Ahwatukee Foothills News - 8.25.2021 by Times Media Group

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Mask mandate could cost TU, Kyrene over $8M BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor and HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ith nearly $8 million at stake, Tempe Union and Kyrene school officials have until Friday to drop their mask mandate or face Gov. Doug Ducey’s wrath. And whether the districts can rely on help from the Biden Administration remains to be seen as the year-long local debate over mask mandates put the White House and Ducey on a collision course. Both Tempe Union and Kyrene governing boards scheduled closed-door meetings for

Course owners want to enter Club West lawsuit

Aug. 23 but it was unclear if they had anything to do with Ducey’s threat to withhold millions in pandemic relief grant monies from districts that impose mask bans. The Kyrene Governing Board’s agenda said its session involved “discussion or consideration of matters relating to school safety operations or school safety plans or programs” and “discussion or consideration of records exempt by law from public inspection.” Tempe Union’s agenda for its closed-door session only cited a discussion of exempted records. The threats and counter-threats between Ducey and the White House directly involves nearly $5.2 million for Kyrene and $2.8 million for Tempe Union in Education Plus Up

Grant money. Ducey is using $163 million of $350 million in federal pandemic relief funds for grants to ensure that school districts that did not receive other supplemental funds get up to $1,800 per pupil to make up for a loss of revenue caused by disruptions that impacted other revenue. Those funds became an issue in the wake of Maricopa County Judge Randall Warner’s Aug. 16 ruling that the state law banning mask mandates by schools or other governmental entities does not take effect until Sept. 29. Within hours of that ruling, Kyrene and Tempe Union administration reimposed mask

Lakes surprise

see MASKS page 18

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

. 35

VAN GOGH REIMAGINED

. 39

s a judge neared a final ruling in the Club West Conservancy’s lawsuit against the Foothills Club West Association Board of Directors last Thursday, the owners of the beleaguered golf course asked to intervene in the case and charged the two parties of “colluding” to interfere with its property rights. Meanwhile, at its monthly meeting Aug. 19, HOA board members indicated they’ve pretty much surrendered to the Conservancy but indicated they have not even discussed what they would do if Shea Homes buys the course

see WEST page 12

Just as a hearing was to begin on a contempt action sought by the lawyer for two homeowners suing to have the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course restored, the judge had a surprise announcement that delayed the proceedings. For details, see page 9. (Tom Sanﬁlippo/InsideOut Aerial)

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

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

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Phoenix Assistant City Manager Jeffrey Barton told City Council in a memo last week that the city has launched a bonus program to help fill empty officer and civilian positions in the Police Department. (Special to AFN)

City launches blitz to fill 434 empty Police Department jobs BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

hoenix officials last week began offering handsome bonuses to recruits and even other city employees who make referrals in a desperate effort to fill a growing number of Police Department vacancies. Police newbies or officers recruited from other municipalities will get a signing bonus of up to $7,500 while other employees in other city departments who refer a recruit or a transfer from another police department can collect up to $2,500, according to a memo Assistant City Manager Jeffrey Barton sent last week to City Council. “The Employment Services Bureau is committed to aggressively marketing and recruiting new police hires as well as lateral police officers,” Barton wrote of a team that includes three officers and a sergeant. He said that for the last 14 months, the team has marketed the Police Department through 131 live events, 75 cross-country online ads and another 77 virtual events across the country, TV advertising, flyers at colleges and universities and banners and billboards. “In the last 11 months, the Employment Services Bureau has heavily invested in social media resulting in an increased amount of traffic to the City’s websites,” he wrote, ticking off 91,762 new users and 131,227 page views at the recruiting website, JoinPHXPD.com; nearly 1.9 million views of one of nine

see VACANCIES page 4

NEWS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

Phoenix Council to discuss 2 damaging reports on police AFN NEWS STAFF

ow that it’s back from its summer recess, Phoenix City Council was scheduled to discuss two independent investigations of Phoenix Police, one involving alleged misconduct by various officers during an Oct. 17, 2020, protest. Council was to discuss the investigations by Ballard Spahr LLP law firm during a possible closed-door session yesterday, Aug. 24, according to a memo City Manager Ed Zuercher sent Council last week. Zuercher also noted that he has asked the City of Tucson to investigate various officers and recommend punishment. “The City Manager has asked the City of Tucson to conduct further investigation of potentially criminal matters arising from this report,” he wrote Council. “Ballard Spahr did not have authority to recommend or institute specific discipline of any City employees; they defined areas the City should follow-up for further investigation. “Appropriate discipline for involved employees will be determined through the City Manager’s Office and Human Resources at the conclusion of their investigation.” One investigation – which also ensnared the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office into charges of unethical conduct – involves the efforts to charge protestors arrested during an Oct. 17 demonstration as gang members. That probe also has resulted in the suspension of an assistant prosecutor. The other investigation involved the

VACANCIES from page 3

Facebook ads; and 84,100 clicks on the website link from those Facebook ads. Yet, for all that effort, the Phoenix Police Department is confronting what Barton calls “increased challenges in recent years related to the hiring and retention of both sworn and civilian police positions.” Currently, the department has 224 empty sworn positions and 212 vacant civilian jobs – the latter including 75 new jobs created in the city’s 2021-22 budget to handle a variety of duties such as handling records requests, answering 911 calls and other functions. As of last month, Barton said, the department has 2,901 officers even though Council has authorized 3,125. Barton said the city’s problem is not

A demonstration last October led to arrests that have since gotten the Phoenix Police Department in trouble for wanting to charge protestors with street gang crimes. (Special to AFN) production and distribution of a so-called “challenge coin,” memorabilia circulated among officers depicting a man being shot in the groin with a pepper ball during an August 2017 protest of then-President Trump’s visit to Phoenix. “The coin also had the phrase ‘Making America Great Again One Nut at A Time’ which the investigation found officers knowingly associated with President Trump’s political campaign,” the report said. Zuercher told Council in the memo, “The decision to charge the protestors under the criminal street gang statute was made collaboratively among officials of the unique, noting “police departments across the country including Phoenix have seen significant reductions in police recruit applications and new hires. He noted that in the last three fiscal years, Phoenix has hired 635 recruits and 32 lateral transfers. But Barton also indicated the city is looking down the road with some urgency because total attrition “has continued to climb during the last three fiscal years” and that “more officers are leaving the department for reasons other than finishing their Deferred Retirement Option Plan.” The so-called DROP plan offers a way for an employee who would otherwise be eligible to retire to keep working but start earning some retirement benefits, while the city gets to retain the employee’s services without further increasing

Phoenix Police Department and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and included consultation with other law enforcement agencies. This collaboration pointedly omitted PPD’s Gang Enforcement Unit, a specialized team of police responsible for identifying and investigating criminal street gangs and their members, which, as a matter of operational policy, is required to lead gang-related investigations because of the highly specialized nature of such investigations.” He also noted that prosecutors and unidentified officers deliberately sidelined the gang unit supervisor because he objected to that employee’s pension payout. According to Barton’s memo, of 573 officers who have left the department, 307 were due to DROP. Projected retirements through DROP for the next five years total 447, he said. In all, 30 percent of the sworn personnel – 810 officers – are eligible for retirement after putting in their 20 years. Barton’s memo also states that “a concentrated focus has been placed on filling critical needs of the department in relation to civilian positions.” During the city’s formulation of its current budget last spring, City Manager Ed Zeurcher noted that the Police Department has lost 375 civilian positions since the Great Recession. Of the new positions Council created, 34 of the 75 new civilians are to help the department comply with data reporting

charging protestors as gang members. “A PPD official with supervisory authority over GEU refused, having determined that the investigation was being conducted inappropriately and that it risked doing substantial harm to GEU’s credibility,” Zuercher told Council. Zuercher also cited other “investigative failures” in which “police relied on noncredible evidence wholesale, without critically evaluating the other, directly contradictory information it possessed at the time.” He also said some Police Department officials deliberately contravened established rules and procedures to build the fraudulent case against the protestors, stating “conduct that in and of itself warrants further investigation.” “These findings are taken seriously,” Zuercher said, adding a number of steps – including a shakeup of Police Chief Jeri Williams’ top command – are being taken. The city also has contracted with a company, 21 CP Solutions, to assess two department units, the Downtown Operations Unit and the Tactical Response Unit, to identify “the appropriate reforms to these units.” 21 CP Solutions describes itself as “a diverse, seasoned group of professionals who have helped communities transform the delivery of public safety services” and says it includes educators, police chiefs and other professionals.

see POLICE page 14

to the National Incident-Based Reporting System, 22 would be used for the continuing civilianization of central booking; 15 to improve turnaround time for public records requests and four to manage the early identification and intervention “to proactively identify trends and intervene prior to an employee’s adverse actions.” That last area mainly involves police officers who act in a troubling manner. Noting “many agencies around the country are experiencing the same challenges,” Barton did not indicate what other plans are being made to address the shortage of officers. Nor does he state how the empty positions currently are impacting the department. “We are committed to continuing to expand efforts to recruit, hire and retain employees,” he said. ■

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

Freeway fighter now Tohono O’odham’s top lawyer AFN NEWS STAFF

he Ahwatukee attorney who waged a long and ultimately unsuccessful fight against the Arizona Department of Transportation to stop the South Mountain Freeway from being built has a new job. Howard Shanker last week was appointed attorney general of the Tohono O’odham Nation. “The Nation faces many unique issues in which the Office of Attorney General plays a critically important role,” said Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris, Jr. in a release. “Howard Shanker brings a wealth of experience in Indian law to the position of Attorney General. “His insights and expertise will be of great assistance in upholding the sovereignty of the Nation, protecting our sacred lands and waters, and ensuring the rights of our tribal citizens.” Asked if that meant he is leaving Ahwatukee since the Nation is located close to Tucson, Shanker replied he will “probably be a Tucson resident during the week

environmental/natural resources law and has represented multiple tribes and tribal organizations in tribal, state, and federal courts in Arizona, Wisconsin, Nebraska and other jurisdictions. “ M r . Shanker has also previously served Ahwatukee lawyer Howard Shanker was named the attorney general for as a tribal the Tohono O'odham Nation in southern Arizona. (AFN ﬁle photo) court judge and an Ahwatukee resident on weekends.” and was an adjunct professor at the SanA graduate of Georgetown University dra Day O’Connor School of Law at ASU. Law School, Shanker has been practicing In addition to tribes and tribal interests, Mr. Shanker has, in part, represented enlaw in Arizona since 1993. The Nation’s announcement noted, “He vironmental and civil rights organizations is a recognized expert in Indian law and including the Sierra Club, the Center for

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

Judge stuns Lakes case lawyers with recusal

AFN NEWS STAFF

n unexpected snag stopped the attorney for two homeowners suing the owner of the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course from proceeding with a move to hold him in contempt and have him pay a $500,000 penalty. While lawyers were ready for a twohour hearing before Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Alison Bachus last Wednesday, the judge stunned them by announcing she was recusing herself because one of the plaintiff's witnesses was the best man at her wedding. Attorney Tim Barnes, who represents the homeowners in a suit against course owner Wilson Gee and his company, ALCR, had planned to call golf course architect Gary Panks, who designed the course more than 40 years ago. The Lakes was the first 18-hole executive golf course designed by Panks in a long career that has produced some of the Valley’s and Arizona’s most notable links. “He was the best man in my wedding, so

480-706-7234 ! LD O S

That’s not a river overflowing its banks, but rather water from a lake bed at Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course that surged during recent storms. The issue of the how the lakes control runoff and whether course owner Wilson Gee is required to fill them all is part of the new legal wrangling in the seven-year court fight. (Special to AFN) it doesn’t get much closer to home than that,” Bacchus told the lawyers at the start of the hearing. “I am very disappointed,” she said. “We

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rotation system in Maricopa County Superior Court in which many civil division judges are moved every year to a different assignment. Bachus was inheriting the case from Judge Theodore Campagnolo, who last year imposed a total $3.5 million in sanctions in three stages if Gee doesn’t have the course open by September 2022. Now the case goes back to the civil division’s administrative judge to be reassigned – and it’s unclear when a new jurist will be appointed or when he or she will be able to schedule a hearing on Barnes’ request that the first sanction of $500,000 be levied. Campagnolo also set a $1.5 million sanction if Gee doesn’t begin work by next month and another $2 million if golfers aren’t able to play the Lakes in about 13 months. Gee insists he is complying with the order and that he will have the course ready for play by late this fall, almost a year

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3,807 sf home with 5 bedrooms + loft and 3 bathrooms! Open kitchen family room ﬂoor plan! Rick dark wood cabinetry with granite slab counter tops, extended island, extra deep stainless steel sink and upgraded faucet, eat-in kitchen area, pantry and stainless steel appliances. Gas cooking! Soaring ceilings! Plantation shutters throughout. Hardwood ﬂooring, porcelain tile and upgraded carpet. The enormous master suite is a retreat you won’t want to leave with his and hers vanities, large walk–in shower with custom glass door enclosure, Roman soaking tub and enormous walk–in closet. Large secondary bedrooms! Two bedrooms and one full bathroom downstairs. 2021 exterior paint. Staircase bannister was painted in 2021. Exit the family room to the covered back patio and pool size backyard! Gas hook up in back for a BBQ. R/O and soft water systems. 220v outlet in garage. Nest thermostats and Ring doorbell. 2018 water heater. Dryer has gas and electric hook up.

