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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS Wednesday, November 16, 2016

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Homeowners complain freeway work launched scorpion invasion

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS .34

COVER STORY

BY JIM WALSH AFN Staff Writer

n uptick in scorpion activity is putting some extra sting in the already controversial construction of the South Mountain Freeway for some nearby homeowners. Ahwatukee residents near Pecos Road and 27th Avenue are reporting far more scorpions on their property—and even in their homes—after the Arizona Department of Transportation created a temporary nursery a stone’s throw away from their houses.

The nursery is housing thousands of cactuses, bushes and other desert flora that had to be removed from the freeway right of way. Once it is built, they will be transplanted along its path. Two residents, Jeff Menard and Joe Rao, said their dogs, a French Bulldog and a Golden Retriever, have been stung by scorpions in recent weeks. A third resident, Dietmar Hanke, reported seeing more scorpions in his backyard as well. Menard, a real estate agent, acknowledges

he is sensitive about scorpions. He said he has been stung twice by the pests at his mother-in-law’s home in another Ahwatukee subdivision. He said he was physically ill for more than a day after one scorpion incident. “It was 24 hours of misery you can’t imagine,’’ Menard said. But his highest priority is protecting his 2

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS Businesswoman of the Year DRIVERLESS CARS Region becoming key experimental zone

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SCORPIONS on page 8

Unofﬁcial election results give Ahwatukee, Democrats new voices in Legislature BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

See

arring a surprise from the Maricopa County ballots that remain to be counted, Ahwatukee can now boast of having its own state senator and representative. And as a result of last week’s election, unofficial results have made Ahwatukee part of a newly blue legislative district after Democrats took the vacant Senate seat and ousted one of the two incumbent House Republicans. But Sean Bowie—the Ahwatukee native who defeated Tempe Republican Frank Schmuck 51.5 to 48.5 percent in the Legislative District 18 Senate race—and incumbent Republican and longtime Ahwatukee resident Jill Norgaard both say they want

to put aside partisan politics and work on issues that are important for the community. The other winner from last week’s election, Tempe Democrat Mitzi Epstein, ousted 14-year Chandler Republican Bob Robson with just over 30 percent of the vote. She was followed by Norgaard with 29 percent, Robson with just under 28 percent and Tempe Green Party candidate Linda Macias, who garnered 12 percent, according to unofficial results. All the Legislative District 18 winners weren’t wasting time. After apparently clinching her second term, Norgaard not only congratulated her two new legislative colleagues, but scheduled a meeting today for See

NEW VOICES on page 8

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

Elements Massage Chandler West owner Janet Schwab, center, registers surprise after she was named Businesswoman of the Year last week by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce. Runners-up Betty Teille, left, and Kendra Pieratt help her recover from the shock. For a full report on the awards, see page 38.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS UKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS TUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS The Ahwatukee Foothills News isFOOTHILLS published every AHWATUKEE NEWS Wednesday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Ahwatukee Foothills. UKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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Ahwatukee teen Dillon Shipley rode on a firetruck at last Friday’s Phoenix Veterans Day Parade as part of his first place prize in the essay contest sponsored by the parade committee.

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Ahwatukee teen wins Veterans Day Parade essay contest

Karen Mays, 480-898-7909, kmays@ahwatukee.com Laura Meehan, 480-898-7904, lmeehan@ahwatukee.com Elaine Cota, 480-898-7926, ecota@ahwatukee.com Circulation Director:

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hwatukee resident and Seton Catholic Prep junior Dillon Shipley won first place in the annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade essay contest with a piece about his uncle’s return from the Vietnam War. In the essay, Dillon, 15, focused on his uncle’s anticipation of returning home, the soldier’s eye always on his DEROS, or Date Eligible for Return from Overseas. “DEROS was something that kept our troops going, especially my uncle, former 2nd Lieutenant Rick West,” Dillon wrote. He used his essay to give Vietnam vets the warm welcome that many felt they didn’t receive when they came home. Dillon’s essay is reproduced in full on page 32. Dillon is the son of Wes and Lori Shipley. “We are very proud,” Seton Principal Pat Collins said. “Seton Catholic Preparatory feels it is important that our students are aware of the sacrifice our veterans have made for our country.” The essay contest is sponsored by Honoring Arizona’s Veterans, the nonprofit organization that coordinates the annual Veterans Day parade in Phoenix.

Mountain Pointe High team locks up stock market win

Two teams of Mountain Pointe High School students beat out 77 teams from 17 other high >> See

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schools in the Junior Achievement 10th Annual Stock Market Challenge. The challenge simulates tracking on the New York Stock Exchange trading floor, explained business teacher Tamara Reichert. Teams get $500,000 to buy mock stock in 30 fictitious companies, and trade stock over a 60-day period. Each trading day lasts for 60–90 seconds. “When the opening bell is rung, students make buy and sell decisions about their stocks based on market information,” Reichert said. “Due to the volatility of the market and the game’s frantic pace, teams compete to have the largest portfolio by the end of trading.” Taking first place was “The Pointe” team, which racked up a net worth of $1.13 million, a 127.2 percent return on its initial investment. The team included Jesus Gutierrez, Kaishaun Scott, Malcolm Prescott and Sean Quintana. The second-place “Cobra Company” team, which nearly doubled its investment to just under $1 million, included Tionne Caldwell, Kendra Conard, Katie Liska, Kalila Lofton and Scarlett Montgomery. Other students who participated

through other teams were Irene Arredondo, Naequana Benally, Jason Cubias, Alyssa Phillips, Gregory Yanez, Dakota Fey, Austin Ramos, Raul Ontiveros, Joey Morsillo, Matthew Hawkins, Ricardo Jimenez, Sherman Nelson, Sydney Icenhower and Essence Marsh.

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Desert Vista High students help Salvation Army

Desert Vista High School freshmen and sophomores taking Honors Spanish found a way to help people while boning up on their language skills. Along with their teacher, Erica Encinas, the students volunteered with the Salvation Army to register families for its Angel Tree program, which helps families in need “Some of the families feel more comfortable speaking in Spanish and the students from Desert Vista were able to provide that service,” reported Tempe Union High School District spokeswoman Jill Hanks. Once the families are signed up, volunteers with the Salvation Army set up Angel Trees at shopping malls that have tags with names of children ages 16 and younger. Shoppers remove the tags and buy items for their holiday angels.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Recount may be necessary to settle 1 of three Tempe Union board races AFN NEWS STAFF

ive of six seats open on the governing boards of the two school districts that serve Ahwatukee have been filled, but a recount may be needed to settle the sixth race. Unofficial results from the Nov. 8 election showed a recount may be needed to determine whether Berdetta Hodge of Chandler or Scott Ryan of Ahwatukee is the winner in the Tempe Union High School District governing board race. Hodge appeared to widen her lead this week by nearly 2,000 votes, 15.74 percent to 15.23 percent. State law requires a recount when the margin between candidates is less than .1 percent of the total votes cast in the election. The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office did not return a call seeking more information. The other two Tempe Union races were resolved when incumbents Michelle Helm and Sandy Lowe led the pack of six candidates. The apparent losers were attorney Don Fletcher of Ahwatukee and small businessman Andres Barraza

of Tempe. In Kyrene, incumbent John King of Ahwatukee was returned to another term while two vacancies will be filled by two Tempe residents, retired teacher Michelle Fahy and businessman Michael Myrick. A Tempe resident for 35 years, Hodge has one child in McClintock High and another who graduated from there. The ASU graduate has been a Hope’s Crossing board member, a PTA president in three different schools and a booster club member. S Hodge is on the board of the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, and is a site council member and a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley Ladmo Branch. She said she was running “to give back to the district.” Ryan is a small business owner who has lived in Ahwatukee 12 years. He has been a coach of youth soccer, baseball and wrestling teams and is president of the Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club, board member of the Guadalupe Boys and Girls Club, and a Key Club advisor at Desert Vista High.

He said he was running for the seat because he as worked extensively with organizations that help children “overcome obstacles to succeed in life.” Here’s a look at the winners in both school board races.

MICHELLE FAHY

A Tempe resident for 17 years who has a daughter in Corona del Sol High, Michelle Fahy has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education and is certified as a reading specialist and retired teacher. She is on the board of the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and has been on Kyrene’s technology committee. She is past president of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Kyrene/Tempe chapter. She said she was running “to help ensure that the district allocates its resources to provide our schools with highly trained and effective teachers and administrators and the curriculum and other tools necessary to improve the

rpe t

achievement of all students.”

JOHN KING

A resident of Ahwatukee, John King is Kyrene governing board’s vice president, a Festival of Lights Committee member, and a member of the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce’s young entrepreneurs club. He has been a member of the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee and the Ahwatukee Board of Management. He said he had been seeking a second term because “There is still so much to be done with what we have started and I would like to see many of those initiatives to completion.”

MICHAEL MYRICK

Michael Myrick has lived in Tempe for 37 years and has three children in Kyrene schools. He is president of the See

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Tempe Sports Authority Foundation and a volunteer with the Boy Scouts. He has been on the Tempe general plan committee board, a youth football head coach and a Tempe South Little League head coach. The only Kyrene candidate with children still in district schools, Myrick said he was running because “I feel passionate that we need a stakeholder who comprehends the issues, celebrations and vision for the future of Kyrene.”

MICHELLE HELM

A Tempe resident for 43 years, incumbent Michelle Helm is a retired teacher and is a member and past president and vice president of the Tempe Union Governing Board. The mother of two graduates of Tempe schools and ASU, she holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She is past president of the Tempe Elementary Education Association, and has been involved in the Maricopa Foster Review Board, Tempe Leadership, Friends of

Tempe Public Library, Tempe Kiwanis Club, Dollars for Scholars board, East Valley Assistance League and Tempe Sister Cities. She said she Michelle Helm sought another term because “I have a passion about providing an excellent education for the children of our community.”

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

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her and them with Kyrene School District Superintendent Jan Vesely to discuss education issues. “Education is not a partisan issue even though some people make it partisan,” Norgaard said, adding she was eager to get Epstein and Bowie “up to speed on what we’ve been doing with education.” Besides living in the same community, Bowie and Norgaard share at least one other common trait from the campaign: sore feet. Both said they knocked on thousands of doors over a number of months. “I personally knocked on 12,000 doors,” Bowie said, adding he lost 15 pounds as he focused his campaigning on independents and left party workers to go after registered Democrats. Norgaard likewise has been pounding pavement since April. “I did a lot of door-to-door, but that’s my favorite part of campaigning. You can get people feel comfortable and talk candidly without their peers hovering around them.” Although Epstein left town for a vacation the day after the election, she too maintained high visibility in the district, which covers all of Ahwatukee

and parts of Tempe, Mesa and Chandler. She made two whistle-stop tours of every school in LD 18 before and after classes in order to talk to parents. Robson deferred conceding, saying he was waiting for the rest of the ballots to be counted. Schmuck could not be reached for comment, but issued a statement late last week that said in part: “The tremendous support I’ve received and the positive outreach from numerous volunteers that have dedicated their lives, time and commitment to supporting the campaign is extraordinary and it humbles me to be their representative. “Even though the results of the general election are not to what we worked for, I will continue to bring integrity, service and leadership to our party, district and state.” Both Norgaard and Bowie also vowed to continue working on two of Ahwatukee’s biggest issues—the future of its golf course communities and the South Mountain Freeway. Norgaard had organized several meetings for local Republican leaders— including Phoenix Councilman Sal Diciccio, Schmuck, and Robson— with Village Planning Committee Chairman Chad Blostone and Arizona

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Department of Transportation officials to discuss various freeway issues. Bowie said he will join those meetings now since he, like Norgaard and DiCiccio, believes ADOT can reduce some of the freeway’s more unwelcome impacts on Ahwatukee. “I’m one more person with a seat at the table who can argue for our concerns,” Bowie said. “I’ve got a lot of concerns about the elevated grade and other things. I certainly will do what I can to respect those concerns. “You know, outside of Ahwatukee— in Chandler, Tempe and Mesa—the freeway is not an issue.” He continued. “I know people in Ahwatukee are very passionate it about it. I really want to have some compromise on something we can live with. Right now, I’m concerned it’s not livable enough.” Norgaard, who lives near the freeway right-of-way, said the proposed bike path, noise factor, the width of the Chandler Boulevard Extension and, most of all, the freeway’s elevation are all issues that need to be addressed. “The other freeways are all depressed when they go through residential neighborhoods,” she said. “The only one that doesn’t get depressed is this one.”

She also remains baﬄed by Phoenix’s insistence on keeping the Chandler Boulevard Extension at two lanes, meaning it will connect at either end to four lanes and create daily traffic jams. Norgaard expressed no small degree of frustration and shock over the fact that Phoenix says the project will cost $11 million. “We have to start challenging things like this. Why is it costing so much?” She also welcomes the participation of Bowie and Epstein in those talks. “Look, Ahwatukee represents less than 10 percent of Phoenix,” she said. “We just don’t get enough attention to our concerns.” Even though the state is probably powerless to do anything about the troubled Club West golf course and the ongoing controversy over the future of the Ahwatukee Lakes golf course, Bowie and Norgaard expressed a desire to help find solutions. Bowie opposes the Ahwatukee Farms development for the Lakes golf course, and said, “I think there are people out there who would want to buy the golf course.” “I have a lot of concern about traffic, See

NEW VOICES on page 9

COMING THANKSGIVING DAY! THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24 PRESENTS A SPECIAL

Holiday ISSUE

In our special Thanksgiving issue, you’ll find listings of holiday events, a local shopping gift guide, where to go on Shop Local Saturday, how to stay safe while shopping this season, and where to see some of the best holiday lighting displays. Wednesday edition will not be printed this week only.

Get Ready for the Holdays!

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

NEW VOICES

from page 8

parking, the water-runoff issue. I think it can be turned into a golf course,” he said, adding that he still wants to explore whether a swap involving developable land elsewhere in exchange for the golf course property could be achieved. Norgaard remains concerned about the future of Club West’s golf course, given owner Wilson Gee’s complaints about his $700,000 annual water bill. Norgaard, like DiCiccio, has been pressing the HOA boards from The Foothills, Lakewood and Club West to work together with them to achieve a solution that protects their green spaces over the long term. The district’s two new Democratic legislators also are in agreement with Norgaard on one critical statewide issue—education. Bowie and Epstein made the restoration of education funding the centerpiece of their often-coordinated

campaigns. “I didn’t know Jill too well before the campaign started,” Bowie said. “She wants to work together... We all want to see the same thing. We might differ on the way to do it.” Norgaard said she has been meeting with other legislators on state requirements that constitute an unnecessary “over-reach.” “There are demands and restrictions on schools that are not necessary,” she said. There are regulations demanding reports that people don’t need to do.” The key issue involving education, however, is funding. And Bowie said he intends to make good on his campaign promise to fight for the funds the Republican-dominated Legislature has stripped from K-12 schools and universities in recent years. “I’m not going to be a bomb-thrower,” he said. “I want to work with the other side. It’s about incremental progress. We’re not going to get everything we want, but I want to make some progress.”

Now that Election 2016 is over, political signs need to go, city says AFN NEWS STAFF

efore they bid goodbye to the 2016 election, there’s one thing candidates and supporters must do regardless of whether they won or lost: get rid of the signs. It’s not just a matter of being a good neighbor or even making a friendly gesture toward the environment. It’s the law, although a toothless one. “According to the Phoenix City Code, elections signs in the rights-of-way, such as street corners, must be taken down 15 days after election day,” said Yvette Roeder, spokeswoman for the Phoenix Public Works Department. Because they are made of hard plastic or cardboard, the signs can be recycled. Volunteers or campaign organizers must separate the wooden or metal stakes from the actual signs, and then bring all the separated materials to one of Phoenix’s transfer stations, she said. The same goes for signs in private yards or on other private property, Roeder said, except they have only 10 days— meaning Friday—to remove the signs. “Residents who may have just a handful of elections signs on their private property should separate the

stakes from the actual signs and place the cardboard or hard plastic materials in their blue recycling container,” she said. “The stakes can be re-used for gardening, or placed in their dark green trash container.” Residents who see signs still up after Nov. 23 should call the appropriate campaign headquarters, which usually put their number on the back of each sign. “Residents can also call the Phoenix Planning and Development Department at 602-495-0284 to file a complaint about elections signs,” Roeder said. “The city will pick those up and recycle them.” The exception involves extra-large signs, which the city asks the campaign headquarters to pick up. If you see the signs of a candidate you didn’t vote for, don’t think you can get them in hot water if you complain to the city. “There is no penalty for non-responsive campaign organizers,” Roeder admitted, adding, “Sometimes clearing the rightsof-way needs to be done swiftly for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, so the city simply picks up the signs that have been forgotten.”

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½-year-old daughter from getting stung. Menard said he understands that ADOT has a big job to do in building the freeway, but he wonders why the agency located a large nursery so close to a neighborhood that has already been heavily impacted. “Do what you need to do to build the freeway, but don’t treat my quiet enjoyment of my property as a joke,’’ Menard said. “ADOT is going to do whatever ADOT wants to do.’’ But Dustin Krugel, an ADOT spokesman, said the team preparing to build the freeway does not believe there is any connection between the nursery and reports of additional scorpion sittings by homeowners. “I had a media inquiry about this in the summer, before we even started the nursery,’’ Krugel said. He said the nursery must be located on land in the right of way that is owned by ADOT, and at a site close to where the trees and cactuses likely will be replanted. Eventually, the land being used for the nursery will become a retention basin, Krugel said. The salvaged desert plants will be used to create a natural-looking environment near the freeway, possibly incorporating some plants now stored at the nursery. “According to our project team, the temporary nursery is unlikely to increase the number of scorpions in the surrounding area because no freeway work in that area, including establishing the nursery, has significantly disturbed the ground,’’ Krugel said. “Most of the plants in the nursery are in boxes set on the ground, and those plants aren’t types known to attract scorpions.” Moreover, Krugel said the freeway is not the only construction work going on in the area. He said that when crews start building the freeway early next year, ADOT and the developer will closely monitor whether there is an increase in pests. Menard, a native of New England, set off an alarm on the Facebook page manned by freeway opponent Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children when he reported seeing eight scorpions on his property in two days. Menard reported seeing about ten scorpions inside his house at various times in the past few weeks. He goes scorpion hunting about three or four times a night and kills scorpions regularly, even using a chisel to nail one hiding in a crevice.

“Since they started moving the dirt, I have seen an uptick,’’ Menard said. “I walk around with a black light. I don’t play around.’’ Rao said he could hear his dog, Vinny, yelping after he was stung. It cost Rao some anxiety and a substantial veterinary bill. “They are the ones that started the whole problem here. At this point, they should be exterminating once a week,’’ Rao said of ADOT. “I don’t want anyone in my family stung.’’ Dawn Gouge, an entomologist with the University of Arizona’s extension service in Maricopa, said the scorpion uptick is predictable. She said that any time desert ground is disturbed, it is likely that bark scorpions will look for a new home. Gouge said scorpions are a natural part of the desert environment and are generally not a serious problem when they stay outside in yards. It also is common for scorpions to take refuge from the intense Arizona heat in the crevices of stucco walls or in the insulation behind them—a favorite hiding spot. But it’s a whole different scenario when scorpions get inside houses and sting humans, she added. Most adults will recover after feeling terrible for a day or two, but children should receive immediate medical treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic’s web site. Gouge urged residents to seal their houses, especially by installing weatherstripping to eliminate any open space below a door. She said fogging an area with pesticides is a waste of time and money, unless the spray happens to deliver a direct hit to a scorpion. Gouge, a professor and specialist in urban entomology, said what’s happening to Menard and Rao isn’t surprising. She said she has heard similar reports of scorpion sightings related to highway construction. “Anytime you have lots of movement and disturbance, you will see the scorpions moving around,’’ Gouge said. Gouge said the correct way to approach the problem is to focus on sealing houses to reduce the odds of getting stung by a scorpion. “There is no chemical spray that would prevent the scorpions from moving around,’’ Gouge said. “It’s not that effective and there are cracks and crevices.’’ “Pest-proofing to keep them outside is by far the best way to manage scorpions,’’ See

SCORPIONS on page 11

NEWS

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

SCORPIONS

from page 10

she said, with proper weather-stripping and tight door sweeps to eliminate any gap between the bottom of the door and the ground. “Nine out of 10 times, they will come in the same way we do.’’ Dean Andrews, an Ahwatukee exterminator who bills himself on his web site as The Scorpion Equalizer, said he does not believe that Ahwatukee as a general rule has any worse of a scorpion problem than anywhere else in Arizona. He said anyone who lives in Arizona is smart to educate themselves about scorpions, just as it’s smart to educate yourself about hurricanes if you live in Florida. “I would not be sitting there blaming ADOT,’’ Andrews said of the homeowners. “If they are not doing something proactively, they are going to be victims of scorpions.’’ Andrews agrees with Gouge about the limitations of pesticides and the value of sealing homes. But he said sealing homes can be expensive. His specialty is to hunt down and kill scorpions, making it less likely they will end up inside a house.

He offered to do a free evaluation of Menard’s home and said anyone with scorpion questions can email him at thescorpionequalizer.com. ADOT said in a press release that more than 1,000 trees, cactuses and other plants will be stored in the nursery until they are relocated along the new freeway’s path when it opens in late 2019. An ADOT survey in September identified more than 1,000 trees, cactuses and native plants along Pecos Road for salvage. The desert plants include Ironwood and Mesquite trees, along with Ocotillo and Barrel cactuses. “ADOT takes great pride in maintaining the highway scenery by preserving some of these long-standing plants that are part of Arizona’s history,’’ said LeRoy Brady, ADOT’s chief landscape architect. “An added benefit is that communities seem to support this work.’’ Krugel said ADOT establishes a nursery on every highway project to save native trees and cactuses, a practice it first started in the 1980s. “They have really refined it over the years. They have learned a lot,’’ Krugel said. “We’ve become very successful at it.’’

