that,” Hastings said.

“We’d also like to prevent skin cancers.

When asked if a counter proposal would have any weight, the city planner assigned to the VPC told panel members, “We feel we have enough of this plan fleshed out to where we can possibly define the stipulations we might want to consider.”

But Fisher told his colleagues “they don’t have to listen to us” if the panel simply provided an advisory.

“This is how we put our voice before City Council,” he added, pointing to a formal resolution.

The panel then rejected the parking measure the city put before it and approved its own alternative.

The Ahwatukee Foothills News asked the planning department the next day if its proposal applied to approved projects

team will “prepare your complete permit package including all of the necessary lot studies, engineering and architectural

So for all those reasons, we’re working to better understand how the immune system recognizes skin cancers and can be used to improve prevention and therapy.”

Hastings cautioned that immunotherapies are not effective for all patients, and that the treatments have side effects.

She said she believes the research will lead to reducing the impact of skin cancer and improving results, but said it might be too optimistic to think it would completely prevent or completely cure skin cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation can cause DNA damage, Hastings said, and “we only have so much ability to repair that. So you can’t completely remove the risk, but we can reduce the incidence and reduce the poor health and death associated with cancer.”

Hastings said there are other factors besides environmental ones that can increase someone’s risk for cancer.

If someone has already had skin cancer or a precancerous lesion, if someone is immunosuppressed, and if someone has

that had not been started and if the Ahwatukee VPC’s counter measure would be presented to the Planning Commission.

The department did not respond to its questions.

The department’s formal recap of the Ahwatukee VPC’s formal actions on July 24 does not mention the counter measure. 

discuss their interactions with municipal planning departments in the county.

The website also provides information on the infrastructure costs for the units, which the company says take about six to eight months for permitting and construction.

Running electrical and plumbing lines can cost between $18.75 and $75 per linear foot while an electrical panel upgrade can run $4,600 to $9,200 if needed.

If the property needs a septic tank, that could cost between $16,5000 and $22,000 while “some severely graded lots” require a pier foundation that could costs as much as another $50,000.

Then there are costs that could be incurred by “difficult soil conditions” and other landscaping obstacles like unwanted trees or other growth. Those costs are not estimated by Minimal because they can vary.

documentation, soil testing, and planning essentials needed to acquire your approved permit,” the owners declined to

a genetic disorder, these could predispose them to skin cancer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which publishes cancer statistics, reported 77,230 new cases of melanomas of the skin in the U.S. in 2020.

The report also noted that for every 100,000 people, 20 new melanomas of the skin were reported.

Arizona was among the states with the highest rates of melanomas of the skin in the U.S., according to the report, along with Utah, Idaho and Hawaii.

In Arizona in 2020, for all races and ethnicities, the age-adjusted rate of melanomas of the skin was 26.6 per 100,000 people. There were 2,504 cases of melanomas of the skin reported in Arizona in 2020.

Hastings pointed out that although melanomas get a lot of attention because of their ability to spread throughout the body, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are the most common types of skin cancer.

Information: minimallivingconcepts. com. 

“Studies have shown that in the southern U.S., which would include Phoenix, the number of deaths from squamous cell carcinoma are similar to melanoma,” she said, adding that it’s important to go to a physician if a new skin lesion develops.

Hannah Norton, digital public relations manager for Compare the Market Australia, said the analysis was meant to provide awareness about skin health.

Aging, hormonal changes and health conditions can all impact skin, she said, but a lot of the preventable damage is caused by UV rays and other environmental factors.

In addition to ultraviolet radiation and sunshine hours, the analysis considered small and large particulates as well as nitrogen dioxide and ozone levels.

Nitrogen dioxide forms when fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gas or diesel are burned at high temperatures. Ground-level ozone depends on heat and sunlight, which means higher ozone concentrations in summer months. 

This rendering shows the layout for the “Live” model, which has a starting price of $175,000 and is the Iconic line’s most popular product. (Minimal Living Concepts)

Mental health program for young adults expanded

BY SOPHIA BIAZUS Cronkite News

Valleywise Health is opening a second First Episode Center, an outpatient behavioral health center for young adults experiencing their first serious mental health episode.

It can’t come soon enough, health professionals say.

There is a dire need for programs that address mental health in young adults not just in Maricopa County but across the country, said Dr. Aris Mosley, a psychiatrist and medical director of the Valleywise Health First Episode Center in Avondale.

“When you have someone who has a brain health condition such as schizophrenia, you want to catch it early,” she said.

Arizona youth ranked 49th in the 2022 edition of Mental Health America’s annual report on the state of mental health in America.

Dr. Alicia Cowdrey, Valleywise’s outpatient medical director of behavioral health services, estimated that the community needs 14 more facilities similar to the First Episode Center to meet the current prevalence of young people with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia in Maricopa County.

Valleywise Health provides care for Maricopa County’s public health care system and is the primary provider of inpatient psychiatric beds for Maricopa County residents who have been court-ordered to get mental health care.

Behavioral health experts say early treatment for young adults who have had a psychotic incident can be the difference between having a productive life and one spent in and out of hospitals and psychiatric treatment facilities.

Early intervention also can take some pressure off understaffed inpatient psychiatric hospitals.

About 100,000 young people experience psychosis each year in the U.S, according to the National Institute of Mental Health and

the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

They say a person could be experiencing psychosis if they have delusions, hallucinations, incoherent, confused or inappropriate speech or behavior.

“It typically presents in young adults … but we always want to intervene early so that we can ensure that we can protect the brain.”

Cowdrey likened it to treating a broken arm: “If you went straight to the emergency room and got treatment, you are going to have a better outcome than if you were to wait a year or three years to get treatment.”

Research published in 2018 in JAMA Psychiatry concluded that the early intervention approach for psychosis can improve outcomes.

The ones in early intervention programs had fewer hospitalizations, were more involved in school or work and were more engaged in treatment than those who received traditional care.

Valleywise’s First Episode team comprises a clinical coordinator, medical assistant, nurse, psychiatrist, recovery coach, a school and employment specialist, three team specialists, a registrar and program assistant and two front office staff members.

Each client also is assigned a peer support specialist who has had a similar experience in terms of medication and possibly hospitalization and may be able to connect with the individual on a deeper level than the rest of the team.

Mosley said the center provides individual and family support, education and treatment as quickly as possible because the potential damage done to the brain heightens the longer the condition goes untreated.

The center, which treats young adults ages 15 to 25, opened in 2017 in Phoenix and relocated to Avondale the following year. Six years later, the facility is at full capacity with 89 patients. The second location in Mesa received its licensing June 27 and is expected to open in August.

Psychosis and its connection to schizophrenia is often misunderstood. Cowdrey said psychosis occurs when a person has elevated levels of dopamine in the brain.

Typically, “people might be seeing or hearing things that other people don’t see,” she said. “They might also become paranoid and perceive that things around them are different than how they are.

Essentially, the brain is perceiving reality as different, so voices, hallucinations,

delusions and paranoia can be common.”

The initial psychotic episode is what Mosley called the “first break,” adding that many times that phase appears in the form of a mood disorder such as depression.

It’s crucial to intervene early, she said, because the combination of dopamine levels and altered perceptions can cause the brain to develop differently, making it harder to treat later.

“It’s an incredibly alarming experience for people to have, as you can imagine,” Mosley said. “If you’re experiencing the world in one way that everyone around you isn’t, it’s pretty uncomfortable.”

The majority of those treated at the outpatient center are referred from hospitals. Each person has an individual program that could include medication, one-onone therapy and group sessions.

When a person begins treatment at a clinic for brain health conditions or disorders, they typically will see their psychiatrist once a month, Mosley said. She sees her patients once a week during their first month of treatment.

“That allows me to get to know the young person on a better level instead of letting so much time go,” she said. “If I see you once a week, I’m also going to be able to recognize if there are any side effects or difficulties with the medication.

“I’m going to be able to get those medications under better control and get them optimized more appropriately and quicker for the individual.

Valleywise hopes to change the stigma around psychosis and schizophrenia, as 43.8 million adults experience mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The Mental Health Foundations reports that 90% of people with mental health problems say stigma and discrimination play a negative role in their lives.

Cowdrey said the Valleywise approach can “show people that there’s hope that, if they’re diagnosed with a brain health condition, they can get back on track with their life.”

Dr. Alicia Cowdrey is Valleywise’s outpatient medical director of behavioral health services. (Courtesy of Valleywise Health)

BY LAUREN IRWIN Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Arizona’s young voters, ages 18 to 29, may have been the state’s most engaged youth electorate group ever, driven in 2022 by concerns about cost of living and reproductive rights.

That was the finding of a study by the McCain Institute, which found that Generation Z and younger millennial voters surpassed expectations and previous voting records in the state’s midterm elections last year.

The level of involvement held true for young voters regardless of party, the report’s authors said at a panel discussion July 26.

John Della Volpe, the director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics who assisted the McCain Institute in its research, said the results and attitudes of younger Arizona voters is encouraging.

“What we captured in this last survey was, I would argue, a very engaged, if not the most engaged, youth electorate, in many, many years, certainly, in many, many generations,” Della Volpe said.

The study found that 51% of those voters spent time researching a candidate or issue before casting a ballot and that they tend to be more politically active online than in person: 36% have shared or posted political content on social media where 24% have attended a political event.

Researchers are calling it an “era of activism.”

“They voted at roughly twice the level of their older or millennial brothers and sisters and their Gen X parents, and their

baby boomer and Silent Generation grandparents,” Della Volpe said.

The study consisted of more than 1,500 interviews conducted in late November in English or Spanish.

It found that friends and family often motivated people to vote. Of those who said they did not vote in the midterms, 36% wished they had.

Poor candidate choices, lack of available information and intimidation at the polls were among the reasons young adults in Arizona did not vote, the study said.

Registered Republicans were reportedly driven to the polls because of inflation, while Democrats were motivated by women’s reproductive rights, the study found.

But cost of living was the biggest concern for younger Arizona voters, regardless of party affiliation, with nearly 80% listing cost of living – and specifically housing –as their largest concern.