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Beautifully updated 4 bedroom PLUS LOFT, 2.5 bathroom, 2,344 sf home! Home backs to a sprawling greenbelt! No neighbors behind! Exterior of home freshly painted in July 2021. Kitchen boasts granite slab counter tops, large center island with breakfast bar seating, pantry, and large eat-in kitchen dining area. Gas cooking! Enormous family room! Acardia door exit to the covered back patio and pool-size back yard! Low maintenance landscape in front and back. Large loft makes a great second family room/game room or an ofﬁ ce! The master suite has his and hers walk-in closets, double sinks and separate shower and Roman tub. Secondary bathroom also has double sinks! Good size secondary bedrooms. Ceiling fans and wood blinds throughout. Neutral color 20" porcelain tile in kitchen, bathrooms and downstairs trafﬁ c areas. North/south exposure.

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2021 construction! Home has never been lived in! 2,024 sf 4 bedroom 3 bathroom single level home with open kitchen – great room floor plan. Four bedrooms plus offi ce and three bathrooms. Split master floor plan! Kitchen boasts espresso colored cabinets, granite counter tops, large center island / breakfast bar, Whirlpool stainless steel appliances (gas cooking!) and pantry. Porcelain tile throughout with carpet in bedrooms only. Smart home technology. 14 seer HVAC unit. Large master suite with walk in closet, double sinks and walk in shower. Faux wood blinds throughout. Oversized premium lot with east facing back yard! Backs to a common area; no neighbors immediately behind! Covered back patio and pool size back yard! Low maintenance front and backyard landscaping.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

Proposed final order in Club West Conservancy suit AFN NEWS STAFF

ere are excerpts of Club West Conservancy’s proposed order that Superior Court Judge Joan Sinclair last week indicated she will sign unless The Edge’s motion to intervene in the case requires more hearings. In 1989, UDC-Foothills Limited Partnership caused to be recorded a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for a master planned community known as Foothills Club West in the Official Records of the Maricopa County Recorder (“MCR”) at No. 1989-0337438 (the “Master CC&Rs”). The name of the association formed pursuant to the Master CC&Rs is the “Foothills Club West Community Association.” 2. In 1993, UDC Homes, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, REA Acquisition Corporation (“REA”), caused to be recorded a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions at MCR No. 19930099989 (the “Golf Course Declaration”) for the Foothills Club West Golf Course (the “Golf Course”). 3. In September 2010, Defendant Foothills Club West Community Association (the “Association”), through its thenPresident, Paul Moroz, signed a document

WEST from page 1

from The Edge and starts building on it. Shea Homes still has roughly a month in its due diligence period before deciding whether to close its deal with The Edge. During a sparsely attended regular monthly meeting, Club West board members fielded a homeowner’s questions about how they will react if Shea moves to build houses on the course. That homeowner expressed concern that the board might engage the association in a costly legal fight, saying, “I don’t want thousands of dollars and I don’t want to do a special assessment” to pay for it. She also asked the board if it planned to poll Club West’s 2,600 homeowners before it tried to fight Shea Homes. While one board member said “we’ve never discussed that,” another said the board is “on the sidelines waiting for others to finish.” “There are a bunch of avenues that can be taken or not be taken based on what comes down in the final ruling,” he con-

entitled “Assignment of Declarant Rights,” which was subsequently recorded at MCR No. 2010-0806003. 4. The Assignment of Declarant Rights identifies Shea Homes Limited Partnership (“Shea Homes”) as the successorin-interest to the original Declarant, UDC Homes, and states that Shea Homes “desires to assign to the Association, and the Association desires to accept, all of the rights and obligations of the Declarant” under the Golf Course Declaration.” 6. The only method for allowing the Golf Course to be annexed into the Property subject to the Master CC&Rs is to amend the Master CC&Rs as provided under Section 11.2 which requires a 75% member vote to add or annex property to the Property. 7. The Association has no legal right or authority to accept the Assignment of Declarant’s Rights or to act as the Declarant under the Golf Course Declaration without adhering to Section 11.2 of the Master CC&Rs which requires an amendment, approved by a 75% member vote, to annex the Golf Course property into the Property. 8. The Golf Course property has not been annexed to or become a part of the Property subject to the Master CC&Rs.

tinued, although another board member added, "Quite honestly, it doesn't look good for us right now." One board member also said it may ultimately be up to the owners of homes adjacent to the course to wage a fight against houses on the site. Another cited the Conservancy’s poll last year in which the vast majority of respondents opposed homes and preferred that the site remain in its current condition if it could not be restored as a golf course or turned into a park. That member suggested that because about 800 of Club West’s 2,600 homeowners responded to the poll, the responses might not reflect how the majority of the community feels about the site’s future since about two-thirds of the community did not yet voice an opinion.. “That’s our duty as fiduciaries,” one board member said. “We don’t represent some of the people. We represent all the people…We’re not going to go with a war chest and fight legal battles.” Earlier that day, Superior Court Judge

9. The Association is required to abide by A.R.S. § 33-1804(A), (F) which require that “all meetings of the members’ association and the board of directors, and any regularly scheduled committee meetings, are open to all members of the association… .” Matters which may be heard in an “executive session,” set forth in A.R.S. § 33-1804(A)(1)-(5), are limited to those issues which involve (a) obtaining legal advice, (b) discussing pending or contemplated litigation, (c) discussing personal information relating to an individual member, employee or contractor of the community, or (d) discussing a member’s appeal of a violation, citation or a penalty imposed by the community. 10. None of the authorized subjects for executive sessions include voting or otherwise taking action. … 11. The Defendants failed to comply with the open meeting requirements and violated Arizona law when they voted and took the following acts in Executive Session: A. Executing a document entitled “Assignment of Declarant Rights” recorded at MCR No. 2010-0806003. B. Executing the First Amendment to Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Foothills Club West

Joan Sinclair said she was holding off a final order in the Conservancy’s lawsuit until she had a chance to review a lastminute request by The Edge to intervene. The Conservancy sued the previous Club West HOA board on grounds that it acquired the declarant rights from Shea in violation of the open meetings law and the community’s own master covenants, conditions and restrictions. Superior Court Commissioner Andrew Russell ruled in favor of the Conservancy, but a judge must sign off on the case. The Conservancy submitted a proposed order for Sinclair’s approval months ago, but the board has obtained four extensions of its deadline to submit a counter proposal on how her final ruling should be worded. While its request to intervene does not explain why it waited to seek legal standing in a lawsuit filed more than a year ago, The Edge minced no words on why it feels it should be heard: “The Edge has a significant stake in protecting its development rights and the value of the Property – interests that are not

Golf Course recorded at MCR No. 20180753974. C. Executing the Fifth Amendment to Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Foothills Club West Golf Course recorded at MCR No. 20190534283. Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED: 1. The Assignment of Declarant Rights recorded at MCR No. 2010-0806003 is null and void ab initio. 2. The First Amendment to the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Foothills Club West Golf Course recorded at MCR No. 2018-0753974 is null and void ab initio. 3. The Fifth Amendment to the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Foothills Club West Golf Course recorded at MCR No. 2019-0534283 is null and void ab initio. 4. Shea Homes did not legally effectuate a valid transfer of the Declarant Rights under the Golf Course Declaration to the Association by the Assignment of Declarant Rights recorded at MCR No. 20100806003, and the Association did not become the Declarant under the Golf Course Declaration. ■ being adequately represented by either Plaintiff Club West Conservancy or defendants Foothills Club West Community Association and the individual members of the Association’s Board of Directors.” It noted that while it is in escrow to sell the course to Shea, it also “holds an option to acquire Shea’s” declarant rights. The Edge’s petition also complains that as a result of HOA board elections earlier this year that saw Conservancy members win seats, “these once adversaries became aligned” and “the board and the CWC then teamed to eviscerate” Russell’s ruling. “These and other concerted actions were taken in an attempt to restrict development of The Edge’s property, negate the role of the declarant and interfere with The Edge’s option to acquire the Declarant Rights.” The petition to intervene also recaps The Edge's determination after it bought the site in September 2019 "that the operation of an 18-hole championship course was no longer feasible” and how it worked

see WEST page 14

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WEST from page 12

to present a plan that would restore the course and pay for it by selling three parcels of the site to another homebuilder. The Edge also accuses both the board and the Conservancy of “very active colluding behind the scenes” in an attempt to void the declarant rights altogether. It charges that the HOA board “revealed to its members a proposed stipulated form of judgment bearing no resemblance to” the Conservancy’s originally proposed order settling the lawsuit and that “the parties misstated the court’s ruling and included nonsensical statements to confuse the issue and impair The Edge’s property rights.” Saying the two sides gave homeowners a version of a proposed settlement that contained “the materially misleading and legally ineffectual assertion that Shea validly assigned the declarant rights to the association but the association invalidly accepted them,” The Edge also alleges that the board and the Conservancy have deliberately tried to avoid a conclusion to the case. That way, it says, both sides are “simplistically hoping that if no judgment is entered and the action lays dormant,” the issue of the declarant rights will remain unresolved. “The Edge is intently interested in the outcome of this action and is entitled to participate in proceedings that may result in an impairment of those rights,” its petition states. HOA board members during the Aug. 19 meeting stressed that they cannot interfere with the Edge-Shea deal or they could risk significant personal and association liability. They also stressed that in the current litigation, the board’s legal expenses are covered by the association’s insurance. ■

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

POLICE from page 4

Zuercher noted that the chief “was not informed by her staff of critical decisions” during both investigations and that “she has taken action to re-organize her executive team.” “Chief Williams has been directed to develop a plan for establishing clear protocols to elevate significant issues to the Police Chief without the option to delegate” in certain specific areas. Those areas include deviations from department policy and operations orders, “significant employee misconduct,” and “issues that concern the offices of the City Manager, Mayor and City Council.” She also has been directed to draft new protocols governing the charging of individuals with street gang activity, protecting the First Amendment rights of protestors, and “appropriate oversight” of any efforts by officers with the County Attor-

