Gilbert Sun News - 09-13-2020 by Times Media Group

Gilbert eatery gets re-do

Theme park mirages

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An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS.................................3 Mayoral forum coming Thursday.

GETOUT..................... 28 Romeo & Juliet’ gets Old West treatment.

High school gridirons seem a bit normal

COMMUNITY........................................17 BUSINESS..............................................21 OPINION.....................................24 SPORTS....................................... 27 GETOUT......................................28 PUZZLE.......................................30 CLASSIFIED......................................... 30

Sunday, September 13, 2020

Higley in-class reopening gets mixed reviews BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

day after students returned to campuses in Higley Unified School District, members of the Governing Board last Wednesday praised and thanked staff and teachers for their efforts in making it possible. But now-former teacher Amy Ludwig found the compliments to be disingenuous and told the board so. “I had to quit my job today because I am unhealthy due to my stress level because of the decision that you made,” said Ludwig, who taught 5th grade at San Tan Elementary School. “You could have waited and given teachers the time that we needed, given families the time they needed. “You’re sitting here saying, ‘thank you for

see HIGLEY page 3

Children in Higley Unified School District last week returned to full five-day in-classroom learning for the first time since March, when schools were shut down as the pandemic put Arizona in its grip. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff Photographer)

Reserved court time fees proposed for Regional Park BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

SPORTS....................... 27

FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com

esidents may soon pay a bit more in order to guarantee playing time at the town’s best sports courts that debuted in late July than for they do for court rentals at other Gilbert parks. The 16 pickleball, six tennis and two basketball courts have been a big hit in the community since they opened July 24 at Gilbert Regional Park. All the courts currently are on a first-come, first-serve basis. “It’s our new facility and it’s our premier facility,” Rocky Brown, Business Operations manager, told the Parks and Recreation Board last week. “We’ve been real excited by

the support they’ve received.” The proposed charges include $12 per hour for residents; $16 an hour for nonresidents; $20 an hour for lessons and league use by a Gilbert business and $28 an hour for a non-Gilbert business, according to Brown. Reservations must be one-hour minimum. The fee for renting a tennis court for an hour is $7 for residents and $8.75 for nonresidents for parks like McQueen District, Circle G and Freestone District. The board may vote on the proposed fees in its next monthly meeting in October. The town’s first competition-ready pickleball courts especially have been a draw. “The 16 pickleball courts are used to a very high level,” said Robert Carmona, Parks

and Recreation director. People are lining up at 5 a.m. and when the courts open at 5:30 a.m., there is a mad dash to get to them, Carmona added. Chairman Bob Ferron said he’s been out to the courts half a dozen times to drop off his son for tennis and the courts are busy. “I’ve been shocked,” he said. “Even at 110 (degrees) it’s packed solid.” Brown said the proposal was to leave the front eight pickleball courts for open play and set aside the eight back courts for reservations. He added there was not much demand for reserving the tennis and basketball courts but nonetheless they can be reserved with-

see PARKS page 5

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

NEWS

Gilbert’s mayoral contenders in live forum Thursday GSN NEWS STAFF

An edition of the East Valley Tribune Gilbert Sun News is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Gilbert.

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ilbert residents will have a chance to get a deeper understanding of the two mayoral candidates’ positions on local issues during a 90-minute online forum Thursday. Sponsored by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Gilbert Sun News, the forum will feature Matt Nielsen and Brigette Peterson 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 17. People can sign up for the free forum at gilbertaz.com. It also will be archived online for Gilbert residents up through the Nov. 3 General Election on Facebook Live and the Chamber’s website. The forum, coming about three weeks before early voting begins, and will offer voters a chance to learn more about the two people running to succeed Interim Mayor Scott Anderson in January. Both the Chamber and GSN also have questionnaires answered by Peterson and Nielsen at gilbertaz.com/2020mayor and gilbertsunnews.com. “Gilbert voters have an important decision to make in November as they elect our next town mayor,” said Gilbert Chamber President CEO/President Sarah Watts. “As town leaders plan for continued growth and eventual build-out, we will

need a mayor who shares a collaborative spirit and a willingness to work with stakeholders, including the various segments of our business community. This candidate forum will provide a format which will allow each candidate to respond to the other, so viewers can gain clarity on topics of interest,” Watts continued, noting: “The best decision a voter can make is an educated decision. As Gilbert’s Chamber of Commerce, we feel it is important to provide voters, and especially our business community, with access to candidates and knowledge of their positions so that Gilbert can navigate

all of our hard work’ but those words are lost on me. I’m so glad in my heart that it’s meaningful to you.” Scott Glover, a teacher, was the only board member whom Ludwig thanked for supporting educators and students. Glover last month cast the sole vote against moving up in-person learning to Sept. 8 from Oct. 12. “To the rest of the board. this is my fourth year teaching,” Ludwig said. “I thought that the first six weeks of this year was hard. That was nothing compared to how this week has been and it’s Day Two.” Students began remote learning July 27 and last Tuesday either transitioned

Parents took their children to Reopening Day Aug. 8 at Centennial Elementary School and other schools in the Higley Unified district. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff Photographer)

HIGLEY from page 1

see HIGLEY page 7

Matt Nielsen

Brigette Peterson successfully through recovery and continue to be a desirable town for businesses and their employees.” Questions for the candidates are based on suggestions from the general public as well as GSN and Chamber staffs. Paul Maryniak, GSN executive editor, will moderate. Forum sponsors include APS. Dignity Health, Isagenix, HG Roastery, Willett CPA, Insurance Services and Whithey Morris PLC. The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 5 and early ballots will go out around Oct. 6. The last day to request an early ballot is Oct. 23.

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Tight Census deadline catches region by surprise

BY GARY NELSON GSN Contributor

ith millions of dollars and equitable political representation at stake, Gilbert and other East Valley municipalities are rushing to complete their 2020 census efforts in the face of a suddenly tight deadline imposed by the Trump administration. Tens of thousands of East Valley households already had responded to the census by mid-August, answering either online, by phone or by mail to the constitutionally mandated head count. But many more remain to be counted as a moved-up Sept. 30 deadline looms. A federal judge in Northern California last week halted plans for an early finish to the head-counting portion of the census at least until a mid-September hearing in a lawsuit that seeks to scrap the expedited schedule altogether. Noting that the Census Bureau has already begun to dismantle counting operations in some places where it considers the count complete, the judge effectively said the plaintiffs’ suit could be overtaken by events if the wind-down of the count was not suspended. The National Urban League, the League of Women Voters and a host of advocacy groups and local governments filed the suit last month. They argue that the order to end the head-counting portion of the census early will lead to an inaccurate tally that will cost some communities both political representation and millions of federal dollars that are allotted based on population totals. By municipality, response rates ranged from 74.6 percent in Gilbert to 61.1 percent in Tempe – with widely varying rates from neighborhood to neighborhood. Chandler also had a strong showing, with a 70.4-percent response rate. Scottsdale came in at 63.9 percent, and Mesa at 62.5 percent. The great majority of those responses were filed online, a new option this year. The final numbers will have a big impact on civic life for the next decade. Hundreds of billions of dollars flow from the federal government to the states each

To promote the Census and urge residents to go online and answer the short questionnaire, Chandler last month hired an Italian Ice truck, giving away free treats and telling them how important an accurate count is. (Pablo Robles/

GSN Staff Photographer)

year, divvied up by population. That money undergirds vital services such as airports, public transportation, schools and hospitals. An undercounted city will get less per resident than one with a better census-response rate. More than that, census data actually helps cities make decisions with a deep impact on individual neighborhoods. Scottsdale uses it, for example, to determine where new fire stations, parks and other facilities are needed. Political representation also is at stake. Each state’s number of representatives in the U.S. House is allotted by population, and fast-growing Arizona could add a 10th congressional district based on this year’s count. Congressional and legislative district boundaries are redrawn every 10 years based on census data, and Mesa does the same with its six City Council districts. “The census does touch every single person,” said Leah Powell, who oversees Chandler’s census outreach efforts. Besides impacting Congressional representation, she noted, it also affects how much money the city can get from the federal government for infrastructure and other projects.

This year’s count is taking place against the unique and disruptive backdrop of a global pandemic. The U.S. Census Bureau drastically curtailed operations between March and early June as COVID-19 swept the country. In the springtime the agency sought congressional permission for four-month extensions of its deadlines for submitting reapportionment data to the president and the states. The U.S. House approved the deadline extensions as part of a new COVID relief package in May, but the bill stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. Then, in early August, the bureau announced it would end its counting efforts one month earlier than expected, on Sept. 30. In the meantime, President Trump also issued a memorandum seeking to prevent “illegal aliens” from being counted. Those two actions raised concerns in some quarters that minority populations might be under-counted, depriving their cities of much-needed funding. Minority-heavy neighborhoods with higher poverty levels struggle even in the best of years to match the census response rates of more affluent areas.

Census Bureau data shows, for example, that self-response rates in Mesa’s heavily Hispanic Broadway corridor ranged from 45 percent to 51 percent in mid-August. By contrast, a census tract in affluent south Tempe showed a response rate of 87 percent. Kelsey Perry, community engagement coordinator for the town of Gilbert, said the town’s census efforts have focused on digital outreach. “Even before the pandemic we were such a digitally focused town anyway,” Perry said. She said nearly 97 percent of Gilbert households have broadband connections, “so it just works for us.” Perry does not expect the shorter deadline to negatively affect Gilbert’s final count. “It just refocused us to ensure that we are maximizing our efforts now,” she said. Chandler’s outreach efforts have been creative and multifaceted. The city supplied 3,000 kids in low-response areas with backpacks that contained flyers urging their parents to turn in their census forms. In late August an ice cream truck was deployed to get out the message. And it’s not just older parts of town that needed prodding, Powell said. “There’s also areas that have large apartment complexes, some of which were probably not even there when the 2010 census was done. Those are a little more challenging. We’ve been reaching out to multifamily complexes to try to see what partnerships we can have,” Powell said. “We’re sharing the message with people at this point that you can stop the visit from an enumerator by filling out your census,” she said. “We know that with everything going on in the world today, with COVID, that people are probably not real eager to answer their doors.” Powell said the federal decision to cut the census short by a month has added to the pressure of her job. “It’s certainly making things more challenging,” she said. “We are feeling like we are really at the 11th hour here … Unfor-

see CENSUS page 5

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

PARKS

from page 1

out turning away the public. Staff also was looking at a mandatory booking seven days in advance for a court online at Active.com. Vice Chairwoman Rebecca Hill suggested a shorter window of three days to book in case someone was having friends over for a weekend and wanted to use the courts, but added that she is comfortable with the pricing. Board member Ben Kalkman asked how the department will police the courts to check who has reservations. Brown said park rangers floating through the park would be aware of the booking calendar and generally there is an employee stationed down south. He added that people will be able to show their reservations on their cell phones. Kalkman suggested the department install a digital screen at the location that would show the reservations. Brown liked the idea if it didn’t cost much and they could mount it in a way that it didn’t get vandalized. Board member Paul Gonzales asked how much of the courts’ maintenance and the wear-and-tear would be covered by the proposed fees. “Any fee we charge would help with cost recovery,” said Brown, adding that staff can do a cost analysis to get better details on the matter. “Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country,” said board member Marc Beasley, who asked if it was staff’s intention to offer the courts for residents or to make money off them. Carmona responded, “I think our biggest goal is to find a balance.” He said when Town Council envisioned the creation of the 272-acre re-

