Gilbert Sun News January 2018 by Times Media Group

January 2018

Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities

Pretty Smart Bird Buddy the therapy parrot listens patiently to Ciaran Tara, 9, during a reading exercise at Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert.

Archery range coming to Freestone Park

Two massive recreation areas being designed for southwest Gilbert

After four years of trying to establish an archery range in Gilbert, Sandra Reynolds has hit her target. The founder of the nonprofit Gilbert Archery has finalized an agreement with the town to transform a nearly 3-acre area of crumbled asphalt in Freestone Park into an archery range. The spot is across the street from Freestone Recreation Center. It will be Gilbert’s first archery range. The 10-lane range will be ready by February and the club will begin offering classes in March through the Gilbert Parks

Gilbert officials are moving along on two floodwater detention projects that will produce two new parks – including a massive recreation area in a part of the town that has long been waiting for a substantial area for play. Gilbert Regional Park, located in the Chandler Heights Basin near the southwest corner of Queen Creek and Higley roads, is still a glimmer in the hearts of residents in a relatively underserved part of the town. There’s still a long time – to July 2019

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

and Recreation Department. All equipment will be supplied. “Since our goal is to grow the sport of archery, we are excited to be offering at least 15 free one-hour classes throughout the year so anyone can come out and give archery a try,” said Reynolds, a Gilbert resident. John Kennedy, recreation manager in the town, said it will be a “good-sized” range, not outfitted for large tournaments but suitable for introductory and training see

ARCHERY page 6

6 18 28 36

Community Neighbors Business Youth

– before they’ll be able to walk on its first blades of grass or lob an inaugural tennis ball. But the design of the massive recreation space is gradually taking shape. Dig Studio will have the plans ready by July, according to town staff, and construction of the first 30-acre phase is to begin thereafter. Along with the regional park, the town also is developing ballfields and other recreational facilities see

RECREATION AREAS page 8

45 Spirituality 47 Arts 52 Opinion

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January 2018

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(Photos courtesy of USA Archery)

Danielle Reynolds, 21, playing the sport she excels in and loves.

ARCHERY from page 1 exercise classes. Kennedy said the range will be created and operated at no cost to the town. According to the agreement, Gilbert will lease the land to the club for an annual fee of $1 for the next five years and will receive 40 percent of the gross revenue from the classes. Also, the club is to deposit 10 percent of any gross annual revenue over $40,000 for improvements to the range or to restore the property to its original condition in the future. Reynolds described it as “a great collaboration.” She said that the town worked with the club to find a spot that was open enough to provide the safety distances needed while being small enough for the club to afford to make needed improvements. Among other locations considered were Nichols Park and McQueen Park, both of which were discarded due to safety concerns. Gilbert Archery’s improvements at Freestone Park will include fencing, security, signage, painting of archery lines to designate the lanes, shade canopy and storage facilities. The club will also provide insurance. To maintain a high level of safety, the range will only be open at scheduled times when a certified range master is on site. In addition to classes and activities, there will be about 100 hours of open free shooting. The sport of archery is on the upswing, according to USA Archery, formed in 1879 to foster and promote the sport and the National Governing Body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport. In 2009, USA Archery had a membership of 1,257 adults and 890 youth, compared to 6241 adults and 5,376 youth enrolled in 2017. Overall club membership was 360 in 2009, compared to 954 in 2017.

Among the factors that can be attributed to its growth, the most notable is the Hollywood spotlight on the sport with movies such as the “Hunger Games” trilogy, “Brave” and “The Avengers,” said Sarah Bernstein, spokeswoman for USA Archery. Additionally, the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games have had a significant impact, with archery as the most watched sport of the first week of the 2012 Games and one of the top two of the first week in 2016, according to reports from NBC, she said. Arizona has almost a thousand registered archers, many of whom compete on a national level, according to Reynolds. Among them is her daughter Danielle, who is in the third place position on the U.S. archery team and a level 3 NTS USA Archery coach. Reynolds herself is a level 4 NTS USA Archery coach, which enables her to teach beginners to Olympic level archers, train coaches and judge competitions. The numbers in the sport are increasing but facilities are not keeping up. In Chandler, Paseo Vista Recreation Area has an archery range, but it’s all but impossible to secure a time, said Reynolds, who teaches one archery program there, for Gilbert’s Lincoln Prep Academy. Gilbert Archery, established in 2015, is coming undone because of a lack of venues for members to play. Current membership stands at eight. Reynolds said the new range in Gilbert will be used to grow the sport in the town. “It’s going to open up so many new archery opportunities, yet we’re considering this to be a starting point,” she said. “We’re hoping that it will be used to capacity in around five years, then we can move to a larger area where we can host tournaments and more events.” Details: gilbertarchery.com and the Gilbert Archery Facebook page.

(Photos courtesy of USA Archery)

Danielle Reynolds at the World Cup held in China in 2015.

Playing vs. winning Danielle Reynolds, 21, has been playing archery since she was 13. She is in the third-place position on the U.S. archery team and is part of the World Cup team, but for her, playing is more important than winning. “A gust of wind or one bad shot can drop you down 10 places or more. That’s why the goal is not so much to win, but to shoot your very best,” said Reynolds. “Of course, winning is important in order to make certain teams, but it’s most important to focus on your own personal shooting

and not the scores.” The World Cup team is made up of the top four archers in each division. This is the second year she has held this plum position, and it allows her to travel around the world to shoot in tournaments. “I love all the advantages the sport has allowed me and highly recommend everyone at least gives it a try,” she said. “It’s a wonderful sport because, even though it’s very competitive, you’re really only competing against yourself.”

1 things to know 2

Archery is a great family sport suitable for any age. Children may start as soon as they are able to listen and follow directions. Newcomers to the sport should hold off buying equipment until they have tried it for a while. Archery equipment is very specialized, and each variable depends on how you intend to use the equipment. The Gilbert facility will provide the correct equipment. If newcomers bring their own equipment to classes and it’s inappropriate, it makes shooting harder than it should be. It may be compared to using a butter knife as a screwdriver; Judging is a good way to get involved in archery because learning the rules, and how they get interpreted, is important for both archers and coaches.

3 (Photos courtesy of USA Archery)

Sandra Reynolds, founder of Gilbert Archery, judging a competition.

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January 2018

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Renderings of the future Heritage Center indicate dental service rooms.

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BY SRIANTHI PERERA

The nonprofit Azcend has been chosen to establish and run social services at Page Park Center. The building that formerly housed Gilbert’s first library also has been renamed Heritage Center because of its location in the Heritage District. Its 800 square feet of space is undergoing a $1.1 million renovation to outfit it for the new role. The Heritage Center will be a centralized resource for information, referrals and access to basic necessities for five populations in the town: families and individuals in crisis, those afflicted by mental health and substance abuse, those with low/moderate income, elderly/ seniors and the homeless. “We are excited to be part of a center that offers a range of services from a variety of nonprofits in order to assist people in Gilbert,” said Trinity Donovan, CEO of Azcend, formerly known as the Chandler Christian Community Center. The nonprofits include Southwest Behavioral Health, Mission of Mercy, the Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Dignity Health. Services from Dignity Health include diabetes education, chronic disease self-management education, injury prevention education, children’s dental services, hearing and vision screenings and immunizations for both children and adults. The resources will be provided by nonprofit providers and the town of Gilbert will not provide funding to the nonprofits or to Azcend. However, the building’s

anticipated maintenance and utility fees for 2018, about $23,000, will be provided by the town. “Each nonprofit is providing existing or new funding to move or expand their services to the Heritage Center,” Donovan said. “Some of the providers have secured all of their funding while others are continuing to fundraise and write grants to finalize all of the support they need to provide their services.” In addition to its charitable work in Chandler, Azcend is the umbrella organization that runs the various assistance programs housed in the Gilbert Senior Center, next door to the Heritage Center. These include senior nutrition, home-delivered meals, activities and outings. Donovan said she also plans to run the Community Action Program, a social service program, in the new building. Azcend will continue to seek grants and donations for CAP and to expand other programs and activities, she said. Although perceived as an affluent community, Gilbert recognized certain portions of its population needed help following a needs assessment it assigned a few years ago. The Heritage Center will provide resources and services to address items identified in the needs assessment, including counseling for children, nutrition resources, rent and utility assistance, wellness education, and dental and medical services, Donovan said. see

HERITAGE CENTER page 8

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RECREATION AREAS from page 1 at Rittenhouse District Park, in the northwest corner of Power and Pecos roads along the East Maricopa Floodway. Both projects are constructed for floodwater detention enhanced with recreation facilities. Rod Buchanan, director of Gilbert’s Parks and Recreation Department, said the first phases of both parks will cost about $17 million each, with funds coming from the town’s system development fees. Of the two projects, which have concurrent timelines, the regional park is the more significant if only because of its 272-acre expanse. “Phase one is going to be really important to set the tone for the rest of the park. It’s critical that we put a lot of detail and attention to this first phase,” Buchanan said. Amenities in this phase include a playground, splash pad, six tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, six sand volleyball courts, irrigation pond and lawn. Restrooms, parking for 300 vehicles and a two-lane road leading into the park are also part of it. Buchanan said multiple courts will be created to facilitate revenue-generating tournaments. The first phase will be centered in the upper part of the site. The second phase will feature an event lawn, amphitheater and lake. The lake will be in the middle of the great lawn, thus making it possible to hold two special events at once, Buchanan said. “The event lawn will overlook the amphitheater, the lake and whole park down to the San Tan Mountains,” he said. “It’s a very beautiful venue.” Three areas are earmarked for publicprivate partnerships that could produce an aquatic center and a recreation center. The town is negotiating with private companies that responded with proposals to create recreation-based establishments in these areas. A retail complex also is planned for a later phase. Buchanan said that upon completion of the first phase, the site will be “shovel ready” for the second phase because certain preparations will be done by then. The park’s next phase or two and its features will depend on funding; one source will be from the sale of some parcels of town-owned land. Meanwhile, the 115-acre Rittenhouse

HERITAGE CENTER from page 7 After the renovation, the building will have office, meeting room and classroom space. This will include foundational service providers that will utilize dedicated space, along with other partners who will rotate through shared spaces to maximize what can be offered at the center. Page Park Center is named for Walter

This is a conceptual design of Gilbert Regional Park, to be constructed on the southwest corner of Queen Creek and Higley roads in the Chandler Heights Basin.

District Park will feature 13 multi-use fields, a half-acre irrigation lake, ramadas, restrooms and parking spots in its 30-acre first phase of development. Fifty acres of the site also have been set aside for a public safety training facility. The conceptual design was created following extensive public outreach and input from many stakeholders, including user groups, Town Council, the parks and recreation board and staff. Buchanan said the projects will make a substantial contribution to the quality of life in Gilbert. The regional park will offer recreation to not only the residents in its backyard but to the region as a whole “just because of its size and its scope and the opportunities that are there,” he said. To Buchanan himself, who counts years of similar experience leading parks administration in California, it’s a rare

M. Page, a Gilbert mayor in the 1930s who owned a grocery store during the Great Depression. Despite the dire times, the mayor was known to be generous to the needy. In his communication to Town Council in December, Town Manager Patrick Banger referred to its past as Gilbert’s first library in 1964. After the library outgrew the space, parks and recreation activities were held

The 30-acre phase 1 layout of Gilbert Regional Park.

(Renderings courtesy of the Town of Gilbert)

The 30-acre phase 1 layout of Rittenhouse Park.

opportunity also. “The reason I find this very, very exciting for our community, as I did in my previous community, is because a new park doesn’t happen very often,” he said. “It has to be well thought out, with a lot of input and it usually, if you do it correctly,

will deliver what the community wants and needs so that you can have it be highly used. “That’s the goal of any park.”

there until the Community Center was built adjacent to accommodate the expansion of programs. The building also has been used as an overflow site for a school as well as the site for the special census. “The building will remain a special part of the Heritage District as it continues to serve residents into the future,” Banger wrote. Former Mayor John Lewis proposed the new moniker to “honor and celebrate both

the history of the building and the future impact for residents,” Banger also wrote. The town plans to create an engraved plaque outlining the building’s history, noting the inspiration of Mayor Page; the contribution of the Blakely family, who provided financial support in finishing the original building as the first library, and former Mayor Lewis, who reimagined the use of the building in support of the community.

Read more on the regional park at gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-andrecreation/gilbert-regional-park.

January 2018

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Community

January 2018

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Gilbert makes it easier for residents to obtain data BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY

Gilbert has launched an open-data portal and companion website to make its public information accessible to residents. The portal currently includes nine data sets such as population and staff data from 1997 onward, information on calls for service to the police and fire departments and permit data. The portal also includes mapping data for town boundaries and fire station location information. The public can access this information at alex.gilbertaz.gov, where many of the data points include charts and graphs for easier comprehension. The website features a character

named Alex — named after the historic Library of Alexandria in ancient Egypt — that offers directions and tutorials to show residents how to download and use the data. “Most people aren’t data scientists,” multimedia analyst Derek Konofalski said. “(Alex) explains what the data means and how we use that data at the town.” He added, “We wanted to put a face to this, so it is a little more human and not just for data-driven people.” The town has plans to expand its data catalog quarterly with companion pieces on the Alex website. Residents may suggest specific data sets to be included in future releases, Konofalski said. The town developed the portal and

Alex with support from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s What Works Cities initiative, which focused on helping 100 municipalities across the country improve services and citizen engagement through open access to data. The project also has origins in Gilbert’s SPARK App League, a mobile development contest it created for junior high and high school students. Students in SPARK used public data to develop an app for the fire department. “This is kind of a town-wide extension of that (fire department project),” Konofalski said. From that point, Konofalski worked with Town Manager Patrick Banger and

Chief Digital Officer Dana Berchman to develop the portal and website. The group also worked with a committee that included a representative from each department. User experience was the focus to develop the portal and website. “We started off initially looking at how most other municipalities did their data portals, and what we found is most places just put data out there and didn’t contextualize it,” Konofalski said. Now that the portal is launched, the town plans to invite external stakeholders such as business owners and residents to join a committee that will meet monthly to discuss the project’s future.

CASA volunteer adopts charge, highlights need for more volunteers CONTRIBUTED BY ALEX STEVENSON

Dori Costa, 60, is a Gilbert-based flight attendant. Her hours are long and unpredictable, but she’s always loved kids, so when she initially thought she couldn’t foster, she became a court appointed special advocate, or CASA. “I didn’t think I could adopt, or even foster because of the constraints of my

job. I was watching TV and had seen a segment featuring a CASA, and I knew that it was something that I could do,” she said. CASAs ensure that foster children going through the court system have their best interests advocated in front of a judge. Children with a CASA volunteer spend less time in foster care and receive better

access to support and services, and the volunteer ensures that the child does not get lost in a child welfare system. “In reality, the minimum time commitment is fairly small, 15-20 hours a month, but I try to see my case children at least once a week,” Costa said. After an administration period in the beginning

when you get to know the case, it stops being a daunting task and starts becoming an opportunity. You can be a person who lets these kids know that they can be successful despite difficulties,” In the year since she had began see

CASA page 14

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January 2018

Community

January 2018

Jewish group meeting

Limmud AZ, a gathering of Jews from all walks of life, backgrounds, lifestyles and ages, offers workshops, discussions, arts, music, performances and text-study sessions. Members of the community may meet its representatives from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 11 at ASU Memorial Union Conference Center in Tempe. To learn more, visit limmudaz.org.