LAKES from page 9

ahead of time. But Barnes said Gee’s plans do not comply with the original 2018 order by another jurist after he concluded that Gee was out of bounds when he closed the course in 2013. One issue is a dispute between Gee and his lawyer, Daniel Maynard, and Barnes and his clients, Eileen Breslin and Linda Swain over whether he restoring a true 18-hole executive course. Then plaintiffs also are challenging Gee’s plans to not fill all the lakes. Maynard has called Barnes’ motion “premature, groundless and not made in good faith” and has said the only two “lakes” he’s not filling are too small retention ponds. He and Maynard also say the course will

ney on filing charges against protestor. Zuercher also noted that despite Police Department assurances to cooperate with Ballard Spahr in its investigation, on “various occasions documents were either provided weeks or months after Ballard Spahr’s initial requests” and “on other occasions PPD appears to have ignored requests for information altogether.” “PPD provided no explanation whatsoever for such delays,” he told Council. “It has been communicated to Chief Williams that such conduct be addressed and corrected within the department.” County Attorney Allister Adel, who dismissed the charges against the protestors, earlier this month issued a response to a separate investigation of her prosecutors that was conducted by retired Judge Roland Steinle. Steinle also focused on the process by which street gang charges were filed against the protestors and found numer-

have 18 holes, though nine also will be used for a golf school and would be open to normal play when necessary. Barnes characterized Maynard’s response to his contempt request as “only the most recent expression of determination to upend the will of the Ahwatukee homeowners and the orders of the court to restore and operate the previously PGA championship-grade 18-hole executive golf course.” He also vowed to show Bachus evidence that “will reflect the golf course’s current scorched-earth condition” and “present state of utter devastation.” Since Gee closed the course, Barnes contended, “the golf course has continuously deteriorated from, among other things, lack of irrigation, killing not only the grass but virtually all of the literally hundreds of majestic trees lining the freeways.”

ous lapses in procedure and unethical conduct by at least one prosecutor. She noted that among her actions, she has not only suspended that prosecutor but has forwarded the case to the State Bar and has placed one officer on the so-called Brady List, a compilation of police officers whose credibility is so damaged that prosecutors are required to inform defendants that they may not be believable. Adel said she has instituted a number of reforms, including a complete change in the makeup of the unit that sanction charging protestors as gangsters. “In these cases, we made mistakes,” Adel said. “As an agency charged with doing justice, we must be willing to admit this. And, moreover, we must be willing to correct them. Much of our work in this office is holding people accountable for their actions when they do not meet society’s expectations. We must be willing to hold ourselves accountable as well” ■

Maynard earlier had written, “One would think the plaintiffs would be delighted with the progress being made to rebuild the golf course a year ahead of schedule but it is clear they believe…that the court will not believe ALCR and will take this opportunity to sanction it. “Such an action is not justified,” he continued. “This is one of the reasons ALCR has not only met the court’s deadline but exceeded it.” Offering to take the judge on a tour of Cond the site, Maynard said, “The lakes on the Park golf course are actually 4 feet deep reB taining ponds. ALCR intends to fill all of Str the lakes except for the small southwest Ba lake which is a retention area and the Shoulder, kn lake behind the driving range, which has always acted as a spillover for the north- And We are a west lake. This is the current intent but can be modified.” ■

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

Firms can demand vaccinated employees, patrons BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

rivate businesses in Arizona are free to require that their workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 and can make the same demand on customers, Attorney General Mark Brnovich concluded last week. But the attorney general’s 40-page legal opinion said neither of those rights is absolute. In both cases, businesses must provide “reasonable accommodations’’ for those who cannot get vaccinated due to a disability. And they must not discriminate against customers who will not get inoculated due to a sincerely held religious belief. He laid out ways that employers can deal with workers, like staggered schedules. telework assignments and mask requirements. Brnovich, however, had no real answers for how a grocery store, bar, restaurant, retail outlet or even movie theater could meet their burden to provide a reason-

able accommodation, especially as federal law does not require a company to make changes that would “fundamentally alter’’ their services. Press aide Katie Conner said, “It’s not our job to say exactly how they can do it. It’s our job to interpret the law as it’s currently written, not to come up with a policy for them.’’ Strictly speaking, the formal opinion has no force of law like a court ruling. But it can be cited when there is litigation. While Brnovich is providing broad authority to private employers, he is siding with the state and Gov. Doug Ducey, who contend that a state law that takes effect on Sept. 29 precludes governments from imposing vaccine mandates. The conclusions come amid increased public debate about the rights of those who, for whatever reason, have decided not to get the vaccine. These range from arguments about personal liberties to questions about the vaccine’s safety given that it has not been given full approval by the federal Food and Drug Administration but instead is being

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distributed under an “emergency use authorization.’’ Brnovich suggested that he’s not entirely comfortable with his conclusions. “The attorney general ... believes strongly that government should not mandate that citizens relinquish their bodily liberty and undergo vaccination,’’ he wrote. “The law does not always reflect good public policy,’’ Brnovich said. “And our role with respect to an attorney general opinion is to say what the law is, not what it should be.’’ For employees with medical reasons for not getting vaccinated, he said there are accommodations that can be made like “teleworking, masking, social distancing, enhanced sanitation measures, and/or staggered work schedules.’’ He said that is covered under the federal Civil Rights Act which bar discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. That law, in turn, defines “religion’’ to include all aspects of religious observance and practices as well as beliefs. But there is language that provides an “out’’ for employers who can demonstrate BEFORE

an inability to reasonably accommodate a worker’s religious observance or practice “without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer’s business.’’ And it’s even more complicated than that. The leaders of various religious groups, including the Pope and the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have issued statements saying the inoculations do not run afoul of church doctrine. That even includes the fact that some of the vaccines are the result of research on fetal tissue. But Brnovich said their opinions are not the test. “The fact that no religious group espouses such beliefs or the fact that the religious group to which the individual professes to belong may not accept such belief will not determine whether the belief is a religious belief of the employee or prospective employee,’’ he said. Instead, it has to be “measured by the employee’s words and conduct at the time the conflict arose between the belief and the employment requirement.’’ ■

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

MASKS from page 1

mandates. Superintendents in both districts were given authority by their boards months ago to enact any measures they saw fit to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. On Aug. 17, Ducey declared that districts with mask mandates violated state law and that he would withhold Education Plus Up grants. He also said he would make as much as $7,000 available to parents in those districts to send their children to private or parochial schools that had no mask mandates. He also gave districts until Aug. 27 to drop their mandates. On Wednesday, the Biden Administration stepped in with a warning of federal action to stop retaliation against districts with mask mandates. On Thursday, Ducey fired back, calling the Biden Administration’s message “weak and pathetic,” defending his decision to offer extra funding to districts without mask mandates and vowing to settle a feud with the three state universities over their mask mandates “in the courts.” In a letter to Ducey last Wednesday, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said it is a "shared priority" that students be able to return to in-person instruction safely. "Arizona’s actions to block school districts from voluntarily adopting sciencebased strategies for preventing the spread of COVID-19 that are aligned with the

Speaking with reporters last Thursday. Gov. Doug Ducey defended his intention to penalize school districts that don't drop mask mandates by this Friday. (Capitol Media Services) guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts these goals at risk," Cardona said in the letter obtained by Capitol Media Services. In a separate blog post, Cardona left no doubt that this is more than a hollow threat, saying his agency’s Office of Civil Rights may initiate an investigation "if

facts indicate a potential violation of the rights of students as a result of state policies and actions." What makes that important is that Cardona is expanding the scope of what fits under those rules. "We’re expanding that to violations of safety," said Vanessa Harmoush a spokes-

mask policy. Tempe Union Governing Board met Aug. 18 but gave little mention to the reimposed mask mandate. In Mesa Public Schools and Gilbert Public Schools, masks remain optional. Neither district changed their policy in the wake of Superior Court Judge Randall Warner’s ruling of Aug. 16 and their boards never discussed it. On the other hand, both Chandler Unified and Higley Unified governing boards felt it necessary to call special meetings Aug. 19 to consider whether to make masks mandatory. Chandler’s board voted 3-2 to keep masks optional while Higley basically left masks optional after its board president failed to get a second on her motion to make them required. Both Higley and Chandler stood to lose considerably more money than Kyrene or Tempe Union if the governor carries

out his threat to withhold grants aimed at bringing some districts up to $1,800 in per pupil funding. Chandler had at least $11 million at stake while Higley risked losing $8.4 million, according to presentations those districts’ financial directors made to their boards. Higley’s board held an in-person meeting that packed its room with angry parents. The district allowed 31 people to speak and all but seven argued against mandatory masks. Chandler’s board met virtually and did not allow for public comment, though more than 1,200 people watched the meeting online. The furor over mask mandates came as COVID-19 cases surged across the country. Data released Aug. 19 by the county health department show that in Tempe Union, the number of cases per 100,000 people remained unchanged from the previous week at 283 and the percentage of

woman for the agency. “So if a parent or teacher or student feels like they aren’t able to be safe in schools because of certain laws in place, they can file a complaint. We can pursue an investigation and kind of go from there,” she said. "Let me be clear," Cardona said in his blog post. "This department will continue to use every tool in our toolbox to protect the health and safety of students and educators and to maximize in-person learning as the new school year begins." He strongly suggested that use of American Recovery Act dollars to fight mask mandates is not what the law intended. Kyrene spokeswoman Erin Helm released a statement hours after Ducey’s Aug. 17 announcement that said: "In consultation with District legal counsel, Kyrene School District maintains that we are currently in compliance with all State laws and eligible for funding through the Education Plus Up Grant Program.” There was no reaction from Tempe Union, which uses the same counsel as Kyrene. Ducey and press aide C.J. Karamargin brushed aside the Biden administration’s remarks. “What is it about families they don’t trust?” Karamargin said, adding “The last thing we need is some bureaucrat in Washington, D.C., telling Arizona parents what’s best for them.”

see MASKS page22

Area districts reacted differently to mask mandate ruling AFN NEWS STAFF

hile the Kyrene and Tempe Union governing boards months ago gave their superintendents latitude in enacting any virusmitigation measures they saw fit, some East Valley school boards held meetings last week to discuss whether to reimpose mask mandates. But most area boards dodged any discussion of the judge's Aug. 16 ruling that the ban on mask mandates does not become state law until Sept. 29. While neither Kyrene nor Tempe Union boards met to discuss mask mandates last week, Kyrene members pretty much made their feelings known at a meeting the previous week. At that meeting, several board members criticized the Legislature and governor for taking away local control and a board’s right to determine

positive new test results actually dropped from 14.1 to 10.3 percent. Similarly, Kyrene’s cases per 100,000 remained virtually unchanged at 305 while positivity dropped from a “high transmission” level of 12.6 percent to a “substantial transmission” level of 9.3 percent. The department says both Kyrene and Tempe Union are still at a level of high transmission of COVID-19. Higley’s cases per 100,000 soared to 406 while positivity was put at 12 percent, according to the county data, while Chandler Unified was at 328 cases per 100,000 and a 10 percent positivity rate. Some districts that have continued keeping masks optional have seen COVID-19 transmission levels soar to levels not seen in months. That’s particularly true in Queen Creek, where the county reported 541 cases per 100,000 and 16.4 percent positive new test results. ■

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

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Gila River Indian Community – against the South Mountain Freeway. He worked largely without compensation, but took the battle against state and federal highway officials personally, calling the agencies a “bureaucracy run amok.” “We have a system that’s really not geared toward providing justice for people without money – or even a forum for them,” he said in a 2016 interview with AFN. At one point, he was on the hook for more than $300,000, a fine levied by a three-judge panel in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that was furious with him as he represented 12 Northern Arizona tribes fighting the expansion of skiing operations at Snowbowl, a sacred site. That same passion for defending tribes against the incursion on other Native American sacred sites motivated his war against the South Mountain Freeway. For one thing, he said, he believed the freeway constituted a “desecration of sacred sites that impacts thousands of people’s deeply held religious beliefs.” A passionate environmentalist, he also alleged that the freeway jeopardizes the health of thousands of children attending the 17 schools near its path and that the cost was not worth the estimate one minute it would save commuters to and from the West Valley. A native of the New York City borough of the Bronx who grew up in northern New Jersey, Shanker developed a passion for environmental cases soon after he graduated from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. He worked for the U.S. Justice Department and was assigned to represent the federal government in environmental fights. After a while, he went to work for the law firm founded by Thomas Dewey, the man that Harry S. Truman defeated in his run for President. “Most lawyers who do environmental work start out with a real passion for the environment, and then eventually they figure out that the only way to get paid is to work for polluters,” he said with a chuckle. “Some industries want to do the right thing, don’t get me wrong. But I never had a passion to work for them.” He believes environmental cases are very important, telling AFN, “It’s an area of the law that seems to be trodden upon by the government.”