Trees, cactuses vanishing from Pecos Road

s the photo below shows, Pecos Road is looking wide open these days. Trees and cactus that once filled the median have been relocated by ADOT to a temporary nursery in ADOT’s right of way. Landscapers first took an inventory of the vegetation, including saguaros and palo verde trees. They then dug around the trees and built crates for the roots (right). Next they moved them out of the median to the right of way along the north side of Pecos before using heavy equipment to move the plants, which could weigh up to 2,000 pounds, to the temporary nursery. The nursery, which includes an irrigation system, will serve as the plants’ temporary home until they are transplanted upon the freeway’s completion. Photos by AFN Staff Photographer Cheryl Haselhorst

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Phoenix mayor eyes secretary of state run in 2018 BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

hoenix Mayor Greg Stanton took the first steps recently to oust Michele Reagan as secretary of

state. In two years. Stanton formed the legally required committee that allows him to start raising money for what could be a tough race against an incumbent. The mayor insisted, though, that he actually has not yet formally made up his mind. Before he became mayor eight years ago, Stanton represented Council District 6, which includes Ahwatukee. Stanton said he had to act now for financial reasons: A new law that took effect this month blocks local officials have leftover funds in their campaign accounts from moving them to a statewide race. He has more than $522,000 in that account.

“In the coming months, I will take a serious look at the future opportunities to continue to serve the people of Arizona,’’ Stanton said in a prepared statement. Stanton is a registered Democrat. Reagan also has filed paperwork for the 2018 race. The outcome of the 2018 race could hinge on how well—or poorly— Tuesday’s election was handled. Reagan has come under fire for a series of missteps in recent elections. That includes the failure of her office in the May special election to comply with state laws requiring voters to get ballot pamphlets explaining the two issues before they get their actual early ballots. Attorney General Mark Brnovich launched an investigation—not yet complete—not only about the failure to comply with the law but what he said was Reagan’s decision to hide the information from the public for so long.

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Ahwat

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton addressed the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce in September.

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

New State House leader from Chandler champions change in election process BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

f incoming state House Speaker J.D. Mesnard had his way, Hillary Clinton would be preparing a transition today, not Donald Trump. It’s not that the Chandler Republican likes Clinton more than his own party’s nominee, for whom he voted. It’s just that Mesnard thinks that whoever wins the popular vote should be the president. And this year it’s Clinton. This is more than just Mesnard ruminating. He pushed a measure through the House earlier this year with bipartisan support which would have Arizona join with other states to make it so. It was only because Senate President Andy Biggs—now headed to Congress— would not give it a hearing that the measure did not advance more. Whether he might have better luck this year now that fellow Chandler Republican Steve Yarbrough is in charge of the Senate remains an open question. “I know president-elect Yarbrough to be a thoughtful man,’’ Mesnard said. Mesnard stressed he is not proposing to scrap the Electoral College, where each state gets votes equivalent to the members of the House and Senate, with the winner needing at least half of the 538 votes. That would require a constitutional amendment. Instead, Mesnard wants Arizona to enter into deals with other states. Once there are states on board with at least 270 electoral votes, each would legally require its electors to cast their votes for whoever wins the national popular votes, regardless of who won the tally in that state. Put simply, had the system been in place this year, it would not matter that more Arizonans supported Trump than Clinton. Its electors would have to vote for Clinton. The idea is not as far-fetched as it sounds: National Popular Vote, the organization pushing the plan, reports lawmakers in 11 states with 165 electoral votes have already passed the measure. Mesnard believes the current system can make Arizona irrelevant. Arizona did get a fair share of attention from both candidates this year as it appeared at one time the state might

actually be in play. But this year has proven the exception to what Mesnard has seen before. “What happens is we get ignored,’’ Mesnard said in pushing the legislation earlier this year, with Arizona a “flyover state’’ as presidential hopeful cater to voters in places like Ohio and Florida. This year, for example, while Arizona did get 10 visits from presidential and vice presidential contenders, National Popular Vote says Ohio got 48, Pennsylvania got 54, North Carolina got 55 and Florida got 71. Mesnard said it’s irrelevant that the change would sometimes benefit Democrats. He said future elections could just as easily go the other way. “The point is what’s good for Arizona,’’ he said That also was the assessment of political consultant Patrick Rosenstiel testified earlier this year for Mesnard’s bill. He said in 2012 presidential candidates from both parties spent more than $175 million in Florida; in-state spending in Arizona was a paltry $40,350. And Rosentiel said once a president gets elected, the issues in those battleground states are likely to get more attention than elsewhere. Mesnard said it’s not necessarily a foregone conclusion that Clinton would be headed to the White House had the popular vote system been in place. “How many Republicans stayed home in California?’’ he asked, knowing that the largely blue state was going to give its 55 electoral votes to Clinton. Perhaps if they had turned out, Trump might have won the popular vote. The move has its detractors. “It’s a direct attack on our Republic and will lead us down the path to what is known as direct democracy, that is, direct government ruled by the majority, often referred to as rob rule,’’ Arizona Republican Robert Hathorne testified when Mesnard’s bill came up for debate earlier this year. Mesnard and Yarbrough were chosen by their GOP counterparts a couple days after the Nov. 8 election. Yarbrough replaces Andy Biggs, who is going on to Congress after incumbent Republican Matt Salmon announced his retirement.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Driverless future growing in East Valley In a few years, he said, the impacts on the East Valley will extend far beyond the thrill of spotting a Google test car, and f you spend any time at all on the those impacts will produce unknown streets of Chandler, you probably effects on human behavior. have seen them. “I think you’re going to see early The tricked-out Lexus models bearing adopters go to what they call a Level 4 Google’s corporate logo have been on autonomous vehicle, which is completely the road for months. There are humans driverless,” he said. “It will obviate the on board, but in many cases the cars are need for texting-and-driving laws, DUI driving themselves. laws. … The whole idea of how to tell if And they are helping to drive society to someone is intoxicated or impaired, all a future with dramatically safer roadways of that will be immaterial if computers that, ironically enough, might someday are driving your car. People can text and see stoplights go the way of the horse drive all they want.” and buggy. With car companies such as Ford The East Valley is hardly alone in talking about deploying HAVs—highly hosting tests of the new technology. The automated vehicles—within five years, movement is global and on many fronts, Worsley said it’s likely that older drivers both civilian and military. And in the will stick with current technologies for view of local experts, it is unstoppable. a while. State Sen. Bob Worsley, R-Mesa, is “So I think it will be a mixed bag,” he closely monitoring the fast-moving said. “There may be some lanes and some field from his perch as chairman of the roads that are dedicated for autonomous Senate transportation and technology vehicles because it’s dangerous for the committee. autonomous vehicles to have people “I’m speaking almost weekly to driving with them.” some group about because I’m such a That has been borne out on the streets proponent,” of Chandler, which has seen several Wo r s l e y minor accidents between Google cars and said. human drivers. In August, for example, a Google car being driven manually at 42 mph was rear-ended by a suspected drunk driver sailing along at 67 mph. “Until more vehicles become autonomous,” Worsley said, “we’ll continue to have some accidents. However, the number of accidents will (Special to AFN) decline.” This one is in Pittsburgh, but several Uber self-driving mapping cars Jennifer Haroon, have been seen in Phoenix gathering data.

BY GARY NELSON AFN Contributing Writer

OFF

Google’s chief of business operations, said the company has been testing selfdriving technology for more than seven years. Google chose Chandler as its fourth test site, she said, because it wanted to work in “a community that is excited about innovation and technology.” Plus, she said, Chandler’s traffic-signal sequencing and desert environment are different than in other areas where Google has operated, providing new challenges for the equipment. “We’ve experienced a haboob,” she said—something Google won’t find elsewhere. Google has about a dozen cars deployed in Chandler but will increase that as it moves into a 39,000-square-foot staging

facility that it announced in October. Google does not plan to actually build self-driving cars, said spokeswoman Lauren Barriere. But the project falls within the company’s mission of improving lives, and traffic safety is a big part of Google’s motivation. In addition, she said, people who can’t drive because of, say, visual impairment might someday be able to summon a self-driving car for less than the cost of a cab ride. Chandler Vice Mayor Jack Sellers also is closely monitoring the East Valley’s high-tech car-testing operations. Sellers began working at the General Motors Desert Proving Ground in 1966. See

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By the time he left in 1994, he had been its operations manager for almost 20 years. The GM facility, in what is now southeast Mesa, closed in 2009 after a half-century run that kept the company on the cutting edge of technology. “I’m very pleased about it personally,” Sellers said of the fact that Google is using his city’s streets to advance automotive technology. In a recent presentation to the East Valley Partnership, Sellers said, he used a slide that said “Warning: Selfdriving vehicles are closer than they appear.” Sellers said the technology that will reduce human error on the roads actually is twofold—one part on the vehicles, the other in intelligent traffic-control systems operated by the state and cities. He said the most likely initial rollout of self-driving vehicles will be small buses on regular, easily defined routes. But less than 24 hours after Sellers made that prediction, it was overtaken by a real-life development. A company called Otto, which is a division of the ride-sharing giant Uber, announced on Oct. 25 that it had teamed with Anheuser-Busch to deliver

NEWS

a load of beer on a self-driving semi that very look of our cities, Worsley said. to the new technology. He serves as rolled down Interstate 25 from Fort Smart cars, he said, will be talking deputy director for policy at the Arizona Collins, Colorado, through Denver to with one another and with the smart Department of Transportation. Colorado Springs. infrastructure embedded in streets Arizona is a hotbed of testing at the The driver monitored most of the 120- and highways. Eventually, that would moment, he said. In addition to Google, mile trip from the cab’s sleeper berth. eliminate the need for traffic signals. Uber has tested cars in the Phoenix area The federal government, however, did “There will be no (signal) lights any and General Motors in Scottsdale. not exactly have beer deliveries “We are welcoming it,” Biesty in mind when it began pushing said. “This is exciting times for self-driving technology a transportation on many fronts.” decade ago. Nothing the state has seen so Worsley said the impetus was far, he said, has suggested the the horrific casualties suffered technologies won’t work. by American forces as roadside But with so many companies bombs shattered their manned working on so many fronts, he vehicles in Iraq. said, the exact shape of the future In 2004, Worsley said, has yet to be worked out. Biesty the government sponsored compared the current situation a contest to see whether with early battles over whether unmanned vehicles could VHS or Beta would govern the navigate a 150-mile desert VCR industry. Eventually, one course. Nobody won the $1 technology had to win. million prize. “As these technologies develop, (GM Heritage Center/Special to the Tribune) A year later, he said, five the state is trying to position General Motors opened its desert proving ground in Mesa in April teams succeeded. By 2007, the 1953 to test vehicles in weather and road conditions not available at itself so we are making the government was sponsoring the original Milford Proving Ground in Michigan. right investments based on the tests in urban areas. technologies that are going to be One upshot, he said, will be automated more,” he said. “Cars will just talk to one used,” he said. battlefields in the future. another as they approach intersections The federal government and the states Future battlefields, hopefully, will and one will go and one will stop.” will eventually have to standardize remain far removed from the East Valley. Chandler resident Kevin Biesty is vehicle equipment and the ways cars But automated vehicles will change the helping to shape Arizona’s approach communicate on the road, he said.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Ahwatukee’s new senator planning to work hard, stay in touch BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

on’t expect to see the newest Democrat in the State Senate to be manning picket lines or staging a sit-in in legislative chambers. But do expect to see Sen. Sean Bowie on your doorstep sometime next year. Bowie last week was savoring his apparent win over Tempe Republican Frank Schmuck for the vacant Senate seat in Legislative District 18. And even though he maintained a 2,000 to 3,000 vote lead throughout the night Nov. 8, he also remained cautious, given the uncounted ballots in Maricopa County. “I’m just cautious,” said the Sean Bowie 2002 Mountain Pointe High School alumnus, who will take a big pay cut when he is sworn into office in January. Bowie is a senior analyst for Arizona State University’s provost. Because that’s a state government job, the law requires him to quit to hold his legislative office. Despite his caution about last week’s election results, Bowie said “I don’t want to say I was surprised” about them. “The polling data put me ahead,” he said. “We had a very very strong ground operation. The Republicans didn’t.” He estimated he knocked on 12,000 doors in the district since April and that he had carefully analyzed registration numbers for the district before he decided to jump into the race almost 18 months ago. “Republicans outnumber Democrats by maybe 6,000 in the district, but we knew our strength was in independents, and that’s where I concentrated my efforts,” said Bowie, who has been interested in politics since he was a kid. “I was confident in the work we did and confident in the team we had.” “I thought if I worked really hard and knocked on enough doors, I could win,” he added, although he admitted he had to conquer a basic shyness early on the campaign trail. “When I first started knocking on doors, I was terrified,” he said. “I had to get comfortable with that. I had to get comfortable with public speaking.” Bowie also said it helped to have as

conservative a candidate as Schmuck as his opponent. “He said some things that might have worked in a more conservative district,” Bowie said, adding that he thought Schmuck focused on the wrong issue by hammering on his plan to replace the state income tax with a consumption levy. “I never heard anyone mention income tax out there,” he said, suggesting Schmuck’s plan fell on largely deaf ears. Now that he apparently has won, Bowie has a definite plan in mind. Foremost is a desire to work with the opposition party. “I’m not going to be a bomb thrower,” he said. “I want to work with people.” And he wants to keep his ear (Special to AFN) to the ground in the district. “I’m probably going to start knocking on doors in January. Part of me has to do that but I want to keep talking to people and hear what they have to say. I want to tell them I am their senator and this is what I am working on and find out how they feel about it.” He said he also wants to hold monthly meetings in the district to hear about his constituents’ concerns. Asked about who he admires most, Bowie quickly said Alexander Hamilton, though he also added Republicans Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt high on his list. “I really admire people who are selfmade and really put in the work and care more about external things than they care about themselves,” he said. “I just want to put in the work,” he said, both in the office and in the district. He recalled a statement attributed to the late industrialist Andrew Carneigie, who said, “My heart’s in my work.” “You’ll never see me protesting at the Capitol. To me it’s about being in a room working on the policies that are important to me and really trying to extract a good result.” Add to his list of admired people Republican Rep. Bob Robson of Chandler, who apparently lost his bid for an eighth term in the Legislature. “People ask me what kind of legislator do you want to model yourself after and I say Bob Robson. He cares more about the community and his district than he does about the party. I want to be like him.”

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Feds tell appeals court that freeway FOR YOUR BEST DENTAL EXPERIENCE opponents will lose and work should continue BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

he federal government on Friday formally asked an appeals court to deny a request to halt construction of the South Mountain Freeway until the judges can consider opponents’ appeal of a ruling that allows work to proceed. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Cruden’s lengthy brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth District contended that work should not be halted because Ahwatukee-based Protect Arizona’s Resources and Children had no chance of winning an appeal from U.S. District Judge Diane Humetewa’s August ruling. “PARC is not likely to succeed in overturning those correct conclusions on appeal,” Cruden wrote of Humetewa’s ruling. He said PARC also failed to show “that the balance of interests tip in its favor or that an injunction would be in the public interest. “The balance of the equities and public interest strongly tip against issuing an injunction, which would increase costs by $68,700,000 of taxpayer money per year, and delay a project necessary to address existing traffic conditions,” he added. Cruden represents the Federal Highway Administration, which PARC has sued along with the Arizona Department of Transportation. Neither ADOT nor the Gila River Indian Community have filed briefs in the injunction request. The FHA’s brief was its formal response to the injunction request filed by attorney Howard Shanker, who is representing PARC. It disputes his allegation that the FHA and ADOT ignored and distorted the environmental impact of the South Mountain Freeway, especially for nearby residents and thousands of children who attend the 17 schools located within a half pile of the freeway’s right-of-way. “As the district court found, the agencies reasonably considered the potential impacts of the project on

children’s health, including air quality and noise impacts,” he said, adding: “The agencies specifically considered and addressed the potential air quality impacts of the project, including the potential for impacts on children, in its National Environmental Protection Act analysis and its conformity analysis under the Clean Air Act.” Cruden also contends that the freeway “is not located closer to schools than it is to other nearby receptors” and that “because particulate matter levels decrease rapidly with distance from the freeway,” ambient air quality standards would be met at all the schools. He acknowledged that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had comment on the potential impact of freeway-related air pollution on children but noted it did not contest the specific analyses the agencies had performed.” He also said that any disagreement between highway planners and the EPA “highlights the rigorous consideration of the project” rather than a failure to meet federal regulations requiring a thorough air quality analysis. “The proposed project would relieve congestion and would save people approximately 9.2 million hours of travel time a year,” Cruden said of the freeway. “The project also benefits low income and minority communities by reducing bus travel time and improving access to school facilities and community centers. And voters have twice voted for a sales tax to fund transportation infrastructure projects such as the Project.” In a related argument, he also disputed Shanker’s contention that ADOT and the FHA have no plan to deal with hazardous chemical spills involving the estimated 14,000 trucks that are projected to eventually use the freeway every day. He said the ADOT/FHA environmental impact study “notes that the potential for such an accident already exists for many portions of the Phoenix metropolitan area,” and that ADOT has been adopting a broader plan to deal with them.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

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Ahwatukee women throw Thanksgiving dinner for kids who wouldn't have their own AFN NEWS STAFF

ometime in the next few days, a group of Ahwatukee women will join their counterparts from Mesa and treat some 350 children living in group foster homes to a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings they otherwise wouldn’t have. It’s the fourth year that women from Desert Foothills United Methodist Church and the Ahwatukee Kiwanis Club work with women from the First United Methodist Church of Mesa to serve the holiday treat. Carolyn Blaney Arndt of Desert Foothills Methodist, Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee member Andi Pettyjohn and Mesa’s Katie Mozurkewich organize the volunteers, line up the caterer and the location and work the invitation list to bring the kids together for the meal. The time and location are kept secret because many of the children were removed from abusive homes. When they organized the first Thanksgiving dinner of this kind in 2013, Arndt and Pettyjohn said they had little idea about the number or plight of foster children in Arizona. “Andi and I met by chance in 2013 and after hearing that there were foster children who wouldn’t be having any

(Special to AFN)

The Arizona Cardinals' mascot Big Red poses with members of Desert Foothills United Methodist Church who will help serve Thanksgiving dinner to more than 300 children from group foster homes. They include, from left: standing: Jill Sears, Becky Hill, Big Red, Kirsten Wachter, Katie Susan Osman and Michelle Wachter; kneeling: Susan Osman, Michelle Wachter and Stephanie Giel.

type of Thanksgiving meal, we thought ‘we could gather together volunteers and at least do a Turkey dinner.’ We had no idea of the needs in the foster care system,” Arndt said. That first year, Biscuits Restaurant

in Ahwatukee provided a full turkey dinner, complete with pies donated by the two congregations, for 160 kids. Currently there are 13,000 Maricopa County children in some kind of foster care, either group homes, shelters or

with foster parents. Arndt was so moved by their plight that she trained to be a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, to help watch out for children’s welfare in the foster care system and provide mentoring. “These are lost kids in the system,” she explained. “We know 25 percent of them could be in jail in the next year. They don’t have to be. If the public steps up, you can mentor them or volunteer and just connect with them.” Food is purchased through donations from individuals and the two churches. “People are so generous when they hear that they can help these foster children have a great Thanksgiving dinner and great fun,” Arndt said. Players from the Arizona Cardinals also attend, bringing team mascot Big Red to delight the kids. “The kids are thrilled to have their t-shirts signed…or whatever else they might be wearing,” Arndt said. “This year the Cardinals have been gracious enough to be bringing a magician and a DJ with speaker system to play music.” Desert Foothills United Methodist doesn’t stop with a Thanksgiving dinner for the foster children, either. See

FOSTER on page 31

Ahwatukee Festival of Lights Kick-Off Party needs your help AFN NEWS STAFF

ne of Ahwatukee’s oldest traditions needs some help from the community. The 21st annual Festival of Lights Kickoff Party—a day-long bash that opens the Christmas season in Ahwatukee—is in desperate need of 300 volunteers. “We are really short of volunteers,” said Susan Anderton, spokeswoman for the party. The volunteers help set up and run a wide variety of attractions at the party, which runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Desert

Foothills Park, 1010 Marketplace SW. Anderton said a variety of time slots on both Nov. 25 and 26 is available, since volunteers are needed to set up and tear down booths and other party infrastructure while others man the attractions during the event. The Festival of Lights was founded in 1995 as an Ahwatukee community initiative after Foothills developer Del Webb discontinued seasonal lighting along the Chandler Boulevard medians. Revenue from the kick-off party not only helps to cover the costs of the season-long lighting, but also benefits local charitable organizations. This year, the Festival of Lights Committee

has selected the Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA”s Outreach Program for Ahwatukee Seniors and the Girls Rule Foundation. Y OPAS provides transportation for seniors to medical appointments, stores and other local destinations while the Girls Rule Foundation provides empowerment and leadership activities for girls ages 12 to 18. The lights committee explains the importance of volunteers on its website, stating: “Given the large scale of the various annual events, the FoL stands as a remarkable example of community spirit. Through thick and thin, the

organization has sustained and grown each year, frequently reinventing itself to maintain freshness and relevance. All of this is achieved by exploiting the energies and thousands of hours of residents working as volunteers.” Besides two stages with entertainment and the annual night-time parade of holiday-decorated motorcycles, the kick-off party offers a bounce house and other activities for children; an ornament decorating booth; a pet parade; marketplace with more than two dozen vendors, food and beverages, including a beer-wine tavern; and See

LIGHTS on page 24

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Book club to set up a Little Free Library at Pomegranate Cafe LIGHTS AFN STAFF NEWS

embers of an Ahwatukee book club are sharing their love of reading with the community by setting up a Little Free Library in front of the Pomegranate Café. The Sisters of the Heart Book Club will hold a grand opening of the library 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the organic restaurant, 4025 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, featuring storytelling by Larky 11-11:30 a.m. Also, Ahwatukee artist Sandra Marshall wll be signing copies of her new book, "One Hot Night at the Veggie Bar." Little Free Library started with the inspiration of a Wisconsin man. In 2009, Tod Bol built a little schoolhouse in his backyard and stuck it on a post, like a birdfeeder, as a tribute to his schoolteacher mother, packing it with books that people could borrow. The idea gave birth the next year to a nonprofit organization that wants to “promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of

community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations,” according to its website. The founders’ initial goal was 2,510 birdhouselike libraries—the same number of libraries that philanthropist-steel baron Carnegie built in the late 19th and early 20th century. It has far exceeded that goal, with over 50,000 little libraries in 70 different countries. Book club member Eileen Paluck said her group’s library will be stocked with children’s books that members of the public can borrow. “We want to share our love of reading,” Paluck said. “We all raised kids and have grandkids and we want children to develop a love of reading too.” She said their library was built by John Parsey and decorated with mosaic tiles by Amy Gutmacher and Mary Harding, owners of Armonia Mosaic Arts in Ahwatukee.