Safe city title

Gilbert was chosen as the fifth safest city by WalletHub’s in-depth look at 2017’s Safest Cities in America. Nashua, New Hampshire came in first, while South Burlington, Vermont and Warwick, Rhode Island came in second and third respectively. To determine where Americans can feel most protected against life’s hazards, including nonphysical forms of danger, its analysts compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 35 key metrics. The data set ranges from assaults per capita to unemployment rate to road quality.

BRIEFS

a stage show. Reservations are suggested. Zappone’s is at 1652 N. Higley Road, #103, in Gilbert. Details: 480-218-2338 or zapponesbistro.com.

Win a booth

American-Italian businesses may join the 5th Annual Italian Festival, which brings Italian culture, food and fashion to Scottsdale on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25. The event is hosted by the nonprofit Italian Association of Arizona. This year, businesses, entrepreneurs, craftsman and individuals have the chance to win a booth at the festival; the prize is valued at $1,000. Applicants must be received by January 15. Details: italianfestivalaz.com.

Volunteers needed

Gilbert Senior Center, which recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its building, is looking for volunteers to instruct classes in art, drama and music. Details: contact Amanda Shepard at 480-503-6059 or visit gilbertaz.gov/departments/parksand-recreation/seniors.

Grant money from D-backs

Magician at Zappone’s

Award-winning magician Eric Giliam will bring his magic and illusions to Zappone’s Italian Bistro at 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Guests may watch tableside magic and

graduate, places a protective cover over the barrel of a MK 38 MOD 1 automatic machine gun following a live-fire gunnery exercise aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) in the Indian Ocean. Preble is conducting maritime security, forward presence and theater security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Morgan K. Nall.)

Navy exercise

Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Joshua M. Hardin of Gilbert and a Higley High School

The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation has named 25 winning schools, including five in the East Valley, in the “D-backs $100,000 School Challenge.” Among them is Towne Meadows in Gilbert, for its project Chromebooks for Success. The winning grants will fund projects ranging in need from school improvements to innovative educational programs.

www.GilbertSunNews.com

‘Dating-friendliness’ ranking

Tempe, Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert recently finished in the top 100 U.S. cities rated for “dating-friendliness” by WalletHub. Tempe came in at No. 16, followed by Chandler at 24, Mesa at 53 and Gilbert at 87. The website conducted an analysis of 182 U.S. cities using 32 figures of “datingfriendliness” to determine the best (and worst) cities for singles. The study is broken down into three main categories: economics, fun and recreation and dating opportunities. Gilbert ranked in the top 5 for lowest percentage of singles, but also claimed the top spots for most online-dating opportunities and economics. Chandler was right behind it, ranking No. 3 in economics. San Francisco came in as the No. 1 city for singles, while the worst was South Burlington, Vermont, according to the study.

Catholic event

St Ann Catholic Church presents A Day with Patrick Madrid from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the parish. Madrid is a Catholic author, national radio host, speaker, apologist and host of multiple shows including EWTN and Relevant Radio. The event is sponsored by St Anne Knights of Columbus. For details and to buy tickets, go to kofcpm.eventbrite.com.

‘Drugged driving’ a growing problem in the East Valley BY JIM WALSH

A 15-year-old underage driver smokes marijuana and plows into a motorcyclist, who suffers third-degree burns as his bike catches on fire and second-degree burns as he skids on the pavement. Mesa police cite this Aug. 4, 2015, collision at Broadway Road and Stapley Drive – in which the now-36-year-old motorcyclist somehow survived – as a graphic example that illustrates the changing dynamics of driving-under-theinfluence cases. In a deadly trend in the East Valley – as well as throughout Arizona and the nation – more DUI cases are showing a combination of alcohol with potent drugs, including powerful painkillers and heroin. Phoenix and East Valley officers said they are seeing more drug cases, while impairment from alcohol remains a deadly, chronic problem. Decades of crackdowns and education campaigns have made an impact on drinking and driving, with the public tolerating it far less and the use of designated drivers and ride-sharing services increasing. But police say the number of drug-related cases continue to rise, demonstrating a need for more education on the growing “drugged driving” problem. It’s all part of changes in society

eventually percolating down to the streets and manifesting themselves as another ominous public safety risk factor, with people often mixing alcohol with marijuana or having some concoction of alcohol and opiates or pain medication in their bloodstream as they get behind the wheel. “They have a veritable pharmacy in their systems,” said Chandler police officer Dan McQuillan, mentioning marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, Xanax and Soma as some of the drugs found in driver’s systems. “When you get out on the street, the people I work for are at risk,” he said. “That’s when I care.”

Less public awareness

McQuillan and Mesa police officer Jim McDowell – a so-called certified drug recognition expert, or DRE, and instructor – agreed that drugged driving seems most prevalent during daytime hours. McQuillan said he had one month where only two or three of his arrests involved alcohol. McDowell estimated 90 percent of his DUI arrests during the day are for drugs, while it would be more like 65 percent when the night shift is included. McDowell, who arrested the 15-yearold in the Mesa accident, said the

teenager knew he had done something wrong, “but it was not a complete understanding. He didn’t understand the concept of being impaired.” McQuillan said the DUI drug cases sometimes differ from the stereotypical case of a drunken motorist driving home from a bar. “A lot of people who take pain medications, they are just trying to get through their day,” McQuillan said. “They build up a tolerance if they have been on the drug for a while. That’s when the addiction kicks in.” Police say there seems to be less public awareness of the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs, rather than alcohol, and they wish that people would simply read the warning labels attached to their prescription bottles and act more responsibly. While the number of DUI arrests might not be changing dramatically, the dynamics are much different from what they were 25 years ago, when Mesa Police Sgt. Sean Kelly started his career and the vast majority of DUI arrests were attributed to alcohol. “What’s way up is the number of designated drivers,” Kelly said. At the Labor Day weekend checkpoint on Power Road, aimed at catching impaired drivers heading home from

Saguaro Lake, “I stopped six cars in a row and they were all designated drivers,” he recalled. But the move toward drivers under the influence of marijuana, painkillers and opiates is also unmistakable, with Kelly estimating that 70 percent of his cases are drug-related and 30 percent alcoholrelated. “We are seeing a resurgence of DUIs with opiates,” Kelly said, which can include powerful prescription drugs such as Oxycontin and Percocet. Kelly said many suspects tell police how they have suffered a major injury or undergone a major surgery. Some of these people develop a dependency issue and turn to street drugs such as heroin, an illegal opiate, when their prescriptions run out. Heroin also can be cheaper than prescription opiates. “In many cases, it starts with pain management. There is an addiction element to using these drugs,” Kelly said. “It can eventually manifest itself in illegal drugs such as heroin.”

Drug impairment soaring Although police are sympathetic to such cases, they still have to cite drivers who are impaired, whether the substance see

DRUGGED DRIVING page 14

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DRUGGED DRIVING from page 12 is alcohol or heroin, he said. “It’s our job to prevent tragedy,” Kelly said. McQuillan said his compassion for such drivers is tempered by memories of informing family members that a drunk driver just killed a loved one. Chandler police lost longtime Motor Officer David Payne in such a collision during the 2014 East Valley Halloween task force, when an impaired driver ran into Payne’s motorcycle from behind. Across the East Valley, Arizona and the nation, opiate abuse has reached epidemic proportions. The Arizona Department of Health Service estimates that 564 people in Arizona have died from heroin overdoses this year. Arizona law enforcement officers and deputies statewide made 5,683 DUI drugs arrests in 2015, 5,028 in 2016 and 4,948 through Nov. 28, with arrest figures from ongoing holiday crackdown not yet available, according to Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Overall, the state is approaching 25,000 DUI arrests this year, director Alberto Gutier said. “There’s no question that impairment by drugs has grown tremendously over

the last 10 years,” Gutier said. “It’s a major problem, even though we have hundreds of drug recognition officers.” With a fully accredited forensic lab and a team of 11 traffic officers trained as DREs, Mesa appears better equipped to handle the drug cases than many agencies – which either have partial labs or no labs and rely on busy Arizona Department of Public Safety labs. All of Mesa’s traffic officers are drug recognition experts who perform tests in the field to recognize the symptoms of drug impairment. One of these tests involves tracking eye movements. Most DUIs start with a traffic stop in which the officer determines a driver’s behavior is symptomatic of an impaired driver, such as weaving in a lane, driving too slow or passing out at a traffic light. The officer’s observations serve as probable cause for a traffic stop and the results of a DRE exam serve as probable cause for a blood test. Police in Maricopa County can obtain an electronic search warrant for a blood test in about 10 minutes, speeding up the process, said Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Gutier said Arizona serves as a national example of how to address DUI drugs, with other states sending officers to

Arizona for training. He said 400 to 500 Arizona officers are DREs, helping them spot drug-impaired drivers who previously went undetected because of a lack of alcohol recorded in breath tests. Chris Murphy, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s regional director for California and Arizona, praised Arizona’s commitment to combatting DUI drugs, noting that Arizona is the 16th largest state in population but has the third most DREtrained officers. “There is no state more committed to impaired driving than Arizona,” Murphy said.

Testing is an issue

For the first time in 2015, more drivers nationwide who were involved in fatal collisions tested positive for drugs, 43 percent, than for alcohol, Murphy said. While alcohol levels are wellcalibrated to equate with impaired driving, drug levels are much murkier when determining impairment, according to Murphy and Jim Hedlund, a former NHTSA official considered a top national expert on the issue. “This thing is so under-recognized and under-enforced,” Murphy said. “We are

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volunteering with the program, Costa had been assigned to three cases, one of which was short term and another that was resolved in October. At the group home that housed one of Costa’s other cases, she met Kaylie. Due to behavioral problems, she was separated from her two siblings and was having trouble with truancy violations. She initially was set up with a family interested in adopting, but that didn’t work out. “That was the final line for me. To tell a child who already has trust issues and structural issues around committing to go to school that she’s to get a new home, only to be let down. I couldn’t live with that,” Costa said. With that, Costa pursued certification to give Kaylie a permanent home: Kaylie went to live with her in April, and on her 13th birthday, in October, Costa adopted her. “She goes to school every day now. That’s not just a victory for her, something I’m proud of, it’s a sign that you can’t give up on these kids,” Costa said. Despite the new responsibilities that come with adoption, Costa is adamant that she continue as a CASA. “Kaylie was certainly a special case,” she said, “but the most important part of acting as a CASA is maintaining objectivity. Having your sights set on what is truly right for the child at a time when they’re most vulnerable.” Costa also noted that it’s important

www.GilbertSunNews.com right now with drugs where we were with alcohol in the 1950s.” The ability of police to crackdown on DUI drugs varies from one city to another based upon whether they have a lab of their own drugs. Chandler has a partial lab that can analyze blood for alcohol but not drugs, Gilbert has a contract with Mesa’s lab and Tempe does not have a lab. Hedlund, who has studied drugged driving for the national Governors Highway Safety Association, said that while alcohol has been scientifically correlated with impairment for 50 years, the correlation with drugs is far less exact. “Everyone tries to put it in an alcohol framework and it doesn’t work very well,” he said, with different drugs breaking down into the system at different rates. He said scientists understand that there are certain symptoms of impairment with different types of drugs. “The impairment varies substantially from person to person,” Hedlund said. He said the studies so far confirm that drug use among drivers involved in fatal collisions is going up and that alcohol use is going down, even though alcohol is still a major and persistent threat to public see

DRUGGED DRIVING page 15

for volunteers to put the time and resources into helping older children. Christine Slomski, marketing manager at Voices for CASA Children, a nonprofit that fundraises and recruits new CASAs, acknowledges the difficulties in assigning these cases. “There are more than 1,090 CASA volunteers statewide serving more than 2,200 children. Meanwhile, there are around 16,751 children in out-of-home care in Arizona. Some of the most difficult cases that could really benefit from a CASA’s assistance aren’t getting the help they need due to a shortage of volunteers,” she said. Despite these constraints, the CASA program in Arizona has helped more than 22,000 children since 1985. “It’s reassuring to know that there are repeat volunteers around, like Dori, but the need for more volunteers — especially from diverse backgrounds — is a need that we’ve been facing for some time now,” she said. When it comes to Costa’s work with the program, she’s clear about the most fulfilling part, besides her experience with Kaylie. “You truly realize how tough it is for so many kids out there, and just how many of them who need help. Sometimes group homes don’t always give kids proper emotional involvement, and we need more CASAs and foster families to help bridge this gap,” Costa said. For more information on how to become a CASA or how to help children in need, visit voicesforcasachildren.org.

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safety. But Hedlund cautioned that he can only say that there is a higher presence of drugs in the systems of such drivers. He said he does not have enough information to conclude that these drivers were impaired at the time of the fatal collision and more studies are required. “The fact that drugs are going up is more of a societal indication,” Hedlund said. Amanda Jacinto, a spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said drug cases rely on another aspect of the Arizona DUI law that many people overlook. While drivers are presumed under the influence of alcohol at a .08 percent blood alcohol reading, the law also specifies that it’s illegal to drive if impaired to the slightest degree, she said. A positive drug test, when combined with an officer’s observations of driving behavior and a DRE exam, all help to establish that a driver is impaired. “The thing that would help us is good roadside testing for drugs,” Hedlund said. “That would really help officers a lot. I think it’s the next big thing” in DUI enforcement.

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January 2018

Neighbors

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Fired Pie opens first Gilbert location in SanTan Village BY NIKI D’ANDREA

Fired Pie has risen faster than pizza dough on a hot stovetop. The Arizonabased restaurant chain’s first location opened in Phoenix in the summer of 2013. In November, Fired Pie opened an outpost in Gilbert, at the SanTan Village Shopping Center – the 19th Fired Pie restaurant to open Valleywide in four years. The co-founders of Fired Pie, Douglas Doyle and Fred Morgan, said they aren’t surprised by the rapid proliferation of their fast-casual, custom pizza concept. “When we started this company, we really wanted to create a brand… a brand identity, and make sure we owned the Arizona market,” Morgan said. “I don’t think we’re surprised to hit 19. Some people said we should slow down, that it was too much.” “They said, ‘We like your pizza. We don’t want you to close,’” Doyle added. “We’ve had people say from day one, ‘Your food is so good,’” Morgan concurred. “I don’t think we got initial respect since we’re a fast-casual concept.” But the concept has indeed caught on with a wide range of customers: Pick your own type of dough, sauce and toppings,

(Courtesy of Evolve PR and Marketing)

All custom pizzas are prepared in wood-fired ovens.

then wait for your personal pizza to emerge from the wood-fired oven. Fired Pie also offers build-your-own salads. “We’re a family-friendly brand and kids can make their own pizzas and pick their own toppings, and that’s something different,” Morgan said. “Kids can put black olives and pineapple on their pizza if they want.” Prior to the Gilbert location opening, there were 18 Fired Pie locations across Arizona, in Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Avondale, Tucson, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, Mesa and Chandler. Doyle said one of the reasons they chose SanTan Village for the newest Fired Pie is because most of their restaurants are concentrated in the West Valley, central Phoenix and the 101 corridor in Scottsdale. “Customers were driving from Chandler to Gilbert, so they’re glad to have the new location,” Doyle said. Morgan said the new Gilbert restaurant jibes with the chain’s easygoing aesthetic: “There’s a great vibe and feel at the new location.” Doyle said the Gilbert restaurant is “really our first East Valley location… it feels like a new market for us. I’m

(Courtesy of Evolve PR and Marketing)

Fired Pie co-founder Fred Morgan

Fired Pie co-founder Douglas Doyle

surprised more people hadn’t heard of us. But our feedback right away has been positive.” Morgan and Doyle have no intention to stop growing the Fired Pie empire

anytime soon. They recently received $2.7 million in funding from BBVA/ Compass Bank and plan to open five more stores within the next year, including out-of-state expansion.