Shanker the 12 northern tribes as well as several environmental groups in a protracted fight against the U.S. Forest Service’s decision to let Snowbowl Resort use reclaimed water to make snow. The Native Americans contended that the San Francisco Peaks are sacred and that sewage water would desecrate the mountain. The environmental groups, for their part, said the government had not determined the health effects on nearby potable water systems. Though a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit ruled in 2007 favor of Shanker, the government and resort company sought a re-hearing from the entire 11-member court. Such a re-hearing “is rarely granted, but the court granted it” in this case, he said. The court ultimately reversed the panel’s decision. But, in the process, issued a ruling that Shanker saw as an opening to start a new fight in federal district court in Flagstaff. Though he lost that fight in the lower court and before a three-judge panel, the three appellate judges went one step further. They determined in 2012 that, by waging the second legal fight, Shanker “has acted in bad faith, vexatiously, wantonly, or for oppressive reasons, delaying or disrupting litigation, or has taken actions in the litigation for an improper purpose.” They ordered him to pay $300,000. “I don’t know how, I don’t know why” the panel ruled that way, he said. “It was a perfectly good suit.” He then filed a complaint “of judicial misconduct against these guys, which went nowhere,” he said. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, Arizona State University law professors, the tribes, and several major environmental groups were outraged by the ruling. They asked the entire 11-member circuit to hear the appeal of the punishment. Then, before the entire court could decide that request, the three-judge panel dropped the levy. Before it was dropped, however, the Arizona State Bar investigated Shanker. As a result, he spent thousands of dollars on a lawyer to represent him in the proceedings. It all left an indelible impact on Shanker. “I’m pretty cynical about the credibility of the American judicial process,” he said. ■

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

Council to vote $6.2M 48th Street widening project AFN NEWS STAFF

hoenix City Council was to vote today, Aug. 25, on a contract totaling nearly $6.3 million to widen 48th Street from Baseline Road to South Pointe Parkway. The project, which is expected to begin this fall, will largely focus on the west side of the busy road, with new curbs, gutters and sidewalks along the length of the project and a new traffic signal. The project also will designate 48th Street as a public right-of-way since up to now it has been a private road that was created by developers of an adjacent office park. It is unclear why it never was dedicated to the city. The city has made an agreement with Charles Schwab & Co. and the Pointe South Mountain Business Park Association to upgrade it and make that segment a public street. According to an administration memo to City Council, the initial cost of the project was estimated at a little over $5 million. But now FNF Construction, which is getting the contract, will be getting an additional $1.3 million and more time to complete the work. Initially the city said the project would take 200 work days but that time has been more than doubled to 425 days, documents show.

MASKS from page 18

He also said, “We are confident” that Ducey’s plan to distribute the COVID relief program funds “aligns with federal guidance.” “These are discretionary funds," Karamargin said. “This is the date that we believe will give districts time to get into compliance with state law." Karamargin also rejected the idea that the governor has no authority to expand who is eligible for what are formally known as “empowerment scholarship accounts."

Geowts? N

The 48th Street widening project will largely involve the road’s west side, where new gutters, curbs, a bike land and sidewalk will be built between Baseline Road and South Pointe Parkway. (City of Phoenix)

“The additional fee for services included in this amendment will not exceed $1.2 million,” the memo said, though it does not precisely spell out the reasons for the increased cost or time for the project. The city is still negotiating for acquisition of rights of way needed to complete the project. “FNF Construction, Inc. will be responsible for construction means and methods related to the project and fulfilling

“Do you have some indication he doesn’t have the authority?" he responded. And Karamargin said that he needs no legislative permission given these aren’t state dollars subject to appropriation. “These are American Rescue Act funds," he said. “They are funds made available to Arizona for the governor to use as he sees fit." Joe Thomas, president of the Arizona Education Association, called the Ducey’s moves “surprising and disappointing." “The governor never wastes an opportunity to spend more money on private school vouchers and seemingly take it

the Small Business Enterprise program requirements,” the memo said, indicating that as the general contractor, the company “will be required to solicit bids from pre-qualified subcontractors and to perform the work using the City’s subcontractor selection process.” “FNF Construction, Inc. may also compete to self-perform limited amounts of work,” the memo adds. It also said that while FNF Construction

away from public schools," he said. And Thomas said the moves “incentivize putting students in danger." And House Democratic Leader Reginald Bolding slammed what he called “Ducey’s announcements today to essentially bribe school districts with additional funding if they don’t join the growing list of districts opting to protect students and staff by requiring masks on campus, and unilaterally expanding private school vouchers, an idea that has failed at the ballot box and at the Legislature this past session.” Chris Kotterman, attorney for the Arizona

and the city can negotiate a longer time for completing the work, “no additional changes may be executed after the end of the term.” The memo said the extra money will come from the Street Transportation Department’s capital budget. Street Department officials have conceded the work might be an additional hassle for Ahwatukee motorists who try to use 48th Street to dodge disruptions on I-10 caused by the three-year Broadway Curve project. But spokeswoman Heather Murphy told AFN, “We will do our level best to minimize the inconvenience to drivers especially knowing that the Broadway Curve project is going to be underway in some of the same timeline.” “Unlike a reconstruction project where you’re actively doing work in all the intersections and stuff like that, this is a widening project,” Murphy said. “So there are not at this moment any anticipated plans for full closures. There will be a traffic control plan established by the contractor that gets the job,” she noted, adding: “We will carefully view that traffic control plan, as we do all of them because we have competing priorities and the Broadway Curve project is, of course, a major project that is going to be disruptive to probably all our lives.” ■

School Boards Association, said those federal dollars are intended for COVID relief. "So, basically, he’s saying ‘If you’re doing these things that are recommended to prevent the spread of COVID and your kid’s going to that school, here’s $7,000 of federal COVID-relief money to send your kid to a place where that’s not happening,’" Kotterman said. Save Our Schools called Ducey's threat an effort to "capitalize on a global pandemic to promote his long-standing agenda to divert public dollars to private pockets" and part of "his extreme agenda to expand private school vouchers." ■

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

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

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PAD Impacts Everyday Living PHOENIX –The need to stop and rest after walking a short distance because of a leg cramps, numbness in the feet or leg pain could be more than normal aging or adjusting to increased activity. While the inclination may be to think it’s just part of getting older, these symptoms may be caused by vascular insufficiency. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is one of those conditions that is sometimes easy to dismiss. “If you find yourself needing to rest because your leg cramps when you walk even a short distance, or at night you need to stand up to relieve a cramp in your foot, that’s your legs and feet telling you they need help,” says Dr. Joel Rainwater, chief medical officer of Comprehensive Integrated Care (CiC). “PAD is often called the silent killer because you may have it and not even know,” says Rainwater. Its diagnosis is often delayed and not identified until it has progressed.

build-up occurs gradually and hardens into plaque inside the artery restricting blood flow. Without an adequate blood supply, the body can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to maintain healthy legs and feet. “It’s not normal to have difficulty walking to your mailbox, it’s not normal to have constant leg pain or cramping,” says Rainwater. It’s also interesting to note, that the symptoms of PAD and neuropathy are very similar. They include difficulty walking without taking a break, burning, tingling, numbness and/or pain. “When I see a patient who has been told they have neuropathy and they’ve been maximized on medication that’s not working, I know there may be something else causing it and one of the big, notorious offenders in that scenario is PAD,” says Rainwater. PAD is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries. This

“This is something we can fix,” explains Rainwater. “The good news about PAD, is that there’s hope. There is treatment and it’s excellent, it’s been one of the biggest success stories in all of medicine.” Patients are able to get back on their feet and everyday living with almost no downtime, no stitches and no overnight hospital stay. Medicare as well as most insurance plans will cover treatment. “I’m here to tell patients that there are options, all they have to do is ask. They might have to ask a different doctor, but they don’t have to live with the idea that they’re going to suffer for the rest of their life,” says Rainwater. His best advice, “Go look for answers.”

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Heel Pain Is on The Rise Restaurants are busy, baseball stadiums are welcoming fans, and this summer is slated to be one of the busiest travel seasons ever. “Getting back to a normal lifestyle can be a shock to your feet,” says Dr. Kerry Zang, podiatric medical director of CiC Foot & Ankle. More than two million Americans suffer from plantar fasciitis, a sharp, stabbing, sometimes burning pain in the heel or arch of the foot. It’s anticipated this number will rise as activity levels increase. It typically hurts when first getting up, may lessen after a few steps but always returns. In the past, a cortisone injection was given. “Cortisone manages the pain, but it doesn’t address what’s causing the pain,” says Zang. Now, new treatment options focus on resolving the condition, not just the treating the symptoms. “Regenerative medicine is one of the most promising ways to deal with pain, because it triggers the body to heal,” he explains. “One form is prolotherapy, which tricks the body into thinking it was injured and starts the healing process.” The FDA recently approved cold laser therapy for plantar fasciitis. “Laser treatment helps reduce pain, increase circulation and attracts the patient’s own growth factors to the area, all of which promote healing,” says Zang. If left untreated pain can become chronic, but the good news is there are still options. “Growth factor therapy jump starts and maintains regeneration of new tissues,” says Zang. “It’s all about healing.”

AUGUST 25, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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Esperanza Lutheran’s new pastor settling in BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

ecoming a new pastor of a church during a pandemic has its challenges. Just ask Dr. Annemarie Burke, who was called to be the minister at Esperanza Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee on Dec. 12. She became the fifth pastor at the 32-year-old church, 2601 E. Thunderhill Place, replacing Pastor Steve Hammer, who served for 22 years before retiring in 2019. Interim pastors had been filling in since. Taking the pastoral reins in January during a major surge in the virus made it “very difficult to get to know people,” admitted Pastor Burke, who prefers the more casual title Pastor Annemarie. “It was a big challenge coming in to serve a congregation in the height of the

pandemic. Normally when a pastor begins serving a congregation in the first few days, the big questions don’t include, ‘When should we start worshiping inperson and how can we do it outside?’ Since we weren’t all gathering together in one place on Sundays, and many are still worshiping from home with our online worship, I’ve tried to be really intentional about getting to know the people.” Part of her focused strategy included launching small group gatherings. “I started by gathering small groups of four or six people or so, sitting outside and getting acquainted,” she said. “A lovely blessing that came out of that is that a lot of members got to know each other better in the process too. It was fun seeing surprise on people’s faces and hearing them say, ‘Hey, I never knew that

�ee PASTOR page 28

Dr. Annemarie Burke became Esperanza Lutheran Church’s new pastor last December. (Pablo Robles/ AFN Staff Photographer)

Ahwatukee women’s club offers fun, camaraderie BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA AFN Contributor

tacy Smith of Ahwatukee is a busy wife and mother of two teenage boys who is employed full-time and once in a while appreciates an evening out with friends. One of her favorites is Bunco Night hosted by Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club. Julie Hubbard, a Club West resident of 23 years retired from a banking career, enjoys time socializing with other women in the community. Among her favorite getaways are events hosted by the Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club. With a plethora of members, the 3-year-old social club has survived the COVID-19 shutdown. Now, it is welcoming local women again to various monthly events and hopefully at an upcoming special function this fall.

Diane Hedger, Marie Sousa, Kari Infantino and Carrie Chipman play a game of bunco at the Tuk Urban Café in Ahwatukee. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) Jean Moore and Lori Battista head the group that is thriving since the club reopened for in-person gatherings. Though other founders have moved or left the

group, Moore and Battista, with the help of volunteers, help to organize and run the events that run the gambit from happy hours to bunco, movie outings to concerts

and more. There is no membership fee, and Ahwatukee women interested in joining are asked to fill out a questionnaire. A two-question questionnaire. It asks for the prospective member’s ZIP code, and after stating “We want to have a FUN, SOCIAL group, free from ads” asks if the person agrees not to advertise on its site and agrees to “no politics or profanity” online or in-person. “I think if you were to sum this group up in two words it would be ‘friendly’ and ‘fun,’” said Moore, an artist and former marketing exec who chaired Arizona’s Race for the Cure in 2005, raising more than $1 million and setting a still-unbroken record for the most entrants. Asked if she held an office in the Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club, she laughed and then replied, “No, I’m just a person.”