gional park, there was an element of cost recovery. Staff noted if a court is not reserved, it will be available for free play. For league play, classes and tournaments, staff suggested potential options such as having the town coordinate them, hire an independent contractor or create a partnership. The business rate would be charged. Brown said staff doesn’t want to book a tournament every weekend as it would drive away the public. He suggested a cap of one per month to start. The sports courts are part of the regional park’s Phase 1B 24-acre development near Higley and Queen Creek roads. The town unveiled the park’s first 30-acre phase a year ago. The remaining amenities of the latest

phase include a 7.5-acre fishing lake, an amphitheater, six sand-volleyball courts and additional ramadas. They are scheduled for a fall opening, though the date is to be announced later. Brown said due to COVID-19, the grand-opening for Phase 1B won’t be a big event like with past debuts. The plan is to spread the celebration out over four days beginning with a virtual ribbon-cutting and a luminary launch over the lake, he said. Day 2 would include a dine-out at the park with a luminary launch and Day 3 would include a morning yoga/exercise class and an evening concert in the park with fireworks. For the final day, there would be a fishing derby and court activities like a tournament in the morning with a movie in

the park for the evening. Staff also reviewed upcoming events that will either be virtual or live for this fall in town. Live events include offering movies and concerts at the regional park’s amphitheater, according to Mike Leppert, senior recreation coordinator. Social distancing will be practiced with 15-foot circles that can be reserved for up to eight people in a household, Leppert said. Masks will be required when people are outside of their circle. This year’s Riparian After Dark will be held for 10 consecutive days instead of over three weekends and there will be a nominal ticket charge to control attendance. The town’s Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 5 will require ticketed reservation at the regional park with seats positioned apart for social distancing. The free event also will be streamed live on Facebook. Leppert said staff is still working out details for the annual Gilbert Days event in mid-November. Virtual events include a Drive-in Holiday Tower Lighting, a two-night event at the town’s iconic water tower downtown. The event includes synchronized lighting with music of five to six songs transmitted to car radios, and reserved time for when cars can drive by, Leppert said. Other virtual events include a Gilbert Camp‐In Event on Oct. 2-4, a Gilbert Ghost Hunt for Halloween weekend and a Gilbert Centennial Challenge for running, biking, swimming and walking. The challenge has not yet been scheduled.

tunately I’m afraid that it may have taken away some opportunities that perhaps would have been there” to ensure that everyone gets counted. City Councilman Francisco Heredia said he was happy with Mesa’s self-response rate of 62.5 percent as of mid-August. Mesa’s rate of response actually exceeds that of the 2010 census, said Heredia, who has been leading the city’s census task force since it was formed in late

2018. “We can always do better, but we had a goal of meeting the 2010 count and in the times we’re living in, I think we’re doing a solid job right now,” Heredia said. Census mop-up work is now in the hands of federal enumerators who have been knocking on doors. But Heredia said the city is pressing its own bilingual outreach and informational campaigns to encourage a tally that he

expects will show Mesa has grown to a city of some 520,000 people. “We just finished a text-messaging and phone campaign that targeted hard-toreach communities in west Mesa that were having a sluggish return,” Heredia said. Heredia also lamented the shorter deadline, calling it “unfortunate.” “I hope it’s not politically driven,” he said. “It’s something we didn’t want. This

happens only once in 10 years and we need to get it right.” Still, Heredia said, after speaking with the Census Bureau “I feel somewhat confident that they have a good game plan.” “The census is so important for our federal funding allocations for a multitude of programs affecting schools, our city, our infrastructure,” Heredia said. “So we definitely need to make sure everybody gets counted.”

CENSUS

from page 4

The ampitheater at the Gilbert Regional Park is part of the Phase 1B construction. (Town of Gilbert)

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Teen Lifeline helps kids through their despair BY MOLLY BOHANNON Special for Cronkite News

he small office building, nestled just off the road near a medical office and appliance store, looks more like a house where a quiet family might live. On a Friday night early last spring, Madison Marks, 20, sits in one of the chairs waiting for the phone to ring. The part-time Starbucks barista, who’s dressed in black and rocks blonde streaks through her short brown hair, picks up when a 15-year-old calls to share the troubles that led her to seek help from a stranger. Marks stops her at one point and asks the requisite question: “On a scale of one to 10, one being you’re OK and 10 being you’d kill yourself right now, how are you feeling?” Marks is among about 100 volunteers for Teen Lifeline, a teen-run suicide prevention hotline that opened in 1986 – the year after “Surviving,” a controversial Molly Ringwald film portraying teen suicide, aired on primetime television. In 2003, Teen Lifeline became the first teen-run hotline nationwide accredited by the nonprofit American Association of Suicidology. Teen Lifeline has been growing since then, helping other hotlines receive accreditation while expanding and improving its own services, including a text-based hotline launched in 2016. It remains Arizona’s only crisis hotline operated by teens. A 2018 study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked suicide as the second-leading cause of death for teenagers nationwide. Experts and studies can’t point to one main reason for the high numbers, although many U.S. teenagers are feeling alone despite seeming more connected than ever, thanks to social media and the internet. Arizona has been hit particularly hard in recent years, with its teen suicide rate surpassing those in more than half the other states. A 2019 United Health Foundation report showed that from 2017 to 2019, the suicide rate for ages 15 to 19 rose 17

Teens trained to help calm their suicidal peers in crisis staff Arizona’s Teen Lifelin and work in shifts from 3-9 p.m. . (Teen Lifeline)

percent – to 13 deaths per 100,000 teens from 11.1 deaths – well above the national rate of 10.5 deaths per 100,000. Kelli Donnley Williams, a suicide prevention specialist in Arizona, said the state’s increase in teen suicides mirrors national trends, especially in states west of Mississippi River, where “the thread that seems to weave through everyone’s suicide story is one of isolation and loneliness.” The trained volunteers work shifts from 3 to 9 p.m., answering calls and texts. Some come to the hotline in sweatpants, their smartphones loaded with Netflix, YouTube and other apps so they can watch movies between calls. Others are still dressed in school uniforms and use free moments to finish assignments in notebooks and on laptops. They work under the supervision of clinicians, who train volunteers and sit with them during calls, offering words of assurance and writing notes to help the teen operator when needed. The teens aren’t there to give advice. They try to calm the callers and, mostly, just listen. Marks tries not to let her mind wander during calls. Occasionally, something a

caller says reminds Marks of her own struggles and takes her back to her own dark times. These are the moments that remind her of how much having someone to talk to can improve a situation. “You can hear a difference in the caller’s voice, when they’re like, ‘Thank you, you helped me so much,’” Marks said. “And, really, all we did was listen when they felt like they had no hope at all.” Although no research has been done on the effectiveness of peer-to-peer hotlines with regard to teen suicide, Madelyn Gould, a researcher specializing in suicide prevention lines at Columbia University Medical Center, said there’s promise in the format because teenagers are more likely to turn to peers during mental health struggles. A main reason, she said, is that teenagers often believe they’ll be better understood by someone who might have had the same experiences. “It’s not the only thing (to combat youth suicide), it’s not going to be the

main thing,” Gould said. “But it has the potential to be a way to get kids into help that ordinarily wouldn’t have that would be missed with all through the cracks and have a safety net.” The success of peer hotlines, she said, is largely dependent on the preparation of its volunteers. She suggested hotlines follow Teen Lifeline’s example and train volunteers on active listening, collaborative problem solving and the ability to connect with callers. It takes two months to two years to train a volunteer to work at Teen Lifeline. The rigorous, three-phase training includes two weekend seminars, speakers from organizations the hotline refers callers to and thorough role playing and practice calls. Although the process is lengthy, volunteers say every step is necessary for the job they’re preparing to do. The second phase is the longest – six to 52 weeks – and focuses on six areas: suicide, pregnancy, relationship violence, runaways, abuse and sexuality, which are the issues that come up most frequently on the hotline and drive many of the callers to consider suicide. Clinicians rotate through the call room supervising volunteers and teaching trainees intervention tactics for each problem area. Modules on the six focus areas end with a role-playing exercise in which trainees are tested on their ability to have a conversation that meets Teen Lifeline’s strict standards. “They don’t have to be counselors,” said Nikki Kontz, clinical director of Teen Lifeline. “They just have to learn how to be themselves and use good communication skills.” Kontz said her group’s volunteers are taught skills that behavioral health experts typically learn in graduate school programs. They practice how to actively listen, solve problems, show empathy and build relationships with callers to guide the caller to what a good next step would

see LIFELINE page 15

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

HIGLEY from page 3

back to the classroom or stayed with online learning. “You said all these lovely words about how much you appreciated how hard teachers are working,” Ludwig continued. “But I don’t think you really understand fully what is going on inside the classrooms right now. Every teacher that I know is working a minimum of 12 hours a day. They’re working weekends. “That’s time sacrificed from our families, time that we’re not getting compensated for. At this point if I incorporated those hours into my pay, I’m making about $13 an hour.” Ludwig said the district is expecting teachers to take on extra duties – such as sanitizing between classes and making sure student are wearing their masks – yet the pacing guide, which helps teachers stay on track, hasn’t been adjusted. She said teachers are still required to teach the same amount of content as in a regular school year and questioned how that was possible with the limited time. Similar complaints have been raised

by teachers in other area school districts, including Mesa Public Schools, where even a board member wondered how one teacher can deal with both in-classroom and online learning at the same time once their campuses begin a gradual reopening Monday, Sept. 14. “It’s very difficult and you made this decision by cherry-picking your data and you were not up front and clear about that,” Ludwig told the Higley board, alluding to the state health metrics recommended for districts to meet before reopening schools. “If teachers were to do that, I think we’d probably have a lot more A-plus schools in the state but, of course, we are not allowed to do that nor would we because we like for our data to be accurate because that’s how we effectively teach.” She also criticized the board for only giving a one-week notice to teachers and families to prepare to come back to campuses. “So that was so nice of you to do it over the Labor Day weekend so that we could sacrifice our three-day weekend to be in

the classroom preparing because guess what – my classroom was not prepared because my hours, hours and hours of time were spent creating my online canvas,” Ludwig said. She said teachers were given a 44page playbook that’s constantly changing and though she loved teaching with its amazing students and supportive parents, she couldn’t take it anymore. Ludwig isn’t the only district teacher to step away from the profession due to COVID-19. The board last week approved releasing five teachers and one instructional coach from their contracts for a total of nine educators who have left the district so far due to COVID-19 concerns, district spokeswoman Michelle Reese said. Last school year, there were a total of three teacher resignations, Reese said. Glover pointed to a consent item on the agenda that was approved giving stipends to staff in recognition of the extra work they’ve had to perform. Superintendent Mike Thomason said that 60 teachers across the district

stepped up to teach an extra section. “We have lost teachers, we have lost a lot of paraprofessionals, we’ve lost food service, we’ve lost other classified,” Glover said. “It is just a shame. There is such as human cost to all of this. It’s really taken a toll on everybody and I hope that at some point we can come out of this and somehow be OK.” Parents also voiced their concern to the board last week. Melina Rangel and her husband, Phillip Rangel, said their 12-year-old daughter was not getting the support she needed for online learning. “I’ve asked at the last board meeting that you just please take the time to make a good decision because we all can’t go back to school as a high-risk family,” Melina Rangel said. “My concern is that they went to school on very short notice, very little information from Sossaman Junior High School on what our options were,” she added.