(Photo by Kris Mocny)

Customers can build custom salads at Fired Pie.

(Courtesy of Evolve PR and Marketing)

The interior of Fired Pie boasts a stylish, modern aesthetic.

(Photo by Kris Mocny)

Fired Pie’s new Gilbert restaurant will offer the same custom pizzas and craft beer as the chain’s other locations.

(Courtesy of Evolve PR and Marketing)

The new Fired Pie location in SanTan Village.

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Neighbors

January 2018

Once an RV park perk, pickleball is sweeping the region BY PAUL MARYNIAK

Whenever Susan and Steve Manolis plan a trip, their first question for an RV park is whether it has a pickleball court. “If they say ‘no,’” I say ‘OK, thank you. Click,” Susan said. At least they and a growing legion of East Valley pickleball fans are having an easier time closer to home. Phoenix and East Valley municipalities have recognized that pickleball is hot and getting hotter – enough to warrant the same kind of public investment they make in Little League ballfields and tennis courts. School districts are not far behind. Advocates are converting students of all ages to embrace a sport that once was associated with being old. “If you look at a year ago, there were virtually no public pickleball courts in the East Valley,” said Steve Manolis, the Central Arizona ambassador for the USA Pickleball Association and a pickleball instructor for both Phoenix and Chandler. Not so now. Mesa just opened four pickleball courts at Kleinman Park. Chandler is building six at Arrowhead Park. Gilbert is planning 15 at the Regional Park it’s building at Higley and

Queen Creek roads. The trend also is catching on in Gilbert Public Schools District, which not only is creating dual-purpose courts for tennis and pickleball, but also is starting to teach the game in some high schools. That echoes a move by Phoenix to increase pickleball courts in the city. It is installing 16 pickleball courts at Pecos Park in Ahwatukee alone – significantly expanding opportunities at a site frequented by players particularly from Tempe and Chandler. “This is in response to public input we’ve received over the last several years regarding a need for more pickleball options, and likewise we’ve worked that need into existing facilities and taken it into consideration when doing renovations,” said Gregg Bach, spokesman for the Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department. “It’s like many years ago, when a need developed for skate parks. I’d also liken it to the demand for dog parks, one of our most popular amenities,” he added. Noted Steve Manolis: “Pecos Park will be a regional draw as a home base for some of the top players, and we anticipate having

tournaments that will draw competitors from all over the U.S.” Pickleball is a combination of several racket sports – badminton, tennis and pingpong. It was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, at the home of a former legislator and lieutenant governor who started using a whiffle ball when he couldn’t find a tennis ball to bat around. Over time, the paddles have evolved from an unwieldy solid wood into lightweight graphite, enhancing the sport’s popularity because it doesn’t require the physical stamina demanded by tennis – a sport that the Manolises played extensively and that Susan still does. “Tennis players are one injury away from being pickleball players,” Steve said. “I think everyone on my team has had knee surgery or shoulder surgery.” Moreover, he added, “It’s one of the few sports that is truly a gender equalizer” because “it’s more of a finesse sport” than a physical endurance test. “Some people liken it to chess in that you have to stay three steps ahead,” Steve said, adding that a good part of the game

requires watching the ball and relying on strategy. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a cakewalk. “It’s a much quicker sport and the reaction time you need is much quicker than tennis,” Steve said. On the other hand, he noted, “It’s quick to pick up.” But while people can learn the basics in an hour, devotees hone their skills by taking intermediate and advanced classes at parks throughout the region – thanks to municipalities that have made pickleball classes a part of their recreational instruction programs. “We set up two eight-hour classes and they were filled within a day – 32 people and there’s waiting list,” Manolis said of a class he teaches at Pecos Park. “Those classes get filled in a matter of days. The demand is there. The city saw that.” His experience has been the same in Chandler, where he teaches beginner and intermediate classes at Tumbleweed Rec center. see

PICKLEBALL page 21

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Neighbors

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Board & Batten in Mesa offers American iconic food BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

When Mesa reception venue Stonebridge Manor took over its food and beverage division four years ago, the move opened the doors to a sea of creativity. Owner Michael Mills, a Gilbert resident, envisioned a lunch bistro, new dishes and, perhaps, a stand-alone restaurant. All of that came to fruition, with the 4-year-old Bistro à la Mode folding into the new dining destination Board & Batten. The gray- and white-hued restaurant opened in mid-November at the party and wedding space. “We had the opportunity to have our own chefs and our own staff during the day when we weren’t having events,” Mills said. “In the summer, when it was slow, I still had to employ chefs and servers. We came up with the little lunch bistro, a place we could run during the week. Hence, Bistro à la Mode was born.” Known for its grown-up grilled cheese and French-inspired menu, Bistro à la Mode was successful, but it was limited to lunch. Mills explained the restaurant didn’t work at night because patrons would have to share restrooms with guests in the mansion. “This (Board & Batten) all came about because I needed a couple of restrooms,” he said. Board & Batten focuses on “American iconic food with a little bit of a twist,” Mills described. “It’s very approachable, very comfortable food.” Starters range from a charcuterie board ($18) to roasted beets ($11). Salads ($15-$17) are topped with interesting ingredients like maple dressing, candied pepitas and basil ranch. Among the entrees are fried chicken ($19), short ribs ($24), duck breast with mushroom duxelle, roasted sweet potatoes and almond green beans ($22) and a pork chop ($24), of which Mills is

particularly proud. “I decided I wanted a pork chop, so I poured through my wife’s cookbooks and found one I needed to try,” he said. “I bought one from the butcher, did a taste test with my family, decided which sauce and brought it back to the kitchen. I said, ‘I want this on the menu – exactly like this.’” The two chefs, Greg Tompkins and Matthew Brotnov, made the necessary modifications and now the marinated porkchop features caramelized apples, lemon caper sauce, roasted carrots and borsin mashed potatoes. The pistachio-encrusted basa, or white fish ($20), is another of Mills’ favorite dishes. Bolstered by couscous, roasted seasonal vegetable and raisin chutney, the fish will appeal to seafood lovers and others. “I do not eat fish,” he said. “But I can’t get enough of (the basa). It does not taste like fish. It’s delicious.” To top off the meal, Board & Batten offers Italian wedding cake (white coconut cake with cream cheese frosting and raspberry coulis), beignets à la mode, chocolate torte and a salted caramel bar. All of those are $9. A Mountain View High School graduate, Mills described the Stonebridge Manor operation as having “good synergy.” He hopes that feeling extends to the customers. Board & Batten’s staff prides itself on having top-notch customer service. Mills’ journey has been a fruitful one and he hopes to continue it with Board & Batten. “We know there are a lot of places people can go and eat,” he said. “We want them to choose Board & Batten.” Board & Batten: A Modern Bistro is at 4012 E. Palm Street, Mesa. Details: 480-641-4148 and bbdining.com.

(GSN photos by Kimberly Carrillo.)

Board & Batten is part of the party and wedding space, Stonebridge Manor.

Gilbert resident Michael Mills created Board & Batten restaurant in Mesa.

The restaurant offers “comfortable food” in a well-appointed environment.

East Valley libraries make coloring a social activity BY RALPH ZUBIATE

It’s a trend that’s been hot for a couple of years now, and doesn’t seem to be going away. And now, libraries are joining in on the festivities. Adults are gathering – colored pencils in hand – ready to attack books, sheets and bookmarks. And libraries around the East Valley are offering the artists a home. Coloring is an activity that can be quiet and solitary or raucous and collaborative, enthusiasts say. Chris Koeth, a library assistant at Chandler Public Library, coordinates one of the latter groups, a friendly collective called the Outside the Lines

Adult Coloring Group. “You’ll hear the noise because we’re not a meditative coloring group,” she said. The group, which started meeting in February 2016, gathers together on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. “At first, it was once a month for one and a half hours,” Koeth said. “Pretty soon, participants said it wasn’t long enough, not often enough. Now, we’re twice a month for two hours.” Coloring for calmness – or for community – has its benefits, according to clinical psychologist Scott M. Bea.

At health.clevelandclinic.org, Bea said, “Adult coloring requires modest attention focused outside of self-awareness. It is a simple activity that takes us outside ourselves. In the same way, cutting the lawn, knitting or taking a Sunday drive can all be relaxing.” There’s a reason that adults have been taking up coloring. “We have a very stress-inducing culture, and I think individuals are always seeking new ways to reduce tension, restore feelings of well-being and reduce the toll that our stressful lives take on our health,” Bea said.

Some of the participants at the Chandler Library have been there awhile, and some are new. Nicole Bateman has been with the group from the start. “I love talking and having fun. We’re a laughing group for two hours,” Bateman said. She said coloring comes naturally to her. “I’ve always colored, ever since I was a kid,” she said. Al and Vicky Varga joined the group see

COLORING page 27

Neighbors

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PICKLEBALL from page 19 The Manolises say Ahwatukee is ground zero for pickleball’s growth in Phoenix. “Ahwatukee ZIP codes have highest number of pickleball players than any other ZIP codes in the city,” said Steve Manolis, a retired marketing executive who researched the sport’s growing popularity extensively when he was trying to persuade Phoenix officials to build more courts and incorporate pickleball lessons in the city’s adult education programs at local parks. It’s not just the game’s ease that attracts people, he added. Pickleball is also a very social activity. “You play more doubles than singles,” Susan said. “It’s the complete opposite of tennis, which is predominantly a singles game. It’s a social sport. The games are much quicker and maybe last a half-hour. And when people are playing, everybody’s laughing and having a good time.” Added her husband: “You can hear their excitement.” None of this is new to RV parks and retirement communities throughout Arizona. Many recognized years ago that pickleball courts were almost as much a necessity as swimming pools. Indeed, that’s how the Manolises

discovered the game about five years ago. As Susan recalled, they were at an RV park in Camp Verde, where “it’s hard to find people who play tennis.” Suddenly, they heard a lot of noise and laughter and discovered a group of people playing pickleball. “One thing about pickleball players is that they want you to learn how to play. They taught us how to play,” she said. “Pickleball players are so helpful.” Many form clubs, though Steve noted, “There are a lot of people who are not in a club or association; they just go out and play. But a lot of residents through the East Valley belong to a club.” Pickleball’s simplicity and camaraderie have now caught the attention of students of all ages – and school officials from grade school through college. That’s a welcome development to the sport’s apostles. “The association recognizes that in order to grow the sport, you can’t wait for people to get old,” Steve said. The Manolises saw that first hand when about 150 students from Horizon Honors Secondary School watched some pickleball games at nearby Pecos Park. It didn’t take long before the school created a makeshift pickleball court.

(GSN photo by Kimberly Carrillo)

Pickleball is popular and Gilbert plans to build 15 courts in its new Regional Park. Matt Mixer, Horizon’s physical education teacher, said he’s working to developing pickleball as part of the physical education program in schools from elementary to universities. Dozens of PE teachers throughout the East Valley are learning the game as

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well, and, Steve said, “Now our various ambassadors are going to schools to teach pickleball.” “ASU has a program in place and community colleges are getting interested,” he said. “My goal and my dream is to have pickleball become a NCAA sport.”

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January 2018

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Listening with paws Each month, Paws to Read at Gilbert’s Southeast Regional Library pairs therapy animals and their handlers with young readers who read to the animals for 15 minutes. Alert warm brown eyes make all the difference to children’s reading experiences, resulting in an increase in reading levels and word recognition, and a higher desire to read and write, according to program organizers. The animals listen and don’t tease, laugh or judge the children, they said. Photos by Cheryl Haselhorst

1. Therapy dog Roxy stays alert as Lauren Glazier reads to her. 2. Sawyer Johnston, 4, loves reading to Roxy. 3. Jim Santeford pets therapy dog Verena. 4. Buddy the therapy parrot listens patiently to Ciaran Tara, 9, as he reads to the bird. 5. Roxy rests as Sawyer and his 2-year-old sister Jane get involved in the book they are reading to her. 6. Gus the therapy dog seems serious about his work at the library. 7. Roxy gets double pets from Scarlett Chambers, 7, and her mom, Talia.

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January 2018

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Pita Pit has made it easier for its customers to select a pita and be on their way. The health-centric, chef-inspired eatery with a menu offering a signature grilled taste, has introduced new menu boards at its outlets in Gilbert and Mesa. “Anyone can still make changes to those builds, or build their own pita from scratch, but we wanted to have these great builds up on the menu board, so that if it’s your first time at Pita Pit, or if you feel like trying something new, we’re giving all our guests a great starting point,” said Bryan Kruzel, Pita Pit’s business coach. “The inspiration for the menu changes came from our desire to make sure every guest is getting the best sandwich we can make, while avoiding confusion from our guests when they approach the counter to place their order,” Kruzel added. The new menu boards initially were tested at the brand’s headquarter store, and after a year, they saw an increase in service speed and simplified ordering. The company was founded in Ontario,

Canada in 1995, and the first restaurant opened in the U.S. in 1999. There are currently eight locations in Arizona, and the Gilbert location opened in 2014. The brand chose Gilbert and Mesa as two of their select few stores to roll out the new menu board system because of its success with its local customers. Pita Pit offers a healthier and more flavorful alternative to traditional fast food. The menu offers both made-to-order and build-your-own options, customized with grilled meats, vegetables, cheeses and zesty sauces. Before the menu boards were introduced, Pita Pit patrons were building their own sandwiches, “which is definitely still a good option,” Kruzel said. “But it’s great to know that if they do want to try something different, we’ve got a great new selection of pitas for them to choose from.”