�ee CLUB page 27

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Ahwatukee Kiwanis baby shower needs donations of all kinds

The Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee is hoping the community will open its hearts to support the group’s annual baby shower benefitting Teen Moms in foster care and parenting teens from Tempe Union’s Compadre Teen Parenting Program. Each of these young moms will receive a basket of new items based on information received ahead of time with each baby’s gender, age and clothing size. They will be able to “shop” for free for gently used clothing and necessities for their babies. For moms who are not able to attend the event, clothing and necessities will be chosen for them by volunteers. All the gifts of new and used items will be delivered to them at the group homes or school. “These young women are alone in their pregnancy and parenting experience without family and friends to support them,” Kiwanis member Andi Pettyjohn said. “They can use our help to make it easier for them to ‘beat the odds’ in this hard life.” Donations will also be given to moms in crisis at The Phoenix Dream Center, UMOM, Tumbleweed and other shelters. Foster parents who are fostering babies will also

benefit from donations. Monetary donations can be made by mailing a check to PO Box 50596, Phoenix, AZ 85076 or on the Kiwanis website ahwatukeekiwanis.org People can shop from a gift list as well at amazon. com/baby-reg/3K5BWAZABFIII. By default, they will be delivered to a volunteer’s house so donors don’t need to worry about delivering them or dropping them off anywhere. The following new or gently used items are needed: baby clothing sizes newborn to 5T, strollers, socks, diapers, car seats, shoes, toys, sippy cups, baby blankets. Items can be dropped off at: • Ahwatukee Swim & Tennis Center, 4700 E. Warner Road; • Bartoli’s Cleaners, next to Target on Ray Road; • Learn N Play, 15626 S. 42nd St.; • Triple R Childcare, 4510 Ray Road; • Vision Community Management, 16625 S. Desert Foothills Pkwy.; • US West Realty, 4505 E. Chandler Blvd.; • God’s Garden at Horizon Presbyterian, 1401 Liberty Lane; • Primrose Preschool, 3922 ER. Chandler Blvd.; Ahwatukee

• Foothills Montessori, 3221 E. Chandler Blvd.; • Tutor Time, 15365 S. 48th St. Information: Andi Pettyjohn, 602-402-6267 or andi@ wttaz.com

Petition signing for protection of rights slated in Ahwatukee A petition signing effort to protect voting rights and public education funding is being held in Ahwatukee. Locations include: 7-10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the Nosh Cafe, 4855 E. Warner Road; 9-11 a.m. Saturdays at Ironwood Library, 4333 E. Chandler Blvd; And, 8-11 a.m. Sundays at the Ahwatukee Farmers Market, 4700 Warner Road.

I-10 project hassles will continue this weekend in eastbound lanes

State Route 143. Other ramp closures include: The southbound I-17 on-ramps at Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue; the eastbound I-10 on-ramps at Third, Seventh and Jefferson streets; McDowell, Buckeye and Broadway roads; and 24th, 32nd and 40th streets; and the southbound SR 143 on-ramp at University Drive. At least a 16-mile detour is in store for motorists who want to get around the closure and then get back on I-10. Drivers on eastbound I-10 will exit onto eastbound Red Mountain Freeway, take southbound Loop 101 Price Freeway, connect to US60 West, then connect with I-10. Airport traffic from southbound I-17 will have to exit at 16th Street, turn left, continue north and turn right at Buckeye Road, then follow signage. Other drivers can use the airport exits from westbound I-10, such as Buckeye Road; eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway); or SR 143, and allow extra time. ■

Get ready for another weekend of hassles on I-10 from 10 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. as crews continue removing asphalt for the big I-10 Broadway Curve Project. This time, eastbound I-10 will be closed between SR 51 and US 60 and with it multiple ramps to eastbound I-10 will be closed, including from southbound SR 51, westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway), southbound I-17 and southbound

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AUGUST 25, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

CLUB from page 25

An Ahwatukee resident since 1986, Moore is proud of the organization and its growth, especially since reopening post-pandemic. “The group really started blossoming after the pandemic, and we’re so glad to see people return to socializing. There are many fine clubs and groups of women in Ahwatukee, but I think our group is farreaching and encompassing,” she said. “There is a joy in seeing others gather in friendship and support for each other. “Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club focuses on bringing local people together,” she continued. “We represent single, retired, divorced, stay-at-home, and working women. We come from 30 states, four countries and we bring it all together right here in Ahwatukee.” Battista and her husband emigrated from Atlanta in 2018 to be available for the birth of her first grandchild. She discovered Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club online while caring for her new granddaughter and found getting together with women a welcome opportunity to make new friends. Now the grandmother of a boy as well, she found she had more time as they grew older. “My grandbabies are now in preschool and daycare, and I found myself looking for things to do. The Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club was the perfect place for me. I love getting together with the ladies. We have so much fun,” she said. “I enjoy our bunco nights; I’d never played before joining and I won my first night playing.” Bunco is a dice game. She started planning bimonthly happy hour events, always selecting local restaurants. “We love to support our local Ahwatukee businesses,” she enthused. “We have so many great events that we are planning. Any woman who lives in Ahwatukee and would like to meet a great group of ladies are encouraged to please join us for one of our events. We’d love to have you!” Before the pandemic, the Ahwatukee Women’s Social Group had planned a big Kentucky Derby Party, but COVID-19 shut that down, as did the 2020 Derby itself. Now the group is readying another large event, this time a fashion show with members as models and utilizing members’ own retail clothing and jewelry businesses. Slated for Saturday, Oct. 23, this event

ear or advice, they are there,” said Smith. “There’s a wide diversity so no one should feel left out - widows to married couples to single or single parents. The age range is nice too. I have brought people before and they had fun and felt welcomed.” The Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club has more information on the Facebook site. ■

GOT NEWS? Laurel Niska gets into a game of bunco at the TUK during a gathering of members of the Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) will have a nominal charge with all proceeds going to one or more local charities. “We’re just starting to put this together, and we hope to get at least 100 women to attend to have fun and aid a local charity,” said Moore. “Like our Bunco night, this will be held at the TUK Urban Cafe. This is a fantastic two-story venue with indoor and outdoor space.” Their Bunco Night is held the third Wednesday of each month beginning at 7 p.m. and has proved to be wildly popular among area women. A $5 entry fee is assessed for the players, but even non-players are invited to attend and enjoy food and libations. The TUK is located at 15815 S. 50th Street. The Ahwatukee Women’s Social Club garners kudos from members, old and new. Julie Hubbard joined shortly after the organization started, but says she has become more active with the club since the pandemic eased. “I’ve become much more active in its post-COVID reawakening. I retired at the beginning of 2021 and was looking for more activities and social outings as my kids are grown up and my husband is more of a homebody,” said Hubbard, who recently organized a club outing to the Chandler Center for the Arts. “I’ve enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends in a fun and welcoming setting.” Stacy Smith, a 12-year Ahwatukee resident, is one of the original members. “I joined primarily for Bunco because it’s a fun game and I can still socialize,” said Smith, who is employed at Desert Shores Dentistry in Ahwatukee. “I always love seeing old faces and meeting new

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

ones. I’ve met some amazing women that I can call my friends.” She said she appreciates the diversity of the group. Although all members reside in Ahwatukee, some come from other countries like India, Eastern Europe and Puerto Rico. “The women in this group are so friendly and welcoming. I feel we can open up about our problems and if we just need an

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PASTOR from page 25

about you!’ “Another blessing has been that this pandemic forced us to up our online presence, and now we’re talking about how we can reach out to the community in new ways, ministering both in-person and online. I’m excited to see where God will be leading us in that.” Prior to being called as the pastor, Burke had conducted three Zoom meet-andgreet receptions so she and the congregation could get to know each other better. Burke is no stranger to Ahwatukee, having done a stint as associate pastor at Mountain View Lutheran Church. Prior to joining Esperanza, she served as an interim pastor at Central Lutheran Church in Casa Grande and another congregation in Arizona City. She also has served as a pastor in three other states. A Tucson native, she grew up in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, where her father sang in the choir and her mother played organ. The summer after her high school freshman year, Burke joined with other church teens on a mission trip to House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Rock Point, Arizona, a Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission. “I just fell in love with the cross-cultural ministry,” she said, adding that she continued going every summer. After entering the University of Arizona to earn a degree in anthropology focusing on cultural and linguistic studies, she served as an adult team member. After graduating, Burke said she started considering ways in which she could continue to serve God and make a difference in the world. She learned about Wycliffe Bible Translators from a friend at church who had just received an invitation to a Tucson

Dr. Annemarie Burke had to cut short a mission to Tan\zania when she caught a rare form of malaria. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff Photographer) event. Unlike most countries, at that time, Wycliffe didn’t have an in-country office in Mexico. “I went and I felt they were talking directly to me,” said Burke. “I said I was willing to go wherever they needed me. Being born and raised in Tucson, I had a little bit of Spanish and thought I’d be sent to a Spanish-speaking country, but only two places were open – Malaysia and Tanzania. She chose Tanzania. She was 28 and had served for 18 months before contracting Malaria. She said she tried to recuperate there, but the strain of malaria she had didn’t respond to medication, and so she had to end her term early and come home to fully recuperate. “I decided not to go back, but wait and see what was next for me,” she recalled. “I knew I wanted to continue serving God some way.” She reminisced that one Sunday after church, her pastor asked if she had con-

sidered entering the ministry. “I did the classic Hollywood double take and said, ‘Who? Me?!’ I actually laughed at the suggestion. But I came back later to talk about it.” In 2005, she received her master of divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul Minnesota. She said there are many positive traits she discovered about Esperanza that helped her accept the congregation’s offer to become its spiritual leader. “I felt called to Esperanza for many reasons, one of which was their deep love of serving the community. They have a long history with Feed My Starving Children and really dedicated involvement with Habitat for Humanity. We’re excited about a new build they’re starting soon in Tempe,” Burke said. “I also very much appreciated the way they state their welcome of people of all genders, orientations, situations in life, colors and cultures, and believers, questioners, and

questioning believers. An upcoming event at Esperanza Lutheran Church is the annual Trivia Night benefitting the church’s Children of Hope Preschool/ Child Development Center. For Lynn Hockenberger, who has been with the school since it opened in 2007 and has served as director since 2009, it is a joy to host the event once again. The fundraiser is one of only three held yearly. “Trivia Night is our annual fundraiser that hasn’t happened in a few years due to the COVID pandemic. We’re very happy to be hosting it again this year,” said Hockenberger. “It is designed as a fundraiser where parents can not only get to know one another at a really fun event, but can also help the school, as proceeds go towards campus improvements. Folks who attend really love it and often come back as alumni.” Burke is the fifth to lead Esperanza Lutheran Church that was founded by Pastor David Risendal, and followed by Pastor Jeff Ruby, Pastor Pam Challis and Pastor Steve Hammer. “Esperanza” is the Spanish word for hope. The church, organized in 1989, opened their worship center at 2601 E. Thunderhill Place off E. Chandler Blvd. in September 1994. Their two-story education center was added in 2000.

Esperanza fundraiser this weekend

Trivia Night, 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, costs $25 per person and includes a barbeque dinner. Attendance is limited, and pre-registration is necessary. The community is also invited to attend.