“That extends not just to inflation, the cost of groceries, but I think that extends to the affordability of housing, the affordability of health care, the affordability of just trying to live your best life in even a relatively modest way,” Della Volpe said.

“We find that two-thirds or three-quarters of young Arizonans say those issues are of primary importance.”

Cost of living was closely followed by health care, protecting individual rights, mental health, education, reproductive rights and the economy.

Diane Brown, the executive director of Arizona Public Interest Research Group, said that candidates who spend more time emphasizing what younger voters care about come out on top.

ingly, candidates that reach out to young adults on issues they care about, whether that be employment, housing, environment and health care, tend to top the list of interest for those voters,” said Brown.

Brown said work done by her organization aims to promote nonpartisan resources and educate young voters on how participation on a local level matters.

“While it may seem a bit overwhelming to think your one vote can make a difference when it comes to the electoral system and electing the president, local elections have often been determined by a handful … to a few hundred votes,” she said.

Avery Xola, the voter education manager at Arizona’s Citizens Clean Elections Commission, said that while younger voters are turning out, they may face a lot of anxiety doing so given the bitter partisan divides in the state, and nation.

“Regardless of demographics, for young adults, I think one thing that they all share … is they all have a certain uneasiness about their future. They all have a certain sense of anxiety when it comes to voting,” Xola said.

Della Volpe agrees. He worries that heightened levels of partisanship and political divisiveness might be hindering younger adult participation. But he also thinks that anxiety may be what’s pushing a lot of people to the polls.

“I think the thing that really, to me, differentiates this generation of young people is the urgency that they take into these endeavors,” he said.

The study found that Arizona mirrored national trends in 2022 and 2018, when younger voters turned out in major ways.

Della Volpe said he hopes that younger voters realize Arizona – and the country –would be a very different place today without their participation.

“Over the last couple of decades, increas-

“Broadly speaking, attitudes around politics and civic engagement and frankly, culture for the most part, kind of transcend state barriers these days,” he said. 

Students marched along the Palm Walk on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus to encourage new and first-time voters to turn out on Election Day 2022. (Kiersten Edgett/Special for Cronkite News)

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

Ahwatukee Realtor and resident Tom Wolf was just doing his job one day last month when he made a surprising discovery: 15 to 20 separate parcels of privately owned land are sprinkled amid the mostly city-owned eastern side of South Mountain.

Even more surprising is the fact that three parcels totaling about 80 acres are now on the market.

ey’re located in a valley above Promontory, Ahwatukee’s highest and western-

most community that was built by Taylor Morrison and where only one home – a 3,905-square-foot, ve-bedroom house priced at $1.2 million – appears to be on the market.

e problem: It would take a lot of work and a lot of money to build a home above Promontory.

“It would require infrastructure,” Wolf said. “Currently the closest utilities would be those that were put in for Promontory. ere would also need to be extensive work done for roads, lot development,

hillside preservation, etc.”

e three properties do appear to have guaranteed access through Promontory, he added.

Two of the three parcels, totaling 53 acres, are being o ered by Century 21 Toma Brothers for $15 million while a third adjoining 27.7-acre parcel is priced at $6 million.

e three are the only ones on the market and the others, some as small as 1.5 acres, don’t appear to o er connectivity to utilities or even to an access road, Wolf said.

Wolf was surprised when he discovered the three parcels put on the market early last month.

He came across them as part of his job as president of commercial real estate for West USA Realty in Ahwatukee.

“I have land buyers and I track everything, especially in Ahwatukee because I live in Ahwatukee” he explained.

“So I saw these pop up the other day and

I immediately started investigating them.”

“I think it will surprise a lot of people that this is actually not a part of the park,” he said. “People don’t really understand that whole little valley right there is privately owned. I think it even surprised me, like how far east up into that little valley between the ridges that goes.”

He’s also surprised that the owners of at least one of the three parcels up for sale “actually secured easement access through Promontory.”

“I don’t know exactly what that would look like, how that would work, because you’ve got gates and people in Promontory paid for a gated community,” Wolf said.

“I don’t know how they would then allow another community to pass through there. But that’s what they’ve done.”

eoretically, at the current zoning, the parcels could probably accommodate up to 105 homes, Wolf said.

“ at said, because of the topography of those lots, the reality is that the number would probably be much smaller, perhaps

as few as 50 to 60 homes,” he added.

e listings for the two properties being o ered together paint an enthusiastic picture of their location.

“Undeniably, this is the most coveted natural landscape in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and within 10 miles to the downtown Phoenix area,” they state.

“ riving with high demand and strong property values, this pristine topographic canvas is being presented to market.

“Neighboring South Mountain ParkPreserve is over 16,000 acres, and one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation consisting of three mountain ranges (Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe) which cradle the o ered parcels providing protection from the elements and an en-

clave for serenity.

“Here, engage in outdoor activities to reenergize, and re-connect with the natural world while cultivating and preserving.

“ is parcel is one of three which can be separated from the grouping. A development opportunity whether for an individual, investment group, or other seeking the breathtaking radiance only the natural world can provide to incorporate into a public or private o ering is now available to own.”

e descriptions for the other two parcels are virtually identical.

Of the other smaller parcels, Wolf said, “Some of them are more like 2-acre par-

Realtor Tom Wolf is looking at the Ahwatukee side of South Mountain where three adjoining parcels, outlined in red, are on the market. (David Minton/AFN Sta Photographer)

The three parcels on South Mountain adjoin Promontory and o er a commanding view of Ahwatukee and the Southeast Valley. (Special to AFN)

The red border outlines the two parcels totaling 53 acres that are being marketed together. (Special to AFN)

Selling a home requires some basic knowledge

BY CYNTHIA CHEROKE AFN Guest Writer

Selling your home can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and knowledge, it can be a successful experience.

e rst step is to understand the real estate market in your area and determine whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market. is knowledge will help you set a competitive price and develop a winning selling strategy.

Pricing your home correctly is crucial, as overpricing can drive away potential

MOUNTAIN from page RE2

cels back there … that would be more conducive to somebody just building their own house back there versus a developer buying that.”

Wolf said no one so far has contacted him about the three listed parcels since

buyers, while underpricing can result in nancial losses.

To determine a realistic price, it’s advisable to seek the assistance of a licensed real estate agent who can provide a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA).

e condition of your home is also crucial in attracting buyers. Ensuring that your home is presentable by making necessary repairs and improvements to enhance its appeal is important.

A well-maintained home leaves a positive impression on buyers and can prevent negotiation hurdles.

Keeping the exterior well-maintained and enhancing curb appeal is also vital, as

he posted his discovery on social media about a month ago. Century 21 did not return a call for comment.

But given the fact that open land in the Valley of the Sun is disappearing faster than a raindrop in an Arizona summer, the land may o er a golden opportunity to someone with pretty deep pockets.

it sets the tone for potential buyers.

Choosing a reputable and experienced real estate agent to represent you is recommended.

A skilled agent can assist with pricing, marketing, negotiations, and navigating the complexities of the selling process.

Working with your agent to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that will attract potential buyers is essential. is may include staging, professional photographs, virtual tours, and traditional advertising.

Being prepared for showings and open houses by keeping your home clean, decluttered, and show-ready is important.

Potential buyers will be more attracted

Asked if this might be a bargain, Wolf replied:

“I think that the number of unknowns in terms of development cost, utility costs and buildability of the land would indicate that getting this price will be a challenge. “ e cost for this purchase would be $250,000 an acre.  As a point of compari-

to a home that is well-maintained and clean. When it comes to negotiations, be open to o ers and countero ers from potential buyers and understand the closing process.

Selling a home can be complex, but with a professional real estate agent, you can achieve a successful sale while minimizing stress and complications.

With these tips in mind, you can sell your home with con dence and ease.

Cynthia Cheroke is a Realtor with Leading Luxury Home Experts. Reach her at 602-549-2438 or cynthia@leadingluxuryexperts.com. Information: leadingluxuryhomeexperts.com. 

son, a build-ready, level lot with utilities in the nearby gated community of Calabrea recently sold for $150,000 an acre.”

In any event, anyone who wants to learn more can call Wolf at 602-332-5507 or tom@movingtophoenixaz.com. His website is MovingToPhoenixAZ.com. 

Mortgage gloom grips Valley housing scene

As much of the country swelters under a heat dome, the housing market is experiencing its own meltdown.

Mortgage rates jumped to 6.81% for a 30year xed-rate loan for the week ending July 27, according to Freddie Mac – up from the previous week’s average rate of 6.78%.

“Both sellers and buyers in the re-sale market nd this depressing,” said the Cromford Report, one of the leading analysts of the Valley housing market.

Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale noted that for the past few months, mortgage rates have been stuck in a very unfriendly margin, hovering between 6% and 7%.

Mortgage rates began heading north in March 2022 when the Federal Reserve be-

This nearly 5,000-square-foot house on South Presario Trail in Ahwatukee was one of the big sellers last month, going to a buyer for $1.4 million. The four-bedroom, five-bath home sits at the end of a cul de sac and features a gourmet kitchen, fireplace, wet bar, steam and exercise rooms and a host of other amenities. (Special to AFN)

gan raising interest rates to tame in ation. And while mortgage rates aren’t directly linked to the Fed’s rates, both numbers have been rising in tandem as of late, Re-

altor.com noted.

e Fed raised interest rates again on July 26, suggesting that mortgage rates will likely remain high until the Fed’s streak of

raising rates ends, possibly by the end of the year.

“ ere were no surprises regarding the latest interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve,” said National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “ e impact on the mortgage rate appears to be muted.”

e Cromford Report noted that the new-home market is still thriving “because homebuilders do not su er from a lack of motivation.

“Buyers of new homes appear to retain a strong will to buy and homebuilders’ nances look stronger than they have for many years,” the Cromford Report said last Friday. “ is is re ected in their stock prices, which in many cases are hitting new all-time highs.”

Phoenix, others unveil container home plan

BY OLE BRAATELIEN Cronkite News

Phoenix o cials last week displayed the city’s rst “XWing” structure –a dwelling made from converted shipping containers – intended as another solution to shelter people experiencing homelessness.