see HIGLEY page 8

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HIGLEY from page 7

Phillip Rangel said his daughter is in accelerated classes and he is fearful she will fall behind. “As it stands right now my daughter is struggling at age 12 with online learning,” he said. “She wants to learn but there are no teachers willing to help.” He said his daughter was told she can communicate directly with her teachers but they have combined together and are available for one hour. “If she has any questions, she is supposed to go to every one of her teachers within an hour period,” he said. “She has no interaction with anybody else. She deals directly with a module that she has to figure out herself. Colleges don’t do that.” He said his daughter was recently given a class assignment, one that his son completed last year at Centennial Elementary School when he was in the third grade. “We were there at Centennial Elementary with signs and honking horns for Red for Ed because it was a cause that we believed in,” Rangel said, adding: “I feel like this is the time we need to be paid back. Our students should not have to suffer because you chose not to

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

He said he’s not been able to get answers to why a camera can’t be set up in a classroom as a teacher is giving a lesson. “I don’t want to see my daughter suffer,” he added. “There’s nothing like seeing a child that is sad and frustrated and have no one to go to other than her parents because the teachers are not there. Online is a complete mess. All I’m asking for is time for Amy Ludwig addressed Higley Unified’s Governing Board last Wednesday, hours, it to get fixed. We’ve she said, after she quit as a teacher in the district. (Special to GSN) been in the pandemic since March.” He said he works for Wells Fargo and give them a proper education.” He said the school principal had set the company was able to transition its up a Zoom call with them to discuss the workforce to home within two months during the pandemic. situation. “But it’s now been six months for Hig“We work 10 to 12 hours a day just like the teachers do,” he said. “How are we ley Unified School District,” he said. “I supposed to take the time off from our know our tax dollars are going to this schedules? It’s a lot of inconvenience to somehow. We can figure it out.” Thomason later in the meeting inme as a parent.”

dicated he will be reaching out to both Ludwig and the Rangels. “Every section has an assigned teacher,” said spokeswoman Reese in an email. “Higley is working hard to continue the transition from remote learning to online and in-person learning. We made every effort to inform families at the secondary level – including middle school – that online learning for their students would be self-paced with scheduled office hours for live instructional support.” The board also heard a school update from staff that included band and orchestra was being offered for online students through a free after-school course. David Loutzenheiser, executive director of Secondary Education, said 66 students currently were participating. He added the district is offering more core and elective courses and that the federal government has extended the free meals program for children 18 and younger to the end of the year so that students are now able to eat breakfast and lunch for free. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the district is offering food packages for individuals who need support at Higley Traditional Academy, he said.

survivor of childhood domestic violence, childhood molestation and adult survivor of a physically abusive first marriage, I have direct insight on the issues that matter most and that are the most poignant to the most vulnerable members of our community – women and children.” Robinson, a former teacher who grew up in poverty and is now a practicing attorney for Legal Aid, said her life experience catapults her ahead of Petersen. “Every woman in the state has earned the right to take a seat at the table but the district has yet to be represented by them in the Legislature despite women outnumbering men in the district,” she said. “That means what matters to us never gets prioritized.” She said her top issues are education, healthcare and infrastructure. “We have to make sure we fully fund

our schools,” she said. “There is no excuse for this. Arizona is at the bottom in terms of per pupil funding. We’ve been at the bottom for a long time.” She said healthcare was not her top priority until COVID-19 hit and she saw people lose their jobs and their health insurance as a result. She said one thing that can be done is what Rep. Kelli Butler, D-Paradise Valley, proposed in a bill that would have allowed uninsured people to buy into the state’s Medicaid system or Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. She also talked about the value of building infrastructure, which brings jobs. She responded to a handful of questions submitted by voters. Questions included criminal-justice reform, the November

LD 12 Senate candidate appears solo in debate BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

emocrat Lynsey Robinson last week made the case for why voters should elect her to the state Senate seat in Legislative District 12, describing her debate no-show opponent as having “a depraved heart.” Robinson faces an uphill battle against Republican Warren Petersen in the Nov. 3 General Election in the conservative enclave that includes a large portion of Gilbert and Queen Creek. Robinson unsuccessfully challenged Petersen in 2018 for the state House seat that he currently occupies. Petersen is seeking the Senate seat vacated by retiring Eddie Farnsworth. Petersen also did not attend the commission’s in-person debate two years ago

Lynsey Robinson when he ran for the House. “I have the first-hand knowledge about the issues that are most important to the survival and prosperity of our state,” Robinson said in a virtual debate hosted by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission last Wednesday. “As a former Dreamer, teacher and

see CLEAN page 10

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

ASU releases cumulative number of COVID cases

BY ANDREW ONODERA GSN Contributor

or the first time this fall, Arizona State University last week released a cumulative number of COVID-19 cases. Since Aug. 1, the university reported, there have been 1,305 students and 25 faculty that have tested positive for the coronavirus and 610 students have since been released from isolation. The new data came after ASU President Michael Crow vowed in a press conference Wednesday to release the previously undisclosed number. The university had been releasing only the number of active cases. The measure of active cases excludes anyone who has tested positive for the virus but has since been allowed to leave isolation. As of Sept. 6, there were 825 active cases. ASU allows individuals with a positive test to return to work or school if they have spent 10 days in isolation without symptoms. Those with symptoms must isolate for 10 days as well, but must also record 24 hours without a fever, according to ASU Health Services’ website. Most students who test positive do not exhibit severe symptoms, according to Vice President of Student Services Joanne Vogel. “The vast majority of cases are asymptomatic. If they are not asymptomatic, then they have mild symptoms which might mean fever, fatigue, the type of symptomology that can be fairly easily managed with over-thecounter medication,” Vogel said. Five ASU students have been hospitalized due to the virus since January. However, there have been no hospitalizations since the spring, according to Vogel. Although he promised and subsequently provided a cumulative number, Crow defended his decision to previously not disclose this informa-

tion and criticized those who have not updated case numbers to reflect only active cases. “This is something that has not been done by the health department and not been done by the media in general. Somehow, someone who was positive in May is still listed as positive on all the charts,” Crow said. The change in reporting comes as Crow prepares for what he called, “the long haul.” He says that he anticipates dealing with COVID-19 for quite a while. “Management of the virus will be essential for the foreseeable future,” Crow said. In fact, an option to attend class remotely may become a tool the university utilizes long after COVID-19 goes away. A robust health and wellness app might also stick around, according to Crow. “If it’s the flu, if it’s COVID, if it’s something else, stay at home and Zoom-in. We think that we can upgrade the health outcomes of the entire university community by implementing some of these technologies over the long haul,” Crow said. Additionally, the university is working on a COVID-19 test that will produce results in a matter of minutes rather than days. The test would be designed for use in situations where an immediate reading is needed, such as an athletic event, according to Dr. Joshua LaBaer, executive director of ASU’s Biodesign Institute. These are the kind of projects that ASU hopes to make available not just at a university level but to the general public as well, Crow said. “We’re hopeful that we’re a little bit of an icebreaker, breaking the ice to build a lane so that we can figure out how institutions can operate going forward,” Crow said. “That’s very much what we’re in the business of doing.”

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election and climate change. The moderator asked Robinson if she felt the state was doing enough for mental health treatment. “I don’t believe we are,” Robinson responded. “I think we can do more for mental health, make sure everyone has access to affordable mental healthcare.” Robinson also was asked if she felt Arizona or its leadership was doing enough to make climate change part of the legislative agenda. She said she was unaware of any recent bills addressing climate change. But what the state can do is look at its most abundant resource – the sun – and exploit it, she said. Solar energy would help people with their energy costs and protect the environment, she added. She said the state could encourage hybrid and electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions and look

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

to mass transit to reduce ozone pollution. But unless people accept climate change is real, there won’t be movement on this front, she said. Robinson also responded to a question asking how she would make sure science is central to government decision-making. “I believe in science, I believe in listening to the experts,” she said. “We can stop making public health a political issue and work to protect and preserve the lives of people by listening to the experts.” Robinson took a few digs at Petersen, who’s served in the Legislature since 2012. “I’m going to talk about my opponent,” she said. “I’m his 100-percent polar opposite.” For example, earlier this year when state Rep. Mitzi Epstein, D-Phoenix, at-

tempted to increase the state’s weekly unemployment benefits Majority Leader “Petersen pulled a procedural move to block her amendment from being heard,” said Robinson. She claimed Petersen pays lip service to his constituents and called into question if he really wanted to help small businesses survive. She said at a time when the state was seeing an explosion of COVID-19 cases, Petersen retweeted a tweet by U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who encouraged people to hold barbecues, have football games and go back to school. “Again, I’m someone who believes in science and in July we were at the height of the pandemic in our state,” she said. “What should have been happening is that we should be asking people to follow the science and to mask up and he

refused to support that with his argument about the freedom to be free. “Yes, we want businesses to thrive but how can they thrive when people are dying?” She also said Petersen voted against COVID-19 relief for families and small businesses. The state Legislature in March passed a $50 million relief package that provided funds to businesses, nonprofits, healthcare providers and food banks. Petersen was the sole dissenter. Robinson also said Petersen was only one out of 90 lawmakers at the state Legislature to vote against medical coverage for pre-existing conditions. “To vote against medical coverage for pre-existing condition, why?” she said noting, it affected the elderly. “To me this is someone with a depraved heart.”

Apartment project at Higley-Warner advances

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

148-acre mixed-used project that will see apartments go up first at the southeast corner of Higley and Warner roads is making progress. The Planning Commission earlier this month without comment approved the infrastructure plat for the Gabriella Pointe Commerce Center – which includes all the roads, entry monuments and some landscaping that are moving forward immediately. Gabriella Pointe comprises four parcels, two owned by the Frankel Family Trust and two by Michelon Family AZ Land, which originally owned the entire site. “The first vertical project is going to be the Frankel Family Trust’s,” said Greg Davis of IPlan Consulting, which represents Michelon Family AZ Land. “They’re getting ready to submit site plans in the next 30 to 60 days.” Davis said the multifamily units won’t begin construction until another year or so. The remaining two parcels are zoned

Apartment buildings will be the first structures to emerge on the 148-acre mixede-use development on the southeast corner of Higley and Warner roads. (Town of Gilbert)

for a business park and regional commercial and currently there are no users for the two, Davis said. Town Council in December 2018 approved changing the land uses on the 148-acre site to 56.4 acres for regional commercial uses, 57.5 acres for a business park and 39 acres for residential. The project’s estimated financial impact at build out to the community was anticipated at $2.7 million with residents spending estimated at about $1.3 million annually, according to a 2018 re-

port by IPlan Consulting. The plan proposes 390 multifamily units at 20 units per gross acre and 215 multifamily units at a density of 11 units per gross acre, according to the report. It was anticipated each unit will house 2.3 to 2.5 people with an occupancy rate of 92 percent. The average monthly lease rate for the units was proposed to range from $1,550 to $1,850, the report said. The residences will provide a diversi-

ty of housing for Gilbert and help support the planned retail, project leaders say. Children from those residences will attend Higley Unified campuses. The report also predicted that the regional commercial and business park uses will generate 2,390 jobs when built out. The plat approved by the Planning Commission calls for two main accesses to the location at Higley Road and at Warner Road. The infrastructure plat included a number of road improvements and the establishment of the entry monuments at the northeast corner of the Higley Road entrance and southwest corner of the Warner Road entrance. The entry monuments will be a combination of stone veneer and travertine plank base and incorporate a 12-foottall tower with a faux window and shutters and a tile roof, according to a town planning report. The site is located along the Santan Loop 202 Freeway and is within 5 miles of Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