Pomegranate Café was selected mainly because several members of the club enjoy it. “I just love it there,” said Paluck, a dietician. Paluck also said café owner Cassie Tolman liked the idea of hosting the library. “She thought it was a fantastic idea,” she said. Book club members who contributed time and money to the project include Arlene Johnsen, Bev Lichty, Florence McReynolds, Gail Cochrane, Janey Mayer, Judy Lewisohn, Marie Parsey, Mary Harding, Nancy Neidert, Pat Martinson, Sue Mullarkey and Wendy Walker. Paluck said the library will blend in with the cafe's exterior decor and will have a table and chairs in case parents just want to read to their children for a while. People who might have books to donate or questions can email idp56@ cox.net.

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holiday train rides. Most of these activities require the help of volunteers. They oversee the inflatables, work at ticket booths, and perform other jobs. The committee needs volunteers from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for any amount of time ranging from two hours to all day. Community service hours are credited to those who need them. Children from 12 years and up can work game booths and teens at least 14 years old can work inflatables with friends. “We need their help to make the event happen for the little ones,” the committee said. People can sign up at folaz.org.

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Jane Chrisner puts some finishing touches on an exhibit for this Saturday's arts and crafts fair at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center.

Cancelled last year, ARC Arts and Crafts Fair is returning this weekend AFN NEWS STAFF

ast year, the annual Arts and Crafts Fair at the Ahwatukee Recreation Center was cancelled because its host facility was in disarray as the result of an extensive remodeling project. This year, it’s back with a vengeance as 30 artists will be offering an extensive array of hand-made pottery, stained glass, paintings, jewelry, home décor, quilts, needlecraft and woodworking. The fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the center, 5001 E. Cheyenne Drive, Ahwatukee, “offers an opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping,” said Sue Altman, one of the fair organizers. Calling the fair “one of the jewels of Ahwatukee,” Altman said artists and crafts people have been busy for months making items. Some artists will offer demonstrations on the outdoor pavilion, including hand-thrown pottery. The fair will also include a raffle of handcrafted items with master of ceremonies Peter Longo, a popular television personality. Breakfast and lunch items will be

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John MacDermott, an accomplished stained glass artist, will be selling some of his work and also have a piece up for a raffle at the Ahwatukee Recreation Arts & Crafts Fair Saturday.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Near-fatal injury led Ahwatukee man to add ‘novelist’ to his varied resume BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

rvin McGrath of Ahwatukee has had a varied career. He’s been a police officer, a meat cutter who rose through the ranks to top management positions in the food industry and now has his own residential rental management company. But it took a near-death experience two years ago for him to take on another venture: novelist at the age of 80. His first novel, titled “The Legend of Imogene Byrnes” and available on Amazon and Kindle, has just been published. It follows by a year the publication of his autobiography, “The Dodsworth Lane Man,” a title based on the Kentucky country road where he grew up. McGrath had written other nonfiction, mainly for the Knights of Columbus and the Highland Heights, Kentucky, Police Department, where he worked from 1969-1976. But a near-fatal neck injury in 2014 led to his new avocation. “I wrote nothing remotely close to prose,” he said, and “did not seriously

consider story-telling” until he was involves a woman who becomes the focus forced into a lengthy recuperation that of gossip among a group of country club prevented him from women because she engaging in almost all was twice-widowed physical activity. and became rich “So, I occupied as a result of her my time during husbands’ deaths. my recovery by He said the writing,” he said. inspiration for the “The autobiography book is his wife, came first because Joan, who served it was the epitome on the Highland of ‘write about what Heights City you know.’ That Council when experience, although he was a police demanding, became captain, stimulating enough “She was, in Ervin McGrath, author to bring me to think reality, my boss. about testing the Although Joan is waters with a fictional a busy wife and novel. Hence, ‘The Legend of Imogene mother, I would not have accomplished Byrne’ was published.” the things in my careers that I did without He describes the novel as an “adventure/ her support. After we had relocated to mystery” that includes the title character’s Arizona, she spent 22 years working for kidnapping, the assassination of a the Arizona Fall League." Catholic bishop, a vehicular homicide Rawlings Sporting Goods in 2013 “and a social/political conscience” of a named her Woman Executive of the Year suburbanite’s life. for her work with the league. The setting is south-central Ohio, and Although he was only a part-time

officer because he was a general foreman and manager of industrial relations for the Kroger Company’s food processing division, McGrath was so popular that he was given the key to the city when he was transferred to another locale. Kroger named him man of the year in 1973 because he introduced a new management concept at the company. He eventually moved to Arizona after Fleming Foods recruited him in 1988 to direct its meat operations. In 1994, he passed his real estate exam, became a broker three years later and in 2002, he formed his own residential rental management company. He and his wife have nine children. Though he has only been authoring books for a couple of years, McGrath is no stranger to writing. He writes a monthly Knights of Columbus newsletter, titled “The Windjammer” for men and women at four Catholic parishes, including Corpus Christi and St. Benedict in Ahwatukee and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Holy Spirit in Tempe. See

AUTHOR on page 31

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Experience Kyrene at our School Choice Fair. Meet with education experts on Thursday, November 17 • Multiple early childhood programs for children ages 0-5 years old • Kindergartners attend classes in art, music, P.E. and library • STEM, integrated technology and gifted programs in all schools • Leader in Me Academies – 7 Habits of Happy Kids (K to 5th) • Dual language opportunities (Pre-K to 8th) • Kyrene Traditional Academy (Pre-K to 5th) • Elementary and middle school arts integration • Students outperform peers in AzMERIT Math and ELA assessments

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COMMUNITY

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Ahwatukee Garden seeks residents’ help with Seed Money Challenge AFN NEWS STAFF

rganizers of the Ahwatukee Community Garden Project are hoping residents will help them win the Seed Money Year-End Challenge that launched earlier this week. They have 30 days to raise $600, which then will get them a $400 grant. Tax-deductible donations can be made at seedmoney.org/campaign/201/ ahwatukee-community-garden-project. The Ahwatukee Community Garden Project was founded in 2012 with four goals in mind, and is run by the Ahwatukee Garden Club. Its primary goal is to provide opportunities to connect neighbors of all ages and backgrounds. The second goal is to teach best gardening practices for the low desert. Most people coming into the community are transplants to the Sonoran Desert and unfamiliar with what to grow here and when to plant it. Mass market gardening books and big box stores often provide information that is wrong for the desert, the club says. Five active members are University of Arizona Extension Master Gardeners and are always available to answer questions. The project also aims to inspire participants to grow healthy, organic produce for themselves and to share with an area food bank. Everyone is invited to taste free produce fresh from the garden, both in the garden and at the club's monthly informational table at the Ahwatukee Farmers’ Market. The project maintains the Rio Salado Seed Shed Library to share free seeds saved from the demonstration garden and individual home gardens with the neighborhood. The last goal is to promote an

appreciation of the Sonoran Desert’s wildlife. “We have done that by designing and planting a pollinator garden for children, as well as including native fruit and vegetables, herbs and flowers throughout the garden,” organizers say on their website. “Everything is done organically to encourage an abundance of healthy plants and pollinators in and around the garden. We also have a seed grant from Native Seed Search to help provide plantings for a desert tortoise habitat at a local school,” it adds Garden organizers partnered with several Boy Scouts working on their

Eagle Scout projects in building much of the garden. One project built the Children’s Garden. Another built three “keyhole” beds. Scouts also provided a retaining fence and eight garden arbors. Last year its Seed Money funds went toward purchasing fruit trees that Boy Scouts helped plant. Money also went for drip lines. This year, the funds raised in the Seed Money campaign will be used to build a small shed with green house windows and a pitched roof so it can collect runoff. The garden is at 4700 E. Warner Road, wedged between the golf course, basketball court, and the batting cages. Five years ago, local horticulturist Star

Heilman started planning to bring a community garden to Ahwatukee. The original plan was to create a resource to provide fresh produce for our local food bank, but food banks have a difficult time making use of perishables, and the garden is too small to provide a large crop of one type of vegetable. The mission has changed to an emphasis on building community and sharing information, while planting and maintaining an actual desert garden. The Ahwatukee Garden Club has a community work session at the garden at 8 a.m. every Sunday. Sessions last about two hours and there are no residence restrictions or fees.

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

AROUND AHWATUKEE

Akimel A-al School to hold multicultural night

Akimel A-al Middle School, 2720 E. Liberty Lane, Ahwatukee, will hold a public multicultural night 5-8 p.m. Friday. Entertainment will include performances by the school orchestra, wind ensemble, chorus, theater as well as Native American dancers, Polynesian dancers and Legacy Master Martial Arts. Various ethnic dishes will be available. Students will have decorated pods throughout the school that present information on various world cultures. There also will be a raffle with a number of prizes, including four tickets to Disneyland and a chance to be a firefighter for a day with the Phoenix Fire Department.

Local LDS Chapel to host community holiday concert

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 2955 E. Frye Road, Ahwatukee, is hosting its Ahwatukee Community Christmas Celebration 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Besides music from local choirs and ensembles, there will be a live Nativity, crèche exhibit and free hot chocolate and cookies. Attendees also are asked to bring used clothing and nonperishable food items to beneit Frank Elementary School in Guadalupe.

Information: ahwatukeenativity.org.

AFN accepting entries for Holiday Lights Contest

The Ahwatukee Foothills News Holiday Lights Contest is in full swing. Nominate the decorations of a neighbor, a friend or yourself. Send in an address and a photo, and write a note about why you nominated it. Please include your name, address and phone number as “official nominator” for any contenders you send along. The nominated home, business or edifice must be in Ahwatukee and have an outdoor display. To enter, go to surveymonkey.com/r/ AFNLights and attach an image of the home. Or, write to Ahwatukee Holiday Lights, 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282, and mail us an image. Entries will be accepted until Nov. 30. Winners will be announced in early December.

Pet spa offers CPR class, Christmas photo shoot

Diamond Cut Pet Spa, 48th Street and Warner Road, Ahwatukee, is offering a pet CPR/first aid class, an eight-hour session that teaches pet owners how to take care of your pet in the event of an emergency. The class is at 9 a.m. Dec. 4.

Diamond Cut is also hosting its annual Santa Paws Photo Shoot Dec. 10 to benefit Lost Our Home Pet Rescue. People can bring the entire family, including pets, to meet Santa and have their photo taken for $25. To schedule a photo shoot or sign up for the class: 480-689-1261.

Music Makers Workshops planning winter break camps

Music Maker Workshops, 32nd Street and Chandler Boulevard, Ahwatukee, is taking reservations for its music and art camps during winter break. The four-day Morning Music Camp provides a chance to learn about three instruments each day. Beginner to intermediate classes are available, with students placed according to their age and experience. Instrument choices are: piano, violin, voice, drums, guitar and beginner recorder. Open to kids 5 to 12 years old, the camp runs Dec. 19-22 and costs $135 for early registration and $150 after Dec. 1. The Afternoon Winter Art Camp provides a chance for students to make creative holiday gifts. Students draw and paint while learning the elements of art. A variety of media will be used, including drawing, painting, printmaking, clay or collage. Theory and

technique are woven into class through fun art projects and are taught by a professional artist. That camp runs the same days, 12:30-2:45 p.m. Information: 490-706-1224 or register at musicmakerworkshops.com.

Horizon Honors High School hosting cheer clinic

Horizon Honors High School Spiritline will host a cheer clinic for girls and boys ages 5 -13 from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at 16233 S. 48th Street. The cheerleaders will provide instruction in cheers, chants, dances and stunts. Participants will also perform at half-time at a varsity basketball game later in the school year. Cost is $40 for pre-registration by Friday and includes instruction, a t-shirt and a snack. Cost is $45 for walk-ins the day of the clinic and will not include a t-shirt. Information: armani.hernandez@horizonclc.org or register in person at the school.

ADOT sets Pecos Road restrictions for this week

The Arizona Department of Transportation has announced that traffic will be restricted on Pecos Road in both directions 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. today through Friday. The restrictions will be on a stretch between 32nd Street and Chandler Boulevard.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Toyota surprises Ahwatukee vet by paying off their car leases BY JIM WALSH AFN Staff Writer

.S. Army veteran Abel Bautista, of Ahwatukee, was pleasantly surprised on Veterans Day when a Toyota executive handed him and two other veterans a ceremonial card board car key and said the magic words. “These vehicles are now free and clear,’’ said Mark Angelacos, general manager of the Scion Division with Toyota Motor Sales. “We don’t know of more deserving people to receive them.’’ The veterans said they thought they were merely attending a Veterans Day event and had no idea that they would receive such a special gift when they arrived that morning at Big Two Toyota in Chandler. Bautista, as well as William Brien of Gilbert and Kurt Kronemeyer of Apache Junction, all had been lucky two years ago when Toyota selected them as winners of their Scions for Soldiers program. Each veteran received a brand new 2014 Scion XB with a free two-year lease. The Toyota Motors, Toyota Financial

(Special to AFN)

Abel Bautista of Ahwatukee, right, is congratulated by Roger Stern of Toyota Financial Services after the company paid off his Scion in honor of his service as a veteran military serviceman.

Services, Toyota Motor Sales and the Valley Toyota Dealers Association

decided to take their generosity a step further to commemorate Veterans Day and to honor the service of all three men by paying off the leases and giving them the vehicles. The gifts came much to their relief and delight. “To a lot of people, a car is just a car. To us, it was a lot more,’’ Bautista, said alluding to his family. “It got us out of a really deep hole.’’ Bautista said he was serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan when the vehicle in which he was riding hit an improvised explosive device and exploded, leaving him with a brain injury. “We needed a car. My wife was doing everything to keep our household afloat. I could not work because of the brain injury,’’ Bautista said. He said his wife, Shayna, would drive the car regularly to work and would give him rides to his medical appointments, sometimes several a week, because he was not allowed to drive at that time. The couple also has three small children. Eventually, Abel Bautista was declared 100 percent disabled and Shayna Bautista became his caregiver.

Abel Bautista also regained his driver’s license. Despite his medical issues, “I don’t regret it a single bit,’’ Abel Bautista said about his service in the Army, from 2004 to 2008. “If I knew it was going to happen again, I would go back and do it again.’’ Shayna Bautista said the couple had two cars at the time they were chosen for the original award. She said she was working for the Arizona National Guard at the time, and some military members heard about the contest and encouraged her and her husband to enter. The couple had two cars at the time, a Jeep that is still sitting in the driveway and a Mazda that was overheating and breaking down once a month. “I don’t think they even understand the magnitude’’ of the gift, Abel Bautista said, about the Toyota executives who gave him the Scion. Brien, who has served 10 ½ years in the Army and remains a member of the National Guard, said, “Because they are giving us the cars, I don’t have to worry about my family and wife.’’

Air Force sergeant’s Ahwatukee family wins free air-conditioning system AFN News Staff

hwatukee Foothills News readers helped the local family of a a U.S. Air Force master sergeant win a new air conditioning system with free installation last week. Christine Harms, wife of Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist Master Sgt. Aaron Harms, received the good news the day before Veterans Day from Forrest Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. The company had run a contest, asking people to vote on Facebook for either Harms or two other West Valley veterans, in order to honor active and retired military servicemen and women. The AFN publicized the contest with a story about Harms three weeks ago. Forrest Anderson, a family-owned business in the Phoenix area since 1961, was joined in the prize by Sigler Wholesale Distributors, Empire Metal Products and Smiley Crane Services. Representatives of all four companies surprised Christine Harms at her home with a dozen red, white, and blue balloons as well as a giant cardboard

(Special to AFN)

Christine Harms of Ahwatukee, center, accepts the free air-conditioning system awarded to her Air Force husband, Master Sgt. Aaron Harm. Flanking her are, from left: Mark Stevens of Forrest Anderson, Lita Aguirre of Sigler Wholesale, Forrest Anderson President Audrey Monell and Terry Church of Forrest Anderson.

cutout of the new air conditioning unit. “It’s been an honor for us to offer this donation to a local military family here in Arizona, and we are so excited to be able to help out the Harms family in Ahwatukee with a brand-new air conditioning unit and installation,” said Audrey Monell, president of Forrest

Anderson, adding: “We truly loved learning about so many of our local military heroes through the nominations, and this is just a small way for us to say thanks to everyone for their service to our country.” For the last 5 years, Harms has been separated from his family while

stationed in Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. He is looking forward to returning home to Arizona next June after his retirement to rejoin his family and learn to be part of the routine again. Harms has served in the U.S Air Force for over 23 years, and has been stationed in various overseas U.S bases including remote tours in Kuwait and Turkey. Harms, 41, a native of Iowa who moved to Ahwatukee about two years ago, is the weapons section chief for the 29th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and also manages the base’s drug demand reduction program. His last overseas assignment was in Iceland, where he worked in the armament back shop for fighter jets. He said he joined the Air Force “to see the world and get out of Iowa.” ““I really just wanted to see the world, get the GI Bill to get my degree, and then call it good,” he continued. “But at my 10-year mark, my supervisor said, ‘You’ve gone this far, go the next 10 and call it good.'" "So I did, and here I am, 23 years in the USAF, and I wouldn’t change it for a second.”

COMMUNITY

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

AUTHOR

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

SATURDAY, NOV. 19

from page 26

He was named Editor of the Year in 2010 and has been a Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 10062 and a Faithful Navigator of Assembly 14, also a Knights of Columbus organization. He also served as the color corps commander for the Assembly’s honor guard for eight years. While he writes several hours almost daily, McGrath said he likes to take time out every so often to go to “someplace special like the Grand Canyon.” He counts Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and Stephen King as his favorite authors and counts among his friends two local writers—Ann Port, who writes adventure/romance novels, and Carol Hageman, who writes children’s books.

Church holds fall fest

Friendship Community Church promises “lots of family fun” at its Fall Festival with food, music, games and a bounce house. DETAILS>>: 3-6 p.m., 9807 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. Free.

TUESDAY, DEC. 6

Writing resources discussed

Attention writers: author Anissa Stringer will discuss resources, apps, and software designed to help you write. DETAILS>> 6-7:45 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd. Free. Information: haley.dziuk@phoenix.gov.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

Create ‘edible houses’

Create a graham cracker house for the holidays! This event is free and all supplies will be provided. Event is open to teens 12-17. DETAILS>> 2-3 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd. Free. Teens ages 12-17. No registration required.

SUNDAY, DEC. 11

‘Nutcracker’ meets Hogwarts

Please recycle me.

The magic of the season is let loose at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as the library blends enchanting Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math activities with a holiday flair, and throws in a musical performance by the Mill Avenue Chamber Players to boot. DETAILS>> 1-4 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd. Free. All ages.

Tempe Preparatory Academy Open House for incoming 6th-8th grade students and parents who are interested in attending Tempe Prep

Thursday, November 17 at 6:30 pm 1251 E Southern Avenue

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THURSDAY, DEC. 15

Put on pajamas for stories

Wear your pajamas to a special Story-time reading of “The Polar Express.” Enjoy cookies with your friends afterward. DETAILS>> 6:30-7:15 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd. Children up to 5 years old. No registration required, but come early as space is limited.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

‘Nutcracker’ to be showcased Ahwatukee dance instructor Kimberly Lewis will present her 17th annual “Nutcracker” with Santa making a guest appearance after both afternoon shows. DETAILS>>Tickets are on sale for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18. All performances at Mountain Pointe High School’s Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets can be obtained at Dance Studio 111, 4910 Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, at 480-706-6040, or by emailing afnutcracker@gmail.com. Tickets are $18 to $40 for assigned seating. Information: afnutcracker.com.

Craft-palooza offered

Need some alone time for last minute holiday chores? Send dad and the kids to the library for crafts and cartoons. DETAILS>> 1-4 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd. Free. Ages 6-11. No registration required.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28

Go beyond bracelet basics

Go beyond the basics of making bracelets and learn how to make more complicated friendship wrist jewelry. DETAILS>> 4:30-6:30 p.m., Ironwood Library, 4333 E Chandler Blvd. Free. Teens ages 12-17. No registration required.