Phoenix, St. Vincent de Paul and Steel + Spark unveiled the project at the Washington Relief Shelter near downtown. e dwelling is not intended for just anybody seeking a temporary home, however. Individual case managers at St. Vincent de Paul will refer people to the new shelter, said Marisol Saldivar, spokeswoman for the nonpro t.

“ is is a next step for residents who are more independent and who have maybe expressed they would like more indepen-

The XWing provides private 5-foot by 8-foot rooms on a lot adjacent to the Washington Relief Shelter near downtown Phoenix. (Evelin Ruelas/Cronkite News)

dent space or would feel safer behind a door,” Saldivar said.

“So these are usually residents who have a job already and are one step closer to their actual permanent housing. We

have this going list and we’ll start to move residents in one by one and rotate them through as residents move out.”

ere is no lease or time limit for how long each resident can stay.

“In a perfect world, when you have as much housing as you need, and everything is running well, you might put some time limits on things,” said Scott Hall, deputy director for the Phoenix O ce of Homeless Solutions.

“But in the climate we’re in right now, where we have a housing crisis on top of in ation and all that – as long as people are taking steps forward, there’s going to be no time constraint on it.

“We don’t want to put that fake barrier, per se, on there as long as we’re moving people forward and incentivizing people to move forward.”

ere were about 3,333 people experiencing homelessness this year in Phoenix on one day they were counted – the highest number in Maricopa County, according to the Point-In-Time Homelessness

see CONTAINERS page 7

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EXTREMELY PRIVATE HILLSIDE ESTATE LOCATED IN COVETED CABRILLO CANYON*4 BEDROOM,3 BATH,AND COMPLETELY REMODELED,OVER 250k SPENT*FORMAL LIVING ROOM*FORMAL DINING ROOM*FAMILY ROOM W/LIMESTONE FIREPLACE*DECORATOR COLUMNS*WET BAR*KITCHEN INCLUDES:S/S APPLIANCES,GRANITE,ISLAND,CUSTOM CABINETS,RECESSED LIGHTING,& WALKIN PANTRY*ADDED LIGHTING*LARGE MASTER SUITE*MASTER BATH W/SLAB GRANITE COUNTERS,MOSAICS,DUAL VANITIES,CUSTOM SHOWER W/SEAMLESS GLASS,& CLASSY CLOSET*CUSTOM WOODWORK THROUGHOUT*TRAVERTINE IN VERSAILLES*PLUSH CARPET*NEW FIXTURES*NEW CEILING FANS*ALL BATHROOMS REMODELED*BACKYARD PARADISE W/STUNNING MOUNTAIN VIEWS,SPARKLING POOL,HEATED JACUZZI,2 WATER FALLS, COVERED PATIO,SPORT COURT,PUTTING GREEN*GARAGE WITH EPOXY & BUILT IN CABINETS*THIS STUNNING ESTATE HAS IT ALL!

Listed for $1,299,000

Superb single level with detached casita in highly coveted Ahwatukee cus- tom estates. Open kitchen features granite countertops, raised-panel cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, island with Jenn-Air glass cooktop, breakfast bar, pantry and desk. Inviting family room with recessed lighting, surround sound and wet bar. Master suite features an office, separate den, walk-in closet, lami- nate and travertine flooring, granite countertops, jetted tub and walk-in shower. Two bedrooms share a jack and jill bath. Upgrades throughout include shutters, travertine, laminate flooring in all bedrooms plus granite counters in all baths. Laundry room with sink and cabinetry. Backyard oa- sis features Pebble Tec pool and spa, ramada, stainless steel BBQ/smoker, grass area, grapefruit tree, lighting and great views.

Listed for $1,225,000

West USA Realty

Count from the Maricopa Association of Governments.

at’s a 7% increase from 2022, when the number was 3,096. Tempe has the second highest, a distant 406.

e XWing, which is literally X shaped, is composed of four 40-foot converted shipping containers that are solar-powered and have central air conditioning, according the city.

e structure can sleep 20 people but has only 16 private units: Four are two-person spaces, and the rest are single 5-foot by 8-foot spaces, said Jessica Berg, chief program o cer at St. Vincent de Paul.

e XWing is in the lot adjacent to the Washington Relief Center operated by St. Vincent de Paul.

Residents of the XWing will have access to all the center’s resources, including restrooms, showers, three daily meals, companion animal support, laundry services, security, workforce development, life skills programming and case management.

Phoenix was allocated nearly $396 million in funding from the federally funded American Rescue Plan Act.

In a report the city published on Dec. 8, sta determined the city could reallocate $21.2 million of unused or underspent funds. On Dec. 14, Phoenix approved a $3 million, one-year contract with Steel + Spark to build the XWing.

“For us, it’s a very personal project,” said

It added, “ e builders are loving the fact that supply is so weak in the competing re-sale sector. is is the opposite of where they were in 2009 when they had to cope with a ood of bank-owned and short-sale homes at rock-bottom prices.

“ is made new-homes look very expensive, especially as re-sale homes were changing hands for less than their rebuild-cost.”

Realtor.com said that the future trend in mortgage rates is unclear.

And it said that gives sellers an edge.

“With mortgage rates still high and buyers cost-sensitive, the limited number of sellers on the market may be sensing their

Zach Burns, lead designer at Steel + Spark.

“We all have been doing traditional architecture and construction for a long time, and for us to be able to be involved rst hand and actually helping people get o the street and into air-conditioned beds is a complete passion project for us, and something that we are 100% humbled and honored to be a part of.”

Phoenix-based Steel + Spark, a metal fabrication company, specializes in making o -grid sustainable housing from repurposed shipping containers.

e company has worked with Phoenix for years on conventional housing projects, Burns said.

While this is the rst XWing Steel + Spark has made for the city, Burns said the company plans to make more.

“ ere’s a lot of cost savings and environmental impacts of using something that’s already in there instead of building a traditional building,” Burns said.

“We have used solar power to power all the units. We have lithium batteries that are charged during the day and then they power the units through the night. So, it’s 100% o grid. ese things can be placed anywhere.”

Burns said because there’s no tie to the power grid, that gives the structures more versatility where they can be located.

e city of Phoenix has teamed up with nonpro t St. Vincent de Paul and metal fabrication company Steel + Spark to provide another shelter option using shipping containers. 

advantage, and pricing accordingly,” Hale said. “ e long-hoped-for price relief has not materialized as demand continues to outmatch limited supply, frustrating would-be homebuyers.”

Hale also echoed the Cromford Report’s assessment of the current housing scene.

“With existing homeowners, choosing to sell in lower numbers than has been typical in recent years, inventory is expected to remain low, dipping by 5% overall compared to 2022,” she said.

She added that “new construction o ers buyers a lifeline in the form of options.”

“High costs continue to be a stumbling block for some buyers, weighing overall demand,” said Hale. 

Rob Castellini

602-430-3917

MendozaTeam.com

Mike Mendoza

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

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

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 / 1,500 SQFT

Great remodel with superb updates in kitchen and baths. 2017/2018 roof. 2017 exterior paint. 2016 HVAC.

Listed for $489,500

5 BR / 3 BA / 3,394 SQFT

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

Listed for $799,000

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

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

FOYER*LIVING ROOM W/ FIREPLACE*FORMAL DINING ROOM*FAMILY ROOM W/FIREPLACE & FULL WETBAR*KITCHEN INCLUDES CUSTOM CABINETRY,RARE QUARTZSITE COUNTERS,THERMADOR APPLIANCES,BUILTIN FRIDGE/FREEZER,ISLAND,& WALK-IN PANTRY*LARGE MASTER SUITE*MASTER BATH W/ STEAM SHOWER,JACUZZI TUB,HIS/HER VANITIES, & WALK-IN CLOSET*MEDIA ROOM*EXERCISE ROOM*GAMEROOM*GIGANTIC PARADISE BACKYARD INCLUDES:PEBBLESHEEN POOL & JACUZZI,TWO GRASS AREAS,SPORT COURT, AND STUNNING SOUTH MOUNTAIN VIEWS*BACKS & SIDES TO WASH WITH COMPLETE PRIVACY*A 6-CAR GARAGE

Ahwatukee Custom Estates

$1,750,000

Foothills $499,000

Amazing Remodeled Custom Estate with mountain views located at the end of a cul-de-sac.Over 8000sqft of pure luxury finishes.6

Bedroom,5.5 Baths.Custom

Kitchen.Elevator.Executive Office.Basement Media

Room.Dance Studio.Huge Backyard with Pool, Jacuzzi, Turf, BBQ, Sportcourt.This Spectacular Estate has it all!!! SOLD!

troyston61@gmail.com

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

Donna Leeds � GRI, ABR lf"fl! 949.310.5673

wwwBestAgentWUSA.com

Tempe Royal Palms

Mike

480-216-7878 mikefoley.homes@gmail.com

Make yourself at home in this fabulous residence nestled in the desirable Community of Raven

$1,290,000

ft. 5 bed 4 bath. From the moment you arrive and enter the oversized custom front door you will be greeted with a large inviting great room that is designed for family and friend gatherings. The great room seamlessly flows into the luxurious chef’s kitchen, creating the perfect space for entertaining. Beautiful appointed finishes throughout. This home sits on 1.25 acers (irrigated) plenty of room to make your very own Oasis! NO HOA! Horses, RV’s and assorted toys are welcomed. Private well, water softener and much, much more.

Carlos Martinez

480-751-8866

teammartinez11@gmail.com

Morrison Ranch Gilbert

This 1,976 sq ft, 3 bed 3 bath is nestled on a corner lot displaying a great curb appeal highlighted by a cozy front porch, & a grassy front yard. Interior boasts a formal living room, plantation shutters, archways, tons of natural light, and carpet & wood-look tile flooring t/out. The family/dining room opens to the kitchen, featuring a fireplace, surround sound, & sliding doors to the back! Gourmet kitchen offers quartz counters, recessed & pendant lighting, staggered cabinetry, mosaic backsplash, island w/breakfast bar, and SS appliances w/cooktop gas. Main bedroom has backyard access and an ensuite w/dual vanities and spa shower. Enjoy the entertainer’s backyard with a covered patio, travertine pavers, & a sparkling pool!