State officials hope to quell surge in suicides

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

tate officials are trying to stave off what they fear could be a spike in suicides, possibly linked to the COVID-19 outbreak and the depression that can go along with that. During a press conference at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Health Director Cara Christ acknowledged last Thursday she has no hard figures on suicides since the outbreak, stating it takes six months for her agency to get death certificates. But Gov. Doug Ducey said the indications are there. “According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Americans reporting symptoms of depression registered a threefold jump compared to before the pandemic,’’ he said. And Ducey said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than one out of every 10 adults reported thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days,

more than double from two years earlier. He said these are more than numbers, representing family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances. “Many of them are struggling during this time of increased isolation and heightened stress,’’ the governor said. “And we must be there for them.’’ And Ducey said some groups are more vulnerable, including seniors, veterans and young people. Christ said Arizona already had a problem before the pandemic. She said a survey of teens produced some “alarming insights’’ about the issue. For example, she said that 40 percent of those in grades 9 through 12 said they felt so sad and helpless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities. That, Christ said, is higher than national estimates. But it doesn’t stop there. She said nearly 21 percent of high schoolers indicated they had contem-

plated suicide, 16 percent had made a plan, 10 percent actually attempted to kill themselves and 4 percent said that attempt resulted in an injury that required medical attention. And even before kids get to high school, it’s an issue: Suicide is the leading cause of death in Arizona of children age 10 through 14, the governor said. “As a mother, this information is worrisome,’’ Christ said. The prolonged closure of schools has exacerbated the problem, many experts have said, because children and teens of all ages have been isolated from their friends – and possibly helpful adults on school staffs. Many also are in homes impacted by job loss and even health issues related to the pandemic. The press conference came close to a year after Ducey signed into law the bipartisan-sponsor Mitch Warnock Act, which requires suicide awareness and prevention training for all school person-

nel – even bus drivers and cafeteria workers – who work with students in grades 6 through 12. That law took effect this school year and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said training was already underway. But several speakers said suicide is not just an issue for teens. Wanda Wright, director of the state Department of Veterans’ Services, rattled off her own statistics. She said veterans account nationally and in Arizona for 18 percent of total suicides, twice their share of U.S. population. And Wright said the risk of suicide for veterans in Arizona is three time higher than non-veterans -- and four times higher for older veterans. Hoffman and Jami Snyder, director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, detailed some of the programs being offered to provide mental health counseling, many of them through schools.

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Chandler tykes can go to classrooms this week

BY KEVIN REAGAN GSN Staff Writer

divided Chandler Unified School District Governing Board has voted advance the reopening of classrooms by letting kids in preschool through second grade back on campuses by Sept. 14. Partially bowing to the wishes of many concerned parents, the board on Sept. 2 voted 3-2 on a staggered reopening, with third-sixth graders returning Sept. 21. High school and junior high students will remain in distance learning until the October start of the second semester and students in all grades can continue to remain learning at home if their parents want them to. The board’s decision reverses plans set earlier this summer that delayed all in-person teaching at Chandler Unified’s 42 campuses until Oct. 13. Some board members were not convinced the stats are strong enough to war-

rant any in-person learning. Lindsay Love and Lara Bruner voted against reopening Chandler’s elementary schools earlier than planned because of the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak occurring at one of the district’s campuses. “I don’t think it’s wise right now,” said Bruner. Love felt the two-week rule used by health experts was not sufficient for deciding when it was safe for school districts to reopen. It seems like a bit of a “knee-jerk reaction,” she said, to make a major decision based on a limited amount of data that could suddenly fluctuate. Board President Barb Mozdzen said the community’s infection rate may never get down to a low enough level until a vaccine becomes available, and felt that should not stop CUSD from reopening its schools. Virtual learning does not appear to be effective for many students, Mozdzen added, and has not been improving since

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the school year started in early August. “We are increasing the achievement gaps all over this district,” she said. Frank Narducci, assistant superintendent of elementary education, said CUSD prioritized bringing the younger grade levels back first so that teachers could have some additional time introducing them to the customs and protocols of in-person learning. This year is the first educational experience for Chandler’s preschoolers and kindergartners, Narducci added, so they don’t understand and haven’t seen yet how a school should normally operate. Under this staggered model, Narducci said the elementary campuses would practice social distancing and attempt to keep class sizes as low as possible. The district’s data show 81 percent of its kindergarten classes would have fewer than 18 students enrolled, 17 percent would have between 19 and 22 students and less than 2 percent would have more than 23 students.

CUSD evaluated a hybrid schedule that would have involved students splitting their week between in-person teaching on some days and virtual learning on the others. Administrators said the logistics of deploying such a hybrid schedule would have been much more complicated and the district would have had to re-configure new bus routes. The board further considered opening up Chandler’s secondary schools before the second quarter started, but board member David Evans joined Love and Bruner to vote that proposal down. According to a district survey, 67 percent of teachers felt in-person instruction should not start until after fall break and 59 percent didn’t feel prepared to return to teaching in their classrooms. Among the 1,200 emails and comments submitted by parents to the district in recent weeks, more than 58 percent of them demanded the district reopen schools as soon as possible.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Mammoth Mesa sports complex no pipedream, developer promises BY JIM WALSH GSN Staff Writer

andy and Chad Miller have a big sports and entertainment dream for southeast Mesa near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. At 320 acres, that dream is expansive – but Chad Miller insists it’s not fanciful. It includes two stadiums, 23 soccer fields, eight baseball and softball fields, and an indoor sports building with 16 basketball courts and 62 volleyball courts. With potential for sports tourism, almost limitless recreational opportunities and even image building, Mesa officials are hoping the father-son duo’s vision turns into a Legacy Sports Park. But with such an ambitious project, it’s predictable that Legacy Sports Park needs to solve some unresolved challenges – an annexation by the city, a zoning change, an assured water supply and a major upgrade to Williams Field Road – before a building permit can be issued. While this list is substantial, Chad Miller, a former minor league catcher who played for Gilbert’s Mesquite High School, doesn’t consider any of these requirements an obstacle. Miller is so confident that he has scheduled a ceremonial grand opening on Sept. 18, knowing that he has a top zoning attorney, financing for the $250-million project and a lease on the land near Ellsworth and Pecos roads. The property is at the southern tip of the former General Motors Proving Grounds, a spacious 5,000-acre expanse of land that already is home to two upscale master-planned communities, Eastmark and Cadence. “The money is already in a trust account and the land has been secured’’ through a lease, Miller said. “Everyone from the city has been very supportive, helping us get this completed. There has been no opposition.’’ Although an adequate water and construction of Williams Field Road are critical for the development to proceed, Miller said they are not insurmountable requirements. His most immediate first step is start grading the property.

The proposed Legacy Sports Park in southeast Mesa would have plenty of room for plenty of sports, say developers Randy and Chad Miller, who already are making moves to make it a reality. (Courtesy of Chad Miller)

“When you have the money and you have the land, it’s just the details that need to be worked out,’’ Miller said. “We are prepared to do what we need to do, to bring this project to fruition.’’ Miller views his project as more varied and flexible than Mesa Plays, a Visit Mesa proposal that focused on attracting regional and national soccer tournaments to expanded facilities at Red Mountain Park in northeast Mesa. The concept was to attract tournaments and to take advantage of sports tourism, with children on club teams and their families coming to Mesa and spending money on hotels and restaurants. Although Mesa voters approved millions of dollars in bonds in 2018 on a series of quality of life-oriented improvements, they also shot down Mesa Plays, creating an opportunity for Legacy Sports Park. In contrast with Mesa Plays, Legacy Sports Park potentially provides facilities for more than 15 sports at multi-purpose fields, including an 8,000-seat stadium that could be used for field sports such as soccer, rugby and lacrosse. The indoor facility would be oriented toward basketball, volleyball and health and fitness classes, including yoga. “This is a multi-purpose sports complex and an entertainment district. These are

events that will drive people from all over the Valley,’’ Miller said, with stadiums and other venues built to handle festivals and other special events, placing an emphasis on flexibility. “I think the biggest differentiator is the entertainment aspect,’’ he said. “When you have something great for the community, everyone wants to get behind it.’’ Paul Gilbert, Miller’s zoning attorney, said the annexation and zoning changes required are not overly complicated. He said the annexation is simple because there is only one property owner. Legacy Sports would already have the proper zoning if it were to remain in Maricopa County as a county island, he said. The project would receive the closest zoning equivalent in Mesa, light industrial, by virtue of annexation on 245 acres. The remaining 75 acres will require a rezoning to light industrial as well, which Gilbert does not perceive as much of an issue. “Frankly, I think the zoning and annexation are going very smoothly,’’ Gilbert said. “We still are in detailed negotiation with the city on the water and Williams Field Road.’’ “Those ballfields will need a lot of water,’’ Gilbert said. Eventually, Williams Field Road will

need a major upgrade east of Ellsworth Road to six lanes, he said. The park is located between the Williams Field Road alignment and Pecos Road. While Mesa has a $100 million transportation bond issue coming before voters on the Nov. 4 ballot, with much of it designated for southeast Mesa, Williams Fields Road is not included, Gilbert said. That leaves the developer and the city in negotiations for who will pay for a potentially costly construction, he said. The Legacy Sports proposal is under review by the Mesa Planning Department. Gilbert said he is hoping to make a presentation to the Planning and Zoning Board sometime in October. Rich Adams of Visit Mesa is a big fan of Legacy Sports Park and is hoping all the details can be worked out. Mesa Economic Development Director Bill Jabjiniak also is enthusiastic about the project’s potential and is hoping for great things ahead. Jabjiniak said he first met with the developers of Legacy Sports Park a year ago and was impressed. “You have to dream big to accomplish big things,’’ Jabjiniak said. “If they can pull it off, this is a home run.’’ He said the project would create excitement not only locally, but nationally. “This is a great opportunity for the city. Sports tourism is an economic driver. I think it will be about the quality of growth. This is something people will talk about around the country,’’ Jabjiniak said. The GM Proving Grounds always has been considered a major factor in the development of East Mesa, along with the construction of Arizona 24. Jabjiniak said the 5,000-acre GM property turned into Eastmark and Cadence. He said the owner, Bill Levine, is leasing the 320 acres to Legacy Sports Park and reserving some of it for future development. Miller said the new freeway is vital to Legacy Sports Park. He said the new freeway opens up Queen Creek as a market and also makes it easier to reach his development from Scottsdale or Phoenix. “You have a large number of families moving to the community,’’ Miller said.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