For information about the event, church or preschool/child dev. center Children of Hope, MyEsperanza.org ■

AUGUST 25, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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Zoning process begins for old Clarion Hotel site AFN NEWS STAFF

ven as recently as 2015, the Clarion Hotel near 51st Street and Elliott Road in Ahwatukee offered a popular meeting place for the Ahwatukee Republican Women, the Ahwatukee Tea Party Chapter and an assortment of business groups. Doug Ducey spoke there in 2014 in his run for his �irst term as governor. Hotel management around that time boasted of install of 100 solar panels on the 34-year-old building’s roof so that all power and water heating would be provided by a more sustainable power source. But the Clarion fell on hard times, victim to shinier, newer competitors that offered more amenities at comparable prices. Then came the pandemic-driven plummet in travel and The Clarion Ahwatukee was toast. Now, it’s being converted into something else and attorney Larry Lazarus wants neighbors who live in the vicinity of the hotel at 5121 E. La Puente Avenue to know what it’s not going to be. It will not offer temporary shelter to migrants awaiting disposition of their requests for asylum. And it will not be a Section 8 apartment building. What the 188-room hotel will be offering are “110 multi-family units which will provide much needed, additional rental housing opportunities within the city of Phoenix,” he told neighbors. Owned by Quinn Holdings LLC, the complex will be named The Quinn Ahwatukee and while it will offer two- and three-bedroom units, Lazarus said, “90 percent will be one-bedroom.” Lazarus will be leading the effort by the owners to secure zoning changes for the property, beginning with a virtual meeting with neighbors on Sept. 14, then eventually this fall going before the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee for a recommendation to the city Planning Commission, which then will

The old Clarion Hotel in Ahwatukee is being remodeled into a swank apartment complex for young professionals. (AFN file photo) make a recommendation to City Council. Lazarus said he’s hoping to near completion of that bureaucratic process by the end of the year. The zoning changes he is requesting are for both density and height. The 188-unit four-story hotel consists of six buildings and 179 parking spaces on just under 3 acres of land with an ad-

ditional 3.4-acre parcel next to it. The sale price equaled just under $2.4 million per acre and $42,553 per unit, according to Valley real estate transaction tracker vizzda.com. That price is a lot higher than the last time the hotel was sold. Vizzda records show that in 2013, a couple and a woman bought the hotel,

The site of the planned Quinn Ahwatukee apartment complex is on E. La Puente Avenue.

(City of Phoenix)

then a Quality Inn, for $3.23 million. Lazarus said the density variance is because the current zoning would only allow for 98 apartment units. The height is more of a paperwork change, and the owners are not making the building any higher but merely getting approval for it to conform with existing zoning codes. Quinn Holdings is related to HARC Holdings whose owners, Jay Chernikoff and Josh Wertlieb, have as mottos for their company “real estate reimagined” and “rede�ining rental apartments one hotel at a time.” Their company also describes its mission as “�inding the highest and best use for underutilized hotel properties.” “We reuse functional space and reimagine the footprint for a greater purpose,” it continues. “We focus our business on growing markets that have seen their supply of affordable apartments diminish over the past few years due to increased populations, rising rents and gentri�ication. Our units are fully renovated and present a great solution for renters looking for quality in�ill product that still �its within their budget.” They’re reimagining have two other properties they are converting into apartment complexes. HARC lists another hotel on the southwest corner of Priest Drive and W. Baseline Road, Tempe, as another of its complexes under renovation that will be called The Merlino. One former hotel on Thomas Road is now called The Woods and is leasing one, two and three-bedroom apartments that boast, according to an ad: “high end upgrades with modern �inishes. Interior boasts exposed red brick accent walls and a modern NY vibe. “Kitchen is out�itted with quartz counters, generous cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances with a side by side fridge. Well-proportioned bedrooms come with individual closet and ceiling fans. Other

�� HOTEL �� 31

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AUGUST 25, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

529 plans have many education-related uses BY JOSEPH ORTIZ AFN Guest Writer

If you’ve heard of 529 plans, you might think they can only be used to help pay for college. And you wouldn’t be alone: Less than one-third of adults properly identi�ied that a 529 plan can be used for more than just higher education, according to a survey by Morning Consult and Edward Jones. But what are these other expenses? Before we get to them, let’s review the main bene�its of 529 plans. Contribution limits are high and earnings can grow tax-free if withdrawals are used for quali�ied education expenses such as tuition and room and board. Withdrawals for nonquali�ied distributions are subject to taxes and a 10 percent penalty on the earnings portion. Plus, as the account owner, you maintain control of the plan, so you can switch bene�icia-

HOTEL �� 30

upgrades include vinyl wood �looring, subway tile shower wall, and stackable washer/dryer in units.” For anyone who has heard rumors that it will cater to less desirable tenants, consider this: applicants for a place at The Woods must have a pre-tax monthly income that is three times the rent. Wertlieb in an earlier interview said he’s eyeing young professionals facing the same kind of low inventory among rental units in the Valley that homebuyers are confronting in the re-sale and new-build markets. “It’s contemporary market rate apartments. It’s no Section 8. It is no migrants. It is not stuff like that,” said Wertlieb, who, with Jay Chernikoff, owns HARC Holdings. “We think it’s a handsome building in a good location where people want to live,”

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ries to another quali�ied family member, if necessary. Now, let’s consider the other uses of 529 plans, which have been made possible by various pieces of legislation over the past few years: Student loan repayments. The average amount of student loan debt per borrower is well over $32,000, according to the Federal Reserve. So, many people welcomed the news that 529 plans could be used to repay student loans. There’s an aggregate lifetime limit of $10,000 in quali�ied student loan repayments per 529 plan bene�iciary, plus $10,000 for each of the bene�iciary’s siblings. Being able to use 529 plans to repay student loans gives you some �lexibility if your family members have excess balances in their accounts. K-12 expenses. A 529 plan can now be used to pay up to $10,000 per year in tuition expenses at private, public and religious elementary and secondary schools. This amount is per student, not per account.

Wertlieb said. “And we think rather than an old run-down Quality Inn, it’s best served by being apartments for young professionals.” Harc Holdings’ two partners are no rookies when it comes to converting hotels into apartment complexes. Wertlieb, who lives in Phoenix, “has made a career out of �inding value in a multitude of asset classes,” according to the company’s website. “He began his career running two successful �ine wine wholesale �irms and was widely recognized as an expert in old and rare wines. His work included authentication services for the US Marshals Service in a high-pro�ile counterfeiting case.” Chernikoff, a Scottsdale resident and notable philanthropist, “has 15 years of experience as an owner and operator of commercial real estate in the Phoenix area,” HARC Holdings website states. ■

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However, not all states allow 529 plans to be used for K-12 expenses – or to be technical, some states consider K-12 tuition to be a nonquali�ied 529 plan expense, which means the earnings portion of a 529 plan is subject to state income taxes and possibly a “recapture” of other state income tax breaks connected with 529 plan withdrawals. So, make sure you understand your state’s rules on K-12 expenses before taking money out of your 529 plan. Apprenticeships. Not every child wants or needs to attend a college or university. And now, 529 funds can be used to pay for apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. These types of programs, which combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, are offered at community colleges and trade schools. Once students complete their apprenticeships, they often go on to well-paying careers in a variety of �ields. And since these types of programs are

typically far less expensive than a fouryear college degree, a 529 plan can have a particularly long reach. The tax treatment of 529 plans for all these expenses can vary from state to state, so, if you move to another state after you’ve established your plan, you’ll want to know the rules. Even if you don’t move, it’s still a good idea to consult with your tax advisor about how 529 plan withdrawals will be treated. Nonetheless, a 529 plan could be valuable to you in many ways. Consider how you might want to put it to work for you and your family. Joseph Ortiz is a �inancial planner for Edward Jones. Reach him at 480-753-7664 or joseph.ortiz@edwardjones.com. Joe will resume his coffee clubs on the last Thursday of every month. His next is 10-11 a.m. Aug. 26 at the Four Points Sheraton Inn 10831 S. 51st St., Ahwatukee. At this month’s he will discuss current market conditions. ■

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AUGUST 25, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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Reckless Medicare expansion threatens us all BY DEANNA JORDAN AFN Guest Writer

ealth care is one of the most pressing policy concerns facing Arizona’s businesses, residents, and communities. As Congress continues to debate this issue, Arizona’s entire business community is watching and hoping our elected of�icials in Washington will avoid pursuing costly, unrealistic proposals that will create new �inancial burdens for Arizona businesses while undermining access for vulnerable communities. Unfortunately, that is precisely what some of the government-controlled health care proposals being considered today would do. From reckless and unsustainable expansion of Medicare to the public option, these kinds of government-run health insurance systems could disrupt our en-

tire health care system, hurting Arizona’s seniors, disadvantaged communities, and the strength of our entire economy. There is no doubt that Medicare is a critical program, but it is also one that is already in dire �inancial straits. Both the Congressional Budget Of�ice and Medicare’s own trustees have signaled that one part of the program – the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, which pays out Part A bene�its – will be bankrupt in just �ive years. Pumping millions of new bene�iciaries into the program will almost assuredly accelerate that projection. That’s why the concept of Medicare expansion is particularly worrisome for Arizona’s seniors, millions of whom rely on Medicare to access the care and services they need. If the program is expanded so drastically to cover millions of new, younger Americans, it is likely to impact access,

waiting times, and costs for existing enrollees – and not for the better. That seems like an unreasonable price for millions of seniors who have paid into Medicare over their entire working lives to have to pay. Other proposals like the public option could pose their own set of threats to vulnerable communities across the state and nationwide. According to a recent study, the public option could create tremendous �inancial challenges for local health care providers, particularly in the American Southwest, including Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. The study found that total losses to hospitals in these three states alone would exceed $18 million annually. Given that many of these health care facilities operate on extremely thin margins, these losses could undermine their ability to keep their doors open, threatening access to quality, affordable care for entire communities.

Of course, we need to do more to improve health care in America – and that is why Arizona businesses strive to provide �lexible, comprehensive health care coverage options for their employees. However, a public option could undermine these efforts by pushing private and employer-sponsored plans out of the marketplace altogether, leaving fewer options, less choice, and higher premiums for those with private plans. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema knows what is best for Arizona’s businesses, residents, and communities. She should work with her colleagues to craft more practical, pragmatic policy solutions that will actually improve health care rather than derail it for millions of vulnerable Americans.

As a kindergarten teacher with Primavera Online School, and a longtime online educator, I have seen the success. I know �irsthand that online education works well when schools couple a rigorous curriculum with live classes and supplemental activities. Students as early as kindergarten can and do thrive. Patience is the key to ensuring your home fosters a productive learning environment for your children. This will be new for you, and for them. There is a learning curve, so take your time, and know that you will hit your stride. It is crucial for young learners to dig deep and think. We call this “productive struggle.” By allowing children to �ind the answers themselves, you allow them to build self-ef�icacy and con�idence. In fact, a new study published in the journal Child Development found that jumping

in and completing a task that a child is working on, can sti�le perseverance and cause them to persist less in the future. To make sure your children receive the full learning experience, it is important to create a literacy-rich environment at home. Similar to a classroom setting, this environment should include lots of words and written text. This can be in the form of books, magazines, even cereal boxes provide reading material. It is also bene�icial to have a word wall, and hang up charts and graphics that reinforce lesson concepts. I highly encourage parents to communicate and consistently reach out to their child’s teacher, so they can work together in creating that literacy-rich environment at home. At Primavera, we partner with parents to create a schooling-at-home environment that promotes healthy learning habits.

In an online school environment, it is important for parents to work closely with their certi�ied teachers to create an individualized learning experience. This allows kids to work at their own pace and discover the resources and tools that best �it their speci�ic needs. It also gives parents the opportunity to become more involved in their child’s education, which often results in better school performance and mental health. Before the pandemic, online education might not have been a �irst choice for parents with young children, but now that we have seen the bene�its of an individualized learning style, it’s clear that online education for young learners can be successful, if it is done correctly.

DeAnna Jordan is the former board chair and executive director of the Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.■

Online learning works when done right BY KIMBERLY YOUNG Guest Writer

n the wake of the pandemic, many families are looking toward the 2021-2022 school year with a choice they’ve never really pondered before: “Is online learning the right option for my child?” The reality is, COVID-19 has forced educators to reevaluate the typical learning environment for students amid an era of heightened health concerns. Schools have had no choice but to turn to remote learning, which became a life vest for this generation of students while the pandemic brought everything else to a halt. As a result of this new era of education, many teachers and families discovered that online education can be a good �it for student success, if done right – emphasis on “right.”

