east valley
Volume 4 Issue 09 Mesa, AZ
September 12, 2021
Mesa business helps folks climb to new heights BY MELODY BIRKETT Tribune Contributor
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IN THE BIZ
rock climber for 28 years, Joe Czerwinski turned his passion into a business. He opened Focus Climbing Center near Dobson and Broadway roads, Mesa, in 2013 – years after a friend had told him about a rock-climbing facility in Tempe. “I got into climbing in general by hiking Camelback Mountain every week with a friend,” explained Czerwinski. “My friend asked, ‘I wonder if there’s a company that takes you outside and does this?’ I said, ‘I don’t think that sounds very safe.’ That’s how I left it.” The following week, Czerwinski’s friend told him about an indoor rock-climbing facility in Tempe. “‘It’s totally safe. It’s a great place to meet girls,’” Czerwinski recalled. “I said, ‘Let’s go.’ Oddly enough, I ended up meeting my future girlfriend and wife at that facility.” Czerwinski and his wife have been married for almost 21 years. Making a business out of his hobby seemed only logical. “Climbing is an instinctual sport,” Czerwinski said. “Every person has tried to climb. We’ve all have climbed out of our cribs, up the counters towards the cookie jar, on the couch.” At Focus Climbing, he said, “We offer a variety of accommodating angles, all types for kids, adults, all shapes and sizes. The youngest one who has scaled the full Public Notices ............... page 2 © Copyright, 2021 East Valley Tribune
height walls in our gym at 28 feet was 18 months old.” “What sets us apart is we don’t have any top ropes,” said Czerwinski. “When I was growing up as a climber, a lot of these other gyms I went to in Phoenix had a lot of top ropes with their main style of climbing of vertical walls at full height. “I would always run into people who weren’t climbing or didn’t come in for a couple of weeks because their partner was on a work trip or was sick.” Instead, the gym offers fullheight climbing with auto blades which allow people to climb by themselves. “Auto blades is a device that allows you to climb a full height Joe Czerwinski has been climbing for nearly three dewall without a partner,” Czer- cades and decided to turn his passion into a Mesa busiwinski said. “There’s some fancy ness in 2013. (Special to the Tribune) technology in this device that sits Bouldering has become increasingly at the top of the wall and if you happen to popular over the past 10 years, Czerwinfall or slip off the wall, it’ll lower you down ski said. to the ground at the same rate as if you’re “Saying I’m a climber is as general as walking across the ground at a regular saying I’m a car racer. With climbing you pace. can be a big wall climber, you can be an Al“It’s a very comfortable control of de- pinist climber, you can be a sport climber, scent as you get down to the ground. Then tread climber, boulder climber or someyou start all over again.” one who just goes to the gym. All of those Each auto blade gives climbers access to give you a different experience.” about eight routes for a total of 64. Czerwinski said indoor rock climbing The 6,500-square-foot gym also has a has both similarities to and major differbouldering area with 3,000 square feet of ences from outdoor climbing. seamless landing area. “You’re moving the same way but out(USPS 004-616) is published weekly
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Bouldering is an increasingly popular activity for climbers and Focus Climbing Center in Mesa is equipped to cater to this trend. (Special to
the Tribune)
side, things might be a little sharper or a little tougher to reach for shorter people and crunchy for taller people. It just depends. I could ride my exercise bike for 12 miles in my house and peddle it but it’s different when I get on the street even though I’m still riding my bike.” Indoors, climbers have handles to grab. “Most of the people coming in here do some form of bouldering or sport climbing,” said Czerwinski. “Those are the two most popular and easiest.” For first-time climbers, Czerwinski recommends starting indoors. “It’s definitely much more useful. You end up having a much more positive user experience when you go outside. When you’re inside, you know what to expect a little bit more. “If you frequent an indoor climbing gym for at least a couple of months, you’re going to build up a little more muscular endurance, you’re going to be more confident, you’re going to know what to expect a little bit more than, ‘I’ve never climbed before. Let’s go outside.’”