LIFELINE from page 6

look like. They learn the techniques during the second phase of training, by practicing phone calls, discussing with the clinician team what might happen during calls and watching situational videos of what callers may be experiencing. Learning to apply these skills to callers isn’t too hard for the volunteers because so many of them have friends who are going through similar problems, or they’ve been through the issues themselves. For callers, it should feel as though they’re talking to a friend. “We are not an advice hotline,” Kontz said. Even after the three phases are complete, volunteers can remain in training until they’re confident enough to take calls. It typically takes 80 to 100 hours of training for teens to be cleared to work the hotline, Kontz said. Kontz said calls and texts increased as the COVID-19 outbreak began and continued to rise in the following months. Although the subjects of calls were mostly the same, she said, callers felt added stresses from the pandemic. “We’re also dealing with the reality of what’s being affected immediately: graduation is nonexistent, (and) when you’ve worked so hard for something and to have that taken away, it’s heartbreaking,” Kontz said. Those added stresses, including the loss of prom and other typical school activities, made it clear to Kontz that the volunteers needed the hotline as much as it needed them. “They don’t have the outlet of school,” she said. “This is the time where the reason we exist is very evident: we exist for them as well as them to be there for callers.” When they’re not answering calls or texts from teenagers in crisis, some volunteers alternate between napping on the bean bag chair and answering Snapchats on their phones. Some do schoolwork and browse the internet. Others talk – with each other and the supervisors – going quickly from hotlinerelated topics to debating who rules the foosball table. The volunteers are discreet about their work, making it hard to tell whether one

is writing an essay or answering a hotline text until they ask for a second opinion on a message or need help crafting a response. Gregory, a senior at Brophy College Preparatory, became a peer counselor in 2018 after seeing Teen Lifeline’s information on the back of his school ID, which is one of the organization’s initiatives to expand its community presence. Eva, a sophomore at Scottsdale Prep, began training in November 2019, after realizing she was the “friend group problem solver.” She has considered being a counselor when she grows up. “I’ve always enjoyed helping people, or knowing that they’re happier feeling better about something. So I really like being able to know that (callers are), in a better and safer place,” she said. All the volunteers at Teen Lifeline have the desire to help their peers, but the similarities end there in a lot of cases, Kontz said. “The kids that are attracted here, really the thing that unites them is that they want to help, but they look very different from each other,” she said. “(They) probably would never talk to each other at school. But here they get to know each other on a different level; they get to be a more genuine part of who they are, versus who they have to be at school or on social media.” If you or someone you know is in need of help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor right away. Or, contact Teen Lifeline directly at 602-248-8336 (TEEN). This story was produced in partnership with the Arizona Community Foundation.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Legislative Candidate Forum for Education

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Tyler’s Place a haven for special-needs community BY STACI HAUK GSN Contributor

ow more than ever, it is important for everyone to feel welcomed, nurtured and cared for – and therein lies the mission of Tyler’s Place. The new facility, serving Gilbert and Chandler, hopes to bring together special needs teenagers and adults in a safe and engaging environment. The staff offers a hands-on approach to daytime and after school activities geared toward those who are seeking a place of acceptance and fun. Tyler’s Place founder Robert Anasgasti had the inspiration to bring this facility to life as his autistic son reached the teen years. There was a lack in programs that were both age-appropriate and safe. Anasgasti and his wife knew other parents who were also struggling with this dilemma and decided to start their own program, pulling from the firsthand

“Each day we have a different ‘special’ planned including music, art, pet therapy, physical fitness and culinary. “We make learning life skills fun and engaging by allowing our experienced staff to facilitate the interactions between members,” he continued. “This collaborative approach Tyler’s Place opened on Queen Creek Road near Gilbert to serve the special-needs allows for a level of community. (Facebook) engagement that is knowledge they had gained through the most beneficial to those who struggle with developing a deeper social underyears. They began to speak to families who standing.” The feedback has been positive, with expressed a need for an adult program as well, so they expanded to offer a range families touring the bright and cheerful facility on Queen Creek Road in Chanof programs for both teens and adults. “We always love to have fun and strive dler and finding a fresh perspective Tyto keep a busy schedule,” Anasgasti said. ler’s Place is offering the special needs

community. Strangers have even stepped up to donate. “Our facility feels like a home away from home,” Anagasti said. “We want to make sure our members feel comfortable and relaxed. “It’s critical to reduce anxiety and stress in order to have successful days for many of our members so I wanted to make sure the setting provided a calming atmosphere. The members love playing ping pong and relaxing on the couch for our daily team meetings.” Though it started as a place for teens, it now has a day program for adults. Tyler’s Place opened last month with a slow and steady growth strategy to ensure comfort. Amid COVID-19, Tyler’s Place has stepped up. “Due to the risks associated with COVID-19, we have adopted several

year before me, at stage III. I was diagnosed at stage IV. And he was four months younger than me. So, his odds of beating this disease were better than mine.” According to the National Institutes of Health, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths – even though it is 90 percent preventable. Researchers said people often are embarrassed to seek a screening, contributing to higher rates of the cancer. In Ruddle’s case, embarrassment didn’t occur until after she had been diagnosed. “I also didn’t share my diagnosis publicly for the first two years,” she recalled. “I was scared and embarrassed. And I didn’t want people to look at me differently.” News of Bozeman’s death prompted her

to remark, “You can’t help but think ‘Why him?’ or ‘If he couldn’t beat it, how can I?’” It also provoked some frustration. “That’s the scary thing about this disease –it affects everyone differently,” she said. “Treatment that works for one person doesn’t always work for someone else. You can’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. There’s definitely more work to do in education, awareness and research.” And that’s precisely why Ruddle partially uses her Mrs. America cache as a member of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to colorectal cancer. “We empower a nation of allies who work with us to provide genuine support

see TYLER page 19

Chandler’s Mrs. America fights colon cancer BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor

he news of “Black Panther” star Chadwick Bozeman’s death last month stunned Jennifer Ruddle. “I thought it was a hoax,” recalled the Chandler woman, the 2020 Mrs. Arizona who also made the top 12 for the national title. “He was a superhero. He always seemed so strong and healthy.” Then, Ruddle added: “But so did I.” It was the cause of Chadwick’s death at age 43 that unnerved her. Chadwick died of colon cancer – a disease that Ruddle, 44, has been fighting for three years. “His story is similar to mine,” Ruddlee said. “Mr. Boseman was diagnosed the

Chandler resident Jennifer Ruddle of Chandler, this year’s Mrs. America 2020, was in the top 12 for the national title. (Special to GSN)

see CANCER page 19

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Hospice of the Valley celebrates Hispanic heritage BY LIN SUE COONEY GSN Guest Writer

hile Hispanic Heritage Month is traditionally celebrated Sept. 15-Oct. 30, it’s a year-round priority for many community agencies, including Hospice of the Valley. During this pandemic, when so many are isolated and anxious, it’s more critical than ever that those on an end-of-life journey are not traveling it alone. Many Hispanic families are still culturally conditioned to view hospice as a “place,” instead of a philosophy of care. In their native Mexico, hospice meant leaving home and family to die among strangers. In this country, hospice care means the opposite – clinical teams come to your home to offer care and support. “It’s our goal, each and every day, to educate the Hispanic community that this beautiful care exists to help support family members and keep families together,” says Hospice of the Valley nurse Erica

Coronado. “There are so many false assumptions – and it’s hard for them to believe that we care for everyone, regardless of whether they have insurance.” Dispelling misconceptions is what Hospice of the Valley community liaison Suzanne Sanchez does every month on her radio show, “Brindando Comunidad con Dignidad,” on Spanish-language station La Onda. She invites colleagues – social workers, nurses, chaplains and volunteers – to talk about the many programs and resources the nonprofit agency offers the Hispanic community. “We work together to break down cultural and language barriers about hospice,” she says. “We want to make sure people are aware of all that is available to them – especially those who do not have consistent healthcare.” Across the Valley, Hispanic families can see special billboards featuring Spanish-speaking patients and their bilingual

care teams. One depicts three generations of the Dominguez family – Isidora is the proud matriarch who is grateful that her daughters took the time to understand the concept of hospice care. “Hospice of the Valley is help, trust and hope,” Isidora’s daughter, Gladis, says. “It’s important that we share that message with other Hispanic families.” She hopes more people will get the support they need and understand firsthand what “un legado para el cuidado” – a legacy of caring – means. Spanish-speaking chaplains offer comfort at the bedside – these days in masks and from a safe distance – but it’s not just patients who need reassurance. Family members struggling with worries about the coronavirus must feel supported, too. “People need kindness and understanding more than ever right now,” says chaplain Cristiano Artigas. “They aren’t spending time with friends, co-workers

or extended family and they desperately need a listening ear and sympathetic heart.” One of the biggest obstacles is language. Spanish-speaking families need to feel comfortable reaching out for help in their native tongue. That’s why Spanish-speaking staff are available — in person or over the phone; any time of day or night, seven days a week. Hospice of the Valley has the only grief support program designed specifically for Spanish-speaking youngsters – and it is offered at no charge. The group, Luz del Corazon, helps children and teens feel safe so they can clearly express themselves and move toward healing. “Everybody wants the best care, love and respect. That’s universal. That’s why it’s so important to be able to communicate with my patients in Spanish,” says Gi-

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HOSPICE from page 18

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ancarlo Fratiglioni, an after-hours nurse for Hospice of the Valley. “There is always something that gets confused, missed or misunderstood when you translate from English to Spanish. We don’t take that chance.” The Venezuelan native loves all his patients, but there’s one he can’t wait to see

every Thursday: 94-year-old Esperaza Borboa. That’s because the Guadalupe resident always sings to him in Spanish – musica ranchera and boleros – as her son Johnny strums the guitar. Johnny even created a YouTube channel (“Maez Vega”) that has over 350 videos of them singing their

hearts out. “It makes me look forward to the day just to come here and see her,” Giancarlo says while he visits Esperaza in her home. “Her positive energy is contagious. It makes you feel good, it makes you feel happy! It’s good for the soul!” To learn more about Hospice of the Val-

ley’s bicultural care, visit hov.org or call 602-530-6900. For information on Spanish-language grief support, call 480-9518985. For career opportunities, visit hov. org/careers; Spanish skills are a plus. Lin Sue Cooney is director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley.

for patients and families, caregivers, and survivors; to raise awareness of preventive measures; and inspire efforts to fund critical research,” she said. She feels “united in our fierce determination to dramatically impact the way society sees this devastating disease” and said the alliance wants “We exist to end colorectal cancer in our lifetime.” A native of New York, Ruddle lived in Phoenix for 30 years before moving last year to Chandler with her husband of 17 years, Brian. She holds a bachelor’s degree in arts and performance from the University of Arizona. While she works with the alliance to

defeat colon cancer, her personal battle against the disease is not over. She is still not in remission and recently underwent 10 days of radiation to her lungs, where the cancer metastasized. “I’ll have a CT scan later this month and am hoping to be in remission at that time,” she said. Ruddle’s work with the alliance has her on the Never Too Young Advisory Board, which is “committed to learning more and providing support for those under 50 currently in their fight.” And despite her own battle, she remains optimistic, stating, “Together, we are defying and redefining the odds. We are changing the face of this disease.”

procedures that are different,” Anagasti said, city a daily intake health questionnaire, regular temperature checks and a reduced capacity from 24 to 12. “We also encourage mask wearing, extra hand washing and have a rigorous daily sanitizing routine,” he said. Tyler’s Place embraces improving the quality of life for special needs members. It isn’t just about having fun – it’s about building critical life skills so these individuals can become the best versions of themselves. “We chose the Gilbert/Chandler community because it is home to us and the only home our children have ever known,” Anagasti said. “It is here where

we raise a son with autism and here where we have received all the love and support that has helped us provide the best environment for him to flourish.” To arrange a tour of Tyler’s Place, contact the center at 480-794-9984 or visit their website and complete the interest form at tylersplaceaz.org.

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BUSINESS

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Restaurant family opening new Gilbert eatery GSN NEWS STAFF

t’s an understatement to say that the pandemic-driven shutdown could not have come at a worse time for Mairead and Fabrice Buschetz, owners of the Cuisine and Wine Bistro in Chandler and Copper & Logs in Gilbert They opened Copper & Logs, their third restaurant in February – just before Covid-19 changed the food and drink industry nationwide. Then, the Buschtetz family had to close all three restaurants under state orders. With the unexpected closure, they decided their first restaurant in Gilbert deserved a facelift. As a new interior took shape, so did ideas for a new dining concept. When they reopen this month, the Buschtetz family is unveiling an entirely new restaurant concept called B Gastrobar at 1422 W. Warner Road in Gilbert. It will feature full bar service, an innovative new menu and a renovated interior that expands seating along the bar and opens space throughout the venue.