Kimberly Young, M.Ed, is a kindergarten teacher at Primavera Online Elementary School in Chandler. ■

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

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Fall Preview: Thunder volleyball hopes for success Desert Vista will begin its season Aug. 31 against Mesa.

BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

udra Slemmer still vividly remembers her final high school volleyball match. A senior for Mountain Pointe at the time, her final game came against rival Desert Vista and then-head coach Molly West. Slemmer and the Pride lost the match on the Thunder’s home court. Slemmer was hurt by the loss, which was reasonable given how heated the rivalry between the two Ahwatukee schools has always been. But she’s always had an incredible amount of respect for West and the Desert Vista program. That’s why when West announced she would retire after 26 years leading the Thunder, Slemmer immediately put her name in for consideration. Now on the same floor she saw her high school volleyball career come to an end, she hopes to find success leading her former rival. “It is a little weird being in the navy and gold and not being in maroon and gold, but I think I’ll get used to it,” said Slemmer, who was most recently head freshman and beach volleyball coach at Mountain Pointe. “I remember playing against Molly West and Desert Vista and she’s always had a reputation of developing good players. I’m hoping I can continue that at Desert Vista.” Slemmer was hired in May to take over Desert Vista. She inherited a team that went 12-3 in 2020 with no seniors on the roster. There were some players who transferred out of the program after West’s departure, including Lauren Blutreich, one of the team’s best players the last two seasons. She enrolled at Hamilton. But the players who returned offer Slemmer, in her opinion, one of the most talented rosters she’s ever coached. “Out of the 14 years I’ve been coaching volleyball, even with all the crazi-

Other Thunder fall sports Cross Country

New Desert Vista volleyball coach has relied on players such as Kate Morin, “left,” and Kylie Moran to be leaders of a team that aims to build off a successful season in 2020. (Zac Bon-

Durant/AFN Staff)

ness going on, I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited to enter a fall season,” Slemmer said. “The girls are good kids, they’re talented players, I’m excited to see what they can do.” Kylie Moran is one of those players. She emerged as one of the Thunder’s leaders last season on the court. Along with her team-high 194 kills last year, she also had 24 aces. As a junior, she aimed to become more of a vocal leader for the team. Now in her fourth year on the varsity roster — all of which playing a considerable number of sets — she hopes to take her leadership to the next level. “We’ve always had to sort of step up but this year it’s been easier,” Moran said. “I had amazing seniors when I was a sophomore to learn from. I’ve kind of used what they taught me and have also taken what I’ve learned at the club level where I have to lead the younger girls. “I’ve stepped up a lot.” Moran isn’t alone in terms of leader-

ship. Kate Morin has also emerged as one of Slemmer’s go-to players. The starting libero for the Thunder last season, she had a team-high 218 digs and 31 aces. She said the transition from one coach to another has been different, but not so challenging. Slemmer and West each have their own ways of coaching and focus on different aspect of the game. Both are effective, but it took time for her and her teammates to get used to Slemmer’s ways. Now, however, they’re thriving. The team has become closer together because of the lightened restrictions due to COVID compared to last year and as a senior, she aims to make an impact on the younger girls. “I talk a lot but I’m not as loud as people would expect a libero to be,” Morin said. “I want to see these girls get better and help them anyway I can. I want to watch this program grow under a new coach and see how it flourishes and have a great last season with them.”

Desert Vista’s powerhouse cross country program returns most of its top runners from last year’s girls’ team that won the Division I title and boys who placed second behind Brophy. Noah Jodon returns for the boys after placing second overall in the final as a junior, while Lauren Ping, one of the top runners in the nation, returns for her junior year. Katie Sigerud, who has an equally impressive resume for the Thunder on a national level, is back for her senior year. The two placed first and second in last year’s final and are the favorites to repeat in 2021. Cross country is scheduled to compete in the Chandler invitational on Sept. 4.

Swim & Dive

Desert Vista’s boys’ and girls’ swim programs saw a large amount of success last season. The boys, led in part by Jack Luken’s first-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle, placed second overall as a team. Luken is one of the key swimmers returning for the Thunder this season. The girls, meanwhile, placed fifth overall and return key swimmers such as Katherine Chelus, who medaled in several events for the Thunder in 2020. The team’s first meet will take place Sept. 2 against Hamilton.

Golf

Carter Lolli and Cody Bisetti, two of the state’s top golfers, return for their senior season with the Thunder. Last year Desert Vista won the Central Section championship before going on to finish 10th overall in the final state championships. Head coach Matt Russo believes the experience and returning golfers on his squad will elevate

see THUNDER page 37

SPORTS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

Pride swim & dive building under coach Mona Nyheim-Corales BY ZACH ALVIRA AFN Sports Editor

ountain Pointe High School holds a special place in the heart of Mona Nyheim-Corales. Both of her sons played football for the Pride before going off to college. Several of the swimmers she coaches at Pitchfork Aquatics, a club program based in the East Valley, went through the Mountain Pointe program. She has become a staple in the Arizona swim scene herself, competing at the University of Arizona and moving back to the Valley in 2015. So, when she was approached by Mountain Pointe Athletic Director Aaron Frana about taking over a Pride swim program that had seen participation numbers plummet, she accepted the responsibility. “My entire career, I worked with swimmers at every level, said Nyheim-Corales, who is currently pursuing her doctorate in sports psychology. “I was kind of hesitant when he first asked. To me, it’s about creating opportunities for the kids. If you look at the statistics, less than one percent will compete at the college level. It’s important they have a coach who can teach them things and have fun while they can.” Nyheim-Corales’ resume speaks for itself. She’s been a swim coach the last 25 years at the club and collegiate level. She had stints at the University of Houston, University of Illinois and the University of Michigan. She’s helped develop several high-level swimmers at Pitchfork Aquatics, including Kendall Dawson, who competed at this year’s Olympic Trials. Dawson, a Mountain Pointe alum, joined Nyheim-Corales on staff at Mountain Pointe as an assistant coach. Mekaela Wright, another Pride alum, also joined the staff as an assistant. Sarah Bathe, who dove for Arizona State, is the head diving coach alongside Nyheim-Corales. Her accolades mixed with the experience from her assistant coaches led to a mini surge of participants for this year’s swim team. Last year, the team entered the season with 19 total participants. In just the short time the new staff has been put in place, the number of participants rose to 30. “The team is definitely more together and united,” senior Anna Gross said. “Last year, we had one freshman. Now

From left: Mountain Pointe seniors Anna Gross, Kyle Young, coach Mona Nyheim-Corales, seniors Will Chapnek and Diego Lozano are part the swim program rebuilding with the goal of qualifying several swimmers for state. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff) we have eight. As a senior, helping the younger swimmers helps me build my character and it allows me and all of the other seniors see what it takes to contribute and lead.” Gross is one of the few seniors who have competed for the Pride all four years. No matter how few swimmers came out for the team, she was always there. That resulted in her competing in several events early on in her career and to this day.

Nyheim-Corales has leaned upon her and fellow senior Kyle Young for leadership among the athletes. Not only do they lead by example for the younger swimmers, but they also help lead the team’s two special needs athletes as well, making them feel welcome and part of the team. To them, leading has become sort of a natural ability. Especially given how much the team has changed year after year. Gross and Young know this team may

not see instant success. They understand it may take time. They all aspire to qualify for the state meet this upcoming season. Their main goal now is to do what it takes to get there and compete to the best of their ability when the time comes. Arguably the most important aspect of this season for them is to just have fun and swim. Especially with the pandemic, they no longer take the sport for granted. “This season, we are getting our feet under ourselves,” Young said. “I definitely think we will show out at our invitationals and earn state bids. But showing these younger swimmers what it takes and how to be competitive and successful is a big deal. That’s something we are definitely all still doing.” Gross plans to make the most of this season as it will be the last time she is able to swim with her sister, Aubrey, who is a freshman this year. Nyheim-Corales wants this to be an enjoyable year for the entire team, dive included. She praised them for how well they’ve come together in a short amount of time and for how much they’ve all improved. Now, with the season just weeks away, she’s excited to see how they are able to compete. “They’re starting to figure out how to work together, which impresses me,” Nyheim-Corales said. “Our divers are also doing really well. Our goal is to get them to state. We’ll see how it all pans out.” Mountain Pointe’s first swim meet will take place on Sept. 2 against Corona del Sol.

Other Pride fall sports Cross Country

Mountain Pointe did not have any state qualifiers last season in cross country, a sign of the times for the school which has struggled with participation numbers in distance running and track in recent years. However, the resurgence of the track program in the spring has the Pride hopeful they can see similar participation numbers and be represented in the state championship race. Their first meet is Sept. 8 against Gilbert and Mesquite.

Volleyball

Mona Nyheim-Corales came to the Pride while coaching Pitchfork Aquatics, a club swim program, and after stints at the collegiate level with several Division I schools. (Pablo Robles/AFN Staff)

The Mountain Pointe volleyball team

see PRIDE page 37

SPORTS

AUGUST 25, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

PRIDE �� page 36

THUNDER �� page 35

the Thunder to the next level and back into the title conversation in 2021. The girls’ golf team kicked off its season on Monday against Highland. The boys will match up against Brophy on Thursday.

struggled to find a rhythm last season after some of its top players elected to sit out the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senior Alyssa Groves, who had 34 kills for the Pride last season, returns for her senior year under new head coach Justine Ackie, who took over for Andrew Yamashiro after two seasons. The Pride tip off the Season on Aug. 31 against Basha.

Badminton

The Desert Vista badminton team entered the Divison I playoffs as the No. 10 overall seed but fell in the first round. The Thunder are scheduled to kick off the 2021 season with at the Flying Feathers Badminton Tournament at Highland High School on Thursday and Friday. A full preview for the Desert Vista football program will be published in the Sept. 1 edition of the Ahwatukee Foothills News. ■

Golf

The Mountain Pointe golf program has struggled to qualify golfers for state in recent years. The team was last represented in 2018 by Aubrey Coutts on the girls’ side and in 2017 by Zack Ramseyer in 2017 for the boys. Mountain Pointe’s

Kylie Moran, a senior, led the team with 194 kills and 24 aces as a junior. She is one of the top players still remaining from the team along with Morin after some girls transferred out. Zac BonDurant/AFN Staff)

Badminton

The Mountain Pointe badminton team didn’t make the state playoffs after a difficult COVID-19 year. The Pride hope to bounce back and make their way into the postseason as a team for the first time since 2014. In 2017, the Pride were represented in the singles tournament. The team’s first match is set for Aug. 31 against South Mountain. A full preview for the Desert Vista football program will be published in the Sept. 1 edition of the Ahwatukee Foothills News. ■

Have an interesting sports story?

Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.