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Non-smoker battles lung cancer with gene therapy BY INDRAKSHI WANGU

At 35 years old, healthy non-smoker Kateri Langseth wasn’t expecting her illness to be anything more than the initial test results suggesting pneumonia. After days of struggling, the mother of two teenagers was stunned when she was later diagnosed with a non-small cell lung cancer, medically known as adenocarcinoma, in October 2015. The tumor had spread through the Gilbert woman’s right lung and surrounding lymph nodes, which meant that surgery wasn’t an option. After 35 sessions of radiation and two rounds of chemo infusion, the Langseth family expected some good news, but received anything but. While the tumor in the lung had shrunk and the lymph nodes appeared to be clear of cancer, the new scans showed a tumor growth in the liver. This news was especially hard, as Langseth, who had always lived a healthy lifestyle, couldn’t understand its cause. With stage 4 cancer, her only way forward was more chemotherapy. “At that time, my husband and I realized it was time to get a second opinion, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life,” Langseth said. After contacting the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the Langseths learned of a new kind of treatment called targeted mutation therapy. Dr. Ashish Sangal, medical oncologist and the medical director of Lung Center, tested Langseth’s cancer for genetic mutations and suggested a targeted therapy called Tarceva. “Lung cancer is very rare among nonsmokers, so it’s especially challenging for the patient,” Sangal said. He also explained that lung cancer among non-smokers is not hereditary and that some people are more susceptible to it based on their molecular makeup. There are, however, certain external

(Photos Special to GSN)

Dr. Ashish Sangal, medical director of Lung Center and medical oncologist with Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

factors as well that could lead to lung cancer in non-smokers: secondhand smoke, occupational exposure to toxic substances like asbestos and environmental pollution. Sangal said that non-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer make up about 20 percent of all lung cancer patients in the USA. Despite the significant number, public information on it is scarce. The lack of information has created a stigma around the issue, leaving patients confused and feeling defeated. It is important to understand that lung cancer is not limited to heavy smokers, he said. Langseth said she was initially bitter. It was difficult for her to come to terms with the situation. “You should give the patient time to process the news,” she said. “I did not want to hear terms of encouragement ‘you can beat this,’ ‘you are the strongest woman I know’ and ‘you are a fighter.’ I just wanted to get through my treatment and move on with my life,” she added. After her emotions subsided, Langseth

The Langseth family (from left): Brent, Luke, Micaela and Kateri, who is sharing her cancer story to help others.

relied on the comfort and support provided by friends and family. She also said it is very important for a patient to open up about the disease and accept reality, and the sooner the better. What helped Langseth the most, though, was the detailed information provided by the hospital. The more she learned about her disease, the more she understood the treatment process; and this helped her deal with the situation in a more practical and positive way. Sangal said understanding cancer and knowing the disease is the first step toward recovery. He also suggested that patients should ask their doctors for the right sources of information and steer away from generic information provided by unreliable sources. While there is no way to predict it, Dr. Sangal suggests the best way to detect lung cancer at an early stage is to be proactive about your health. Red flags such as a chronic cough and unexplained weight loss should be addressed

promptly. Research is ongoing on lung cancer in non-smokers and targeted mutation therapy and current treatments have shown significant results. “My quality of life is much better,” said Langseth, who is still battling cancer. She says she has “gone through hell” during the last two years and wants to share her story and experience to help others. “As much as I hate my cancer, it has taught me some valuable lessons. First, it taught me to slow down. I didn’t realize how much I was just trying to get through life, instead of actually living it. Ironically, I enjoy life more now than ever,” she said. “Second,” she added, “don’t sweat the small things. Living with a terminal illness helps one understand what is really important in life.” For more on lung cancer at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, visit cancercenter.com/lung-cancer or call 855-398-1808.

Tips to reduce winter gas bills SUBMITTED BY SOUTHWEST GAS

Colder temperatures mean increased energy consumption as heating systems kick in to keep you warm and comfortable. Every degree your heating system is adjusted affects its daily energy use and, in turn, your energy bill. But it’s not too late to act to help manage your energy costs. Here are some easy energy-saving tips from Southwest Gas to help customers manage energy costs this heating season: • Set the daytime thermostat between 65

and 68 degrees, health permitting, and the nighttime temperature at a lower setting. • Regularly change or clean air filters as required. Heating units use less energy and work more efficiently when filters aren’t clogged or dirty. • To prolong the life of the furnace and decrease energy usage, have the furnace checked by a licensed HVAC contractor. • To help keep warm air inside the home and the cold air out, seal leaks and

cracks around doors, windows and other openings with caulk or weather stripping. In addition, Southwest Gas reminds customers to keep outside gutters free of leaves and debris, including those above or near the natural gas meter and outdoor appliances. To help ensure safety, Southwest Gas encourages anyone who suspects the release of natural gas to leave the area immediately, and call 911 and Southwest Gas at 1-877-860-6020 from a safe

location. Indicators of a natural gas leak are a rotten egg or sulfur-like smell, even if it’s slight or momentary; and/or a hissing noise coming from the ground or an above-ground pipeline. Also, avoid doing anything that would create a spark, such as lighting a match or turning an electrical appliance switch off or on. Southwest Gas Corporation provides safe and reliable natural gas service to two million customers in Arizona, California, and Nevada.

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Acupuncturist joins Macri Wellness Center BY GSN CONTRIBUTOR

Macri Wellness Center in Gilbert, which offers several healing modalities under one roof, namely chiropractic, massage, nutrition and yoga, recently added acupuncture and Chinese medicine. “Patients are frustrated with the current structure and service conventional health care provides. It leaves them feeling like just a number, not listened to and not feeling any better,” said Devan Oschmann, licensed acupuncturist, who joined the center recently. “At Macri Wellness, we give patients the attention they deserve and address the root cause of their problems – we don’t just cover up their symptoms.” Chiropractor Loretta Macri opened the multi-service center so patients wouldn’t need to stretch their healthcare regimen over several locations. “The mission of Macri Wellness is to work as a team and provide a multi-disciplinary practice to address all levels of the healing process. Too often, patients fall

Devan Oschmann, LAc.

short of their potential because they only try one modality,” she said. Oschmann focuses on the fundamentals of Chinese medicine, which considers the mechanisms of the human body as an integrated whole (including lifestyle, emotions and diet), to diagnose and treat each individual. She then utilizes acupuncture, cupping, Chinese herbs, diet and lifestyle to help attain patient goals. Devan holds a four-year master’s degree from AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin, Texas and is nationally board certified as an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner. Her specialties are pain and stress management, gynecological conditions and infertility. In addition, she offers cosmetic acupuncture, a popular alternative to Botox. Acupuncture needles activate systems of the body that promote healing and restore balance. It can be considered as a wake-up call to the body,

instigating cascades of anti-inflammatory chemicals that reduce pain and stress, and stabilizing hormonal and metabolic mechanisms. While this type of medicine may seem foreign, it has proved its effectiveness through research and found itself integrated into modern schools and clinical settings. “To me, investing in your health and wellbeing is of utmost importance,” Oschmann said. “Without our health, it can be difficult to enjoy life’s gifts, navigate its obstacles and, ultimately, have the most fulfilling experiences we can.” “The changes we see in our patients inspire us every day, and we are motivated to keep the change rolling,” she added.

Macri Wellness Center is at 3244 E Guadalupe Road, #105, Gilbert. Details: 480-247-3546.

Genetic testing puts nurse on edge

BY MELODY BIRKETT

Genetic testing for the breast cancer gene BRCA has come to light in part due to celebrities such as Angelina Jolie. After the actress learned she had the BRCA1 gene, she underwent a full hysterectomy and a double mastectomy. Drastic? It just depends on your family history. A UCLA study found that 80 percent of women who should be tested for BRCA are not – either because no one talked to them about the test’s significance or because they didn’t want to know. A Gilbert resident and chief nursing officer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Mesa, Debra Adornetto Garcia recently went for both BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing because she’s at high risk after surviving cancer twice. Garcia was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 at age 39 and underwent a lumpectomy. It was successful and she’s cancer free. “In 2003, I was diagnosed with melanoma,” said Garcia. “It was an early state of melanoma on my leg. So I went ahead and had surgery for that.” Right after, Garcia began taking preventative steps. “I was having a chest X-ray every six months, I was checking my skin, every year I was having a mammogram. Then I went ahead and did my colonoscopy since I was at such a high risk. During that time I really didn’t think about genetic testing.” About three years after her diagnosis in 2003, Garcia had a daughter at age 43. “A lot of physicians told me to not do that,

it’s high risk, it could cause a reoccurrence of your melanoma. I went ahead with that pregnancy. She’s 11 years old right now. The joy of my life.” Garcia moved here in 2015 to be closer to her parents after working for MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. That’s when Garcia’s new doctor recommended BRCA testing to make sure there’s not a reoccurrence. “I was always pretty resistant to any kind of conversation because I thought, ‘what would I do with that information? What would be the implication if I came back with the BRCA1 gene or the BRCA2 gene?’” said Garcia. The tests show she is BRCA2 positive, which puts her at a 38 percent higher risk for ovarian cancer and at a high risk for breast cancer. “After I was diagnosed with that genetic test being positive, I went ahead and had my ovaries removed at that time because I wanted to decrease my risk immediately of ovarian cancer,” Garcia said. She’s faced with the tough decision of whether to have a double mastectomy next year. “Right now, I’m just doing aggressive follow-up. Every six months I either do a mammogram or an MRI to make sure there’s no reoccurrence,” said Garcia. She also does colonoscopies every five years. Garcia’s biggest concern is that she could pass this gene to her 11-year-old daughter. Her daughter will have the choice of whether to be tested when she turns 18. The nurse struggles with the fact that several of her family

members have elected not to be tested. Cancer runs in Garcia’s family but on her dad’s side. Her brother, sister and mother are cancer-free. “In that whole process when you’re diagnosed with that gene, then family members need to be tested,” Garcia said. “So, my mother was tested and she was negative. So no one needed to get tested on that side of the family. My dad had already died and he had no brothers or sisters. So, we went to asking my sister and brother to be tested and they both refused.” Garcia stresses that even if the BRCA shows you’re negative, it doesn’t mean you still can’t get cancer; it just means the likelihood is a lot less. Undergoing testing is expensive and you must be approved as a high-risk patient in order to bill insurance. Garcia said even she got some pushback from her insurance company in the beginning, but she was persistent. In the end, Garcia is glad she did go for the testing. “I fully intend to be around here for another 30-40 years, as long as I can hold out, so I can be of support to my daughter,” Garcia said. “I was shocked when I was diagnosed. But I’m the type of person when I was diagnosed, I said, ‘OK, what do we need to do next?’ got it done, did radiation treatments, went right back to work, got diagnosed again, did the surgery, got right back to work.” Compared to what other cancer patients are going through, Garcia feels blessed. “I always look around me and say, ‘Oh my

(Special to GSN)

Gilbert nurse Debra Adornetto Garcia took drastic measures following genetic testing.

gosh,’ what I had is nothing compared to what I see everyday and… some of the things I see other people go through.” Garcia stresses that BRCA testing is a personal decision based on your family history. She just wants everyone to know these tests are available. “It was helpful for me but it might not be helpful to other people,” added Garcia. “Some people may choose not to do it but it was an empowering feeling for me to take control of something that is hard to control — cancer.”

Neighbors

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“It gets you out of the house.” Maez’s motivation wasn’t just fun; it was therapeutic. “I’m going through some things,” she shared. “This is an outlet to a lot of grief in my life.” She spoke of losing her 18-year-old son in a car crash in 2006. He was riding in a car whose driver had been drinking. She’s still grieving. “This is helping me tremendously,” Maez said. “I never imagined I’d be in the Chandler Library coloring. But here I am.” Another coloring artist fighting back from a low point was Maggie Kluck – “‘Luck’ with a ‘K,’” she said. “I had stage 4 colon cancer, and

Adult coloring groups can be meditative or raucous; take your pick at a library in the area.

COLORING from page 20 two days after Al retired from retail management. His last job was with Safeway. “We wanted something to do together,” Al said. “Vicky found it in the paper. I thought it was something to do, so I thought I’d give it a try.” “It’s all very community oriented,” Vicky said, finishing a conversation with a

coloring buddy. “It’s important to do new and different things as we age. We needed to de-stress, to meet new people.” This morning, Cheryl Young was one of the first-timers. She brought her friends Becky Maez and Lorie Thackery. Young carried an artist’s selection of colored pencils and other supplies. She confessed that she had them for around six months before finally using them. “I thought it looked like fun,” she said.

January 2018

I was given two months to live on chemotherapy.” After being given the news, she lifted hands to God and prayed that he’d take over. Soon thereafter, she visited a second doctor. The cancer had disappeared. “That was 17 years ago. And here I am!” Kluck, who just turned 90, used to paint with watercolors. Now, she takes her coloring with her everywhere. “It’s brought out a lot of artistic ability,” she said. “It brought my mind to a different level. I’m never bored. Coloring changes your life. It’s so relaxing. Vicky Varga summed it up: “Coloring is not just for kids anymore.”

Coloring groups for adults Gilbert: “Color Me Relaxed,” once a month on Tuesday evenings at Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Road. 602-652-3000, mcldaz. org/custom/branches/southeast.

Mesa: “Adult Coloring Club,” twice a month at Red Mountain and Dobson Branch libraries, 2425 S. Dobson Road. 480-644-3100, mesalibrary.org.

Chandler: “Outside the Lines Adult Coloring Group,” the first and third Wednesdays of the month at Chandler Public Library, 22 S. Delaware St. 480782-2800, chandlerlibrary.org.

Tempe: “Coloring for Grownups,” every second Sunday of the month at Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road. 480-350-5500, tempe.gov/city-hall/ community-services/tempe-public-library.

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January 2018

Business

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Mr. Mac opens in Gilbert; offers LDS missionary clothing BY MELODY BIRKETT

Utah-based Mr. Mac opened its first clothing store outside the state in Gilbert recently. The store sells high-end merchandise, caters to missionaries. Mac Christiansen opened his inaugural store over 50 years ago. “He wanted to find a way to bring better-quality suits at a lower price to people,” said Chris Brooks, Mr. Mac’s Gilbert store manager. Brooks said it’s also a one-stop shop to outfit missionaries, and those sales consist of about 35 percent of the business. However, the store appeals to a wide clientele and some of its offerings, such as $80 shirts, may not be a typical buy of young missionaries, he noted. “We’ve helped pastors, we’ve helped businessmen, we’ve helped judges,” Brooks said. “It’s tough because especially in Utah, there’s that mantra, ‘Oh, we don’t want to go buy a wedding suit at Mr. Mac because they’re a missionary store’ but we have more slim-fit suits and stylish suits in our inventory then we do missionary suits. “We have real high-end stuff. We sell suits that are ranging from $500 to $800,” he added. “So, we can really fit anybody. If you’re a young man, all the way up to a grandpa, we’re selling suits.” The menswear includes sport coats and formal wear for men and boys along with LDS white temple clothing. Mr. Mac also sells items you typically don’t find in other men’s clothing stores, such as the two-pant suit. “The nice thing is, if you’re a businessman and you’re wearing your suit a lot, you can travel with that suit and rotate those pants,” he explained. “Typically, if you ask any guy, his trousers wear out before his coat does.” While white shirts are popular among the LDS community, Brooks said a lot of men like them because they go with most anything. The store does sell shirts in other colors, mainly in long sleeves, and a tailor is on hand to shorten sleeves upon request or do other alterations. The alteration service is free and comes with the purchase of a suit for a lifetime. “You gain some weight, you lose some weight, we alter. All we ask is you get it dry-cleaned,” he said. Typically, customers should be able to find the right size without having the suit altered. “We carry all the way up to a size 64 long and then we carry up to 22 neck in a shirt,” Brooks said. “We can fit you. Between alterations and the sizes we carry, we’re pretty confident we can fit anyone.” Mr. Mac also sells suits for hundreds of dollars lower than other places.