Fabrice and Mairead Buschetz have carved out a reputation for innovative menu offerings with their Cuisine & Wine Bistro and Copper & Logs restaurants. Now they are preparing to unveil a new concept in Gilbert called B Gastrobar. (Special to GSN)

“We decided that if we were going to be closed for a while, then we would take advantage of that time to make the kitchen more efficient, and to open up the seating area near the bar,” Mairead said. B Gastrobar’s menu reflects what the couple have learned through five years

of running what was voted in 2016 as the Best Wine Bar in Arizona by Buzzfeed. There will be burgers, fries, sandwiches, and more with plans for a lunch and dinner menu. Hours are expected to be Tuesday-Saturday, but many of those details are still being worked out.

“We learned that our happy hour and happy hour menu are very popular,” Mairead said. “We are looking at our most popular items, and expanding with new dishes for tasty lunches and hearty evening meals.”

see EATERY page 22

Plumbing supply firm to develop potato barn site GSN NEWS STAFF

Mesa family business is finally ready to implement its plan for an historic Gilbert site. The Smith family, owners of Central Arizona Supply, plan to break ground this fall for its renovation and expansion of the Old Potato Barn on Williams Field Road between Higley and Recker roads. While making room for the plumbing supply company’s 12th Valley location, the Smiths plan to transform the 20,000-square-foot barn into a multitenant retail and restaurant space and add three buildings to the 3-acre site. They’re naming the site Higley Barns.

Central Arizona Supply owners and siblings Andrea Willey, Brandon Smith and Jeremy Smith recently surveyed the old potato barn in Gilbert, where they have big plans for developing the 3-acre site. (Special to GSN)

Built in 1966, the barn got its name because it stored potatoes. It was turned into a showroom for the furniture store

Potato Barn until the company moved to a larger location in 2011. Generation Church then bought it but

never did anything with it, so it has sat empty for nearly a decade. The Smiths bought the property in 2015 and had initially announced a similar plan in 2018. But co-owner Jeremy Smith said the family got sidetracked with other business. “As a family business, we were focused on growing other parts of our company at the time, mainly expanding into appliances, and that took precedence over this adaptive reuse development,” he said. “We are now ready to proceed with The Higley Barns and look forward to

see

BARN page 23

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EATERY from page 21

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

While any menu will reflect Fabrice’s French expertise, they say B Gastrobar will be more American than European in flavors and presentation. “We are very excited to open our doors to B,” she said. “We’ve been working throughout the summer, renovating, painting and designing the menu – while still running our other two restaurants.” Their other locations – Cuisine and Wine Bistro in Chandler and Copper & Logs in Gilbert – reopened first with takeout and then with in-house dining as pandemic restrictions eased. Since the B location also was closed under the governor’s orders, the family decided to use the downtime for remodeling. The family opened Cuisine and Wine Bistro – Gilbert in March 2015 and 17 months later opened one in Chandler,

both featuring similar French menus with an emphasis on specialties such as escargots, steak, Beef Wellington and aged Tomahawk steak. In February, they launched Copper & Logs, a gastropub featuring craft cocktails, craft beers, and wood-fired pizza. In the five years they’ve owned their East Valley restaurants, they’ve earned numerous accolades and awards. Mairead is a native of Ireland and Fabrice, a native of France, where he trained as an executive chef. Fabrice is the third generation of his family to run restaurants, though he is the first to become an executive chef. The pair met in Paris more than 30 years ago and have three adult children and a daughter-in-law who work with them at the three restaurants.

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Credit union starts drive to reduce ‘digital divide’ GSN NEWS STAFF

esert Financial Credit Union is helping to bridge the “digital divide” that has kept needy families without laptops or internet connectivity from being able to participate in online learning. Between now and Sept. 25, Desert Financial is holding a student laptop drive fundraiser to benefit Laptops 4 Learning, a local nonprofit that provides quality refurbished laptops to students in need. The credit union will match donations to the nonprofit up to $20,000. Desert Financial, the state’s largest credit union, was founded by teachers more than 81 years ago. As a tribute to that legacy, the credit union has long supported teachers and education. “Many people have heard of ‘food insecurity’ where kids don’t have enough to

eat,” said Jeff Meshey, a Chandler resident who is president and CEO of Desert Financial Credit Union. “But since schools have gone virtual, having a laptop is now among basic needs for kids,” he said. “We’re happy to encourage our own members, community and team to do their part to help ensure all children in Arizona have the technology they need to thrive. It’s one way we can help break the cycle of poverty.” Brenda Powell, executive director of Laptops 4 Learning, said her organization last year had approximately 350 students in need of laptops and they it was able to provide laptops. This year so far, 477 students have come to the nonprofit for help. Powell said foster children in particular have been adversely affected by school closings and the shift to online learning. Donations can be made at desertfinancial.com/LaptopDrive.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

BARN from page 21

breaking ground in a few weeks.” The project marks the first time the Smith family has waded into the role of developers outside of projects related to the expansion of their own 50-year-old business. “It has always been our vision to create a community-focused collection of restaurants, shops and home products in a landmark location that has such history in Gilbert,” said Jeremy. “The Higley Barns will become a mercantile for goods, services, history, art, music, entertainment and culinary, all within a gathering place that enriches the surrounding community in a meaningful way.” In June, Gilbert approved plans for the multimillion-dollar project, which also includes three buildings ranging in size from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet. The Smiths will open their 12th Central Arizona Supply location within two areas of the property. Half the barn will house “a stunning 10,000 square-foot plumbing and appliance showroom that will

Central Arizona Supply owners and siblings Jeremy and Brandon Smith and Andrea Willey will be opening the 12th Valley location of their plumbing supply company on the site of the old potato barn in Gilbert. (Special

to GSN)

showcase the latest in luxury kitchen and bath plumbing, appliances and designer lighting,” a spokeswoman said, calling it “a first of its kind” that will give designers, homeowners, builders, plumbers and contractors “an immersive experience with the world’s top brands.” The 8,000 square-foot building will house plumbing and parts counter and

a warehouse, which accounts for nearly half of Central Arizona Supply’s overall business. The two additional buildings, and the other half of the barn, will be available for lease or purchase. “The Higley Barns location will be our first showroom in nearly a decade, and with it we aim to raise the bar nationally with how clients and home professionals

experience all of these design elements in one beautifully curated environment that honors the home,” said Smith. “From working kitchens and cutting-edge products on display, to local chefs hosting cooking demos for the community, it will be a fun and inspiring place to gather and collaborate.” Phoenix-based Brick & West, known for designing some of the Valley’s most notable restaurants, has been hired as the architect and Lee & Associates Arizona will manage the leasing and/or potential sales of the mixed-use space. Founded in Mesa in 1968, Central Arizona Supply is a fourth-generation family business that started as a plumbing parts supplier and has evolved into one of the industry’s largest independently owned family wholesale and retail businesses in the Southwest. With 10 locations in Arizona and one in Las Vegas, the company boasts an on-hand supply of thousands of parts, products and fixtures. Information: 480-834-5817 or visit CentralAZSupply.com.

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Valley theme park plans all smoke, no sizzle BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ GSN Columnist

ome people love theme parks. They don’t mind lines. They crave the rides and the adrenaline. As an Arizonan since 1995, I’m not much for theme parks. But, man, do I love reading about proposed theme parks that never get built. I was reminded of that hobby the other day when not one, but two theme park proposals drew local media attention. In the East Valley, Mesa may one day be the site of “Cannon Beach,” a new extravaganza said to include a two-acre “surf lagoon,” plus a gym, climbing wall, go-kart racing, 75,000 square feet of commercial space and a 65-foot tall hotel and retail site. As my buddy and ace reporter Jim Walsh explained in the Tribune, the developer – Cole Cannon – says he’s visited surf parks worldwide and hired ex-

perts in water dynamics to animate his dream: “We want to get a perfect wave.’’ In Mesa. In the desert. Where it’s 115 degrees. And flat as the revenue projections for surfing tourists. Not to be outdone, the Glendale City Council last week approved “Crystal Lagoons, Island Resort,” an 11-acre water paradise purported to include paddleboarding, scuba diving and boogie boarding – plus “water jetpacks.” Whatever the hell those are. Naturally, Glendale electeds voted to waive $1 million in fees for the developer and employ a sweetheart financing deal known as a GPLET, which allows the builder to avoid paying property taxes for 25 years. That’s predicated on the project being built, of course, which I doubt. Not to sound cynical, but, like I said, I’ve been following theme park news for years. The projects all follow a similar pattern: They get announced amid much braggadocio, make zero progress for years, then quietly expire.

In this case, the political burbker du jour was Glendale Councilwoman Joyce Clark, who said at the Council meeting: “I am just so excited. … (This is) a blockbuster project that’s going to put Glendale on the map, not just in the Valley but in the Southwest.” Which I’m sure is what some elected yoyo said when the Garden of Eden was built – and with nary a tax break, if you can imagine that. Folks were similarly excited in Casa Grande in 2017 when Dreamport Villages – a $4 billion “Disneyland in the desert” – was announced for the area near I-10 and I-8. Four years later, it’s still nothing but a dream. There were dreams galore in Williams near the Grand Canyon in 2015. Developers there announced a half-billion-dollar park they said would feature amusement park rides, an amphitheater, a hotel and spa, restaurants and an adventure course. The idea died two years later. So did plans for The Waveyard in

Mesa, which fizzled out circa 2007. That project was supposed to feature an artificial whitewater river with kayakers shooting Class 4 rapids. There was also going to be an “artificial beach” and “a simulated ocean” allegedly capable of 12-foot high waves. The only waves actually produced? Via the local news. That was also about the time the proposal for Decades, a rock ’n’ roll amusement park sited in Eloy, didn’t pan out. I was psyched for that one, since the developers touted rides named after rockers like Jerry Lee Lewis and John Fogerty. It ended up a no go. Down the road in Florence, so did “Coyote Canyon,” which was supposed to feature roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, water attractions and the park’s very own train station. These theme parks all sound great, but in the end they all seem to share one thing: The only people who get taken for a ride are the goofy politicians who brag about them.

As national Grandparents Day is celebrated on Sept. 13, FTF reminds families about programs that can help grandparents build positive relationships with their grandchildren, which promotes healthy development and learning for young kids. FTF provides funding for programs that are having positive impacts on grandparents and Arizona’s children, including a statewide resource that can provide advice and support to grandparents raising their grandkids. The Birth to 5 Helpline (1-877-705KIDS) is available to all Arizona families with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. This free program fields questions from families looking for advice and the latest

child development information from early childhood experts. FTF also funds training and support for family, friend and neighbor caregivers in regions across Arizona. The family friend and neighbor strategy focuses on increasing the caregiver’s knowledge and understanding of early childhood development, health and nutrition, language and literacy, and safety and injury prevention, including first aid and CPR certification as well as crib safety. This type of training is critical in Arizona, which mirrors the rest of the country, where one-third to one-half of all children under age 5 are cared for by informal family, friends and neighbors, and in many cases, those caregivers are grandparents,

who are taking care of young ones during the day. For a comprehensive list of what programs are available at no cost for children birth to age 5 in your area, visit: firstthingsfirst.org/resources/find-programs. The relationship between a child and a grandparent is a special bond and supporting grandparents in their special role will help young kids learn, grow and succeed. -Donna Shott is a spokeswoman for First Things First, a voter-created statewide organization that funds early learning, family support and children’s preventive health services to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Information: FirstThingsFirst.org.