FOSTER

from page 22

Congregants have continued to do outreach to those in need, last year preparing a Christmas turkey dinner for a large group home for teenage boys and having an Angel Gift Tree where members of the congregation match donated new gifts, clothes and footwear for the youth. “While young children in the foster system might get presents donated at Christmas through other events, the older teenagers are often completely forgotten,” Arndt said. Arndt said she hopes the dinner acts to raise awareness about the plight of older youth in the foster system, many of whom have trouble being adopted and remain stuck in the system until they come of age. But she also hopes the dinner provides a happy experience they can look back on fondly. Still, she has no illusions about the breadth of the problem. “I hate to say, because foster children have so many needs in Arizona, that one Thanksgiving meal is just a drop in the bucket,” she said. Information on how to help foster kids: AZHelpingHands.org or voicesforcasachildren.org.

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Opinion

@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

www.ahwatukee.com

Special AFN edition will arrive on Thanksgiving Day BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

f you start heading for your driveway next Wednesday or the local newsstand to get your copy of the Ahwatukee Foothills News, allow me to save you the trip. It won’t be there. Instead, we will be publishing a special edition to be delivered on Thanksgiving Day. The good news: it will be filled with gift ideas from local merchants and stories about all the community’s signature holiday season events, from the Festival of Lights Kick-off Party to local dance instructor’s 17th annual presentation of the classic “Nutcracker”—and many other can’t-miss holiday events. The bad news: We won’t be bringing you the outcome of Mountain Pointe High School’s fortunes in the semifinal contest playing this Friday. Our printer’s schedule is forcing us to hit the presses earlier than normal. Fortunately, you can turn to ahwatukee.com this weekend for AFN Prep Sports Director Jason Skoda’s report and visuals from our photographers for that.

And should the Pride make it to the state championship game and win, you’ll have your keepsake copy of the AFN as normal on Nov. 30. For those of you who make reading the AFN an integral part of your Wednesday routine, I certainly appreciate that you do. And we’re sorry for the interruption. Believe it or not, newspapermen and woman often dislike schedule interruptions and early deadlines just as much as some of our readers do. For someone like me, who confesses to a longtime love affair with print, schedule changes like this one are more than a little annoying. But I console myself with the notion that, had the paper landed on your doorstep next Wednesday, it risked playing second fiddle or worse to shopping for trimmings, defrosting the bird or getting your home clean for your parents, in-laws or both. Indeed, it could end up being home to potato peels. This way, you’ll get your copy on a day when you can give it your full attention, once you’ve put away the dishes and can turn your attention to the holiday shopping sprint that lies ahead. And if you don’t like football, you’ll

have something to engage your attention while the gridiron fans in your family sit in front of the television, paralyzed by a tryptophan coma and/or a sugar OD. Speaking of football, I’d like to offer a couple words about Ahwatukee’s two varsity teams. First, you done good. I know Desert Vista High School’s season didn’t turn out in a way that fully reflects the hard work of the team. But those players refused to sink beneath the weight of defeats dealt to them during the first half of the season. They came back with energy and drive to make the season’s second half exciting for their fans. When it comes right down to it, that’s the only thing fans can legitimately expect: that their team won’t give up. The Thunder provided the kind of edge-of-your-seat excitement that people watch sports for in the first place. And while the entire community shares the players’ disappointment that the team didn’t go deeper in the playoffs, I am convinced we all still believe these guys are winners. As for the Pride, how often does a team’s name match its fan base’s emotions? These guys are on the precipice of

greatness, even though they’ve already proved they’re pretty great. All that exhausting pre-season preparation, the weeks of practice and the rigorous effort each player put into fine-tuning his performance have now put the team two games away from another title. But it’s not just the title that will be important to them 10 or 20 years from now. They’ll be able to look back at the 2016 season with, well, pride. No matter what the final outcome might be, each Mountain Pointe varsity football player can take the lessons of hard work and accomplishments and apply them to the rest of their lives. They know that while luck might impact a play here or a play there, discipline, hard work and team spirit will always be more important than the outcome of any undertaking. As for their fans and the community at large, the 2016 Pride has earned our gratitude—not just for the thrills, but for the example they’ve set for their peers and those who will come after them. And we also thank them for the reminder they’ve created for the rest of Arizona—that Ahwatukee is someplace special.

LETTERS

Ahwatukee needs golf course and lakes, not a farm

We have lived in Ahwatukee since 1982. My office has been in Tempe since 1981. I was a member of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce on two occasions; I resigned both times because of their political endorsements. The Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce serves not only businesses, but all the people who visit the businesses. By supporting Ahwatukee Farms, the Chamber is supporting the deterioration of our great neighborhood. The first phase of this deterioration came when the apartment buildings were built on 48th Street. The initial Presley Development included only single-

family dwellings. However, when a carpet-bagger corporate entity purchase the land from Presley, apartment complexes went up as soon as possible. Ahwatukee Farms plans to build more homes where our lakes and golf course were. The lakes and golf course were good for the community; further corporate development is not. Ahwatukee Farms will not help Ahwatukee. Yet, the Chamber of Commerce endorses it. The Farms will create only more traffic, pollution and, yes, crime. The lakes were beautiful and the golf course was promised to residents. The Mountain Pointe High School golf teams played there for years. More local politicians agree a park serving the public would be a good idea.

We say the city should restore the golf course and the lakes. -William Walker

Maybe Trump’s election is America's wake-up call

I worked the polls Nov. 8 and for the past year, I’ve done everything that I could do to support the candidates and platforms of the Legislative District 18 Democrats. I cut the TV off about 10 p.m. because I was so upset. But it’s all on Donald Trump now. When you win these elections, that’s just the beginning. Now you’ve got to govern. Trump has control of the executive branch, the House and the Senate, so he’s

got no excuse. Let’s see what he does. Those who voted for him are going to hold him accountable for the things he said. When is he going to start building the wall? When’s he going to start the deportation force? When’s he going to repeal Obamacare and take 20 million people off of medical insurance? When’s he going to tear up the nuclear deal with Iran? Then what happens when the Russians step in and help them build a nucular bomb? Is he going to alienate Muslim Americans who help us with national security to the extent that we don’t have their support monitoring Isis activity? Is he going to start a trade war when See

LETTERS on page 33

Real Estate Guide Strong housing market seen continuing across country opportunities as well as challenges for the months ahead.” Total home sales for the year through September were up 4 percent over the same period in 2015. Sales of existing homes were up 3 percent, while new-home sales rose 13 percent. “The new-home market is gaining momentum as the existing-home market struggles with very low levels of inventory,”

AFN NEWS SERVICES

he strong first half of the year for housing nationwide did not lose momentum as kids went back to school and temperatures cooled. “The market is strong and seems poised to remain so for the rest of the year,” Realtor. com said, adding that “the improving economy presents both

Realtor.com reported, noting new homes represent 10 percent of home sales now—an increase over the 8 percent they represented last year. There’s more growth ahead for new homes. New construction is the “inventory pressure escape valve” when jobs are growing while other factors constrain existinghome inventories. See

Listed for $517,500

3,921 sq.ft., 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom. Stunning single-level estate located in prestigious Ahwatukee Custom Estates.

Listed for $749,000

MARKET on page RE 2 Geno Ross

Gorgeous home on hillside lot with privacy of mountain preserve.

Mike Mendoza

SPOTLIGHT TLIGHT home

See Page 6

3,100sqft single level estate on private lot with Guest House in gated community of Canyon Reserve.

Listed for $899,000

Bonny Holland

See Page 6

Ahwatukee’s #1 Team for Over 28 Years 480-706-7234

Equestrian Estates - Front

Equestrian Estates - Back

Amazing sunset and mountain views from updated single level. 4 br, 3 ba with 3,056 sq. ft. Spacious eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Zebrawood plank tile and wood flooring. Resort-style backyard with retractable door, multiple fire pits with seating, diving pool with waterfall, built-in BBQ with bar, in-ground trampoline and tropical landscaping.

Listed for $649,000

Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated

www.MendozaTeam.com

Mountain Park Ranch - Front

Mike Mendoza

Mountain Park Ranch -Back

Impeccable T.W. Lewis home with 5 br, 3 ba and 3,076 sq. ft. Spacious eat-in kitchen features black granite countertops and black appliances. One bedroom and full bath down with master suite and three secondary bedrooms upstairs. Resort-style backyard replete with amazing built-in kitchen, fire pit with seating, salt water pool and above ground spa.

Listed for $424,900

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Is it time to sell your house? Here are things to consider AFN NEWS SERVICES

o matter how many fond memories you’ve accumulated in your home, there may come a time when you start wondering: Should I sell my place? Maybe it’s because your local real estate market is booming and you stand to score a sweet payout. Maybe you’re relocating. Or your expanding family has outgrown your space. Or you’re just looking for a change of scenery. But questioning is easy; deciding to put your house on the market is tough. Here are some steps to help you pinpoint when the time is right. Calculate home equity. A key variable in the decision on whether to sell your home is how much equity you’ve built up over the years. Home equity is the amount of money tied up in your house—what you’d receive if you sold it, minus what you owe on your mortgage. You’ll need two numbers: the remaining

MARKET

from page RE 1

Tight supply combined with strong and growing demand continue to provide support for stronger-thannormal price appreciation. Median existing-home prices were up 6 percent over last year in September. “Housing outperformed because of ample demand from buyers who haven’t yet been successful—buyers who just happen to be from the two largest generations in American history,” Realtor.com said. It noted that millennials and baby boomers “are now reaching turning points in their lives (marriage, retirement) that push them to make housing decisions that they have been putting off for many years.” It cited the impact of those demographic tailwinds in the recently released 2016 “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers” by the National Association of Realtors, which found that people aged 25 to 34 represent the biggest buying-age demographic. Now that U.S. economy is posting the strongest GDP growth in the third quarter than in two years, the website foresees several future developments. With a more positive outlook domestically and with less concern about negative interest rates continuing

balance on your mortgage and what your home is currently worth. You can get a ballpark of the latter by typing your address into realtor.com’s home value estimator. For a more in-depth assessment, ask your real estate agent, who will do an analysis by checking comparables, or comps (the prices of recently sold, similar homes in your area), as well as other aspects of your home. Let’s say you purchased your home for $300,000, but its market value has risen to $325,000. Let’s also assume that you’ve whittled down your mortgage over the years so that all you owe is $75,000. To get your home equity, subtract $75,000 from $325,000 and you have $250,000 in home equity. Of course, the more you owe on your mortgage and/or the more your home’s price has plummeted, the less home equity you have. If that number is much smaller or even negative (which can happen if housing prices plummet),

consider holding off on selling until conditions improve. Seller’s or buyer’s market? Another factor in deciding if it’s time to sell is whether you’re in a seller’s market. This essentially means that the demand for homes is outpacing the supply, which gives sellers more leverage during negotiations. To figure out if you’re in a seller’s market, browse through some listings and look for these two signs: houses are selling for over asking price, and homes aren’t sitting on the market for long (generally less than six months). If that describes your area, then it’s a great time to sell. Just don’t forget that if you sell, you may also have to buy, which may present problems unless you’re leaving the area. On the other hand, if homes in your area are selling for under asking price and sitting over six months, that means you’re in a buyer’s market and that market forces aren’t working in your favor. This means

if you want top dollar you may want to wait. Interest rates on mortgages. If you’re planning to sell your home and buy a new one, you should definitely consider interest rates on mortgages. Interest rates are at historic lows, hovering around 4 percent. In the ’80s, they were a whopping 17.48 percent—and while they probably won’t shoot up quite as high in the near future, they might move up by next year. Homeowners eager to upgrade to their dream home might want to grab them while they can. Have your housing needs changed? Market forces and interest rates aren’t the only things to keep in mind when deciding if you should sell your home. A lot has to do with you, and whether the house suits your space requirements. For instance: Is your current place too small now that you’ve been joined by a couple of kids—or is it too big now that your grown children have moved out on their own?

abroad, the Federal Reserve is looking like it will raise short-term interest rates at the December meeting, it said. “While shortterm rate policy does not affect m o r t g a g e rates directly, the mortgage market often moves ahead of policy changes,” it said. “And that’s what we’re now seeing (Special to AFN) with mortgage This 3,300-square-foot home at 14827 S. 20th St., Ahwatukee, was the top sold home in the past few weeks, according to mls. rates, which are com. The five-bedroom, 3.5-bath house sold for $565,000 and was built in 1994. currently where they were before behavior of lenders and investors who confidence should rebound from its the Brexit vote in June.” The website said that while mortgage will likely be more aggressive in the recent decline. “A stronger consumer rates are likely to move up, they are purchase mortgage market with the outlook on top of historically high not likely to increase dramatically. chance to make more money from numbers of people turning 30 as well “U.S. economic growth remains tepid higher rates,” Realtor.com said. “Lenders as 65 will provide the support for by historical standards, and low rates will also see diminishing prospects in the continued gains in the months ahead,” globally will prevent the Fed from being refinance market, further pushing them it said. However, it cited “key challenges: with to be more aggressive in the purchase too aggressive,” it said. continuing low levels of available homes Marginally higher rates present both a market.” Now that the presidential election for sale combined with marginally challenge and an opportunity, it added. “The opportunity comes in the is over, it predicted that consumer higher mortgage rates.

REAL ESTATE

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Buying a home from your landlord can have pitfalls BY STACEY LYKINS AFN Guest Writer

ecently, I represented a seller in Ahwatukee, who ended up selling their home to their tenant. This seems like it should be a smooth and easy transition. However, it created several nuisances in the transaction. It was a short-sale situation, which complicated the matter further. When tenants are buying a home, or moving out, it is not permissible under the state Landlord Tenant’s Act to use their deposit as rent unless mutually agreed upon by both parties. A deposit is just that, a deposit, not rent. Actually, it is not permissible under the act to use the cleaning deposit for anything but cleaning. Therefore, rent taken out of the cleaning deposit would be in direct conflict with the definition. You cannot use it for damage or other issues. However, most tenants believe they are entitled to use their deposit as rent at the end of the lease agreement. This is not a prudent practice that any landlord should employ with a tenant. Adding another dimension to the situation is a seller continuing to do maintenance to a home being lost to short sale. Any seller or homeowner who is losing a home to a short sale stops putting money into the property long before the property closes. Now, in the case of a tenant, basic items must be in working order, such as the air conditioning and running water. A landlord/seller cannot create a

situation where the tenant’s basic living conditions are not maintained. But that is not what we are discussing here. This is a discussion about maybe a dying tree or grass, leaking sprinklers or gate or door that needs to be repaired. Once a seller has decided to go the short sale route, they no longer put money into the home and the home is sold “as-is.” The bank is not going to make repairs and the seller is not either. This can cause issues with a tenant who is buying the home. The tenant still may be making payments to the seller and expect all issues to be repaired as they were prior to the short sale process. Putting this into perspective, what is an owner’s motivation to do repairs or put money into a home they are losing? In a normal situation when a tenant vacates a home because the home is going to short sale, the tenants don’t care about repairs because they are moving out. However, the tenant-buyer’s perspective shifts to that of a buyer, not a tenant. So, you have a tenant acting as a homebuyer and therein lies the conflict. Buyers must put on the tenant hat until they own the home and they can make whatever repairs, upgrading or changes they want. However, as a buyer of a short sale, that sale is “as-is” and that is how they need to proceed. They cannot expect to have any repairs done to the home.

Bill Watson

Gets Results. Top 1% of Agents in Arizona.

THE Hardest Working Real Estate Professional.

I CAN SELL YOURS TOO! Tristan

$249,900

Wonderful home located in lake subdivision Pecos Ranch! Walking paths, fishing lakes, community pool and tennis courts! This 3 bedroom, two bathroom, single level home has upgraded tile, newer carpet, updated fixtures and appliances. Large kitchen opens to family room includes flat top stove, built-in microwave and refrigerator stays with home. Separate large living/dining room combo. Large master bedroom and bath with separate shower/ tub and walk-in closet. Secondary bedrooms are large. Inside laundry with washer and dryer included. Location is amazing. Close to 202, 101 and Chandler Mall. Don’t miss this home. Won’t last long at this price.

Diamond Ridge

$575,000 WOW! Don’t miss this almost 4000 square foot masterpiece in Gated Diamond Ridge sitting on interior corner lot! This complete re-model has all the right upgrades with the perfect floor plan! 5 beds plus office/3.5 baths/2.5 car garage/heated and cooled pebble tech pool&spa, built-in BBQ and outdoor fireplace! Over $200,000 remodel includes kitchen expansion with custom cabinets, granite counters,double oven, all bathrooms with replaced toilets, custom cabinets and granite counters. Huge Laundry room with custom cabinets.New wood floors and carpet 6 months ago, plantation shutters, classy closets. Newer Trane A/C, custom wall unit in family room!Pool has water cooling A?C!.Sec Sys doesn’t convey.Gated Comm. Steps from MPR comm pool. Seller will convert to 3.5 car garage upon buyer request.

Camelot Canyon Foothills

The Tompkins Team

Mountain Park Ranch

Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving. www.TompkinsAZHomes.com

Each office is independently owned and operated.

480.706.7259

$314,000 Fantastic two story home with impeccable landscape and refreshing blue pool! Spacious floor plan with formal living room, family room and four bedrooms. Stately fireplace in the family room has plenty of hearthside seating. Eat in kitchen features stainless steel appliances, custom cabinets, center island and tile counters. Huge master suite has plush carpeting, sitting area, walk in closet and relaxing spa like bath with garden tub, separate shower and dual sink vanity. Generous backyard has a covered patio, lush green grass and pool. Tons of community amenities just steps away. Close to great hiking trails. This home is an incredible find! See it today!

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

Riley, Coleen, Ron and Drew

In a word...

$444,900 Stunning area! Amazing move in ready Camelot Canyon Foothills home is ready for you! Pristine interior with high ceilings, designer paint and tile flooring! Living room has bay windows and plantation shutters. Eat in kitchen opens to the family room with black appliances, honey oak cabinets, island and ample counter space. Family room offers a tiled fireplace and built in media center with plenty of shelving! Huge master downstairs w/ walk in closet. Staircase leads to the huge loft and other bedrooms. Backyard oasis has a refreshing blue pool & spa, green grass, built in BBQ, beehive fireplace , covered patio and privacy wall. Nestled on dead end street with mountain views! Amazing Schools & neighbors.

Ahwatukee resident and Associate Broker Stacey Lykins, West USA, can be reached at 602-616-9971, S.Lykins@LykinsProperties. com or LykinsProperties.com.

Please recycle me.

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SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

www.TheBillWatsonGroup.com

480.706.7211 • 602.469.0388 Professionalism • Integrity • Communication

Each office is independently owned and operated.

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

$177,000 $180,000 $181,000 $187,000 $190,000 $192,500 $200,000 $222,000 $225,000 $235,000 $236,500 $238,000 $239,500 $240,000 $240,000 $242,500 $250,000 $251,000 $257,000 $265,000 $269,000 $270,000 $278,000 $283,000 $284,500

5002 E. Hazel Drive 12226 S. Paiute St. 8825 S. 51St St. 4766 E. Navajo St. 4222 E. Yowy St. 11827 S. Tonopah Drive 4138 E. Zia St. 13001 S. 40th Place 4118 E. La Puente Ave. 14604 S. 41st Way 4012 E. Jojoba Road 12258 S. 44th St. 4434 E. Dry Creek Road 14609 S. 43rd Place 4338 E. Vaughn Drive 14445 S. 42md St. 11630 S. Shoshoni Dr 3929 E. White Aster St. 5121 E. Toniko Drive 4465 E. Verbena Drive 4338 E. San Gabriel Ave 3944 E. Nambe St. 11836 S. Eagleman Drive 4364 E. Pearce Road 9609 S. 51st St.

Magical Journey Learning Center

$300,000 12610 S. 40th Place $311,000 4379 E. Sunrise Drive $312,000 14634 S. 35th Pl $312,500 4602 E. Goldfinch Gate Lane $329,000 14451 S. 40th St. $342,000 15068 S. 40th St. $345,000 4730 E. Thunderhill Place $365,000 10048 S. 44th St. $371,750 4666 E. Monte Way $383,000 15232 S. 44th Place $440,000 3343 E. Rocky Slope Drive $441,500 4330 E. Mcneil St. $660,000 3625 E. Coconino Court

85045 $239,000 $276,000 $278,000 $300,000 $350,000 $375,000 $545,000

85048 $113,000 $191,500

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HIGHLIGHT

Ahwatukee homes sold 85044

REAL ESTATE

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

1639 W. Cottonwood Lana 1638 W. Glenhaven Drive 16633 S. 16th Drive 2716 W. Windsong Drive 15466 S. 1st Ave. 16611 S. 15th Drive 521 W. Desert Flower Lane

$206,000 $207,000 $222,900 $226,000 $256,000 $270,000 $270,000 $279,900 $291,500 $292,000 $305,000 $330,000 $340,000 $350,000 $415,000 $435,000 $440,000 $475,000 $483,000 $505,000 $507,000 $540,000 $565,000

16620 S. 48th St. 16620 S. 48th St. 2914 E. Woodland Drive 4439 E. Amberwood Drive 16063 S. 11th Place 1426 E. Cathedral Rock Drive 16613 S. 12th Place 16425 S. 47th Place 2414 E. Cathedral Rock Drive 2316 E. Silverwood Drive 2427 E. Mountain Sky Ave. 3620 E. Saltsage Drive 4426 E. Cottonwood Lane 16817 S. 11th Way 738 E. Hiddenview Drive 1212 E. Rocky Slope Drive 3847 E. Hiddenview Drive 3351 E. Tanglewood Drive 16814 S. 18th Way 16202 S. 37th Way 14818 S. 30th St. 14806 S. 20th St. 14827 S. 20th St.