“As part of our customer service, the other big thing for us is the ability to bring in quality at a lower price just because of our reputation and how often we go to these trade shows. We’ve developed a very good relationship with the vendors,” Brooks said. While polyester is less expensive, he recommends suits with a wool blend since it’s breathable. Most high-end suits the store carries are 100 percent Merino wool, long lasting and of good quality. “Wool is your friend and as long as it’s a Merino wool, it’s going to breath,” Brooks said. Selling suits is a specialized profession and takes training. Sales staff get trained in the Orem location, where its “suit doctor” has been training staff for 30 years. They note it can be rewarding. “You’re basically hitting keynotes in people’s lives when you sell them a suit,” Evans said. “So you develop a friendship with them. You get to see them grow.” How about washable ties? Mr. Mac carries them in microfiber polyester. “If you spill on it or you get a stain, you can actually take water to it or, if you need to, you can actually throw it in the washer or dryer,” Brooks said, adding many women buy them for their sons or husband. Mac Christensen opened his first store in Bountiful, Utah in 1966 following his experience working for a large department store in Salt Lake City. He realized that customers had to shuffle from one department to another to buy clothing, and also that quality should be the first consideration and price the second. Christensen’s store served the customer his way: one-stop shopping for missionaries and men’s wear. During the last 40 years, Mr. Mac has grown to nine locations in his home state, and the founder has built a reputation as a recognized and trusted source for men’s suits and clothing in the region. Among other popular items at Mr Mac is the mission belt, a belt without holes that has slidable notches. Assistant Manager Neil Evans said no man should be without one. “How can you not have a mission belt? It’s the one product I would say every gentleman goes crazy over,” he said. “The mission belt doesn’t have any holes in it. It has teeth that locks into place and you can also cut it to size.” Mr. Mac does not sell LDS undergarments but stocks pretty much everything else, from socks, shoes and belts to luggage. Unless you already know Mr. Mac caters to the LDS community, Brooks said most people don’t know the affiliation

Mr. Mac in Gilbert is the company’s 10th outlet and a first for Arizona.

(Photos special to GSN)

Assistant Manager Neil Evans (left) and Manager Chris Brooks at Mr. Mac’s Gilbert location.

The store offers LDS missionary clothing and an array of quality men’s attire.

when they walk in. “We’ve had people think we’re a burger shop, we’ve had people think we sell laptops, so we’re trying to do a better job of getting our name out there as far as what we do.” The company prides itself on its customer service. “When you walk in, we really want you to not feel bombarded by a salesperson, but more of a consultant,” Brooks said. Meanwhile, Mr. Mac also plans to be a

part of the neighborhoods they serve. “We want to be part of the community,” Brooks said. “It’s not about coming down here and making a quick buck. We’re here to stay and we really want to develop roots.” Mr. Mac is at 929 N. Val Vista Drive, #17, in Gilbert. The store is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and to 6 p.m. Saturday. Details: 480-272-9340 or mrmac.com.

Business

www.GilbertSunNews.com

January 2018

Gilbert resident operates thriving catering service since 1982 BY DAVID M. BROWN

Robert Richter was born the same year as the great 1957 Chevy Bel Air zoomed out of Detroit. His Robert’s Catering in Chandler has become a classic, too, just without those signature soaring tail fins. And, when he’s got a dash of time away from the business, he’ll be playing his Rodgers 940 Classical digital electronic organ at home in Gilbert or traveling worldwide to play church pipe organs. For 37 years, he and his loyal employees have catered parties, weddings, business events, taking on all business challenges and keeping the quality food flowing. “There are always challenges in taking the restaurant to the venues and homes where people want parties,” said Richter, who also rescues horses and gives them homes. “Sometimes it is easier to just (Photos special to GSN) Robert Richter, who travels often to Nova Scotia for seafood, pack up our kitchen trailer and go has catered special occasions in the Valley for over 35 years. and cater a party under the pecan

trees,” he said. “And freeway traffic is a huge challenge and weekend road closures. We are the work-weekend warriors of the food industry.” In preparing for the annual Mesa Arts Center fundraising gala, for example, the menus always take thought because of the unique ideas people have for themes, he said. And, for its annual Realtor Day at the Capitol, the Arizona Association of Realtors provides a luncheon for 600-plus guests in Wesley Bolin Plaza – which is a challenge for the outdoor site and the number of people. Then, there’s the Southwest Airlines Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner at the airport, which attracts 750-1,000 employees, who receive all-day service. “That’s a long day,” Richter said. Recently, Robert’s Catering helped local shopping center re-developer Michael Pollack celebrate entering the Guinness Book of World Records for his collection of advertising art

in Mesa. And, the crew also just catered a function honoring Marco Rubio, the junior U.S. senator from Florida. “Doing the impossible for clients is one of my specialties,” Richter said. Born in Dearborn, Michigan, he lived in Southgate, downriver to Detroit. “The Motor City is the melting pot of lots of ethnic foods and is home to many immigrants from all nationalities: German, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Netherlands,” he said. Mexican food, however, was scarcely available in the city, but because his mother is a Chandler native, the family never had to go out for it. Food was always being discussed and prepared at home, so his decision to become a chef was not just a career choice. “I have been cooking ever since I could reach a stove. I have a talent in the kitchen and the tastebuds to match,” he said. His grandparents “were also pretty darn good cooks.” see

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CATERING from page 29 He attended culinary school at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan. This was a tough four-year program that accepted only 30 students every two years, he said. Meanwhile, he worked a variety of jobs to support his education and expand hands-on experience. At a 24-hour short-order venue, the Palace Restaurant in Taylor, Michigan, he worked all the shifts at different stretches, refining skills such as flipping omelets, deep-frying and making burgers. Those basic skills were a foundation to his career. Then he was at a butcher shop, learning how to break down front shoulders and hindquarters of beef, lamb and pork and working up front

Business at the meat counter and the cold cut department. One summer, he took a parttime cooking job at the Wyandotte Yacht Club along the Detroit River. He was next at the Dearborn Hyatt Regency at a variety of cooking departments. “They worked around my school schedule and also helped pay for my college,” he said. “Their program was if you went to school for the job you were working, they paid for your education.” Richter moved to Arizona to work for a rum cake company and to be with his parents, who had retired here. “My dad had promised my mom to bring her back to her hometown of Chandler,” he said, noting that he also has cousins, aunts and an uncle living in Chandler. What celebrity chefs inspired him? Of

course, the ebullient Julia Child, whom he watched on television starting he as a child. He quotes her often: “A party without cake is just a meeting!” He also watched Jacques Pépin, another great chef, who did a television series with Child. “I got to cook for him at a fundraiser in the Biltmore Estates,” Richter recalled. His vacations have centered on food, water and great pipe organs. Two musical aunts and his mother — who all played piano or organ — inspired the interest that began at 7 with piano lessons. “I never had to be told to practice. It was kind of natural to sit down at a piano,” he recalled. He then played for his church, transitioning to the organ. He played for Chandler Presbyterian Church for 14 years. “I love to substitute at different

www.GilbertSunNews.com churches when they need me around the Valley,” he said. Food remains his main theme, though. “I have eaten my way through New Orleans many times and have some great Southern recipes from that region,” he said. He’s also traveled often to Nova Scotia for seafood and the old churches with pipe organs. There he has a small cabin along the Atlantic Ocean for recreational fishing. He has enjoyed food and playing music in places such as Germany, Spain, Ireland, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Slovakia. Food, music, life in a nutshell? “I will stop learning when I go to the great wine cellar in the sky.” Information: robertscatering.net or 480-963-4040.

EVDI updates facility with new scanners BY GSN CONTRIBUTOR

EVDI Medical Imaging, a diagnostic imaging provider based in the East Valley, has added state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging scanners at its Gilbert location: a 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner and 3T wide-bore magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The 64-slice CT produces highresolution, quality imaging more quickly than other machines in the market. It captures clear images of rapidly moving organs like the heart and lungs; its speed also reduces the amount of time necessary for a patient to remain still, a requirement that can be difficult for people suffering from an injury or experiencing discomfort; and it emits a lower dose of radiation than other CT machines.

(Photo special to GSN.)

The 64-slice CT scanner produces highresolution, quality imaging more quickly than other machines in the market.

The 3T wide-bore MRI scanner has an enclosed scanning area that is shorter than other scanners. The extra space helps reduce anxiety for patients with claustrophobia and those who otherwise would require sedation to undergo exams. The scanner also accommodates individuals up to 500 pounds and tall, wide individuals, such as athletes, and provides highly detailed imaging in less time. It scans larger areas of the body, requiring less shifting of the patient into different positions in order to obtain the correct view, further reducing the length of the examination and patient discomfort. “For patients with conditions that require repeated imaging such as cancer

treatment follow-ups for whom reduced radiation exposure is preferred as well as vascular studies requiring advanced imaging techniques, our EVDI Gilbert location now offers the 64-slice CT for our patient’s imaging needs,” said Penny Bowen, MD, EVDI radiologist. “With our new 3T wide-bore open-feel MRI scanner, we are able to serve even more patients who need imaging at our Gilbert facility, including clautstrophobic patients and those who are broadshouldered,” she added. EVDI operates seven locations in the Valley including Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert and Tempe, as well as two Desert Breast Centers in Mesa. For more information, visit evdi.com.

Wet Shaving Products helps groom men with facial hair BY GSN STAFF

Chandler-based Wet Shaving Products, friendly. founded by Lee Tyau, offers a line of beard The mustache wax conditions while oil and mustache wax. it holds. It does not have any filler Wet Shaving Product’s beard ingredients in it and Wet Shaving oil absorbs easily and quickly, Products says it has oils designed within the first minute of to make men’s handlebars feel applying. The company excellent. The ingredients says men do not need to include beeswax, shea butter, wash their hands if they use jojoba oil, avocado oil, apricot this oil and it leaves beards kernel oil and grapeseed oil. smelling and feeling great. The Wet Shaving Products oil reportedly stops beard operates an office and (Photos courtesy of Wet Shaving Products) itch, as well as dandruff manufacturing facility at The mustache wax conditions while 6505 W. Frye Road. The and penetrates down to it holds, without any filler ingredients. company shows different the skin to soothe and moisturize dry skin. The ingredients in it are grooming products for the discerning man jojoba oil, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, who wants to indulge in self-pampering. grapeseed oil and fragrance, and it’s veganTo learn more, visit wetshavingproducts.com.

Norwood addresses poverty Norwood Furniture teamed up with Save the Family for the ninth year to help further its mission to equip families to address poverty, overcome homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency. Norwood’s customers were asked to donate $30 to Save the Family during their purchase in order to have Norwood cover their

(Photo special to GSN.)

sales tax. In this manner, the store raised $8,060 for the charity, which was a record breaking amount for the fundraiser. For more information on Save the Family or to make your own donation, visit savethefamily.org. Maria Longley (in navy blue, with envelope), development manager at Save The Family, with Norwood staff.

www.GilbertSunNews.com

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January 2018

Business

January 2018

Site reveals remodeling projects in your area

Gilbert residents can access information on every remodeling and construction project that has taken place during the past 10 years through BuildZoom’s Permit Mapping project. The building permit map is available at buildzoom.com/map/gilbert-az. San Francisco-based BuildZoom’s mission is to bring transparency and accountability to the remodeling and construction industry. It’s the first application of its kind to provide homeowners with details on every home improvement project in their neighborhood, including a summary of the work, how much it cost and who did the work. Homeowners simply key in the address and access the information. Additional features allow users to filter by project type (e.g., electrical, solar) and cost. The Permit Mapping project is part of BuildZoom’s broader initiative to improve the consumer experience in the remodeling and construction industry, which lacks transparency and accountability.

Apartment community sold

The Vintage, a 107-unit, two-story

www.GilbertSunNews.com

BRIEFS

Class A apartment community located east of the southeast corner of Guadalupe and McQueen roads in Gilbert, changed hands recently for $18.55 million. Cushman & Wakefield negotiated the sale for Clear Sky Vintage, an entity formed by Phoenix-based Clear Sky Capital, to an investor from San Diego, Pathfinder Gilbert Holdings II. Executive managing directors David Fogler and Steven Nicoluzakis of Cushman & Wakefield represented the seller. Built in 2000, The Vintage features a recently upgraded resort-style pool and spa, indoor basketball court, an indoor racquetball court, billiards room, fitness center, playground, clubhouse with theater room, and a business center/ conference room. Offering studio, one-, two- and threebedroom options, it has an average unit size of 1,154 square feet. Unit interiors include fireplaces in select units, 9-foot ceilings, walk-in closets, washer-dryers and gourmet style kitchens.

V’s barbershop opens

V’s, the nationally acclaimed chain of old-fashioned barbershops specializing in haircuts and hot lather shaves, has opened its first outlet in Queen Creek at 21576 South Ellsworth Loop Road, Suite 105.

This is V’s 35th location across 11 states and the 14th to open in Arizona. The shop includes six antique Koken barber chairs (from the 1950s), multiple flat-screen televisions, iconic sports imagery adorning the walls and barbers in classic uniforms. It is owned and operated by Jim and Marie Nelson. V’s Barbershops, which began in Phoenix in 1999 with one shop in Arcadia, are the brainchild of Jim Valenzuela (Mr. V). Recalling his childhood and going to get a haircut with his dad at Nick’s Barbershop in Tucson, Valenzuela identified a need in the marketplace for a first-class barbershop experience. Eighteen years and many awards later, V’s has become a popular spot for haircuts, hot lather shaves and shoeshines. V’s Barbershops provides patrons with a timeless, authentic barbershop experience and strives to foster memories for men and their sons. A haircut is a ritual, a nostalgic experience harking back to a simpler day when men gathered at the corner barbershop to discuss everything from business, to sports, to current events. Specializing in haircuts, hot lather shaves and shoeshines, V’s barbers provide both traditional short haircuts, as well as contemporary and trendy styles. Every haircut includes a hot lather neck shave and ends with a relaxing shoulder

massage. V’s full-service offerings include high-quality haircuts, straight-razor shaves, men’s facials, face massages, moustache and beard trims and shoe shines, with complimentary hot towels, neck and shoulder massages and neck shaves. Details: 480-404-6044 or vbarbershop. com/location/queen-creek.

Mobil to offer U-Haul trucks

Mobil, at 2371 E. Baseline Road, has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve Gilbert and will offer U-Haul trucks and moving supplies. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 is now available at all U-Haul locations, enabling customers to access trucks and vans every hour of every day through the self-pickup and self-return options on their uhaul. com account. An internet-connected mobile device with camera and GPS features is needed to take advantage of self-service. U-Haul and Mobil are striving to benefit the environment through sustainability initiatives. Truck sharing is a core U-Haul sustainability business practice that allows individuals to access a fleet of trucks that is larger than what they could access on an individual basis. Details: uhaul.com/Locations/TruckRentals-near-Gilbert-AZ-85234/003279/

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Business

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January 2018

Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Events

7:30 – 9 a.m. January 17 Good Government Buzz Session with Higley Unified School District, Presented by SRP Higley Unified School District Board Room 2935 S. Recker Road, Gilbert, 85295. This buzz session will bring together Governing Board members and leaders of Higley Unified School District with the business community for a discussion on the local, regional and national issues in education. Attend, ask questions and provide feedback. Admission: No charge for chamber members (up to 2 seats per member; $10 each additional guest). Non-member admission: $50. _________________________________ 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. January 17 Chamber Connections Presented by Woodard Construction Main Event Entertainment 1735 S. San Tan Village Pkwy., Gilbert, 85295. Partake in lunch and converse with professionals at this informal gathering and

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6 – 9:30 p.m. January 25 Fifth annual Chinese Auction Benefit Dinner Presented by Quail Park at Morrison Ranch The Falls Event Center 4635 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert, 85234. More than 75 raffle items will be available for a lively and fast-paced Chinese auction benefiting the Gilbert Chamber

Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. To provide a raffle item, contact alma@ gilbertchamber.com. Admission: $45 member pricing includes dinner, a drink ticket and auction paddle per guest. Non-member pricing: $85. Sponsored table for eight: $500. (Includes reserved seating, sponsor’s name on event program, logo on reserved table signage and priority placement within area of other sponsored tables.) Reserve additional auction paddles ($5 each) and/or rolls of quarters ($10 each) and pick them up at event registration. _________________________________ 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. January 31 Chamber Accelerator - Putting Your Membership on the Fast Track to Success Presented by Printwerx Gilbert Chamber of Commerce 119 N. Gilbert Road, Ste. 101, Gilbert, 85234. At this comprehensive membership orientation, participants will learn how to maximize the benefits of their chamber investment. Gain an insider’s view of the programs and services, ask questions and develop an action plan for chamber engagement and success. Admission: Free for current and prospective members. For more information or registration, visit gilbertaz.com.