Grandparents play a major role in a child’s life BY DONNA SHOTT GSN Guest Writer

randparents play a variety of roles in their grandchildren’s lives. For many, a grandfather or grandmother is an additional loving adult who provides positive, nurturing support early in life. For other young children, grandparents have taken their grandchild into their home and have taken on the responsibility of raising them. First Things First Arizona’s early childhood agency, knows that families can look different, but they can all help babies, toddlers and preschoolers feel safe and secure.

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First week of practice offers hint of normalcy BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

he first week of football practice for high school programs across the East Valley has come and gone, offering a slight sense of normalcy for both players and coaches. But even as players snapped their chin straps and adjusted helmets to their liking, several signs pointed to a world still in the middle of a pandemic. “It’s definitely different,” Williams Field senior wide receiver Myles Taylor said. “Everybody is going to do what we have to do in order to play. But it feels amazing to just be out here with my team. It’s almost a relief.” Water bottles and other personal belongings scattered the sidelines, as restrictions put in place by districts and the Arizona Interscholastic Association prohibit players from sharing a traditional water source. Backpacks, shoes and other clothing lay nearby instead of tucked away inside a locker as in years past. Without helmets at Higley and Williams Field high schools, players are encouraged to separate and wear masks. All coaches on the field are also masked up. This season, coaches have added responsibility. Not only are they preparing for a football season, but also must make sure players stay healthy and follow guidelines. “It’s a lot of more precautionary things that we have to get used to,” Williams Field head coach Steve Campbell said. “Usually we would have water caddys out here but now if a player runs out of water in their bottle, we have to make sure they get more. When we are inside our facilities, we have to separate them out to make sure there aren’t too many in one space. “It’s just those types of procedures we are trying handle as best we can.” Higley head football coach Eddy Zubey echoed Campbell’s comments while he praised his administration and the district for creating a clear path for all fall sports teams to proceed. There was no contact among players,

Williams Field senior wide receiver Myles Taylor said the first week of practice still felt different due to restrictions, but overall, he was happy to be in this position. (Zach Alvira/GSN Staff)

something that is relatively common this early in the season. Players often worked with tackling dummies and other bags while also doing cardio drills. Higley senior quarterback Kai Millner, a California-Berkeley commit, said he had been looking forward to putting on his helmet. Especially after a summer filled with uncertainty surrounding football and other fall sports, it raised the bar of excitement for him and his teammates. “It’s amazing,” Millner said. “I mean, we’ve been out here a little bit but to officially start the season, to come out here and put on the helmets and see everybody working, it’s super exciting.” Nearly 10 miles north of Higley in east Mesa, Desert Ridge kept things light on the first official day of practice in helmets. Head coach Jeremy Hathcock limited his team to conditioning drills for the Labor Day holiday. On Tuesday, however, the intensity was turned up a notch. Running backs worked with one another in a forced-fumble drill. Skill players, including senior quarterback Austin Kolb, worked the run-pass-option. Linemen hit the five-man sled with Angelo Paffumi, who was previously the head coach at nearby Skyline.

Hathcock said it was “special” to see his team in helmets for the first time. “Man, when you realize you’re one of 20, 25 states to do that, it’s a special treat,” Hathcock said. “It’s one of those things where you feel like an 8-year-old in pop warner getting ready to play your first game again.” Kolb, who is poised for a breakout senior year, said he was grateful to be at this point. Just three months ago, when Arizona was at the peak of the pandemic with nearly 4,000 new COVID-19 cases per day, the possibility of having a fall sports season looked grim. Now, however, teams are preparing for a season even though some metrics from the AIA’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee still cast a sliver of doubt. Still, Kolb is eager to keep progressing through the season. “It feels great to just be with my teammates practicing again,” Kolb said. “We had a lot of uncertainty during this pandemic. To just be back out here, it feels great. “We know there was a lot of time wasted. We are just using all the time we have every day to get better as a team.” The AIA Executive Board voted to adopt the recommendations from SMAC for a return to fall activities. Football, being the most at-risk sport for virus transmission, had stricter

guidelines put in place for games to begin as scheduled on Oct. 2. Two of the three metrics can be or already have been achieved by several counties. But achieving 10 cases per 100,000, which is recommended by SMAC, is the challenge. Even so, AIA Executive Director David Hines has said the guidelines can be updated. If and when that happens remains to be seen. Regardless, some districts have taken on a stricter approach to practice to help meet those benchmarks. “Spread out,” “6-feet apart,” “masks on” and “keep your distance” are phrases repeated by the minute by Desert Vista’s athletic training staff. There is little to no pushback from players, and coaches often echoed the demands. The Thunder, part of Tempe Union High School District, are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of players and coaches leading up to the season. Not only are coaches expected to wear masks, they are enforced at all times under a player’s helmet, too. “If you would have told me we would be wearing helmets with masks underneath them, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Desert Vista junior running back Devon Grubbs said. “It’s kind of hard because it keeps in the heat. But at the same time, it’s what we have to do.” Desert Vista had one confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in its program when workouts first began in June. Since then, no other players or coaches have reported an illness. Addressing his players — who were all spaced out from one another — at the end of the first day in helmets Monday evening, Hinds praised them for their efforts to follow the guidelines from the district “I don’t think enough adults are telling these kids how proud we are of them,” Hinds said. “It’s just great to see this group of guys living through a pandemic and doing everything they have to do to get to this point. I’m so happy for them we are at this point right now with helmets on our heads the first day. “We just hope to keep moving forward and things work out.”

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Gilbert stars in western-style ‘Romeo & Juliet’ BY KATY SPRINGER GetOut Contributor

“W

here the devil should this Romeo be?” So asked Mercutio in William Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet.” It turns out Romeo is on stage at State 48 Theatre Company in Mesa – and wearing a mask, no less. While the pandemic has darkened the stages of theaters across the globe, State 48 will premier its reimagined production of “Romeo & Juliet” via high-quality video. Instead of Verona, the show – featuring an all-ages cast of 30 actors from across the East Valley and beyond – is set in the Old West. Not only does this give audiences a fresh new look at the story, but it also proved workable with COVID-19. “When the pandemic hit, we had to rethink many strategies to keep our theater afloat,” said Karli Kemper, State 48’s co-artistic director. “We had the idea to film our productions with our actors in masks and then dub in the audio. This worked well with our youth play, a version of ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’” ‘Romeo & Juliet’ director and State 48 co-artistic director Andrea McFeely said that a member of the team suggested the Old West setting and using bandanas as masks. It fit the costuming, kept the performers safe and provided a new twist on the classic story. “We know that illness lurks in a nearby town – Friar John is quarantined,” McFeely said. “It makes sense that people would wear face coverings to protect themselves from the plague outbreak and bandanas certainly made sense for the Old West.” “When we move any Shakespeare play out of its originally established location and time period,” she added, “we try to make the switch either meaningful or wildly entertaining – or both. We still

Kylee Webb of Gilbert speaks with Romeo, played by Christian Boden as Preacher “Friar” Laurence, played by Jared Kitch of Mesa, looks on. (Andrea McFeelySpecial to GSN)

wanted it to be ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ but we also wanted to find a way to make masks less obtrusive.” Performers rehearsed via Zoom for four weeks before coming to the theater to rehearse and film. Even then, actors were scheduled in small groups, wore masks and adhered to social distancing. “Getting to film the play was a rather rare treat,” said Madison Desoto, who plays Lady Capulet. “For an actress with minimal experience with film work, this was a fun opportunity to practice and hone skills in a medium that I dream of someday venturing further into. I learned more about the filming process and how actors’ movements and mannerisms must adjust for the screen.” Cheyanne Ballou, who plays Juliet, said at home, family members knew when they were rehearsing “they wouldn’t be too noisy in the background or too surprised if suddenly one of us started sobbing – sobbing for acting purposes of course, not frustrations with the process itself.” The directors didn’t know it at the time, but they cast a real-life couple as Romeo & Juliet. “It worked so well because we could be close and take our masks off for our solo scenes, which makes all the difference

Erin Garner of Gilbert, playing Benlovio, looks on after Romeo has shot Tybalt, Played by Chris Valenzuela of Mesa. (Andrea McFeely/Special to GSN)

for a love story,” added Ballou, whose fiancé, Christian Boden, plays Romeo. “I won’t lie, we were absolutely bereft of ideas about how to handle the romance without any contact. We got beyond lucky,” said McFeely. The Old West backdrop comes to life in many ways – including the sets. The sidewalk was made with real, heavy planks. The fully stocked bar features real swinging doors, creating the look and feel of an old-time saloon. A full bedroom and a balcony with railing – a must for any production of “Romeo & Juliet” – round out the set. “Our set designer and builder, Kenneth Wilson, lent his considerable expertise in stage and film set building to help us find and create that hybrid look we wanted,” said McFeely. “Cheyanne and Christian spent many an hour with brush in hand. Our Tybalt, Chris Valenzuela, and our stage manager, Katie Arnold, spent almost every night flipping sets. So many members of our cast and crew put in many hours to create a truly fabulous set for this show.” Added Valenzuela: “It’s one thing to perform a live show with minimalistic scene changes and solid left-to-right run throughs, but it’s an entirely different world when we build entire elab-

orate settings for various scenes and film them out of order. I believe we were able to create an immersive experience to substitute the live theater we all miss and love.” The costumes are a combination of thrift store purchases, existing pieces in the theater’s collection and rentals from Costume Connection and individuals’ personal collections of western or pioneer clothing. “The hardest part was finding boots for actors who had larger feet. Size 14 boots aren’t exactly easy to come by, but we were able to rent a few pairs,” said Amelia Burrell, the show’s costumer. McFeely noted, “Juliet’s clothing is purposefully clean white to ensure she always sticks out and to remind the audience that she is only 13 years old. Romeo gets to don a touch of blue to emphasize the romantic nature that colors his interactions with the world.” Teagan Dinyes, who plays Balthasar, said the filming process “felt odd not having audience feedback when performing and the recording phase felt awkward, but I am glad to have gotten a sort of feel for the filming process. “It’s nice to have worked with a cre-

see THEATRE page 29

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THEATRE from page 28

ative theatre that found a unique, safe way to produce a show during the pandemic.” Despite the updates, the classic love story remains unchanged. “Romeo & Juliet” tells the tale of an age-old feud between two influential families that explodes into violent mayhem when the young, lovesick Romeo Montague falls instantly in love with Juliet Capulet. “We made a decision early on that we were going to ignore gender – or at least not worry too much about it,” said McFeely. “Our Mercutio is female – and that turned into such a bonus – adding some interesting layers to her relationships with Benvolio, Tybalt and Romeo. “Our Benvolio is also female, making

that relationship with Mercutio, now female, deeper. So, Mercutio dons men’s clothing and Benvolio is a barmaid and dresses like a woman! It seemed appropriate given the nature of the cast in Shakespeare’s day.” “Romeo & Juliet” will be presented online as a high-quality video and streamed as a three-part mini-series at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18-20. It will include a live Zoom talk-back with performers each evening. Those interested in viewing the film can make a payment at state48theatre. com/payment-portal or via Venmo @ State-48-Theatre to receive the web link and watch the live stream. The suggested ticket price is $15 for individuals and $40 for families.