3236 E. Chandler Blvd. 16620 S. 48th St.

1241 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee

AFN News Staff

or Magical Journey Learning Center, lending a hand to those in need comes naturally. Recently, staffers came to the aid of the Dorothy Stinson Elementary School in Safford, which was devastated by a catastrophic storm at the beginning of October. The Magical Journey Learning Center held a STEM Night at the end of October and sold STEM bags to the families. The STEM bags included household items to build and create things based on science, technology, engineering and math, said school director Kim Graber. “The students used all these skills to create a variety of projects throughout the night based on their development levels,” she said. Moreover, Magical Journey raised $300 for the Safford school and collected 200 books to help it replenish its lost library. Magical Journey’s mission is “to create a foundational learning program that stimulates your scholar’s curiosity, develops your leader’s character, and cultivates your

Information: info@magicaljourneylc.org, 480-6996552, or magicaljourneylc.org.

(Special to AFN)

DeNeris Fortune, left, and Isella Fortune experiment with Popsicle sticks at Magical Journey Learning Center in Ahwatukee.

Top Producing Ahwatukee Agent Since 1995

BONNY HOLLAND Leading Luxury Home Experts

Ahwatukee Resident Since 1992

CANYON RESERVE

TAPESTRY CANYON

global citizen’s compassion.” “Every day, we challenge our young learners to think critically and creatively within and beyond our walls,” its website states, noting “service learning is embedded in the curriculum, providing daily opportunities for our children to develop goodwill and good heart as they meaningfully impact the lives of their friends, families, and community.” Magical Journey caters to children from age 3 to second grade. “The teacher-student ratios create an amazing educational experience,” Graber said. The school day, which runs 7:50 a.m.2:30 p.m. includes a preschool program with different options, including days and hours. “Along with Arizona standards, teachers emphasize life skills along with empathy and becoming global citizens that can make a change,” Graber added. “Students also receive enrichment classes each day, including PE, movement classes, social and emotional education and the arts.”

BLACK ROCK CANYON

SUMMERHILL

14428 S Canyon Drive

14609 S Presario Trail

NEW LISTING

FEATURED LISTING

3,100sqft, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom. Beautiful single level estate on .93 acre private lot with Guest House in pristine gated community of Canyon Reserve.

$899,000

6,524sqft, 6 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom. Magnificent executive hillside masterpiece in mountainous gated community of Summerhill.

$1,799,000

AHWATUKEE CUSTOM ESTATES

TAPESTRY CANYON

MOUNTAIN PARK RANCH

14841 S 7th Street

SALE PENDING

3,152sqft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom. Fabulous single level custom home in the prestigious gated community of Black Rock Canyon.

$749,000

2414 E Cathedral Rock Drive

SOLD!

1,817sqft, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom. Beautiful super clean upgraded single level in great Mountain Park Ranch Location.

$291,500

IRONWOOD AT SUN LAKES

EQUESTRIAN ESTATES

1802 E Desert Willow Drive

NEW LISTING

5,090sqft, 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom. Spectacular hillside custom estate with Guest House on .78 acre lot in the luxurious gate community of Tapestry Canyon.

$1,349,000

Each Keller Williams Office is Independently Owned and Operated

1330 E Desert Willow Drive

11832 S Warpaint Drive

FEATURED LISTING

7,314sqft, 6 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom. Incredible custom estate on private large lot in the luxurious gated community of Tapestry Canyon.

$1,599,000

4,410sqft, 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom. Spectacular custom split level home in desirable Ahwatukee Custom Estates.

$749,900

3701 E Nowata Drive

SALE PENDING

2,729sqft, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom. Stunning tri-level custom home nestled on an oversized lot in the prestigious Ahwatukee community of Equestrian.

$629,900

B onny@LeadingLuxur yExper ts.com • w w w.LeadingLuxur yE xper ts.com • 602.369.1085

24419 S McCorkindale Court

SALE PENDING

2,748sqft, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom. Incredible upgraded waterfront Robson Home located perfectly in the highly sought gated community of Ironwood at Sun Lakes!

$449,900

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

SPOTLIGHT TLIGHT home

This is a rare find! Stunning single-level estate located in prestigious Ahwatukee Custom Estates. Almost 4000 sq. ft., 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath plus executive office. Perfect floorplan. Gated courtyard entry. Great room w/fireplace. Formal dining room. Kitchen includes S/S appliances, custom cabinets, cooktop, large island, skylight & walk-in pantry. Breakfast room overlooking front courtyard. Large master suite, master bath with dual vanities, Jacuzzi tub, snail shower & his/her closets. Secondary bedrooms w/walk-in closets, guest quarters, teen suite, 2nd master on the opposite end of house, perfect for multi-generational families & teens. Tranquil backyard w/pebble sheen pool, rock waterfall, firepit, covered patio, palm trees, mature landscaping & observation deck w/ South Mountain views. A truly special home, the possibilities are endless!

Offered for $749,000

Geno Ross (602) 751-2121 www.GenoRoss.com 14428 S Canyon Drive

Mountain Park Ranch

Beautiful single level custom home on just under an acre private lot with panoramic privacy and mountain views in the pristine gated community of Canyon Reserve. Ranch style front entry with bridge walk-way to front door and secluded driveway. Beautiful foyer opens to formal dining and gourmet kitchen. Kitchen with custom granite island, dual sinks, custom cabinetry and walk-in pantry. Spacious family room with large dry bar included cabinetry and built-in mini fridge, custom entertainment niches, fireplace and wall to ceiling windows for optimal views of serene desert landscape. Large master bedroom with seating area, fireplace and private patio access. Gorgeous master bathroom with custom stone walk-in shower, custom tub, dual sinks, granite counters and huge walk-in closet with built-in shelves and drawers. Spacious guest bedroom suite with custom guest bathroom. Backyard opens with covered patio, large custom play pool & spa, 3-hole artificial turf putting green all surrounded by mature desert landscape and mountain views. Awesome oversized patio for outdoor entertaining. Flag stone walkway leads to the separate guest house. Guest house opens to custom wet bar/kitchenette with granite counters and cabinetry and large great room with built in cabinetry and entertainment niches, spacious guest bedroom suite, private covered patio for outdoor dining. Privacy desert oasis!! Main house has large inside laundry room with built-in cabinetry and 3-car garage. Excellent Kyrene Schools. Great Ahwatukee location!

Gorgeous home on hillside lot with privacy of mountain preserve. Elegant hardwood flooring greets you upon entry. Bright kitchen with view windows, granite countertops, island with breakfast bar and walk-in pantry. Downstairs master suite replete with separate door to patio, cedar walkin closet and large custom slate-tile shower. New exterior paint in 2016 and interior in 2013. 2016 remodeled upstairs bath. South facing backyard paradise with fenced Pebble Tec pool and spa, stained concrete patio and cool decking, large covered built-in kitchen, TV and speakers, pavers with fire pit, artificial grass and new exterior lighting.

Listed for $517,500

Mike Mendoza

480.706.7234 • www.MendozaTeam.com

Listed for $899,900

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

Bonny Holland

SONORAN LIVING

KELLER WILLIAMS® REALTY

602.369.1085 • www.LeadingLuxuryExperts.com

REAL ESTATE

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

First-time millennial homebuyers to revolutionize the real estate industry

BY ANDY WARREN Guest Writer

s we look ahead to 2017, some experts believe the housing industry will look very different than it did this year. According to an annual survey of home shoppers by Realtor.com, a leading online real estate company, first-time homebuyers are expected to purchase 52 percent of all homes in 2017, up from 33 percent this year. The survey also found that of those first-timers eyeing a new home, 61 percent will be Millennials. Jonathan Smoke, Realtor.com’s chief economist, believes the influx of Millennials and first-time buyers will create strong demand for affordable homes in the suburbs, which could spur competition among buyers and higher prices. At the same time, many Baby Boomers, who are expected to move in 2017, will also be shopping in the suburbs because a large portion of them already live there. To avoid the increased prices and lower inventory, Smoke recommends those considering shopping for a single-

family home in the suburbs to look into a winter purchase. Just what is motivating this new generation of homebuyers to finally jump into the market? For starters, many have indicated they are getting married, moving in with a partner, planning on children or simply growing tired of their current living situation. And, according to the survey, they’re interested in safety, privacy, affordability and more space. The survey also found that 39 percent of Millennial buyers prefer singlefamily homes, while 34 percent desire townhomes, both of which are more prevelant in suburban areas. That leaves just 15 percent who are interested in multifamily homes and 10 percent who want to live in a condo. This shift doesn’t mean the cities are going to empty out. According to the survey, urban areas still remain the second most popular choice among Millennials. -Andy Warren is president of Arizona homebuilder Maracay Homes and serves on the board of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. Information: maracayhomes.com.

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Ahwatukee’s #1 Team for Over 28 Years

480-706-7234

Mike Mendoza

www.MendozaTeam.com NG MI ON O C SO

Lakewood

The Pointe South Mountain

Enjoy waterfront living in Ahwatukee. 3 br, 2.5 ba with 2,304 sq. ft. Open kitchen features granite countertops, cherry cabinetry and a breakfast bar. New carpet in family room with fireplace. Brick patio plus Trex decking with gas fire pit. Superb lake and mountain views.

Superbly update townhouse on large corner lot in gated community. 2 br, 1.5 ba with 1,060 sq. ft. Kitchen remodel boasts cherry mahogany cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and 18" Italian porcelain tile flooring. 2014 new A/C. Resort-style amenities including pool/spa, golf, tennis and hiking.

Listed for $349,500

ING M COSOON

Call for List Price

The Foothills

Club West

Stunning mountain views from hillside lot. 4 br, 2.5 ba with 2,801 sq. ft. Spacious open floor plan with downstairs office and Plantation shutters. New appliances including refrigerator, dishwasher, range/oven, washer, dryer and water heater. Private backyard on preserve with gated pool. Walking distance to shopping, hiking and park.

Call for List Price

Desirable Ritz floor plan by UDC. 4 br, 2.5 ba with 2,850 sq. ft. Large eat-in kitchen features granite countertops, island and stainless steel appliances. Just updated with new carpet, interior and exterior paint plus epoxy flooring in 3-car garage. North/South Exposure with mountain views. Private backyard with pool and spa.

Mountain Park Ranch

Hillside lot with privacy of mountain preserve. 5 br, 3 ba with 3,546 sq. ft. Spacious open kitchen with adjacent family and formal dining room. Downstairs master and secondary bedroom. Great backyard amenities including fenced pool and spa, built-in fire pit and grass area.

Listed for $424,900

Listed for $419,500

Listed for $517,500

Club West

Equestrian Estates

Recently updated on golf course lot. 5 br plus media room, 3 ba with 3,829 sq. ft. Open kitchen with granite countertops and custom island with gas cooktop. Inviting stone-accented wet bar and fireplace in family room. New carpet, interior and exterior paint. Resort-style backyard features Pebble Tec pool and spa with waterfall, built-in BBQ and lush landscaping.

Listed for $537,500

Listed for $649,000

www.MendozaTeam.com Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated

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REAL ESTATE

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

OPINION

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Viet vet’s nephew to his uncle’s buddies: Welcome back LETTERS BY DILLON SHIPLEY AFN Guest Writer

or a lot of soldiers in the Vietnam War, DEROS, or Date Eligible for Return from Overseas, was the most important thing that they held on to in the last few months of their time. DEROS was something that kept our troops going, especially my uncle, former 2nd Lt. Rick West. As an officer, he knew more about what was going on than the average soldier. But that didn’t stop him from feeling excited once he got on the plane home. As his time got closer, he created a plan to take the cash that he had, $1,300, to buy a motorcycle and tour the country. Until then, his job and the job of others was, as he put it, “to keep me in one piece.” As he got onto the “Freedom Bird”— which was what the soldiers called the plane home—even though he was crammed in between as many other soldiers as could possibly fit, he could not help but think that he was happy to be

there. After arriving, he decided that he just wanted to get home as soon as possible. Forget the motorcycle trip, forget the $1,300 – he just wanted to be home. After the flight home and catching a ride from some generous citizens to his parent’s house, he rang the doorbell. His dad opened the door, and before he even saw who was standing there, said, “Hi Rick.” Even though his DEROS had already passed, this was his true date of return. A week later, he was working as a lawyer in Champaign, Illinois, and remembered no more than a little discrimination against him because of his service. But what about the people who weren’t so lucky? What about the soldiers who got spit on, shunned and discriminated against? Even though my uncle ran into some generous citizens who were proud of his service, not all people were like that. After all, as West points out, there “was no one there” to greet our troops when they stepped off the plane. Consider the people who came back broken in both the body and the mind.

As my uncle said, it’s a “black mark on our country that we treated them the way we did.” The media and America in general had seen the very worst of the war, according to former Col. Thomas Darby. Those people might feel like they never came back. They might not be proud of their service, like my uncle and Mr. Darby were. Their DEROS and official records say they made it back, but what if they never really did? And most importantly, what about the soldiers who never lived to see their DEROS? For the veterans, and the people who feel like they haven’t fully returned, our perception of their service has changed. As an American, I am proud and grateful for your service, and most of the people I know are as well. Welcome home, Vietnam Veterans. Your DEROS is today. Dillon Shipley, an Ahwatukee resident who is a junior at Seton Catholic Prep, won first place in the annual essay contest sponsored by the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade. This is the essay.

from page 32

he places tariffs on imports? Has his rhetoric emboldened white supremacists to the point that racial harassment and intimidation by the police and bigoted citizens go on the uptick in this country? This election shows we are not in a post-racial America, that’s for sure. All the sympathizers who voted for Trump trust his judgement; so let’s see what he does, and if it’s for the good of our country. A former pastor of mine from Ireland told me he wanted to be a missionary in Africa when he was in seminary. He was very disappointed that he was sent to Los Angeles. His bishop told him that the United States was the biggest mission in the world because it’s so filled with hate. God is in control. Maybe this is our wake-up call. -Lisa Scinto

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

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Operating in private kitchen, couple's Tukee’s Tamales serves up success BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

aprice Gouveia doesn’t have a store or even a food truck. But she’s got what she needs to keep her modest Ahwatukee business humming: a kitchen. Gouveia is marking the first year’s anniversary for her business, Tukee’s Tamales, which serves up more than the popular dish made of masa or dough and steamed in a corn husk. “I’ve spent the 30 years in the kitchen,” she explained. “My goal is for people to feel my passion of cooking through my dishes. I love sharing my Hispanic heritage with the community. I want them to feel like they’re in a small village in Mexico when they’re eating our chile rellenos, chilaquiles, tamales, carne en chile verde and so much more.” She uses word of mouth and Facebook to trumpet her lineup of offerings for a once-a-week dinner menu she calls “Friday Fix,” and for selling her tamales. “We developed an exclusive Ahwatukee carry-out service,” she added. “We rent a professional kitchen and do the cooking there and the community picks up their dinners every Friday night. The service is called Friday Fix,” Gouveia said. She also tries to attend different events, including Ahwatukee Eats, the monthly food truck rodeo that will be open 5-9 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of Horizon Honors, 16233 S. 48th St., Ahwatukee. The tamale sale is going full bore right now, and that product “put us on the map,” Goueveia boasted. “I’ve been eating traditional tamales for 40 years,” she said, “so my new favorite is my last creation—spinach and cream cheese tamale. It’s sooo good.” Her tamales start with a basic approach: “We start with things like 100 percent corn flour, with raw beans, sundried peppers, and fresh vegetables.” And her business model is simple.

(Special to AFN)

Caprice and Eric Gouveia bring Tukee's Tamales to special events and take orders via Facebook.

Caprice Gouveia owns Tukee's Tamales and has a once-a-week menu that includes homemade Mexican dishes and even dessert.

“Once an order is placed through our Facebook page or via email, we send confirmations out with all the pick-up details,” Gouveia explained. “It’s a very unique business concept.” “If people just ‘like’ our page, we will keep them up with upcoming offers, sales, and monthly drawings,” she added, noting, “Our menu also changes on a weekly bases to give the community an opportunity to try a wide range of authentic dishes.” A Phoenix native, Gouveia said she learned to cook when she was 8 years old, thanks to her mother and grandmother, who are both from Guanajuato, Mexico. “I took up the culinary arts in my early 20s,” she said. “I was also a private chef for a wealthy family in Scottsdale for years. I had my own catering business for a while in the early 2000s, but I set it aside for a while to devote time to my children.” But Goueveia said she eventually returned to a restaurant-like career because of “my passion for food, the public, friends and family encouraging me to share my gift of cooking.” Moving to Ahwatukee helped, too. “The sense of community is what brought us here to this side of town,”

three sons, Michael, 25; Jonathan, 23; and Brandon, 16. Gouveia estimates her business consumes between 25 to 30 hours a week. “Wednesday is our day for local shopping and inventory, Thursday is all our prep work, Friday early cooking, and Friday evening, customers come pick up,” she said. “We have about 90100 orders per week.” Although the business is basically open for only three hours a week, 4-7 p.m. Fridays, Gouveia sees no end to growth. “We’ve had such rapid growth, it’s been overwhelming,” she said. “In one year, we have close to 1,000 followers that have enjoyed our Friday Fix dinners, many of them being our regulars that we see every Friday night.” Right now, “keeping up with rapid growth” is her biggest challenge. “We’re outgrowing our kitchen,” Gouveia said. “Our goal is to obtain a food truck and making it an Ahwatukee food truck, parking it at different spaces different days of the week.” To reach Tukee Tamales: facebook.com/ Tukees-Tamales-184162221931176 or tukeestamales@gmail.com.

(special to AFN)

she recalled. “It seemed like a nice place to raise our last son and it has been “I am loving Ahwatukee and how responsive and so supportive the community has been with us,” said Gouveia, whose husband Eric is her business partner. “He helps me with everything I do with the business,” she said. “He’s come up with many of the business ideas that have been true successes. He’s also my sous chef.” The tamales are her grandmother’s recipe and her mole pablano includes a 26-ingredient sauce handed down over generations in Puebla, Mexico. “It’s one of Mexico’s most ancient dishes and we proudly make it,” she said. “All of my cooking is inspired from my grandmother Celia Estrada Gonzalez.” Regardless of where the recipes come from, Goueveia likes to maintain a hands-on approach to her food. “I do all the actual cooking; I still do not trust anyone to do it,” she explained. “My husband and my other sous chef, Brianda Martinez from Sonora, Mexico, assist with all the prep work of cutting all our ingredients. I couldn’t do it without them.” She also gets some support from her

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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BUSINESS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

East Valley nonprofit reaps generous gift from area businessman DAVID M. BROWN AFN Contributing Writer

hat do you do with 286 new children’s sweatshirts, 41 pairs of shoes and 576 pairs

of socks? Give a new store to the group that doles out those items to kids whose parents can’t afford them. That’s what Chandler resident and businessman Michael A. Pollack did for the Assistance League East Valley, a nonprofit that serves needy children and adults in Ahwatukee, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale. At his expense, Pollack renovated an 8,256-square-foot store at 2326 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, spending $200,000 in cash and in-kind donations to create the Assistance League’s new thrift store. Now, with a great street presence through large windows, the thrift store has neon lights, finished metallic ceilings, wood-grain laminate flooring and display cabinets. And the Assistance League received a deeply discounted five-year lease.

(Special to AFN)

Barbara Friend of the Assistance League of the East Valley hands developer Michael Pollack an award for his contributions to the nonprofit.

“The Assistance League East Valley serves thousands of families here in the East Valley every year. The services they provide through having a thrift store are

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crucial to our community,” said Pollack. His Mesa-based Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments has been refurbishing commercial and industrial

properties in the Valley for more than 25 years, infusing millions of dollars of value into older East Valley communities. “This is an incredible re-use of a building,” he added. Pollack is particularly proud that all of the AL East Valley members are volunteers, with no paid staff. “Through donations and fund-raisers, they help children in the schools with clothes and other items, and they do a really good job,” said Pollack, who grabbed a paint brush to join a group of community volunteers, coordinated by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of Arizona (PDCA), to help prepare the vacant building in August. Pollack purchased it about a year and a half ago to add to his Pollack Alma School Shopping II, just north of Warner Road. The site was originally Oasis Waterbeds, then Oasis Furniture on rebranding. “I’ve known a lot of the women for many years who have volunteered,” he said, adding that he had rented AL East Valley its original space in another See

GIFTS on page 35

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GIFTS

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Chandler center, again at rents far below market. That store operated for 14 years, but needed modernization and expansion. “Michael Pollack offered us three options with great visibility, increased square footage, and the best cost per square foot,” said Susan Harrison, AL East Valley president. The Tempe resident is a former principal of Islands Elementary in Gilbert, where Pollack met Harrison when his wife, Cheryl, was PTA president. Harrison, who calls Pollack “Our Mr. Wonderful,” said of the new store: “Everyone feels that they are home here. There’s lots of joy here.” “The first week we made more money than we usually do in a month,” she added. At the grand opening of the store last month, Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and 85 Assistance League volunteers joined him in stuffing a bus that would be used to distribute the new clothing to needy children at local schools. Another 500 people joined in, donating slightly used clothing and household wares for the store. They also

(Special to AFN)

Members of the Assistance League of the East Valley include, from left: Monica Hale, Barbara Osgood, Ginny Wegener, Jeanne Chapman and Kathy Zeches.

purchased items, donated money and bid on a silent auction, raising more than $6,000. “It was a great day for our community, and we appreciate all of the help the community has given,” Harrison said. AL East Valley clothes nearly 7,500 school children annually with new

clothing. It also provides 4,000 kits with clothing and personal care items to 10 agencies working with children and adults in crisis, hosts spelling bees and awards scholarships. The Chandler Fire Department even provides specially tagged Teddy bears, called “AL”, to the children it assists.