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learn about businesses and services within the community. No agenda, no script, just good food, great company and friendly conversation. Admission: $10 per person; pay at door, includes lunch buffet and tax. Donate a door prize of $25 or more and get a minute at the mic to introduce your business (members only). _________________________________ 4 – 5 p.m. January 24 Public Policy Speakers’ Series, with Christina Corieri of the Governor’s Office Gilbert Chamber of Commerce 119 N. Gilbert Road, Ste. 101, Gilbert, 85234. The Public Policy Speakers’ Series is an exclusive chamber-member-only dialogue with key government officials, who will share the latest in their areas of expertise and answer questions from members on topics impacting our businesses and community. Admission: No cost to attend Registration required. _________________________________

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Business

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Palette Collective brings affordability to small businesses BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY

Small businesses make up more than 99 percent of all businesses in Arizona and are an integral part of the state’s economy, but the price of entrepreneurship is high. Between supplies, marketing and rent, aspiring business owners have to come up with a lot of upfront funding to make their dreams become a reality. A group workspace concept called Palette Collective is lowering that barrier to entry by offering affordable rents and support for new businesses in the East Valley. Palette Collective, founded by Gilbert resident Seth Wells and Brett Kalina of Phoenix, features large retail spaces subdivided into smaller units that small businesses can rent at relatively affordable prices. The first of its two locations is on the southwest corner of Germann and Gilbert roads in Chandler. The rooms, which come in a variety of sizes, can cost a tenant anywhere from roughly $850 to $2,000 per month, depending on the size of the space. Monthly rent includes utilities and Internet access, General Manager Jacob Trayer said. Based on its current roster of tenants, Palette Collective appeals predominantly

to the beauty sector, though it is open to businesses from all industries. Current tenants include hair stylists, massage therapists, aestheticians and tattoo artists. Louise Yanock, who runs Inspire Skin Care in Chandler, first heard about Palette Collective from a friend earlier this year. She decided to start her own business there when the Dolce Salon and Spa closed unexpectedly in Chandler. “(My experience has) been amazing,” Yanock said. “It is a really good vibe in here and everyone is really upbeat and positive.” The rooms at Palette Collective are a blank slate – four white walls – in order to allow tenants to customize the space to fit their branding. “The reason we don’t set anything up to start with is to give our tenants the ability to set their own branding and have their branding at the forefront,” Trayer said. Palette Collective encourages its tenants to customize the rooms to reflect their businesses and offers tangible support to help business owners do just that. They will purchase, plumb and install a shampoo bowl for hair stylists. For other renters, such as aestheticians and massage

therapists, the team provides a $300 rent credit to purchase a vanity with a sink. All new tenants also receive a fresh coat of paint in their suite in the color of their choice. Wells and Kalina opened Palette Collective about two years ago and its second location at Chandler Village shopping center. They are in the process of opening three new (GSN photo by Kimberly Carrillo.) locations, including one Maddie Obray with Hainesworth Co. does Lily Petite’s hair. The salon is one at Elliot Road and Priest of several beauty businesses at Palette Collective at Chandler Village. The concept’s other location in Chandler is just steps from Gilbert. Drive in Tempe. The group for this type of concept,” Trayer said. “We workspace concept has existed saw it in Phoenix, but out in (East Valley) throughout the Phoenix Metro for years there was definitely a need for this type with varying levels of success. The team of thing.” behind Palette Collective is working to set their product apart from other ventures by Palette Collective is at 2100 S. Gilbert Road, #22, in Chandler. developing a strong sense of community Details: mypalettecollective.com/ among its tenants and customers. location/chandler-gilbert “I think there was definitely a vacuum

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American Leadership Academy grooms budding entrepreneurs BY INDRAKSHI WANGU

A well-rounded education may enable a young mind for a life of great achievement. K-12 charter school American Leadership Academy, with schools in Gilbert North, Queen Creek and Ironwood, is offering the necessary tools. With a focus on critical thinking and personal development, the school wants students to not only exceed academically but also be equipped with life skills. To take this idea to the next level, the school has partnered with Elevate, a business management and financial

hands-on and is really just about lighting their fires,” she said. As part of the course, students start their own unique businesses. They ranged from providing services like guitar and piano lessons to selling cupcakes and cookies. The Gilbert North campus students generated revenue of $18,654 during the past semester. Across the three campuses that run the course, the total revenue was $20,083.50. They also came with a learning curve

“ My vision is that when these students leave school, they don’t have to worry about the money ” .

– Darren Gleason, teacher at the Gilbert North campus

literacy company that provides hands-on training on how to start and grow a small business. The Gilbert-based company was co-founded by Rebecca and Jeremi Brewer. “It is the same idea of how to start and grow a business, but tailored to high school students,” said Rebecca, who has a Ph.D. in curriculum design and development. While the curriculum for the Entrepreneurship Launchpad course was developed by Elevate, it was incubated at Stanford Business School. Elevate also has a team of academics from universities, including Harvard, Cornell, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M, that are researching the training’s impact. The Brewers have trained tens of thousands of business owners in 17 different countries around the world. The hands-on training starts with a simple, yet ingenious exercise. “Every student gets a pine cone and they have to trade it,” explained Brewer. This exercise helps students think outside of the box and be creative. It also motivates the students to come out of their shells and explore their talents. Students were able to successfully trade their pine cones for either cash or other useful items. “It is a great way to show the students that if they want to start a business, they don’t need to have the money or start with capital. But it is also a great way for them to see their own strengths without a teacher or parent telling them you are good at this,” Brewer said. Students are also provided with simple financial tools to understand and apply basic profit-and-loss statements, cash-flow statements, inventory management and customer relationship management for their own small businesses. “It’s a very practical education. It’s very

and life lessons. “My vision is that when these students leave school, they don’t have to worry about the money,” said Darren Gleason, a teacher at the Gilbert North campus and one of the course instructors. On showcase day, the cafeteria of the Gilbert North campus was abuzz with the excitement of the proud young business owners. Students agreed that the course helped them look at the bigger picture and taught them valuable lessons that they will be able to apply in all walks of life. They also acknowledged that being a successful entrepreneur is all about time management and being proactive. A soda shop named Pop Stop, started by Travis Brose and Matthew Packer, was the highest grossing business with revenue totaling up to $3,000. They made money selling Italian sodas to students during lunch hour and football games. They also sold cookies and bought and sold old generators. “I am not an expressive guy. I am kind of shy. But this has helped me get past that,” Travis said. “It’s not the easiest thing doing this, but at the end, it’s worth it.” “We also learned about how to manage our money and how it all works,” Matthew added. Teacher Darren Gleason spoke about another group, consisting of girls. “They started off very shy, and now they are our second grossing team here,” he said. “They are making money and are not shy about giving presentations. They have really come out of their shells.” Besides the newly designed entrepreneurship curriculum and practical exercises, the students meet and listen to the stories of different Valley entrepreneurs, who then become their mentors.

(GSN photo by Indrakshi Wangu)

Travis Brose (left), and Matthew Packer (right), created a soda shop named Pop Stop during the Entrepreneurship Launchpad course; it earned revenue of $3,000.

(Photo special to GSN)

The highest-revenue team from American Leadership Academy’s Queen Creek campus was called Finntastic Five. It comprised (from left), Savanna Koerner, Finn Hesler, Wyatt Stewart, Tanner Martin and Christian Hutchings.

“They are all local entrepreneurs who have done it, and are in the middle of it and are successful,” Brewer said. “The idea is to build a team around these students for the future.” Brewer already is sensing a motivational boost among the students. “Our goal with the program is to see the growth in students. It is not necessarily about how much money they make. That is a plus, but not the end goal. The biggest achievement is for them to grow personally,” she said. Eric Huso, director of the Gilbert North

campus, said the students can accomplish anything. “The launchpad to me isn’t about making money,” he said. “It is about teaching the kids how to problem solve, how to think critically, how to work as a team and overcome challenges, and I think they have done that.” To find out more: American Leadership Academy: alaschools.org, Elevate: elevate.gobal.

Youth

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Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek names royalty

January 2018

CONTRIBUTED BY ANGELA ASKEY

Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek named its 2018 Pro Rodeo Royalty: Madison Beattie is Queen, Anna Butler is Senior Teen Queen and Brandi Hight is Junior Teen Queen. The coronation is this month. Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek, presented by Banner Ironwood Medical Center, will be held March 15 to 18 at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Center, 20464 E. Riggs Road, Queen Creek. It features a PRCA Rodeo, vendors, carnival, entertainment and multiple family activities. Beattie, 21, has been riding and showing horses for more than 12 years. Her paint horse, Gentleman Jack, is an award-winning 2-D barrel horse. Beattie is currently enrolled in the Therapeutic Riding Instructor Training Program at Phoenixbased Horses Help. She also enjoys painting and is one of the lead instructors at Pinot’s Palette in Gilbert. This is Beattie’s first time holding a rodeo queen title and she said she feels “blessed” to have received this opportunity. Anna, 16, is a junior at Queen Creek High School, where she competes with her FFA Chapter in the career development, parliamentary procedure

(Photos courtesy of Roots N’ Boots)

Left: Rodeo Queen Madison Beattie. Middle: Senior Teen Queen Anna Butler. Right: Junior Teen Queen Brandi Hight.

and horse evaluation events. She shows horses in 4-H and with the U.S. Equestrian Federation. Brandi, 13, is a seventh-grader at Camille Casteel High School. She loves rodeo and her passion is barrel racing

on her horse, A Bit of Blonde. She is a member of Queen Creek Junior Rodeo Association, Queen Creek Barrel Racing Association and Chandler Vaqueros Saddle Club. The royalty will be attending various

events throughout the community and Arizona. Details: rootsnboots.org or write to royalty@friendsofhorseshoepark.org.

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Youth

January 2018

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Queen Creek takes new steps to combat teen suicides BY JIM WALSH

After experiencing the heartbreak of teen suicide, Queen Creek residents are uniting to combat the problem. High school officials have taken the unusual step of screening all their students, and others are launching a youth commission. Queen Creek’s holistic response comes after at least two students at Queen Creek High School committed suicide since May and two others in the area were reported. There have been at least 10 teenage suicides in the East Valley since July. A series of other education and prevention efforts have been held throughout the East Valley, giving a frightening problem a much higher profile. They have ranged from Desert Vista High School’s conference in Ahwatukee recently to previous sessions at Mesa Community College sponsored by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce and another in Gilbert. But only two days after the Tempe

Union High School District sponsored a teen suicide conference in Ahwatukee, a third student in two years from one of the district’s schools took his life. The latest tragedy occurred Nov. 7 in Chandler, where a 15-year-old Corona del Sol High School sophomore shot himself to death at the apartment complex where he lived. His death follows a Corona student’s suicide last year and one in 2015 that occurred on the campus. In reaction to that suicide, about a dozen people held a “Kids Matter’’ rally outside Corona del Sol, carrying signs directed at teenagers arriving for school reading “we care,’’ “you’re not alone’’ and “reach out we care.’’ Jodi Brocki was tearful at the rally. She had attended the educational forum at Desert Vista. “It just deeply hurts my heart,’’ Brocki said. “I am deeply concerned about these kids and I am truly concerned for my

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three boys.” Organizer Christina Nguyen acknowledged one concern is that the biggest indicator of a suicide occurring is that one has already happened. “We want to show this community that they are loved, they are hurting,’’ she said. The Corona tragedy has given even more urgency to efforts to curb teen suicide in the East Valley. While the education and awareness sessions are universally praised, experts say more intervention is needed to address the persistent problem – including identification of high-risk students and referral to care. Empact, a Tempe anti-suicide agency, is screening all students at Queen Creek High School, an unusual move in the East Valley. After a 50-minute “Signs of Suicide” class about suicide, depression and other mental-health issues, students can come

forward to seek help for themselves or to report concerns about their friends. “We’re trying in a short period of time to educate the whole school,” said Sandra McNally, Empact’s prevention manager. “Students are realizing they are not helping by not telling. So many students are coming forward to say, ‘I am concerned about my friend.’” The effort is drawing praise. “The screening part is not typical at all, but it is so well-directed,” said Katey McPherson, an anti-teen suicide activist and executive director of the Gurian Institute, which has been organizing the education and prevention forums. Nikki Kontz, Teen Lifeline’s clinical director, said the organization has partnered with more than 100 schools in Arizona. Teen Lifeline operates a 24-hour see

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January 2018

TEEN SUICIDES from page 38 hotline with teens helping teens. The number is listed on the back of student identification badges in the Tempe Unified School District and in Queen Creek. Kontz said Empact and Teen Lifeline have worked with many districts but the extent of the Queen Creek screening program is unusual. McNally agreed, saying many school districts agree to workshops and more limited programs than Queen Creek’s, saying they have counselors to handle the problem “There’s a lot of stuff that’s new to the East Valley; it is not new to the state,” Kontz said. “It’s overcoming the stigma of mental health in general. If we can reach kids earlier, suicide doesn’t need to be part of the conversation.” Lee Harmon, a Queen Creek High School counselor, said his school is trying to address teen suicide through prevention. “More education and more awareness are a must in all schools,” he said. “They will not only help themselves, but they will know how to help a friend.” Because teenagers are not equipped to handle a complicated mental-health problem, such as suicidal thoughts, “they

Reac

Out &

S e v i r D

need to tell a trusted adult,” Harmon said. The Queen Creek suicides also sparked concern from the town’s chamber of commerce. Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce, is bringing together different organizations to address teen suicide, saying he’s acting in his role as a community leader and going beyond his usual job of representing business interests. Clark is hoping to create a teen council, modeling it somewhat after a student-led anti-suicide effort at Corona called Aztec Strong. That group was started by Corona student Tatum Lynn Stolworthy, a singer who created the movement to make sure every student had a friend to talk to. Clark was moved by a raw, heart-rending Facebook post by Queen Creek student Autumn Bourque, who wrote about the sadness of teens losing their friends and alleged that school officials were not doing enough to address the issue. The Chamber leader teens are suffering the most and their insight should not be overlooked. “I want an active committee. We are going to empower them to put their plans into place,” Clark said.