Kelly Predaza

480-238-4035

Kpedraza123@aol.com

Local family psychiatry clinic has grown over time

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

Since the founding of South Mountain Family Psychiatry in 2019, the practice has grown in personnel and physical size.

Dr. Elizabeth Rogers and Marlene Wilson head the Ahwatukee practice, which they moved to the Ahwatukee Executive Plaza at 11022 S. 51st Street.

They now have five nurse practitioners, all women, in two suites who provide a variety of services for children, teens and adults.

Rogers was the sole provider when South Mountain Family Psychiatry was founded and Wilson joined her a few months later.

They met at Phoenix area mental health clinics where they’d served, eventually forming a vision of a practice that would serve Ahwatukee and surrounding areas.

The prominent use of “family” in the practice’s name was deliberate.

It refers to how the founders and the other providers see one another and the people they serve.

“We choose ‘quality over quantity’ and so far it’s working well for us and those we serve,” said Rogers. “We have multi-gener-

ational families who come to us now.”

Rogers is a Newfoundland native who moved to Ahwatukee via Minnesota in 2011.

Clinical areas of service for all ages, listed on their website, SMFamilyPsych.com, include ADHD/Attention Deficit Disorder in adults and children, anxiety disorders ranging from panic to phobias, bipolar and autism spectrum disorders, PTSD and trauma, LGBTQ/gender issues and more.

Some of their services include evaluations, medication management, medication assistance treatment (MAP) and genetic testing.

Rogers, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner since 2002, holds both a masters degree and doctorate in nursing practice.

She calls her approach to patient care “one of careful assessment and compassionate listening,” explaining that her em-

see

100+ Women Who Care help Kiwanis Club

BY KIM TARNOPOLSKI AFN Guest Writer

Service to one’s community is at the heart of Kiwanis International. This global community of clubs, members, and partners is dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time.

Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children.

The Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee, founded in 1982, comprises a group of friends who have a love for giving back to the community and helping our future generations.

They meet almost every Thursday morning at 7:30 at Biscuits on Elliot and 48th Street to strategize and plan their next

Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club treasurer Andi Pettyjohn gratefully accepted a check from Kim Tarnopolski, a member of 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun group in Ahwatukee.

(Kim Tarnopolski/Guest Writer)

community activity.

They are passionate about making a difference. Helping kids grow and succeed is at the heart of everything they do.

But how they do it is just as important. They believe our neighborhoods and our world are best served when people of all ages and different backgrounds work to-

gether to share their time and talents.

They know that kids are curious, lovable, and hilarious. They are also wild, impatient, and vulnerable and need support.

Kiwanis clubs are encouraged to be creative with their ideas. Our Ahwatukee Club has identified several ways to support those most vulnerable in our neighborhood.

One of their main priorities is to support kids in the foster care system. They provide back-to-school shopping, school supplies, and Christmas presents to foster teens living in group homes.

They also organize a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for foster group homes. Children without a home not only don’t have the support of family around them, but usually they do not get to celebrate

see

South Mountain Family Psychiatry founders Marlene Wilson and Dr. Elizabeth Rogers. (John Wilson/Special to AFN)

PSYCHIATRY from page 22

pathetic nature was instilled early in her life as her “brilliant psychologist dad” suffered from bipolar disorder and serious alcohol issues. This period was to influence her career path.

The loss of her brother, a Vietnam veteran who died at a young age, influenced her commitment to working with military personnel and their families.

She said she also enjoys working with older adults, many of whom she said were “very impacted by COVID”.

Though early in her clinical career she worked with the seriously mentally ill, Rogers knew she wanted another focus for her practice.

“I wanted to help the people in our community to have access to care that meets their needs. And I say that deliberately. You can’t get the real story if you don’t invest the time, and at South Mountain Family Psychiatry, we do that,” said Rogers, who treats adults 17 and older.

She said the practice offers patients a 90-minute evaluation with 60- or 30-minute follow-ups.

“People love it because they weren’t always satisfied with other experiences,” she said. “We take the time to listen.”

Rogers is also a resource for the Arizona Board of Nursing, providing individual and group therapy for nurses who are in a discipline or monitoring program.

“Meetings are held here in the clinic,” she explained. “Being mission-driven, this is one more way to support our community – in this case, the nursing community.”

Marlene Wilson, a fourth generation

Arizonan, said the five providers “all have different skill sets” that help them meet the needs of their patients regardless of their age or phase in life.

“Our ability to work together to address the needs of children, adolescents and adults, provides access to care for the whole family as needed,” said Wilson, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who holds a master’s degree from Maryville University in St. Louis.

“At South Mountain, our team comprises five dedicated psychiatric nurse practitioners who specialize in providing comprehensive care to our patients. Our primary focus is on assisting individuals in enhancing both their mental and physical well-being,” she said.

“We achieve this by fostering strong therapeutic relationships, gaining a deep understanding of each patient’s unique circumstances, and collaboratively developing a personalized care plan that empowers them to live their lives to the fullest.”

A long history of working with children and adults with developmental disabilities enables her to help children, adolescents and adults with a wide variety of mental health conditions with a holistic

approach “that considers biomedical, environmental, social, and psychodynamic factors,” she said.

Wilson cleared up possible confusion between differences between a psychiatrist and the psychiatric nurse practitioner.

“A psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner are both mental health professionals who play crucial roles in providing mental healthcare. While they share similarities in their dedication to helping individuals with mental health concerns, there are distinct differences between these two professions,” she explained.

“A psychiatrist is a medical doctor …who specializes in mental health. After completing medical school, psychiatrists undergo specialized training in psychiatry. They’re licensed physicians with the ability to diagnose and treat mental illnesses,” she said.

“By contrast, a psychiatric nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who has completed a graduate-level education and training in psychiatric and mental health nursing, Wilson added, explaining that most PMHNPs “have extensive experience working as a registered nurse in hospitals and outpatient settings

prior to becoming an APRN.”

“Both psychiatrists and PMHNPs prescribe medications, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics, as part of their treatment approach,” she added. “The psychiatric nurse practitioner may provide other non-pharmacological interventions, such as counseling and supportive therapy, to help patients manage their mental health challenges.”

As a partner in the practice since its inception, Wilson said, “I love Ahwatukee, and I’m so happy to be here.” Her husband, John Wilson, is the practice’s business manager.

Other team members, all of whom are board-certified PMHNPs, include Joo Tatham, a former ICU nurse who holds a master’s degree; Jennifer Green, who has a master’s degree in nursing education and a post-master’s certificate as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner from ASU; and Carmen Lervoid, who specializes in treating children, teens and adults with a variety of psychiatric conditions including bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.

Information: SMFamilyPsych.com or 480-939-6137.

Nonprofit hits ‘extreme need’ for food in region

AFN NEWS STAFF

ANew Leaf is facing an unprecedented demand from the community for food, saying it is in “extreme need” of nonperishable food items

“We’ve seen an irregular increase of families in need this historically hot summer,” said Benjamin Adelberg, a spokesman for the Mesa-based nonprofit. He added it expects to outpace the 222,367 meals it served needy people last year.

A New Leaf provides a wide range of services to domestic violence victims, homeless people and many other families and individuals through over 40 programs across the Valley,

The 50-year-old agency estimates it directly helps over 30,000 people of all ages a year.

A New Leaf said its ability to meet daily food needs of families in “desperate need” depends on help from the community.

“The huge deficits of shelf-stable food are Valley-wide – from our shelters in Apache Junction to the newly opened

shelter for families in Surprise,” Adelberg said. “The same is for A New Leaf’s domestic violence shelters that help people escape abuse.”

A New Leaf’s donation center typically has 300 boxes of ramen at any given time, but now has only eight individual packets left.

“The hundreds of canned vegetables are now just a few that will be given to select families and the same is for oatmeal and other foods,” Adelberg added, noting, “The unprecedented shortage of shelf stable foods has put families in a precarious situation who may go back to not knowing when the next time they eat will be.”

Adelberg said the spike in need “is caused by an increase in more people and families seeking shelter, needing to be off the street to escape the significant levels of heat.

“Many shelters have been serving at capacity and an overflow of families and adults have been placed into hotels,” he said. “This caused a spike in the need for food that can be easily made for families who may have access to only a single microwave for food preparation.”

LA CASA DE JUANA

DELIVERS A KNOCKOUT WITH ITS FRESH, AUTHENTIC AND MOUTHWATERING FOOD

BESTOF 2022

Summer typically sees a drop in donations because many residents leave, he added, “but this year the need in the community is far outstripping the supply.”

In effect, A New Leaf is serving hundreds of individuals who have nowhere else to turn.

can be donated at its Mesa center while financial contributions can be made online.

The donation center, 2245 W. Ella St., Building A, Mesa, is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays. Information: 480-464-4648 and turnanewleaf.org/get-involved/donate-items.

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

“Every contribution, big or small, can go a long way in providing urgently needed food to families facing homelessness,” Adelberg added, saying food and water

With 7,419 people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County last year, A New Leaf provided 77,750 nights of shelter for those in need last year and served 2,344 domestic violence victims – women and children – at its La Mesita family shelter. 

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Mountain View Lutheran Church offers ‘Ministry Fair’

Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee, will host a Ministry Fair and open house, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6 “to bring our faithbased community together, promoting awareness of the diverse ministries available at MVLC while encouraging active involvement and collaboration.”

“Ministry leaders at MVLC understand the significance of utilizing our time, talents, and treasures to deepen our relationships with Jesus and support each other through various stages of life,” the church said in a release.

“The Ministry Fair serves as a vital step

in achieving these goals by providing an opportunity to share the unique offerings available to our members, visitors, and the surrounding community.”

The Ministry Fair will introduce Ahwatukee Preschool and showcase the church’s various ministries. It will also include food, games, and raffle prizes.

Attendees can learn about each ministry’s mission, values, and activities and leaders will be present to answer questions.

Attendees also can share their ideas and suggestions for new ministries.

Information: communications@mv-

see AROUND page 25

Groups like Mesa-based A New Leaf that provide meals for people in need face a dire shortage of food. (Courtesy of A New Leaf)

lutheran.org, mvlutheran.org or 480893-2579.