While it’s not necessary to be physically fit, it’s helpful. Nor is climbing just for young. Czerwinski said he many climbers older than 55 and one who is in his early 70s. “As you get older as a climber, your body doesn’t bounce back,” Czerwinski explained. “The impact of bouldering can be pretty hard on your body. The pad system we have here is very unique. In our orientation, we show everyone how to fall in the bouldering area. It really limits the amount of impact on the body.” Most climbers at Focus purchase a day pass for $20 and usually spend up to 2 1/2 hours. Discounts are given to college students, frontline medical workers and teachers. Czerwinski said climbers have the option of leaving and returning on the same day. Some like to leave for lunch and come back. Rental gear such as shoes and a harness is also available. Both are needed for the bouldering area and auto blades. “One of the other big things we do here is make sure we have enough A/C power
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on the roof,” explained Czerwinski. “Many of the other competitors in the Valley don’t run their A/C very well or they don’t even have air conditioning. That is a deal-breaker in the summer.” The gym also offers parties for kids and summer camps with the emphasis being on climbing, not babysitting. The gym is open every day from 10 am-10 pm on weekdays and 10 am-7 pm on weekends. Right now, due to the pandemic, there’s a limited capacity of 50 with masks required. Information: focusclimbingcenter.com
Focus Climbing Center Hours of Operation Mon - Fri: 10am - 10pm Sat - Sun: 10am - 7pm
2150 W Broadway Rd #103 Mesa, AZ, 85202 (map) T: 480-718-5258
SEPTEMBER 12, 2021
Advertisement of Sale NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the under-signed intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to the Arizona Self-Service Storage Act, Arizona Statutes 33-1704, Section H, Enforcement of Lien. The Undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on or after September 24, 2021 at 9:00am using an online auction at www.storagetreasures.com, said property has been stored and located at US60 Self Storage, 1661 S Alma School Rd, Ste 105, Mesa, AZ 85210. Property to be sold as follows: Misc. household goods, personal items, furniture, clothing, toys and/or business fixtures and items belonging to the following: Tenant Name Unit # Dion Young 236 Karol Magistrelli, 353 Luis Rodriguez 302 Charmayne Willis 222 Israel Hicks 625 Laqueena Brown 631 Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Items sold “as is”, CASH ONLY, and Buyer must pay a security deposit and broom sweep/clean the unit. Go to www.storagetreasures.com to bid on unit(s). Published: East Valley Tribune Sept 12, 19, 2021 / 41237
other resources to meet priorities and objectives set for in the City’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan. This report provides a review of activities carried out under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs to address the needs of low and moder-ate income, homeless, elderly, and disabled residents in the community during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. An electronic copy of the CAPER will also be available for review at the same time and may be found on the City’s Housing and Revitalization website at: h t t p s : / / w w w. m e s a a z . g o v / residents/community-development/ plans-amendments-reports Comments regarding the City’s draft CAPER may be submitted by the general public. Comments should be submitted by mail or hand delivery to: The City of Mesa, Housing and Community Development Division, Attn: Michelle Albanese, Housing & Community Development Director, 200 S. Center Street, Bldg. 1 – Mail Stop 9870, P.O. Box 1466, Mesa, AZ 85210-1466; or, by e-mail to CommunityRevitalization@ mesaaz.gov. All comments must be received no later than 11:59 pm on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, to be considered. Published: East Valley Tribune, Sept 12, 2021 / 41318
Public Notice
Public Notice
City of Mesa Public Notice City of Mesa FY 2020-21 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) Notice of 15-Day Public Comment Period September 13, 2021 – September 28, 2021 Date of Publication: September 12, 2021 Michelle Albanese, Housing & Community Development Director City of Mesa 200 S. Center St., Building 1 – Mail Stop 9870 P.O. Box 1466 Mesa, AZ 85210-1466 480-644-4546 Notice of 15-Day Public Review Period for the City of Mesa’s FY 2020/2021 Annual Performance Report (CAPER) In accordance with 24 CFR 91.05(c)(2) and sub-part B of the federal regulations relative to citizen participation for Community Planning and Development Programs and applicable waivers made available to those requirements through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), a 15-day public comment period regarding the City’s draft Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) will begin on Monday, September 13, 2021 and end on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the City of Mesa to submit an annual report describing its performance using federal and
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS Date of Publication: September 12, 2021 City of Mesa, Housing & Community Services 200 S. Center St., Bldg. 1 Mesa, AZ 85210 (480) 644-4546 On or after September 20, 2021 the City of Mesa will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL93383) as amended, to undertake the following project: Tier 1 Broad Review Project/ Program Title: City of Mesa Homeowner Rehabilitation and Emergency Repair Program Purpose: To assist low/mod income households with decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Location: Citywide Project/Program Description: To include both minor and major rehabilitations of owner-occupied single-family residential structures and/or individual units in a multifamily structure utilizing Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG). The purpose is to keep units affordable and provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for lowmoderate income individuals and families. Rehabilitations can include, but are not limited to: plumbing
Public Notice
EAST VALLEY BUSINESS
repairs, electrical repairs, roof repairs, installing smoke detectors, A/C and/or heat pump repairs and/ or replacement, lead-based paint inspections and/or abatements, and emergency and/or accessibility modifications. Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not ad-dressed in the tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known. Level of Environmental Review Citation: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i) Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Flood Insurance – Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 [42 USC 4001-4128 and 42 USC 515a]; Floodplain Management – Executive Order 11988, particularly section 2(a); 24 CFR Part 55; Historic Preservation – National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, particularly sections 106 and 110; 36 CFR Part 800; Wetlands Protection – Executive Order 11990, particularly sections 2 and 5. Mitigation Measures/Conditions/ Permits (if any): N/A Estimated Project Cost: $1,749,802 The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.5(a)(3)(i) & (ii) (A)(B). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at City of Mesa, Housing and Community Services Department, 200 S. Center St., Bldg. 1, Mesa, AZ 85210. The (ERR) may be examined or copied between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, (480) 644-4546. PUBLIC COMMENTS Written comments on the ERR may be submitted to the City of Mesa, Housing and Community Services Department, 200 S. Center St., Bldg. 1, Mesa, AZ 85210 or by email: Michelle.Albanese@ mesaaz.gov. All comments received by September 20, 2021, will be considered by the City of Mesa prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. E N V I R O N M E N TA L CERTIFICATION The City of Mesa certifies to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) State of Arizona that Michelle Albanese, Certifying Officer, in her capacity as Housing and Community Development Director consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. Housing and Urban Developments State of Arizona approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Mesa to use HUD pro-gram funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Mesa’s certification for
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a period of seven days fol-lowing the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Mesa (b) the City of Mesa has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, in-curred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by Housing and Urban Development State of Arizona; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Housing and Urban Development (HUD), at mailbox: RROFSFRO@ hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD Arizona Field Office to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Michelle Albanese, Housing & Community Development Director Certifying Officer City of Mesa September 12, 2021 Published: East Valley Tribune, Sept. 12, 2021 / 41320
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SEPTEMBER 12, 2021
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