Recently, the town of Queen Creek also sponsored a Suicide Prevention and Awareness Community Forum in conjunction with Banner Health at the Law Enforcement and Community Chambers building. Bourque’s Facebook post got a strong response, motivating Queen Creek officials to act. But it also disappointed some school officials, who say they have been working on suicide prevention for a year. “It’s made more people aware, but it has made people more sensitive,” Bourque said, calling the school’s response “a minimal effort.” Bourque said she is encouraged, however, by the screening program and by the youth commission concept advocated by Clark. She said she is working with Stolworthy on launching a support group similar to Aztec Strong and she would like to participate on the commission. “I think kids my age, we’re just under a lot of pressure to do well academically,” she said. “If you have a hard home life, it doesn’t help.” Queen Creek Principal Paul Gagnon declined to comment specifically on Bourque’s post but said that the school is committed to fighting teen suicide head-

www.GilbertSunNews.com on and that he makes it a point to speak with students. “When we get students behind it, it makes a big difference,” he said. “They want more positive messages that they are loved and cared for.” Gagnon also embraced the chamber’s youth commission initiative, saying, “What we’re about is developing leaders in our students. It’s a great forum for students to have their voices heard.” McPherson, a former Gilbert school administrator, said it is vital for a school’s administration to tell students what they are doing to address a variety of problems, including teen suicide. “If they don’t communicate with the kids, their perception is that they are doing nothing,” she said. She also praised the youth commission. “I think its No. 1. The kids will tell you what they need,” McPherson said. “Prevention works. We don’t want to wait until a suicide occurs.” Bourque said she is glad teen suicide is getting far more attention and hopeful other teens can be helped. “I am feeling a sense of hope and change. It’s not about me,” Bourque said. “It’s defending the kids, keeping us alive.”

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Youth

January 2018

HIGLEY HAPPENINGS

Fiesta Bowl grants $5,000 wishes to 2 teachers National Merit Scholar semifinalist Cooley Middle School robotics/ applied technology teacher Joe Bisaccia and Chaparral Elementary School fifthgrade teacher Marcella Cochran are two of 150 teachers to receive the Wishes for Teachers grants from Fiesta Bowl in 2017. They were selected out of more than 4,200 applications. Fiesta Bowl CFO Curt Krizan brought the news to the two teachers during class time. Each received $5,000 for classroom supplies. (Photo Special to GSN) Bisaccia is a first-year teacher at Cooley Middle School teacher Joe Bisaccia Cooley Middle School. holds the symbolic grant check. “I was absolutely shocked. I had no idea I was going to win the grant. I was came in during my first hour so that was a really excited, and mostly for the kids,” wonderful way to kick off the day.” he said. “I applied for the grant because Cochran hopes to purchase items for her Cooley was lacking enough robotics classroom to help improve student focus. kits for next semester. I figured we had “Our fifth-grade students have recess nothing to lose. We simply didn’t have before school, if they arrive before the money for a new classroom bundle.” the bell rings, and a 15-minute lunch Bisaccia started teaching as a longrecess. I have been looking for ways to term substitute while waiting for law incorporate quiet movement and flexible school admission but fell in love with the profession and became a certified teacher. seating in my classroom so my math “It’s been a great experience, and I feel students can take care of their sensory needs,” she said. really fortunate to work at an awesome To do this, she is planning to purchase school like Cooley in such a great flexible seating options such as wiggle seats, district!” he said. stability balls, adjustable desks, balance Cochran is a 13-year teacher who has boards, resistance bands and the like. worked in Higley for six years. “It is my hope that taking care of their “I was extremely surprised,” she said. sensory needs will improve their ability “I had been monitoring their website to to focus in class and, in turn, improve see who had been selected and had not their success in math,” she said. seen my name at that point. Mr. Krizan

With a goal in mind and a plan in place, students can achieve their dreams. Just ask Higley High School’s early 2017 graduate, Alexia Camino-Wanca. The National Merit Scholarship program named Alexia a semifinalist last fall, an accomplishment awarded to less than 1 percent of all high school students who take the PSAT in October. While that is an achievement in itself, Alexia completed another goal last spring: finishing high school early. Through planning and extra classes, Alexia graduated last May, a full year ahead of schedule. She entered Arizona State University with more than 24 college credits thanks to advanced placement and dual-enrollment classes. She hopes her college degree will lead to a job with the FBI or a private company as a cyber-criminal specialist. “Originally I wanted to do forensics, but the FBI is also looking for people with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) backgrounds or accounting and business,” she said. “I did the STEM-AHED Diploma and took principles of engineering. We worked with the MATLAB, which is a programming language. That got me interested in programming and encouraged me to switch my major to computer science with a concentration in information assurance.” The STEM-AHED Diploma is awarded to students who take a preset course of

(Photo Special to GSN)

Alexia Camino-Wanca.

advanced math and science classes, along with engineering, and achieve a weighted GPA of 3.5. For her academic achievements, Arizona State University awarded Alexia the new American University Scholarship. She will find out in the spring if she will also receive a National Merit Scholarship. Along with Alexia, the national merit program recognized 12 others as commended scholars. Alyssa Chavez of Williams Field is a National Merit Hispanic finalist.

Highland High student a delegate to Washington, D.C. BY GSN CONTRIBUTOR

Highland High student deepen their understanding of Vanessa Strait Constandse has America’s political processes been selected as one of two and strengthen their resolve to students to represent Arizona pursue careers in public service. as a delegate to the U.S. Senate The program is funded by Youth Program. The Hearst Foundations, as Vanessa will be in an enduring commitment to Washington, D.C. March preparing young people for 3-10 to meet with high-level citizenship and leadership roles officials from each branch of within our democracy. More government, along with an than 5,500 alumni serve the outstanding group of high country in many ways. school students representing “We are extremely proud the 50 states. She also will of all that Vanessa has (Special to GSN) receive a $10,000 college Vanessa Strait Constandse accomplished, including being a scholarship as part of the part of the Youth Senate Program,” holds up the letter of selection she received program. said Melinda Murphy, school from the U.S. Senate Founded in 1962, the principal. “She has an incredible Youth Program. national initiative provides opportunity ahead of her.” opportunities for talented young people For more information on the program, with demonstrated leadership abilities to visit ussenateyouth.org.

Wish granted to teacher Fiesta Bowl Charities recently presented a $5,000 check to Desert Hills High School teacher Louise Campina as part of its Wishes for Teachers initiative.Campina was among 150 Arizona grant recipients in 2017

(Special to GSN)

through the program. During the presentation (from left): Jenn Daniels, Mayor of Gilbert; Campina; Curt Krizan, Fiesta Bowl chief financial officer; and Dave Miller, principal at Desert Hills.

January 2018

Youth

www.GilbertSunNews.com

Hollywood in Gilbert Mesquite High School in Gilbert performed a public dance concert themed “Hollywood” recently at the school’s theater. Beyond Motion Dance Company also presented a special performance then. 1 . Mesquite’s Beginning Level 2 Dance Class perform a ballet routine choreographed by teacher Tiffany White. (Photo courtesy of Mesquite High School Photography.) 2. The Beyond Motion Dance Company choreographed and performed ‘Circus! Circus!,’ which premiered at Chandler’s Woofstock in November. (Photo courtesy of Mesquite High School Photography.) 3. The Intermediate Level Dance Class performs a jazz routine choreographed by Tiffany White. (Photo courtesy of Mesquite High School Photography.) 4. Caroline Jackson and Caitlin Crandell performs in ‘Sincerely, With Love,’ choreographed by White. (Photo courtesy of Macey Sierka.) 5. 12th-grader Ally McSpadden performs a self-choreographed solo. (Photo courtesy of Macey Sierka.)

January 2018

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Spirituality

www.GilbertSunNews.com The Bridge Church 645 N. Gilbert Road, Suite 180, Gilbert 480-294-7888 bridgechurchaz.org Service: 10 a.m. Sundays We exist to help people know God and become everything God created them to be. We do this by helping people begin a relationship with God, grow in that relationship to find freedom from the struggles they experience, discover the purpose for which God made them and live out their purpose to make a difference in the church and in the world. Central Christian Church-Gilbert 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert centralaz.com Services: 4 and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays; 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon Sundays While the Bible itself is the church’s official document of faith, the website lists a variety of statements that fundamentally define the church. Please visit the website for more information. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3301 S. Greenfield Road, Gilbert 480-822-5000 lds.org First United Methodist Church of Gilbert 331 S. Cooper Road, Gilbert 480-892-9166 gilbertumc.org Services: 8 and 9:30 a.m. (traditional services) and 11 a.m. (contemporary service) Sundays The two traditional services feature the Chancel choir and traditional worship. The 11 a.m. service has a contemporary

Spiritual Connections

feel, with music from the Praise Band. The 9:30 a.m. service generally has the largest attendance. Gilbert Presbyterian Church 235 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert 480-892-6753 azgpc.org Services: 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays Gilbert Presbyterian Church is called to be a Christ-centered covenant family nurtured by the Holy Spirit to worship God and to share God’s love. The Lawrence Memorial AME Zion Church 1141 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert 480-772-3603 Services: 10:15 a.m. Sunday; Bible study is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday The Lawrence Memorial Church is a contemporary church. We are a multicultural church that is simply looking to reach the unreachable with love. Living Water United Methodist Fellowship Highland Park Elementary School Sundays at 10:00 am New Location 645 N Gilbert Rd, Suite 180 Gilbert, AZ 85234 (Southeast corner of Gilbert & Guadalupe, south of EVDI) Pastor Kent Bertrand 480.294.7888 www.bridgechurchaz.org

230 N. Cole Dr., Gilbert livingwaterum.org Services: 10 a.m. Sundays Living Water exists to bring people in to meet Christ, build people up to follow Christ and send people out to share Christ. Mission Community Church 4450 E. Elliot Road, Gilbert 480-545-4024 mission68.org Services: 4 and 6 p.m. Saturdays and 9, 10:30 and 11:59 a.m. Sundays The Bible is God’s word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth and without error in the original manuscripts. Redemption Gilbert 1820 W. Elliot Road, Gilbert 480-632-2220 gilbert.redemptionaz.com/about/ a-brief-overview/ Services: 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays Gospel means good news, but it is truly the most profound and glorious truth ever revealed. It is not advice, nor is it a system or philosophy to add to the congregants’ lives. It is an exclusive truth claim, a holistic worldview, the true story of the whole world, which by its very nature must redefine and recolor everything else.

N. Gilbert Rd.

Resurrection Episcopal Church Meets at Gilbert Community Center, 130 N. Oak St., Gilbert E. Guadalupe Rd. Starting January 8th, 2017, 480-719-5343 please join us as we work throughresurrectiongilbert.org the Community Bible Experience together, Services: 10 a.m. Sundays as a church family! Resurrection officials say the congregation is a church you can believe in because you belong. This means it welcomes and embraces all

January 2018

people because God already has. Come for worship, fellowship and Bible study on Sundays and join the group on a spiritual journey to better understand God’s plan for our lives. San Tan Bible Church 1424 S. Promenade Lane, Gilbert Phone number N/A. santanbible.org Services: 8:30 a.m. (Bible hour); 9:30 a.m. (Café 2:42) and 10 a.m. worship service Sundays The church believes the glory of God is the chief end of all we do. Sun Valley Community Church 456 E. Ray Road, Gilbert 480-632-8920 sunvalleycc.com Services: 4 and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 9, 10:30 and 11:59 a.m. Sundays The atmosphere is casual and friendly at Sun Valley Community Church. It places high value on authentic Christian living and placing Christ at the center of all our teachings. The church also offers worship music that is current and uplifting, along with focused weekend sermons that break down the Bible in a way that makes it easy to connect the word of God with today’s busy life. Two Rivers Church 326 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert 85234 480-892-2435, 2riverschurch.org Services: 6 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) Sundays Two Rivers Church exists to help lead congregants into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ by encouraging and equipping them to love God intimately and serve others. It has a casual environment with a serious faith. Vineyard Community Church 601 S. Cooper Road, Gilbert 85233 480-892-5828 vineyardaz.com Services: 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays Vineyard Community is a casual, friendly and inviting church. Its desire is to be a safe place where people’s lives are being transformed by Christ in community for the world. T he diverse community of Christ-followers seeks the radical in-breaking of the kingdom of God here and now. Followers worship God with the intention of touching heaven and changing earth.

January 2018

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Arts

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January 2018

Background singer Darlene Love in spotlight show BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Renowned background singer Darlene Love has encountered her fair share of hurdles, but she doesn’t see them as barriers to success. It’s quite the opposite. “Hurdles are to get over, not to bar you,” Love said. “Producers are my biggest hurdles. Some don’t realize that Darlene Love is alive and well and puts on a great show. “It’s not their fault. Darlene Love was behind the scenes for so many years.” That’s not to say she hasn’t made her mark. This Rock and Roll Hall of Famer starred in the Lethal Weapon series as Danny Glover’s wife, and won an Oscar for the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom. She appeared on Broadway in Hairspray and Grease. As part of Phil Spector’s wall of sound hit factory, her Billboard hits include “He’s a Rebel,” “The Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” “Wait Until My Bobby Gets Home” and “He’s a Fine, Fine Boy.” She took a brief break in the 1970s to raise her family, only to return in the early 1980s. Steven Van Zandt persuaded her to move from California to New York to continue her career. “My response was, ‘And to do what?’”

(Photo courtesy Mesa Arts Center)

Legendary background singer Darlene Love played Danny Glover’s wife in the Lethal Weapon series.

she said with a laugh. “His response was, ‘Listen, if I get you some shows, will you come?’ That was 35 years ago. My career took on a life of its own.” While she was starring in Leader of the Pack, she met David Letterman’s band leader, Paul Shaffer. Impressed with her performance of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” Shaffer invited Letterman to a show. The talk show legend expressed his love of the performer on his series. “He said on his show that it was one of the greatest Christmas songs he ever heard,” she recalled, adding he crowned her the “Queen of Christmas.” During the winter, the song is the centerpiece of her tour. When she headlines the Mesa Arts Center on Wednesday, February 7, the tone will change. “Oh, that’s our Valentine’s Day show,” she said. “We add a few love songs to our Valentine’s Day shows. We do special things during those shows.” At 76 years old, Love stays active to keep her body and voice in check. She kickboxes at 5 a.m. on days she doesn’t have gigs. She drinks plenty of water and keeps her doctor appointments.

Along with her health, she relishes the friendships she has made over the years. With the Blossoms, Love provided background vocals for some of the 1960s’ biggest hits, like the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” Shelley Fabares’ “Johnny Angel,” Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash,” Frank Sinatra’s version of “That’s Life” and the Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron.” “I look back at my career and I cherish the thought of people who helped me along the way,” Love said. “Nobody can make it by themselves. These are superstars, too — Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones and even Nancy Sinatra. I was just their background singer, but I was just as important to them as anyone else.” Persistence is the key to her success. “If you work as hard as you can, trying to get to where you’re going, you’ll reach your dreams,” she said. Darlene Love performs 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 7 at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa. Tickets are $48-$68. Details: 480-654-6500 or mesaartscenter.com.

Higley Center for the Performing Arts: Upcoming shows RED SKELTON SALUTE – RED SAILS INTO THE SUNSET

7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 6 The title, Red Sails into the Sunset, refers to the legendary comedian returning for one last performance – this is his fond farewell to fans. The entire show is staged as a fictional 1980s TV variety program, One More Time, based on the premise of a legendary performer reprising his or her act. Chuck Carson is featured as the show’s host and Lynn Roberts portrays Red Skelton. Many of Red’s characters will be fully costumed. The lineup includes Gertrude and Heathcliff (Seagulls); Sheriff Deadeye, Junior - the mean liddle kid; Clem Kadiddlehopper; San Fernando Red; Willie Lump Lump; and Freddie the Freeloader. The show host uses a prop notebook, out of which he reads various biographical facts about Red during the production, providing the audience an opportunity to learn more about America’s clown.