Friends and Neighbors group invites Ahwatukee women

Ahwatukee women looking to make new friends and join a variety of activities care invited to the next Ahwatukee Foothills Friends and Neighbors breakfast brunch at Sivlik Grill 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 28. The guest speaker is Carrie Chipman, who runs Country Collective Travel Club where she escorts groups all over the world.

Contact Pam Oliver at pamoliver614@ gmail.com or text/call 614-205-2243 for details and to register. The cost of the lunch is $22 and must be prepaid by Aug. 19 to attend.

Information: affanwomensgroup.org/ public.

‘Arizona Nutcracker’ auditions set for Aug. 12 at Dance Studio 111

Ahwatukee Dance Studio 111 founderowner Kimberly Lewis is preparing for the her 24th annual presentation of the holiday classic with open auditions Saturday, Aug. 12, 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.

It will be presented Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 at the state-of-the-art Madison Center for the Arts at 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix.

Auditions will be held at Dance Studio 111, 4910 E. Chandler Blvd., 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 lessons 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 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 1320.

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

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

Information: dancestudio111.com.

Nonprofit weight-loss support program at Rec Center

A TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club chapter is meeting at 6 p.m. every Wednesday in the board room at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive. It’s preceded at 5:30 p.m. by socializing and optional weigh-in charts.

The club was formed in Wisconsin in 1948 and has grown over time to become an international organization. The 28-year-old Ahwatukee club offers education, fun contests and sharing of weekly progress at its meetings “without negative judgments.”

For more information, contact Meg Hoffman at 602-486-9100.

Fundraiser for Chandler Blvd. 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

see AROUND page 26

Expires 8/31/23.

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

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, 2601 E. Thunderhill Place, Ahwatukee. For more information, call or text Ed Prestwood at 480-603-8359, or search Ah-

watukee Toastmasters. The group’s chair is Jianhong Zhou, who can be contacted at smiqua.zhou@gmail.com.

Ironwood Library offers free activities for all ages in July

Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, presents a variety of programs for children, teens and adults. Unless 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 Tuesdays 10:30-11 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 in-

holidays like the rest of us.

formation 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. Today, 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. 

to-school shopping spree with her 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun group in Ahwatukee.

This is a beautiful and memorable event for all. Kids sit around a table, enjoying turkey and all the trimmings – while feeling cared for, special, and loved.

Kiwanis organizes many clothing and gift card drives throughout the year. Annually, they sponsor a baby shower for foster teen moms.

They accept new or gently used items like baby clothes, bibs, bottles, diapers, and blankets.

Kiwanis programs for youth and young adults help to create the next generation of community leaders.

For instance, Key Club, the world’s oldest and largest student-led service organization for high school students, encourages leadership development through service to others. Our local high schools have these clubs.

Our local Kiwanis Club is best known for hosting the Annual Easter Parade in Ahwatukee. Next year will be its 48th year. Also held the Saturday before Easter is the Kiwanis Spring Fling, where kids participate in an Easter egg hunt, bounce houses, and other entertainment.

In April, Charissa McCarron shared the need for funds to support the back-

The members were moved by her presentation and selected the charity to receive their quarterly donations.

Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee was awarded $15,600 gift, which provided clothes for over 100 foster teens.

“In the past we have done back-toschool shopping for one or two group homes (8-10 kids each), but this awesome donation will make it possible to do backto-school shopping for many more group homes,” shared Andi Pettyjohn, treasurer.

“Life is hard enough for these kids without needing to wear the same two to three t-shirts every day,” she continued. “Having new clothes to wear will help their self-esteem and help them fit in with their classmates.

“We so appreciate the help of the members of this organization. They are helping us help kids!”

Since 100+ Women Who Care’s inception in 2015, over $1,104,000 has been donated to local charities.

To learn more or to register for its upcoming giving circle on Aug. 15, visit 100wwcvalleyofthesun.org. To learn more about Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee, visit ahwatukeekiwanis.org. 

WOMEN from page 22

Chandler Museum slates unique show on migration

BY SRIANTHI PERERA AFN Contributor

With most of Chandler’s 280,000plus population drawn from various corners of the country, if not the world, migration is a pertinent topic for discussion.

Chandler actor Peppur Chambers will present one take on it in an immersive theater experience titled “From Where to Here: A One-Woman Show

About the 1930s Migration” at the Chandler Museum.

Tickets have gone fast. One of four nights already is sold out and of the other 7 p.m. show, only two seats remain for each of the July 30 and Aug. 4 shows and 18 for Aug. 3.

Tickets cost $15 for the 90-minute performance. Proceeds benefit the Chandler Museum Foundation and tickets are at chandleraz.gov/FromWhereToHere.

Chambers, who wrote and performs the show, will portray characters based on Chandler residents’ oral histories and move through the museum’s exhibits, including “Picturing Home: Dust Bowl Migrants in Chandler.”

It is directed by Los Angeles-based Tanya Alexander.

What happens when we migrate? What happens when you come into a community? What do you bring with you and what do you create when you get there? Do you contribute or do you take away?

These are some of the questions that Chambers will ponder.

“There is a feeling of disbursement because you’re coming from somewhere and you’re bringing something with you,” Chambers said.

“I love that concept of not just showing up somewhere and changing it into what you want it to be but understanding that there’s something already existing and you are going to become a part of that,” she continued.

“Who we become when we migrate and how do we stay connected to our culture and keep our history alive in this new place?”

Perhaps Chambers is one of the best people to ask these questions.

She moved to Chandler two-and-a half years ago from Los Angeles.

In part because of her infectious personality and in part due to her multi-talents

as an author, editor, playwright, film and theater director and producer as well as occasional actor, she was appointed to the Chandler Cultural Foundation Board.

The volunteer board oversees programming and provides fiduciary control for the arts center and she is its first member who is a successful artist with business acumen.

The dramatist was inspired by the gallery space in the Chandler Museum, which hosts the Dust Bowl migrants exhibit until Aug.13.

She was struck by the objects such as the Model T Ford, the clothesline and the black-and-white photographs denoting the themes of housing, agriculture, selfsufficiency and empathy.

“I was transported… my imagination went wild,” she said.

Due to the intimate space, Chambers did not include others in the show. The dramatization does not use much technology, light or sound.

She moves from room to room through the entire museum and the audience follows along.

To write the script, Chambers listened to about 10 Chandler residents’ oral histories that were archived in the museum.

She created five characters based on the conversations: a black man and a woman, a white man, a woman from Mexico and an indigenous woman.

“My intent is not to only talk about one culture, but to show what Chandler is and

ment of Mexican and Yaqui Indian laborers several miles west of town, now the area of Chandler Fashion Center.

It was less suitable for agriculture due to its elevation, but had a water canal. Bashas’ grocery store, established in 1932, and a Chinese store were available for groceries.

Schools were segregated at the time; Spanish speakers attended their own school and black children had to transport themselves to a school in Phoenix.

“Everyone was struggling here from the Depression and the effects of the Dust Bowl,” she noted.

Chambers learned much from this project.

what it is made up of,” she said.

She researched the roads that existed and places where people lived and congregated.

She came across Chandler’s Hightown/ Pueblo Alto neighborhood, a dusty settle-

“It makes me excited to drive down Cooper Road and know that it was named after the Cooper family and they had all these acres of land. I have a different sense of pride in the city,” she said. “I feel like I belong because I know more.

“I’m excited by what a lot of people did to contribute to make Chandler what it is then and now. I feel rooted and I just have a strong sense of pride knowing all this.” 

Dog Haus slates grand opening festivities

BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer

Anew restaurant in West Chandler is trying to find the right balance between upscale and casual.

Franchise co-owner Andi Ott said that’s one of the reasons she and her husband, Damon, decided to get the rights to open franchises in the East Valley.

“Dog Haus is a newer, growing franchise,” Andi said. “We got the opportunity to get in at the beginning, or earlier, in that brand development and have an opportunity to grow with them, and help shape that.

“We’re kind of that niche where we call ourselves craft casual. It’s an upscale, fast-casual experience. We like to think we’re like one little step down from full service.”

Dog Haus had its soft opening on July 24. Its grand opening is scheduled for

Aug. 5 and the owners plan to give away a lot of food that day to introduce themselves to the community.

They will give free Haus burritos to the first 100 people who ask for one when they open at 8 a.m. They will offer $3 alcoholic beverages until 11 a.m. Starting at 11 a.m., they will give away Haus dogs until closing time.

They will also have $2 draft pints from 10 a.m. until closing at 2 a.m.

“We’re going to have a live DJ, and we’re going to have some beer vendors out,” Andi said.

This is the second franchise location that the Otts have opened. Their first was in Gilbert.

Andi said they have the rights to open up to five franchises in the East Valley. She said if they open another one, they would likely look for a location closer to

see DOG HAUS page 31

Picklemall to debut this weekend at AZ Mills

Ahwatukee pickleball enthusiasts who are withering on outdoor courts in the brutal heat will now have a second nearby place to play their game in air-conditioned comfort.

The 104,000-square-foot, 16-court Picklemall will open Saturday, Aug. 5, at Arizona Mills in the former At Home space on the east side of the shopping center near Ross.

Led by CEO West Shaw and backed by Steve Kuhn – a self-described pickleball fanatic as well as a billionaire financier who founded Major League Pickleball – the Arizona Mills location marks concept’s first foray into the American market. The duo plan to open similar operations in struggling shopping malls across the country.

Picklemall is the second indoor facility in the East Valley, as Pickleball Kingdom at 4950 W. Ray Road, Chandler, has been open for over a year.

To celebrate its grand opening this week-

end, Picklemall is offering a free game Saturday to anyone wanting to test its championship-style facility. Players can register for the free game by going to thepicklemall. com and use the promo code GRANDOPENING to schedule the freebie.

In addition, it’s offering limited-time

deals on memberships through Aug. 12 that are available by emailing memberships@thepicklemall.com.

Picklemall’s facilities will be open to leagues, clinics, open play, tournaments and drop-in games.