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Van Gogh comes to life this week in Valley BY ALEX GALLAGHER GetOut Staff Writer

incent Van Gogh’s art has been sweeping the nation with its revival in the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit and now fans of his work will be �locking to Scottsdale to see it. The digitally interactive exhibits – which span 500,000 cubic feet of projector screens – opens Thursday, Aug. 26, at Lighthouse Artspace in Old Town and will run through Nov. 28. “This show is a new way of looking at art,” Immersive Van Gogh Creative Director Rowan Doyle said. “On one hand it is an art exhibit, but that’s only the beginning,” Corey Ross, President of Lighthouse Productions said. “Technically it’s a short-animated �ilm.” The exhibit offers several ways for guests to explore the many works of Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch painter who is best known for paintings like “The Starry Night,” “Sun�lowers” and several self- portraits. “Van Gogh was the hi-tech artist of his day,” Ross said. “His inspiration and his ability to capture ‘The Starry Night’ was a technological innovation.” Beyond his postmortem fame for innovation and creativity as an artist, Van Gogh also has gained notoriety for his battle with mental health – which culminated in him cutting off his own ear and eventually taking his life. “I think Van Gogh as a subject matter works well because dif�iculties he had with depression and isolation have become more relatable,” Ross said. “When you come out into these galleries and realize that he struggled with the same things that many of us have had to in the last year and that the art has transcended the troubles that he had, people were �inding that cathartic and inspirational, so I think that’s part of why the show has become part of the zeitgeist.” The last years of Van Gogh’s life have become the most studied time of his life, and

the exhibit offers more of a re�lection of what may have been �lashing through Van Gogh’s mind before his passing created by videographer Massimiliano Siccardi. “This is really a �ilm Among the exhibits are several of Van Gogh’s self portraits. (PabloRobles/ that Mas- Staff Photographer ) similiano Siccardi has created and the way he ex- by composer Luca Longobardi – across plains it is he’s trying to capture what walls covered by projection screens that might have �lashed before Van Gogh’s re�lect onto the �loor of the exhibit, giving eyes the moments before he passed viewers an immersive experience. Beyond the main exhibit, Immersive Van away,” Ross said. The 40-minute �ilm, played on a contin- Gogh offers several other attractions that uous loop, features visual representations help understand the mysterious life of the of some of Van Gogh’s most celebrated famed artist. The exhibit has a timeline of the artist’s works – synchronized with music created life and quotes from some of the 800 letters he penned, mostly to his brother Theo. In total, there are over 40 paintings featured and over 400 images have been licensed as part of the exhibit. “To have a show like this, which is the �irst thing that many people More than 500,000 square feet of screens create an immersive experi- have experience for exhibit attendees. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer) enced coming

out of their homes and coming in to see any type of entertainment or exhibit has been very rewarding for our audiences,” Ross said. There are several measures in place to encourage social distancing within the exhibit like circles for people to stand in the main exhibit and tickets that can be purchased to attend at a certain time of the day. “We give people a time to arrive so we can control the volume of people in the gallery, but we don’t give people a time to leave, so people will often come in and stay for a couple iterations of it,” Ross said. VanGogh is the �irst exhibit to inhabit Lighthouse Productions, which used to be the of�ice space for corporate tenants like Carvana. “Lighthouse Artspace Scottsdale is really a new cultural art space that merges art, technology and immersive world building in a unique entertainment experience,” Diana Rayzman, Immersive Van Gogh co-producer and co-founder of Impact Museums. Lighthouse Productions is also committed to bring more shows to Scottsdale after Immersive Van Gogh closes. “This is not a touring show, this is a permanent installation here,” Ross said. “Our hope is that Massimiliano (Siccardi) and other artists will bring us fabulous creations that we can exhibit in the years to come.” Rayzman hopes that the exhibit will be bene�icial to the many other artistic sites in Scottsdale. “After a really dif�icult year and a half, we are so thrilled to bring thousands of visitors every day to this community and hope that our guests will stay to experience the many things this town has to offer,” she said. Ross is also excited to see how the exhibit works in Scottsdale and believes it will change the way we view art. “I really think this is the beginning of a whole movement and will be really exciting to see where this goes,” he said. ■

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

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King Crossword ACROSS 1 4 7 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 22 23 27 29 31 34 35 37 38 39 41 45 47 48 52 53 54 55 56 57 58

Josh Reggae relative Paper packs NYC airport Stetson, e.g. DeGeneres of talk TV Einstein’s birthplace Everybody As well Orange variety Region I love (Lat.) Mimicked Billboards Chipmunk’s kin “That’s it!” The Ram Chaperones, usually Ring decision Vanished Pot brew Tree home Belly button type Conk out Fluctuating Mil. bigwig Craze Rebel Turner Swelled head Fake -- -cone Aachen article

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Sudoku

hicken breast: You’ve baked it, fried it, grilled it, teriyaki-and-stirfried it. But eventually, we all seem to get to the same place. “Help! I need a new way to make chicken!” I’m coming to your rescue with a fantastic marinade for grilled chicken that also doubles as a spectacular salad dressing. You’ve never had chicken like this! The marinade/dressing was created by my chef mom for my two Italian restaurants. The grilled chicken panini sandwich and my Garbage Salad were

Ingredients: ½ cup good Marsala ½ cup balsamic vinegar 1 small clove garlic 1 tablespoon sweet yellow onion 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 1 ¼ cups extra virgin olive oil

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 17 21 23 24 25 26 28 30 31 32 33 36 37 40

Ref Oom- -Year in Acapulco French diarist Anais

Make chicken breasts interesting again

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Directions: Place ingredients in blender except olive oil. While blender is on low, slowly pour olive oil into blender. Turn to medium, then high and blend for about 2 minutes. Dressing will thicken as it is blended and then chilled. Refrigerate. If separates, just whisk to combine. Makes about 2 cups of dressing. Will last in fridge for weeks,

PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 25

Jan’s Cooking Tips and Techniques: • The recipe says you can marinate for several hours or overnight. If possible, I would suggest letting the chicken marinate overnight, but it’s going to be delicious either way! • The marinade/dressing is also fantastic over grilled veggies. Simply brush the dressing over the veggies when you’re cooking them on the grill, in a pan or in the oven! • The recipe calls for “good” Marsala. By that I mean

two of the most popular items on my menu, both using this recipe.

For grilled chicken Make the marinade. Set some aside for salad dressing. Place chicken breasts in a glass or plastic container and pour marinade/dressing over chicken. Turn chicken to fully incorporate dressing. Cover and let sit for several hours or even better, overnight. When ready to grill, lift chicken from dressing and cook according to your desired method. (Grilled, pan seared or oven baked. I prefer grilled in a grill pan on the cooktop) Discard dressing that the chicken was marinating in. Salt and pepper or season chicken with your desired seasonings. Cook chicken until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Serve chicken hot or cold. Delicious! real Marsala wine, not the bottle of “Cooking Marsala” in the baking section of the grocery store. A bottle of Marsala wine will cost about $6 and worth every drop! • With this marinade, the chicken will remain moist on the inside and so flavorful on the outside! Just remember to cook your chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. I can’t live without my meat thermometer--especially for chicken. It’s well worth the investment of just a couple of dollars! ■

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• High Quality Materials & Workmanship • Customer Satisfaction Free Est imates • Countless References • Carpentry Services Now Available Visit us at Suntechpaintingaz.com or view our video promo at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM5pbvpZJlg

602.625.0599 ROC #155380 Family Owned • Free Estimates

SPEND A LITTLE…

MAKE A LOT!

Painting

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

Painting

“We get your house looking top notch!” ★ Interior/Exterior Painting ★ Drywall Repair & Installation ★ Popcorn Ceiling Removal

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

480-338-4011

ROC#309706

★ Elastomaric Roof Coating ★ Epoxy Floors ★ Small Job Specialist

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

Looking To Freshen Up Your Home? WE CAN HELP!

Plumbing

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

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

Proudly Serving Ahwatukee for 15 Years! Family Owned & Operated Residential & Commercial Painting • Interior & Exterior • Professional Cabinet Reﬁnishing • Epoxy Floors & Concrete Coatings • In-Home Color Consultations “Professional, Punctual & Clean”

— Call Jason —

(602) 502-1655

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

10% OFF

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

Veteran Owned

East Valley PAINTERS

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

Voted #1

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

FREE ESTIMATES • CALL TODAY!

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

480-405-7099

(480)785-6323

Plumbing

10% OFF

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

PLUMBING

Free Estimates! Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

480-688-4770

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Meetings/Events?

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

$35.00 Off Any Service Call Today!

A+ RATED

www.eastvalleypainters.com Family Owned & Operated

We Repair or Install ROC # 272721

AHWATUKEE’S #1 PLUMBER Licensed • Bonded • Insured

704.5422

(480)

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

Pool Service / Repair

Plumbing

Watch for Garage Sales in Classifieds!

AHWATUKEE SPECIAL $

Pool Service / Repair

$25 OFF

Off 40work done *Any

Filter Cleaning!

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

Monthly Service & Repairs Available

602-546-POOL 7 6 6 5

www.barefootpoolman.com

Affinity Plumbing LLC 480-487-5541

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

Only $27.50 includes 1 week online

Juan Hernandez

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

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

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

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

To place an ad please call: 480-898-6465 class@times publications.com

CLASSIFIEDS 480-898-6465

LICENSED | BONDED | INSURED | ROC #269218

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

class@times publications.com

affinityplumber@gmail.com

Pool Service / Repair

www.affinityplumbingaz.com

Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor

MARK’S POOL SERVICE

Rooﬁng

Owner Operated - 20 Years

Anything Plumbing Same Day Service

Play Pools start at

Water Heaters

24/7

Inside & Out Leaks

Bonded

Toilets

Insured

Faucets

Estimates Availabler

$85/month Not a licensed contractor

Disposals

$35 off

Any Service

with chemicals

Ask About Filter Cleaning Specials!

Mark

602-799-0147 CPO#85-185793

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

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

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

Plumbing

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

SERVICE • REPAIR • REPLACEMENT We offer personalized service for our customers. We use the best materials that we can find.

Owned and Operated by Rod Lampert Ahwatukee Resident Serving Ahwatukee for over 25 years

Rooﬁng

Our services include: Sinks, Toilets, Faucets, Water Heaters, Garbage Disposal, Drain Cleaning, Pressure Reducing Valves, Pressure Vacuum Breakers, Hot Water Circulation Systems, Main Service Valves and Hose Taps.

(480)

279-4155

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC 189848

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING Valley Wide Service

Let Us Show Yo

u Th

e IN

Call

-EX D i ﬀe r e n c e

602-938-7575

for your FREE Roof Evaluation Today! www.InExRo

oﬁn

g.c o m

480-446-7663

10% OFF with this ad

SHARE WITH THE WORLD!

Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today! Call us for details. class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

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

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

480-898-6465

CLASSIFIEDS

AUGUST 25, 2021 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Rooﬁng

TILE ROOFING SPECIALISTS

Rooﬁng

Window Cleaning

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

Ahwatukee Based Family Owned and Operated Insured • Free Estimates

10% OFF COMPLETE UNDERLAYMENT Commercial & Residential Family Owned & Operated AZROC #283571 | CONTRACTOR LIC. AZROC #312804 CLASS CR4 | FULLY INSURED

FREE ESTIMATES 602-736-3019

See our reviews and schedule at:

New Roofs, Repairs, Coatings, Flat Roof, Hot Mopping & Patching & Total Rubber Roof Systems

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

FREE ESTIMATES

Tiles & Shingles sunlandroofingllc@gmail.com Installation Repair Re-Roofing

602-471-2346 See MORE Ads Online!

www.Ahwatukee.com Family Owned & Operated for over 30 years

SAME DAY SERVICE 30 Years Experience References Available

Quality Repairs & Re-Roofs Complimentary & Honest Estimates

623-522-9322

PHILLIPS

ROOFING LLC Family Owned and Operated 43 Years Experience in Arizona

480-460-7602

623-873-1626

Ask us about our discount for all Military and First Responders!

Free Estimates Monday through Saturday

Licensed, Bonded, Insured

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

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

THE EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE’S JOB BOARD HAS THE TALENT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR. FIND THE BEST TALENT HERE. EASILY POST JOBS. COMPETITIVE PRICING AND EXPOSURE Contact us for more information: 480-898-6465 or email jobposting@evtrib.com

Post your jobs at:

J BS.EASTVALLEYTRIBUNE.COM

Most jobs also appear on Indeed.com

Call our office today!

www.porterroofinginc.com

480-330-2649

Licensed Bonded Insured ROC 286561

Senior & Military Discounts

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

ROC #152111

www.cousinswindowcleaning.com

Your leaks stop here!

Licensed 2006 ROC 223367 Bonded Insured

PhillipsRoofing.org PhillipsRoofing@cox.net

CLASSIFIEDS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | AUGUST 25, 2021

#1 Rated Shop in the East Valley

Se Habla Español

Your Trusted European Car Specialists

We at Huffs Automotive are specialists in: • Land Rover • Jaguar BESTOF • Audi • Porsche • BMW Thank You for voting us • Mini Cooper BEST • Volkswagen AUTOMOTIVE • Mercedes Benz

2021

REPAIR

2 years in a row!

Serving the East Valley since 2009! • Family Owned and Operated

95 N. Dobson Rd. • Chandler, AZ 85224 480-726-8900 • huffsautomotive.com info@huffsautomotive.com

Call For An Appointment!