ACOUSTIC EIDOLON

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 9 Acoustic Eidolon is the internationally acclaimed musician duo Joe Scott and Hannah Alkire. Scott created and performs on a unique 14-string, doubleneck banjo/guitar, the guitjo, both necks of which he can play simultaneously. Alkire is a classically-trained cellist known for mesmerizing emotion and risk-taking moves that take her cello performances into uncharted territories. ________________________________ BETTMAN & HALPIN

7:30 p.m. Friday, January 12 Bettman & Halpin play original folk/ Americana. Their concerts combine highenergy, upbeat bluegrass/roots inspired compositions, ballads with soaring vocals and heartfelt lyrics, and groovy, feel-good songs. Interspersed between these songs and instrumentals, they tell stories. They have become as known for their storytelling and playful banter as well as for their

hooky, whole-hearted songwriting and instrumental wizardry. ________________________________

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HOTEL CALIFORNIA: A SALUTE TO THE EAGLES

7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 13 The Gentlemen Trio, established in 2014, comprises three highly trained tenors, Brad Robins, Casey Elliott and Bradley Quinn Lever. They pioneer a signature sound that may be described as “cinematic pop.” The music of Gentri is transfused with epic orchestrations and dynamic three-part harmonies composed by the group’s producer, Stephen Nelson. Gentri’s self-titled, debut EP, released March 31, spent 10 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 on two Billboard charts, including three weeks at No. 2 on both the Classical and Classical Crossover charts. ________________________________ GUTHRIE BROTHERS: SCARBOROUGH FAIR, TRIBUTE TO SIMON & GARFUNKEL

7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 18.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 20 ________________________________

7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 1 With its extraordinary vocal and musical talent, Hotel California faithfully and accurately reproduces the music of The Eagles while recreating a classic sound. Authorized by The Eagles, this highly respected show delivers a modern, action-packed, fully produced performance. Their great reputation and audience acclaim stamp this as the ultimate salute. Higley Center for the Arts is at 4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert. Box office: 480-2797194 or visit higleycenter.org.

January 2018

Arts

‘See How They Run’ at Hale Centre Theatre

www.GilbertSunNews.com

BY GSN CONTRIBUTOR

Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert kicks off the year with a classic British comedy, See How They Run, which runs through Feb. 10. It features over-the-top mistaken identities, an escaped Russian spy, a Cockney maid, a straight-laced bishop, a blond American actress married to a vicar, a snooty parishioner who is a scold, and an old friend of the actress who is now in the army.

Chaos ensues when four of the characters assume clergymen’s attire, including the Russian spy. The arrival of the stately bishop doesn’t calm things down, but does lead to gossip, danger and mishaps and climaxes in a riot of laughs. The production features ariZoni Award winner Vinny Chavez as the army soldier; other cast members include Jacob Goodman as the vicar, Alexis Harris as his wife, Chuck Green as the spy, Matthew R. Har-

ris as the bishop, and Lindsay Hope as the Cockney maid. The cast is rounded out by Valley actors Justin Howell, Eric Mitchell and Ami Porter. Theater award winner Cambrian James directs the show. See How They Run is based on a book by prolific English playwright and actor Philip King, who performed in many of his own plays. The comedy played for many months in London and New York

and was adapted into a film comedy that was praised as “a crazy Cockney farce.” See How They Run stages through Feb. 10 at Hale Centre Theatre at 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert. Tickets are priced at $32 adults and $20 youth. Call 480-497-1181 or visit haletheatrearizona.com. *Hale also presents jukebox musical romp Life Could Be a Dream from January 16 to April 17 on Mondays and Tuesdays.

CGCC High School Dance Festival coming up BY COLLEEN SPARKS

High school dancers will polish their pointe work, step up their jazz technique and expand their improvisational skills at an upcoming festival at the Chandler Gilbert Community College. The CGCC High School Dance Festival kicks off at 8 a.m. on Jan. 11 at its Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center. The public can see a showcase performance with the high school groups, as well as the community college’s companies TranscenDANCE and The Hip Hop Coalition on stage from 1:15 to 3 p.m. Students from high schools in the Gilbert Public Schools and Higley Unified School District will be among those participating in the festival’s dance sessions throughout the day. They will take classes in modern, ballet, hip-hop, tap, jazz funk, improvisation and yoga. Each session is 50 minutes of movement and each dancer will take four different classes, said Micaela Church, the community college’s lead faculty for the dance department. “What we do is we want them to not only experience Chandler-Gilbert but

(Special to GSN)

Dance students at Chandler-Gilbert Community College perform in a previous Faculty Showcase at the college. High school students will participate in the CGCC High School Dance Festival on Jan. 11 at the college.

also experience high schoolers from other schools,” Church said. “Hopefully they get a full experience. It’s fun to see the students, the potential that may even be coming to the college. It’s nice networking for the students, too. It’s always good to see what other colleagues are doing.” About 220 students from 11 high schools are expected to take part in

the festival, which is at capacity now. The dancers who will study at the festival all go to high schools with dance programs that have some kind of dance performance companies, Church said. Some schools will bring only 10 or 12 students while other larger high schools will take 30 students. The students can attend at no cost to them and the college

3 Doors Down offers Back Porch Jam BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Whether it’s a rocker like “It’s Not My Time” or the melancholy “Here Without You,” 3 Doors Down writes most of its songs on acoustic guitar. Fans will hear the roots of these songs and more when 3 Doors Down brings its “Back Porch Jam” to Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino on Saturday, January 27. “It’s an acoustic tour,” Arnold said. “Frankly, it’s set up like band practice. There are fans on stage with us. We chill out and play the songs as they were written. “Playing the songs acoustically, the songs can breathe more than when we’re

running around the stage, with flashing lights, smoke and explosions. It’s an intimate show that connects us with the fans and it’s a lot of fun.” There’s an added bonus: All ticket purchasers will receive a limited-edition digital EP featuring acoustic performances of “Kryptonite,” “It’s Not My Time” and “I Don’t Want To Know.” The tour is sentimental for Arnold, who said the Back Porch Jam recalls the writing of the songs. Heavier songs like “Duck and Run” are popular among fans because, Arnold says, it doesn’t seem like it could be

played acoustically. “Back Porch Jam” is a good way to kick off a busy year, Arnold said. The group will spend the summer playing outdoor venues, writing songs and working on a new album. “The main goal is to get out there and play some rock ‘n’ roll,” he said. 3 Doors Down will perform 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler. $70-$110, $225$400 for VIP. Details: 800-946-4452 or wingilariver.com.

will provide lunch to them. The high school groups will perform dances they have already rehearsed at their schools. Participation gives high school students a chance to see what opportunities are available to them at CGCC, whether they want to become a dance major or just take classes there eventually, Church said. “They can experience a wide array of classes,” she said. “You can also just take one (style) and specialize in it.” Students who graduate from high school but are not ready to enroll at a four-year university or college can benefit from the “more personalized attention” at a community college at a lower cost, Church said. “Most of the classes here transfer to a four-year institution,” she said. “Sometimes we view it as we’re the bridge between high school and that four-year institution.” To learn more, visit cgc.edu/Academics/ comm-arts/performing/dance. The college is at 2626 E. Pecos Road in Chandler.

January 2018

www.GilbertSunNews.com

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Arts

January 2018

www.GilbertSunNews.com

The Art of Healthy Living on show BY GSN CONTRIBUTOR

The Art of Healthy Living, at Mesa’s i.d.e.a. Museum, takes viewers on a fruitful journey featuring nutrition, exercise, mindfulness and overall wellness through diverse artworks, hands-on activities and movement stations. It features 16 artists from Arizona and around the globe. Artworks highlighting creativity, physical fitness, food and

(Photos special to GSN)

“Meet Chewy” digital print by Vanessa Dualib of Brazil.

meditation, include ceramics, paintings, sculptures and photographs. Activities align with the Association of Children’s Museums “Let’s Move” campaign, featuring: • Art and hands-on learning about food nutrition, serving size and healthy choices. • Active play in the exercise studio featuring videos that children can follow, balance boards, hula Right: “Circular Motion” digital image by hoops and the like. • Relaxation techniques Deborah McMillion Nering of Phoenix. Above: in the “mindfulness” “The Art of Yoga,” by Mike Brennan, Whitehouse, Station, New Jersey. space, as well as information for McMillion-Nering, Mary learning about how sensory inputs affect Meyer, Farraday Newsome, Jeff Reich and Jeff our moods, emotions and well-being. Schmuki, Arizona; Laleh Mohmedi, Australia; The exhibition runs through Jan. 21. and Jennyfer Stratman, Arizona and Australia. Featured artists are: Mike Brennan, New In addition, select artworks are on Jersey; Stephan Brusche, Netherlands; loan from the Mesa Contemporary Arts Vanessa Dualib, Brazil; Klaus Enrique, New Museum Collection, including artists Akio York; Rebecca Kinkead, Vermont; Deborah

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Opinion

January 2018

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Maricopa County is ‘Stepping Up’ to reduce jail population BY DENNY BARNEY

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to join leaders from across the country at the “Stepping Up Peer Exchange” in Maricopa County, focused on ways to reduce the number of repeat offenders coming through our jail system so we can save money and make our community safer. The county was an early adopter of the “Stepping Up” approach to criminal justice, which recognizes that we can Denny Barney reduce recidivism by changing the way we treat those with serious mental illness, who often cycle in and out of jail like it’s a revolving door. National research and our own data show this particular population has a higher rate of recidivism and a longer length of incarceration than the jail population as a whole, not to mention higher behavioral and physical health costs behind bars. You’ve heard the phrase “do the crime, do the time.” It doesn’t work with the seriously mentally ill. Incarceration is not an effective deterrent for them and seems to do more harm than good. “Stepping

d a n I’m a

Up” is about rethinking that approach, measuring our interventions and bringing good programs to scale to maximize their impact. One example highlighted at the Peer Exchange was the county’s partnership with ConnectionsAZ Urgent Psychiatric Care Center, which provides expert mental health treatment and services for anyone in our community (Special to GSN) who is experiencing a mental health crisis. It also serves as a dropoff point for law enforcement. That means a person who is, say, arrested for public intoxication might go straight here instead of taking up space and resources at our jails. Once someone is booked into our jail system, we do a screening and assessment. We want to know immediately whether they are seriously mentally ill and what other factors led them to crime so we can develop holistic treatment plans for each individual. Sometimes that means evidencebased treatment behind bars. For low-level offenders, the initial assessment often results in diversion.

November 2017

Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

hints to its location, at the southern gateway to the Heritage District. “We are very excited about the rebranding of our organization. Not only does it give us a new direction and focus, but the development of our programming and the overall elevation of arts and culture in the community will benefit residents and tourists alike,” said Kayla Kolar, the center’s executive director. “As the southern gateway to the Heritage

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Big League Dreams vows fight over town contract termination

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

The Gilbert Historical Museum is a link to the town’s past. But in the future, the museum will be known as HD South. The center, which is run by the Gilbert Historical Society, has been transforming itself during the past few years from a mere repository of the town’s historic treasures to a vibrant arts, culture and history hub under a “communities for all ages” model. To better reflect its new mission, it came up with the name. HD South also

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Gilbert’s stormy relationship with Big League Dreams has been headed for a nasty divorce since July, when the town unilaterally closed the sports park amid safety concerns about the integrity of outfield fences and faux grandstands. Gilbert considers the divorce final now that the Town Council has terminated a memorandum of understanding with Big League Dreams, citing a lack of confidence in the company’s ability to operate the facility without damaging it after page 6 $14 million in repairs are completed.

5 Community 20 Neighbors 32 Business 44 Youth

But the operators of Big League Dreams say they are not ready to pack up their bats and balls and leave forever. They are appealing the case in court, attempting to get a permanent injunction that would force Gilbert to reopen the popular, yet much-maligned, sports facility. “We have terminated the marriage and we don’t want to make up,” said Robert Grasso, an attorney representing Gilbert in the lawsuits related to the sports see

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would be possible without willing and skilled community partners who do the heavy lifting once a person is released. We are grateful for their commitment and awed by their tenacity. We hope others will recognize the difference they are making every day. Criminal justice is challenging in a county as dynamic as ours. We need to target our resources where they can have the most impact. That’s what “Stepping Up” is all about. The results are promising. Despite being the fastest-growing county in the nation, Maricopa County’s jail population is actually declining. Our percentage of seriously mentally ill-designated individuals has remained steady and low compared to many jurisdictions across the country. Through “Stepping Up” efforts, we have seen this population spend fewer days in jail. We know from the research that when we reduce the time a low-level, low-risk offender spends in jail, we reduce the chances they will come back to jail. In short, we are making progress in shutting the “revolving door” for seriously mentally ill individuals in our community. And that is good for all of us. Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and the chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

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That is when we take them out of jail and refer them to support services within our community. Diversion reduces the length of their jail stay and their risk of coming back, saving all of us money. The most critical time for any justiceinvolved person (seriously mentally ill or not) is the moment they walk out of jail. We know that is when they are at the highest risk of reoffending. That’s why we spend a lot of time and energy thinking about that transition. Many seriously mentally ill have substance abuse issues so we link them to treatment programs outside of jail. Some struggle to obtain housing — because of their criminal background, their mental illness, or both — so we link them to housing solutions, whether temporary shelter or something more permanent. Some neglect mental health treatment upon release, so we focus on transitioning them to an environment that will support their health needs. We’ve learned it’s all about meeting people where they are. Often times, community agency staff will be waiting for the person the moment they leave jail, and will physically accompany them to a community provider. That “warm handoff” can make all the difference. I should emphasize that none of this

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Arizona’s Resort-Style Home Builder MASTER PLANNED CELEBRATED COMMUNITIES BY BLANDFORD HOMES

Award-winning Arizona builder for 39 years. Blandford Homes specializes in building master planned environments with a variety of amenities and charm. Many offer resort-style amenities such as pools, spa, fitness, tennis, event lawns, and lifestyle activities, you’ll find the perfect community to fit your lifestyle. A Mountain Bridge in Northeast Mesa – Resort-Style Master Planned Community 6 BRAND NEW REVOLUTIONARY MODELS FOR 2017 Vintage Collection • From the high $300’s • 480-988-2400 Craftsman Collection • From the low $400’s • 480-641-1800 Artisan Collection • From the low $500’s • 480-641-1800 Master Collection • From the low $700’s • 480-641-1800

B Mulberry – “New Old-Home Neighborhood” GRAND OPENING NEW PHASES! Resort-Style in Southeast Mesa Arbor Collection • From the low $250’s • 480-895-6300 Americana Collection • From the $280’s • 480-895-2800 Centennial Collection • From the $330’s • 480-733-9000 Heritage Collection • From the $360’s • 480-733-9000 C The Estates at Thirty-Second Street NOW SELLING

Estate single-level homes with 4- to 6-car garages and optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the high $700’s • 480-750-3000

D Estates on McDowell 35,000 SQUARE FOOT HOMESITES Lot Reservations Only Are Being Taken

Estate single-level homes with 4- to 6-car garages and optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the low $800’s • 480-750-3000

E The Estates at Las Sendas NOW SELLING

Northeast Mesa Resort-Style Master Planned Community

Luxury single-level estate homes offering optional RV garages and guest homes • From the high $700’s • 480-641-1800

F Sienna Hills – 124th St & Shea in Scottsdale COMING SOON!

Luxury single-level estate homes • From the low $900’s • 480-661-3811

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