Its Operation School Bell began two decades ago by clothing 200 children; in 2015, 7,452 students benefitted. Assault Survivor Kits helped 4,037 adults and children through hospitals, emergency rooms and other facilities. And $12,389 in scholarships went to 15 students to intensify or continue their education. The group even schedules birthday parties at a local adult day care center. The East Valley chapter, in its 21st year, branched out from the Phoenix chapter and is celebrating eight decades of service The 101-year-old California-based nonprofit was the first philanthropic organization headquartered on the West Coast, founded after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Harrison explained. “The Assistance League of the East Valley has been close to my heart for many years with my Aunt Dorothy having served as its first president just over two decades ago,” Mayor Tibshraeny said. “And, with this new, larger facility, the Assistance League can continue to make precious contributions to the people of Chandler and the region.” Information: assistanceleagueeastvalley.org.

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BUSINESS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Elements Massage Chandler West owner named businesswoman of the year BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

ive years ago, Janet Schwab exited from her recent retirement as a grade-school teacher and tech specialist and opened Elements Massage Chandler West, just over the Ahwatukee border in the Casa Loma strip mall, because she wanted to help people overcome stress. Last week, her business success earned her the 2016 Palo Verde Businesswoman of the Year Award from the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce. “I was happy being retired, but now I feel like I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else but run my business,” said Schwab, adding that the award left her “kind of overwhelmed because this is such an honor.” The chamber also honored two longtime Ahwatukee women with two new awards it added this year to its annual tribute to female business and community leaders. Jennie King, director of strategic energy management at SRP and the wife of Kyrene governing board member John King, See

AWARDS on page 39

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

Janet Schwab, owner of Elements Massage in Chandler, addresses the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce after she was named its 2016 Businesswoman of the Year. Jennie King of SRP looks on.

Ahwatukee residents Andi Pettyjohn, left, and Jennie King were honored by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce last week for their community service and corporate accomplishments, respectively.

Ahwatukee Chamber awards scholarships to 3 Desert Vista teens AFN NEWS STAFF

hree Desert Vista High School seniors were honored with $1,000 scholarships last week by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce during its Palo Verde Women in Business Awards dinner. The three young women were saluted for their academic achievements and community service. The chamber has awarded more than $15,000 in scholarships since 2005 with the help of member donations and support from SRP. The money is aimed at helping recipients continue their education. The winners included: Aarzoo Kumar. Although she has helped her family business, Water and Ice, the last nine years, Aarzoo found time to mentor young people on math. She also designed and implemented a study of alfalfa for the U.S. Department of Agriculture while serving a summer internship. She participates in a number of

organizations and is planning to attend either Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University or the University of Arizona Honors College, where she wants to major in nutrition or global health. Nicole Lewis. A Rho Kappa honors student, Nicole is a volunteer and a youth band member at Mountain View Lutheran Church. She also works part-time at Caffe Boa Ahwatukee and a Starbucks even though she also is a volunteer for Girl Up, Key Club, Younglife and the YMCA. Nicole hasn’t yet settled on a college, but the chamber said she’s considering an out-of-state school “while maintaining her strong ties” to Ahwatukee. Gabriella Rios. Gabriella Rios is the student superintendent on her school’s advisory council, but holds a part-time job at Jason’s Deli. She volunteers for a youth ministry and teaches volleyball and swimming at the Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA. The chamber said she wants to attend an in-state university next year, joing

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

Three Ahwatukee teens won $1,000 scholarships last week from the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce for their academic and community achievements. All seniors at Desert Vista High School, they are, from left: Nicole Lewis, Gabriella Rios and Aarzoo Kumar.

a study-abroad program and major in business advertising. “Her ultimate goal

is to prepare campaigns for products in other countries,” the chamber said.

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

AWARDS

from page 38

received the Palo Verde Corporate Award, which honors a private-sector woman who has “achieved positive financial results, provided sound management and demonstrated a commitment to the Ahwatukee community.” The chamber said, “Jennie and SRP take proactive measures to educate customers on how to use electricity efficiently and how to take advantage of SRP’s many programs and tools to reduce their energy costs.” Earning the chamber’s first Palo Verde Social Enterprise Award was Andi Pettyjohn, former Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee president who has helped organize Thanksgiving dinners for children in group foster homes and an annual baby shower for pregnant foster girls. She also organizes the Spring Fling Carnival that follows the Easter Parade in Ahwatukee. Schwab’s award honors the woman “who exemplifies outstanding leadership in our business community” and “achieved positive financial results, provided sound management, and demonstrated a commitment to the Ahwatukee community,” according to the chamber. Schwab’s business is located in Chandler because she couldn’t find a suitable space in Ahwatukee when she was ready to open in 2011. But her heart is with Ahwatukee: She only belongs to the Ahwatukee Chamber and has been involved in community activities it has sponsored. She said that shortly after her retirement, during a chance conversation with a friend who had just started a business, her husband Doug suggested

that she help her. “We always talked about owning a business, but I felt I’d be living his dream. Now I feel like I'm living our dream,” she said. She had decided to get into the massage business for very personal reasons. “I used to get massages because of the stress level I had being a teacher. And they helped me. I wanted to help people feel good,” she said. She settled on Elements Massage, which has more than 670 franchises in the country and about two dozen in the Valley because the company was founded by a massage therapist and because “it has a client-based model rather than economics-based. It’s not numbers oriented,” she said. “There are so many health benefits to massage that I wanted to help people,” added Schwab, whose business provided more than 8,000 massages last year in her 7,000-square-foot location. Schwab doesn’t give massages; she leaves that to 18 parttime massage therapists. They’re parttime because “no one wants to be that last massage after their therapist has been working eight hours.” Instead, she spends her time overseeing the business’ financials, handling the marketing and “doing a lot of networking.” That’s all paid off, she said. With 500 members who have signed up for monthly packages, she said her business is continuing to grow. “The biggest challenge I had starting was learning about business after I was coming from an education background. They involve two different kinds of thinking. It was all about finding my niche in the business world.” “It’s exciting,” she said.

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BUSINESS

Area firm finds success in selling refurbished computers AFN NEWS STAFF

hwatukee residents who are looking for low-cost computers might find a bargain not far from

home. A brother-and-sister team in Chandler has developed a thriving business refurbishing older computers and selling them well below the price of newer models. Ironman Refurbished Business Computers (IRBC) was founded by Ken Chan and his sister Linda in 2011 in response to constant questions they were fielding about low-cost PCs. Focusing on top-rated, businessgrade Dell and HP models due to their reliability, the Chans began repurposing and customizing laptops and desktops and now sell over 150 units per month to a combination of seniors, families, businesses and schools throughout the Valley and nationwide. “We had the idea to refurbish used computers because they were lower in cost than newer models but work just as well.” When Tom Yost found his 8-yearold computer getting “crankier and slower,” he contacted the Chans for help. Within days, he had a customized laptop delivered to him, complete with a tutorial on the model he had purchased. The discounted PC’s come with a one-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support. Delivery is free throughout the Valley on orders over $50. “This is the second laptop we have purchased from IRBC,” Yost said. “The customer service is exceptional and they even explain what is on the computer so we know how to use it properly. “

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(Special to AFN)

Ken Chan and his sister Linda own and operate Ironman Refurbished Business Computers in Chandler, which sells refurbished newer computers and laptops at a fraction of their original price.

Ken and Linda Chan attribute IRBC’s success to the quality of their products and customer service. Customers can call or text them for available laptops and desktops or order from the website. IRBC provides certified used Dell, Lenovo and HP laptops and desktop computers to businesses and consumers nationally. Orders are delivered by appointment at the Chandler warehouse or for no charge at convenient locations throughout the Valley, including Ahwatukee. Customers can pick up their order by appointment at IRBC’s Chandler warehouse or have it delivered for no charge. Prices start at $249 and bulk sales are available. “One of our biggest challenges is getting the word out but we get many referrals and social media has been very good to us,” Ken Chan said. Information: ironmancomputers. com, call/text 480-550-9078 or info@ ironmancomputers.com.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

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Assyrian church in Chandler hoping to build a home of its own BY RALPH ZUBIATE AFN Managing Editor

he Mar Yosip Parish is a church without a building. The Chandler branch of the Assyrian Church of the East is one of only two in Arizona—the other is in Glendale. That church has the advantage of its own building. For now, Mar Yosip Parish is renting space in another church. “We’ve been renting for over decade now,” said Marcell Murad, the youth vice president of the church. Mar Yosip Parish has been meeting in the Chandler Seventh-Day Adventist Church for about 5 years. Before that, the church used an elementary school cafeteria on Sundays. “The church consists of maybe 200 of us,” Murad said. “We’re not a very big congregation. But we’re all like a big family. We have our names on this church. “But we are finally in the process of building our own church. We are building it together.” “We have the land, but we’re trying to raise as much money as possible,” said Ashor Aziz, deacon and president of the church. The new location is about 15 miles away from their present, temporary home. The acre lot near Recker and Guadalupe Roads is in Gilbert. The process is moving along swiftly. The Town of Gilbert has given its OK, and the blueprints are coming. But the expenses mount. “At GoFundMe, we’re trying to raise up to $25,000, but we need a lot more than that to build a church,” Aziz said. “The blueprints are coming close to $27,000. We thought we would be able to pay off the blueprints. “We also have a couple of fundraisers coming up in February and maybe April.” The church will go up in two phases, in two buildings. First, a small banquet hall will be built, then an actual sanctuary. “We were thinking we would build the hall, then use if for services,” Aziz said.

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

Deacon Andrew Aziz, president of youth and entertainment, and Marcell Murad, vice president of youth, are two of the young leaders of Chandler’s Assyrian church.

“Then, we can raise more money for the church.” They hope to begin building in January. For now, the Mar Yosip (St. Joseph) Parish meets in Chandler, with Mass taught and sung in Assyrian, a dialect of Aramaic, the language Jesus reputedly spoke. Rev. Khoshaba Sholimun leads the proud congregation. “We are the oldest Christian church ever,” Murad said. Most of the parishioners, who hail originally from the region from Turkey to Iraq, speak modern Assyrian. “English was my second language,” said Murad. “I have family members in Syria, and my parents are from Iraq. They left because of war. “I have some family members, they won’t leave. They don’t want to leave their country. “Some family members are fellow Assyrians. Either they leave or they die.” Linda Mamook teaches Sunday school to the children of Mar Yosip. With this generation, the Assyrian language is a new experience. “We teach alphabet, months of the year, vocabulary words,” she said. “The

(Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

Choir members sing during the Assyrian Mass of Mar Yosip Parish in Chandler.

class helps them learn the language. They can be more aware, more educated.” In a Bible study for youth in another rented space, Tumbleweed Recreation Center in Chandler, Andrew Aziz teaches in a flowing mix of English and Assyrian. Aziz, a deacon and president of youth and entertainment, is Ashor Aziz’s son. After the study, the group moves over to a gymnasium space to learn traditional dances, or just to play volleyball. Choir practice is also held at Tumbleweed. Meeting in the tiny space in their native Assyrian language helps bond the young people of the church. “It’s built our relationships,” Aziz said. “The kids have been working harder than ever.” The church is hoping to open its first building by July 2017. The rest could be ready by the end of next year, if the money comes. Contributions to the church may be made at gofundme.com/projectmaryosip, or at Assyrian Church of the East, P.O. Box 735, Gilbert, AZ 85299. (Will Powers/AFN Staff Photographer)

-Send news about your congregation to pmaryniak@ahwatukee.com

Deacon Youkhana Banyamin sings during the Mass. He is one of several deacons with Mar Yosip Parish.

FAITH

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

FAITH CALENDAR

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16

N McClintock Dr., Chandler. Information: 480-855-4333, or info@chabadcenter.com.

Senior Focus is having a special presentation addressing the impact of holiday stress on caregivers and families. The presentation—by David Johnson, Senior Care Authority and Devoted Guardians—will offer practical strategies to not only cope with the holidays, but how to enjoy them. DETAILS> 6:30-8 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road, Ahwatukee.

SUNDAY, DEC. 4

STRESS AND HOLIDAYS

SATURDAY NOV. 19 CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR

Over 50 vendors will be selling Christmas ornaments & lighted blocks, handmade greeting cards, jewelry, soy candles, pottery, wood items, handmade purses, Mary Kay, leather goods, tea gift baskets and much more at the Love of Christ Lutheran Church’s Center of Compassion. Two food trucks will be available, and the church’s youth group will have a car wash. DETAILS> 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1525 North Power Road, Mesa. Cost: Free. Information: loveofchristchurch.net.

CHILI COOKOFF

Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School is having a Chili Cookoff. Come sample from some of the school’s best chefs and vote for your favorites. Blind taste test from 4-to 4:30 with small containers to taste each entry. After voting closes at 4:30, everyone is invited to eat their fill of the remaining chili. Corn bread and ice cream also served. Prizes will be awarded to winning cooks in each category, and there will also be door prizes. DETAILS> 4-6 p.m., 3257 E. University Drive, Mesa. Cost: Free. Information: 480-830-1724, office@ pilgrimmesa.com, pilgrimmesa.com.

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Lt. Col. Rabbi Yedidya Atlas will share his Israeli Defense Forces experience, and the work he is doing today as an IDF reservist. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served. DETAILS> Noon, Pollack Chabad Center, 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler. Information: 480-855-4333, or info@chabadcenter.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 HAVDALLAH CEREMONY

CKids Club International presents Saturday Night Alive, a musical celebration of family and the mystical havdallah ceremony. The havdallah is an ancient ritual, performed by our Jewish ancestors for thousands of year as a way to mark the conclusion of Shabbat and welcome in the new week. DETAILS> 7-8:30 p.m., Chabad of the East Valley, 875

SPECIAL CONCERT PLANNED

Guest artists from the first annual Summer Artist in Residence Program, Chandler Gilbert Community College piano professor Piano Amanda Sherrill, and Arizona Opera soprano Melissa Solomon, will present a holiday concert of Bach, Handel, Rachmaninov and beloved classics. DETAILS> 2 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Admission, $15/students, $10. Children under 10 are free. Information: 480-936-4127, or Earl@htlutheran.com.

SUNDAY, DEC. 11 ‘JAZZOPERETRY’ RETURNS

After a four-year absence, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Jazzoperetry (“Jazz-OP-ruh-tree”), Inc., will join forces to present the long-awaited return to Arizona of the contemporary Christian singer/ songwriter Robert Moffat. The Holy Trinity Chancel choir will join the Rob Moffat Chorus and instrumental ensemble to perform a musical nativity. DETAILS> 2 p.m., 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Admission $15/students $10. Information: 480-936-4127, or Earl@htlutheran.com.

SUNDAYS

VALOR CHRISTIAN OUTLINES MISSION

Valor Christian Center in Gilbert offers “great praise and worship and great messages for today’s living,” according to Pastor Thor Strandholt, associate pastor. “Our mission is evangelize, healing and discipleship through the word of God.” DETAILS> 10 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays. 3015 E. Warner Road. Information: valorcc.com.

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High school and middle school students meet to worship and do life together. DETAILS>5 p.m. at Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. 480-460-1480 or email joel@ horizonchurch.com.

KIDS CAN LEARN JEWISH LIFE

Children can learn and experience Jewish life. Chabad Hebrew School focuses on Jewish heritage, culture and holidays. DETAILS> 9:30 a.m. to noon, for children ages 5-13 at Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Drive, Chandler. 480-855-4333, info@ chabadcenter.com, or chabadcenter.com.

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Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 pm Join us as we celebrate Thanksgiving Eve together. Express your thankfulness for God’s abundance by participating in our annual Canned Food Drove.

Potluck Dessert Reception to follow.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Sports

@AhwatukeeFN |

@AhwatukeeFN

www.ahwatukee.com

GAME NIGHT

Palo-Mao sets record, helps propel Pride to semifinals face No. 13 Red Mountain next Friday at McClintock High. Mountain Pointe plans to wear its p the road at Sun Devil black jerseys throughout its post-season Stadium, the college team that run, Pola-Mao said, in the hope of normally wears maroon and catching the magic of the 2013 Pride gold chose to dress in black Thursday, team, which went 14-0 on its way to a a reminder of a season killed, in large state championship. part, by injuries at key positions. “We remember 2013, when they Down in Ahwatukee, the high school wore black every playoff game,” Polateam that normally wears maroon and Mao said. “We were like, ‘They made a gold opted for black as well. statement, they got it done. Let’s do the But while Mountain Pointe High same thing.’” models its uniforms after Arizona State Pola-Mao nearly single-handedly got University and has been beset by a spate it done Thursday for Mountain Pointe. of injuries in 2016, the Pride hasn’t let The 6-foot-4 senior picked off Desert such setbacks derail its potential. Ridge passes on consecutive possessions Mountain Pointe has continued to in the second quarter, taking each back stomp on opponents, regardless of what for touchdowns to stake Mountain player it’s missing and the mood inside Pointe to a 27-3 lead. Karl Kiefer Stadium has been anything The interceptions were Pola-Mao’s but funereal. first since Oct. 7, with his second That didn’t change last Thursday. pick breaking former teammate Jalen Despite playing without its starting Brown’s school record of 16 in a career. quarterback and leading rusher for “It had been on my mind every the fifth consecutive game, top-seeded game,” Pola-Mao said. Mountain Pointe remained undefeated, Pola-Mao added a third interception beating No. 8 Desert Ridge 47-21 at in the fourth quarter, and fellow home in the 6A quarterfinals. defensive back Antwaun Woodberry Mountain Pointe safety Isaiah Pola- also recorded a pick-six Thursday. Mao had three interceptions on the Pride coach Norris Vaughan said evening, returning two for touchdowns injured quarterback Noah Grover, who and helping his team advance to the is nearing a return after breaking his state semifinals for the seventh time in leg Oct. 7, could be ready next week to the last eight seasons. The Pride will retake the starting job from sophomore Nick Wallerstedt, who had an 88-yard touchdown run Thursday. But Mountain Pointe (120) has hardly missed a beat in Grover’s absence, just as it kept churning after losing running back Gary Bragg for the season to a knee injury in September. “We don’t care (about the injuries),” Vaughan said. “All we care about is to win the tournament, survive and advance. That’s the only thing (Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer) that matters, no matter how Mountain Pointe High’s Antwaun Woodberry strongarms you do it.” Desert Ridge’s Jaden Evans as he seeks more yardage. BY TYLER KILLIAN AFN Contributing Writer

Box score Mountain Pointe 47, Desert Ridge 21 DR 3 3 8 7 – 21 MP 7 20 6 14 – 47

SCORING

First MP – Ravenell 17 fumble return (Abercrombie kick), 7:51 DR – Decozio 27 FG, 0:32 Second MP – Hodge 1 run (Abercrombie kick), 10:41 MP – Pola-Mao 20 INT return (kick failed), 5:57 MP – Pola-Mao 56 INT return (Abercrombie kick), 4:16 DR – Decozio 24 FG, 0:01 Third MP – Abercrombie 25 FG, 7:43 DR – Logan 54 run (Run good), 7:02 MP – Abercrombie 24 FG, 3:43 Fourth MP – Wallerstedt 88 run (Abercrombie kick), 7:32 DR – Winner 9 pass from Purnell (Decozio kick), 3:58 MP – Woodberry 42 INT return (Abercrombie kick), 1:27 TEAM STATISTICS (Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Mountain Pointe High kicker Dakota Fey lets one sail.

On the other side, Desert Ridge (84) was eliminated in the quarterfinals, a season after reaching the Division I state championship game. “It’s hard because I have four threeyear starters as seniors, so to lose them is super tough,” Desert Ridge coach Jeremy Hathcock said, adding: “We’re not a passing team. When you get out of your element against a team like (Mountain Pointe), it’s tough. “But there’s not a lot to be ashamed of. We’re a good football team that just didn’t get it at the end. It was a hard year for us all around but the kids gave us a lot of effort, and that’s all you can ask for.”

First downs Rush-yards Comp-Att-Int Pass yards Total yards Fumbles/lost Penalties

DR 14 31-125 15-40-4 173 298 1-1 6-65

MP 6 32-270 3-4-0 19 289 0-0 9-74

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing DR – Logan 16-99, Wright 6-17, Brown 4-6, Schmidt 2-11, Fowler 2-(-13), Elliott 1-5. MP – Hodge 16-135, Wallerstedt 8-109, Salgado 6-19, Brooks 2-7. Passing DR – Fowler 7-21-0-60, Purnell 8-19-1-113. MP – Wallerstedt 3-4-0-19. Receiving DR – Logan 5-38, Harris 3-35, Wright 2-37, Winner 2-30, Simonis 1-16, Broom 1-11, Brown 1-4. MP – Brooks 2-14, Pola-Mao 1-5.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

GAME NIGHT

DV’s season ends with a thud BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Prep Sports Director

handler High’s march toward a possible championship season continued in a big way Thursday with a 62-7 walloping of Desert Visa High at Austin Field. The second-seeded Wolves were up 14-0 before the Thunder ever ran a offensive play. “It’s going to be a very good very night,” Chandler coach Shaun Aguano said of the 14-0 lead, thanks to an opening drive score and a Desert Vista fumble on the ensuing kickoff. “I think we scored every way possible. I am happy for our kids, especially with the short week.”

Chandler (10-2) advances to the 6A Conference semifinals and will face No. 3 Perry (11-1) at a neutral site Friday. The Wolves scored on their first three offensive possessions, including two scores by Rudy Johnson as he simply out-ran any pursuit angle the Thunder defenders had. There was no slowing down as sophomore quarterback Jacob Conover connected with Jarick Caldwell and Gunner Romney on touchdown passes before a pick six by Bryce Jackson made it 48-0. Desert Vista (7-5) was overwhelmed, outmanned and outplayed from the start, ending a five-game win streak that turned around a 2-4 start to the year.