Brian McKnight hits stage solo in Scottsdale BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor

t’s undeniable that Brian McKnight has a knack for writing love songs. Before he met his wife, Leilani Malia Mendoza, eight years ago, however, the R&B balladeer had never known love. “All the songs before her, they were never about anyone,” he said. “I’ve never written about anyone before. Nobody ever did it for me. Having a muse now, for the last eight years, I don’t have to think about writing. The words just materialize. She is my heart.” Released June 26, his latest album “Exodus” is an ode to his love of Mendoza, most notably the song “Nobody.” The video features footage of their wedding three years ago. The couple met at a fitness convention in Los Angeles in 2012. McKnight invested in a fitness product and she was a Hawaiian Tropic model signing autographs. “We met and it was love at first sight,” said McKnight, best known for the song “Back at One.” McKnight will bring those songs to town when he plays two drive-in shows at WestWorld of Scottsdale Polo Fields on Sept. 18.

The show will feature only McKnight on keyboards and guitar. The multi-instrumentalist also plays bass, drums, percussion, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet.) “The cool thing is it’s just me,” he said. “It’s a solo show—no band, no real pomp and circumstance. It’s very in your face and personal. It’ll be interesting. We’ll see how far away the cars are going to be. It’s just going to be great to play these songs and sing for this audience.” Born in Buffalo, McKnight began his musical career in childhood when he became a member of his church choir and a band leader for his high school. By the age of 19, he signed his first recording deal with Mercury Records. In 1992, his self-titled album was released followed by “I Remember You” (1995) and “Anytime” (1997). “Anytime” sold more than 2 million copies and was nominated for a Grammy. In 1999, McKnight released “Back at One” on Motown Records, which sold 3 million copies. Along with several Grammy nominations, McKnight has been the recipient of American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image and Blockbuster Awards, and Billboard Songwriter of The Year.

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Drink heartily Coffee, in slang Snatch Maze option Possess Elderly Not all one kind Clinton’s Arkansas hometown Delivery co. Source Song of praise “East of Eden” character Charged bits Lit into Explosive letters External Eisenhower Lent a hand Appear Dud Familiar form of address 1954 doo-wop hit for The Crew-Cuts Pirouette pivot Deserve Transferred, in law List-ending abbr. Mad Hatter’s party drink Continental coin Say it isn’t so Listener Unforeseen problem

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2006 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited FWD 3.5L Auto 6 Cyl, Auto Retractable Sun Roof. W. Brough Dorny New Tires, Battery, AlW. Brough Dorny II, our beternator & Air Comloved husband, father, grandfathpressor all for just er, great-grandfather, brother, $1,500/OBO 240K mi. uncle and friend completed his 602-540-0964 earthly journey on September 6, 2020. Supported by family who loved him and with his wife by his side, he peacefully returned to his Father in Heaven. Brough was born to Veda Mima Brough and Walter Otto Dorny in Los Angeles, California on August 29, 1944. After completing a 2 year mission for his church, Brough met and married the love of his life, Vonda Ray, while attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Brough was active in the ROTC while at BYU and was commissioned an officer in the United States Army at the time of his graduation. Brough was a firm believer in freedom and fiercely loved his country. After leaving active duty, Brough worked to build a business within the community. He put his education and friendly personality to work and served his clients tirelessly as a State Farm Insurance Agent in For a Quote email:by Mesa. Brough was fair, friendly and loved many. class@times As an active member of The Church of Jesus publications.com Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many callings. He loved his time serving 480-898-6465 the Lord and spent hours during his retirement years working both in the Mesa & Gilbert Temples as an ordinance worker. Employment Brough loved family and spentGeneral many hours at home as well as playing with them at the lake and in the mountains. He –loved to laugh,AZ) gaveInEight, great advice, Engineer IV (Scottsdale, Inc.: and knew how &todeliver fix pretty muchsoftware everything. devel, the req'd engng to Design, He is&survived his wife Vonda,solutions. children Jared protect by InEight Software Reqs: serve Dorny (Janet), Valinda Hatch (Todd), Raylynn (or foreign equiv) in comp sci, comp engBach deg Dorny, Marissa nrng or Aaron rel’d. 5Dorny yrs exp(Lisa), as a SW Engnr,Farnsworth project lead, (Benjamin), grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild rel’d which must incl: Design, develop lead engnr or17 and siblings Dorny &tech Marsha Vannah & deploy of Louis microsoft.net apps.Dorny Automate pro(Bob). visioning cloud infrastructure using powershell Brough&loved and believed in & eternal azurethe armtemple templates. Implement mainscripting families - in lieu flowers, thestrategies family requests tain branching & of build/release utilizing donations made to the General TempleImplement Fund of using microsoft azure devops. tfvc & git be The Church ci/cd of Jesus Christusing of Latter-day pipelines microsoft Saints. azure de& maintain A family service will Ulozas: be held on Saturday, Mail only resume to Paige InEight, Req vops. September 19 atFarnam the Church of JesusNE Christ of Lat#2004 - 3555 St, Omaha, 68131 ter-day Saints building that the family attends. Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

Hot tub Existed Part of FWIW Grave robbers Writes quickly Have bills Backed Sesame paste Quite eager Military visored hat Paradise Spinning stat Bellow Pocket bread Half of the offspring Picnic invaders -- in the right direction Convert to computers Told a tale -- out (supplemented) Showroom sample Norway’s capital “I wish” Prolonged attacks

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LATIN’S HOME Obituaries Private and Semi Private 10601 S 42nd St, Kingston Barbara Blessing Blessing,Phoenix, KingstonAZ - age 73 of Mesa480-249-6143 Arizona (formerly of

Calumet City, IL) passed away on Monday August 31, 2020 in her home in Arizona. Preceded in death by grandson, Zachary Thomas Zasada. Survivors: daughter, Traci (Gus) Reyes of Geneva, IL and son Timothy (Nancy) Zasada of Tinley Park, IL; grandchildren, Jackson and Dylan Reyes of Geneva, IL and Zoe and Parker Zasada of Tinley Park, IL. Kingston was an only child, however she had many wonderful cousins that she loved and cherished. A special thank you to her dear friend George Wink for all his help over the past year,Pets/Services/Livestock and also to Hospice of the Valley. No Services will be held. Kingston Blessing was a teacher in Illinois for 27 years and for 15 years in Arizona. Kingston received her Bachelor's degree in Education from Pet, Home & Property Checks Northern Illinois University and received her Master's degree Technology from NorthVoted one of in theEducational “Best of Ahwatukee” 10 Years Running! Her hobbies were exerern Arizona University. cising, watching sports, and entertaining. Football Reasonable Rates was her favorite sport to watch. She always looked Special Pricing forward to Saturday toonwatch the Fighting Irish and Extended Service Sundays to watch the Arizona Cardinals and the Licensed/Bonded/Insured Chicago Bears. Kingston's ashes will be laid to rest Resident next toAhwatukee her parents, Dr. Kingston and Barbara Raycraft at the Calvary Cemetery in Portage, IN. Call Eleanor Today! Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

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Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! Painting • Flooring • Electrical✔ Painting “No Job Too ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry • Panel Changes Man!” Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical and Repairs Decks • Tile • More! 1999 e Sinc k Quality Wor Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing • Installation of Decks •Affo 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, Ceiling Fans 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job • Switches/Outlets ✔ Carpentry Too Small Marks the Spot for“No • Home Remodel Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry

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2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Irrigation

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Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!! Classifieds 480-898-6465

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Over 30 yrs. Experience

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Public Notices ADVERTISEMENT OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned 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 18, 2020 at 9:00am using an online auction at www.storagetreasures.com, said property has been stored and located at US 60 Self Storage, 1661 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 102, 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 # Marissa Hogan 236 Robert Davis 309 Stacy Koury 417 Clyde Baker 433 Maria Martin 501 Nathaniel Crary 519 Ryan Bowden 616 David Fergueson 736

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Public Notices STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF BERNALILLO SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT Case No.: D-202-DM-2020-1663 ANTHONY PATINO, Petitioner, v. SUNDY PATINO, Respondent. NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF ACTION To Respondent, Sundy Patino: GREETINGS: You are hereby notified that Petitioner, Anthony Patino, through his attorney of record, William E. Hoskovec of Cortez & Hoskovec, LLC, has filed a Verified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage on July 9, 2020 in the County of Bernalillo, New Mexico, seeking a Dissolution of Marriage. Unless you enter your appearance and/or respond to the Petitioner of Dissolution of Marriage in said cause within thirty (30) days after the last date of publication, (as specified in Rule 1-004(K) NMRA 2016), a default order will be entered against you for all relief prayed for in the Petition. Name and address of Petitioner’s Attorney: William E. Hoskovec, 6121 Indian School Rd. NE, Suite 203, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110, (505) 247-1726. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: CORTEZ & HOSKOVEC, LLC /s/ William E. Hoskovec WILLIAM E. HOSKOVEC Attorney for Petitioner 6121 Indian School Rd. NE, Suite 203 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 (505) 247-1726 Published: East Valley Tribune/Mesa Tribune, Sept 6, 13, 20, 2020 / 33034

NOTICE:

Most service advertisers have an ROC# or "Not a licensed contractor" in their ad, this is in accordance to the AZ state law.

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC): The advertising requirements of the statute does not prevent anyone from placing an ad in the yellow pages, on business cards, or on flyers. What it does require under A.R.S. §32-1121A14(c) <http://www.azleg.gov/ars/32/01165.htm> , is that the advertising party, if not properly licensed as a contractor, disclose that fact on any form of advertising to the public by including the words "not a licensed contractor" in the advertisement. Again, this requirement is intended to make sure that the consumer is made aware of the unlicensed status of the individual or company. Contractors who advertise and do not disclose their unlicensed status are not eligible for the handyman's exception. Reference: (http://www.azroc.gov/invest/licensed_by_law.html) As a consumer, being aware of the law is for your protection. You can check a businesses ROC status at: http://www.azroc.gov/

SEEING DOUBLE - 6 CHANGES

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).

Spring brings lots of changes. Find 6 in the gardens.

Published: East Valley Tribune, Sept. 6, 13, 2020 / 32840

CITY OF MESA PUBLIC NOTICE The Mesa City Council will hold a public hearing concerning the following ordinances at the September 21, 2020 City Council meeting beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Mesa City Council Chambers, 57 East First Street. 1. ZON20-00253 (District 6) Within the 4400 to 4700 blocks of South Power Road (east side) and within the 6800 to 7000 blocks of East Warner Road (south side). Located at the southeast corner of Power Road and Warner Road (overall 59± acres). (1) Rezone 30± acres of the property from Agricultural (AG) to General Commercial with a Planned Area Development overlay (GCPAD); Site Plan Review; and a Council Use Permit to allow Outdoor Seating in the GC district and Airﬁeld Overlay Area 2 (AOA 2) (Area A); and (2) Rezone 29± acres of the property from AG to Light Industrial (LI-PAD) (Area B & C); and Site Plan Review and a Council Use Permit to allow Large Commercial Development and Large-Scale Commercial Recreation in the LI district and AOA 2 on 9± acres (Area B) of the property. This request will allow for the development of a group commercial entertainment, and industrial development. Sean Lake, Pew and Lake, PLC, applicant; Power 17, LLC and Power 40, LLC, owner

ANSWERS: 1. Wheel barrel is missing, 2. there is a wheel in the dirt on the left, 3. girl’s watering can is now a crock pot, 4. path is now a snake, 5. small tree in girl’s hand is now a stalk of celery, 6. lower right dirt pile has changed into a sea turtle.

Roofing

DATED at Mesa, Arizona, this 13th day of September 2020.

Meetings/Events?

DEE ANN MICKELSEN, City Clerk

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Published: East Valley Tribune, Sept. 13, 2020 / 33133

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

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