Cost of play will be between $5-$10 per

person, per hour and unlimited-play memberships will run $100-$150 per month.

Shaw and Kuhn are trying to cash in on what may be the nation’s fastest growing sport, which has experienced 35% growth between August 2022 and March 2023, according to the Association of Pickleball Professionals.

That popularity has been driven in part by an expanding demographic of fans. Once popular at retirement communities and with 55+ demographics, today 72% of avid pickleball players are between the ages of 18 and 44, with an average age of 34.8, according to Shaw.

Kuhn said that demographic shift makes pickleball “the Benjamin Button of sports,” referring to the novel

Shaw said Picklemall “seeks to simplify the way people play the sport, making it more accessible and convenient to all.”

Players can go online to reserve a court

Owners Andi and Damon Ott and general manager Kody Townsend, from left, are ready for beer and hot dog lovers at Dog Haus Biergarten’s newest location in the Chandler Festival Shopping Center. (David Minton/Staff)

AFN NEWS STAFF

Picklemall will open Saturday at Arizona Mills, offering a cool alternative to outdoor courts getting cooked by the summer sun. (Special to AFN)

Pickleball competitor plans reality TV show

AFN NEWS STAFF

While it will be facing some competition for indoor pickleball players, the CEO and founder of the area’s first indoor facility is coming up with a new gimmick: a reality TV show.

Mike “Ace” Rodriguez, who took his Pickleball Kingdom on Ray Road near Rural Road in Chandler to a franchise level, now has created Pickleball Kingdom Productions.

He calls Pickleball Kingdom Productions an enterprise whose goal is “to elevate the sport of pickleball to new heights while fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among players and fans alike.”

Rodriguez plans a reality competition show called “Pickleball Paddle Battle,” which he said “will showcase the excitement and spirit of pickleball, the fastestgrowing sport in the world.”

Predicting the show’s unique format “will deliver an immersive, captivating viewer experience guaranteed to unite legions of pickleball enthusiasts, sports lovers, and reality TV fans alike,” Rodriguez

said contestants will be eligible for “prizes at a level never offered before.”

“Viewers can expect awe-inspiring displays of athleticism, gripping rivalries, and emotional triumphs, all set against the backdrop of the pickleball craze that has swept throughout the world,” he said.

“We are presently in talks with several national networks and streaming services to finalize a distribution deal that will showcase the sport of pickleball to the masses.”

Rodriguez explained that a national call for talent will result in the selection of 16 elite players selected for their “exceptional skills and unwavering passion for the game.”

Eight women and eight men will be picked “to demonstrate their talents at the indoor venue at Pickleball Kingdom,” he added, promising “challenging and exhilarating pickleball matches, pushing their physical and mental limits to emerge victorious.”

Players can apply through Aug. 16 for a chance to get on the show.

Final selections will be made by a panel of experts, he said, adding:

“Each episode will highlight the back

stories of the contestants and test their agility, strategy, and ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances both on and off the court.

“With intense matches, challenging drills, and surprising twists, ‘Pickleball Paddle Battle’ guarantees non-stop excite-

PICKLEMALL from page 29

and playtime and will have the option to schedule a one-on-one or group coaching session with a pickleball pro.

Inside the court, games are recorded so players can watch, analyze and learn from the footage in real time.

Shaw and Kuhn also see this time as ideal for introducing their concept in Arizona, given the record heatwave.

“Arizona, with its hot temperatures that can drain the city’s energy in the summer, presents an exciting opportunity for Picklemall to ignite joy and cultivate friendly competition in a safe, cool, and familiar environment,” Shaw said.

ment and entertainment for both die-hard pickleball enthusiasts and new fans alike.”

One male and one female player “will earn a prestigious one-year pickleball sponsorship contract with Pickleball Kingdom Productions.

“This sponsorship will provide them with the financial means necessary to play professionally and continue their pickleball journey,” Rodriguez added.

Viewers also will have a chance to vote for contestants to win a Pickleball Kingdom franchise.

“This competition will celebrate the immense talent within the pickleball community while offering life-changing prizes and opportunities to the winners,” Rodriguez added.

“Pickleball Paddle Battle” is slated to be released in the late fall.

Details: pickleballpaddlebattle.tv and pickleballkingdom.com

A former hedge fund manager who became a philanthropist, Kuhn owns an 86acre estate called Dreamland near Austin, Texas that includes multiple mini-golf courses, a disc golf course, two stages, psychedelic art installations, a bar – and 16 pickleball courts, according to a profile published this year by Austin Monthly. He also founded Major League Pickleball and has hosted several league tournaments with purses exceeded $5 million.

A recent profile of Kuhn published by Austin Monthly noted that he has four of the world’s top professional pickleball players living at Dreamland.

And they see their company as a way to give a shot in the arm to shopping malls as well.

“As the world wonders what the next era will look like for mall spaces, bringing Pickleball to these properties was a no brainer,” Shaw said. “We’re excited to see how players enjoy our climate-controlled concept, but also excited to help bring a new sense of community to local shopping malls.”

The Picklemall Pro Shop inside the Tempe location will feature Picklemallbranded merchandise and professional pickleball equipment from premier facility partner JOOLA USA. The facility will also include options for equipment rental.

“All of them are housed in modular tiny homes that Kuhn had trucked in as part of his plan to grow the sport and emphasize his goal of global unity,” author Bryan Parker wrote.

The pros not only attract other pros, he reported, but also “can teach lessons to beginners and casual players. In effect, their residence at Dreamland bolsters pickleball at both ends, sharpening toptier talent while enticing newcomers. It also serves as a conduit between those two worlds, putting fans in close proximity to budding stars—something unheard of in any other major league sport.”

And in forming Major League Pickleball, Kuhn also attracted high-level investors and team owners like NFL legends Drew Brees and Tom Brady. 

Pickleball Kingdom CEO/founder Mike “Ace” Rodriguez plans a competitive reality TV show on the sport. (Facebook)

DOG

HAUS from

their home in Queen Creek.

The Chandler Dog Haus is open to the outdoors on two sides. Even with the hot weather recently, it was still cool inside.

“We occasionally close the doors when we have to, but we invested heavily into an evaporated cooling system for the patio,” Andi said.

The Chandler general manager, Kody Townsend, said Dog Haus fans come to the restaurant because they care about the food they are putting into their bodies.

“We are known for our clean meats,” Townsend said. “No hormones, no nitrates, no antibiotics, any of that. All of our meat is clean and humanely raised.”

Andi said they ensure that by contracting with Big Stone Farms to provide all of their meats.

“It’s all 100% genetically tested,” she said. “Black Angus are all humanely raised. Our burrito is all free-range chickens. We call it ‘Never-Ever Meat.’”

The menu has three main offerings, Haus

Dogs, Haus Sausages and Haus Burgers. But there are other options as well, including Haus Chicken and Haus Sliders.

For vegetarians, they do offer both Beyond and Impossible meat substitutes on the menu.

Dog Haus also has 24 craft beers on tap. Andi said they plan to rotate them often, keeping the top sellers and replacing the ones that are not as popular.

The burritos are on the breakfast menu.

“The other thing that makes us special is that we serve all our hot dogs, sausages, burgers and sandwiches on King’s Hawaiian rolls, so you get the sweetness from the rolls mixed with the savory of all our dogs, sausages and meat,” Townsend said.

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Fancy cars carry a heavy financial burden

BY HAROLD WONG AFN Guest Writer

For the last two years, a 40-year-high inflation rate has been the main concern of most Americans.

In a Nov. 21, 2022 study found in Motley Fool by Jack Caporal, there are some disturbing statistics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021, the average household income was $78,743 and average household total expenses were $5,577 per month.

The three largest components of monthly household spending were: $1,885 for housing (34% of total expenses); $913 for transportation (16% of total expenses); and $691 for food (12% of total expenses).

In contrast, $10 a month was spent on reading and this partly explains why so many Americans struggle with their finances.

According to an April 2 finance.yahoo. com article by Bethan Moorcraft, a record 16% of American consumers are paying at least $1,000 per month in car payments.

“The percentage of borrowers at least 60 days late on their car payments is higher today than it was during the peak of the Great Recession in 2009,” Moorcraft reported.

Auto loans are the third largest debt category with Americans owing $1.52 trillion in auto loans. The percentage of subprime auto borrowers who were at least 60 days late hit 5.67% in December, 2022. That exceeded the 5.04% late payment rate in January 2009 at the peak of the Great Recession, according to the credit rating agency Fitch Ratings.

Besides the skyrocketing cost of new and used cars over the last three years, gas prices have doubled and insurance rates have increased substantially.

Major insurance companies have recently stated they will no longer insure certain Kia or Hyundai models because the cars are too easy to steal.

Let’s examine why Americans spend so much of their after-tax income on cars. The first reason is that folks want more

luxury now than their parents or grandparents were willing to accept.

I remember the agony of riding in my parents’ black Ford Fairlane in 1961 in the Mohave Desert when we lived in California. There was no air conditioning in the car and driving long distances was miserable.

A second reason men want to own an expensive, cool car to drive is to get the hot dates. I remember back in high school in 1965, when Ford launched the new Mustang, my classmate bought one and was always surrounded by girls who wanted a ride in his car.

This urge is not restricted to high school students. A stockbroker friend of mine used to host monthly soirees at upscale Scottsdale nightclubs. Most of the guys who attended were over 60 years old and drove very expensive cars that seemed to always attract beautiful women who were 20-30 years younger than they were.

I drove a beat-up 1987 Volvo 240DL that I bought used for $3,100 when it had 110,000 miles and drove it over 255,000 miles. As expected, no women rushed over to meet me. Because they never bothered to talk to me, they had no idea how successful I was.

People have no idea how many really rich men drive modest cars. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, drives a Honda Accord. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, drives a Honda Fit. Before he died at 91 with a net worth of $58 billion, Ingvar Kamprad, founder of Ikea, for many decades drove a 1993 Volvo 240GL.

Perhaps these multi-billionaires have a strong self-image and don’t have to “show off ” by driving an expensive car. Not spending a fortune on new cars that depreciate the moment you drive them off the lot could also be why they are rich. His website is: drharoldwong.com. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics at University of California/Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

To RSVP for future seminars in September or schedule a free consultation to save taxes or increase retirement income, contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail. com.