(Corey Cross/Special to AFN)

Desert Vista High’s Lelon Dillard leaps in an attempt to avoid a tackle.

“That was a real good football team,” said Thunder coach Dan Hinds, who concluded his 15th season as the Thunder’s head coach. “What else can I say? We made some costly mistakes early and they got rolling on us. “We are not going to let this game define our season. They did some great things, and battled back. They did all the right things.” The Thunder senior class–led by Lelon Dillard, Chad Porter and Nick Thomas–pulled together a season that once looked dismal at 1-3 into a respectable campaign that allows the class of 2017 to leave the program in a good place. “At the end of the day I have no regrets,” Thomas said. “I love my team. They busted their (butts) all year and put in so much work. We turned around a 1-3 season, and I couldn’t be more proud and no one else I rather play with.” -Contact writer: 480-898-7915 or jskoda@ ahwatukee.com. Follow him on Twitter @ JasonPSkoda

Box score Chandler 62, Desert Vista 7 DV 0 7 0 0-7 C 35 13 7 7-62 First C-R. Johnson 55 pass from Conover (Peterman kick) C-Conover 2 run (Peterman kick) C-R. Johnson 37 run (Peterman kick) C-Henley 33 fumble return (Peterman kick) C-Caldwell 42 pass from Conover (Peterman kick) Second C-Romney 45 pass from Conover (PAT failed) C-Jackson 71 INT return (Peterman kick) DV –Stagg 2 pass from Thomas (Erickson kick) Third C – Maxwell 2 run (Peterman kick) Fourth C – Brooks 12 run (Peterman kick)

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SPORTS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Mountain Pointe prepares for seventh semifinal in eight seasons BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Sports Prep Director

ay back in 2009, Mountain Pointe High was heralded for scoring a huge accomplishment by making the semifinals for the second time in school history. That accomplishment is almost an annual event for the Pride football program now. That doesn’t mean this year’s appearance, the seventh in eight years, is any less appreciated. It just means Mountain Pointe has a chance to advance its football program and that this game is not the end goal. “We have a good thing going,” associate head coach/co-offensive coordinator Eric Lauer said. “We have a coaching staff that gets it done. We have kids that know what it means to play for Mountain Pointe and rise to that level. The foundation is pretty strong because every team leaves something behind and expectations are high. “The kids know we expect to be right here where we are right now.” The top-seeded Pride (12-0) takes on No. 13 Red Mountain (8-4) at McClintock on Friday in the 6A Conference semifinals. This year’s senior class remembers all too well the vision of last year’s group shuffling toward the team bus at the Desert Vista High campus after falling to eventual state champion Centennial. Heads were down, helmets were left on to hide the reddened eyes and hugs with consoling family members seemingly lingered longer than halftime after the Pride’s final game of the 2015 campaign. The end of a season, especially for seniors wearing the maroon and gold for the last time, is never easy to accept. “We were crying before it was even over,” Pride senior offensive lineman Justice Hudson said. “We thought we were going back, but it didn’t happen and now we get our chance to make sure it doesn’t happen like that again.” For most programs, a state semifinal berth represents a successful season. Not at Mountain Pointe. In the team’s mind, a loss in the semifinals means the program wasn’t advanced. “I was a just a sophomore and I remember thinking I’m never losing that game again,” junior defensive end Khalif Ravenell said. “Here we are back in

(Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer)

Mountain Pointe High players will be carrying their Pride symbol flag into their semifinal game Friday.

this game, and I think we’ve positioned ourselves to win it all, honestly, but we have to go out and do it.” It won’t come easy against the Mountain Lions, who put together a pretty good hot streak. Red Mountain has won four of five, including wins over No. 4 Skyline and No. 5 Brophy in the postseason. The offense is led by all-purpose junior Lance Lawson, who has played quarterback, running back and slot receiver. He has totaled 2,260 yards and 28 total (25 scored, 3 thrown) touchdowns. “He’s special and runs with a purpose,” Pride coach Norris Vaughan. “He is going to be a challenge to stop. He plays a little of everything and they have a good quarterback (Austin Duffy). They’re a good team that’s playing well. Anybody in the final four is good.” The Red Mountain defense, led by senior defensive end Andrew Brown, has 32 sacks, 66 tackles for a loss and 13 interceptions. It has the task of slowing the Pride offense, which averaged 471.6 yards a game through 11 games, including 317.3 on the ground.

The Pride offense may get senior quarterback Noah Grover back from a broken leg, but sophomore Nick Wallerstedt has done everything that’s been asked of him if Grover has to stay on the sidelines. No matter who is behind center, Mountain Pointe has a chance to make its third state title game in five seasons. Everyone in the program is hoping to adjust Thanksgiving plans around a week of football practice. (Cheryl Haselhorst/AFN Staff Photographer) “It’s quite an Desert Ridge High’s Donjae Logan eludes a last-minute grab accomplishment,” said by the Pride’s Michael Washington on the way to score a Vaughan, who has made touchdown for the Jaguars. the semifinals in 11 of his 12 years of coaching in the other team.” Arizona. “It is more about the process Contact Jason Skoda at 480-898-7915 or than it is the result. The process takes –jskoda@ahwatukee.com. Follow him on Twitter @ the pressure off and the result should JasonPSkoda. be good. It’s a game of moments and – Check us out and like the Ahwatukee Foothills hopefully you have more moments than News on Facebook.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Mountain Pointe High girls volleyball missteps in final game BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Sports Prep Director

he end result will always be remembered fondly, but the finality of it might haunt them for a while. The Mountain Pointe High girls volleyball team had a great run to the 6A Conference state championship match on Wednesday, but played one of its worse matches of the season in the final against Corona del Sol. “It was a bummer to play like that in the biggest match of the year,” said Pride coach Karen Gray, whose program made the finals for the first time since 2007. “(Corona) played very well, and we had one of our worse of the year. It’s disappointing, but we had a great year.” Corona came out crisp and set the tone with a near-perfect set to win 25-13, 2521, 25-15. Winning the second set was vital for Mountain Pointe, and the Pride pushed out to a 15-10 lead and 17-11. Corona called time, stopping Mountain Pointe’s momentum to regroup and then coming back to take a 19-18 lead. The

(Billy Hardiman/Special to AFN)

Mountain Pointe High’s girls volleyball team is presented with the runner-up trophy after falling to Corona del Sol in the 6A state volleyball championship.

Aztecs’ 14-4 run didn’t seal the match in its entirety, but nicked the Pride’s confidence. “I was nervous playing them a sixth time,” said Corona coach Ben Maxfield. “They’re a great team and they have the ability to come back. We’ve learned over the season if we get behind, we know we

can come back.” The Pride, which finished 35-9 made comebacks too, but not in the title match. “We never gave up,” senior Chapin Gray said. “We had to win that (second set). That was one we had to finish to make it 1-1. We didn’t and that made it hard to come back.”

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The Pride was ranked nationally, besting some of the state’s top programs for the first time in years and nearly fulfilling a preseason goal only the players believed they could pull off. “We had a great season,” Anna Morse said. “We didn’t play our best, but not many thought we’d get here. We beat Hamilton when no one thought we would and made the state championship.” The Pride was led by Nura Muhammad and Avery Luoma, who had seven kills each. Morse had 11 digs, while Chapin Gray and Leon had 10 digs each. The Pride was a step slow, however, had bad spacing on the floor and couldn’t put the ball into the offensive rotation. In other words, pretty much the opposite of the level of play Mountain Pointe showed in topping No. 1 Hamilton the night before in four sets. One match won’t sully the team’s accomplishments of the season. “We showed some of our youth and struggled in the moment, but this team should be very proud,” Gray said. “This team was really special. They all worked together, worked hard and were fun to be around. It was a great season.”

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SPORTS

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Desert Vista High boys golf team finally captures state championship BY JASON P. SKODA AFN Sports Prep Director

he Desert Vista boys golf team was known as one of Arizona’s best golf program to never win a state title. The Thunder did away with that notion last week with an impressive back nine at Grand Canyon University Golf Course. Desert Vista won the two-day event with a team score of 9-under 557 to best Hamilton (567), Sandra Day O’Connor (569), Chaparral (571) and Perry (576) by a healthy margin after the teams were either tied at even par or just a few shots off the lead. The Thunder’s five players shot a collective 12-under on the back nine to finally hoist the trophy after finishing as runner-up four times from 2009-12. “Getting a ‘W’ isn’t just for us, but for all of the alumni that have helped us out and supported us,” said Davis Evans, who knew many of the players before him after seeing them at Club West while practicing. “They were so close and

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Players on Desert Vista High School’s state champion boys golf team are, from left: Scott Schlader, Davis Evans, Brian Seo, Tyler Svendson and Gavin Chan.

now we finally were able to get it done.” Leading the Thunder were Tyler Svendson and Evans, who tied for second place in the medalist race at 6-under 136 behind Sandra Day O’Connor’s Noah Robinson, who finished at 9-under 133.

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Evans had the best round on the second day for the Thunder as he shot 66 with Svendson carding a 68. “I tried playing like we were behind the whole time,” Evans said. ‘I wanted to keep pushing and trying to pad our lead. I think we all stayed aggressive down the stretch.” Also contributing for the Thunder were Brian Seo (71-70--141), Scott Schlader (72-74-146), Gavin Chan (8578—163). “We really just wanted to give ourselves a chance over the final nine and we did that,” Thunder coach Matt Russo said. “We had been playing really good golf SPORTS BRIEFS

St. John Bosco Bulldogs girls volleyball wins fifth state title The St. John Bosco eight grade girls volleyball team recently won the CYAA Big School champion against All-Saints. The Lady Bulldogs won 25-11, 1225, 15-6. It was the first time in the tournament St. John Bosco was pushed to three sets. The roster includes Zaira Reyes, Andrea Venable, Kate Yehle, Yvonna Rodriguez, Tessa Guthrie, Calli Bowen, Cate Schwab, Rachel Edmonds, Anna Fahlman, Jaden Billeter, Ashleigh Hurst, Isabella Goodwin, Samantha Semaan, Elyese Hanoun, Alex Cleighorn, Kylie Meden, Ally Molina. The team is coached by Seton Catholic seniors Andrew Piazza, Alexander and

the last two months. We’ve consistently had our scores drop and every single one of them was playing better as the season went on.” The Thunder pulled away without being challenged. On the back nine, Svendson was 4-under, Davis was 3-under, Schlader 3-under, and Seo was 2-under to seal the victory. Mountain Pointe’s Zack Ramseyer shot 76-82-158. The story of the day through was Desert Vista’s ability to finally do enough to earn the team title after coming up short under coach Paige Peterson and with players such Matt Liringis, Randy Ross and Colton Estevez. “I witnessed a lot of that,” said Russo, who was the girls coach back then. “That foundation helped build this. That was a heck of a feat.” Russo will have to head to the barber after telling the players he’d also get a lightning bolt shaved into his hair— similar to the way his players are wearing their hair. The idea came from Davis as the team went to The League barber shop on Chandler Boulevard, and it sounds like it might be more than a one-time deal. “I got it earlier in the year when the season started and I mentioned to the guys and it grew on them,” Davis said. “Coach is up next. It might become a tradition.” -Contact writer: 480-898-7915 or jskoda@ ahwatukee.com. Follow him on Twitter @ JasonPSkoda

Jonathon Wozny, who were part of Seton’s state title team last year, along with Rob Dinglasan. St. John Bosco School has been opened since 2001 in Ahwatukee and this is its fifth volleyball championship.

Mountain Pointe grad Fraboni is up for national college honor

Mountain Pointe graduate and Arizona State University junior long-snapper Mitchell Fraboni has been nominated for the 2016 Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the nation’s most outstanding walk-on. Fraboni earned the starting longsnapper job midway through his freshman season in 2015, and has held the position ever since. Fraboni has played in 27 games See

BRIEFS on page 47

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Muscle fitness is important for teens and adults BY CHUCK CORBIN AFN Guest Writer

t is well established that performing regular muscle fitness exercise is important for building and maintain strong bones. When we think of muscle fitness,s most of us think of strength (the ability to exert force or lift a weight) and muscular endurance (the ability to repeat muscle performances for many repetitions). Resistance training—such as using free weights, exercise bands, or resistance machines—produce gains in strength (muscle tissue mass) and muscular endurance (repeating an exercise many times). Exercise that builds strength and muscular endurance also has benefits for the bones. New evidence shows that another type of muscle fitness, power, has special

BRIEFS

from page 46

for the Sun Devils and has played a major role in the record-setting career of senior place kicker Zane Gonzalez. The 7-year-old award is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.

Girls state golf reduced to 18 holes after weather delays

The Desert Vista girls golf team finished sixth and Mountain Pointe was 14th in the weather-shortened Division I state golf tournament. The second day of the 36-hole event was canceled after two separate delays made it logistically impossible to finish. It meant the 18-hole results decided the championship. Leading the Thunder were Anya Ross, who shot a 10-over 82 to finish in a tie for 19, and Arianna Media, who shot 85. The Pride were led by Kayla Kelsen, who shot 21-over 93.

Local high school seniors start early commitment signings The period for early-commitment letter

benefits for the bones. Power—the ability to perform strength activities explosively—is demonstrated by activities such as jumping and putting the shot. The new evidence indicates that performing power activities stimulates bone health as much or even more than other muscle fitness activities. Authors of an “in press” paper indicate “that there is solid evidence that jumping and similar explosive activities improves bone strength.” Bone mass is low in children as compared to adults. In the teen to early adult years we achieve our highest bone density (bone mass). This “peak bone mass” decreases as we grow older. If the decrease is too great, the bones become frail and are at risk of injury. Accordingly, it is important to build as much bone mass as possible in our early years.

Having a high “peak bone mass” early in life is like having a health savings account. The more you have in your account the more you will have later when you start to lose bone density. For these reasons, building muscle fitness, especially power, is very important for children and teens. Experts conclude that “specifically including activities such as those in jumping sports (e.g., volleyball and basketball) and activities such as jump rope, hop scotch, and skipping games should be considered in developing physical education, school, and community sports programs. But power activities are not only for kids. They have benefits to adults as well, including older adults. Muscle fitness activities delay agerelated losses in bone mass, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and reduce the risk of falling. In addition, muscle fitness activities, including power activities,

enhance muscle development and help people of all ages maintain a healthy body composition. For adults, resistance training, weight bearing exercises, jumping activities and activities such as hitting a ball with power (e.g., tennis, volleyball, golf ) all have benefits. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend “age appropriate muscleand bone-strengthening activities.” Ideally they should be performed at least two days a week for adults and three for youth. Muscle fitness exercise, including power activities, can build healthy bones and contribute to lifelong health. Source: Corbin, Janz, & Baptista. Good Health: The Power of Power, JOPERD, in press.

signing for high school senior athletes began on last week. Here is the list of Ahwatukee athletes who have signed letters of intent:

Track: Ryan Bender, Desert Vista, Penn State; Elijah Mason, Desert Vista, Washington; and Nura Muhammad, Mountain Pointe, Oklahoma.

-Send additional athletes to jskoda@ahwatukee.com

Baseball: Brock Burton, Desert Vista High, Grand Canyon; and Logan White, Mountain Pointe High, Costal Carolina.

-Chuck Corbin is professor emeritus at Arizona State University and a 30-year resident of Ahwatukee.

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Boys basketball: Noah Baumann, Desert Vista, San Jose St. Cross Country: Emily Crall, Desert Vista, New Mexico; and Amanda Davis, Desert Vista, Northwestern. Lacrosse: Margaret Marshall, Desert Vista, Delaware; and Kathryn Shirley, also Desert Vista, Delaware. Softball: Kaylee Dietrich, Desert Vista, Grand Canyon; Tajiah Ellison, Desert Vista, Missouri; Mackenzie Moore, Desert Vista, Miami; and Jillian Navarro, Desert Vista, Bradley. Swimming: Aaron Beachamp, Desert Vista, Arizona State; Madeline Kovacs, Desert Vista, Vermont; Noelle Lavigne, Desert Vista, Bowling Green; and Josh Vedder, Desert Vista, Arizona State. Volleyball: Nicolette Clark, Mountain Pointe, New Mexico; Chapin Gray, Mountain Pointe, Gonzaga; and Alexa Smythe, Horizon Honors, Montana State University Billings.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

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Concert features musicians from Ahwatukee woman’s new Christmas album BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

dozen musicians and singers who play on a special all-Arizona Christmas album produced by an Ahwatukee woman will perform Sunday to mark the CD’s release. Titled “Christmas from the Heart,” the CD features recording artists from throughout Arizona playing a collection of traditional and new holiday songs. Most of them will appear at the concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2085 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 in advance at eventbrite.com/e/christmas-from-the-

heart-showcase-tickets-26916314421. Besides the Tempe concert, they will perform another at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at Esperanza Lutheran Church, 2601 E. Thunderhill Place, Ahwatukee. The recording was a year-long labor of love by Sherry Finzer, a self-described “composer, musician, performer and recording artist specializing in New Age, contemporary instrumental and chill music.” A flutist by training, the mother of two grown children also has her own label, called Heart Dance Records (heartdancerecords. com), which she started in 2009. On top of that, Finzer also runs RS Promotions, a “one stop shop” for promoting New Age and World Music performers. She began working on “Christmas from the Heart” last year because “I wanted to put together a project that would encompass other artists in these genres that lived in the state of Arizona.” It started with her reaching out to musicians across the state. Then she sought out sponsors to help defray production costs. And then she wanted to find a charitable organization that part of the album’s proceeds could be donated to. All three missions were accomplished. “I look at this beyond the recording itself,” Finzer said. “I look at this as building a team of musicians who all have the similar goal in mind: to create music that helps to heal (Special to AFN)

Sherry Finzer, an Ahwatukee musician and record producer, spent a year putting together a special Christmas CD featuring Arizona performers.

the mind, body and spirit. “It has been a learning experience for me as well with getting contracts together for each artist, making sure the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed,” she added. “I then needed to gather all of the recordings, have them mastered by a top-notch mastering engineer so that each track would blend in color and sound with each other.” Finzer also found a charity to help support: Music as Therapy, a nonprofit started by Tatum Lynn Stolworthy, a Tempe resident and Corona del Sol High School junior who is a singer and dancer. Tatum’s nonprofit supports organizations that use music to help children and teens who are in crisis or have special needs. She sings “Ave Maria” on the album and will be performing at the concert. Finzer connected with the group after Kari Stolworthy, Tatum’s mother, contacted her. “She said she had been searching on line for music therapy places and my website kept popping up. I am not sure why other than I describe my music as healing music,” Finzer said. After a “lovely conversation,” Finzer decided that Music as Therapy was a good “fit for us with what our music is about.” Finzer’s work was hardly finished even after the album was completed because she had to approach retailers about stocking the CD. “That is a very difficult task with the sales of physical CDs diminishing because of digital downloads,” she said. “At the same time, I was working on booking ‘Christmas from the Heart’ showcases, which is another very difficult task. You must find a venue willing to work with you, and plan for each show accordingly as set up, play time and number of musicians for each show is different.” “Christmas from the Heart” can be purchased from the Musical Instrument Museum, Carsten’s Fine Arts Gallery, Gift Baskets to Go, Sibley’s West, Nye

Instrument Repair, Changing Hands Bookstore, Stinkweeds, and select Hallmark, AJ’s and Basha’s locations. The album can also be purchased from Heart Dance Records, Amazon, or iTunes. Besides Finzer and Tatum, the album features Amy Faithe, Amber Norgaard, Art Patience, Chris Burton Jácome, Jocelyn Obermeyer, John Calvert, Louis Landon, Nathan Tsosie, Darin Mahoney, Thano and Lolo and Tom Moore. Finzer’s multiple music jobs keep her busy. “Depending on what projects are going on at the time, I might be promoting albums for radio airplay, practicing and working on new music, going to the recording studio,” she said, adding that she generally records at Clamsville Studios in Chandler and Sonoran Mastering in North Scottsdale. “A lot of the day is spent talking with artists interested in promotions and/or being on the Heart Dance Records label, and drafting up contracts,” she continued. “When a promotional campaign is about to begin, I spend about two days printing artist info, putting packages together for DJs and programmers, and mailing them.” Despite the hard work that she put into the album, Zinzer is happy with the outcome, partly because she feels so strongly about music. “I believe in what music can do to make a difference in someone’s life,” she said. “It is challenging every day, but I enjoy getting up each morning and rising to that challenge. When I receive an email from someone telling me how my music has helped them in some way, it really helps me to keep forging ahead, and I know that I am here to do what I was intended to do. “There is so much competition out there,” she added. “It is tough to get people to take a listen. Once they do though, they are usually very moved by what they hear, not only with my music, but with the other artists on my label.”

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Artists and artisans offer music, quilts and more this weekend BY JUSTIN FERRIS GETOUT Editor

Cirque Du Soleil swings in

The world’s largest theatrical producer, Cirque Du Soleil, meets the highestgrossing movie in history, “Avatar” with a presentation of “Toruk: The First Flight.” Watch blue-skinned “alien” acrobats perform amazing dances and aerial maneuvers backed with amazing sets and special effects. DETAILS>> Times vary, Today-Sunday. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St. Phoenix. Tickets: $43-$130. 800-7453000, talkingstickresortarena.com.

Jill Cohn to perform

The Seattle folk-singer and songwriter brings her hopeful and heartfelt tunes to Arizona as part of the tour promoting the latest of her 11 albums “Heartstrings Touching Ground.” Prepare for an intimate evening of song. DETAILS>> 6-9 p.m., Thursday. Cuisine and Wine Bistro, 1422 W. Warner Road, Gilbert. Cost: free. cuisineandwinebistro. com, reverbnation.com/jillcohn.

Cave Creek might be a distance away, but you don’t want to miss the largest studio tour and sale in the Valley. Browse and talk to 188 artists in 47 studios and see their best work. DETAILS: hiddeninthehills.org.

Hot rods and classics show off

The Goodguys’ 19th Southwest Nationals gives you a chance to explore a massive showing of more than 3,000 pre’73 hot rods, customs, classics and muscle cars and trucks. Plus, enjoy autocross, drag racing, live music, a kids’ zone and more. DETAILS>> 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday-Sunday. West World of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. Tickets: $17 (adult presale), $20 (adult gate), $6 (kids 7-12). 925838-9876, good-guys.com/swn-2016.

Fall League roars to end

East meets West in the 2016 Fall League Championship Game and we finally find out which one of the six fall baseballs teams claims the title. Don’t miss the last baseball game of the year. DETAILS>> 1:08 p.m., Saturday. Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale. Tickets: $8 adult, $6 17 and under/seniors. 480-990-1005, scottsdaleaz.gov/scottsdalestadium.

Studio tour includes sale

The 20th annual Hidden in the Hills Artists Studio Tour and Sale will be in Cave Creek.

American Heritage Festival sets up

Celebrate America’s past with the largest living history event in the Western U.S. featuring hundreds of reenactors and covering the Founding to the present at the 14th annual American Heritage Festival. Learn all about American life, including historic music, historic fashion and battle reenactments. DETAILS>> 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday. Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. Tickets: $15. 480-777-1776, americanheritagefestival.com.

Enjoy a day of free, family fun with more than 100 vendors, a Kids Zone, food, live entertainment, including “Chandler’s Got Talent,” and more to see and do at the 7th annual Rock the Block. DETAILS>> 12-10 p.m., Saturday. Dr. A.J.

Carole King musical begins

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” tells the story of the singer/songwriter, one of the most influential and celebrated women in music. Hurry: not many tickets left! DETAILS>> Times vary, Tuesday-Nov 27. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. Tickets: $30-$150. 480-965-3434, asugammage.com.

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including minerals, crystals and gems, plus jewelry, fossils, lapidary equipment and cutting material. Enter a raffle or the silent auction to win great prizes. DETAILS>> Times vary, Saturday-Sunday. Skyline High School, 845 S. Crismon Road, Mesa. Tickets: $3 adult, $1 students, free for under 12. 503-705-3933, ajrockclub.com.

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Humorous art quilts displayed

What are humorous art quilts? Find out at the Art Quilts XXI exhibition. Here’s a teaser: one quilt bears the title “Not Tonight.” A free opening reception takes place 7-9 p.m. on Friday. DETAILS>> Friday-Jan. 7. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Cost: free. 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org.

Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Cost: free. rocktheblockaz.com.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Hitting a bar is becoming a Thanksgiving Eve tradition BY COLLEEN SPARKS AFN Contributing Writer

efore they gobble up Thanksgiving turkey and crash on the couch, many people will kick off their long holiday weekend at area bars and restaurants. Industry insiders say the night before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest nights at bars and restaurants around Ahwatukee and the Valley They say people are eager to unwind before gathering with relatives and excited to catch up with old friends if they’re back in town for Turkey Day. “Everyone’s getting in their last hurrah before they spend some time with their families on Thanksgiving,” said Marie Rodriguez, social media manager for Four Peaks Brewing Company. “We just see large groups of people celebrating. “They’re looking forward to spending a day with their families,” Rodriguez added.” They definitely want to blow off some steam ahead of time.” Wednesday night next week will likely be the last night of the season that Four Peaks’ seasonal Pumpkin Porter is available,

including the original Four Peaks in Tempe Tempe Loco Patron and co-owner of the David Delos, president of the Arizona on East 8th Street and the Four Peaks Tempe and Scottsdale Loco Patron bar/ Licensed Beverage Association agreed. He restaurants, expects the Tempe spot on owns four bars in the Valley and the nonTasting Room on Wilson Street in Tempe. CK’s Tavern & Grill on East Chandler South Mill Avenue to be crowded but not profit association represents over 600 Boulevard near 42nd Street in Ahwatukee totally packed that night. members, including bars, restaurants and also expects a big crowd the liquor stores. night before Thanksgiving, but “I’ve been in business over 20 typically people are 21 to 30 years and it is one of our busier years old. nights of the year,” Delos said. Arizona Restaurant “It’s a high school reunion when they get back in town,” Association president and CK’s co-owner Kendra Pieratt CEO Steve Chucri said that said. “Everybody knows every many college students and year they meet up at CK’s.” young professionals hit bars Customers can order CK’s the night before Thanksgiving usual Baja Wednesday specials, while families and older folks like to visit restaurants. including three street tacos Chucri said fast-casual with chips and salsa for $5.99, (AFN ﬁle photo) restaurants are popular for Mexican beers for $3 and CK’s Tavern and Grill in Ahwatukee may look empty here, but it will margaritas for $3. be mobbed come the night before Thanksgiving, as will many area water- dinner that night as people know they’ll be busy cooking Pieratt said the crowd is about ing holes. on Thanksgiving. double the Wednesday number “We’re seeing folks want to wish on Thanksgiving Eve. CK’s will be open until “We always staff up for it; but so many 2 a.m. that Wednesday. Loco Patron Mexican places do big parties,” that night, said their friends and colleagues and Grill on South Mill Avenue in Tempe is general manager Jeremy Jazwinski. “We contemporaries a happy Thanksgiving and planning to offer a turkey enchilada special have a nice little bar crowd. Now everyone celebrating that on a Wednesday night,” the night before Thanksgiving. knows it’s one of the biggest bar nights of he said. “They’re busy with families on Thanksgiving Day.” Jeremy Jazwinski, general manager of the the year.”

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

A growing Thanksgiving tradition: eating out TYLER DRAKE AFN Staff Writer

ith more and more people electing to avoid the work of serving a Thanksgiving feast at home, Ahwatukee and East Valley restaurants have opened their doors for the holiday. For Chompie’s vice president of operations Frank Lara, Thanksgiving means another day of business and helping the community. “When we first opened (for Thanksgiving in 1979), nowhere else was,” Lara said. “We’ve been caught in situations before when we needed someone to go above and beyond, so we understand how it can be.” To avoid all the stresses of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner, Chompie’s has created two meal plans, one for individuals and one for families. They can be made in-house on Thanksgiving, taken home and heated up, Lara said.

After seeing a 200-percent growth in sales from 2014-15, Chompie’s is preparing for more meals than ever, Lara said. “We have 555 packages expected this year,” Lara said. “Everything is cooked the same day and nothing is frozen.” Need a single ingredient? Chompie’s might be able to help there too. “We’ve had a customer ask to buy tomatoes because everywhere else was closed and we sold him tomatoes,” Lara said. “We do it for convenience; those last-minute things to accompany their meal.” “Convenience is the larger part of today’s lifestyle.” Like Chompie’s, Rustler’s Rooste in Ahwatukee has kept its doors open for Thanksgiving since the 1970s. “We’ve always been busy, but the last 10 years has been crazy,” general manager Thomas Mills said. “We see a lot of families come back year after year.” But it isn’t just convenience for the customers, it’s also what’s on their plates that

Restaurants open for Thanksgiving Chompie’s chompies.com. 1110 E. University Drive, Tempe. 3481 W. Frye Road, Chandler, AZ 85226 Rustler’s Rooste rustlersrooste.com. 8383 S. 48th St., Phoenix. The Keg kegsteakhouse.com. 3065 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 23 McClintock Drive, Tempe. Rawhide rawhide.com. 5700 W. North Loop Road. Fleming’s flemingssteakhouse.com. 904 N. 54th St., Chandler. keeps them coming back, Mills said. “We have a Turkey Stuff that is $159.99 for the whole family,” Mills said. “It includes everything you need for Thanksgiving and when you’re done, we’ll bag it all up for you to take home.” On the north side of the Chandler Fashion Center, Keg Steakhouse general manager Danny Sanchez has also followed the Thanksgiving trend after doing some research on his customers. “We started the promotion about eight or nine years ago,” Sanchez said. “We looked at our database and found that our customers were asking for us to be open on certain holidays. “Over the last five years, we’ve seen a lot of growth,” he added. Primarily open for dinner, The Keg makes an exception for Thanksgiving. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. or noon, and operates until around 8 p.m. “We saw the potential for guests coming out and provide a great meal so they don’t have to worry about dealing with all the work that comes with Thanksgiving,” Sanchez said. “And for $27 a person, we think it is saving them more money than if they went to the grocery store,” Sanchez added.

Claim Jumper claimjumper.com. 1530 W. Baseline Road, Tempe. Buca Di Beppo bucadibeppo.com. 7111 W. Ray Road, Chandler. Roy’s roysrestaurant.com. 7151 W. Ray Road, Chandler. Shula’s donshula.com/ shulas-steak-house-chandler. 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler. Village Inn villageinn.com 1155 S. Dobson Road, Mesa. 1859 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa.

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Festival of lights and other events put sparkle into season BY JUSTIN FERRIS GETOUT Editor

ven in the Valley of the Sun, the light doesn’t last long in the winter evenings. Fortunately, that gives us an opportunity to shine our own lights, whether incandescent or LED; in bright white or a rainbow of colors; as strings or shapes; in the trees or along the ground; and however else lifts our spirits. While plenty of people decorate their own houses—go to surveymonkey. com/r/AFNLights to nominate a friend, or yourself, to win our Holiday Light Contest—few can compete with the massive light shows on this list. If you want some holiday light in your dark winter life—plus live music, food, ice skating and more fun—make plans to swing by the following spots.

of the 75 displays use traditional Chinese lantern techniques, plus cutting-edge light technology. Plus, you can enjoy carnival rides and games, international food, and performances of music, dance and acrobatics, and more. Friday to Jan. 29, times vary; Rawhide Western Town, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler; $24.99 adults, $14.99 kids 3-12, $19.99 seniors and military, Free for kids under 3; lightsoftheworldus.com.

Zoolights

For the 25th year, Phoenix Zoo welcomes the holidays with millions of lights, a threestory holiday tree, light displays and musicin-motions shows on the lakeside. While you won’t get to see many animals—few of the animal enclosures contain lights— Jengo the Talking Giraffe and Tortuga the Talking Tortoise will be available for entertainment. Nov. 23 to Jan. 8, 5:30-10:30 p.m.; Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix; $12.95 or $19.95 based on day; phoenixzoo. org/event-items/zoolights.

Las Noches de las Luminarias

(AFN File Photo)

A highlight of Ahwatukee’s Festival of Lights Kickoff Party is the decorated-motorcycle parade once the sun sets.

Ahwatukee Foothills Festival of Lights

For the holidays, the southern-most village of Phoenix explodes with light as Chandler Boulevard from 24th street to Desert Foothills Parkway gains “The Million White Lights.” You can celebrate the return of the lights at the Kick-Off Party, which will feature rides and inflatables, a beer/wine garden, live entertainment, the Marketplace Street Fair with nearly 100 vendors and a Harley Parade with 100 riders. Nov. 26, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Desert Foothills Park, 1010 South Marketplace Way, Phoenix; Free; folaz.org.

Lights of the World

Prepare for an international light extravaganza as you tour luminous replicas of famous cities, landmarks and animals from around the globe, plus other time periods, including the dinosaurs. Based on the 2,000-year-old Lantern Festival, each

The Desert Botanical Garden already offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Valley, but it gets even better during Las Noches de las Luminarias. In addition to thousands of twinkle lights on the grounds, volunteers put out—and light by hand— 8,000 luminaria bags along the paths for a truly magical evening stroll. Also scattered around the grounds will be nine musical ensembles to set the mood. Weekends and other select days, Nov. 25 to Dec. 31, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix; $30 adults, $12.50 kids 3 to 12; dbg.org/ luminaria.

Merry Main Street

Head to downtown Mesa as the city displays a four-story Holiday Tree and tens of thousands more lights. Plus, enjoy Santa’s Marketplace, a 4,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink, Jack Frost’s Food Truck and Holiday Happenings concerts at Mesa Arts Center. The festivities start Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. with the tree lighting on Macdonald Street, plus music, food and other fun. Nov. 25, 5 p.m. to Jan. 1; Downtown Mesa; Free entry, $10 ice skating; merrymainst.com.

events/opening-night-parade.

Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade

Tempe Town Lake lights up courtesy of up to 50 boats in a wide range of sizes, decorations and lighting. The paths of Tempe Beach Park will also get the illumination treatment with luminaria for a dazzling evening. In addition to the lights, enjoy live music, Santa selfies, food, beverages and — to cap off the evening — fireworks! Dec. 10, 4:30-9 p.m.; Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe; Free; downtowntempe.com/ events/boat-parade

Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights

Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights

A unique yearly tradition since 1957, The Tumbleweed Tree consists of nearly 1,000 tumbleweeds attached to a 25-foot wire frame. The whole affair gets a coat of white paint (25 gallons), fire retardant (20 gallons) and glitter (65 pounds). Finally, 1,200 lights bring the tree to brilliant life. Following the lighting ceremony, enjoy the Parade of Lights through downtown Chandler. Dec. 3 from 4:309 p.m.; Dr. (AFN File Photo) A. J.

A highlight of Ahwatukee’s Festival of Lights Kickoff Party is the decorated-motorcycle parade The already spectacular once the sun sets.

Mesa Temple takes on new splendor with hundreds of thousands of lights and several nativity scenes spread around the grounds. Plus, from December 1 to Christmas, enjoy nightly concerts from local performers and groups. Nov. 25-Dec. 31, 5-10 p.m., 7 p.m. concerts; Mesa Arizona Temple, 525 East Main Street, Mesa; Free; mesachristmaslights.com.

Fantasy of Lights

Join 35,000 spectators in the Opening Night Parade of Tempe’s annual Fantasy of Lights, which sees Mill Avenue’s trees decked out in luminous holiday style. Following the parade will be a tree lighting ceremony in Centerpoint Plaza. Santa will be on hand for photos and present requests. Nov. 26 at 6 p.m.; Mill Ave., Tempe; Free; d ow n t ow n t e m p e . c o m /

Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler; Free; chandleraz.gov/ tumbleweedtree.

Gilbert Water Tower Lighting

Gilbert’s famous water tower gets the holiday treatment with a full lighting during the annual Gilbert Days and Downtown Concert Series. The free concert will feature Cisco and the Racecars. Thursday at 6:30 p.m.;

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

Chandler author who wrote about her brain tumor to appear at Art Walk BY COLLEEN SPARKS AFN Contributing Writer

handler author Kate Mathias has enjoyed creating characters that jump into other worlds in her paranormal fiction books. But she found truth was stranger than fiction when she learned she had a brain tumor. Mathias took a page from her own life when she wrote “Awake, but Still Dreaming,” about her diagnosis and recovery from a brain tumor. She’ll sign and sell all her books from 6-9:30 p.m. Friday at the Author Walk at the Third Friday Chandler Art Walk. Some proceeds from book sales will be donated to the National Brain Tumor Society. “I wanted to make a difference with this because I feel like there’s a reason why I’m still here,” Mathias said. “I finally feel like I’m really living. “Every day that I wake up is a blessing to me,” added the 39-year-old mother of three. Mathias is excited to participate in her first Chandler author and art walk, which is expected to draw about 20 authors. The authors will chat with visitors as they sell their books in paranormal, historical fiction, science fiction, romance and other genres at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park on South Arizona Avenue.

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Also that night, about 35 artists will moved to Chandler from Iowa six years ago, Mathias shares funny moments in her sell their paintings, jewelry, woodwork, has a 10-inch scar on her head and suffers latest book. She said having a brain tumor sculptures and other pieces in Dr. A.J. seizures as a result of the surgery. removed “made natural childbirth feel like Chandler Park and along San Marcos But she’s on the mend, suffering fewer nothing.” Place, starting around SanTan Brewing “I wanted to have a book people Company and heading south. Local could read and enjoy and not be so indie/pop music duo 76th Street will heavy,” Mathias said. “There’s multiple perform. laughs told through creative nonMathias enjoys hearing from readers fiction. You feel like you’re in the and wants to help others understand story.” brain tumors. She said she tells her children to Her ordeal began with severe be kind to everyone because while headaches in 2012, and a doctor people like her might look normal on misdiagnosed her as having had a the surface, they may be struggling stroke. with their own issues. Later, Mathias injured herself at a Mathias’ books are available on gym and lost feeling from her waist Amazon.com, iBooks and NOOK down. Doctors at the hospital believed Books on Barnesandnoble.com. she had multiple sclerosis until finally The Art Walk started in 2009 and (Colleen Sparks/Special to AFN) a neurologist diagnosed her with a the Author Walk component was Chandler author Kate Mathias, left, shows her latest book, added a few years later. brain tumor. “Awake, but Still Dreaming,” to Karli Ragan, marketing and The doctor told Mathias if she didn’t events manager for The Downtown Chandler Community “People that appreciate art will have surgery to remove it, she would Partnership, which is holding The Author Walk at the Third definitely appreciate authors being probably die within two or three years. Friday. there,” said Sonia Gracia, a Chandler “I really felt like I’m living on Art Walk veteran. borrowed time,” Mathias said. and less-debilitating seizures than she “The Chandler Art Walk has been so Her tumor was removed in February experienced right after the surgery. Mathias great,” Gracia said, adding: 2014. The tumor was not cancerous but it attributes her recovery to exercise, a “You see so many different people did leave her with some serious, lingering healthy diet, supplements and getting walking by and the interaction of the health problems. enough sleep. restaurants and everyone’s out there to The former teacher and Realtor, who Despite the gravity of her health scare, have a good time.”

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

Nello’s in Ahwatukee reopens after major upgrade AFN NEWS STAFF

ttention, all patrons of Nello’s Pizza in Ahwatukee: your nightmare is over. The restaurant is open for business again after a 10-day closing for a major remodeling. “Ten days—very painful for a lot of our regulars,” said Tiana Chavez, digital media manager at Nello’s, 4710 E. Warner Road. But Chavez, a lifelong Ahwatukee resident, said patrons will find the wait worthwhile. In that time, owner Danny Mei had the walls torn down and “turned the place inside out to create a new and improved family friendly environment with a modern touch,” she said. Chavez, who worked at Nello’s as a hostess throughout the time she was earning her degree from Arizona State University, said the remodel “includes a new look for our bar and wood-fired pizza oven, more TVs and brand new bathrooms.” And to make the update complete, she added, “lead chef Cliff Johnson has made

Nello’s not just a family restaurant, but a place foodies seek to eat at.” The update was long overdue, she said. “The restaurant has been heavily used for 20 years, serving families around the community. It needed a facelift. Surfaces were worn, the bathrooms needed to be re-tiled, basically a lot of refurbishing. Our menu and specials are so chic and creative, it was time the look of the restaurant reflect that as well.” Nello’s is a family-run restaurant owned by Mei, who lives in Ahwatukee. His three brothers each own a Nello’s in different parts of the Valley and give them their own look, style and menu. Danny Mei’s son Aric Mei, also picked up the family traition with a pizza restaurant called The Parlor in Phoenix’s Camelback neighborhood. The update hasn’t changed Danny Mei’s determination to keep Nello’s in Ahwatukee a family restaurant, Chavez said. Explaining that goal is part of his Italian heritage, Chavez said he moved the TV in the restaurant area over to the bar and added another set at the bar.

(Tiana Chavez/Special to AFN)

Standing behind the remodeled bar area at Nello’s of Ahwatukee are, from left, owner Dan Mei and his wife Barb, Chef Clifford Johnson and manager Kevin McBroom.

“The restaurant still remains familyoriented,” she explained. “The TVs are for our bar regulars, people who come for happy hour, anyone waiting at take out or simply coming by to drink a beer and say hi and, of course, for sports. “As a long-time Nello’s fan and worker,” she continued, “I can tell you no one comes to just watch sports here. It’s all about the family atmosphere and tight-

knit relationships customers have with each other and our employees.” Moreover, the bar was redecorated in a way that “really opens it up for more socializing between customers and workers.” Even the Italian-imported wood-fired oven got an upgrade, Chavez added. Information: nellospizza.com

AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | NOVEMBER 16, 2016

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David grew up in Mill Valley CA and went to Mt. Tamapais High School. He went on to earn his Bachelors Degree at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. It was during this time that David worked as a disc jockey for a local music station.. After that accomplishment he tackled Law School and graduated from Santa Clara School of Law. He enjoyed working in Commercial Real Estate for many years. His passion of flying led him to a new career in aviation. He went to flight school in Van Nuys CA and got his commercial pilots license. He initially worked for Schafer Air Ambulance and then flew jet charter flights with a number of local private jet companies including The Air Group out of Van Nuys CA. Later he moved his family to OH and worked for Net Jets for a couple years until he got hired by United Airlines. Moving back to CA, David enjoyed flying 737's and Airbus 320's. Shortly after 9/11, David went to work for America West Airlines and so the family moved to Phoenix for this part of their adventure. America West went thru many changes through the years and now is known as American Airlines. He spent 12 years with this company and had such a love for flying and working with great crew members. David's greatest achievement in life was that of a father. He was very involved with the raising of his two sons. He enjoyed participating in school activities and helping with sporting fun. The family loved watching the San Francisco Giant's, listening to smooth jazz and playing in the pool together. David's sweet and kind ways and his laughter will be greatly missed. David was always sure that Jesus would work things out throughout his life and was ready for when he took him home.

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Meetings/Events Crops of Luv We make Scrapbooks for critically-ill children who have had their "WISH" trip come true! Scrapbook with us, make embellishments for us, donate your time, or your commercial space, donate funds to ship albums, etc! Does your teen need community service hours? We could use their help! Copsofluv.com 480.634.7763 Ahwatukee based non-profit.

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NOVEMBER 16, 2016 | AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS

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