Ahwatukee Little Leaguers make historic sweep

BY DREW SCHOTT AFN Contributor

In 2006, Ahwatukee Little League’s 12 and under (12U) team represented the West Region at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

According to Ryan Mangum, that run can be considered as “the apex” for the league.

More than 15 years later, Mangum –manager of the league’s 11 and under (11U) squad – witnessed the organization make more history. It came on July 8, as the 12U, 11U and 10 and under (10U) All Star teams simultaneously won the district title for their age group for the rst time since the league’s founding in 1985.

“It really was special,” Mangum said. “ e 12’s this year, they won as 11’s last year and so we knew they were going to have a solid squad coming into this year.

e 11’s, the team that Je (Parent) and I coach, they lost in the district championship to Chandler National (North) and so they had a chip on their shoulder coming into this season.

“ en, the 10’s were a bit of a question mark. We thought they’d be solid, but we had no idea how they were going to perform as a whole.”

Mangum said the 10U team progressed throughout the tournament and “really dominated just about everybody they played” while the 11U team went undefeated in district tournament play – “which was terri c.”

When the 11U team went into the nal game against Chandler National North,” he added, “we and the boys were really determined to play the team that beat us in the nal last year.”

ough the 12U team lost its rst two games, it “came back to win at the end of

districts.”

According to Parent, the league’s president and Mangum’s assistant on the 11U team, support was palpable through all three games.

After the 10U squad defeated Tempe South 17-2 to complete an undefeated record in the district tournament, players, their parents and coaches went to watch the undefeated 11U program Chandler National North 8-4.

Representatives from both squads then went to support the 12U team, who clinched the trifecta with a 9-2 victory over Tempe South.

“It was just a really exciting community experience with everybody being there and being able to support each other,” said Eric Cable, the manager of the 10U team. “It was just a fun night.

“ is was the rst time I’ve been a part of All Stars, but it seemed really special, especially for the folks that had been there a while.”

In the state tournament. e 10U squad

nished in third, while both the 11U and 12U teams placed in the top six. e postseason run was enjoyable for Bryan Trollop, the 12U manager.

Trollop was focused on his players having a great experience. Leading the group ended up being an “awesome opportunity” for him, as this summer marked the furthest the Ahwatukee Little League 12U team has advanced since 2011.

“For the 12U team, most of those kids, this is their last year in Little League,” Trollop said. “ ey age out of Little League.

“ ey’re not able to come back next year, but it’s nice to lay the groundwork for these other teams and other kids that still have years left to play.

“If you’re a younger kid and you’re coming in and looking at Ahwatukee Little League and saying, ‘Oh yeah, you have three teams that just went to districts and won,’ I’d be pretty excited to go play in that league.”

e three teams bonded partly through service activities – including a packing

session at Feed My Starving Children that attended by all 33 players, coaches and parents.

As for play, Mangum recalled that one of the most exciting wins” for the 11U team came when it was down 9-2 in the second inning.

“ e boys rallied and each unit knocked o a couple of runs to where we were able to have a walk-o hit in the bottom of the last inning, which I think really encapsulated just how focused and determined and uni ed they were,” he said.

Cable noted the e ort as “fantastic.”

“Our message was, ‘Hey, we’re a team. We’re going to be positive. We’re going to pick each other up. We’re going to play hard and practice hard, but we’re going to have fun and support each other,’” Cable said.

“I can speak for my son. He probably knew half the kids and he made some lifelong friends just through the ve or six weeks that we were a part of this. Kids that he had never talked to, they gelled incredibly well. ey supported each other.”

All three Ahwatukee Little League All Star teams won the district title for their age group. (Instagram)

Mesa group in Valley hip-hop competition

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Executive Editor

Hip-hop dancers from 55 nations will pop, lock and break across the Valley for the 22nd World HipHop Dance Championship presented by Hip-Hop International.

A series of elimination rounds at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa will narrow the field. The dancers then go for the gold on Aug. 6 at Mullett Arena.

Among the contestants is RhythmiKidz, a Mesa-based group that won the 2022 USA Hip Hop International Championship.

Hip-Hop International co-founders

The RhythmiKidz, who are based at the Rhythmic Dance Complex on Power Road in Mesa, are the 2022 USA Champions in Hip Hop In tenrational. (Special to GetOut)

Chicago encourages fans to ‘stay the night’

BY LAURA LATZKO GetOut Contributor

For Chicago trumpet and flugelhorn player Lee Loughnane, Arizona shows are like homecoming gigs.

Formed in Chicago in 1967, the iconic band will return to the Grand Canyon State to perform in Tucson on Aug. 15, Prescott Valley on Aug. 16 and Phoenix on Aug. 18.

The band has been on the road annually for the last 56 years, taking a break for 15 months due to the pandemic. A Sedona resident since 2010, Loughnane said the band members sacrifice their personal life to entertain the masses.

“It is problematic not to be able to spend the time that most people get to spend with their families at home. To do what we do for a living, we have to take our music to the audiences,” Loughnane said.

In five decades, Chicago has sold more

than 100 million copies of its 38 albums. Blending jazz, R& B, classical and pop, the hits include “You’re the Inspiration,” “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” “Saturday in the Park” and “25 or 6 to 4.”

Loughnane said Chicago fans can expect to hear songs from various decades, starting with “Introduction” from their first album.

“It’s a pretty well-rounded show,” he said. “It covers everything we have done and are doing.”

Loughnane is one of the three original members; he joins vocalist Robert Lamm and trombonist James Pankow. More than 50 years ago, they were the first nonclassical group to perform at Carnegie Hall six nights in a row.

The group was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014 and awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gram-

The iconic band Chicago has only three original members remaining but they will still be playing their greatest hits in Phoenix Aug. 18. (Special to GetOut)

Howard and Karen Schwartz said this year’s event shows its resilience. The duo also created MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew.”

“We had an amazing event in 2019 and we were anticipating 2020 was going to be our biggest year yet,” she said.

“Then COVID hit. Who knew what was happening during COVID and the future of anything. We kept everybody going. We kept in communication with 55 countries. We did a virtual championship in 2021. We couldn’t do a live event because the embassies and borders were restricting people from traveling.”

In 2022, dancers worked hard to get visas, but the priority was on those with emergencies and others who needed to see family, Karen said.

“It was our first year back with a live event and it exceeded our expectations,” she said. “We had 211 crews, which really gave us excitement and enthusiasm for coming back this year. All indications were that 2023 was going to be the biggest yet and it certainly is going to be.”

The preliminary rounds are Aug. 1-3,, followed by the semifinals on Aug. and fi-

nals Aug. 6.

The world finals have all the color and ambiance of an Olympic sport, starting with the parade of nations followed by the competition. World Battles Day and two days of World Moves Dance Workshops taught by acclaimed hip-hop choreographers further highlight the family-friendly activities that are open to the public.

“We like to present the event as an Olympic-style event,” Howard said.

“The dancers at this event appreciate the fact that we treat it as an Olympic event. We look for a venue that can be like an Olympic village to bring the dance community and hip-hop culture together in one environment and one setting. We found the Arizona Grand was a perfect environment for us. This year, we have three overflow hotels. We’re tied to the Arizona Grand for another two years after this.”

Karen added, “Beyond the competition, which is certainly the focus, it’s a real cultural exchange. It’s an opportunity for a lot of the dancers to make friends with people and young adults, who share the passion of dance.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for somebody from the United States to create a friendship with people from Thailand, Ja-

pan or Germany. It’s incredible what you see and it’s life changing for so many of the participants. We like a venue that helps to nurture that, and the Arizona Grand has done that for us.”

Howard said one crew is coming from war-torn Ukraine, a country in which hiphop dancing is popular. Others are traveling from the Philippines.

“Every crew has something to offer, and it makes it special,” he said.

“Every crew has a story. Some have never been out of the country. This has been a dream of theirs to be able to make it to this event.”

Andrew Palma is a crew leader, dancer and performer who runs Rhythmic Dance Complex in Gilbert. He’s been dancing for more than 10 years, and his crew, Key Elements, has been together for four years.

Key Elements is a Team USA Qualifier in the adult division; while his RhythmiKidz are the USA Champions, junior division; and Rhythmicality, first-year Team USA Qualifier, varsity division.

All three crews will be competing at the

CHICAGO from page 37

mys in 2020. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Loughnane said the group’s sound has evolved over the years as players change.

“The guys who have left for whatever reason, when they were replaced, it’s always been with somebody who is a good musician,” he said.

“They’ve grown up with the music as we did when we were playing it and writing it. They grew up listening to it. They have always fit in very nicely as members of the band by bringing their own personality to the same music they grew up with.”

When it started, the group had no idea it would be around 50 years later.

“It never happens. This is an anomaly. This is something that is pretty much impossible to do. We’re just living it,” Loughnane said.

Chicago will perform their biggest hits with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, Robin Thicke and Chris Daughtry.

In celebration of the 55th anniversary of their double-platinum album, “Chicago Transit Authority,” they will play songs from the album both nights, along with other greatest hits.

To have longevity like Chicago, it takes luck, consistency, dedication and hard work, he said.

World Hip-Hop Dance Championship.

“We didn’t really expect all three of our crews to qualify,” Palma said. “We go into it without expectations. We just go in and try our best. Whatever we get, we get. All three of our crews qualified and it’s awesome to bring the whole family.”

The Highland High School graduate started dancing in his late teens, following in the footsteps of his sister, Ashley Sanchez.

“I was a gymnast in my early childhood, so I had that training under my belt,” Palma said. “I eventually just had the desire to start dancing. It was a little difficult at first, but when you just love something, you don’t care how easy or hard it is.” 

If You Go...

22nd World Hip-Hop Dance Championship

When: Various times Aug. 1-6.

Where: Arizona Grand Resort & Spa and Mullet Arena; see website for details.

Cost: Tickets start at $35

Info: hiphopinternational.com

“You have to keep yourself ready to play shows and be excited about playing the shows,” Loughnane said.

He fills his days working out at hotels and playing music.

“I have my horn with me all the time,” he said.

Although he mainly performs on flugelhorn and trumpet, he has played other instruments for performances and albums.

“I play a little guitar, background vocals mainly, a couple of lead vocals,” he adds.

“I play a little bit of keyboard, mainly to write songs on guitar and keyboard. I’ve played guitar onstage with the band a few times,” he said.

“And I was playing the Moog synthesizer for a number of years during the ‘Chicago 17’ and ‘Chicago 18’ tours. I was playing a lot of bass parts during that time…We don’t hire other people to come in and do background vocals for us. We do everything inhouse, the horns, the vocals, the playing, everything.” 

Chicago in Phoenix

When: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

Where: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix

Price: Tickets start at $68

Info: 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre. com, chicagotheband.com

Musicfest to offer celebrities, tribute acts, swing bands

BY ALEX GALLAGHER AFN Arts Editor

Arizona Musicfest, a northern Scottsdale nonprofit arts organization, has lifted the curtain on its lineup of performers for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

The lineup includes a cast of swing musicians, rock n’ roll acts, tribute bands, a special musician talk and appearances by celebrities who will perform with the Festival Orchestra – including Frankie Avalon, Kristin Chenoweth, Judy Collins and Renée Fleming. Some of these shows have already sold out.

“We've already sold out a number of performances,” said Allan Naplan, Arizona Musicfest executive and producing director. “In our first week we've already exceeded 20,000 tickets sold. In fact, on our first day we exceeded 10,000 tickets sold.

“This has been a tremendous launch, and so much of it is driven by the artists that we have. So, we've become a major destinion for the valley, not just Scottsdale.”  Naplan, who has been with Arizona Mu-

sicfest for over a decade, said this season has taken the nonprofit to new heights.

“When I arrived, our total attendance for the season was just over 7000. And last season we exceeded 37,000,” he said.

“It has really been a transformive change in these last 10 years and, as I often say, I still believe we're only scratching the surface of our potential.”

With tickets already flying off the shelves, Naplan highlighted several acts th he foresees music fans flocking to this season.

“We’re happy to bring back Broadway’s Brian Stokes Mitchell, the Texas Tenors are a favorite for Arizona Music Fest audiences as well and then Rita Moreno – who is one of 18 people to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award – will be onstage to give a retrospective discussion of her career through multimedia,” Naplan said.

Other exciting shows include tribute acts like “Elvis: The Concert of Kings,” which will feure three performers playing the King from his three eras, the music of Elton John and Billy Joel which stars performer Michael Cavanaugh and “Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles.”

Musicfest Calendar

• Elvis: The Concert of Kings, Nov. 6, Highlands Church.

• Frankie Avalon, Nov. 11, Highlands Church.

• The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John starring Michael Cavanaugh, Nov. 17, Highlands Church

• Cantus, Nov. 19, Musical Instrument Museum

• John Pizzarelli & Cherine Russell: Swinging in the Holidays Dec. 1, , Highlands Church

• The Texas Tenors: Deep in the Heart of Christmas Dec. 4, Highlands Church.

• Paul Anka: Seven Decades Tour Jan. 5 and 6, Highlands Church.

• The Barricade Boys: Leading Men of London’s West End. Jan. 12, Highlands Church.

• Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll Part 4, Jan. 19 and 20, Highlands Church.

• Jazz at Lincoln Center: Sing & Swing, Jan. 29, Highlands Church.

• Doo Wop Project, Feb. 2 and 3, Highlands Church.

• Classical Mystery Tour – 60th Anniversary: The Beles Coming to America! Feb. 5, Highlands Church.

• A New World A-Comin’ feuring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Lara Downes. Feb. 12, Highlands Church.

• Kristin Chenoweth, Feb. 17, Highlands Church.

• Moon River and Me: Centennial Celebration of Henry Mancini starring Monica

Arizona Musicfest has lifted the curtain on its cast of performers during the - season. Notable performances include (clockwise) Elvis: The Concert of Kings, Marcus Roberts Trio, Frankie Avalon, Kristin Chenoweth, Rita Moreno and Gunhild Carling. (Images courtesy of Arizona Musicfest.)

The bulk of the concerts will be held at Highlands Church and La Casa de Cristo Church but there will be individual concerts at the Musical Instrument Museum and Pinnacle Presbyterian Church.

The venues include: Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale; La

Casa de Cristo Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale; Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix; and Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale.

Information: azmusicfest.org/events 

Mancini, Feb. 19, Highlands Church.

• MozART Group, Feb. 27, La Casa de Cristo Church.

• Rhapsody in Blue: Festival Orchestra with Marcus Roberts Trio, March 3, La Casa de Cristo Church.

• Superman, Schumann & Strauss featuring the Festival Orchestra, March 5, La Casa de Cristo Church.

• Festival Orchestra POPS with Telly Leung and Loren Allred, March 8, La Casa de Cristo Church.

• Renée Fleming with the Festival Orchestra, March 10, La Casa de Cristo Church.

• Gunhild Carling, March 12, La Casa de Cristo Church.

• Rita Moreno: In Conversion, March 16, Highlands Church.

• Judy Collins, March 22, Highlands Church.

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo, March 25, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church.

• Trailblazing Women of Country: From Patsy to Loretta to Dolly, April 1, Highlands Church.

• World Doctors Orchestra benefiting the St. Vincent de Paul Virginia G. Piper Medical Clinic, April 5, La Casa de Cristo Church.

• Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, April 15, La Casa de Cristo Church.

• Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles, April 26, Highlands Church.

ACROSS

1 Breath fresheners

6 Jazzy style

9 Monk’s title

12 Pub perch

13 Greek H

14 Yank’s foe

15 Very beginning

16 Di cult

18 Imam’s place

20 Conks out

21 Flu y scarf

23 Drone

24 Leans

25 Has

27 Monastery VIP

29 Past

31 Restitution

35 Travel papers

37 Nickelodeon’s “Explorer”

38 Tack on

41 Dogpatch adjective

43 Recipe abbr.

44 Adhesive

45 Roman orator

47 “That’s a lie!”

49 Jets and Sharks

52 Swelled head

53 Samovar

54 Full-length

55 Tax form ID

56 Mag. sta

57 Devoutness

DOWN

1 Flavor enhancer, for short

2 Mineral su x

3 A few

4 Takeout request

5 Wade through mud

6 Render senseless

7 Oklahoma tribe

8 Bit of butter

9 Delicate

10 Stopwatch button

11 Void

17 Redacted

19 Campus areas

21 Short ‘do

22 Have debts

24 Male turkey

26 Part of USSR

28 No-frills

30 Kibosh

King Crossword

32 Never

33 Hosp. workers

34 Enervate

36 Extraterrestrials

38 De Mille of dance

39 Whips

40 Japanese bedroll

42 Advantage

45 It gets in the whey

46 Hindu royal

48 Regret

50 Belly

51 Farm pen

Sudoku

Meatballs, marinara or meat sauce and mounds of garlicky, crusty bread all bubbling away together in a hearty casserole. That pretty much describes the dish that I picture hungry kids, time-crunched parents and anyone who loves meatball sub sandwiches diving right into.

Like meatballs? Cheese? Well, dig into this casserole

I put this meatball sub casserole in the “good-better” category. It’s pretty darn good if you buy your favorite store-bought meatballs and jar of pasta sauce.

It’s even better when you make the meatballs and sauce homemade.

Either way, it’ll take you just minutes to prepare, a few more minutes to cook and dinner is on the table before you know it!

Variations of this recipe have been circulating on line, and somehow it landed in my own cyber lap. It seemed like a no-brainer, and indeed it was.

I love making homemade meatballs, but I found a

Ingredients:

• 1 (26 oz) bag of frozen meatballs (yield, approx. 52 meatballs) Amount can be doubled if desired

• 1 (24 oz) jar of marinara or meat sauce (I used Rao’s Tomato Basil Sauce)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium to large saucepan, combine the pasta sauce and frozen meatballs.

Cook over medium heat until warmed completely through, about 10-15 minutes, stirring so meatballs don’t stick to pan.

While meatballs are cooking, cut baguette into approximately 12 slices (enough to go around the edge of your baking dish.) Combine garlic and olive oil and brush over slices of bread.

Place meatballs in the center of a 9x12 baking dish.

bag of turkey meatballs and decided to give it a try. Yummy! I’ve even double the number of meatballs while still using one jar of pasta sauce and it just made it, well, even meatier!

The casserole of meatballs is surrounded by slices of fresh bread that has been brushed with a garlic and olive oil combo, and that just completes the de-constructed meatball sub sandwich.

Everyone needs dishes they can pull together in no time, and this one is just right for the meatball and cheese lovers in the family. 

• 1 cup shredded Italian Blend or Pizza Blend cheese

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 fresh baguette, sliced

• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Sprinkle mozzarella, Italian blend cheese and parmesan over top of meatballs.

Line the pan all the way around with bread slices, (standing up) pressing them slightly into the meatball mixture. If desired, sprinkle the bread lightly with any remaining cheese.

Bake for about 2o minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly and bread has toasted to a golden brown.

Serve as a side or as a main dish with vegetables or a salad. Casserole can be made ahead and heated in the oven when ready to serve. 

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GENERAL EMPLOYMENT

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Carvana LLC seeks an Engineer II in Tempe, AZ to participate end to end in the product life cycle. Telecommuting is permitted. Applicants may apply https://www.jobpostingtoday.com/ Ref #98478.

GENERAL EMPLOYMENT

Gen Digital Inc. has an opening for Software Engineer in Tempe, AZ. Job duties include: analyze, design, debug and/or modify software; or evaluate, develop, modify and code software programs to support programming needs. May telecommute from home. To apply, submit resume to jobads@gendigital.com. Must reference job 1648.6972

GENERAL EMPLOYMENT

Gen Digital Inc. has an opening for Software Engineer in Tempe, Az. Job duties include: analyze, design, debug and/or modify software; or evaluate, develop, modify and code software programs to support programming needs. May telecommute from home. To apply, submit resume to jobads@gendigital.com. Must reference job 1648.6984.